Donald Trump Jr. Dines at Pac Heights Restaurant Amid SF Fundraising

Donald Trump, Jr. — while no fan of San Francisco’s political and cultural tendencies — doesn’t appear immune to the city’s gastronomic charms. The president’s large adult son dined with about 15 others at Pacific Heights restaurant Sorrel this week, following a meet-and-greet fundraiser event on Nob Hill this Wednesday.

Sorrel, which recently received a Michelin star, opened at 3228 Sacramento Street in 2018. There, chef Alex Hong and partner Colby Heiman have quickly made a name for their restaurant: Hong was a 2019 James Beard Award nominee for rising star chef.

According to a representative for the restaurant, the business was unaware of the nature of the recent dinner, which was booked by another attendee, until the day before it took place. The situation highlights the difficulty for restaurants, such as the Red Hen, when caught in today’s political fray. Instead of refusing service, Sorrel employees were given the option not to participate in the dinner, and proceeds from the evening are being donated to charity.

As the Examiner reports, Trump Jr. was in San Francisco to lead a local Trump 2020 fundraiser, for which tickets were $35,000 a person. The bill included Trump Jr.’s girlfriend, Kimberly Guilfoyle, ex-wife of Gavin Newsom and former San Francisco first lady turned Fox News commentator. The event, held at the home of Giants part-owner Debby Magowan, was co-hosted by other Trump supporters like local rich person Dede Wilsey, a longtime leader of the SF Fine Arts Museums who recently relinquished her position to spend more time with her Maltese dogs.

Of course, Trump Jr. isn’t the only high-profile political diner fundraising and eating his way through wealthy San Francisco these day. Recently, senator Elizabeth Warren was out at downtown restaurant Ayala, a seafood-focused establishment led by executive chef Melissa Perfit.

• Trump Jr. fundraises for president at Nob Hill party for SF Republicans [SF Examiner]