San Francisco's "Toast of the Town'' food and wine festival

How would you like to taste 500 premium wines and spirits, and nosh on gourmet creations from more than 30 top Bay Area restaurants -- all in one spot?


You can at "Toast of the Town,'' a wine and food extravaganza that will be held at the stunning War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco, a short hop from the Phoenix Hotel-Civic Center.


The April 22 event, presented by Wine Enthusiast magazine and the Wall Street Journal, benefits the San Francisco Food Bank.


Participating restaurants include Farallon Restaurant and Le Mar Cebicheria Peruana in San Francisco and Mustards Grill in Napa. Participating wineries include Archery Summit, Champagne Louis Roederer, Rubicon Estate and Domain Drouhin.


Tickets are $89 (or $79 if purchased by April 1). To get in two hours earlier (and beat the crowds), you might want to opt for the V.I.P. tickets for $169 (or $149 if purchased by April 1).


- Carolyn Jung of FoodGal