Vivace at Four Seasons Aviara in Carlsbad hosts famed restaurateur and cookbook author Giuliano Bugialli in "An Evening With Giuliano Bugialli" from 6-9:30 p.m. March 23. The dinner will be derived from his new book, "Giuliano Bugialli's PARMA -- A Capital of Italian Gastronomy." Each guest will receive a signed copy of the book. Cost for the four-course dinner is $95 or $125 with wine. Reserve by March 21 to (760) 603-3773.

New products

VARIETAL FLAVORS: Choctal vanilla and chocolate ice creams are each made with a single origin, different varietal bean -- from Ghana, Caribbean, Indonesia, Costa Rica and Madagascar (vanilla). They have less sugar and more cocoa, and less air to make a denser ice cream. Cost is $5.99 per pint.

Events

FLAVORS OF SONOMA: Celebrate the flavors of Sonoma, paired with the wines of Kenwood Vineyards, at all Brigantine Seafood Restaurants, Azul La Jolla, Zocalo in Old Town, and the new Brig in Poway through March 25. The program offers appetizers, lunch dishes, dinner entrees and specialty desserts. Menu items will rotate on and off for six weeks, including Bodega Bay Dungeness Cracked Crab With Corn Cob And New Potatoes, Pan-Fried Trout With Eggplant Muhammara, and Braised Niman Ranch Beef Short Ribs.

CHEESE TASTINGS: The Aniata Cheese Company, Flower Hill Promenade, 2710 Via de la Valle, #B-138, Del Mar, offers these tastings from 2-4 p.m. Tastings are $8 or free for Aniata Club members. Call (858) 847-9616 or visit www.aniata.com:

March 10: "Irish Cheeses" -- artisan cheeses from the Emerald Isle.

March 24: "Many Shades of Blue" -- a sampling of blue cheeses.

SPRING WINE DINNER: Ponte Family Estate Winery hosts a five-course Spring Winemaker Dinner at 7 p.m. March 30 with Claudio Ponte and winemaker Robert Cartwright. Buy tickets online now by visiting www.pontewinery.com or by calling the special events department at (951) 694-8855. Tickets are $110 per person.

WINE TASTING: Belle Marie Winery and owners Mick and Mary Dragoo mark the seventh anniversary from 2-4 p.m. April 7 with a tasting showcasing three generations of winemakers: Justin Dragoo will share his 2004 Revelry, a single vineyard designated cabernet sauvignon from the Moulds Vineyard in Napa Valley; Mick Dragoo, Justin's father, winemaker of Chateau Dragoo Winery, will share his 2004 Cinq Diamante, a blend of five premium grapes that is the signature wine of the Chateau; and Lum Eisenman, Mick's mentor, master winemaker at Belle Marie Winery, will share his 2005 Echelon, a red that blends French and Italian grapes. The winery is at 26312 Mesa Rock Road, Escondido. Attendees can chat with the winemakers, sample other premium wines, and will receive a commemorative wine glass. Tickets can be purchased the day of the event for $10 per person. Call (760) 796-7557.

Classes

HEALTHY COOKING: Healthy Directions of Poway announces its March healthy cooking classes taught by registered dietitian Donna Wolf. If the concern is weight, cholesterol, blood sugar, hypertension or just good health, these demonstration classes are for you. Classes are from 6-8:30 p.m. and cost $45 each, or $120 for three. Register at (858) 335-2140, or visit www.healthydirectionspoway.com:

March 13: Easy one dish meals

March 22: Tofu and vegetarian

March 27: Fish/seafood

AT MICHAELS: A four-week Cake Decorating course starts March 5 at Michaels in Vista. Course 1 Classes are 12:30-2:30 p.m. Mondays, and Fondant/Gumpaste Course Classes are 10 a.m.-noon Mondays. Buy the kit, get the class for free. The store is at 2649 Vista Way, Oceanside. Sign up in the store; go online to view all classes at www.michaelsoceanside.4t.com; or call (760) 450-1650.

PECHANGA TEACHES: Pechanga Resort & Casino hosts these "Chefs' Magic" culinary classes at 11:30 a.m. at Hummingbird Hall. Tickets for each class are $45. Call (951) 770-2507:

Saturday: Eireann go Brach! Celtic Cuisine.

April 7: Coastal Spa Cuisine.

ALCHEMY SCHEDULE: Alchemy of the Hearth announces its new hands-on cooking classes, held through Escondido Adult School (San Pasqual High) or Poway Adult School (Rancho Bernardo High). Prices vary. Call Alchemy of the Hearth at (760) 745-6553 or visit www.alchemyofthehearth.com:

Monday: Tapas!

Wednesday: Fabulous Cakes

March 12: Sushi

March 20: The Baker's Hand

PALOMAR TEACHES: Palomar College offers these food and wine courses. Call (760) 744-1150, Ext. 2702, or visit venture.recware:

- Japanese Cuisine for Beginners (all ages), 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. March 11, $55 plus $20 fee.

- Wine Tasting 102, Expert Wine and Food Pairing, 6:30-9 p.m. Mondays, April 16-May 7, $99 plus $25 fee. Bring two wine glasses.

- Sushi Making 102 (all ages), noon-3:30 p.m. April 15, $65 plus $25 fee.

- Japanese Market Tour and Tutorial, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. May 6, $25 plus $15 for lunch and $5 fee.

ESCONDIDO TEACHES: The city of Escondido offers these recreation classes. Register to (760) 839-4691 or visit www.escondido.org/recreation:

- Tapas From Spain, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Monday, $25 plus $25 fee.

- Thai Fruit Carving, 6-8 p.m. Thursday, $20. Bring one melon.

KITCHEN WITCH: Kitchen Witch Gourmet Shop offers these classes and more at 127 N. El Camino Real, Suite D, Encinitas. Call (760) 942-3228 or visit www.kitchenwitchonline.com:

Saturday: Hands-On Pasta Workshop

Monday: "New" New Orleans Seafood

Wednesday: Everynight Cooking

March 8: Dinner With the Boss

March 9: Winter's Last Hurrah

March 10: Sauces Demystified

March 15: Sushi for Dummies Workshop (hands-on)

March 26: Learn-a-Lunch -- Fresh & Springy

CHOCOLATE CAMP: Chocolate expert Carole Bloom offers a Chocolate Camp from Aug. 7-8 in Carlsbad with two full days of classes, excursions, tastings and an all-chocolate dinner party. For details, visit www.carolebloom.com or call (760) 931-5920.

In the spirits

RELEASE PARTY: Wiens Family Cellars joins the Meritage Association and hosts a Meritage Release Party from 6-9 p.m. March 24 with dinner, wine and music for all who buy a case of Meritage "futures" at $280. Visit www.wienscellars.com.

WINE EDUCATION: Wiens Family Cellars in Temecula hosts a spring Wine Education Series. Determine your palate and learn the basics of winemaking. Meets from 7:30-8 p.m. March 8, 15, 22, 29. Cost is $85. Register to (888) 98-WIENS.

WINESTYLES TASTINGS: WineStyles offers tastings for a fee from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesdays and 4-6 p.m. Saturdays at 191 N. El Camino Real, Encinitas. Call (760) 633-0057 or visit www.winestyles.net/encinitas.

WINE COMPANY TASTINGS: The North County Wine Company hosts wine tastings daily at 1099 San Marcos Blvd., San Marcos, plus special events from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and noon-6 p.m. Sunday. Call (760) 744-2119 or visit www.NorthCountyWineCompany.com:

Friday-Sunday: "Nothing But Really Famous Pinots," $12.

March 9-11: "Staff Pick … Blind Wine Tasting," $15.

WEEKLY TASTING: Wine Street Inc. hosts tastings from 5:30-8 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:

Friday: New releases, $20.

March 9: World-class wines from France with guest from Pascal Imports, $20.

March 16: Big Napa cabernets, $25.

WINE TASTING: Carlsbad Wine Merchants hosts tastings at 6 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday for a small fee at 5814 Van Allen Way, Suite 155, Carlsbad. Call (888) 750-WINE or visit www.CarlsbadWineMerchants.com:

5-8 p.m. today: Wine tasting social for singles, $10.

Friday-Sunday: Saxon Brown wines.

5-7 p.m. March 8: Wine club members pickup party, free for members, $10 otherwise.

March 9-11: Bay Area limited production wines: handcrafted Cabs, Zins, and more that have been big hits in Wine Merchants' Northern California shop. $20.

March 16-18: Winemaker John Eppler on Friday, signing bottles of his new zins, petite sirah and more. Debuting the new Carlsbad Red Reserve that John made for Wine Merchants, $10.

March 23-25: Italy's Small Vineyard Portfolio, $20

March 30-April 1: Gustavo Thrace Wine, $10

WINE EVENTS: The Wine Loft at the Carlsbad Forum offers tastings from 1-4 p.m. unless otherwise noted at 1911 Calle Barcelona, Suite 151. Call (760) 944-1412 or visit www.thewineloft-carlsbad.com.

WINE TASTING: Wild Note Cafe hosts Wine Wednesday tastings monthly. Call (858) 259-7310 for cost and schedule.

Now open

Ralphs Fresh Fare supermarket opened for business Jan. 31 at 4S Commons Town Center, at the intersection of Rancho Bernardo Road and Dove Canyon Road in Rancho Bernardo. The 52,000-square-foot store is the first Ralphs in San Diego County featuring an upscale concept. It offers organic and fresh produce, a gourmet aged meat section, sushi bar, cheese bar, and a special health product and vitamin section called the "wellness center." Call (858) 675-0196; pharmacy is (858) 675-7028.

Chain news

McDonald's offers the Angus Third Pounder, the first introduction of a new burger in San Diego since 2003. Officially launching Monday, the Angus Third Pounder comes in the Angus Deluxe, Angus Bacon & Cheese and Angus Mushroom & Swiss. Each is made with a one-third pound 100-percent Angus beef patty on a bakery-style sesame seed roll, with lettuce, red onion, tomatoes, sauteed mushrooms and natural Swiss cheese. Recommended price is $3.99. Consumers can sample the burgers for free at San Diego-area restaurants from March 8-11. … Mimi's Cafe introduces an affordable, all-inclusive kids' menu that includes an entree, side dish, beverage and dessert for $3.99 to $4.59. It's available for guests 12 and under and is packed with colorful, fun activities. Foods featured include new Chocolate Chip Pancakes, Mimi Mouse Pancakes and Scrambled Eggs & Bacon; new Pepperoni Pizzadillas and PB&J Soldiers; healthier choices of Turkey Dinner, Spaghetti and Soup & Salad; zero grams Trans Fat Fries and new Applesauce. … Round Table Pizza offers prosciutto, the cured Italian ham, on its new Prosciutto Artisan

Pizza, which also comes with roasted artichoke hearts, lemon feta cheese and mozzarella.

X X X

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