Afternoon tea hits the spot during the holidays. (Photo courtesy of the Ritz-Carlton)

Holiday Tea Time at The Ritz-Carlton SF

If you need a respite from all that holiday shopping, head to the swank Ritz-Carlton San Francisco for some soothing tea.

Take a load off at the 3 p.m. afternoon tea in the lounge, available daily through Dec. 24.

You’ll enjoy a pot of tea, savory finger sandwiches, scones, macarons and other sweets while live music entertains.

Price is $65 per person.

The little ones are sure to love the Teddy Bear Tea, available 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Dec. 14-15 and Dec. 20-24.

Children can bring their favorite stuffed animal to the Terrace Room to meet Stretchy the Elf, Holly Berry and the giant Ritz-Carlton Teddy Bear. They’ll also get to partake in holiday story-telling, sing-a-longs and a photo session with the Ritz-Carlton Teddy Bear. Holiday treats will be served, too.

Aww, how cute is this Teddy Bear Tea? (Photo courtesy of the Ritz-Carlton)

Price is $110 per person. A portion of proceeds benefits the Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area foundation.

For reservations to either tea event, call (415) 773-6168.

Winter-Christmas Ales at The Trappist

The Trappist in Oakland is celebrating Kerstbier, a two-day Bacchanalia today through Saturday that spotlights a bevy of winter-Christmas ales, including a tap take-over with 25 featured beers.

Enjoy Blaugies, De Ranke, Prairie Artisan, St Bernardus, Kerkom, Slaapmutske, Struise and many more.

The event starts at 5 p.m. each of those nights. For $25, you get a commemorative Kerstbier glass plus four beer tokens.

San Francisco’s Roka Akor Makes Lunch On The Go A Breeze

Roka Akor, located in San Francisco’s Jackson Square neighborhood, just launched its grab-n-go Brown Bag Lunch option, offered Monday through Friday, noon to 2:30 p.m. or until they run out.

Each three-course lunch is $15.  Selections change daily but include a savory sushi roll, salad and home-made dessert — all packaged to take along with you.

One of Roka Akor’s Brown Bag Lunch offerings. (Photo courtesy of the restaurant)