Greer's Blog

Brio Brings the Best in New Year Prix Fixe Menus

Image
By Greer Wylder
December 29, 2015

Celebrate the start of the New Year in a delicious and low-key way at BRIO Tuscan Grille at Irvine Spectrum. They are offering a New Year three-course prix fixe menu available December 31 through January 2.   The limited-time menu includes crisp salads, delicious soups, a savory entrée and luscious desserts. Brio’s serving up favorite selections such as a Caesar salad with brioche croutons; lobster bisque with sautéed shrimp garnish; crab and shrimp crusted mahi mahi; strip steak with black pepper shrimp; crème brulee with vanilla bean and caramelized sugar; and a caramel mascarpone cheesecake with anglaise sauce, and vanilla…

Continue Reading

“Legend of the Giant Killers” Lido Theatre Screening

Image
By Greer Wylder
December 23, 2015

On Saturday, December 26 at 7:30 p.m. at the Lido Theater, “Legend of the Giant Killers” will screen, a documentary film made by two OC natives and Newport Harbor High alumni, Alex Crawford and Riley Hayes. It's the story of how one game can define a season and how one season can define the culture of the game—1967 Oregon State football team and their legacy. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., movie screens at 7:30 p.m. No host bar. Immediately following the film, there will a Q&A with Alex Crawford and Riley Hayes. There will also be limited edition merchandise for…

Continue Reading

Betsy Thagard, Founder of B. Toffee

Image
By Greer Wylder
December 21, 2015

We are excited to introduce the woman behind B. Toffee: Betsy Thagard, maker and founder of Orange County’s most beloved toffee. It took her years of experimenting and perfecting her toffee recipe that uses only the finest, freshest and most natural ingredients, from savory butters, to premium Guittard and Callebaut chocolates.  Today, B. Toffee is carried in high-end specialty stores across the country such as Dean & Deluca and Whole Foods, as well as top resorts and local boutiques and markets. In our 20 Q’s, Betsy shares among many things, what makes her toffee special, her company’s giving back initiative, and…

Continue Reading

Craft Beer, Ugly Sweaters, and Goodwill to All

Image
By Greer Wylder
December 21, 2015

Put on your ugliest holiday sweater and collect a few canned goods because Provisions Market in Old Towne Orange is hosting its 2nd Annual Ugly Sweater Competition on Wednesday, December 23 from 6-8 p.m. Provisions will serve its special holiday sausage sandwich and great craft beers during the holiday celebration. You can choose from eight 4-ounce tasters from selections on tap and a holiday sausage sandwich at $30 per guest; or, eight 4-ounce tasters from an archived and rare selection from the Bruery and a holiday sausage sandwich at $50 per guest. The rare selections from the Bruery include 2013 Tart…

Continue Reading

FIG & OLIVE, The Cookbook

Image
By Greer Wylder
December 18, 2015

Need a great gift idea for the home cook in your life? Fig & Olive’s founder and owner Laurent Halasz just launched the first-ever cookbook, "Fig & Olive, The Cuisine of the French Riviera" ($50) in collaboration with Assouline. The beautiful illustrated book explores the Mediterranean table as seen through the eyes of Halasz who was raised in the South of France and developed a passion for seasonal ingredients and olive oil as he and his mother Francine, frequented local markets. It features more than sixty simple recipes, including the restaurant’s signature Zucchini Carpaccio, Fig & Gorgonzola Tart, Whole Branzino…

Continue Reading