It’s no big secret that I think Salt Creek Grille does a superb job of giving people a casual, yet upscale dining experience with great food, a wonderful ambiance and fine service. This concept is an ultra comfortable and friendly package that never loses its interest factor with us.
Cofounders and proprietors Tim McCune and Pete Truxaw opened the first Salt Creek Grille here in Dana Point 10 years ago, followed three years later by one in Valencia. Two others are in Rumson and Princeton, N.J.
Now, in El Segundo, the classic American grille within yet another stunning arts and crafts structure will debut at Plaza El Segundo on Tuesday.
Plaza El Segundo, the South Bay’s top new retail center, is on Sepulveda Boulevard, just north of Rosecrans Avenue. Salt Creek Grille’s neighbors include Anthropologie, Sur La Table, Smith & Hawken and a Whole Foods Market.
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Truxaw, left, McCune, Floyd: Salt Creek opening in El Segundo |
The new 7,500-square-foot restaurant and bar seats 300. An additional 1,000 square feet holds three nature-inspired patios with streaming waterfalls and an adjoining arroyo. The cozy bar, where top shelf martinis dominate the cocktail menu, features a baby grand piano and a handsome hand-carved communal table.
Salt Creek Grille’s Craftsman-style design includes its trademark front porch, fire pits and a striking interior filled with warm woods and comfortable booths. The restaurant will serve lunch and dinner daily. Live jazz and standards add to the evening ambiance.
Dana Point is only open for lunch Friday through Sunday.
The made-from-scratch menu focuses on superb steaks, chops and fresh fish cooked on a unique mesquite wood-burning grill in an exhibition kitchen. An award-winning wine list features popular California and boutique wines.
I’ve consistently listed Salt Creek Grille in Dana Point as one of the best restaurants in the county in my various restaurant columns during the years. Whether you dine here or at the South Bay location, the menu, under the auspices of the company’s executive chef Scott Floyd, is the same. I admire the way chef Floyd brings out the soul of ingredients within a dish and yet, while presenting food in the most attractive way, keeps everything so approachable.
There are many menu items that entice me. For appetizers: jumbo stuffed shrimp, an ahi tuna stack with layers of avocado, salads built around prime flat iron steak and a unique combo of vegetables or one of pears, goat cheese and walnuts. At lunch, the barbecue pork sandwich pays fine homage to the Southwest.
Steaks are hand-cut daily and, along with other meats and fresh seafood, come in myriad preparations. Rack of lamb with cabernet sauce, double-cut pork chop brined in apple cider, braised short ribs, steaks broiled to order, stroganoff made with porterhouse steak, salmon stuffed with crab and shrimp, sea bass in a lemon butter broth and seared yellowfin tuna are among my repeat entrees.
I should also mention the roasted chicken sitting in a bit of fresh herb jus that is as fine as roasted chicken can be.
Salt Creek Grille has many special offers for diners. A group of select wines are offered on Mondays at half price. Every Tuesday evening, a 12-ounce cut of prime rib served as a complete meal is only $30. Reduced price wines by the glass, martinis and such also are offered on certain days.
It would take a separate column to list the raves from restaurant critics and the media. It’s been honored with Wine Spectator magazine’s Award of Excellence for the past six years.
As for me, we’ll be picking up some friends later this week at Los Angeles International Airport, and plan to swing by the El Segundo location.
Salt Creek Grille in El Segundo: 2015 E. Park Place, (310) 335-9288. Dana Point: 32802 Pacific Coast Highway, (949) 661-7799.
Celebrate
I’ve watched Zov Karamardian build her business. It started as a catering business from her home 30 years ago. Two decades ago, she opened her first restaurant, and has continued to expand.
First came Zov’s Bistro in the Enderle Center at 17th and Yorba streets in Tustin. Next came the adjacent Zov’s Bakery and Cafe, and then the separate bakery division, also in the Enderle Center.
Another Zov’s recently opened in Newport Coast and soon yet another one will emerge in Irvine.
On Sunday, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., you can participate in the 20th Anniversary Zov’s Bistro Celebration and help some worthy causes at the same time. It’s an opportunity to savor Zov’s food, desserts and some fine wines. A band will provide entertainment.
The fund-raiser will raise money for Spin (Serving People in Need) and the Susan Samueli Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of California, Irvine.
Spin helps poor and homeless people, giving them financial assistance for housing and, through a network of comprehensive support services, helps them to become self-sufficient and no longer dependent on public support.
The Susan Samueli Center incorporates patient care with education, research and clinical practice applying integrative medical therapies.
Tickets for this celebration of good causes and fine wine and food are $100 per person. Call Zov’s at (800) 980-9687 for tickets and further information, or visit www.zovs.com.
