If you’re one of those foodies who wait breathlessly for the next new experience, this is a good time for you.
Kimera in Irvine opened two weeks ago. Marche Moderne in South Coast Plaza (the old Troquet space) is only three weeks old. Lazy Dog Cafe in Orange and Ruth’s Chris Steak House in Anaheim just opened. K’Ya in Anaheim’s boutique Hotel M & #233;nage also just came along. Ristorante Max in Newport Beach is rather new. And then there’s Sapphire, which I reported on in last week’s column.
The new Blooming-dale’s at South Coast Plaza has just opened. Charlie Palmer, one of America’s highly acclaimed chefs, will open another of his eponymous restaurants in the store this fall.
Take my cue and try some new tables. Feel free to jot down my e-mail address, chaothyme@aol.com, and give me some feedback. I love repartee with my readers.
Food, Wine Festival
Food and wine lovers, collectors and those of us who just enjoy these experiences will be attending the prestigious Fourth Annual Food & Wine Festival May 25 to 27 at the Balboa Bay Club & Resort.
This is my notice that you should make reservations now as the various food and wine events and seminars sell out.
Balboa is taking reservations only by phone this year. I am told the phones have really been ringing. So call (949) 630-4146 now to reserve for individual events or for a package price that includes all events at a discount. There are also special rates available for weekend stays in the hotel that include the festival events.
As usual, famous winemakers, celebrated chefs, master sommeliers and noted experts will be the gastronomic guides for the seminars, enticing tastings and extraordinary dining experiences.
One evening, the joy of life as lived along the coasts of Spain, France and Italy will be recreated on the beach and lawn of the Balboa Bay Club with the vitality of flamenco music to accompany the rich flavors of those countries ($125).
An Alsatian lunch will be created by several Alsatian chefs to match the wines of renowned Alsatian winemaker Hubert Trimbach, who will lead the lunch ($115).
An oyster tasting is on the agenda, with Balboa Bay Club executive chef Josef Lageder and two master sommeliers doing the oyster- and wine-matching with you ($85).
A tasting and educational seminar of Insignia wines, led by a master sommelier, is another choice ($110). The New Orleans brunch with a Dixieland band is one of the yearly highlights ($95). There’s a seminar on Pinot Noirs from around the world ($80) and an afternoon smoke out with spirits ($60). The key event: the grand tasting in the grand ballroom ($145), in which 50 of the world’s finest wineries are showcased along with a lavish spread of artisanal cheeses, shellfish, meats, desserts and special dishes that will particularly fit the occasion.
Put that big red circle on the calendar, call (949) 630-4146 now and join those of us who are definitely taking in this gourmet weekend. See you there.
Tequila Fund-Raiser
Z’Tejas Southwestern Grill at South Coast Plaza has come up with a great idea for a dinner and fund-raiser that is centered around tequila. The menu sounds very tasty indeed. The dinner is set for May 22. A limited number of seats are available for the five-course Gran Centenario Tequila Dinner Benefiting Share Our Selves, a group dedicated to feeding the county’s hungry. Gran Centenario is considered one of the finest tequila makers in the world.
Danny Stevens, executive chef of Z’Tejas, will be joined by Kim Haasarud, known as the Liquid Chef, to conduct the dinner. She is president and founder of Marina del Rey beverage consultancy Liquid Architecture and is much sought after as an expert on spirits and cocktails.
Kim will explain the nuances and delicacies of the various types of the famous Mexican derivative. The dinner will feature a number of courses, each paired with a specialty drink made from Gran Centenario’s premium line of tequilas. To accentuate their flavor profiles, some of the cocktails will be infused with Grand Marnier and other fine liqueurs from the House of Grand Marnier including Cordon Rogue, Centenaire (100th Anniversary), Centcinquantenaire (150th Anniversary) and Navan Vanilla Liqueur.
Z’Tejas has done some innovative meals for me and my fellow foodies since it opened. This dinner fits right in with its forward-thinking attitude about food and beverages.
The food menu for this special evening consists of five courses. Chorizo stuffed jalape & #324;o with Gran Centenario Plata and cucumber Sangrita sets the stage. Second round is tequila cured salmon topped with a black bean mango salsa and avocado vinaigrette and served with Gran Centenario Plata Margarita de Fresca. The spring salad course is a m & #233;lange of baby greens dappled with tequila vinaigrette and topped with ancho-crusted goat cheese, complemented by a Gran Centenario Reposado Ginger Pomegranate Margarita.
I’ve had a main course similar to the one it is presenting. I think you’ll be thrilled with the smoked lamb with spinach featuring lightly smoked lamb medallions with spinach, spring onions, blue corn tamales and ancho chile glaze. The beverage will be a Gran Centenario Anejo Durazneo Margarita.
Mustn’t forget that desserts also can be matched to cocktails, and the Z’Tejas delight called Chocolate Tres Leches will be the finale, along with a Gran Centenario Reposado Plantain Margarita.
Started in 1970, Share Our Selves is a local nonprofit that provides for those living in poverty in Orange County.
The group’s services are free and include medical and dental care, counseling, case management, food, clothing, financial assistance, legal aid and special holiday programs. For more information, visit www.shareourselves.org.
Z’Tejas has forged a reputation for combing the culinary influences from Louisiana, Texas, California and Mexico in a pleasing array of dishes that make dining interesting and delicious. It’s open daily for lunch and dinner; half price appetizers and drink specials are offered during happy hour.
This special tequila-matching dinner is at 6 p.m. Price is $100, with 50% of the proceeds going to Share Our Shelves. Z’Tejas is on the Bristol Street side of South Coast Plaza. Call (949) 515-5400, ext. 34 for reservations and information.
