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News for Restaurants in Orange County, CA
February 2013 Archive

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RESTAURANT NEWS


Openings

ARC Food & Libations, a culinary concept featuring contemporary American cuisine built around locally sourced ingredients and artisanal products, has opened in the white-hot OC Mix building at Costa Mesa's South Coast Collection. The eatery, whose weathered wood interior is meant to evoke the ambiance of an old-time apothecary, is anchored by an open kitchen where guests can see chef/partner Noah Blom utilize an open flame to craft forward-thinking yet simply prepared contemporary bites. The restaurant also features a handcrafted cocktail program based upon similar principles of locality and artisan quality. For more information, please visit www.arcrestaurant.com. Lunch & Dinner daily. ARC Food & Libations, OC Mix at South Coast Collection, 3321 Hyland Ave. Ste. F, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, 949-500-5561.
 
Surfas Culinary District, the restaurant supply and gourmet foods store, opened a location in Costa Mesa. Like the original, shoppers will find aisles of commercial kitchen equipment, cutlery, tools, and other professional culinary items, plus edibles like caviar and European chocolate. There is also the Cafe Surfas serving breakfast and lunch, an area for cooking demonstrations, and a cheese and charcuterie bar. Surfas Culinary District, 3309 Hyland Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626, 714-453-2665.
 

News Bytes

New Bloody Mary Brunch Menu at Charlie Palmer at Bloomingdale's
Charlie Palmer at Bloomingdale's South Coast Plaza has unveiled a new menu for their Bloody Mary Brunch. Every Sunday from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., guests can indulge in unlimited, custom-made Bloody Marys as they enjoy executive chef Seakyeong Kim's new mix of internationally inspired entrées and kicked-up traditional fare. Some of the selections include house-smoked sturgeon with potato shallot and tropical fruit relish; salmon rillette scotch egg with Meyer lemon caper butter sauce; and braised chicken chilaquiles with chorizo and avocado. The cost is $40, which includes the Bloody Mary Bar, one appetizer, and one main entrée. Brunch menu items are also available a la carte. Charlie Palmer at Bloomingdale's South Coast Plaza, South Coast Plaza, 3333 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, CA 92626, 714-352-2525.
 


Chef Shuffle

Chris Powell has taken over as executive chef at Orange Hill Restaurant. Powell comes to the iconic Orange restaurant after nearly two decades of building his culinary acumen in the San Diego area, including eight years of executive chef experience. Chris plans on infusing the eatery's menu with a contemporary-themed, farm-to-table concept dubbed "modern California coastal cuisine," where fresh regional ingredients and relationships with purveyors and farmers are placed at the forefront. Orange Hill Restaurant, 6410 E. Chapman Ave., Orange, CA 92869, 714-997-2910.
 

 

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.

Kimera Restaurant & Lounge has closed its doors. The Irvine based-eatery, known for serving up modern American cuisine, cited an inability to come to terms with its landlord as its reason for its shuttering. No immediate plans for a replacement restaurant have been announced. Kimera Restaurant & Lounge, Google Building, 19530 Jamboree Rd., Irvine, CA 92612, no phone.
 
The Hyatt Regency Newport Beach has closed its flagship restaurant, Sol. The sprawling hotel has replaced the eatery with a brand new venue, SHOR American Seafood Grill. The new restaurant, which opened in late January, features a menu that focuses on surf-based items, including daily specials touting fish freshly caught from local docks. Sol Closure, Hyatt Regency Newport Beach, 1107 Jamboree Rd., Newport Beach, CA 92660, no phone.
 

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

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