By Pamela Kragen | pam.kragen@sduniontribune.com | The San Diego Union-Tribune
Next weekend, the Breeders' Cup World Championships returns to the Del Mar racetrack for the third time, and Michelin-starred chef Curtis Stone will be on-hand to prepare special dining menus on Nov. 1 and 2.
Stone created the menus at last year's Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita in Los Angeles, and was invited back this year because race officials and fans were so pleased with his menus. The Australia-born Food Network star is the chef-owner two Michelin-starred restaurants in Los Angeles, Maude and Gwen.
At next week's races, Stone will create menus for the Clubhouse and Stretch Run premium dining areas. Some of the dishes will be inspired by this menu at Gwen. The plated lunch service will include Shiraz-braised short rib, coq au vin blanc, pan-roasted herb shrimp and vegetable curry pie. The buffet menu will include barbecue spice-rubbed chicken breast, Faroe Island salmon and a carving station. For details and tickets, visit breederscup.com/tickets/dining.
In honor of National Pizza Month (which concludes Oct. 31), the pizza oven maker Gozney is collaborating with dozens of its client pizzerias nationwide to give away free slices of pizza on Saturday, Oct. 26. In San Diego, that client is Tribute Pizza at 3077 North Park Way, Suite 100, which will give away 100 free slices of pizza beginning at noon (while supplies last). Visit tributepizza.com.
Also, every Monday in November, all six Mr. Moto pizzerias in San Diego County will be giving away free pizzas as part of its Moto Gone Crazy Campaign. Orders must be placed online or via the Mr. Moto app and the deal excludes custom-made and the half-and-half pizza options. Mr. Moto is also raising funds for the YMCA's campaign to end youth homelessness in San Diego County, matching customer donations at checkout up to $1,250. For details, visit mrmotopizza.com/moto-gone-crazy.
Better Buzz Coffee Roasters, Del Mar: This 22-year-old San Diego-born coffeehouse chain will open its 28th location on Friday, Oct. 25, in downtown Del Mar. The Del Mar location will have an exclusive, limited-time-only Del Mar beverage named the Blueberry Pancake Cold Brew, as well as its signature Best Drink Ever (a vanilla latte) and pastries from Bread & Cie. The shop opens at 6 a.m. and the first 200 guests in line Friday will receive a free hat. Friday guests will also receive a reusable cup with any drink purchase, while supplies last. The new location is opening in the former Starbuck's space at 1435 Camino Del Mar, Suite C. betterbuzzcoffee.com
Pizza by Aromi, La Mesa: On Oct. 24, Aromi Italian Restaurant opened this new sister concept right next door. It offers a menu of 20 wood-fired pizzas, including a tiramisu pizza. 7200 Parkway Drive, La Mesa. instagram.com/aromisd
Colette's, Escondido: Last month, Hunsaker's restaurant in downtown Escondido underwent both a name and menu change. Now called Collette's, it's a modern French bistro with a prix-fixe dinner menu made with locally sourced ingredients. The restaurant is still owned by Jeannette McBrearty and led by chef Brandon Hunsaker. 113 W. Grand Ave., Escondido. collettesongrand.com
Sizzler Steakhouse, National City: Following an extensive renovation, the Sizzler steakhouse at 4445 Imperial Ave. in National City reopened late last month. sizzler.com/locations
Pizza Bar Napoletana, Convoy District: Axe Throw Co, an ax-tossing venue in San Diego's Convoy District, has opened an in-house Neapolitan-style pizzeria. Specialties include the Soppressata, a spiced salami pizza with garlic and honey. 4428 Convoy St., Suite 310, San Diego. axethroco.com
Brewjeria Co., Chula Vista: This Pico-Rivera-based, Latino-owned brewery has opened its second taproom in Chula Vista. The new location serves house-brewed beers, cocktails and bites like tacos and tots. 241 Third Ave., Suite C, Chula Vista. brewjeriacompany.com
Taco Bell, San Ysidro: Diversified Restaurant Group opened its newest Taco Bell fast food outlet on Oct. 9 at 2030 Dairy Mart Road, San Ysidro. tacobell.com
On Oct. 15, I was invited once again to help judge the Temecula Valley Battle of the Burgers competition at Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula. The competition featured more than a dozen restaurants in the Temecula area competing for the best burger trophy, as well as a "loaded" French fries contest that paired Temecula chefs with local high school culinary arts students.
The Judge's Choice for best burger was the EverBurger from Pinnacle Restaurant at Falkner Winery, followed by the Wham Bam Thank You Jam burger from Luke's on Front and the Bacon Jam Beast Burger from the Brunch House. The People's Choice first prize award went to the Mini Mac slider from Corkfire Kitchen restaurant; followed by Falkner's EverBurger and the Brunch House Jam Beast Burger.
Judges' choice for best loaded fries were Journey's End Potato Puffs (1st place); Pechanga Cafe's Sweet Potato Churro Bites (2nd); and Kelsey's Piaa Fries (3rd). People's Choice awards went to Pechanga Cafe's Sweet Potato Churro Bites (1st); Journey's End's Potato Puffs (2nd) and Great Oak Steakhouse's Chick n'Cheezy fries (3rd).
My fellow judges were Candice Woo of Eater San Diego; Joel Greene of IE Explorer; Fielding Buck of Southern California News Group; and Temecula Mayor James "Stew" Stewart.