Fall is finally upon us—discover a long list of Bay Area events, food and shows to be noticed this month.
Chotto Matte’s expansive Nikkei menu spans sushi, steak, robata and so much more.
Chotto Matte’s decadent Nikkei cuisine has landed in the Bay Area with an edgy rooftop restaurant in Union Square. Executive chef Jordan Sclare serves up intricate dishes crafted with Peruvian ingredients and molded by Japanese techniques in an immersive experience, including a sushi counter, flaming robata grill, live entertainment and DJs. Enjoy expertly cooked steak and perfectly crafted sushi in chic, urban environs with shou sugi ban wood and Japanese lava stone. 50 O’Farrell St., chotto-matte.com
Bryr’s monochromatic black Chonk takes fall footwear to new heights.
Dogpatch-based Bryr Studio Clogs’ latest shoe release is a serious fall statement. The ’90s-inspired Chonk clog has been one of the brand’s bestselling styles for quite some time, and the newest monochromatic black edition is no exception. The chunky, coal-black footwear is both comfy and chic; we expect to see them all over San Francisco this season. 1090 Illinois St., 415.800.8093, bryrstudio.com
CASK 23 is Stag’s Leap’s latest vintage.
Derived from only the most delicious fruit from the S.L.V. and FAY estate vineyards, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellar’s latest cabernet sauvignon release is an absolute delight. Named CASK 23 for the large wooden cask in which the wine is aged, the decadent blend boasts extraordinary depth and richness that improves with each sip. 5766 Silverado Trail, Napa, 707.261.6410, stagsleapwinecellars.com
Feel the Yuletide cheer with Enchant Christmas.
With Enchant Christmas, PayPal Park in San Jose transforms into a winter wonderland for over a month. Guests will adore the world’s largest Christmas maze, the Christmas village (perfect for buying home decor, jewelry and gourmet food), live entertainment and an ice skating trail under twinkling lights. Are you planning a holiday office party or a special family event? PayPal Park’s luxury suites and club spaces will transform into exclusive rooms for staging the Bay Area’s most memorable Yuletide soirees. Nov. 24-Dec. 31, 1123 Coleman Ave., San Jose, enchantchristmas.com
Spruce up your fall decor with a fabulous Creekside Farms wreath.
For over 30 years, Creekside Farms has crafted and delivered artisan-made wreaths for every occasion. This fall, the team creates wreaths from a gorgeous collection of ornamental flowers and culinary herbs. Our faves? The Magnolia Quince wreath features magnolia, dried quince, orange, cinnamon sticks and dried flowers, while the Fall Abundant wreath boasts herbs, dried artichokes, pine cones and tansy. 42195 Oak Ave., Greenfield, 831.674.1234, creeksidefarms.com
Skate the day away at Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square.
The holiday season isn’t complete without a fun-filled day at the Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square, the only outdoor rink in the city. Spend a day free-skating on the ice, or attend one of the curated events like Learn to Skate, Simba Saturdays, Flashback Fridays, Drag Queens on Ice, Silent Skate Party and Polar Bear Skate. 333 Post St., 415.295.1588, unionsquareicerink.com
Tim Maleeny’s latest release is a seriously thrilling read.
Award-winning author Tim Maleeny’s latest tome is a riveting thriller set in San Francisco’s Chinatown. Hanging the Devil (Poisoned Pen/Sourcebooks, 2023) is a fictional peek into the world of art forgery and heists (at the Asian Art Museum, no less) inspired by real-life crimes. The gripping tale follows 11-year-old Grace, the only witness to a helicopter crash at the museum during a heist gone wrong. You won’t be able to put it down, guaranteed. sourcebooks.com
Each delicious oyster purchased at the St. Regis Bar will benefit conservation with the Wild Oyster Project.
The St. Regis San Francisco’s latest partnership is a delicious lesson in conservation. With the Wild Oyster Project, the shells of oysters purchased at the St. Regis Bar will be recycled to build native oyster reefs. These reefs help reduce erosion along the shoreline and expertly filter the water in the Bay, so eat up! 125 3rd St., 415.284.4000, marriott.com; wildoysters.org
David Maisel, “The Mining Project (Clifton, Arizona 7)” (1989)
David Maisel’s latest photography exhibition at Haines Gallery is a fascinating chronicle of his environmental work. Titled Un/Earthed, the images capture natural areas transformed by human intervention, such as mining, industrial pollution, water diversion projects and desertification. The works are photographed from an aerial perspective, asking viewers to question the environmental impact of these altered landscapes. Nov. 3-Jan. 6, 2 Marina Blvd., Building C, 415.397.8114, hainesgallery.com
Sheena Rose, “Salt” (2022)
The Museum of the Africa Diaspora presents Spectrum: On Color & Contemporary Art. The curatorial debut of Key Jo Lee, chief of curatorial affairs and public programs, is a fabulous collection of 17 contemporary Black artists exploring the importance of color in both form and content. How do the colors each artist uses to guide our perception, convey the mood and identity of the piece? Participating artists like Tariku Shiferaw, Sheena Rose and Rashid Johnson invite us to find out. Through March 3, 685 Mission St., 415.358.7200, moadsf.org
The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco present the second de Young Open.
Following the success of the 2020 inaugural event, the de Young Open returns to the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. The juried community art exhibition will showcase magnificent works of art by creatives from nine Bay Area counties, from Alameda to Marin to Sonoma. Most of the pieces are available for purchase, with the funds going directly to the artist, while the museum will also acquire a curated selection for its permanent collection. Through Jan. 7, 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, 415.750.3600, famsf.org
Gourmet American classics are on tap at Hotel Zeppelin’s PLS on Post signature restaurant.
Hotel Zeppelin’s newest on-site eatery, PLS on Post, is a love letter to San Francisco’s counterculture tradition from the ’60s. The restaurant features inventive, made-to-order gourmet smash burgers alongside creamy milkshakes, highball cocktails and more. The Mission Smash (pepper jack cheese, guacamole and spicy poblano aioli) is a reader favorite. We also love the Korean Smash (sharp cheddar, Korean cucumbers and a gochujang barbecue glaze). 545 Post St., 415.447.6975, zhotelssf.com
Hotel SLO will play host to the fabulous 2023 Autumn Soiree Nov. 11.
Celebrate the sumptuous sips, creative minds and flavorful fare of the Central Coast at the 2023 Autumn Soiree. Themed The SLO Way, this funfilled fete is hosted by executive chef Ryan Fancher at the Hotel San Luis Obispo. Expect interactive art installations, a cheeky wine wall, live music, a luxury benefit drawing with fabulous prizes and a lively afterparty. Even better? All proceeds go to charity: the Cal Poly Uncork Potential Scholarships, SLO Food Bank, San Luis Obispo Museum of Art and the Fund for Vineyard and Farm Workers. Nov. 11, 877 Palm St., San Luis Obispo, 805.235.0700, autumnsoiree.com
The Malaysia rojak salad with spicy peanut at Blue Whale Restaurant and Lounge
Michelin-starred chef Ho Chee Boon, the brilliant mind behind Empress by Boon, has unveiled Blue Whale Restaurant and Lounge, a new Asian eatery in the Marina district. The seasonal menu focuses on fresh, authentic ingredients in a la carte dishes like a salmon and beet salad, grilled California red snapper, Iberico ham, xiao long bao and more. The interior hosts two bars and a private VIP lounge, while the backyard patio allows for refreshing alfresco options. 2033 Union St., @bluewhalesf
Elaborate costuming and showstopping choreography emulate beloved childhood characters like Simba and Nala.
One of the most popular stage musicals in the world is headed back to the Bay Area. Featuring beloved characters like Simba, Rafiki and Pumba, Disney’s The Lion King is a childhood classic reimagined on stage for all ages. Elton John and Tim Rice’s songs from the animated film will be used—think “Circle of Life,” “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” and “Hakuna Matata,” alongside three brand-new tunes. Nov. 22-Dec. 30, Orpheum Theatre, 1192 Market St., 888.746.1799, broadwaysf.com
Photography by: COURTESY OF BRANDS; EDOARDO CUOGHI; COURTESY OF THE ST. REGIS SAN FRANCISCO; COURTESY OF THE ARTIST AND HAINES GALLERY, SAN FRANCISCO; COURTESY OF THE ARTIST; NIC MEERHOLZ; CARLY HACKBARTH; DEEN VAN MEER
