The Catalina Island Chamber of Commerce & Visitor’s Bureau, sponsor of the fourteenth annual Taste Around of Avalon, is pleased to announce the winners of this year’s “Best Tastes.” This year’s winner of the “Best Taste of Food” is Avalon Grille and the “Best Taste of Drink – with alcohol” winner the Catallac. The “Best Taste of Drink – without alcohol” is Catalina Coffee & Cookie Co. and the “Best Taste of Dessert” winner is Steve’s Steakhouse
Seventeen participating establishments offered 33 “tastes” in the annual event, held this year on Thursday, May 31. Each first place winner receives $100 and the top three winners are honored in the annual Catalina Island Visitors Guide, as well as on the Chamber’s website. Over 500 participants enjoyed the beautiful evening tasting the scrumptious food, dessert and drink offerings and then voting for their favorites.
Avalon Grille won in the “Best Taste of Food” category, serving a Shrimp & Pork Ramen Bowl. Second place went to El Galleon, for their house-special ribs, and Maggie’s Blue Rose took home third place honors for their Avocado Enchiladas & Duck Mole Taquitos.
In the “Best Taste of Drink – with alcohol” category, The Catallac cruised into first place with their special Catallac Margarita. Steve’s Steakhouse placed second with their Key Lime Pie Martini, and Avalon Grille finished third with the Dragonberry Mojito.
Catalina Coffee & Cookie Co. won “Best Taste of Drink – without alcohol” for their Strawberry Hibiscus Ice Tea. Café Metropole was second with their Green Pier Juice, with Coyote Joe’s in third with the Bernadette Smoothie.
The winner in the “Best Taste of Dessert” was Steve’s Steakhouse, with their Key Lime Pie. Scoops came in second with their Acai Bowl, and Lloyd’s of Avalon was third with their Chocolate Cheesecake Pop.
Congratulations to all the winners. A big thank you goes out to all the food and beverage establishments for participating and to all the residents and visitors who came out for the evening and voted for the Best Tastes of Avalon!
