Ralph Rubio Day Equals Free Tacos; Kettner Exchange Adds Chef

AROUND TOWN— The City of San Diego is giving Rubio's co-founder Ralph Rubio his own "Ralph Rubio Day" on Tuesday, April 5 to celebrate the company and its more than three decades in the industry. In honor of the proclamation, all Rubio's locations in San Diego county will be offering its Original Fish Taco® for $1.75 all day on the 5th and Rubio himself will be on site at the Point Loma location from 11:15 to 12:15 p.m. for a public reception that'll feature giveaways and free fish taco coupons. [EaterWire]

LITTLE ITALY— Ted Smith, the former chef de cuisine at BANKERS Hill Bar + Restaurant, is joining the culinary team at Kettner Exchange. He'll start cooking there later this month, working alongside chef de cuisine Nick DeVries and Brian Redzikowski, corporate executive chef for SDCM (Kettner Exchange, FIREHOUSE and the new Good Time Poke/The Grass Skirt). SDCM co-owner Matt Spencer, said "It means a lot to us to be able to add Ted to the already incredibly talented culinary team; we know his experience will only continue to elevate the great dishes coming out of the kitchen under Brian’s leadership, and we’re excited to see how the menu continues to evolve with this powerhouse team of Brian, Nick and Ted in the kitchen." [EaterWire]

MISSION HILLS— The Patio on Goldfinch has a Spring Winemaker Dinner scheduled for Tuesday, April 12 at 5:30 p.m. that will features wines from Salem Wine Company, Piedrasassi & Sandhi. The five-course menu includes oysters with escabeche, pink peppercorn and pickled ramp, lamb tartare with black garlic, green peppercorn yogurt smoked quail egg and spring onion and marinated hanger steak with king trumpet mushrooms, valdeon, creamed spinach and garlic chip. Tickets are $85 per person; call 619-501-5090. [EaterWire]