While most fright night fun happens at local watering holes, in line at Knott’s Scary Farm or waiting patiently at home for sugar-spiked trick-or-treaters, some Orange County restaurants go all out for Halloween.
Two places in particular, Darkroom and Pete’s Sunset Grille, are offering two different ways to party down in honor of the devilish holiday. You can catch Darkroom’s special event on Wednesday, Oct. 29, while the festivities at Pete’s Sunset Grille will last from now through Nov. 2.
Darkroom
On Wednesday, Oct. 29, the lauded Santa Ana restaurant from Zach Scherer and Drew Adams will transform into “a spooky Goth church” for one night only.
A special menu of small bites will be on hand to feed revelers. “We will only be doing Halloween small bites and maybe a few Darkroom classics,” noted Scherer. Plus, there will be Halloween cocktail specials for the particularly parched.
Look for eerie and tasty menu items, including: tuna tartare, radicchio and savory strawberry; smoked beet and pomegranate tart; sumac, Urfa and ash chicken wings; baby back ribs with burnt apple and piquillo; pickled deviled eggs; potato jamon croquettes and more.
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Other festive highlights include a live DJ spinning dark wave and goth dance music, a photo booth and a costume contest with prizes kicking off at 8 p.m.
There is a $21 charge upon reservation to help cover the cost for the DJ and decorations (note: food and drink are separate). Space is limited, so snatch your tickets now at Exploretock. The event happens from 6 until 10 p.m.
Find it: 3751 South Harbor Blvd., suite C, Santa Ana, 657-777-3275
Pete’s Spookeasy at Pete’s Sunset Grille
For a different kind of haunt, the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort has transformed its dedicated restaurant, Pete’s Sunset Grille, into a Halloween-themed speakeasy pop-up.
This festive spot features themed lounges and decor, as well as a Halloween menu with bites like “Bugs” in Stinky Cheese (whipped goat cheese, dates, marzipan “grubs,” figs, hot honey served with Raincoast Crackers), cauldron queso (pepper jack dip with ground beef, corn salsa and micro cilantro), “char-boo-terie,” and Pasta from the Black Lagoon (squid ink spaghetti with shrimp, lobster cream sauce, roasted tomato and asparagus), to name a few.
Wash it all down with thematic cocktails such as the Hex on the Beach (Mt. Gay Black Barrel Rum, pineapple juice, orange juice, cream of coconut and nutmeg), Witching Hour (pumpkin-washed Templeton Rye Whiskey, pumpkin pie spice syrup and orange bitters), and Creature of the Lime Lagoon (jalapeño-infused Don Julio Blanco Tequila, lime and lemon juices, agave nectar, Grand Marnier and cucumber).
This pop-up is open now through Sunday, Nov. 2. Reservations are encouraged, but walk-ins are always welcome. Hours of operation are 11:30 a.m. until 10 p.m.
Find it: 21500 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach, 714-845-4775