EaterWire: Masa's Alums Unite, Robert Parker's $2K Party

UNION SQUARE—Speaking of restaurant institutions and their venerable alumni, Masa's is celebrating 25 years with a special charity dinner put on by some notable veterans of its kitchen: "Executive Chef Gregory Short has invited a who's-who of chef talent to join him in presenting a nine-course tasting menu: Masa's alumni Julian Serrano, Elizabeth Falkner, Richard Reddington and pastry chef Keith Jeanminette." [EaterWire]

NAPA—Have a few thousand bucks lying around that you'd like to spend in an afternoon? You're in luck: "Robert Parker ... will host an Oct. 23 Napa Valley seminar and wine tasting featuring the chance to sip premier 2005 vintage Bordeaux wines, which Parker has hailed as 'the greatest vintage produced during my 30-year career' ...the tasting is open to anyone who plunks down $2,000." [BT]

THE MISSION—News only broke yesterday that 12 Galaxies would be shuttering at the end of the month, but already, we have people rallying to save it: "For the Mission to be devoid of a venue for serious touring bands is for me to die a little. Slim’s is fine and Bottom of the Hill is okay, but they’re SO far away — and god forbid we have to go to Bimbo’s ... Even though it’s only been around for a few years, it feels like a legitimate institution. So, if somebody with money to burn wants to buy it and keep it going, we would support that." [Mission Mission]

THE AMERICA—Oh hey, another beef recall: "Whole Foods Market is recalling fresh ground beef sold between June 2 through Aug. 6 because the beef might be contaminated with E. coli bacteria." At this point, California isn't one of the 25 affected states/countries, but if you have any beef from June 2... [AP]

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