by rage staff
To say that it has been a challenging time for the restaurant industry is a colossal understatement, and the Orange County Restaurant Association has come up with some new creative ways to give local restaurants a boost.
It has always been the association’s mission to showcase and celebrate local restaurants, restaurateurs and chefs, and this year is no exception. Additional events have been added to support and drive traffic to restaurants whose normal operations have been greatly affected by COVID-19 restrictions. The Taste, Explore & Experience Tour 2021 with a lineup of culinary events is designed to encourage diners to get out and support their local establishments. Confirmed events for the first half of the year include OC Restaurant Week, Margarita Crawl, Brunch Week and Burger Week.
Restaurant Week was originally created as a means to explore the culinary globe and enjoy 18-plus regions of this delicious bountiful planet during this weeklong celebration of the taste buds. Diners will get the royal treatment as they participate in Restaurant Week with thoughtfully crafted menus, cocktails and takeout specials designed specifically for this momentous week of diverse dining options.
The Rage Monthly caught up with the creative and determined Pamela Waitt, president of the OC Restaurant Association, to find out how she has reimagined Restaurant Week during these unprecedented times.
Rage has attended the Restaurant Week launch for several years and it will be missed this year, but congratulations on your never-ending innovation and support of the industry. If you were to chart out the ultimate roadmap for a foodie during OCRW, what would it entail?
I love this question, because this should be a very fun experience! One of the best parts of OC Restaurant Week is exploring parts of Orange County you may not normally try. I would say the ultimate foodie adventure could be going to a different restaurant each day for lunch and/or dinner, and indulge in modern American cuisine as well as the exotic flavors from different countries around the world. Creating a weeklong roadmap exploration will also give a financial boost to these restaurants that have been through so much in the past year. One of my other favorite benefits about the event is no grocery shopping, no cooking and no dishes or cleanup all week, just delicious restaurant cuisine.
At the time of this interview, outdoor dining had just been reinstated, but not indoor as of yet. What other options will diners have this year to get in on the deals?
The event is designed for food lovers to celebrate their own way; there are family meals, date night takeout deals, prix-fixe lunch and dinner menus to enjoy at the restaurants, special event cocktails and wine specials. If you love food, we have menus for everyone. This year cocktail specials will feature concoctions by Maker’s Mark, Hornitos and Liquor 43.
Last fall you initiated a second OCRW that lasted for two weeks to give a boost to the struggling restaurant scene during the pandemic. Is this something you may keep in place for the foreseeable future?
We may! It’s always fun to explore the flavors of fall. So, stay tuned.
Everyone is impressed by your imagination and vision when creating unique culinary events. This year it is The Taste, Explore & Experience Tour 2021. How would you best explain where your inspiration and ideas come from?
I think people need more fun in their lives these days, and restaurants need the business. The inspiration comes from that sentiment. The Taste, Explore & Experience Tour creates a lineup of fabulous food and drink experiences, so everyone wins. The tour begins with OC Restaurant Week, Margarita Crawl, Brunch Week and then Burger Week. These tasty events span from March through July.
Finally, what advice would you give someone who is new to OCRW?
Visit OCRestaurantWeek.com and research all of the mouthwatering participating restaurants and their special menus for the week. My advice is . . . GO EAT great food all week long!
Orange County Restaurant Week takes place Sunday, March 7 through Saturday, March 13. Participating restaurants, menus, cocktails and more available at: ocrestaurantweek.com.
EVEN MORE WAYS TO DELIGHT YOUR APPETITE
Margarita Crawl
O.C., L.A. and Long Beach on Sunday, March 21 through Saturday, March 27
One of the most beloved cocktails in Southern California is the margarita. This shake-and-pour event presented by Tequila Herradura will take place throughout Orange County, Los Angeles and Long Beach. The margarita is a diverse libation that ranges from tangy, salty and sweet to sexy and spicy with each local restaurant adding their own signature flair. A good margarita is always better when paired with bites, and each restaurant will offer special Margarita Crawl food items. For the latest on participating restaurants, menus and more, visit margaritacrawl.com
Brunch Week
Orange County on Sunday, May 16 through Saturday, May 22
There’s a reason why brunch is one of our favorite meals – it not only gives us the food we crave, but brunchy cocktails and its association with the weekend make it a meal we look forward to. Brunch Week creates a fun and delicious way to explore and experience Orange County’s many restaurants, while brunching all day, every day for an entire week! Participating restaurants, menus, cocktails and more will be updated at brunchweek.com
Burger Week
O.C., L.A. and Long Beach on Sunday, July 11 through Saturday, July 17
The third annual Burger Week event will highlight burgers from participating restaurants throughout Orange County, Los Angeles and Long Beach. During the weeklong event, diners can explore a variety of burgers, ranging from classic to creative, featuring various proteins from beef to plant-based. Many restaurants will also feature takeout packages and special cocktails. Participating restaurants, menus and featured cocktails will be updated at burgerweek.com
For general information, participation information, sponsorship opportunities or membership in the Orange County Restaurant Association, visit ocrestaurantassociation.org