If there’s one thing we’ve noticed lately, it’s that many restaurants have started teaming up with worthy causes to fundraise with food. Hey, if eating out means a charity can somehow benefit, we’re all in. And if you’re not the charitable type, we’re not here to judge.
Taverna “Eat, Drink, Experience” Regional Menus – Laguna Beach
Offering a special menu for one week each month, Taverna Laguna Beach plans to kick things off next week with foods from the region of Sagra Del Maiale. Items can be sold a la carte or together as a tasting menu, with an optional wine pairing available. Think pancetta-wrapped pork tenderloin over cannellini beans and kale stew with Vincotto sauce. Go hungry. 222 Ocean Avenue, (949) 715-0821; www.tavernabylombardi.com.
Newport Beach Restaurant Week Through January 29! – Newport Beach
Going on for two weeks instead of only one makes a huge difference in the world of local resto weeks. With price points to please the masses, one of our favorites involves Tackle Box’s spicy buffalo cauliflower. Check out the list of participating eateries, and then make a res if it sounds tasty. www.dinenb.com.
Portillo’s Cake for a Cause – Buena Park
Pre-orders have begun for a truly special fundraiser, via the partnering of Portillo’s For Good (their donation program) and the American Red Cross. Order one of these beauties, and a portion of the $14.99 is donated to ARC. Served from February 10-14, Portillo’s heart-shaped chocolate cakes are freshly baked every morning. 8390 La Palma Avenue, (714) 220-6400; www.portillos.com.
Asian Box Grand Opening Fundraiser – Irvine
Benefiting the Wounded Warrior Project, the UCI location of this quick-casual meal chain will be raising money for this cause Wednesday the 25th. All day long, all sales at the sustainable takeaway will go towards this charity. We’re currently digging their coconut curry tofu and lemon-lime marmalade beverage. 4503 Campus Drive, (949) 769-6196; www.asianbox.com.
Nekter Children’s Book Reading – Costa Mesa
Also occurring next Wednesday, Nekter co-founder Alexis Schulze will be at the South Coast Plaza branch to read from her new children’s book, Sneaky Spinach. They’ve partnered with Festival of Children Foundation to donate $4 from each copy sold, allowing the non-profit to continue to support hundreds of charities throughout the country. If you are interested in purchasing a book, sales begin in-store and online that day. To attend the reading, visit Carousel Court at 3:30 p.m. 3333 Bear Street, (949) 340-2700; www.nekterjuicebar.com.
Coming soon: Rance’s Chicago Pizza Grand Opening – Long Beach
Head to Belmont Shore on January 28 and check out the second location of this deep dish brand. From opening at 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., pizzas will be sold at 50% off. And after 4 p.m., 50% of sales will be donated to Long Beach-based Community Action Team (CAT). 5258 East 2nd Street, (562) 786-5566; www.rancespizza.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.