News for Restaurants in Orange County, CA
July 2009 Archive

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RESTAURANT NEWS

Openings

Andrei's Conscious Cuisine & Cocktails in Irvine has opened. Chef Yves Fournier, formerly of 6ix Park Grill and Sol, heads the kitchen of this modern American eatery with Mediterranean inspiration, which focuses only on organic, local and sustainable ingredients. Entrées range from $12-$30 and include such dishes as basil and goat cheese ravioli, grilled wild salmon, Alaskan halibut, roasted chicken and braised beef short ribs. The restaurant is open for lunch Mon.-Fri. and for dinner Mon.-Sat. Andrei's Conscious Cuisine & Cocktails, 2607 Main St., Irvine, CA 92614, 949-387-8887.

News Bytes

Veggie Grill Serves Green Wines
The Veggie Grill (University Center, Irvine Spectrum) has debuted "green" wines from MÁS Wine Company that use environmentally-friendly, air-tight, stainless steel mini tanks instead of bottles. Available by the glass ($6.50) or carafe ($15), the wines include the 2006 MÁS Vino red blend and the 2007 Chardonnay. The plant-based restaurant also offers two "green" beers from New Belgium Brewing Company ($3.50 per bottle). Veggie Grill, Irvine Spectrum, 81 Fortune Dr., Irvine, CA 92618, 949-727-9900.

Sunday Afternoon Barbecues at The Island
Too hot or too bored to stay at home on a Sunday afternoon? The Island Hotel Newport Beach opens its tropical pool for a family swim on Sunday afternoons, along with a family-style barbecue on its Palm Terrace patio. Families can start relaxing poolside starting at 3 p.m. and then nosh on chef Bill Bracken's Sunday Night barbecue menu beginning at 5 p.m. Some of the buffet's offerings include charred summer corn with spiced swordfish and lemon-cilantro vinaigrette; grilled California lamb chops with salsa verde; Prime beef sliders; strawberry shortcake and house-made ice creams. The cost is $34 for adults and $12 for children (complimentary for children under five). Reservations are suggested. The Island Hotel Newport Beach, 690 Newport Center Dr., Newport Beach, CA 92660, 949-759-0808.

Summer Specials at Lucca Café
Lucca Café at Irvine's Quail Hill Village Center has debuted its summer specials including a new summer dinner menu, al fresco patio dining during happy hour (5 p.m.-7 p.m.), an antipasto table and Spanish suppers on Sundays. The summer menu features such dishes as herb-crusted New Zealand baby lamb chops with clove-infused grilled figs, feta polenta and an ouzo-orange sauce. Chef Cathy Pavlos' fine antipasto table, with such delicacies as zucchini blossoms stuffed with herbed ricotta cheese, is available Wednesdays through Saturdays from 5 p.m.-9 p.m. Four-course Spanish-influenced suppers are offered on the second Sunday of each month and cost $40 per person (exclusive of tax and tip). Lucca Café, Quail Hill Village Center, 6507 Quail Hill Pkwy., Irvine, CA 92603, 949-725-1773.

TAPS Brewmaster Wins Five Gold Medals
TAPS Fish House & Brewery in Downtown Brea won five medals recently from two separate California-based competitions. The California State Fair bestowed a gold medal on TAPS' brewmaster Victor Novak's Cream Ale and a bronze medal for his Irish Red. The L.A. International Beer Fest honored TAPS with three awards: gold for the Cream Ale, silver for the Hefeweizen and bronze for the Belgian White. TAPS Fish House & Brewery, 101 E. Imperial Hwy., Brea, CA 92821, 714-257-0101.

Bubba Gump Offers Late-Night Happy Hour
Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Restaurant & Market, which is located at the Anaheim GardenWalk near The Disneyland Resort, now has a late-night happy hour menu from 9:30 p.m. until closing. Some of the items include signature shots ($4), specialty drinks ($6), draft beers ($3.50-$6) and beer-and-a-shot ($5.95). Appetizer specials feature garlic bread, French fries and popcorn shrimp ($3), Bubba's dip or onion rings ($4) and Cajun shrimp, chicken tenders or queso dip and chips ($5). Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Restaurant & Market, Anaheim GardenWalk, 321 W. Katella Ave., Anaheim, CA 92802, 714-635-4867.

A Real Prime $6 Burger
Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar in Fashion Island has introduced its Fleming's prime burger. Made from 8 oz. of Prime beef, the burger is hand-shaped, served on a knotted challah bun and topped with sharp Cheddar cheese, two slices of brown sugar-glazed bacon, crisp iceberg lettuce, a tomato sice and chipotle mayo. The burger is served with two onion rings the size of bangle bracelets. During Fleming's happy hour from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. each weekday, the burger costs just $6. After 7 p.m., the burger is available in the bar for $12. Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, Fashion Island, 455 Newport Center Dr., Newport Beach, CA 92660, 949-720-9633.

Chef Shuffle

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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.

Check back soon for more news.

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 July 2009 Archive

News for Restaurants in Orange County, CA
July 2009 Archive