Aloha Hour, Do-It-Yourself Bloody Mary Sunday Brunch and More
WEB-EXCLUSIVE: Find out the latest in food and dining news.
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Deborah Schneider, executive chef of SOL Cocina (949.675.9800) has added refreshing springtime delights to her menu. New is the Cinco de Sol, a platter of five antojitos designed for sharing; an arugula, spinach and roasted beet salad; passion fruit crème brulée; panuchos, and more. Chef Schneider’s new cookbook, Amor y Tacos, was inspired by food from taco bars, roadside stalls and street side trucks in Tijuana. Schneider has revamped the recipes to make them quick and easy to prepare at home. Her two other books are ¡Baja! Cooking on the Edge and Cooking With the Seasons at Rancho La Puerta.
The Power of Color, the works of artist Janet Bothne, are on display at Bayside Restaurant (949.721.1222) through July 2010. The Massachusetts-born fine artist has received numerous awards at multiple Southern California juried shows.
Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion Cuisine at Fashion Island (949.640.7697) has initiated Aloha Hour, Monday through Friday, 4:30-6:30 p.m. Appetizers, such as lobster potstickers and lobster California rolls, as well as specialty cocktails, including Roy’s signature Hawaiian martini, select wines by the glass and six menu items are priced at $5.
Charlie Palmer at Bloomingdale's South Coast Plaza (714.352.2525) has a new Do-It-Yourself Bloody Mary Sunday Brunch available every Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Priced at $35, the brunch includes a choice from five appetizers, six main course dishes and a fully stocked Ingredients Bar to master customizing unlimited Bloody Marys. Charlie Palmer provides the 42Below vodka. Too intimidated to make your own? CP will be happy to make you their own signature version. A la carte small plates and a three-course prix fixe lunch ($26) are also available.
On Sunday, May 23, 2-5 p.m., The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar (714.258.7600) will host its second Sunday in the Vineyard fundraiser to benefit The Marconi Foundation for Kids and the Child Guidance Center. The $125-per-person ticket includes a wine tasting with more than 60 wines, many to be considered unique and rare finds, Executive Chef Yvon Goetz manning a cooking station and live and silent auctions. For tickets and more information, call The Marconi Foundation for Kids at 714.258.3001 or visit marconimuseum.org.
On May 22, 3-7 p.m. and May 23, 4-11 p.m., at the Fairmont Hotel in Newport Beach (949.476.2001), The Roosters Foundation of Orange County will host its fourth Food and Wine Celebration to benefit local children’s charities. The Saturday afternoon event, Passport to Wine, features a wine tasting celebration and appetizer pairing. The black-tie event on Sunday is a dining extravaganza with 18 leading Orange County chefs and restaurants collaborating on a five-course meal paired with fine wines and prepared tableside by one of the chefs. The evening also includes musical entertainment and an extensive upscale live and silent auction. The public may purchase tickets in advance at roostersfoundation.org. Saturday‘s Passport to Wine tickets are $50 online and $75 at the door. Tickets to Sunday‘s event, Passport to Chefs, are $400 per person.
The Ecology Center at South Coast Farms in San Juan Capistrano (949.443.4223) holds Farm to Fork Cooking Classes for Kids every first Saturday of each month, 9-10:30 a.m. At the next class, May 1, the children will explore the gardens to learn where their food comes from. After a short harvest walk, the participants will prepare simple small plate meals connecting farm to fork. Cost, $22 per child.
On June 25, 5:30 p.m., ENO-Versity at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel (949.240.2000) will discuss Jewels of Spain, the red and white wines of Spain. Classes and tastings are $35 per person.
Z’Tejas Southwestern Grill at South Coast Plaza (714.979.7469) has expanded its happy hour, 4-7 p.m., and has added a lengthy list of appetizer specials in the $4-$6 range. A new favorite is Leo’s beef tenderloin street taco. Other tasty nibbles include a grilled jumbo chicken quesadilla, blackened catfish tacos and green chile pulled pork nachos and more. Drink specials offer $1 off well drinks and margaritas, $2 off all house-wines-by-the-glass, $4 Stella draft, and more.
Taco Rosa in Newport Beach (949.720.0980) and in Irvine (714.505.6080) have a new happy hour with 50% off select menu items Monday through Saturday from 2-6 p.m. Special pricing on drinks include $3.50 margaritas, $3.50 glasses of imported Latin wine, $1 Tecates, and $1.45 for domestic beers. On Sundays and Mondays from 4 p.m. until closing, kids under 12 eat for a penny with the purchase of an adult entrée. This offer is not valid on takeout or when combined with other offers.
In honor of Mother’s Day, May 9, SusieCakes (949.646.6881) is hosting a recipe contest in the spirit of sharing family recipes. Patrons are invited to submit their favorite recipes inherited from, or inspired by their mothers or grandmothers. The bakery is accepting entries from May 1-7 and can be submitted in person at any of the five California bakery locations or by e-mailing baked@susiecakesla.com. The winning entry will be chosen May 8 and will be baked and sold at every SusieCakes location throughout the remainder of the month. In addition, the winner can provide a photo of their mother or grandmother with an ode or story of a memorable experience that will be framed and displayed at each store.
After a brief closing and remodeling for a “leaner, meaner look,“ Rich Mead, chef/owner of Sage on the Coast, will reopen the restaurant as Avalon Grill.
