Last night the Orange County Restaurant Association and its various co-sponsors successfully launched their Orange County Restaurant Week, which officially starts today. Despite the cold weather and threat of rain, Kimberly Daskas, Marketing Director at Vestar Development Company, who was responsible for the sponsors and vendors of this event, estimated 2,000 people attended this event between 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM at The District in Tustin.

A variety of District restaurants contributed alcoholic beverages, coffee, and snacks to ensure that the Orange County Restaurant Week Launch Party successfully took off. Dorothy and I enjoyed sampling the following:

• Lemon raspberry and chocolate, chocolate chip Bundt cake from Nothing Bundt Cakes  (opening soon – March 31st or April 1st)
• Chipotle chicken salad mini tacos and miniature corn dogs from Bowlmor Lanes
• Shrimp ceviche from Pablo’s Cantina (opening soon)
• New England style clam chowder and Manhattan style clam chowder from Bluewater Grill Seafood Restaurant
• Spinach artichoke dip and chips from JT Schmid’s Restaurant & Brewery
• Coffee with chocolate raspberry flavoring and whipped cream by Peets Coffee & Tea
• Spicy potatoes with blue cheese from Auld Dubliner Irish Pub & Restaurant

There were also a wide variety of alcohol samples: tequila, beer and wine. The following restaurants served the participants these beverages:

• The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar
• Kona Brewing Company
• Bowlmor Lanes
• Azunia Tequila
• JT Schmid's Restaurant and Brewery

There were at least two other restaurants offering snacks that we did not get to sample as their servers went around through the crowd instead of manning a table. They were RA Sushi served Shishito Peppers appetizers and Marmalade served sliders. The Auld Dubliner also provided the wrist bands for each attendee. There were also several individuals who performed on the two different stages. They added the extra touch that made it a launch party.

Last night’s Orange County Restaurant Week Launch Party was to draw attention to this week’s celebration at “OC’s Top 100 Restaurants.” Interestingly, diners are the ones benefiting from the participation of the Top 100 Restaurants because they are offering special prix fixe (fixed price complete meals) and specialty menus.

So from February 27th through March 5th for 2011, you can take advantage of these menus created just to celebrate being selected as the best restaurants in Orange County.  I encourage you to take advantage of the 2011 Orange County Restaurant Week. Some of my favorite restaurants in Orange County are on the list of 100 best restaurants. To read what I’ve said about them, please check out my reviews on Fire & Ice, JT Schmid's Restaurant & Brewery, Simply Fondue, first review on Sorrento Grille  & separate one on the food, and Tortilla Jo's. You can find a list of all of the restaurants on the Orange County Restaurant Association’s 100 best restaurants on the Participating Restaurants page on  the Orange County Restaurant Week’swebsite. 

Despite the threat of rain – and thanks to a sunny but cold afternoon, the Orange County Restaurant Week Launch Party successfully took off. A wide variety of restaurants provided food and drinks for registrants to sample. Gas heaters helped take the chill off the air while awnings protected us when it did sprinkle. And musicians had just the right kind of songs for a mixer type party where we were able to visit without being drowned out. While we got a nice booklet with the prix fixe lunch and dinner menus for the hosting restaurants, you can go online to find the menus for your favorite restaurants of the on OC’s Top 100 Restaurants.

Writing for your dinning pleasure,

                John

John R. Aberle

Anaheim Restaurant Examiner

Additional information
Orange County Restaurant Week website

Dates for Orange County Restaurant Week:
February 27, 2011 – March 5, 2011

The District Promenade for the Orange County Restaurant Week Launch Party

Northwest corner of Jamboree and Barranca Parkway in Tustin

• Anaheim Convention Center, 800 W Katella Ave, Anaheim, CA 92802:  13.7 miles
• Disneyland, Anaheim, CA:   12.6 miles

Menus for Orange County Restaurant Week’ OC’s Top 100 Restaurants

Select your restaurant from the list to see its special menus.

Meals Served for the special menus:

• Lunch
• Dinner

Cuisine Type:

• Varied - determined by each participating restaurant

Price Range:

The special prix fixe menus created by each of Orange County’s 2011 Top 100 Restaurants range from $10, $15 and $20 per person for lunch to $20, $30 or $40 per person for dinner depending on the restaurant.
 

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