The man in red, Santa Claus, is back in town again on December 8. This time he will be having breakfast at Lowes Ventana Canyon (7000 N Resort Drive). From 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., Santa will be hosting a pancake breakfast, running activities and holding storytime for kids and kids-at-heart alike. Reservations are required, so call 299-2020.

So, we had the hint of this a while ago here and I do love me some garlic!

Wild Garlic Grill is slated to open on Dec. 7, located at 2530 N. First Ave. Chef Steven Schultz's concept seems to be one of “California Wine Country Cuisine,” with an open kitchen, patio seating and, well, garlic. Hours of operation are said to be 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. with later hours Friday and Saturday. I can't wait to see a menu.

The owner of Zona 78, the Italian eatery with locations at 78 W. River Road and 7301 E. Tanque Verde Road, says the River Road restaurant will undergo a remodel in January.

Owner Kevin Fink was scant on the details as far as what the remodel will entail, saying only that the River Road location will be closed for construction between Tuesday, Jan. 1 and Thursday, Jan. 10.

Fink also says he's expanding his meat-curing efforts at both locations, which should allow him to offer cured meats made in-house on a regular basis. He expects that to be happening by early January as well.

A custom T-shirt shop and smoothie stand called Freekee T's and Squeez has opened at 5373 S. Calle Santa Cruz, in the shopping center that also holds the Harkins Theater. The strangeness of a hybrid business of this caliber is not lost on the owners, according to this online description:

A custom Tshirt shop and smoothie bar....We know...sounds crazy but it works!!!

We hear the chunky monkey smoothie will knock your socks off. Follow the shop on Facebook here.

Say what? You're into sauteed mussels, shawarma sandwiches, salads and hot dogs like they make 'em up in Detroit? Well then, you'll be wanting to make it down to the grand opening of Chef's Kitchen and Catering, which happens tomorrow, Friday, Nov. 30, in the parking lot of Tucson Federal Credit Union on the corner of Speedway Boulevard and Alvernon Way.

We interviewed the man behind this amazing new mobile food phenomenon last week—you can check that out here—and can report that he certainly sounds like he means business. Chef Cryderman has decades of experience when it comes to making delicious things and it should be rather interesting to see what happens when all of that culinary knowledge is contained inside one tiny little food truck.

Also worthy of note: The artwork on the side of Chef's Kitchen and Catering was created by none other than local artist Donovan White, who also tends bar at local watering hole Che's Lounge. Very cool.

You can also follow the food truck on Facebook over here.

A new frozen yogurt joint called Yogurtland is setting up shop in a space in a shopping center at 2800 N. Campbell Ave.

I'm a little spent on the whole frozen-yogurt thing, what with a zillion of the places opening up here and around the country in recent years. Yet I find myself intrigued by this place's inventive flavors such as rubarb, lychee, dragon fruit and others.

There's more on Yogurtland over here.

Tucson's fifth location of Einstein Bros. Bagels is coming soon to 4105 N. Oracle Road, which was most recently home to the very short-lived Overboard Seafood and Grill. The building was a Long John Silver's prior to that.

How much power-washing does it take to remove years worth of deep-fried fish smell from the structure of a building? Apparently plenty, being that the building is currently in the middle of a complete overhaul.

There's more information on Einstein Bros. Bagels over yonder.

Recently Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance presented Sweet Charity, a dessert-based fundraiser for the arts on Friday, Nov. 16.

Drooling over the list of sweets they had on hand from awesome local restaurants (more than 20 different ones, including Feast, RA Sushi and Busy B's Bakery who were among the winners), and signature dessert cocktails, I’m totally bummed that my invitation was apparently lost in the mail. More than 400 people came together to enjoy great desserts, support arts education and take in a a wonderful Arizona night. I guess I will forgive the SAACA folks this time…still jealous though.

Take a look below the cut to see the list of the winners, including the top prize, which went to Wildflower American Cuisine.

Chef Ramiro and the guys at Pasco Kitchen and Lounge have pulled a few strings and have wrangled a visit from old St. Nick. On Saturday, December 1, Santa will be enjoying breakfast, and the whole family can join him! Bring your gift wishes and make sure you don’t do anything to be on the Naughty List. Breakfast at Pasco begins at 7:30 a.m. Friday through Sunday. The menu and reservation info is here.

One of my favorite day trips with the family is to Apple Annie’s Orchard in Willcox. The sad part is that all of the great things were only available for a short window, generally through the summer, but that looks like that is going to change.

Come this spring, all those pies, preserves, and other tasty goods will be available year round! Apple Annie's has purchased what used to be Stout’s Cider Mill, located just off of exit 340 in Willcox, and will be renovating it to become Apple Annie’s Country Store. Pies and jelly and doughnuts…Oh my!

Check out Apple Annie's website here.