Huntington Beach’s, solita Tacos & Margaritas, has introduced a new Happy Hour, offered from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday in its bar and bar patio area. On its new Happy Hour menu, solita will offer its signature house margarita, frozen house margarita and skinny margarita made with fresh citrus juices, agave and 100% blue agave tequilas for $5 each. The neighborhood-casual Mexican eatery will also feature a $5 culinary menu of solita specialty tacos featuring wood-grilled and oak-roasted chicken, and juicy pork carnitas.

Following is solita’s complete Happy Hour menu:

solita $5 Happy Hour Menu
Monday-Friday | 3-6 PM

• House Margarita
• Frozen House Margarita
• Skinny Margarita
• Castle Rock Chardonnay
• Jade Mountain Merlot
• Well Drinks

• Two Wood-Grilled Chicken Tacos
• Two Oak-Roasted Chicken Tacos
• Two Pork Carnitas Tacos
• Three Chicken Taquitos
• Mini Sweet Potato Fries

solita offers Happy Hour from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday in its bar and bar patio area. Solita is located at Huntington Beach’s Bella Terra Center (7631 Edinger Avenue, Suite 1508). More information is available at www.solitatacos.com.

Lark Creek Newport Beach, invites guests to take part in Wine Month, beginning on Saturday, March 1. Throughout the entire month of March, the restaurant will offer every bottle from their signature wine list for half price, which includes a selection of varietals from Napa Valley, the Santa Cruz Mountains, Santa Barbara, Mendocino, and Sonoma, as well as from wine-growing regions around the world. Whether visiting for lunch, dinner, or happy hour, diners can savor an inexpensive offering or splurge on their favorite wine for half-off while enjoying signature Lark Creek seasonal dishes, such as Rockfish Ceviche with aji Amarillo and plantain chips, or the Cider-Brined Pork Chop with roasted squash, braised red cabbage, and bourbon sherry glaze.

Here is a sampling of the wines available:

• 2012 St. Supery Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley – $42 / $21
• 2011 Quintessa Illumination Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley – $68 / $34
• 2011 Sonoma Cutrer Russian River Ranches Chardonnay, Russian River Valley – $42 / $21
• 2010 Pahlmeyer Chardonnay, Napa Valley – $110 / $55
• 2011 Gina Gallo Signature Series Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands  – $55 / $27.50
• 2010 DuMol Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley – $116 / $58
• 2011 Ridge Three Valleys Zinfandel, Sonoma County –  $52 / $26
• 2011 Justin Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles –  $56 / $28
• 2010 Paul Dolan Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendocino County – $85 / $47.50
• 2009 Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley – $105 / $52.50

Lark Creek Newport Beach

Fashion Island
below Island Cinema
957 Newport Center Drive
Newport Beach, CA 92660

For $20.14 Enjoy Your Choice Of:

Hamachi Collar
grilled hamachi collar finished in tangy tamarind broth

paired with

Parrots & Death Metal
fair vodka, aperol, simple syrup,
muddled grapes and mint leaves, topped with wit’s end
________________________________________________

Harvest Burger
our craft patty blend of sirloin, short rib & top round, rosemary aioli, apple-onion jam, havarti cheese, arugula, served with duck fat fries and housemade ketchup

paired with

Moscow Mule
spicy housemade ginger beer, svedka swedish vodka,
chase elderflower liqueur, lime
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The Cocktail Dessert Challenge

banana | bacon | chocolate
banana bread, bacon bourbon chocolate,
maple whip, bacon brittle, brulee banana

paired with

Italian Coq Fight (for 2)
aga*vie agave-cognac spirit, averna, dolin dry,
memphis bbq bitters, lime oil slick

VS

Chocolate Semifreddo
Chocolate ganache, kataifi crunch, maple caviar,
peanut butter powder, cocoa nibs, strawberry coulis

paired with

Druid Divination (for 2)
muddled harry’s berries strawberries, thyme, & basil, knot irish whiskey, barsol pisco, 15 year aged balsamic,
lemon juice

Chapter One
227 N Broadway
Santa Ana, CA 92701

The creators of OC Restaurant Week introduce the first-ever “OC Cocktail Week” in honor of handcrafted cocktails. Libation lovers are invited to enjoy cocktails paired with custom sample menu items, available for only $20.14 at over 45 participating restaurants and bars across Orange County. OC Cocktail Week creates an atmosphere where seasoned mixologists and nightlife lovers can unite in celebration of craft cocktail making.

The weeklong event is an all-encompassing experience that offers insight into mixology through live drink demonstrations, recipe sharing, and book signings at various locations. For information on live demos visit http://occocktailweek.com/events.html. Classic and new wave cocktails are also explored on the OC Cocktail Week website, with recipes available instantly at www.occocktailweek.com/recipes.html.

Food pairings included in the $20.14 pricing accentuate the flavors of the cocktails, and add to the allure of the event. Each participating bar and restaurant will have its own custom menu of delectable samples. Mesa in Costa Mesa presents the Trinidadian cocktail made with Zaya 12 Year Rum, Angostura Bitters, Chocolate Bitters, Almond, and Orange Oil. The Trinidadian will be paired with Mesa Pork Belly, pan seared on top of a crispy rice cake and frisee, pork raspberry reduction and micro greens.

Red O in Newport Beach gives guests a chance to choose between three pairing options. One option is the Topolo Margarita paired with Yucatecan Shrimp & Calamari Ceviche. The cocktail is made with El Agave Silver Tequila, JDK & Sons O3 Orange Liqueur, house limonada, and served on the rocks. The Yucatecan Shrimp & Calamari Ceviche consists of steamed Mexican white shrimp and calamari, orange, lime, habanero, avacado, jicama and cilantro.

Sweet pairings are also a highlight of the event. 320 Main in Seal Beach gives guests the option of pairing a Coffee Cream Puff dessert with the Male Order Bride cocktail made with Beefeater Gin, Firelit coffee liqueur, cream, and grated coffee bean, or the Donut Flip cocktail made with angostura fat washed with roasted bone marrow, cream, egg, and sugar.

For general information, list of participating bars and restaurants, or sponsorship and participation opportunities, please visit http://www.occocktailweek.com.

Check out some original cocktail recipes from Saturday Night Foodies: http://saturdaynightfoodies.com/category/recipes/cocktails-recipes/

I have been waiting for this for about 2 years, ever since I had my first experience at a Bobby’s Burger Palace in New Jersey. This one in Las Vegas was just as good. Still can’t wait for them to build one in Southern California but until them I will continue to enjoy these creative and perfectly cooked angus, turkey burgers and chicken breast.

There are a number of different sandwich combinations, salads, sides and beverages. We tried a few things and all were cooked to perfection. Juicy burgers, crisp fries, and a wonderful adult milkshake. We even had both burgers crunchified (potatoes added to the burgers). The french fries were near perfect, the milkshake was super creamy with lots of vanilla beans and great carmel. Yum!

We got to lunch early, but everyone was super friendly and attentive. Almost a little too much, but all good. Also the restaurant was spotless. Nothing was ever out of place the entire time we were there.

I am sure we will stop here again on our next trip!!

60+ Wineries Set to Pour at the 32^nd Annual Wine Festival in the Downtown City Park

Paso Robles, CA (February 6, 2014) Tickets to the marquee wine event in Paso Robles, the Paso Robles Wine Festival, are now on sale at pasowine.com. The Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance is expecting the event to sell out, as they are limiting the number of tickets sold by 10% to ensure all attendees have an extraordinary experience that lives up to their status as Wine Enthusiast’s Wine Region of the Year. Wine Festival Weekend, May 15 – 18, is a jam-packed weekend of fun activities, which includes the RESERVE tasting and Grand Tasting in the park, educational seminars, numerous winemaker dinners and many more individual events hosted by over 130 participating wineries.

For the first time, Wine Festival Weekend kicks off Thursday night with collaborative winemaker dinners. Multiple Paso Robles wineries are at the same table, perfectly paired with each course at local restaurants. Don’t miss the new pre-RESERVE seminar on Friday afternoon. Riedel stemware experts will show the relationship between the shape of a glass and sensory perception of various wine varieties. Following the seminar, the RESERVE tasting will again showcase more than 40 wineries offering one wine within the categories of Reserve, Library, White/Rosé or Futures, paired culinary bites and a futures auction. New in 2014 for the Grand Tasting on Saturday are more food choices, special tastings, education zones and shaded hangout areas. As always, over 60 wineries will pour their best wines and a band will provide tunes to set the mood.

Tickets – All ticket prices include all service fees. Tasting tickets include unlimited tasting and a commemorative wine glass*:

·         Early Bird Special: $10 discounts on RESERVE, Premium and Festival ticket levels are available through March 15, 2014. Discount does not apply to Locals Only, Designated Driver or Winemaker Seminar tickets

·         RESERVE: Friday, May 16, 4 – 6:30 p.m. – $135 (includes Premium entrance to Grand Tasting on Saturday)

·         Premium: Saturday, May 17, 12:00 – 4:00 p.m. – $85

·         Festival: Saturday, May 17, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – $65

·         Locals Only: Saturday, May 17, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. – $45 (Locals Only tickets must be purchased by March 15)

·         Designated Driver: Saturday, May 17, 12:00 – 4:00 p.m. – $20 (Must be 21+)

·         Winemaker Seminar: Saturday, May 17, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. – $25

Travel beyond the park to visit the more than 130 wineries hosting special activities including food pairings, barrel tastings, winery and vineyard tours, live music at the tasting rooms and much more. View the Winery Activities link on pasowine.com to plan your itinerary for Wine Festival Weekend.

The Orange County Restaurant Association will celebrate its sixth year of allowing the community to “break bread” together by producing the region’s fastest growing and most anticipated culinary event, Orange County Restaurant Week. The 2014 Orange County Restaurant Week will be held Sunday, February 23rd through Saturday, March 1st.

The following restaurants are participating in this year’s event, click here for the up-to-date to restaurants and special menus. (http://www.ocrestaurantweek.com/participating-restaurants.html):

118 Degrees – Costa Mesa

230 Forest Ave Restaurant & Bar – Laguna Beach

320 Main – Seal Beach

370 Common – Laguna Beach

American Tavern Eatery and Drink – Anaheim

Anaheim White House – Anaheim

Andrei’s Conscious Cuisine – Irvine

Anepalco’s Cafe – Orange

AnQi By Crustacean – Costa Mesa

Bambu Restaurant – Newport Restaurant

Bluewater Grill – Newport & Tustin

Brea Improv – Brea

Brunos Trattoria – Brea

C4 Deli – Santa Ana

Café Beau Soleil – Newport Beach

Canaletto Ristorante Veneto – Newport Beach

Catal Restaurant – Anaheim

Cedar Creek – Brea

Cedar Creek – San Juan Capistrano

ChaCha’s Latin Kitchen – Brea

Chapter One: The Modern Local – Santa Ana

Charlie Palmer at Bloomingdale’s – Costa Mesa

Chart House – Dana Point

Crystal Jade – Irvine

CUCINA enoteca – Irvine

Eat Chow – Newport Beach

El Torito – All OC locations

El Torito Grill – Brea & Irvine

Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour – Brea & Mission Viejo

Fiano’s Restaurant & Bar – San Juan Capistrano

Fire + Ice – Anaheim

Five Crowns – Corona del Mar

GG’s Bistro – Laguna Beach

Gypsy Den – Anaheim, Costa Mesa & Santa Ana

Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ – Brea, Huntington Beach & Tustin

Harborside Restaurant – Newport Beach

Hopscotch – Fullerton

House of Big Fish and Ice Cold Beer – Laguna Beach

Il Dolce – Costa Mesa

Il Fornaio – Irvine

Irvine Improv – Irvine

Issara Thai Cuisine – Huntington Beach

Jimmy’s Famous American Tavern – Dana Point

JT Schmid’s Restaurant & Brewery – Anaheim & Tustin

K’ya Bistro – Laguna Beach

Kabuki Japanese Restaurant  – Brea

Lark Creek – Newport Beach

Little Sparrow – Santa Ana

LUCCA – Irvine

Lumberyard – Laguna Beach

Maro Wood Grill – Laguna Beach

Marrakesh – Costa Mesa

Matador Cantina – Fullerton

Medieval Times – Buena Park

Mesa – Costa Mesa

Mi Casa Mexican Restaurant & Bar – Costa Mesa & Rancho Santa Margarita

Mizu Sushi Bar & Grill – Rancho Santa Margarita

Morton’s The Steakhouse – Santa Ana

Mosaic Bar and Grille at Montage – Laguna Beach

Mozambique – Laguna Beach

Naples Ristorante – Anaheim

Newport Landing – Newport Beach

Newport Rib Company – Newport Beach

Nieuport 17 Restaurant – Tustin

Nirvana Grille – Laguna Beach

Opah Seafood Grill – Aliso Viejo

Orange Hill Restaurant – Orange

Paul Martin’s American Grill – Irvine

Pinot Provence – Costa Mesa

Pirate’s Dinner Adventure – Buena Park

Pizzeria Ortica – Costa Mesa

Prego Ristorante – Irvine

Prime Cut Café and Wine Bar – Orange

Quinn’s Old Town Grill – Tustin

RA Sushi – Tustin & Huntington Beach

Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen – Anaheim

Rockin’ Baja – Newport Beach

Royal Khyber – Santa Ana

Royal Thai Cuisine – Laguna Beach

Royal Thai Cuisine – Newport Beach

Rusty Pelican – Newport Beach

Ruth’s Chris Steak House – Anaheim

Ruth’s Chris Steak House – Irvine

Savannah Chop House – Laguna Niguel

Scott’s Restaurant & Bar – Costa Mesa

SeaLegs Wine Bar – Huntington Beach

Seasons 52 – Costa Mesa

SLAPFISH – Huntington Beach

Slaters 50/50 – Anaheim Hills & Huntington Beach

SOL Cocina – Newport Beach

solita – Huntington Beach

Spark Woodfire Grill – Huntington Beach

SPIN! Neapolitan Pizza – Orange

Splashes Restaurant – Laguna Beach

Starfish – Laguna Beach

Steakhouse 55 – Anaheim

Sundried Tomato – San Clemente & San Juan Capistrano

SWSH Shabu Shabu – Irvine

Tabu Grill – Laguna Beach

Tamarind of London – Newport Beach

TAPS Fish House & Brewery – Brea

Ten Asian Bistro – Newport Beach

The Blind Pig – Rancho Santa Margarita

The Capital Grille – Costa Mesa

The Catch – Anaheim

The Cellar – Fullerton

The Crow Bar and Kitchen – Corona del Mar

The Melting Pot – Irvine & Brea

The Ranch Restaurant & Saloon – Anaheim  

The Rooftop Lounge – Laguna

The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar – Tustin

Tommy Bahama Laguna Beach Bar & Grill – Laguna Beach

Tommy Bahama’s Island Grille – Newport Beach

Tortilla Jo’s – Anaheim

True Food Kitchen – Newport Beach

Villa Roma – Laguna Hills

VUE Restaurant – Dana Point

Wahoo’s Fish Taco – All OC locations

Watermarc – Laguna Beach

Ways & Means Oyster House – Orange

Wild Goose Tavern – Costa Mesa

Wildfish Seafood Grille – Newport Beach

Woody’s Wharf – Newport Beach

zcafe – Costa Mesa

Zimzala – Huntington Beach

Zipangu – Costa Mesa

Bar Chef Koire Rogers puts a modern twist on cocktails made popular in the 1980s

ARC Bar Chef Koire Rogers is paying homage to the ‘80s as he launches a new Spring Bar Menu with his twist on cocktails such as the Pina Colada, Fuzzy Navel, and Midori Sour.

“The 1980s are now known as ‘the Dark Age of Cocktails,’ when poorly made, sweet vodka drinks made with canned juices and bottled syrups prevailed,” explained Rogers, whose bar program at ARC focuses on craft libations created with house-made syrups and bitters, along with locally sourced artisanal ingredients. “With our new Spring menu, I want to redefine the ‘80s by taking a few of the decade’s best known cocktails and recreating them using fresh, unique, quality ingredients and our signature techniques.”

The following cocktails are available February through the end of April 2014:

PINA COLADA – Zaya 12-year rum, fresh pineapple, coconut milk, orgeat (almond sweetener), roasted macadamia nut bitters; served in a coconut cut to order
APPLETINI – Fords gin, honey, lemon, house-juiced Granny Smith apple
FUZZY NAVEL – Germaine Robin California brandy, peach jam, fresh lemon and orange juices
MIDORI SOUR – Midori, gin, fresh-squeezed watermelon and lemon juices, Mexican Sprite, pickled watermelon rind
COSMOPOLITAN – house-made juniper & citrus peel vodka, dry Curaçao, fresh lime, cranberry bitters

We have had the pleasure of trying the Pina Colada on our last visit. Nothing like great booze and fresh ingredients. Makes all the difference in the world.

ARC Food & Libations
3321 Hyland Avenue Suite F
Costa Mesa, CA 92626

After the success of the inaugural CABs of Distinction event (launched last year to celebrate and promote Cabernet Sauvignon and red Bordeaux wines produced in Paso Robles, California) and the increased momentum from Paso Robles being named Wine Region of the Year by Wine Enthusiast Magazine, the PRCC has geared up for even more exciting events in 2014. Set for April 22 through 26, 2014, CABs of Distinction events will take place in locations across the Paso Robles AVA with enhanced sommelier, media, trade and consumer experiences.

Sommelier Events

The first-ever CAB CAMP is a three-day, all-inclusive opportunity for 20 sommeliers and
key buyers to go in-depth with the Paso Robles AVA.

– Tuesday, April 22: Vineyard and winery tours of PRCC member properties, a winery-hosted
lunch at Vina Robles, and a tasting and dinner at DAOU Vineyard & Winery.

– Wednesday, April 23: Vineyard and winery tours, a winery-hosted lunch at ADELAIDA and
an En Primeur tasting at the Paso Robles Inn Ballroom with barrel tastings from the as-yet-
unreleased 2013 vintage, followed by winery-hosted dinners across the Paso Robles AVA.

– Thursday, April 24: A vintner panel discussion, opportunities for lunch with PRCC member
wineries and a library/rare and reserve tasting will be followed by a barbecue at JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery.

Consumer Events

-Friday, April 25: PRCC members will be hosting various events throughout the day. This is an open day for self-directed vineyard tours. Wineries will also be hosting winemaker dinners at wineries and in Paso Robles’ most sought-after restaurants.

-Saturday, April 26: The CABs of Distinction Gala will be held at River Oaks Hot Springs in Paso Robles and will include tastings of PRCC member wines paired with artisanal cheese and Charcuterie chosen by Fromager Zina Miakinkova. Decadent catered lunches will be provided by notable Paso Robles restaurants and caterers (Robert’s Restaurant, Crush Catering and Avant-Garde Experience) and will be served in the CAB Bistro; chocolate tastings, live music, a barrel-making demonstration and glass etching will also be included. Luxury

VIP tickets are available to attend an exclusive panel discussion, enjoy a multi-course gourmet lunch provided by Thomas Hill Organics and continuous access to the VIP Lounge where desserts and drinks will be available throughout the day. Premium-Reserve VIP tickets are available for entry to an Early Access tasting as well as access to the VIP Lounge throughout the day.

We had a great time at the media event last year, check out the posts:
– Paso Robles CAB Collective “Cabs of Distinction” Event – En Primeur – Day 1
– Cabs of Distinction” Event – Winemaker Panel – Day 2, Part 1
– Paso Robles CAB Collective “Cabs of Distinction” Event – Grand Tasting – Day 2, Part 2

Tickets for the CABs of Distinction event can be purchased at http://www.PasoRoblesCab.com. The web site now includes member winery details and contact information, trade tools, and the PRCC blog for extended member features, harvest reports and other news.

Members of the PRCC to date include ADELAIDA Cellars, Ancient Peaks Winery, B & E Vineyard, Calcareous Vineyard, Chateau Margene, DAOU Vineyards & Winery, Eberle Winery, HammerSky Vineyards, Hunt Cellars, J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, Jada Vineyard, JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery, L’Aventure, Le Vigne Winery, Parrish Family Vineyards, Record Family Wines, Robert Hall Winery, Sextant Wines, and Vina Robles.

National Margarita Day, February 22, 2014, was started to celebrate the iconic margarita which has been enjoyed since the 1940’s. To honor this national beverage holiday, Red O Restaurant Newport Beach will offer a flight of their signature margaritas. The “classic” margarita has evolved over the years with numerous variations and has a storied past, yet still maintains its allure among imbibers. Red O offers guests the opportunity to pay tribute to this holiday with a margarita flight.

Topolo Margarita
El Agave Silver Tequila, JDK & Sons O3 Orange Liqueur, housemade Limonada
Served on the rocks

Alacran Margarita
Hornitos Reposado, JDK & Sons O3 Orange Liqueur, VeeV Acai Spirit,
house made Limonada & Serrano Chile syrup
Served on the rocks in a Tajin-rimmed glass

Organic Skinny Margarita
Tierras Organic Blanco Tequila, fresh squeeze organic lime juice with a splash of organic agave nectar
Served on the rocks

February 15 through March 1, 2014
RED O will offer the margarita flight for two weeks; available for lunch and dinner

RED O Restaurant
143 Newport Center Drive
Newport Beach, CA 92660