While the entertainment industry finishes their awards season, Orange County goes into full swing with dining season. OC Weekly’s Fresh Toast, OC Restaurant Week and DCA’s Food and Wine season are just a few of the over-the-top options waiting for you this month. Check your budget, pace yourself and enjoy.
Mahalo Mondays at The Blind Rabbit
Instead of Tiki Tuesday, the folks at one of our favorite watering holes kick it safari style a day sooner. Occurring over a quartet of dates, make reservations for the first one on March 26. If it’s remotely as much fun as what we experienced at their Women & Whiskies event, this will definitely sell out. 440 S. Anaheim Blvd., Ste. 104; www.theblindrabbit.com.
Snowopolis Keeps Going for the Gold
The Winter Olympics may be over, but that isn’t stopping one business from promoting the coveted medal. Imagine a 24-karat gold-dusted waffle cone filled with vanilla soft serve. But wait, there’s more! It’s finished with additional 24-karat gold leaf all over the vanilla. The glitzy treat will run you $14.95 at dessert spot Snowopolis. Now go get your glam selfie on. 400 Disney Way, Ste. 104, Anaheim, (714) 746-7300; www.snowopolis.net.
Trap Door Dining Coming to Newport
Known for his pop-ups in Los Angeles, Chef Kenny Seliger plans to reboot his intimate dinners beginning in April. Over two nights, he’ll serve 20 guests each evening a series of hand-crafted courses. Expect pairings of the boozy variety with your tasting menu (we also heard rumors of fermented tastes). Next month’s destination is cozy Kit Coffee, and tickets can be purchased via his TDD website. 1617 Westcliff Dr., Newport Beach; www.trapdoordining.com / www.kitcoffee.com.
Orange County Restaurant Week Kicks Off!
In its 10th year, OCRW continues to offer a wide selection of eats for curious diners. 150 restaurants are scheduled to offer prix fixe meals between March 4-10. $10-$20 lunches and $20-$80 dinners mean there’s something for every budget. Guests in the know will also take advantage of specialty cocktails, an Instagram contest and the official dessert: dark chocolate ganache, sweetened peanut butter, caramel, salted peanuts and torched marshmallow fluff in a chocolate tart shell. Pick up this Doozie (pictured) plus any two lattes for $10 at the Costa Mesa or Santa Ana Blackmarket Bakery! www.ocrestaurantweek.com.
DCA Food & Wine Festival Starts This Weekend!
For all things family-friendly and tasty, this paragraph is what you’ve been waiting for. Celebrity chef demonstrations and craft brews await at Disney’s other OC theme park. The schedule varies daily, so be sure to read up on current events before attending. 1313 Disneyland Dr., Anaheim, (714) 781-4565; www.disneyland.disney.go.com.
One More Week to Purchase Fresh Toast Tix!
We’d like to take the opportunity to remind you that next Saturday is our annual brunch fest. We’re providing the details on all things Fresh Toast next week, but right now we want to make sure you snag a few tickets before they sell out. Do you like Bloody Marys? How about delicious pork products and maple syrupy bites? This get-together in Laguna is for you. www.freshtoastoc.com.
A contributing writer for OC Weekly, Anne Marie freelances for multiple online and print publications, and guest judges for culinary competitions. A Bay Area transplant, she graduated with a degree in Hospitality Management from Cal Poly Pomona. Find her on Instagram as brekkiefan.