Tuna Takeover Tasting Event, Kids Eat Free Tuesdays and Much More
WEB-EXCLUSIVE: Find out what's cooking in Orange County food and dining news.
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On August 10, 2010, Bluewater Grill in Newport Beach (949.675.3474) and The District at Tustin Legacy (714.258.3474) will host a Tuna Takeover Tasting Event featuring tuna prepared five ways. Enjoy seared ahi, seared and smoked albacore, calico poke (ahi and albacore), and spicy tuna roll sushi. Poke, pronounced “po-kay,” is a unique traditional Hawaiian dish that combines bite-sized pieces of raw tuna with a special blend of soy sauce, sesame oil and the addition of sesame seeds, green onions and chiles. The $24.95 price includes tastings of Hakutsuru draft sake, and beers and wines poured during the event. Throughout the month of August, diners may order a special trio of tuna platter, and large Sapporo beers for $5. On the second Tuesday of every month, Bluewater Grill restaurants highlight the latest seasonal fish varieties with commentary by the restaurant’s resident seafood experts. Wines and specialty draught beers are personally selected to enhance the fish of the month.
Senior Winemaker Sean Foster will be the guest speaker at a special Merryvale and Starmont Wineries dinner to be held August 17, 7 p.m. at Five Crowns (949.760.0331). The five-course dinner, prepared by award-winning chef Dennis Brask, will be accompanied by a 2008 Starmont Chardonnay Napa Valley; a 2008 Merryvale Pinot Noir Carneros; a 2006 Starmont Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley; a 2006 Merryvale Profile Napa Valley; and Stella Noche press pot coffee with dessert. Cost, $99 per person, all inclusive.
Kimera (949.261.1222) has welcomed Jon Blackford as its new executive chef. Blackford previously worked at The Lodge at Torrey Pines in San Diego, and was sous chef at Shades at the Hilton Waterfront in Huntington Beach. His food, described as “modern American comfort food with a contemporary twist,” includes such innovative dishes as mac-n’-cheese made with aged goat cheese, cheddar and Argentine Parmesan; hangar steak and foie gras smashed Yukon gold potatoes; and herb-seared halibut. Kimera is open for lunch Monday through Friday, and dinner Monday through Saturday. The lounge bar features a DJ every Friday and Saturday.
It will be a Sparkling Summer Season when Eno-Versity at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel (949.240.2000) offers samplings of sparkling wines from around the globe. Different characteristics of this classic style of wine will be discussed. Artisinal cheeses and hand-crafted chocolate will be paired with the sparkling selections. Classes start at 6:30 p.m. and are $35 per person.
Along with cut flowers and plants, Roger’s Gardens (949.640.5800) Gourmet Food shop is perfect for last-minute hostess gifts and custom gift baskets. The shop carries the best of jams, cookies, pastas, sauces, cookbooks, and the unique Cetinelle Estate olive oil master crafted by Christian Blanchet. The olives are grown in the Tuscan region of Maremma, considered one of the best growing regions in the world. It has a certified IGP, or Indication of Protected origin designation. These olives are grown without the use of pesticides and are cold-pressed. They yield a slightly fruity flavor with end notes of wild herbs and spicy white fruits.
The Melting Pot in Brea (714.671.6000) and San Clemente (949.661.1966) celebrates its three-year anniversary with a “3 For $33” menu throughout the month of August. The special three-course dinner includes a selection of quality cheeses and entrées of filet mignon, New York strip steak, shrimp, chicken breast, or a chicken and vegetable pot. Each course is served with an assortment of seasonal vegetables, and sweet and spicy sauces for dipping. For dessert, seasonal fruit, petit cakes and brownies are dipped in a milk chocolate, dark chocolate or white chocolate fondue. This “3 for $33 dinner is not available with any other special offers or discounts. In keeping up with food trends, all Melting Pot restaurants have partnered with the Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG) to launch a new gluten-free menu. After GIG analyzed MP’s menus and determined which items contained gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye and barley, revisions were made. To view the GF menu online or to make reservations, visit meltingpot.com/irvine.
The mother-daughter team of Mira Selbo and Dana Robertson, owners of the Orange County Melting Pot restaurants have opened The Next Door, located next door to The Melting Pot in San Clemente. The local bar and kitchen, patterned after an upscale pub with a décor of doors, knobs, knockers, and key accents, serves comfort food with a California twist. Look for bacon sirloin burgers, chicken pot pie, West Coast fish-n’-chips, sweet potato fries, and more. Prices range from $4 for sides, to $18.50 for The Next Steak.
This year, Victor Nowak, brew master at TAPS Fish House and Brewery in Brea (714.257.0101) and Corona (951.277.5800) broke all records when he received 10 awards, in different categories, for beer crafting. With his new Brew Crew, Evan Price, head brewer and Kyle Manns, assistant brewer, Nowak has been able to increase his output. TAPS beers are now carried in Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego. This includes Father’s Office, The Surly Goat, Verdugo Bar, Haven Gastropub, Beachwood BBQ, The Catch, and Stone Brewing World Gardens and Bistro.
On Tuesdays, 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m., Kids Eat Free all day at Pasta Pomodoro in Laguna Beach (949.497.8222), Newport Coast (949.759.1303) and Manhattan Beach (310.545.5401). Kids under 12 choose from the Kids Menu that includes mini chicken parmigiana, pizza and cheesy pasta, or they can build their own meal by choosing the pasta, the sauce and the option of adding meatballs. Milk, apple juice or soda are also included. A delicious chocolate sundae is served for dessert.
Cooks in search of hard-to-find foods can look to Roland Foods (rolandfood.com) as a source for multi-colored Israeli couscous, red and green lentils, black beluga lentils, and Bombay Authentics, a line of luxury curry sauces and chutneys. The website offers recipes and culinary ideas.
On September 2-5, Food & Wine will present its first annual Taste of Beverly Hills. The event, orchestrated by Jeffrey Best of Best Events LA, will be held in the former Robinsons-May parking lot, adjacent to the Beverly Hilton hotel. The event will consist of a Grand Tasting Market featuring nearly 40 different restaurants and celebrity chefs from throughout the City of Los Angeles; cooking demonstrations from world-renowned chefs; a series of wine seminars and tastings from Napa and Sonoma top vintners; live musical performances; and much, much more. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit thetasteofbeverlyhills.com, or call 1.877.434.8624.
