Desert Rain Café
The Tohono O'odham Community Action project has opened an eatery called Desert Rain Café in Tohono Plaza on Main Street in Sells. Much of the menu takes its inspiration from ancient cooking traditions, and a number of the ingredients help naturally control diabetes, a disease especially prevalent among the Tohono O'odham. How cool is that? Hours are 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday; (520) 383-4918; www.desertraincafe.com.
Paso Robles Wines
California's Paso Robles region is a winemaker's dream. Situated in the lush countryside between San Francisco and Los Angeles, the area has a particularly long growing season with warm days and cool nights, which is nature's recipe for top-notch wine grapes. Head over to Pastiche Modern Eatery (3025 N. Campbell Ave.; 325-3333) at 6:30 p.m., Friday, May 15, and try some of the region's wines for $5. Space is limited.
Zin, Blues and BBQ
May is National Barbecue Month, and one smoking way to celebrate is Hacienda del Sol Guest Ranch Resort's Ninth Annual Zin, Blues and BBQ event from 4 to 7 p.m., Sunday, May 17. A barbecue buffet and zinfandel wine-tasting highlight the event, which also features live music by Grams and Krieger, and the Stefan George Duo. $50; reservations are required. The resort is located at 5601 N. Hacienda del Sol Road. Call 529-3500 for reservations or more info.
Asian Sandwich Deli Closed
The Asian Sandwich Deli, which opened in 2005 at 1710 E. Speedway Blvd., has closed.
Cheap Eats
There is a positive side to this stinking recession (for diners, at least): Many eateries are offering serious discounts to get through the thin summer months. One such deal is the lunchtime "recession buster" being offered by Little Anthony's Diner (7010 E. Broadway Blvd.; 296-0456). Stop in between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, and get a hamburger or cheeseburger, a side dish, a drink and dessert for $6.
Fill 'Er Up!
The T6 Filling Station (2500 E. Fifth St.; 798-1200) is now serving beer, says owner Jay Tolkoff. Tolkoff initially planned to open the eatery with Nimbus man Jim Counts, but is forging forward on his own. The conversion of the back of the eatery into a bar is underway and should be completed before long, Tolkoff said.
