Greer's OC | The latest in Orange County fashion, dining, and trends.

TWENTY EIGHT Brings Modern Chinese Cuisine to OC

By Greer Wylder

December 22, 2014

Top Chef’s Shirley Chung just opened Twenty Eight Restaurant & Lounge in Irvine that brings a refreshing spin on traditional Chinese cuisine with local, seasonal ingredients and bold flavors. Named after an important number to Chef Shirley’s partner, seasoned restaurateur Stacie Tran, that signifies positive change and success in traditional Chinese culture. Born and raised in Beijing, China, Chef Shirley is trained in classic French and Italian cuisine, and has an impressive culinary background including working for and opening restaurants with Thomas Keller, Guy Savoy and Mario Batali. "I like my cuisine to tell a story," says Chef Shirley, of her innovative menu…

Introducing: The Waffle Affair

By Greer Wylder

December 15, 2014

The new Waffle Affair in Newport Beach offers more than 21 types of sweet and savory waffles including traditional waffles and daily specialty waffles such as Liége and Madagascar Vanilla Bean. Each waffle is baked fresh-to-order with signature ingredients incorporated into the batter—no toppings required. The Waffle Affair’s co-founders Laury Zetrenne, Julie Tsang, Cindy Dickey and Lisa Favor traveled through Belgium and came home to perfect a batter after years of trial and error—their goal was to create a delicious waffle perfectly crisp on the outside, fluffy on the inside. In addition to the daily offerings, a menu of rotating…

Veggie Grill’s Seasonal Specials

By Greer Wylder

December 08, 2014

Eating vegetables doesn’t get much easier or better tasting than at Veggie Grill, our favorite fast-casual concept that features all plant-based soups, salads, burgers, sandwiches and desserts. Veggie Grill changes up the menu for the season and always features signature dishes like Quinoa Power Salad, Crispy Cauliflower, All Hail Kale Salad, Bombay Bowl, and the popular Sante Fe Crispy Chickin’. The newest menu items (priced from $3.45- $9.95) for the season includes: Crispy Portobellos – Fresh portobellos, lightly dusted and topped with a variety of spices and parsley, served with creamy ranch or roasted red pepper dipping sauce. All gluten…

Turkish Cuisine at Its Best

By Greer Wylder

October 24, 2014

The next time you head out for a Costco run in Fountain Valley, consider stopping by Istanbull Grill that’s in proximity to the behemoth Costco center, but across the street on Newhope. This place is unassuming from the outside, but inside you will find some of Orange County’s best Mediterranean cuisine. The portions are generous, the food is delicious and the prices are so reasonable. You’ll start with warm pita bread served with fresh olive oil and sundried tomatoes. And, we highly recommend the falafel; the babaganoush, a dip like hummus, but made with eggplant instead of chickpeas; and sigara…

Dine and Drink at Social Costa Mesa

By Greer Wylder

October 07, 2014

The new SOCIAL Costa Mesa on West 19th Street is a chef and ingredient-focused restaurant with locally-sourced produce and meats set in an open rustic atmosphere with reclaimed wooden tables and leather booths. SOCIAL’s team, restaurateur Andrew Dorsey, former Playground Chef Jeffrey Boullt, Chronic Tacos co-founder Dan Biello, and entrepreneur Mac Carlson are on a mission to provide Costa Mesa with a go-to place that has something for everyone: shared plates, weekend brunch, late-night bites, seasonal menus, indulgent entrees, as well as handcrafted cocktails. Chef Boullt has worked for award-winning chefs such as Eric Greenspan, Tory McPhail, Suzanne Goin, as…