There are some behind-the-scenes matters to take care of right now, so stay tuned for her posts in the near future. You can reach her at ocfoodblogger@gmail.com. Drop her a line to say hello!

Again, it's been lovely! I still plan to cover the OC food world, and you can always reach me at cynthiafurey@yahoo.com. Happy trails!

OC Foodie Fest:

 Ingredient dinner: Kimera restaurant is hosting its first dinner revolving around a single ingredient. The ingredients in question are peak-season heirloom tomatoes, the star of dishes like Bloody Marys, leg of lamb, braised rabbit ravioli and pineapple-tomato panna cotta. The six-course meal is $65 per person. 7:30 p.m. tonight (Aug. 27.) 19530 Jamboree Road, Irvine. 949-261-1222. www.diningasart.com 

"Endless Summer" cookout: Ruby's Diner takes over Huntington Beach Pier with a burger cookout and a screening of the 1966 film "Endless Summer." Director Bruce Brown and actor Robert August will be on-hand for autographs. RubyBurgers and drinks are $5, with proceeds benefiting ChildHelp. 6 p.m. Thursday (Aug. 26). 400 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach.

“Claes Andersen was an enthusiastic fan of Laguna Beach, an early booster to finer dining, and a devoted disciple of wine,” says Orange Coast restaurant critic Gretchen Kurz. “His example of refined hospitality influenced generations of O.C. diners, chefs, and wine followers. His generosity and fondness for the community will be warmly remembered and appreciated. Claes will be missed by many.”

In 1969, Andersen graduated from Denmark’s Hotel and Restaurant School with honors. He went on to work as the executive chef of the Westwood Plaza Hotel before opening Claes in 1985, after he bought the Hotel Laguna. In 1993, he housed displaced residents in the hotel after a massive fire claimed 389 homes on the Laguna hillside, including his own.

The memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday (Aug. 21) at Laguna Presbyterian Church (415 Forest Ave., Laguna Beach), followed by a 5 p.m. reception at Hotel Laguna (425 South Coast Highway, Laguna Beach). Donations can be made to the Claes Andersen Hospitality Scholarship Foundation. For more information, click on this link .

Parrot Head Sunday brunch: Bayside restaurant will have a special Sunday brunch with live music from Mark Wood and the Parrot Head band Duet. Brunch is three courses with bottomless champagne. Main course selections include Bayside "Benedict," open-face steak sandwich or sauteed tiger prawns. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday (Aug. 22). $29.50 per person. 900 Bayside Drive, Newport Beach. 949-721-1222. www.diningasart.com 

Pub & Grub: The OC Foodie Fest takes over Goat Hill Tavern with a Pub & Grub event, where bar drinks and food truck items from trucks like Taco Dawg, Calbi Truck, Piaggio on Wheels and more will be around. Bar patrons must be at least 21, but the food truck area is all ages. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday (Aug. 21.) Goat Hill Tavern, 1830 Newport Blvd., Costa Mesa. www.ocfoodiefest.com  for more information.

Farmers Market: A new certified farmers market has popped up at The District in Tustin. Every Sunday through Oct. 24 from 9 a.m. to noon, shop for produce and specialty foods from local vendors, restaurants and stores. 2437 Park Ave., Tustin. 714-259-9090. www.thedistricttl.com 

Hawaiian cooking class: Roy's in Newport Beach is hosting a Hawaiian cooking class on Saturday (Aug. 14) at 11:30 a.m. Learn how to make salmon sushi rolls, ahi "poketinis," seared shutome and mango panna cotta. Can't make it? The same class is also offered on Aug. 21. $50 per person. 453 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach. 949-640-7697. www.roysrestaurant.com 

Beer dinner: The crow bar and kitchen

Midsummer BBQ Bash: A Restaurant celebrates its two-year anniversary with a DJ'd barbecue on Wednesday, (Aug. 11), featuring a four-course prix-fixe with entrees like Kurobuta pork ribs, smoked salmon and tri tip. For dessert, there's s'mores, cobbler or red velvet cake. The first seating is from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., while the second seating begins at 8 p.m.$45 per person. 3334 West Coast Highway, Newport Beach. 949-650-6505. www.arestaurantnb.com 

There will be competitions for the most unique, the “most OC” and the best childhood-inspired confection. For attendees, there’s also a cupcake eating contest(!!). Two Parts Sugar bakery of Costa Mesa is raffling off $1,000 worth of cupcakes (in the form of a wedding cake or cupcake tower). The bakery will also debut a new cupcake flavor at the event. Attendance is free, but there’s a suggested donation of $10.

Info: The event is on Aug.1 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Atrium Hotel, 18700 MacArthur Blvd., Irvine. Visit this Cupcake Camp  link for more information.

Artful eating with Jeff: Who's Jeff, you ask? Jeff Venier is an award-winning artist, vegetable gardener and cook. In this workshop, he'll take students through the Irvine farmers market to pick out produce for still life drawings. Afterward, the class will prepare composed summer salads. 11:30 a.m. Saturday (July 24) and 11:30 a.m. July 30. $20 per person. Center for Living Peace, 4139 Campus Drive, Irvine. 949-854-5500 or this link  for information.

Celebrity chef challenge: The Great Park's Great Orange Festival will include a chef challenge at noon on July 17. Judges include chefs Helene An (AnQi), Mark Kearney (Sabor International), Pascal Olhats (Pascal) and Bruno Serato (Anaheim White House). The Orange festival will run until 10 p.m. Saturday (July 17), with live music and other events. Proceeds benefit more than 20 local charities. Visit www.giantorangefestival.com  for information. For tickets, click on this link. 

OC Fair: The annual bevy of fried food is back! New for this year: Chicken Charlie introduces the deep-fried Klondike Bar, while the aptly named Heart Attack Cafe debuts with deep-fried butter (how?) and garlic bacon fries. The OC Fair runs from tomorrow (July 16) to August 15. The fair is open Wednesdays through Sundays. Visit www.ocfair.com  for a complete schedule of events and hours. 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa.

Wine dinner and book signing: Prego Ristorante presents a dinner featuring recipes from OC food columnist Cathy Thomas' newest book, "Melissa's Everyday Cooking with Organic Produce." Each dish in the five-course prix-fixe menu will be paired with wines from Greg Norman Estates. The evening includes a cocktail reception and book-signing. 6 p.m. tomorrow (July 16). 18420 Von Karman Ave., Irvine. 949-553-1333. www.pregoristoranti.com 

Chef Pascal Olhats' annual French national holiday celebration includes live music and a five-course prix-fixe. Choices include cassoulet, grilled salmon steak, and NY steak. Seatings are from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday (July 16), and Saturday (July 17). $65 per person, including wine. Tradition by Pascal, 1000 Bristol St., Newport Beach. 949-263-9400. www.pascalnewportbeach.com 

Pescadou Bistro will have a four-course prix fix, with choices like coq au vin, steak frites and Boeuf Bourguignon. 3325 Newport Blvd., Newport Beach. 949-675-6990. www.pescadoubistro.com 

Blind tasting workshops: Starting tomorrow (July 10), Laguna Culinary Arts will have blind tasting workshops every Saturday until the end of summer. Wine lovers looking to heighten their understanding of wine, or even professionals prepping for wine exams can benefit from these workshops. Peter Neptune will moderate and discuss the wines at the end of each session. Sessions run from 9:30 a.m. to noon, and 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. $45 per workshop. 845 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach. Registration: 949-494-0745, or online with this link. 

Pizzeria Ortica is offering a farm-to-table menu on select dates in July. The menu includes zucchini carpaccio, Pugliese-style bread salad, prosciutto and heirloom melon, and pancetta and broccoli pizza. Chef de cuisine Justin Miller heads to local Chino Farms to pick up the produce himself. Menu availability dates: Today, July 14-15, July 21-22. 650 Anton Blvd., Costa Mesa. 714-445-4900. www.pizzeriaortica.com 

Beef 101: What's a hangar steak? How would you cook it? Chefs Charlie Palmer and Amar Santana teach students about the ins and outs of beef. You'll learn about different grill cuts, and how to prepare them. 5:30 p.m. tonight. $75 per person, includes the class and a three-course meal. Charlie Palmer @ Bloomingdale's, 3333 Bristol St., Costa Mesa. 714-352-2525. www.charliepalmer.com 

The Melting Pot locations in Brea and San Clemente are celebrating their three-year anniversaries with a “3 for $33” fondue menu that’s available through August 31. The three-course dinner includes choices of cheeses, dipping items and dessert fondue. Brea: 375 W. Birch St. 714-671-6000. San Clemente: 647 Camino de los Mares. 949-661-1966. www.meltingpot.com

Last night the CandyCot twitter feed  brought the news I was waiting for: A limited quantity was shipped to Whole Foods locations in El Segundo and Tustin. Tustin!! I ventured to the store this morning, where a small stack was placed at the entrance of the store, eight CandyCots packaged like jewels  in foam and cardboard mini-flats. Priced at $8.99 a pound, nonetheless. Normally, I'd laugh at this ridiculous price for produce, but since I'd been waiting two years for this moment. I bought some. 

And they are well worth the price. Sweet and floral, soft and juicy. They were everything I had imagined and then some. It'll be hard to go back to regular apricots. 

So have any of you out there tried these? I don't normally write recommendations on this blog, but if you're at all curious, hightail it to Whole Foods as soon as you can. Who knows how long they'll be around for. 

About Kids Restaurant Week: From June 27 to July 3, you can take the family out for less than you normally would spend. Participating restaurants will offer family-style prix-fixes and/or "kids eat free" specials. A portion of the week's proceeds will benefit Share Our Strength. Visit this link for the complete list of restaurants. 

Also happening June 27 is Family Day at Don the Beachcomber. From 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. ,bring the family down for some hula classes, shaved ice, indoor surf lessons and more. Specials include $4 mai-tais, and kids eat free with the purchase of one regular entree from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. 16278 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach. RSVP to mona@moxxepr.com.

This weekend, Irvine is the epicenter of all things Greek. The annual “A Taste of Greece” features food (mmm, spanakopita. And baklava, photo above), wine tasting, entertainment and other Greek-themed events. Festival is from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday June 25, Noon to 10 p.m. June 26 and noon to 9 p.m. June 27. Admission is $3, with children 10 and under free. St. Paul’s Greek Orthodox Church, 4949 Alton Parkway, Irvine. 949-733-3102. Visit www.irvinegreekfest.com  for a full menu (and to brush up on pronouncing the names of those dishes).

Dads eat free at The Counter in Irvine. Details below.

Here's a list of restaurants offering specials for dear old dad (Father's Day is June 20, for those who forgot). Got any other suggestions that aren't on this list? Feel free to comment below. Specials below are for Sunday, unless otherwise noted. As always, reservations are highly recommended. Happy Father's Day!

The Alley Restaurant & Bar: A bottomless champagne brunch available both Saturday and Sunday. 4501 West Coast Highway, Newport Beach. 949-646-9126. www.thealleynewportbeach.com 

Bayside Restaurant: Three-course Champagne brunch from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with live entertainment. $37.75 per person, with entree choices like grilled swordfish, Italian-style frittata and sauteed tiger prawns. Kids 12 and under are $18 from a special menu. 900 Bayside Drive, Newport Beach. 949-721-1222. www.baysiderestaurant.com 

The Bungalow: Buy a bottle of wine and one entree, and dad's entree is free. 2441 East Coast Highway, Corona del Mar. 949-673-6585. www.thebungalowrestaurant.com  

The Counter: The BFD ("Burger for Dad," pictured above) deal offers a free burger for dads on Father's Day -- all they have to do is request the deal by its name. Must be accompanied by a paying guest. 6416 Irvine Blvd., Irvine. 949-336-7272. (The BFD is also available at other So Cal locations) www.thecounterburger.com 

Don the Beachcomber: A BBQ brunch with bottomless draft beer from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Entree selections include skirt steak, salmon, baby back ribs and Polish sausage. 10 a.m. and noon seatings. $34.95 for adults, $12.95 for kids 12 to 5, kids 4 and under are free. 16278 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach. 562-592-1321. www.donthebeachcomber.com 

Five Crowns: Brunch menu and chocolate cigars from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., with selections like prime rib, beef medallions, eggs Benedict and more. Specials start at $21. Special dinner items available from 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. 3801 East Coast Highway, Corona del Mar. 949-760-0331. www.lawrysonline.com 

The Hobbit: A grand, seven-course menu for $74 per person ($35 additional for wine pairing). Highlights include herb-roasted lamb loin, seared sable and chocolate lava cake. 6 p.m. 2932 E. Chapman Ave., Orange. 714-997-1972. www.hobbitrestaurant.com 

Lucca Cafe: Brunch buffet featuring egg, omelet and carving stations, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. $24.95 to $29.95 for adults. Children under 12 pay their age. 6507 Quail Hill Parkway, Irvine. 949-725-1773. www.luccacafe.net  

Matador Cantina: A bottomless Champagne and Mimosas brunch beginning at 9 a.m. 111 N. Harbor Blvd., Fullerton. Reservations required: 714-871-8226. www.thematador.com 

Morton's The Steakhouse: For $69 per person, enjoy a three-course prix-fixe with entree choices like filet mignon, Chicken Christopher and more. Anaheim: 1895 S. Harbor Blvd. 714-621-00101. Santa Ana: 1641 W. Sunflower Ave. 714-444-4834. www.mortons.com 

Port Restaurant & Bar: Three-course prix-fixe brunch, with entrees like brioche French toast, chicken kabobs, and chocolate mousse for dessert, among other selections. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. $34 for adults, $14 for kids (kids menu). 440 Heliotrope Ave., Corona del Mar. 949-723-9685. www.portcdm.com 

Prego Ristorante: Brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., including omelets, eggs benedict, frittatas, vanilla French toast and more, with optional bottomless Bloody Marys and Mimosas. Lunch menu will also be available. 18420 Von Karman Ave., Irvine. 949-553-1333. www.pregoristoranti.com 

Prime Cut Cafe: Surf & Turf special of 8-ounce lobster tail and 8-ounce filet mignon for $39.95. Available all weekend. 1547 W. Katella Ave., Orange. 714-532-4300. www.primecutcafe.com 

Sapphire Laguna: Three-course prix-fixe brunch of things like Indonesian chilled shrimp, spicy halibut and andouille sausage with grits, lamb burgers and more. Available 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. $45 for adults, $22 for kids ages 5 to 12. 1200 South Coast Highway, Laguna Beach. 949-715-9888. www.sapphirelaguna.com 

SOL Cocina: Brunch from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., and special dinner menu from 4:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. 251 East Coast Highway, Newport Beach. 949-675-9800. www.solcocina.com 

Taleo Mexican Grill: Special Father's Day selections like lobster and filet mignon Surf & Turf, double-cut pork chop and bone-in ribeye chop. Entrees range from $28 to $48. 3309 Michelson Drive, Irvine. 949-553-9002. www.taleogrill.com 

The Winery Restaurant & Bar: From 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., enjoy dinner specials like prime rib, New Zealand elk chops, grilled lobster and more. 2647 Park Ave., Tustin. 714-258-7600. www.thewineryrestaurant.net 

In this month's issue, Orange Coast's restaurant critic Gretchen Kurz presents a comprehensive guide with the cream of the crop from the breakfast world: The best places to get everything from biscuits to waffles. Is there a fave you'd like to add to the list? Are you a die-hard regular of a nook near your home? Do you agree or disagree with Gretchen's picks? We want to know, so leave your thoughts in the comments below.

OC BBQ Festival:

118 Degrees Anniversary: Chef Jenny Ross and 118 Degrees celebrates its three-year anniversary from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. June 13 with samples of Ross' raw food and entertainment. The event is free to the public, though reservations are required. RSVP to mona@moxxepr.com. 2981 Bristol St., Costa Mesa. 714-754-0718. www.118degrees.com 

Also:  To mark Pacific salmon season, The Bluewater Grill will serve four varieties of salmon tonight in a tasting. You'll also learn about trends in salmon, fishery, and the difference between the Pacific varieties.$28.95 per person. 6:30 p.m. tonight. Reservations required. Tustin: 2409 Park Ave. 714-258-3474. Newport Beach: 630 Lido Park Drive. www.bluewatergrill.com  

Rustica opens at Fashion Island: Fashion Island's newest restaurant opens this week, in the form of an Italian eatery that serves wood-fired flatbreads, had-crafted pastas and other items. Rustica features the cooking of Chef Grant MacPherson, who once cooked for Princess Diana and Jimmy Stewart, as well as in the kitchens of the Four Seasons Hotel. You'll find Rustica right next to the newly opened Nordstrom store. 1133 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach. Reservations: 949-706-8282. www.rusticafashionisland.com 

At-home tasting room: TastingRoom.com has a little something for those who wish they could try wines before they invest in full-size bottles. The site sells 50ml mini-bottles of premium wines (think Grgich and DeLoach, with more wineries to come) in sampler kits (six bottles in each kit), so you can essentially try before you buy their full-size versions. Bottles are hand-picked by their vinters, so you know you're getting the good stuff. Visit www.tastingroom.com  to check it out.

Cooking demo: Chef Ivan Calderon of Taco Rosa hosts a cooking demo and tequila tasting on Saturday at 3 p.m. Calderon will make wild red snapper with Abodo and tomatillo salsa with blood-orange relish. The featured tequila is from Penca Azul Tequila. $30 per person. Proceeds will benefit Doctors Without Borders. 2632 San Miguel Drive, Newport Beach. Reservations: 949-720-0980. www.tacorosa.com 

Dine for a cause: 100 percent of Ra Sushi’s sales on certain menu items will be donated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital starting Sunday. Dubbed “Nicky’s Week” and running through June 5, you can help donate by ordering things like edamame, Tootsy Maki, shrimp nigiri, pork gyoza, tuna tataki, chicken yakitori, and other items will help the hospital. In previous years, the restaurant chain has raised almost $500,000 for the hospital. Huntington Beach: 155 5th Street. 714-536-6390. Tustin: 2401 Park Avenue. 714-566-1700. www.rasushi.com  

Memorial Day Barbecue: The Alley Restaurant & Bar will host its annual Memorial Day bash starting from 11 a.m. Monday. $20 gets you access to a buffet of barbecued ribs, chicken, bratwurst, corn on the cobb, salads and more. Also expect a "Minute to win it" challenge with prizes. 4501 West Coast Highway, Newport Beach. 949-646-9426. www.thealleynewportbeach.com 

Patriotic happy hour: Wildfish Seafood Grille is staging a happy hour from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday. Things like shrimp and crab wonton soup, ahi tuna tartare and lump crab cakes are from $5 to $8. Also expect $6 margaritas, martinis, mojitos and wines by the glass. 1370 Bison Ave., Newport Beach. 949-720-9925. www.wildfishseafoodgrille.com 

 Pairing art with wine: Tomorrow Pascal Olhats presents an exhibit featuring the silk art works of Michele Morgan. The evening includes a Pinot Noir wine tasting with Cardwell Hills Cellars, some of Olhats’ personally selected roses wines and Provencal hors d’oeuvres. 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. tomorrow. $25 per person. Tradition by Pascal, 1000 Bristol St. North, Newport Beach. Reservations: 949-263-9400. www.pascalnb.com 

Book signing dinner:

Bistro dinner: Club Culinaire of FrenchCuisine is sponsoring a bistro dinner at 7 p.m. tonight at Pescadou Bistro, with three courses and wine pairings. Visit this link  for a PDF of the menu. $35 per person for club members, $45 per person for non-members. 3325 Newport Blvd., Newport Beach. 949-675-6990. www.pescadoubistro.com 

Girls Night Out: For the female 21-and-over crowd, you can head down to Irvine's Kimera for a girls night out from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. There will be free gourmet pizza (in the first hour), a DJ, raffles, and featured cocktails made of Leblon rum. 19530 Jamboree Road, Irvine. 949-261-1222. www.kimerarestaurant.com  

Cooking class: Learn how to make Asian-style salmon, Gyoza dumplings, herbed rice pilaf and sautéed bok choy. 6 p.m. tomorrow. Call 949-494-0745 or visit this link  to register. 845 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach. www.lagunaculinaryarts.com  

Sale: Listen up, all you at-home chefs: Stephen Frank Table & Pantry (Laguna Gourmet) in Laguna Beach is launches a sale, offering up to 50 percent off of All-Clad, Staub, Emile Henry, Juliska and Shun gadgets and cookware. The sale ends May 31. 424 Forest Ave., Laguna Beach. 949-376-1615. www.stephenfrank.com  

Cooking demo: Chef Peter Seranatoni of Cha Cha’s Tacos & Tequila will show attendees how to make healthy Cali-Latin dishes like ceviche, tortilla soup, and the restaurant’s signature tacos. Fresh juice “mocktails” will be served. Demos are at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Saturday. $30 per person, or $50 per couple. 110 W. Birch St., Brea. 714-255-1040. www.chachasbrea.com 

Wine dinner: Andrei’s Conscious Cuisine & Cocktails presents a four-course dinner paired with California’s Matanzas Creek wines. Click on this link  to open a PDF file of the full menu. 7 p.m. Saturday. $55 per person. 2607 Main St., Irvine. Reservations: 949-387-8887. www.andreisrestaurant.com 

Sunday in the Vineyard: Taste more than 60 boutique wines and help raise money for the Marconi Foundation for Kids and the Child Guidance Center. The Winery Restaurant & Bar (photo at left) is host to “Sunday in the Vineyard” from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. The afternoon features a cooking demo from Chef Yvon Goetz, plus live and silent auctions. Tasting highlights: Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label, PerryMoore Cabernet and Turnbull Syrah, just to name-drop a few. Tickets are $125 per person, some of it tax-deductible. Tickets: 714-258-3001 or 714-258-7600. 2647 Park Ave., Tustin. www.thewineryrestaurant.net 

Coppola wine dinner: Prego Ristorante presents a five-course Italian dinner with wines from the Coppola family vineyards. Click here  for the full menu. 7 p.m. Friday. $54.95 per person. 18420Von Karman Ave., Irvine. Reservations: 949-553-1333. www.prergoristoranti.com

Cooking class: Laguna Culinary Arts shows you how to make Baja-style fish tacos, chipotle pico de gallo, Spanish rice salad and cinnamon crisps for dessert. Why? Because summertime calls for fresh, beachy food. 6:30 p.m. Friday. Call 949-494-0745 or visit this link  to register. 845 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach. www.lagunaculinaryarts.com  

Winemaker dinner: Today, Martin Ray wines will be paired with a five-course dinner at The Winery Restaurant & Bar. Notable courses include rabbit “Deus Facons” with a Martin Ray Pinot Noir, as well as a black pepper-crusted ostrich tenderloin, paired with the winemaker’s Cabernet Sauvignon from 2004 and 2006. 6:30 p.m. May 19. $89 per person. 2647 Park Ave., Tustin. Reservations: 714-258-7600. www.thewineryrestaurant.net  

Beer-pairing dinner: The Sorrento Grille will pair five courses with five different beers from Escondido-based Stone Brewing Co. Tonight's menu includes things like mini cheeseburgers with Stone Pale Ale and braised wild boar with the brewery’s Smoked Porter. $40 per person. 370 Glenneyre, Laguna Beach. Reservations: 949-494-8686. www.sorrento-grille.com 

Cooking class: Blackmarket Bakery Chef Rachel Klemek’s cooking classes are so popular, they’re often sold out weeks before their dates. Case in point: There’s only one spot left for her basic fondant decorating class on June 2, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Click on this link  if you want that spot! There’s also a schedule  of summer classes for kids and teens. 17941 Sky Park Circle, #E, Irvine. 949-852-4609.

Also: Through May 30th, Orange Coast’s restaurant of the year, Park Ave., is celebrating its five-year anniversary with a three-course surf and turf special, served all day. The entrée includes a six-ounce lobster tail and eight-ounce Culotte steak. Priced at $35. 11200 Beach Ave., Stanton. 714-901-4400. www.parkavedining.com 

And in more seafood specials, the Bluewater Grill today launches a month of Spanish-inspired dishes centering around a Seafood Paella Valenciana. For today only, $28.95 gets you some Spanish tapas, two glasses of wine and the paella, made of Spanish rice, peas, chicken, green and black mussels, manila clams and shrimp. Here’s the catch: For the special price, you have to sign up for Bluewater’s e-newsletter. Click on this link to subscribe.  If you miss out today, you can still try the paella through the end of the month. Locations in Newport Beach and Tustin. www.bluewatergrill.com 

Also for the month of May, The Hobbit celebrates spring with a $66 six-course prix-fixe on Thursdays and Fridays. The evenings start with Champagne and hors d’oeuvres, and include a fish course, meat/poultry course, sorbet, main course and dessert. Menus change frequently, so check the website for more. 2932 E. Chapman Ave., Orange. Reservations: 714-997-1972. www.hobbitrestaurant.com 

SATURDAY

• Anqi Gourmet Bistro: A four-course luncheon followed by a Mother’s Day fashion show hosted by the Style Network and benefiting CASA of Orange County and Flowercause. Celebrity moms and their daughters will walk the runway in Single Dress’ spring/summer 2010 collection. Stars include Fivel Stewart, Tichina Arnold and Romi Dames. Noon to 2 p.m 3333 Bristol St., Costa Mesa. $65 per person. Reservations: 714-557-5679. www.anqibistro.com 
• Daddy Cakes: A Mother’s day precursor pancake breakfast in which moms eat free with the purchase of one $5 breakfast. All proceeds will benefit the Whole Planet Foundation. 2437 Park Ave. (in front of the AMC theater), Tustin. For reservations, e-mail mona@moxxepr.com with the name of each mom and total in your party.
• Simply Fondue: For Saturday and Sunday, both locations will offer a three-course champagne fondue lunch and crepes in addition to its regular menu from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. A four-course dinner is offered starting from 5 p.m. Mission Viejo: 28719 Los Alisos Blvd. 949-707-5200. San Juan Capistrano: 31761 Camino Capistrano. 949-240-0300. www.simplyfondueoc.com  

SUNDAY

• The Alley Restaurant: Brunch specials: sweet crepes with caramelized apples, salmon coquettes, honey bacon wedge salad. Dinner specials: Prime rib burgers, tuna tartare and spinach, grilled portabella salad. 4501 West Coast Highway, Newport Beach. 949-646-9126. www.thealleynewportbeach.com 
• Balboa Bay Club & Resort: A Champagne buffet brunch in the Grand Ballroom and an a la carte brunch in the First Cabin restaurant. Brunch is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is $74 for adults, $32 for children 4 to 12. First Cabin brunch is from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and is priced at $48. 1221 Coast Highway, Newport Beach. 949-645-5000. www.balboabayclub.com 
• The Beachcomber: Special menu offered from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for $27.95 for adults and $10.95 for kids. Choose from filet mignon and eggs, spinach artichoke frittata, surf & turf Benedict and other entrees. Price includes champagne, mimosa or non-alcoholic beverage. 15 Crystal Cove, Newport Coast. 949-376-6900. www.thebeachcombercafe.com 
• Cha Cha’s Tacos & Tequila: Flemenco brunch with $6 bottomless mimosas from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Items include tortilla soup, chorizo scramble soufflé, roasted chicken hash, Huevos Rancheros and other dishes. 110 W. Birch St., Brea. $17.95 per person. 714-255-1040. www.chachasbrea.com 
• Don the Beachcomber: Bottomless Champagne brunch with Polynesian shows and fire dancers. Three seatings: 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. $35 for adults, $13 for kids 12 to 6, free for kids under 5. Dinner service begins at 4 p.m. and features a three-course prix-fixe for $25, along with the restaurant’s regular menu. 16278 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach. 562-592-1321. www.donthebeachcomber.com 
• Five Crowns: Brunch from 10 a.m. to 2:45 p.m., featuring things like wild mushroom bisque, Crepes Imperial, poached salmon, chicken mango and Beefsteak Neptune. Dinner starts at 3 p.m., where things like roasted duckling, Nova Scotia lobster tails and a double chocolate soufflé are added to the menu. 3801 East Coast Highway, Corona del Mar. $21 to $52 for brunch, $33 to $52 for dinner. 949-706-0331. www.lawrysonline.com 
• Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort: A bottomless Champagne brunch in the Cielo Mare Ballroom. Seatings are at 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. $75 for adults, $12.95 for kids. 21100 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach. 714-845-8000. www.waterfrontresort.com 
• Jack’s Restaurant and Bar: Brunch menu from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Entrees include eggs Benedict, smoked salmon Benedict, blue crab and shrimp crepes, filet mignon and John Dory, among others. 24462 Del Prado, Dana Point. 949-489-1903. www.jacksdp.com 
• Kimera Restaurant: Three-course champagne brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with choices like corned beef hash, Cobb salad, Salmon BLT, hangar steak, and fresh doughnuts for dessert. 19530 Jamboree Road, Irvine. $34 per person, with moms half off. Kids menu available. 949-261-1222. www.kimerarestaurant.com 
• Lucca Café: The “mother of all brunches” from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Buffete includes omelette and carving stations. Kids pay their age. 6507 Quail Hill Parkway, Irvine. $29.95 with Champagne, $24.95 without. 949-725-1773. www.luccacafe.com 
• Matador Cantina: Brunch from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., including option for bottomless champagne and mimosas for $8, and $5 Bloody Marys. Brunch highlights include chorizo Benedict and Huevos Rancheros. 111 N. Harbor Blvd., Fullerton. 714-871-8226. www.thematador.com 
• Montage Laguna Beach: A Champagne brunch in the Grand Ballroom from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. will have 12 stations and a complimentary family portrait. $95 for adults, $40 for children 4 to 12. The Loft restaurant will have lunch from noon to 3 p.m., serving a four-course, prix-fixe menu. $85 for adults, $30 for kids 4 to 12. 30801 South Coast Highway, Laguna Beach. 949-715-2057. www.montagelagunabeach.com 
• Morton’s The Steakhouse: Three-course meal for $59 per person available from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m., which includes: Morton’s or Caesar salad, choice of filet mignon, filet Oskar, broiled salmon, colossal shrimp Alexander or Chicken Christopher, and crème brulee or chocolate mousse. Anaheim: 1895 S. Harbor Blvd. 714-621-0101. Santa Ana: 1641 W. Sunflower Ave. 714-444-4834. www.mortons.com 
• Mozambique Restaurant: Three-course brunch with entrée choices like grilled salmon, chicken marsala and prime rib. Bottomless champagne and mimosas are offered for $10. 1740 South Coast Highway, Laguna Beach. $34.95 per person. 949-715-7777. www.mozambiqueoc.com 
• Port Restaurant & Bar: Three-course brunch from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Entrees include blueberry pancakes, chicken breast, beef and lamb kabobs and breakfast burritos. 440 Heliotrope Ave., Corona del Mar. $34 for adults, $14 for kids. 949-723-9685. www.portcdm.com 
• Prego Ristorante: Tuscan brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., includes omelette, salad and antipasti bars, fresh pasta, carving stations and Italian desserts. 18420 Von Karman Ave., Irvine. $29.95 for adults, $14.95 for children 7 to 12 and free for 6 and under. 949-553-1333. www.pregoristorante.com 
• Prime Cut Café: Champagne brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Omelettes, eggs Benedict, steak and eggs, prime rib and other choices. 1547 W. Katella Ave., Orange. 714-532-4300. www.primecutcafe.com 
• SOL Cocina: Brunch and dinner specials throughout the day. 251 East Coast Highway, Newport Beach. 949-675-9800. www.solcocina.com 
• Stella’s Serious Italian: Brunch from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Entrée choices range from $17 to $32 and include Prime rib, baked French toast, eggs Benedict and Chilean sea bass. 17 Monarch Bay Plaza, Monarch Beach. 949-234-1679. www.stellasitalian.com 
• Tradition by Pascal: Four-course prix-fixe available from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Main courses include braised lamb shank, petit filet of beef, grilled Irish salmon, roasted quail or Mother “Therese.” 1000 N. Bristol St., Newport Beach. $40 per person. There’s also a $30 three-course kids menu available. 949-263-9400. www.pascalnewportbeach.com 
• The Winery Restaurant & Bar: Brunch from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with contemporary jazz band and chocolate truffles. The dinner menu is also available from 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. 2647 Park Ave., Tustin. 714-258-7600. www.thewineryrestaurant.net 

Cha Cha’s Tacos & Tequila: Food and rink specials, flamenco and mariachi bands and hourly giveaways. New drinks include a watermelon margarita, Classic Caipirinha and Brazilion Passion. Begins at 11:30 a.m. 110 W. Birch St., Brea. 714-225-1040. www.chachasbrea.com 

Don the Beachcomber: $3 margaritas and Coronas in the Dagger Bar all day, plus half off cocktails and the entire bar menu at happy hour, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. 16278 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach. 562-592-1321. www.donthebeachcomber.com 

Matador Cantina: Mariachi bands, a guest DJ and raffles for a beach cruiser, flatscreen TV and Angels tickets. Food and drink specials include $1.25 grilled tacos, $3 Coronas, $4 well drinks and $5 calls and appetizers until the restaurant closes. Begins at 11 a.m. 111 N. Harbor Blvd., Fullerton. 714-871-8226. www.thematador.com 

Prego Ristorante: Happy hour all day with $4 tapas and beers, $4.50 house wines and specialty cocktails, and $5 well drinks. 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. 18420 Von Karman Ave., Irvine. 949-553-1333. www.pregoristorante.com 

SOL Cocina: Specials on food, cocktails and beers, as well as samplings from the menu throughout the day. Chef Deborah Schneider will also presale her latest book, “Amor y Tacos.” A portion of sales from margaritas, carnitas street tacos and book sales will benefit Corazon de Vida. 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. 251 East Coast Highway, Newport Beach. 949-675-9800. www.solcocina.com 

Taleo Mexican Grill: Live music and drink specials all day. 3309 Michelson Drive, Irvine. 949-553-9002. www.taleomexicangrill.com 

The Winery Restaurant & Bar: Stop in for some hors d’oeuvres and Partida tequila cocktails in the restaurant’s “Vineyard,” where there will be live entertainment. 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. $40 per person. 2647 Park Ave., Tustin. 714-258-7600. www.thewineryrestaurant.net 

For more Cinco de Mayo specials, visit this link to the blog of Mexican food guru Christian Z. Happy Cinco!

The celebrity chef challenge features local chefs competing for the win, including Susan Irby, Ken Cruz and Alvaro Gonzales, Anahita Naderi and Rochelle Taylor. Event judges include Chefs Jamie Gwen, Amar Santana, Bruno Serato, Craig Stone and Richard Sweeney. Tamra Barney of “The Real Housewives of Orange County” will emcee.

The Taste of Ladera is family-friendly, so bring the kids. The celebrity chef challenge is at 1 p.m. Saturday. The Taste of Ladera is from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Advance tickets are $12 to $17, while tickets at the gate are $17-$22. Sunday. Founders Park, 28243 Sellas Road, North Ladera Ranch. Visit www.tasteofladera.com  for a schedule, tickets and more information.

On Wednesday, Haven Gastropub will introduce its newest beer offering, Firestone Walker’s Solace, an unfiltered springtime wheat ale. Here’s what the release says about this limited-edition beer: “A special limited release, an ode to warmer weather in the northern hemisphere. A hint of citrus fruit and clove aroma are followed by tangy dry malt flavor and a silky finish making it an approachable and refreshing session beer.” Sounds pretty good to us. 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday. 190 S. Glassell St., Orange. 714-221-0680, www.havengastropub.com 

Also Wednesday, South Coast Plaza’s AnQi spends its happy hour showcasing the Emilio Pucci spring 2010 collection. Have a few cocktails and take in the runway show. If you want the best seats in the house, reservations are recommended. 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. 3333 S. Bristol St., Costa Mesa. 714-557-5679. www.anqibistro.com 

“Amor y Tacos” is full of  Baja-style recipes that are inspired by the restaurant, and include salsas, antojitos, cocktails and agues frescas among other things. The evening includes samples and drinks from the book and random drawings for signed copies. 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. SOL Cocina, 251 East Coast Highway, Newport Beach. 949-675-9800. www.solcocina.com 

From noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, head down to the Huntington Beach Sports Complex for the annual Taste of Huntington Beach. Visit this page  for a list of all participating restuarants. General admission tickets are $65 each, while VIP tickets are $85. The VIP package includes a T-shirt, early entry, champagne area, and other souvenirs. 18100 Goldenwest St., Huntington Beach. Visit this link  for more information.

"Dear Friends & Fans of Orange County Wine & Food Center, I wish this email was announcing a great wine event, a cooking class with Chef Paul [Squicciarini] or a jazz concert in the Grand Park. Unfortunately, we are formally announcing our closure. The current economy has impacted our business in a negative way and we were forced to close on very short notice. Please call Dawn at 714-641-9922 if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you for being a part of our short but sweet success."

The OCWFC, formerly the Robert Mondavi Wine & Food Center, opened in the summer of 2009.

And if wine’s not your thing, Thursday brings an artisan beer tasting to Kimera Restaurant. From 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., you can sample the following brews: Blanche de Bruxelles, Chimay Grand Reserve, Delirium Tremens, Kwak and St. Bernardus Prior 8. Not a bad deal at $15 per person. 19530 Jamboree Road, Irvine. Reservations: 949-261-1222. www.kimerarestaurant.com 

I don’t normally stray from restaurant news in this little space, but free cheese? And cute little cheese-loaf VW buses? Consider me sold.

We’ve all seen the packages of cheddar loaves in supermarkets, but now we’ll see them on the road: Tillamook will take its cheddar-orange retrofitted 1966 VW mini buses to the streets of O.C, making a handful of pit stops to hand out free samples of its cheeses, recipes, coupons and giveaways. It sounds like a party. Here’s the schedule for today: 

• Fashion Island, all day
  
• Noon to 7 p.m.: Ralph’s, 380 E. 17th St., Costa Mesa. 
  
• Noon to 7 p.m.: Bristol Farms, 810 Avocado Ave., Newport Beach. 
  

Tillamook will spread the loaf love around the county until May 22. You can visit www.loaflovetour.com for a schedule of more locations.

After Saturday, Sage on the Coast will close its doors. Chef Rich Mead’s sister location, Sage Restaurant (at Eastbluff), will remain open. We’ve heard rumors of what’s moving into SOTC's space, and all we can confirm so far is this: Master Sommelier Michael Jordan is somehow involved, and the proposed eatery will serve Matteo’s chopped salads. For those who don’t remember Matteo’s, it was a classic Italian place run by Jordan’s family in Corona del Mar years ago. More info to come. In the meantime, Sage on the Coast will have lunch tasting menus today and tomorrow, and dinner through Saturday. 7862 East Coast Highway, Newport Beach. 949-715-7243. www.sagerestaurant.com 

• Balboa Bay Club & Resort: The Newport Peach
• Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort: The Spicy Mary
• Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa: The OCeanfront Breeze
• The Montage Laguna Beach: Ginger Gin Ricky
• The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel: Summer Fever
• The Surf & Sand Resort: Cucumber Margarita

To vote, visit this link  to The OCeanfront Shake Off’s Facebook page, where you can also find drink recipes and $10 coupons. A bonus: Voters are also entered in raffles to win drinks at Charlie Palmer or Marche Moderne. The voting period ends May 24. For more info and recipes for the drinks, visit this link  to the OCeanfront’s blog. Winners will be announced May 26.

Shades Restaurant & Bar is hosting an informal wine tasting from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. every Thursday. Tonight, five wines from California’s central coast from winemakers like Dierberg, Jaffurs, Star Lane and Zaca Mesa. Next Thursday, French wines are in the spotlight. $15 per person. 2100 Pacific Coast Highway (in the Hilton Waterfront Resort), Huntington Beach. 714-845-8444.

Chef Rachel Klemek of Blackmarket Bakery is hosting a cooking class about wine flour – what it is, how to use it, and when you can substitute it for regular flour. Students will make Cabernet hazelnut tortes, Cabernet velvet cupcakes, wine flour lavash and other goodies. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday. Blackmarket Bakery, 17941 Sky Park Circle, Suite E, Irvine. 949-852-4609. www.blackmarketbakery.com 

Also Wednesdays: Wine, beer, sake and liquor by the glass is half off every Wednesday at the Geisha House. 2773 N. Main St., Santa Ana. 714-564-0350. www.dolcegroup.com 

A Restaurant: Easter Sunday dinner beginning at 4 p.m. 3334 West Coast Highway, Newport Beach. 949-650-6505. www.arestaurantnb.com 

Bayside Restaurant: Three-course champagne prix-fixe with selections like crab cakes, beet salad, Scottish salmon Benedict and grilled swordfish, among others. There’s also a special kids menu. Adults are $37.75, kids are $14.75. 900 Bayside Drive, Newport Beach. 949-721-1222. www.baysiderestaurant.com 

The Beachcomber: Three-course prix-fixe. Highlights include Surf and Turf Benedict, coconut-macadamia pancakes and bananas foster French toast. Offered from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. $27.95 for adults, $10.95 for kids. 15 Crystal Cove, Newport Coast. 949-376-6900. www.thebeachcombercafe.com 

Don the Beachcomber: Bottomless champagne brunch: Eggs Benedict, macadamia nut pancakes, prime rib and salmon carving stations, Cantonese selections. Kids’ buffet and activities like face-painting and Easter egg coloring. From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. $30 for adults, $13 for kids. Those 5 and under are free. Also: A $25 three-course Easter menu will be available from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the bar and 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. in the restaurant. 16278 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach. 562-592-1321. www.donthebeachcomber.com 

Lucca Café: Easter champagne brunch with omelette and carving stations, pastries, pancakes and a dessert spread (photo at left). 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. $29.95 for adults. Kids pay their age ($11 for an 11-year-old, etc.). 6507 Quail Hill Parkway, Irvine. 949-725-1773. www.luccacafe.com 

Mozambique: Three-course prix-fix, with entrée selections like crab eggs Benedict, Chilean sea bass and prime rib. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. $24.95 for adults, $9 for kids (with special kids menu). Add $7 for bottomless champagne. 1740 South Coast Highway, Laguna Beach. 949-715-7777. www.mozambiqueoc.com 

Port Restaurant & Bar: From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., breakfast items start at $9, lunch starts at $12, with $7 Bloody Marys and $10 free-flowing champagne and mimosas. 440 Heliotrope Ave., Corona del Mar. 949-723-9685. www.portcdm.com 

Prime Cut Café: Entrees like buttermilk pancakes, Shelton Farms chicken and prime rib priced from $10.95 to $24.95. Champagne or mimosas included. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 1547 W. Katella Ave., Orange. 714-532-4300. www.primecutcafe.com 

Scott’s Restaurant & Bar: A la carte brunch menu beginning at 11 a.m. with optional bottomless champagne. There is also a special family-style dinner menu. 3300 Bristol St., Costa Mesa. 714-979-2400. www.scottsseafood.com 

Taleo Grill: Happy hour all day at the bar. Special entrees are $12 and range from Huevos Rancheros to the Taleo omelette. Mimosas and Bloody Marys are $6. 3309 Michelson Drive, Irvine. 949-553-9002. www.taleogrill.com 

Freebies: Costa Mesa’s Fleur de Lys will offer coffee from family-owned Portola Coffee and cabernet brownies Blackmarket Bakery. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday. 369 E. 17th St., Costa Mesa. 949-548-0810. www.shopfleurdelys.com 

Also: Every Thursday, Taco Mesa and Taco Rosa will offer $1 tamales and $1 Tecate beer. Visit www.tacorosa.com  for locations.

Also, in conjunction with Napa Valley Vinters, South Coast Plaza's NapaStyle will have an informal "sip and shop" event today with wines from Baldacci Family Vineyards, Chiarello Family Vineyards, Diamond Terrace, Lang & Reed Wine Company and Tres Sabores. $15 per person. Call 949-720-9633 for tickets. 3333 Bear St., Costa Mesa. www.napastyle.com 

In other libation news: SOL Cocina will have an OCHO Tequila dinner tomorrow at 6 p.m. chef Deborah Schneider will create five courses to pair with the tequila tastes. Sample plates include oysters on the half-shell, seared Maine scallops with avocado-tomatillo soup, duo of spring salmon and garlic grilled Sterling steak and chocolate-jalepeno lava cake. $50 per person. 251 East Coast Highway, Newport Beach. 949-675-9800. www.solcocina.com . Reservations: E-mail jennifer@solcocina.com

Also this week, winemaker Daryl Groom will make a stop at Charlie Palmer for a five-course dinner and wine pairing with selections of his Australian wine. Enjoy the 2008 Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc paired with a sweet Tasmanian crab salad, along with other pairings. Visit the Web site for full menu. 6 p.m. Wednesday. 3333 S. Bristol St., Costa Mesa. $130 per person. 714-352-2525. www.charliepalmer.com 

Bluewater Grill: Beer-battered fish and chips, plus a pint of Guiness, green beer, Irish coffee or wine for $15.95 at lunch and $17.95 at dinner. All day, the above drinks are offered at $3 a pop. 630 Lido Park Drive, Newport Beach. 949-675-3474. Also: The District, 2409 Park Ave., Tustin. 714-258-3474. www.bluewatergrill.com 

Five Crowns: St. Patty's done the English way: A murder-mystery dinner with a prix-fixe meal.The evening includes hors d’oeuvres, and dinner choices like roasted prime rib, roasted Maple Leaf Farms duckling or potato-crusted salmon. 7 p.m. $96 per person. 3801 East Coast Highway, Corona del Mar. 949-760-0331. www.lawrysonline.com 

M Foscari: The restaurant will have a five-flight beer and whiskey tasting with Irish-inspired appetizers from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Or, you can choose a four-course Irish dinner for $30. 5645 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim Hills. 714-779-1777. www.foscaricuisine.com 

Ra Sushi: Beginning at 11 a.m. today, the restaurant is serving a St. Patty’s Roll ($8), made with spicy tuna, cashews, sprouts, cucumber and asparagus in a lettuce wrap. The roll is served with black pepper sesame sauce and wasabi mayo. On the drink side, today’s special is the Irish Kiss ($6, pictured at left), made with Midori, orange liqueur, lemonade and lemon-lime soda. Also: From 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., 30 appetizers and sushi are half off, and certain drinks are from $2 to $6. The District, 2401 Park Ave., Tustin. 714-566-1700. www.rasushi.com Taleo Mexican Grill: Happy hour all day at the bar, with green-inspired dishes and drinks like carnitas enchiladas with green mole, pork chop pipian and green apple margaritas. 3309 Michelson Drive, Irvine. 949-553-9002. www.taleogrill.com 

Jack’s Restaurant will serve corned beef and cabbage on Wednesday night in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. Dinner seating starts at 5 p.m. $19.99, includes green beer. 24462 Del Prado, Dana Point. Call for reservations: 949-489-1903. www.jacksdp.com. 

Charlie Palmer @ Bloomingdale’s has launched a do-it-yourself Sunday Bloody Mary brunch with unlimited servings of the tomato-vodka libation – the only catch is you’ll make them yourself at the restaurant’s ingredients bar (servers will stand by to help, if needed). For $35, diners can choose an appetizer and entrée from a sizable list of options, which include Portobello grilled cheese sandwiches, Ahi tuna and green tea soba salad, Bourbon-scented French toast and Kobe-style beef sliders. Brunch is from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a la carte and a three-course prix-fixe available. 3333 Bristol St., Costa Mesa. Reservations: 714-352-2525. www.charliepalmer.com 

The restaurant is also hosting a guest bartender night on March 15 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. to raise money for the Newport Beach Film Festival. Guest bartenders include Newport Beach city council members Steve Rosansky and Ed Selich, NBFF CEO Gregg Schwenk and co-founder Todd Quartararo and some surprise guests. Tips and a percentage of bar revenue will be donated to the organization. 2441 East Coast Highway, Corona del Mar. 949-673-6585. www.thebungalowrestaurant.com 

On Thursdays, the crow bar and kitchen offers a slew of late-night specials from 10 p.m. until close. Choose from $5 burgers, $8 flatbreads and 50 percent off select appetizers. On the drinks side, draft beers like like Craftsman 1903, Palm Ale and Karl Straus Big Barrell Double IPA are $4.50, select wines and well cocktails are $5 per glass, and you can take 30 percent off of all bottled beers. 2325 East Coast Highway, Corona del Mar. www.thecrowbarcdm.com 

If you plan on parking it on the couch to watch the Academy Awards this Sunday, you may want to consider watching at Kimera in Irvine. The restaurant is hosting its second Oscar Viewing Party beginning at 5 p.m. Diners are encouraged to get all dolled up for Kimera’s red carpet, compete with “media” interviews before entering the restaurant. There will be hors d’oeuvres, a buffet dinner, champagne split, gift bags, a silent auction and prizes for the best dressed and other categories. 21 and over only. $89 per person. 19530 Jamboree Road, Irvine. 949-261-1222. www.kimerarestaurant.com  

There’s quite a bit of buzz circling the St. Regis lately. First, Stonehill Tavern has appointment of Brian Black as executive chef. Black replaces Adam Keough, who left the restaurant to pursue travel and research in Asia. Black is a Culinary Institute graduate who has worked for the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Aqua (which later became Stonehill Tavern) and as sous chef and chef de cuisine at the Loft at the Montage Laguna Beach.

The St. Regis has also unveiled a program for oenophiles who want to learn in a formal setting. Learn About Wine, an L.A.-based program, has partnered with the resort to offer one-night classes and a four-week “L.A.W. School” credential program. Some of the courses to look forward to:

• Intro to Wine. March 18 or Aug. 19
• Greatest Wines of the World. April 22
• Palate Builder/Taste Like a Pro. June 17

L.A.W. School courses begin May 6 or October 7 and run for four weeks each. Courses are in the evenings from 6:45 p.m. to 9 p.m. Visit www.stregismb.com  or www.learnaboutwine.com  for more information and a complete schedule.

Morton’s the Steakhouse (photo above) is featuring a Glenlivet whiskey tasting at two of its OC locations this month. Diners can try four of its single-malts, including 12-year, 15-year, 16-year and 18-year. A representative of the company will be on-hand to talk about the whiskies. Tastings will be paired with hors d’oeuvres like smoked salmon pinwheels, sliced tenderloin on crostini, broiled sea scallops and petite filet mignon sandwiches. The first tasting is on Thursday at the Anaheim location (1985 S. Harbor Blvd.; 714-621-0101), while the second is on March 16 in Santa Ana (1641 W. Sunflower Ave.; 714-444-4834). Cost is $49 per person. www.mortons.com 

Is bacon is a bit more up your alley? You might want to head over to the Anaheim White House Thursday night. Chefs Jamie Gwen and Bruno Serato have dreamed up a four-course menu with bacon as the star of each. You’ll try things like candied bacon martinis, maple bacon biscuits and filet mignon with bacon mushroom sauce. 6:30 p.m. $40 per person. 1887 S. Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim. 714-772-1381. www.anaheimwhitehouse.com 

The next installment of OC Restaurant Week is upon us again, and some of your favorite restaurants are gearing up to offer some great deals. The week begins Sunday, Feb. 27 and runs through March 6. Check out www.orangecountyrestaurantweek.com  for a full list of participating restaurants.

The Winery Restaurant & Bar is kicking off the week with OC Restaurant Week Eve, where the week’s official cocktail will be unveiled. There will also be giveaways, like entertainment and OC staycations. The event is free to attend, but you have to RSVP by clicking on this link  to JILL-FM (92.7 FM), one of the sponsors of the event. 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. tomorrow. 2647 Park Ave., Tustin. 714-258-7600. www.thewineryrestaurant.net 

When dining out, be sure to ask about the Golden Foodies card, a free card that diners can use for the remainder of the year that provides spiffs like 15 percent off of bills, free appetizers and desserts and special prices on wine. Visit www.goldenfoodiescard.com  for more information.

Also: Taco Rosa presents a culinary demo and a Milagro tequila tasting with Chef Ivan Calderon tomorrow at 3 p.m. Tacos Coreanos are Korean-inspired street tacos (think the Kogi BBQ truck!) with chipotle BBQ pork ribs with Korean relish served with homemade tortillas and sides. Also includes dessert. $25 per person. 2632 San Miguel Road, Newport Beach. 949-720-0980. www.tacorosa.com 

And one last bit of good news for the weekend: The OC Weekly reports that Pizzeria Mozza, the Nancy Silverton, Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich outfit in Los Angeles, will open an OC location at 800 West Coast Highway in Newport Beach. Read more about it here .

Also tomorrow, Costa Mesa’s Fleur de Lys is having its grand re-opening from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. The boutique is known for its cute and quirky home furnishings and knick knacks, including frilly (and fab) aprons and dinnerware. Stop by to check out the new demo kitchen, where artisans will teach cooking classes in the near future. Plums Café will have a tasting station at the store all day, while the Brown Butter Cookie Bakers are scheduled for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. you can also meet Chocolatier Diana Phillips from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday. 369 E. 17th St., Costa Mesa. 949-548-0810. www.shopfleurdelys.com  

This Saturday, Laguna Culinary Arts is having its last Saturday of the month wine tasting from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. For $5 (a bargain!) you get a taste of eight domestic and international wines. 845 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach. 949-494-0745. www.lagunaculinaryarts.com 

Plus: Tomorrow, Mozambique restaurant is having a Haiti relief fundraiser with Tom Petty’s band members and other musical guests. There’s a minimum $20 donation at the door, with all proceeds going to the Red Cross. 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. tomorrow. 1740 South Coast Highway, Laguna Beach. 949-715-7777. www.mozambiqueoc.com 

Strong is in the Pacific category and is up against big names like Josiah Citrin of Los Angeles’ Melisse, and Alan Wong of the eponymous eatery in Honolulu. Finalists will be announced March 22 at the Palace Café in New Orleans. (Here’s a link to a PDF  of the rest of the list.)

Strong hails from Michelin-starred restaurants and was formerly the chef de cuisine at The Dining Room at The Langham, Huntington Hotel & Spa in Pasadena, Calif. He replaced Chef James Boyce st Studio in 2009 and received James Beard semifinalist nomination last year as well. www.studiolagunanbeach.com  for more information on the restaurant and its menu. 

On Friday, Prego Ristorante (above) will have its own five-course dinner, only this one focuses on the different regions and wines of Italy. Dishes include a salad of pears and speck, spinach manicotti with stracchino cheese, Tuscan braised beef with polenta and apple strudel in a zabaglione sauce. Courses are paired with wines from different regions. 7 p.m. Friday. $54.95. 18420 Von Karman Ave., Irvine. 949-553-1333. www.pregoristoranti.com 

On Wednesday, the annual Fiesta de las Golondrinas with the Taste of San Juan. More than 20 of San Juan Capistrano’s restaurants will have samples of their dishes, including local favorites Café Mozart, the Sundried Tomato Café and The Vintage Steak House. There will also be a no-host bar. A portion of proceeds from the event will benefit the San Juan Capistrano Fiesta Association. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday. $25 per person; purchase tickets at the door. El Adobe Restaurant, 31891 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. 949-493-1976. www.swallowsparade.org 

Andrei’s Conscious Cuisine & Cocktails. Three-course prix-fixe menu with optional wine pairing. Choices include burrata salad, beef tenderloin, Mahi Mahi, caramelized apple tart and flourless chocolate cake. 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. $45 per person, $60 per person with wine. 2607 Main St., Irvine. 949-387-8887. www.andreisrestaurant.com 

Bayside Restaurant. A champagne brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday for $35 per person. Also: three-course dinner for $55 per person from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. 900 Bayside Drive, Newport Beach. 949-721-1222. www.diningasart.com 

Bistango. Three-course menu for $48 per person from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday. Live music from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. 19100 Von Karman Ave., Irvine. 949-752-5222. www.diningasart.com  

Brasserie Pascal. Four-course French dinner for $60 per person, $85 per person with wine pairing. Available for dinner Friday and Saturday, and all day Sunday. 327 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach. 949-640-2700. Visit this link  for full menu. Brasserie Pascal is also offering a three-course take-out menu for $70 per couple. Click here  for menu.

First Cabin Restaurant. Prix-fixe dinner Sunday with entrée choices of Plugra-sauteed filet mignon, Hawaiian moon fish or rack of lamb, among others. $72.50 per person, add $40 for wine pairing. Balboa Bay Club and Resort, 1221 Coast Highway, Newport Beach. 949-645-5000. www.balboabayclub.com 

Geisha House. Four-course menu available all day Sunday. Choose from edamame, spicy rock shrimp tempura or albacore carpaccio, ginger black cod or lamb chops, among other dishes. $45 per person. 2773 N. Main St., Santa Ana. 714-564-0350. www.dolcegroup.com 

Kimera Restaurant. Three-course menu for $37.75 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday. 19530 Jamboree Road, Irvine. 949-261-1222. www.diningasart.com 

Lucca Café. Special V-day menu offered Friday through Sunday. Expect things like endive and radicchio salad, salmon with cilantro-macadamia nut pesto and blackberry Cabernet sorbet. $55 per person, $75 per person with wine pairing. Regular menu is also available Friday and Saturday. 6507 Quail Hill Parkway, Irvine. 949-725-1773. www.luccacafe.com 

Prego Ristorante. A four-course prix-fixe available from Friday through Sunday. Candelight, chocolates and flowers, plus your choice of chateaubriand or whole Dover sole. $80 per couple. 18420 Von Karman Ave., Irvine. 949-553-1333.www.pregoristoranti.com 

The Ramos House Café. V-day five-course dinner with seatings at 5 p.m., 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Courses include Black Pearl caviar, poached Eden apples, poached lobster and “ménage a chocolat.” $100 per person. 31752 Los Rios St., San Juan Capistrano. 949-443-1342. www.ramoshouse.com 

Royal Khyber. A four-course prix-fixe dinner available Saturday and Sunday from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Choose from things like tandoori saffron shrimp, butter chicken, rack of lamb and vegetarian platters. $39 per person. 1621 W. Sunflower Ave., Santa Ana. 714-436-1010. www.royalkhyber.com 

Sapphire Laguna. From 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Sunday, there will be a three-course menu ranging from $45 to $62 with choices like baked sea bass, crispy barramundi or lamb sirloin. 1200 South Coast Highway, Laguna Beach. 949-715-9888. www.sapphirelaguna.com 

Stella’s Serious Italian. Menu specials on Friday and Saturday. Sunday features a four-course dinner, which ranges from $65 to $75 per person. Regular menu is also available. 17 Monarch Bay Plaza, Monarch Beach. 949-234-1679. www.stellasitalian.com 

Stonehill Tavern. A five-course tasting menu for $125 per person. Add $70 for wine pairing. Dishes include things like Japanese yellowtail, Liberty Farms duck and Osetra caviar. St. Regis Dana Point, 1 Monarch Beach Resort, Dana Point. 949-234-3318. www.michaelmina.net 

Tradition by Pascal. A five-course French meal with live music and roses. $110 per person, $155 per person with wine pairing. Begins at 5 p.m. 1000 N. Bristol St., Newport Beach. 949-263-9400. Visit this link  for the complete menu.

And if you didn’t find what you’re looking for here, check back tomorrow for the remainder of the list.

The Alley. A three-course prix-fixe with roses and champagne. Choices include Maine lobster bisque, prime rib and red velvet whoopee pies. $55 per person. 4501 West Coast Highway, Newport Beach. 949-646-9126. www.thealleynewportbeach.com 

Chateaux Restaurant & Lounge. A four-course “His and Hers” dinner set to the tunes of a five-piece jazz band. Menu is $150 per couple. 18912 MacArthur Blvd., Irvine. 949-833-1800. www.chateauxlounge.com 

The Daily Grill. Three courses for $28.95: hazelnut-crusted mahi mahi, sea scallops, filet mignon, crème brulee and cherry cobbler, among other choices. Available from Friday through Sunday. Also: V-day special for two; four courses for $64. www.dailygrill.com  for locations.

Don the Beachcomber. The 65th-annual Surfers Valentine’s Day dinner-dance is on Saturday from 7 p.m. to midnight. Also: “Memories of Our First Valentine” lunch on Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. (family friendly). Also Sunday: In honor of Chinese New Year, there will be a 10-course menu, along with Chinese acrobats, singers and musicians. 7 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. 16278 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach. 562-592-1321. www.donthebeachcomber.com 

Jack’s Restaurant. Three courses for $46.95 on Sunday from 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Choices include shrimp cakes, beef medallions, lemon sole meuniere, berry crepes and chocolate mousse. 24462 Del Prado, Dana Point. 949-489-1903. www.jackssdp.com 

Matador Cantina. Full dinner menu available, as well as a three-course special for $30: shrimp cocktail, steak a la plancha or grilled Mahi Mahi and chocolate-covered strawberries. Includes champagne. 111.N. Harbor Blvd., Fullerton. 714-871-8226. www.thematador.com 

Taleo Mexican Grill. Four courses, including things like carnitas, chipotle apple chicken and flan. $36 per person. 3309 Michelson Drive, Irvine. 949-553-9002. www.taleogrill.com 

The Winery Restaurant & Bar. Roses, chocolate, and four courses. Choose from beef carpaccio, lobster bisque and beef tenderloin, among others. Menu available Friday through Sunday. $89 per person. 2647 Park Ave., Tustin. 714-258-7600. www.thewineryrestaurant.net 

Zov’s Bistro. V-Day champagne brunch starting at 10 a.m. Three course, choose from baked frittata, eggs Benedict and bananas Foster French toast. $33.95 per person. There are also special dinner items starting at 4:30 p.m. www.zovs.com  for locations.

• The Beachcomber at Crystal Cove. Four-course prix-fixe for $65 per person. Items include lobster bisque, Framboise spinach salad, roasted chicken, filet mignon and strawberry s’mores. Wine pairings available. 15 Crystal Cove, Newport Coast. 949-376-6900. www.thebeachcombercafe.com 
• Cha Cha’s. $24.95 per person gets you champagne, an appetizer, two entrees and two desserts from the menu. Offer is valid from Friday through Sunday. 101 W. Birch St., Brea. 714-255-1040. www.chachasbrea.com 
• The Crow Bar and Kitchen. A five-course meal for $69 per person, or three courses for $49 per person. Choices include: Grilled white prawns, ale-braised prime rib, grilled striped bass, Belgian chocolate tortes. 2325 East Coast Highway, Corona del Mar. 949-675-0070. www.thecrowbarcdm.com 
• Five Crowns. From Thursday through Sunday, you can get a three-course prix-fix dinner plus a jar of C.C. Brown’s fudge for $99 per couple. Choices include potato-crusted salmon, roasted duckling, slow-roasted rib roast and a “Chocolate Sweet Heart.” 3801 East Coast Highway, Corona del Mar. 949-760-0331. www.lawrysonline.com 
• King’s Fish House. It’s a night for lobster lovers, with bisque, deviled eggs, pot pie and other dishes made with everyone’s favorite crustacean. Spiny lobsters are from California, while Maine lobsters are flown in from New England. Special menu items are available from Friday through Sunday. 7691 Edinger Ave., Huntington Beach. 714-793-1177. Also: 24001 Avenida de la Carlota, Laguna Hills. 949-586-1515. And: 1521 W. Katella Ave., Orange. 714-771-6655. www.kingsfishhouse.com 
• Marche Moderne. 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. seatings on Sunday, with a four-course prix-fixe for $75 per person. Choose from Maine lobster, veal and Parmesan ravioli, oysters on the half-shell, Angus ribeye, black sea bass. Vegetarian options are available. 3333 Bristol St., Costa Mesa. 714-434-7900. www.marchemoderne.net  
• Mozambique. A two-course Sunday brunch includes steak and eggs, Belgian waffles or eggs Benedict. Noon to 3 p.m. $29, add $6 for bottomless champagne. 1740 South Coast Highway, Laguna Beach. 949-715-7777. www.mozambiqueoc.com 
• Port Restaurant & Bar. Three-course brunch or four-course dinner, with choices like filet mignon or halibut. Dinner option is available Saturday and Sunday, while brunch is only available Sunday. Dinner is $150 per couple. 440 Heliotrope Ave., Corona del Mar. 949-723-9685. www.portcdm.com 
• Scott’s Restaurant & Bar. Four-course prix-fixe from Friday through Sunday: choice of oysters, wild mushroom salad, filet mignon, Dungeness crab, vanilla panna cotta or chocolate soufflé. $65 per person. There will also be a champagne brunch on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 3300 Bristol St., Costa Mesa. 714-979-2400. www.scottsseafood.com 
• Sol Cocina. “Amor y Besos” menu is a four-course dinner for $90 per couple. “Seduction” includes a special V-day cocktail, bottle of Moet Imperial Champagne, four-course dinner and dessert sampler for $200 per couple. Choices include shrimp Romesco, Angus shrimp tacos and rack of lamb, among others. 251 East Coast Highway, Newport Beach. 949-675-9800. www.solcocina.com 

Starting tonight, all Zov’s Bistro locations will reserve Mondays for Kebab nights, starting at 5 p.m. Kebabs (photo above) are $16.95 and come with a green salad. Zov's Bistro, 17440 E. 17th St. Tustin. 714.838.8855. Also: 3915 Portola Parkway, Irvine. 714-734-9687. And: 21123 Newport Coast Drive, Newport Coast. 949-760-9687. www.zovs.com 

On Thursday, you can join some of the “Real Housewives” at La Vie en Rose for the ultimate girls night out. “A Night of Glamour, Martinis & Sharing” is a cocktail party hosted by Adrian R’Mante from Disney’s “The Suite Life of Zack and Cody,” while Tammy Knickerbocker and Tamra Barney from “The Real Housewives of Orange County” will model pieces from Bettinis Boutique. There will also be a silent auction. A portion of the proceeds from the evening will benefit Canyon Acres Children and Family Services. 6:30 p.m. $50 per person, which includes hors d’oeuvres, dessert, two drinks and door prizes. 240 S. State College Blvd., Brea. 714-529-8333. www.lavnrose.com 

Fullerton’s Cantina Lounge starts the party early – 10 a.m., to be exact. Until 2 p.m., $17.99 gets you into a Sunday brunch buffet with all-you-can-drink mimosas. During the game, there will be drink specials, raffles and other activities. 2736 E. Nutwood Ave., Fullerton. 714-879-8094. www.cantinalounge.com 

Ra Sushi is offering three different party platters for those who tire of all the game-day wings and things. Platters range from $20 to $50 and include things like tempura, edamame and various rolls. 155 5th St., Huntington Beach. 714-536-6390. Also: 2401 Park Ave., Tustin. 714-566-1700. www.rasushi.com 

The Alley in Newport Beach is having its own Super Bowl shindig, where $25 gets you all-you-can-eat grilled bratwurst, spicy Andouille chili, sliders and two pints of Bud Light. There's also a hot wing competition, where you can enter your sauce to win. 2 p.m. Sunday. 4501 West Coast Highway, Newport Beach. 949-646-9126. www.thealleynewportbeach.com 

Newcomer SideDoor will have specials in honor of the big game: $7 draft pints, bottomless chips, Cuban sandwiches and other gameday fare. 3801 East Coast Highway, Corona del Mar. 949-717-4322. www.sidedoorcdm.com 

This weekend, Art Institute students and local chefs will join forces to raise money for the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, which works to fight against cancer in children. Chefs Colleen Johnson, Sandy Kim and Art Institute Chef Peter Striffolino (photo above) are among the six chefs who will each prepare a course for guests. Expect things like pumpkin porridge, Swiss chard tarts, beef short ribs pots de crème and other selections. Dinner is served family style. 50 Forks (on the Art Institute of Orange County campus), 3601 W. Sunflower Ave., Santa Ana. First seating is 6 p.m., second seating is 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday. $50 per person, with every red cent going to the foundation. Reservations: 714-429-0918. www.artinstitutes.edu/aiorangecounty 

Sprinkles Cupcakes

On Wednesday, all Daily Grill locations will donate a portion of its sales from signature menu items to Haiti relief. When you order a chicken pot pie, cobb salad, cheeseburger or fruit cobbler, 10 percent of what you’ve paid for those items will go to the American Red Cross and Partners in Health. www.dailygrill.com  for locations.

News from The Hobbit in Orange: Every Thursday for the entire month of February, enjoy no corkage fees when you bring in a bottle. Also, starting March 1, the restaurant will serve dinner at 7 p.m. from Wednesdays through Sundays. 2932 E. Chapman Ave., Orange. 714-997-1972. www.hobbitrestaurant.com 

The five-course prix-fixe menu is $59 per person and includes:

• Oven-roasted wild mushroom soup (amuse)
• Tempura crab fritters with Sambal lime aioli
• Wild striped bass with brussel sprouts, haricot verts and roasted garlic butter
• Asian tenderloin hangar steak bites with ginger pan sauce
• Meyer lemon crisp with berry coulis

Call 949-721-1222 for reservations. 900 Bayside Drive, Newport Beach. www.baysiderestaurant.com 

Laguna Culinary Arts is having an open house on Saturday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., where you can sample some dishes prepared by recent graduates and chef instructors. The Professional Chef Program Open House will also have mini-demos. RSVP by Thursday at 6 p.m. by calling 949-494-0745. 845 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach. www.lagunaculinaryarts.com 

Sage on the Coast’s second Saturday wine tasting was canceled a few weeks ago, but the restaurant makes up for it by hosting a special wine tasting on Jan. 30. The tasting will feature some of the bottles on the Wine Spectator Top 100 list: Provenence Sauvignon Blanc (2008), Rodney Strong Chardonnay (2006), Chapoutier Cotes du Roussilon-Village (2008), Seghesio Zinfandel (2008). Wines will be paired with various nibbles. 2:30 p.m. $30. 7862 Pacific Coast Highway, Newport Beach. 949-715-7243. www.sagerestaurant.com 

Newport Beach Restaurant Week

If you’re not in the mood for a full-on, sit-down menu, you may want to check out what the Wine Lab is offering for the week: five wines and five artisan cheese pairings for $25. It looks like a pretty good deal. The menu:

• Montaudon Brut Champagne NV paired with Mt. Tam Cowgirl Creamery from California and a crispy chip
• E. Guigal Cotes du Rhone Blanc 2007 paired with Purple Haze (lavender and fennel in a soft goat cheese) from California
• Tenuta Vitanza Volare Toscana 2007 paired with Pecorino Toscano Sheep from Italy
• Ahnfeldt Merlot 2005 paired with Midnight Moon 1-year aged goat Gouda from the NetherlandsEponymous McCallister meritage 2006 paired with Pittig 4-year aged Gouda from Holland

Four seatings per night: 4 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 7 p.m., 8:30 p.m. 2901 West Coast Highway, Newport Beach. 949-515-VINO. www.winelabnewport.com 

Haven Gastropub's Executive Chef Greg Daniels and his team will work pro bono on Jan. 25, donating all profits to Haiti relief. 

From 11 a.m. to 1 a.m., every last cent the restaurant earns will be donated to MercyCorps. The restaurant’s grand total will be tracked on the restaurant’s donation page the following day. 

Haven accepts reservations for groups of seven or more. Can’t make it out? You can still donate by visiting Haven’s MercyCorps page. 

Also: The OC Weekly reports on three other restaurants stepping up to the plate for Haiti: the Anaheim White House, Beach Pit BBQ and the Chaparosa Grill. Click on this link for more. 

News comes that Master Sommelier Michael Jordan has joined the Ruby’s family as president of food and beverage of The Beachcomber cafes in Crystal Cove and Malibu. Jordan had previously worked as general manager of the  Napa Rose, and was the man responsible for the award-winning wine list and wine education program at the restaurant. He stepped down from the position last year to start his own winery, Word Vineyards.

Expect some big changes to The Beachcomber’s beverage list in the future. Jordan has plans to implement a wine education program for staff, similar to the one he put into place at the Napa Rose. The wine and beverage list will also expand, no doubt including some award-winning wines. Stay tuned.

Newport Beach’s upscale Baja restaurant Sol Cocina will host a tequila dinner featuring dishes paired with premium Corzo tequilas. A margarita reception precedes dinner, which is as follows:

• SOL Tostadas with Borracho black bean dip and chipotle-tomatillo salsa, mushroom taquitos with Cotixa, Epazote and green chile salsa, Apache beef ceviche with beet chips, all paired with Corzo cocktails
• White corn and grilled Poblano soup with crema and pepitas, paired with Corzo Reposado
• Seared sea scallop ‘En Nogada’ on tostone with creamy Poblano chile sauce, pomegranate seeds and crumbled walnuts,paired with Corzo Blanco
• Kurobuta pork carnitas and roasted vegetables ‘Pipian’ in roasted squash with green mole sauce, paired with Corzo Anejo
• Fallen chocolate souffle cake with Piloncillo caramel sauce, spicy mango-pineapple compote and vanilla bean ice cream, paired with Corzo Reposado

6 p.m. Wednesday. $50 per person. 251 East Coast Highway, Newport Beach. E-mail Jennifer@SolCocina.com for tickets, or call 949-675-9800. www.solcocina.com 

Laguna Culinary Arts has started its winter season of cooking classes. Here are a couple coming up this week: At the Orange location, learn how to prepare a mean pesto-crusted chicken, roasted beet salad with goat cheese and date bars for dessert. 6 p.m. Wednesday. $85 per person. 541 W. Chapman Ave., Orange.

The original Laguna Beach location, will have a class on hearty winter party foods like oven-roasted buffalo wings with blue cheese sauce, white bean turkey chili, beef chili, cornbread muffins and brownie sundaes. 6 p.m. Friday. $90 per person, $100 with beer. 845 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach. Register online with this link , or call Or call 949-494-0745. www.lagunaculinaryarts.com 

On Wednesday, Charlie Palmer will host a winemaker dinner with pours from Pride Mountain Vineyards of St. Helena, Calif. (Photo at left.) Click on this link  for the full menu. 6 p.m. $130 per person. 3333 Bristol St., Costa Mesa. 714-352-2525. www.charliepalmer.com 

Steve Samson and David Myers take a quick break.

Last night, Pizzeria Ortica officially turned a year old. (Can I just say I love this slow trickle of L.A. restaurants opening on our side of town?) David Myers spent some time behind the bar as mixmaster, shaking drinks from the restaurant's new 18A cocktail menu. Best bets: Try the Rossini ($10), which is a blend of vodka, lemon juice, strawberries and mint. It's kind of what you would expect winter and summer to taste like if they combined forces in a glass. Another good one is the Eastside ($12), made of Bombay Sapphire, cucumber, mint and lime. From now until Feb. 11, if you buy a drink, you get the second one for $1. It's a good reason to try them all. 650 Anton Blvd., Costa Mesa. 714-445-4900. www.pizzeriaortica.com

To kick off 2010, the Orange County Wine and Food Center is pouring wines from Sonoma for its Wednesday Wine Stars program. The wines:

• Kunde Estates Viognier
• Chalk Hill Estate Winery Chardonnay
• Hanna Winery Pinot Noir
• Rodney Strong Vineyards "Knotty Vines" Zinfandel
• Chateau St. Jean Cabernet Sauvignon

The evening is from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and is $15 for a taste of all five and various bar bites. 1570 Scenic Ave., Costa Mesa. 714-641-9922. www.ocwfc.com 

Z’Tejas is currently serving its winter menu, which will be served until March 7 to make way for spring. New lunch and dinner items include a crab cake salad with chipotle aioli, a citrus flank steak with spinach and spicy walnuts, an avocado turkey burger and sweet potato fries, and grilled apple pork chops with andouille cornbread stuffing, among others. There’s also a Winterburry cocktail, which is made of Prairie organic vodka, St-Germain, Monin Wildberry and fresh mint leaves, diced apples and raspberry sugar. 3333 Bristol St. (South Coast Plaza), Costa Mesa. 714-979-7469. www.ztejas.com 

Those headed to OC’s Great Park to take in Cirque du Soleil’s “Kooza” show may want to check out the Lucca Café’s (photo above) dining deal. Guests dining in who present a ticket or ticket stub to the show will receive 15 percent off of their bill. Offer is not valid on prix-fixe meals or special events. 6507 Quail Hill Parkway, Irvine. 949-725-1173. www.luccacafe.com 

In other news: The Bluewater Grill is having a France vs. Italy night tomorrow at 6:30 p.m., pitting bouillabaisse and cioppino against each other in a single dinner. The meal includes French and Italian wines to compliment the seafood stews. $26.95 per person. Reservations are required. Newport Beach: 630 Lido Park Drive. 949-675-3474. Tustin: 2409 Park Ave. 714-258-3474. www.bluewatergrill.com 

The vibe may be a bit more casual (SideDoor doesn’t accept reservations), but the upscale pub fare sounds like it’s being held up to the same standards as the hallowed eatery next door: roasted Chioggia beet salad, butternut squash with wild nettle pesto and duck confit. Sandwiches, cheese and charcuterie plates are made to order. There's also beer, wine and spirits. 

Jenny Ross makes raw food appetizing with dishes like lasagna.

Raw food is so much more than munching on crudités, and Jenny Ross aims to show you that on Friday. The chef and owner of Costa Mesa’s 118 Degrees  will host a grand opening reception for Raw Bar, her latest venture, located inside the Tustin Whole Foods market. There will be raffles and free gifts in addition to nibbles from Raw Bar’s organic menu: things like Kombucha martinis, chocolate truffles and Florentine lasagna. The Raw Bar also will have packaged selections for those on the run. It’s free, you just need to RSVP by e-mailing spjam.marketing@wholefoods.com 6 p .m. to 8 p.m. Friday. Whole Foods @ The District, 2847 Park Ave., Tustin. 714-566-7650. www.wholefoodsmarket.com 

As a gift to start the new year on the right foot, Chef Dee Nguyen of the popular Break of Dawn restaurant in Laguna Hills shares a recipe for Vietnamese comfort food. This poached chicken with ginger and jasmine rice is healthy, so you don't have to break any resolutions to indulge. To learn more about Nguyen and how he cooks at home, visit this link to a story in the latest issue of Orange Coast. 

Gingered Poached Free-Range Chicken
with jasmine rice “pilaf” and ginger sauce
Yield: 4 serving

• 1 free-range chicken
  
• 1 onion, cut into quarters
  
• 2 pieces ginger, thinly sliced
  
• Water
  

For rice: 

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  
• 1 onion, diced small
  
• 2 cups jasmine rice
  
• 3 1/2 cups reserved liquid from chicken poaching 
  
• Salt and pepper, to taste
  

For sauce: 

• 2 thumb-sized pieces of ginger, diced small
  
• 3 tablespoons sugar
  
• 2 tablespoons fish sauce
  
• 1 teaspoon hot sauce (Sriracha)
  
• Juice of 1/2 lime
  

To finish: thinly sliced onions, Vietnamese tarragon

Procedure: 

1. To poach chicken: In a large pot, combine all chicken, water, onion and ginger with enough water to cover the chicken. Cover with lid and bring liquid to a boil. Turn off heat and let chicken poach for exactly one hour. Remove chicken from liquid and let it cool to room temperature. Cook remaining liquid over high heat to reduce, until you have about 3 1/2 cups.

2. To make rice: In a saucepan, sauté onion with oil on medium-high heat for 5 minutes. Add rice and continue to stir for additional 5 minutes. Add poaching liquid, salt and pepper, and reduce heat to medium-low. Cover pot and cook rice for about 20 to 22 minutes, until done. 

3. In mortar and pestle or food processor, pound or process the ginger and sugar until smooth. Add fish sauce, hot sauce and lime juice. 

4. To serve: Clean and shred the chicken into small pieces. Toss chicken with onion and Vietnamese tarragon until combined. Season with salt and black pepper. Serve chicken cold with hot rice and ginger sauce.

The Dock in Newport Beach is serving a five-course NYE dinner. 

Spend the last day of 2009 (and the first few hours of ’10!) at any one of these restaurants listed. Call for reservations.

230 Forest Avenue. New Year’s Eve specials in addition to the regular menu. The restaurant will also be open on Jan. 1, with happy hours from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. 230 Forest Ave., Laguna Beach. 949-494-2545. www.230forestavenue.com 

Bayside Restaurant. Three-course menu for $65 per person before 8:30 p.m., and a four-course gala menu available all night for $85 per person. Live band and dancing from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. 900 Bayside Drive, Newport Beach. 949-721-1222. www.diningasart.com 

Bistango. Three-course menu for $45 per person before 8:30 p.m., three-course gala menu from 8:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. Second seating is $98 and includes champagne, dancing and music from the Ron Kobayashi Trio. 19100 Von Karman Ave., Irvine. 949-752-5222. www.diningasart.com 

Brasserie Pascal. Cocktails, live jazz and prix-fixe French fare like John Dory filet, butter poached Maine lobster and duck foie gras. A $55 three-course menu will be served from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., while a $75 five-course is served from 7 p.m. to midnight. There will also be an oyster bar. 327 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach. 949-640-2700. www.pascalnewportbeach.com 

The Cellar. Four-course dinner with choices ranging from lobster bisque and truffle hollandaise to Berkshire pork loin chops. $69.95 per person for 5 p.m. seating, $89.95 per person for 8:30 p.m. seating. The later seating will seat guests “family style” and includes dancing and a champagne toast. 305 N. Harbor Blvd., Fullerton. 714-525-5682. www.cellardining.com 

Charlie Palmer @ Bloomingdale’s. Seven-course chef’s tasting menu for $105 per person, which includes a champagne toast. Add $65 for wine pairings. Courses include ahi tuna tartare, seared foie gras, roasted veal cheeks and a milk chocolate tart. 3333 Bristol St., Costa Mesa. 714-352-2525. www.charliepalmer.com 

The Crow Bar and Kitchen. Special menu that includes lobster “fish” and chips. Two seatings at 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. DJ, party favors and champagne toast at midnight for second seating. 2325 East Coast Highway, Corona del Mar. 949-675-0070. www.thecrowbarcdm.com 

The Dock. Five-course meal with choices of braised lamb shank, New York steak and Loup de Mer (seabass) or Turbot. 5:30 p.m. seating is $65 per person, and $75 for the second seating. Add $35 for wine pairings. 2816 LaFayette Ave., Newport Beach. 949-673-3625. www.eatatthedock.com 

Don the Beachcomber. A “Jungle Jetsetters Ball,” featuring performances by the Tikiyaki Orchestra and the Eliminators. The show itself is $25 per person. Show and VIP three-course dinner and champagne is $75 per person. There will also be an “East Coast” new year’s five-course menu for $99 starting at 9 p.m. 16278 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach. 562-592-1321. www.donthebeachcomber.com 

Five Crowns. Seasonal menu served from 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Courses include butternut squash soup, Nova Scotia lobster tails, prime rib of Kurobuta pork and potato-crusted salmon. Prices vary by dish. 3801 East Coast Highway, Corona del Mar. 949-760-0331. www.lawrysonline.com 

French 75. First seating from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. includes four courses for $70 per person. Second seating is from 8 p.m. to close and includes five courses, party favors and a champagne toast for $110 per person. Choices include warm spinach salad, French onion soup, lobster gnocchi, and a Callebaut chocolate soufflé. 1464 South Coast Highway, Laguna Beach. 949-494-9444. www.culinaryadventures.com 

Jack’s Restaurant & Bar. Three-course menu with choices like shrimp cakes, rack of lamb and berry crepes. Dinner is served from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. with a DJ and dancing from 10 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. $48.95 per person. 24462 Del Prado, Dana Point. 949-489-1903. www.jacksdp.com 

Kimera. Three-course prix-fixe menu for first seating before 8 p.m. for $45, and a four-course menu available all night, with DJ and dancing from 8:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. for $75 per person. 19530 Jamboree Road, Irvine. 949-261-1222. www.kimerarestaurant.com 

Montage Laguna Beach. Cocktail reception, four-course menu, wine pairing, champagne toast and dancing. $300 per person. 8 p.m. 30801 South Coast Highway, Laguna Beach. 949-715-6420. www.montagelagunabeach.com 

Mozambique. Three-course menu from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. for $30, featuring corn chowder soup, roasted Riesling duck and Napoleon Chambord mixed berries. Second seating also features three-course menu, with choices of Australian lobster tail and filet or Chilean seabass. Menu is served from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. and is $55 per person. Champagne toast at midnight, and live band plays until 1 a.m. 1740 South Coast Highway, Laguna Beach. 949-715-7777. www.mozambiqueOC.com 

Old Vine Café. Four-course meal with wine pairings for $65. Courses include sautéed sea scallops, filet mignon and “Grandma’s cheesecake.” There is also a vegetarian tasting menu option. $65 per person. 5:30 p.m. seating and 8:30 p.m. seating. 2937 Bristol St., Costa Mesa. 714-545-1411. www.oldvinecafe.com 

Opah Restaurant. New Year’s Eve specials in addition to the restaurant’s regular menu. Opah will also be open on Jan. 1, with happy hours from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. 13122 Jamboree Road, Irvine. 714-508-8055. Also: 26851 Aliso Creek Road, Aliso Viejo. 949-360-8822. www.opahrestaurant.com 

Prime Cut Café. Steak and lobster special and regular menu available until 11 p.m. Bar menu available until after midnight to ring in the new year. 1547 Katella Ave., Orange. 714-532-4300. www.primecutcafe.com 

The Ramos House Café. A “New York” New Year’s Eve dinner, with five courses, open bar and a signed copy of the restaurant’s cookbook. Courses include winter mushroom risotto with black truffles, Manhattan steaks stuffed with lobster medallions and a flaming chocolate soufflé. 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. $200 per person. 31752 Los Rios St., San Juan Capistrano. 949-443-1342. www.ramoshouse.com 

Ra Sushi. A masquerade party with food and drink specials, music and a champagne toast. RSVP through the restaurant’s Facebook page, and you will be entered into a raffle for prizes from local businesses. 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. The District, 2401 Park Ave., Tustin. 714-556-1700. www.rasushi.com 

Salt Creek Grille. Limited dinner menu, open bar package and champagne toast from 10 p.m. to close. $50 per person. 32802 Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point. 949-661-7799. www.saltcreekgrille.com 

Savannah Chop House. First seating is from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. with three courses for $80 per person. Midnight seating is from 9:30 p.m. to close, with a four-course menu, live music, dancing and a champagne toast. $115 per person. 32441 Golden Lantern, Laguna Niguel. 949-493-7107. www.culinaryadventures.com 

Simply Fondue. A Mardi Gras-themed celebration with a five-course Southern-inspired fondue menu from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. for $59 per person. Three seatings: 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. 28719 Los Alisos Blvd., Mission Viejo. 949-707-5200. www.simplyfondueoc.com 

Sorrento Grille. Prix-fixe menu with choices like shrimp scampi, mushroom ravioli and Jidori chicken. $60 per person, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. 370 Glenneyre, Laguna Beach. 949-494-8686. www.sorrento-grille.com 

Stella’s Serious Italian. Five-course dinner with Italian lentil soup, which, according to legend, “will bring money and prosperity,” the restaurant says. Other choices include surf and turf, pollo marsala and seared halibut. $50 to $70 per person. Seatings from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. 17 Monarch Bay Plaza, Monarch Beach. 949-234-1679. www.stellasitalian.com 

Stonehill Tavern. A five-course prix-fixe menu, with dishes like Tai snapper, foie gras, Maine scallops, monkfish, pork belly and spiced doughnuts. $235 per person. Add $100 for wine pairings. 1 Monarch Beach Resort, Dana Point. 949-234-3318. www.michaelmina.net 

Tradition by Pascal. A four-course meal ($70 per person) is available from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., while a five-course meal is available all night ($95 per person). Choices include steamed oysters, wild boar pate, beef tenderloin and a trio of desserts. 1000 N. Bristol, Newport Beach. 949-263-9400. www.pascalnb.com 

Watermarc. The restaurant will have New Year’s Eve specials like a grilled watermelon salad and a seafood trio, in addition to its regular menu. On Jan. 1, Watermarc will be open all day, with happy hour from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. 448 South Coast Highway, Laguna Beach. 949-376-6272. www.watermarcrestaurant.com 

A safe and happy new year to all!!

Spend Christmas Eve in Stonehill Tavern's elegant dining room.

Mosey on down to any of these eateries for Christmas and Christmas Eve meals. Call for reservations.I'll update this list as I find new info. Happy holidays!

CHRISTMAS EVE

• Ambrosia Restaurant. Five-course dinner using local ingredients. Dishes include diver scallops, beef stroganoff, roasted quail and a Buche de Noel, among others. 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. $55 per adult, $20 for kids under 12 (from a kids menu). 801 N. Main St., Santa Ana. 714-550-0811. www.ocpavilion.com 
• Andrei’s Conscious Cuisine & Cocktails. Four-course prix-fixe menu with entrée choices like Loch Duart salmon, duck confit or rack of lamb. Regular menu is also available. $45 per person. 2607 Main St., Irvine. 949-387-8887. www.andreisrestaurant.com 
• Bayside Restaurant. Two three-course menus to choose from, along with the regular menu. Kids menu is available. 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. $35.50 to $45.50 per person. 900 Bayside Drive, Newport Beach. 949-721-1222.  www.bistango.com
• Brasserie Pascal. Five-course dinner with hors d’oeuvres, lobster bisque, “trou normand” (a palate cleanser), and roasted duck. A three-course kids menu is also available. 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. $55 per person. 327 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach. 949-640-2700. www.pascalnpb.com 
• Charlie Palmer. Four course meal featuring things like frisee and Asian pear salad, maple-glazed pork belly, veal loin and apple crisp. $70 per person, $100 per person with wine pairings. Bloomingdale's South Coast Plaza, 3333 Bristol St., Costa Mesa. 714-352-2525. www.charliepalmer.com 
• Don the Beachcomber. Prix-fixe meal with choices of seafood, roasted meats and pineapple upside-down cake. Noon to 8 p.m. $29.95 for adults, $22.50 for seniors, $12.50 for kids. Kids 5 and under are free. 16278 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach. 562-592-1321. www.donthebeachcomber.com 
• Port Restaurant & Bar. Special Christmas Eve menu with four courses. Choices include butternut squash soup, cured salmon gravlax, braised lamb and egg nog crème brulee. 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. $35 per person. 440 Heliotrope Ave., Corona del Mar. 949-723-9685. www.portcdm.com 
• Sapphire Laguna. Three-course prix-fixe with pomegranate-poached plums with goat cheese, chicken confit and mascarpone ravioli, beef tenderloin and chocolate-Clementine torte. 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. $48 to $62 per person. 1200 South Coast Highway, Laguna Beach. 949-715-9888. www.sapphirellc.com 
• Stonehill Tavern. A five-course tasting menu with an heirloom beets, almonds and goat cheese salad, local shellfish with pesto gnocchi, squab with apple-turnip puree, lamb with potato gratin and apple-pear crisp. $125 per person. Add $70 for wine pairings. St. Regis Monarch Beach, 1 Monarch Beach Resort, Dana Point. 949-234-3318. www.michaelmina.net 
• The Summit House. A special Christmas Eve menu with choices like escargot, crab cakes, roasted prime rib and Muscovy duckling. Prices vary. 2000 E. Bastanchury Road, Fullerton. 714-671-3087. www.summithouse.net 
• Tradition by Pascal. Three- or five-course dinner with things like pumpkin soup with goat cheese, sautéed foie gras, wild boar pate, roasted goose and free-range chicken. 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. $65 per person for three courses, $85 per person for five courses. 1000 N. Bristol St., Newport Beach. 949-263-9400, ext. 1. www.pascalnpb.com 

CHRISTMAS DAY

• Royal Khyber. Buffet and a la carte menu selections available from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., and from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Prices vary. 1621 W. Sunflower Ave., Santa Ana. 714-436-1010. www.royalkhyber.com 

Xan Confections truffles make great stocking stuffers.

If you’re looking for something other than kitchen tools restaurant gift cards for the foodie in your life, here are a few suggestions.

Chocolate truffles. A confession: I’ve been known to scarf down a box or two of truffles in one sitting. So maybe Irvine-based Xan Confections shouldn’t have told me its released a “LadybuG” collection of jumbo domed chocolates that could make for great stocking (and pie-hole) stuffers. Chocolates are filled with things like caramel and sea salt, Irish cream or Mexican chocolate. If your giftee is also enthusiastic in their chocolate-eating habits, try Xan’s Saintly Sins collection, which are filled with fruit purees and weigh in at 29 calories apiece. Now we can eat twice as many. Xan Confections are available at Whole Foods or by calling 949-833-2928 or visting www.xanconfections.com

Hot Fudge. C.C. Brown used to be a bees-knees ice cream parlor in Hollywood in the early- to mid-1900s, satisfying the sweet cravings of stars like Marilyn Monroe and Bob Hope. The shop’s closed now, but you can still gift a little piece of nostalgia: C.C.’s famous hot fudge sauce is available in 10-ounce jars at Five Crowns for $7. A little Christmas sundae never hurt anyone. Five Crowns, 3801 East Coast Highway, Corona del Mar. 949-760-0331, www.lawrysonline.com

Personal wine locker. For the lucky few who still can say that money is no object in this recession, A Restaurant has the perfect gift for the local oenophile who needs a place to store that beloved bottle of Chateau Lafite Rothschild. The restaurant’s personal wine storage lockers are $2,500 each, discounted from $5,000 for the month of December. You’ll also receive a $250 gift card to the restaurant, and $1,000 of your purchase will be donated to the John Wayne Cancer Foundation. A Restaurant, 3334 W. Coast Highway, Newport Beach. 949-650-6505. www.arestaurantnb.com

Tomorrow from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., the Orange County Wine and Food Center is hosting a Wine Education informal course with food pairing with Chef Paul Squicciarini and Sommelier Jimmy Kawalek. $25 per person. OCWFC, 1570 Scenic Ave., Costa Mesa. 714-641-9922. http://ocwfc.com 

In addition to the specials he’s running at Opah, Chef Marc Cohen has some real deals at his other two restaurants. At 230 Forest Avenue: Happy hour is Sundays through Thursdays, with all appetizers 50 percent off and signature martinis priced at $6. Wines by the glass are $7 and Chandon splits of Brut and sparkling rose are $8. At Watermarc, happy hour is from 3 to 6 p.m. and after 9 p.m. on Sundays through Thursdays. 14 appetizer plates are $10 each, selected wines are $7 by the glass and selected beers are $4. Chandon is also $8. Both restaurants are offering 50 percent off of wine bottles up to $70 in value on Monday nights. 230 Forest Avenue, Laguna Beach. 949-494.2545. www.239forestavenue.com. Watermarc, 448 South Coast Highway, Laguna Beach. 949-376-6272. www.watermarcrestaurant.com 

A bonus: There’s a sleek runway in the dining room that will no doubt feature some fashions from South Coast Plaza’s retailers. Sounds like AnQi will be a fun ride for foodies and fashionistas alike. 

AnQi, 3333 Bristol St. (Bloomingdale’s wing of SCP), Costa Mesa. 714-557-5679. www.anqirestaurant.com

Sol Cocina will have a tequila dinner tonight at 6 p.m. There will be a cocktail reception with small bikes of ceviches and tostadas, followed by a four-course dinner paired with Partida Blanco, Reposado and Anejo tequilas. 6 p.m. tonight. $50 per person. 251 East Coast Highway, Newport Beach. For reservations, e-mail Jennifer@SolCocina.com. www.solcocina.com

If you’re a lady who lunches, visit A Restaurant tomorrow at 11:30 a.m. for a Sisters Luncheon, benefiting the USMC toy drive. Bring an unwrapped toy to donate and sit down to a four-course meal. The menu: 

• Medjool dates with blue cheese and bacon or spicy ahi with tempura eggplant
  
• French onion soup or Butterleaf wedge salad
  
• Scottish salmon, petite filet and fries or grilled chicken cobb
  
• Valrhona dark chocolate cake or butterscotch pudding
  

Attendees will receive a lifetime membership to the A Sisters. $35 per person. A Restaurant & Market, 3334 W. Coast Highway, Newport Beach. 949-650-6505. www.arestaurantnb.com

From today until the end of December, Chimayo at the Beach will have $10 specials. A six-ounce filet mignon, a half-pound of king crab legs and mahi mahi plates are featured. Specials are available from Monday through Thursday for parties fewer than 10. 315 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach. 714-374-7273. www.culinaryadventures.com

Also worth noting: From now until Dec. 30, Park Ave. will have a Surf and Turf special. For $34, you get soup or salad, shrimp scampi, a 7-ounce filet mignon with sides and dessert. 11200 Beach Ave., Stanton. 714-901-4400. www.parkavedining.com 

Pizzeria Ortica has revamped its dining room and now has a full liquor license (woo hoo!). In honor of the 76th anniversary of Prohibition, the restaurant has a cocktail menu of Prohibition-era libations. And get this: From Friday to Dec. 11, whisper “Roosevelt” to your server or bartender and you’ll get a second cocktail for 76 cents. 650 Anton Blvd., Costa Mesa. 714-445-4900. www.pizzeriaortica.com

On Friday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., M Foscari is hosting a wine tasting featuring selections from Dry Creek Vineyards. Tasting is $15. 5645 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim Hills. 714-779-1777. http://foscaricuisine.com/

More bargains: From now until Dec. 6, Salt Creek Grille will offer 50 percent off of food and cocktails from Monday through Thursday. Promotion hours are from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the bar and 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the dining room. 32802 Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point. 949-661-7799. www.saltcreekgrille.com

And if you’re looking for a new lunch spot, Royal Khyber is running a weekday lunch special from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.: A two-course meal for $10. Choose soup or salad and an entrée. Choices include chicken curry, tandoori chicken and other selections. Royal Khyber also currently has a $20 three-course dinner menu. 1621 W. Sunflower Ave. (in the South Coast Plaza Village), Santa Ana. 714-436-1010. www.royalkhyber.com

On Nov. 30, Jack’s Restaurant is hosting an belly-buster buffet in honor of the U.S. Marines. The menu includes spinach and pineapple salad, torteloni rustica, seafood risotto and eggplant parmesan, among other items. Dinner begins at 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 30. $37.50 per person, with 50 percent benefiting the Dana Point Fifth Marine Regiment support group. Advanced payment/reservations are required: Call 949-842-6122. 24462 del Prado, Dana Point. www.jacksdp.com

And if you still don’t have plans for tomorrow, visit this link and this link for a list of restaurants offering takeout and dine-in meals. Have a lovely and safe Thanksgiving! 

The Matador Cantina’s “Night Before Thanksgiving” will have $5 margaritas and $5 happy-hour appetizers from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. From 10 p.m. to 1 a.m., there will also be a late-night menu with items for $5. Wednesday. 111 N. Harbor Blvd., Fullerton. 714-871-8226. www.thematador.com

And the following are additional restaurants open for Thanksgiving. (For original list, click here.) 

• 6ix Park Grill (In the Hyatt Hotel). A Thanksgiving lunch feast will be available from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Items include Roast turkey, prime rib, salmon and pork tenderloin, among others. $55 for adults, $20 for children. There will also be a three-course pre-fixe at dinner from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. $38 for adults, $15 for children. 17900 Jamboree Road, Irvine. 949-225-6666. http://www.hyatt.com/gallery/6ix/
  
• Ambrosia Restaurant (in the OC Pavilion). A four-course Thanksgiving menu with tableside service. Menu includes Maine lobster risotto, truffled “pigs in a blanket” and Wagyu beef tartare. Starts at 5 p.m. $48 for adults, $20 for children. 801 N. Main St., Santa Ana. 714-550-0880. www.ocpavilion.com
  
• Cannons Seafood Grill. A Thanksgiving buffet with roasted turkey, prime rib and other traditional items. $38.95 for adults, $6.95-$12.95 for children. 34344 Street of the Green Lantern, Dana Point. Call for dining time: 949-496-6146. www.cannonsrestaurant.com
  
• Charlie Palmer @ Bloomingdale’s. From 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., there will be Thanksgiving specials like Maine lobster chowder ($15), slow-basted organic turkey ($28) and a caramelized pumpkin tart ($10) in addition to the regular menu. There’s also a larger Thanksgiving menu in the lounge area from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. 3333 Bristol St., Costa Mesa. 714-352-2525. www.charliepalmer.com
  
• Coliseum Pool and Grill (Pelican Hill Resort). A three course menu from noon to 10 p.m. featuring things like spiced pumpkin soup, pan-roasted ribeye and a trio of miniature pies. $80 for adults, $40 for children. 22701 Pelican Hill Road South, Newport Coast. 949-467-6800. www.pelicanhill.com
  
• Leatherby’s Café Rouge. Three courses: Butternut squash soup, Louisiana crab cakes, Loch Duart salmon, pumpkin pie and other choices. No corkage fees. $48 for adults, $15.95 for children. Starts at 5 p.m. 615 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. 714-429-7640. www.patinagroup.com
  
• The Loft (Montage Laguna Beach). Traditional four-course Thanksgiving meal with soup or appetizer, salad, entrée and dessert. Noon to 10 p.m. 30801 South Coast Highway, Laguna Beach. 949-715-6000. www.montagelagunabeach.com
  
• The Montage Laguna Beach Ballroom. A full Thanksgiving buffet with live entertainment. Noon to 4 p.m. 30801 South Coast Highway, Laguna Beach. 949-715-6000. www.montagelagunabeach.com
  
• Pinot Provence (inside the Westin Hotel). A three-course menu with choices like Hudson Valley Foie gras torchon, braised boneless beef short ribs and chocolate mousse. $39 for adults, $15.95 for children. 1 p.m. 686 Anton Blvd., Costa Mesa. 714-444-5900. www.patinagroup.com
  
• Studio (Montage Laguna Beach). A five-course Thanksgiving pre-fixe menu. A la carte dining is also available. 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. 30801 South Coast Highway, Laguna Beach. 949-715-6000. www.montagelagunabeach.com
  

Zov's mini pumpkin cheesecakes.

Not looking forward to tackling the turkey this year? You’re in luck: Some of O.C.’s best are open during Thanksgiving – all you have to do is show up. The following is a list of restaurants that are open for Thanksgiving, offering takeout or pre-Thanksgiving meals. This list will be updated periodically over the next few days, so check back often. Reservations are necessary.

PRE-THANKSGIVING MEALS

Here are some restaurants that are starting the celebration early.

• The Daily Grill. $19.95 gets you a sliced turkey dinner with apple stuffing, red-skinned mashed potatoes, glazed carrots and cranberry sauce. Menu is available through Nov. 25. For locations: www.dailygrill.com 
• Don the Beachcomber. A pre-Thanksgiving luau with a Pacific rim buffet and Polynesian show. Buffet items include chicken teriyaki, barbecued Koreanshort ribs, Kalua pork and dessert choices. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday (Nov. 20). Free for kids under 5, $25 for kids 5-12, $40 for adults. 16278 S. Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach. 562-592-1321. www.donthebeachcomber.com 

TAKE OUT

Open for pickup before or on the big day. 

• Clay Oven. Tandoori turkey cooked in barrel-shaped ovens. Order by Nov. 23 to pick up Thanksgiving day. Turkeys feed 6 people. $54.95 each. 15435 Jeffrey Road, Irvine. 949-552-2851. www.clayovenirvine.com 
• Lucca Café. Free-range turkey, cranberry-orange chutney, “Fire-in-the-Sky” yams, pumpkin spice cheesecake and other items. Feeds 10. $250 (add $25 for additional servings). Items are also available a la carte. Order by Friday to pick up on or before Thanksgiving at noon. 6507 Quail Hill Parkway, Irvine. 949-725-1773. www.luccacafe.com 
• Sage on the Coast. A la carte side dishes and desserts, including wild rice stuffing, turkey gravy, garlic mashed potatoes, chocolate truffle cake and pumpkin torte. Pick up on Nov. 25. 7862 East Coast Highway, Newport Beach. 949-715-7243. www.sagerestaurant.com 
• Sapphire Laguna. With whole dinners that serve two ($68) or 6 to 8 ($345). Choose from various side dishes and desserts. Place orders by 1 p.m. Nov. 25 to pick up at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. or 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving. 1200 South Coast Highway, Laguna Beach. 949-715-9888. www.sapphirelaguna.com 
• Zov’s Bistro. Take-out Thanksgiving meals serve 12 to 15 and include free-range turkey, wild mushroom and jasmine rice stuffing, maple-glazed yams, choice of pie and more. Order before Friday to pick up on Nov. 25. $375 for 12 to 15 people. Zov’s Bistro, 17740 E. 17th St., Tustin. 714-838-8855. www.zovs.com 

DINE IN

Open for business on Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 26)

• Agora Churrascaria. A traditional Thanksgiving menu plus 16 skewer-roasted meats and hot and cold salad bar. 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. $23 for children, $41 for adults. 1830 Main St., Irvine. 949-222-9910. www.agorachurrascaria.com 
• Anaheim White House. Traditional Thanksgiving dinner with roast turkey, mashed potatoes, yams and other items. Noon to 9 p.m. $19.95 for children, $39.95 for adults. 887 S. Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim. 714-772-1381. www.anaheimwhitehouse.com 
• Bay Club Grill @ the Balboa Bay Club & Resort. Pumpkin bisque, turkey, prime rib or lemon sole with lump crab, pumpkin crème brulee. 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. $31 for children, $62 for adults. 1221 West Coast Highway, Newport Beach. 949-630-4145. www.balboabayclub.com 
• The Cellar. Candle-lit dinner with turkey and prime rib, pumpkin bisque, shrimp cocktail and roasted hazelnut souffle. 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. $35.95 for children, $45.95 for adults. 305 N. Harbor Blvd., Fullerton. 714-525-5682. www.cellardining.com 
• Don the Beachcomber. Green salad, turkey with tropical stuffing, glazed sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie. Noon to 8 p.m. $10.95 for children, $23.95 for adults, $19.95 for seniors. 16278 S. Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach. 562-592-1321. www.donthebeachcomber.com 
• First Cabin @ the Balboa Bay Club & Resort. Roasted butternut squash soup, cured gravlax and smoked trout mousseline, turkey, prime rib and Chilean sea bass. 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. $34 for children, $68 for adults. 1221 West Coast Highway, Newport Beach. 949-630-4145. www.balboabayclub.com 
• Five Crowns. Three courses, including butternut squash soup, hearts of romaine salad, oven-roasted turkey, prime rib, Yorkshire pudding and other choices. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Prices vary. 3801 East Coast Highway, Corona del Mar. 949-760-0331. www.lawrysonline.com 
• French 75. French onion soup gratinee, heirloom beet carpaccio, roast turkey, ribeye, potato gnocchi and chocolate soufflé. $10.99 for children, $49.99 for adults. 3:30p.m. to 8:30 p.m. 1464 South Coast Highway, Laguna Beach. 949-494-8444. www.culinaryadventures.com 
• Hush Restaurant. Three-course dinner with choices like crab Louie, roasted half chicken and apple beignets. 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. $22 for children, $55 for adults. 858 S. Coast Highway, Laguna Beach. 949-497-3616. www.hushrestaurant.com 
• Mr. Stox. Cuban pumpkin bisque, Dietzel Family Farm turkey, Columbia River King Salmon, deep-dish pumpkin pie. Noon to 8 p.m. $15.95 for children, $39.95-$42.95 for adults. 1105 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim. 714-634-2994. www.mrstox.com 
• Palm Terrace Restaurant (Inside the Island Hotel). The annual “Table-less Thanksgiving Day Buffet” with small-plate appetizers, entrees and various desserts. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. $38 for children, $75 for adults. 690 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach. 949-760-4920. www.theislandhotel.com 
• Sage Eastbluff. A special holiday menu of entrees ranging from $42 to $50, which includes turkey, prime rib or grilled salmon with soup or salad and dessert. Appetizers are also available. 2531 Eastbluff, Newport Beach. 949-718-9650. www.sagerestaurant.com 
• Sapphire Laguna. Roasted butternut squash and apple bisque, Muscovy duck breast and red mustard greens, prime ribeye, Diestel Hen turkey, spiced chocolate cake. 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. $48-$65 per person. 1200 South Coast Highway, Laguna Beach. 949-715-9888. www.sapphirelaguna.com 
• Scott’s Seafood. New England clam chowder, Dungeness crab salad, roast turkey, apple cobbler. 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. 3300 Bristol St., Costa Mesa. 714-979-2400. www.scottsseafood.com 
• Stonehill Tavern (at the St. Regis Resort, Monarch Beach). A Thanksgiving tasting menu with things like heirloom beet salad, Maine scallops, Berkshire pig potato-cabbage gratin and pecan pie. $125 per person. Add $70 for wine pairing. 1 Monarch Beach Resort, Dana Point. 949-234-3325. www.michaelmina.net  

For singles ready to meet fellow oenophiles, the Bluewater Grill is hosting its first singles wine social featuring the following wines: Villa Sandi Prosecco, Acrobat Pinot Gris, ’07, Toad Hollow Chard Unoaked '07 Mendocino, Hantime Pinot Noir Cal '07 and Oberon Merlot Napa '06. The event will take place on the docked Paradiso yacht. 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. tomorrow (Nov. 19). $40 per person. Bluewater Grill, 630 Lido Yacht Drive, Newport Beach. Reservations: 949-675-3474. www.bluewatergrill.com

Charlie Palmer's chef Amar Santana shares his Thanksgiving insight at Saturday's "Brining the Bird" class at 11 a.m. The demo includes a three-course lunch. Following the event, the Next Vintage wine shop will hold its 50 for 50 wine sale, with 50 wines for half off. Charlie Palmer at Bloomingdales, 3333 S. Bristol St., Costa Mesa. 714-352-2525. www.charliepalmer.com

Check back tomorrow for an extensive lineup of local restaurants serving Thanksgiving dinner.

Photo credit: From Taleo Mexican Grill

In other wine news, Yves Restaurant and Bar is featuring Italian wines in a tasting with tapas on Thursday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. $40 per person. Yves Restaurant and Bar, 5753-A E. Santa Ana Canyon Road, Anaheim. Reservations: 714-637-3733. www.yvesbistro.com. 

This weekend I decided to sample the uptown versions from Bennett Lane. 

Notes: 

2006 Bennett Lane Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($55) Both these wines need to be decanted because there are loads of lees in the pour. I checked to see if they were corked and allowed them to breathe for 45 minutes. This one tasted great right out of the gate. The same bold fruit flavors of Maximus came through without any jamminess. The classic cassis is there along with plum and blackberry. This blend has 94 percent cabernet sauvignon, 4 percent petite verdot and 2 percent malbec. The malbec seems to prop up the juicier fruits and they taste a bit more mature than they might without it. Pair with red meats and sharp cheeses; it’s more appropriate for rib eye and New York steaks than prime rib and filet, Oregonzola cheese rather than traditional Italian dolce gorgonzola.

2006 Bennett Lane Napa Valley Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ($95). Begs to be decanted if you’re opening it now. Get some air on this one and you’ll be rewarded. Neither of these tend toward the super soft and supple, like Napa cabs such as Cakebread and Caymus. Instead, Bennett Lane wines are masculine and forthright. There’s more complexity and structure in this bottle as well as a longer finish. It’s distinctly cedar and tobacco. But there’s such good fruit on it you could even serve it with hefty barbecued meats. This powerful wine would be a real husband pleaser—after dinner he can finish it with a good cigar.—Anne Valdespino

At La Vie en Rose, $17.75 gets you a two-course prix fixe lunch. Choices include soup or salad and the following entrees: Fillet de Sole Amandine, Tilapia Bostonienne, Crepes de Volaille, Chicken Cordon Bleu or Beef Stroganov. La Vie en Rose, 240 S. State College Blvd., Brea. 714-529-8333. www.lavnrose.com

Ra Sushi has recently unveiled crop of menu items from Chef Tai Obata. Some highlights: grilled Kalbi short ribs starters with wasabi mashed potatoes ($7.25), Kaisen Ceviche ($9.25) and the “Ra”llipop sushi roll ($14.50). The roll reads like a sample platter of popular sushi, with tuna, salmon, yellowtail, spicy tuna, lettuce, asparagus and cucumber wrapped in Asian radish and served on skewers. The restaurant chain also has lunch specials and new additions to its wine and cocktail menus. Ra Sushi, 2401 Park Ave., Tustin. 714-566-1700. Also: 155 5th St., Huntington Beach. 714-536-6390. www.rasushi.com 

The “ad hoc at home” cookbook features recipes for many of the dishes served at the restaurant, along with Keller’s personal stories and cooking tips. 

Photo credit: Brett Wilson, Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike

Bayside Restaurant

Xanh Bistro is hosting a fall wine dinner with five courses of Vietnamese food paired with Italian wines. (Being both Vietnamese and Italian myself, my recommendation of the pairing is biased ☺) The menu: 

• Ahi tuna stacks, Drei Dona 2008 Blanc di Rosenere
  
• Free-range chicken “pho,” Marcato 2008 La Giareta
  
• Blackened tilapia, Tenuta Vitanza 2007 “Volare,” IGT
  
• Pineapple pork, Drei Dona 2008 Rosso di Rosenere
  
• Tapioca pudding with coconut juice and sponge cake 
  

6:30 p.m. Tuesday. $55 per person, with tax and tip included. Xanh Bistro, 16162 Brookhurst St., Fountain Valley. 714-531-2030. www.xanhbistro.com

Roy’s in Newport is pairing sushi with champagne – Moet and Chandon, to be exact. Diners will feast on five courses that include sushi and Wagyu beef. Champagnes to be served are Moët Impérial, Moët Rosé Impérial, Moët Nectar Impérial and Moët Grand Vintage 2000. The menu is also offered at Roy’s Anaheim location. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday. $75 per person. Roy’s Newport Beach, 453 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach. Reservations: 949-640-7697. www.roysrestaurant.com

And for all you military personnel out there, Z’Tejas is offering 15 percent off your dining bill for all of November as a thanks for your service. Just flash your military ID for the discount. Z’Tejas Southwestern Grill, 3333 S. Bristol St., Costa Mesa. 714-979-7469. www.ztejas.com

“I don’t really want to sell cheese, I want to teach it,” Stoltzfus says. “That’s the part I enjoy. Just sharing it with others.”

Currently, she’s experimenting with goat’s milk cheeses – although certain types of goat milk have been difficult to find. “Sometimes I’ll find someone who has goats and who’s selling milk on Craigslist,” Stoltzfus says. Craiglist for goat milk? Now we’ve heard everything. For more info on Stoltzfus’ cheese making classes, visit www.occheesemaker.com

This Friday, Chef Bruno Serato and the Anaheim White Housewill celebrate a milestone: the restaurant’s building's* 100-year anniversary. A four-course celebratory dinner starts at 6:30 p.m. The menu:

• Baked orange roughy with couscous and dill coulis
  
• Duck ravioli with Countreau and orange reduction
  
• Braised beef in Cabernet reduction with horseradish
  
• A special dessert from Pastry Chef Onesimo Lorenzo
  

The evening also includes a fashion show from Betinni’s of Brea. $65 per person. Anaheim White House, 887 S. Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim. Reservations: 714-772-1381. www.anaheimwhitehouse.com

Tomorrow night, Cedar Creek will host a bourbon and rye whiskey tasting from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. For $15 ($20 at the door), you can sample things like Maker’s Mark, Maker’s Mark Mint Julep, Jim Beam Red Stag and Ri-1 Rye Whiskey. Cedar Creek, 27321 La Paz Road, Laguna Niguel. Reservations: 949-389-1800. www.cedarcreekinn.com

*Note: The Anaheim White House restaurant opened in the 1980s, but the building itself is 100 years old. Thanks for the clarification, Nancy!

Until recently, Don the Beachcomber was a tiki-themed restaurant chain that faded into legend with many of the other dining trends of yesteryear (remember casseroles?). Hoping to keep the party going, husband-and-wife team Arthur and Delia Snyder have resurrected the everlasting luau in Huntington Beach, with tropical rum drinks and tribal masks to boot. The restaurant graced O.C.’s landscape in 1969 with a Corona del Mar location, but had first opened in the late 1930s in Hollywood. 

Don’s current menu echoes offerings served more than 70 years ago, with things like sticky ribs, ahi poke tacos, pulled pork and pineapple upside-down cake. A three-course prix-fixe is available nightly for $30. Don the Beachcomber, 16278 S. Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach. 562-592-1321. www.donthebeachcomber.com

Sapphire Laguna will feature ingredients from local farmers and meat producers in a fall harvest dinner tomorrow from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Evan Marks of The Ecology Center and Tim Hussman of the Newport Meat Company will discuss local sustainable farming. $65 per person. Sapphire Laguna, 1200 South Coast Highway, Laguna Beach. 949-715-9888. www.sapphirelaguna.com

He reminded me that you don’t have to wait for a special occasion to enjoy port. I’ve always found that unlike really complex sauternes and sherries, which sometimes have mineral notes so pronounced they’re practically medicinal, the profound fruit flavors of Douro Valley wines are much more approachable, especially to those of us accustomed to California fruit bombs. We sipped and imagined pairing these lovelies with everything from barbecue to Mexican mole.

Graham’s Six Grapes Reserve Ruby Port. ($18.98 at Hi-Time Wine Cellars) Gorgeous in color with deep, dark fruit flavors. Well integrated and luscious. An ideal match with my favorite blue cheese of the moment: Roaring Forties from King Island, Australia.

Dow’s 2004 Late Bottled Vintage. ($19.99 at Bev Mo) Aged up to six years, aromatic withstrong notes of violet. It has all the fruit of a ruby but with more intensity, soft tannins and a slight backbeat of pepper. I imagined Rick Bayless’ pumpkinseed mole (pipián rojo) slathered on duck or dark meat turkey with this one. Roasted root vegetables, butternut squash soup or pumpkin flan would do nicely too.

Graham’s 20 Years Old Aged Tawny. ($49.98 at Hi-Time Wine Cellars) Superb nutty flavor and butterscotch finish. Don’t wait for sticky toffee pudding season. Open a bottle to enjoy this weekend with handfuls of caramel popcorn studded with peanuts and almonds. Could also make any of those crazy cheeseballs that come rolling onto buffet tables this time of year infinitely more palatable. Tasting tip: Dominic says keep it in your fridge. Yes, a bit of chill tamps down the alcohol.

—AV

There's free food at Ruby's in Rancho Santa Margarita on Sunday. 

Oktoberfest celebrations are coming to an end and if you haven’t had your fill yet, you might want to check out Kimera on Friday night. The restaurant will host a five-course Oktoberfest dinner with beer pairings, so get your last-minute Oktoberfest fix in while you can. 6:30 p.m. Friday. $60 per person. Kimera Restaurant, 19530 Jamboree Road, Irvine. Reservations: 949-261-1222. www.kimerarestaurant.com

To celebrate its grand re-opening celebration, Ruby’s Diner in Rancho Santa Margarita is doling out free cinnamon roll French toasts and RubyBurgers with fries on Nov. 1 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. What qualifies as a “grand re-opening,” you ask? Ruby’s says the branch is now “company owned and operated.” Well, the free food is good enough for us. Ruby’s Diner, 22411 Antonio Parkway, Rancho Santa Margarita. 949-713-7829. www.rubys.com

And here’s a link to some of the county’s Halloween happenings, which appeared on this blog yesterday. Have a good one!

In other news from The Cellar, head down there tonight and the restaurant will bestow upon you a free chocolate soufflé when you order an entrée. Why? It’s National Chocolate Day.

For those who want something a bit more spooky, Mr. Stox will have a Halloween Houdini séance and dinner. The evening includes cocktails (Very Bloody Marys and Evil Wines from Australia) dinner and an after-dinner séance where a member of the Magic Castle will reenact the Harry Houdini séance in which he tried to make contact with his wife. (Be sure to tell her we said hello.) A bonus: You can totally come in costume and they’ll reward your Halloween enthusiasm with prizes. 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday. $150 per person. Mr. Stox, 1105 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim. 714-634-2994. www.mrstox.com

And if you like more of a highbrow Halloween (minus the costumes or actual ghosts and what have you), Five Crowns will have a prix fixe dinner and a murder-mystery show. The menu:

• Porcini mushroom ravioli
  
• Garden salad with toasted pine nuts and gorgonzola
  
• Entrée choices: Prime rib with creamed spinach and Yorkshire pudding, roasted duckling with apple/fig compote and hand-harvested wild rice or potato and horseradish crusted salmon with three-mustard sauce
  
• Strawberry English trifle

7 p.m. Friday. $96 per person. Five Crowns, 3801 East Coast Highway, Corona del Mar. Reservations: 949-760-0331. www.lawrysonline.com

“Orange County Fare: A Culinary Journey Through the California Riviera” is the Junior League of Orange County’s first cookbook in 20 years. It contains more than 175 recipes from celebrities, local chefs, restaurants and JLOCC members. Besides the celebrity recipes (Stamos’ marinated grilled seafood, White’s green pea salad and the Nixon’s family recipe for Snowball Salad, among others), some highlights include A Restaurant’s cucumber cooler and the Ramos House Café’s recipe for warm banana and berry shortcake. 

“Orange County Fare” ($29.95) is also up for a National Best Books award. You can buy the book by visiting www.orangecountyfare.com. There’s also a list of local stores where you can pick it up.

The powers in Rome have declared Oct. 25 World Pasta Day. We're not arguing.

In honor of Oct. 25’s World Pasta Day (as deemed by the World Pasta Congress of Rome, natch), the Anaheim White House is serving an unheard of five-course pasta dinner. Each course will be a different pasta and sauce. (I recommend having a designated driver for the food coma that will ensue during the ride home.) $28 per person. Anaheim White House, 887 S. Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim. Reservations: 714-772-1381. www.anaheimwhitehouse.com 

On Saturday, Charlie Palmer is all about the game: venison, pheasant and wild boar. Chef Amar Santana will demo how to cook each in a three-course lunch. Afterward, CP’s “50 for 50” tradition continues, with 50 of the restaurants hand-selected wines for 50 percent off.11 a.m. Saturday. $75 per person. Charlie Palmer at Bloomingdales, 3333 S. Bristol St., Costa Mesa. 714-352-2525. www.charliepalmer.com 

Also on Oct. 25: The Derby Deli and Dueling Piano Bar (say that three times fast!) is hosting the West Coast’s first Hot Dog Eating Championship. There will be two 12-minute rounds, beginning at 11 a.m. First prize is a cool $1,000, and it’s $25 to enter. The Derby Deli and Dueling Piano Bar, 27741 Crown Valley Parkway, Mission Viejo. 949-582-KEYS. www.derbymv.com 

Another wine tasting is happening Friday in South County at La Maison Gourmet. This one features six boutique wines, being pairied with cheese and charcuterie, chocolate fondue and fruit. 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday. $35 per person. La Maison Gourmet, 27772 Vista del Lago, Mission Viejo. Reservations: 949-916-4810. www.lamaisongourmet.net  

La Vie en Rose is running some fall specials until Nov. 25. You can receive a free dessert with every a la carte entrée, as well as 10 percent off of every prix fixe meal. Make sure to mention these specials when you’re making your reservation. La Vie en Rose, 240 S. State College Blvd., Brea. 714-529-8333. www.lavnrose.com

For the rest of October, The Beachcomber will offer Halloween-themed cocktails for $9 each. Try a Witches’ Cauldrom, made of 151 rum, banana rum and tropical fruit juices, a Cat’s Eye (lemon-infused vodka, apple-flavored liquor and lemonade), among others. The Beachcomber, 15 Crystal Cove, Newport Coast. 949-376-6900. www.beachcombercafe.com

Black Truffle Mac ‘n’ Cheese

From: Chef Dave Martin

Yield: 6 to 9 main-course portions

• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  
• 1/2 cup shallots, minced
  
• 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh oregano, chopped and cleaned from stems
  
• 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped and cleaned from stems
  
• 12 cloves of fire-roasted garlic
  
• 1/4 cup sherry
  
• 1/4 cup brandy
  
• 3 tablespoons black truffle shavings (canned, with liquid)
  
• 4 cups (1 quart) heavy cream 
  
• 1 egg, beaten (for liason)
  
• 1 pound cooked and drained Gemelli noodles 
  
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  
• 1 1/2 cups Fontina cheese, finely grated
  
• 1/4 cup white truffle oil
  
• 1 teaspoon Tabasco 
  
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
  
• 1 1/2-2 cups seasoned bread crumbs
  

Procedure: 

2. Add sherry and brandy to deglaze pan, making sure to scrape fond off of pan. 

3. Reduce heat to low and add truffle shavings and cream. Simmer for 30 minutes, or until cream is reduced and thickened. 

4. Ladle some of the cream mixture into a small bowl. Slowy whisk in beaten egg until fully incorporated. (This has to be done slowly, so the egg won’t curdle.) Add egg mixture to pot. 

5. Remove pot from heat. Add pasta, Parmesan and Fontina cheeses, truffle oil, Tabasco, salt and pepper to pot. Mix all ingredients thoroughly. 

6. Spoon mac and cheese into a greased 9x13 (larger if you have it) pan. Top with seasoned bread crumbs. Place in oven and bake for 20 to 30 minutes, or until bread crumbs on top are browned. Serve hot.

“Top Chef”

Newport Beach Restaurant Week begins tomorrow and will run through October 22. About 100 of the city’s restaurants will offer special lunch and dinner menus from $10 to $40 per person. A bonus: Upon dining, some restaurants will give you a coupon good for 20 percent off of a future visit between Oct. 23 and Nov. 30. Visit this link for the full list of restaurants. 

And if you don’t have any plans tonight, Morton’s is hosting a champagne and chocolate pairing event, where guests use sensory vials to bring out the flavor in each. Selected Piper-Heidsieck champagnes and Vosges Haut-Chocolate flavors will be featured. The evening kicks off with hors d’oeuvres and cocktails. $45 per person. 6 p.m. Morton’s The Steakhouse, 1895 S. Harbor Blvd., Anaheim. 714-621-0101. Also: The event will be repeated at the Santa Ana location on Nov. 6. Call 714-444-4834 to make a reservation for that date. www.mortons.com

Tomorrow at 2 p.m., Sage Eastbluff will host an afternoon tea. Count on scones, crustless sandwiches and 14 types of loose-leaf tea to choose from. $20 per person. Sage Eastbluff, 2531 Eastbluff Drive, Newport Beach. 949-718-9650. www.sagerestaurant.com 

Orange Coast magazine is a sponsor of the March of Dimes Signature Chef’s Auction tomorrow evening. The chefs:

• Bruno Serato, Anaheim White House (pictured)
• Amar Santana, Charlie Palmer at Bloomingdales
• Brian Black, The Loft at Montage Laguna Beach
• Cathy Pavlos, Lucca Café
• Pascal Olhats, Brasserie Pascal and others
• Edgar Agbayani, Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion
• Jenny Ross, 118 Degrees
• Phil Knoke, SteerCrazy International BBQ and Grill
• Yvon Goetz, The Winery Restaurant and Bar
• Corey Vuu, The Art Institute of California —Orange County
• Anahita Naderi, Events by Chef Anahita
• Arturo Briones, Wildfish Seafood Grille
• Bert Agor, Ruth’s Chris Steak House
• Franco Barone, Antonello Ristorante
• Gil Barriga, Tiffany’s Cuisine of Newport Beach
• Rachel Klemek, Blackmarket Bakery
• Tony Corke, Chaparosa Grill

All chefs will prepare their signature dishes, which will be paired with local wines. There will be a silent and live auction to raise money for the organization, which helps fight against birth defects in babies, premature birth and infant mortality. 6:30 p.m. Thursday. Soka University, 1 University Drive, Aliso Viejo. 949-263-1100. www.orangecoastmagazine.com/march_of_dimes 

Chiarugi has previously worked as chef de cuisine at SWITCH restaurant in the Encore Wynn Las Vegas hotel, Osteria Del Circo in the Bellagio Hotel and New York City’s Le Cirque. He started his culinary education in Italy at 14 years old at the Institute Profesional di State “F. Martini” and has owned and worked at restaurants in Tuscany.

Chiarugi will add a few new dishes to the menu, using some of his favorite ingredients like heirloom tomatoes, sage and rosemary. Andrea Ristorante at the Resort at Pelican Hill, 22701 Pelican Hill Road South, Newport Coast. 949-467-6800. www.pelicanhill.com

In other news, Five Crowns will have an Oktoberfest celebration tonight at 6:30 p.m., complete with an accordionist (really?) and a wide array of imported beers from Munich’s Spaten-Franziskaner Brewery. Chef Dennis Brask will serve buffet-style things like cucumber salad, herring two ways, Sauerbraten, beer-marinated chicken, a sausage trio and other German dishes. A rep from the brewery will be on-hand to talk about the beers being served. $69 per person. Five Crowns, 3801 E. Coast Highway, Corona del Mar. 949-760-0331. www.lawrysonline.com 

Tomorrow night, four of Orange County’s great chefs will band together for Cooking For a Cause, a charity event benefiting Culinary Action Direct, Miracles for Kids, Share Our Selves, the Art Institute of California and Newport Harbor High School. The event takes place at the Orange County Wine & Food Center.

(From left) Chefs Azmin Ghahreman of Sapphire, Debbi Dubbs of Deb’s Kitchen, Gabriel Caliendo of the Lazy Dog Café and Paul Squicciarini of the OCWFC will cook from an autumn comfort food menu. 6:30 p.m. tomorrow. $65 per person. Orange County Wine & Food Center, 1570 Scenic Drive, Costa Mesa. Tickets: www.great-taste.net 

Cedar Creek's happy hour is extended until closing on Mondays this month.

Laguna Niguel’s Cedar Creek is running specials every day of the week through the end of October, including a weekly drawing for a $50 gift certificate to the restaurant. Here’s the rundown:

• Monday: In honor of Monday Night Football, happy hour is extended until closing. A special menu of grilled bratwurst, chili, chicken wings and prime rib sandwiches accompanies.
• Tuesday: Girls night out calls for “Cosmos for a Cause.” Order one and a portion of the tab will go to Susan G. Komen for the Cure to help fund breast cancer research.
• Wednesday: A long list of wines is available for half price.
• Thursday: Cedar Creek features a special three-course, Asian-inspired menu.
• Friday: There’s live entertainment.
• Saturday: From 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., a kids menu for those 12 and under has plates for $4. Saturday night, there’s a $79 prix fixe dinner for two.
• Sunday: Brunch specials include $5 Bloody Marys or Mimosas from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. From 4 p.m. to close, Cedar Creek will have a special on prime rib dinners.

Cedar Creek, 27321 La Paz Road, Laguna Niguel. 949-389-1800. www.cedarcreekinn.com 

"The Big Wisniewski" will be available for one month at Ra Sushi.

We all know the Anaheim Ducks play a mean game on the ice -- but now we know that gamefaces can apply to the plate, too. A few weeks ago, Ra Sushi held a contest pitting Ducks James Wisniewski, Saku Koivu, Scott Niedermayer and Mike Brown against each other to see who could create the best sushi roll. The winning roll (deemed by judges and fans) was none other than “The Big Wisniewski,” made by the Anaheim Ducks defenseman himself. It’s made of spicy yellowtail, crab, jalapeno and cilantro, served with avocado, Sriracha and a chili-ponzu sauce.

The Big Wisniewski will be available at all Ra Sushi locations from tomorrow until Oct. 9, and $2 from each sale will benefit the Anaheim Ducks Foundation. Ra Sushi Bar Restaurant, (The District) 2401 Park Ave., Tustin. 714-566-1700. www.rasushi.com  for other locations.

In other District news, The Winery is celebrating its two-year anniversary tonight with live music, food, wine and cocktails. The whole shebang is $35 per person and begins at 6:30 p.m. 2647 Park Ave., Tustin. Call 714-258-7600 for reservations. www.thewineryrestaurant.net 

In keeping with the sports-food theme today, Olympic Gold Medalist Peggy Fleming and Greg Jenkins will be at Wineworks for Everyone in Mission Viejo to share their California wines in a special dinner tonight. Fleming-Jenkins Winery selections on the roster:

• Fleming-Jenkins "Victories" Rosé, California 2007
• Fleming-Jenkins "Jenkins Vineyard" Chardonnay, Santa Cruz Mountains 2007
• Fleming-Jenkins "Madden Ranch Vineyard" Syrah, Livermore Valley 2005
• Fleming-Jenkins "Black Ridge Vineyard" Syrah, Santa Cruz Mountains 2006
• Fleming-Jenkins "Choreography" Cabernet Blend, Napa Valley 2005

The dinner is $75 and includes live music. Call 949-582-0026 for reservations. 26342 Oso Parkway, Mission Viejo. www.wineworksforeveryone.com 

On Saturday at noon, Roy’s in Anaheim will host a cooking class with Hawaiian- and Asian-themed food. It’s $40 per person, and here’s the menu:

• Crunchy golden lobster potstickers with spicy Togarashi miso butter sauce
• Classic roasted macadamia nut-crusted Mahi Mahi with Maine lobster "essence"
• Melting chocolate souffle: A flourless chocolate cake with a molten center, served with raspberry sauce and vanilla bean ice cream

If you miss this one, the restaurant will run the same class at noon on Oct. 31. 321 W. Katella Ave., Anaheim. 714-776-7697. www.roysrestaurant.com 

The Cellar in Fullerton is offering discounts on its bottles through Oct. 11. With Cash for Corkers, if you bring in any bottle of wine (even the two-buck chuck), you’ll get $25 off one of theirs that are priced $75 or more. It’s a bargain, just in time for the holidays. 305 N. Harbor Blvd., Fullerton. 714-525-5682. www.cellardining.com 

We normally don't cover fast food here, but this warrants a few sentences: Boston Market locations are offering two free kids meals (14 and under!) with any $6 adult meal purchase. If you order a family meal, you'll get up to four free kids meals. The promotion ends Oct. 31, and your kids have to be present to claim the meals. Visit www.bostonmarket.com  for locations.

Pizzeria Ortica Executive Chef Steve Samson demos different pasta shapes.

Last weekend, some of South Coast Plaza's best restaurants hosted an open house of sorts for some of L.A. and O.C.'s most active food bloggers. It was nice to finally see the faces behind the food prose of L.A.'s Pleasure Palate, Food GPS, Eater LA  and LA & OC Foodventures, just to name a few. Representing the bloggers on our side of the curtain were writers from Food Frenzy, Juli B  and Stick a Fork In It . Here are some of the event's highlights:

Chefs Steve Samson (photo above) and Zach Pollack demonstrated how to make various pasta shapes, making pasta from scratch using the well method. I can see why Pizzeria Ortica has an open kitchen and low countertops -- they're perfect for Samson's Saturday cooking classes. The best part? The pastas were sauced and served for lunch:

From top: Tortelli di pere e pecorino al burro e salvia (tortelli with pecorina in a brown butter and sage sauce), burrata and ricotta ravioli in pomodoro, and spinach tagliatelle with Bolognese.

The night before, Chef James Hamamori of Hamamori seated us at the sushi bar and proceeded to handcraft some of his specialties, including this duo of deep fried shiitake mushrooms and asparagus tempura, which was crusted in puffy Japanese rice cereal (photo below). This dish was my favorite of the evening, because you really can't go wrong with anything fried (can you?).

And finally, one of the most interesting finds through our SCP glutton trek were these Himalayan salt blocks and bowls from NapaStyle. You can use these to serve and to hold fruit and things, but the coolest part is that you can cook on them. Heat up one of the square blocks on a gas burner, and you can cook fish, poultry and meats, infusing a very subtle salt flavor into the food. To clean, you just rinse the blocks under the tap. I believe they last for awhile, and when they start to break down, you can grind them up and use them over food.

Full disclosure: This was a fully sponsored event. Gifts were not accepted.

I can't help but take this loss personally. I've grown up with the mag, and I credit it largely for inspiring me to become a food writer. It's a sad day. Read more about the closing here, here and here. 

For the months of October and November, Marche Moderne will feature an Oktoberfest-inspired daily dinner. “Soirees Alsacienne” is $29 per person, and consists of an ambitious menu of pig and “choucroute,” or sauerkraut, that only Florent and Amelia Marneau could pull off.

The details:

• “The Pig, Head to Toe”: Braised cheeks, confit of short ribs and belly, Jambonneau tranche ham-hocks au court bouillon, saucisse de Strasbourg fraiche, saucisse fume, pig's feet
• Choucroute Moderne: Pressure-cooked sauerkraut, German butterball potatoes, mustard (side dish)
• Dessert: Apple tarte a l'Alsacienne, vanilla scented creme fraiche custard, Chimay beer gelato

For reservations, call 714-434-7900. Marche Moderne, 3333 Bristol St. (in the Nordstrom wing of South Coast Plaza), Costa Mesa. www.marchemoderne.net 

Thompkin Cellars is teaming up with Phans55 for a wine pairing dinner with Vietnamese food. This is the second installment of the series, the first of which was at the Irvine location. Because of that event's popularity, the restaurant is offering the dinner at its sister location in Fullerton.

7 p.m. Saturday, $60 per person. Reservations are necessary, as there are only 60 seats available.

The menu:

• Crispy Imperial roll, sweet pork roll, Phans55 calamari, 2008 Thompkin Cellars Ombre
• Beef or vegetarian pho, 2007 Thompkin Cellars 3ie Degre
• Chilean seabass claypot, braised short rib, 2005 Couchant, 2006 Thompkin Cellars Syrah
• Double chocolate mousse cake or Cognac apple mousse, coffee

You can choose vegetarian options at the time of reservation. Phans55, 1981 Sunny Crest Drive, Fullerton. Reservations: 714-441-0714. www.phans55.com 

Now's the time to ignore the diet and head to the Cheesecake Factory. All day Wednesday, chain will be doing its part for Hunger Action Month. All locations of the chain will donate 10 percent of guest checks to Feeding America food banks if guests bring in two cans of soup. The goal is to collect 100,000 cans from across the country. Visit www.thecheesecakefactory.com  for locations.

Chef Azmin Ghahreman

Chef Amar Santana of Charlie Palmer will teach a cheese class on Saturday at 11 a.m. You can learn how to make fresh mozzarella and fromage blanc right in your own kitchen, and top off the day with a three-course lunch. Charlie Palmer at Bloomingdales, 3333 Bristol St., Costa Mesa.. $75 per person. 714-352-2525. www.charliepalmer.com 

La Vie en Rose is hosting another dinner and a movie, this time with the 1951 film "The African Queen,"  starring Humphrey Bogart and Katherine Hepburn. The three-course meal includes a feta cheese salad, hazelnut crusted Orange Roughy or ribeye steak and some French pastries for dessert. There's popcorn, too. 6:30 p.m. Friday. 240 S. State College Blvd., Brea. $32.75 per person. 714-529-8333. www.lavnrose.com 

The menu: Choice of Caesar salad or Morton’s salad, choice of filet mignon with Bearnaise sauce, broiled salmon filet or Chicken Christopher, and double chocolate mousse.

11:30 a.m. Wednesday. Morton's The Steakhouse, 1641 W. Sunflower Ave., Santa Ana. $50 per person. Reservations: 714-444-2851. www.mortons.com 

Over in South County, La Maison Gourmet celebrates its 7th anniversary with a final $7 wine tasting on Thursday, featuring wines from Dutton Estate Winery, Azur Wines, Kenefick Ranch Winery and Hope and Grave Wines. Accompanying the wine will be various cheeses and pates. The winemakers will be present to talk about their 2009 harvests. There are two tastings: 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Reservations are required. La Maison Gourmet, 27772 Vista del Lago, Mission Viejo. 949-916-4819. www.lamaisongourmet.net 

Scott’s Seafood celebrates its 20 years of serving San Francisco-inspired seafood dishes with an anniversary party on Saturday. One-hundred percent of the proceeds from “20 Years of Gratitude” will be donated to the Festival of Children Foundation (www.festivalofchildren.org ). The organization’s annual September program includes bringing awareness to more than 75 children’s charities, along with free family activities. There will be a four-course prix fixe menu, a VIP reception, prize drawings and live entertainment from former Righteous Brothers’ band member Lee Ferrell. The restaurant’s regular menu will also be available during the evening. 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday. Scott’s Seafood, 3300 Bristol St., Costa Mesa. $100 per person. Reservations required: 714-979-2400. www.scottsseafood.com 

Tonight, Pizzeria Ortica is hosting its first wine dinner, featuring some wines from southern Italy. The tasting menu and wines will explore some of southern Italy’s history, with dishes like crudo di pesce and strascinate, a handmade pasta dish with eggplant and cherry tomatoes. $45 per person, plus $25 with wine pairing. 600 Anton Blvd., Costa Mesa. Reservations required: 714-445-4900. www.pizzeriaortica.com 

On Wednesday, four chefs will gather and cook at The Winery in Tustin to raise money for (my culinary alma mater!) Orange Coast College’s culinary arts program. The “Orange County Celebrity Chefs Culinary Arts Scholarship” fundraiser is a mouthful to say, but it’s guaranteed that the six courses to be prepared that evening will be even more. Chefs cooking the dinner are The Winery’s Yvon Goetz, Pascal Olhats (Tradition by Pascal among others), Andrew Sutton (Napa Rose) and Rob Wilson (Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel). There will be a cocktail reception, and dinner with wine pairings. Dinner is $155 per person, and some of it is tax deductible. Call 714-258-7600 for reservations. The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar (at the District in Tustin), 2647 Park Ave., Tustin. www.thewineryrestaurant.net 

Just when one foodie week ends, another one begins: The national Great American Dine Out starts Sept. 20 and will help raise funds for nonprofit Share Our Strength. Dine from mom-and-pop to chain restaurants to help the organization work toward ending childhood hunger. Visit www.greatamericandineout.org  for more information. The Dine Out ends Sept. 26.

Also: Sage on the Coast will host Unexpected Pleasures, a wine tasting featuring some unusual wines. Here’s the menu:

• Clos de la Chappelle, Muscadet Sevre et Maine 2008 served with fried oysters
• McCrea Vineyards, Roussanne Columbia Valley 2007 served with a butternut squash tart
• Isenhower, Cabernet Franc Columbia Valley 2007 served with blackened fish tacos
• Kaapsicht, Pinotage South Africa 2006 served with Sage slider, fries and smoked ketchup

Reservations are required. $30 per person. 2:30 p.m. Saturday. Sage on the Coast (in the Crystal Cove Promeade), 7862 East Coast Highway, Newport Beach. 949-715-7243. www.sagerestaurant.com 

Foodies looking for an online place to message and meet other like-minded foodies need not look any further than OC Food Nation, a hyper-local site launched earlier this year. In it, OC epicures can wax poetic about everything locally related to food, from blogs to farmers market finds and recipes. (Full disclosure: This blog is mentioned in one of the forums.)

“I see people at the farmers markets all the time, and I wanted them to have a place to talk about all of their finds and recipes,” says OCFN founder Priscilla Mayfield, who is an avid and accomplished cook who previously has written columns for the national food site eGullet. Similar foodie message boards like those of Chowhound lump LA and OC in one category. Mayfield, along with her Web-savvy husband, wanted to create a hyper-local food site just for the OC.

“There hasn’t been a [food site] for OC that hasn’t been overshadowed by L.A.,” Mayfield says. Currently the site has a handful of members, with the hope that more will join in the conversation. There are also some changes to the site in the works, which will make it more user friendly. Visit www.ocfoodnation.com to check it out.

The Spanish and Moroccan menu includes things like goat cheese, raisin and pine-nut piquillo peppers, Albondigas, Serrano ham-wrapped melon, lamb tagine, Crema Catalana and a bunch of other yummy-sounding dishes. There will also be a cocktail reception, cookbook signing and a dessert reception after dinner.

7 p.m. Thursday. $75 per person (includes wine pairings). Zimzala Restaurant (Shorebreak Hotel), 500 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach. Call 714-861-4470 for reservations. http://restaurantzimzala.com 

OC Custom Wine teams with Yves’ Restaurant & Wine Bar  for an informal class on how to blend your own wine. Tapas and wine tastings are also on the menu. 6 p.m. Thursday. $40 per person. 5753-A East Santa Ana Canyon Road, Anaheim. 714-637-3733 for reservations. www.yvesbistro.com 

Chef Marc Cohen of Watermarc Grill will demo a dish this week.

The last time we had Orange County Restaurant Week, I made a hefty list of restaurants I wanted to hit up to take advantage of all the deals. I mean, this was a painstakingly crafted list – agonizing almost – because there were so many restaurant to choose from and so little time. After the week was over, I was quite a satisfied diner and had gained a pound or two (which, incidentally, I still have to this day). As my bad luck would have it, I’m on vacation for the entire duration for this installment of OCRW. It’s a bummer (but it’s not that bad, since I’ll be on an island somewhere!) but I hope you’ll take advantage of it for me.

The skinny: More than 120 of the county’s restaurants are offering prix fixe lunch and dinner options through Saturday, Sept. 19. Depending on each restaurant, lunch deals range from $10 to $20 and dinner is from $20 to $40. Visit www.orangecountyrestaurantweek.com  for more information (you can also make reservations for participating restaurants on the site.)

And here’s a list of the remaining chef demos at Bloomingdale’s for the rest of the week. If you haven’t caught one yet, you still have time!

• 6 p.m. Wednesday: Executive Chef Marc Cohen (pictured above) of Watermarc Restaurant, OPAH Restaurant & Bar  and 230 Forest Avenue  will demo an elegant Brandade deMorue, or a salt cod with potato puree. 
  
• 6 p.m. Thursday: The ubiquitous Zov Karamardian will show you how to make an eggplant and avocado salsa.
  
• 6 p.m. Friday: Executive Chef Tony Corke of the Chaparosa Grill  demos a banana coconut crème brulee.
  
• Noon, Saturday: Nirvana Grille  Executive Chef Lindsay Smith-Rosales makes the restaurant’s blackened sea scallops with beurre blanc and vegetables.
  
• 3 p.m. Saturday: Chef Arturo Briones of Wildfish Seafood Grille  finishes off the series with a vegetable-stuffed Haddock and cilantro sauce.
  

Demos are at Bloomingdale’s South Coast Plaza, 3333 S. Bristol St., Costa Mesa.

Cathy Pavlos

Chef Pavlos will also host a Sunday Supper at 3 p.m. Sept. 13, featuring the flavors of Greece. These dinners are $40 per person and are served family-style, with wine pairing out on the restaurant’s patio. Expect things like Grilled lamb skewers, Greek salad and baklava. Lucca Café, 6507 Quail Hill Parkway, Irvine. Reservations: 949-725-1773. www.luccacafe.net  

On Sept. 15 at 6 p.m., Chef Miguel Garcia of Kimera Restaurant  will take to the Bloomingdales kitchen to prepare a soba noodle salad with grilled tiger prawns and sticky soy. And Sunday (Sept. 13) is the kickoff of Orange County Restaurant Week.

Check back on Monday for a few more OCRW news bites. Have a great weekend! www.orangecountyrestaurantweek.com 

The restaurant will have a three course Trio of Filets special for $45 per person, which includes filet mignon served in the old-school Wellington, Oscar and Au Poivre styles. $10 more gets you a flight of three wines to pair. The September festivities continue with Wine Tuesdays, where diners will get 25 percent off any bottle in the Fleming’s 100 list, or complimentary corkage on a bottle you bring in.

There’s also a new Prime Burger Bar menu, featuring five burgers: filet mignon, Ahi tuna, crab cake, Portobello mushroom and Prime. Stop in for happy hour from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesdays, and you can taste these for free at the bar. And finally, a new “5 for $6 ‘til 7” bar menu will have cocktails and appetizers for $6 every evening until 7 p.m. Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse, 455 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach. 949-720-9633. www.flemingssteakhouse.com 

Chef Ronnie Arnold of Hush restaurant will prepare a sea bass in today's demo.

Maybe you’ve always wanted to take a cooking class or enroll in a culinary program, but weren’t sure if you had the time or the money. If this is the case, you might really want to consider attending some of these Cooking with the Experts demos by OC chefs, happening this week and next. You’ll get schooled for free.

Today at 6 p.m., Chef Ronnie Arnold of Hush Restaurant  will prepare a Provencal sea bass with cherry tomatoes, roasted peppers and picholine olives.

Tomorrow at 6 p.m., raw food expert and Chef Jenny Ross of 118 Degrees  will show you how to make a sweet pesto salad with capers, basil and baby heirloom tomatoes, plus a chocolate torte with a caramel sauce.

The Bloomingdale’s demo kitchen is kind of a roomy space with flat screen monitors above the demo area, so you’ll be able you see all the action. Take notes! Bloomingdale’s South Coast Plaza, 3333 S. Bristol St., Costa Mesa. www.orangecountyrestaurantweek.com 

Sept. 13 marks the sixth year for Flavors of Orange County, which benefits the American Liver Foundation. It’s kind of different than some of the other charity dinners in that there will be a chef assigned to create a five-course, wine-paired meal for each table. Chef Jamie Gwen hosts, and the chefs in the kitchen that evening include Adam Keough (Stonehill Tavern), Michael Nirtaut (The Fairmont Newport Beach), Franco Barone (Antonello), Amar Santana (Charlie Palmer), Ronnie Arnold (Hush), Donald Schoenburg (Leatherby’s), Brian Black (The Loft at the Montage Resort & Spa), Lupe Camarena (Ritz Restaurant & Garden) Edgar Agbayani (Roy’s) and Kevin Jerrold-Jones (Tabu Grill).

The evening kicks off with cocktails and a silent auction. $250 per person. Call 310-670-4626 for tickets. Bambu Garden at the Fairmont Hotel, 4500 MacArthur Blvd., Newport Beach. 949-476-2001. www.fairmont.com 

• Noon Sept. 5: Chef Vincent Muraco of Zimzala  
• 1 p.m. Sept. 6: Chef Hector Camarena of the Ritz Restaurant and Garden 
• 6 p.m. Sept. 8: Executive Chef Arun K. Puri of Royal Khyber Fine Indian Cuisine 
• 6 p.m. Sept. 9: Executive Chef Ronnie Arnold of hush  
• 6 p.m. Sept. 10: Executive Chef/Owner Jenny Ross of 118 Degrees  
• 1 p.m. Sept. 13: Executive Chef/Owner Cathy Pavlos of Lucca Café  
• 6 p.m. Sept. 15: Chef Miguel Garcia of Kimera Restaurant 
• 6 p.m. Sept. 16: Executive Chef/Owner Marc Cohen of OPAH Restaurant & Bar , 230 Forest Avenue and Watermarc Restaurant    
• 6 p.m. Sept. 17: Executive Chef/Owner Zov Karamardian of Zov's Bistro in Tustin, and Zov's Neighborhood Cafes in Irvine and Newport Coast 
• 6 p.m. Sept. 18: Executive Chef/Owner Tony Corke of Chaparosa Grill  
• Noon Sept. 19: Executive Chef/Owner Lindsay Smith-Rosales of Nirvana Grille  
• 3 p.m. Sept. 19: Chef Arturo Briones of Wildfish Seafood Grille  

Check back next week for specific dish demo information and restaurant week updates. Have a good weekend!

September is California Wine Month , and there’s no shortage of wine tastings and events going on. Here’s just one of them:

There’s a wine tasting on Saturday, Sept. 5 at Charlie Palmer, featuring Alsatian winemaker Florian Beck-Hartweg. Beck-Hartweg brings with him some of his family’s organic wines, and Chef Amar Santana will pair hors d’oeuvres accordingly. Here’s the white wine lineup:

• 2007 Beck-Hartweg Pinot Gris Cuvee Prestige
• 2006 Beck-Hartweg Pinot Gris Grand Cru Frankstein
• 2006 Beck-Hartweg Riesling Cuvee Prestige
• 2007 Beck-Hartweg Riesling Grand Cru Frankstein
• 2007 Beck-Hartweg Gewurztraminer Cuvee de L'Ours
• 2006 Beck-Hartweg Gewurztraminer Grand Cru

There will also be tastings of two reds, a 2007 Bindi Segardi Chianti Classico and a 2004 Germano Angelo Barolo.

3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 5. $30 per person. Charlie Palmer at Bloomingdales, 3333 Bristol St., Costa Mesa. RSVP to Paul Lin of Tanaro River Imports by calling 949-394-2877. www.tanarowineimports.com  

In other news: Tradition By Pascal is continuing it’s Tribute to Julia Child dinner through the end of September. Click here  to read about it in a previous post. 

Wine ages in medium-toasted French oak wine barrels in Costa Mesa.

It’s 9 a.m. on a Saturday morning, and Jeff Dobkin and Julie Thompson-Dobkin are already drinking. To be fair, the drinking is required – and it’s more of an educated tasting if anything. The husband-and-wife team is behind Thompkins Cellars, a Costa Mesa-based boutique winery that performs the bulk of its operations in a nondescript office building, sharing it with other tenants like State Farm Insurance. It’s not a place you would expect could churn out award winning wines – but it does. Bottles retail from $27 to $40 and are sold at local wine stores like Hi Times. Restaurants like Memphis and Pescadou in Costa Mesa carry them as well.

Today, Jeff and Julie (photo at right) have rounded up some friends and colleagues to help them bottle three of their wines, the first being a 2006 Couchant. As a spectator (who later was put to work!), it’s clear that this operation is a labor of love for the duo, who met at a wine tasting years ago. The carefully aged wine is siphoned from medium-toasted French oak barrels into a large container, then pumped into a nearby portable wine bottling truck  – which is a marvel in itself. Who knew you could bottle wine out of a truck?

The truck houses an assembly line of functions, from injecting nitrogen gas into the bottles to corking and putting labels on. Click on the video below to watch a short clip of how it all happens. *yt*http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNc7jlarnHs*yt*

The 2006 Couchant blend produced about 200 cases (12 bottles per case) of wine. In a few weeks, Jeff and Julie will head out to Santa Barbara to begin the process for the next batch of wine. Visit www.thompkincellars.com  for more information and where to buy.

If you're in North County Saturday morning, stop into Pacific Sales restaurant supply in Brea to watch an Iron Chef  barbecue battle. Chef Tom Hope (photo at left) of Tap's Fish House and Chef Jamie Gwen will compete by creating and plating three courses in 45 minutes. Tap's will provide samplings from its menu. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Pacific Sales, 2750 E. Saturn St., Brea. 714-984-2700. www.pacificsales.com

Over at Roy's in Anaheim, there will be a cooking class featuring the following menu:

• New Wave Ahi "Poketini" with wasabi nori ranch and lomi lomi tomato
• Thai-style beef carpaccio with green papaya salad and citrus Nam Plah vinaigrette
• "Sunrise at Haleakala" sushi rolls with tuna, yellowtail, salmon, avocado, asparagus crispy roll and Togarashi butter sauce.

The class is from noon to 2 p.m. $40 per person. Reservations: 714-776-7697. Roy's Anaheim, 321 W. Katella Ave., Anaheim. www.roysrestaurant.com

La Vie En Rose in Brea is offering dinner and a movie tomorrow featuring the 1973 film “The Sting”  starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford.

Menu:

• Baby shrimp in avocado relish
• Grilled mahi mahi with mango sauce or slow-roasted beef tenderloin with Provencale sauce
• Trio of pastries for dessert

Dinner is at 6:30 p.m., and the movie starts at 7:30 p.m. Popcorn will be served during the film. $29.75 per person. Reservations: 714-529-8333. La Vie en Rose Restaurant, 240 S. State College Blvd., Brea. www.lavnrose.com  

Is it a sign of the times when you can order a bacon-wrapped filet mignon for $10?

Maybe.  It’s definitely the kind of deal that diners should take advantage of. The Cedar Creek restaurant is where it's being served through the end of September as part of a promotion to draw diners to its Laguna Niguel location. Other items on the $10 menu include fish & chips and the restaurant’s deluxe cedar-planked burger with fries (photo above).

The menu is available all day and is only offered at the Laguna Niguel location. Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. 27321 La Paz Road (In the Plaza de La Paz shopping center), Laguna Niguel. Reservations: 949-389-1800. www.cedarcreekinn.com 

The Lucca Café turns four, and is celebrating with a five-course wine dinner at 6 p.m. tonight. Bubbly and boisterous Chef Cathy Pavlos is at the helm, cooking up things like lobster bisque and duck confit. Pavlos and co. have spared no expense, especially when it comes to the Allegrini wines that will pair each course: Some of those bottles retail for $100 a pop. Dinner is $85 per person. Reservations are required. Lucca Café, 6507 Quail Hill Parkway, Irvine. 949-725-1773. www.luccacafe.com 

NapaStyle’s wine bar is in full swing, after opening last month. Stop in to taste some of Michael Chiarello’s wines from his family vineyard. NapaStyle (South Coast Plaza, Crate & Barrel wing), 3333 Bear St., Costa Mesa. 714-825-0445. www.napastyle.com 

The ahi tuna burger with cucumber salad (recipe below).

Have you been to the Orange County Wine and Food Center yet? If you haven’t, it might be time to check it out. This place has so much potential for being a solidified meeting place for wine and food fiends alike, one of the reasons being its newly remodeled demo kitchen. Chef Paul Squicciarini and guest chefs teach reasonably priced (and sometimes free!) cooking classes, like the one I attended Monday on burgers. The class was is part of the center’s “Effortless Entertaining” series (The “Effortless” part is what drew me in).

Chef Squicciarini put a spin on classic burgers by using different meats and pairing them with complimenting dressings, sides and wines. The casual setting allows for students and chefs to sound off on ideas and techniques. In fact, some of the most helpful tips were in informal exchanges between attendees and Squicciarini. Some highlights from the conversation:

• One of the best places to get ground lamb is the Mission Ranch Market  in Mission Viejo.
• To cut goat cheese and fresh mozzarella, use a wired cheese slicer or unflavored dental floss. These work better than knives, which often stick to cheeses.
  
• Rielsing pairs well with spicy foods because of its residual sugar content. For the class, Squicciarini paired it with an ahi tuna burger and cucumber salad (recipe below).
• Roasting peppers: We all know you can roast bell peppers directly on an open flame until they turn black. But to easily remove its skin, place hot pepper into a covered container and let steam for a few minutes. This will loosen it up considerably and make it a breeze to peel.

The OCWFC will have Effortless Entertaining classes through the end of the year, with focuses on Moroccan (September), Asian (October), Steaks (November) and Hawaiian (December) cuisine. The center will also introduce hands-on cooking classes in the fall. Check the Web site for a schedule and more information. 1570 Scenic Ave., Costa Mesa. 714-641-9922. www.ocwfc.com 

AHI TUNA BURGER WITH WASABI OIL AND CUCUMBER SALAD

From Chef Paul Squicciarini of the Orange County Wine and Food Center

Yield: 4 servings

• For tuna burger:
• 1-1/2 pounds fresh ahi tuna
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced
• 2 teaspoons scallions, finely chopped
• 2 teaspoons soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• For wasabi oil:
• 1 tablespoon prepared wasabi (powdered wasabi with water added)
• 1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 egg yolk
• 3/4 cup olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• For cucumber salad:
• 1 Hothouse cucumber, peeled, seeded and sliced thinly
• 1/2 cup seasoned rice vinegar
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 cups Napa cabbage, shredded
• 4 sesame seed buns

1. Make the tuna burger: Coarsely chop tuna until it resembles ground meat. Place in bowl with remaining ingredients, season with salt and pepper and mix well. Divide mixture into 4 evenly shaped burgers. Wrap each in plastic and chill for 30 minutes.

2. Make the wasabi oil: Place wasabi, vinegar, egg yolk and sesame oil into a blender With machine running slowly, drizzle in olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.

3. Make cucumber salad: Place rice vinegar and sugar in a bowl and whisk to dissolve sugar. Add cucumbers and toss well. Refrigerate for two hours. Drain. Keep chilled until ready to serve.

4. To assemble: On a lightly oiled non-stick pan or hot grill, place the tuna burgers on and cook for about 3 to 4 minutes on each side. Place cabbage in a bowl and lightly dress with wasabi oil. Assemble burgers on top of bun and dress with napa cabbage and wasabi oil. Serve with cucumber salad on the side.

An al fresco farm dinner at the Muckenthaler Cultural Center on Aug. 23 will have the museum’s executive director taking on guest chef duties for a grill-heavy menu. The menu includes things like smoked red snapper pizza, Asian slaw salad, pulled pork chili and cornbread, Cornish hen and homemade ice cream. Everything served is organic and local. Courses are paired with wine from OC Custom Wine. Funds support the Muckenthaler's programs. $100 per person. 5 p.m. Aug. 23. 1201 W. Malvern Ave., Fullerton. Reservations: 714-738-3134. www.themuck.org  

As for non-chains, we’re on our own. But keeping a few things in mind when dining can help you from going overboard. I talked to Susan Johnson of the Irvine-based Susan’s Healthy Gourmet  for some advice on ordering healthy in non-chains. Read on for some of her tips.

• Order small plates. When eating out with friends, you’ll get the variety in small quantities that you can share. For most of us, a few bites of a dish will do. This applies to desserts as well. “It’s a great way to get something sweet is to share,” Johnson says. “You’ll get a taste of something without having to eat the whole thing.”
• Box it. Many of us are diligent about asking for the doggy bag after we’ve eaten our fill, but you might be better off boxing up half the entrée before you even pick up your fork.
• Order grilled or steamed. Grilled chicken and fish are good bets. As for vegetables, they "taste better at restaurants because they run them through a butter bath,” Johnson says. Subbing for steamed vegetables will do the trick.
• Breakfast breads: “English muffins are lower in calories than toast,” Johnson says. Also, use jam instead of butter to further cut calories.
• Cobb, Caesar and Chinese Chicken salads are the worst to order, the former two because of creamy mayo-based dressings. Chinese Chicken salad has a high sodium content. If you’ve got a hankering for any of these, order dressings on the side and ask for half the amount of cheese. You’ll still get the taste of cheese without overdoing it.
• At the bar: “Red wine is your best bet. It’s less caloric than white,” Johnson says. Choose flavored vodkas over fruity drinks, and light beers over dark. “Blond beers have fewer calories than darker ales,” Johnson says.

When choosing restaurants, find the ones that are accommodating to your pick-and-choose methods. “I try to frequent the restaurants where you can choose and customize your meal,” she says.

Johnson’s restaurant picks:

• Bistango:  For small plates. 
• Cocina Alessa: “If you have to have a Caesar salad, this is the best one around,” she says.
• Memphis Café:  Yes, you can eat healthy at a Southern restaurant. Memphis’ pan-roasted chicken (order without the garlic butter) and blue corn chicken salad (ask for grilled chicken) are Johnson’s recommendations.

The interior of Zimzala restaurant in Huntington Beach

Bacon fans: Chef Vincent Muraco of the recently opened Zimzala shares his recipe for his bacon-wrapped dates, a popular item on the Mediterranean restaurant’s menu. You can serve them as an appetizer or as part of a tapas menu.

BACON-WRAPPED DATES

Yield: 4 servings

• 4 dates
• 4 strips bacon
• 1/4 cup blue cheese*
• Arugula leaves (for plating)
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste

1. Heat a sauté pan or deep fryer with about 2 or 3 inches of oil. With a pairing knife, slice dates along their pits, being careful not to cut dates in half. Remove pit.

2. With your fingers, gently press the dates flat. Place a small amount of blue cheese inside dates and pull each side together. On a cutting board or work surface, place one date on top of bacon slice and roll, trimming off excess bacon. Repeat with other dates.

3. Place dates in pan or deep fryer, and cook until bacon is golden brown. Remove from pan and place on paper towel-lined plate.

4. On a serving dish, place arugula leaves and drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper. Place bacon-wrapped dates on top and serve.

* Note: the restaurant uses Roaring 40’s blue cheese  for this recipe. Zimzala, 500 Pacific Coast Highway (inside the Shorebreak Hotel), Huntington Beach. 714-960-5050. www.restaurantzimzala.com  

The more than 30 participating restaurants include Lascari’s, Le Diplomate Café, Pane E Vino, Taps Fish House & Brewery, Winestyles and Ziings Bistro & Bar. Besides eating, you can listen to live bands, watch theater performances and stroll through artist demos and exhibits. The event has raised more than $20,000 for Brea arts programs in years past. Admission is free, but taste tickets are $3 each. Brea Civic Center, 1 Civic Center Circle, Brea. 714-990-7771, www.cityofbrea.net  

Tonight, the Newport Beach and Tustin locations of the Bluewater Grill are hosts to a tuna tasting menu starting at 6:30 p.m. Here’s the menu:

• Seared AHI Tuna
• Seared Albacore Tuna
• Calico Poke (AHI and Albacore)
• Smoked Albacore Tuna
• Spicy Tuna Roll

Featured booze is Hakutsura Draft Sake, Sapporo Draft Beer and Trimbach Pinot Blanc. Menu is $24.95 per person, and if you’re still hungry, you can tack on select additional items for $3. Reservations are required. 630 Lido Park Drive, Newport Beach. 949-675-3474. Also:  2409 Park Ave., Tustin. 714-258-3474. www.bluewatergrill.com 

Meryl Streep as Julia Child in "Julie & Julia."

I don’t know about you, but the minute I heard about the “Julie & Julia”  film (which opens Friday), I got a little nervous. We all know how movies often pale in comparison to the books they’re based on. This film is based on two books -- Julia Child’s “My Life in France” and Julie Powell’s “Julie and Julia: 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen” -- so there’s even more room for disappointment. But the general buzz from foodies and the press (myself included) who have seen it is positive. Nora Ephron does a wonderful job of bringing the books to life, and Meryl Streep is a genius playing Julia Child. You will love it.

Below is info on a couple of local eateries that have special menus in honor of the film’s opening. But before we get into that, Chef Zov Karamardian and OC Register food columnist Cathy Thomas recount some of their own Julia memories from working with her: 

“She was very receptive to other people cooking. When we cooked together she would watch me cook and say ‘why are you doing this?’ and ‘why are you doing that?’ She was not very familiar with Mediterranean cooking, and she was fascinated by it.

“She also loved cornbread. I took her some when she was sick and she loved it so much she wanted the recipe. She wanted to give it to the chef at the assisted living place she was living in. She was very inquisitive about everything. She had no idea what a legend she was.” – Zov Karamardian

“Like so many people my age in the culinary world, she opened up the door for us, she showed us how and why because she was really a teacher. She talked about where you could go wrong and how to be successful. It really was our cooking school. I remember meeting her when I was studying at La Varenne in Paris in the late ‘70s. She visited the school, and I was making tuiles, those u-shaped cookies. These were really cool because they had coconut in them. She came into the kitchen and picked up one of my tuiles and told me how good it was and how much she liked it. I don’t think my feet touched the ground for a week.

“Later, while at the OC Register, I had the opportunity to be with her several times. I remember this time I was talking to her and just trying to get information. Julia always turns those sessions around. It really turned into an interview of the person interviewing her. She encouraged me to write a book. She said, 'you have to write a book.' S,o bless her heart. – Cathy Thomas

As promised, here are celebrating the movie release with Julia-inspired menus: The Anaheim White House will have a month-long menu where Chef Bruno Serato and team will cook from Julia’s ubiquitous “Mastering the Art of French Cooking.” Anaheim White House, 887S. Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim. 714-772-1381. www.anaheimwhitehouse.com 

Chef Pascal Olhats’ Tradition By Pascal will also have a Julia-inspired three- or four-course meal (and optional cooking class) which includes Sole Meuniere, the first dish that Child sampled upon arrival in France. Olhats was also a chef at Child’s 80th birthday party. 1000 N. Bristol, Newport Beach.949-263-9400. www.pascalnpb.com 

The Food Network's Guy Fieri, photo by Eric Liesse.

It seems the Celebrity Food Show steps it up each year to top the last, and this year is no exception. Expect more local artisans, a dueling barista competition and twice-daily cooking demos from the Food Network’s Guy Fieri.

It's kind of a mishmash of trade, consumer and entertainment events, all rolled into a single weekend so there’s something that appeals to different types of food lovers. Show organizer Mary Carter expects crowds totaling more than 20,000 people, most attending to see Fieri. “He genuinely wants to meet his fans and say hello or give them a hug,” Carter says. “Working with celebrity chefs, sometimes you don’t get to see that side of them, but he’s just all about making sure he can say hello to as many people as he can.”

Fieri’s demos are at 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, with book signings in between. Tickets are $35 to $125 for VIP seating.

Of all the events and the 75 wineries, 100 O.C. restaurants and 130 gourmet food companies exhibiting, here are a few that Carter says are not to be missed:

Dueling baristas: A top Italian barista competes with an American barista to create latte art, with show attendees acting as judges. Demos take place on both days of the show, with the winner announced on Sunday.

Salsa: Over on the exhibitor floor, artisan food company Sancho Blanco  from Colton, Calif., will have tastes of its award-winning salsa for attendees to try.

Cake competition: The best and brightest culinary students from the Art Institutes throughout the country will be competing for best in show with towering cakes over three feet tall.

Fudge: The Napa Valley Fudge Company  claims to have the “best fudge in the world,” says Carter, who hears that declaration all the time. But the company sent her a sample, and she had to agree with them. “It really is the best fidget we’ve ever had,” Carter says.

Show hours are 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. General admission to the exhibit halls (not including Fieri’s show) are $10 for adults, $5 for seniors and free for children 12 and under. Anaheim Hilton, 777 Convention Way, Anaheim. Call 949-366-9938 or visit www.celebrityfoodshow.com  for more details.

Head to Zov's on Mondays for kebob nights.

Lotsa stuff happening this week, so let’s get right down to it:

Mondays on a stick: By popular demand, Zov’s will have kebab nights every Monday at all three restaurant locations. Full dinners start at $13.95 and include a trio of kebobs, tahini and yogurt, Jasmine rice pilaf and two sides. Zov’s Neighborhood Café: 3915 Portola Parkway, Irvine, 714.734.9687 and 21123 Newport Coast Drive, Newport Coast. 949-760-9687. Zov’s Bistro: 17740 E. 17th St., Tustin, 714-838-8855, www.zovs.com  

Tuesdays on a plate: The Marmalade Café in Tustin is having a lobster fest on Tuesdays to celebrate the Maine lobster harvest. Among lobster-themed menu items is a 1-1/2-pound lobster for $24.95. You can prompt lively conversation with this fact: The difference between spiny/rock lobsters and Maine lobsters is in the claws. Maine lobsters have them, spiny lobsters do not. 2667 Park Ave., Tustin. 714-566-0100, www.marmaladecafe.com 

Summer sipping: The OC Wine and Food Center is hosting a “Sultry Mid-Summer Night,” with hors d’oeuvres and more than 20 wines and cocktails to sample. The event is from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday. Tickets are $35 per person or $60 per couple. Reservations: 714-641-9922. Orange County Wine & Food Center, 1570 Scenic Ave., Costa Mesa. www.vinecuisine.com 

More booze news: Kimera Restaurant is pairing Grey Goose martinis and cocktails with a four course dinner. $55 per person. Thursday, starting at 7 p.m. Reservations: 949-261-1222. 19530 Jamboree, Irvine. www.kimerarestaurant.com 

When one door closes: The OC Fair  ends Sunday, but another fair is popping up. The 61st annual La Habra Corn Festival bills itself as an “Old Fashioned Country Fair,” with food and games and a corn eating contest at 1 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free. Hours: 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. El Centro/Lions Park, 201 N. Cypress St., La Habra. www.lahabracornfestival.com 

All Cheesecake Factory locations will sell their cheesecake slices for half off today. The occasion? It’s National Cheesecake Day (who knew?). The chain is also unveiling Stefanie’s Ultimate Red Velvet Cheesecake (pictured above), which has layers of red velvet cake and cheesecake.

For one year, The Cheesecake Factory will donate 25 cents from each red velvet cheesecake slice purchased will be donated to Feeding America.  Visit www.thecheesecakefactory.com  for locations. 

What better way to celebrate National Lasagna Day than with free food? Bucca di Beppo restaurants will give you a free, lunch-sized portion of lasagna with the dine-in purchase of a small or large pasta or entrée.

The chain has recently introduced new dinner items like prosciutto-stuffed chicken, Chianti braised short ribs and baked rigatoni. Locations in O.C. are in Brea, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove and Irvine. Visit www.bucadibeppo.com  for contact information.

Starting Friday (July 31), South Coast Plaza restaurants will offer lunch and dinner prix fix menus for $20 and $40, respectively, as part of its "Fashion Plates" promotion. Lunches consist of three courses, and dinner is four.

I perused through some of the menus and here are some my dish picks:

Leatherby’s Cafe Rouge: Choices include a beet salad with housemade goat cheese and a blood orange vinaigrette, a pork porterhouse steak with wild boar bacon.

Marché Moderne: braised veal cheeks with zucchini, parmesan and basil risotto and an apricot-Italian pistachio financier with crème fraîche ice cream.

Hamamori: Salmon teriyaki, chef's choice sushi and lobster tempura.

Pinot Provence (pictured at left): Sautéed tiger prawns with potato gnocchi in a beurre blanc over a shaved fennel salad, chocolate “Kit Kat,” with cappuccino ice cream and caramel.

Fashion Plates will end Aug. 9. see the full list of menus, visit www.southcoastplaza.com, and click on a day in the events calendar. For reservations, contact the restaurants directly.

Participating restaurants:

• Antonello Ristorante, 714-751-715, www.antonello.com 
• Charlie Palmer at Bloomingdale’s South Coast Plaza, 714-352-2525, www.charliepalmer.com 
• Darya Fine Persian Cuisine (dinner only), 714-557-660, www.daryasouthcoastplaza.com 
• Hamamori Restaurant-Sushi Bar, 714-850-0880
• Leatherby’s Cafe Rouge (dinner only), 714-429-7640, www.patinagroup.com 
  
• Marché Moderne, 714-434-7900, www.marchemoderne.net 
  
• Morton’s the Steakhouse (dinner only), 714-444-4834, www.mortons.com 
  
• Nello Cucina, 714-540-3365, www.nellocucina.com 
  
• Pinot Provence, 714-444-5900, www.patinagroup.com 
  
• Pizzeria Ortica, 714-445-4900, www.pizzeriaortica.com 
  
• Quattro Caffé, 714-754-0300, www.quattrocafe.com 
  
• Royal Khyber Fine Indian Cuisine, 714-436-1010, www.royalkhyber.com 
  
• Scott’s Seafood Grill & Bar, 714-979-2400, www.scottsseafood.com 

The interior of Marche Moderne.

Starting at 11:30 a.m. today, Ruby’s Diner will have its RubyBurgers and fries for $2.70. The occasion? It’s Ruby Cavanaugh’s birthday.

The chain of 42 restaurants is owned by Doug Cavanaugh, who them after his mother. You can take advantage of this birthday special at all California locations except for the Crystal Cove Shake Shack. Visit www.rubys.com  for locations in Orange County.

Morton’s co-founder and the cookbook author Klaus Fritch will be at the Santa Ana restaurant on July 29 for a cocktail reception and book signing of “Morton’s The Cookbook: 100 Steakhouse Recipes for Every Kitchen.” The celebration is from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and is $59 per person, which includes a signed cookbook, cocktails and appetizers.

The tome is available at bookstores and on the chain’s restaurants and Web site. Below is a recipe for Guava Cairpirissima from the cookbook (which has a whole chapter on cocktails!).

GUAVA CAIPIRISSIMA

From Morton's The Cookbook, 100 Steakhouse Recipes for Every Kitchen

Yield: 1 serving

This rum drink is bright and fruity. Once they discover it, our guests love it. Put the lime wedges, guava, and agave nectar in a cocktail shaker and with the back of a long-handled spoon or a cocktail muddler, press on the fruit and muddle so that the lime wedges and guava are softened.

• 4 lime wedges, halved
• 2 tablespoons cubed fresh guava
• 1/2 ounce agave nectar
• 1-1/2 ounces rum, (see note)
• 1 ounce Cruzan guava-flavored rum

PROCEDURE:

1. Add 1 cup of ice cubes and both rums. Shake vigorously and pour into a double old-fashioned glass. Do not strain.

Note: Morton’s uses Cruzan Estate Diamond rum, which is a relatively light rum.

Book signing information: 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. July 29. Morton's The Steakhouse, 1641 W. Sunflower Ave., Santa Ana. Reservations: 714-444-4834. www.mortons.com 

On reader suggestions, I hightailed it to Phans55 , a sleek Vietnamese restaurant hidden from the world between some tall apartment/condominium complexes in Irvine. It was a little hard to find, but once you’re there, it’s kind of nice – you forget you’re just a stone’s throw from UC Irvine, the bumper-to-bumper 405 and the legions of vehicles rushing down Jamboree. Outside the restaurant, you can catch nearby residents out walking their tiny dogs and coming home from the office. The whole area operates in a welcome, slower pace than the bustling world around it.

This mini culinary hideaway has some stiff drinks (try the gin, triple sec, grape juice and lemon lime shaker that is the Madame Butterfly, pictured at left) and thoughtfully plated Vietnamese food, which the restaurant says is made with all natural meats and poultry. But like most in the class of the modern restaurant-and-bar-types, Phans55 can lean a little on the steep side, evident in an $11 bowl of House Special pho. I don’t have a problem paying $11 for a bowl of pho, but I do take offense at the price tag when it’s attached to a mediocre bowl. I also couldn’t help but compare it to the pho at Brodard Chateau, an equally sleek Vietnamese restaurant in Garden Grove. Its House Special pho is $7.95, and I wouldn’t be exaggerating if I said it was light years ahead of Phans, which has yet to be perfected.

On a happier note, the pho was the only mediocre dish we tried at Phans55. Plump sugarcane shrimp spring rolls ($7) were refreshing and light, bursting with greens and containing just enough shrimp to give them substance. The spring rolls are light enough to be eaten after dinner, as a palate cleanser before dessert or any after-dinner cocktails.

Yam fries with shrimp ($9, pictured above) were crispy clusters of yams and shrimp, a heavier appetizer that surprisingly fit well with the rest of the lighter-fare menu. Though they are fried, the yams are delicate, each stick with a pillowy center. Plus, it was fun to pick apart and eat. An entrée of basil garlic chicken ($14, top photo) came to our table looking conventional – as if it was snatched off of a table at a P.F. Chang’s – but its basil- and garlic-infused flavors were anything but. The basil seemed to have a calming effect on the spicy dish, and it balanced it well. Overall, the restaurant’s cocktails and appetizers are worth stopping in for if you need to get away from the traffic for awhile.

P.S.: In keeping up with this post about why Vietnamese restaurants often have numbers in their names, I found that the “55” here represents the 55 family members in the Phan family. (I wonder what they will do if a new addition is made to the family? Will a Phans56 be in the works?) Phans55, 6000 Scholarship Drive, Irvine. 949-724-1236. There’s also a location in Fullerton. Visit for www.phans55.com  details.

The bar at Stonehill Tavern.

Michael Mina’s Stonehill Tavern has launched its “Classic Tavern Suppers” series, a three-course tasting menu that changes nightly and switches from casual fare to the upscale dishes the restaurant is known for.

Here’s the schedule:

• Wednesdays: Potato-corn chowder with bacon and squash blossoms, fish and chips with Kennebec fries and root beer float with sassafras ice cream and chocolate chip cookies.
• Thursdays: Frisee salad with poached egg and pork belly, American Kobe steak frites with roasted baby carrots and peppercorn jus, and cinnamon sugar doughnuts with espresso crème anglaise.
• Fridays: Heirloom tomato salad with burrata and aged balsamic, cedar plan salmon with bacon vinaigrette, and peach-raspberry crisp with vanilla ice cream.
• Saturdays: BLT salad with Heirloom tomatoes and grilled bacon, prime rib with twice-baked potato and Maui onion jus, and butterscotch pudding with honeycomb.
• Sundays: Nicoise salad, seafood stew with saffron tomato broth and hot fudge sundae with toasted almonds.

The restaurant also has a bar menu of nibbles like truffle popcorn, sliders and lettuce wraps starting at $5 a pop. Click here  for the bar bites menu and here  for a complete list of cocktails. Menu is $39 per person. Stonehill Tavern, St. Regis Monarch Beach, 1 Monarch Beach Resort, Dana Point. Reservations: 949-234-3318. Click here  for restaurant Web site. 

Chef Cathy Pavlos of the Lucca Cafe uses fresh herbs from her mother's garden in the restaurant's dishes.

Lucca Café executive chef and owner Cathy Pavlos is taking local eating to the next level. Not only does she take advantage of local farmers markets that sell California-grown and raised products, but a lot of produce and herbs in her dishes come directly from O.C. gardens as well.

“One of my servers has a garden and brings me artichokes to use,” Pavlos says. “My mom grows most of our herbs. One of my aunts has a bay leaf tree, so we use fresh bay leaves in our food.” Grapes and turnips (pictured) come from the gardens of her restaurant diners, who trade their bounty for a free dinner or two.

“I want to help out the local food chain here,” Pavlos says. “There’s a world of difference between farmers market products and the sanitized and packaged supermarket products.”

Below, Pavlos names some of her top