Wedding Showcase, Napa in Newport, A Wrinkle in Time and more…. Here are the top Orange County weekend events for February 27-March 1.
Edited by Whitney Lauren Han.
EVENTS
Tomatomania
Begins Feb. 28. Back for its eighth year, the week-long tomato seminar offers an astonishing selection of more than 200 varieties of heirloom and hybrid tomato plants, including new varieties for 2020 and a large selection of peppers. Through March 8. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Roger’s Gardens, 2301 San Joaquin Hills Road, Corona del Mar, 949.640.5800. rogersgardens.com
Wedding Showcase
Feb. 29. Sip, eat and explore all of the ways that Bowers Museum can make your dream wedding a reality. Enjoy free-flowing champagne; hors d’oeuvres; exclusive wedding vendors providing complimentary wedding advice, decor ideas and day-of discounts; plus discounts and promotions for weddings booked during the event. Guests must RSVP and be in attendance to qualify for discounts and promotions; additional restrictions apply. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. RSVP for free admission and parking, $5 at the door. 2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana. RSVP
FOOD + DRINK
Aperitivo at Bello by Sandro Nardone
Now Available. Bringing an authentic taste of Italy to Newport Beach, Bello by Sandro Nardone introduces a weekday Aperitivo, or happy hour. Featured menu items include cocktails, select wines, small plates such as meatballs, baccalau fritters and mortadella, and Fontina grilled cheese. The signature cocktail is Radicci’s Mare Blu, a blend of vodka, grapefruit juice, lime, triple sec and blue curacao in a glass that has been rimmed with dried chili and lime. M-F 4-6:30 p.m. 1200 Bison, Newport Beach, 949.520.7191. bellobysandronardone.com
Cocktail Program at Whitestone Restaurant
Now Available. Named one of the “Best New Restaurants in America” by Gayot, Whitestone launches a bar program with artisan cocktails and bold bar bites. The libation lineup showcases innovative infusions, fat-washed liquors and house-made shrubs and ingredients such as squid ink, celery bitters and turmeric-based golden milk. Signature cocktails include Olive Me Loves Olive You; Cocoa Breaking My Heart; and Berries, Beets, Butterstar Galactica. Enjoy bar bites like chestnut mole-stuffed peppers, bulgogi tenderloin tips and smoked parsnip fries. Happy hour daily from 5-7 p.m. 34212 Pacific Coast Hwy., Dana Point, 949.489.8911. whitestonerestaurant.com
Napa in Newport
Feb. 29. Enjoy a selection of fine, rare and reserve wines from renowned Napa Valley wineries alongside paired culinary creations and a live auction. The event benefits CureDuchenne, which helps raise funds to find a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. 5-10 p.m. Monarch Beach Resort, 1 Monarch Resort, Dana Point. napainnewport.org
Bourbon Steak’s 2nd Anniversary Dinner
Mar. 1. The critically acclaimed restaurant enters its third year with a celebratory five-course whiskey and wagyu dinner featuring WhistlePig Distillery. Each course features premier wagyu paired with WhistlePig whiskies, including rare and small-production bottles such as the 18-year-old Double Malt Straight Rye Whiskey and Boss Hog: Samurai Scientist Straight Rye. Seating extremely limited; reservations required. 6 p.m. $295+. To RSVP, email aault@monarchbeachresort.com. One Monarch Beach Resort, Dana Point, 949.234.3900. monarchbeachresort.com
Orange County Food & Wine Fest
Mar. 1. Spend your Sunday sipping on wines from California wineries such as Napa, Sonoma, Paso Robles and the Santa Barbara area while noshing on food from top O.C. restaurants. Expect a variety of gifts, products, travel and entertainment items in the silent and live auctions. All proceeds will be donated to selected organizations that provide programs, both educational and health based, to young people of all ages. 1-5 p.m. $100. Marconi Automotive Museum, 1302 Industrial Drive, Tustin. ocfoodandwine.com
Disney’s California Adventure Food & Wine Festival
Through Apr. 21. Indulge in bites and booze at one of the happiest places on earth—Disney’s California Adventure. Expect festival booths with everything from California produce to coastal dishes and stand-alone beer and wine outposts. Beyond the food and drink, enjoy cooking demonstrations from California chefs, wine education and tasting seminars and beer and spirit seminars. See website for more details. Festival is an additional cost to park admission. 1313 S. Disneyland Drive, Anaheim, 714.781.4565. disneyland.com
ARTS + CULTURE
A Wrinkle in Time
Through Mar. 1. Based on the classic book by Madeleine L’Engle, a new theatrical adaptation by John Glore takes viewers on an epic journey through time and space. See website for showtimes. $25-$49. Cripe Stage at the Bette Aitken Theater Arts Center, 5522 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim, 888.455.4212. chancetheater.com
Fun Home
Through Mar. 1. Based on the intensely personal graphic novel by American cartoonist Alison Bechdel, the stage musical chronicles Bechdel’s youth in rural Pennsylvania. Focusing on her complex relationship with her brilliant but enigmatic father, the production addresses themes of sexual orientation, gender roles, suicide, emotional abuse, dysfunctional family life and the role literature plays in helping people understand themselves and family members. Recommended for ages 13+. See website for showtimes. $25-$49. Cripe Stage at the Bette Aitken theater arts Center, 5522 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim, 888.455.4212. chancetheater.com
Photos: Tomatomania courtesy Roger’s Gardens. Wedding Showcase at Bowers Museum courtesy DKC Public Relations. Bello by Sandro Nardone, Anne Watson. Whitestone and Bourbon Steak courtesy Outshine PR. Napa in Newport, Werkit Photo. Orange County Food & Wine Festival courtesy Orange County Food & Wine Festival. Disney’s California Adventure Food & Wine Festival, Disney. “A Wrinkle in Time” and “Fun Home,” Doug Catiller, True Image Studio.
