7 Baller Super Bowl Eating and Drinking Experiences

Perhaps you have heard that the Super Bowl is coming to the Bay Area on February 7? The big to-do has elicited a variety of emotions from the general populace, including excitement and dismay. But, regardless of your feelings about football, there's one thing everyone loves: good food and lots of it. Thanks to the Big Game, this town is going all out in that regard (it is SF, after all).

From charitable experiences to crazy tailgates, here are seven totally over-the-top, once-in-a-lifetime Bay Area dining experiences happening around town.

On the Fifty Pop-Up at RN74

Feb 1 - Feb 7
RN74 is right next to "Super Bowl City" and since chef Michael Mina is a huge football fan, it only makes sense that for one week only, a "charitable dining experience" dubbed On the Fifty is taking over the space. The restaurant will be decked out in Super Bowl décor and there will be autographed NFL memorabilia available for purchase. Mina's regular RN74 menu will also be available, but with a football theme. (Appetizers are "kickoff and pregame," sides are "specials teams," steaks come "from the gridiron," etc.) There will also be some special Broncos and Panthers-themed dishes so you can support your team of choice accordingly. And,  portion of the proceeds (along with money made from sales of the memorabilia) will go to the NFL Foundation, so go ahead and splurge. Reservations are highly encouraged. Makes yours here.

Culinary Kickoff

Culinary Kickoff

Feb 4
Chefs Michael Mina and Charlie Palmer are hosting the second annual Culinary Kickoff at Michael Mina Restaurant. The evening will be emceed by NFL Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk and starts with a cocktail party featuring wines from vintners with NFL ties. Then, chefs Todd English and David Burke will join Mina and Palmer to prepare a four-course dinner. There will also be a special surprise musical performance at the after party (and given all the celebrities in town, it's probably going to be a good one). Proceeds from sales of the $5,000/person tickets will benefit The Culinary Kickoff Youth Scholarship Fund. The cocktail reception begins at 5:30 p.m., dinner is at 7:30 p.m. and the after hour party goes until 2 a.m. Learn more and buy tickets here.

Pro Football Hall of Fame Super Bowl Luncheon

Feb 5
If you like football, you likely have nothing but respect for John Madden. Which is why you might want to attend this luncheon at the Hilton in Union Square that's being held in his honor. Guests will enjoy a cocktail reception (yes, even though it begins at 11 a.m.), a seated lunch, and get the chance to hear stories from over 50 different Hall of Fame players, including 49ers legend John Brodie. Individual tickets are $1,000 and can be purchased here.

Super Bowl Breakfast

Feb 6
You'll have to get up early if you want to eat the most important meal of the day with football greats like Brent Jones, Tony Dungy, Roger Staubach, Mike Ditka, and more. Thomas Davis of the Carolina Panthers will also be on hand to receive the 2016 Bart Starr Award because, y'know, he doesn't have much else going on that weekend. The breakfast starts at 8 a.m. and is being held at the Hilton Union Square. Individual tickets start at $250 and can be ordered here.

Taste of the NFL

Taste of the NFL

Feb 6
The Cow Palace is being taken over by a team of all-star chefs, all of whom represent different NFL cities. Check out the 35 stations, all of which will have delicious food, wine pairings, and a current or alumni NFL player there to hand out autographs and take photos. There's also a silent auction, plus Third Eye Blind will return from obsolescence to perform at the end of the evening. VIPs can enter at 5:30 p.m. and the doors for regular guests open at 7 p.m. Learn more and buy tickets here.

Mission Rock Resort

Tailgate on the Bay

Feb 7
Taking advantage of their desirable waterfront location, Mission Rock Resort is going all out on Super Bowl Sunday with an all-you-can-eat gourmet buffet, top shelf open bar, appearances by and autograph signings with former 49ers Eric Wright and Keena Turner, gift bags, games, and more. The party starts at 10 a.m. and goes until 3:30 p.m. Super early bird VIP tickets are $150 and available until January 31. Tickets after that range from $250 to $295. Buy tickets here.

Players Super Bowl Tailgate

Feb 7
Guy Fieri and Erin Andrew are hosting this almost too-Guy-to-be-true pregame party down the street from Levi's Stadium that will be attended by a bunch of current NFL players and anyone willing to pay $700 for a ticket. The all-you-can-eat menu includes options that are so Guy Fieri like a whole hog throwdown, live nacho bar (as opposed to dead?), mac daddy mac and cheese bar, tons of passed apps, and an premium open bar. We also assume the donkey sauce will flow freely throughout the event, though that is currently speculation. It goes from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., so if you work hard, you can make it worth your money. Tickets are available here.