Sample the South Coast

The restaurants in the South Coast Plaza area have organized to host a Summer Food & Wine festival tonight, from 5:30 to 8:30 at Crystal Court. Proceeds from the festival benefit the Food Distribution Center in Orange and the Someone Cares Soup Kitchen in Costa Mesa. The entire ticket price ($30) will go to charity, organizers said.

More than 30 restaurants are participating, as are wineries, breweries, coffee makers and bottled water distributors from throughout the state. The admission fee includes food samples, wine, other beverages and entertainment.

Bangkok Four, Diva, Birraporetti’s and Wolfgang Puck Cafe are among the participating restaurants; Berringer, Clos du Bois, Cuvaison and Morgan are providing wine. For more information, call (714) 435-2160.

3333 Bear St., Costa Mesa.

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Saddleback College will create its version of New Orleans’ Bourbon Street this Saturday, playing host to Queen Ida and her six-member band. The evening begins at 5:30 with food and beverage samplings from local merchants, face-painting and wandering minstrels. The Trinidad Islanders Steel Drum band will perform.

Queen Ida goes on at 8 p.m. Concert tickets are $10, and food and beverage prices vary.

Participating restaurants include Ruby’s Diner, Souplantation, Amsterdam Coffeehouse and Tijuana Willie’s. All proceeds benefit the Angels, a support organization for the performing arts at Saddleback. For information: (714) 582-4656.

28000 Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo.

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Pascal restaurant commemorates the 50th anniversary of D-day on Monday with an open house from 6 to 9 p.m. A stand-up buffet includes specialties from owner Pascal Olhats’ native Normandy: crepes, chicken sauteed in Calvados (the local liqueur), cheeses and pastries. Admission is 50 French francs, or $10. For reservations, call (714) 752-0107.

1000 Bristol St., Newport Beach.