One of the biggest culinary events in Southern California is coming to Costa Mesa October 19-21 with the first ever Los Angeles Times TASTE – Costa Mesa! The three-day event will showcase some of Costa Mesa and Orange County’s finest restaurants and cutting edge chefs with unlimited tastings of food and seasonal cocktails in a unique outdoor setting at The MET.
TASTE Highlights
Plan to attend on Saturday for a chef demo by Carlos Salgado of Taco Maria, the Los Angeles Times’ Restaurant of the Year for 2018. Salgado has garnered much praise for blending of traditional Mexican fare with Southern California flavors into what he calls “Alta California” cuisine. The restaurant has been recognized five of its six years in business as an annual “best restaurant” by several local food critics. Salgado is also a two-time James Beard Award nominee and was named “Best New Chef of 2015” by Food & Wine Magazine.
Wahoo’s Fish Taco founder Wing Lam will take the stage for a demo with Kelly Lam of The Whole Purpose on Saturday as well. Before becoming a national sensation, Wahoo’s Fish Taco began with a single Costa Mesa storefront opened by brothers Wing, Ed and Mingo Lam in 1988.
While new restaurants are added to theTASTE – Costa Mesa lineup daily, highlights include those like Habana, Pie-Not, Westend, Toast Kitchen & Bakery, Leatherby’s Café Rouge, Outpost Kitchen, Tabu Shabu and Silver Trumpet Restaurant & Bar. Beer lovers can find Gunwhale Ales on hand with tastes of its signature brews while Portola Coffee serves up a caffeine fix.
Turn TASTE – Costa Mesa into an eatcation™ getaway: Choose between one- and two-night stays including two tickets to the TASTE at hotels like The Westin South Coast Plaza, Avenue of the Arts, Hilton, Crown Plaza, Marriott and more. Head to www.tasteofcostamesa.com for booking information!
While You’re Here…
Explore the SOCO Farmer’s Market Saturday morning from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. While you’re there, take a stroll through SOCO and The OC Mix’s unique variety of boutiques and specialty shops and eateries.
If you plan to attend TASTE – Costa Mesa on Friday or Sunday, head to Segerstrom Center for the Arts on Saturday to see the Mariinksy Orchestra or classical singer Sangeeta Teresa Mai.
Take a shopping break at South Coast Plaza, a renowned international shopping destination that boasts one of the highest concentrations of high-end retailers. Or, explore “America’s little businesses” at The LAB or The CAMP where you’ll find boutiques and unique retailers in a creative open-air shopping environment.
When you find something you like at the TASTE, make sure to check out their brick and mortar location using our Costa Mesa restaurant guide!
Need more suggestions? Check out our list of things to in Orange County or our visitor guide for more in-depth information.
