'Tis the season 

Get off the couch: Restaurant Month is back this Jan. 2, with more than 40 eateries on the bill spanning the county. That means you enjoy prix-fixe menus, including two-to-four courses of grub, ranging $30-$45 per person and—new this year—you can also jump on “Go Local Wine Deals” when you visit SLO and Paso Robles wineries throughout the month. Some tasting rooms are slashing prices on particular vintages while others are waiving tasting fees altogether (check participating restaurants and wineries at visitsanluisobispocounty.com/restaurant-month) … Didn’t get what you wanted this Christmas? You can now give yourself the gift of home cooking with online culinary classes presented through Taste of Home. The courses include step-by-step meals, self-paced content, and a host of video guides (tasteofhome.com). Just be sure you keep the Band-Aids nearby.

Drinky things

Lose weight? Meh! How about resolve to drink more deliciously for the New Year with Eureka’s back-to-back holiday events paired with hand-crafted cocktails and craft beers. Enjoy a New Year’s Eve celebration at the downtown SLO haunt with a beer and champagne-centered Steal the Glass event (that means you can steal the glass without getting yelled at). Sip bubbles by Piper Sonoma and beers by The Bruery, or cozy up to a slew of holiday drink exclusives at the bar. On New Year’s Day, slurp down $5 Bloody Marys—and a well-timed breakfast burrito—for hangover annihilation (1141 Chorro St/ SLO) … I’ve said it once and I will say it again: Try the eggnog over at Whiskey & June in Atascadero (more in my Picks section), and try to savor it before the holidays are gone for good.

News nibbles

Please forget to bring your re-usable shopping bags: Thursday Night Farmer’s Market is closed the holidays, in case you were wondering (Dec. 25 and Jan. 1 the streets will be empty, so don’t go looking for street food) … Dream Dinners, SLO’s gourmet meal assembly store, just celebrated its first anniversary, so congratulate them by checking out their range of nutritious meals  … Sadly, I have gotten word that Wise Owl café in Cambria will be closing its doors this month. Thanks for the fun shows and great food, and best of luck to the owl folks … A little bird told me that Grandma’s Frozen Yogurt and Waffle Shop is a great way to unplug and hang with the family. I suggest you put down your iPhone and play a game of cards or a board game while enjoying a waffle cone stuffed with fresh toppings and real FroYo (307 Morro Bay Blvd., Morro Bay). I dare ya!

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