Greer's OC

Costa Mesa’s west side is landing some great destination eateries. Social just opened on West 19^th Street, and it’s already one of our favorite restaurants in Orange County, and now the Boathouse Collective, a former event space and long before that wooden-hulled ships were constructed here on Pomona Avenue, just opened as a place for dining, art shows, music performances and special events.

It serves lunch, happy hour, dinner and Sunday brunch.

The Boathouse Collective was a longtime labor of love for founder, Clayton Peterson who transformed the space to become a hip and cool spot using all reclaimed materials and vintage objects, and turned the interior into a restaurant, too. Peterson saved the building’s historical and rustic elements and added an artistic and creative aesthetic ideal for the industrial surrounds. The interior features communal, high-top and bar seating; classic surfboards hang from the ceiling as a tribute to the legendary surfboard shapers of the area, from Peter Schroff to Hobie Alter.

The Boathouse container garden is a 3,000-square-foot outdoor patio space and herb garden with seating for 60 guests at communal tables and tables for four. All tables, wooden seating and planters were designed and hand-constructed by Peterson and his friends who were equally passionate about this innovative and artistic space.

Boathouse Collective serves a menu that’s perfect for family-style sharing created by Executive Chef Mathieu Royer, who came from Pizzeria Ortica, Hinoki and the Bird in Century City, and Morimoto in Napa Valley. Chef Royer emphasizes locally-sourced, organic and seasonal ingredients and his dishes are inspired by world travels and training under legendary master sushi chef Gen Mizoguchi.

The offerings include chicken katsu with Asian bar-be-que and hot mustard sauces, Kalbi short rib with chimichurri, fresh market sashimi with inspired accompaniment, roasted vegetable tacos, and a fresh garden burger or grass-fed burger with potato bun, aioli, gruyere, lettuce, tomato and pickled onions. On the dinner menu choose from scallops with manilla clam beurre blanc; a pork belly dish that is served in a light dashi broth with crispy, savory mochi; a filet mignon in red wine reduction served with pommes Anna. There’s also a fish taco platter, Boathouse burger, and katsu chicken sandwich.

The bar serves classic cocktails crafted with housemade ingredients and herbs from the outdoor garden whenever possible. There’s also a selection of foreign and domestic wines, and twelve craft beers.

Open for lunch 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; happy hour 3 to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.

Open for dinner 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday.

Open for late night snacks 10 p.m. through midnight Tuesday through Saturday; open for Sunday Brunch 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Boathouse Collective is at 1640 Pomona Avenue in Costa Mesa. 949.646.3176.

Center Club Giving Space for Non-Profits

For a limited time, the Center Club, a premier members-only private business and social club next to Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa, is offering non-profit organizations a complimentary event space. Approved organizations can have the venue fee waived as well as a ten percent discount off food and non-alcoholic beverages through Dec. 1.

Center Club wants to give back in a meaningful way, and by offering discounts to local non-profit organizations, Center Club can get to know organizations that are making a difference in the community.

To get more information visit clubcorp.com/Clubs/Center-Club. To inquire about event space, please reach out to: Shahin Vosough at shahin.vosough@clubcorp.com, or at 714-662-3414.

*Qualifying organizations must have 501(c)3 status and a federal tax ID and must book an event at the Club pursuant to a signed Private Event Contract on or before December 1, 2014. Offer is subject to availability and has no cash value. Other restrictions may apply.                    

Center Club is at 650 Town Center Drive, Garden Level in Costa Mesa.