Foodie Forecast: Holiday cocktails, Strong Ale Festival, King Tide Brunch

Here is some of the latest in dining news from across San Diego County, as well as some upcoming events for foodies.

Holiday cocktails: North Italia has added limited-time holiday cocktails and a prix fixe lunch deal to its menu. Some of the new cocktails on the restaurant’s “naughty list” are: Jingle Bell Rock with a blood orange liqueur and Prosecco; Rudolph’s Replacement, which mixes tequila and an Italian amaretto liqueur; and Santa’s Nightcap, which contains orange-butter infused rye whiskey and pistachio butter cookies. Two mocktails made the “nice list” menu: White Elephant Gift with a nonalcoholic spirit, coconut, white chocolate, lime and black walnuts; and Cocoa Claus, which is a hot chocolate with vanilla and mini marshmallows. The holiday drinks are available through Dec. 31. Plus, North Italia has put together a $25 holiday lunch meal, available until 4 p.m., which features a choice of an appetizer and one of 12 entrees like the short rib lasagna or the chicken parmigiana verde with basil pesto sauce. North Italia has locations at the One Paseo shopping center and the Fashion Valley mall. northitalia.com

Strong Ale Festival: Over 60 breweries will be part of the two-day 27th annual Strong Ale Festival. The event showcases more than 60 ale beers and food from Pizza Port. There will also be VIP sessions where guests can try exclusive barrel-aged beers. The festival will take place in the parking lot of the Pizza Port location in Carlsbad. 4 to 9 p.m. Friday. Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday. 571 Carlsbad Village Drive, Carlsbad. $50-$100. eventbrite.com/e/pizza-port-carlsbads-27th-annual-strong-ale-festival

Marine Room King Tide Brunch: The season’s highest tides will bring crashing waves to the reinforced windows of the oceanfront Marine Room restaurant for brunch services from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and Jan. 3-4. Cost is $95 for the food, champagne and stunning nature show. 1950 Spindrift Drive, La Jolla. marineroom.com/upcoming-happenings

Coastal Roots Farm Farm-To-Table Dinner: Leichtag Foundation’s 18-acre regenerative farm in Encinitas is hosting a seasonally inspired al fresco dinner prepared by Heal the Earth Chef Chuck Samuelson, featuring a multicourse pescatarian meal with organic vegetables. Proceeds benefit the farm’s mission to provide fresh, healthy food to San Diegans experiencing food insecurity. 5-8 p.m. Sunday. 441 Saxony Road, Encinitas. $150 per person. coastalrootsfarm.org/event/farm-to-table-dinner-december-2025/

SoNo Fest & Chili Cook-Off: Music, chili and community are the pillars of the SoNo Fest & Chili Cook-Off, which is returning to North Park. This volunteer-led annual event brings together more than 30 restaurants and 20 breweries, two stages of music, an artisan market, ceramic bowl making, a children’s play area and a chili-tasting contest. The event is also a fundraiser for Spanish, dance and library programs at McKinley Elementary School, for which $90,000 was raised last year, according to event organizers. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Corner of Thorn Street and 32nd Street in North Park. $25-$35. sonofestchilicookoff.com

Fondo del Barrio: Residents and guests to Barrio Logan have another brunch option as Fonda del Barrio has released new morning and early afternoon food options. The new weekend brunch menu is spotlighted by French toast made with brioche bread and topped with cajeta (goat milk caramel, a Mexican guava atole cream and berries). The menu also features fried tamales with a sunny side up egg and a salsa macha and huevos motuleños, which contains eggs with green peas, sweet potato and ham in a toasted guajillo pepper sauce. Plus, there are Bloody Marys, micheladas and mimosas on the brunch menu, which is curated by executive chef Eduardo Baeza. 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. 2234 Logan Ave., San Diego. 619-230-5240, fondadelbarrio.com

George’s at the Cove: While George’s at the Cove is undergoing renovations to its terrace, it is introducing new food and drink combo specials in its bar area. For $18, guests can choose from a burger and a beer, ahi tuna tacos and a margarita, raw oysters and a martini, falafel and a gin and tonic, salmon and a glass of white wine or a shrimp roll with a glass of chardonnay. Also, all draft beers are 50% off and select cocktails are $10. 2 to 5 p.m. daily. 1250 Prospect St., La Jolla. 858-454 -4244, georgesatthecove.com

Miracle at Botanica: The North Park venue Botanica has morphed into a holiday-themed pop-up bar. Miracle at Botanica is highlighted by cocktails, over-the-top Christmas decorations and holiday mug designs for sale. Some of the holiday-themed drinks include the Christmapolitan, Sugar Plum Mai Tai and Snowball Old-Fashioned. Now through Jan. 4. 3139 University Ave., San Diego. 619-310-6370, botanicabarsd.com

Coastal Roots Farm Farm-To-Table Dinner: Leichtag Foundations’ 18-acre regenerative farm in Encinitas is hosting a seasonally inspired al fresco dinner prepared by Heal the Earth Chef Chuck Samuelson, featuring a multicourse pescatarian meal with organic vegetables. Proceeds benefit the farm’s mission to provide fresh food to San Diegans experiencing food insecurity. 5-8 p.m. Sunday. 441 Saxony Road, Encinitas. $150 per person. coastalrootsfarm.org/event/farm-to-table-dinner-december-2025/

Carlos Rico, Union-Tribune