Keyways welcomes new winemaker:Temecula’sKeyways Vineyard and Winery has selected David Raffaele as its newwinemaker. Raffaele worked at Maurice Car’rie Winery and Van RoeselVineyard and Winery before coming to Keyways, which is owned byTerri Pebley Delhamer, making it the only female-owned and -managedwinery in Southern California. Go to keywayswine.com or call951-302-7888.
Jamba celebrates anniversary:Jamba Juicestores are celebrating the company’s 20th anniversary with “FeelGood Specials” on weekdays through May 31. “Ideal Meal Monday”gives customers Ideal Meals for $3; “Buy Two Tuesday” pairs twodifferent items every week; “Wake Up Wednesday” drops the price ofsteel-cut oats to $2; “Tasty Thursday” means baked goods are $1with the purchase of a drink; and “All Fruit Friday” givescustomers All Fruit Smoothies for $3. Go to www.jambajuice.com.
Port of Subs launches new sandwich:NorthCounty Port of Subs locations will have a new menu item throughJuly 1 —- the Turkey, Bacon, Avocado specialty sandwich for $4.99(or $6.99 with a 22-ounce drink and chips). Go towww.portofsubs.com.
Restaurant celebrating philanthropy:Lazy DogCafe in Temecula is seeking nominations for outstandingphilanthropies and nonprofits for a “Spirit of Philanthropy” award.The restaurant will then host a free luncheon on May 18 for allphilanthropists from the Temecula area. E-maillazydogphilanthropy@frankgroffinc.com by Wednesday to nominate.
DEWmocracy 2:Mountain Dew is letting thepublic do the deciding with its DEWmocracy 2 campaign through June14. There are three new flavors on store shelves: Mountain DewDistortion. Mountain Dew Typhoon and Mountain Dew White Out. Fanscan go to www.dewmocracy.com to vote for their favorite, which willbe the only one left on store shelves come Labor Day. Go todewmocracy.com.
Half-price Frappuccinos:To celebrate its new”However You Want It” Frappuccino blended drink, Starbucks willhave “happy hour” from 3 to 5 p.m. Friday though May 16, wherecustomers can get half-price Frappuccinos. The new drinks allowcustomers to select type of milk, extra coffee, light options andmultiple toppings. Go to frappuccino.com.
Wine on the Range returns:Journey at Pechangagolf course is bringing back its “Wine on the Range” event at 6:30p.m. Wednesday and continuing every other Wednesday through June.The event includes wine tasting, unlimited range balls, music,snacks and more for $18 per person. Go to pechanga.com.
Trattoria Acqua signs new lease:La Jolla’sTrattoria Acqua on the Cove, which nearly closed last month, signeda six-year lease at the same location after customers came out tosupport the restaurant when it announced its impending closing. Newexecutive chef Michael Wilson will focus on farm-to-table products.Go to trattoriaacqua.com or call 858-454-0709.
Chocolate creation:Albert Cruz, the executivepastry chef at Pala Resort & Casino, beat nine other chefs totake home “Best Chocolate Design” at the San Diego Youth Servicesfourth annual Creations in Chocolate event. The 5-footskateboard-themed chocolate structure was made as a tribute to TonyHawk and included 300 pounds of chocolate formed into two full-sizeskateboards, miniature skateboarders, a chocolate ribbon and aframe with a photo of Hawk. Go to palacasino.com.
Raw bar added:Lou & Mickey’s steakhouse inthe Gaslamp Quarter has added a raw bar, offering a variety ofoysters as well as chilled seafood items, such as sea urchin,Dungeness crab and hard-shell American lobster. The raw bar justadded three shellfish platter: “The Grand” ($35; serves 1 to 2),”The Deluxe” ($70; serves 3 to 4) and “The King” ($135; serves 5 to8); the platters offer oysters, clams, king crab, shrimp, mussels,lobster, dungeness crab and sea urchin. Go towww.louandmickeys.com.
Orfila barrel room opens:Orfila Vineyards& Winery in Escondido recently opened its barrel room, whichcan hold up to 100 people among a collection of oak barrelscontaining aging wine. Orfila is at 13455 San Pasqual Road; go toorfila.com or call 760-738-6500, ext. 24.
At-home cooking:A new at-home cooking schoolis available at chefztable.com, which allows visitors to findprofessional and certified chefs in their area based on a ZIP codesearch. Visitors can cook one-on-one with chefs or host a cookingclass party; chefs arrive with groceries and utensils, and theyclean up after themselves. Go to chefztable.com.
Suite & Tender launches nightly specials:The downtown San Diego restaurant is offering new specials everynight. On Sundays, bottles of wine under $90 are half-price; onMondays, hospitality industry workers get 25 percent (with ID);free valet service is available on Tuesdays; corkage fees arewaived on Wednesdays (up to three bottles, local ID required);residents in the 92101 ZIP code get 25 percent off on Thursdays;and on Fridays and Saturdays, a $30 three-course menu is offeredfrom 9 p.m. to close. The three-course, $30 menu is also offeredmid-week. Visit suiteandtender.com.
New menu at Pinnacle:The restaurant at FalknerWinery will unveil its spring-summer menu on May 14. New itemsinclude Sirloin Salad; Wine Country Beef Sandwich; Asian ShrimpWrap; Pan Sauteed Mahi-Mahi; Ahi Slider; Tempura Shrimp &Avocado Delight; and Ice Cream Sandwich. Go to falknerwinery.com orcall 951-676-8231, ext. 1.
New at Twenty/20:Twenty/20 Grill & WineBar in Carlsbad has several new offerings, from tapas to localflavors to special menus. Tapas Thursdays returned April 1, withitems between $1 and $10 and special wines for $5 for glass. Tapasinclude Garlic Rubbed Bruschetta With Olive Oil And Balsamic;Chicken Taco With Avocado, Virginia Ham, Lime And Crema; KoreanBeef BBQ With Watermelon, Japanese Cucumber And Mint; Wild SalmonWith Roasted Valdivia Farms Tomato Salad And Snow Peas; BrandtFarms Petit Filet With Mushrooms And Shropshire Cheese; and more.Twenty/20 will offer Prix-Fixe Fridays, with a three-course menubased on local ingredients, for $30 each Friday. Also, therestaurant will host winemaker dinners the second Wednesday of eachmonth. Go to twenty20grill.com or call 760-827-2400.
Kids eat free:Through Memorial Day, childrenages 12 and younger eat free (with the purchase of an adult entree)at Loews Coronado Bay Resort to celebrate the hotel being rankedamong the top 10 “Best Family Beach Vacations” by Parents magazine.Go to loewshotels.com.
Pintail ale makes debut:Karl Strauss BrewingCo. has released its seasonal Pintail Pale Ale as it has for thepast nine years, but this year, it’s available in bottles. The 5.3percent ABV American pale ale, with pine and citrus flavors, isavailable in six-packs at Karl Strauss restaurants and select beerbars. Go to karlstrauss.com or call 858-273-2739.
Fieri at the fair:Guy Fieri, the star of FoodNetwork’s “Guy’s Big Bite” and “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” willdo a cooking show at 7:30 p.m. June 19 on the San Diego CountyFair’s Grandstand Stage at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Fieri’s show,free with fair admission, is part cooking, part comedy, part rockand roll. Visit sdfair.com.
Smashburger opens in La Jolla:Denver-basedSmashburger has opened its first San Diego County store at 1000Prospect St. in La Jolla. The quick-service restaurant specializesin 100-percent certified Angus beef burgers. The name comes fromthe cooking technique, where fresh beef patties are smashed on aflat grill to sear in juices. The local eatery’s signature burgeris the San Diego Smashburger, served with avocado, cilantro,onions, pepper jack cheese and chipotle mayo on a torta role withlime wedge. The restaurant also serves chicken sandwiches, dogs,salads, gourmet fries, Haagen-Dazs shakes, floats and SanDiego-made beers and wines. Visit smashburger.com.
Kona coffee at Jack in the Box:Jack in the Boxrestaurants are now offering premium coffee made with Kona beans intheir hot and iced drinks. Kona Classic is available for $1.39 to$1.59 for regular and large hot coffees, and $1.99 for a 24-ounceiced coffee. Go to www.jackinthebox.com.
Big Barrel Double IPA returns:Karl StraussBrewing Co. has released a spring version of its Big Barrel DoubleIPA, which uses New Zealand Nelson Sauvin hops for a tropical fruitflavor. The 9 percent ABV beer is available in 22-ounce bottles andon draft across Southern California; go to karlstrauss.com or call858-273-2739.
Coronado favorites:Chefs Press Inc., whichreleased a cookbook from Cardiff-by-the-Sea chef Gaetano Cicciottiof Cicciotti’s Trattoria last year, will release “Top TablesCoronado: Celebrating the Island’s Favorite Restaurants andRecipes” in May. To celebrate, Coronado will host “Top TablesRestaurant Month,” which offers diners a discount at “Top Tables”locations if they buy the book at the restaurant or at the shops atthe Hotel del Coronado. Included in the 112-page book, whichretails for $14.95, are more than 40 recipes; go tochefspress.com.
Terra chef to release cookbook:Jeff Rossman,chef and owner of Terra Restaurant in Hillcrest, will release “FromTerra’s Table: New American Food Fresh From Southern California’sOrganic Farms” this fall through Chefs Press Inc. The 208-pagehardcover book will retail for $29.95 and will include informationon local organic farms. Each recipe will feature beer and winepairings; recipes include Grilled Cheese “Toast” With Mushrooms AndRoasted Shallots, Caramelized Spring Onion Ravioli, Pumpkin Bisque,Karl Strauss Amber Lager Braised Short Ribs, Avocado Daiquiri andmore. Go to chefspress.com.
Menifee chef wins cooking contest:Menifeeresident Reid Sinderud, the executive chef at Loma Linda UniversityMedical Center, won the “McCormick’s Spice Master Challenge” atlast month’s Spring Food Show, sponsored by Sysco Food Services ofLos Angeles. Sinderud beat out chefs from all over SouthernCalifornia with his recipe for Tipitapa Crusted Sea Bass WithHazelnuts And Mango Puree. Sinderud called the award gratifyingbecause it helps change the perception that healthy hospital foodtastes bad.
Bernard’O chef heads south:Patrick Ponsaty,the former chef de cuisine at Bernard’O and El Bizcocho restaurantsin Rancho Bernardo, has been hired as the new chef de cuisine atMistral at the Loews Coronado Bay Resort in Coronado. Since joiningLoews, the fifth-generation French chef has introduced aseafood-focused, French-inspired menu at Mistral. Some of theClairemont resident’s new dishes are Lobster Risotto, CitrusSteamed Alaskan Halibut and Slow Cooked Kurobuta Pork Loin. Loewsspokeswoman Anne Stephany said that many of Ponsaty’s former RBcustomers are driving down to Mistral, so the resort is offering a”Friends of Patrick” room special for $129 a night (based onavailability) as well as an “island escape” package including aone-night stay, three-course dinner for two at Mistral, breakfastfor two at the Market Cafe and validated parking for $299 a couple.Visit loewshotels.com.
Restaurateur blogs:Ed Moore of 3rd Corner WineShop & Bistro, which has locations in Encinitas and OceanBeach, will open a third location in Palm Desert, and he isblogging about the process of building a new restaurant. Go towww.the3rdcorner.com/blog.
Thornton releases new wines:Thornton Winery inTemecula’s Wine Country has released seven spring wines: 2007Estate Petite Sirah, $40; 2008 Viognier, $28; 2007 Thorny’s CoatRed, $18; 2007 Nebbiolo, $34; 2007 Old Vine Zinfandel, $28; 2007Huis Vineyard Zinfandel, $36; and 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, $30. Goto thorntonwine.com.
Melting Pot opens in San Diego:The Melting Pothas opened another San Diego location, this one in the GaslampQuarter at 901 Fifth Ave., in the former location of Dakota Grill& Spirits. The franchise is operated by the Cohn RestaurantGroup, and it is open from 5 to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and5 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The two-story dining room canseat more than 175 guests, and the fondue restaurant has a “lover’slane” seating area and two private banquet rooms. Go tomeltingpot.com or call 619-234-5554.
Hacienda de Vega introduces Taco Tuesday:Hacienda de Vega in Escondido is now offering Taco Tuesday from 3to 9 p.m. Tuesdays at 2608 S. Escondido Blvd. Tacos are $2, housemargaritas are $5 and draft beers are $4. Taco options includeCarnitas Michoacan, Cochinita Cancun, Carne Asada, Pollo Asado, AlPastor and Mahi-Mahi (a taco sampler is $10). Go tohaciendadevega.com or call 760-738-9804.
Mining Company specials:The Old CaliforniaMining Company, at 1020 San Marcos Blvd. in Old CaliforniaRestaurant Row in San Marcos, recently announced new food and drinkspecials. Lunch specials start at $5.99, served from 11 a.m. to 3p.m. daily. The New York Surf N Turf is a hand-cut 12-ounce NewYork choice steak with coconut shrimp and a baked potato. Other newspecials are Whiskey Ribeye, Applewood Smoked Prime Rib (servedafter 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, while supplies last), LemonPepper Salmon and Monterey Mahi Mahi. Drink specials include Monday$5 you-call-its, Tuesday On Tap, Wednesday and Sunday half-pricebottles of wine, Thursday $5 martinis, Friday $1 off specialtydrinks and Saturday $5 margaritas. Go tooldcaliforniaminingcompany.com or call 760-761-4900.
LOUNGEsix has new menu:Chef Christian Gravesof LOUNGEsix, the rooftop bar in San Diego, has a new menu,featuring items such as Pork Tacos, Balsamic Portobello Sliders,Mini Meatball Subs, Grilled Quesadilla, Breakfast Burrito, CookiesAnd Cream, and Steak And Egg Hash. LOUNGEsix is also offering a $6lunch choice of a Turkey And Avocado Sandwich On Toasted SourdoughBread or Grilled Vegetarian Sandwich With Grilled Portobello,Eggplant, Pesto And Goat Cheese. Lunch comes with fresh-bakedcookies and an apple. Go to www.jsixrestaurant.com or call619-531-8744.
Palm baseball menu:The Palm Bar at the Palmrestaurant near Petco Park is now offering a baseball menu, whichcan be enjoyed in the bar or taken to-go to enjoy at the ballpark.Palm Steakburgers are $14 and include the 837 Club Burger(prosciutto di Parma, roasted red peppers, pesto aioli and fontinacheese), the Second Ave. Burger (Danish blue cheese and smokedbacon), Bozzi Burger (aged gouda, smoky barbecue sauce and crispyfried onions), and Classic Burger (cheddar cheese); all burgers are12 ounces of prime beef on a toasted brioche bun with hand-cutfrench fries, cottage fries or horseradish slaw. Palm will alsooffer salads and $3 Trumer Pilsner on game days. Call619-702-6500.
Noodle bar opens:Valley View Casino has openedStix, an Asian-inspired quick service restaurant. Stix menu itemsinclude Chicken or Beef Pho, Seafood Noodles, Vietnamese Hand RollsWith Rice Vermicelli, Spicy Tuna Rolls, Wonton Soup and more. Stixwill be open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Go to valleyviewcasino.com orcall 866-843-9946.
DINING EVENTS
Escondido Restaurant Week:Through May 16,downtown Escondido is hosting Restaurant Week, giving customers atparticipating restaurants a three-course meal for $20 or $30(depending on the eatery). Participating restaurants include ADelight of France, Bistro 221, Coast Bistro, El Nopal, Paradiso,Hichizuki, La Tapatia, R. O’Sullivan’s, Tango Restaurant andLounge, Jalapeno Grill, Sushi Yama and Vincent’s. Diners are askedto make advance reservations; go to downtownescondido.com.
co*cktails for the Cure:FLUXX nightclub in SanDiego will host an Honor Your Mother co*cktails for the Cure trunkshow at 6 p.m. Thursday. The event will have multiple companiesdisplaying their wares, with proceeds benefiting Susan G. Komen forthe Cure, San Diego. The event will feature hors d’oeuvres anddrink specials; go to www.komensandiego.org/honoryourmother.
Chocolate dinner:El Bizcocho at the RanchoBernardo Inn will host a chocolate dinner at part of its DiningOdyssey tasting celebrations at 6:30 p.m. Friday. The seven-coursedinner is $95 for food only, or $125 with co*cktail pairings. Menuitems include Exotic Artisan Hand-Rolled Truffles; “Coco Caesar”with white chocolate and Parmesan; Pan-Seared Diver Scallops, WhiteChocolate Scallop Cream and Chocolate Basil Seeds; White ChocolateSpaghetti With Chocolate Truffle Meatballs; and more. co*cktailsinclude Raspberry Port, Parmatini, Root Beer Stout, White Sangriaand more. Go to ranchobernardoinn.com/bizcocho or call858-675-8550.
Mama’s Day 2010:The 19th annual tastings eventreturns from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Friday at the La Jolla Aventine hotel.The event features food stations hosted by more than 70 San DiegoCounty restaurants and chefs, a silent auction, prize drawings andlive music. Proceeds benefit Mama’s Kitchen, which delivers hotmeals to adults and children with HIV/AIDS and cancer throughoutSan Diego County. Tickets are $125 in advance, $150 at the door($250 VIP ticket includes pre-event reception and otherprivileges). Visit mamaskitchen.org.
Chocolate Festival:San Diego Botanic Gardenhosts its annual chocolate celebration from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.Saturday at 230 Quail Gardens Drive in Encinitas. Chocolatiers willoffer tastings, demonstrations and a chocolate fountain, and therewill be activities for children. Festival is free with gardenadmission ($6-$12) plus tasting fees for chocolates. Call760-436-3036.
Beach to Brewery:Karl Strauss Brewing Co. willhost its seventh annual Beach to Brewery Beer and Music Fest from 2to 8 p.m. Saturday in Pacific Beach to benefit the SurfriderFoundation. The event features 21 beers (for the 21st anniversaryof Karl Strauss), local music and a bike ride (from the beach tothe brewery). The event will feature Karl Strauss favorites, aswell as a new Surfrider-Strauss collaboration, Reef Break Red.Tickets are $25 presale and $30 at the door; go tokarlstrauss.com.
Beer, BBQ & Country Music Festival:Pechanga Resort & Casino hosts a country-style festival from 1to 5 p.m. Saturday in the Pechanga Ballroom at 45000 PechangaParkway, Temecula. Tickets are $50, which entitles participants to2-ounce pours of more than 40 domestic, premium and foreign beers,and barbecue tastings by 15 local restaurants, with live music byAmerican Made. The American Red Cross of Riverside County will bethe beneficiary of a silent auction. Ages 21 and up only. Go topechanga.com or call 877-711-2946.
Stamp Out Hunger:Escondido Letter Carrierswill join Stamp Out Hunger, a nationwide food drive, on Saturday inan effort to collect donations. The carriers will collect donationsfrom doorsteps and mailboxes during their deliveries and take themto local food banks. Go to www.helpstampouthunger.com.
Food and wine collaboration:Addison at TheGrand Del Mar resort will host a six-course Grand Food & WineCollaboration at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday for $125 per person. Theresort’s chefs will team with Wine Director Jesse Rodriguez, NapaValley winemaker Viader and Summerland Winery for a food-and-winefeast. Go to granddelmar.com or call 858-314-1988.
Bruery Intelligentsia Linkery night:TheLinkery in North Park will host Bruery Intelligentsia night from5:30 to 11:30 p.m. May 13 at 3794 30th St., San Diego. Linkerychefs will create dishes using Intelligentsia coffee, and the foodwill be paired with The Bruery’s beers. The Bruery andIntelligentsia recently teamed up to make Toddy Barleywine, whichis brewed with coffee. The a la carte dinner is $10 per pairing,with five pairings and a half-pour of beer. Go to thelinkery.com orcall 619-255-8778.
Salsa-making contest:The Carlsbad Parks &Recreation department is seeking salsa cooks for a salsa-makingcontest at its Wild West Fest from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 15 at LeoCarrillo Ranch Historic Park, 6200 Flying LC Lane. The event hasfree admission, but salsa tasting cards are $3 (and include a bowlof house chili). Entries are due May 12; categories are BestOverall, Presentation, Restaurant Salsa, Fruit Salsa, Hottest, MostUnique and People’s Choice. Go to www.carlsbadca.gov/parksandrec orcall 760-602-7519. The event also includes a Wild West show, “jailand bail” activity, mechanical bull, pony rides, live music andmore; call 760-434-2843.
Celebrity Chefs Cook Gala:The 29th annualMoores UCSD Cancer Center Celebrity Chefs Cook Gala black-tie eventwill take place May 15 at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina;the event raises funds for the cancer center. Chefs will preparehors d’oeuvres, which will be paired with wines at the event,themed “Epicurean Elegance: Food for the Mind, Body and Spirit.”Participating chefs include William Bradley of Addison at The GrandDel Mar; Bernard Guillas of The Marine Room; Patrick Ponsaty ofMistral at Loews Coronado Bay Resort; Megan Reichman ofBALEENsandiego at Paradise Point Resort and Spa; and more. Ticketsare $500; go to www.celebritychefscook.org or call858-822-1328.
Bluegrass and barbecue:Lions Tigers &Bears Big Cat Rescue in Alpine will host “Wild in the Country” from2 to 6 p.m. May 15. The event will include food from Phil’s BBQ,bluegrass music, a silent auction, on-site paintings and more.Tickets are $80 for adults and $25 for children ($750 for a tableof 10). VIP tickets are $160 for adults, $50 for children and$1,500 for a table of 10 and include early admission to visit thecats. Go to lionstigersandbears.org.
22nd annual BBQ, concert:The San DieguitoHeritage Museum will host its 22nd annual BBQ and concert May 15and 16 at 450 Quail Gardens Drive in Encinitas. The festivitiesbegin at noon May 15, with a barbecue served until 2:30 p.m. andmusic from “Two of Us Plus One,” as well as children’s activitiesand a silent auction. Tickets are $25 for adults ($30 at the door),$20 for teens, $10 for children and free for children younger than5. On May 16, there will be a concert from Carl Verheyen and SteveTrovato; Sunday tickets are $15. Go to www.sdheritage.org or call760-632-9711.
Temecula chili cookoff:Old Town Temecula willhost the Western Days Chili Cookoff, with cooking beginning at 9a.m. May 16 and awards at 4 p.m. Cooks can hope for glory, as theevent will give winners a chance at the International Chili SocietyWorld Championships in October (categories are Red Chili, ChiliVerde and Salsa). The winner of the Western Days cookoff receives$500 for the best red, $175 for the best Chili Verde and $75 forthe best People’s Choice recipe prepared at the event. Go towww.temeculacalifornia.com or call 951-678-1456.
Flavors of the Village:Carlsbad Village willhost its Flavors of the Village restaurant week from May 16 to 23,with multicourse menus for $20, $30 or $40, depending on therestaurant. Other restaurant will offer a discount rather than aprix-fixe menu. There’s also the preview for $25 that tours theparticipating restaurants. Go to shopcarlsbadvillage.org or call760-434-2553.
Sake dining event:Roppongi Restaurant &Sushi Bar in La Jolla will host a “Pure Sake” dining event at 6:30p.m. May 19 for $65 per person. The five-course dinner pairsRoppongi’s “New Asian” cuisine with five sakes; dinner itemsinclude New Style Loch Duarte Salmon Sashimi With Pink Sea Salt AndYuzu Champagne Vinaigrette; Local Spiny Lobster Miso Soup WithSeaweed, Tofu, Shiitake Mushrooms And Enoki Mushrooms; JidoriCrispy Chicken Breast With Furikake Rice Cake, Sweet Plum And SageJus; and more. Go to www.roppongiusa.com or call 858-551-5252.
Firefly Grill & Wine Bar winemaker dinner:The Encinitas restaurant at 251 N. El Camino Real, Suite B, willhost Edward Sellers Vineyards & Wines for a winemaker dinner at6:30 p.m. May 19. Go to fireflygrillandwinebar.com or call760-635-1066.
Taste of Cardiff:Cardiff 101 MainStreetpresents its inaugural downtown tastings event featuring gourmetbites by 17 local restaurants from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. May 20.Tasting tickets are $20 and can be purchased at the MainStreetoffice at 124 Aberdeen Drive. Visit tasteofcardiff.com fordetails.
SDCC dinner:The San Diego Center for Childrenwill hold its annual dinner at 5:30 p.m. May 20 at the US GrantHotel in downtown San Diego. The nonprofit agency helps childrenwho have had issues keep them from success. Tickets are $175 forindividuals, $1,400 for a table of 10 and $2,500 for a premiumtable of 10. E-mail Jessica Johnson atjjohnson@centerforchildren.org, go to centerforchildren.org or call858-569-2148.
Tesoro Winery’s “Girls Night Out!”:TheTemecula winery hosts a women’s-only event with wine, appetizers,shopping and a chocolate fountain from 7 to 10 p.m. May 20 at 28475Old Town Front Street, Temecula. Tickets are $24 ($22 before May15). Call 951-308-0000.
Brews & Blues Festival:The FallbrookAnimal Sanctuary and The Rotary Club of Bonsall co-host a music andbeer festival to benefit the sanctuary from 4 to 10 p.m. May 22 atthe California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. EscondidoBlvd. Tickets are $60 each and $40 for designated drivers. Toassure donations are credited properly, visit bonsallrotary.com andunder “charity partners,” select the Fallbrook AnimalSanctuary.
Cooking with Love:Chef Jeffrey Kaplan of Luc’sBistro in Poway will host a Cooking with Love class from 3 to 6p.m. May 23 benefiting the Ronald McDonald House of San Diego. Theclass will be at the Ronald McDonald House, 2929 Children’s Way.Chef Kaplan will prepare shrimp and grits, and frosted red velvetcupcakes; class is $75 for hands-on and $50 to observe. E-mailslara-toney@rmhcsd.org or call 858-598-2445.
Chefs Celebration Charity Dinner:North Park’sUrban Solace Restaurant will host a fundraising, six-course dinnerfeaturing four of the county’s top chefs preparing differentcourses, from 5 to 10 p.m. May 25 at 3823 30th St., San Diego.Chefs include Urban Solace’s Matt Gordon, Oceanaire’s SeanLanglais, Quarter Kitchen’s Nathan Coulon, Cucina Urbana’s JoeMagnanelli and El Vitral’s Norma Martinez, who will each create twoto three items on the choose-your-own menu. Menu items includeForaged Mushroom Terrine, Shaved Piave Cheese, Wild Arugula; KobeBeef Salpicon Salad, Roasted Poblano Pepper, Avocado, Cotija CheesePickled Onion, Crisp Plantain Chips; Crisp Buttermilk FriedSweetbreads, Mustard Seed Jus, Pickled Greens; Parmesan CrustedAlaskan Halibut, Fava Beans, Morel Mushrooms, Ramp Pesto; and more.Tickets are $65. Proceeds benefit the Chefs Celebration scholarshipfund. Reserve to 619-295-6464 or www.urbansolace.net.
Taste of Little Italy:The downtown San Diegocommunity hosts its annual tasting event, where 24 restaurants,bars and bakeries will offer tastings from their menu from 5 to 9p.m. May 26. Tickets are $35 in advance and $40 on event day. Fortickets, visit tasteoflittleitalysd.com.
RA fundraiser:RA Sushi Bar Restaurant willhost its sixth annual “Nicky’s Week” fundraiser from May 30 to June5, benefiting the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Duringthat week, RA will donate 100 percent of the proceeds from aspecial “Nicky’s Week” menu to the hospital. Go to rasushi.com orcall 619-321-0021.
Dick’s hosts strawberry fest:Dick’s SportingGoods hosts the 2010 Strawberry Festival 5K & Kids Run from6:30 to 10 a.m. May 30 at 101 Wave Drive in Vista. The eventincludes a 5-kilometer race for adults, a 1-mile children’s run,and strawberry sales, vendor booths, art displays, a health andfitness expo and more at the finish line. Cost to register is$20-$30. Visit www.kinanevents.com.
Wine, cheese and chocolate:The San DiegoWomen’s History Museum & Educational Center is hosting itsannual San Diego Wine, Cheese & Chocolate Festival from 6:30 to10 p.m. June 4 in the Spanish Village at Balboa Park. Dozens ofchocolatiers, cheese and wine vendors will offer samples, and SuePalmer (the “queen of boogie woogie”) will entertain. Tickets are$25 in advance and $30 at the door, and VIP tickets, which includereserved seating and drink vouchers, are $50; go towww.womensmuseumsd.org or call 619-233-7963.
Encinitas Rotary Wine Festival:Rotary Club ofEncinitas hosts its annual fundraising gala featuring internationalwines, local microbrews and cuisine from 5 to 8 p.m. June 5 at SanDiego Botanic Garden, 230 Quail Gardens Drive in Encinitas. Ticketsare $85 (tickets are $100 after May 15). Visitencinitaswinefestival.com.
Jazz brunches:The Westgate Hotel in San Diegowill host jazz brunches on its Riviera Fountain Terrace from 10a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays from June 20 to Sept. 5. The brunch is $49per person; go to westgatehotel.com or call 619-557-3655.
Beer & Sake Festival:The Japan Society ofSan Diego presents its annual international festival from 6 to 9p.m. June 25 at the San Diego Marriott Del Mar. Ticket-holders cansample more than 100 international sakes and regional micro-beersand watch the Sushi Star sushi chef contest. Tickets are $60. Orderat japan-society.org.
Taste of Gaslamp:The Gaslamp Quarter in SanDiego will host its 17th annual Taste of Gaslamp, presented bySamuel Adams, from 1 to 4 p.m. June 26 and 27, on the streets ofthe Gaslamp, with more than 25 venues participating. Restaurantswill show off house specialties in the form or 2- to 4-ouncesamples; guests also receive a “Taste of Gaslamp” recipe book, andthere’s a beer garden for those ages 21 and older. Tickets are $30per day and are available beginning in May at www.gaslamp.org.
Taste of the Nation San Diego:Share OurStrength hosts its 18th annual tasting event from 1 to 4 p.m. June27 in the Grand Ballroom at the Hotel Del Coronado. Dozens of localchefs and beverage purveyors will offer gourmet tastings at theevent, which also includes a silent auction. Tickets are $60 inadvance, $75 at the door and $125 for VIP admission. Proceedsbenefit programs to end childhood hunger. For tickets, call877-268-2783 or visit tasteofthenation.org.
Amaya wine dinner:Amaya at The Grand Del Marresort will host its second annual four-course Mouton Noir WineDinner at 5:30 p.m. July 16 for $70 per person. Courses includesauteed turbot with an heirloom tomato broth, and veal New Yorkstrip with crispy sweetbreads and sherry-braised collard greens. Goto granddelmar.com or call 858-314-1988.
co*cktail hour:The Lobby Lounge at The GrandDel Mar will host “Mastering Mixology: Summer Sins and Saints,” aclass on making chilled co*cktails, at 4 p.m. Aug. 14 for $25 perperson. co*cktails include herb-infused and tropical fruit mojitos,as well as non-alcoholic concoctions. Go to granddelmar.com or call858-314-1988.
CLASSES
Alchemy of the Hearth:Offers cooking classesat its new location, 960 Rancheros Drive, Suite L, San Marcos.Classes at 4 p.m. are geared toward children and teens. Alchemy ofthe Hearth is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Go to alchemyofthehearth.com or call760-233-2433.
— 10 a.m. Thursday:Just Soup
— 4 p.m. Thursday:Cake Decorating forKids
— 6 p.m. Thursday:The Chef’s Basket
— 10 a.m. Friday:Italian Desserts
— 4 p.m. Friday:Kids Who Cook
— 6 p.m. Friday:Chocolate for Beginners: ATasting
— 10 a.m. Saturday:The One-Hour CookingClass: Huevos Rancheros
— 11:30 a.m. Saturday:The One-Hour CookingClass: Quick Stir Fry
— 1:30 p.m. Saturday:Scratch Cooking withYour Kids: Pasta Mania!
— 10 a.m. Monday:Healthy Baby Homemade FoodsExplorers: 6 to 9 months
— 4 p.m. Monday:Kids Meatball Mania
— 6 p.m. Monday:Meringue Magic
— 10 a.m. Tuesday:Simply Cupcakes
— 4 p.m. Tuesday:Kids Chicken Pot Pie
— 6 p.m. Tuesday:Basic Knife Skills: Cooking101
— 10 a.m. Wednesday:30 Minute Meals
— 4 p.m. Wednesday:Kids Cupcake Club
— 6 p.m. Wednesday:Taming the Yeast Monster:Baking 101
— 10 a.m. May 13:Cooking for One
— 4 p.m. May 13:Pies for Kids
— 6 p.m. May 13:Barbecue University
— 10 a.m. May 14:Salsa!
— 4 p.m. May 14:The Secret Life of aChocolate Chip Cookie
— 6 p.m. May 14:Family Fun Pizza Night
Cafe Merlot:The restaurant in the BernardoWinery holds wine and cooking classes at 13330 Paseo del VeranoNorte in Rancho Bernardo; $50 per person; go to cafemerlot.com orcall 858-592-7785.
— 5:30 p.m. Tuesday:Classic Roman Food:Affordable Wines
— 5:30 p.m. May 25:The Best of Local FlavorsFresh Recipes: Bernardo Winery Wines
— 5:30 p.m. June 8:Grilling, Barbecue,Marinades and Sangria
— 5:30 p.m. June 29:Picnic and CampfireRecipes That Travel Well
— 5:30 p.m. July 13:Summer’s Best SeafoodFeast: Chardonnays
— 5:30 p.m. July 27:Healthy and DeliciousItalian Recipes: Pinot Gris, Pinot Grigio
Great News! Discount Cookware & CookingSchool:The San Diego school hosts cooking classes at 1788Garnet Ave. (in the Pacific Plaza at Garnet Avenue and JewellStreet); reserve to 858-270-1582, ext. 3, or go towww.great-news.com. Reserve early; classes fill quickly.
— 10:30 a.m. Thursday:Napa Valley Cooking;$59
— 6 p.m. Thursday:Hands-On Basic Pasta;$59
— 9 a.m. Friday:Nijiya Japanese Market Tour;$49
— 6 p.m. Friday:Friday Night Dinner Party:Spanish Style; $59
— 11 a.m. Saturday:Baking Basics: Pastries;$49
— 6 p.m. Monday:Savory French Cooking;$49
— 6 p.m. Tuesday:Salmon Sensations:Fundraising Event for the Les Dames d’Escoffier International, SanDiego Chapter; $49
— 6 p.m. Wednesday:Easy Weeknight Grilling;$59
— 10:30 a.m. May 13:Spring Comfort Foods;$49
— 6 p.m. May 13:Thai Style Cuisine; $49
— 6 p.m. May 14:Tantalizing Tastes and ModernAntojitos; $59
— 11 a.m. May 15:The Vegetarian Grill;$49
Inspired Gourmet:Inspired Gourmet offerscooking classes for $40 each at 29373 Broken Arrow Way in Murrieta.Go to hstrial-inspiredgourmet.intuitwebsites.com or call951-894-7551.
— 6 p.m. Thursday:Fast, Fabulous and FrenchCountryside Spring Dinner
— 11 a.m. May 22:Wrap It Up —- Easy andElegant Filled Puff Pastry Dinner
— 11 a.m. June 19:Quick and Elegant SummerDinner on the Patio
— 11 a.m. July 24:Tropical Summer Fun —- A”Do Ahead” Caribbean Flare Dinner
The Kitchen Witch:The Encinitas school hostscooking classes at 127 N. El Camino Real; call 760-942-3288 or goto www.kitchenwitchonline.com.
— 6 p.m. Thursday:Fast Fish Entrees; $59
— 11 a.m. Saturday:Mother’s Day ChampagneBrunch; $59
— 6 p.m. Monday:An Evening With Firefly Grill& Wine Bar; $59
— 6 p.m. Tuesday:Outdoor BBQ; $59
— 6 p.m. May 13:Fast and Efficient:Techniques and Tools of Quick Cooking (hands-on); $69
— 11 a.m. May 15:Mommy and Me Tea; $34
— 6 p.m. May 18:Entertaining Entrees with FunSauces; $59
— 6 p.m. May 19:Sangria and Paella Party;$59
Marine Room:Chefs Bernard Guillas and RonOliver of The Marine Room in La Jolla will host a summer cookingclass at 6 p.m. June 23. The class is $65 and includes a winepairing; courses include Hazelnut Dukkah Crusted Baja Prawns,Potato Rosemary Crusted Halibut and Amarula Creme Brulee. After theclass, attendees will eat the dishes; call 858-459-7222.
RB Classic Cooking:Charles Heineke teachescooking classes in his commercial kitchen at 1291 Simpson Way,Escondido. Go to www.rbclassiccooking.com or call 858-442-5252. RBClassic Cooking has several monthly cooking clubs: a cooking co-opat 9:30 a.m. the first Thursday and 6 p.m. the first Friday; aninternational cooking club at 6:30 p.m. the third Saturday; asingles cooking club at 7 p.m. the fourth Friday; and a kidscooking club at 9 a.m. the second Saturday.
RB Classic Cooking also offers meal plans: light and healthymeals are $75 for seven dinners and $185 for weekly meals (21meals), delivered to your door twice weekly in 1,200-, 1,500- or1,800-calorie counts. Family meal plans are $150 for four dinners,with four servings each.
— 6:30 p.m. Thursday:Enchiladas, beef chili,Spanish rice and more; $45
— 6:30 p.m. Wednesday:Desserts; $45
— 6:30 p.m. May 13:Carne & pollo asada,guacamole, salsas; $45
— 6:30 p.m. May 19:Graduation Dinner; $35
— 6:30 p.m. May 20:Fresh corn tortillas, beef& chicken tacos, tortas; $45
— 6:30 p.m. May 26:Traditional FrenchFavorites; $45
— 6:30 p.m. June 2:Flavors from France’sProvencal region; $45
— 6:30 p.m. June 9:Boeuf bourguignon, Frenchonion soup, crepes Suzette; $45
— 6:30 p.m. June 16:Cheese fondue, roastedchicken, Lyonnaise potatoes, chocolate souffle; $45
Ro Z’s Sweet Art Studio:Rosanne Zinniger’scake decorating shop and studio at 277 S. Rancho Santa Fe Road, SanMarcos, offers classes in cake decorating. There is also a kidscake decorating club for children ages 7 to 11 on one Saturday ofevery month; go to the website for dates. Call 760-744-0447 orvisit rozsweetartstudio.com.
— 6:30 p.m. Thursday:Basic Piping; $45 (fourweeks)
— 10:30 a.m. Friday:Figure Modeling Workshop;$55
— 6 p.m. Tuesday:Fondant the Cake; $25
— 6 p.m. Wednesday:Gumpaste Workshop:Daisies; $45
— 6:30 p.m. May 13-June 3:Basics to Piping(four-week class); $45
— 6:30 p.m. May 13-June 3:BasicFondant/Gumpaste (four-week class); $45
— 10:30 a.m. May 15:Gumpaste Workshop: Roses;$45
— 6:30 p.m. May 19:Cupcake Stand ProjectClass; $35
— 3:30 p.m. May 20 and 27:Two-Day SugarPainting Workshop; $45
— 10:30 a.m. May 21:Animal Modeling Workshop;$45
— 10:30 a.m. May 22:Gumpaste Workshop:Orchids; $55
— 6 p.m. May 25:Hello Cupcake! Cupcake/IcingWorkshop Out of the Book; $45
— 10:30 a.m. May 28:Graduation Cap CupcakeClass; $45
— 10:30 a.m. May 29:Gumpaste Workshop:Lilies/Stems; $45
— June 1:Cake Design I
— June 10:Basic Piping
— June 12:Cake Design I En Espanol
— June 29:Teen Sugar Art
— 10 a.m. July 10:Gourmet CupcakeWorkshop
— 10 a.m. July 17:Summer Gumpaste FlowerWorkshop
— 9 a.m. July 31 and Aug. 1:Sugar FlowerWorkshop with James Rosselle
San Diego Natural History Museum:The museumwill hold a series of lectures on sustainable food (lectures are$5), as well as food and gardening programs. Go towww.sdnhm.org/sustainableplanet:
— 6:30 p.m. Tuesday:Developing SustainableFoodsheds: The Next Steps in Eating Local; $5
— 6:30 p.m. May 20:Growing Food Not Grass—- Workshop and Lunch (field trip 11 a.m. May 22); $35 members,$43 nonmembers
— 8 a.m. May 22:Flavors of Guadalupe Valley(field trip); $85 members, $95 nonmembers
Simply cooking:The Carlsbad Senior Center willhost a Simply Cooking For The Fun Of It class for those 50 andolder at 3 p.m. May 19 at 799 Pine Ave. in Carlsbad. The class willcover the basics of creating stocks, and look at types of roux and”mother sauces” (bechamel, veloute, espagnole, tomato andhollandaise). Class is $5; call 760-602-4650.
Sur la Table:The Carlsbad location offerscooking classes at 1915 Calle Barcelona (in The Forum shops). Call800-243-0851 or e-mail cooking046@surlatable.com.
— 6:30 p.m. Thursday:Skillet Essentials fromAll-Clad; $100
— 6:30 p.m. Friday:May Day Party; $69
— 10:30 a.m. Saturday:Kids Cook for Mom;$39
— 2 p.m. Saturday:Macaroons: French MacaroonSandwich Cookies; $69
— 6:30 p.m. Monday:Advanced Knife Skills:Beef; $69
— 6:30 p.m. Wednesday:Thai RestaurantFavorites; $69
— 10:30 a.m. May 13:Fast Meals the FamilyWill Love; $69
— 6:30 p.m. May 13:Fast Meals the Family WillLove; $69
— 6:30 p.m. May 14:Fabulous Food of Spain;$69
— 3 p.m. May 15:Ready, Set, Grill; $79
— 2 p.m. May 16:Essential Knife Skills;$59
— 6:30 p.m. May 17:Bon Appetit: Over theTuscan Grill; $69
— 6:30 p.m. May 19:Sausage Making Workshop;$69
IN THE SPIRITS
Acqua Al 2:The Gaslamp Quarter restauranthosts wine tastings during “Uncorked” the first Wednesday of everymonth at 322 Fifth Ave. in San Diego. For $20, guests taste fourwine/spirit selections paired with four appetizers. Reservationsare required; call 619-230-0382 or go to acquaal2.com.
Carlsbad Wine Merchants:Hosts tastings at 5p.m. Fridays and 4 to 7 p.m. Saturdays for a fee at 5814 Van AllenWay, Suite 155, Carlsbad. Call 888-750-WINE or visitwww.CarlsbadWineMerchants.com.
The Collective:Tasting lounge featuresone-of-a-kind, handmade boutique wines at 28544 Front Street in OldTown Temecula. Hours are 3 to 10 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays,noon to midnight Fridays and Saturdays, and noon to 10 p.m.Sundays. Call 951-693-4567 or go to tvwinecollective.com.
ENO-Versity at the Hotel Del:ENO, the wine,cheese and chocolate tasting room at the Hotel del Coronado, hasannounced its 2009 classes for ENO-Versity. Classes are $35 perperson and start at 4 p.m.; call 619-522-8546 or go tohoteldel.com/ENO-wine. The Hotel Del is at 1500 Orange Ave. inCoronado. ENO is also offering “Tasting Tuesdays” from 5 to 8 p.m.,offering 10 wine samples for $10; “Say Cheese” Wednesdays from 5 to10 p.m. with half-off cheese flights; “Bubbly Thursdays” from 5 to10 p.m. with half-off sparkling wine by the glass or bottle; and $5Fridays from 5 to 7 p.m. with $5 glasses of wine.
Fifty Barrels Winery and Tasting Room:Hoststastings from 5 to 8 p.m. Fridays and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdaysat 3800 Oceanic Drive, Suite 106, Oceanside. Call 760-696-2998 orgo to carlsbadcoastal.com.
Harvest Ranch Market Del Mar:Wine tastingsfrom 5-7:30 p.m. plus appetizers for $10-$20. The store is at 1555Camino Del Mar, Suite 203, Del Mar. Call 858-847-0555.
Holiday Wine Cellar:Daily tastings from 5:30-7p.m. at 302 W. Mission Ave., Escondido. Wine Down Mondays featurefive wine tastes for $5 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Mondays, and “Hop Overthe Hump Wednesdays” are weekly beer-tasting events for $5. Go toholidaywinecellar.com or call 760-745-1200.
— 5:30 p.m. Thursday:Saxon Brown wines ofSonoma County; $10 advance, $15 day-of
— 5:30 p.m. Monday:Syrah From Around theWorld; $5
— 5:30 p.m. May 15:Lightning Brewery Beers;$15 advance, $20 day-of
— 5:30 p.m. May 17:Vintage Chardonnays;$5
— 5:30 p.m. May 21:Sake, It’s Not Just ForSushi Anymore (five-course sake dinner); $49.99
— 5:30 p.m. May 24:Wines for the Grill;$5
The North County Wine Company:Tastings dailyat 1099 San Marcos Blvd., San Marcos, plus special events from 10a.m.-8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and noon-6 p.m. Sundays. Call760-744-2119 or visit www.NorthCountyWineCompany.com.
Stone Brewery:The Escondido brewery andrestaurant is hosting events at 1999 Citracado Parkway inEscondido. Call 760-471-4999 or go to www.stonebrew.com.
T&H Prime Meats & Sausage:The shop nowoffers tastings from 10 San Diego wineries from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.Thursdays-Saturdays for $5, which includes four tastes and a SanDiego Vintners Association souvenir wine glass, at 735 E. MissionRoad, San Marcos. Call 760-471-9192.
Vine to Glass:The Oceanside wine bar holdstastings six days a week and has biweekly events for $10 to $15;small-production boutique wines are available by the glass orbottle. Beer tastings are $6; antipasto platters are $15. The baris open 2 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday; 1 to 9 p.m.Thursday-Saturday; and 12 to 6 p.m. Sunday. Vine to Glass is at210-A N. Coast Highway in Oceanside; call 760-757-2254 or go tovinetoglass.com.
Vino100:Wine tasting events are offered at 5p.m. at 133 S. Las Posas Road in San Marcos. Call 760-591-9113 orgo to vino100sanmarcos.com.
Vinz Wine Bar:Full restaurant menu with widewine menu by the glass or bottle. Tastings are from $5-$10 from 5to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and 3 to 5 p.m. Saturdays, and come withcharcuterie and cheese. Live music on Saturdays. Vinz is at 201 E.Grand Ave., Escondido. Call 760-743-8466 or visitvinzwinebar.net.
The Wine Spot:Tastings at its new location,2917 State St., Carlsbad. House tastings are offered any time; callfor the tasting of the week. Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to7 p.m. Sunday; call 760-434-9463 or visit the-wine-spot.com.
Wine Street Inc.:Weekly tastings from 3-7 p.m.Fridays, with appetizers. Wine Street is at 6986 El Camino Real,Suite D, Carlsbad. Call 760-431-8455 or visitwww.winestreet.com.
Wine Styles:The Encinitas wine store hoststastings from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesdays and 1-6 p.m. Saturdays.Cost is $15 or $10 for WineClub members and includes six to eightwines and snacks. The shop also hosts WineDown Fridays, whereguests enjoy wine and live music and can bring in food tosocialize. Call 760-633-0057.
Send information about local food products, food events orclasses to Food Editor Pam Kragen, North County Times, 207 E.Pennsylvania Ave., Escondido, CA 92025; fax to 760-745-3769, ore-mail to food@nctimes.com.
