The Dose

Laguna*s Shooting Star

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By Greer Wylder
June 29, 2011

Laguna Beach is the culinary hot-spot of summer, now that that Starfish, Nancy Wilhelm’s newest culinary concept is open, and we hear that (unofficially) Katsuya, the highly anticipated Philippe Stark designed restaurant will open Friday, July 8 in the former hush restaurant location. Starfish, across from the Montage Resort in South Laguna Beach, is Wilhelm’s latest foray into "AmerAsian" cuisine with influences from Thailand, Vietnam, China, Korea, and India. The menu features summer rolls, pho, udon and soba noodles, Bhutanese rice, wok sauté, ribs, and other classic Asian dishes with an American twist. Favorites include the the Kobe sliders, wild…

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Bundle Up at Lucca!

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By Greer Wylder
June 28, 2011

It’s no secret that Lucca Café in Irvine is one of our favorite restaurants in Orange County. Chef and co-owner Cathy Pavlos and husband/sommelier Elliott Pavlos bring us an unexpected Euro bistro and wine bar serving lunch, dinner and weekend brunch that’s focused on the season’s best ingredients (free-range, hormone-free meats and locally grown organic produce). Whether you are stopping in for an artisan cheese plate, handmade charcuterie an antipasto feast, or a tasty summer salad with yellow beets, heirloom tomatoes, burrata, fresh basil, basil pesto and Champagne vinaigrette (pictured above), you will be treated to a culinary experience featuring…

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The Summer of Mud!

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By Greer Wylder
June 27, 2011

Mud and water plus running makes for the perfect recipe for good clean fun. And you are in luck. There’s still time to register for the Irvine Lake Mud Run Sunday, July 17 at Irvine Lake. The race begins at 8 a.m., but morning waves are sold out. You can still register for individual or team afternoon waves before they sell out too. The 3.8-mile off road course covers trails and hills, as well as obstacles including jump walls, ramps, crawl tubes, and mud pits. This year’s course features new improvements like a mud luge and water-drenching opportunities to help…

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Coastal Chic Interiors!

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By Greer Wylder
June 24, 2011

Great interior design news for Orange County! Pal + Smith opened its first home store and design lab at the new South Coast Collection in Costa Mesa. Open to both retail and the trade, the eclectic 4,000-square-foot space houses Pal + Smith’s signature furniture collections, vintage lighting and select pieces of antique furniture; a design library and reference desk; and an interior design studio. Pal + Smith’s displays mid- to high-end treasures, custom proprietary pieces, and lines normally reserved to the trade including Osborne & Little, Designers Guild and Cassaro fabrics and wall coverings; Rosemary Hallgarten pillows and throws; Chameleon…

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OC Weekend: A Taste of Greece!

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By Greer Wylder
June 23, 2011

At Orange County’s annual “A Taste of Greece” festival Friday through Sunday at St. Paul’s Greek Orthodox Church in Irvine. you’re in for the best traditional Greek dishes, delicious homemade pastries and a variety of drinks, highlighted with a “Taverna,” offering Greek wines and beer. Arrive hungry, since you can fill up on delicious chicken, lamb chops, Greek French fries, gyros, pastichio (Greek lasagna), loucanico (Greek sausage), spanakopita (spinach and feta pie), dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves), saganaki (Greek brandy-flamed cheese), loukoumathes (Greek doughnut holes), Greek salad, calamari and more. In addition to the traditional Greek cuisine and wine, the three-day…

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