Holiday Meals, New Chefs and More
WEB-EXCLUSIVE: Find out what's new in food and dining.
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On Christmas Eve, carolers will sing at the Palm Terrace Restaurant at Island Hotel Newport Beach (949.760.4920). Executive Chef Bill Bracken will prepare a traditional holiday dinner with all the trimmings served from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Cost, $88 per adult, $42 for children 12 years and under. Christmas Day Brunch will be served 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Cost, $75 per adult, $38 for children 12 and under. A harpist will entertain during the brunch and at the four-course Christmas Night Dinner served from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Dinner is $88 per adult, $42 for children under 12, plus tax and gratuity. The Palm Terrace will also ring in 2010 with a New Year’s Eve celebration with two seatings. The first, served from 6 p.m. is priced at $95 per person. A second seating served at 9 p.m. includes access to the Palm Terrace Lounge festivities. Cost is $175 per person, plus tax and gratuity. A Champagne toast at midnight, small plates and dancing to the music of Lisa Lofthouse and Friends is priced at $150 per person, plus tax and gratuity.
Delia and Arthur Snyder, new owners of the Don The Beachcomber brand name, have reincarnated the legendary restaurant – this time in Huntington Beach (562.592.1321). Located on the site of the former Sam’s Seafood, the eatery is open for dinner every night from 4 p.m., and Sunday Brunch, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The Pacific-rim menu is reminiscent of the foods that were popular in the ‘30s –sticky ribs, ahi poke tacos, kalua pulled pork, bacon-wrapped escolar, and pineapple upside down cake. A prix fixe menu features three courses for $30. The original DTB was famous for its one-of-a-kind rum drinks. Now you can enjoy a Navy Grog, Vicious Virgin, Rum Cow, Dr. Funk, Zombie, Missionary’s Downfall, or Don’s Original Mai Tai, created from the original recipe.
Bayside Restaurant (949.721.1222) is currently exhibiting the works of world-renowned artist Daniella Foletto. The Paris-born Foletto garnered fame for her Prehistoric Cave Collection, her interpretation of prehistoric art as seen in the Lascaux caves in Southern France as a young girl. Sharing space with a part of this notorious collection, are works from her African Collection, on display through March 2010.
Z’Tejas Southwestern Grill at South Coast Plaza (714.979.7469) makes entertaining easy with its new Fajitas To Go catering menu for parties of 15 or more. Choose from jerk chicken, vegetarian, shrimp or beef tenderloin. Sides include guacamole, black beans, two cheeses, flour tortillas, chips, salsa, napkins, and utensils. Prices range from $11.99 to $13.99 per person, depending on selections. A 24-hour advance notice is required.
Zov’s Bistro & Bakery in Tustin (714.838.8855) offers a Winter Holiday takeout dinner that serves 10-12 for $395. Choices include aged beef prime rib or rotisserie pork prime rib with sour cherry sauce, several vegetable sides, salad and rolls. Meals must be ordered by December 18 for pickup by noon on December 24. Zov’s gift cards are also available. Every Monday, beginning at 5 p.m., all three Zov‘s locations, Tustin, Irvine (714.734.9687) and Newport Coast (949.760.9687) feature a Feel-Good Favorites menu starting at $16.95. The two-course menu rotates weekly. Visit zovs.com to check out the featured entrée of the week.
Throughout the month of December, TAPS Fish House & Brewery in Brea (714.257.0101) will exchange a supermarket gift card of $20 or more for a TAPS brunch certificate valued at $32. Cards brought in will be donated to the Heart of Downtown Fullerton Food Bank.
Stefano Chiarugi has been appointed the new chef de cuisine at the elegant Andrea Ristorante at The Resort at Pelican Hill (949.467.6800). Chiarugi’s culinary background includes a stint at SWITCH restaurant at the Wynn Encore Las Vegas, Osteria Del Circo at The Bellagio Hotel and at his once owned restaurant in the Tuscany region of Italy.
Panera Bakery in Costa Mesa (949.642.9500) and Newport Beach (949.721.8800) are ready to meet your holiday needs with seasonal baked goods. New this year is the gingerbread man cookie that will be offered until December 24. Other freshly baked delights available until December 31, are cranberry walnut panettone, cranberry orange muffins, holiday bread, and cranberry walnut bagels.
After 18 years of preparing exquisite dinners at Antonello Ristorante in South Coast Plaza Village (714.751.7153), Executive Chef Franco Barone has bid farewell to open his own restaurant. Wife, Donna, former general manager of Nello Cucina in South Coast Plaza (714.540.3365) has joined Barone in the new venture. Sal Farrara has replaced Barone in the Antonello’s kitchen, and after a nine-year absence, the well-known Gino Buonanoce is back on the scene.
