We attended as a guest of Costa Mesa Restaurant Week
It’s official, Costa Mesa’s Restaurant Week starts today with over 50 restaurants offering special discounts now through August 22! Last night we attended the Kick-Off Party hosted at SOCO Collection with delicious bites of food and refreshing cocktails, wine, and beverages provided by 24K Catering and many of the restaurants at SOCO and The OC Mix. This center has become one of my favorite dining destinations and when you see some of the incredible “tastes” that were served last night, it’s easy to see why!
From The Mixing Glass two creative, refreshing cocktails, Pretty in Plum with 209 Gin, Flavor King Plum Shrub, lime, tarragon, Bergamot Bitters & Elixir de Borticua with Don Q Rum, Green Chartreuse, lime, pineapple syrup, and pineapple mint.
Wine tasting with The Neptune School of Wine and LCA Wine.
From Pueblo Tapas, opening in October at The OC Mix and I can hardly wait… Fiambre De Pato ~ Duck pate, liver mousse, smoked duck breast, topped with pickled cherry & 18 Month Jamon Serrano ~ Jamon Serrano, charred fig, queso oveja.
An assortment of cheeses including Swiss cow’s milk Tête de Moine California goat’s milk Humboldt Fog, and a French sheep’s Abbaye de Belloc and an Asian-Spiced Pulled Slow-Roasted Pork Salad from Surfa’s Culinary District.
Taco María’s incredible Carne Apache ~ Beef heart tartar, serrano, garlic and egg yolk & Ezquites ~ Sweet corn, charred husk butter, cotija, chile and lime.
The Cellar Cheese Shop Fennel Salami ~ Brigante sheep’s milk cheese with fennel salami, whole grain mustard, roasted tomatoes and arugula.
24K Catering’s servers passed plenty of bites around the room including these Mini-Lamb Burgers with tzatziki and arugula.
Urban Pie’s Ricotta Gnocchi with summer corn, chanterelle mushroom, sage and parmesan fonduta & Beef Cheek Agnolotti made with chicken liver Toscana, balsamic vinegar and pecorino.
Greenleaf Gourmet Chopshop’s Petite Turkey Melt with caramelized inions, aged cheddar, truffled spinach and whole grain mustard on a pretzel bun.
From Stéphane Tréand The Pastry School assorted French Macarons, Duo Feuilletine, Exotic Summer Verirines, Mini Fruit Tarts, and Chocolate Bonbons
From SusieCakes mini desserts including Red Velvet Cupcakes and Sugar Cookies.
From Seventh Tea Bar Magnolia Mousse Cup ~ Caramel and chocolate mousse infused with Magnolia Oolong & Rosella Berry Tartlet ~ Custard filled tartlet, made from Rosella Berry Tea, topped with a Basil Chantilly crème.
From Portola Coffee Lab Iced Mocha ~ Everything But the Stick a creamsicle inspired coffee drink
Beyond the tantalizing assortment of food and desserts, the event boasted live music and a silent auction with 30 local restaurants and businesses contributing exciting auction items including dinners for two, luxury spa packages, golf packages and many other offers promising the winners a great time, with proceeds going to Someone Cares Soup Kitchen. Donations were also taken at the door for this worthwhile cause. You can learn more about this non-profit organization here.
Now to check out this listing of participating restaurants and make dinner plans for the week. Bon Appétit Orange County!
Dana Wilde grew up playing “sous chef” for her father as he churned out one amazing meal after the next for family and friends. She inherited her father’s life long passion for cooking and has spent the past two decades studying, reading, practicing, experimenting, and creating in the kitchen. Together, she and her sister, Shan are Simply Wilde, a small boutique catering business focusing on in-home entertaining.