Main events
HomeAid San Diego presents its sixth annual Taste of North County, featuring cuisine from a dozen restaurants, wine tastings, live music and opportunity drawings, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. tomorrow at Derby Hill Model Homes, 10766 Heather Ridge Drive, San Diego. Tickets are $50. Proceeds benefit the nonprofit organization, sponsored by the San Diego chapter of the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties, which is dedicated to fighting homelessness. For tickets, call (858) 646-4752 or visit homeaidsd.org.
Sur La Table celebrates the launch of its first cookbook, “Things Cooks Love: Implements. Ingredients. Recipes,” with a book signing and cooking class featuring author Marie Simmons, 6:30 p.m. tomorrow at Sur La Table, 1915 Calle Barcelona, Carlsbad. $39. Reservations: (760) 635-1316.
Jeffrey Alford and Naomi Duguid, authors of “Beyond the Great Wall: Recipes and Travels in the Other China,” will discuss and sign copies of their book at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow at Warwick's Bookstore, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. Free. (858) 454-0347.
Iowa Meat Farms and Siesel's Old-Fashioned Meat & Deli continue their celebration of summer grilling with “Barbecue Adventures: The 15th Annual Sweet Onion & BBQ Festival.” An array of ready-for-the-grill foods will be available for sampling, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 17 at Iowa Meat Farms, 6041 Mission Gorge Road, and at Siesel's, 4131 Ashton St. A Rib Clinic with step-by-step instructions is from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 18 at both locations. All events are free. Visit bestmeatssandiego.com.
The second Downtown Escondido Restaurant Week features nearly a dozen restaurants offering three-course meals for $20 or $30, through May 16. Visit downtownescondido.com/restaurants.html
The Sons of Norway present their annual “Syttende Mai Dinner,” featuring Norwegian meatballs, fish balls with shrimp sauce, poached salmon and music to celebrate Norway's Independence Day, 6 p.m. May 17 at 7849 Tommy Drive. $21. Reservations: (619) 444-9077.
The 15th Annual Sicilian Festival featuring Sicilian cuisine, wines, music and culture, will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 18 on India Street between Date and Ash streets in Little Italy. Admission is free. Free parking and free shuttle is available from the County Administration Building's North Parking lot at 1600 Pacific Highway. Visit sicilianfesta.com.
The Aubrey Rose Tea Room presents a “Celebrity Afternoon Tea” with Elizabeth Knight, a certified English tea master and authority, noon to 4 p.m. May 27 at 8362 La Mesa Blvd., La Mesa. $59.95 plus tax includes a signed copy of Knight's new book “Celtic Teas With Friends.” Reservations: (619) 461-4832.
In addition to its regular menu, Cavaillon Restaurant is offering four foie gras dishes through May 31 at 14701 Via Bettona. Reservations: (858) 433-0483.
The American Institute of Wine & Food presents a national Gastronomical Symposium & Soiree July 10-13 in Monterey, Carmel and Pebble Beach with agricultural, winery and sustainable seas tours, wine tastings and dinners. Details: aiwf.org or the San Diego AIWF chapter at (619) 297-0951.
Wine and beer tastings
Wine Steals-Hillcrest presents the wines of Fran Kysela importers, 5:30 to 7 p.m. today at 1243 University Ave. $5. (619) 295-1188.
Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens presents its Stone 2008 Late Night Movies series every Wednesday through Aug. 27 in the beer garden, 1999 Citracado Parkway, Escondido. “The Big Lebowski” will screen at 9 p.m. today. “The Blues Brothers” will screen at 9 p.m. May 21. For ages 21 and older only. Free admission. Reservations: (760) 471-4999.
Wine Cabana presents spring wines from 7 to 9 p.m. today at 2539 Congress St., Old Town. $25. Reservations: (619) 574-9463.
Loews Coronado Bay Resort presents a flight of Paso Robles wines with appetizers 5 to 6:30 p.m. tomorrow at Mistral, 4000 Loews Coronado Bay Road. $20. (619) 424-4000.
Flight Night at the Top of the Plaza features Trinchero Winery, flamenco guitarist Anthony Garcia, and fashions from Nordstrom, 5:30 to 8 p.m. tomorrow at Napa Valley Grille at Westfield Horton Plaza, downtown. $18. Reservations: (619) 236-9649.
Wine Street presents Spanish wines 3 to 7:30 p.m. May 16 at 6986 El Camino Real, Suite D, Carlsbad. $20 with appetizers. (760) 431-8455.
VinVillage presents a Beringer Vineyards and Pravda vodka tasting with food by Chuck Samuelson Catering and art display by local artists, 6 to 8 p.m. May 16 at Art Expressions Gallery, 2645 Financial Court, Suite C. $27 in advance, $35 at the door. For tickets, visit vinvillage.com.
Bacchus Wine Market & Tasting Room presents meritage blends from 4 to 9 p.m. May 16 and from 2 to 9 p.m. May 17 at 647 G St. $15. (619) 236-0005 or bacchuswinemarket.com.
Vino 100 presents wines for tropical weather, 5 to 9 p.m. May 16 and 17 at at 133 S. Las Posas Road, San Marcos. $15. (760) 591-9113.
The San Diego Wine Co. presents Spanish wines, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. May 17 at 7080 Miramar Road, Suite 100. $15. (858) 586-9463.
The WineSellar & Brasserie presents six new pinot noirs at its weekly wine-tasting lunch, 11:30 a.m. May 17 at 9550 Waples St., Suite 115. $36 tasting; lunch is $11.50. Reservations: (858) 450-9557.
Grape Connections presents new sale wines noon to 5 p.m. May 17 at 1130 Scott St. $5. (619) 523-6441.
Country Cellars presents a BBQ brisket and beer tasting featuring Firehouse and Ballast Point breweries, 1 to 5 p.m. May 17 at 4510 Highway 78, Julian. $8 per person. (760) 765-0089.
Thornton Winery's winemaker Don Reha will conduct an interactive session on the step-by-step process of creating a Super Tuscan blend, 2 to 4 p.m. May 17 at Thornton's Champagne Caves, Temecula. $85 includes wine and cheese, materials and a signed bottle of wine. Reservations: (951) 699-0099 or thorntonwine.com.
Wine Steals-Hillcrest presents the wines of Fran Kysela importers, 5:30 to 7 p.m. May 20 at 1243 University Ave. $5. (619) 295-1188.
Tapenade Restaurant presents a five-course dinner featuring Italian wines rated 90 points or higher by the Parker's Guide, 6:30 p.m. May 20 at 7612 Fay Ave., La Jolla. $92. Reservations: (858) 551-7500, ext. 1.
The Wine Encounter presents a Reininger Winery tasting at 7 p.m. May 20 at 690 University Ave., Hillcrest. $30 includes light appetizers. (619) 543-9463.
WineStyles Coronado presents South American reds and whites 5 to 8 p.m. May 21 at 928 Orange Ave., Coronado. $5 per glass. (619) 365-4953.
Beach Grass Cafe presents a four-course wine dinner at 6 p.m. May 21 at 159 S. Highway 101, Solana Beach. $49.95. Reservations: (858) 509-0632.
Cooking classes
“Skewers: Fun and Exotic Flavors on a Stick” at 6:30 p.m. May 21 or 1 p.m. May 22 at Art & Accents Italian Home & Gourmet, 7740 El Camino Real, Carlsbad. $25. Reservations: (760) 943-8221.
Pastry art classes taught by chef Michel Morlas of Patisserie du Soleil are offered on an ongoing basis in Loma Portal. Information: sandiegocake.com or (619) 224-2253.
Amy Malone School of Cake Decorating, 4212 Camino Alegre, La Mesa, offers “Cake Decorating For Beginners,” a six-week class with Malone, 10 a.m. to noon or 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays, June 3 through July 15. $65; $20 deposit due by May 30. Reservations: (619) 660-1900.
Cooking With Class Cooking School, 8290 Miramar Road, offers:
“An Authentic Tuscan Dinner” with Marty Bandini, 6:30 p.m. May 16. $59.
“Pacifica Del Mar Signature Recipes” with executive chef Chris Idso, 6:30 p.m. May 21. $69.
Reservations: (858) 578-COOK or sdcookingwithclass.com.
Great News! Cooking School, 1788 Garnet Ave., Pacific Beach, offers:
“Japanese Stir-Fry: Noodles and Rice” with Mineko Moreno, 6 p.m. May 16. $49.
“American Steakhouse Cuisine” with Phillis Carey, 11 a.m. May 17. $59.
“The Malarkey Experience” with Oceanaire Seafood Room executive chef Brian Malarkey, 6 p.m. May 19. $49.
“French Brasserie Classics” with Carey, 10:30 a.m. May 20. $49.
“An Evening on Bourbon Street” with Katherine Emmenegger, 6 p.m. May 20. $49.
“Fast and Fresh Summer Pasta” with Mary Ann Vitale, 6 p.m. May 21. $49.
“Sometimes You Feel Like A Nut!” with Carey, 6 p.m. May 22. $49.
Reservations: (858) 270-1582, ext. 3, or great-news.com.
The Kitchen Witch Gourmet Shop, 127 N. El Camino Real, Suite D, Encinitas, offers:
“Pac Rim Flavors” with Phillis Carey, 6 p.m. May 16. $55.
“Hands-on 5 Minute Sauces” with Arlyn Hackett, 11 a.m. May 17. $60.
“Margaritaville” with Carey, 6 p.m. May 20. $55.
“Cooking With Citrus” with Carey, 11 a.m. or 6 p.m. May 21. $55.
Reservations: (760) 942-3228.
Macy's School of Cooking in the Macy's Mission Valley Home Store, 1555 Camino de la Reina, offers
“Professional Etiquette” with Linda Bibalo of Etiquette For All, 6 to 7:30 p.m. tomorrow. $65. Reservations for this class: (888) 218-2105 or etiquetteforall.com
“Simple and Sustainable Seafood” with chef de cuisine Danny Bannister of Red Marlin, noon to 1:30 p.m. May 17. $15.
Reservations: (619) 299-9811, ext. 4231.
Sur La Table, 1915 Calle Barcelona, Carlsbad, offers:
“Date Night: The Greek Isles” with Tom Budinger, 6:30 p.m. May 16. $69.
“Kid's Cook a Spring Meal” with Noelle Pallaria, noon May 17. $49.
“Bread Baking” with Budinger, noon May 18. $69.
“Plank Cooking” with Budinger, 1 p.m. May 21. $69.
“Casual Summer Cocktail Party” with Pallaria, 6:30 p.m. May 22. $69.
Reservations: (760) 635-1316.
Send information about food or wine events to: Caroline Dipping, Food Section, The San Diego Union-Tribune, P.O. Box 120191, San Diego, CA 92112-0191.
