Cheers for Craft Beers

by Frank Mangio
More than 4,000 breweries now operate in the U.S.  including more than 100 in the San Diego County area and over 400 in California .  Ballast Point Brewery in San Diego has just been sold to worldwide spirits company Constellation for 1 billion dollars.  The recent San Diego Brew and Food Festival at Waterfront Park in San Diego drew over 200 different craft beers including Ballast Point, Kona, Alesmith, The Lost Abbey, Pizza Port, Green Flash, Anchor, Bolt, and the king of the hill…Stone Brewing of Escondido and Berlin, and soon to be in Napa. Craft beer is booming!

Now, I have to be transparent here. Before TASTE OF WINE came along, I managed the largest Oktoberfest in north San Diego with lots of beer from Karl Strauss of San Diego .

Stone Brewing began in Escondido, co-founded by Greg Koch and Steve Wagner in 1996,
and is often called “the all-time top craft brewery on Planet Earth.”

A young, scrawny looking Greg Koch came up to me at the Oktoberfest  in 1997 and proclaimed he was making Stone Beer, it was better than Karl Strauss and could he sell at the event. Naturally I said no.  Little did I know I was talking to the future king of craft beer, now employing 1,100  around the planet, with two San Diego environmentally applauded restaurants in Escondido and Liberty Station San Diego.

Ballast Point is another San Diego area brewery with a great story, this one founded by Jack White, also in 1996.  He was a backyard brewer, but decided to open commercially with Home Brew Mart selling supplies and ingredients for others as well as his own Ballast Point. White’s success is driven by the never-ending search for flavor and aroma.

“We started this business with a vision to produce great beer that consumers love,” White said. “Our Gold Medal winning Sculpin India Pale Ale is a great example of what got us into brewing.  After years of experimenting, we knew hopping an ale at 5 separate stages would produce something special and pack a bit of a sting, just like the Sculpin fish.” (Ballast Point  emphasizes the sea and its inhabitants, in all their marketing, including names of beers).

Constellation Brands, owner of many top drawer wineries like Robert Mondavi ad Kim Crawford and international beers like Corona, Modelo and Pacifico, realized it didn’t have a driver in the craft beer space, which had doubled its share of the market in just 5 years.  So in came the mind-boggling billion dollar offer to Ballast Point, which is on pace to sell nearly 4 million cases, over 100 percent better than the previous year.  It employs more than 500 in 4 facilities in San Diego.

Most craft beers in San Diego are shooting for the “hoppy” flavored IPA style, accenting the pale ale as the preferred taste. Hops are the flowers from a vine that give beer its bitterness. Some of the most sought-after come from Washington state.  It increases the alcohol levels so that now, 9% alcohol can be found in some styles.

The city of Vista seems bent on being “beer town” in the San Diego County area with 12 breweries and a 2 million dollar plus fund to subsidize this plan.  It includes an idea to change the name of Highway 78 as it passes through Vista , to “ Hops Highway .”  Nearby Oceanside wants to open up coastal districts of its city to breweries, making it easier to establish and operate these businesses.  They have attracted 8 breweries in its city, with 2 more in the planning stages.  We have a lot more to tell about this phenomenon in beverage consumption, so with your indulgence we’ll occasionally visit craft beers.

Wine Bytes
A great place to start for sampling local craft beer breweries  is Chandler’s in the Cape Rey Resort in Carlsbad on Thursdays from 3pm.  “Hoppy” beers with $6. pints of featured crafts will be rotated, all will be local.  Call 760-683-5500 for details.

A Maddalena Wine Dinner is planned for BICE Ristorante, in the Gaslamp district, downtown San Diego , Thurs. July 14 starting at 6:30pm.  The winemaker will be there to explain the acclaimed wines and perfectly paired menu. Cost is $79.  RSVP at 619-239-2423.

The Art of Baja Wine & Beer Dinner will be held at The Grill at Torrey Pines in La Jolla , Fri. July 15th from 6:30 to 9:30pm. Executive Chef Jeff Jackson presides with a 4 course family style dinner with showcase wines  and fine Mexican style craft beers. $125. per person.  RSVP by calling 858-777-6660.

The SoCal Food & Wine Festival is Tues. July 19th from 6 to 10pm at the Ramona Mainstage on Main Street Ramona. 10 top chefs  will cook  different dishes with 10 different wineries offering their varietals, including entertainment. Cost is $89. Event to benefit the Center for Community Solutions with prevention and intervention. Information at 760-789-7005.

Tequila and A Mexico City Experience in Old Town San Diego

by Frank Mangio
As wine is the ultimate beverage in France , Italy and the California coast, tequila is the national drink that creates the most pride for most Mexicans.

Given that the culture of this adjoining country’s dining and beverage preferences are closely aligned with San Diego and especially the Old Town District, I agreed to visit an intimate, living room style dining location with roots in Mexico City , El Agave Restaurant & Tequileria. I’ve lost count of the number of Mexican style restaurants in Old Town .

El Agave is the only Mexico City inspired menu in the district, and it has the largest tequila collection in the U.S. – boasting 2,000 bottles. Within this tasteful, rustic atmosphere, General Manager Alberto Mondragon, an articulate spokesman for the trophy-like tequila collection, spoke reverently about the quality and high standards of fine tequila spirits.

Agave is the cactus plant that the juices are extracted from, before careful preparation, fermentation and barrel aging begin, similar to a fine wine. Mondragon proudly held up a 5 liter bottle of El Agave Anejo, a tequila aged for 2 years in a single barrel, while he explained that “tequila basically provides the consumer with a happy feeling, and can be served mixed such as in a Margarita, or by itself.  It does not depress the senses if consumed in moderation. We suggest a high quality tequila with a minimum two years aging.”

Alberto Mondragon is the General  Manager at El Agave Restaurant in Old Town San Diego .

 
Tequila can get expensive; An 1800 Collection by Cuevo has a price tag of $2,500. The menu at El Agave is managed by two chefs:  Julio Obando crafts the sauces and accents and Mario Montes is the chef in charge of the delicious dishes offered.

 Margaritas like the “Perfect Cadillac” shown above, are a popular mix with tequila.
Tequila tasting should include, right to left: Blanco, Reposata and Anejo.
On the far right, a “tomato juice chaser.”

Wines are in abundance at the bar and are predominately Spanish,  like Tempranillo, and Mexican, like the Guadalupe Valley district. Although tacos and enchiladas are on a lunch menu, dinner is gourmet Mexico City , with mole and chipotle sauces complimenting  pork, chicken fish and beef dishes.  For the true expression of these dishes, try the Medallones Portal, grilled filet mignon medallions and Portobello mushrooms, served in a delicate mixture of mustard and chipotle sauces.
El Agave opened in 1996 as a true Mexico City classy restaurant. It continues that tradition today. Visit at elagave.com, or call for a table at 619-220-0692.

Frank and Harry’s on a Night to Remember
Frank Family wines of Napa Valley and Harry’s Bar & American Grill of La Jolla were in tune for food and wine parings a few weeks ago.  Frank, founded in the early 90’s by Disney Executive Rich Frank has a winery in the historic Larkmead area near Calistoga.  His sought-after Winston Hill Vineyard Cabernet has rich and concentrated wines.

Harry’s Bar & American Grille is  upscale and European urban,  primarily catering to the business and shopping customer, and is located across from University Towne Center . On this night, Chef Alex prepared a 5 course elegant presentation paired with top selections from Frank Family. The main entrée, Wild Boar tenderloin, was paired with a Frank Family 2011 Rutherford Reserve Cabernet ($85.) For New Year’s and other lunch and dinner reservations, contact Harry’s at 858-373-1252.

Next column for the week of December 28th, the TASTE OF WINE TOP TEN WINES for 2014 will be listed.

Wine Bytes (New Year’s Eve Edition)
Dolce Pane Y Vino in Rancho Santa Fe has dining from 5 to 9pm then the merriment continues with dance floor and disco, fog machine, hors d’oeuvres and Brut Rose Champagne to toast in the New Year.  $75. pp.  Reservations at 858-312-1518.

At Amaya in the Grand Del Mar Resort, Dinner from 5 to 10pm with a four course dinner, then entrance to the Grand New Year’s Eve party.  All for $195. ea.  $255. with wine pairings.  RSVP at 858-314-1996.

Solare Restorante in the Pt Loma district of San Diego has a 5 course dinner and party.  $59. pp for 4:30 to 6:45pm, $79. pp from 7pm, that includes the party that night, til 2am. Details at 619-270-9670.

Chandler’s at the Hilton Beachfront in Carlsbad has a 3 course dinner from 4:30 to 10pm. Many choices per entrée. First seating 4:30 to 6pm  $50. pp, $65. with wines; 2nd seating 6:30 to 10pm, $75. pp, $115. with wines and includes a welcome glass of champagne and amuse bouche.  Reservations 760-683-5500.

TWENTY/20 in the Carlsbad Sheraton, is offering an intimate and superb 4 course menu with two seatings available. 6 to 6:30pm is $70. pp, and the 2nd from 8 to 9pm is $85. pp. Both have complimentary champagne toast at midnight.  Guests are invited to party on the heated TWENTY/20 Terrace, starting at 9pm. with DJ entertainment. Dining reservations at 760-827-2500.

Capri Blu in Rancho Bernardo has a special 4 course set menu at $59. pp, including free champagne toast.  Live music from 4 to 10pm, DJ Alex from 10 to 2am.  Dinner reservations taken for 4, 6, 8 and 10pm.  858-673-5100.

Russian River Valley Winery Profile: In the Alphabet Soup of Wines J Gets an A

In the wine tasting world, if you have a wine that starts with the letter A, you have a distinct advantage. Tasters have a “clean” palate and are starting fresh. J Vineyards starts and ends with one letter, J, and chances are, this Sonoma Russian River wine will taste clean, crisp and luscious on the palate, no matter where it is on the taster’s list.

The story of J Vineyards began in 1986 when Judy Jordan, at 25, persevered in starting a winery specializing in sparkling wine.  After an exhaustive search for the right “terroir” for cool climate grape growing, she discovered the Russian River Valley , with soils perfect for Champagne method wines.  After some years of proving herself in the wine world, Jordan branched out into three varietal wines:  Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris, made from 10 vineyards now under the J banner with 254 acres planted, all in the Russian River Valley .

J Vineyard winemaker Melissa Stackhouse displays a J Vintage Brut Sparkling wine
with owner Judy Jordan

The mineral-based Alluvial soils found in this valley have been forming for millions of years so you can say that these wines are still in their baby years in geological terms.  Recently J Vineyards was featured at Twenty/20 in Carlsbad .

Devin Savano, Western Sales Manager, opened with the two signature Sparkling Wines, J Cuvee 20 Brut ($24.) and J Brut Rose ($30.).  Getting to the main courses, the 2012 J Chardonnay ( $28.) and 2012 J Pinot Noir($35.) enhanced the gourmet cuisine of panned seared scallop and spiced glazed duck.  Savano was most excited about the first ever J Vineyards Blend.  “We have a new 2012 release “Misterra” ($50.) that we produced that is really unusual, with 90% Pinot Noir, 6% Pinotage ( from South Africa ) and 4% Pinot Meunier ( normally a sparkling wine component.) The additions to the Pinot Noir add depth and color.” To learn more, go to www.jwine.com.

Monte Xanic Leads the Charge of Mexican Wines

Nearly 100 kilometers from the San Diego County border and 30 kilometers inland from the Mexican port city of Ensensada , lies the Valle de Guadalupe, providing 90% of the top wines in Mexico, producing Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot Malbec, Petit Verdot, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah and Chardonnay.  The premier winemaker in this valley is Monte Xanic (chaneek).  The first question I asked  co-owner Hans Backhoff when I met him at his display in a COSTCO store in San Diego was, what does Xanic mean?

 Hans Backhoff, co-owner of Monte Xanic of Mexico with his Gran Ricardo Blend, 

a featured wine in COSTCO stores.

“It means flower which blooms after the first rain,” he declared.  “You know our country for our premium beer and tequila, so why not premium wine? Right now, we are in five COSTCOs with our signature blend, the 2011 Gran Ricardo, a Bordeaux blend of  70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 10% Petit Verdot.  It is a beautiful wine with 18 months in French Oak barrels”($49.99).  I was fascinated by the old style handsome wax seal.  Backhoff commented that “it’s actually easy to open, you just drill down through the top with your opener.  Don’t try to peel the wax off, it’s too messy.” This is a deep, dark colored intensive wine as Bordeauxs can be.  The fruit comes through as a cherry/berry flavor profile, with spice and okay notes.

Since 1987, Monte Xanic has been producing high quality, premium wines.  It’s the benchmark of the Mexican wine industry and now it’s ready to make its mark in California and the rest of the wine world. See more at www.montexanic.com.


Wine Bytes
Vigilucci’s Restaurants, in Carlsbad on Tuesdays and Coronado on Wednesdays, have created “Date Night” with two entrees and two glasses of wine for $39. per couple. Vigilucci’s newest location in Leucadia is scheduled to open late this month.

Meritage Wine Market in Encinitas will conduct a blind tasting Fri. March 21 from 6 to 8pm.  Cost is $20.  Information at 760-479-2500.

Chandler’s in Carlsbad at the Hilton Oceanfront will be the location for a celebration of the best world class wines from Lafite Rothschild, Sat. March 22 at 6pm.  Cocktail reception, champagne toast and 4 course wine dinner.  $150. pp.  RSVP at 760-479-2500.

Marina Kitchen in the San Diego Marriott Marquis and Marina is the location for the Sta. Rita Hills afternoon of wine tasting at 3pm, and a BBQ dinner at 5:30pm, Sun. March 30.  Twenty member wineries will be on hand pouring their wines, featuring Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Tickets for the tasting are $20.  Tickets to the 5:30pm BBQ and wine tasting are $45. Combination tickets are $55.  Purchase on line at eventbrite.com-keyword: sta.ritahills.

Wine Wonderland was the Largest Ever in SoCal

by Frank Mangio
The maestros of one of the largest wine and food extravaganzas in the U.S. have to be Michelle Metter and Ken Loyst of Fast Forward Events in San Diego.  It seemed like, on their 10th anniversary of the San Diego Bay Wine and Food Festival, held last month in some 25 venues over 5 days, that the entire wine-loving planet turned out for the featured Grand Tasting on Saturday the 23rd, an outdoor monster event that showed 170 wineries, breweries and spirit purveyors at the Embarcadero behind Seaport Village in San Diego. Over 700 different wines were poured for over 5,000 visitors.

Around 70 of the top chefs in the area were offering samples of their restaurant cuisine. And dare I say it, the day was spectacular, even by San Diego standards. Row after row and booth after booth, the wines shined, including:  Ferrari Carano, Justin, Louis Latour, Robert Mondavi, Temecula Wine Growers and dozens of up and coming, tasty names.
 

The San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival served up 5 days of superb wine and food in November, its 10 annual wonderland of special events.

Not to be outdone, restaurants and their celebrity chefs had specialty menu dishes for all who wanted a taste and there were long lines for such names as:  Acqua Al 2, Amaya La Jolla, Avant, Bice, Harrah’s Rincon, Jake’s, Kitchen 1540, Marina Kitchen, Seasons 52 and many more. Over 40 local chefs were locked into a Chef of the Fest cooking competition for $50,000. in cash and prizes.  Chef Rich Sweeney of R-Gang Eatery was crowned with his Fat-Fried Beignets with Burnt Orange Cream. Seven members of a judging panel used a blind-tastng format.

The day earlier, on Friday the 22nd I was in the audience when an Italian Master Class of Wine & Food was presented at Macy’s School of Cooking in Mission Valley.  San Francisco’s finest Italian restaurant Acquerello’s, with owner and Executive Chef Suzette Gresham wowed the foodies on hand to see her in action as she re-invented tradition dishes into a lighter more contemporary style.  Attendees were treated to a swordfish salad with roasted onion and tomatoes, bean soup with sage and a roasted pork loin “Arista.”  Her partner for the day was the Italian wine expert Giancarlo Paterlini who unveiled perfect Italian wines for each recipe. A bravo to the festival organizers for this Mediterranean masterpiece.

That evening, The Vault Reserve and New Wines Tasting filled the main ballroom at the Marriott Marquis & Marina Resort.  Guests were treated to a wonderland of big name wineries, and none bigger than Saxon Brown of Sonoma and winemaker/owner Jeff Gaffney with 25 years of big time wines.  After a time at Chateau St Jean, Jeff launched Saxon Brown in 1997 and almost from the start he gained fame with an Old Vine Zinfandel.  Lately I’ve been all over his Syrahs.  With slow fermentation and lengthy barrel time, he’s got a rich, concentrated flavor of blackberry, plum and licorice in his latest release, the 2007 Parmellee-Hill.( $34.)

Saxon Brown also makes small production Pinot Noir, Cabernet, Chardonnay and Semillon.  See more at www.saxonbrown.com. To get the latest on the San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival, visit www.sandiegowineclassic.com.

Wine Bytes
Meritage Wine Market in Encinitas uncorks “Santa Wines” Fri. Dec. 20 from 6 to 8pm.  Wineries include: Santa Rita, Santa Ynez and Santa Maria.  $20. ea.  Ugly Sweater Contest.  Winner gets a Magnum of wine!  Details at 760-479-2500.

A Happy New Year Sparkling Wine Tasting happens at WineSellar & Brasserie in Sorrento Valley San Diego Sat. Dec. 28 from 11:30 to 2pm.  Many types of sparkling wines to ring in the new year.  858-450-9557.

Wiens Family Cellars in Temecula celebrates the new year with Elvis & the Golden Age of Vegas, Tues. Dec. 31 from 8 to 1am.  Appetizers, wines, dancing and music are highlighted.  Cost is $65.  To RSVP call 951-252-1770.

New year’s Eve at Morado, the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe, includes a 4 course tasting menu, with live entertainment from 7 to 11pm.  $79.50 pp.  Reserve your table at 858-381-8289.

Celebrate New Year’s at Chandler’s in the Hilton Carlsbad Tues. Dec. 31 from 5pm.  Prix fixe menu $75. ea.  RSVP at 760-602-0800.

It’s “Mangia Bene” When Italians Throw a Party

by Frank Mangio
I knew it would be a memorable evening when I set first set foot inside the iconic Italian restaurant, Il Fornaio in Del Mar a short time ago.  The section for this special “Piemonte” dinner and wine pairing was one long banquet table with dozens of happy faces, face to face.

“Piemonte,” the Piedmont District of Northern Italy, is rich in culinary and wine history.  Its first recorded wines were made some 3,000 years ago. It’s the home of Barolo and Barbaresco, towns that became famous for making some of the finest traditional Italian wines.

Il Fornaio General Manager Mathew Galli and Batasiolo Wine Manager Stefano Poggi guided an Italian dinner and wine event in Del Mar.

But let’s give credit to the food first. Il Fornaio’s General Manager, the congenial Mathew Galli, followed Italiancustom with a five part harmony of food service:  Assaggini, Antipasti, Primi, Secondi and Dolce. Primi is always a pasta based dish and this time there were two: a risotto with scallops and a roasted butternut squash ravioli.  Secondi, the main entrée, was a roasted fish fillet plus a braised wild boar shoulder. Dolce, the dessert, was a hazlenut and amaretto chocolate custard.

And so it was “Mangia Bene,” the Italian phrase for “great eating.”  Of course great eating in Italy is always better with great wine and on this night, Batasiolo with its Barolo heavyweight was king,
although Batasiolo’s Barbera entry, served with risotto and the squash ravioli, won new fans with its medium bodied acidity and smooth flow though the palate. It’s perfect for light pasta dishes.

Barolo of course takes center stage, coming from the town of the same name, a small, tucked away district in Piedmont, perfect growing conditions for the native grape called Nebbiolo.  This is the backbone for Barolo and gives it the deep ruby red, spicy aroma.  It is often called the “King of Italian Wines” for a velvety but powerful taste.  It was served appropriately with the wild boar shoulder at the Il Fornaio Italian occasion.

Wine districts are tiny in Piedmont Italy, with Barolo being just 3 miles by 5 miles, but its fine

wines are known worldwide.

“Piemonte” means foot of the mountain and is the largest region in Italy, which has only been a unified country for 150 years. The terrain isso steep in most areas that it is far from being the largest producer of wine. But if only fine wines are counted, it is right up there with the Tuscany and Veneto areas.

For big, soul-warming wines, try the Batasiolo 2008 Barolo, the world’s leading producer of Barolo. ($45.)  Il Fornaio is continuing its “Festa Regionale” series with the food and wine of Calabria, now through March 17.  For more, go to www.ilfornaio.com.

2012 Great Year for Wine Sales in the U.S.
Wine Spectator reports that 325 million cases of wine were bought in 2012 in this country, 2% over last year and passing France as the world’s biggest wine market. Export sales were 1.4 Billion Dollars, with 90% of those sales coming from California. And the price of a bottle, on average, is moving up past $9. and above.

Gallo Winery’s President is quoted as saying “more than 15,000 U.S. citizens per day are reaching the legal drinking age,” along with a major shift toward wine consumption among younger drinkers.

Wine Bytes
Chandler’s Restaurant and Lounge overlooking the beach in Carlsbad, now has select half price wines on Tuesdays.  Lots of Sonoma and Napa Valley choices.  For details and RSVP’s call 760-683-5500.

San Diego Wine Company on Miramar Road has a Cabernet Tasting, Sat. March 9 from 11am to 4pm for just $10. Details at 858-586-WINE.

Bistro West in Carlsbad is presenting a Napa Valley Whitehall Lane Wine Dinner Tues. March 12 at 6:30pm.  $75. pp.  To reserve seating phone 760-930-8008.

A high-end Cabernet tasting is coming to Bacchus Wine Market downtown San Diego, Fri. March 15 from 4 to 8:30pm.  7 great tastes for $35.  More by calling 619-236-0005.

Europa Village in Temecula Wine Country brings guitarist Jimmy Patton in for a St Patrick’s Day concert, Sun. March17 from 1 to 4pm.  Free admission.  Try their green Sangria. Wear green for a  costume contest.  Details at 951-216-3380.

San Diego Wine Show Call for Entries

by Frank Mangio

The San Diego Wine Show presents two days of tasting and food pairing at the historic Paddock area  at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, Saturday and Sunday April 27th and 28th. A fascinating new feature this year will be a number of gourmet food trucks that have been making a splash in San Diego and elsewhere. Executive Director  Donato Santarsieri is looking to bring even more wineries to the show and is requesting that all interested vineyards, wineries and distributors contact him at 800-978-6558.  More information and ticket pricing is available at www.sandiegowineshow.com.

An evening of first class wine tasting and a wine inspired feast is promised at the 6th annual Pacific Coast Wine Festival at the Island Hotel, Orange County Sat. Feb. 9 starting at 5pm.  Celebrity wine experts and live symphonic performances included, benefiting Pacific Symphony. Tickets start at $375. ea. For more information call 714-876-2364

Harrah’s Rincon Rolls a Winner with Fiore
One of the fascinating trends in dining these days is the move of the 14 or so San Diego casinos to be big players in fine wines and dining.  For many years, they modeled their marketing of meals at the gaming meccas after the Las Vegas Buffets.  They now play down these cattle calls and focus on the menu and wine pairing experience.

Harrah’s Rincon is a richly endowed playground a number of miles north of San Diego in Valley Center . It’s in the middle of a massive expansion, bankrolled by Caesar’s Entertainment of Las Vegas. Rooms will double at the 620,000 plus square foot resort and casino.

There are currently seven restaurants for Executive Chef Jon Paisson to juggle, plus room service and banquets.  Chef Paisson draws from an extraordinary 20 years of experience to make it happen, with a food service staff of over 150.

The winning team at Fiore’s at Harrah’s Rincon are left to right: Chef di Cuisine Daniel Garcia, Wine Director Angel Abril and Executive Chef Jon Paisson.

His signature restaurant is Fiore’s Steak and Seafood, a 6 time Wine Spectator Award recipient for its world-wide wine collection.  Angel Abril, the Wine Director, pointed out that “we have budget and value wines as well as premium names.”  I noticed that Abril took good care of his guests.  While waiting for a table, a couple of diners were engaged in wine conversation and were treated to wine samples, courtesy of Abril.  Nice touch.

My personal favorite on the extensive beef menu was the 20 ounce bone- in Rib Eye Steak with garlic butter.  All beef at Fiore’s is certified Angus, that is aged for maximum tenderness.  In separate dishes were my sides:  the asparagus with Bearnaise Sauce, and sauteed mushrooms.

The chef’s favorite steak  at Fiore’s is the bone-in 20 ounce Rib Eye.

“A large operation such as Harrah’s Rincon allows me to grow as a chef,” said Paisson.  He has been at many fine restaurants in San Diego from an initial assignment at Harrah’s, to a return in 2010 when the resort committed to a major upgrade to the buffet and restaurants. “There are over 247 items in the buffet and we serve some 3 thousand guests per day.  Our crab is the most popular, but guests want to try everything.  Its’ all delicious,” he smiled.   Search for Fiore’s at www.harrahs.com.

Wine Bytes
Chandler’s Restaurant in the Hilton Carlsbad Oceanfront Resort and Spa now has half-price wine offerings for Tuesday diners.  20 well known labels have been selected including some top Napa Valley names.  Reservations at 760-683-5500.

WineSellar and Brasserie in the Sorrento Valley district of San Diego has a “Brown Bagged Blind” event Sat. Feb. 2 from 11:30 to 2pm .  They will pour through 6 wines blind at your table while you match up the descriptions with your tasting ability. Optional lunch available. $20. cost.  Call 858-450-9557 for details.

Wine, Cheese and Chocolate are the stars at this event at Sbicca Del Mar, Sat. Feb. 9 from 2 to 4pm . It’s a 2 hour escape. Enjoy gourmet chocolates, premium wines and artisan cheeses in a seminar format.  $49. pp.  RSVP at 858-442-2749.