O.C. Philharmonic Society Conducts a Symphony of Wines

A Symphony of Wines will be orchestrated Sunday by the Orange County Philharmonic Society’s Town & Country committee. This annual event benefits the symphony and its youth programs.

More than two dozen wineries have donated wine for the afternoon event, which runs from 2 to 5 p.m. Committee members and local restaurants are making the food. They include Issay in Newport Beach, Rockwell’s Bakery in Villa Park, Sfuzzi in Costa Mesa and Trees Restaurant in Corona del Mar.

Chamber music is to be performed by Marie Djang, Barbara Chahbazian and Fritz Lin.

Tickets are $40 per person and are non-refundable. (Last year, 79% of the proceeds from ticket sales went to symphony programs.) For ticket information, call (714) 544-3728. For general information, call (714) 731-1783 or (714) 544-9346.

Sheraton Newport Beach Hotel, 4545 MacArthur Blvd., Newport Beach.

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George Killian Lett, namesake of Killian’s Irish Red, will visit the Fullerton Hofbrau this morning at 10:30 for a pre-St. Patrick’s Day toast.

Lett, 67, leaves Ireland each year to tour the United States and confirm the authenticity of his beers being dispensed here. In addition, Hofbrau owner Andreas Starkmann said he would offer the Irish brew master a tour of the Fullerton microbrewery and a sample of its six specialty beers.

The tour is open to the public. The Hofbrau opens at 10 a.m.

327 State College Blvd. (714) 870-7400.

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The Balboa Beach Big Band is playing this Sunday and on March 20, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Airporter Garden Hotel in Irvine. Bev Latora is featured on vocals.

In the spirit of the Big Band era, the hotel ballroom is offering a special menu that includes Benny Goodman’s “King of Swing” Caesar salad, Duke Ellington’s “A-Train” pork chops and Glen Miller’s “In the Mood” club sandwich.

Entree prices range from $5.50 to $8.75 and admission to the dance club is $5 for singles, $8 for a couple.

18700 MacArthur Blvd. (714) 752-4999.

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Noted restaurateur Antonio Cagnolo distinguishes himself with fewer clothes on in this month’s edition of Orange Coast magazine. Cagnolo, owner of Antonello’s in Santa Ana and L’Opera in Long Beach, is the third local personality to pose for the magazine’s “Orange County Revealed.” The feature pictures folks in minimal clothing--a bathing suit, a leotard--with comments about their sensual side.

Cagnolo, who was not available for comment, is the first man to pose for “Revealed.”

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Early this week, Reuben’s res taurant in Dana Point closed and reopened as Charlie Brown’s. Both chains are owned by Irvine-based Family Restaurants Inc.

Not to worry, says bar manager Phil Smallwood, the cuisine of steak and seafood remains largely unchanged.

Beginning March 13, the restaurant will offer a meal of barbecue chicken or ribs with the fixings for $5 per person, plus tax and tip. Dinner is served from 6 to 10 p.m. in the lounge, along with live entertainment.

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Cafe Fleuri has begun a frequent-diner club for people who enjoy the rotisserie lunch. Six visits earns the diner a free lunch for one; 15 visits earns dinner for two.

The rotisserie lunch, which includes a roasted entree, vegetable side dishes and soup of the day, is $9, plus tax and tip.

Le Meridien, 4500 MacArthur Blvd., Newport Beach. (714) 476-2001.