BLACK RAIL LAUNCHING JAZZ BRUNCH
Black Rail Kitchen + Bar in Carlsbad will launch a weekly Sunday jazz brunch series next weekend, featuring top local jazz artists who will perform live indoors or outdoors, depending on the weather. Dishes on chef Moises Hernandez’s menu include beet-cured smoked salmon with potato pancake, with cocktails by Hayden Webb that include the Good Morning Sunshine, made with Aperol and orange juice, a breakfast Negroni and a cold brew cocktail with bourbon. 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays, beginning Feb. 26. 6981 El Camino Real, Carlsbad. blackrailkitchen.com
Rubio’s hosting fish taco battle:
In honor of its 40th anniversary, San Diego-based Rubio’s Coastal Grill is inviting fish taco lovers in California, Arizona and Nevada to submit their best original fish taco recipes for the chance to win a $1,000 prize and have their taco featured on the Rubio’s menu. The deadline to enter is Feb. 27. Entrants must include photos with their entry, live in one of those three states and be over the age of 18. Three finalists will be selected and invited to the Rubio’s test kitchen in San Diego during the week of April 17, where a panel of judges — including company founder Ralph Rubio — will select the winner. To enter, visit rubios.com/fish-taco-battle
Alila Marea revives mezcal dinners:
Cardiff’s Alila Marea Beach Resort will bring back its Agave Dinner Series Thursday with a five-course dinner prepared by chef de cuisine Mark Enciso in the resort’s VAGA restaurant. The series will feature dishes paired with agave-based spirits. The initial dinner will spotlight the brand Mezcal Amarás and will include a take-home bottle. Dishes will include adobo Brandt Beef short ribs with red rice congi, king salmon with coconut leche de tigre and citrus cardamom pavlova. 6:30 p.m. Thursday. 2100 N. Coast Highway 101, Encinitas. $149. alila-marea.myshopify.com
To celebrate its new Oreo Cookies & Cream cake, Nothing Bundt Cakes
Free Nothing Bundt Cakes:
shops in San Diego County will give away one free small Oreo cake to the first 111 guests at each location, beginning at 1:11 p.m. on March 6. The celebration marks the 111th birthday of Nabisco’s Oreo cookie brand. The limited edition cakes are available for sale through March 26. Nothing Bundt Cakes has eight San Diego County locations.
For details, visit: nothingbundt cakes.com/find-a-bakery
To celebrate Pancake Week and support the international food relief organization World Central Kitchen, Snooze A.M. Eatery locations in Hillcrest, La Jolla and Del Mar will be donating 100 percent of sales from all orders of its two top-selling 2022 Pancake of the Week flavors — Cinnamon Toast and Caramel Frappe — today through Wednesday only. For locations, visit: snoozeeatery.com/restaurants
Pechanga hosts wine and chocolate fest: Pechanga Resort Casino hosts its annual Pechanga Wine & Chocolate Festival from 1 to 5 p.m. March 4. The event will feature samples of chocolate and sips of wine from several regional wineries, as well as gourmet food samples, live music and a silent auction. 45000 Pechanga Parkway, Temecula. General admission tickets are $100. VIP tickets, which include early entry and food items, are $175. Visit pechanga.com/ entertain/wine-festival-andchocolate-decadence