A recent trip to the east coast found me asking a gentleman leaving his Oppenheimer office in Portsmouth, New Hampshire where to have a good fish dinner in a casual place where I could sit at at the bar in my flip flops and not feel out of place. He’s a regular at Jumpin’ Jay’s Fish Cafe that fit the bill for me perfectly. I had a glass of Basa, one of my favorite Spanish whites while muching on fried calamari with smoked tomato and roasted chili sauce and lemon vinaigrette. My bill was $16 and it was terrific. There’s a full bar, and the place is comfortable with a slightly funky feel, but clearly a locals hangout for their raw bar with oysters, shrimp and littleneck clams and entrees including haddock piccata, fishermans’s stew and grilled or pan seared red snapper, Arctic char and others. The most expensive item is $24. 150 Congress Street, Portsmouth NH, 603-766-FISH. www.jumpinjays.com

For an enjoyable and very intresting evening–beyond the usual wine dinners that many restaurants offer–1500 Ocean at the Hotel Del Coronado offers something different in October and November. Their first one in September was great fun that included a buffalo milk mozzarella tasting with the owner/cheesemakers at Bubalus Bubalis (Latin for water buffalo) and the owners/growers of Crows Pass Farm Organic Produce.

Join their Octoberfest beer dinner on October 3. Quaff samplings from local breweries, Karl Strauss and Stone Brewing Company, while you enjoy Chef Jason Shaeffer’s favorite family recipes in a menu that matches well with the beers. To go with the spirit of a beerfest, food will be served family style at the table…No oompah music however, just the sound of the waves at the beach and some very good food.

On November 7, the farmer, the vintner and the chef get together for an evening of tastings and special menu. Shaeffer, along with one of his local farmers who supplies produce to him, and winemaker Chuck Carlson of Curtis Winery will be on hand for the evening.

Both dinners are $75 with limited seating. Reservations are a must at 619-522-8490, www.dine1500ocean.comhttp://www.dine1500ocean.com

Buzz learned that well-known U-T food writer, Maria Hunt recently spent a weekend in a wine exam at the Napa Valley Culinary Institute of America. We know she easily distinguished the Bordeaux from the Burgundy….

And if you’d like to hone your wine skills, check out the programs offered at the CIA, http://www.ciachef.edu/california/wines.asp.