Our Laguna: Weekend events include wine and a ball

Laguna Beach a la Carte was a tasty wine and food fest.

The four-day celebration showcased Laguna restaurants from March 8 to Sunday in an effort to promote the city as a foodie destination. It was hosted by the Laguna Beach Visitors & Conference Bureau.

On Saturday, Laguna Beach Uncorked! at the Festival of Arts was the signature event and a fundraiser for Children's Hospital of Orange County.

The event featured tastings from 25 eateries in our own backyard and 25 wineries from around the world, including the Laguna Canyon Winery. There was also beer from Cismontane Brewing Co. and sake provided by Ty Ku Sake.

"My favorites were the shrimp ceviche, gazpacho and s'mores prepared by Montage's Mosaic Bar and Grille and the salmon from Sapphire," said Sandy Hovanesian, one of the locals who attended the event, as well as the wine seminar by Peter Neptune that preceded it. Hovanesian said she also liked the generous servings of white wine at the La Playa booth.

Ara Hovanesian also liked Sapphire's salmon. The couple are regulars at the restaurant in the Old Pottery Place.

Friends of the Library President Martha Lydick voted for Royal Hawaiian's ahi poke, Tommy Bahama's tacos, 230 Forest's goat cheese brulee and the bananas foster bread pudding from House of Big Fish and Ice Cold Beer.

"It makes me want to go to the restaurants," Lydick said.

Other locals at the event included Mayor Jane Egly, Jim and Terri Johnson, Angie Miller, Mark and Miriam Singer and Laguna Playhouse Executive Director Karen Wood.

Everybody received a commemorative wine glass, one of those enormous goblets that wine is served in these days.

As for the wines poured, Lydick found the South African whites to her taste. Patsy Hadlich liked the Oregon whites, which she discovered on visits to her son and grandson.

Participating wineries included Axel, Beacon Hill, Belasco de Baquedano, Bernardus, Boekenhoutskloof, Chateau Montelena, Domaine Serene, Fairview, Famille Perrin, Frank Family Vineyards, Feudo Maccari, Hedges Family Estate, Louis Michel & Fils, Marques de Murrieta, Michele Chiralo, Neil Ellis, Nozzole, Pazo de Barrantes, Penfolds, Retour, Thompkin Cellars, Vincent Delaporte and Tres Sabores, whose chardonnay was delivered with VIP invitations to the event.