Whether you're a local foodie or an uninitiated visitor to San Diego's restaurant scene, the New Year is the perfect time to experience the county's best restaurants and wineries on a dime. Throughout the month of January, local wineries and restaurants are hosting a bevy of events in celebration of California Restaurant Month: and from special pairings to prix fixe menus, diners can sample the region's culinary delights while supporting local businesses and taking time to reconnect with family, friends and the joys of farm, sea and vineyard-fresh dining.

Intrepid diners can make their way across the gamut of culinary options, from downtown San Diego's top destination restaurants featuring celebrity chef demonstrations to waterfront favorites and wine country tasting tours – most of which will be offering significant discounts in addition to special offerings over the course of the month. But for something a little different, local restaurateurs recommend at least a brief departure from the Gaslmp hotspots and Old Town tortilla factories in favor of the rural beauty, freshly picked ingredients and friendly atmosphere of the city's outlying counties, historic treasures and hidden gems.

Taste, toast, pair and prepare – all under one roof at San Diego's oldest working winery

There are countless options for wine tasting and feasting alike among San Diego's many dining destinations; but for a truly authentic, gloriously fresh and historically fascinating introduction to local wine country, there's no better place to start than the Bernardo Winery in San Diego's North County – the oldest continually operating winery in Southern California. With an entire village surrounding the Winery featuring studios, galleries shops and our own signature restaurant, the Bernardo Winery has something for everyone. At Café Merlot, we are proud of our position as the on-site restaurant and pairing partner with Bernardo Winery: and we look forward to sharing our distinctive culinary creations with visitors throughout Restaurant Month and beyond, be it in our rustic, inviting dining room or during one of our catered events, wine pairing evenings or interactive cooking classes.

This month, Café Merlot is kicking off the New Year with some exciting new options for our valued guests. Change up your usual dining-out routine with custom food and wine pairings designed to wake up your palate; or join us for our new Community Table and take in a late afternoon or early evening meal with likeminded diners. Also, starting in March, our guests can give – and receive — the gift of cooking by bringing friends and family to a cooking class at our renowned Rancho Bernardo restaurant. Our classes are fun, educational and delicious events featuring local flavors that allow you to both enjoy the ambiance of the café and bring the joys of cooking home to your own kitchen for years to come.

There's always something new going on at Café Merlot – during Restaurant Month, yes, but also every other day of the year. To learn more about North County Inland dining at Café Merlot, or to make a reservation or peruse a list of upcoming events, we encourage you to stop by to say hello – or visit us online, at www.cafemerlot.com.

Heart of a farm, soul of a kitchen: slowing down to appreciate fresh food and togetherness

As the holiday season swings into full gear, it can be easy to get caught up in the rush - and to shop, plan, prepare and travel our way through the month without ever once sitting down to truly enjoy the warmth and delight that defines this magical time of year. Hurrying from the office to the mall to the food court, we lose touch with togetherness…and forget to stop and give thanks for our everyday bounty. This year, consider carving out some time in your frantic schedule to create an oasis from the speed of everyday life; and resolve to ring in the New Year with a commitment to reconnect with family, friends and the food that nourishes us all over thoughtfully prepared, locally grown meals.

To most of us, dining out is synonymous with excess: sugary treats, fatty dishes and other indulgences, often purchased in a hurry and devoured with speedy relish. But especially in tough economic times, eating out should be something special – and for that matter, something so much more than an exercise in quantity or decadence. Done well, and with intention, restaurant dining can be a chance to slow down — to focus on where food comes from, who touches it as it is transformed into delicious, nutrient-rich dishes, and how it makes us feel. And at this time of year, holiday dining can be a golden opportunity to indulge the senses, yes – but in a manner that enriches the soul and fortifies the body through careful and conscious preparation and atmosphere. At Café Merlot, this is precisely the environment we strive to create for our guests: and by blending our use of fresh, local produce from our micro-farm with a commitment to serving the best in elegant yet casual cuisine, we hope to inspire a genuine appreciation for the source and process of great food in our valued friends and patrons.

Reconnect and rejuvenate with fresh meals and Holiday Nights in San Diego's historic wine country

Complete with a neighboring winery, miniature farm, charmingly rustic ambiance and warm, inviting atmosphere, Café Merlot is the ideal spot to gather together this holiday season and throughout the year for an unforgettable meal among friends. This year, we are pleased to announce Holiday Nights at the café, December 15th -18th, featuring extended dinner hours, caroling, crafters and late-night shopping opportunities. Join us for one of our exclusive dinner seatings and indulge your taste buds with freshly prepared, festive creations from our celebrated chefs. Alternatively, consider choosing Café Merlot for your corporate and private catering needs throughout the holiday party season: we'll bring our "Fresh Café" direct from our kitchen to your door.

Whether you come to us, or we come to you, we at Café Merlot can guarantee an experience that will leave you not only satisfied, but also confident in your decision to trust us with the preparation and presentation of a truly great meal. To RSVP for Holiday Nights, or learn more about catering and event hosting opportunities at the café, visit us online: www.cafemerlot.com.

Hostess tips to help you sit back, relax and enjoy the flavors of the season

With a new year already mere months away and a chilly, pre-winter crispness in the air, mid-autumn can feel at once refreshing and fleeting, like an all too brief calm before the holiday season storm. But if we take time out to rejuvenate this month – to enjoy the new fall TV lineup, perhaps, or tuck into a good book — we may also find ourselves noticing the subtler markers of this time of year, and reveling in shorter days, cooler temperatures and an undeniable urge to settle in, snuggle up and enjoy the cozy delights of a season focused on warmth, leisure and togetherness.

According to recent media reports from the likes of the Hollywood Reporter, early season pick-ups of fall's newest television comedies suggest an overwhelming popular demand for good humor; and in a season infused with family gatherings, work parties and all manner of festive fun, it's no surprise that laughter is currently ruling the airwaves. But whether you're taking advantage of the pre-holiday respite with a girl's night in around the TV or a more formal get-together at the office, one thing is clear: the emphasis should be enjoying one another's company and escaping the stress that all too often engulfs party hosts and average folks alike as the holidays draw near.

Of course, the key to stress-free entertaining is to make everything – the food, the wine, the décor – as simple as possible without sacrificing style. Some of us may have that gift; but for those who don't, consider Café Merlot as an alternative for elegant yet casual catering that allows you to celebrate the season with effortless panache.

Taste autumn's bounty with local selections from Café Merlot "Out the Door"

Situated on-site at the historic Bernardo Winery and dedicated to crafting the best in classic, locally sourced cuisine with a contemporary twist, Café Merlot is the ideal source for all your seasonal catering needs. With a flexible, custom catering service featuring seasonal produce picked at its peak from the café's own micro farm, chefs Daniel Reynolds and Stella Midori-Makofski are every fall party host's greatest allies. Choose from an enticing selection of entrees for an informal dinner, or throw a Soup and Pasta party with Lobster Bisque soup, Pumpkin Ravioli and a homemade bread pudding to end the evening on a sweet note. Whatever the occasion, and whichever menu items you choose, Café Merlot "Out the Door" will be an asset to your party preparations and, most importantly, a perfect excuse to skip lengthy shopping, chopping, basting and boiling tasks in favor of fresh, ready-to-eat food brought to your doorstep.

This autumn, slow down and make life a little easier on yourself: let Café Merlot indulge your senses while simultaneously freeing up time for the things that really matter. To learn more about our catering packages or to peruse a full menu, visit us online: www.cafemerlot.com.

In the wake of recent media coverage concerning food sourcing and safety, many consumers are experiencing a renewed interest in where food comes from - and how to make sure it is safe, wholesome and natural by the time it hits their plates. According to ABC News, a simple way to reduce contamination risk is to buy local — and to replace well-traveled produce with the seasonal fruits of your own native soil. As a San Diego restaurant owner and self-professed food lover, I take the health, safety and satisfaction benefits of locally-sourced meals to heart; and as we move into autumn and the beginnings of the holiday season, I believe it is important to remember not only where our favorite foods come from, but also how we can engage with them to create meals and gifts to truly nourish the body and the soul.

Shifting consumer focus to local food can sometimes be a challenge, especially when it means making special trips to farmer's markets or sacrificing certain "routine" foods that are currently out of season. But with encouragement and inspiration from a cooking class, special meal or catered event at Café Merlot, any diner can discover her inner locavore - and learn to craft and appreciate warm, delicious meals made with produce grown just outside the dining room door.

Classes, catering and customized service at the Bernardo Winery's signature café

Nestled adjacent to the historic Bernardo Winery and surrounded by verdant grounds, a 200 square-foot micro-farm and breathtaking scenery, Café Merlot is an oasis where diners can enjoy locally sourced gourmet meals and fine wines, and kick back in a friendly, charming environment. With a seasonally-revolving menu featuring produce grown on-site, Café Merlot is the cure to fast-paced, urban dining - and a gateway to culinary education and adventure that's ideally suited to the onset of the holiday season.

Autumn at the café is distinguished by fresh menu additions and pairings designed to stimulate the senses. Diners will find a refreshing blend of the latest food trends and timeless classics - and whether your palate tends towards the traditional comforts of fresh breads, warming soups and pasta entrees, or prefers surprising combinations like our grilled salmon BLT sandwich or "sweet to heat" roasted salsa, there's sure to be something to tickle your taste buds on offer any day of the year.

This fall, the café will feature custom catering options in addition to regular breakfast and lunch dining; and whether you're hosting a holiday party, an office luncheon or a special family event, our rustic yet casual ambiance will put guests at ease and allow them to focus on their time together over sensational food and wine. In addition, Chef Daniel Reynolds and Sous Chef Stella Midori-Mokofski are set to host a variety of fun, informative wine pairing and cooking classes including "Gifts from Your Kitchen," a seasonal favorite scheduled for October 13, 2011. Seize the opportunity to re-connect with local, seasonal San Diego food - and then share the joy of great dining with your friends, family and co-workers. To view our full menu, sign up for a course or peruse a list of upcoming classes and events, visit us online: www.cafemerlot.com

Café Merlot in the Bernardo Windery Pairs Wine with Breakfast Chef Daniel Reynolds from Cafe Merlot explains how to pair wine with a seasonal menu.

Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher's webcast. Talks about Califorina Women in Business and at 1:30 into the webcast, tributes Toni Kraft from Café Merlot.

California Restaurant Month features new events, tastings and classes for local diners

Heart of a farm, soul of a kitchen: slowing down to appreciate fresh food and togetherness

Hostess tips to help you sit back, relax and enjoy the flavors of the season