With election night parties happening all over town, what’s one more drink and some chicken wings? If you’re Downtown tonight, The Commons is having a bi-partisan election party for all the ladies who voted today, though it’s safe to assume the gents won’t be far behind. The sports bar will be serving up “left wing” and “right wing” specials starting at 5 p.m. And over at West Coast Tavern in North Park, tonight only you can try out the Presidential Mule (Skyy citrus vodka, ginger beer, lime and bitters), Elephant in the Room (Wild Turkey 81, lime, bitters, ginger beer), the Obama Slammer (Wild Turkey, lemon juice, honey) or, if you must, the Mitt-Tini (Tanqueray and blue-cheese-stuff olives with a splash of irony). For more election-night specials, check out Keli Dailey’s round-up in the U-T San Diego.

Last month, the blog Food Buzz SD reported on Michael Alves’ new Liberty Station restaurant, Roseville Cozinha. Alves, who’s chef and owner, will be cooking up Portuguese influenced seafood dishes and Neapolitan pizza pies. No word yet on when it’ll open this month, but Alves has already employed the help of his chef buddies on the new project, like Craig Jiminez, formerly at Craft & Commerce and currently at Henry’s Pub in the Gaslamp Quarter.

Ogawashi, which means “handmade” in Japanese, is the slick, new Downtown sushi joint designed by Basile Studio (The Guild, RIP). Its grand-opening celebration happens all day (11 a.m. to 11 p.m.) on Saturday, Nov. 10. There will be free samples, and 25-percent off the entire menu of modern Asian dishes, sushi, craft beer and cocktails. If you can’t make it, check out their happy hour, which runs Monday through Friday from 3 to 8 p.m. and on the weekends from noon to 7 p.m.

Bali Hai’s rolling out a new fall lunch menu and there’s one item in particular that got our attention: a lobster bahn mi sandwich. CityBeat’s huge fans of bahn mi, Vietnamese sandwiches that are usually made with grilled pork. Will lobster work? Consider us intrigued.

Bali Hai Restaurant Entices Lunch Patrons with New Fall Menu

SAN DIEGO (November 2, 2012) – Bali Hai Restaurant, the iconic waterfront eatery recently awarded the distinction of “Best Business Lunch with a View,” has introduced a new fall lunch menu.

Capitalizing on its Pacific Rim-inspired influences, new lunchtime entrees include the Bulgogi Steak Sandwich – a grilled beef dish with its roots in Korea, served with sweet chili aioli, bean sprout kim chi and onion on focaccia bread. Lobster Banh Mi is served on a demi baguette with pickled daikon, carrots, cilantro and jalapeño.

Bali Hai is a short drive from downtown with ample free parking alongside the stunning San Diego Bay. The food, sweeping views, modern Polynesian design and authentic tiki artifacts provide an escapist’s lunchtime paradise.

Lunch is served Monday through Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Also making its midday debut is the Bacon Cured Salmon Salad with mizuna, red oak lettuce, croutons, parmesan and tomato basil vinaigrette, as well as the Deconstructed Albacore Roll with crunchy tempura, spicy mayo, nori, masago and scallions. These new lunch items join classic Bali Hai favorites such as the Hawaiian Tuna Poke Stack, Coconut Shrimp and The Cheeseburger, topped with a pan-fried egg or bacon and served with a richly exploding truffle pepper mayo.

For more information on the Bali Hai Restaurant, visit www.balihairestaurant.com. Bali Hai is open for lunch and dinner, Monday through Saturday; brunch and dinner on Sunday. Dinner reservations are recommended and can be made by calling 619-222-1181.