Taste of the Nation's Big Take; Willie Brown's Cocktail

SAN FRANCISCO—Thursday night's Taste of the Nation event at the Metreon's City View featured food and silent auction items from big name chefs, and raised funds for a variety of organizations aimed at ending child hunger. While last year's event raised $185K, this year tipped the scale with over $230K raked in for a good cause. [EaterWire]

EMBARCADERO—Waterbar has added a dubiously-named new cocktail to its menu. Dubbed "Eighty Shades of Brown," the drink is aimed at celebrating both Willie Brown's 80th birthday and his recently dedicated bridge: it features Rémy Martin, grains of paradise tincture, Cointreau and grapefruit. A portion of the proceeds from the $14 cocktail go towards keeping the Bay Lights art installation alight. [EaterWire]

FINANCIAL DISTRICT—Craving some breakfast this evening? Stop by Bluestem Brasserie, where they'll be previewing their new brunch menu with a special night of breakfast-for-dinner action that includes dishes like grass-fed flat iron steak and eggs and mocha-stuffed brioche French toast. [EaterWire]

EMBARCADERO—Tomorrow night will see a special wine dinner at La Mar Cebichería Peruana, featuring wines from Siete Fincas. Four courses (a nine total dishes) will features menu items like Dungeness crab with yellow potato causa and braised short ribs, and along with wine pairings, the dinner will run $75 per guest including tax and gratuity. [EaterWire]