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

TACO ASYLUM LAUNCHES STEAK TACOS AND SIDES

By Greer Wylder

August 27, 2011

Review by Joanne Tucker Located at The Camp, Costa Mesa’s urban hipster green mall, taco asylum recently broadened its internationally-inspired menu to include a south-of-the-border grilled $5 steak taco (with fresh Argentinean chimichurri,buttermilk fried onions, potato hash) and healthy (and yummy!) new side dishes for tortilla-less bowls and more filling combination plates. How can rice and beans be low calorie and still taste good? When the rice is not rice, but a deliciously light cilantro-and-lime-flavored Israel couscous ($3). And when the beans are not beans, but a cold lentil salad ($3) with carrots, shallots, fennel and garlic in a red wine…

FRANK FAMILY VINEYARDS COMES TO PINOT PROVENCE!

By Greer Wylder

August 26, 2011

By Sheryll Alexander South Coast Plaza’s Pinot Provence is hosting a for-one-night-only wine dinner on Aug. 30 at 7 p.m. featuring Napa Valley’s esteemed Frank Family Vineyards and a five-course, wine-paired dinner by Pinot’s Chef Jason Petrie. The cost is $90 per person (excluding tax and gratuity) and includes such dishes and varietals as Hamachi tartare with Osetra caviar, black pepper nori brioche and Japanese citrus crème fraîche sorbet (with a Blanc de Blancs Champagne), crispy pork belly, roasted “silver queen” corn gateau, smoked corn-and-vanilla purée, summer squash and chive blossoms (with a 2009 Carneros Napa Chardonnay) and slow-braised veal…

FIVE CROWNS MODERNIZES WONDERFULLY!

By Greer Wylder

August 06, 2011

Review by Sheryll Alexander The old timbered beams overhead, the slightly creaky floors and the well-dressed servers (no longer in controversial wench outfits) still welcome you to Corona Del Mar’s iconic Five Crowns restaurant, but the interior and the menu have been revamped most wonderfully. Yes, Five Crowns has finally come into the 21st Century and in a very California “casual elegant” style or so we thought when we entered the main dining room after a months-long renovation that closed down the restaurant. What does Five Crowns look like now? Dark paneled walls are painted a sunny, cozy and muted…

BBQ BONANZA COMES TO OC!

By Greer Wylder

August 01, 2011

By Sheryll Alexander Orange County isn’t usually known for its barbecue, so now’s the time to attend OC’s first Texas-sized barbecue feast: The Orange County BBQ Bonanza. Held Aug. 18-21 at Fountain Valley Sports Park (16400 Brookhurst St.), this festival to all things barbecue boasts some of America’s best barbecue chefs as well as juicy ribs, grilled meats, savory and refreshing summer sides, non-stop live country music, a children’s area, artisan exhibits, a sports tent and beer and wine cantinas. Really hungry? The “VIP Rib Village experience” features endless ribs, sides, drinks and desserts as well as priority seating. OC…

Chocolate Does Good!

By Greer Wylder

July 27, 2011

As part of the chocolate fest, you can attend the opening night dinner gala Friday from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Anaheim White House restaurant in Anaheim to benefit Caterina's Club. Recently honored CNN as an American hero, owner Bruno Serato will offer a chocolate inspired four-course menu for the evening. (Bruno feeds 300 underprivileged kids every day.) The four-course dinner starts with coco gnocchi, Italian potato and flour dumplings in a milk chocolate and cinnamon sauce; followed by a watermelon salad with fresh fruit and chocolate vinaigrette; the main course is poached salmon atop a white chocolate mashed…