Greer's OC

Today marks the opening of the much-anticipated Lark Creek Newport Beach at Fashion Island. The restaurant, from the award-winning San Francisco-based Lark Creek Restaurant Group, will serve seasonal, sustainable, farm-fresh cuisine.

At dinner, Chef/Partner John Ledbetter, an Orange County native, will prepare heirloom tomato gazpacho with cucumber sorbet and fennel pollen; white shrimp ceviche with avocado, toy box tomato, cilantro, habanero, and lime, with plantain chips; wild King Salmon with saffron and yellow bell pepper broth, poached baby fennel, and olive tapenade; almond wood-grilled steaks like the “1855” New York Strip; and sides like grilled summer corn with fava beans. Dessert includes Lark Creek’s signature butterscotch pudding and a nectarine blueberry crisp.

Lark Creek Newport Beach will also offer sophisticated artisanal, hand-crafted cocktails such as the Bye & Bye, made with Hayman gin, Cocchi Americano, Dolin Blanc, Aperol, and grapefruit bitters, and Snake & Sizzle, with Zaya rum, green Chartreuse, St. Elizabeth’s Allspice Dram, lime, and maple syrup, as well as craft beers and a curated wine list.

Lark Creek Newport Beach will be open for dinner daily, with lunch and brunch service coming soon.

Open 5 to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 5 to 9 p.m.

Lunch starting Aug. 13 will be offered from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday; Happy Hour will be from 3 to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Brunch starting Aug. 19 will be offered from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
                                           
Lark Creek Newport Beach  is at Fashion Island in Newport Beach. 949.640.6700.

Gourmet Sausage in OC

San Luis Sausage, originally only available at high-end resorts, hotels and restaurants can now be enjoyed at home. They are available at The Bite Market in Old Towne, and Surfas Culinary District in Costa Mesa. The gourmet sausages are handmade with whole cuts of premium meat, locally sourced fruits and vegetables and hand-mixed spices, and are free of gluten, soy and preservatives.

Choose from four varieties available in 1 lb. four-link packs including  Chicken Mediterranean Sausage, a light blend of lean chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, pine nuts and red bell peppers ($7.50); Fiesta Chicken Sausage – premium cuts of chicken blended with bell peppers, onions, jalapenos and cilantro ($7.50); Chicken Apple Sausage, mixes chicken with local Granny Smith apples, onions and a touch of sherry ($7.50); and Linguiça Pork Sausage – a familiar flavor in Portuguese culture, a smoked and cured pork sausage with garlic and paprika ($7.60).

Knight created a variety of breakfast, lunch and dinner recipes using San Luis Sausages including “guilt-free” fiesta chicken chile rellenos, Mediterranean frittata and chicken apple sausage with potatoes.

The Bite Market is at 162-B N. Glassell St. in Orange.
Surfas Culinary Districts is at 3309 Hyland Ave. in Costa Mesa.