Savory and sweet. Tea and cocktails. Heck, we’ve even got an art installation in this week’s guide. Our plan to help you think ahead is working. You may need to wear comfy shoes for some of these, but you’ve been warned. Now excuse us while we get back to our Negroni.
Save the Date: Chicken Wings Coming to The Halal Guys!
Saturday the 16th is the big day for all SoCal locations of THG. Be one of the first 100 in line, and you’ll receive a free wings and fries platter. Choose between Mild, BBQ and Spicy flavors. Those who miss the initial rush will still be eligible for a wing sample (based on availability). Doing the chicken dance is optional. OC locations include Costa Mesa and Tustin. www.thehalalguys.com.
Coming Soon: Scratch-N-Sniff Stamps!
Stop. Collaborate and listen. The U.S. Postal Service announced earlier this month that on June 20, Forever smelly stamps will be a thing! The watercolor series, named Frozen Treats, was created by artist Margaret Berg. Pretty pastel popsicles will be printed with a sweet-scented coating. Send out your next snail mail correspondence with some seasonal flair. You can also pre-order them here. Wonder if they could double as a perfume hack?
Go Big or Go Home at Sidecar this Friday – Costa Mesa
Friday is a magical day at our favorite Sidecar Doughnuts & Coffee. You see, it’s National Doughnut Day, for starters. The first 100 customers at Sidecar will receive a freebie (They open at 6:30 a.m.). Not only that, but on the same day they’ll be debuting June specials: Tropical Sunrise, Key Lime Pie, Pina Colada and Love & Salt. Love & Salt, by the way, is the newest in their Chef Series. Crafted by Chef Michael Fiorelli from the restaurant by the same name, it is a brown sugar cake donut finished with a salty brown sugar pudding glaze. Say what? Note: Key Lime Pie will only be a weekend warrior, available Friday through Sunday.
If for some crazy reason you couldn’t stop by over the weekend, then make the trek next week, as Sidecar teams up with Imbibe Magazine’s Negroni Week from June 4-10. A very special Blood Orange Negroni doughnut will be featured, with proceeds going to Inspire Artistic Minds. Imagine a gin-orange glaze, filled with blood orange curd, then topped with a dollop of vermouth whipped cream. We didn’t believe it until we tried it. 270 E. 17th St., Ste. 18, (949) 873-5424; www.sidecardoughnuts.com.
Negroni Week Kick-off Party! – Costa Mesa
While we’re on the topic of Negroni Week, if you happen to enjoy this cocktail, clear your Monday evening. Eight of OC’s most creative bartenders will be competing for bragging rights as they concoct their version of the classic. For $10, you can sample all the competitors and nosh on small bites, courtesy of Mesa. Tasting begins at 5 p.m., and we’ll be there as one of the illustrious judges (a.k.a. sitting by ourselves in the corner drinking everything). See you then! 725 Baker St., (714) 557-6700; www.mesacostamesa.com
Weekend Tea Service at Monarch Beach Resort – Dana Point
Birthdays, bridal showers, Girls’ Day Out or any other reason you can name, there’s an occasion to do afternoon tea. If you’re like us, it’s not easy to locate one we enjoy. However, we found one that even includes spa time! Make a reservation through their spa for Miraval Tea: A Day of Wellness. With a rate of $75, not only receive a $50 credit on a spa service, but a tower of treats for lunch in their cafe. Your access to the spa is good all day, so pack a bathing suit and clear your afternoon. Tea service is between the hours of noon and 3 p.m; tastes include roast turkey club with lemon dill and a matcha lime roulade. We recommend their custom SoCal Citrus Blend to sip on. 1 Monarch Beach Resort, (800) 722-1543; www.monarchbeachresort.com.
In Good Taste at John Wayne Airport – Santa Ana
If you happen to be flying into or out of John Wayne Airport through June, check out “In Good Taste”, a grand display of the culinary scene in Orange County. You’ll see familiar names and faces, such as Pascal Olhats (Pascal/Café Jardin), Ross Pangilinan (Mix Mix Kitchen Bar) and Ivan Calderon of Taco Mesa and Taco Rosa fame. Topics range from ethnic cuisine and the beginning of Knott’s Berry Farm to the growth of breweries in the county. Who knows, you might also catch a photo of a certain food writer down by Gate 21. Displays are stationed throughout the Departures level, starting across from Gate 2 in Terminal A. Safe travels. 18601 Airport Wy., (949) 252-5200; www.ocair.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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