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

BEST ROASTED CRAB EVER AT ANQI!

By Greer Wylder

September 07, 2011

Review by Sheryll Alexander We were seriously wowed recently by a dinner of roasted Dungeness crabs prepared personally by Mama Helene An using her signature family recipe at the House of An’s South Coast Plaza location, AnQi Bistro. We had heard of Mama An’s garlic-and-pepper roasted crab, which is available at AnQi only on Tuesdays during dinner service. Why Tuesdays only? That’s the day when Master Chef and Matriarch “Mama An” travels from her home kitchens at Crustacean Beverly Hills with dozens of 2.5 lb. Pacific waters Dungeness crabs in the trunk. Once she arrives at Costa Mesa’s AnQi Bistro,…

WE LOVE STARFISH LAGUNA TAKE OUT!

By Greer Wylder

September 04, 2011

Review by Sheryll Alexander Now that summer is over and weekday evenings seem to be exhausting, Starfish Laguna brings fine Asian fusion cuisine to your car door. We recently tried this fabulous take-out service by renowned Laguna restaurateur Nancy Wilhelm, who also runs Laguna's award-winning Tabu Grill. Yes, our family thoroughly enjoyed a Starfish Laguna feast after a long, stressful day. Isn’t it amazing how some Thai-inspired food can perk up your spirits so? We started our palates dancing with light-as-air, yet savory “ma po” tofu lettuce wraps. The kids loved the hearty Kobe beef sliders. The highlight of the…

ZTEJAS LAUNCHES CHILE FEST MENU!

By Greer Wylder

September 02, 2011

By Sheryll Alexander Every September, we get excited about the annual "chile fest" menu at South Coast Plaza’s Z’Tejas. Held from Sept. 6-25, this year’s chile fest features eight chile-inspired dishes. Plus, $1 from each child fest entrée is donated to the Costa Mesa Fire Department’s Woman’s and Orphan’s Fund. Start your meal with a frosty margarita and an order of chile-and-onion rings ($7.99). Next, order an entrée such a chicken tinga rellenos ($11.99/lunch and $12.99/dinner), jambalaya farfalle ($16.99/lunch and $18.99/dinner), prickly pear glazed meatballs ($10.99), Ancho trout ($17.99) or green chile carne guisada ($13.99). Lunch-only items include chile chicken…

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…