Explore a diverse range of dining options as Orange County’s annual culinary extravaganza embraces everything from restaurants with fine wines and date-night spots to options the whole family can enjoy.
Prepare your palate to sample cuisine from some of the region’s premier eateries during Orange County Restaurant Week.
The much-anticipated annual event, which celebrates the diversity of the local dining scene, kicked off Sunday, ready to excite taste buds throughout the county with a week of special prix fixe menus and optional wine or cocktail pairings through March 8.
Launched 17 years ago by the OC Restaurant Association, the event has grown over the years and now draws more than 250,000 diners per year to area restaurants.
“Restaurant weeks were something that were happening around the country, and Orange County needed to have one,” says Pamela Waitt, president of the association and founder of OC Restaurant Week. “It has changed a ton and grown into something that people look forward to every year.”
Saturday’s sold-out Restaurant Week Masters VIP Launch Party saw the association roll out the red carpet for exclusive invitees and paying members of the public in an effort to get locals excited for the weeklong event. Participating restaurants from Huntington Beach to San Clemente showcased samples of their prix fixe menus while wine lovers indulged in the Paso Robles Wine and Spirit Lounge.
Then, on Sunday, more than 125 restaurants began welcoming diners in to try their curated dishes. With lunches ranging from $15 to $35 per person and dinners priced at $50 or less, foodies can explore a wide array of cuisines at different price points – from contemporary Japanese dishes at Sushi Roku to tastes of Mexico at Red O and casual chicken meals at The Crack Shack.
New this year is the focus on culinary categories, such as Wine Lover, Date Night and Family-Friendly menus, which make it easier than ever to tailor both your meal and your experience. “There’s not one demographic of people that dine out (during OC Restaurant Week) – everyone does,” Waitt says. “Whether you have a young family or you’re older, we really want to make sure that we have something for everybody.”
Fine Wines
At any culinary event, wine pairings are a must – and part of the very fabric of OC Restaurant Week, from the VIP launch party to menus throughout the region, is an ongoing partnership with the Travel Paso and the Paso Robles wine region.
“Wine and food go together, and Paso is a close place that people can go to explore,” Waitt says. “So it just makes sense for them to be a wine partner for us.”
One brand, Hope Family Wines, has been part of OC Restaurant Week in the past and continues to see a rising number of visitors from Orange County making the trip north. “This is our way of bringing a slice of Paso to O.C.,” says CJ Gormley, national brand ambassador for Hope Family Wines. “The Hope family have been pioneers of the Paso Robles region for over 40 years and we strive to continually be a part of the growth of our region.”
RJB Restaurant Group – which owns and operates six restaurants taking part in OC Restaurant Week, including Olea in Newport Beach, Sapphire in Laguna Beach, Ironwood in Laguna Hills, Bloom in San Juan Capistrano, plus Vine and Woodfire Kitchen & Cocktails, both in San Clemente – has Austin Hope’s cabernet sauvignon on all its menus.
“Our concepts are all based around wine country cuisine and so, as you can imagine, wine is a huge focus for us,” says RJB’s chef-partner, Jared Cook, noting that the brand’s well-rounded menu offers various pairings, including the lamb shank and short rib, to enjoy with this specific glass of wine.
“We focus on providing our guests’ favorite food dishes along with some of the most requested wines at all of our locations at a great value during OC Restaurant Week,” adds proprietor Russ Bendel. “We tend to get incredible feedback and continue to provide what our guests keep coming back for.”
PHOTO 1: Korean tacos are a great sharable dish for a date night. These are offered at Starfish in Newport Beach and Laguna Beach. Photo courtesy of Starfish California. PHOTO 2: At Lido Water Works, you can dine by the water during a date night. Photo courtesy of Niyaz Pirani/Knife & Spork PR PHOTO 3: Cafe Sevilla, a Spanish-inspired restaurant, is offering Paella Valenciana which must be shared with another OC Restaurant Week diner. Photo courtesy of Cafe Sevilla
Date Night Delights
New this year are the Date Night specials, which offer one price point for two people.
“We’ve really leaned into that, because people just love it,” Waitt says. “So we are pushing those menus – where they're two-for-one. Girlfriends go out with their friends as well with these, but the date nights are a lot of fun.”
Starfish, with locations in both Newport Beach and Laguna Beach, offers Asian fusion elevated fare in a sophisticated date night setting. “Thoughtfully curated lighting and playlists set the perfect mood, while our shareable cuisine, extensive wine list and innovative cocktails enhance the experience,” says Jennifer Polley, marketing director for Starfish California.
Between Starfish’s lunch and dinner menus, there are 22 dishes being showcased during OC Restaurant Week, making it one of the most extensive of the event. Highlights include the Thai curry chicken, spicy ahi tuna roll and Candy Dragon Prawns in addition to new creations like the Cambodian black pepper beef and longtime favorites like the Thai Chilean sea bass wrapped in banana leaves. You can pair it all with the wild lychee martini for a versatile sip.
For alfresco meals by the water, plan your date at Lido Bottle Works, where an intimate patio and fresh, eclectic menu work together to create a unique dining experience. “For those interested in food made with passion, love and flavor, and presented with excellent service, OC Restaurant Week at Lido Bottle Works can’t be missed,” says Brett Karas, the restaurant’s managing partner. “Though the name may be misleading for those who haven’t joined us before, you’ll be leaving with a new perspective and understanding of why we’ve been at the forefront of the O.C. dining scene for the last eight years.”
You can sample favorites as well as new dishes the eatery is testing out during the event. Try the crispy Jidori chicken sandwich, Little Gem salad, duck breast or smoked trout dip as well as the soup or tacos of the day.
Those looking for romance with added entertainment can pay a visit to Cafe Sevilla in Costa Mesa, where Spanish ambiance is in full force with live Latin music and tapas to start. Enjoy delectable options like halibut and shrimp ceviche, Spanish sausage a la plancha, or ham and cheese croquettes before tucking into entrees such as 16-hour short rib braised with Rioja-region wine, salmon with chorizo and Paella Valenciana.
PHOTO 1: Pomegranate and baklava soft-serve ice cream at Zood are kid-friendly options to try during OC Restaurant Week. Photo courtesy of Zood. PHOTO 2: The lamb shank may be offered at RJB restaurants Olea, Sapphire, Ironwood and Bloom. Photo courtesy of RJB Restaurant Group. PHOTO 3: Contemporary sushi offerings at Sushi Roku in Newport Beach. Photo courtesy of OC Restaurant Week. PHOTO 4: The Firebird chicken sandwich from The Crack Shack. Photo courtesy of The Crack Shack
A Family Affair
When it comes to family dining, parents seek out child-friendly menu options, a warm and inviting atmosphere, and some kind of entertainment to keep kids busy. This year, OC Restaurant Week is helping with the latter via a printable passport, available on its website.
“For family diners … there’s a passport where families can take their kids out and explore the globe through different foods,” Waitt says. “They can print out a little passport, write in it and explore different flavors from different countries.”
Families can use this passport to teach their children about different cultures while dining out. One eatery that prides itself on child-friendly offerings and a unique cultural slant is Zood, Persian California Kitchen at Fashion Island. With dishes made entirely from scratch using whole, fresh ingredients, the restaurant offers a modern take on classic Persian fare.
“Our goal has always been to offer a better alternative to families who find themselves with limited healthy options in fast casual environments,” says chef Mandana Shabani, who owns the restaurant with her husband, Patrick Lanteigne. You can sample everything from saffron chicken rice plates to pickled beet and barberry salad or baklava soft-serve, with a special meal that serves three to four people also available.
Zood has participated in OC Restaurant Week for three years now, and the husband-and-wife team is excited to get even more people interested in Persian cuisine. “We have found it to be a great community-building event that introduces Zood to new customers that soon become regulars. It is also a fun way for us to add new menu items for a limited time,” Shabani says. “On a personal note, we love going out to eat during OC Restaurant Week as it allows us to try a lot of restaurants that have been on our list, meet the chefs and continue to be a part of our community.”
Another family-friendly restaurant, Anaheim’s Vegan District Asian Eatery, offers something for every diner with its lineup of fresh, plant-based Chinese dishes. Choose the Family of 4 menu to enjoy an appetizer, three entrees, a specialty item from the chef and dessert, as well as four drinks.
“Our restaurant is perfect for families of all sizes, offering a selection of kid-friendly options with smaller portions and healthier choices,” says Jenny Mooc, managing partner. “The atmosphere is warm and inviting, creating a relaxed environment that fosters conversation and allows families to enjoy their time together without the stress of a formal dining setting.”
With so many options to choose from throughout the week, culinary enthusiasts can visit again and again to sample restaurants, dishes and types of cuisine.
“It’s really designed for people to let themselves indulge,” Waitt says. “Everybody has restaurants on their list that they want to try and, with OC Restaurant Week, they’ve created some fun menus so it’s the perfect opportunity to go out and try new restaurants.”
Best of all, visitors can make a difference while they dine, as OC Restaurant Week partners once again with California Love Drop, a nonprofit that works to support health care workers and first responders. “California Love Drop kind of drops love where it’s needed and currently that’s fire (relief),” Waitt says.
Visit the OC Restaurant Week website for a full list of participating restaurants as well as menu offerings.
Orange County Restaurant Week
When: Through March 8
Where: Participating restaurants can be found in these cities (see website for specific restaurants):
Aliso Viejo , Anaheim, Brea, Buena Park, Corona Del Mar, Costa Mesa, Dana Point, Foothill Ranch, Fountain Valley, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, La Habra, Lake Forest, Long Beach, Mission Viejo, Newport Beach, Orange, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, Santa Ana and Tustin
Cost: $15-$35 for lunch and $25-$50 for dinner
Contact: ocrestaurantweek.com
