The Circle City Rotary Club will host its fifth annual Fire & Ice chili cook-off and craft beer festival 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Feb. 23 at The Shops at Dos Lagos, 2780 Cabot Drive, Corona.
Two categories of chili — Texas Red Chili and Mexican Chili Verde — will be judged. Attendees will also be able to vote for people’s choice.
Around 20 breweries are expected to participate, including Craft Brewing Company, Euryale Brewing Company, Heroes Restaurant and Brewery, Main Street Brewing, Packinghouse Brewing Company, Sons of Liberty Aleworks, Stone Church Brewing, TAPS Fish House and Brewery and Wicks Brewing Company.
There will also be wine, margaritas and soft drinks available for purchase and the K-Tel All-Stars will perform.
Tickets, which must be purchased in advance, are $50 (plus a $3.55 service fee if purchased online) and include admission to the chili cook-off and unlimited beer samples. Tickets to the chili cook-off only are available for $15 (plus a $1.78 service fee if purchased online). Children aged 11 and younger get in free with a paying adult. Proceeds will benefit the club’s service projects.
For more information, visit www.fireandicecorona.org.
Coffee and doughnut fest
Calling all breakfast aficionados!
The Coffee and Donut Festival is coming to the National Orange Show Event Center in San Bernardino.
The breakfast-centric event is set for 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23.
Festivities include Donuts of Glory, a first-responder doughnut eating contest to raise money for local charities; and Minute to Win It, where contestants can win prizes from local coffee and donut shops.
There will also be awards for best coffee and doughnuts, a People’s Choice award, a Donut Queen contest, a doughnut eating contest, a Gretsch guitar giveaway and a live rockabilly band.
Tickets must be purchased online. General admission tickets are $25 (plus a $3.13 service fee) and include a tote bag, a trip through the DIY donut bar, a ticket for the guitar giveaway, a $5 merchandise voucher and parking. VIP tickets are $40 (plus a $3.95 service fee) and include early admission (at 8 a.m.), a tote bag, unlimited trips through the DIY donut bar, a ticket for the guitar giveaway, a $10 merchandise voucher, and preferred parking. Kids tickets (ages 6-12) are $5 (plus a $2.03 service fee). Kids younger than 6 get in free with a paying adult.
For more information, visit www.coffeedonutfest.com.
Clam chowder deal
Bluewater Grill, which has a location in Temecula, is celebrating National Clam Chowder Day on Monday, Feb. 25.
On that day, guests can enjoy a free cup of housemade New England or Manhattan chowder with the purchase of a lunch or dinner entrée.
Also, the restaurant is offering a quart of either chowder for $7.95 for takeout only, a savings of $5.
Bluewater Grill Temecula is at 26700 Ynez Court.
New brews
Garage Brewing Co. in Temecula recently released two new beers.
Juicy Boom, a New England-style IPA, is made with Galaxy, Citra and Lemondrop hops. According to the brewery, the 6.7 percent alcohol by volume brew has flavor notes of passionfruit, light melon, and citrus.
The brewery has also released its Imperial Oatmeal Brown Ale, aged 22 months in Heaven Hill Bourbon barrels. The beer clocks in at 8 percent ABV.
The new brews are available at the brewery, 29095 Old Town Front St. The barrel-aged Imperial Oatmeal Brown Ale is also available in 22-ounce bottles at select retailers.
Weekday seafood deals
Red Lobster recently introduced its Weekday Win menu, with five $15 deals.
The deals are good until 6 p.m. on the following days:
- Endless Shrimp Monday: Choose from Garlic Shrimp Scampi, Hand-Breaded Shrimp and Wood-Grilled Shrimp Skewers.
- Admiral’s Feast Tuesday: The fried seafood platter includes Walt’s Favorite Shrimp, bay scallops, clam strips, and wild-caught flounder. Or choose the bonus deal, To-Go Tuesday: Save 15 percent off all orders placed on redlobstertogo.com by using the code TUESDAY.
- 4-Course Feast Wednesday and Thursday: Start with both soup and salad, and add your choice of Jumbo Coconut Shrimp, Shrimp Linguini Alfredo, Cajun Chicken Linguini Alfredo, Wood-Grilled Shrimp, Soy-Ginger Salmon (additional charge), or Wood-Grilled Sirloin (additional charge). Dessert is the Triple-Chocolate Brownie à la Mode, or for an additional charge, choose any dessert from the menu (some exceptions apply). On Thursday, the Petite Ultimate Feast is available for $20.
- Jumbo Coconut Shrimp Friday: Hand-dipped jumbo shrimp tossed in flaky coconut and fried until crispy.
The deals are good for a limited time and may end without notice.
Inland Empire Red Lobster locations include San Bernardino, Ontario, Riverside, Montclair, Temecula, Victorville, and Palm Desert.
Cracker Barrel update
Despite appearances, the Rialto Cracker Barrel Old Country Store is actually running a little bit behind schedule.
The restaurant, originally set to open in April, is likely to open in mid-May, according to the company.