Celebrate Oktoberfest with German food at Five Crowns

The Five Crowns restaurant, 3801 E. Coast Highway, Corona del Mar, will host its Oktoberfest celebration Sept. 27, featuring a special German dinner menu created by executive chef Dennis Brask.

The dinner, served buffet-style, includes a selection of German cheeses and cold meats, sauerbraten, spinach spaetzle and schaum torte, a meringue filled with fruit.

The meal can be washed down with various Bavarian beers.

An accordionist will play live music throughout the evening.

Opened in 1965, the restaurant features Continental cuisine including USDA prime beef, poultry, fresh fish and seasonal selections.

The building has been noted in guidebooks and historical papers as a landmark — the most authentic replica of an English country inn in North America.

The event is priced at $69 per person.

Valet parking is available and all major credit cards are accepted.

Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling (949) 760-0331 or by visiting www.lawrysonline.com.

 SAMPLING NEW TASTES IN NEWPORT

The 19th Annual Taste of Newport, hosted by the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce, is set to begin Friday and run through Sunday at Fashion Island.

This year the newest restaurants to serve samples include Austin Spencer’s Real BBQ (formerly Clayton Shirley’s), Chakra Indian Cuisine, El Torito Grill, Maggie Moo’s Ice-Cream & Treatery, the new Palm Terrace Restaurant and Lounge at Island Hotel, Ruby’s Diner and Sol Restaurant at the Hyatt Regency Newport Beach.

Advanced tickets are available online for a discounted price — $22 for Friday and Saturday, and $18 for Sunday.

VIP tickets are $100 and include valet parking, stage-front seating for concerts and access to a VIP area.

VIP tickets for Huey Lewis and the News are sold out, but general admission tickets get visitors into all entertainment events.

For more information and to purchase tickets, go to www.tasteofnewport.com.

— Jamie Rowe