Dining
BBQ BONANZA COMES TO OC!
08.01.11
By Sheryll Alexander
Orange County isn’t usually known for its barbecue, so now’s the time to attend OC’s first Texas-sized barbecue feast: The Orange County BBQ Bonanza.
Held Aug. 18-21 at Fountain Valley Sports Park (16400 Brookhurst St.), this festival to all things barbecue boasts some of America’s best barbecue chefs as well as juicy ribs, grilled meats, savory and refreshing summer sides, non-stop live country music, a children’s area, artisan exhibits, a sports tent and beer and wine cantinas.
Really hungry? The “VIP Rib Village experience” features endless ribs, sides, drinks and desserts as well as priority seating.
OC BBQ Bonanza Schedule
Thursday, August 18: 5-10 p.m.
Friday, August 19: 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
Saturday, August 20: 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
Sunday, August 21: 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Tickets & Ribs
One-day general admission: $5 for adults (includes free souvenir e-photo and a $2 off coupon for any sampler plate). Children 12 and under are free when accompanied by an adult.
All active United States military personnel (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard and Reservists) receive free general admission (valid military identification required).
VIP Rib Village (see hours below) costs $100 per ticket (18 years and up only) and includes general admission, VIP designated table seating, service and all-you-can-eat ribs, salads, sides, desserts and drinks (beer, wine and sodas). Or, buy an entire VIP Rib Village table for $900 (10 seats per table).
VIP Rib Village Hours
Thursday and Friday: 5-9 p.m.
Saturday: 4-9 p.m.
Sunday: Noon-5 p.m.
Sheryll Alexander runs a news media agency based in Costa Mesa, California. Follow her! @sheryllalexande
Chocolate Does Good!
07.27.11
As part of the chocolate fest, you can attend the opening night dinner gala Friday from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Anaheim White House restaurant in Anaheim to benefit Caterina's Club. Recently honored CNN as an American hero, owner Bruno Serato will offer a chocolate inspired four-course menu for the evening. (Bruno feeds 300 underprivileged kids every day.)
The four-course dinner starts with coco gnocchi, Italian potato and flour dumplings in a milk chocolate and cinnamon sauce; followed by a watermelon salad with fresh fruit and chocolate vinaigrette; the main course is poached salmon atop a white chocolate mashed potato puree paired with oven roasted filet mignon with a Bailey’s Irish cream and dark chocolate demi glace.
Then there's dessert: a cylinder of chocolate made from praline, semi-sweet dark chocolate and pride cream served with chocolate ganache.
The opening dinner gala costs $125 (plus tax and gratuity) and must be purchased in advance. You can purchase here.
Anaheim White House Restaurant is at 887 South Anaheim Blvd in Anaheim.
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