Kang’s Asian Bistro Set to Open at South Coast Plaza
Tequila Binge at Z’Tejas; Florence Italian’s Chef Delights; Daily Grill Disappoints
EXECUTIVE DINING
by Fifi Chao
Yujean Kang’s Asian Bistro debuts this week at South Coast Plaza, near Robinsons-May.
Mr. Kang has a well-known restaurant in Pasadena where he’s perfected his fusion cuisine based on updated Chinese classics. He’ll dot the menu with his interesting creations at the renovated space that now has simple bistro-style tables against a backdrop of brick red and okra green walls with touches of wood and water elements.
Yujean Kang’s can be reached at (714) 662-1098.
While we are all introducing ourselves to this new dining spot, we can carry on a side conversation about Lawry’s Carvery, from the famous stable of Lawry’s prime rib restaurants, that will debut at the end of the month next to Macy’s Mens Store, where the little patio caf & #233; formerly existed.
Looks like South Coast Plaza is quite determined to become a total dining destination.
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Z’Tejas in Costa Mesa is offering a bargain-priced, fun evening that will feature a tequila-and-food-matching dinner.
On Tuesday, Sept. 17 at 6:30 p.m., Chef Tom Rummel will serve a five-course meal specially designed to match some world-class tequilas. Guest speaker Jamie Bethea, an expert on the making of fine tequilas, will be on hand to discuss the qualities of each one, while the chef will explain the food being served.
Tequila has gained in popularity in the last few years as a drink that matches well with food, so this is a chance to enhance your education. The price of the dinner is only $45 and includes a gift bag. Since seating is very limited, I suggest you make reservations now by calling Russ Klop, operating partner of Z’Tejas, or the manager on duty, at (714) 979-7469.
In the event your calendar is already full that evening, there will be additional tequila dinners on Oct. 8 and Nov. 19.
Z’Tejas is a colorful restaurant serving southwestern food with a Texas twang that’s in the front of the carousel entrance to South Coast Plaza. I have enjoyed some terrific meals there and trust you will like your experience as well.
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There’s big news in Irvine at Florence Italian Cuisine, whose new executive chef is the very talented Corrado Gianotti.
Corrado was the culinary rudder at Tutto Mare for several years, before launching Naples restaurant in Downtown Disney for Joachim Splichal. He also had the honor to cook a dinner for former U.S. President George Bush, Sr. This is the kind of restaurant with feeling and ambiance where Corrado belongs.
Florence Italian has been exceeding my expectations for the past two years. It’s one of the most beautiful Italian restaurants in the county, the food’s good and reasonably priced, service is so professional and the wine list is a joy.
Here are some of the ways you can enjoy Corrado’s wonderful regional Italian specialties.
Every Tuesday the corkage fee is waived. So just bring along the bottles from your own cellar that you’d like to try and Corrado will enhance your experience with beautifully presented food.
Searching out good and affordable Sunday Brunches can be a pain. Worry no more. For only $19.95 per person, Florence Italian’s Sunday brunch includes sparkling wine, omelets, salads, appetizers, pasta, fish, poultry, seafood, soft drinks, dessert, coffee and tea.
Then there’s the good food and camaraderie that Corrado brings to the cooking class he’s conducting on Monday, Sept. 9 at 6:30 p.m. Corrado is a walking encyclopedia of Italian food and he loves to share stories with students about ingredients and how the recipes were invented.
The cooking class will include thinly sliced roasted veal served with salsa tonnato; freshly made crepes stuffed with ricotta and spinach, served over tomato sauce and topped with b & #233;chamel; and for dessert, panna cotta flan. This Albanese version is made with cream and espresso, but without eggs. The cooking class costs $29.95. A tasting of wine will accompany Corrado’s dishes.
On Thursday, Sept. 26, the restaurant will have a VIP Dinner Dance. No host cocktails will be served at 6 p.m., while the four-course dinner, priced at $28.95, commences an hour later. During dinner, relax and dance to the music of the last three decades.
A good way to have a look at the restaurant is to stop by for one of the wine tastings. On Wednesday, Sept. 18, the wines of Kendall-Jackson will be poured. For $14.95, a minimum of four wines and various hors d’oeuvres prepared by Chef Corrado will be served.
As a very good added incentive, the restaurant is offering 10% off the total food bill for lunch or dinner any day of the week and also for Sunday brunch, except for holidays and special events ($20 maximum for the discount).
Ask for a VIP Club Card when you visit. It’s good for any amount. Call (949) 857-8265 for reservations for any of these events.
Florence Italian Cuisine: 1420 Culver Drive (in Heritage Plaza at the 5 Freeway), Irvine.
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Does anyone have a take on the Daily Grill in Newport Center since its makeover?
I don’t want to be unfair, but we are puzzled and I would like input from my readers (my e-mail address is chaothyme@ aol.com).
Patrick and I wanted to start working our way through some menu items over a few visits and stopped in one afternoon for an appetizer and entr & #233;e on off hours. That time we wanted to have a look at the restructured building, which I do like with the kitchen partitioned off and the added booths.
But the restaurant experience was not good from the time we sat down. Perhaps our mistake was choosing the outside patio since the weather was so nice.
Our waiter approached in a soiled shirt and apron, a quick turnoff. He was abrupt and to the point throughout our stay and we didn’t feel he was enthused to be waiting on us. We began with what the menu quotes as their most popular appetizer of fried calamari, a first course that I’d had before. When it came, I commented that the presentation had changed,here were very few tiny calamari rounds on a very big mound of shredded lettuce making it more of a salad without dressing than a calamari appetizer.
The waiter told us that the food had been served the same way for 20 years and that it was an appetizer, not an entr & #233;e. Yes, we knew quite well it was a first course, without being told by a waiter far too young to know a thing about the food two decades ago.
The fact that the food seemed only average might be because the service was such a turnoff. The manager was out of the restaurant at the time or I would have spoken with her. So, I am open to anyone telling me this is not the norm, but for the moment I can’t muster any enthusiasm to visit again.
