October 27, 2026

Dianne de Guzman

I’m just not ready for sweater weather and pumpkins yet.

Just three months ago, we were at the hopeful start of summer, filled with possibility. I was high on the idea of summertime gatherings in the late-setting sun, touring visiting friends around the city, trips to corners of the Bay Area I’ve been neglecting. 

But the calendar just flipped to September; it’s almost like a light flipped off inside me. There’s nothing particularly wrong about the month, but perhaps some leftover sentiments toward school have me feeling in the doldrums. 

And yet, I’m spending this last spiritual weekend of summer raging against the retreat of the summer sun. If the weather cooperates — I see you, rainy Thursday, and I don’t like it — here are some food and drink suggestions for the weekend. 

1. Sunshine and wine: With my last summer Friday, I’m in the mood for a glass of wine in the sun, and for me that means one of two places: Birba or Arlequin Wine Merchant. Both are excellent for sitting on the patio amidst the flora and drinking a chilled white or red, preferably with a plate on the table to pick at while reading a few more pages of the book I’ve been working my way through. 

2. Corn. It’s got the juice: If I’m feeling particularly ambitious, I might make my way to Cotogna for lunch, where I’ve heard plenty of praise for the corn-packed triangoli, covered in corn puree with singed kernels of corn. 

3. Sandwich and a beach hang: But truly, after a packed August, I’m just as likely to grab a sandwich from Outta Sight Pizza or Palm City Wines or the nearest deli, and head to the nearest beach (my go-to let’s do nothing plans since high school). If I’m on the road, flying through the lower deck of the Bay Bridge in my car as the sun sinks behind me, I’ll consider the day conquered. 

4. Award-winning pastries in Petaluma: If you have a car, or have a friend with a car, I’d also implore you to head out to hilly Petaluma to check out Blooms End, as it’s the second (and last) weekend of Tomato Days happening on Friday, September 4, and Saturday, September 5. It’s the time of summer when baker Mary Denham focuses her energy on layering as many tomatoes as she can into her pastries. Here’s the menu from last weekend, and I’m expecting the heavy tomato vibes to continue. It’s my second visit to Blooms End this summer, and I’m infatuated with the triple whammy of mini road trip + pastries + summer produce (sold at Tenfold Farmstand). Add on the regret from last year of missing out on the tomato bonanza, and this is another summer treat I’m holding onto for the long weekend.

5. A farmers market excursion: For my final hurrah, as you can tell from my various newsletter dispatches, I haven’t been home cooking much of anything, but I plan to fix that with a trip to the Sunday Marin Farmers Market. I’m planning on loading my bags with summer produce to fill my Monday with cooking something that takes an annoying amount of time to make, but still feels worth it. Grab some flowers while you’re at it — my personal rule is to try and find anything under $10 — and fill your home with a nice, weeklong reminder of how you turned your last summer weekend into your best weekend yet.