Dining

TAKE DAD TO BRUNCH!
06.12.11
By Sheryll Alexander
Want to take your father or your husband (or both!) to a really cool Father’s Day Brunch? Here’s a list of father-friendly brunches and meal deals in OC:
Father’s Day Barbecue Brunch at The Catch
The Catch in Anaheim is a perfect spot to enjoy brunch with a sports-loving father. This all-you-can-eat brunch costs $34.95 per person (plus tax and gratuity) and $12.95 for children ages 3-10. Served from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m., this sumptuous brunch features fresh seafood on ice, salads, fruits, omelettes, pastas, Belgian waffles and chicken enchiladas, plus a pit barbecue on the patio grilling tri-tip, ribs, sausage, chicken and corn on the cob. For dessert, there’s a chocolate fountain, cheesecake, tiramisu and freshly-backed cookies. Sparking wine flows freely or guests can choose from two signature beers from The Catch’s cousin restaurant, TAPS Brewery.
The Catch, 2100 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim, 714-935-0101, www.thecatchanaheim.com.
AnQi’s Father’s Day Brunch
Hip and fashionable AnQi Bistro in South Coast Plaza is offering a creative a la carte brunch for Dad’s special day. Served from 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., the brunch features California-Asian fusion menu items such as Kalbi steak and eggs (with wasabi tater tots, a sunny side up egg and tamarind steak sauce), ginger French toast (with lemon grass syrup and Thai basil ice cream) and Vietnamese crepes (with chicken and pork ragu, bean sprouts, sweet chili sauce and charred frisée).
AnQi Bistro, South Coast Plaza, 3333 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, 714-557-5679, www.anqibistro.com.
Fleming’s for Father’s Day
Fathers receive a $25 dining card (for a future visit) when they visit Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar in Fashion Island on Father’s Day! This classic American steakhouse is serving a three-course prix fixe brunch on Father’s Day from 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. The brunch costs $32.95 per person ($15.95 for children) while the à la carte menu is also available. Some of the prix fixe menu items include a “wedge” salad, berry-stuffed French toast, filet Benedict and walnut turtle pie.
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, Fashion Island, 455 Newport Center Dr., Newport Beach, 949-720-9633, www.flemingssteakhouse.com.
Sapphire Laguna Loves Fathers Too
Sapphire Laguna is treating fathers to a hearty, three-course brunch on Father’s Day. Served from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., this global-inspired brunch costs $48 per person (exclusive of beverage, tax and gratuity) and $25 for children ages 5-12 (a kid’s menu is also available). Some of the menu items include Indonesian chilled shrimp, eggs Benedict, mascarpone-and-peach-stuffed French toast, Texas-style barbecue beef brisket, a lamb burger, rocky road ice cream cake and strawberry-rhubarb pie.
Sapphire Laguna, 1200 S. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, 949-715-9888, www.sapphirelaguna.com.
Rustica for Father’s Day
Has Dad been wanting to try Rustica? Just opened a few months ago and located in Fashion Island, Rustica serves up classic-meets-modern Italian food. But from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. on Father’s Day, Rustica is offering fathers a $35 (excluding tax and gratuity) four-course steak, potato and beer pairing menu along with a rustic dessert.
Rustica, 1133 Newport Center Dr., Newport Beach, 949-706-8282, http://www.rusticafashionisland.com.
Dads Love Lucca
Euro bistro Lucca Café is offering an extravagant all-you-can eat brunch this Father’s Day. Available from 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., the brunch features a cage free egg-and-omelette station, a carving station with certified Angus beef tri-tip and Diestel free-range turkey breast along with salads, hot entrees, antipasti, pastries and desserts. The cost is $29.95 per person ($34.95). Kids pay according to their age for this family-friendly buffet. Lucca Café is also offering their usual dinner menu from 5-9 p.m. that evening.
Lucca Café, Quail Hill Village Center, 6507 Quail Hill Pkwy. Irvine, 949-725-1773, http://www.luccacafe.com.
Barbecue Brunch at Prego
Prego Ristorante, which is one of OC’s best fine Italian restaurants, is taking over the grilling this Father’s Day with a barbecue-style brunch. Held from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. in the restaurant’s lovely Tuscan-inspired space, the brunch features grilled beef, pork, chicken or salmon along with side for $24,95 per person ($12.75 for children 8-12 and $6.99 for children 7 and younger). The restaurant’s traditional brunch menu is also served and includes such dishes as omelettes, eggs Benedict, frittatas, vanilla French toast, Belgian waffles and warm beignets.
Prego Ristorante, 18420 Von Karman Ave., Irvine, 949-553-1333, Phttp://www.pregoristoranti.com
Sheryll Alexander runs a news media agency based in Costa Mesa, California.

LA CREMA WINE DINNER AT VUE!
06.02.11
By Sheryll Alexander
One of the top wineries in the world, La Crema is hosting a wine dinner at the Laguna Cliff Marriott’s fabulous Vue restaurant on Thursday, June 9, starting at 6 p.m. (Seating is limited so call 949-487-7516 or the resort’s concierge at 949-487-7577 to make reservations.)
This extravagant six-course dinner (see menu below) costs just $90 per person (exclusive of tax and gratuity) and features the fine local and international ingredients, which are paired with exclusive La Crema wines.
Vue’s La Crema Wine Dinner Menu
Heirloom Tomato Salad
Avocado Pearls, Mache, Tangerine Oil, “Minus 8” Balsamic Infused Salt with 2009 La Crema Viogner, Bennett Valley
Asian Pear Consommé
Blue Crab, Watermelon, Toasted Pine Nuts, Vanilla Yogurt with 2009 La Crema Pinot Gris, Los Carneros
Red Sea Bream
Sweet Potato Hash, Pea Puree, Candy Ginger, Pomegranate Reduction with 2009 La Crema Pinot Noir Rose, Russian River Valley
Duck Medallions
Pan Seared Duck Breast, Goat Cheese Russian Polenta, Spaghetti Asparagus, Pinot Noir Cherry Gastrique, Truffle Oil with 2009 La Crema Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley
Rack of Lamb
Foie Gras Creme, Infused Blackberry Salad, White Balsamic Reduction, Mix Berries Compote with 2007 La Crema Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley
Lemongrass Soup
Salty Caramel Ice Cream, Chambord Reduction, Mint with 2008 La Crema Gewurztraminer, Late Harvest
Sheryll Alexander runs a news media agency based in Costa Mesa, California.
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