SAVOR SOUTHERN FRANCE AT PINOT PROVENCE

July 21, 2011

By Sheryll Alexander Starting this week (through Aug. 18), Pinot Provence’s newly-appointed executive chef Jason Petrie invites OC foodies to experience the rustic charm of Southern France. Yes, it’s time for Patina Group’s annual Summer in Provence series of dinners. Every Tuesday through Thursday from 5-9 p.m., Pinot Provence guests can sit on  the charming outdoor patio while Chef Petrie mans the grill and oversees the kitchen with tasting menus ranging from three to seven courses (priced between $40-$100 per person). Many of the dishes are prepared tableside while the lively patio rocks live music, French cocktails and excellent wine…

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WILD SALMON SEASON COMES TO KINGS FISH HOUSE!

July 19, 2011

By Sheryll Alexander King's Fish House, which has two OC locations at Huntington Beach’s Bella Terra Mall and near Anaheim Stadium, is now offering super fresh in-season wild Alaskan salmon. We recently taste tested some of these salmon dishes (along with excellent white wines by the glass) and we decided King’s Fish House is one of OC’s best seafood restaurants. With a menu that changes twice daily for lunch and dinner, King’s Fish House is a serious purveyor of the freshest seafood. In fact, King’s works directly with fishermen to cull seasonal seafood such as soft shell crabs (now in…

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Katsuya by Starck Opens Soon in Laguna!

June 30, 2011

By Joanne Tucker Get your chopsticks ready for a Japanese-inspired feast as Katsuya by Starck opened its doors last night for its premiere party. Located along PCH in the former hush space, Katsuya is named after Master Sushi Chef Katsuya Uechi. This sleek, sophisticated, yet warm and comfortable restaurant was created by a world-renowned designer Philippe Starck. The restaurant opens to the public on July 8. Starck’s all-wood bento-box inspired design was simplistic, but the backlit images of Geishas gave a striking backdrop to his Japanese décor. The dramatic use of black curtains around the robata bar highlighted what Starck…

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ANQI LAUNCHES NEW SUMMER AND MOLECULAR MENUS!

June 29, 2011

By Sheryll Alexander AnQi by Crustacean, which is located at South Coast Plaza near Bloomingdale’s, has launched its seasonal summer and “Molecular Monday” menus. AnQi’s Master Chef Helene An and Chef de Cuisine Ryan Carson collaborated to create sophisticated and refreshing summer menus featuring only high quality, natural, organic ingredients for the restaurant’s California-Asian fusion with Vietnamese fresh herbs and spices. For a refreshing and figure-friendly summer lunch, AnQi’s new “Ssam” lettuce wraps offer flavors such as Kurabota pork belly (with grilled prawns, sesame soy emulsion, red jalapeno and ssamjang) and  hamachi (with sweet chili-cashew sauce, golden garlic and rice…

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CHIPOTLE OPENS ON NEWPORT PENINSULA!

June 25, 2011

By Sheryll Alexander No longer do sun seekers or Newport Beach locals have to make the trek to Costa Mesa or Huntington Beach as a brand new Chipotle opens on Tuesday, July 28, right on Newport Boulevard between 31st and 32nd streets (and open from 10 a.m.-11 p.m.!) We love Chipotle Mexican Grill for the locally-sourced and organic produce, naturally-raised meats and build-you-own tacos, burritos and burrito “bowls” (a burrito without the tortilla served in a bowl). Every time we visit Chipotle, we are impressed with the quality of the ingredients, the delicious fresh salsa choices, the juicy meats, the…

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