Hundreds gathered today from all over Orange County even Los Angeles at the Marriott in Irvine to get a first taste of Orange County's Restaurant Week. The weather was great - slightly cloudy and a little breezy, but it was perfect. People mingled in their most fashionable attire enjoying tastes and cocktails poolside and for those looking to get away from the sun and breeze, there was an indoor tasting area as well. The shining stars of the event or should I say shining "suns" were Sol Cocina, Sol Agave and Mix Mix Kitchen Bar.
Sol Cocina served up an amazing short rib taco -- so delicious I had two and I couldn't even be bothered to take a picture of it. My mind kept telling me take a picture but my hands and mouth had a mind of their own and before I knew it the taco was gone not once, but twice -- that tells you how good it was.
Sol Agave served an elevated shrimp taquito which was a shrimp wrapped in a crunchy tortilla shell it was beautiful and had one of the longest lines -unfortunately I did not get to try one of these because the ran out but heard such great things and it was really beautifully presented.
Now for the places I was able to get a picture of:
Mix Mix Kitchen Bar
Yellow fin tuna ceviche Filipino Style mixed with a coconut lime sauce this was my favorite fish plate at the event.
Villa Roma
The Chimichurri Steak a nice classic the skirt steak was being grilled and sliced on site and was so flavorful and tender and the chimichurri was so perfect with it.
Amorelia Mexican Café
served up mini coconut flan bites (not pictured), chile colorado (not pictured), pozole and
cafe de olla that had everyone coming back for more. I'm a sucker for a good flan which this certainly was-- it was nice and rich and I had no interest in tasting the coffee, but as I stood there sneaking extra pieces of the largest flans I could find. I witnessed people taking a cup of coffee and all of them would come back to ask what was in the coffee. They were raving about it so much I had to try it for my self and then I too asked "what's in this coffee?" The smell very much like red hot candies it was obvious that cinnamon played a major role in the flavor, but i was also told beet sugar was in it.
As for the drinks my favorites was the Korbel Champagne with a splash of
Chambord (a raspberry liqueur).
OC Restaurant Week March 5 -11th. The countdown begins! You only have one week so get out there and try one of these delicious restaurants. The prix fixe menus are priced at $10, $15 and $20 per person for lunch, and $20, $30, $40 and $50 per person for dinner. For a list of participating restaurants Click here