Greer's OC

Four days of food heaven are descending upon Laguna Beach when the annual Laguna Beach a la Carte – A Food & Wine Experience returns Thursday through Sunday. The four-day culinary event celebrates world-class cuisine when local restaurants and wineries offer prix-fixe menus, food and wine pairings, chef demonstrations, events and specials.

Here’s a highlight of food and wine events planned. At Thursday’s opening night restaurateurs will be holding Winemaker & Chef’s Table Dinners. Participating restaurants include 230 Forest Avenue, The Beach House, Claes Ovation, The Cliff Restaurant, The Deck, Eva’s Caribbean Kitchen, French 75, House of Big Fish & Ice Cold Beer, K’ya Bistro Bar, Las Brisas, Nirvana Grille, Rock’N Fish, Royal Hawaiian, Sapphire Restaurant & Pantry, Splashes Restaurant, Starfish, Sundried Tomato, Tabu Grill, Three Seventy Common Kitchen + Drink, Tommy Bahama and Watermarc.

On Friday from 5 to 10 p.m. experience a Taste of K'ya Bistro at The Rooftop Lounge & Hotel La Casa Del Camino. Award-winning chef Craig Connole will be creating stations to showcase Mediterranean-inspired cuisine. Savor gourmet bites and stunning ocean views at the Rooftop Lounge, enjoy the romantic Wine Bar, or live music in the Lobby Lounge. Cost is $30 per person for signature tastes; no host bar. For reservations, call 949.497.2446.

The signature event, Laguna Beach Uncorked! – An International Wine & Food Fest happens on Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Festival of Arts. Guests can sample tastings from 22 Laguna Beach restaurants and 30 international wineries, enjoy live entertainment and chef demonstrations. A portion of the ticket sales benefits CHOC Children’s

Hospital. Tickets can be purchased at [url=http://lagunabeachfoodies.tix.com/]http://lagunabeachfoodies.tix.com/[/url] General admission cost is $75; or $95 at the door. VIP admission cost is $125.
Wristband distribution starts at 9:30 a.m. Entrance to Peter Neptune wine seminar starts at 10 a.m.

For details on more Laguna Beach a la Carte events, restaurant offers and hotel packages, visit www.lagunabeachfoodies.com.

Porsche Fashion

Porsche Design at South Coast Plaza is partnering up with the renowned Hi-Time Wine Cellars for an evening of fashion and wine tasting on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. Hi-Time, the largest wine retailer on the West Coast, will be bringing exclusive wines, along with a special wine tasting etiquette presentation. You can come out to see the latest Porsche Design Spring|Summer 2012 fashion collection for men and women. The new extended collections feature stunning sulphur and fresh raspberry tones, leather jackets, premium jeans and fashionable silk scarves and blouses.

Time Warp at UCI

Come out to the Center Club in Costa Mesa to celebrate “Time of Your Life” on Saturday from from 6 to 10 p.m. to benefit Alzheimer’s research at UCI MIND. The Center Club’s rooms will be transformed into time warps reflecting a 60’s Surf Theme, TV Land, Supper Club, British Invasion, Futurama, and MoTown eras. Activities include supper club entertainment, dancing, a wine wall, 60’s eye lashes, themed food, cocktails and auction items. From 9 to 9:30 p.m. Dr. LaFerla, the director at UCI MIND will speak about finding answers and solutions through cutting edge research about Alzheimer’s disease and other neurological disorders affecting memory and the brain.

Tickets cost $200 for non-Club members; $175 for Center Club members; and a 10 p.m. entry cost $65.

The Center Club is at 650 Town Center Drive, Garden Level in Costa Mesa. www.ucimindtimeofyourlife.com