Greer's OC

Dining

ROYAL HAWAIIAN BRUNCH!

10.25.11

By Sheryll Alexander

North Laguna is the perfect place to enjoy a leisurely Saturday or Sunday morning and the historic Royal Hawaiian restaurant makes the weekend journey even better.

On a recent visit one foggy Saturday morning, we passed right by the way-too-crowded The Cottage and the way-too-swanky Las Brisas. Just across from the Laguna Art Museum on the beach side of PCH, Royal Hawaiian beckoned with its quiet interior and totally unpretentious dining room.

Once no more than a beach bungalow in the 1940s, The Royal Hawaiian has been completely remodeled (and without too much tiki kitsch) as a way cool hang out for singles, couples, families, groups and for those who love to sit at a friendly and cozy bar. Sports plays on the TV during the day in the iconic Royal Hawaiian bar, but live music is on the menu almost every night of the week.

We were here, however, to try out Royal Hawaiian’s new weekend breakfast menu.

Grown ups who drink before noon must order a spicy Bloody Marty, a famed Lapu Lapu or an umbrella-laden Pina Colada. We were steered towards the “sparkling” drinks and we were not disappointed. The “Big Island Bellini” was especially refreshing with its prosecco, peach schnapps and splash of cranberry juice.

As for the grub, Chef James Harris did an excellent job mixing Royal Hawaiian classic appetizers and entrees into this spot’s new breakfast menu as well as adding some soon-to-be brunch favorites such as the spicy Portuguese sausage and scrambled eggs or the fluffy French toast with coconut syrup and smoky bacon.

We were surprisingly wowed by the spam, egg and cheese sandwich entrée with light-as-air and slightly sweet brioche bun. The hot spam was sliced not too thin, not too thick and grilled to perfection. The egg was fried with a crisp exterior and a creamy interior. Yum!

If you are thinking about the ribs, please remember these Asian-style sticky and sweet ribs are not what you may expect if you love Southwestern barbecue.

An don’t miss the bread pudding dessert. This Hawaiian-inspired bread pudding comes with sliced bananas and a delectable caramel sauce. The brownie, which came topped with vanilla ice cream, tasted almost homemade and was deemed “worth the price and extra calories.”

After we were full and happy, we stepped out of Royal Hawaiian for some of Laguna’s most spectacular views (Heisler Park), places to play (Main Beach), shop (downtown Laguna), walk (South Laguna) and revel (Laguna Art Museum).

Royal Hawaiian, 331 Pacific Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, 949-494-8001, www.royalhawaiianlagunabeach.com

Sheryll Alexander runs a news media agency based In Costa Mesa, California. Follow her! @sheryllalexander or visit her journalist Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sheryll-Alexander/252517508109644

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Royal Masterpieces

10.24.11

Muzeo in Anaheim just opened the Queen’s Gallery, a world premiere exhibit that takes you back in time to Victorian England with more than 60 masterpieces by leading artists of the Victorian era. The collection is on loan through Jan. 8. 2012 from two highly respected and passionate collectors in Orange County, Dr. Howard and Linda Knohl.

Their private collection features art works from this period that reflect tumultuous social and political change, scientific discoveries and accelerated imperial expansion. Included in the exhibit is a masterpiece by James Sant, official portrait artist to Queen Victoria, as well as paintings by Sir Lawrence Alma Tadema, one of the most famous artists of this period. Also featured is a watercolor by Corbould, the Royal Family’s painting instructor, and art influenced by ancient legends and Greek myths.

The exhibit includes more than 400 personal and decorative objects from the British Empire such as walking sticks, weapons, match safes, music boxes, ivory sculptures, bronze statues, household necessities and fashion accessories.

Cost is $13 for adults and $9 for children. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Muzeo is at 241 S. Anaheim Blvd., in Anaheim. 714.956.8936.

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