 Annual Restaurant Issue Published
We want to congratulate Studio for its inclusion on our Top 40 Restaurants in the U.S. list published in our 2007 Restaurant Issue.
Openings
HEAT Ultra Lounge opens on July 11 at Anaheim's new GardenWalk, which is located at Harbor Boulevard and Katella Avenue. OC's newest 10,000-square-foot mega bar and dance club promises a state-of-the-art sound system along with premium lighting and electronics. The three separate lounge areas feature "super VIP booths" where guests can mix their own cocktails at the table if they pay extravagant bottle service rates. HEAT Ultra Lounge will be open Thursdays through Saturdays starting at 9 p.m. HEAT Ultra Lounge, Anaheim GardenWalk, 321 W. Katella Ave., Anaheim, CA 92802, no phone available yet.
Restaurateur Bronnie Lee of Wasa Sushi fame has opened Izakaya Wasa at Irvine Spectrum Center. This thoroughly modern space also has classic Japanese accents and the food features traditional Japanese "tapas." Along with a large sushi bar, Izakaya Wasa focuses on small plates fare such as marinated pork belly, diced garlic steak, Maui onion salad and a large yakitori selection. The restaurant, which is located next to the center's movie multiplex, also serves Wasa's signature "treasure" rolls and lots of Japanese sakés and beers. Izakaya Wasa, Irvine Spectrum Center, 71 Fortune Dr., Irvine, CA 82618, 949-753-5180.
Located in The District at Tustin Legacy, Strike is a bowling-meets-food-and-fun entertainment destination. The Strike facility houses a 5,000-square-foot sports bar, 30 high-tech bowling lanes, a video arcade room and a gourmet kitchen. The menu goes from traditional bowling grub of beers and burgers to more health-conscious selections like crisp crudités, smoked salmon bruschetta and fresh sushi. Strike, The District at Tustin Legacy, 2405 Park Ave., Tustin, CA 92782, 714-258-2695.
SusieCakes opens in Newport Height's Westcliff Center next to the ever-popular Kean Coffee. Founder Susan Sarich has developed a winner for true foodies with, among others, her cream cheesecake recipe. Based on classics from the ‘50s-‘70s, SusieCakes has phenomenally moist and sweet cupcakes (try the strawberry and chocolate-chocolate), cakes (red velvet, coconut, German chocolate, marble) and puddings (chocolate, vanilla, banana). The minimalist retro décor of white, sand and mint tones with bright stainless steel accents is pleasing to the eye. SusieCakes has other locations in Brentwood and Calabasas. SusieCakes, 2043 Westcliff Dr., Newport Beach, CA 92660, 949-646-6881.
The District at Tustin Legacy, which is a new food, retail and entertainment center at the intersection of Jamboree Road and Barranca Parkway, opened a slew of new restaurants recently. Among the center's offerings are sit-down fine dining and drinking establishments JT Schmid's, RA Sushi, Chaparosa Grill, The Auld Dubliner and Bluewater Grill, which relocated from South Coast Plaza. Several fast-casual restaurants, including The Cravery, Tacone, Go Roma and Red Brick Pizza, offer freshly-made foods. The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar and a Whole Foods Market round out the food and dining options at this one-million-square-foot center. The District at Tustin Legacy, 2437 Park Ave., Tustin, CA 92782, 714-259-9090.
Callaway Vineyard & Winery in Temecula has opened a new 5,000-sq. ft. restaurant, Meritage at Callaway. Executive chef Michael Henry has created a tapas menu with Mediterranean flavors, along with pairing suggestions featuring Callaway Winery wines. The restaurant is open for lunch Mon.-Sat. and for dinner Fri.-Sat. Meritage at Callaway, Callaway Vineyard & Winery, 32720 Rancho California Rd., Temecula, CA 92589, 951-676-5209.
In November, chef David Myers will open a branch of Comme Ca at the Offices of South Coast Plaza, a group of high-rise developments located near the South Coast Plaza shopping center. Like the original Comme Ca in West Hollywood, the menu will feature brasserie dishes like the soupe a l'oignon gratinée, roasted beef marrow with oxtail jam, and steak frites, in addition to a raw bar, extensive cheese program, and hand-crafted cocktails. The restaurant will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Comme Ca, 695 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa, CA 92626, no phone available yet.
Closings
Check back soon for more news.
News
Bytes
Chef Jamie Gwen Heats Up 97.1 FM
OC resident and celebrity chef Jamie Gwen has announced her new radio show on 97.1 FREE FM. Called Food & Wine with Chef Jamie Gwen, the hour-long show airs Sunday mornings at 9 a.m. The show discusses food and also has call-in questions, restaurant reviews, wine finds and interviews with the country's leading chefs, cookbook authors and restaurateurs. Gwen has written four books and is a guest chef on the Home Shopping Network. She has cooked with some of America's most celebrated chefs, including Emeril Lagasse, Wolfgang Puck and Joachim Splichal. Gwen makes her Food Network debut on Emeril Live this summer when he highlights recipes from her cookbook, Good Food for Good Times. For more information, visit www.chefjamie.com.
Grab a Bite and Grant a Wish
Morton's, The Steakhouse in Santa Ana is offering a classic hamburger for $19.78 to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. This gourmet burger, which inspired the chain's founders to launch their initial restaurant, is Prime sirloin served with french fries. Morton's, The Steakhouse, South Coast Plaza Village, 1641 W. Sunflower Ave., Santa Ana, CA 92704, 714-444-4834.
Redesigned Restaurant Pages
Our thousands of restaurant review pages now have a bold new look and interactive features that allow you to search easily for others near you. Click on the rating, price, cuisine and other features to search for more restaurants in that category. Let us know what you think of our new form and function. Email us here. |
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Chef
Shuffle
Frédéric Monnet has joined The Resort at Pelican Hill as the resort's chief pastry chef. Monnet says his pastry and dessert menus will feature strong Italian influences, with ingredients such as ricotta and mascarpone cheeses, fresh almonds and other nuts and the finest chocolate imported from Europe. Most recently, Monnet worked in the kitchens at The Ritz-Carlton, Key Biscayne and The Ritz Carlton, Marina del Rey.
Gianluca Re Fraschini has joined The Resort at Pelican Hill as chef of Andrea, which will be the seaside resort's signature dining venue. A native of Cuggiono, near Milan, he trained with several of Italy's most renowned chefs and apprenticed at Le Gavroche in London. In addition, Re Fraschini owned and served as executive chef at a traditional Italian eatery in Lake Garda, and also served as chef at restaurants in Spain, Luxembourg and Israel. The restaurant Andrea will offer a menu with strong Northern Italian and Tuscan influences and authentic touches. The Resort at Pelican Hill and Andrea are scheduled to open in late fall 2008.
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