Tie Goes to Pyott?; Something Cool in South Coast Metro

The Insider isn’t ready to make a flat-out prediction but will say this much on the latest turn in the Allergan-Valeant saga: It looks as though David Pyott can play for a tie while his opponents have to win—and do it in regulation time. See our story on page 1 for the long version … There’s something cool shaping up on the Santa Ana side of the South Coast Metro district—check Ritter’s Steam Kettle Cooking at MacArthur and Bristol for a touch of New Orleans and a look at a new generation of OC tastemakers … Also something cool in the works on the Costa Mesa side of the district: the South Coast Rep’s upcoming version of The Tempest, which will feature songs by Tom Waits and wife and fellow songwriter Kathleen Brennan. Need more: The Shakespearean drama will include some magic from Teller of Penn & Teller fame … Last on South Coast Metro: Raymond Chandler once said you could learn a lot about a city through the classified ads in the daily paper. Not the case anymore—but here’s a barometer worth checking for an overview of OC’s social fabric: the Gateway Newsstand at South Coast Plaza, where the mix runs the gamut from skate magazines, such as Thrasher, to the DuPont Registry of luxury homes … Speaking of luxury homes: Kudos to HÔM Sotheby’s Harold Noriega, who played for Team Western States Laguna, which took the national title in the Men’s 50s Division of the recent USA Open National Volleyball Championships. It’s Noriega’s third consecutive Gold Medal and fourth overall … Back to food: Plenty to like at the Istanbul Grill at Newhope and Talbert in Fountain Valley, starting with the arugula salad … The Irvine Company didn’t go as far as Istanbul for the latest restaurant to join its tenant list, but you’ll be able to get a “Tunisian Salad”—arugula, pomegranate, couscous, haricot verts and mint with seared salmon or papadum-crusted tofu—once Babbette’s of East Hampton opens at the Crystal Cove Shopping Center on PCH this fall …Tustin-based California Creations got a shot of publicity in a recent episode of the Food Network’s weekend morning show “The Kitchen,” with host Jeff Mauro demonstrating its Sonic Foamer, which uses ultrasonic vibrations to excite the gases in your beer, producing a new foamy head with the touch of a button … The Insider recently wondered aloud about the seeming increase in Maseratis on the roads of OC. Martin Brower sent along his observation that you can hardly pull into the Gelson’s parking lot in Corona del Mar without spotting a Tesla or Bentley. His kicker came at Pelican Hill Resort during a recent visit with his grandson, who spotted a yellow McLaren at the valet stand. Grandpa Brower says the kid is a genuine car buff and was excited to report that there are only three McLarens of that color in California—and each is worth about $1.5 million … Show me a better urban greensward than the one on the southwest corner of Von Karman and Morse.