The election circus that is upon us has infiltrated the food and cocktail list at the Grant Grill, located within the US Grant Hotel. Among the campaign libations: a Hawaiian inspired, pineapple-infused Obamatini; an icy Palin Stinger made with Snow Queen Vodka and Crème de Menth; and the McCain Mash using aged Johnny Walker scotch. Political fever extends to the bar menu as well with items such as “swing vote sliders,” “Air Force One wings,” “cabinet level calamari” and more. Reduced prices are available during happy hour, from 4-7 p.m., Monday through Friday. 326 Broadway, 619-744-2077.

The award-winning design firm, Bluemotif Architecture, is bestowing its hip, environmentally conscious concepts on two more San Diego projects – a new wine bar in South Park called Tinto and a three-story nightclub in the space previously occupied by Olé Madrid in the Gaslamp District. Locally, the company has left its stylish mark on Cowboy Star, The Guild and the new Harney Sushi in Oceanside.

The new Lucky D’s Bar and Grill in the East Village pays tribute to the Padres, the Chargers, and Led Zepplin in a motif that includes sports memorabilia and a 17-foot “Stairway to Heaven” mural. Local and classic brews set the stage for a bar menu listing fried pickles, shrimp poppers, buffalo wings and more. 804 Market St., 619-550-5825.

A six-course Tuscan wine dinner is planned at 5 p.m. this Sunday, Sept. 28, at the Wine Vault & Bistro in Middletown. The dinner will be hosted by Stefano Biscotto, a wine importer who specializes in small-production Italian labels. Menu items include blue fin tuna carpaccio, pancetta-wrapped pork loin, osso bucco, New York strip steak and more. The cost (including wine) is $49.50 per person. Reservations are required. 3731-A India St., 619-295-3939.

Wolfgang Puck protégé David McIntyre and his wife, Mariah, are gearing up to open Crescent Heights Kitchen and Lounge, a new downtown restaurant featuring innovative California cuisine crafted with artisan and seasonal ingredients. The restaurant’s chic aesthetics feature a zebrawood bar, swooping ceiling panels and an amber-lit “wine wall” that will house more than 1,700 labels. Crescent is due to open in the next three weeks. 655 W. Broadway

North Park’s dining hotspot, Urban Solace, celebrates its first anniversary in October with food and drink specials, as well as a new fall menu. Back by popular demand are the Duckaroni and Braised Beef Cheek entrées. New menu items include winter seafood stew, Dungeness crab “pop tarts,” grass-fed flat iron steak and more. 3823 30th St., 619-295-6464.