Preparing a meal from scratch is a labor of love. Just ask any homebrewer or seasoned pitmaster. It may be time-consuming, but the end result makes it all worthwhile. That’s how we feel about this week’s roundup. Much thought and care is placed into roasting chiles and creating a great beer. We’re simply around to remind you of such places and events.
The RANCH/Golden Road Pairing Dinner – Anaheim
Two of our favorite reasons to visit Anaheim are the brothers Rossi and Victor Novak (Okay, that’s technically three.). On Thursday the 22nd, they are planning an epic collaboration dinner on the top floor of The RANCH, also known as their events center. If you’ve ever been a fan of Victor’s brews or Rossi’s culinary expertise, this is the meal you want to splurge on. Separately, they are forces to be reckoned with; together, they will make a lasting impression. All the info you need can be found over here. 1025 E. Ball Rd., Flr. 6, (714) 817-4207; www.theranch.com.
Day Trip: International Smoke – Del Mar
Trying to find time to take a proper vacation this summer has proven near impossible. Instead, we’re taking overnights, quick weekends and the occasional day trip to blow off steam. Last weekend, we spent our Sunday supper visiting one of our favorite celebrity chefs, Michael Mina. He just launched the fourth location of International Smoke in North San Diego county. Taking the idea of smoke a step beyond barbecue, he and Ayesha Curry put together a eclectic menu of tastes unified by a familiar flavor.
We recommend the Fuego menu, a generous tasting of their greatest hits, including cornbread with Thai red curry butter, shaking beef finished table side (a signature Mina element), king crab fried rice, and Kona kampachi sashimi. We went in starving and still left with leftovers of our family-style meal. Service was as warm as our visits to Bourbon Steak and Stonehill Tavern. We may have also dabbled in a CBD cocktail. Either way, pull up a seat at their lengthy bar or stay for a bite. Bonus: they are dog-friendly with a fido menu! 3387 Del Mar Heights Rd., (619) 331-4528; www.internationalsmoke.com.
The Winery’s Hatch Chile Event – Tustin
Did somebody say Hatch chile season?! It’s that favorite time of the year for those that don’t reside in a certain New Mexico town, and folks are celebrating the zippy pepper. Over at The District, you’ll find a very special party menu Saturday afternoon between 2-5 p.m. at The Winery. For $48, sip on your choice of tequila or beer as you chow on deviled eggs, bread pudding, and butternut squash tamales all infused with you-know-what— and that’s only a fraction of the items. Live music, drool-inducing chile roasting, plus a swag bag that has both a cookbook as well as your own batch of Hatch are all on the agenda. Call the restaurant directly to RSVP now. 2647 Park Ave., (714) 258-7600; www.thewineryrestaurant.net.
Save the Date: Brew Ha Ha – Silverado
Whether you’ve been to one or all of them, Brew Ha Ha is an easygoing beer festival for the social beer drinker. This year’s party will include 80 breweries pouring over 160 tastes. Notorious eats from Heritage Barbeque and Sgt. Pepperoni’s are also on deck. Ska performances and family-friendly good times in Oak Canyon Park mean you don’t have to look for a sitter. Plus, we appreciate the Metrolink shuttle option to help get folks home. Start buying those tickets well before September 7. 5305 Santiago Canyon Rd., (949) 363-1774; www.ocbrewhaha.com.
Farmer Boys is Calling All Bacon Lovers!
What is a bacon intern, you ask? Simply put, this one-day job opportunity consists of eating all the bacon-laden menu items on the Farmer Boys menu and getting paid a sweet amount for grading all the porky goodness. Get selected, and the gig (plus $1,000, pre-tax) is yours! Think you’ve got the right stuff? Cue up your Insta and sell yourself to the powers that be in a post/video. All the details you need are found at this website. Make all your bacon dreams come true and apply already. www.farmerboys.com.
Harvest Moon Dinner – Irvine
Tanaka Farms, local chefs, fundraising and you. Why do we even need to explain further? Get in the giving spirit and help stop hunger by promoting awareness. Learn more about the Solutions for Urban Agriculture and purchase tickets over here. 5380 3/4 University Dr., (949) 653-2100; www.tanakafarms.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.