Times like these are great reminders that truth in whatever we do is paramount to survival.
Chef Byron Gemmell and his eponymous restaurant in Dana Point are holding their own with a loyal and knowledgeable clientele continuing their support for Byron’s wonderful and true food that borrows from his worldly training and experience. He spent much of his early career under some stellar French chefs, which paid off when he became the first Orange County chef to be fawned over by Gourmet Magazine in the 1980s.
Now, building on the success of his 8-year-old Gemmell’s, Byron is opening his Vintage Steakhouse. It is situated in the former Rendezvous space, in the historic Mission district/train depot area of San Juan Capistrano. Byron and his family have added even more panache to the interiors that already were iconic with a refurbished Pullman train car serving as seating. So, we can now have French/contemporary international food at Gemmell’s and traditional steak, fresh seafood and updated American cuisine at Vintage Steakhouse.
Gemmell’s: 34471 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, (949) 234-0063; Vintage Steakhouse: 26701 Verdugo St., San Juan Capistrano, (949) 661-3400.
Pizzeria Ortica,the brainchild of L.A. restaurateur/chef David Myers (of Sona and Comme & #199;a fame),has just opened in the location that had been Turner New Zealand in Costa Mesa. Chef de cuisine overseeing this kitchen is Stephan Samson who came from the kitchens of Piero Selvaggio’s highly acclaimed Valentino restaurants in Santa Monica and Vegas. The menu is a m & #233;lange of rustic Northern Italian foods. He is scheduled to add another restaurant to our scene later this year,a sibling Comme & #199;a. Pizzeria Ortica: 650 Anton Blvd., Costa Mesa, (714) 445-4900.
There’s also Lola Gaspar making its appearance in the Santa Ana arts district, now dubbed SanTana. This is also the reuse of a former restaurant space (the late Pangea), with the restaurant being a spinoff of Habana in Costa Mesa’s The Lab,albeit a more tapas-oriented venue than Habana. Gypsy Den and Memphis were the first to jump on the SanTana bandwagon about three years ago and this nuevo Latino restaurant is a collaboration between Gypsy Den and Habana. This artsy territory has steadily grown with artists of many disciplines working in their ateliers, while several restaurants offer a variety of dining options. It’s a nice slice of the casual life and a place to stroll, shop and eat. Lola Gaspar: 211 W. 2nd St. Santa Ana, (714) 972-1172.
If you are a coffee aficionado, or wannabe, and live or work in the Tustin area, the best coffee will be coming your way later this month when Karen and Martin Diedrich open their second K & #233;an Coffee at 13681 Newport Ave. in Old Town Tustin. For those who might not know, Martin began the whole coffeehouse trend in OC in the 1980s when he began to educate all of us in the magic of freshly roasted coffee beans culled from only the most prestigious coffee plantations. The family company eventually became part of Starbucks Corp. and then in 2005 the couple opened their first K & #233;an Coffee, on 17th Street in Costa Mesa, and once again made us swoon over the aromas and tastes. While major coffee chains offer a good cup of java, there really is nothing like having your beverage made from beans that came so suddenly right from the roasting machine. Just call K & #233;an the haute beverage place of the coffee industry.
Back Bay Bistro, the former cute waterfront cafe at the boat launch side of Newport’s back bay basin, was recently given a marvelous makeover turning it into a swell looking spot for sure,one with food that is not only wonderfully presented but that delivers big time on taste. The menu waltzes a bit with international tastes, interspersed with Americana, thus offering plenty of appealing choices. The massive enclosed terrace-like area that was before only a patio has now become a chic setting with eye-catching designer touches, not the least of which are huge, freestanding cylindrical lamps, fine seating and a roof that opens when the weather is at its best. The smaller dining room is serene and filled with lovely furnishings, reminiscent of a chic private club. The owners put $2 million into this remake and it is worthy of your attention. Back Bay Bistro: 1131 Back Bay Drive, Newport Beach, (949) 729-3863.
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Panera Bread: OC franchisers sold locations to San Diego businessman |
As my readers know, I really like the quality and interest factor of the food served at the many Panera Bread cafes that dot our landscape. I am most familiar with those running from Central to South Orange County, gathered in the region closest to where we live. Thus, we’ve come to know franchisees Ted and Sheri Hoover in our area. Ted has just informed us that they have sold their franchise territory to San Diego franchisee Paul Saber, who was looking to expand his holdings. Panera is one of those companies well grounded in its business plans and seemingly on track to keep opening more restaurants.
Amid all these restaurant openings, Mamma Gina in Newport Beach has said bye-bye. No reports on what might become of that building. This year might find more fallout, which makes me quite sad.
Winemaker Dinner
The St. Regis Monarch Beach is having a winemaker dinner on March 6. The wines of Paul Hobbs will be featured along with a multi-course gourmet meal (six wines, reception and a four-course dinner).
Paul Hobbs has honed his skills and expertise as a leading winemaker and international winemaking consultant during the past three decades. He established Paul Hobbs Winery in 1991 with a focus on producing terroir-driven, or region specific, chardonnay, pinot noir and cabernet sauvignon. The portfolio was built with collaborative relationships with the growers of some of Napa and Sonoma’s most compelling and historical properties. Meticulous vineyard management followed by minimally invasive winemaking techniques is his approach for producing wines that express their vineyard origins with utmost depth, complexity and authenticity. Fermented using native yeasts, the wines are aged in French oak and bottle unfined and unfiltered.
The time is 6:30 p.m., $165. One Monarch Beach Resort, Dana Point, (949) 234.3765.
Exotic Cuisine
Sapphire Laguna has added a little bit of spice to the menu with a dozen small plates featuring spice influences from around the world, all priced less than $10. The serious OC dining crowd relishes the amicable personality and kitchen talents of super chef/owner Azmin Ghahreman, who upped the culinary interest factor of Laguna when he opened the restaurant just two years ago. Now, there’s more reason to drop by and expand your dining adventures by way of these evening menu additions with global flavors and perchance a glass of wine from some unique and marvelous winery.
Among the spice plates are: gambas a la plancha with cracked coriander; duck mole quesadilla; African red mango curried swordfish; Indonesian chicken martabak with dahl dipping sauce; creole-spiced seared ahi; Tunisian merguez kebabs; and a unique steamed cheeseburger with spicy mayonnaise.
Sometimes you’re just in the mood to dine on small tempting tastes of your favorites or to try something altogether new. Sometimes you just want to spice up your evening in a smallish fashion. Azmin always brings satisfaction to our palates with his wide array of dining choices. These plates are available from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
Sapphire Laguna: 1200 S. Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, (949) 715-9888.
Valentines Advice
The month of romance has arrived and while I could do a long list of places offering special meals and/or overnight packages at hotels and resorts, I’m actually suggesting that you e-mail your favorite restaurants and hotels for their Valentine meals and deals. That will make the list much more comprehensive and confined to those places that would enthrall you for a special evening out.
