You don’t have to travel to Spain to learn how to cook Spanish Tapas. The Savory Spice Shop, home of the most exotic spices in Orange County, is hosting a Spanish Tapas class in Corona del Mar. Last month I took a Moroccan cooking class at the Savory Spice Shop that inspired me to explore cooking in a way that I never thought was possible.

On May 17 from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., Chefs Linda Elbert and Michael Bretall, owners of The Basement Table at the Laguna Culinary Arts Cafe, will be creating a Spanish Tapas-style dinner, highlighting some of Savory Spice’s most intriguing spices.

Chefs Elbert and Bretall’s demonstration and menu will include a white gazpacho soup with tomato bread, orange and fennel salad, chicken brochettes with spices and honey, vegetables with saffron rice and will finish with dark chocolate cake.

Cost to attend this class is $40 per person and includes learning how to prepare these dishes, generous tastings of each item and the recipes to recreate the delicious dishes experienced at this class. Attendees are required to bring their own beverages. Space is limited and reservations can be made by calling (949) 717-7776.

Savory Spice Shop
928 Avocado Ave.
Corona del Mar, CA 92660

Got Meat? The Meat House is a one-stop shop for the BBQ lover. The store resembles the traditional butcher shops that slowly got replaced by the major grocery chains. The store has every possible cut of desired meat, chicken and seafood. From the moment I walked into the door for the first time, I was greeted by the kindest staff.

They just don’t stop with meat at The Meat House. There is also a vast variety of wine, beer, spices, and grocery items. It is a one stop-shop for all your cooking needs. There is also a large gluten-free section located right within the store for allergy sensitive shoppers.

Looking for something different to cook tonight? The knowledgeable staff will help provide you with recipes and tips for creating an unforgettable meal for your family. The staff encourages shoppers to try different cuts of meat, and experiment with their taste buds.

Want to give The Meat House a try? We are happy to offer one OC Family reader a $35 gift certificate for visiting their closest The Meat House. To enter to win, just leave a comment below.

There are locations available in Brea, Costa Mesa, and Mission Viejo. Giveaway will be closed on 5/25.

Waffles for dinner? Bruxie has taken the community by storm with their unique twist on the traditional waffles. Taking waffles to a new high, Bruxie has designed a gourmet menu of sweet and savory waffle sandwiches. This will be the third location for Bruxie after opening their first location in 2010 in Old Towne Orange. Just one year after opening their first location, a second location came to the Birch Street Promenade in Downtown Brea.

The third Bruxie location will open in Rancho Santa Margarita on Tuesday, May 22nd.

Farrell’s is celebrating National Military Appreciation Month by treating our bravest men and women serving in our Military to a complementary all-American sundae! This Patriotic treat is made with vanilla ice cream and layered strawberries and blueberries toped with whipped cream a cherry and, what else, an American flag.

For the entire month of May any Military personnel, past or present, that shows their valid Military I.D. will receive a free Red White and Blue Thank You Sundae at all Southern California Farrell’s locations, including Brea, Mission Viejo, Rancho Cucamonga and Santa Clarita.

WOW! You are in for a tasty treat when Whole Foods opens their doors in Laguna Niguel on May 16th at 9am! The first 300 people to walk through the door will receive a free baguette. Not only will you be welcomed into Laguna Niguel’s first certified organic market, but you will be exposed to a large selection of healthy products from local farmers.

Make your first stop at the Bakery and Coffee Department and say hello to Xavier – the mastermind baker from France. Trust me, it is some of the most delicious bread you will ever taste! Everything is baked on site with the highest quality ingredients and whole grain flours. Not only will Whole Foods offer daily fresh baked, but they also have coffee that is roasted daily as well. And for all of you who prefer not to mix your organic coffee grinds with conventional ones, they will clean the grinder for you so you can be guaranteed the freshest cleanest organic coffee in town! Now that is service.

The Whole Body department, comprised of everything that is good for the mind, body, and soul, will showcase local vendors such as Smart Girls who Surf, Hero Nutritionals, Adia Nutritional, MRM Metabolic Supplements, Backyard Bees, Evan Healy Skincare, and Aroma natural candles. These products smell good, feel good, and actually ARE good.

There is a lot of confusion about what “natural” actually means, but you won’t have to worry about in Whole Foods Market because they have set the bar high with their premium body care standards. With close to 30+ years of experience and 6+ years of scientific research, Whole Foods stepped up to give customers something to count on. Dwight, the local forager for Whole Foods Market, is the talent scout for local flavor. He not only cares about the local businesses out there, he wants to help them get into the marketplace and grow! And of course, he has criteria too. The products must be grown, raised, landed (seafood), and made in Orange County to be truly considered local. Dwight has been working with local businesses to stock Whole Foods, while making sure to not undermine the small business.

The countdown is on! Whole Foods Market will be opening their doors in just a few short days and I promise you, you will not be disappointed.

This has been a guest article by, Tammi Ameli. Tammi is a dedicated vegan and mother of three incredibly busy children. While she spends most of her time cooking up fun new recipes for her family, she loves scrapbooking, anything Disney, and running.

On May 5th, Casey’s Cupcakes opened in the Irvine Woodbury Town Center. Pink balloons surrounded the store, as locals rushed to get treat their tastebuds to Casey’s lucious cupcakes.

The boutique cupcake store has bright splashes of pink, elegant black accents and inspirations of a classic Parisian café with a glamorous Hollywood twist. Casey’s Cupcakes will be serving 16 signature cupcake flavors, including Vivacious Vanilla, Rockin’ Red Velvet, and Marvelous Milk Chocolate, and will feature a special flavor every month. Gluten-free and sugar-free options are also available.

Casey’s Cupcakes offers cupcake decorating parties in their private party room.

Following the grand opening ceremony, visitors enjoyed a live DJ, balloon artist, special giveaways, and sweet prizes. The first 50 people to purchase cupcakes received a pink lunch tote bearing the Casey’s Cupcakes logo.

During opening week, Casey’s Cupcakes will have special offers, such as a free coffee cup of coffee every day for a week with the purchase of a Casey’s travel mug.

We had a chance to ask Casey some questions about the opening of her new store.

What made you select Irvine for your next store opening? Was there something special that drew you towards this community?

Reinhardt: We selected Irvine and the Woodbury Town Center because of its large community of families and children. Casey’s Cupcakes is a destination for everyone, an all-American experience.

Irvine is known for being home to a lot of businesses. Do you have any plans for introducing these companies to your store, or are you focusing on residential customers?

Reinhardt: We have products and services for everyone, business and residential. We have designed special packages for office celebrations, meetings and sales. We offer delivery services, birthday parties, decorate your own cupcake parties, baby showers, tea parties, wedding cakes and more. We have a dedicated team who will be working with the area businesses in order to accommodate all of their needs with sweet success!

How do you feel about opening another store? Did you have any idea when opening your first store that it would become what it is today?

Reinhardt: I feel blessed and excited to have the opportunity to continue to expand my business. When opening the first Casey’s Cupcakes location at the Historic Mission Inn in Riverside, I was optimistic and my goal was to open more locations. I am so grateful for our success and look forward to continued expansion throughout the United States and abroad.

Do you still test out recipes on your own at home? Any plans to introduce some new flavors? How much baking do you enjoy do in your free time?

Reinhardt: I love to bake and grew up baking with my great grandmother. It is one of the many things I am passionate about. We opened a state of the art bakery in San Clemente where I now do all of my research and create new recipes. We are always testing new and unique flavor profiles for our special cupcake of the month and holidays. We created the “Magnificent Marshmallow” cupcake for the month of May, which blends decadent Belgian chocolate with rich caramel and marshmallows. It is pure bliss! It will be available for the entire month of May at our four locations: The Historic Mission Inn-Riverside, Fashion Island, Laguna Beach and Woodbury Town Center, Irvine.

Is your new store going to be available for birthday parties? What is going to make this store unique from your other locations?

Reinhardt: Yes! Our Irvine location has a beautiful, spacious private party room, which is unique to our other locations. Each of our locations is an experience, a destination inspired by a classic Parisian café with a glamorous Hollywood twist.

Our party room services cater to children’s parties, decorate your own cupcake parties, birthday parties, baby showers, wedding showers, tea parties and more. For more details or to book parties, OC Family readers can call our Woodbury Town Center, Irvine location at 949-333-2228.

Do you have any plans to open another store in the near future?

Reinhardt: Yes, we plan to open new locations throughout southern California this year. We also plan to expand internationally in the future since we have customers who visit us from all over the world.

How does your family feel about your success?

Reinhardt: My family is an integral part of my success. My great grandmother’s delicious recipes inspired me and my business is a success because of the guidance, support and knowledge of my parents, Kelly and Duane Roberts. They have achieved great success in the food service and hospitality industry as proprietors of the acclaimed Historic Mission Inn Hotel & Spa in Riverside, CA. My stepfather Duane, who formulated and marketed the first frozen burrito and built the company into the largest frozen Mexican food manufacturer in the United States, helped me turn my passion into a business at the age of 22.

Casey’s Cupcakes
6258 Irvine Boulevard
(off Sand Canyon – Woodbury Town Center)
Irvine, CA

Z’Tejas Southwestern Grill
3333 Bristol St.
Costa Mesa, CA
714-979-7469

All Mom’s enjoying brunch will receive a complimentary slice of the restaurants signature dessert, a slice of ancho fudge pie a la mode, and a family picture. Brunch will be available on Mother’s Day from 11am until 3pm.

Nello Cucina
3333 Bear St.
Costa Mesa, CA
714-540-3365

Buffet Menu includes an Omelet Station, Carving Station (Turkey & Top Sirloin), Bagels, Lox, Pasta, and Dessert. The buffet brunch will be available from 11am until 2:30pm. Adults are $24.95, and children under the age of 12 are $12.95.

Back Bay Bistro
1131 Back Bay Drive
Newport Beach, CA

Buffet Menu includes: Breads, Bagels, Pastries, Crab claws, Clams, Smoked Salmon, Sushi, Lemon-Ricotta Pancakes, etc) There will be an Omelet Station, Carving Station (Turkey Breast, Beef Tenderloin, Roasted Salmon, etc), and Pastry Desserts (Crepes, Flan, Cakes, Tortes, Pies, etc). Brunch will be available from 10am until 2:30pm. Adults are $48, children under the age of 12 are $22. Reservations are highly recommended by calling 949-729-1144.

The Cellar
305 N. Harbor Blvd
Fullerton, CA

Mother’s Day at The Cellar will include a 3-Course Champagne Brunch. There are three seating times available at 10am, 11:30am, 1pm, and 2:30pm. The price is $39.95 per person. Reservations can be made by calling 714-525-5682.

First Course (select one)
*Dungeness crab stuffed yellow tomato with avocado coulis and micro greens
*Beet Carpaccio with onion marmalade
*Petite Beef wellington topped with a fried quail egg
*Smoked Salmon roses with capers, crème fraîche, lemon wedges
*Frisse with walnuts, apples, grapes, and blue cheese with apple vinaigrette
*Smoked Crab chowder with lemon crème fraîche

Main Course (select one)
*Prime rib roast with roasted Dutch yellow potatoes, finished with demi glace and béarnaise
*Jidori Chicken breast baked over basmati rice with almonds, figs finished with a roasted yellow pepper cream sauce
*King Salmon broiled over saffron basmati rice finished with creamy tarragon vinaigrette
*Scrambled eggs with goat cheese, bacon and fresh chives
*Jumbo tiger shrimp eggs benedict with hollandaise sauce

Bayside Restaurant
900 Bayside Drive
Newport Beach, CA 92660
949-721-1222

Mother’s Day brunch at Bayside will include a champagne flowing 3-course prix-fixed brunch. There is stunning bay views, live music, and complimentary valet parking. Brunch will be served from 10:30am until 4pm. The cost is $46.75 with children under the age of 12 priced at $18. Reservations are recommended by calling 949-721-1222.

Sapphire Laguna
1200 South Coast Hwy
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
(949) 715-9888

Chef Azmin is celebrating Mother’s Day by serving an elaborate brunch. The brunch will be served from 10am-3pm with reservations highly recommended. The brunch will be available for $58, with children under the age of 12 offered a 1/2 portion for $29. The menu will consist of:

*A Study of Eggs Benedict, Traditional on Toasted English Muffin, Canadian Bacon, Sauce Hollandaise, Duck Confit Hash, Poached Egg, Parsley Emulsion
*White Peach-Mascarpone Pancakes, Candied Pecans, Black Berries, Vermont Maple Syrup
*Garam Masala Dusted Lamb Sirloin, Cauliflower-Potato Puree, Stone Fruit Chutney, Date Reduction
*“The Return of Classic Seafood Cannelloni”, Crab, Lobster, Shrimp, Halibut, Medley of Mushroom, Handmade Pasta, Sherry-Lobster Glaze
*Herb Baked Chicken Breast, Leek-Brioche Bread Pudding, Wild Arugula, Spring Onion Jus
*Miso Glazed Black Cod, Roasted Tokyo Turnip, Wilted Sesame-Spinach, Ginger Steamed Rice, Sake Butter
*Pan Seared Beef Tenderloin, Warm Salad of Market Vegetables, Watercress, Tarragon-Horseradish Dressing

For dessert, guests can choose from:

*Mocha Chocolate Cheese Cake, Graham Cracker Crust, Hazelnut Chantilly
*Lemon Short Cake, Fresh Strawberry, Vanilla-Devonshire Cream
*Mango & Banana Trifle, Coconut Gelato, Rum Glaze

The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar
The District in Tustin
2647 Park Avenue
Tustin, California 92782
714.258.7600

Brunch will be a spectacular event for Mother’s Day at the Winery. There will be a three course prix-fixe menu available for $34.95. The chef has created a special “little buddies” menu for children for only $16.95. Brunch will be served from 11am to 3pm, and reservations are highly recommended.

Beginnings Choice Of:
*The Winery House Salad
Organic Baby Greens, Candied Walnuts, Roquefort Cheese, Red Grapes, Red Onions, Tomatoes, Apples, Dijon Mustard Vinaigrette

*Classic Caesar Salad
Shaved Parmesan, Reggiano and Kalamata Olive Tapenade Crostini

*Maine Lobster Cognac Bisque
Wild White Shrimp and Tarragon Chantilly

*Seared Rare Ahi Tuna
Avocado, Mango, Cucumber Tower, Cilantro-Orange Vinaigrette

*Santa Barbara Heirloom Tomatoes
Fresh Burrata Mozzarella, Micro Arugula, Garlic Croutons, Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Aged Balsamic Vinegar

*Cold Lemon Verbena Poached Jumbo Shrimp
Mango-Passion Fruit Sauce

Main Course Choice Of:
*“Grand Cru” Burger
1/2lb. Kobe Style Beef, Caramelized Onions, Avocado, Lettuce, Bacon, Choice of Cheese and Meritage Secret Sauce

*Organic Spinach and Smoked Turkey Quiche
Swiss Cheese, Sundried Tomatoes, side of Fresh Seasonal Fruit or Winery House Salad

*The Winery Prime Beef Tenderloin Eggs Benedict
Baby Spinach, Poached Egg and Béarnaise Sauce

*Chili Lime Rubbed Hawaiian Mahi Mahi
Roasted Tropical Fruit Chutney, Jasmine Rice, Lemongrass-Gewurztraminer Butter

*Jidori Chicken Risotto
Wild Mushrooms, Fava Beans, Organic Watercress and Shaved Parmesan

*Lobster/Seafood Pot Pie
Mixed Spring Vegetables and Champagne Cream Sauce

*12oz. USDA Prime Cajun Flatiron Steak
Pommes Frites

*Grilled Skuna Bay Salmon
Organic Quinoa Tabouleh, Grilled Asparagus, Vine Ripe Tomato, Basil and Extra Virgin Olive Oil Sauce Vierge

Dessert
*Chef’s Selection of Mini Pastries

“Little Buddies” Menu

Main Course Choice Of:
*Kobe Style Beef Sliders – Cheddar Cheese and Pommes Frites
*Grilled Cheddar Cheese Panini – Pommes Frites
*Grilled Chicken Strips – Fresh Seasonal Fruit
*Winery Pasta – Corkscrew Pasta choice of Butter or Marinara Sauce

Dessert Choice Of:
*Chocolate Fleur de Sel Ice Cream Sandwich
*Vanilla Bean Ice Cream & Callebaut Chocolate Sauce – Assortment of Fresh Seasonal Berries

Anaheim White House

887 South Anaheim Blvd

Anaheim, CA

714-772-1381

Festa della Mamma with the full dinner menu will be served from 10 am- 9 pm.  Reservations required.

The Grand Opening Celebration will take place on Tuesday, May 1, 2012. The first 150 guests to visit the cafe during the celebration will receive a free small Mocha, Latte or Cappuccino. Complimentary fresh-baked goods will be offered and there will be chances to win exciting prizes including free coffee for a year, Seattle’s Best Coffee® merchandise and other cafe perks.

Frequent giveaways and incentives will be part of ongoing efforts to say ‘Thank you’ to the cafe’s loyal guests. Customers can leave their business card in “The Big Mug” by the register for their chance to win a variety of prizes.

During opening week, one lucky guest will win free coffee for a year (one coffee beverage per week for a year) from cards deposited May 1-7, 2012. Additionally, weekly drawings will take place every Tuesday and cafe perks are redeemable at both Lake Forest and Irvine Seattle’s Best Coffee locations.

Lake Forest cafe hours are Monday through Saturday from 5:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Sunday from 6:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. The cafe offers seating for 35 people and complimentary Wi-Fi.

Seattle’s Best Coffee – Lake Forest
22621 Lake Forest Dr., Ste. D2
Lake Forest, CA 92630

OC Tastefest will present over 25 restaurants offering guests light bites and samples of new and seasonal items mixed with classic menu favorites. Participating restaurants include House of Big Fish, Marrakesh, Salt Creek Grille, Ten Asian Bistro, Wahoo’s Fish Taco, Slater’s 50/50 and many more favorite Orange County restaurants. Specialty vendors will be onsite including Cutco Cutlery, Olive Oil & Beyond, and Wine Country Closet offering unique culinary and retail items for sale.

A special celebrity chef challenge will take place on Saturday, May 5 from 2:30– 5 p.m. Six challenger chefs including Raya Belna, Doug Stratton, Bridget Reilly, Stef Candy and Chris Tzorin will be tasked with creating dishes inspired by health, raw, citrus, and chocolate. Chefs Susan Irby the Bikini Chef with Stuart O’Keeffe and Manouschka Guerrier of Food Network’s Private Chefs of Beverly Hills will join to host the challenge.

OC Tastefest advance admission is $12 for a one-day ticket. General admission at the event will be $20 per day. Each paid general admission ticket includes 10 Tastefest coupons ($5 value). Tastefest coupons will be available for purchase on-site at the event. VIP tickets are available in advance for $95 and $125 at the event if available. VIP tickets include preferred parking, VIP entrance, access to the OC Tastefest VIP tent with complimentary cocktails and wine, and VIP seating at the OC Tastefest stage for the live entertainment.

When: May 4th – 5th

Where: The Orange County Fairgrounds

Tickets: www.octastefest.com

DreamWorks Pictures is teaming up with Sprinkles Cupcakes to promote their new film “People Like Us” by offering a free cupcake centered around five family-themed holidays. Sprinkles will give out a free cupcake to each customer who comes into a store on one of the designated dates between 12-2pm, and whispers the words “People Like Us.”

The special dates to get your free cupcakes are:

*Brothers and Sisters Day (May 2)
*Mother’s Day (May13)
*Visit Your Relatives Day (May 18)
*Father’s day (June 17)
*National Forgiveness Day (June 26)

“People Like Us” movie branded coffee trucks or carts will be at various locations on Brothers and Sisters Day, May 2, to kick off the start of the celebration with free coffee. Visitors to facebook.com/PeopleLikeUs can take the Brothers and Sisters quiz and enter the “Celebrate Family” sweeps to win a trip to visit their family.

The film “People Like Us” releases in U.S. theaters on June 29, 2012, and is rated PG-13.

The promotion will be available at all Sprinkles locations, and the nearest Orange County location is:

Sprinkles Cupcakes
944 Avocado Avenue
Newport Beach
(949) 760-0003