Greer's OC

We scored a major coup this week when Dave Lieberman agreed to answer our 20 Questions. In our book, Dave Lieberman, a contributor to OC Weekly’s Stick a Fork In It food blog, is one of the most brilliant denizens of Orange County.  Not only does he speak 11 languages,  he’s a corporate IT guy by day, and a talented food writer, highly skilled home chef, loving father, choir singer, and great friend to many on the side.

He grew up in New Jersey in a wanderlust family. His father loved to find little holes in the wall (as does Dave), and his mom trusted that shipping him off to school in Switzerland at 13 would be an invaluable experience.  “It was really my first glimpse into the fact there are multiple ways to lead a good life,” Lieberman says. “Really gave me a sense of perspective. And I met people from all over the world may of whom I’m still friends with.” 

Read on to find out some of Dave’s favorite OC holes in the wall, and although he wouldn’t reveal to us his top 5 favorite restaurants (he’s saving that for the OC Weekly) his restaurant picks are terrific. Enjoy, oh and sorry, Dave seeks anonymity when it comes to being photographed. We’re using one of his favorite seafood spots in the world, a street cart in Ensenada, as his headshot.

To Live and Dine

Tomorrow night don’t miss Riviera’s biggest culinary event of the year, To Live & Dine Chef's Challenge from 7 to 9 p.m. at the OC Mart Mix in Costa Mesa. 

You can sample signature dishes from the most talented chefs in OC and the winner will be determined by your votes at the event. Local restaurants and their chefs participating include  "A" Restaurant, Bistango, Cinepolis, Cucina Alessa, French 75, Haven Gastropub, ...du bois., Mare Culinary Lounge, Memphis, Mesa, Nello Cucina, Nirvana Grille, Paul Martin's American Bistro, Posh Events, The Ranch Restaurant & Saloon, Roy's Hawaiian Fusion, Cuisine, Savanna Chop House, Scott's Seafood, Taco Asylum, Tamarind of London, Tommy Bahama Grille, and The Winery
Mixologists from the "A" Restaurant and The Ranch Restaurant & Saloon will be creating cocktails from Ketel One vodka, Don Julio tequila, Bulleit Bourbon Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey, and Tanqueray London dry gin.

Admission is free with a suggested donation to JDRF. There will also be raffle tickets for opportunity prizes with 100% of the proceeds benefiting JDRF.

This event is strictly 21 and over.

OC Mart Mix at South Coast Collection (SOCO) is at 3303 Hyland Avenue in
Costa Mesa.
 

The Devil Martini

In celebration of Halloween, the award-winning Pizzeria Ortica in Costa Mesa is serving up a freakishly delicious cocktail all week, The Demon Martini with freshly muddled apples, limoncello, vanilla vodka and cranberry juice.

And tomorrow, Chef Justin Miller will debut an amazing seasonal porcini menu available nightly along with the regular dinner menu for fall.  Dishes include mustard greens with porcini, soft boiled egg and guanciale sherry vinaigrette $13; porcini risotto with acquerello carnaroli rice, smoked stacchino cheese and whole roasted shallots $16; and shaved porcini pizza with crushed San Marzano tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella and basil is $18.

Open for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday to Friday; open for dinner from 5 to 10 p.m. daily. Pizzeria Ortica is at 650 Anton Boulevard in Costa Mesa.

714.445.4900.