Mark your calendar: The 4th Annual California Wine Festival is returning to Dana Point, CA

On April 19-20, 2013, the California Wine Festival (CWF) will be held once again in the picturesque, coastal town of Dana Point. Executive Director Don Fritzen said, “We’re bringing back even more wineries from around the state and great food purveyors to meet the great demand here (in Orange County, CA).” The expanded lineup includes wineries from every region of California, a group of wineries from Oregon, regional microbreweries, and restaurants from around Orange County

Friday April 19, 6:30pm-9:00 pm

“Sunset Rare & Reserve” Wine Tasting, Marriott Laguna Cliffs (Vue Lawn)

The "Sunset Rare & Reserve" Wine Tasting on April 19, 2013 will feature rare and reserve level bottles that winemakers will dust off and pour at this popular event. Some wines being poured are no longer in distribution; some are proprietor's reserves and end-of-vintage wines. A champagne reception greets guests who will be treated to Napa trophy cabs, rare bottles from Sonoma County, Santa Cruz and Sierra Mtn. areas, the red-hot Central Coast, Pinots from Santa Barbara County and much more. Top regional chefs will serve hot and cold appetizers while live bluesy jazz keeps the atmosphere super cool. Ticket price includes all wine and food samples and an 18 oz. keepsake wine glass.

·         Advance Ticket Price - $99 (Gate Price $125)

·         Special Event Valet Parking Rate $16

 To read more, please visit: http://www.examiner.com/article/mark-your-calendar-the-4th-annual-california-wine-festival-is-returning-to-dana

Mahalo and hope to see you there!

OC Food Diva

Bruxie Gourmet Waffle Sandwiches to open new location in Huntington Beach, CA

On Tuesday, April 23, 2013, Bruxie will debut its fifth location at The Strand in Huntington Beach. A couple of weeks ago, some of Orange County’s media outlets were invited on a hard-hat tour of the new location. Dean Simon, Managing Partner of Bruxie showed conceptual drawings of the finished build-out which has that industrial, casual look that Bruxie is known for but with a beachcomber flair. The Strand is a couple of blocks north of Huntington Beach’s historic Main Street and has been built up over the last few years with shops, restaurants, and renovated hotels like The Shorebreak. There is plenty of parking below The Strand with convenient elevators to take you to the ground level.

To read more and see slideshow, please visit: http://www.examiner.com/article/bruxie-gourmet-waffle-sandwiches-to-open-new-location-huntington-beach-ca

Mahalo,

OC Food Diva

Moodaepo is an ultimate K-Pop Korean BBQ experience Rowland Heights, CA

Moodaepo in Rowland Heights is the fourth location of this expanding K-Pop Korean Barbeque phenomenon. In the parking lot, you can sniff your way to the front door as the scent of KBBQ lures you in. The interior is decorated like a disco-tech lounge with stage club lighting and big screens on the walls. The color scheme is fun, exciting, yet you feel welcome to stay a while. They even have a room in the back for private events like company luncheon, birthday parties, and other celebratory occasions with a large screen and audio system.

Your meal starts out with a daily variety of panjan. The most famous panjan that everyone equates as Korean is kimchi (also spelled kimchee) which is traditional fermented vegetables in a variety of seasonings from mild to very spicy. But, there is much more to panjan ranging from a variety of vegetable salads to pancakes. These can be eaten as an appetizer or mixed in with your barbequed meats. Try it both ways and see what suits your taste buds best.

 

To read more and see photo slideshow, please visit: http://www.examiner.com/review/moodaepo-is-an-ultimate-k-pop-korean-bbq-experience-rowland-heights-ca

Mahalo,

OC Food Diva

BAGELS & BREW OFFERS A DOZEN FREE BAGELS WITH BLOOD DONATION

Blackmarket Bakery has a new location to satisfy your sweet and savory tooth in Costa Mesa, CA

In early 2012, I stumbled upon a small bakery in a business park on the outskirts of Irvine. The scent of freshly baked items enticed me in. From fresh-baked tarts to breads to homemade marshmallows, I simply had to buy something to remember this excellent find. A few months later, I stumbled upon them again, remembering their distinctive pirate-esque look, at Kean Coffee in Tustin, serving up some of the best coffee in Orange County with finesse only found in Europe. In December 2012, Blackmarket Bakery extended its reach to Costa Mesa with a larger space and open kitchen to create a feast for the senses.

Chef/Owner Rachel Klemek started her bakery back in 2004 and is still going strong. Her baked items are now sold in numerous outlets across Orange County. Chef Rachel uses “baking fundamentals such as butter, flour, sugar, and eggs – all of which were black market goods during WWII” and “delivers a culinary experience that revolves around natural ingredients, complex textures, and global flavors, with a bit of punk rock tucked inside, of course.”

Let’s take a look at some of their delicious creations:

Blueberry Rosewater is an oat streusel atop fresh blueberries tossed in rosewater, layered on their basque batter. This was a scrumptious tart – blueberries were slightly tart but juicy. This is great for breakfast, but I can also see this as a beautiful dessert topped with vanilla ice cream or fresh whipped cream. Thumbs up! 

To read more and see photos, please visit: http://www.examiner.com/review/blackmarket-bakery-has-a-new-location-to-satisfy-your-sweet-and-savory-tooth

Mahalo,

OC Food Diva

Surprising Facts You Didn’t Know About California Strawberries

Check out "Surprising Facts You Didn’t Know About California Strawberries" from the California Strawberry Commission:

We are so lucky to have strawberries year-round in California so take advantage of the health benefits!

Mahalo,

OC Food Diva

Madera Wine Trail, Part 3: Fäsi Estate Winery

Heading south from O’Neals, CA, is a relaxing, scenic drive to Friant, CA. Fäsi Estate Winery rises up from the countryside with the view of beautiful green, rolling hills. The winery itself is very open and has a nice flow. The tasting room is beautiful with dark oak paneling.  

Crest Sierra Gold 2010 is a combination of Rousanne, Viognier, Marsanne, and Grenache Noir from Love Ranch in Madera County. Tasting notes: little on the sour side but mellows out with goat cheese and strawberry preserves. Suggested pairing: roasted chicken, salmon, pasta, or shellfish.

To read more and see slideshow, please visit: http://www.examiner.com/review/madera-wine-trail-part-3-f-si-estate-winery

Mahalo,

OC Food Diva

Pitfire Artisan Pizza serves up artisan pizza made with fresh, local ingredients in Costa Mesa, CA

Pitfire Artisan Pizza shows Orange County their artisan pizza making flare using fresh, local ingredients. With wood-burning ovens at their disposable, they can turn out an authentic pizza very similar to what you would get in Italy - bubbly crust, gooey cheese, and just the right amount of char spots from the fire.

The Costa Mesa, CA location is very hip with a surfer/skater feel inside and opened in fall of 2012, 6^th location in the chain. The service is friendly and attentive. For a SoCal chain, each location stays true with their focus on the artisan way.

Shredded Kale Salad is Tuscan kale, lemon champagne vinaigrette, honey dates, almonds, and parmesan. The kale was too wilted for me. I like my kale more on the raw side, with a crunchy texture. The dressing was awesome with a slightly sweet flavor. The combination of flavors worked great together – nutty almond, sweet dates, and tangy vinaigrette. Thumbs up!

 

 

To read more and see slideshow, please visit: http://www.examiner.com/review/pitfire-artisan-pizza-serves-up-artisan-pizza-made-with-fresh-local-ingredients

Mahalo,

 

OC Food Diva