Negroni Week in San Diego & Taste of Little Italy

AROUND TOWN— Imbibe magazine and Campari asked bars around the world to create their versions of a Negroni to raise money for charities of their choice during Negroni Week, scheduled from June 1 to 7. Among the local bars and restaurants participating are CUCINA urbana and CUCINA enoteca Del Mar, whose Cucinegroni will benefit Corazon de Vida, a non-profit dedicated to providing aid to orphaned and abandoned children in Baja. Noble Experiment will be supporting Inspire Artistic Minds, a non-profit that raises money to provide scholarships to inspiring bartenders, chefs, and food and beverage industry professionals, with their Negroni Perfecto. Sycamore Den is kicking off the week with an event on May 31 featuring year old barrel aged Negronis, a build-your-own Negroni option and a list of Negroni variations while Bottega Americano is planning an ice cream social event for Wednesday, June 3, from 2 to 5 p.m. on their outdoor patio which will feature alcoholic ice cream treats including mint chip Negroni ice cream cones, Aperol floats and Negroni and orange sorbet sodas; it's $15 for the first ice cream cocktail of your choice and each $6 for additional drink. [EaterWire]

LITTLE ITALY— The Taste of Little Italy is back on Wednesday, June 17 from 5 to 9 p.m. Tickets include a Taste Passport that can be redeemed for samples at participating restaurants along two different walking routes in the neighborhood, including Kettner Exchange, Juniper and Ivy, Pan Bon, Davanti Enoteca, The Cheese Store of San Diego, Bird Rock Coffee Roasters and more. [EaterWire]

NORTH PARK— The Lafayette Hotel's eatery, Hope 46, has launched a new menu of drinks and eats for summer, including fresh "poolside libations" like the Weissmuller Cooler, made with bourbon, peach syrup, lime and ginger ale and the Fresh Start, a mix of citron vodka, berries, lemon and sparkling wine. Summer snacks include watermelon skewers made with local fruit, tajin and fresh lime and a Shrimp Louis Salad with buttermilk dressing. [EaterWire]