Great Taste Magazine

Rothchild’s Fine Italian
2407 East Coast Hwy.,
California-92625
(949) 673-3750
www.rothschildsrestaurant.com

CuisineType : Italian

Join us on Sunday, May 20th from 3 to 5 p.m. when we welcome back award winning artist Jeff Horn! We will have several of his most recent pieces on display. Jeff has generously pledged 20% of the exhibit proceeds to be donated to the Children’s Hospital of Orange County. Complimentary refreshments will be served.

Morton’s
1641 W. Sunflower Ave.,
CA-92704
714.444.4834
www.mortons.com/santaana

CuisineType : American, Fine Dining, Steak

Esteemed guest, Peter Mondavi Jr., leads as we explore the fine vintages of the Charles Krug Winery of Napa Valley.

Enjoy exquisite wine, fine steakhouse dining and a distinctive auction benefiting the Make-A-Wish® Foundation of Orange County and the Inland Empire. Live Auction benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Orange County and the Inland EmpirePeter Mondavi Jr. will be inviting you to bid on an exclusive 27-liter bottle of Charles Krug, Vintage Selection Cabernet Sauvignon, 2009.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Orange County and the Inland Empire will receive 100 percent of the winning auction bids (wishocie.org). Any winning bid amount over the fair market value can be considered for tax-deduction purposes.$150 ++

Charlie Palmer at Bloomingdale’s South Coast Plaza
3333 South Bristol Street,
CA-92626
949-653-2900
FeedOC.org

Cuisine Type : American, Fine Dining, Seafood, Steak

Hosted by South Coast Plaza, “The Summer Food & Wine Event” features fine wine and food at Charlie Palmer at Bloomingdale’s from 6-9pm. More than 25 renowned wineries will pour their best vintages, accompanied by Chef Seakyeong Kim’s sumptuous tastes. Over 100 wines from Napa and Sonoma Valleys, the Central Coast and France will be sampled. Entertainment provided by KCRW’s Jason Bentley. All proceeds from the event and silent auction benefit Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County’s ongoing efforts to fight hunger. Advance tickets: $75, $100 at door. Call 949-653-2900 x 131 or visit: FeedOC.org

Scapetta, Sotto, Chaya, Rivera, Savory, Whist, and many more.
1700 Ocean Ave.,
CA-90401
3106704624
www.liverfoundation.org/chapters/greaterla

CuisineType : Fine Dining

Take your dining experience to the next level. At Flavors you’ll do more than just eat the food, you will witness culinary experts craft a meal tableside. This is one dinner that goes above and beyond the usual restaurant fare! Unleash your inner “foodie” and experience a distinct evening of dining while helping to fund the research, education, and advocacy efforts of the American Liver Foundation.

A culinary gala featuring excellent chefs throughout the Los Angeles area preparing five course meals at your table paired with wine. It is benefit for more than one million patients in Southern California.

To purchase tickets, visit http://go.liverfoundation.org/site/TR?fr_id=3170&pg=entry

The Winery Restaurant
2647 Park Ave,
California-92782
(714) 258-7600
www.thewineryrestaurant.net/

CuisineType : Winery

A sampling of wines to be offered. Benefitting the Marconi Foundation for kids & CASA.Tickets are available for $150 per person.

ROCK’N FISH
422 South Coast Highway,
CA-92651
(949) 497-3113
rocknfishlb.com

CuisineType : American

On Saturday, March 10 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., more than 20 of California’s top winemakers will join together for the first annual Ultimate Wine Festival at ROCK’N FISH Laguna Beach. Wineries participating in the intimate event include Opus One, Silver Oak, Ceja Vineyards, Grgich Hills, Terra Valentine, Far Niente, Dolce, Nickel & Nickel, Quintessa, Faust, Staglin Family Vineyards, Twomey, Cline, Rombauer, Pisoni/Lucia, Bridlewood, MacMurray, Freemark Abbey, Arrowood, Cambria Estates, Murphy Goode, and La Sirena. Each winery will be represented by the winemaker or a senior representative from the winery.In addition to the crème de la crème of wine tasting, the event will feature elegantly presented tray passed hors d’ouevres. Tickets are $100 per person, with a percentage of proceeds benefitting the Boys and Girls Club of Laguna Beach. This special event is limited to 200 guests.

“We have been working with winemakers for many months to plan this event, and look forward to welcoming some of the biggest names in the business to our restaurant,” said Jim Donegan, proprietor of ROCK’N FISH Laguna Beach. “We were delighted that they could be here at a time when the entire city is celebrating food and wine as part of Laguna A-La-Carte and excited to host the first of what will be an annual event at ROCK’N FISH Laguna Beach.” Among the participating winemakers are industry icons Heidi Barrett of La Sirena; Amelia Morán Ceja of Ceja Vineyards and Michael Silacci of Opus One.

To purchase tickets, call 949.497.3113.ROCK’N FISH Laguna Beach features award-winning American regional cuisine, using only the highest quality meats, the freshest fish available, and the best locally farmed produce in Southern California. The restaurant is located at 422 South Coast Highway, 2nd Floor, in Laguna Beach. For more information on special programs or for reservations call 949.497.3113 or visit rocknfishlb.com.<br

WineLab
2937 Bristol St.,
California-92626
714-850-1780
winelab.biz

CuisineType : Winery

Support Wine Lab Camp bartender Taryn Feuerberg in her quest to raise money for the Aids Life Cycle as part of Team Shenanigans. $35 for the event which includes five wines paired with three artisan cheeses: 50% will go to the foundation plus we donate 10% of all bottles sales for the evening.

The Winery Restaurant
2647 Park Ave,
CA-92782
(714) 258-7600
www.thewineryrestaurant.net

CuisineType : French

Sunday In The Vineyard!

Join the Winery for their benefit. Proceeds go toward Marconi Foundation for Kids and CASA of Orange County.

Come enjoy a wine tasting with more than 80 unique wines, and support a great cause.

There will also be a live and silent auction!

Tickets are available for $150 per person.

* A portion is tax-deductible

Scott’s Restaurant & Bar
3300 Bristol Street,
CA-92626

www.ScottsRestaurantAndBar.com

CuisineType : American, Bar & Grill, Casual, Fine Dining, Seafood, Steak, Tapas, Vegan, Vegetarian

Please join us Thursday, February 16 for our monthly Cocktails for a Cause fundraiser! February’s Cocktails will be hosted by Scott’s Restaurant & Bar, located across from South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa! Our partner charity for the month is Segerstrom Center for the Arts…, and all proceeds from the evening will be donated to this awesome cause!A $10 suggested donation at the door gets you complimentary beer and cocktails from 7-9pm, along with a raffle ticket to enter for some great prizes – including some sweet gear from Vestal! Scott’s has also arranged for a DJ spinning tunes for the evening’s soundtrack – he’ll be there ’til 2am, so stick around after Cocktails fora Cause to unwind at Scott’s Late Night Thursdays!

Pechanga
45000 Pechanga Parkway,
CA-92592
877-711-2946
www.pechanga.com

CuisineType : Dessert, Winery

Pechanga's 4th Annual Wine Festival!

Starting March 2nd-3rd.

Chocolate Decadence, March 2nd

7:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Event includes:

More than 30 premium wineries pouring domestic, sparkling, late harvest, Zinfandels, Syrahs and ports. Superb sparkling wines will be the order of the night and will include Schramsberg and Piper Heidsieck.

Pechanga’s world-renowned chocolatier, Jean-Marie Verhoeven will once again present an array of decadent treats to complement the vast selections of wines. Verhoeven will also demonstrate to guests how to make his treats from scratch, offering them up to taste once made.

Live Rock & Roll will be provided for entertainment.

Pechanga's Wine Festival, March 3rd

1:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Event includes:

Hundreds of varietals poured, along with great food pairings and rock stars playing acoustic sets.

100 wineries from across the nation, as well as international vintners from France, Italy, Australia and Spain, pouring their most acclaimed varietals. Notable additions are Cakebread, Chalk Hill and Swanson.

Pechanga’s award-winning chefs will be pairing the wines with selections from their menus, including The Great Oak Steakhouse, Paisano’s, Blazing Noodles, Seafood Grotto, Bamboo, Kelsey’s and Journey’s End.Live culinary demonstrations will teach chef secrets to festival goers.

Habitat for Humanity will host silent auctions at both events to raise funds for affordable housing. Expect the rock stars to also contribute some items to help out.

Tickets: Chocolate Decadence – $55 per person.

Pechanga Wine Festival – $75 per person.

*Guests must be 21 or older to attend and ID is required to enter the event.

ElderHelp
910 Broadway Circle,
CA-92101

CuisineType : Winery, Other

Take a trip back in time to the roaring 1920s at Prohibition: Wine & Dine.

Join guys and dolls at San Diego’s hottest new joint for the year’s most talked about event.

to the sounds of the 20s on the non-stop dance floor, indulge in tastings from premium wine and food purveyors and bid on items at the exciting silent auction.

Learn the secret “password” and gain access into the local speakeasy, where you can enjoy specially handcrafted prohibition era cocktails and try out your luck on the casino game floor.

Tickets are currently on sale and pricing goes as follows:

$150 in advance, $200 at the door

Proceeds from the event enables ElderHelp, a San Diego-based non-profit, to provide support services to San Diego’s growing population of seniors to help them remain independent in their own homes.

Beef Palace
18381 Goldenwest St (So. of Ellis),
CA-92648
714-328-8661
www.waggintrails.org

CuisineType : BBQ

Waggin' Trails – a non profit rescue transit bus operated by "A Leg Up" Pet Rescue is saving the lives of hundreds of shelter animals each month by delivering them to areas with less impacted shelters who have adorptive families waiting to provide forever homes for these pets. In an effort to continue this operation, partner vineyards, wineries, restaurantrs, supermarkets, retailers and hotels have generously assisted the group in presenting fabulous annual events in So. Cal as well as the Bay area. The Annual Pups N Pinot (www.pupsnpinot.com ) and the new www.waggintrails.org fund these efforts. Rescue Roundup is the more family friendly event featuring pony rides, outdoor BBQ, wine tasting from the areas finest vintners, VIP Reception Area, crafts, Laker Girls, fabulous silent auction, live band, line dancing lessons and free souvenirs. Family package plans start at $60 & tickets are only $25 per adult in advance and for this all – inclusive price you can't find a better value.

Shades @ Hilton Waterfront
21100 Pacific Coast Highway,
CA-92648
714-845-8494

CuisineType : American

Soroptimists of Huntington Beach, (a worldwide service organization) will co-host with renowned Chef Jeff Littlefield's Sommolier and culinary team to present a casual evening featuring 4 flights of wines, specifically chosen for this informal, relaxing experience. Wines are paired with tasty bites. Other fare is available and guests can arrive at their leisure, sit in their own groups any time from 530-830pm and for on $25 enjoy it all and receive complimentary valet parking. Reservations for this event are not required bt are suggested. All proceeds are raising funds for the Project Self Sufficiency Foundation of Huntington Beach – a program that assists single parent families to successful independence.

For more information on the events or organizations call 714-488-7800.

Old Ranch Country Club
3901 Lampson Ave,
CA-90740
9496773404
www.ocfwc.com

CuisineType : Continental, Winery, Other

On Saturday afternoon, April 21st, Guests will spend a Saturday afternoon sampling premium wine and delicious hors d’ouvres. Purchase wine tasted at special prices. Enjoy a beautiful afternoon on the fabulous grounds of Old Ranch Country Club. Sunday evening, April 22nd, a dining extravaganza takes place, with 15 leading Orange County Chefs & Restaurants. Guests will savor a sumptuous five-course gourmet meal paired with fine wines, prepared tableside by one of our premier chefs. The event also includes musical entertainment (Sam Curo and Inferno) and an extensive upscale live and silent auction, showcasing rare & exotic wines and featuring adventures throughout the world.

2087 Broadway,
CO-81507
970-628-8003
www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org

CuisineType : Fine Dining, Winery, Other

Indulge in a journey of eight cleverly crafted SAVORY appetizers created with the Girl Scout's world famous cookies prepared by the Grand Valley's most talented chefs. Each custom creation will be expertly paired with a Colorado wine or specialty cocktail courtesy of Crossroads Wine & Spirits' Sommelier, Monty Haltiner.

2012 marks the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouts and this signature event raises the necessary funds to provide Girl Scouting to girls in Western Colorado, building girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place.Enjoy great food, great wine for a great cause. What a fabulous experience for adults to enjoy Girl Scout cookies in a whole new way. Tickets are only $35. You can obtain them by calling 970-242-4461 or email cindi.graves@gscolorado.org.

Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa
21500 Pacific Coast Highway,
CA-92648
714-842-6600
www.cspinc.org

CuisineType : Other

(Jan. 2011) Support CSP's Huntington Beach Youth Shelter as we celebrate our second annual "Love Grows by Giving" wine tasting fundraiser. Our guests will be offered a unique selection of wines, wine education, beer sampling from Karl Strauss, food & wine pairings from local fine dining restaurants, live music, and a silent auction. Enjoy a wonderful evening while making a difference in our community. Call or email to purchase tickets.

$40 per individual & $75 per couple.

The 2012 Taste of Huntington Beach

When: Sunday, April 29, 2012 from 12 Noon to 4 PM

Where: HB Sports Complex; 18100 Goldenwest (at Talbert) across the parking lot from the HB Public Library

Why: Proceeds benefit the Children's Department of the HB Public Library

Questions? Email info@TasteHB.com
 
What to do : For one all-inclusive ticket price, you can:
Feast on unlimited tastes of food from your favorite local eateries
Sip on samples of wine and beer from premium California wineries and craft breweries
Meet new people and catch-up with fun-loving old friends!
Bid on silent auction baskets filled with goods and services from local businesses
Listen and dance to our top-notch live entertainment all afternoon
Buy tickets to win one of our great raffle prizes
Stop by the sponsor and vendor booths and talk to our Taste supporters
 
Since 2002, The Friends of the Children's Library and the HB Restaurant Association have helped the Taste raise over $300,000 for the HB Children's Library!

Taste of Huntington Beach
18100 Goldenwest,
CA-92646
www.tastehb.com/index.html

Fast becoming a yearly tradition, the 3rd Annual SANTA Monica Pub Crawl is set for Saturday, December 17, 2011. The Holiday Spirit prevailed last year with over 3,000 participants raising enough food for 21,000 meals. Throughout the night, over 20 bars and restaurants will come together to raise money for those in need during the holidays through a partnership with the Westside Food Bank. Participating locations will offer drink and food specials as part of the SANTA Monica Pub Crawl festivities. To sign up, crawlers can go to www.santamonicapubcrawl.com.

This year, crawlers are asked to pay a $10 donation/entrance fee for a special wristband, which allows them access to the drink and food specials at each official location, entrance to the Official After Party (to be announced) and enters them into a massive raffle to win dozens of amazing prizes. They are also encouraged to drop off canned food items throughout the month of December at the Westside Food Bank where they can collect their wristbands in advance (1710 22nd St. Santa Monica, CA 90404) to avoid delays the night of the event. SANTA Monica Pub Crawl participants must dress in Santa/Holiday attire so the streets of Santa Monica will be filled with merry cheer.

The Pub Crawl will include bars on Wilshire, 4th St., Broadway, Main St, the Pier and the Third Street Promenade. This year, there will be a SANTA Monica Pub Crawl Mobile App that people can download to get a complete list of bars, routes, specials, pub crawl updates and more. The Big Blue Bus will also be selling unlimited bus passes for $4.00 on the pub crawl Web site.

The SANTA Monica Pub Crawl is a community event and encourages responsible drinking by participants. When taking part in any events that involve drinking, always keep safety first. Don't DRINK and DRIVE and assign a designated driver at the beginning of the night, call a taxi, or use public transportation. For a complete list of bars, pub crawl maps, routes, bus stops, updates, or to download the mobile app, please visit the official SMPC Web site at www.santamonicapubcrawl.com.

2011 BARS: Rusty's Surf Ranch, Big Dean's, Old Kings Head, Pourtal Wine Bar, Brittania, Harvelle's, W. 4th Jane, Wokcano, Main on Main, Yankee Doodles, Cabo Cantina, Renee's, V Lounge, Angel's Piano Bar, Sonny McCleans, SOUTH, O'Briens Irish Pub on Main, Circle Bar, O'Briens on Wilshire, Joe's Pizza

2011 SPONSORS: Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce, Buy Local, Jack FM, Santa Monica Daily Press, Santa Monica Mirror, Big Blue Bus, Yellow Cab, Yelp.com, MenusGoMobile, Skuuzi, VivaLAFoodies.com

Cafe Champagne
32575 Rancho California Rd,
CA-92589
(951) 699-0099
www.thorntonwinery.com

CuisineType : Cal Cuisine, Winery

Non Perishable Food Drive

Starting Monday November 21st – Sunday, December 23rd, guests who bring in a minimum of 3 cans of non perishable food items SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY will receive a two for one tasting.

The food will be donated to the Assistance League of Temecula to help families in need. OFFER IS NOT GOOD ON SATURDAYS.

List of recommended items:

• Elbow Macaroni 1 lb
• Spaghetti Noodles 1lb.
• Spaghetti Sauce
• Top Ramen (chicken or Beef)
• Stew
• Sloppy Joe sauce
• Raviolis
• Pork and beans
• Spam
• Corned Beef
• Chili
• Refried beans
• Diced tomatoes
• Tomato Sauce
• Green Beans
• Corn
• Soups-all varieties
• Sugar
• Long grained rice
• Salt and Pepper
• Chicken or Beef bouillon (granules)
• Garlic Powder
• Bottled Water
• Coffee
• Kool-Aid
• Peanut butter
• Jam or jelly

Chapter One: the modern local
227 North Broadway,
CA-92701
714.352.2225
www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=199747416768841

CuisineType : American

BLEND Wine & Beer Mixer at Chapter One: the modern local Nov. 16th

Join us on Wednesday, November 16th to bring in the fall season with BLEND and enjoy some great drinks and appetizers!

The event will take place at Chapter One: the modern local, in the Downtown Historic Santa Ana Artists Village.

Enjoy your pick of two wine or beer tastings & three appetizers for $30, as well as a chance to win one of many great raffle prizes during the night. Socialize, network, and have fun at OC Weekly’s “Best New Restaurant” of 2011 with lots of laughs and great conversation!

Proceeds support the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Ana, and Chapter One: the modern local will be donating a large portion of the proceeds to the club as well. Space is limited.

To RSVP, go to http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=199747416768841 AND be sure to email blend@boysandgirlsclub.com with your name/guests. Don’t wait- now is the time to “give back one glass at a time!”

Cheers, we will see you there!

P.S.If you’d like to extend your time after the mixer at Chapter one: the modern local, you will be welcomed to:-a waived corkage fee if you bring in your own bottle-specials on glasses of various wines-1/2 off the purchase of a bottle of wine.

The Laguna Beach Visitors & Conference Bureau will host its second annual culinary event, ‘Laguna Beach a la Carte – A Food & Wine Experience,’ Thursday–Sunday, March 8-11, 2012. Guests will experience world-class cuisine, prix-fixe menus, chefs tables, educational seminars, cooking demonstrations, food & wine pairings and special offers by local restaurateurs … taking place at various locations over four special days.

"Laguna Beach has recently welcomed several new restaurants to town, which will add to our already impressive culinary offerings,” said Judith Bijlani,President & CEO of the Laguna Beach Visitors & Conference Bureau.This event is a culmination of food and wine experiences throughout town, and is anchored by the signature event on Saturday, March 10: a three-hour celebration on the Festival of Arts grounds, benefitting CHOC Children’s Hospital. Wine tastings presented by Laguna Culinary Arts and vintners from regions throughout California, culinary samplings from many Laguna Beach restaurants, live entertainment, and an art exhibitare all part of the festivities planned. This event is expected to draw 1,000+ people.

“We will showcase the best-of-the-best with a four-day celebration, by bringing people together to enjoy inventive cuisine paired with superb wine offerings," saidKaryn Philippsen, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Laguna Beach Visitors &Conference Bureau.

Detailed information to come at www.lagunabeachfoodies.com.

Come help kick off the launch of author and award-winning illustrator Dave Stolte's new book "Home Bar Basics (and Not-So-Basics)," a concise, pocket-sized, 112-page guidebook to setting up a home cocktail bar with an emphasis on history, quality, and craft at 320 Main in Seal Beach on Monday, November 28, 2011 at 7:00 pm.

$10 at the door.

$5 cocktails from the book will be served alongside free small bites from 320 Main's acclaimed menu. Raffle prizes include a basic bar kit from Hi-Time Wine Cellars, wine from the boutique Miramonte Winery, a one-on-one homebrew session with Topanga Brewing Company, Moscow Mule mugs filled with 320 Main drink tokens, framed cocktail art by Dave Stolte, and more.

All profits from sales of the book at this event and your $10 door entry will benefit CureDuchenne to help raise research funds for and build awareness of Duchenne muscular dystrophy.Spirits at the event will be sponsored by Bulleit Whiskey.

320 Main
320 Main St,
CA-90740
562.799.6246
www.320mainsealbeach.com

CuisineType : American, Sandwiches, Seafood, Steak

This is the Big One. The ne plus ultra of Learn About Wine’s flagship wine tasting series: Ian Blackburn’s Annual STARS OF CABERNET, featuring 30-40 leading Cabernet Producers. Limited to only 150 evening guests, this is an unlimited tasting of the best Cabernets available—lavish, collectible, valuable wines—accompanied by appetizers prepared speciaal by Peninsula Beverly Hills. A wine lovers paradise – will feature a healthy silent auction benefitting the TJ Martell Foundation – Children’s Cancer Research at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. This tasting is special as owners, winemakers or executives pour their best wines touted as STARS of Cabernet – and the list is very selective – with champion brands like Justin, David Arthur, Lail, Cain, Heitz, Phelps, Grgich, Venge and ZD… as well has new STARS of Cab like: Patland, Moone Tsai, Knights Bridge, Kelleher, and Darms Lane.Ian Blackburn, considered to be Southern California’s leading wine educator, brings his unique form of wine knowledge and enjoyment—“LearnAboutWine (LAW)”—to wine experts, the beverage trade and the wine-loving public.

LearnAboutWine hosts more than 100 wine events a year for private collectors, auction houses, the beverage industry, and tens of thousands of enthusiasts wanting to expand their knowledge of wine—one of the world’s most fulfilling social, business and lifestyle pursuits. LAW has taken wine out of dusty cellars and into the light, and popularized wine education and tasting in a way that is exciting, engaging, and… fun!

The Peninsula Beverly Hills
9882 Little Santa Monica Bl.,
CA-90212
310-451-7600
www.learnaboutwine.com

CuisineType : Winery

Join us for Share Our Selves 21st Annual Celebrity Chef Dinner, "A Celebration of Service." The event features and exquisite five course dinner prepared by a group of outstanding local chefs who are committed to providing for the poor in Orange County. Each delicious course is paired with specialty wines. The evening also includes a silent auction, and a live auction where chefs will offer exciting one of a kind dining packages. Proceeds from the event benefit the SOS Orange Aid Project which collects retrievable food from restaurants, grocery stores, bakeries, and caterers to distribute to homeless and low income Orange County residents.