Quick Bites: James Beard-nominated Casanova's new deal, Community Palette explosion.

Casanova (625-0501) and its new GM Paul Wetterau have launched a new two-course lunch deal that includes a half glass of wine (3 ounces) for $20.

With food like this week's combo of a roasted pumpkin-pesto salad with mixed greens and a pesto dressing followed by schnitzel, potatoes and braised cabbage, that's a solid deal in a storybook setting.

But it's the carefully curated wines designed to feature new terroirs each week from a cellar team currently vying for a James Beard award—for best wine list in the whole country—that will draw oenophiles and savvy palates alike.

More food news nibbles follow: 

• The virgin voyage of the Community Palette art show/business plan contest/creative explosion a year ago made for one of the most inspiring nights of the year, and a real boost for local design and fitness superstar Domini Anne. Its sequel noon-9pm Saturday, March 7, is so much more mightily ambitious it includes 25 young performers, artists, painters and creators—and spills over the streets of Sand City. 

 • The fourth Annual Watsonville Film Festival arrives March 5-8, 2015. Look for a food blog post on it tomorrow.

• Mal’s Market (394-1881), home of the bomber sandwich and a killer Philly cheesesteak (make sure to ask for the jalapeño spread), now has a humble patio for sunny blue-collar afternoons in Seaside. Or mornings, as their breakfast sandwich is as good as any by the bay.

• The Choke Coach (214-2587) next to Pezzini Farms in Castroville has mastered the fried artichoke. But it's their artichoke po' boy I dream of. They also do parties.

• In the ongoing battle for a crumb of late-night options beyond Taco Hell in downtown Monterey has new hope as Cibo Ristorante announces the beginning of “Cibo After Hours” specials 10pm-1:30am Fridays and Saturdays with items like pizza and panini. After midnight, well drinks, beer and wine go for $3.

• Plant Seeds of Love fundraiser lets green thumbs purchase pots and start an organic herb and veggie garden 3-9pm Sunday, March 8, at Carmel’s San Carlos Square. Hors d’oeuvres and drinks are served.

• Monterey Bay Derby Dames kick off 2015 season of roller derby action 7pm Saturday, March 14 at Water City Sports Center with pie eating contest sponsored by Lafayette at half-time. Better yet: All restaurant workers enjoy buy-one-get-one tickets at the door ($10 early bird, $13.50 general, $15 door, 272-2037).

• Every Wednesday in March, Buffalo Wild Wings donates 10 percent of sales to the Boys and Girls Club of Monterey County when diners present a printed ticket (download at www.bgcmc.org). 

• Marina Chamber of Commerce holds a free cheesecake mixer 5:30-7:30pm Thursday, March 5 at local cake shop Cheesecake Dreamations which offers divine little bites.

• Sweet Thing still makes the Juice Plus+ push: Dr. David Phillips speaks about the health benefits of Juice Plus+ 7pm Friday, March 6 at Bayonet and Black Horse Golf Course (contact 277-2684).

Alexandra Videmsky contributed to this report.