CUISINE AND COLD WEATHER: The decadent dining we crave when things get a touch frosty, even in the vicinity of Orange County, is plentiful. Hearty skewers, rich stews, and super-big bread baskets often rule wintertime meals, the appetizing experiences reflect the chillier time of year. But when spring is in sweet sight, our snack-centered thoughts… still turn to stews, and skewers, and all of the slices we long to munch. We’re also dreaming of lighter fare, and salads, and cocktails made for sipping outdoors. The timing of Orange County Restaurant Week is, in short, quite perfect: Arriving near the very final days of winter means we’re longing to find luscious meals that run the gourmet gamut.
DOZENS OF RESTAURANTS, from Fullerton to Newport Beach to Santa Ana, will participate in the 2026 affair, which sizzles ‘n bakes from March 8 through 14. Prix fixe menus, which will give guests a variety of tastes and plates, will be in focus, and frou-frou libations, too. “OC Restaurant Week has never been just about specially priced menus, it’s about how it feels to dine out and connect with family and friends,” explains Pamela Waitt, Founder of OC Restaurant Week and President of OC Restaurant Association, Inc. “There’s a shared understanding that something meaningful is happening across our community as we celebrate the many individuals who are the backbone of our culinary community — from owners and chefs, to cooks and servers.”…