May 24, 2019

15th Annual Taste Around of Avalon Winners Announced


The Catalina Island Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau, sponsor of the fifteenth 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 first-time participant Avalon Seafood & Fish Market and the “Best Taste of Drink – with alcohol” winner is El Galleon, participating for the first time under new ownership.  The “Best Taste of Drink – without alcohol” is Café Metropole and the “Best Taste of Dessert” winner is another first-time participant Toyon Grill by Bluewater.

Fifteen participating establishments offered 32 “Tastes” in the annual event, held this year on Thursday, May 30.  Each first place winner receives $100 and the top three winners in each category will be honored in the 2020 Catalina Island Visitors Guide, as well as on the official destination marketing website for Catalina Island.

Just under 600 participants enjoyed the beautiful evening tasting the scrumptious food, dessert and drink offerings while voting for their favorites. Tasters took take a break between bites to enjoy live music by The Isleños on Wrigley Stage from 6:00 pm to 8:30pm. The Isleños are a group of local boys who carve the sonic waves of Surf, Blues, and Rock music.

Avalon Seafood & Fish Market won in the “Best Taste of Food” category, serving Grilled Swordfish & Poke served over rice. Second place went to Avalon Grill, for their Miso Pork Belly Ramen & Spicy Shrimp Ramen, and Bluewater Avalon took home third place honors for their Seared Scallop appetizer.

In the “Best Taste of Drink – with alcohol” category, El Galleon was awarded first place with their delicious Painkiller Cocktail. The Catallac cruised into second with a Sour Puss Cocktail, while third place was a tie between Bluewater Avalon with a Spring Fever Gin & Tonic and Toyon Grill by Bluewater with their Prickly Pear Margarita.

Café Metropole won “Best Taste of Drink – without alcohol” for their Green Pier Cold Pressed Juice.  Catalina Coffee & Cookie Co. was second with their Honey Earl Grey Iced Tea, and Avalon Grill in third place with the Asian Pear Sparkler.

Taste AroundThe winner in the “Best Taste of Dessert” was Toyon Grill by Bluewater, with their Buffalo Milk Cheesecake. Lloyd’s of Avalon came in second with their Brownie Bowl accompanied by a slice of Apple Pie à la Mode, and Catalina Coffee & Cookie Co. was third with their Chocolate Bacon Muffin (pictured to the left)

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!

The mission of the Catalina Island Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau is to attract visitors and advocate for commerce on Catalina Island.  As the official Destination Marketing and Management Organization of Catalina Island, the nonprofit is governed by an elected board of directors and is funded in-part through the collection of Transient Occupancy Taxes paid by guests staying in area hotels and vacation rentals.