Greer's OC

Blog

It Takes Nerve!

11.14.11

We’re beyond thankful to have California’s first dedicated stem cell research center at UC Irvine. Researchers at the Sue & Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center at UCI are behind the first human clinical trial in the world for human embryonic stem cell-based therapy for damaged spinal cord tissue. Stem cells could change medicine and help benefit victims of strokes, spinal cord injury, Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s disease, age-related blindness, cancer, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, HIV/AIDS and other diseases.

My sons Taylor and Tristan (a type 1 diabetic) and I were fortunate enough to take part the Center’s “It Takes Nerve” PSA in support of stem cell research. Renowned supporters in the PSA include San Diego Chargers Antonio Gates, Olympic gold winning diver Greg Louganis, TV personality Leeza Gibbons, Newport Beach pro surfing legend Corky Carroll, Proposition 71 author Bob Klein, UC Irvine students and many others. You can watch the PSA here, and if you want to learn what you can do for stem cell research, visit www.TakesNerve.com.

Pin It

Dining

THANKSGIVING DINING IN OC!

11.13.11

By Sheryll Alexander

For those who aren’t prepared to cook Thanksgiving dinner or who just don’t feel like dealing with the mess, here’s some of the best Thanksgiving feasts in OC.

TAPS Fish House & Brewery

A fish house and brewery may not sound like the best place for Thanksgiving dinner (held from noon-8 p.m.), but actually TAPS has one of the best all-you-can eat buffets in OC. We love TAPS buffet brunch on Sundays, so a Thanksgiving brunch sounds like heaven, right? Just a few of the items include herb-brined turkey, braised turkey legs, honey-glazed ham, Prime roast beef, freshly-shucked oysters, mashed potatoes, gravy, gingered cranberries, roasted yams, bacon-braised collard greens, pumpkin bisque, sushi rolls, poached shrimp, curried potato salad, tiramisu, cheesecake, chocolate fountain, banana crème, pumpkin, apple and pecan pies. The cost is $39.99 for adults and $14.99 for children. Can’t make it to TAPS for the feast? Drop by and buy a “growler” or two of award-winning brewmaster Victor Novak’s pumpkin ale for your Thanksgiving table.

TAPS Fish House & Brewery, 101 E. Imperial Hwy., Brea, 714-257-0101, www.tapsfishhouse.com/brea/.

Claim Jumper South Coast Plaza

Claim Jumper is serving a three-course Thanksgiving dinner. Start with soup (New England clam chowder, potato cheddar, creamy chicken tortilla) or salad (house or Caesar). Next, choose from roasted turkey ($21.99), broiled salmon ($24.99) or slow-roasted prime rib ($29.99) with roasted vegetables and mashed potatoes, baked potato or sweet potato. End with lattice apple pie or pumpkin pie with whipped cream. The $10.99 children’s menu of turkey, chicken nuggets or macaroni and cheese also comes with mashed potatoes, soup or salad and pumpkin pie with whipped cream. For more details, visit http://www.claimjumper.com/include/files/ThanksgivingMenu.pdf

Charlie Palmer at Bloomingdale's South Coast Plaza

Charlie Palmer is offering a three-course prix fixe Thanksgiving dinner (held from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.) of New American comfort food dishes such as Maine lobster chowder, roasted beet salad, chestnut potato gnocchi, slow-basted organic turkey, red wine-braised beef cheeks, pan-roasted Sonoma chicken, oil-poached Scottish salmon and spiced pumpkin tart. The cost is $75 for adults and $35 for children 12 and under (tax and gratuity excluded). For full menu, visit http://www.charliepalmer.com/Properties/CharliePalmerAtBloomingdales/Menu/?MenuId=480.

Charlie Palmer at Bloomingdale's South Coast Plaza, 3333 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, 714-352-2525, www.charliepalmer.com.

Sapphire Laguna

Chef Azmin Ghahreman always prepares Thanksgiving meals to eat out in his charming Crafstman bungalow or relaxing outdoor patio and to take home. This year, he’s preparing a three-course Thanksgiving meal with such dishes as salmon corn chowder, butternut squash and goat cheese tart, duck rielette, Kurobuta pork shank, herb-roasted Diestel turkey, beef tenderloin, classic pumpkin pie and apple-walnut streudel with raisin ice cream and sauce anglaise. The cost depends on the entrée choice and ranges from $45-$64 (exclusive of tax and gratuity). A children’s menu is available. Or, order a Thanksgiving meal to take home. For $345 (plus tax), Sapphire cooks up a 10-item dinner for 6-8 persons. This Thanksgiving Meal To-Go includes a whole roasted Diestel turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, chutney, gravy, rolls, three side dishes and one dessert. At Sapphire Pantry, order up a la carte menu items such as pumpkin ravioli, a shrimp Waldorf salad, artisanal cheese platters and pies (caramel apple, pecan and pumpkin).

Sapphire Laguna, 1200 S. Coast Hwy., Laguna, 949-715-9888, http://.www.sapphirellc.com/.

Leatherby’s Cafe Rouge

Leatherby’s, which is located inside a highly modern and sophisticated space at OC’s new concert hall, is featuring a three-course prix fixe Thanksgiving dinner (from 2 p.m. to close) with choices such as butternut squash ravioli, lobster bisque, organic free-range turkey breast and turkey leg confit with all the trimmings, beef tenderloin, salt-baked sea bass, apple pie and warm pumpkin cake. The cost is $48 for adults and $19.95 for children 12 and under (tax and gratuity excluded). For full menu, visit http://www.patinagroup.com/restaurants/20/menus/Leatherbys-Cafe-Rouge-Thanksgiving-menu-2011.pdf.

Leatherby’s Cafe Rouge, Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 615 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa, 714-429-7640, www.patinagroup.com.

Pinot Provence

The chic French country décor at Pinot Provence makes for a relaxing holiday and so does the three-course prix fixe Thanksgiving dinner (held from 1-9 p.m.) with French-American comfort dishes such as pumpkin bisque, maple-roasted ham, basil risotto, brown butter Dover sole, old-fashioned turkey dinner with all the trimmings, pan-roasted hanger steak, black truffle pork sausage, apple pie Tatin, pecan cake and pumpkin pie cake. The cost is $45 for adults and $19.95 for children 12 and under (tax and gratuity excluded). For full menu, visit http://www.patinagroup.com/restaurants/25/menus/Pinot-Provence-Thanksgiving-menu-2011.pdf.

Pinot Provence, The Westin South Coast Plaza, 686 Anton Blvd., Costa Mesa, 714-444-5900, www.patinagroup.com.

Scott's Restaurant & Bar

Scott’s has that New Orleans vibe, so enjoy a three-course prix fixe Thanksgiving dinner (held from noon-8 p.m.) with choices such as Scott’s signature calamari (yum!), an oyster trio, butternut squash soup, roast turkey with all the trimmings, slow-roasted Prime rib, glazed bake ham, pumpkin cheesecake and apple cobbler. Family-sized sides are $9 extra and feature bakes yams and marshmallows, truffle macaroni and cheese, broccoli casserole, steamed asparagus, sautéed mushrooms and Brussels sprouts with bacon. The cost is $65 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under(tax and gratuity excluded). For full menu, visit http://freepdfhosting.com/7e28c5bb32.pdf.

Scott's Restaurant & Bar, 3300 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, 714-979-2400, www.scottsrestaurantandbar.com.

Sheryll Alexander runs a news media agency based in Costa Mesa, California. Follow her! @sheryllalexande

Pin It