It’s a mixed bag of tasty delights in this week’s roundup. If we’re talking the weekend, head to Natural Products Expo West. If you’re already thinking about next week, then two new happy hours are calling your name. Of course, there’s picture perfect poke in store. And if you recall Eric Samaniego, you’ll want to mark your calendar.
Natural Products Expo West – Anaheim
The hungry person’s answer to trade shows, Natural Products Expo descends upon Anaheim Convention Center and its surrounding properties from now through the weekend. Attendees can get their swag and exercise too, between the entire ACC and addition of Marriott’s ballroom. Our favorite amenity: taking the direct shuttle from the free Angel Stadium lot. Check out our blog post on the Visit Anaheim website for more details. 800 W Katella Ave, (714) 765-8950; www.anaheimconventioncenter.com.
The Habit Burger Grill’s Golden Chicken Salad – all locations
Yesterday marked the kick-off of a new salad to The Habit’s growing menu. A Golden Chicken Salad is the green version of their popular Golden Chicken Sandwich. Crumbled bacon, feta cheese, diced tomatoes, red onions, and hand-dipped fried chicken over greens is one colorful combination. It’s all dressed in a cilantro-lime ranch and will cost you $7.25. Available for a limited time, we think it’ll help after all that OCRW dining. www.habitburger.com for your nearest location.
Mule Mondays at Cafe Gratitude – Newport Beach
Make Gratitude your new place to Mule on Mondays. Normally priced at $14, it drops to $8 all day long in Newps. Start with a classic Moscow Mule, featuring vodka, homemade ginger beer, lime and mint. Then order their $10 special of loaded purple potato and sweet potato fries (served three ways) while contemplating your next move. Go smoky with mezcal, head to Kentucky with Bourbon, aged rum will get you good for a Dark & Stormy, hit the scotch with a Maime Taylor or order your very own Gin Buck. There are no wrong answers. 1617 Westcliff Dr, (949) 386-8100; www.cafegratitude.com.
North Shore Poke Co Turns 5! – Huntington Beach
On Monday, it’ll be five years since North Shore Poke opened their initial location. The original poke bowl shop in OC, father and son team Mark and Shawn Gole began the concept after Shawn was stationed in Oahu with the Coast Guard. He was inspired to bring the same fresh flavors to the mainland, and the two focused on importing only the best seafood. With the help of sister Melissa Gole and recent On the Line subject Jackson Long, they expanded the brand in recent years, now operating in five locations. They invite loyal customers to stop by March 13 to celebrate, “There is always going to be competition, that’s the nature of the beast when you are forefront of a great concept. It’s why we do what separates us. It’s our simplicity, consistency, quality, and love of Hawaiian culture that goes unparalleled and keeps our customers loyal.”
Save the Date: Michael’s on Naples pop-up dinner
We heard from Eric Samaniego recently, sharing plans about a dinner series in Long Beach. The first is slated for March 29, with subsequent ones on the last Wednesday of the month. The Michael’s on Naples chef is teaming up with Philip Pretty of Restauration on five courses. Served only in the rooftop dining area, he’s capping each event at 50 diners. “It is a completely selfish reason for me to get together with my friends and to cook the food that inspires me.” There’s open seating from 6:30-8:30 p.m., and the price for March will be $70. For more information, contact the restaurant directly. 5620 E 2nd St, (562) 439-7080; www.michaelsonnaples.com.
True Food Kitchen now serving Happy Hour – Newport Beach
Because you can never have enough places to blow off steam, Fashion Island’s after work crowd can now enjoy snacks and dranks weeknights between 3-6 p.m over at True Food Kitchen. From organic reds to a skinny citrus marg, they’ll even allow you to buy a bottle ‘o wine for $18. Bites include a Farmers Market Crudite (quite possibly the healthiest HH snack ever), a Tuscan Kale Salad and Daily Market Soup ranging from $5-8. Go and get crudite-wasted already! 451 Newport Center Dr, (949) 644-2400; www.truefoodkitchen.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.
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