Join us in learning how to make Decadent Chocolate Concoctions!

Basketball and Taps…the best way to start off March Madness! Come down to TAPS Fishhouse and Brewery on March 17 to enjoy the game in the lounge for only $9.95. Must wear green!

Taps - 101 E. Imperial Hwy. Brea, CA, 92821 - 714.257.0101 - www.tapsfishhouse.com

The Delight of Spring
at Sage on the Coast

It may seem outrageous, calling for spring when our brothers and sisters east of the great divide are still up to their turtlenecks in snow.  But, if you are like me, you bask in the sun and enjoy the sights and smells of the early California spring without a smidgen of guilt.

At Sage on the Coast, we plan to celebrate the arrival of spring with food and libation.  Our March, Second Saturday Wine Tasting will be a celebration of rebirth – sprouting greens, sunshine on the vines, fresh flavors and fragrant wines.

Please join us.  The format will be the same as usual– two white wines, two red wines and four paired food courses – but the company, the wine and the food should be extraordinary.

Second Saturday Wine Tasting

March 13th at 2:30 p.m.

Sage on the Coast Restaurant

949.715.7243

$30 plus tax

Reservations are recommended. This is a sit down event. Please be prompt due to the demands on our kitchen.

This Easter Sunday, Lucca will feature a lavish brunch buffet and offer a special deal for children under 12 by allowing them to pay according to their age!  The popular Easter brunch buffet, offered on Sunday, April 4 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., will feature a full buffet with a wide variety of options, including items from an egg and omelet station, featuring local, cage-free eggs; and a deluxe carving station with certified Angus beef tri-tip and Diestel free-range turkey breast.

“Easter is a holiday that focuses on family togetherness and, in this day and age, that is extremely important for everyone,” comments Cathy Pavlos, executive chef/owner of Lucca.  “We wanted to appeal to families by offering the best in quality and service, while presenting a special deal for children under 12 years old, who pay their age for their meal, meaning three-year-olds would pay $3 for their brunch, four-year-olds, $4, and so on, until the age of eleven.”

The Easter Sunday brunch buffet is $29.95 for adults ($24.95 without Champagne) and items include:

·      Breakfast Pastries baked fresh from scratch

·      Egg & Omelet Station featuring local, cage-free eggs, breakfast potatoes, bacon & sausage

·      Lucca Pancakes

·      Carving Station with Certified Angus Beef Tri-Tip and Diestel Free-Range Turkey Breast

·      Assorted Breads

·      Italian Veggies, Salad Bar with Organic Caesar, Mesclun and Fruit

·       Dessert Spread with Eclairs, Cream Puffs, Cannolis, Assorted Tarts, Brownie Bites…

Reservations are encouraged and can be made by calling (949) 725-1773. Free parking available to all guests.

LUCCA is located in the Quail Hill Village Center in Irvine (6507 Quail Hill Parkway) in Irvine.  For more information, make reservations or order Lucca2Go, please call (949) 725-1773 or visit www.LuccaCafe.com.

Ann Thrup, Ph.d will be presenting a talk on the organic wine industry along with a tasting of organic wines on March 13 at The Ecology Center.

For more information visit www.ecologycenter.org

Bad to the Bone BBQ in San CLemente, CA

We will get to know each other and decide where and when we would like to get together later. What interests we have and what we want to get out of this meetup.

Easter Sunday Brunch at Palm Terrace Restaurant

Sunday, April 4, 2010 – Served from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

The Easter Bunny will be hoppin’ around Palm Terrace handing out festive cookies to all children, while families and friends enjoy a special three-course Easter Sunday Brunch created by Executive Chef Bill Bracken. The menu features a selection of appetizers served tableside, your choice of entrée and ends with a scrumptious dessert buffet. The children will have their very own Kids Buffet, with a selection to satisfy even the pickiest of eaters. Price is $65 for Adults and $28 for Children under 12. Prices exclude tax and gratuity. Reservations are recommended, please call 949.760.4920.

Palm Terrace Restaurant at Island Hotel

                            The Spa at Island Hotel

                            690 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach

                            Telephone: (949) 759-0808

                            Web site: IslandHotel.com

March Chef Tasting Dinner : A Little Taste of Mexico!
This month Chef Derrick created a 5 course tasting menu based on Latin flavors and classic dishes. Only $40 per person or a $10 per course a la carte option. Take a look at the menu aqui.

Flight Bistro & Social Lounge

8082 Adams Ave / Huntington Beach / CA 92646
Tel 714.374.8300 / reserve@flightoc.com / www.flightoc.com

Sushi Making Demonstration with Chef Andy

Date: March 27, 2010
Time: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Location: Claremont Library: Library Meeting Room
Address: 208 North Harvard Avenue , Claremont
Cross Streets: Harvard Avenue / 2nd Street
Region: San Gabriel Valley Area

Description: Sushi demonstration by Chef Andy Matsuda from the Sushi Chef Institute. He will show how a variety of sushi is created. He will share his years of experience, knowledge and skill, holding back no secrets, dispelling the mysticism that has covered the art of sushi for centuries. Limited to the first 50 people. Admission: Free

Transit Directions: http://www.experiencela.com/td.asp?value1=Harvard Avenue / 2nd Street

Driving Directions: http://www.experiencela.com/drivedirections.asp?address=208 North Harvard Avenue&City=Claremont&Zip=

http://cooking.meetup.com/511/calendar/12817059/

To visit The Orange County FUN Cooking Group, go here:
http://cooking.meetup.com/511/

This is the fourth and final class of the CULINARY BASICS SERIES for Spring 2010 offered by the Culinary School of Orange Coast College.

GREEK & MIDDLE-EASTERN CUISINE…….JOIN US FOR A FUN NIGHT!!

What’s Cooking at the Library?

Five Crowns is perfect for a celebration of Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 9^th.   The building has been noted in guidebooks and historical papers as a landmark – North America’s most authentic replica of an English inn –  and its garden setting is especially beautiful in the spring.  A special occasion Brunch and Dinner menu will be offered by Executive Chef Dennis Brask. 

During Brunch served from 10:00 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., a choice of appetizers such as Wild Mushroom Bisque, French Onion Soup, or Pride of the Crowns, Hearts of Romaine or a Garden Salad is included with the entrées. An extensive entrée menu includes Crepes Imperial, Eggs Benedict, Poached Salmon, Roast Beef Hash, Chicken Mango, Beefsteak Neptune, Rack of Colorado Lamb and Aged, Slow-Roasted Prime Ribs of Beef served in three different cuts with Port Wine Jus, Fresh Organic Horseradish Cream, a Yorkshire Popover, Creamed Spinach, Mashed Potatoes and Gravy among the options. 

During the Dinner seating which starts at 3 p.m., Roasted Duckling and Nova Scotia Lobster Tails are added to the menu, and a Double Chocolate Soufflé with Coconut Crème Anglaise is offered for dessert.  Mother’s Day Dinner reservations will be taken through 8:30 p.m.  Entrées with the first course included are priced from $21 to $52 during Brunch; from $33 to $52 at Dinner.        

Five Crowns will celebrate Easter on Sunday, April 3, by offering all the traditional favorites during Brunch and Dinner prepared by Executive Chef Dennis Brask. 

            During Brunch served from 10 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., a choice of five appetizers is included with entrees such as the Aged, Slow-Roasted Prime Ribs of Beef served in three different cuts with Port wine Jus, Fresh Organic Horseradish Cream, a Yorkshire popover, Creamed Spinach, and Mashed Potatoes with gravy.  Crepes Imperial, Eggs Benedict, Poached Salmon, Roast Beef Hash, and Chicken Mango are also options.  During the Dinner seating which starts at 3 p.m., Beefsteak Neptune, Nova Scotia Lobster Tails, Roasted Duckling and Rack of Colorado Lamb are added to the selections.  A Double Chocolate Soufflé with Coconut Crème Anglaise is offered for dessert.  Easter Dinner reservations will be taken through 8:30 p.m.  Entrees with the first course included are priced from $21 to $52 during Brunch, from $33 to $52 at dinner. 

What: Wine class with Pierrick Bouquet: The world of Pinot Noir

When: Friday, March 12, 2010 6:00 PM

Where:
Ambrosia Restaurant
801 N Main St
Santa Ana, CA 92701

Join me for a new series of wine classes in the magnificent wine cellar of Ambrosia Restaurant in Santa Ana. The first class will include a blind identification of 6 aromas as well as a guided tasting of five selected Pinot Noir, followed by a 3 course dinner.

The class will be divided in 2 parts:

1- The sense of smell (60 min)
The first part of the class will consist in learning how to recognize aromas in red wines and define perceptions. You will learn about the different type of aromas (primary, secondary, tertiary), the different notes (fruity, floral, vegetal, animal, roasted). It will also include a blind identification of 6 aromas extracted from the publication “Le Nez du Vin”.

2- A guided tasting of selected Pinot Noir (60 min)
The second part of the class will consist of tasting five different Pinot Noir from different areas : Burgundy, Oregon, Santa Barbara, Monterey… You will discover how different a Pinot Noir wine can be depending on the soil, the climate, the winemaker. You will learn about the characteristics of each regions, the differences between them and the impact on the wine. You will also try to identify the main aromas in the wines

3 course dinner!
The class will be followed by a 3 course dinner including a choice of appetizers, entrées, desserts and a glass of wine. Prix fixe menu: $40 (tax included)
If you decide to stay for dinner, you will save $10 on the price of the wine class.

Cost:
If you just want to attend the wine class : $50 per person
Wine class + dinner: $80 per person (you save $10)

For a better learning experience, the class is limited to 20 people.
RSVP IS REQUIRED by buying your ticket online on my website www.pierrickbouquet.com using the Paypal links or by sending a check to Pierrick Bouquet.

Secure credit card payment with Paypal (a Paypal account is NOT necessary. You can pay using your credit card). Before buying, please read the General Ticket Policy below.

Cheers and Bon Appétit!

Calling all:

Expats, Immigrants, Global Nomads, Foreigners and those that “feel” foreign in the OC!
A social group for men and women of all cultures and nationalities living in Orange County, California.

A monthly gathering to meet and make friends with others from various backgrounds, languages and nationalities who enjoy a diverse circle of friends and conversation.

The main language for communication will be English.

Learn more about this Meetup Group

First Meetup is March 21 at the Auld Irish Pub in Orange

Join us for a splendid Easter Brunch at Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa’s AAA Four Diamond Restaurant, The Californian on April 11, 2010.  Fit for the entire family, The Californian is offering a buffet made for a king, a fun filled Easter egg hunt for the kids and a surprise visit from the Easter Bunny!  With a savory spread that will please both adults and children, Easter at Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach is sure to be a memorable family affair. Pricing for the buffet ranges from $0 -$78.00 per person.  For details and reservations please call 714.845.4776.

Come down to RA Sushi in Hunting Beach on March 21 to see if you have what it takes to be Huntington Beach’s RA Sushi Eating Champion! The winner will be awarded FREE SUSHI for one year!

www.rasushi.com