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FLEMING’S FOR ROMANCE, EASTER & MOTHER’S DAY!

04.07.11

By Sheryll Alexander

Need to take your beloved on a date or need a place for Easter or Mother’s Day brunch? We love Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar in Newport Beach’s Fashion Island as a great place for romance or tasty holiday meals.

“Memorable Meal” for Two

Through May 5, Fleming’s is offering a reasonably-priced prix fixe dinner for two ($125 for two). The three-course meal starts with a fresh spring salad, but the star of this romantic supper is a roasted Chateaubriand a deux with with black truffle bordelaise and lobster en fuego. Couples also share sides of French green beans and parmesan-peppercorn mashed potatoes. The meal ends with a sweet-and-savory warm pineapple tart. For just $39, you can add a bottle of one of Fleming’s favorite Cabernet blends (Francis Coppola Diamond Collection or 2008 Claret California Black Label). Ask for Memorable Meal menu.

Easter Brunch

On Sunday, Apr. 24, all Fleming’s locations open early at 11:30 a.m. for a three course brunch menu, which is offered until 3 p.m. The special brunch menu costs $32.95 per person ($15.95 for children’s brunch menu), plus the traditional à la carte menu is available as well. The Fleming’s Bellini cocktail is served all day on Easter for just $6.95.

Mother’s Day Brunch

Just around the corner on May 8, Mother’s Day is the perfect time to host your family for a relaxing Sunday brunch (same hours, prices and menu as Easter brunch above apply). Instead of a Bellini, however, Fleming’s is shaking up a 99-calorie cocktail called The Tickled Pink. And as a gift from Fleming’s, every mother who celebrates at Fleming’s receives a $25 Fleming’s Dining Card (valid from May 9-June 12, 2011) to use for a future evening out.

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, Fashion Island, 455 Newport Center Dr., Newport Beach, 949-720-9633, www.FlemingsSteakhouse.com.

Sheryll Alexander is a lifestyles editor and writer based in Costa Mesa, California.

SPRING IS DELISH AT Z’TEJAS

03.27.11

Review by Sheryll Alexander

Z’Tejas, which is a Southwestern-themed and reasonably-priced restaurant at South Coast Plaza, recently launched its new spring entrée and cocktail menu and we are hooked.

Chef Danny Stevens has done it again with his seasonal spring menu that features four fresh entrees, four splashy new cocktails and one truly delicious dessert. We were also surprised and pleased at the featured spring ingredient: ripe and savory Mission figs.

But first, start by ordering up a spring drink. For those needing to count calories, try the delightful “skinny” raspberry lemonade or the “skinny in pink” martini. There’s also a refreshing raspberry lemon drop ‘tini and a quite unique Chambord ginger cosmopolitan.

Our fave spring entrée is the pork tenderloin scallopine, where pork medallions are flattened, tenderized, dusted and flat-iron seared. Slightly spicy in a good way, these tasty pork tenders are served with an absolutely delicious cornbread fig dressing and finished with a perfectly-paired caramelized sage-guajillo demi glace.

We were also impressed with the smoked chicken pasta roll. Chef Stevens takes a mixture of smoked chicken, roctta and Jack cheeses, garlic and poblano chiles and rolls them in a lasagna-sized pasta. Next, he cuts them into rolls and then breads them in panko, fries them up and serves four huge slices with picante cream and green chile sauces.

The other spring entrée items include a refreshing citrus-glazed mahi mahi with mango salsa and a tender aged filet topped with succulent lobster and a chipotle-infused béarnaise sauce.

Perhaps the best dish on Z’Tejas’ spring menu is the Mission fig beignets. Super ripe and delicious Mission figs are chopped and whipped into the beignet dough itself. The result is a crunchy-on-the-outside, fluffy-and-savory-on-the-inside treat. This indulgent dessert serves enough for the entire table and also features a large scoop of cinnamon ice cream, a little raspberry sauce, some crème anglaise and fresh berries.

Z’Tejas, South Coast Plaza, 3333 Bear St., Costa Mesa, 714-979-7469, [url=http://www.ztejas.com]http://www.ztejas.com[/url].

Sheryll Alexander runs a news media agency based in Costa Mesa, Calif., where she is a professional freelance lifestyles editor and writer.

Dining

FLEMING’S FOR ROMANCE, EASTER & MOTHER’S DAY!

04.07.11

SPRING IS DELISH AT Z’TEJAS

03.27.11

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