Chefs Will Be Flying High at Officers’ Club

Gravlox, carpaccio, Chinese chicken salad with sesame vinaigrette and rice tamales, crab cakes and creme brulee are not exactly your standard Marine fare. But they’re on the menu tomorrow night at the Marine Corps Air Station El Toro Officers’ Club in Irvine, where more than 18 Orange County restaurants will be serving up their finest. The goal: to raise funds to alleviate hardships suffered by dependent families of local Marine Corps and Navy personnel deployed during Desert Storm. The 6:30 p.m. benefit will highlight cuisine from such restaurants as Antonello Ristorante, Five Feet Too, Prego, The Rex, Gustav Anders and The Ritz. The evening was organized by residents of Emerald Bay/Irvine Cove and Laguna Beach and all proceeds benefit the Tustin-El Toro Auxiliary of the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society. Donations of $150, $300 or $500 can be made by purchasing a red, white or blue event ticket. Each ticket provides entry for two people and can be ordered by calling (714) 494-8571.

You can restaurant-hop and take a wine tour all under one roof tonight at the Hyatt Regency Irvine. Fifteen of Orange County’s top restaurants and 30 of California’s best-known wineries will participate in “A Toast from the Heart” to raise funds for the Volunteer Center of Greater Orange County. Participating restaurants include Bistro 201, the Golden Truffle, Royal Thai Cuisine, Black Sheep Bistro, Gandhi, Barbacoa and the Hyatt’s own Morell’s. Wineries include Rutherford Hill, Kendall-Jackson, Robert Mondavi, J. Pedroncelli, Trefethen, Chateau St. Michelle, Firestone, Fetzer and Vichon. A silent auction is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. and a live wine auction from 8 to 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $40 each. Information: (714) 953-5757.

“True Confections, a Chocolate-Lover’s Weekend” will unfold April 27 and 28 at Le Meridien Newport Beach. The weekend includes a chocolate and champagne reception, a chocolate souffle brunch and classes on cooking with chocolate. Instructors include Russell Armstrong, owner-chef of Trees Restaurant in Corona del Mar and Dana Point’s Leigh Sauser, owner of Azhmere Chocolatiere. Chefs from throughout Southern California will also participate in a “Truffle of the Year” contest. The weekend package, including a Saturday night stay, is $215 per couple, plus tax. Le Meridien hotel is at 4500 MacArthur Blvd. Information and reservations: (800) 543-4300 or (714) 2001.