Master Sommelier Throwdown At A Restaurant Next Week

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There's wine, and then there's the Michael Jordan of wine. If that made sense to you, then you'll toast the special event being held on September 15 at A Restaurant in Newport Beach.

The first of many themed wine dinners, this is being dubbed Old World versus New World per Tony Motakef, A's General Manager. The establishment will be closed for a long evening of wine dueling. At last count, they were approaching capacity for the $145-per-plate dinner where diners will actively participate in the competition, selecting the ultimate winner.

With just over 100 individuals in the United States who operate under the title of Master Sommelier, having two super-oneophiles under the same roof is likely akin to the drama-free rapport on Top Chef Masters. Competing against Costa Mesa-based Jordan (yes, there really is one) is Mr. Peter Neptune, Senior Vice President of Corporate Training for The Henry Wine Group. Along with Chef Jon Blackford, the trio will host the Thursday soiree.

For each of the six courses specially created for this evening , Neptune will present an 'old world' wine, while the former Napa Rose sommelier is in charge of covering 'new world' styles. Guests will serve as both judge and jury, determining the best of each pairing. Bring your number two pencils sharpened, because we're getting schooled on some pricey juice boxes.

For more information on the sommelier showdown, contact Tony Motakef at (714) 322-8459.

It's Tuesday....what's for dinner?

That depends. You could be at Rubio's having a $1.50 taco special (or three). Or, you could be at AnQi Gourmet Bistro having this....

Or this....

On Tuesdays, Mama is shuttled from Crustacean Beverly Hills down to daughter Elizabeth's branch of House of An for some magic in their Secret Kitchen. The specialty: roasted crab. 

While you'll have to pay a pretty penny for your seafood (upwards of $50+), I have to admit, it tastes better when they leave it in the shell. Maybe it's the sweet sense of accomplishment after you've gotten in the crab's business and dirtied your hands? Who knows. Just share the experience with a friend, so you're not playing with your food by yourself.


AnQi Gourmet Bistro is located next to Bloomingdale's South Coast Plaza, 3333 South Bristol Street in Costa Mesa. They are open for lunch and dinner daily. 714.557.5679. www.anqibistro.com.

There's still time to wine and dine!

Whether you're more food truck groupie or oenophile (or both), the final weeks of summer still offer options to keep your ATM card busy. Don't believe me?

Saturday, August 27 (12 to 6 p.m.; early entry begins at 10 a.m.)

The OC Foodie Fest is back with a vengeance. Ok, maybe that's too strong a word. Older. Wiser. The team that brought you last year's literal hot mess has learned from all the constructive criticism in, and it shows. Some of the biggest changes include family-friendly entertainment in the form of local bands, a classic car show and street performers. Plus they've moved to the lot at Angel Stadium for more elbow room.

Events leading up to next week's finale included a Feed the Hungry event featuring Seabirds Truck and a date night themed Pub & Grub at Goat Hill Tavern. This Friday, James Foxall's team plans to host 500 Marines for an all-American night of baseball, complete with food truck tailgating and prizes.

More incentive to give them another chance (besides more food options) include on-site cash machines, CHEAPER parking, and the concept of shade. All their ducks appear to be in a row, so read my advice on surviving your next GFT and make me proud.

Through Sunday, September 4

Those who prefer to stay indoors can literally drink to their heart's content at The Capital Grille's Generous Pour event. Master Sommelier George Miliotes is our comeback kid with nine (yes, 9) unlimited pours for the thirsty. With a selection of domestic and international tastes, there's bound to be a varietal that pairs well with dinner. A generous pour, indeed.

For $25, our preference is a Napa Valley Cab from Freemark Abbey; Specifically, the 2003 Cabernet Bosche. Per Miliotes, this is, "Supple and balanced yet rich and intense, with dark plum and spicy black cherry fruit, firmed up with fine, strong tannins." Tell us how you really feel, George!


The party is still going on, if you know where to look. 

Joe Bastianich Visits Hi-Time Wine Cellars Tomorrow

Hi-Time's Facebook page

I've been waiting forEVER for Pizzeria Mozza to open in Newport Beach. Although they still haven't announced an opening date, they are ready to share a glimpse of what to expect. Batali and his Crocs are not available this weekend. However, we get the next best thing: Joe Bastianich.

Joe, son of Felice and (culinary Italian royalty) Lidia, is also Batali's business partner. He'll be paying a visit to Hi-Time tomorrow for a special event.

The event itself is from 2 - 8:30 p.m.; however, the cellars will be graced with Bastianich's presence only between the hours of 4 and 6 p.m. He'll be discussing the wines being poured and talking about their upcoming pizzeria. Oh, and did we forget to mention the pizza samples?

Cost to attend this tasting is $30. The opportunity to speak to Joe about judging MasterChef with Gordon Ramsay and Graham Elliot (or Batali, for that matter): Well, you can't put a price on dishing gossip.....or can you?

For more information on tomorrow's event, you can click here for Hi-Time's Facebook page.

To monitor the progress of Pizzeria Mozza on their newly created Facebook page, follow this link.

Wahoo! Score Dad a meal on Father's Day

Ever notice the fuss given to Mother's Day? Flowers. Brunches. Spa treatments. I agree, they deserve it all. Let's just remember to show the dads a little appreciation this weekend, too. And I'm talking more than a greeting card or phone call.

For years, I'd bounce between golf-related paraphernalia and ties. He didn't seem to mind - Dad was pleased I thought of him as I went shopping. These days, I've come to realize the importance of giving time. Although the catch was that there was never enough of it (and it had nothing to do with being free).When I visit the parentals in the Bay Area, the first question I tend to ask is, "When are you free to go out (to eat)?" Sometimes with both, occasionally with just my dad, it's our time to hang out and just be. This leads me to today's post.

So my acquaintance Lisa works for Wahoo's Fish Taco. Founded by a trio of brothers in 1988, Wahoo's took the American dream and ran full speed with it. Combining restaurant experience from the family business plus their love of surfing in Mexico, the first location opened in Orange County. Success and a penchant for sticker-based decor soon followed.

During this weekend dedicated to fathers, they've got a special. Head over to their website and print a coupon. Good for a free #1 combo just for dad, they get a choice of taco or enchilada, served with ahi rice and either black or spicy cajun white beans. Their filling options are comparable, if not better than Chipotle: carne asada, chicken, carnitas, mushrooms, banzai veggies, vegetarian or fish.

Throw in a bottle of beer, and it's the laid back way to thank him after his golf game. Or his nap.

My summer lovin' lunch - The Cabo Caesar at Sage Cafe, Costa Mesa

Hiding in the shadows of The Camp is a sit-down eatery so mini, you've probably passed it and never realized. Open since December, they call themselves Sage Cafe. Not to be confused with the one known simply as Sage, this is an anomaly in the Asian/hipster/upper echelon options within South Coast Plaza and SoBeCa's neighborhood. Normally, I have an aversion to soup, salad, and sandwich places. But something told me this would be different, so I met my co-worker there one spring morning as they were changing over from brekkie to lunch.

He couldn't help but inquire whether a breakfast sandwich was still available, which they happily obliged to. Mind you, they have one modest griddle back there, and if it weren't for our timing, they would've responded otherwise (which we know for a fact). I was in a 'healthy' mood, and settled on a salad.

Now for a salad, this was behemoth. Crunchy yellow/red bells, hints of slivered green onion and earthy pepitas won me over. The romaine and croutons were almost an afterthought alongside the other players. Grilled chicken kept it hearty, but not heavy. Their cilantro Caesar brought it all together. A dish of beauty, indeed it was.

I managed to get through half before admitting defeat and requesting a box. Fortunately, I knew all the components were sturdy enough to maintain both their texture and taste for another meal. Not your run-of-the-mill Caesar, the Cabo put a spring in my step. Being in good company and spotting a reality housewife didn't hurt, either.

If you decide to hunt them down, call ahead for their daily special. Their soup constantly changes as well, which makes the decision even more stressful for someone like myself who's a big fan of variety. Maybe it's the idea of supporting the underdog, but they fit right in to their surroundings. The anti-Panera, perhaps? *(Oh, and if you like them enough, get added to their daily text so you can debate specials right before lunch hour.)




Sage Cafe
735 West Baker Street
Costa Mesa, 92626
714.754.1978

Natalie Tran reminds me of home...sort of.

Some of the best finds occur when you're not looking. It holds true for shopping; and, in this case, catching up on Facebook. 

Natalie Tran is a one-woman YouTube channel who also spends time vlogging for Lonely Planet. In this clip, she's covering two of my all-time favorite topics: San Francisco and cooking brekkie....in a hotel room, no less.

With a Vietnamese heritage, Australian upbringing, and going to university in South Wales, one might be curious about her accent. I especially love the way she pronounces aluminum. Check out her version of porridge, bacon and eggs using a coffeemaker and iron.


How does Natalie remind me of home? Besides being Asian and cooking my favorite meal in the best neighborhood on Earth, she also makes me think of one of my childhood friends. Actually, more like two friends if you mashed up their personalities.