We spy with our roving eye so many reasons to get out of the house and dine. Brunch, beer dinner, doughnuts and even a festival are in our lineup! Go alone or with a friend; either way, it’ll be good eats.
Casa Barilla Carbonara Special – Costa Mesa
Happening now through May 6, satisfy that comfort food craving over at South Coast Plaza. Order Casa Barilla’s Spaghetti Carbonara for $9.95 and indulge in a rich sauce of eggs, guanciale, Romano cheese and fresh ground pepper. Pair with one of their beers (we prefer wine) and brace yourself for the urge to nap. 3333 Bristol St., (657) 205-1025; www.barillarestaurants.com.
Pacific Hideaway & Stone Brewing Dinner – Huntington Beach
If you’re searching for something to do this evening, look no further than Kimpton Shorebreak’s delicious dining room. Four courses will run you $50, but this also includes two specialty beer cocktails made by one of our favorite bartenders, Casey Lyons. Tonight’s menu includes West Coast Jambalaya, Vanilla Bean Stout Cheesecake and a BBQ Pork Belly Spring Roll. Call for reservations or shoot an email to in**@pa***************.com. 500 Pacific Coast Hwy., (714) 965-4448; www.pacifichideawayhb.com.
Celebrate Five Years of Sidecar! – Costa Mesa
We can’t believe it’s been five years since Sidecar first opened their original shop in Costa Mesa. With plans to open location number three in Del Mar this fall, they still found time to schedule a couple of specials for their doughnut disciples. First up, a year-long celebrity chef series featuring some cool folks like Brooke Williamson, Richard Blais and Jessica Scott. Williamson has a Passion Fruit Matcha version being sold all month long; a portion of all proceeds is going towards her charity of choice, No Kid Hungry. Plus, if you’ve ever wanted the sweet, sweet taste of doughnuts at your next party, you can make that dream a reality! Stay tuned for the Sidecar Truck, which will be roaming around Southern California in the near future. They’ll also be available for private events. 217 E 17th St., Ste. 18, (949) 873-5424; www.sidecardoughnuts.com.
Taste of Huntington Beach Coming Soon
In addition to being inducted into the Ellis Island Honors Society in NYC next month, Chef Bruno Serato (CNN Hero and Anaheim White House chef) will be at the VIP reception for this year’s Taste of HB. A longtime resident of Huntington Beach, he’ll be signing copies of his book, The Power of Pasta: A Celebrity Chef’s Mission to Feed America’s Hungry Children. With nearly 100 food and beverage vendors to sample, this annual event is always a treat. Tickets now available. 18100 Goldenwest; www.tastehb.com.
Sanrio & Tanaka Farms Strawberry Season – Irvine
Guess who’s back!?! Pochacco, My Melody, Chococat, Keroppi and Kitty herself are ready to conduct some berry fun tours and workshops. In the home stretch of their year-long collaboration, expect cool treats such as a visit from both My Melody and Hello Kitty this Sunday morning. If you like a little education with your Sanrio swag, sign kiddos up for the Sunflower Workshop. Here they’ll decorate their very own flower pot, while discussing the life cycle of this cheerful plant. Learn all about their workshops on the website. 5380 3/4 University Dr., (949) 653-2100; www.tanakafarms.com.
A Duo of Deals from Andrei’s – Irvine
With Tax Day looming around the corner, the kitchen at Andrei’s Conscious Cuisine & Cocktails wants to help keep some cash in your pocket. Special #1: Saturday brunches this month are being offered at 20% off. We suggest going for the Salmon Breakfast Toast or Brunch Wrap. Special #2: Stop by Andrei’s on Tuesday, the 17th for an extra, extra long happy hour. Normally from 3-6:30 p.m., they’ll be honoring all Happy Hour specials from 3 p.m. to close. Guess we know where dinner’s gonna be that night. 2607 Main St., (949) 387-8887; www.andreisrestaurant.com.
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.