An Outside Chance at Carmelo’s, Antonello

Outdoor dining is in at two more county restaurants.

Carmelo’s has opened its large flagstone grill, with a 40-seat patio area, and patrons are invited to watch the chefs prepare the restaurant’s Italian dinner menu there. The grill is now open permanently.

3520 Pacific Coast Highway, Corona del Mar. (714) 675-1922.

Antonello Ristorante has added alfresco dining at lunchtime on its 30-seat patio and is also offering a “light” summer menu, mostly for under $10. The menu includes Caesar salad with chicken or fried calamari, pizza al vuolo (artichoke hearts, olives, tomato and mozzarella), and tagliatelle con verdura (spinach pasta topped with vegetables and sun-dried tomatoes).

1611 Sunflower Ave., South Coast Plaza Village, Santa Ana. (714) 751-7153.

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John Dominis restaurant will host a five-course dinner featuring the wines of the Joseph Phelps Winery on Wednesday. Irv Wnuck, a winery representative, will be on hand to comment on the food and wine pairings. The cost is $60, which includes tax and tip.

The reception begins at 7, with dinner at 7:30. Reservations are recommended.

The menu includes breast of Muscovy duck with a Dijon mustard sauce on puff pastry, North Atlantic salmon carpaccio, ravioli with escargot on a bed of sorrels, roast black angus tenderloin of beef with a Phelps Cabernet morel cream sauce, and triple chocolate mousse with a chef’s surprise.

2901 W. Coast Highway, Newport Beach. (714) 650-5112.

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South Coast Plaza will hold a summer food and wine festival in Crystal Court on Wednesday. The festival, which will run from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., will feature the foods and wines of restaurants in and near the Plaza. The 30-odd restaurants include Bangkok Four, Diva, Gandhi, Il Fornaio, Piccola Cucina, Piret’s Bistro, Planet Hollywood and Scott’s Seafood Grill & Bar.

Entertainment will be provided by steel drum band, Steel Parade. The $25 entry ticket pays for samples of food, wine, beer, coffee and bottled water. All proceeds will benefit the Food Distribution Center in Orange and the Someone Cares Soup Kitchen in Costa Mesa.

Tickets may be purchased at the door or by calling (714) 435-2160.

3333 Bear St., Costa Mesa.

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Gustaf Anders will host an evening of jazz, champagne and caviar on Tuesday night, beginning at 5:30. The evening features the Les Czimber Trio, with Bruce Lett on bass. The band is scheduled to play from 6:30 to 9:30.

The $30 cost includes one glass of champagne and unlimited access to a variety of caviar.

1651 Sunflower Ave., South Coast Plaza Village, Santa Ana. (714) 668-1737.