Great Taste Magazine

2012 ZinMasters Cruise to Alaska
408.379.3853
www.zinfandel.org/default.asp?cid=1&n1=10&n2=1013

CuisineType : Winery

Set Sail from Seattle to Ketchikan, and cruise along the Inside Passage to Skagway Aboard Celebrity’s Infinity

This adventure not only gives you the opportunity to see wildlife, wilderness, mountains and glaciers, Alaska’s natural beauty, it also gives you a chance to enjoy attractions and museums that pertain to the Native American Culture and Gold Rush History that are unique to the area.Travel with Winery Hosts ZAP’s Cruise program offers an excellent opportunity to mix and mingle with leading Zinfandel winemakers who share their collective passion for great wine, food and camaraderie! While sailing, join with fellow ZAP travelers in the University of Zin seminars, tastings, winemaker dinners and more exclusive event.

For more information visit http://www.zinfandel.org/default.asp?cid=1&n1=10&n2=1013

Ruth’s Chris Steak House
2961 Michelson Drive,
CA-92612
949-252-8848
www.ruthschris.com

CuisineType : American, Fine Dining, Steak

Please join us for our “Sizzle, Swizzle, & Swirl” Happy Hour Monday through Friday from 4:30pm to 6:30pm in our bar and lounge. Our menu features $7 appetizers and sandwiches, $7 cocktails and martinis, $7 glasses of wine, and $3 domestic beers.<br

French 75 Bistro
1464 S. Pacific Coast Hwy.,
California-92607
949-494-8444
french75.net

CuisineType : French Bistro

Come enjoy Chef Moro’s delicious 4-course menu specially created to showcase the great artisan wines from HALL’s signature Napa Valley collection.

Nieuport 17
13051 Newport Ave.,
California-92780
714.731.5130
nieuport17.com

CuisineType : American, Steak

On Wednesday, May 2nd, you won’t want to miss our next wine pairing dinner, featuring four delectable courses from our very own chef Marco, paired with a variety of spectacular Joseph Phelps wines. This event is perfect for anyone looking for a great way to celebrate a special event, or merely to just get out for the night and enjoy some exquisite cuisine matched with superb, handcrafted wines.

Michael’s On Naples
5620 East 2nd St.,
California-90803
562-439-7080
michaelsonnaples.com

CuisineType : Italian

Michael’s on Naples will be hosting a tasting of four outstanding Tasca d’Almerita wines from Sicily.Tasting highlights will include the first wine produced by Count Tasca d’Almerita on the Regaleali estate,Tasca d’Almerita Regaleali Bianco, a blend of three Sicilian grapes that is a refreshing representation of a true Sicilian white. The Leone d’Almerita is a fresh and fruity blend of native grapes that are chill-fermented in stainless steel, producing a bright and lively wine.

Locanda Del Lago
231 Arizona Ave.,
California-90401
310.451.3525
www.LagoSantaMonica.com

CuisineType : Italian

On Thursday, April 26, capon takes center stage at Locanda del Lago in Santa Monica, as Executive Chef Gianfranco Minuz “hatches” a five-course meal for the restaurant’s ongoing Morso della Bestia, or ”Bite of the Beast,” monthly dinner series. The free-range, hormone-free poultry will serve as the centerpiece of this seasonal “beak-to-tail” feast, prepared with influences from rustic Northern Italian recipes and traditions.

Savannah Chop House
32441 Golden Lantern,
California-92677
949-493-7107
savannahchophouse.net

CuisineType : American, Steak

Levendi’s Brian Cameron will be joining us to share the history behind their 2009 Cold Creek Chardonnay, winner of two gold medals at the San Francisco chronicle wine competition.

O’Neill’s Bar & Grill
26772 Avery Parkway,
California-92692
949.305.5100
arroyotrabuco.com/specials.aspx

CuisineType : American

Dierberg Wine Dinner
Thursday, April 26th 6:00pm to 9:00pm
Four Course Tasting Menu with Wine Pairings
$65 per person

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 ++

Kelly’s
5716 E 2nd St,
CA-90803
562.433.4983
www.kellysofnaples.com/

CuisineType : American, Fine Dining

Prix Fixe, multi-course wine dinner with Coppola Wines.

TAPS Fish House & Brewery
2745 Lakeshore Drive,
CA-92883
951-277-5800
www.tapsfishhouse.com/brea/

CuisineType : American, Brewery, Seafood

TAPS in Corona proudly hosts the JUSTIN Winery of Paso Robles and a sumptuous five-course wine dinner on March 10, beginning at 7pm. Start off with mozzarella ball and roasted heirloom tomatoes, paired with 2010 Sauvignon Blanc, next a hare and mushroom salad with 2008 Syrah, and the third course features pink peppercorn dusted spot prawns with 2008 Justification. The next course is prochetta, a ricotta cavatelli and grilled spring onions, paired with 2008 Isosceles, and lastly, a dark chocolate terrine with 2009 Obtuse to finish. Cost: $85 per person, exclusive of tax and gratuity. For reservations, call 951-277-5800 or online:http://www.tapsfishhouse.com/corona/<br

TAPS Fish House & Brewery
101 E. Imperial Highway,
CA-92821
714-257-0101
www.tapsfishhouse.com/brea/

CuisineType : American, Brewery, Seafood

TAPS in Brea proudly hosts the JUSTIN Winery of Paso Robles and a sumptuous five-course wine dinner on March 15, beginning at 6:30pm. Start off with 20 year old aged balsamic vinegar and liquid mozzarella on housemade bruschetta, paired with 2010 Sauvignon Blanc, next a foie gras polenta cake and fresh sliced truffles with a 2008 Syrah. The third course features Santa Barbara spotted prawn and cauliflower panna cotta, paired with 2008 Justification, then slow roasted suckling pig with 2008 Isosceles, and lastly, an array of tasty sweet bites, tiramisu and chocolate fondue, paired with 2009 Obtuse, to finish . For reservations call 714-257-0101 or online: http://www.tapsfishhouse.com/brea/<br

Locanda Del Lago
231 Arizona Ave,
CA-90401
(310) 451-3525
www.lagosantamonica.com

CuisineType : Italian

This Months Morso della Bestia – Muscovy Duck

Join Locanda Del Lago for this months 5-course meal, featuring Muscovy Duck.

Menu includes:

Antipasto: Housemade Duck Pâté with Pink Lady apple-mustard compote

Primo: Duck and Farro Soup with fresh chervil

Piatto di Mezzo: Housemade Duck Ravioli with shallot confit reduction

Secondo: Roasted Duck Breast with espresso sauce and sautéed Swiss chard

Dolce: Almond Custard Brûlée Event

Event Cost:

$70 per person, includes unlimited litros of house red and white wine.

$54 per person, without wine option

Thornton Winery
32575 Rancho California Road,
CA-92591
(951) 699-0099
thorntonwine.com

CuisineType : Winery

Romantic Rendezvous
Tuesday, February 14th, 2012
7:00 pm $ 85.00 Plus tax and tip

Are your readers looking for the perfect Valentine's Day plan? Whether they're hoping to create some new sparks, looking for a special way to treat their Valentine, or just want to celebrate single life, we've got them covered!

Sparkle all night at your own private table. Thornton Winery and Cafe Champagne offer a decadent, candlelight dinner in the elegant Champagne Lounge, Vineyard View Room or Champagne Caves. Each course will take the senses to new heights. Dreamy music will drift through the winery as couples make beautiful music of their own.

Romantic Rendezvous

Amuse Bouche
Thornton NV Brut

Lobster and Avocado Parfait
Hearts of Palm, Choron Sauce
Thornton 2010 Viognier

Petite Filet Mignon & Sea Bass
Beurre Rouge
Caramelized Mushroom Ragout
Herb Roasted Baby Potatoes
Thornton 2010 Cabernet Franc

Belgian Chocolate Pot de Creme
Fresh Raspberries, Champagne Sabayon
Thornton 2010 Muscat Canelli

Reservations: Online at thorntonwine.com or (951) 699-0099

The Cellar
305 N. Harbor Blvd,
CA-92832
714-525-5682
www.cellardining.com

CuisineType : American

We Welcome Pascual Toso Winery

Thursday, Feb. 9th at 6:30.$49.95 per person*

The Cellar is kicking off February with our first wine dinner of 2012! We are so excited to have the opportunity to host our Argentinaian firends from Pascual Toso. Since the launch of the winery in 1890 Enrique and his family have produced some of the best wines in South America. Now with a little consulting help from the famous Paul Hobbs these wines are making quite the name for themselves in the high-end South American Market.

Learn more about Pascual Toso History and details about their wine making philosophy atwww.pascualtoso.com/welcome

Wines

Torrontes 2010
Roses and jasmine aromas make a sweet and happy combination. Fresh dry wine. Soft acidity.

Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2008
Elegant Style, with lovely boysenberry and raspberry fruit, and plenty of vanilla, spice and chocolate shadings too.

Magdalena Toso 2006
90% Malbec & 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Exhibits a brooding perfume of violets, lavender, mineral, spice box, blueberry, and black cherry. Followed by an opulent wine with tons of flavor, richness, incipient complexity, and ripe tannin.

Brut N.V.
Limpid and bright, with greenish shades that are reflected in the tenuous yellow of its whole appearance. It is a delicate dry sparkling wine. It is velvety to the mouth and is easy to drink

Dinner

Petite chervil and corn crab cakes over baby arugula finished with an orange persimmon coulis

Cinnamon brined pork belly braised to perfection over turnip and parsnip hash sauced by a blackberry gastrique

Lamb loin stuffed with fresh figs, sage, and walnuts over potato gratin with gruyere finished with a red wine butter sauce

Mango Cheesecake with ginger lime chantilly

Please call 714-525-5682

Back Bay Bistro
1131 Back Bay Drive,
CA-92660
(949) 729-1144
www.BackBayBistroNewportBeach.com

CuisineType : French Bistro

Couples can soak in picturesque views of the Back Bay while enjoying a three-course, prix-fixe menu prepared by Executive Chef Daniel Jimenez. The mood will be set by live music from singer/songwriter Tom Solis, whose blend of soulful, alternative rock will provide a romantic soundtrack for the evening. Dinner will be served from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. and the cost is $65 per person/$85 with wine pairings.

SOUP or SALAD (choice of one):
Lobster Bisque
Sweetheart Salad – spinach, candied walnuts, strawberry brie & wild berry vinaigrette
Optional Wine Pairing – Ch. Faizeau Montagne Vielles Vingnes 2003

ENTREE (choice of one):
Filet Amore – 6 oz crab stuffed filet of beef, sauteed asparagus, blue cheese lyonnaise potatoes, roast garlic, & black truffle port reduction
Optional Wine Pairing – Chateau Grand-Puy Ducasse 2005
Seared Sea of Love Scallops – lobster spinach risotto, tomato tarragon relish
Optional Wine Pairing – Pedroncelli Dry Creek Sauvignon Blanc Eastside Vineyard 2009
Veal au Poire – white truffle smahed potato, sun-dried cherry and apricot demi glaze
Optional Wine Pairing – Argyle Pinot Noir 2006

DESSERTS FOR TWO (designed to share):
Chocolate Volcano – German chocolate cake filled with vanilla bean ice cream raining Hershey's hot chocolate
Cream Puffs – raspberry ice cream, chocolate drizzle

Seating is limited and reservations are strongly encouraged by calling (949) 729-1144. Also, visit www.BackBayBistroNewportBeach.com.

Tradition by Pascal
1000 Bristol Street North,
CA-92600
949-263-9400
www.PascalNewportBeach.com

CuisineType : French

"A Dinner In Normandy"
A Celebration of My Mother's Cooking

Thursday, February 2, 2012

1 Seating at 6:30 pm

$95 pp, $148 with Wine Pairing

Tradition by Pascal
1000 Bristol Street North,
CA-92660
949-263-9400
www.PascalNewportBeach.com

CuisineType : French

Tradition by Pascal Valentine's Menu

Available February 10th-14th

4-Course Prix Fixe

$95 per Person
$145 with Wine Pairing

5:00-Closing

Nello Cucina
3333 S. Bear Street,
CA-92626
714-540-3365
www.nellocucina.com

CuisineType : Italian

Nello’s first Wine Maker dinner features a selection from Tuscany, paired with a menu that will leave your taste buds in heaven.

Passed Hors D’ Oeuvres
Chef’s Selection
Chardonnay, Nozzole, Le Bruniche, ‘10

Ravioli d’Aragosta
Pasta filled with lobster mousse, creamy lobster sauce
Chardonnay, Cabreo, La Pietra ‘09

Mare & Monte
Petite Filet mignon, shitake mushroom sauce, Jumbo shrimp, champagne sauce, asparagus & roasted potatoes
Super Tuscan, Campo Al Mare, Bolgheri, ‘09

Torta Di Cioccolato
Chocolate mousse cake, raspberry sauce

$45 per person plus tax & gratuity

Hyatt Regency Newport Beach
1107 Jamboree Road,
CA-92656
(949)729-6057

CuisineType : Cal Coast

CAKEBREAD CELLARS WINE DINNER

Celebrate and welcome the new year with an innovative cuisine and elegant wines at the Hyatt Regency Newport Beach. This delightful evening will feature a welcome reception followed by five seasonal courses perfectly paired with Cakebread Cellars’ iconic family wines. Experience Chef Felix’s and Chef Jonathan’s savory menu while Cakebread’s Michael Biagi explores this portfolio of wines. 6:30 p.m.

Friday, January 27, 2012

$95 ++ per person

For Reservations, call (949)729-6057 or email onie.carreon@hyatt.com

New Years Eve

Ring in 2012 with Tabu Grill

Tabu Grill
2892 South Coast Highway,
CA-92651
(949) 494-7743
www.tabugrill.com

CuisineType : Cal Coast

Patina Restaurant
135 N Grand Ave,
CA-90012
(213) 972-7565
www.patinagroup.com

CuisineType : French

Come Celebrate New Year's with Patina

Event Includes:

Buffet- with Oyster Shooters, Prime Rib and Carved Ham

Dessert- Dessert Display

"Here's To" Cocktail Menu

Champagne BarPhoto Booth

Twilight Party: Begins at 5-8:30 pm

Count Down Party: 9-1:00 am

Dinner Package Cost: $59 per person

Sol Del Sur Bistro
31115 Rancho Viejo Road,
CA-92675
(949) 487-5225
www.soldelsurbistro.com

CuisineType : Spanish

Christmas Tapas Party!

Join Sol Del Sur Bistro for a buffet of Tapas.

For more information visit: www.soldelsurbistro.com

Pescadou Bistro
3325 Newport Blvd,
CA-92663
(949) 675-6990
www.pescadoubistro.com

CuisineType : French

Join Pescadou Bistro This Christmas Eve

Join Pescadou during one of their two dinner times:

First Dinner: 5:30-6:30

Second Dinner: 8-9 pm

For more information and dinner menu visit: www.pescadoubistro.com