Puesto Happy Hour; New at Blind Burro; Chef of the Fest

DOWNTOWN— Puesto at The Headquarters kicks off a generous new happy hour today; from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, Puesto will tray pass free Mexican tapas in the bar area and feature a different drink or food deal every day. Mondays bring $6 mezcal drinks and margaritas, Tuesdays feature $2 tacos and cans of beer all-night long and on Thursdays, boozy versions of agua fresca are $6. [EaterWire]

EAST VILLAGE— There's a whole bunch of new dishes on the menu at The Blind Burro , including lobster tacos, lamb shank barbacoa and veggie version of a picadillo-stuffed pepper. For the month of December, the restaurant is offering vegetarian and carnitas tamales and a special cocktail, a tequila and coffee liqueur-spiked Mexican hot chocolate. [EaterWire]

EMBARCADERO— R-Gang Eatery's chef/owner Rich Sweeney was named 2013's Chef of the Fest at last weekend's Grand Tasting Event during the San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival . His dish, duck fat-fried beignets filled with warm burnt orange custard and garnished with smoked duck 'dust' and crispy duck skin, bested 41 other entries from local restaurants. Expect to see the winning dessert on the menu at Sweeney's Hillcrest restaurant soon. [EaterWire]