DELICIOUS. INTIMATE. PLAYFUL.
The East Bay recently welcomed a new addition to its social scene with the opening of Social-Affair, an intimate gathering place and lounge for those seeking a tasteful experience.
This latest addition to City Center Bishop Ranch’s dining and lifestyle options offers an opportunity to escape and unwind via its array of distinctive international wines, artisanal beers, teas, and signature handmade chai complemented by delicious dishes, charcuterie boards, and fine chocolates.
Located in San Ramon, this unique and classy gathering space is under the creation and watchful eye of owner Gunjan Madan, a mechanical engineer and textile designer turned entrepreneur whose history includes stints with such notable companies as Pottery Barn Kids and Anthropologie.
“When I was a little girl, I never would have imagined the kind of turns and twists,” shared Gunjan, “from being an engineer then working as a textile designer, then I did fashion merchandising, and now I’m here.”
A native of India, upon moving to the United States she continued her studies while in Philadelphia at Villanova University as well as her work as a mechanical engineer. She then moved to the Bay Area and returned to school earning a master’s degree at UC Berkeley and later San Francisco’s Academy of Art which led to her career as a textile designer.
Social-Affair combines her world-class taste and design, her passion for good food and drink along with her gift of hospitality all under one delightful roof. “I had a very clear understanding and a vision of how I wanted it,” she said. “Like all of the different textures, like wood here, and cork there. I did not want it to look like a restaurant.”
Instead, consider the opportunity to savor a moment of friendship, flavors, and fun as small tables also include small artistic wood-crafted games of chess, checkers, and tic-tac-toe, accenting your experience. Kudos to Gunjan Madan for creating a cozy social oasis that overlooks the spirited piazza below.
Social-Affair is open Monday-Friday 4 p.m.-9 p.m., Friday-Saturday noon to midnight, and Sunday noon to 9 p.m. with a “Happiest Hour” from 4 p.m.-6 p.m. Located at 6000 Bollinger Canyon Road in San Ramon, upstairs next to The Lot movie theatre. Private parties and events to 40 also accommodated. For complete menus, wine selections, and more information, call 925-365-1186 or visit socialaffairlounge.com.
WEEKEND SCENE. Greg Adams and East Bay Soul, Majestic (Journey Tribute) Friday, EPMD featuring Erick Sermon Saturday, Brian Simpson, Jackiem Joyner Sunday, The Stylistics open Monday at Yoshi’s Jack
London Square Oakland, yoshis.com … Skank Bank, Rocker T Friday, The Caribbean Allstars Saturday, Soul Sanctuary Dance, Creole/Cajun Jam, Bandworks (Release Party) Sunday at Ashkenaz Berkeley, www.ashkenaz.com … Jim Cordiss Thursday, Friday, Saturday at Zio Fraedo’s Pleasant Hill, www.ziofraedos.com … Rickie Lee Jones Thursday, Friday, Borderless Band featuring Mike Block and more Saturday, The OGMC presents Dollylicious Sunday, Freight Open Mic Monday at Freight and Salvage Berkeley, www.thefreight.org … Tremoloco Friday, Hillbilly Hootenany Saturday at Armando’s Martinez, armandosmartinez.com … Mark Curry Friday-Saturday at Tommy T’s Comedy Club Pleasanton, tommyts.com.
TAHOE SPOTLIGHT. Masters of Illusion, the hit CW television series and touring magic show, is in residency
through September 2 in the South Shore Room at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe. Audiences can see and meet the stars from the television show, including master magicians Dan Sperry, Farrell Dillon, Michael Turco and Tommy Wind, Tuesdays through Mondays. Tickets range from $24-$45 and can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-775-586-6244 … Miranda Lambert appears tonight, July 18, at the Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena at Harveys. Jackson Brown follows August 10. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster outlets and at Ticketmaster.com or apeconcerts.com… Get your laughs on at The Improv at Harveys this week with Jon Caponera and Billy Bonnell through Sunday. Laurie Kilmartin and Rick D’Elia follow July 24-28. … Hinder appears July 24 at the Montbleu Resort Casino (www.montbleuresort.com, 888-7829-7630) …Head over to North Shore for Petty Theft (Tom Petty Tribute) appearing Friday and Tainted Love with Rambo on Saturday in the Crown Room at the Crystal Bay Club Casino (www.crystalbayclub.com, 775-833-6333).
SOCIAL-AFFAIR FEATURE PHOTOS COURTESY CITY CENTER BISHOP RANCH.