The winner of today’s 2nd set of tickets to the OC Foodie Fest goes to Mike C of Valencia! Mike is taking his wife and making the trek down from the Santa Clarita Valley tomorrow!

Mike said:

Very happy to see i have finally won something on the internet.

We live in the Santa Clarita Valley (Valencia)  and have pretty much chased the Kogi truck around our valley on its visits out here. Its bad when we arrive and we can tell by the number of people in line how long the wait will be. So perhaps its time to start backing off.

I use to work for Disney Imagineering (retired) and made way to many visits to Disney parks world wide. I will be going to Blizzcon in Oct but have never been to comic-con so go figure.

I like the Great food Truck Race and hope Nom-Nom doesn’t run away with the whole thing as Grill em Up makes a charge soon.

Again, congrats Mike (the guy on the right…) and we’ll see you tomorrow at the OC Foodie Fest!

I’m feeling generous today and have 2 more tickets for tomorrow’s OC Foodie Fest at the Honda Center in Anaheim.

Luvina Martinez won ticket’s earlier this week, why don’t you join her?

If you want these two tickets, sign up for an email feed of Foodie In Disguise in the box to the right. A random person will be selected from any new submission today.

Contest ends at 9pm tonight.

Ticket’s will be emailed to you in PDF format. You will need to print the tickets out and bring them with you to the OC Foodie Fest!

Good Luck!

For those not familiar, Schwan’s Home Service has been delivering restaurant quality foods to homes since 1952. Starting in Minnesota with one truck, the Schwan’s business has grown to over 6,000 Schwan’s Customer Service Managers delivering to homes all across the U.S.

I first met Chef Jet when I was a chef’s assistant at The New School of Cooking in Culver City. It was there that I get to see his charisma and culinary mastery at work as he taught scores of students Asian Cuisine and mastering the Wok. Chef Jet is the Executive Chef of the Wazuzu Restaurant in the Encore Resort in Las Vegas and has been named the Best Asian Restaurant. You can read more about Chef Jet on his website at www.chefjet.com.

So in addition to Ed Cotton’s win tonight on Bravo’s Top Chef for his Gnocchi dish, check out Chef Jet’s Asian dishes!

www.schwans.com/chefjet

www.schwans.com/topchef

Congratulations to Luvina Martinez of Orange who won 2 tickets to this Saturday’s OC Foodie Fest in Anaheim.

She will join many of you in sampling some of the best Gourmet Food Truck cuisine that Southern California has to offer!!

50 trucks will be gathered at the Honda Center in Anaheim to give you the best sampling and variety of food out there. In addition to the food, a nice selection of local bands will be performing.

Luckily, our little heat wave will be gone by Saturday as daytime highs for Saturday will top at 72 degrees with lots of sunshine in Anaheim.

Our winner, Luvina Martinez is married and has 2 children.  She is a local girl born and raised here in Orange.  She works in the medical field and enjoys reading, exercising and baking. She enjoys trying new things and  looks forward to trying out the variety of foods on Saturday as well as hearing the bands.

Do you want to join Luvina this Saturday? Tickets are almost sold out so buy your tickets now! Visit www.ocfoodiefest.com and click on the BUY TICKETS link now to get your tickets!

We’ll see you on Saturday and if you see me, stop me and say hello!

The Great Food Truck Race

First of all, let’s talk about Food Network’s newest show, The Great Food Truck Race hosted by Tyler Florence. 7 gourmet food trucks from across the U.S. come together to compete against each other in a race for the best food truck. Four teams are from Southern California: Nom Nom Truck (Bahn Mi Sandwiches), Crepes Bonaparte (Crepes), Nana Queens (Wings and Banana Pudding) and Grill ‘Em All (Burgers).

Let’s catch everyone up. The other teams are The Austin Grill Press (Paninis), Rajin’ Cajun (Cajun) and Spencer on the Go (French). All 7 trucks meet in Los Angeles and meet Tyler. There, Tyler tells them they will be competing with each other and that each week, the truck that makes the most money wins. The truck that brings in the least, goes home. Simple and to the point. Each week, the truck starts out with no inventory and they will be given a designated amount of money for each challenge and they will need to find their supplies in whatever city they end up in. In addition, Tyler has a few “truck stops” along the way. Truck stops are mini-challenges meant to further the competition between the truckers.

Since 4 of the teams are from Southern California, it wasn’t fair to the other trucks that the SoCal trucks knew all the purveyors in the area so off to San Diego they go. There they have 36 hours to purchase, cook and sell. The first show we find that Nana Queens didn’t bring in enough money to stay in the competition. The winner? The Nom Nom Truck with their awesome Bahn Mi sandwiches! Congrats!

This week, we are in Santa Fe, New Mexico and the remaining trucks come together once again. This week they only have $300 for food and that’s not alot of money. On the drive to Santa Fe, the teams are on the phone trying to make partnerships and find out where to buy food, hoping to get some kind of advantage. So they are off and Tyler has a Truck Stop challenge. On the 2nd day of selling, Tyler calls each truck and tells them that they have to integrate Chiles into the menu and have a special. All the trucks scramble to make a special except one. The Nom Nom truck has been doing so well in sales, that they have decided not to participate in the challenge – big risk. The team that has the best Chile dish gets immunity in this week’s elimination.

So how did it turn out? The three remaining Southern California truck came out on top this week. Nom Nom, won this week bringing in almost 2x more income than the 2nd place winner. Congrats to Nom Nom, Crepes Bonaparte and Grill ‘Em All.

Next week they travel to Ft. Worth Texas. Good luck all!

OC Foodie Fest is Just Around The Corner

Next Saturday is an awesome event that you can’t miss! 50 Gourmet Food Trucks from all over will be in ONE PLACE this Saturday, August 28 at the Honda Center in Anaheim. It’s the OC Foodie Fest! This is YOUR chance to sample food from one of the widest varieties in one place. Come and support the trucks and have some great food while at the same time, raise money for some local charities like ChildShare, Pretend City’s Children Museum and Cart for a Cause.

But you know what?? You can win a pair of tickets to the OC Foodie Fest, but hurry, the contest ends on Monday, August 23 at 11:59pm. On Tuesday morning, the winner of the 2 tickets will be announced! So visit this link and enter the contest!

If you don’t win, know that your admission fee goes to help some great charities! We’ll see you next Saturday!

Tickets Prices:
General Admission (Pre-Sale)
Adult – $12.00
Child Under 12 – $6.00
Child 3 & Under – Free

Family 4 Pack (Pre-Sale)
2 Adult + 2 Child (Under 12)
General Admission Tickets
Price: $30.00

VIP Admission (Pre-Sale)
Adult – $50.00
Child Under 12 – $8.00
Child 3 & Under – Free

At The Door (Available if the event has not sold out)
General Admission – $15
VIP Admission – $60

The OC Foodie Fest is coming in a few days and this is your chance to win 2 tickets to the event! That’s right, here is your chance to win (2) tickets to this AWESOME event.

The OC Foodie Fest brings together 50 Gourmet Food Trucks in one place! Did I say 50?? Yes! 50 Gourmet Food Trucks all in one place so you can eat to your heart’s desire. A sampling of trucks are as follows:

• Barcelona on the Go
• Calbi bBQ
• Cool Haus
• Dim Sum Truck
• Fishlips Sushi
• Flying Pig Truck
• Frysmith
• Get Shaved
• Komodo
• LudoTruck
• NaNa Queens (As seen on The Great Food Truck Race on the Food Network)
• Taco Dawg
• The Slice Truck
• Tropical Shave Ice
• White Rabbit Truck (Filipino Fusion Food!)

What an awesome sampling of the trucks that will be at the Honda Center on Saturday, August 28 from 11:30am to 7:00pm.

So how do you win tickets to the OC Foodie Fest 2010??

Answer a two part question in the comments area. A random selection will be drawn out of the answers on Tuesday, August 24 to win the (2) tickets.

In order to qualify, you have to answer both parts of the question. You have until 11:59pm on Monday, August 23 to enter!

QUESTION:

How do you support local farmers and sustainability practices in your lifestyle and what truck do you most look forward to eating at the OC Foodie Fest?

Now the title of this entry is Cupcake Chaos. I say that with love and with some frustration. Today’s event is about getting to taste some great cupcakes, but it was also a fundraiser to bring awareness to human trafficking. Based on the amount of people that showed up, I think they will raise a good chunk of money.

I went to today’s Cupcake Camp OC being held at the Atrium Hotel and it was a little chaotic. First off, there wasn’t enough hotel parking to support the attendees. The hotel’s parking lot is a series of one way “alleys” that made it difficult to navigate. I got there just past 3:00pm and every slot was filled. So I parked in the parking lot behind the hotel that was clearly marked, NO HOTEL parking, but what was I to do? Many folks were parking there and walking to the hotel, so I joined in.

Once I got to the front the hotel, there was a line stretching out the door. The line was long and registration to get into the event was on the 2nd floor. Several volunteers were trying to make progress by pre-registering folks towards my part of the line. Just as I was “next” I was asked to move forward in the line which was further up the stairs. Meanwhile some folks towards the back of the line decided it was ok to split the line into two and go in ahead of us that have been waiting longer. Volunteers were all over the place, but I think they were just overwhelmed. For registration, they were asking for everyone’s email address and they had to write it down. The entrance fee of $10 which was good towards three cupcakes inside. Ok, not too bad considering. When I finally paid and got my three tickets I was placed into another line only to find that they were waiting to pay and register as well. Meanwhile I looked over at empty computer stations and cashiers that weren’t really doing anything. Volunteers were walking around with wads of cash in their hands as they doled out tickets and gathered email addresses.

Once I got into the main hall, it was just madness. Cupcake vendors were lined up against the walls while everyone else was trying to make their way in and get at the cupcakes. Some places where full of inventory while others like, Frostings Cupcakes, were completely out of cupcakes.  It was very crowded, so I have to say that this was a success for the organizers. I think the venue has to be way bigger next year!

I stayed for about 30 minutes but I was getting claustrophobic and left. The lines were too dense and packed in I didn’t walk away with one cupcake, even the three “free” ones I was supposed to get with my entrance fee. I was happy to donate the money.The show was only about 45 minute in, but they had three hours of events lined up. I hope they have enough cupcakes to last that long.

Please visit the cupcakecampoc website and donate money to their cause of awareness of human trafficking if you weren’t able to make it to today’s event.

I’m sorry that I walked away frustrated, but I don’t do well in large crowds and it got the best of me. Many folks there were happy to be eating their little wonders of frosting and cake and having an awesome time. This wasn’t the place and time to say hello to the bakers and introduce myself.

Congrats to all the contest participants and hope that the winner of the cupcake eating contest feels ok tomorrow!

This is an excerpt from their press release earlier today:

Researchers presented data from several studies that all point to the benefits of drinking coffee. One study of Dutch coffee-drinkers found a 50 percent lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes in adults who consume seven or more cups per day, said Frank B. Hu, MD, PhD, professor of nutrition, epidemiology and medicine in the Department of Nutrition at Harvard School of Public Health. He noted that the study was adjusted for lifestyle factors that are more prevalent in that group, such as smoking, consuming red meat and higher body mass index.

YiFang Chu, PhD, who leads the global coffee health and wellness research group at Kraft Foods Global Inc., pointed to an April 2010 study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition that found coffee may modulate inflammation, oxidative stress and body fat, all of which can contribute to disease if left unchecked.

Besides heart disease and diabetes, research also has linked coffee with a decreased risk in Alzheimer’s disease, particularly in people who drink coffee in midlife, said Joan Lindsay, PhD, an epidemiologist consultant who has worked with Health Canada and the University of Ottawa. A Finnish study that followed up 21 years later with midlife coffee-drinkers found a 65 percent reduction in Alzheimer’s disease, she said.

They all agree that additional studies need to be made before any kind of recommendations can be made overall. The factor of caffeine cannot be the only component since other caffeinated drinks don’t offer the same benefits. Furthermore, decaf coffee appears to offer the benefits as well.

###

About IFT
The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) is a nonprofit scientific society. Our individual members are professionals engaged in food science, food technology, and related professions in industry, academia, and government. IFT’s mission is to advance the science of food, and our long-range vision is to ensure a safe and abundant food supply, contributing to healthier people everywhere.

For more than 70 years, the IFT has been unlocking the potential of the food science community by creating a dynamic global forum where members from more than 100 countries can share, learn, and grow. We champion the use of sound science across the food value chain through the exchange of knowledge, by providing education, and by furthering the advancement of the profession. IFT has offices in Chicago, Illinois, and Washington, D.C. For more information, please visit ift.org.

There will be a social media component to the magazine where readers will be able to interact and share ideas and recipes.

Initial reports is that the app will be available for free in the App Store and that future content will be richer and have a price tag attached.

This new venture is expected to go live sometime later this year.

This digital food blogger can’t wait!

Iron Chef Cat Cora and celebrated Lifestyle TV Host Lloyd Boston will share their secrets for making your next dinner party a huge success. Cat Cora will also be highlighting her newest book, Cat Cora’s Classics with a Twist. Here you will learn Cat’s secrets for taking classic dishes and give them a faster, fresher and lighter twist. Cat has also authored Cat Cora’s Kitchen and Cooking from the Hip: Fast, Easy, Phenomenal Meals.

Lloyd Boston will join Cat to dish out great advice on everything from what to wear to talk-of-the-town table-setting ideas for any occasion – they will give you the tools to ensure your next dinner party is a smashing success!

So join Cat and Lloyd on Monday, June 21 at 6:30pm for a couple of hours of fun recipes and style tips.

Macy’s Signature Kitchen
South Coast Plaza West (formerly the Crystal Court)
1st Floor
3333 Bear Street
Costa Mesa, CA 92626

To RSVP for this event, please call 877.884.3751

I drove over and took a look inside. Looks like they still have lots to do. The main components are in like the grill and the fryer. No tables yet. Looks like they will be able to seat about 30 inside, but looks like there is room for some outdoor seating perhaps.

This corner was an empty lot for a long time and a developer came in and built some retail space here. It has been empty for a long time and the Corner Fish Grill will be the first to open in this new center. Based on where they are, I’m guessing they are a few weeks out from opening. Stay tuned!

Stop by this Saturday at the Tender Greens (8759 Santa Monica Blvd) in West Hollywood as over 70 bloggers and bakers will be selling over 2,000 baked goods.

You’ve all heard of The Hobbit Restaurant in Orange right? It is rated as one of the Top restaurants in several categories by Zagat. Can I tell you that I had a meal (a seven course meal) with some of my Foodie friends from work and I still get goosebumps from the experience??

There is a little gem of a restaurant in Irvine called A&J Restaurant a Chinese/Taiwanese place that serves some of the best dumplings ever! It doesn’t stop there, they have handmade noodles that they place into one of the best tasting broths I have had in a long time. You have to go.

I have been back to Sushilicious in Irvine quite a number of times and Daniel Woo and his team are doing something right. They have introduced some new items on the belt and one of them is called “Little Miss Sunshine”.

The FoodBuzz Tastemaker Program sent me to Pick Up Stix to try out some of their new menu items. Did you know they have been around since 1989?

I have also been to the Encounters Restaurant at LAX. You know that building in the middle of LAX withthe arches? Yes it’s a restaurant and it has quite the “theme”.

The month of June is host to the launch of The Cooking Channel, the return of Top Chef (in DC!) and the Next Food Network Star.

I also have some great new cookbooks to share with you like Sur La Table’s newest cookbook, “Eating Local” and Amy McCoy’s “Poor Girl Gourmet“.

So don’t give up on me yet, I’m still here, still eating and cooking. I’ll get everything down and posted and even have some tech news about how my iPad is doing and what I’m doing with it as it relates to Foodie In Disguise.

Thanks for continuing to visit my blog and hope you look forward to the new posts!

Discount coupons are available for: Ruby’s Diner, Rubio’s Fresh Mexican Grill, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Kelly’s Coffee & Fudge, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Charley’s Grilled Subs, CPK, Boardwalk Ice Cream, Wetzel’s Pretzels and Cold Stone Creamery.

Rich has been looking for a space to open his Contemporary Retro-American food place. If all goes well, R Gang Eatery will open in June and will be host to the scores of San Diegans and his fans that will stop by this new contemporary upscale eatery.

More details to follow as they become available.

Congratulations Rich!!

R Gang Eatery
3683 5th Avenue
San Diego, CA 92103

Learn more about Rich at his website at www.wannabchef.com

Schneider will be previewing recipes and celebrating the release of her book on Thursday, April 29 from 5:30 to 10:00pm at Sol Cocina. She will be availalbe to sign books that evening and will be discussing the recipes and inspiration for her newest book.

Schneider is no stranger to cookbooks. Her previous book, Baja! Cooking on the Edge and Cooking with the Season at Rancho La Puerta were nominated for a 2009 James Beard Award.

I have not eaten at Sol Cocina, but it looks like I’m going to have to make a trip out to PCH this weekend. I look forrward to Deborah Schneider’s mix of fresh seasonal ingredients with authentic Mexican flavors.

Sol Cocina is located at 251 E. Coast Highway at the Balboa Marina. For more info, please call 949.675.9800 or visit www.solcocina.com

Amor y Tacos will be available for purchase at the restaurant on the 29th or you can purchase a copy from the FoodieInDisguise Amazon store by clicking the link below. The cookbook isn’t shipping yet, but you can pre-order your copy and it will ship as soon as it is in stock. Your purchase supports this blog.

One will be opening in Mission Viejo across from the Gateway Plaza Shopping Plaza in April and the other will be located at Downtown Disney this summer.

More on this developing story as details are confirmed…

There is nothing on the Yogurtland website about the new location yet. The new Yogurtland is located in the Orchard Shopping Center at El Toro Road and Rockfield.

It’s in a good location in my opinion. The nearest competition is Golden Spoon Yogurt on the opposite end of the shopping center. However, I think Yogurtlands unique flavor choices will win over people looking for something cold and sweet.

There is alot of foot traffic that takes place in front of the new location. Across from them are several restaurants: Daphne’s, Jalapeno’s, Lee’s Sandwiches, Boneheads and more…

That’s right. Starbucks will be giving away a free Pastry with the purchase of any handcrafted beverage on Tuesday, March 23.

Why? Because they want to. But in many ways it’s more than just FREE. Starbucks’ pastry as now free of artificial trans fats, high-fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors and no artificial dyes.

So download the coupon now and enjoy a little somethin-somethin with your coffee tomorrow!

Click here for your free pastry at Starbucks on March 23.

I can say that I have eaten at two of the ten and wholeheartedly agree that they should be there. Orange Coast Magazine’s Restaurant of the year is Park Avenue Restaurant in Stanton.

The remaining nine restaurants on the list are Sage, Fleming’s. Lucca Cafe, Watermarc, Sol Cocina, Marche Moderne, Charlie Palmer, Zimzala and Pizzeria Ortica.

A bit about Park Avenue Restaurant:

OpenTable says:

From the front door to the fireplace, Park Avenue promises unforgettable dining. Serving creative renditions of classic American food. Perfect for a business lunch or a casual dinner with friends. There is a two-bottle maximum for personal wines.

A few menu items that I may have to try when I visit are:

Either the Whole Wheat Flatbread with Mushrooms, Caramelized Onions and Fresh Mozzarella or the Lobster and Roasted Corn Fritters with Red Pepper Mayonnaise.

Uh oh…I saw Mussels with Garlic, Lemon and White Wine that may trump the other two!

For dinner, I’m a sucker for Seared Scallops for sure, but they have some dishes like 5 Spiced Baked Salmon, Medallions of Filet Mignon, Pan Seared Jidori Chicken and Texas Antelope Medallions served with Pear Risotto in a Red Wine Demi.

Dessert selections include a Warm Butter Cake with Caramel and Whipped Cream, but it is the daily flavor of the Warm Bread Pudding that has my interest. But if you eyes don’t gravitate to those two options, I’m sure the Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting will be placed in front of you…

Didn’t get a chance to sample some of OC’s Best Restaurants this past week? No worries, the OC Restaurant Association is extending it one more week.

Not all the restaurants that participated this week will be hosting specials from March 7 thru 13. Take advantage of this extra week to sample some great prix-fixe menus for lunch and dinner. Lunch specials start at $10 for a 3 course meal and dinners start at $20.

• 118 Degrees – Costa Mesa (lunch only)
• 7 Seas Fish House – Garden Grove
• Anaheim White House – Anaheim
• Bayside – Newport Beach
• Bistango – Irvine
• Don the Beachcomber – Huntington Beach
• French 75 – Laguna Beach
• LUCCA – Irvine
• Hush – Laguna Beach
• Lulu’s Crêperie Café – Laguna Hills
• Marios by the Sea – Dana Point
• O’Neill’s at Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club – Mission Viejo
• Ritz Restaurant and Garden, The – Newport Beach
• Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen – Anaheim
• Ruth’s Chris Steak House – Irvine
• Rusty Pelican – Newport Beach
• Sage – Newport Beach
• Sage on the Coast – Newport Beach
• Savannah Chop House – Laguna Niguel
• Spark Woodfire Grill – Huntington Beach
• The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar - Tustin (lunch only)

Fore more information, please visit www.ocrestaurantweek.com

The following restaurants are confirmed for Restaurant Week but a full list can be found on the official Orange County Restaurant Week. Diners may go to there to find a full list of participants, menus, location and reservation information:

o      118 Degrees – Costa Mesa

o      230 Forest Avenue – Laguna Beach

o      25 Degrees – Huntington Beach

o      320 Main – Seal Beach

o      50 Forks – Santa Ana

o      6ix Park Grill – Irvine

o      7 Seas Fish House – Garden Grove

o      Ambrosia – Santa Ana

o      Anaheim White House – Anaheim

o      Andrei’s Conscious Cuisine – Irvine

o      Anqi – Costa Mesa

o      Antonello Ristorante – Santa Ana

o      Auld Dubliner – Tustin

o      Auld Irisher – Orange

o      Bayside – Newport Beach

o      Belacan Grill – Tustin

o      Bistango – Irvine

o      Bluewater Grill – Tustin / Newport Beach

o      Brasserie Pascal – Newport Beach

o      Cafe Jardin – Corona Del Mar

o      Catal – Anaheim

o      Cedar Creek – Brea

o      Cedar Creek – Laguna Niguel

o      Cedar Creek – San Juan Capistrano

o      Cha Cha’s - Brea

o      Chaparosa – Laguna Niguel / Tustin

o      Chart House – Dana Point / Newport Beach

o      Commonwealth Lounge & Grill – Fullerton

o      Crystal Jade – Irvine

o      Daily Grill - Irvine

o      Don the Beachcomber – Huntington Beach

o      Duke’s – Huntington Beach

o      French 75 – Laguna Beach

o      Geisha House – Santa Ana

o      Harborside Restaurant – Newport Beach

o      Haven Gastropub -  Orange

o      Hush – Laguna Beach

o      JT Schmid’s Restaurant and Brewery – Anaheim / Tustin

o      Kimera’s – Irvine

o      King’s Fish House – Laguna Hills/Huntington Beach/Orange

o      K’ya Bistro Bar – Laguna Beach

o      K’ya Street Fare – Anaheim

o      Leatherby’s Café Rouge – Costa Mesa

o      LUCCA – Irvine

o      Lulu’s Crêperie Café – Laguna Hills

o      Lumberyard – Laguna Beach

o      Manhattan Steak & Seafood – Orange

o      Marios by the Sea – Dana Point

o      Marmalade Cafe – Tustin

o      Marrakesh – Costa Mesa

o      Matador Cantina -  Fullerton

o      McCormick & Schmick’s Grille – Anaheim

o      McCormick & Schmick’s – Irvine

o      McCormick & Schmick’s – Santa Ana

o      Medieval Times – Buena Park

o      Mozambique – Laguna Beach

o      Mr. Stox – Anaheim

o      Naples Ristorante – Anaheim

o      Nello Cucina – Costa Mesa

o      Newport Landing – Newport Beach

o      Newport Rib Company – Ladera/Costa Mesa

o      Nirvana Grille – Laguna Beach

o      Nirvana Grille - Mission Viejo

o      O’Neill’s at Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club – Mission Viejo

o      Opah – Aliso Viejo / Irvine

o      Orange Hill Restaurant – Orange

o      Orange County Mining Co. – Orange

o      Palm Terrace Restaurant – Newport Beach

o      Phan 55 - Irvine/Fullerton

o      Pinot Provence – Costa Mesa

o      Pizzeria Ortica – Costa Mesa

o      Port – Corona Del Mar

o      Prego Ristorante – Irvine

o      Primecut Cafe – Orange

o      Quattro Caffe – Costa Mesa

o      Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen – Anaheim

o      RA Sushi Bar Restaurant – Huntington Beach / Tustin

o      Restaurant 162′ – Dana Point

o      Ritz Restaurant and Garden, The – Newport Beach

o      Riviera at Fireside – Westminister

o      Royal Hawaiian – Laguna Beach

o      Royal Khyber – Santa Ana

o      Rusty Pelican – Newport Beach

o      Ruth’s Chris Steak House – Anaheim

o      Ruth’s Chris Steak House – Irvine

o      Sage – Newport Beach

o      Sage on the Coast – Newport Beach

o      Salerno Italian Restaurant – Laguna Beach

o      Savannah Chop House – Laguna Niguel

o      Scott’s Seafood – Costa Mesa

o      Signature Kitchen – Costa Mesa

o      SOL Cocina - Newport Beach

o      Sorrento Grille – Laguna Beach

o      Spark Woodfire Grill – Huntington Beach

o      SteerCrazy International BBQ – Capistrano Beach

o      Stonehill Tavern - St. Regis Resort – Monarch Beach

o      Summit House – Fullerton

o      Sundried Tomato – Laguna Beach / San Juan Capistrano / San Clemente

o      Tabu Grill – Laguna Beach

o      Tangata – Santa Ana

o      TAPS Fish House and Brewery – Brea

o      The Californian – Huntington Beach

o      The Cellar – Fullerton

o      The Crow Bar and Kitchen – Corona Del Mar

o      The Loft – Laguna Beach

o      The Melting Pot – Brea / Irvine / San Clemente

o      The Rooftop Lounge – Laguna Beach

o      The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar - Tustin

o      Tommy Bahama’s Island Grille – Newport Beach

o      Tortilla Jo’s – Anaheim

o      Tradition by Pascal – Newport Beach

o      Watermarc – Laguna Beach

o      Wildfish Seafood Grille – Newport Beach

o      Wolfgang Puck Bistro – Costa Mesa

o      Zimzala – Huntington Beach

o      Zov’s Bistro – Tustin

o      Zov’s Cafe & Bar – Irvine & Newport Coast

That’s right. Burger King is getting ready to setup a Whopper Bar in South Beach, Florida. Patrons will be able to grab a Whopper and American beer 24 hours a day in this new concept for the burger chain.

This isn’t their first venture however. They have been testing the idea in Venezuela, Singapore and Munich. In 2008 they opened a Whopper Bar at the Universal Orlando Resort, but I’m not sure if they served beer or not.

The bar will offer delivery for local patrons, a walk-up window and there will be on-site outdoor seating.

This was a concept drawing for a Whopper Bar that was released last year related to the opening of the Universal Orlando Resort location.

Orange County Restaurant Week – February 28 to March 6

Newport Beach Restaurant Week – January 22 to January 28

Los Angeles Restaurant Week(s) – January 24 to January 29; January 31 to February 5

San Diego Restaurant Week – January 17 to January 22

Take advantage of special lunch &  dinner menus and pricing during each event. The San Diego event has a contest this year to win a year’s worth of free dining (eat out every weekend). Los Angeles is offering a chance to win several $100 gift cards good at participating restaurants up there.

Shannon has been affiliated with the Back Bay Rugby Team in Newport Beach since 1997. They are having their annual Fundraiser and will be hosting a Silent Auction and Wine Tasting event. The event will be held at the South Coast Winery savoring the delights of the vineyard and enjoying some hors d’oeuvres.

Ten wines will be featured with 5 tastings and hors d’oeuvres.

When: Saturday, February 6th, 2010
Location: South Coast Winery, 3608 South Bristol Street in Santa Ana

Cost: $40 per Person
Time: 7 until 10 pm
Dress Code: Cocktail Attire

RSVP: Before January 23rd, 2010.
For tickets please contact Gina Bonnett, gbonnettbbrfc@yahoo.com