There is a trio of things from Mr. Stox in Anaheim that are deserving of our attention.
First, Mr. Stox is among hundreds of top restaurants taking part in an initiative to help fight child hunger. DiRoNA Week 2005, launched by the Distinguished Restaurants of North America and Share Our Strength, takes place this week.
Restaurants that have earned the prestigious DiRoNA Award of Excellence are offering a special prix-fixe menu, donating a portion of proceeds to Share Our Strength.
So, are we all agreed that we will try to stop by Mr. Stox this week and have a special prix fixe dinner to further this wonderful cause?
I am thanking you in advance since the owners of Mr. Stox strongly believe in giving back to the community and certainly Share Our Strength has become a legendary link in fighting hunger.
There’s a second reason to chat about Mr. Stox, specifically an employee. Ingrid Glenn came from Helmstedt, Germany, to Long Beach in 1957, with her husband and then 6-month-old daughter Kerstin.
After a few years of traveling for her husband’s business, Ingrid and family came back to Southern California in 1967, the year Mr. Stox opened. She applied as a server. She’s been serving guests at Mr. Stox since then and along the way became a dining room captain.
Ingrid was selected as the 2005 Food Service Employee of the Year by the California Restaurant Association and was honored at the association’s Hall of Fame dinner earlier this month in Santa Monica.
Ingrid is active in her church and community. Besides being busy at Mr. Stox, she teaches German at the American School Association in Brea and also has managed to build a bed and breakfast inn in Riverside, where many visitors from Germany enjoy her hospitality.
She also enjoys her six grandchildren from Kerstin and other daughter Donna. She is a shining example of a dedicated worker and loving person. No wonder those of us who have gotten used to her caring service over the years are so happy for her.
Chick Marshall, co-owner of Mr. Stox, is set to become president of DiRoNa at a formal ceremony during the group’s annual conference at Bellagio in Las Vegas in September. That’s quite an honor, considering how many restaurateurs the board has to choose from.
Mr. Stox has been owned and managed by the Marshall family,Chick, brother Ron and Ron’s wife Debbie,for 28 years.
Mr. Stox is at 1105 E. Katella Ave. in Anaheim.
French 75 in Irvine
I know that my readers hang on the edge of their seats awaiting word on just opened restaurants. The time has arrived when you can dine at David Wilhelm’s brand new French 75 Brasserie at the Market Place in Irvine. We’ve already dined there, and it’s so on target with a casually glamorous d & #233;cor, unfolding spaces that keep giving us something else to discover and a nice balance of French and American bistro comfort food.
Brasseries in France are places where the pretenses of life cease to exist and where one is expected to have a casual and appeasing experience with modest but delicious food.
There’s much to tell, which I will do next week in a lot more detail. But I did want you to know that it is open for business. The restaurant is at 13290 Jamboree (at Tustin Ranch Drive) on the Irvine side of the Market Place. They are serving lunch and dinner. Call (714) 573-7600 for reservations, which are recommended. Walk-ins also are welcome.
Wine Wednesdays
Did you know that wines are half price at Caf & #233; Tu Tu Tango in Orange on Wednesday?
That’s quite an incentive on its own and better yet when sipped with some of their appetizer-size plates of food that cull the cultural tastes from around the world.
I’ve always loved the laid back Bohemian atmosphere of this restaurant, truly reminiscent of a poor artist’s loft studio and living space. On these summer evenings, you might want to sit on the patio overlooking the sidewalk scene of passersby.
Watch the artists paint, hope for a magician or card reader to stop by your table for a few fun moments, enjoy some music and taste a bit of the Mediterranean, Africa, America and more in the food as you order one bottle, two bottles, perhaps more of the Wednesday inexpensive international wines that you’re privy to.
Caf & #233; Tu Tu Tango is at Block of Orange, 20 City Drive, Orange (714) 769-2222.