The Pizza Press has opened a new location on the Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach. The Pizza Press is known for its fresh, high quality ingredients, assortment of local craft beer on tap, and a fun 1920s Americana newspaper theme. Customers at The Pizza Press are invited to create or “publish” their own pizza by choosing from an extensive selection of fresh, high quality toppings, cheese and sauces. In addition to customizing a pizza which is “hot off the press” in under four minutes, guests can choose signature pizzas named after major American newspapers including The Times (extra virgin olive oil, mozzarella, chicken, grape tomato, red onion, smoked gouda, and finished with fresh cilantro and Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ Sauce), The Tribune (red sauce, mozzarella, pepperoni, red onion, mushroom, roasted red bell peppers, sweet Italian link sausage,…

Orange County Restaurant Week, the area's most celebrated foodie event of more than a decade, returns Sunday, March 3^th through Saturday, March 9^th. This year, nearly 150 restaurants will participant in OC Restaurant Week, offering diners a wide variety of options, from casual and family friendly establishments, to upscale and fine dining. A complete list of the restaurants participating in the 2019 OC Restaurant Week can be found online at http://www.ocrestaurantweek.com/participating-restaurants.html.



During the weeklong event, participating restaurants in Orange County will offer special three-course menus, many with a cocktail or signature item at no additional charge. Each restaurant will have the freedom and…

San Luis Obispo County local, Lynette Sonne, founded FARMstead ED to connect visitors and farmers; something that educates people on the importance of sustainable practices, local land, and craft. Sonne has organized opportunities for both tourists and townies to learn about everything from meat to mixology. Now, Sonne’s agri-cultural roots are growing again; this time, into the SLO County Farm Trail.

The SLO Co Farm Trail will connect agri-enthusiasts with ranches, farms, and purveyors of San Luis Obispo County using a trail map (both digital and tangible). With the popularity of agritourism on the rise and Sonne’s dedicated fan base from FARMstead ED, it’s no surprise that folks are already welcoming the addition.

Steve Baker, a devout FARMstead goer, expressed his excitement for the Trail based on farmsteading crafts he’s already…

Chef Nick Oberlin is reinventing his breakfast favorites with an innovative and fun brunch menu available Al Fresco at  Pour Company in Fullerton. Guests are invited to enjoy the new Brunch menu from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday on Pour Company’s covered private patio with its own outdoor bar,  offering morning Eye Openers, including Bottomless Mimosas, Sangria and Micheladas.

“Our Weekend Brunch menu is approachable and inviting so that everyone can take full advantage of our bright and energetic back patio!” explains Chef Nick Oberlin, who admits that brunch is one of his most favorite meals. “Since opening nearly a year ago, our patio is considered one of the area’s hidden gems – and we’re ready for it to come out of hiding and share it with Orange County!”…

The Queen Mary presents an unforgettable evening of romance and old-world glamour at My Vintage Valentine. Two evening seating times will offer a signature four-course dinner and special show featuring vintage burlesque performances, a steamy tango duet, and captivating contortionists celebrating love, playfulness, and beauty.

Set in one of the Queen Mary’s historic salons, My Vintage Valentine features a four-course love story performed by Cirque Berzerk and Love in the Fire. Guests will be greeted by cupid in the Windsor Salon upon arrival and ushered into the Grand Salon for their dinner seating. Once seated for dinner, the evening’s host will introduce the performers and accompanying love story, which will be interwoven throughout the dinner courses. The charming costumes and stunning ambiance of the Grand Salon will create the perfect…

SideDoor’s popular monthly Cheese Takeovers continues in 2019. Starting Wednesday, February 20th., the third Wednesday of each month will showcase a select portfolio of artisanal cheeses from various boutique creameries in California and across the country. SideDoor’s own certified cheesemonger, Tracy Nelsen, will be on hand at each takeover to educate guests on the various cheeses presented. The featured cheeses will also find their way into select SideDoor menu items for that evening only. A different creamery or style of cheese will be showcased monthly, culminating with an ultimate cheese party highlighting all creameries featured in the series. 5-piece cheese board - $28

Cheese Takeover Schedule: Wednesday, February 20 – English Cheeses, Wednesday, March 20 – Hook’s Cheese (Mineral Pt., WI), Wednesday, April 17 – Pennyroyal…

The Valentine's Mood Maker

• 1 ½ oz Vodka
• 2 oz Pomegranate Juice
•  ½ Lime
• 1 tsp Grand Marnier
• 2 Fresh muddled strawberries
• Sugar to rim the glass
• Fresh Strawberry for garnish

How to Make It:

-- Chill your glass in the freezer

-- Muddle fresh strawberries, squeeze in lime

-- Add Vodka, strawberries, lime, Grand Marnier and Pomegranate Juice in a shaker with ice.

--Shake and strain into chilled glass with sugared rim, garnish with fresh strawberry

The 12th Annual Laguna Beach Taste of the Nation will be held on Sunday, May 5, at Montage Laguna Beach. The afternoon brings another stellar line-up of great chefs, sponsors and beverage participants including Curtis Stone, Australian celebrity chef and well-known food television star. The event benefits Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry, raising funds needed to end childhood hunger across the U.S.

Laguna Beach Taste of the Nation is one in a national series featuring culinary creations crafted by the country’s most celebrated and generous chefs, sommeliers and mixologists, united to ensure all children in America have access to daily nutritious meals. One hundred percent of proceeds support the No Kid Hungry campaign’s work to end childhood hunger in America.

Host chefs Benjamin Martinek of Studio and Executive Pastry Chef Lee Smith…

By Mona Shah

Provenance - NEWPORT BEACH 

Celebrate Valentine's Day at Provenance and keep the love local! Chef Cathy Pavlos is serving up some seriously good eats this Valentine's Day. As with all special occasions at Provenance, guests can look forward to a no-nonsense, no-fuss, straight-up good time. Lovebirds will enjoy a 4-course Prix-Fixe menu featuring your choice of dishes such as Black Canyon Filet Mignon and Plancha-Seared Wild Branzino Filet. Full Valentine’s Day menu at http://www.provenanceoc.com/menu. Pricing is $75 per person, with an optional $25 or $40 wine pairing. Gluten-free and vegetarian options are available upon request. For reservations, please call, (949) 718-0477. …

Romantic three course dinner or indulge with a "Wine, Dine and Sparkle" experience!

Celebrate Valentine’s week (February 7-18, 2019) with a three-course prix fixe menu featuring an 8-oz. filet mignon paired with choice of colossal shrimp or North Atlantic lobster tail ($20 supplement). Dinner includes caviar blini amuse bouche followed by either mushroom bisque or beet salad. End on a sweet note with white chocolate bread pudding with raspberry champagne sauce.  Or enhance your dinner with a luxurious “Wine, Dine & Sparkle” experience which includes dinner for two, a glass or bottle of Moët & Chandon Brut Imperial Champagne or Dom Pérignon Brut Champagne and an exquisite gift from a luxury Fifth Avenue jeweler, at three different tiers.  For the Wine, Dine & Sparkle experience, please email …