A buffet-style mix of places to try and things to do make up this week’s Grub Guide. Break out them stretchy pants, as it’s gonna be a long weekend of eating and doing very little else. And if you haven’t seen John Wick 3, holiday weekends are perfect for watching a little ass-kicking.
Save the Date: District Grill and Chill – Tustin
The lifestyle center at the corner of Jamboree and Barranca is becoming known for their crawl-style events, where participants are encouraged to explore many businesses at The District. Small bites, swag and other treats are offered to those possessing a passport. Those who visit all the locations listed are in the running for a prize of their choosing. Their next shindig is summertime themed on June 8 from 2-5 p.m. Get some Vitamin D and spend time with your friends or fam as you stroll throughout the plaza. Participating spots and ticket information can be found when you click here. 2437 Park Ave., (714) 259-9090; www.thedistricttl.com.
Outpost Kitchen Now Serving Dinner – Costa Mesa
Serving weeknight dinners until 8 p.m., the neighborhood eatery best known for brekkie expanded its hours at the beginning of May. For comfort food without the guilt, take a bite of Feta & Kale Meatloaf ($14). Or dig into the Summertime Bowl ($15) a gluten-free feast of pesto quinoa, hickory smoked salmon and soft boiled egg. Order ahead online and avoid the extra wait. Pro-tip: Inquire about Outpost’s new take-home, family meal options, offering hearty servings of items such as roasted chicken with organic rice and spring vegetables that start at $12 per person. 1792 Monrovia Ave., (949) 873-5123; www.outpostkitchen.com.
Central Menu Updates – Laguna Beach
If you have yet to revisit Central since they remodeled last year, now is the time to dine. Start with savory tomato bisque featuring a coconut milk base, or their steak and spinach salad that includes chickpeas, avocado and sweet mustard vinaigrette. As your main, panko crusted cod over crab and cauliflower puree, plus wild rice. We’re also down for a Cubano; their take includes pork belly, smoked lomo and pickled tomatillo. Their heart-healthy options mean you can splurge a little on dessert (or perhaps one of their cocktails). 361 Forest Ave., (949) 715-0801; www.centrallagunabeach.com.
We See You, Little Onion! – Irvine
After visiting the new Potbelly Sandwich Shop in Irvine over the weekend, we stumbled across signage promoting two other eateries right next door. The one that stood out was a local brand out of Santa Ana. Known for their spicy salsa and weekday specials, Little Onion Mexican Restaurant intends to launch late this year. Looking forward to another family-run establishment in the city of corporate chains. Visit their OG spot in the meantime. 110 W. MacArthur Blvd., Santa Ana, (714) 979-1144; www.thelittleonionrestaurant.com.
Salt Creek Grille Knows How to Party – Dana Point
From corporate gatherings to milestone celebrations, the team at Salt Creek specializes in private events. We recently spent time in their spacious patio, tastefully decked out in florals and gold charger plates. An outdoor bar and dedicated waitstaff meant more efficient service of food and beverage. We especially liked their fruit and cheese display that would tide us over until other bites were ready. Check them out the next time you’re stuck searching for a venue. 32802 Pacific Coast Hwy., (949) 661-7799; www.saltcreekgrille.com.
Newport Beach Wine Festival
Friday kicks off a series of events at the Balboa Bay Resort to celebrate the 16th Annual NB Wine Festival. From a winemaker dinner to champagne brunch, you won’t have any problem searching for something to try. For maximum entertainment, we’d hit up the Grand Wine and Food Tasting Saturday afternoon (Note: Designated Driver tickets for this specific event are offered at a reduced price.). The A&O Patio Party is already sold out, so stop dilly dallying and plan ahead. 1221 W. Coast Hwy., (949) 645-5000; www.balboabayresort.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.