Tag Archives: OC Restaurant Week

OC Restaurant Week Launch Party

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A couple of weeks ago I posted about how OC Restaurant Week was approaching and last night the Englishman and I fancied ourselves up and headed to the OC Restaurant Week launch party to kick off all the restaurant week fun.

OCRestaurantWeek_LaunchpartyThe OC Restaurant Week launch party had small bites from a variety of restaurants participating in restaurant week, delicious libations, and lots of sweet treats.  We didn’t get to try everything there, but we did manage to try a lot of different places.

Armed with a glass of prosecco and a bottle of Stella, we started off with a Shepherd’s Pie from Quinn’s Old Town Grill.

OCrestaurantweeklaunchparty_shepherdspieThe Englishman has very high standards for Shepherd’s Pie, and while he thought this was good, he wished it had a bit more seasoning.  I loved the potato crust on top.

Slater’s 50/50 was up next, and we sampled their Bacon burger on a brioche bun.  Apologies for the blurry photo below.

OCrestaurantweek_burgerandmac

The flavor was delicious on this burger and it was very hearty and filling.  Slater’s was definitely one of the more popular spots of the night as well.  We also enjoyed some Lobster Mac ‘N Cheese from American Tavern Eatery and Drink on the side as well.

We couldn’t resist the fresh empanadas smell that was wafting in the air, so we headed to Villa Roma to try the Beef Empanada.

Ocrestaurantweeklaunchparty_villaromaThis was by far the best dish at the OC Restaurant Week launch party hands down.

I was in the mood for a palate cleanser, so I grabbed an arugula salad with truffle oil from Scott’s Seafood (I think?).

OCrestaurantweeklaunchparty_arugulasaladWhile I was enjoying my salad, the Englishman darted for the clam chowder from Bluewater Grill which he declared was the second best thing of the night.

OCrestaurantweek_clamchowderBefore tackling the desserts, we cruised by Sadie Rose to try some bread samples and say hello to my lovely aunt and uncle.

OCrestaurantweek_sadieroseHeads up, you can get Sadie Rose at a variety of supermarkets in OC and their bread is delicious!  The Englishman and I have a few of their baguettes in our house and love them.

Then it was time for dessert – there were almost too many options to choose from!  I headed over to Blackmarket Bakery since I’m a huge fan of all their baked goods.

ocrestaurantweek_blackmarketbakeryWhile everything looked tempting, I kept it simple with a chocolate chip cookie.  Simple, yet delicious.

Had to stop by Frostings Cupcakes to get the OC Restaurant Week cupcake – a Boston Cream Pie cupcake dusted with gold.

OCrestaurantweek_cupcakesThe cupcake was good, although a bit rich for both of us. And with that we waved the white flag and headed home with full and happy bellies.

Don’t forget that OC Restaurant Week runs from February 24th through March 2nd!  Make sure you visit www.ocrestaurantweek.com to check out participating restaurants and their menus.

OC Restaurant Week

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It’s almost the most delicious time of the year – OC Restaurant Week.  Yes, OC Restaurant Week will make its triumphant return from February 24th-March 2nd.  This year is the 5th Anniversary of OC Restaurant Week so it’s extra special (be sure to check out the anniversary cupcake from Frostings!).

OCRestaurantWeekBanner

One of the main reasons I love OC Restaurant Week so much is because the restaurants that participate generally offer a three course menu at a very affordable price.  Lunches generally run from $10-$30, and dinners run from $20-$40.  This is a steal, especially if you have your eye on trying a higher end restaurant.  The three course menus offered generally include an appetizer, an entrée, and a dessert (and sometimes a beverage as well).

Restaurants from across the county participate in OC Restaurant week, so you are almost guaranteed to find one near you.

FishNChipsBlueWaterGrill

Pictured above are the Fish N’ Chips from Bluewater Grill. Order them during OC Restaurant Week!

Here are a few other places I highly recommend checking out:

True Food Kitchen

LUCCA Cafe

Paul Martin’s American Grill

CUCINA Enoteca

Cucina Alessa

Pizzeria Ortica

There are also a bunch of restaurants on the list that I haven’t been to before and definitely want to check out.  These include:

Zimzala

Crow Burger Kitchen

Charlie Palmer

Bruno’s Trattoria

The Rooftop at K’ya

For the full list of restaurants participating in OC Restaurant Week, be sure to visit www.ocrestaurantweek.com.

What places are you planning on checking out?

 

 

 

The Upcoming Weekend in Food

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March is finally here which means daylight savings, spring and warm (well warmer than usual) weather is just around the corner.  And what better way to celebrate the impending return of spring than with some delicious food and drink?  Check out some of these fun food related events happening this weekend.

OC Restaurant Week – now until Saturday, March 3

Have you checked out OC Restaurant Week yet?  You have until Saturday, March 3rd to check out some of the best food OC has to offer.  This only comes around once a year and the deals are too good to pass up so be sure to participate now!  I have a few restaurants I’ll definitely be paying a visit to.

FOODSCAPE:  Food + Art – Saturday, March 3

Head down to Long Beach to check out this unique exhibition where over 15 artists will be showcasing food-themed art in a variety of mediums from photography to painting and ceramics.  Food trucks will be on hand to provide delicious food.  To learn more visit http://www.foodbeast.com/foodscape/.

Beer Fest at Whole Foods Huntington Beach – Sunday, March 4

Whole Foods HB is holding their first annual beer fest.  For only $10, enjoy tastes from 18(!) beers from 1-4pm.  For another cool $5, you can have some pork sliders while you sip your beer.

Farmer’s Markets – Saturday March 3 and Sunday March 4

Get out in the sunshine and check out a local farmer’s market this weekend for some fresh produce and tasty nibbles.  For a complete list of Orange County certified farmer’s markets, click here.

Flavors of Laguna Food Tasting Tour – Saturday, March 3

Go on a 3.5-4 hour walking tour through picturesque Laguna Beach and taste food from some of Laguna’s finest restaurants for $55 a person (an additional $5 gets you beer/wine pairings as well).  To learn more visit www.flavorsoflaguna.com

So many options, so little time!  Good thing those days are starting to get a bit longer…

OC Restaurant Week Spotlight: Avanti Cafe

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OC Restaurant Week starts this Saturday, February 26th, and if you aren’t excited about the menus yet, the one at Avanti Cafe is sure to knock your socks off.  It’s time again for another OC Restaurant Week Spotlight: vegetarian restaurant Avanti Cafe.  (past spotlights include Pizzeria Ortica, Tommy Bahama’s Island Grille, Cucina Enoteca, and Lucca Cafe)

So why is Avanti Cafe a must stop during OC Restaurant Week?  Well, the lunch menu is only $10, and the dinner menu is $30, for not one, but TWO people.  It’s quite possibly the best deal in town.  Plus, if you are a vegetarian and/or vegan this place will cover all of your dietary needs.

For a cool $10, enjoy a build your own pizza lunch at Avanti Cafe with 28 pizza toppings to choose from, a drink (beer is only $5 extra) and one of Avanti’s signature cookies.  Sounds like the perfect lunch deal to me.

On the dinner front, TWO people will each enjoy an appetizer, entrée, and dessert.  And just like at lunch, you can add a beer for only $5 extra.  Check out the menu here.

The menus at Avanti Cafe may not be the fanciest on the block, but their food is good and good for you.  Plus the menu is such a steal that it is pretty much impossible to pass up.

*OC Restaurant Week runs from February 26th-March 3rd.  Check out all the participating restaurants at OCRestaurantWeek.com*

OC Restaurant Week Spotlight: Lucca Cafe

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It’s time for another OC Restaurant Week spotlight!  Previous restaurants included in the spotlight series include Pizzeria Ortica, Tommy Bahama’s Island Grille and Cucina Enoteca.  Today we are shining the spotlight on Lucca Cafe.

It’s no secret how much I love Lucca.  Since I moved back to Orange County from LA in 2010, Lucca has always been a go to for me.  Whether it is breakfast, lunch, or dinner, Lucca aims to please.

Best way to start a meal at Lucca

Lucca, like many of the restaurants participating in OC Restaurant Week is quite delicious but not the cheapest place on the block.  But thanks to the prixe fixe menus Lucca is offering during OC Restaurant Week, you’ll get to try some of the best that Lucca has to offer.

On the lunch front, for only $15 enjoy a soup or salad to start, followed by some of Lucca’s signature entrees such as the Pulled Pork Shoulder Sandwich or the Veggie Lasagna.  And don’t forget dessert!  You also get a delicious dessert included in your $15 meal.

For only $30(!) at dinner, enjoy an appetizer, entree, and dessert.  Plus, you can also get selected glasses of wine at 25% off.  If that isn’t a steal then I don’t know what is.  Definitely save room for dessert at this meal, because the banana bread pudding and the dark chocolate creme brulee are divine.  To check out the full restaurant week menu, click here.

Stay tuned to see what restaurant will be featured next in the OC Restaurant Week spotlight!

*OC Restaurant Week runs from February 26th-March 3rd.  Check out all the participating restaurants at OCRestaurantWeek.com*

OC Restaurant Week Spotlight: Cucina Enoteca

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We are officially another week closer to OC Restaurant Week, which means it’s time for another OC Restaurant Week Spotlight.  Be sure to look at previous posts to learn about Pizzeria Ortica and Tommy Bahama’s Island Grille.  This time the spotlight is shining on Cucina Enoteca.

Cucina Enoteca is one of the new restaurants to open at the Irvine Spectrum, and it has already made quite a splash.  From offering weekly specials to “Social Saturdays” and unique pizzas, the restaurant is definitely making it’s mark.

For OC Restaurant Week the restaurant is offering 4 different menus to choose from, depending on how much you feel like spending.  This is a great concept because if you aren’t feeling like a heavy meal, you can choose a lighter option at a cheaper price.

On the lunch front, you can choose a soup or salad with a panini or pizza for only $15, or if you want something a little heartier, you can get a soup or salad and one of the dinner entrees for only $20!  Either way, lunch is definitely a steal.

For dinner, the same concept applies.  Choose an appetizer, pizza and dessert for $25, or choose an appetizer, entree and dessert for $30.  For dinner, I highly recommend the pear and gorgonzola pizza or the jidori chicken.  Both are excellent dishes.

Pear and Gorgonzola Pizza

There are 3 dessert options to choose from on the dinner menu, but the favorite of this bunch is definitely the zeppole, aka Italian fried doughnuts.  You can see the entire restaurant menu over on the OC Restaurant Week’s website.

Zeppole

Cucina Enoteca is a definite must stop this year for OC Restaurant Week.  Whether you go with a pizza and salad or try an entree and one of their tasty appetizers, you are bound to have a delicious meal.

*OC Restaurant Week runs from February 26th-March 3rd.  Check out all the participating restaurants at OCRestaurantWeek.com*