Any time there’s a day off, whether holiday or vacation, we seem to lose track of what day it is for the remainder of the week. Hey, as long as we’re at work when we need to be, right? We’ve got a reusable bag full of good news to see you through the next several days.
It’s National Grilling Month!?! – all locations
The gang at Luna Grill wanted to remind us that it’s the most wonderful time of the year to be chilling and grilling. And we’re not just talking chicken, but veggie kabobs loaded up with squash, mushrooms, onions and bell peppers! And if you want to be healthy-ish, then just get your chicken and tack on a Dip Trio– hummus, spicy feta, and garlic sauce served with veggies. With locations in Lake Forest, Huntington Beach, Rancho Santa Margarita, Irvine, Dana Point and Aliso Viejo, we’re down for a dip. www.lunagrill.com.
Crack Shack Finally Gets Happy (Hour)! – Costa Mesa
We weren’t expecting the quick service chicken coop off 17th and Orange to start up Happy Hour . . .but we’re glad they did. The weekday trio of bites will be available Monday through Friday, from 3-6 p.m. only. Price-wise, it’s a snacking steal: $2.50 for deep fried pickles, $1.75 for chicken lollies and two bucks for mini (yet spicy!) biscuit sliders. The H-squared kicks off tomorrow, on (what else?) National Fried Chicken Day. Oh, and the drinks are reduced as well. Brews and wines by the glass are $2 off; specialty drinks $3 off. See you there. 196 E. 17th St., (949) 383-5040; www.crackshack.com.
Happy Anniversary, Bear Cheese Tart! – Tustin
What’s cheesy and looks like a bear? The yellow-hued storefront tucked in the back of Union Market. They’re turning one this Saturday, and to celebrate, it’s giveaway time! Starting at 11:30 a.m., they’ve got a something special for everybody. Guests one through 100 receive a free Baked Cheese Tart. 101-200 are allowed one free drink of their choosing. In addition, they’ve got deals on deals: for every cheese tart purchased, a drink is half-off; purchase a shaved snow, and get the second at half-off. Finally, there’s a raffle for a 55-inch, flat screen television. Go ahead and eat dessert first. Life is too short not to. 2493 Park Ave., (626) 965-9969
Hopdoddy Can Brekkie Like the Best of Them – Tustin/Newport Beach
We were tipped off to a couple of new menu items over at the place we mistakenly keep referring to as Hopdaddy. There’s a Brew Series, featuring new burgers sauced with beer-infused condiments. Yet our hands-down fave was the illustrious Breakfast Burger. A sausage, beef and ham blended patty, cheese, herb mayo and Applewood smoked bacon were yummy. The winning component was potato “hay”– similar to shoestring potato sticks, but thinner. The starchy crunch it contributed made our burger sing. Wash it down with a pint, and prepare to nap. 3030 El Camino Real, Tustin, (714) 505-2337; 401 Newport Center Dr., #311, Newport Beach, (949) 640-2337; www.hopdoddy.com.
Find Me On The Radio – Anaheim
Our friends at the SoCal Restaurant Show typically broadcast live from Angels Stadium on Saturday mornings from 10 a.m. to noon on AM 830. This Saturday, they’ll be on the air from Golden Road Brewing (down the street). Yours truly will be at bat starting at 10:30 a.m. to discuss our recent roadtrip to the Santa Ynez Valley for OC Weekly’s Travel issue. Looking for a vacation you can drive to? Check out our interview this Saturday. If you’re far from a radio, they’ve also got an AM 830 app.
Get Your Hello Kitty Fix Somewhere Besides Tanaka Farms – Irvine Spectrum
Also this Saturday: Your sneak peek at a new collaboration between Sanrio and 64Colors at BoxLunch. Cool cups, mugs, food-themed pins and more will be available before their official launch Monday. Limited edition mini-posters are reserved for the first 100 guests starting at noon. Hello Kitty will be in attendance, as well as goodies from Hello Kitty Cafe! Join the festivities before they end at 3 p.m. 753 Spectrum Center Dr., #239, (949) 753-1391; www.boxlunchgifts.com.
Arts and Craft Cocktails with The Blind Rabbit – Costa Mesa
Our friends at The Blind Rabbit are on location Thursday evening, July 12. Collaborating with The Whole Purpose, they are presenting The Art of Mixology at Fisher & Paykel. With F&P Chefs Rob Wilson and Joe Youkhan and The Blind Rabbit’s very own Chef Peter Lai, expect some excellent cocktail pairings alongside nutritious dishes. Tickets can be found at this link. 695 Town Center Dr., Ste. 180.
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.