If dining out is wrong, we don’t ever want to be right. We’ve got a grand opening, a brunch crawl and lots in between to keep you busy the next couple of weeks. Map out those nights and weekends and grab a few friends; these are all best enjoyed in groups.
Congregation Ale House Opens This Weekend! – DTSA
It was at least a year in the making, but the news we broke last summer about a very special Congregation headed down to OC is finally coming to fruition. Stop by this Sunday, as the crew breaks bread and opens its doors to the Santa Ana neighborhood. We stopped by for a little Wit & Wisdom with our Stone IPA brat during soft opening. It’s a fine addition to Downtown Santa Ana. We look forward to your next chapter. 201 N. Broadway; www.congregationalehouse.com.
Brunch Club at 4th Street Market – Santa Ana
Get in your finest Sunday PJs and head on down to the Santa Ana food hall on September 30th. Some of our favorite stalls will be hawking ‘gram-worthy street fare. Hit up Jinny’s Pizzeria for Eggs Benedict Pizza (Yolk porn!). Mango Mimosa popsicles from Front Porch Pops will also sweeten things up. Dine out on the patio and chill to some live tunes. Or stay in the shade and listen for your winning ticket during their giveaways. We’ll be downing Breakfast Pita Pockets from Falasophy. 201 E. 4th St., (714) 486-0700; www.4thstreetmarket.com.
New Malasada Filling at Fill – Costa Mesa
Do you know Fill? It’s the place next to Toast, which is the location that’s formerly The Golden Truffle. But we digress. When we were at the OCAPICA Tastemakers of Orange County event recently, Fill was serving a perfectly balanced dessert made with blueberry taro. Yeah, you heard us. When we reached out to Chef John Park to learn more, he mentioned it was about to be rotated into the malasada filling options. We highly recommend checking it out. And if they’re sold out for the day, Fill’s ice cream selection is some of the best we’ve seen in these here parts. 1767 Newport Blvd., (949) 873-5075; www.eatfill.com.
Gunwhale Ales Duo IPA Release – Costa Mesa
Last week, the crew at Gunwhale conducted an experiment: Use the same hops (Simcoe, Ekuanot and Hallertau Blanc) in two IPAs, but make a minor adjustment to each. Besides appearance, how else would they differ? Well, see for yourself when you taste their High Viz Brut IPA and Low Viz Hazy IPA. Then check out what the guys at Gunwhale have to say when they break things down in their blog. 2960 Randolph Ave., (949) 239-9074; www.gunwhaleales.com.
Tuscan Wine Dinner at Angelina’s – Irvine
Today is the final day for you to RSVP for a quartet of tastes over at the Irvine outpost of Angelina’s Pizzeria Napoletana. Their Tuscan wine dinner is scheduled for Thursday, the 27th at 6 p.m. A complete pairing menu is featured above, and your $120 meal does include taxes and gratuity. 8573 Irvine Center Dr., (949) 536-5200; www.angelinaspizzeria.com.
National Coffee Day at Dunkin’- participating locations
Enjoy this BOGO deal at your local Dunkin’ on Saturday the 29th: Purchase any hot coffee and get another for free! Oh, and it’s not limited to basic black, either. We’re talking Maple Pecan and Pumpkin coffee purchases as well. Share it with your friend, co-worker, or make it that random act of kindness at the drive-thru. Either way, you’re making someone’s day a little more awesome. www.dunkindonuts.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.