Grammy award-winning artist Carlos Santana has teamed up with Dundum Sports & Entertainment to open Maria Maria restaurant in Mission Valley’s Hazard Center this fall. The 10,700-square-foot space, formerly occupied by Prego Ristorante, will feature dramatic lighting and a lounge area for live Latin music several days a week. Chef and cookbook author Roberto Santibanez promises a menu of boldly flavored Mexican nouveau dishes incorporating chilis, tropical fruit and exotic spices. 1370 Frazee Road.

Local farmers and regional winemakers will occupy the Windsor Lawn at the Hotel de Coronado on June 30 for a farmers market that teaches visitors about eco-friendly food production. Then at 6 p.m., all three chefs from the Del’s 1500 Ocean restaurant will present an outdoor dinner utilizing ingredients straight from the farms. The dinner is $95, which includes wine pairings, tax and gratuity. Reservations are required by calling 619-522-8490.

Rockin’ Baja Coastal Cantina has offset the price of eating shrimp with a new special that gives customers a dozen large crustaceans served in buckets, plus beans, rice and tortillas, for only $10.95 a pop. The restaurant has locations in Old Town, the Gaslamp District and Oceanside.

Vela at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront continues its “Epicurean Exploration” dinner series with a four-course wine supper that pays tribute to Italy’s Republic Day on June 2. The menu will feature Bacalao fritters, big-eye tuna, summer ratatouille with quail eggs and more. Dinner runs from 7:30 to 10 p.m. The cost is $50 with wine; $39 without wine. 1 Park Blvd., 619-321-4284.

Local chefs will gather at Specialty Produce to slug it out in a summer salad competition that allows guests to taste and judge their creations. The event will be held at 5:30 p.m., June 9, at Specialty’s warehouse in Middletown. Participating chefs include Eric Wilburn of Sierra Pacific Restaurant, Craig Jiminez of Firefly Restaurant and Scott Wagner of ChileCo Catering. A full dinner by ChileCo will be presented after immediately after the competition. The cost is $35 for Specialty Produce members and $55 for non-members. 1929 Hancock St., 619-295-3172.

The Portland-based franchise Pizzicato has opened at Fifth and Laurel in Bankers Hill, replacing the former Gemelli pizzeria that suddenly went poof several months ago. Pizzicato also operates in Encinitas and features a plethora of classic and Old World-style pies ranging in varieties from puttanesca and wild mushroom to Hawaiian, Thai and Milano chicken. 2420 Fifth Ave., 619-232-9000.