Winder Farms (1.800.946.3371, winderfarms.com) offers a rescue plan for harried families throughout Orange County with its “farmers market on wheels.” The premier home delivery grocery company offers more than 300 farm fresh organic, all natural and hormone-free products, and delivers them to customers’ doors in cooler bags every week before 8 a.m. Choices include all-natural dairy items, eggs and cheese, just-picked fruits and vegetables, freshly made pasta, baked goods, and much more. Order one time only, or have a standing order. Changes can be made online by 8 p.m. the night before scheduled delivery.
Pie-Not: The Aussie Style Bakery, specializing in savory pies, desserts and Bun Coffee imported from Byron Bay, Australia, has opened on 17th Street in Costa Mesa (949.650.7437, pienot.com). The pies, labeled “Drover,” “That’ll Do Pig,” “Sprung a Leek,” and other whimsical names, are made fresh daily with a shortcrust pastry shell, filled with beef, lamb, chicken, or vegetables, and are topped with a puff pastry lid. Choose from six premium and six standard pies, including vegan, six “other” pastries and six “sweet treats.” Pie-Not is closed Mondays.
On September 10, Bluewater Grill in Newport Beach (949.675.3474, bluewatergrill.com), The District at Tustin Legacy (714.258.3474) and Catalina Island (310.510.3474) will host a special ECO dining event. Sustainable Seafood Feast is a part of its ongoing commitment to educating the public about the importance of responsible seafood purchasing, cooking and eating. The three-course dinner, specially priced at $34.95, includes a raw shellfish or hot starter, clam chowder or lobster bisque, an entrée, and unlimited sourdough bread and butter. The ECO meal will be available throughout the month with the featured wine available at regular prices.
Chef Alexander Dale grew up in a family that once owned the famed Villa Nova (soon-to-be The Winery), and now he is winning diners over at the casual chic SeaLegs Wine Bar in Huntington Beach (714.536.5700, sealegswinebar.com). His innovative cuisine can be experienced at dinner nightly, lunch on Friday and Saturday, Sunday Brunch, and happy hour Monday through Friday 4-6 p.m. and all day on Sunday. Blind tastings are held Tuesday nights at the bar, and bottled wines are half-price on Wednesdays. A knowledgeable staff will guide you through the vast selection of wines and food pairings.
Festa dell’Autunno, a weekend event celebrating the traditions of Italy, runs at The Resort at Pelican Hill September 20-22. Festivities kick-off Friday night, 6-10 p.m., with a multi-course dinner at Andrea, presented by guest Chef Angelo Auriana, executive chef of FARNIA in San Francisco. Cost, $175 per adult, plus tax and gratuity. An Italian Street Festival held on Saturday, features regional Italian cuisine, wine tasting, live music, visual arts, auto exhibitions, and an olive oil pressing demonstration. To purchase event tickets and packages, call 855.55.FESTA. More details at pelicanhill.com/festa.
The artwork of 15 artists is on exhibit at Bistango (949.752.5222, bistango.com) until November 3. Curated by Antoinette Sullivan of Studio Gallery (studiogallery.net), featured artists include Ben Hecht, Tyler Burton, Jane Burton Peter Hammar, Barbara White, Carolann Boo, Carole Boller, Veronica Schmitt, Hamid Iravani, Susie Stockholm, Jane Cooper, Tal Ernst, Tracey Moloney, Leroy Neiman, and Geoff Greene.
Stonefire Grills in Irvine (949.777.1177, stonefiregrill.com) and Fountain Valley (714.968.8300) have added craft beers to enhance their famed baby back ribs and other comfort foods. Fireman’s Brew and Stone IPA, Anderson Valley Boont Amber and Lost Coast Tangerine Wheat are a few of the brews that have been introduced.
Leatherby’s Café Rouge (714.429.7640, patinagroup.com/caferouge) has launched “Lunch Detour,” an enticement for routine lunch-goers to make a change from brown-bagging and food trucks and enjoy a fast, casual meal in the airy bright space of the restaurant. Executive Chef Ross Pangilinan changes the menu weekly with a variety of global themes ranging from housemade pasta to tacos and burgers, and keeps them within an $8 price range.
Spotted in the harbor is Ship ‘N a Bottle (714.206.9283, shipnabottle.com), a fun, unique way to socialize. A total of six passengers sit on two opposite benches that are mounted on the bow of the 26 ft. sloop, Kakulu. During the 90-minute cruise, operated by a licensed US Coast Guard captain, guests sip wine and nibble on cheese, crackers and fruit. Each couple is allotted one bottle of red or white wine, or Champagne. More wine is available for purchase. (There is a $10 corkage fee.) The cost is $85 per person, or $155 for two, $400 per group.
After a month of online voting in different categories of restaurants and cuisine, The Golden Foodie Awards will announce the winners at a red carpet ceremony September 29 at the Fairmont Hotel Ballroom. The evening includes cocktails, the awards show and multiple desserts provided by Golden Foodie Awards pastry participants. Dance music will be provided by last year’s OC Music Awards winner, Nancy Sanchez. Tickets are $200 per person and may be purchased online at goldenfoodieawards.com.
Seasons 52 at South Coast Plaza (714.437.5252, seasons52.com) has introduced a new menu of wine flights and flatbreads. Taste three red or white wines, followed by a full pour of your favorite, or enjoy a flight and a full pour of the Acclaimed Series, all rated +90 points. Served daily until 6 p.m., prices start at $15. A choice of a signature flatbread is served with every flight.
September 15 is a Parrot Head Sunday at Bayside Restaurant (949.721.1222, baysiderestaurant.com). These special Sundays include entertainment by Mark Wood & The Parrot Head Band Duet. A special three-course brunch with free flowing Champagne is offered as well as the regular menu.
On September 18, Broadway by Amar Santana (949.715.8234, broadwaybyamarsantana.com) will highlight Foxen Wines at a special wine dinner. Please contact the restaurant for detailed information.
On September 30, the Wine Education Series at Old Vine Café (714.545.1411, oldvinecafe.com) will discuss Spanish Wines. Topics will cover the history of Spanish wine laws, an overview of soil and climate types and how they influence these wines, and a tasting from some of the most influential regions in Spain. Classes are held monthly and cost $40 per session. Participants must register in advance and classes are non-refundable.
On September 21, Chef Shachi Mehra, formerly of Tamarind, and soon to be chef/owner of Adya in Anaheim, will have a tasting booth at the OC Fest of Ales & Beer Run 5K at Center Street Promenade in Downtown Anaheim (ocfestofales.net). Tickets to the event are now on sale.
Tender Greens will open this fall in the space formerly occupied by Britta’s at University Center in Irvine.
Pacific Whey has closed its restaurant at Crystal Cove Shopping Center and will be replaced by Babette’s, an independent bistro from East Hampton, New York. Pacific Whey will still operate their restaurants at South Coast Plaza and Newport Hills Center.
Iva Lee’s in San Clemente (949.361.2855, ivalees.com) is now open seven nights a week.
After 14 years of broadcasting on Southern California talk radio stations, local Chef Jamie Gwen (chefjamie.com) has been syndicated with Soy Sauce Media. Food & Wine with Chef Jamie Gwen is now heard in more than 70 markets across the country on the Talk Radio Network.
