Greer's OC

Orange County already boasts its fair share of sophisticated Mexican cuisine from the likes of non-TV celeb chefs such as Chef Carlos Salgado at Taco Maria at SoCo; Chef Deborah Schneider at Sol Cocina in Newport Beach and Solita Tacos and Margaritas opening Dec. 26 at Bella Terra in Huntington Beach; and Chef Gabbi Patrick's at Gabbi’s Mexican Kitchen in Old Towne Orange. Not to mention the machine at Javier’s that’s hands down the best people watching scene in Orange County.

And now, celeb Chef Rick Bayless, most known for PBS’ “Mexico One Plate at a Time” and Bravo’s “Top Chef Masters” just opened the upscale Red O Restaurant at Fashion Island, following the success of his Red O on Melrose in Los Angeles.

At Red O, Bayless is showcasing sophisticated Oaxacan influenced cuisine with locally-sourced seasonal ingredients, and the ambience couldn’t be more fantastic thanks to award-winning Los Angeles based interior designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard who went all out with a European design mixed with traditional Mexican inspirations.

You don’t want to miss our favorite guacamole tasting with pomegranate-walnut, classic guacomole, macha, and yuzu Guacamole with shishito peppers served with fried sweet plantains; or the delicious corn and goat cheese tamales, and braised short rib enchiladas with red guajillo chile sauce, melted Sonoma Jack cheese, black beans, frisee, and watercress.

Bayless is offering signature dishes, as well as exclusive dishes only available at Red O Fashion Island. Choose from hand-crafted tortas, griddle-baked Mexican sandwiches made with fillings such as beer-braised beef short ribs, chipotle chicken, garlicky shrimp and goat cheese; and a lollipop kale salad with avocado, cucumber, ruby red grapefruit, pomegranate seeds, toasted panko, and orange-habanero vinaigrette.  

Other menu highlights include Yucatecan shrimp and calamari ceviche, sweet plantain sopes, Sonoma duck taquitos with pork belly sopes, scallops in verde, salmon in serrano crema, and lobster jicama tacos.  Classic desserts get a Mexican twist such as creamy goat cheese cheesecake with caramel corn and Mexican “root beer” sauce.

Tequila enthusiasts will appreciate Bayless’ hand select list of 100 unique tequilas, and Red O manages an extensive list of more than 400 international wines and pairings, specialty beers and seasonal cocktails. Have a question? Red O offers an expertly trained staff of sommeliers to help you.

Open daily for lunch and dinner from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Lounge and bar open until 1 a.m. nightly

Red O Restaurant is at 143 Newport Center Drive in Newport Beach. 949.718.0300.

Eyeconic Two-Day Sale

Get over to Eyeconik Eyewear’s two day sale in Santa Ana starting today and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. All frames will be 50 to 65% off. High-end frames such as Initium Eyewear that were originally priced from $350 to $750 will be just $100. Eyeconik’s lenses will also be 50% off; and you can purchase a frame without buying the lenses. Petrol premium polarized sunwear will be priced at just $40.

Eyeconic Eyewear is at 3100 W. Warner Ave., Suite 6 in Santa Ana. 714.969.4444.