Food and Dining Briefs for Nov. 20

By PAM KRAGEN - Staff Writer | Wednesday, November 19, 2008 10:38 PM PST ∞

RB chocolatier wins national awards: Chocolatier Joanne Hansen, owner of Bon Bon Chocolates and Bakery in Rancho Bernardo, won two major awards for her spicy bon bons in the recent Fiery-Foods & Barbecue Show in Albuquerque, N.M. Hansen's Chile Verde Ganache With Sweet Corn bon bon was the Grand Prize winner in the tasting division, beating out more than 500 other chocolatiers in the contest, which recognizes the top fiery foods and barbecue products worldwide. Hansen also won honorable mention for her Chocolate Lava Truffle in the bon bon category of the third Next Generation Chocolatier Competition in New York. "These awards are my validation for all my hard work," Hansen said in a statement. "I've tried to replicate the mouth-feel of the finest European chocolate-makers' confections." Bon Bon Chocolates and Bakery is at 13330 Paseo del Verano in the Bernardo Winery & Shops. Call (858) 592-0570.

---

Cafe branches out: Cafe 56, a sister of the original Centre City Cafe in Escondido, has opened at 13211 Black Mountain Road in Rancho Penasquitos. If you're familiar with the CCC, or its siblings, the Lakeside Cafe in Lakeside and the Lake Murray Cafe in La Mesa, you know they are all about comfort food and all-American favorites ---- including hot beef, meatloaf and turkey sandwiches, meatloaf, Hungarian goulash and stuffed cabbage. OK, so they have a few ethnic offerings. But they also have veggie specials, Southwestern specials (Pork Chops Vera Cruz, anyone?), not to mention daily specials and early bird meals. Also, chicken, seafood and steak dinners, and of course, breakfast in all its variations ---- at any time of day. How about a Jack of Hearts Omelet ---- with artichoke hearts, jack cheese, bacon and sour cream? Not to mention pie for dessert. Call (858) 484-5789.

---

Pizza Fusion bubbles up: Florida-based Pizza Fusion, which bills itself as the most environmentally sustainable restaurant in America, has opened in the Trader Joe's shopping center at 40695 Winchester Road, Suite C1, in Temecula. The franchise, owned by Nima and Carrie Noorzad, is awaiting certification to become the first LEED-certified restaurant in the city (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). LEED standards follow green building standards featuring eco-efficient products, techniques and designs, including using recycled heat, low-wattage lighting, furnishings and decor made from recycled products and more. The chain even delivers its pizzas via hybrid vehicles. Visit www.pizzafusion.com

---

Addison honored: Addison restaurant at the Grand Del Mar resort in Carmel Valley has earned a Five Diamond rating from the Automobile Association of America. The two-year-old, $30 million restaurant has earned dining honors from Esquire magazine and a three-star review in the Los Angeles Times.

---

Sammy's hosts toy drive: Sammy's Woodfired Pizza restaurants are hosting a Salvation Army toy drive Nov. 26-30. Diners who bring in a new unwrapped toy donation will receive a coupon for a free Messy Sundae. Visit sammyspizza.com.

---

Quid pro quo: The California Restaurant Association's San Diego chapter donated $20,000 to San Diego State University last week for its Hospitality and Tourism Management program. The money was raised in September at the CRA SummerBash and will be used to endow a professorship whose focus will be to promote careers in the San Diego restaurant industry.

---

Albertsons selling Turkey Bucks: To raise money for local food banks, Albertsons grocery stores wil be selling "Turkey Buck" coupons, in $1 and $5 denominations, at their cashier stations through Dec. 19. Customers can donate $1 or $5 or more toward the campaign. All proceeds will be used to prepare turkey dinners for local families in need.

---

Food events calendar:

Cook's Dinner at A.R. Valentien: The Lodge at Torrey Pines hosts an artisan-style dinner featuring seven chefs preparing a bird-themed menu at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. Chefs are Lodge's Timothy Kolanko, Christian Graves of JSix, Brian Sinnott of 1500 Ocean, Antonio Friscia of Stingaree and Dish, Andrew Spurgin and Donald Coffman of Waters Catering, and Jack Fisher of Jack Fisher Confections. Wine pourings for the first two courses. Cost is $95. Reserve to (858) 777-6635.

---

Marine Room's "Passport to the Senses": From 6 to 9:30 p.m. nightly through Nov. 26, the La Jolla restaurant is offering a three-course prix-fixe menu for $40 at 2000 Spindrift Drive. Call (858) 459-7222.

---

Florentine summer supper: Escondido's A Taste of Florence hosts a five-course "summer feast" with wine pairings for each course at 5 p.m. Nov. 30 and on the last Sunday of each month at 340 E. Grand Ave., Escondido. Cost is $45. Call (760) 745-0691.

---

"Babette's Feast" film and dinner: Oceanside Museum of Art's Culinary Cinema Series continues Dec. 6 with a screening of the Oscar-winning 1998 French film about a housekeeper's grand dinner for a guest, followed by a catered French dinner (with haricots verts salad, coq au vin and dessert mousse) prepared by Carol Blomstrom at the Museum, 704 Pier View Way. Pre-film reception begins at 5:30 p.m. Cost is $60 for museum members, $75 for nonmembers. Attendance is limited to 100. Reserve to (760) 435-3721.

---

Winter High Tide Breakfast Buffet: The Marine Room in La Jolla presents a series of gourmet buffets created by chef Bernard Guillas from 7 to 10 a.m. Dec. 13-14, Jan. 10-11 and Feb. 7-8 at 2000 Spindrift Drive. Cost is $32. Call (858) 459-7222.

---

New menus

Shores offers Mexican shrimp: The Shores Restaurant in La Jolla has revived its Ocean Garden Sustainable Mexican Shrimp tasting menu for the month of November. The four-course menu is available from 5 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Nov. 29 for $35 ($55 with wines) at 8110 Camino del Oro in La Jolla. Call (858) 456-0600.

---

Cafe Sevilla revamps menu: Cafe Sevilla, which specializes in Spanish cuisine, has revamped its menu to convert its regular entrees into lower-priced "gran tapas," or small-plate servings, starting at $5. The restaurant also has added items that delve deeper into the cuisine of Spain, including Imported Jamon Iberico ($23), Green Mussels Escabeche ($15.50) and Pulpo a la Gallega ($8). Cafe Sevilla has locations in downtown San Diego, Long Beach and Riverside. Visit cafesevilla.com.

---

Tamales are back: El Pollo Loco Restaurants have brought back their seasonal tamale dishes in time for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. Now through Jan. 1, the fast-food restaurants will be offering a traditional tamale plate and a tamale bowl, with tamales and chile sauce served over rice and beans. Tamales can also be bought in bulk for take-out, with three-packs for $5. Visit elpolloloco for locations.

---

Cafe Champagne debuts fall menus: The four-star restaurant at Thornton Winery in Temecula has introduced a fall lunch and dinner menu. Items include grilled maple pork loin chop ($34), braised beef short ribs provencale ($29.50) and the Mediterranean fisherman's stew ($29). Lunch items include the grilled Moroccan lamb pita ($16), harvest chicken waldorf sandwich ($16), rosemary ham and gouda cheese sandwich ($17) or spicy Thai beef lettuce wraps ($18). Thornton Winery is at 32575 Rancho California Road in Temecula. Call (951) 699-0099.

---

Sbicca Bistro offers seasonal menu: To spice up the holidays, the Del Mar restaurant has introduced dishes that put a new twist on traditional festive fare, including pecan-roasted maple leaf duck breast, maple-roasted pork prime rib, grilled Meyer's flatiron steak and an avocado wild mushroom melt sandwich. Sbicca is at 215 15th St., Del Mar. Call (858) 481-1001.

---

Classes

Kids Holiday Cooking Workshop: Captain Cook's Culinary Academy in Carlsbad hosts "Tasty Turkey Day Treats" from 1:30 to 3 p.m. and from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Nov. 25. Children will learn how to make Teeny Turkey Tail Sandwiches, Cranberry Crumb Muffins, Chocolate Orange Pastry Leaves and Marshmallow Pilgrim Hats. Cost is $40 per child. Captain Cook's is at 6986 El Camino Real, Carlsbad. Call (760) 431-2278.

---

Bernard Guillas cooking demo lunch: The Marine Room chef will host a 90-minute cooking demonstration on preparing a holiday lunch at 11:30 a.m. Dec. 3. Guillas will show how to prepare blue D'Auvergne grape truffles, fig and hazelnut tapenade crostini, Florida stone crab-stuffed cherry tomatoes, lemon-lime avocado beignets and shrimp and Andouille sausage lollipops. The fee is $75 and includes class and lunch (beverages, tax and tip are extra). The Marine Room is at 2000 Spindrift Drive, La Jolla. Register to (858) 459-7222.

---

Light and Healthful Cooking: Chef Jenn, a certified culinary nutritionist, is offering a four-week class on preparing low-calorie lunches and healthful comfort foods from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursdays, now running through Dec. 4 and again from Dec. 11 to Jan. 15 at La Costa Canyon High School on Camino de los Coches Road in Carlsbad. Course fee is $130. Call (760) 753-7073.

---

Children's cooking classes in Carlsbad: Captain Cook's Culinary for Kids hosts weekly cooking classes for children with a new, all-organic menu every week: "Mommy and Me" (ages 3 to 5) from 10-11 a.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; "Lil Explorers" (ages 4-6) from 3:15-4:15 p.m. Thursdays; and "First Mates" (ages 6 to 14), 3:30-5 p.m. Mondays or Wednesdays. Classes range from $25-$40 each or $60-$100 for three. Captain Cook's is at 6986 El Camino Real, Suite C, in Carlsbad. Call (760) 431-2278.

---

In the spirits

Carlsbad Wine Merchants: Hosts tastings at 5 p.m. Fridays and 4 to 7 p.m. Saturdays for a fee at 5814 Van Allen Way, Suite 155, Carlsbad. Call (888) 750-WINE or visit www.CarlsbadWineMerchants.com.

---

Harvest Ranch Market Del Mar: Wine tastings from 5-7:30 p.m. plus appetizers for $10-$20. The store is at 1555 Camino Del Mar, Suite 203, Del Mar. Call (858) 847-0555.

---

Holiday Wine Cellar: Daily tastings from 5:30-7 p.m. at 302 W. Mission Ave., Escondido. Call (760) 745-1200. Upcoming:

-- 5:30-7:30 p.m.Thursday: Cakebread Cellars. $25-$30.

-- 3-6 p.m. Saturday: Annual Grand Holiday Tasting. $25-$30.

-- 5:30-7:30 p.m. Dec. 4: Port wines from Fonseca and Taylor Fladgate. $20-$25.

-- 8 p.m. Dec. 11: Jarvis Winery tasting. $20-$25.

---

The North County Wine Company: Tastings daily at 1099 San Marcos Blvd., San Marcos, plus special events from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and noon-6 p.m. Sundays. Call (760) 744-2119 or visit www.NorthCountyWineCompany.com. Upcoming:

-- Saturday: Everything That Bubbles. Six sparklers for $15.

-- Nov. 29: Big Dog Cabernets. Five for $20.

---

T&H Prime Meats & Sausage: The shop now offers tastings from 10 San Diego wineries from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays for $5, which includes four tastes and a San Diego Vintners Association souvenir wine glass, at 735 E. Mission Road, San Marcos. Call (760) 471-9192.

---

Vinz Wine Bar: Full restaurant menu with wide wine menu by the glass or bottle. Live music on Saturdays and outdoor patio dining. Vinz is at 201 E. Grand Ave., Escondido. Call (760) 743-8466.

---

The Wine Spot: Hosts tastings from 2-8 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays; noon-9 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays; 1 to 6 p.m. Sundays at 2801 Roosevelt St., Carlsbad. Six tastings and an appetizer ($20). House tastings anytime ($15). Call (760) 434-9463 or visit the-wine-spot.com.

---

Wine Street Inc.: Weekly tastings from 3-7 p.m. Fridays. Appetizers to match are served. Wine Street is at 6986 El Camino Real, Suite D, in Carlsbad. Call (760) 431-8455 or visit www.winestreet.com.

---

Wine Styles: The Encinitas wine store hosts tastings 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 eight wines and snacks. The shop also hosts WineDown Fridays, where guests enjoy wine and live music and can bring in food to socialize. Call (760) 633-0057.

---

Send information about local food products, food events or classes to Food Editor Pam Kragen, North County Times, 207 E. Pennsylvania Ave., Escondido, CA 92025; fax to (760) 745-3769, or e-mail to food@nctimes.com.