by tony reverditto
RESTAURANT WEEK
SAN DIEGO RESTAURANT WEEK
San Diego Restaurant Week (SDRW), presented by the California Restaurant Association, is set to transform the city into a vibrant landscape of culinary delights. This gastronomic extravaganza extends its reach across over 30 neighborhoods, featuring over 100 restaurants that serve as the heartbeat of their respective communities.
As spring materializes, SDRW becomes a celebration of more than just food; it’s an invitation to embrace the essence of the season with each delectable bite. Participating neighborhoods include downtown San Diego, La Jolla, North Park, Hillcrest, East County, Mission Bay, North County, South Bay, Point Loma/Harbor Island, and many more.
Foodies in the region will have the opportunity to dine on tantalizing two-course lunches and three-course dinners starting at just $30, Beyond the exclusive deals and discounts, this culinary celebration transforms into a social experience that brings friends and families together. It’s a time when neighborhoods unite to celebrate local cuisine and support their community businesses.
Indulge in the flavors of authentic Mexican cuisine in Old Town, fresh seafood in Mission Bay and Harbor Island, California Coastal Cuisine in La Jolla or classic home-style meals in Downtown – Just to name a few.
With over one hundred restaurants participating, SDRW makes it easy for diners to navigate their ideal culinary journey through an intuitive website that filters options by neighborhood, cuisine, dining preferences, and price point. The diverse range of eateries spans across various regions, ensuring that every community in San Diego County gets a chance to shine.
San Diego Restaurant Week is offering “8 Days of Dining Giveaway”. The giveaway period ends on March 10 at 9 a.m. The prize for this Giveaway is (1) $100 gift card to one of San Diego’s best restaurants. The winner gets gift certificates/cards valued at $100 for each of 8 restaurants ($800 total value). The winner will be selected randomly from all eligible entries and if there is no response within 48 hours, another winner will be chosen. www.sandiegorestaurantweek.com/contest/
Reservations are not required to participate in this foodie-favorite week, but are highly recommended to ensure seating.
A full list of participating restaurants (including by neighborhood), as well as photos and mouthwatering menus, can be found on the link below, with new restaurants being added daily. Be sure to check frequently for delicious new finds and make reservations now!
San Diego Restaurant Week Sunday, March 3 through Sunday March 10, 2024 www.sandiegorestaurantweek.com
ORANGE COUNTY RESTAURANT WEEK
Orange County Restaurant Week, the region’s most anticipated and celebrated culinary event, returns. For over 15 years, the week long event has been committed to celebrating local restaurants, with more than 150 restaurants participating. Each with uniquely creative menus and cocktails. Orange County’s diverse dining options will be highlighted in a variety of Prix-Fixe Menus ranging from $15 to $25 for lunch, and $25 to $45 for dinner; couple-worthy Date Night; and thoughtfully curated Luxe Menus from $60 to $120 for indulgent experiences.
Restaurant goers will be able to create their own Wine Lovers Week itinerary guided by the Coppercane portfolio of wineries, and explore The Cocktails of OC Restaurant Week featuring Licor 43 and Herradura Tequila. This year’s event highlights inclusivity as the OC Restaurant Week website showcases varied options, including Family Friendly and Vegetarian Dining.
“This year, we see many new additions to our ever-growing list of participating restaurants, so I invite diners from near and far to come see what makes Orange County’s culinary scene so exciting,” remarks Pamela Waitt, Founder of OC Restaurant Week and President of OC Restaurant Association, Inc. for more than 15 years. “Our ocrestaurantweek.com website includes guides to help diners plan that perfect Date Night, partake in Wine Lover Menus, explore Cocktail Specials, indulge in Luxe Restaurant Week Menus, and so much more!”
OC Restaurant week takes place Sunday, March 3 through Saturday, March 9. Participating restaurants, menus, cocktails and more, can be found online at www.OCRestaurantWeek.com
FOOD & WINE
LOS ANGELES WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL
Los Angeles Wine & Food Festival, in conjunction with Frieze Week Los Angeles, is an over-the-top, unparalleled food and wine experience. This three-day event brings together an impressive lineup of 90 participating chefs, including 15 of the best chefs in the industry as headliners, each contributing their unique culinary mastery to this celebration. Experience the transformation of this iconic location into an Angeleno wonderland and become immersed in the City of Angels, where the Pacific breeze meets top-notch cuisine. Los Angeles Wine & Food Festival isn’t just an event; it’s a celebration of California’s places, people, and produce in collaboration with art and entertainment.
Embark on a culinary adventure in Santa Monica. Your all-inclusive ticket includes all food and beverages, guaranteeing a diverse experience. Elevate your night with VIP access, offering exclusive perks such as one-hour early event entry and access to VIP only bites and drinks in our lounge. Three-night passes available for the price of two individual passes.
A complete list of the chefs and tickets available at: www.lawineandfood.com
PALM DESERT FOOD AND WINE
The Palm Desert Food and Wine returns for a four-day experience that will feature a diverse selection of mouth-watering eats, premium wines, hands-on cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs, and much more.
Produced by Palm Springs Life magazine and located in the breathtaking tree-lined El Paseo shopping district in Palm Desert, this annual epicurean event is the most celebrated cuisine and beverage festival in Greater Palm Springs. This year’s festivities will feature a roster of the nation’s top chefs, vintners, and brew master
A myriad of celebration including a James Beard Gourmet Four-Course Luncheon prepared by culinary virtuosos is followed by two days of grand tastings. Attendees will delight in delectable offerings from local and regional purveyors.
Schedule of Events
THURSDAY, MARCH 21 – Cheese Masterclass with Afrim Pristine
Cheese lovers, assemble. Learn all about the art of cheese making and pairing with Afrim Pristine, the world’s youngest maître fromager (certified cheese master). Afrim returns for a special evening masterclass sharing some of his favorite wines paired with the world’s best cheeses.
FRIDAY, MARCH 22 – James Beard Gourmet Four-Course Luncheon
Begin your weekend with an afternoon feast prepared live onstage by some of your favorite celebrity chefs. As you dine and enjoy four courses with fine wine pairings, the TV darlings dish on their recipes, the ingredients, and how each component comes together on the plate.
SATURDAY, MARCH 23 – Saturday Grand Tastings, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm The Gardens on El Paseo on the upper-level parking deck
Grand Tastings feature delectable bites from more than 40 restaurants, created by renowned chefs from across the Coachella Valley and all of California, as well as more than 60 premium and sparkling wines, beers, and spirits. Participants can interact with the vintners and chefs to discuss their offerings.
$225 Carte Blanche | 11:00 am Entry/$150 General Access | 12:00 pm Entry
SATURDAY, MARCH 23 – Celebrity Chef Reception
Party with the chefs that you know and love from TV at this exclusive cocktail soirée. Here, the festival participants aren’t secluded to a stage; rather, they’re milling around with a libation in hand, eager to meet and mingle with fellow foodies. Special guests include our 2024 celebrity chefs, all of whom will be hosting culinary demonstrations during the two days of Grand Tastings.
SUNDAY, MARCH 24 – Sunday Brunch
The best Sundays begin with an extraordinary brunch — and refreshing cocktails. This wholesome morning meal in the main tent includes three courses that masterfully balance sweet with savory and decadence with whimsy. Celebrity chefs teamed up to conceptualize this year’s Instagram-worthy menu and will prepare it live onstage, with plenty of delightful commentary about the dishes and life as a chef along the way.
SUNDAY, MARCH 24 – Sunday Grand Tastings, 12:00 – 3:00 pm at The Gardens on El Paseo on the upper-level parking deck.
Grand Tastings Day 2, featuring food and drink experts return to serve unlimited tastings of their signature items, and a second round of renowned chefs, present live cooking demonstrations on three stages. Follow your nose to new favorite flavors. Food and drink experts return to serve unlimited tastings of their signature items, and a second round of renowned chefs who will present live cooking demonstrations on three stages.
Palm Desert Food and Wine runs Friday, March 21 through Sunday, March 24 www.palmdesertfoodandwine.com