Diedrich Offering a Rare World-Class Coffee This Week
Ristorante Rumari Reopens With a Benefit; Cooking Class at Florence Italian Cuisine
EXECUTIVE DINING
by Fifi Chao
Quick, quick, quick! Stop by your nearest Diedrich Coffee and purchase a bag of La Lucie Royale coffee beans, one of the wonders of the coffee world. They are in very short supply and the small stock that Martin Diedrich personally garnered for his shops will disappear soon. These are among the best coffee beans in the world, hand-picked from a reserve estate in Zimbabwe. The cost is $10.86 for a 12-ounce bag.
If this were a wine, we’d be treating La Lucie like Screaming Eagle (that means unavailable to almost everyone, but with the whole wine world still clamoring for it) and relishing any taste we were afforded. Also, using the lingo of wine tasting, I can tell you that this coffee is the ultimate in smoothness. It is very rich without being blunt, mouth filling and with a very, very long finish.
For those of you who do not know the history of Diedrich Coffee, it was the forerunner of all the big coffee chains, a business that began in Orange County and, though now nationwide, is still based here. Martin follows three generations of coffee growers and roasters in his family. It all began for him when he was growing up on his family’s coffee plantation in Antigua, Guatemala. He developed a deep respect for the intense process of nurturing coffee, from seeds to cup. His passion for coffee has turned it into his life’s work.
I mean no disrespect for other chains, but I will invoke my sincere opinion here: they are not Diedrich. They are not from generations that devoted their life, and still do, to the inner passion for a food product. In that regard, Diedrich’s is singular. The coffeehouses are everywhere in Orange County, so find the one nearest you right now and relish this remarkable La Lucie coffee with me while it is still available.
Gala Return
This week marks the grand reopening of Ristorante Rumari, a family-owned and operated Italian restaurant in Laguna Beach. It has been completely redone with three grand antique crystal chandeliers illuminating two dining areas, custom-made chairs and bar stools and a soft color scheme of gold tones with rich white trim.
Tonight (March 25) there is a gala, open to the public, that will benefit Laguna Shanti, a program that has been serving the Orange County HIV and AIDS community since 1987. Guests paying $35 each will enjoy a sumptuous, three-course dinner accompanied by select wines. While reservations will be accepted throughout the evening, a formal presentation will be held at 7:30 p.m.
The event tonight also marks the OC debut of renowned Los Angeles-based artist Jeffrey Robbins Kane. His colorful depictions of primitive floral arrangements adorn the homes of Sharon Stone, Al Pacino and King Abdullah II of Jordan and his art has been exhibited at the L.A. County Museum of Art. Kane’s work will be featured at the newly remodeled Ristorante Rumari for an indefinite period. In conjunction with the grand re-opening, Kane has committed 20% of the sales of his work through April 25 to be donated to Laguna Shanti. In addition, Kane will attend the gala tonight and offer one of his works for bid by silent auction.
Rumari means “by the sea” and the menu is seafood-oriented. Three of the signature dishes on the Rumari menu are soft-shell crab prepared tempura style, served on a bed of arugula and topped with sweet and sour balsamic vinaigrette; Ahi rolled in salt, sugar and coarse black pepper, seared and served brick style; and black “squid ink” linguine quick-baked in foil, tossed with Manila clams and tiger shrimp and served in a tomato and brandy sauce.
Florentine Cooking Classes
Florence Italian Cuisine in Irvine has certainly found its footing: striking d & #233;cor and terrific Northern Italian food. Now, they are offering cooking classes at a bargain price. On April 1 at 6 p.m., for $29.95, you can sit in this lushly appointed place and learn while you eat.
The class will begin with the chef demonstrating how to make crepes with goat cheese, mushrooms, pine nuts and creamy chive sauce. This will be your appetizer. The entr & #233;e will be pollo saltimbucca. For this, you will learn how to saut & #233; breast of chicken with fresh sage and prosciutto and how to make the house special lemon-white-wine sauce. Dessert is classic cr & #269;me br & #369;l & #233;e, which you will discover is not all that difficult to make at home.
Ciro Giacocozza will provide live music; you will have recipes from the cooking demo, a delicious meal and two glasses of wine to accompany your dinner.
Discover, as so many of us have, all the charms of Florence.
AT A GLANCE
RISTORANTE RUMARI
Address: 1826 S. Coast Highway,
Laguna Beach
Phone: (949) 494-0400
FLORENCE ITALIAN CUISINE
Address: 14210-H Culver Drive, (in Heritage Plaza), Irvine
Phone: (949) 857-8265
Open: Lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch
