Dining

CHIPOTLE OPENS ON NEWPORT PENINSULA!
06.25.11
By Sheryll Alexander
No longer do sun seekers or Newport Beach locals have to make the trek to Costa Mesa or Huntington Beach as a brand new Chipotle opens on Tuesday, July 28, right on Newport Boulevard between 31st and 32nd streets (and open from 10 a.m.-11 p.m.!)
We love Chipotle Mexican Grill for the locally-sourced and organic produce, naturally-raised meats and build-you-own tacos, burritos and burrito “bowls” (a burrito without the tortilla served in a bowl). Every time we visit Chipotle, we are impressed with the quality of the ingredients, the delicious fresh salsa choices, the juicy meats, the jasmine rice, the tender beans and the salty and crisp chips (and like-homemade guac!).
You gotta love a fast casual restaurant that is serious about bringing its customers top-notch ingredients. How serious is Chipotle? All meats come from animals that are humanely raised and never given antibiotics or hormones, including dairy products. Chipotle CEO Steve Ellis calls it “food with integrity” and we appreciate his vision and commitment to feed his guests healthy foods.
In fact, Ellis claims his restaurants serve more naturally-raised meats and local produce than any other restaurant in the country (about 100 million pounds in 2011 alone!). Don’t buy it? Ellis backs up his claim: the Newport Beach Chipotle restaurant will source bell peppers, jalapeños, and romaine from Cinagro Farms in Fillmore, Calif. and herbs from Herbthyme Farms in Pico Rivera, Calif.
Chipotle Newport Peninsula, The Landing/Pavilions Shopping Center, 3101 Newport Blvd., Newport Beach, 949-200-4354.
Sheryll Alexander runs a news media agency based in Costa Mesa, California. Follow her! @sheryllalexande

Leatherbys for Broadway Musicals!
06.22.11
By Sheryll Alexander
Leatherby’s Café Rouge, which is a Patina Group restaurant inside OC’s famed Henry and Renée Segerstrom Concert Hall, has announced a series of three pre-theatre, themed, prix fixe menus for the Broadway-caliber Mama Mia!, Mary Poppins and West Side Story musical performances.
We recommend Leatherby’s for dinner-and-a-performance because the scene is spectacular with the restaurant’s floor-to-ceiling clear and undulating walls and modern minimalist décor. Chef Ross Pangilinan’s modern American cuisine with international influences is just as pretty on the plate as it is delicious (and seasonal and organic!).
Beginning with the opening of Mamma Mia! (June 21-26), diners can choose from a three-course menu for $39 for adults (free for children!) or $54 for adults with wine pairing (excluding tax and gratuity). Highlights of the Mamma Mia-inspired Mediterranean menu include the “Dancing Queen” with romaine hearts, cucumber, tomato, feta, olive, bell pepper, and red onion in a lemon oregano dressing; the “Chick-ita,” a lemon-oregano organic chicken breast with crispy falafel and grilled farmers’ market vegetables; and the “Abba” – Zaba, a peanut butter sponge topped with vanilla panna cotta, peanut butter ice cream and crispy meringue.
For guests enjoying a meal before Mary Poppins (July 14-Aug. 7) Chef Pangilinan’s British-influenced dishes include “The Perfect Nanny,” an asparagus soup with poached crispy egg; the “Chim chim cher-ee,” a certified Angus beef sirloin steak with smoked salt, Yorkshire pudding, bubble and squeak and au jus; and “A Spoonful of Sugar” mini dessert tasting.
From Sept. 6-18, West Side Story’s Latin-themed menu items include the “Maria,” poached tiger shrimp with avocado and a spicy mango jam; “The Sharks,” grilled shark with mojo isleno, crispy plantains and a corn sofrito; and “Cool,” dulce de leche and a roasted pineapple empanada.
Leatherby’s Café Rouge, 615 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa, www.patinagroup.com/caferouge.
Sheryll Alexander runs a news media agency based in Costa Mesa, California. Follow her! @sheryllalexande
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