OC Restaurant Week is back on the menu through Saturday
OC Restaurant Week is back on the menu.
After two years of takeout, the weeklong culinary event has returned in person with more than 120 Orange County restaurants offering special prix-fixe menus from March 6 through March 12.
“OC Restaurant Week has been a highlight for Southern California foodies for 14 years,” said Pamela Waitt, founder of the event and president of OC Restaurant Assn. Inc. “Now more than ever, diners are hungry to explore all that Orange County’s diverse culinary scene has to offer with their friends and family.”
Participating restaurants offer prix-fixe lunch menus that range in price from $15 to $25 and dinner menus from $45 to $50. Luxe menus are available at some participating restaurants with more premium, luxury items, priced from $60 to $120.
OC Restaurant Week is an opportunity for diners to visit their treasured eatery or discover a new favorite, Waitt said.
“We all have this list of restaurants that we want to get to,” said Waitt. “This week creates a really great, fun, opportunity to do that and really explore the county rather than just your own neighborhood.”
And there is something for everyone.
The OC Restaurant Week website can be searched by price or by city. A tab titled “Celebrate Your Way” groups together menus that are vegetarian, good for families, good for date nights and more.
“The date nights and luxury dining menus are really a big deal this year,” said Waitt. “There are lots of those menus, some of them come with a glass of wine … It’s creating more of an elevated experience and making sure diners have a rich restaurant week.”
The event kicked off with the Restaurant Week Masters VIP Preview Party at the Irvine Spectrum Marriott on Saturday, March 5, where a collection of participants including Descanso, the Yellow Chilli and Scratch Bakery Café served bites and beverages from their OC Restaurant Week menus.
“This event has a huge following,” said Waitt. “People get really excited, and they are so excited now to be back in person.”
The event included a selection of wines and cocktails, like martinis by Grey Goose and margaritas from Hornitos. Two state-of-the-art robots from Bear Robotic circulated the event serving charcuterie from Lover Boards and cotton candy was spun onsite for guests. The proceeds from the event benefitted Golden Rule Charity, which supports members of the hospitality industry during times of crisis.
Waitt said ultimately the event’s goal is get people to dine out and support local restaurants.
“It really gives people that nudge to go and try restaurants they wouldn’t normally try,” said Waitt.
A full list of participating restaurants can be found at ocrestaurantweek.com/restaurants.
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