Giving Your Taste Buds a Workout in Costa Mesa

If you’ve got the stamina, this weekend’s three-day culinary event spotlighting Costa Mesa and environs is definitely for you. If you’ve got the stamina.

This year’s Taste of Costa Mesa should be a good one, with crowds of up to 20,000 total anticipated to jam the Plaza Tower at South Coast Plaza over the course of the three days. There’ll be retro entertainment from such ‘50s heartthrobs as the Diamonds (“Little Darlin’ �) and Little Anthony, along with abundant wines, champagnes and beer, and above all, a chance to sample the wares of approximately 30 local restaurants.

All proceeds from the event will benefit local groups and organizations.

Orange County may not have the rep of a San Francisco or New Orleans when it comes to good eating, but a glimpse at this year’s list of Taste of Costa Mesa participants is bound to impress. Gustaf Anders of South Coast Plaza Village will be there serving fresh oysters with spicy beef, and local maven David Wilhelm is bringing offerings from three restaurants, Bistro 201, Zuni Grill and Barbacoa. Have a hankering for dishes like coconut shrimp with tangerine mustard sauce, barbecued duck inside a sweet corn tamale or grilled duck on a bed of champagne cabbage?

But there will be much more, including a good representation of the area’s growing devotion to ethnic restaurants. Gandhi, an Indian restaurant, will be serving navrattan korma , creamed curried vegetables, and Hassan, a local master of Lebanese cuisine, is preparing shawarma , a minced, spiced lamb dish broiled on a spit and eaten in pita bread. There will be great Italian sausage from Lido Shipyard Sausage Company; satay , skewered, marinated meats from Bangkok 4 Thai restaurant, and Japanese fare from Kamakura. And don’t forget the good old U.S. of A. Barn Steak House and Newport Rib Company will be there, as well as Ruby’s Diner, serving its famous burger and fries.

It’s simple to taste here. Buy scrip at 10 pieces for $10 at any of the entry booths, and use them at the restaurant booths. Restaurants will charge from one to four pieces of scrip per taste.

What: Taste of Costa Mesa.

When: Friday, May 1, from 5 to 10 p.m.; Saturday, May 2, noon to 10 p.m.; Sunday, May 3, noon to 6 p.m.

Where: Plaza Tower in South Coast Metro, Costa Mesa.

Whereabouts: Exit the San Diego (405) Freeway at Bristol Street, go north on Bristol to South Coast Plaza entrance on left.

Wherewithal: Admission is $3; children 11 and under admitted free on Friday and Saturday. Taste scrip will sell at 10 scrip for $10.

Where to Call: (714) 548-4942.