Greer's OC

Newport Beach just landed the closest thing to a French bistro that you can find in Orange County. A lifelong dream came true for Paris born and raised, Laurent Vrignaud, who left France 30 years ago and has worked in the action sports industry, but always yearned to open a bistro that serves his favorite French comfort foods from his childhood.

He’s been collecting French memorabilia, art, bistro chairs, and decor almost his entire life for his future café. Today, Moulin Bistro opened in Newport Beach in the former Pascal Epicerie, another famed French-style bakery/café.

The entire layout has been changed and opened up: there’s an exhibition style bakery, the exact same Rotisol oven you can find in France roasting rotisserie chickens to perfection, bistro tables and chairs, and cases where you can pick up fresh-from-the-oven baguettes, croissants and other classic pastries baked throughout each day, fresh rotisserie chickens, charcuterie and cheese plates, wine and beer, and traditional bistro fare.

Now, he’s recreated the same experience for his 12-year-old daughter that he had as a boy, a place to go after school just like his grandparent’s Parisian market.

Breakfast is served all day including a selection of omelettes, fresh-squeezed orange juice, and quintessential bistro dishes such as pain perdu topped with powdered sugar and strawberries, and served with jam or syrup on the side; tartine with a side of butter and gourmet jam.

Lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and will include sandwiches on baguettes, le croque monsieur, la quiche, assorted salads, charcuterie and cheese plates, and beloved bistro dishes such as organic roasted chicken with herbes de Provence slow-cooked served with pomme frites, daily specials like coq au vin, steak frites, duck cassoulet, boeuf bourguignon, and more.

Desserts will be made fresh each day and include les tartes, les eclairs, Paris Brest, mille-feuille, crème caramel and crème brûlée, les crepes and Sophie’s Café Gourmand, named for Vrignaud’s wife Sophie and her favorite dish when she visits Paris, this includes an espresso and three mini desserts

Champagne, rosé, and several reds and whites - is being carefully selected to showcase the well-known wine producing regions of France. Moulin offers two French beers on tap as well as cidre and beer cocktails including Panaché and Monaco.

Open daily 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Moulin Bistro is at 1000 North Bristol Street in Newport Beach. 844.376.6243.

Seafood Dinner with Michael Mina at Stonehill Tavern

You can join an exclusive, three-course Sustainable Seafood Dinnerwith Michael Mina at Stonehill Tavern at the St. Regis Monarch Beach on Thursday, October 16 at 6:30 p.m.

James Beard Award-winning Chef Michael Mina will be creating each course alongside Executive Chef Raj Dixit, with organic wine pairings, and the proceeds will benefit the Resort’s neighbor, The Ocean Institute.

Chef Michael and Chef Raj will present each dish, discussing the importance of sourcing seafood sustainably and other topics. Dishes include a Sunset Shellfish station on the Restaurant’s ocean view terrace paired with champagne, as well as the main course - Local Rockfish Cioppino utilizing the whole fish.

During the evening, guests will have the opportunity to participate in the Resort’s raffle for $10 per ticket, with prizes including a Chef’sTasting Menu Dinner with wine pairings for two at Stonehill Tavern, Sunday Champagne Brunch for two at Motif, an overnight stay at the Resort, and more. Seating is limited and is priced at $165 per person, inclusive of organic wine pairings.

St. Regis is at 1 Monarch Beach Resort in Dana Point. 949.234.3318