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Salt Creek Grille is attracting national notice for its wine programs



China Garden Is Back, and So Is Late-Night Menu

There are lots of wine dinners around, but the Salt Creek Grille, the attractive Craftsman-inspired restaurant in Dana Point that serves mesquite grilled American classics, has a fine line-up that I think my readers should know about. You should also know that the restaurant has just received the coveted Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator magazine. The honor, given for a comprehensive wine program, was published in the Restaurant Awards 2001 issue dated Aug. 31. The award is based on Salt Creek Grille’s wine list, vintners’ dinners and wine-related trips and the wine education received by the restaurant’s staff. The wine events have benefited the community, as partial proceeds from both the restaurant’s wine dinners and monthly tastings have been earmarked for local nonprofit organizations.

Grgich Hills, Byron, Benziger, Ferrari Carano, Caymus and Joseph Phelps are among the wineries that have been showcased recently by Salt Creek Grille.

Now, it will end the summer with two outstanding wine events. On Wednesday, Aug. 29, the exceptional wines from Cakebread Cellars will be paired with a five-course dinner prepared by executive chef Louis Lepe. The event is priced at $90 plus tax and gratuity. On Sept. 26, the restaurant will host a dinner with wines from Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars. The restaurant then will welcome fall on Oct. 18 with a tasting of Veuve Clicquot Champagne, Mumm Napa Sparkling Wine, Ferrari Carano, Sterling and Guenoc wines.

Cakebread wines have become internationally famous and we all know their stature. Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars is the winery founded by Warren Winiarski, a culturally enlightened winemaker if ever there was one. The wines have been described by wine writers Hugh Johnson and Steven Spurrier as “seductive” and “stunning.” Veuve Clicquot is a historic house of Champagne with stellar credentials. Mumm Napa is the joint venture between G.H. Mumm and Seagram. The sparkling wines range from the bright and easygoing Blanc de Noirs to the luxuriously silky DVX, whose initials are a tribute to Mumm’s late winemaster.

Ferrari Carano is the dynamic showcase Sonoma winery nestled in the Dry Creek Valley AVA (just west of the Alexander Valley) that has gone from making immensely likable wines for years to a current stable of lovely estate vineyard wines. Rich Chardonnays and intensive Merlots have recently been joined by a suave super-Tuscan red wine, Siena.

Sterling Vineyards, the monastery-like winery sitting majestically at the top of its mountain in the upper Napa Valley has a lot of very impressive vineyards within the valley used for their vineyard-designated wines such as Diamond Mountain Chardonnay. The Reserve Cabernet continues to be a favorite among oenophiles.

And then, there’s Guenoc, situated in Lake County just above Calistoga. This is the only winery in the U.S. with its own massive appellation. It also incorporates the old Lillie Langtry property, which was her winemaking operation that she hoped would rival Bordeaux. Owner Orville Magoon is a descendent of the last royal family of Hawaii. He makes colorful wines commensurate with his own colorful personality.

Given all the historical perspectives, there’s reason enough to participate in these tastings. Salt Creek Grille is in Monarch Plaza at 32802 Pacific Coast Highway (at Crown Valley Parkway) in Dana Point. The Web site is www.saltcreekgrille.com. Their wine dinners and tastings are always sold out, so reservations are a must. Call (949) 661-7799 to ensure your place at the table to taste all these fine wines and to enjoy the chef’s matching food courses. In case you’ve missed the fact that I’ve had a lot of good food at this restaurant in the past, I’m reminding you again. Enjoy.


SIDE ORDER

Two years ago, we used to have wonderful Chinese food at ridiculously low prices at lunch or for late-night dining,10 p.m. to midnight every day,at China Garden in Irvine. Then, the attractive restaurant burned down, and we have been left craving that food since. Finally, the restaurant has been rebuilt, looking better than ever with sleek lacquer furnishings, forest green carpeting, elegantly swagged drapes and tables covered in white linens. Since its reopening a month ago, we and our friends have been frequent visitors. Anyone who understands the importance of looks, aroma, texture and taste to Chinese master chefs will quickly realize that this is one of the best Chinese restaurants in the county. No wonder it is playing to a full house again.

While dinner entrees are themselves affordable at $6.95 to $13.95 (big portions), the lunch and late-night meals range from only $4.25 to $7.25. A hotpot of baked short ribs with eggplant, braised rice noodles with shredded pork, sliced lily root with Chinese sausage and braised duck were on our table two nights ago. Before that, a meal consisted of jellyfish and shredded duck in rice-wine vinegar (one of the best appetizers in the county), Peking pork chops with spicy salt, pan-seared fresh green beans, chicken with black-bean sauce and sizzling shrimp with garlic sauce.

There are 186 items on the full menu, 75 of the dishes are available at the reduced price for lunch and about 40 dishes late at night. For absolute commitment to freshness, Cantonese cooking par excellence and pleasant and helpful service, China Garden is tops. Address: 14825 Jeffrey Road (at the 5 Freeway), Irvine. Phone: (949) 653-9988.

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