Greer's OC

Dining

Bruxie Opens in Old Towne Orange

11.08.10

By Greer Wylder

If you’ve ever been to the South you’ve either been to or driven past a Waffle House—the beloved diner is know for its southern hospitality and quick, hot, easy meals. Bruxie, which is opening today in Old Towne Orange, would be a Waffle House gone gourmet. It’s a concept unlike anything we’ve seen—as if waffles are the sixth food group. Think waffles for all meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner, dessert, mid-day snack or late-night treat.

Bruxie is serving more than a dozen sweet and savory gourmet waffle sandwiches. The menu offers two types of Belgian waffles: the Brussels waffle, light and crispy in texture; and the Liege waffle, a more dense, sweet, with Belgian-pearl sugar baked into it.

To satisfy the sweet tooth, Bruxie offers several sweet waffles, including S’mores with toasted marshmallows, drizzled with rich Belgian chocolate.

Other waffles including bacon, egg and cheddar; prosciutto and Gruyere; smoked salmon and dill cream cheese, sun-dried tomatoes and goat cheese; buttermilk fried chicken and waffle; and sweet waffles including fruit and cream; PB and J; Nutella and bananas; and lemon cream and berries.

Also available are old-fashioned cane sugar sodas custom made for Bruxie in OC, freshly brewed Peet’s Coffee and Tea, soft-serve frozen custard (in homage to Dairy Treet, the 61-year-old business formerly in the same location) shakes, sundaes and floats. Nothing on the menu exceeds $8.

It’s opening today at 11 a.m., then at 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. 292 N. Glassell Street (at Palm Avenue) in Old Towne Orange.

Tommy Bahama Opens in Laguna

11.01.10

By Joanne Tucker

The laid back charm and whimsical artistic vibe of Laguna Beach is captured at Tommy Bahama Laguna Beach Bar & Grill, which invites beach goers and locals to hang out in its Hawaiian Island-inspired décor of natural wood shutters, rich oil-rubbed bronzed hardware and railings and multiple windows to let in Laguna’s gentle ocean breezes.

Located in the newly-renovated 1931 landmark Heisler Building on the corner of PCH and Laguna Avenue, Tommy Bahama Laguna Beach Bar & Grill features an open air dining area and an adjacent retail store for diners to indulge in a shopping spree before or after drinks and bites when the restaurant opens on Saturday, Nov. 6.

Just steps away from Laguna’s Main Beach and shops, Tommy Bahama Laguna Beach offers contemporary American cuisine for lunch, dinner and in-between pick-me-ups in its open air dining area and way cool bar.

Lagunatics (Laguna Beach residents), day trippers and tourist alike sit at the modern, yet totally casual bar and sip on hand-crafted, tropical-inspired cocktail quenchers. Or, some order a microbrew on tap or a relaxing glass of wine from the rather extensive wine list.

Start with a selection of lobster corn dogs, ahi tuna tacos, shrimp Avalon (chilled tiger shrimp and Dungeness crab), the wedge salad or a generous cheese plate. We enjoyed the chilled shrimp Avalon and light and crispy ahi tuna tacos made with wonton shells, wasabi-lime infused avocado and Asian slaw. Starter prices range from $5-$16.

At the entrée course, we ordered the shrimp BLT. Yes, that’s right! Shrimp in a BLT that was loaded with Nueke’s applewood-smoked bacon, romaine lettuce, roma tomatoes, avocado and garlic aioli on toasted sourdough. Yummy!

Mains include a swordfish sandwich, pablano chicken, fillet and shrimp, mahi mahi. With the “Laguna Harvest” burger, you can choose the protein from Prime angus beef, chicken breast or veggie. Try a side of lobster macaroni and cheese, crispy fries with truffle oil and dried tomato risotto. Sides go for $5-$16 and entrees from $12-$25.

Could desserts get any better? Reasonably price from $6-$10, savor post-meal bites such as a real honest-to-goodness root beer float or a heavenly slice of banana cream pie or the triple chocolate cake with mocha mouse whipped cream.

After a time in Tommy Bahama’s Laguna food and drink paradise, browse the retail store for this quality surf brand’s men’s and women’s sportswear, swimwear, accessories and home décor.

Restaurant Hours:
Sunday to Thursday, 11:30 am - 11:00 pm
Friday & Saturday, 11:30 am – Midnight

Retail Hours
Thursday: 10 am -11 pm
Friday & Saturday: 10 am - Midnight

Parking:
Metered street parking and a public parking behind the restaurant off Laguna Avenue costs $6 (cash or credit card) for three hours.

400 South Coast Highway
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Restaurant: 949.376.6886
Retail: 949.376.6881

Website: www.tommybahama.com

Joanne Tucker is a lifestyles writer based in Costa Mesa.