The Dose

Taste of Orange County

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By Greer Wylder
June 13, 2012

Taste of Orange County, a premiere food, wine and entertainment festival featuring more than 50 restaurants and wineries will kick off Saturday at noon at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Irvine. The two-day food and wine enthusiast event is back after a 16 year hiatus. The culinary festival will include local restaurant samples, cooking demos from top chefs in Orange County, and even wine and tequila tastings, entertainment and music to showcase local culture and lifestyle. A partial list of participating chefs include Chef Shachi Mehra of Tamarind of London, Chef Craig Connole of K’ya Bistro/House of Big Fish, Chef Pascal…

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Umami hits Laguna Beach!

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By Greer Wylder
June 11, 2012

The word on the street (and online) is that Umami Burger Laguna Beach will be opening Wednesday at 1 p.m. The burger joint founded by Adam Fleischman will be serving its cult-like following umami, or fifth taste burgers. We highly recommend our favorite Hatch Burger with roasted green chilies, house-made American cheese; or the Umami Burger with shiitake mushroom, caramelized onions, roasted tomato, Parmesan crisp, and umami ketchup; and you can’t go wrong with the Manly Burger, beer-cheddar cheese, smoked salt-onion strings, and bacon lardons. Be sure to try the sides too: sweet potato fries, Malt liquor tempura onion rings,…

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THE ULTIMATE FATHER’S DAY BRUNCH

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By Greer Wylder
June 11, 2012

This Father's Day, treat dad to the ultimate Sunday Brunch in Orange County - at Motif Restaurant at The St. Regis Monarch Beach! Dad will love our pancake bar, featuring more than 10,000 ways to make pancakes, including a Jack Daniels-inspired pancake. And, the whole family will enjoy myriad international dishes, as well as all of their favorites, including omelet, seafood and carving stations. You can also enjoy The Signature Bloody Mary Bar - a signature St. Regis drink ($10 per Bloody Mary), sip unlimited champagne and delight in breathtaking ocean views. Call 1-800-722-1543 to reserve your special ocean view…

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Let’s go to Mexico!

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By Greer Wylder
June 08, 2012

Attention people of Orange County! The future of international travel has finally arrived and it does not include the anxiety-ridden 405 north or the fanatical airport we know as LAX.  To get to Mexico all you need is the good 'ol reliable John Wayne Airport. AirTran Airways now offers daily nonstop flights from Orange County to Cabo San Lucas/San Jose del Cabo and Mexico City.  Finally, we can easily and peacefully travel to Mexico from the comfort of our own backyard.  Don't be afraid to adventure and put a little spontaneity in your life.  Mexico on a whim at 5…

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What Would Bobby Flay Do?

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By Greer Wylder
June 06, 2012

This Sunday, Lucca’s famed Sunday Supper takes on a new spin as Chef Cathy creates a Father's Day BBQ supper inspired by Bobby Flay. Lucca’s doing a whole lot of grillin’ and BBQ! In place of paired wines, each course will be matched with craft beer, and outside three chefs in white coats and tall toques will be doing their best Bobby Flay impersonations with a 6-foot BBQ and grill. (Pictured above is a sneak peek: spicy grilled shrimp with smoky grilled tomato cocktail sauce.) Lucca’s Sunday Supper is offered the second Sunday of every month, and guests can take…

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