Latin Fare, With Accent on Chinese

A mixture of Mexican, American, South American and Chinese--that’s how Gallo’s defines its California cuisine. The restaurant recently opened its doors in Anaheim, and held a grand opening yesterday.

The mix of cuisines is broad. Appetizers, which run from $1.50 to $7.50, include empanadas, buffalo wings, nachos and fish cocktail. Main dishes, priced between $6.50 and $10.75, include T-bone steak; Peruvian-style fried red snapper, which is deep-fried, sauteed in a wok with onion salsa, and served with shrimp, squid and mussels; and a goat stew of goat meat, Spanish rice and yucca.

The owner is Gallo Gomez, who said he has worked as a manager and pastry chef for several area restaurants.

Hours are 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday.

150 E. Katella Ave. (714) 776-0183.

*

More than 20 local restaurants, including Gandhi, Il Fornaio, Louie Louie’s and Taco Mesa, are planning to participate in the Taste of Costa Mesa festival, running Friday through Sunday, May 14 through 16. The event will feature food and beverages from the restaurants, a hands-on activity area for children, and musical performances by the likes of the Doo Wah Riders, Trinidad Calypso and Peter Noone of Herman’s Hermits fame. It’s at the South Coast Metro Center, corner of Bristol Street and Anton Boulevard. Hours are Friday, 5 to 11 p.m.; Saturday, noon to 11 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 7 p.m.

Admission is $5, free for children ages 12 and under. Food and beverages may be purchased with $1 script, available inside the door. Dishes are $1 to $4 each.

For more information, call Alexander Barnett Events, (714) 549-2547.

*

Hi-Time Cellars in Costa Mesa is playing host to Robert Mondavi on Wednesday, May 19. Hi-Time will be pouring a variety of older Mondavi vintages--including the 1989 release of Opus--at its wine bar from 3 to 7 p.m. Mondavi is expected to appear from 4:30 to 6 p.m., and will be available to answer questions and sign bottles. Admission to the tasting is expected to run $20 to $30 per person (the exact price was not available at press time).

250 Ogle St. (714) 650-8463.