AQUA
Address:
1 Monarch Beach Resort, Dana Point (in the St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort & Spa)
Phone:
(949) 234-3325
CLAIM JUMPER
Address:
Culver Drive and Alton Parkway, Irvine
Phone:
(949) 851-5085
Prices:
entr & #233;es $7.95 to $27.95
Irvine Claim Jumper Reworks Its Space and Menu
All the thunder this week goes to St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort & Spa and Aqua, the restaurant within the hotel under the aegis of chef Michael Mina, who has built himself an international reputation with his other highly acclaimed Aqua restaurants in San Francisco and inside the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas. Aqua also corrals the food and beverage influence in the bar and lounge areas of the elegant resort, which opened a week ago, adding even more star power to our coastline.
The Tuscan-inspired resort is on 172 oceanfront acres in Dana Point, and includes 400 guestrooms (including 74 suites) and a 30,000-square-foot Gaucin Spa with 25 treatment rooms, a Robert Trent Jones-designed 18-hole championship golf course, and Aqua.
The restaurant seats 128 and features a contemporary seafood menu. Mina is known for his bold and flavor-intensive dishes, which will be prepared daily under the auspices of executive chef Jeff Lloyd, and chef de cuisine Chris L’Hommedieu. On the menu are updated classics as they could only be envisioned by a spirited chef. Medallions of rare ahi tuna are served with seared Hudson Valley foie gras. Carpaccio is made of hamachi. Tuna filet is enveloped in a crisp potato crust and served with Ni & #231;oise complements. I would advise not missing the black mussel souffl & #233; or the Maine lobster pot pie. Then, for dessert, you can have the old-fashioned root beer float sided with warm chocolate chip cookies.
You also will need to find time to partake of one of the three afternoon tea services: High Tea, California Tea and Asian Tea. The first encompasses all the polished silver service and classic fare; the California version presents an eclectic selection of both hot and iced teas and unique dishes to match our lifestyle; and the Asian incarnation leans to the exotic with a wide variety of teas served in cast iron teapots that are themselves artifacts. The latter also includes lovely Bento box service for the food.
I need several visits to work my way through the Aqua menu,the restaurant serves lunch and dinner,so will report further as I manage that. Who knows, we might see each other there in the meantime.
Claim Jumper Adds Touches
Claim Jumper has added dimensions to its menu and done a little remodeling to its Irvine location. It now has some added convivial seating for cocktails or full dining in the space that had housed the huge produce bar. There are several tables and a brick half-wall surrounding the area cuddling up to the bar and just behind the hostess stand. On the outside of the wall are barstools fronted by yet more dining space.
I have lauded them in the past for already taking this chain from d & #233;class & #233; mining camp d & #233;cor to country lodge comfort. The new six-page menu also includes many worthy additions. (Yes, I have already tasted all of the following.) Crispy ribs almost shatter in the mouth, then reveal the most tender interior. Spinach salad now has toasted walnuts in it. Ahi tuna is wrapped with carrots and snow pea shoots sushi-style and lightly fried. Thanks to a new steak oven that cooks at 1,800 degrees, the filet mignon is fantastic. Sweet ginger glaze highlights the chicken wings. Carnitas pork and roasted pepper now join the cheese in an interesting quesadilla. Prawns, chicken and andouille sausage lounge around in a spicy sauce that drips through to the bed of pasta. Try the bruschetta pizza with the olive oil, tomato, and cheese that would ordinarily be on crusty bread. It’s really good.
There are dozens of choices now. Among all the old favorites like rack of ribs, country fried steak, chicken and biscuits, meatloaf, prime rib, and pot roast, don’t forget entr & #233;es like braised lamb shank and hickory-roasted pork loin. Like the d & #233;cor, the food has come a long way.
