Duck, Duck, Goose

For a new holiday tradition, enjoy a classic Christmas goose dinner prepared by award-winning Chef Noal Blom at ARC Restaurant in Costa Mesa. In honor of Chef Blom’s mentor, the late-Chef Hans Prager, who served an annual holiday goose dinner at The Ritz in Newport Beach, Blom will offer a traditional goose dinner through December.

The ARC Holiday Goose Dinner includes coal roasted goose with black pepper, honey, mustard, caraway, and coriander; black iron potato "dumpling" with smashed Yukon, cream, and nutmeg; charred red cabbage with goose stock, duck fat, and lemon; and fire roasted apple with almond, goat cheese and chervil.

“I was introduced to the splendor of the Holiday Goose Dinner at age 14, when I began working for Chef Hans Prager. Although it is less common to see this type of dinner here in the states, the tradition is still kept alive by those hailing from European countries, where it is more common to serve goose around the holidays,” says Chef Blom, who owns ARC with his fiancée Marin Howarth. “This is our first holiday season at ARC and it just seemed natural to offer our take on the traditional Goose Dinner.”

ARC, short for American Roast House cuisine, specializes in seasonal, local produce and ingredients. In addition to roasted meats on the menu, Chef Noah offers meats as side dishes, with bacon, pork belly and quail available. And he’s added new sustainable seafood options, including roasted mahi, grilled salmon and seared ono.

Open daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. 

ARC is at Costa Mesa’s South Coast Collection, 3321 Hyland Ave., Suite F; 949.500.5561.

Cookie Exchange at Lulu TOO

Lulu Too Boutique in Costa Mesa celebrates its 9th annual Christmas Cookie Exchange today at 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Here’s how it works: bring 4 dozen of your favorite holiday cookies, and an extra take-home container.  While exchanging cookies, you can also shop the great apparel for the holidays and save 20% on everything.

Lulu Too is at 333 E. 17 St. in Costa Mesa. 949.232.8354.