Five regional Italian courses, paired with five Italian wines for $54.95? Sounds too good to be true—not at Prego Ristorante in Irvine. The fine Italian restaurant, that’s both elegant and comfortable, is offering a special culinary tour starting at 7 p.m. Friday. Executive Chef Ugo Allesina, an Italian import, created a five-course menu highlighting regional wines and dishes from his country. The evening begins with canapés assortiti, and bellinis peach purée and brut. First course, pere con speck, thinly sliced pears, arugula, speck, lemon drizzle paired with Ca`Montini, Pinot Grigio, Trentino 2008. The pasta dish, manicotti di spinaci e stracchino, or homemade pasta filled with spinach and stracchino cheese in a bechamel sauce, ragu and parmigiano-reggiano, paired with Montepulciano d’Abbruzzo, Valle Reale, Abruzzo 2008. The main dish, scamone brasato alla Toscana, Tuscan-style braised rump served with soft polenta, paired with Rosso di Montepulciano, Valdipiatta, Toscana 2007. Dessert, strudel di mele allo zabaglione, puffed pastry, green apples, raisins, pine nuts in a zabaglione sauce, paired with Voga, Sparkling Pinot Grigio, Veneto 2008. Wine dinner, price excludes tax and gratuity. And if you can’t make the dinner, just know that Prego Ristorante is open for lunch and dinner daily. They specialize in authentic pizza baked in a wood-fired oven, freshly made pastas, grilled fresh fish, spit-roasted meats and fowl, and an extensive list of wines from Italy and California. Homemade desserts and pastries make a perfect ending to the dining experience. 18420 Von Karman Ave in Irvine. For more information or reservations, call 18420 Von Karman Ave in Irvine. 949.553.1333 www.pregoristoranti.com.
“We didn’t invent the chicken, just the chicken sandwich,” is the way the saying goes over at Chick-fil-A. The home of the chicken sandwich, is celebrating its sixth anniversary in OC, by giving away free food through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tomorrow they’re giving three chicken strips; Wednesday free original chicken sandwich; and Thursday—eight chicken nuggets. Here’s where you can find a Chick-fil-A in OC.www.chickfila.com
Bike2theBeat is an indoor cycling fitness studio in Newport Beach disguised as a nightclub complete with a disco ball, DJ instructor, and light effects. It guarantees to be as much fun as a night out on the town (but better for your body!). The “dancing on a bike” studio offers low-impact, out-of-the-saddle spinning for a full-body workout promoting both muscle toning and cardiovascular fitness On Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:30 p.m owner Jim DeNuccio teaches the free Rookie Rider Sessions—a $56 value—designed for newbies/beginners. Other specials include Happy Hour Fridays—a class at 5:30 p.m. for $10; and free session during the week of your birthday!
Walk-ins are welcome, yet reserving a bike in advance is recommended. (Classes only accommodate 24 cyclists.) To reserve a bike, call 949.660.4970 or sign up in person at the studio at 3928 Campus Drive, Newport Beach. Individual sessions cost $15 and packages start at $56. No membership or enrollment fees. For a complete schedule,
visit www.bike2thebeat.com.
If your dinnerware has seen better days, you can trade up to Villeroy & Boch. Eighth generation family member Isabelle von Boch will be at Villery & Boch next Saturday to help you with dinnerware and accessories decisions. And you can save $3 off every new piece of Villeroy & Boch. Walk-ins are welcome; appointments recommended. You can call the store today to book an appointment with Isabelle for this Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. All dinnerware brought in for exchange will be donated to Someone Cares Soup Kitchen. Villeroy & Boch is at South Coast Plaza, at 3333 Bear Street, in Costa Mesa.
714.540.6511.
La Beauté, a salon, skin care and beauty supply store in Costa Mesa, is offering Greer’s OC readers a special: just mention us and receive 20% off your entire purchase (excludes Kerastase and red tags); and a $25 gift certificate with purchase of $100 or more through Sept. 17. Top name brands available include Redken, Moroccan Oil, Pureology, Alterna, Peter Thomas Roth and Yonka. Open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Saturday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. 2300 Harbor Blvd. in Costa Mesa. 949.631.5888.
The summer sale is on now through Sept. 1 at Westerly, Corona del Mar’s source for hip designers like Elizabeth and James, Current Elliott, Vena Cava, Patterson J. Kincaid, J. Brand, Chick with Guns and many more. Save 20% off full price merchandise, and with sale merchandise—save 50% off first item, 60% off 2nd item and 70% off third items.. Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. 2908 East Coast Hwy in Corona del Mar. 949.313.7111
Anaheim Patio at The Market Place is hosting its 12th annual Labor Day Weekend tent Sale Friday through Monday. Save 15 to 75% off dining sets, chaise lounges, umbrellas, bar stools, firepits, seating groups, outdoor entertaining accessories and more. Also choose from select barbeques and fireplace items, as well as one-of-a-kind items and discontinued products. Top brands featured are Brown Jordan, Tropitone, OW Lee, Hanamint, Malin, Summer Classics and others. 13722 Jamboree in Irvine.714.669.9271.715 E. Birch St. in Brea. 714.671.9445. 6811 Warner Ave. in Huntington Beach. 714.894.0382.
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