Thomas Keller’s Caviar and Champagne Pop-Up

Even if you can’t score a coveted table at The French Laundry, you can still enjoy some luxe tastes in Yountville from Thomas Keller.

The acclaimed chef joined with caviar expert Shaoching Bishop to start their own caviar brand, Regiis Ova (“royal egg” in Latin), in 2017. Now, the two have collaborated on the Regiis Ova Caviar & Champagne Lounge pop-up, 6480 Washington St. in Yountville. Open Thursday through Saturday, 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., the pop-up is expected to continue at least through the fall.

Take a plush seat indoors or outdoors to enjoy a tasting of caviar, starting at $45 for 15 grams with classic garnishes, two deviled eggs topped with caviar for $35 or French onion dip topped with caviar and served with kettle fried potato chips ($65)

If that’s a little rich for your pocketbook, opt for smoked sturgeon rillettes with pickled garden vegetables ($20) or a whimsical Bouchon Bakery “Oh Oh” (a gourmet take on a Ho Ho) for $10.

Alongside, sip prestige French or California bubbly by the glass or bottle, or a variety of red, white and rose wines.

Whether for a sip and snack or a complete meal, kick back with the sounds from a jazz pianist or DJ.

Dine Downtown San Jose Restaurant Promotion Runs Through July 18

In a normal year, “Dine Downtown San Jose” would indeed last a week. But as we all know, this past year has been anything but conventional. As such, the annual promotion will run for 10 days this year, from now through July 18.

There’s no better time to lend your support to restaurants who have faced an unprecedented uphill battle due to the pandemic.

Twenty-seven restaurants are offering specially-priced food-and-drink pairings, prix-fixed menus, and chef’s specials.

Among them are a three-course dinner for $99 at acclaimed Adega, a $35 three-course menu at The Farmers Union, $5 off any extra-large pizza at 4th St. Pizza Co., and a $20 prosciutto pizza and $12 MonteNegroni cocktail at Enoteca La Storia. For a complete list of participating restaurants, click here.

Virtual Cooking Demo by Chef Gregory Gourdet

Notwithstanding the doozy of a controversy surrounding this season’s “Top Chef” champion, if you’ve been a fan of the culinary competition show, you’re sure to remember previous contender and guest judge this year, Chef Gregory Gourdet, whose Haitian heritage figures prominently in his cooking along with Asian flavors and French techniques.

At 5 p.m. July 13, he’ll be joining Williams-Sonoma and Anolon for a virtual cooking class to showcase “Seared Rib Eye Steaks with Korean Barbecue-Style Sauce and Banchan” from his new cookbook, “Everyone’s Table: Global Recipes for Modern Health” (Harper Wave). He’ll be doing so, using new nonstick cookware from AnolonX.

Tickets are $37.50 and includes a copy of the cookbook. To reserve, click here.