THE CROWD:

Organizers are calling the event “Savor the Flavor of the O.C.” The second annual Newport Beach restaurant week begins Sunday, introducing the curious and the hungry to an incredible week of culinary surprises and taste temptations from the region’s most exciting restaurants.

Some 75 Newport Beach establishments are participating in the gastronomic explosion. Each will offer specially created three-course prix-fixe gourmet menus priced at $15 per person for lunch and either $20 or $35 per person for dinner.

This week the Balboa Bay Club & Resort hosted a gala kick-off reception Monday evening to officially invite Newport Beach to “Savor the Flavor.” The reception began with a shrimp and scallops martini station, which was a very popular attraction. Leading chefs from the community personally carved beef Wellington with a port wine reduction. The sushi station was also a major hit.

Peggy Fort, director of Newport Beach Restaurant Week said, “The ambience and excitement of the reception was a wonderful announcement to the community to take advantage of what awaits them next week at so many fine restaurants. The lavish culinary display was absolutely mouthwatering.”

The Daily Pilot is among the official sponsors of 2008 Restaurant Week, joining the Balboa Bay Club, the Newport Beach Conference & Visitors Bureau, San Pellegrino and American Express, which means “Don’t leave home without it,” when you go to your favorite restaurants next week.

Perhaps the best news is that this very special week, which is all about food, is also all about helping the First Battalion First Marines of Camp Pendleton. Proceeds from the launch event at the Bay Club are earmarked for the families of the Marines. Community members participating in Restaurant Week may still contribute to what is called the city of Newport Beach 1/1 Fund at participating restaurants all week long.

To find out more about the restaurants involved and to make reservations, which are recommended, please visit www.NewportBeachDining.com.

Since food seems to be the topic of the day, get ready for Valentine’s Day coming up Feb. 14 at Neiman Marcus Fashion Island.

Yes, it’s Valentine’s Day everywhere, but Cara Mungo at Neiman’s is inviting Newport to have “Diamonds with Dinner” at Mariposa Restaurant. Executive chef Jason Mazur will prepare a four-course dinner that will be accompanied by a bottle of Moet Chandon Brut Imperial Rose Champagne for each couple.

The restaurant will also serve a Christian Lacroix-designed bottle of Evian, an exclusive Neiman Marcus creation. Feel free to preview Neiman’s exclusive diamond collection from their Precious Jewels Salon. Models will parade the dining room throughout the evening showing off plenty of bling. Husbands, boyfriends and mysterious strangers beware. The price for the evening is $250 per couple. Reservations are required, so please call (949) 467-3361.

Newport’s lovely Sunny Perino sent in a 20-year-old clipping from a column written by my celebrated predecessor Vida Dean, former society maven for the Daily Pilot. The headline of Vida’s column, Paparazzi Plus, was “One Party That Won’t Happen and a Few More That Will Occur.” Vida was doing a holiday rundown and mentioned the annual New Year’s event of Dover Shores’ doyenne Barbara Aune. Barbara, for those of you who don’t know her, has established herself as a legend in the community. Her signature wardrobe includes a collection of hats that rivals those of the late Hedda Hopper.

Aune has held a community New Year’s Eve bash for decades and continues to delight friends, family and neighbors with her special celebration that features Texas black-eyed peas for good luck. This past year was no exception as the tradition at the Newport Beach Aune home continues.

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