Concerts come in all styles and sizes and Orange County is fortunate to have many venues that bring in famous artists.
One of the more casual and friendly ones, which also is impressive on the dining front, is The Grove of Anaheim.
A few weeks ago, we went to see Willie Nelson at the Grove. We were excited to take a trip down memory lane with the old troubadour and his band.
The Grove opened in 1998 under a different name and different management. Back then, I wasn’t fond at all of the concept that hyped pretend red carpet, faux celebrity treatment of guests with hooting teenagers and make-believe paparazzi as we arrived and then continued the farce inside as if one were attending an awards ceremony.
Many of the customers found themselves during the evening getting pretend “winner” treatment while the audience was expected to clap and roar. I found it lame and silly.
|
|
The Grove: run by big concert hall operator Nederlander |
Thankfully Nederlander Organization Inc. came on the scene and turned the venue into what it is today: a well-run, sensible place where you have a pre-concert meal and then see top-notch entertainment.
Nederlander is a family business,with the third generation now running the company. It books, promotes and produces live entertainment for many of Southern California’s most important venues, including the Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim, Staples Center, the Bakersfield Centennial Garden, the Santa Barbara Bowl and the San Diego Civic Theatre.
For the past 26 years, Nederlander also has leased, managed, operated and promoted the Greek Theatre in Griffith Park. No wonder things are looking up at the Grove.
The Grove has been outfitted with the latest sound and lighting technology and the room has super acoustics. Though entertainment is on the agenda about 250 nights of each year, the Grove’s main room is available for private use if a concert or theater production isn’t booked.
Other spaces within the building are available at all times during the year. The Grove can accommodate groups of various sizes.
We arrived for the Willie Nelson concert in time for a leisurely dinner before the show. Guests are ushered to their seats for dinner and the show.
Seating is at long tables for about 12 that are situated showroom style, a bit reminiscent of the old Las Vegas days. (You can buy a ticket for the show alone,dining before the performance isn’t required, though it’s a nice addition to the evening. Also keep in mind that dining is for certain shows only, so be sure to ask when you buy tickets.)
Executive chef Alfredo Rodriguez of Aventura Catering Co., which cooks the meals, gave us and others at the table something to talk about. We all truly enjoyed our food.
It’s not artistically stacked on a plate and you aren’t going to encounter choices such as antelope or cheese from France. What turns up is superb but unpretentious food that satisfies the American spirit.
The menu is a one-page a la carte affair. It changes regularly. Our choices included a trio of appetizers, two salads, five entrees and two desserts.
I loved the three mini grilled mahi mahi tacos for my appetizer. The fish had been perfumed with tequila and stuffed into little soft corn tortillas. On the side were some pico de gallo and chipotle mayonnaise.
My husband, Patrick, ordered the chicken wings that took a vacation from the Buffalo tradition to instead mingle nicely with a cucumber and mint salad. Very tasty.
We almost ordered a Caesar salad to share, but the Greek salad won out. I enjoy olives, feta cheese and cucumbers, so combined with greens, tomato wedges and an oregano vinaigrette,it sufficed nicely.
The hot bread that came at the beginning of the meal was good, but the corn bread that also was tucked into the basket was downright Southern delicious, especially when slathered with the accompanying pecan butter.
I didn’t expect to find a fork-tender rib-eye steak with a whiskey sauce, fresh asparagus spears and ethereally light mashed potatoes hinting of garlic. It was very tasty.
Patrick ordered the glazed baby back ribs. It came as a full rack with a Texas-style barbecue sauce.
I know Texas barbecue and these ribs were proudly Texan. Some of you may know that I lived in Texas two different times in my youthful years when my dad had to travel because of his construction jobs. My older sister has lived in Texas for decades, so I have reason to go back pretty often. I sharpen my appetite and sink into a bit of my old Southern twang each time.
To make their barbecue sauce, Texans blend some vinegar or lemon juice with a tomato base, a little sugar and several spices and zestful enhancements like chile peppers. It should be a finely tuned balance of sweet and sour, salt and spice that turns pork into a roasted nirvana. The Grove’s chef certainly knew how to make an authentic sauce.
Also on the menu that evening was a roasted half chicken that came with a swell three-cheese macaroni bake. There also was a blackened salmon and a vegetarian dish of pappardelle (wide noodles) with asparagus, tomatoes and chunks of fresh mozzarella.
Desserts were a cr & #269;me br & #369;l & #233;e with chocolate biscotti and fresh berries on the side and a fudge-like chocolate brownie topped with rich caramel ice cream, plenty of semi-sweet chocolate sauce and a topknot of whipped cream.
Like the menu, the wine list also is one page long. It is entirely made up of American choices except for three sparkling wines from France.
But in this setting, it’s nice to have a cocktail, too. Your waiter will gladly accommodate your order.
We thoroughly enjoyed hearing Willie Nelson and his band take us through the byways of his life in songs and stories.
The best way to check out who’s coming to the Grove is to go to its Web site, thegroveofanaheim.com.
Zov Reopening Raises Funds
Congratulations are in order for Zov Karamardian and her family for hosting more than 500 guests on a recent stormy night. The result: more than $60,000 to benefit two very special causes.
Zov used the grand reopening of her restaurant, Zov’s Bistro in Tustin, after a substantial addition and renovation, as the vehicle for the fund-raiser.
The money raised was split between the Joyful Child Foundation and Hoag Women’s Health Services, a part of Hoag Memorial Presbyterian Hospital in Newport Beach.
The Joyful Child was founded by Erin Runnion, whose precious 5-year-old daughter, Samantha, was abducted and murdered in 2002.
The foundation is dedicated to protecting children from sexual abuse and abduction through programs that unite and uplift communities and teach awareness to prevent tragedy.
Hoag Women’s Health Services is used by legions of Orange County women for ongoing wellness. It is through this service of Hoag that much of my own preventive care is provided.
Zov treated us to an evening of fine Mediterranean-inspired food and lovely wines. Guests were celebrating the almost two decades that the restaurant has existed and they were introduced to the new private banquet facility featuring advanced audio and visual equipment and the Z Glass Lounge, which is a fine place to enjoy an extensive variety of cocktails and a special appetizer menu.
The lounge features live entertainment and a massive stone fireplace. As guests wandered throughout and followed the trail of tasty foods, they also got a look at the covered patio complete with waterfall,sure to be a popular place to dine this summer. New interior touches also were revealed.
Zov and her family donated 100% of the proceeds from the evening.
The cafe part of Zov’s serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and the bistro room serves lunch and dinner. The award-winning bakery has a complete showcase of delectable sweets and special breads to buy.
Zov’s is at 17440 17th St. in Tustin, (714) 838-8855.
Humanitarian of the Year
Bruno Serato, owner of the much touted Anaheim White House, has been honored as the Humanitarian of the Year by the Southern California Restaurant Writers’ Association.
The award recognizes Bruno’s support through his restaurant of youngsters in need.
Two years ago, Bruno and his mother, Caterina Lunardi of Verona, Italy, formed a special program to feed many of OC’s most impoverished children. Scores of these children reside in local motels and are on their own while their parents work through the day and sometimes into the evening.
Bruno decided to call his effort Caterina’s Club and it has become part of the safe environment of the Anaheim Boys & Girls Club. Each evening, Bruno has dozens of hot, fully prepared dinners delivered to the club so that the young people have a nutritious, balanced meal before they go to bed.
Bruno also bought a van and donated it to facilitate the food deliveries and provide other critical transportation needs. To help support this effort to an even greater extent, Bruno schedules Caterina lunches at his restaurant throughout the year and uses all of the proceeds to help fund various programs for the kids.
Bruno has been making culinary waves since 1987. He has had sports celebrities and movie stars, presidents (Jimmy Carter and George W. Bush and his brother Jeb), a crown prince from Belgium, a royal princess and musical artists galore at his tables.
If you’d like to discover what practically everyone else in the county already knows about his food, Bruno and his crew will welcome you at the Anaheim White House.
Anaheim White House: 887 S. Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim. Phone: (714) 772-1381.
AT A GLANCE: THE GROVE OF ANAHEIM
Address: 2200 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim
Phone: (714) 712-2700
Cost: Food,Appetizers and salads $7 to $11; entrees $17 to $28; desserts $6. Entertainment cost varies by event
