Here is some of the latest in dining news from across San Diego County, as well as some upcoming events for foodies.
Half-off pasta: Foodies who want to celebrate National Pasta Day with some specials can visit Roman Wolves in Little Italy. The restaurant is offering 50% off its cheese wheel pasta during happy hour. Piping-hot pasta is tossed into a well carved in a wheel of Parmesan cheese. Guests can also get other deals on the happy hour menu, such as bruschetta and calamari for $8, the flatbread pinsa margherita for $12 and beer and a house wine for $5. 4 to 6 p.m. Friday. 1980 Kettner Blvd. Suite 10, San Diego. 619-539-7344, romanwolves.com
Quarterly dinner series: It’s spiny lobster season at Vistal Bar + Restaurant as it is spotlighting this seafood dish at its Behind the Catch quarterly dinner series. This multiple-course educational dinner teaches diners about the local shellfish species and recreational and commercial lobster fishing. The course includes spiny lobster chawanmushi, spiny lobster culurgione, a spiny lobster surf and turf with lobster tail and a chocolate-glazed pumpkin spiced cake with coffee cinnamon cream. 6 p.m. Friday. 901 Bayfront Court, San Diego. 619-535-0485. $95, vistalsd.com
Pokémon speakeasy: This weekend, Union Kitchen and Tap in the Gaslamp Quarter is morphing into a Pokémon speakeasy during TwitchCon. Customers can taste themed cocktails, enter raffles and collect special Pokémon items. There are six cocktails named after Pokémon characters that match their skin tone: Eevee, a vodka espresso martini; Flareon, a hard apple cider with a cinnamon whiskey; Glaceon, a frozen margarita; Jolteon, a whiskey lemonade; Leafeon, a gin mojito; and Vaporeon, with blue pineapple rum. The Pokémon speakeasy will be behind the restaurant’s back alley entrance and decorated with neon lights and video game decor. 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to midnight Sunday. 333 Fifth Ave., San Diego. 619-795-9463, gaslampunion.com
O’wineside Baja Wine Festival: The Oceanside restaurant Valle is hosting the second annual O’wineside Baja Wine Festival. The one-day gathering is a culinary experience highlighting Mexican wines and foods from the Baja California region. More than 80 wines will be available for tastings, along with small food bites by Chef Roberto Alcocer, such as caviar, oysters and bone-in ham. 1:30 to 4 p.m. Tuesday. 222 North Pacific St., Oceanside. $110.50. valleoceanside.com/special-events
Western-style burgers: Rally’s is launching two new spicy Western-style burgers in California. The Hatch Canyon Burger is filled with Hatch green chiles, American cheese, onion rings and a secret sauce on a toasted bun. The Snake Bite Burger combines sautéed jalapeños, American cheese, onions and a secret sauce. Rally’s is located in Chula Vista, Escondido, El Cajon, Imperial Beach, Logan Heights, Serra Mesa and Spring Valley. checkersandrallys.com
Fall ice cream: Jeni’s Ice Cream has released four new seasonal treats. The caramel apple crumble is made with dark caramel sauce, brown sugar and apple ice cream. The miso butterscotch brownie mixes caramel cream, miso and gluten-free dark chocolate brownies. The burnt orange is an orange ice cream with a salted vanilla custard and burnt orange caramel. The cookies in cream ice cream is made with gluten-free chocolate cookies and a vanilla-scented cream. jenis.com
Battle of the Burgers: Visit Temecula Valley hosts its annual Battle of the Burgers next week at Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula. Area chefs will compete for the title of best burger. There is also a best “loaded fries” student competition. Pechanga Resort Casino chefs Amanda Colello and Ronald Sanchez worked with more than 30 third-year students in Temecula Valley High School’s culinary class to develop and test their recipes. The public gets to participate in the competition, a well, by sampling all of the burgers and fries and casting their own votes. Noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18. Grand Ballroom, Pechanga Resort Casino, 45000 Pechanga Parkway, Temecula. $43, adults; $32.50 for ages 6 to 18 if purchased online. Limited $50 tickets available at the door. visittemeculavalley.com/battle-of-the-burgers
Carlos Rico, Union-Tribune