New Summer Menu; Toast Program; Sam the Cooking Guy

DOWNTOWN— Saltbox's chef de cuisine Jeremiah Bryant has delivered a new seasonal menu for summer that you can sample through a $35 three-course tasting dinner that'll be offered for the entire month of August. Among the new plates are kale salad with strawberries and a warm bacon vinaigrette and summer squash risotto with shallots and fresh herbs. There are also new cocktails at the bar, using ingredients that range from banana-infused rum and basil-infused tequila; some drinks are on special for $6 from 3 to 6 p.m. daily. [EaterWire]

NORTH PARK— The artisanal toast craze has reached Coffee & Tea Collective; the shop is now featuring North County-based Prager Brothers Artisan Breads (also available at farmer's markets). The bakery's excellent country sourdough is part of a new toast program that serves the bread with organic butter and toppings that include house jam made with Smith Orchards blueberries, Meyer lemons and Madagascar bourbon vanilla bean. [EaterWire]

OCEANSIDE— Do you watch Sam the Cooking Guy? Meet him in person this Thursday, July 24 when the food personality stops at Oceanside's Hello Betty Fish House from 6 to 8 p.m. as part of his Taste Tour. The chef will be demo-ing a dish made with beer for sampling and there will be beer specials. Entry to the event is free. [EaterWire]