Pleasing to the palate

June Casagrande

FASHION ISLAND--No one knew just how anxiously they were holding their

breath until there came the huge, collective sigh of relief. Despite a

last-minute rescheduling due to the East Coast terrorist attacks, despite

predictions of gloomy weather and despite a generally slumping

entertainment economy, the 13th annual Taste of Newport seems to be a

hit.

Friday night -- and KC and the Sunshine Band -- rang in the three-day

event with a roar. About 25,000 people showed up to sample some of the

best food and entertainment Newport Beach has to offer.

“By 9 p.m. it was packed, just wall-to-wall people,” said Douglas

Stuckey, public affairs director for the Newport Harbor Area Chamber of

Commerce, which sponsors the event. “We’re thrilled.”

According to Stuckey, food and beverage vendors representing more than

30 local restaurants were all reporting great sales.

“It was our best night at the Taste of Newport ever,” Clayton Shurley,

owner of Clayton Shurley’s Real BBQ, said Saturday afternoon.

Participating for the fifth year, Shurley’s booth was selling

honey-bourbon-glazed pork ribs, brisket sandwiches and other stars of the

restaurant’s menu.

“The cooler weather didn’t keep people home, either,” Chamber

President Richard Luehrs said. “The Taste is such an important community

event that people will come no matter what.”

When the gates opened at 4 p.m. Saturday, hungry-looking patrons were

already lined up to get in. Among them were Dianne Putman and her

daughter Lisa. This year, their fifth attending the Taste, the Putmans

planned their day around the festival -- and they planned ahead.

Stocked with about $160 worth of food coupons, the Costa Mesa

residents brought along aluminum foil and plastic baggies to extend the

savory experience. After finishing their their first taste of the day --

roast beef sandwiches from Five Crowns restaurant -- Diane Putman said

they were just warming up.

“We’re set for a few hours,” she said.

The Putmans agreed it was best that festival organizers postponed the

event, originally scheduled for Sept. 14 to 16.

“It’s time to get out and start getting back to life again,” Dianne

Putman said.

-- June Casagrande covers Newport Beach. She may be reached at (949)

574-4232 or by e-mail at o7 june.casagrande@latimes.comf7 .