A number of years ago, I used to meet a friend on the last Saturday of the month for a wine tasting at Laguna Culinary Arts. For a few bucks we had eight pours, which we paired with cheese and charcuterie from their deli. It was the best way to spend a leisurely afternoon. I purposely never wrote about it, wanting to keep the morsel of intel to myself.
Fast forward to today, where I learn that they've finally opened up shop at my favorite plaza off 405 and Harbor. Their shortened name of LCA is because this space is dedicated to wine only. Sales, education and tasting are their primary focuses.
]
If you're seeking a cooking class, head over to www.lacuisineculinaryarts.com. Chef Laurent Brazier (who spent a decade teaching at Laguna Culinary Arts) will be conducting his courses within the Macy*s Home Store at South Coast Plaza. Options include interactive date nite meals, sessions for children and even morning time slots to learn meal prep and execution.
While a similar wine tasting deal is still being offered, on site you'll also find the Neptune School of Wine, where the master sommelier himself will offer both certification and courses for novices seeking basic training. Closed Sundays and Mondays, their general store hours are from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Friday; Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Excuse me while I go locate a drinking buddy.
LCA Wine is located at 3315 Hyland Ave, Suite H, Costa Mesa, (657) 232-0920; www.lcawine.com.
Follow Stick a Fork In It on Twitter @ocweeklyfood or on Facebook! And don't forget to download our free Best Of App here!
A contributing writer for OC Weekly, Anne Marie freelances for multiple online and print publications, and guest judges for culinary competitions. A Bay Area transplant, she graduated with a degree in Hospitality Management from Cal Poly Pomona. Find her on Instagram as brekkiefan.