ZOV’S BISTRO
Address:
17440 E. 17th St. (at Yorba Street), Tustin
Phone:
(714) 838-8855
Event:
Cooking-class fundraiser for the Foundation for Advancements in Breast Care, May 14, 6 p.m.
Call:
The Foundation office, (714) 569-0105, Ext. 235
CALIFORNIA CAF & #201;
Address:
799 The Shops at Mission Viejo (facing Marguerite Parkway)
Phone:
(949) 364-7783
Event:
Dinner fundraiser for Mission Regional Hospital’s Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, May 15, 4 to 7 p.m.
Donation:
$25
Zov’s Bistro, California Caf & #233; Schedule Fundraising Events This Month
Last week, Jeannie and Rick Lawrence threw one last party before leaving their famous ocean-view restaurant to the care of another owner. Many of the customers, who have mingled for 33 years at the bar and settled into plush booths that feature those vast views of the Pacific, attended the party. I canceled another engagement just to be there. After closing for just one day, 21 Oceanfront continued, as did Rockin Baja Lobster restaurant and the Doryman’s Inn, all in the same building. The remaining 70-year lease, all the businesses in the building, and the parking lot across the street were sold to Levon Gugasian, who owns the Ferrari dealership and other businesses along Newport’s Mariners Mile. We’ve been through every incarnation of this building and hope that, since the entire restaurant crew is continuing, 21 will keep adding good memories.
When Rick Lawrence acquired a long-term lease in 1968 on the 1920s McFadden Building overlooking the Newport Pier, it was a charming but old building that was in dire need of a facelift. So, Rick set about doing cosmetic things to the building on the outside and inside opened Alley West, the beautiful San Francisco-style restaurant that set the tone for sophisticated dining in the county. In the early 1970s, the restaurant became The Ritz, fulfilling Hans Prager’s dream. When Hans took The Ritz to Fashion Island, Rex Chandler leased the restaurant for almost a decade. Then, in 1991, Jeannie became the hands-on operator of her own property.
Over the years, the Lawrences continued to beautify the building and its surroundings, which in turn helped revitalize the whole beachfront neighborhood. Today, it is a landmark that shines with pride.
In the past few years, the Lawrences have entertained offers from prospective buyers, some of them that went to escrow, but until Gugasian came up with serious money, the deals all fell apart. The Lawrences now will dedicate all their time to the 35-acre Silverado Canyon property they own, Rancho Las Lomas, a lovely special-event location. Plans include expanding the ranch property into a conference center and retreat with a restaurant and spa facilities.
Like me, I suspect you will continue to make reservations at the legendary 21 Oceanfront. The phone number is (949) 675-2566.
Cooking for Charity
There are two very worthy fundraising events on the May calendar that also offer tastes of the food that define the two restaurants involved. The first is a cooking class on May 14 at 6 p.m., in which our famous lady chef, Zov Karamardian, will prepare several of her recipes that were recently featured in Bon App & #233;tit magazine. The evening will benefit the Foundation for Advancements in Breast Care, which has improved the quality of life for so many Orange County women. It provides public education on such vital topics as the importance of early detection and the latest developments in breast care. The information is offered at no cost and is disseminated to healthcare professionals, patients, their families and friends and the community at large. In addition, the organization assists patients and their families through the recovery process by providing support.
Zov will cook her recipes at her award-winning, stylish restaurant, Zov’s Bistro in Tustin, which she has owned and operated since 1987. Year after year she has been acclaimed for adding such a fine restaurant to the OC dining scene. Cooking classes held throughout the year at the restaurant feature some of the most famous chefs in America (as in Julia Child, David Rosengarten and Jacques Pepin, to name but three).
For this occasion, Zov will prepare an Italian-inspired menu of roasted red pepper and eggplant soup; linguine with shrimp and plum tomatoes; fennel, watercress and endive salad with roasted pine nuts and her special “berrymis & #367;” for dessert, giving a whole new meaning to liqueur- and espresso-soaked lady fingers.
The evening presents an opportunity for attendees to learn the techniques of efficient cooking; samples of fine wines and items from the menu will be offered, as well.
Space is limited and reservations are required for the event. For more information or to make a reservation for this special cooking class, call the foundation office at (714) 569-0105, Ext. 235.
The second event will be held at California Caf & #233; in The Shops at Mission Viejo. The restaurant will host a fundraising event to benefit the Mission Regional Hospital’s Cardiac Intensive Care Unit on May 15 from 4 to 7 p.m.
I am more than happy to let all of you know about this, since that hospital saved the life of a friend who suffered a major heart attack.
While helping the hospital, which will receive 100% of the proceeds, this is a great opportunity to see the rather new and fine looking restaurant and taste the specialties of sushi chef Jo Dijamco and dining room chef Kurt Schaeffer. Both are known for creative signature dishes that have added a new dimension to South County dining. They will be shaking up their best California cosmos, rolling up the most original sushi rolls, plating up inventive dishes and rattling the patio with some smooth sounds. Tickets are only $25 for this very worthy cause.
