Mezcal & Oaxacan Food; Wine Dinner; New Italian

DOWNTOWN— Saltbox head bartender Jen Queen recently became a master mezcalier and she and chef de cuisine Jeremiah Bryant are collaborating on a mezcal-paired dinner schedule for Thursday, January 23 that showcases Oaxacan-inspired cuisine. Seven different pairings will be featured, including flash-fried grasshoppers and a mezcal cocktail with lime, chile, beer and a spiced salt rim and beef, mole negro and huitlacoche tamale serve with anejo mezcal. The 7 p.m. dinner is $30 per person; call 619-515-3029 for reservations. [EaterWire]

ENCINITAS— Solace & the Moonlight Lounge's Matt Gordon and new chef de cuisine Steve Molina are planning a winter game dinner highlighting the wines of Napa Valley's Paradigm Winery on Tuesday, January 28 at 6:30 p.m. The menu, priced at $80, includes quail, a rabbit trio, elk loin and candied boar belly; seating is limited, contact events@eatatsolace.com for seating. [EaterWire]

EAST VILLAGE— San Diego Mag has early word on Bottega Americano, a new restaurant headed to 1195 Island Ave. On the opening team are chef David Warner (Tower23), caterer/restaurateur Giuseppe Ciuffa and designer Thomas Schoos (Puesto, Searsucker). [SDMag]