News for Restaurants in Orange County, CA
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| RESTAURANT NEWS |
EMC Seafood & Raw Bar has opened in Irvine, joining the ever-growing number of Los Angeles-based restaurants drawn to Orange County. This sleek venue is staying true to its Koreatown roots by offering a range of seafood items, includung raw oysters, congee and whole branzino. Elegant, contemporary meat dishes juxtapose these options. Lunch & Dinner daily. EMC Seafood & Raw Bar, 14346 Culver Dr., Irvine, CA 92604, 949-748-3979.
Filipino restaurant Irenia has opened in downtown Santa Ana. Set in the space formerly operated by North Left, the new restaurant is an extension of Irenia Supper Club, a pop-up concept hatched by owner/executive chef Ryan Garlitos. The venue showcases authentic Filipino lunch and dinner items like lumpia, dilis (fried anchovies) and adobo carefully crafted by Garlitos, who honed his craft in the kitchen of Taco Maria. Lunch & Dinner Tue.-Sat. Irenia, 400 N. Broadway, Santa Ana, CA 92701, 657-245-3466.
The team behind Huntington Beach’s popular SeaLegs Wine Bar has opened their second restaurant concept, SeaSalt Woodfire Grill. The new restaurant is a stone’s throw from SeaLegs and features a unique spin on California cuisine, built around grilling meat Santa Maria-style. SeaLegs’ executive chef Alexander Dale oversees the menu, and he also created several house-made flavored sea salts to season the grilled meats. SeaSalt Woodfire Grill, 21214 Beach Blvd., Huntington Beach, CA 92648, 714-804-5545.
Kona Grill has launched its first California location in Orange County, located in the Irvine Spectrum. Guests can expect an array of sushi and Pacific Rim-inspired contemporary entrées. Pair your meal with wine, beer, cocktails or saké. Kona Grill, Irvine Spectrum, 71 Spectrum Center Dr., Irvine, CA 92618, 949-535-1010.
Contemporary seafood restaurant Anchor Hitch has opened in South Orange County retail and restaurant space Union Market Mission Viejo. The restaurant features a raw bar and modern handcrafted seafood fare such as green curried scallop risotto and uni pasta with a dashi poached egg, served up family style. Patrons might pair dishes with craft cocktails. Anchor Hitch, Union Market Mission Viejo, 27741 Crown Valley Pkwy., Mission Viejo, CA 92691, 626-757-3471.
The team behind the popular San Clemente restaurant Vine has launched their latest dining concept, Ironwood, located in Laguna Hills. Vine’s executive chef, Jared Cook, oversees the kitchen, which features farm-to-table cuisine made from locally sourced ingredients. The venue also offers craft cocktails and beers, as well as more than 25 wine selections by the glass. Ironwood, 25250 La Paz Rd., Ste. 100, Laguna Hills, CA 92653, 949-446-8772.
Vince Ferragamo’s Wine Dinner Meet & Greet at Back Bay Bistro
Back Bay Bistro, the flagship dining venue at Newport Beach’s Newport Dunes resort, is celebrating the return of the Los Angeles Rams by hosting Vince Ferragamo’s Wine Dinner Meet & Greet. The former Rams quarterback and current local vintner will pair up with a former or current player from the storied NFL franchise to present an educational evening of food and drink on the third Thursday of the month. The event includes a five-course dinner, and each course will be accompanied by Italian and regional wines. The evenings kick off with a welcome reception at 6 p.m. For more information, please visit the event website. Back Bay Bistro, Newport Dunes Resort, 1131 Back Bay Dr., Newport Beach, CA 92660, 949-729-1144.
Slow Smoked Sundaze at Oak Grill
Oak Grill, the flagship restaurant at Island Hotel Newport Beach, hosts Slow Smoked Sundaze, a family-friendly barbecue Sunday supper designed to capture the essence of the classic summertime cookout. Executive chef Marc Johnson taps into his Southern culinary roots for the weekly event, offering a menu loaded with exquisitely smoked meats and traditional sides. Fare can be enjoyed in the dining room or on the venue’s relaxed outdoor deck. Entrees and sides include baby back ribs, fried chicken, cedar-planked salmon, corn on the cob, mac ’n' cheese, sautéed greens and pecan pie. Guests might complement their meal with a glass of basil- and strawberry-infused lemonade. Oak Grill, Island Hotel Newport Beach, 690 Newport Center Dr., Newport Beach, CA 92660, 949-760-4920. 
North Italia Launches Spring Dishes & CocktailsThe Irvine and El Segundo locations of North Italia are featuring new menu items for spring, including seasonal salads and an asparagus pizza topped with shaved artichoke, lemon, pistachio and a fried egg. There are also several new cocktails, such as the Apricot Limonata (Smirnoff vodka, apricot liqueur, smashed lemon). North Italia, Park Place, 2957 Michelson Dr., Irvine, CA 92612, 949-629-7060. Check back soon for more news.
Café Zoolu shut its doors after serving downtown Laguna Beach for 22 years. The venue, known for its unique mélange of Hawaiian, Cajun, Mexican and Asian cuisines, closed due to the retirement of chef/co-owner Michael Leech and his wife. There is no word on what will take over the space. Cafe Zoolu, 860 Glenneyre St., Laguna Beach, CA 92651, no phone.
 View our calendar of Wine Dinners & Tastings in Orange County |
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