Greer’s OC: Sample drinks for a cause
Join Second Chance Pet Adoptions of Huntington Beach for a wine and beer tasting fundraiser from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday at Brix Wine Bar in Sunset Beach. The party includes wine and beer tastings, plus snacks. A tax-deductible donation costs $35 per person, or $60 per couple.
Proceeds will benefit abandoned animals at Second Chance, a 100% no-kill rescue shelter. Its cats and kittens are available at Petco and PetSmart in Huntington Beach. Brix Wine Bar is at 16635 Pacific Coast Hwy., Sunset Beach. For more information, call (714) 989-6964, e-mail forpetswithlove@gmail.com or visit https://www.secondchancepetadoptions.org.
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Special Super Bowl Menu
If redefining Super Bowl Sunday without football speaks to you, then head over to Rustica California Wine Bistro at Fashion Island, where Executive Chef Renieri Caceres is creating a three-course tasting menu Sunday with complimentary mimosa with fresh-squeezed orange juice or housemade Bloody Mary for $23 per guest (prices exclude tax and gratuity).
The Fashion Island bistro will offer the special from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., giving you the option to come early and still enjoy the game. In addition, the restaurant is presenting champagne and wine specials by the glass priced at $6 to $10.
As with all items at Rustica, the menu focuses on contemporary regional cuisine, such as wild mushroom truffle flatbread and honey-lavender homemade frozen yogurt created with a commitment to quality, handcrafted ingredients and products. Chef Caceres showcases fresh, seasonal produce and farm-raised meats.
The Super Bowl Sunday tasting menu starts with a mimosa, fresh-squeezed orange juice or Bloody Mary. Then enjoy a tasting of ahi tuna tartare with cucumbers, toasted hazelnuts and lemon oil; wild mushroom truffle flatbread with wild mushrooms, urbani truffle butter, spinach ricotta spread and pecorino; or vegetarian squash soup with acorn, butternut and kabocha squash and candied pecans.
Next it’s your choice of golden beets salad with goat cheese, wild arugula, polenta nuggets and aged balsamic reduction; or grilled free-range chicken breast sandwich with olive tapenade spread, roasted piquillo peppers, wild arugula and fontina cheese; or chopped hanger steak cobb, buttermilk bleu cheese, bacon and farm fresh egg.
For dessert, choose from homemade honey lavender frozen yogurt or orange cheesecake lollipops coated with milk chocolate. (Sorry, no substitutions or split plates.)
The restaurant is open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., with last seating at 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Reservations can be made by calling (949) 706-8282. Rustica is at Fashion Island, 1133 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, on the second level next to Nordstrom. For more information, visit https://www.rusticafashionisland.com.
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Concert benefits Pacific Marine Mammal Center
Enjoy fresh and tasty tacos, live music and fun to benefit the Laguna Beach-based Pacific Marine Mammal Center (https://www.pacificmmc.org) on Saturday at Detroit Bar in Costa Mesa. Rasta Taco, an original mobile taco cart serving SoCal, is teaming up to help raise much-needed funds for the flood relief efforts at Pacific Marine Mammal Center.
In December, PMMC experienced the worst flood damage in its 40-year existence. The marine mammal rescue hospital had more than 4 feet of water trapped inside, which ruined important medical supplies, diagnostic equipment, major appliances and cabinetry. Now the PMMC cannot accept seal and sea lion patients that are desperately in need of medical attention.
The benefit concert, according to a news release, will include live performances by My Hero, nominated for Best Hip Hop for the OC Music Awards, and Speaker Junkies, nominated for Best Electronic. Tickets cost $10 at the door. For more information, contact Mario Melendez of Rasta Taco at (949) 842-6936.
Detroit Bar is at 843 W. 19th St., Costa Mesa. For more information, call (949) 642-0600 or visit https://www.detroitbar.com.
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Rock’N Fish has plenty of variety
Not that you need more reasons to experience Rock’N Fish Laguna Beach (https://www.rocknfishlb.com), a premier seafood and steakhouse restaurant that just opened in mid-December, but it’s debuting happy hour from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and a late happy hour from 10 p.m. to closing Sunday to Thursday.
All appetizers will be $5 off, and there are drink specials, too (hello, Navy Grog). You have to try my favorite appetizer, the signature oak-grilled fresh artichoke, served with roasted garlic aioli — it’s that good, promise.
Rock’N Fish offers spectacular ocean views thanks to its incredible location on the second floor, above Tommy Bahama Bar & Grill on Pacific Coast Highway.
Rock’N Fish boasts a classic ambiance, a relaxing vibe and an American regional menu known for its high-quality meats and freshest fish, brought in daily and grilled over 100% red oak.
The restaurant bakes fresh, delicious sourdough bread every day and serves specialties, including blue cheese wedge salad ($7.95 to $10.95); tasty New Orleans barbecued shrimp ($18.95); a succulent Kapalua ribeye steak ($24.95) that marinates for 72 hours in a delicious pineapple-soy sauce; and a giant oak-grilled three-quarter-pound Maine lobster tail ($36.95) served with drawn butter, lemon and your choice of two sides: oak-grilled vegetables, creamy coleslaw, French fries, sautéed garlic spinach, spicy mac ‘n’ cheese, sweet potato fries, garlic mashed potatoes and sticky rice.
Save room for its decadent warm chocolate lava cake ($6.95) or an enormous house specialty Kona pie ($10.95) for two with chocolate, vanilla and coffee ice cream layered with Butterfinger, toffee and Oreo crumbs, topped with sliced sugared almonds and whipped cream.
Rock’N Fish opens daily at 11:30 a.m. at 422 South Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach. For more information, call (714) 497.3113 or visit https://www.rocknfishlb.com.
GREER WYLDER writes Greer’s OC for the Huntington Beach Independent each Thursday and the Daily Pilot and Coastline Pilot each Friday. She’s the founder and president of greersoc.com, a free daily e-mail service that provides the latest in Orange County fashion, dining, music, events and trends. Her blog can be viewed https://www.greersoc.com and she can be contacted at greer@greersoc.com.