The good Taste sounds good, too

How can you go wrong listening to Blondie live while munching on a

savory prime rib sandwich, or singing along in the warm night air

with Kool and the Gang’s “Celebration” while the taste buds absorb a

serving of dark rum over vanilla ice cream? Mmmm. Yum.

The Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce 16th annual Taste of Newport

on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Fashion Island was a mix of

scrumptious foods, wafting smells of all sorts of marinated

delicacies and lively melodies.

The more than 30 restaurants and 15 wineries that offered samples

of their wares yet again brought together Newport Beach’s fine food

and spirits -- for a $20 ticket -- while attracting a lively crowd.

The band Berlin performed Friday, Blondie played on Saturday and

Kool and the Gang took to the event’s stage on Sunday.

Kool and the Gang’s “Celebration” lyrics seem to put the spirit of

the event well:

“There’s a party going on right here, a celebration to last

throughout the years ...”

Newport Chamber of Commerce President Richard Luehrs seemed to

echo Kool and the Gang in talking about the longevity of the event,

which he helped start as a way to promote Newport Beach restaurants.

“It’s a celebration of the Newport Beach community with incredible

entertainment and a plethora of fine-dining establishments,” he said.

Thanks to longtime participating restaurants -- such as Corona del

Mar’s Five Crowns restaurant -- the event has grown and become a hit

over its 16 years, Luehrs said.

It is, of course, good advertising for local businesses, but in

the end, a portion of the money raised from the event is given to

local organizations such as the Newport-Mesa Schools Foundation,

Luehrs said.

Last year, $28,000 of the proceeds were donated, Luehrs said. This

year, more than 30,000 people attended the event during the first two

nights, and Luehrs expected that once final tallies are made, overall

attendance could be about 60,000. New restaurants this year included

Daphne’s Greek Cafe, Taco Rosa, Pomodoro Cucina Italiana and the

Melting Pot.

We look forward to next year with a big appetite.