Within a Scone’s Throw

If you find yourself craving toad-in-the-hole, bubble and squeak, Stilton quiche, English trifle and scones this weekend, you’ll want to visit the Great British Food Fest, Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 13 and 14, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Town Center Park, Costa Mesa. The event is part of the Festival of Britain, an arts festival and retail promotion. U.K. fare will be served from booths set up by virtually all restaurants in the South Coast Plaza area. Most of them will also feature British foods within the restaurants. Town Center Park is at Bristol Street and Town Center Drive. Admission is free.

You can taste new wine releases from such wineries as Caymus, Chamisal, Saucelito Canyon and Saintsbury during an informal evening of “fun, food and wine” at Gustaf Anders in South Coast Plaza Village on Thursday, Oct. 18 at 7 p.m. Tab: $45, excluding tax and tip. (714) 668-1737.

To promote responsible alcohol consumption and to aid Mothers Against Drunk Driving, the Irvine Marriott recently installed a Breathalyzer machine in Champions Sports Bar. It measures a person’s blood-alcohol level; drivers are considered drunk with readings of 0.08 or higher. Any guest over the legal limit will be encouraged to arrange alternate transportation. Proceeds from use of the machine (50 cents per test) will be donated to the county chapter of MADD. The Irvine Marriott is at 18000 Von Karman Ave.; (714) 553-0100.