The LA Times event, The Taste, took place last week at The Met in Costa Mesa. The event featured approximately 90 of LA and Orange County’s top food and beverage vendors over the two day period. If that wasn’t enough, the event also provided guests with live cooking demonstrations and live music.
Since Orange County is 948 square miles in size, it was nice to be able to sample so many different items in one location. Some of the restaurants I was familiar with and others were virtually unknown to me.
This year I decided to save on my wear and tear and I stayed overnight at nearby Avenue of the Arts, Costa Mesa. While the hotel was pleasant and comfortable, and I appreciated my quiet room with a beautiful view of the manmade lake. The Times partnered with Travel Costa Mesa to arrange discounts at eight other hotels nearby.
The event is dispersed over two areas of The Met. The Times event staff took advantage of this by spreading out the music so that attendees could benefit from two different experiences depending on whether they situated near the entrance or by the easternmost area of the property.
The line for Gus’s Fried Chicken 
A 20 minute wait for my fried chicken – not bad!
Because Gus’s Fried Chicken is made fresh to order, the chicken had not been fried in advance. Trays arrived from the back every 10 minutes; fortunately, my wait was only 20 minutes. Looking at the line after I was served, I’d say that some waited more than an hour for their fried chicken breast.
Ravioli stuffed with chanterelle mushrooms with a lamb balsamic sauce. 
Puesto’s Filet Mignon Taco
Choriman’s Zacatecano Red Chicken Chorizo Street Tacos 
Black Beans and Mole Tamale by La Vegana Mexicana
Pork Two Ways by 2145 
Short Ribs with creamy risotto by Louie’s by the Bay
Some of my favorites included the Ravioli with Lamb Neck from Ellie’s Long Beach. The ravioli was silky and appeared to be freshly made. It was stuffed with chanterelle mushrooms and served with a sauce made with lamb neck and aged balsamic. Crispy kale added some texture and contrast to this dish.
Another item I really enjoyed was the Filet Mignon Taco from Puesto. A generous serving of filet mignon is added to a crisp blue corn tortilla with melted cheese, avocado, and a spicy pistachio serrano salsa. Puesto uses organic, non-GMO, blue corn tortillas.
Moscow Mule in a Can! 
Watermelon Smash made with Ketel One
The beverage scene was equally exciting, Makers Mark returned from last year and was one of the most popular. Ketel One wasn’t far behind; many people were carrying the fruity “Watermelon Smash”. Bulleit’s Old Fashioned with vanilla bean and allspice made for an ultra-smooth old fashioned.
LA Food Columnist Benjamin Mims 
Sliced Apples and Peanut Salad
Taco Maria was awarded “Restaurant of the Year” by the LA Times. I was looking forward to hearing Owner / Chef Carlos Salgado speak. Food columnist Benjamin Mimms held his own substituting for Salgado. He gave an effective presentation “Sliced Apples and Peanut Salad” live on the LA Times Culinary Stage.
The Taste Costa Mesa is a well-organized food and beverage event that benefits from the capable LA Times Food staff. Not only was the food and libations tasty, but the great selection of tunes got everyone into a party mood.
The Times also presents its original Taste event annually on Labor Day weekend in Hollywood.
The Taste Costa Mesa
held at The Met, 555 Anton Blvd., Costa Mesa, CA 92626
events.latimes.com/taste
Hi Bryan,
Great review! The photos are really good. The Filet taco and the Watermelon Smash were the two items I would have as well. Smart you stayed over one night. Plus more food! Your description of everything gave me a sense that I was there too. It looks very organized as you said and that really does make a difference at these type of events.
Keep up the great work! Dean