Love food & wine? Love traveling? Then a culinary adventure just might be for you. Acclaimed chef Mark McDonald of Old Vine Café (named 2009’s ‘Best Restaurant in OC’ by OC Weekly), along with master chef John Nocita from the Italian Culinary Institute, are hosting a gastronomic excursion to Italy, where guests will spend 10 days exploring and eating their way through the southern regions of
Calabria and Sicily. Activities include: making 50 kinds of pasta alongside chefs from the Italian Culinary Institute, dining in some of the region’s best restaurants, touring wineries and sampling olive oil
and cured meats produced on-site at local farms.
“Most, if not all culinary travels to Italy are centered on the region of Tuscany, so we’re really excited to be able to show people a less-discovered region of Italian history, wines and cuisine,” said chef McDonald. “It’s also where I lived to broaden my culinary training, so this trip is nostalgic for me.”
Space is limited for the culinary tour of Southern Italy, which is slated for January 3-12, 2011. Early booking is encouraged and you can receive more information by calling 714.655.6142 or by emailing .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
To celebrate the birthday of the restaurant’s namesake, Ruby Cavanaugh, Ruby’s Diner is rolling back the price of a RubyBurger and fries to $2.80! Starting today at 11:30 a.m. until the close of business, you can enjoy a signature burger and fries sitting on red vinyl seats at the 1940s era soda fountain for less than three bucks.
Hurry over to one of these locations (except for LAX, the Shake Shack at Crystal Cove and sporting venues) for lunch because the price is only good while supplies last.
Refresh and restore your mind and body with Spa Gaucin’s summer special, the “Refresher Duo.” The treatment was designed to relax tight, muscles and exfoliate lackluster skin.
It starts with a 60-minute Mediterranean deep massage with the fresh scent of the spa’s luxurious Chardonnay massage oil. Next up, a 60-minute Advanced AHA Facial, which gives you a deep exfoliation and moisture replenishment for a younger look and healthy glow. It’s ideal for all skin types.
The duo treatment costs $305 and the price is good through Aug. 31. The award-winning, 30,000-square-foot, full-service Spa Gaucin at The St. Regis Monarch Beach features 24 treatment rooms, a fitness center, outdoor lap pool, spa café and boutique, private women’s and men’s relaxation areas, and a coed tranquility lounge.
Beyond world-class treatments, Spa Gaucin offers spa-related activities including nature trail walks along the coastline, beach boot camps, dance and yoga classes, and weekly Women Who Wine events.
You can book treatments online here.
One Monarch Beach Resort in Dana Point. 949.234.3367.
Peace in Motion is a four-week, nine session video production course designed specifically for the Center for Living Peace in Irvine. Children ages 9 to 14 (5th to 8th grade) can learn how to produce a short film and will use video as a medium to explore and express themes that relate to Living Peace in a group project, hands-on setting. The first session starts Tuesday, from 9 to 11 a.m. your child will experience hands on learning of high quality video production equipment in a group environment. Each group will plan, film and edit their own short films by investigating the four pillars of the Center for Living Peace: peace education and diplomacy; safeguarding the environment; inner growth and development; and exploration of self and the world through arts, culture, and technology. Upon completion of the program, a celebration of your children’s work at the “Peace in Motion Film Festival” Thursday, Aug. 19 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. where all films will be screened to family and friends.
The fee for this four-week program costs $350 and includes a DVD of your child’s finished projects. Center For Living Peace at 4139 Campus Drive in Irvine. 949.854.5500.
Seed People’s Market at the Camp is having a huge Patagonia summer sale. Through Thursday, receive 30% off hundreds of shorts, swimwear, T-Shirts and more! Everything from board shorts to puff jackets, from camis to capris, People’s Market has a great selection of all organic outdoor gear.
Join Angels coach Micky Hatcher, outfielder Reggie Willits and pitcher Kevin Jepsen at the OC Fair this week on Friday, July 30 from noon to 1 p.m. The first 100 people wearing Angels gear in line at the main gate will receive first access to the autograph signing and a pair of Angels tickets!
Beginning Saturday, the U.S. Open of Surfing will take over Huntington Beach. Opening rounds and trials begin at 7 a.m. with the competition continuing through the next week. Performances by Weezer and Hot Hot Heat, BMX and skate contests and daily surf events highlight the weeklong event. Find what you like on the schedule at the U.S. Open of Surfing’s website.
sign-up