Wine Enthusiast brought Toast of the Town to San Francisco on March 29, and even in a city where wine-and-food events are routine, the folks were wowed.
Held for the last six years at New York City’s Lincoln Center and at Chicago’s Field Museum since 2006, San Francisco’s TOTT premiered in the War Memorial Opera House, a glittering, Beaux Arts-style structure, dating to 1932, that’s part of the city’s Civic Center complex, including Symphony Hall and golden-domed City Hall.
Some 1,500 attendees enjoyed a walk-around of the building’s four stories; the venue boasted 500 wines and spirits produced by 140 producers from around the world alongside small plates of savory foods from more than 30 top California restaurants, all to the strains of two jazz bands. It was a young, trendy, enthusiastic crowd, testimony to San Francisco’s adventurous spirit, and the way this city embraces haute cuisine and fine wine at the highest level. Even the weather cooperated, with one of the balmiest days in weeks.
Also held at TOTT was a silent auction to benefit America’s Second Harvest food bank network (www.secondharvest.org), the nation’s largest charitable hunger-relief organization.
Said Wine Enthusiast Publisher and Editor Adam Strum, “We’re thrilled with the tremendous turnout for our first-ever Toast of the Town event in San Francisco. Our winery and restaurant partners delivered exceptional tastes, making for a very special event. We look forward to celebrating in San Francisco again next spring.”
For information on Toast of the Towns in all three cities, visit www.wineenthusiast.com/tot07/.
Last Updated: May 4, 2023
