Greer's OC

We know perfectly well that you can bust out a bottle of tequila, a bag of chips, cheese, and tortillas and call it a four-course tequila dinner. But this is entirely different. Sol Cocina’s executive chef Deborah Schneider (only a James Beard cookbook award nominee) is creating a special four-course Baja-style dinner paired with Partida Tequilas, Tuesday, Dec. 8 at 6 p.m. It’s an ideal party for celebrating the holidays. The upscale waterfront SOL Cocina specializes in Baja street cuisine interpreted in a modern way.

The evening will begin with a cocktail reception featuring SOL Cocina specialties, including apache beef ceviche on beet chips, salmon and green apple ceviche on cucumber rounds and SOL’s signature guacamole tostadas. Then immediately following, a four-course dinner paired with handcrafted cocktails featuring Partida Blanco, Reposado and Anejo tequilas. Space is limited; offered for $50 per person (plus tax and tip). Reservations are required and can be made by emailing Jennifer@SolCocina.com.

Open for daily for lunch (11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) and dinner (4:30 to 11 p.m.). Late-night menu offered Thurs-Sat (11 p.m. to 1 a.m.). SOL Cocina is at 251 E. Coast Highway in Newport Beach. 949.675.9800.

Scratch the Getaway Itch

If you’re planning on traveling to the Bay Area soon, check this out. Larkspur Hotels & Restaurants is offering guests a chance to win a holiday gift when they book a reservation at www.larkspurhotels.com. Upon check-in, you will receive a “holiday scratcher” that, once uncovered, will reveal a holiday gift. Gifts include complimentary room upgrades, free wine, appetizers and special holiday mystery gifts.

And, just in time for holiday shopping, eight Larkspur Collection hotel guests will receive a $500 Amex gift card grand prize. Just enter “SPREE” into the Promo Code field on the booking widget. The offer is good through Jan. 4, 2010. Larkspur Collection hotels include: The Belamar Hotel in Manhattan Beach, Casa Munras in Monterey; Hotel Abri in San Francisco; The Lodge at Tiburon in Tiburon; RiverPlace Hotel in Portland, Oregone; The Sainte Claire in San Jose; Toll House Hotel in Los Gatos; and the Villa Florence in San Francisco.