Orange County Register

In the annals of well-executed PR stunts, I rank Canaletto’s 12-day “Carnevale” celebration pretty high.

The party, which started Friday, is chock full of events that will likely line the restaurant’s pocketbook (not to mention that of its Maserati dealership partner). That said, when I visited, the place was blowing up, and all the Carnevale stuff was pretty fun, from the juggling stiltwalker to the kick-butt accordion player to the super-elaborate masks and face paint adorning the mugs of half the people in the place.

Click here for a slideshow of the festivities and the food (including Canaletto’s mouth-watering locker of cured meats). A schedule of events is after the jump. 
*Tuesday, Feb. 17, 6 p.m.: Veneto Wine Dinner with Chef-Partner Alfonso Sanna ($65 per person), reservations required, (949) 640-0900.          
*Friday, Feb. 20, 4-8 p.m.: “Trio Accozzare” (musicians), Stilt walkers, Face Painter                    
*Saturday, Feb. 21, 11:30 a.m.: Carnevale Risotto Cooking Class, $28 per person, reservations required (949) 640-0900                   
*Sunday, Feb. 22, noon: Kids’ Masque Making Contest (complimentary pizza/sodas). Canaletto’s youngest guests are invited to decorate provided masques for special prizes.
*Tuesday, Feb. 24, 5-7 p.m.: Stilt Walkers, Face Painters, “Trio Accozzare” musicians, Arlecchino
*Daily Events: Venetian decorations, masques for guests, “Carnevale” food and wine, Happy Hour and Ferrari/Maserati of Newport Beach’s “Ride & Drive” event.

Also, here’s a review of Canaletto from our own Elizabeth Evans.

Canaletto Ristorante Veneto
545 Newport Center Drive
Newport Beach
949-640-0900

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