Alchemy of the Hearth postpones open house: The Escondido-based cooking school has postponed its open house, which was originally scheduled for Saturday at its new location at 1291 Simpson Way, Suite H, in Escondido. School owner Arleen Lloyd said the opening of the school's kitchen was unexpectedly delayed so she was forced to reschedule the open house for another time in the near future. For more, visit alchemyofthehearth.com.
Slow Food cancels Stagecoach Days: Taste of Slow Food Urban San Diego announced Tuesday that it is canceling its annual Stagecoach Days fundraiser, which was scheduled for this Sunday in Old Town San Diego, because of slow ticket sales. For refund details, visit slowfoodurbansandiego.org.
Froots opens in Encinitas: Froots, a juice and smoothie bar and sandwich shop, has opened at 127 N. El Camino Real, Suite J, in Encinitas. The story carries fresh-fruit smoothies, panini and wrap sandwiches, salads, soups. The shop is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. Call 760-436-6300 or froots.com.
La Bonne Bouffe adds lunch: La Bonne Bouffe, a French restaurant in Encinitas, has recently added lunch service for the first time in its 27-year history. Owner Dino Dimitriou said that since he opened for lunch -- from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays -- last month, business has grown each week. Lunch entrees are smaller portions of the regular dinner menu, priced from $6 to $20. The restaurant at 471 Encinitas Blvd. is also now offering Bistro Nights, a four-course, prix-fixe menu for $31 on Sundays-Thursdays. Call 760-436-3081.
Fair hosts "Cooking with Beer" contest: As part of the San Diego County Fair's International Beer Festival on Saturday, chefs are invited to enter a "Cooking With Beer" contest at 12:30 p.m. that afternoon. Chefs must use beer in their entry, which will be cooked at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, and may be in the categories of baked item, appetizer or main dish. First-place prizes of $25 (and a free beer fest pass) will be awarded on the basis of flavor, appearance, preparation and uniqueness. Visit sdfair.com/beer.
Boudin offers summer special: Boudin SF in San Marcos is offering a "Best of Boudin" summer light lunch special: a bistro sandwich on sourdough with a side of mixed greens for $4.99. The special runs through July 16 at 113 S. Las Posas Road. Call 760-761-1150.
Tango serves lunch: Tango Restaurant & Lounge at 417 W. Grand Ave. in Escondido is now serving lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. New lunch items include Crab Tostada, Oyster Po' Boy and Roast Beef Panini. Go to tangoongrand.com or call 760-747-5000.
Brigantine goes "Wild About 40": To celebrate its 40th anniversary, the Brigantine Family of Restaurants is featuring a "Wild About 40" dinner special for two on Thursday nights through July 30 at all of its locations (including Brigantine and Zocalo restaurants). The dinners, an extension of the company's "40-for-40" dining program, features a three-course dinner for two for $40 per couple. The menu will vary but will include at least one item of "Taste of the Wild" sustainable wild Alaskan seafood. La Crema wine pairings are available for an extra cost. Diners can also sample "Taste of the Wild" seafood dishes seven days a week through July. Visit brigantine.com.
Summer at Harrah's: Harrah's Rincon is spicing up summer with a New Orleans jazz brunch every Sunday in June, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Sunday in July, there will be a jazz brunch with live music for $16.99 at the International Buffet (with champagne for $1 per glass). There will also be drink specials Monday through Thursday and happy hour at the Sports Pit from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Harrah's is at 33750 Valley Center Road; go to harrahsrincon.com.
Locavores unite: The recent launch of Locavore Network allows users to search more than 15,000 grower, producer, winery and restaurant listings based on state, ZIP code, commodity or business to find places to buy or eat locally. Check it out at locavorenetwork.com.
Pala Casino expansion complete: Pala Casino Spa and Resort recently completed its $100 million expansion, which included the opening of Choices, Amigo's and Sushi Sake restaurants. Choices buffet has eight live-action cooking stations and 2,000 hot and cold food items. Amigo's offers authentic Mexican cuisine with items such as Chile Rellenos, Pala Nachos Grande and Carne de Cerdo con Chile Verde Burrito. Sushi Sake is a full-service sushi bar with sashimi, sake, sushi rolls, nigiri and specialty rolls including Pala Deluxe (king crab tempura, avocado and asparagus wrapped with soy paper, topped with albacore and vegetable sauce) and Prime Rib (shrimp tempura, avocado and cucumber topped with marinated prime rib beef). Go to palacasino.com.
Summer at The Linkery: The Linkery, a farm-to-table restaurant in San Diego's North Park, is holding several events and specials this summer at 3794 30th St. Smokehouse Sundays feature meats cooked over oak, including lamb, pork shoulders, links and ribs, for $29 (includes beans, coleslaw and corn). The restaurant will also offer Lardo Ice Cream Sandwiches (handmade ice cream flavored with house-cured lardo, organic Taza Oaxacan-style chocolate-chip cookies, candied bacon butts and caramel sauce) and Micheladas and Kombucha. Go to thelinkery.com.
Tango summer sunset menu: Tango Restaurant and Lounge at 417 W. Grand Ave. in Escondido is offering a Summer Sunset Menu from 5 to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday. For $25, diners cab get a three-course meal. Call 760-747-5000 or go to tangoongrand.com.
New summer menu at Clubhouse Grill: The Clubhouse Grill at the Grand Del Mar Resort in Carmel Valley is offering three summer dining and drink specials through Labor Day. From 4 to 7 p.m. daily, a happy hour special features $3 beers, $4 glasses of wine and bottles of wine from $20. Family-style dining specials are offered from 4 to 8:30 p.m. Saturdays all summer, with communal plates of appetizers, entrees and desserts for $40 per adult and $24 per child (ages 6 to 12). And from 4 to 7 p.m. Sundays, the grill offers Sizzling Sunday Barbecues, patio dining with a new barbecue cuisine each week, priced at $45 for adults and $22.50 per child. The resort is at 5200 Grand Del Mar Way. Visit thegranddelmar.com.
Corvette Diner reopens in Point Loma: After 22 years in Hillcrest, the Corvette Diner has relocated to a larger location in Point Loma's Liberty Station at 2965 Historic Decatur Road. The Cohn Restaurant Group announced that the new location is twice the size of the former Hillcrest eatery, with seating for 300, and lots of parking. The new location, which opened on Monday, also has the Gamer's Garage, a 5,500-square-foot arcade with more than 50 arcade games. To celebrate the opening, the Cohn group will host a Corvette Diner & Gamers Garage Summer Bash on July 11-12. The event will include a Corvette car show, live music, children's crafts and giveaways. Call 619-542-1476.
Hacienda de Vega offers summer specials: Through Aug. 31, the Escondido Mexican restaurant is offering a pool party takeout promotion with 20 percent off takeout orders, a "sandy toes" promotion with a 15 percent meal discount and a special dessert promotion for children. Call 760-738-9804 or visit haciendedevega.com.
Temecula winery earns international honor: La Cereza Winery's 2006 Viognier earned the Best of Show award for white wines at the 2009 Critics Challenge International Wine Competition in San Diego last month. The wine, created by winemaker Gus Vizgirda and assistant Jim Swelgin at the Temecula winery, was among more than 1,400 varietals judged by a panel of 14 international wine critics at the sixth annual contest held May 23-24 at the Westgate Hotel in San Diego. Earning gold medals at the competition were Callaway Vineyards' 2008 Quartet Winemakers Reserve and Wilson Creek Winery's 2006 Estate Syrah.
South Coast Winery hires new director: Temecula's South Coast Winery has hired Hank Anderson as its new director of sales and catering. Anderson's 14-year hospitality career includes previous positions at the La Quinta Resort, Riveria Resort & Spa and Hyatt Grand Champions.
Home-delivered meal service debuts: Charles Heineke, executive chef at RB Classic Cooking & Catering, has introduced a home-delivery meal service. Menus rotate weekly and orders may be placed up to three months in advance with prices ranging from $35 to $50 for four meals. Most deliveries are on Mondays and Tuesdays. Heineke spent 15 years as the chef for Mission Bay Hospital, so he promises his meals are nutritionally balanced and healthy. Call 858-964-8513 or visit rbclassiccooking.com for menus.
New kitchen store in Murrieta: Murrieta Cooks!, a new store carrying kitchen gadgets, cooking tools, cookbooks, high-end cookware and gourmet food items, has opened in the Town Centre Plaza at 24831 Jefferson Ave., Suite 107, in Murrieta. The store offers cooking classes, demonstrations and tastings three to four days a week. Call 951-461-8898 or visit murrietacooks.com.
Win a cigar cave: Partagas Cigars is hosting a national contest where cigar smokers can with $10,000 to create the ultimate Partagas Cigar Cave in their home. Between now and July 31, cigar fans can enter videos, photos and written descriptions of why they need their own cigar cave at partagascigarcave.com. To enter, participants must buy a four-pack of Partagas Black Label cigars for a redemption code. The winner will be selected on or before Aug. 21.
Hungry-Man search under way: The makers of Hungry-Man frozen dinners are hunting for an American man to serve as the inspiration for its future meal concepts. The official Dude Food Consultant will star in a Web video on the Hungry-Man Website and will receive a cash prize of $1,000, as well as coupons for free dinners. Entrants must be over 18, U.S. residents and must submit a photo of themselves feasting on Hungry-Man meals along with a description of why they should win the "I Am The Hungry-Man" sweepstakes. Visit www.hungry-man.com.
Dining events
Beer & Sake Festival: The Japan Society of San Diego and Tijuana hosts its seventh annual festival from 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday at the San Diego Marriott Del Mar, 11966 El Camino Real, San Diego. The beer, sake and rice wine tastings event will be highlighted by the SushiMaster's California Regional Competition pitting the state's top sushi chefs against one another in a live sushi styling contest. The contest will be emceed by Sam "The Cooking Guy" Zien of Encinitas and Junichi Fukushima of Benihana. Cost is $60. Visit www.japansociety.org.
Bernard'O wine dinner: The Rancho Bernardo restaurant will have a wine dinner featuring Iron Horse Vineyards from Sonoma County at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. The evening will begin with a reception on the patio and moves to a four-course meal with pairings. Cost is $75; the restaurant is at 12457 Rancho Bernardo Drive. Call 858-487-7171 or go to bernardorestaurant.com.
Cafe Sevilla celebrates 22 years: Cafe Sevilla, the first Spanish restaurant in San Diego and the longest-running nightclub in the Gaslamp Quarter, will celebrate 22 years in the business with a Summer Boat Party on San Diego Bay from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. Friday. More than 500 guests can fit on the Lord Hornblower with live salsa music and live DJs. Go to cafesevilla.com/boatgala; tickets are $30 online before Wednesday and increase to $40 after ($45 day of event). Cafe Sevilla is at 555 Fourth Ave. in the Gaslamp Quarter.
San Diego International Beer Festival: The San Diego County Fair hosts its third annual, two-day celebration of handcrafted beers from all over the world from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday and from noon to 7 p.m. Saturday. More than 300 brews from 20 states and 17 will compete for prizes at the event. Last year's best of Show award went to the West Coast India Pale Ale by Green Flash Brewery in Vista. Beer-lovers can buy a wristband that entitles them to unlimited 1-ounce samplings of beers entered in the contest. Festival is at the Chevrolet Del Mar Arena, Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar. Advance ticket prices are $27 for Friday; $37 for Saturday; $64 for a two-day pass (includes fair admission; cost is $6 more at the gate). Visit sdfair.com/beer.
San Diego County Wineries Barrel Tasting: Julian's Menghini Winery hosts a tasting of barrel samples of new wines and recent releases from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday at 1150 Julian Orchards Drive. Call 760-765-2072.
American Legion fundraiser: The Oceanside American Legion Auxiliary Unit 146 will hold a fundraiser at 1 p.m. Saturday at Q's Restaurant. 2725 Vista Way in Oceanside. Proceeds benefit current and retired military personnel. Call 760-433-0147.
Little Italy celebrates The Mercato: Little Italy's farmers market, The Mercato, is celebrating its one-year anniversary with plenty of Italian food. On Saturday, vendors from the market and local chefs will team to build a 24-food long caprese salad, and shoppers will be able to buy a portion of it after it is completed. On Saturday, there will be a Bruschetta Showdown as six local chefs compete to make the best bruschetta (according to the judges). The Mercato is held Saturdays on Date Street from Kettner to Union. Go to littleitalymercato.com.
Taste of Adams Avenue: More than 20 restaurants and pubs will offer tastings at this ninth annual self-guided culinary tour of the San Diego neighborhoods of Kensington, Normal Heights and North Park from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door, 4649 Hawley Blvd., San Diego. Call 619-233-5008 or visit adamsaveonline.com.
Sustainability dinner at the Del: 1500 OCEAN at the Hotel del Coronado, Chef de Cuisine Brian Sinnott, Executive Chef John Shelton and Executive Sous Chef Michael Catalano will hold the second "sustainable food" dinner this year at 6 p.m. Tuesday. The Farmers Market Sustainability Celebration will feature local and regional farmers, purveyors and winemakers on the Windsor Lawn; participants include Temecula's Crow's Pass Farms and San Marcos' Fresh Origins Micro Greens. There will be samples from each participant, followed by a dinner from the Del's chefs with wines chosen by ENO Wine Director Ted Glennon. Tickets are $95; call 619-522-8490 (reservations required). Go to dine1500ocean.com.
Falkner anniversary: Falkner Winery in Temecula is celebrating its ninth anniversary with a party July 3-5. There will be jazz performances, winery tours, sales and other events. Selected wines will be up to 50 percent off, and wine will be raffled each hour between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., with the winner getting a chance to buy the wine for $1. Pinnacle Restaurant will offer a "Anniversary Special for 2" lunch with a shared appetizer, two entrees, shared dessert and two glasses of wine for $55. Go to falknerwinery.com.
Fourth of July barbecue: Famous Dave's Bar-b-Que will host an Independence Day barbecue at 7 p.m. July 4 in Vista's Brengle Terrace Park to raise money for the park's Alta Vista Botanical Gardens. The menu includes St. Louis spare ribs, roasted chicken, potato salad, corn muffins and beans, along with prime seating for the city's fireworks show at 9 p.m. Tickets are $50 for adults and $25 for children under 12. For reservations, call 760-945-3954 or visit altavistagardens.org.
Aqua Terra beer dinner: Pala Mesa Resort's Aqua Terra Restaurant will present a four-course, patio beer dinner at 7 p.m. July 16. The menu will include goat cheese fritters, Chilean seabass, gorgonzola-stuffed filet mignon and grilled portobello mushrooms; cost is $50. Pre-dinner cocktails at 6:30 p.m. Pala Mesa is at 2001 Old Highway 395, Fallbrook. Call 760-731-6805.
Legacy dinner at Wilson Creek: Wilson Creek Winery in Temecula will host a Summer Legacy Dinner with Gerry and Rosie Wilson at 6 p.m. July 18 in the winery's Barrel Room. The four-course dinner with wine pairings is $145 per person. Call 951-699-9463 or go to wilsoncreekwinery.com.
Southern California Wine Country Fifth Annual Wine Competition: The Temecula Valley Wine Society host a three-day wine showdown July 27-29 at Maurice Car'rie Winery, 34225 Rancho California Road in Temecula. Wineries from Riverside, L.A., Orange, San Bernardino and San Diego counties will submit wines for blind tastings by a panel of judges. The event culminates in an awards dinner July 29 at Wiens Family Cellars. Tickets are $55. Visit temeculawines.org.
Taste of Fallbrook: Connections Networking's Hot Summer Nites series continues with a showcase of Fallbrook's restaurants from 5 to 8 p.m. July 31. An estimated 750 people are expected to attend the outdoor event in Fallbrook's Village Square. Call 760-505-5119 or visit connectionsfallbrook.com.
Experience Jsix: Jsix restaurant and Chef Christian Graves will begin offering the "Chef's Kitchen Experience" on select Sundays beginning Aug. 2. The experience includes an outing to the Hillcrest Farmers Market to select ingredients that will then be prepared as part of a three-course meal in the Jsix kitchen. Transportation to the market and back, the three-course meal, wine or cocktail pairing with each course and parking are included for $120 per person. Dates are Aug. 2, Sept. 6, Oct. 4, Nov. 8 and Dec. 13 (sessions begin at 10 a.m.). Call 619-531-8744; the restaurant is at 616 J St. in the Gaslamp Quarter. Go to jsixsandiego.com.
Taste of Mainstreet: Nearly three dozen downtown Encinitas restaurants, bars and businesses will offer tastings at the 20th annual event from 6 to 9 p.m. Aug. 27. Participants include Roxy, Vigilucci's, Darshan Bakery, St. Tropez, Q'ero, Raul's, Tastes, Ogata and many more. Tickets ar $25 and can be ordered online at encinitas101.com.
Orfila Vineyards Grape Stomp: The Escondido winery hosts its annual crushing of the grapes from 4 to 8 p.m. Aug. 29 at 13455 San Pasqual Valley Road. Event includes grape stomp, buffet dinner, dancing to live music, hay rides, wine tasting and winery tours. Cost is $85 and always sells out all 400 tickets in advance. Reserve to 800-868-9463.
Taste of Downtown: More than 50 restaurants will participating in this downtown San Diego tastings event from 5 to 9 p.m. Sept. 24. Restaurants in the Gaslamp Quarter, financial district, East Village and Little Italy will offer menu samplings. Tickets are $35 in advance and $40 at the gate. For tickets, call 619-233-5008 or visit www.dtsd.org.
Ponte grape stomp: The Temecula winery hosts its seventh annual Grape Stomping Festival from 4 to 9 p.m. Sept. 27 at 35053 Rancho California Road. The event includes live music, dancing, a harvest buffet, wine samples, portrait photography, vineyard tours and grape stomping. Tickets are $95 for adults and $46 for children 12 and under. Call 951-694-8855.
Celebrate the Craft at Torrey Pines: Artisans and gourmet chefs will return to The Lodge at Torrey Pines on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 for "Celebrate the Craft," a showcase for regionally grown ingredients, cooking and winemaking. Food and wine will be paired with The Torrey Pines Plein Air Invitational. Featured events include a reception and art auction on Oct. 31 (dinner is $125) and a picnic on the Arroyo Terrace on Nov. 1 with food stations ($65). Call 858-453-4420 or go to lodgetorreypines.com.
San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival: Cooking Light magazine will sponsor the annual festival, scheduled for Nov. 18-22 in San Diego. This year's festival will feature wine-tasting seminars, cooking classes, reserve tastings and the Grand Tasting Event, an all-day showcase of more than 800 wines, 70 local restaurants and 30 gourmet foodmakers. Tickets are on sale at 619-342-7337 or worldofwineevents.com.
The Shores tasting menus: The Shores Restaurant offers monthly wine tasting menus, which include a three-course meal from 5 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. The menu is $35 with wine and $25 without (regular menu is also available). The Shores is at 8110 Camino del Oro in La Jolla; call 858-456-0600 or go to theshoresrestaurant.com. Featured items (complete menus are online):
- June: Alaskan king salmon
- July: Baja shrimp
Classes
Behind the Scenes Catering & Events: The catering company teaches customers to prepare not-so-typical foods on the grill -- pizza, sliders, salad and pork loin -- in its kitchen at 9888 Waples St., San Diego. Call 858-638-1400 or go to btscenes.com.
Cafe Merlot: The restaurant in the Bernardo Winery will hold wine and cooking classes this month at 13330 Paseo del Verano Norte in Rancho Bernardo. Classes are $50 per person; call 858-592-7785.
- 5:30 p.m. Tuesday: Secrets of French Chefs
Captain Cook's children's classes: Captain Cook's Culinary Academy for Kids hosts classes for children with a new organic menu every week: "Lil Explorers" (ages 4-7) from 3:30-5 p.m. Tuesdays; "First Mates" (ages 7 to 13), 3:30-5 p.m. Mondays or Wednesdays. Classes cost $40 or $100 for three. Captain Cook's is at 6986 El Camino Real, Suite C. Call 760-431-2278 or go to www.captaincooksculinaryacademy.com.
- Next week: Around the World Camp -- Each day, campers will create dishes from a different place in the world, including Italy, France, Greece, Mexico and China; $200 for week
Captain Cook's adult classes: Captain Cook's Culinary Academy for Kids is hosting adult classes at 7 p.m. Thursdays. All classes are $45 (or $120 for three). Captain Cook's is at 6986 El Camino Real, Suite C, Carlsbad. Call 760-431-2278 or go to www.captaincooksculinaryacademy.com.
Grand Del Mar Culinary series: These monthly two-hour sessions take place year-round, conducted by the resort's chefs. Call 858-314-2000. The Grand Del Mar is at 5300 Grand Del Mar Court. Classes are in the resort kitchen unless otherwise noted. Upcoming:
- 6:30 p.m. July 13: A Taste for Tomatoes -- Chef William Bradley teaches how to make Tomato Vinaigrette, Oven-Roasted Tomatoes and Tomato Sorbet; $95 (at Addison)
- 6:30 p.m. Aug. 12: Summer on Ice -- Lobster Cocktail, West Coast Oysters, Organic Shrimp, Dungeness Crab and Gazpacho; $75
- 6:30 p.m. Sept. 14: A is for Apples -- Apple Tart Tartin, Apple Cider and Apple Chutney; $95 (Addison)
- 6:30 p.m. Oct. 14: Wines for Fall Feasts -- Reds and whites for fall, and pairings such as Braised Short Ribs with Apple Puree and Seared Scallops with Parsnip Puree; $75
- 6:30 p.m. Nov. 18: Traditional Thanksgiving Family Feast -- Chef Camron Woods will teach recipes for Thanksgiving, including Roasted Turkey, Cranberry Stuffing and Potato Puree; $75
- 6:30 p.m. Dec. 2: A Baker's Holiday -- Pastry Chef Thierry Delourneaux will demonstrate Chocolate Ganache Buche de Noel, Pumpkin Creme Brulee, Painted Cookies and Citrus Panna Cotta; $65
Great News! Discount Cookware & Cooking School: The San Diego school hosts cooking classes at 1788 Garnet Ave. (in the Pacific Plaza at Garnet Avenue and Jewell Street); reserve to 858-270-1582, ext. 3, or go to www.great-news.com. Reserve early; classes fill quickly:
- 10:30 a.m. Thursday: Chinese Dinner Party; $44
- 6 p.m. Thursday: Summer Salad Suppers; $49
- 6 p.m. Friday: Friday Night Dinner Party -- Hawaiian Flavors; $49
- 1 p.m. Saturday: Hands-on Basic Sushi; $69
- 9 a.m. Sunday: Nijiya Japanese Market Tour; $49
- 11 a.m. Sunday: Calling All Kids -- Pasta Makes Perfect; $49 adult, $39 child (7-14)
- 6 p.m. Monday: An Evening with Kensington Grill; $49
- 10:30 a.m. Tuesday: Fast, Fresh and Easy Everyday Dishes; $49
- 6 p.m. Tuesday: Keeping it Simple -- Full Flavor with Few Ingredients; $49
- 6 p.m. Wednesday: Tuscan al Fresco; $49
- 10:30 a.m. July 2: We All Scream For Ice Cream!; $44
- 6 p.m. July 2: Backyard BBQ Entrees with Marinades and Rubs; $49
- 6 p.m. July 6: Homemade Ravioli -- The Lotsa Pasta Way; $49
- 10:30 a.m. July 7: Great Sauces on Simple Grilled Entrees; $49
- 6 p.m. July 7: Hands On Tamales; $69
- 6 p.m. July 8: Hands On Advanced Sushi -- Beyond the Basics; $69
- 10:30 a.m. July 9: Authentic Vietnamese; $49
- 6 p.m. July 9: Fresh, Fast Fish; $49
- 6 p.m. July 10: Friday Night Dinner Party -- Asian BBQ; $49
- 11 a.m. July 11: Working with Phyllo Dough; $49
- 11 a.m. July 12: Calling All Kids -- Dinner & a Movie; $49 adult, $39 child (7-14)
- 6 p.m. July 13: Understanding Miso; $59
- 10:30 a.m. July 14: Teens Only -- Basic Knife Skills; $49
- 6 p.m. July 14: The Greatness of Garlic; $49
- 6 p.m. July 15: Vegetarian Delight; $49
Indigo Energy & Fitness: Certified health and fitness professional Kelly Jean Dammeyer will host a class on healthy cooking and meal-planning from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday at 1839 S. Coast Highway 101 in Oceanside. Register to 760-696-7084.
The Kitchen Witch: The Encinitas school hosts cooking classes at 127 N. El Camino Real; call 760-942-3288 or go to www.kitchenwitchonline.com.
Lavender Tea Class: Barbara Barker of Memories English Tea Garden in Vista will teach how to prepare and serve an afternoon tea at noon July 11. Lesson includes an art show and how to prepare lavender scones, tea sandwiches, cakes and queen's tea. Cost is $10. For directions, call (760) 945-0476.
Macy's School of Cooking: The school is in the Macy's Mission Valley Home Store, 1555 Camino de la Reina, San Diego. Call 888-424-FOOD or go to macys.com/events and type 92108 in the ZIP code field:
- 11 a.m. July 13-17 or 11 a.m. July 27-31: Macy's Kids in the Kitchen with Janet Burgess; $175
- 11 a.m. Aug. 3-7: Macy's Teens in the Kitchen with five local chefs; $210
Quail Botanical Gardens: Chef Elizabeth Podsiadlo, the "Opera Singing Chef," holds cooking classes at Quail Botanical Gardens; classes are $25 for members and $30 for nonmembers and include recipes and tastings. Call 760-436-3036, ext. 206, or go to qbgardens.org.
Ro Z's Sweet Art Studio: Rosanne Zinniger's cake decorating shop and studio at 277 S. Rancho Santa Fe Road, San Marcos, offers classes in cake decorating. Call 760-744-0447 or rozsweetartstudio.com. The studio is also offering summer culinary adventures for kids on making favorite dishes with a healthy twist; cost is $200 for 15 hours of instruction from Rosanne. Call Palomar College for Kids at 760-744-1150, ext. 2702, for the camps.
- July 6-10: Sweet Shop!; basics of kitchen safety, proper use of utensils, decorate your treats
- July 13-17: Cooking Academy for Kids!; hands-on techniques for making cooking fun
SDSU Extended Studies: The college will offer an "Exploring Wine" course at 6 p.m. Mondays running through July 6. The course offers an overview on the role and influence of wine in history and today's culture. Class is $295, and cost rises to $325 after Monday. Call 619-594-6924 or go to neverstoplearning.net/wine.html.
The Whole Journey: The Whole Journey, a holistic counseling and product awareness company, will offer free grocery tours at Seaside Market at 2087 San Elijo Road (760-753-5445) in Cardiff, free health and nutrition seminars at Whole Foods at 8825 Villa La Jolla Drive in La Jolla (858-642-6700), and cooking classes at Sur La Table at 1915 Calle Barcelona in Carlsbad (760-635-1316). Call to reserve a space; go to thewholejourney.net.
In the spirits
Acqua Al 2: The Gaslamp Quarter restaurant hosts wine tasting events during "Uncorked" the first Wednesday of every month at 310 Fifth Ave. in San Diego. For $20, guests taste four wine/spirit selections paired with four appetizers. Reservations are required; call 619-230-0382 or go to acquaal2.com:
- 6:30 p.m. Wednesday: Chef's Choice
- 6:30 p.m. Aug. 5: Warm-weather reds, celebrating Ferragosto
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.
Decanter Wine Lounge & Restaurant: The Rancho Santa Fe restaurant and wine lounge hosts wine tasting classes every Wednesday at 18025 Calle Ambiente (in the Cielo Hillside Village). Tastings are $15; reservations are required. Call 858-756-9333 or go to decanterwinelounge.co.:
ENO-Versity at the Hotel Del: ENO, the wine, cheese and chocolate tasting room at the Hotel del Coronado, has announced its 2009 classes for ENO-Versity. Classes are $35 per person; call 619-522-8546 or go to hoteldel.com. The Hotel Del is at 1500 Orange Ave. in Coronado.
- 4 p.m. Saturday: Malm Cellars from Sonoma County
Fifty Barrels Winery and Tasting Room: Hosts tastings from 5 to 8 p.m. Fridays and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays at 3800 Oceanic Drive, Suite 106, Oceanside. Call 760-696-2998 or go to carlsbadcoastal.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. Wine Down Mondays feature five wine tastes for $5 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Mondays, and "Hop Over the Hump Wednesdays" are weekly beer-tasting events for $5. Call 760-745-1200.
- 6 p.m. Thursday: Wine 101; $15
- 5:30 p.m. Friday: Sweet & Sticky Dessert Wine Tasting; $15
- 5:30 p.m. Saturday: Lost Abbey beer tasting; $15 advance, $20 at door
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:
- 6 p.m. Friday: Summer White Out; $10
Stone Brewery: The popular Escondido brewery is hosting a series of pairings in the next few months at the brewery and gardens, 1999 Citracado Parkway in Escondido. Call 760-471-4999 or go to www.stonebrew.com. Upcoming:
- 2:30 and 5 p.m. July 12: Beer & Chocolate Pairing; $30
- 11 a.m. July 19: Stone Sour Fest; $30
- 7 p.m. July 21: Beer U: Sours; $30
- 6 p.m. Aug. 3: FRESH! Dinner (ingredients picked that day); $49
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.
Vino100: Wine tasting events offered every evening at 5 p.m. at its store at 133 S. Las Posas Road in San Marcos. Also, on Wednesdays in April, dollar tastings are offered. Call 760-591-9113 or go to vino100sanmarcos.com.
Vinz Wine Bar: Full restaurant menu with wide wine menu by the glass or bottle. Tastings are from $5-$10 from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and 3 to 5 p.m. Saturdays, and come with charcuterie and cheese. Live music on Saturdays. Vinz is at 201 E. Grand Ave., Escondido. Call 760-743-8466 or visit vinzwinebar.net.
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 cost $20. House tastings any time are $15. 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 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.
Posted in Food-and-cooking on Wednesday, June 24, 2009 12:00 am Updated: 2:59 am. | Tags: Food.briefs.6.25, Food, Life, Nct, Z.google.entertainment, Z.google.food_and_beverage
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