Reading about OC historic preservation on OCLNN got us thinking about some of our favorite OC historical buildings that also serve incredible foods and/or make ideal venues for events and parties.
The Ramos House Café in San Juan Capistrano was built in 1881 and is reportedly on the oldest residential street in California. Forgetting all of that, it’s just one of the best places in OC (maybe all of CA) for breakfast, lunch and weekend brunch. Chef and owner John Humphreys, a graduate of the New York’s famed Culinary Institute of America, lives on the property where he prepares homemade Southern-influenced contemporary dishes. You just have to try their scrambled egg dishes, crab hash with smoked bacon and sour cream remoulade, and to-die-for French toast. Oh, and it’s hidden and no reservations either. Just park near the San Juan Capistrano train station. Open 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. 31752 Los Rios St. in San Juan Capistrano. 949.443.1342
The Heritage Hill Historical Park in Lake Forest is one of our all-time favorite spots in OC that doesn’t have an ocean view. The four-acre park is home to four historic buildings dating back to 1863, with guided tours Wednesday through Sunday. The idyllic grounds are available for weddings, parties and other events. Heritage Hill Historical Park at 25151 Serrano Road in Lake Forest. 949.923.2230
The McCharles House in old town Tustin is a perfectly restored Victorian built in 1885 with a beautiful organic garden. The charming venue and garden is a favorite for teas, weddings, parties, and even film and photo settings. Mother and daughter owners Audrey and Vivian offer a reservation only seasonal menu with heirloom recipes including shepherd’s pie, pot roast soup and peaches and cream pie. Call ahead for formal high tea served with traditional finger sandwiches and bakery items. 335 S C St. in Tustin. 714.731.4063.
Irvine-based Wienerschnitzel, a name synomymous with hot dogs and famous for its 46-year-old chili recipe, has just added a limited time fish menu. I just don’t know what to think. Now through Easter, Sunday, April 4 you can order three new fish items (the sea dog, fish wrap and fish n’chips) as an alternative to meat for Lent observers on Fridays. The fish items feature flaky, white Alaskan pollock. Here’s a list of OC Winenerschnitzel’s for you!
Music, fashion, and art, oh my! The free Urban Arts Fest is returning to UCI Wednesday through Friday with a new collaboration with students, the Hip Hop Congress and Graffiti Beach. The Urban Arts Festival 2010 will feature up and coming fashions, a dance showcase, live entertainment, and a hip-hop concert from Zion-I and Aloe Blacc.
Highlights include a fashion show Thursday at 6:30 p.m. from Graffiti Beach featuring clothes from rka, Denim of Virtue (pictured above), Rock Revival, Tank Theory, Vlado Footwear, Shag, Ha-67, and handmade clothing and art from Steppie. You can shop from brands that include Angel Sunglasses, Anarchy Sunglasses, Nimo, Andrew Sebastian, Sunflower Swimwear, Three Digits, Heums Clothing, B Fly Clothing, Verve, Rad is Rad, Sick Star, Upful Skateboards, Sweet Evie, Kid Dangerous, Handmade Hearts and many more.
There will also be a live graffiti art from Brad Parker, Rick Ramos and Matt Lee Thursday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Food provided by Honest Tea and p.o.p Candy.
It all happens at UCI Campus at Ring Road and Aldrich Park. For a schedule of events check here.
Laguna Beach-based Sonatasia musicians and performers and Haitian American pianist Jonathan Cambry will be performing music of Chopin, Rachmaninoff, Mendelssohn, and others as well as contemporary music at a series of concerts Thursday through Sunday to benefit the relief effort in Haiti. All performers will be donating their time and talents so that all funds go directly to the relief effort. $25 suggested donation; any amount accepted. Thursday at 7 p.m. Keyboard Concepts in Tustin; Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. Geneva Presbyterian Church, Laguna Hills; Sunday at 3 p.m. at Laguna Presbyterian Church, Laguna Beach. More info, click here.
Orange County Fare is a new cookbook featuring the very best recipes submitted and tested by Junior League members. It includes a tour of OC through photographs and insightful information. It’s also the very first “green” Junior League cookbook, made with 100% recycled paper. Proceeds from the sale of the book support the Junior League of Orange County. The book sells for $29.95, available at 20 specialty stores that you can find online or purchase here.
We Like It: Raw: Don’t miss RAW:Fullerton Thursday at 8 p.m. at OC’s newest hot spot, the Cherch Lounge! It’s a funky, fresh and innovative event to bring local artists to the public eye. Local artisans will feature their art in the geometric shaped and sunken rooms. Cherch features a 40-foot wall with video projection that engulfs the entire space! Fashion show, art/photo gallery, musical act, short film, awesome cosmetologists and an all around circus of local creativity. 101 S. Harbor Blvd at the corner of Commonwealth in Fullerton. You must RSVP to attend!
Sunday, Bloody, Sunday: DIY (Do-it-Yourself) Sunday Bloody Mary Brunch is happens every Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m at Charlie Palmer at Bloomingdale’s South Coast Plaza. For $35 you can treat yourself to an appetizer, entrée, and unlimited Bloody Marys. Charlie Palmer’s provides the vodka; and you can master the art of the perfect Bloody Mary with their diverse fresh-market ingredients: heirloom cherry tomatoes, fresh herbs, smoked chipotle purée, green olive tapenade, sun dried tomato pesto and much more. A la carte small plates and a 3-course prix fixe lunch ($26) are also available. Charlie Palmer at Bloomingdale’s South Coast Plaza. 714.352.2525.
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