News for Restaurants in Orange County, CA
February 2012 Archive

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RESTAURANT NEWS

Openings

Mozambique Steakhouse, the sprawling, multi-level South African-inspired steakhouse in Laguna Beach, has launched a fast-casual concept called Mozambique Peri-Peri in Newport Beach. The offshoot, located in The Bluffs shopping center, will feature a host of casual dishes that extend the main restaurant's milieu of South African fare in the form of various sandwiches, salads, curries and platters. For more information, please visit www.mozambiqueperiperi.com. Lunch & Dinner daily. Mozambique Peri Peri, The Bluffs, 1332 Bison Ave., Newport Beach, CA 92660, 949-718-0956.

Now open in Laguna Niguel is Spike's Fish House. This casual seafood restaurant specializes in grilled-to-order fish served with house-made sauces. Menu items include seafood chowder, Hawaiian ahi poke nachos, Cajun salmon tacos, and a Fish House Plate with salmon or "panko-style" tilapia, white or brown rice and vegetables. For more information, visit spikesfishhouse.com. Spike's Fish House, 27020 Alicia Pkwy. #D, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677, 949-448-8488.

Bruxie is bringing their sweet and savory waffle sandwiches to Rancho Santa Margarita. Like the other locations, this third branch of the restaurant will serve sandwiches on Belgian waffles as well as salads, frozen custard shakes, floats and sundaes. For more information, visit www.bruxie.com. Bruxie, 22205 El Paseo, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688, no phone.

Paul Martin's American Grill, the Orange County spinoff of El Segundo's Paul Martin's American Bistro, has opened its doors in the Irvine Spectrum. Restaurateurs Brian Bennett and Paul Fleming have joined forces with Orange County chef Jorge Estrada to offer contemporary cuisine that emphasizes the close relationships the trio has forged with more than 40 farmstead producers. Entrées include items such as "brick" chicken with mashed potatoes and an herb au jus, and Prime New York steak served with Pt. Reyes blue cheese, roasted red pepper and sautéed spinach. Paul Martin's American Grill, Irvine Spectrum, 31 Fortune Dr. Ste. 302, Irvine, CA 92618, 949-453-1144.

News Bytes

New Cocktails at Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar in Newport Beach has unveiled a revamped cocktail menu. The venue has augmented its list of libations traditionally served with 10 new hand-crafted cocktails that range from updated versions of classic drinks to libations built around seasonal ingredients. Some of the new cocktails include a modern version of the sailor daiquiri made with rum, fresh pineapple and lime juices; a limóncello martini featuring house-made lemon-thyme simple syrup; and a margarita featuring fresh lime juice muddled with cucumber and hints of cilantro and jalepeno. Prices range from $10.95 to $12.50. Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar , Fashion Island, 455 Newport Center Dr., Newport Beach, CA 92660, 949-720-9633.

Pre-theatre Dining at Charlie Palmer at Bloomingdale's
Charlie Palmer at Bloomingdale's South Coast Plaza has introduced a pre-theatre menu available every day from 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. The three-course menu costs $55 per person and includes choices such as sweet potato butternut squash soup, followed by pan-roasted Sonoma chicken, flat-iron steak or mushroom crusted Scottish salmon. For dessert, choose either dark chocolate molten cake or persimmon upside down cake. Charlie Palmer at Bloomingdale's South Coast Plaza, South Coast Plaza, 3333 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, CA 92626, 714-352-2525.

Chef Shuffle

Check back soon for more news.

Closings

CLOSED FOR GOOD
Take your taste buds on a walk down memory lane! Check out our exclusive closed restaurant database for Orange County to virtually visit your favorite dining spots from yesteryear. Aqua, R.I.P.

Infusion Restaurant & Martini Bar in Ladera Ranch has shuttered. There was no reason given for the closing of this family-run venue, which had earned a solid reputation for its cocktail program. Future utilizations for the space it left behind have not been determined. Infusion Restaurant & Martini Bar, Mercantile West Shopping Center, 25612 Crown Valley Pkwy., Ste. L1, Ladera Ranch, CA 92694, no phone.

Enne Cucina Italiana in San Clemente has closed its doors. No reason was given for its shuttering, and no announcements have been made regarding what will replace the venue, which was located in the city's bustling Talega Village Center. Enne Cucina Italiana, Talega Village Center, 831 Via Suerte, Ste. 101, San Clemente, CA 92673, no phone.

La Brea Bakery Cafe in Downtown Disney will briefly close in mid-March for renovations. It is scheduled to re-open in April. La Brea Bakery Cafe, Downtown Disney, 1556 S. Disneyland Dr., Anaheim, CA 92802, 714-490-0233.

CULINARY EVENTS
Want to learn to cook? Try new dishes? Meet a foodie friend for fun? Check out our compilation of culinary events in your area.

View our calendar of Wine Dinners & Tastings in Orange County

BEYONCE INSPIRED LIBATIONS

Try these whiskey cocktails inspired by Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter album.

Check the recipes.

BOURBON IN YOUR AIOLI

This cashew aioli recipe gets a kick with bourbon.

Get the recipe.

GAYOT'S RESTAURANT AWARDS

Over the years, we have been electing restaurants to be on GAYOT's Yearly Restaurant Awards.

Check the list.

News for Restaurants in Orange County, CA February 2012 Archive

News for Restaurants in Orange County, CA
February 2012 Archive