Greer's OC

In Orange County, we’re pretty spoiled by the beaches and the near perfect weather (we need more rain), but sometimes we need to venture out of the norm and find new great places. Which bring us to The Blind Pig in Rancho Santa Margarita—it’s one of the best and picturesque dining experiences in OC.

It’s on the water at Lago Santa Margarita and set near the foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains. If you go near sunset, you’ll feel like you’re on vacation. With live nightly entertainment, hand-crafted cocktails and a throwback name from the speakeasy era, it’s classic-meets-contemporary atmosphere, vintage brick walls, copper ceilings and lakeside patio seating with cozy fire pits, you’re in for a perfect time.

Now, for the food: The Blind Pig’s Executive Chef Karl Pfleider is ultra talented and you’ll be impressed with his farm-to-table inspired menu with shareable plates (or not). He’s the type of chef who is willing to introduce uncommon ingredients that you’ll love—like sultanas, sisig (a popular Phillipine pork appetizer), pickled fiddlehead ferns and adding oranges, potatoes, dates, yogurt emulsion to his chicken tacos.

We highly recommend the popular sisig with pickled peppers, Champagne Sabayon toast, beet salad with candied pecans, arugula, blood orange vinaigrette and whipped goat cheese; the bay scallop tostada with cilantro, pineapples, pepper jam, and creamy avocado; the delicious bison burger with arugula, caramelized onions, cheddar cheese, and spicy aioli; and the hanger steak tacos with heirloom carrot escabeche, avocado, salsa verde, and house made tortillas.

You should not leave without ordering the fries with simple salt and pepper goodness, ketchup and spicy aioli. Save room for the affogato with financier cake, espresso and vanilla ice cream,

Go on Wednesday, too! It’s Wine Wednesday which means half off selected bottles, three dollars off all glasses and $10 mystery bags of wine.

Open noon to 10 p.m. Tuesday; noon to midnight Wednesday and Thursday; noon to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday. Happy Hour is from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday.

The Blind Pig Kitchen & Bar is at 31431 Santa Margarita Pkwy, in Rancho Santa Margarita. 949.888.0072

Dana Point Food, Wine & Music Festival

The 3rd annual Dana Point Food, Wine & Music Festival is coming up on Saturday, June 27 from noon to 7 p.m. It’s a free event with more than 35 brews, 36 wines, 20 restaurants, musicians  participating. It's free to attend and open for all ages.

All food, wine and beer is available by purchasing tickets here. A portion of the proceeds benefit the Dana Point 5th Marine Regiment Support Group.

The event is at Sea Terrace Park at Pacfic Coast Highway and Niguel Road in Dana Point.