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Canaletto Ristorante Veneto Fine dining at Canaletto Ristorante Veneto in Fashion Island brings the taste of northeastern Italy to Orange County. Both lunch and dinner start off with a basket of warm bread and feature menus of authentic Venetian dishes made from scratch with the finest ingredients. Try house-made fresh pasta or one of Canaletto’s wood-fired rotisserie or grill selections for a truly delicious experience. 545 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach 949.640.0900 ilfornaio.com A Restaurant Originally known as The Arches (a popular landmark that opened way back in 1926 and closed in 2007), A Restaurant keeps alive the old-school fine-dining spirit of its predecessor, an eatery that drew an impressive number of celebrities during its 81 years on Pacific Coast Highway, nestled against the Balboa Boulevard bridge. Renovations left the exterior mainly intact but revamped the interior to bring back the ambience that The Arches once held. Red leather booths and wood paneling hold a charm that makes A Restaurant a new, but equally strong, establishment. 3334 Pacific Coast Hwy., Newport Beach 949.650.6505 arestaurantnb.com Andrei’s Conscious Cuisine & Cocktails Although recently voted a best place for fries in Orange County by OC Weekly, Andrei’s Conscious Cuisine & Cocktails isn’t a burgers-and-fries joint. Instead, Andrei’s is the sort of luxurious dinner spot that features organic cocktails and sustainable meals in artful preparation – sip it in the lounge, or savor it in the dining room. And with a $30 prix-fixe menu on Saturdays, it pays to be conscious. 2607 Main St., Irvine 949.387.8887 andreisrestaurant.com Baci di Roma Here’s a place with the kind of warm, festive and down-to-earth atmosphere that diners have come to expect of an Italian trattoria. Featuring a mix of Italian and American family dining traditions, it’s known as the type of restaurant where you can have a conversation with friends while enjoying great food – whether it’s a seafood or pasta special, filet mignon or a signature salad. 5205 Warner Ave., Huntington Beach 714.840.1122 bacidiroma.com Charlie Palmer at Bloomingdale’s Luxurious and sophisticated, Charlie Palmer at Bloomingdale’s in South Coast Plaza is in the genre of beautiful-yet-masculine fine dining that screams for a bottle of wine and an after-dinner cigar. Wine is the central inspiration for this establishment. Beyond the selection of varietals, the wood floors of the restaurant are crafted from reclaimed wine barrels, and it’s paired with a Charlie Palmer’s Next Vintage retail shop. It’s a great place to explore food, wine and things to buy. 3333 S. Bristol St., Costa Mesa 714.352.2525 charliepalmer.com Diamond Jamboree A restaurant mecca with more than a dozen eateries, the Diamond Jamboree shopping center in Irvine serves as a central location for cultural dining. The restaurants here feature cuisines like Chinese, Taiwanese, Korean, Japanese, Mediterranean, French and Thai. For a sweet treat, 85ºC Bakery Café serves up gourmet coffees and treats such as Sea Salt Coffee and Coffee Crème Brulée. Chinese cuisine is featured at its best at Capital Seafood, which serves up Dim Sum and fresh seafood daily. Or for Taiwanese specialties and a cup of hot or iced tea, try the Guppy Teahouse Café. Whatever you are craving, the Diamond Jamboree shopping center is sure to have it all. 2700-2750 Alton Pkwy., Irvine diamond-jamboree.com Elephant Bar The new Elephant Bar restaurant in Laguna Hills promises to deliver the same blend of European and Asian global fusion flavors that the chain has become known for. Using classic techniques of wood-fired grilling and wok cooking, the restaurant produces creative dishes every time. 24155 Laguna Hills Mall, Suite 1055, Laguna Hills 949.454.9530 elephantbar.com Izakaya WaSa Here you’ll enjoy an intimate dining experience in a warm, contemporary atmosphere. And it’s the kind of cozy place you can tuck into without tucking too deep out of your wallet. With a menu of sushi and traditional Japanese tapas, the savory small bites at Izakaya WaSa will keep your taste buds tingling for more. 59 Fortune Drive, Suite 340, Irvine 949.453.9500 izakayawasa.com Phans55 Vietnamese Bistro and Bar This is a hip, urban kind of place where you can enjoy environmentally friendly traditional Vietnamese cuisine with a modern flair that delights diners from all walks of life. True to the Vietnamese traditions of cooking, all the ingredients are fresh, natural and sustainable. For a melt-in-your-mouth experience, try the Chilean Sea Bass served in a clay pot, or let Phans55 cater your next holiday event. 6000 Scholarship Drive, Irvine 949.724.1236 phans55.com Red Velvet Asian Café Here you’ll find a plethora of Asian specialties inspired by the cuisines of Thailand, Korea, China and Vietnam. Favorites such as pot stickers, egg rolls and chicken or beef satay grace the Pan Asian menu with specialties like the Chicken Curry Dip and Pineapple Fried Rice with Shrimp. It also boasts an impressive tea selection, which is spotlighted as a front-and- center feature of the café. 31654 Rancho Viejo Road, Suite D, San Juan Capistrano 949.448.7893 redvcafe.com Sandella’s Flatbread Café Eating right and right away is a priority at all three of this upscale, fast-casual eatery’s Orange County locations. The focal point of every dish: Sandella’s brick-oven flatbread, famous for its flavor and texture. Favorite eats are the Tuscan Chicken Panini and the Brazilian Chicken Grilled Flatbread. But don’t miss out on the fresh soups or chopped salads that Sandella’s also serves. 2875 Park Ave., Tustin 714.817.8450 sandellas.com Simply Fondue For a cozy spot with eclectic décor, Simply Fondue is the place to be. Meals focus around a European-inspired menu, which features an array of cheeses for dipping into, and delightful selection of savory entrées to dip with, including beef, lobster, shrimp, pork, poultry, tofu and vegetables. Luscious chocolate makes for the perfect dessert, and an award-winning wine list rounds out the meal. 31761 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano 949.240.0300 simplyfondueorangecounty.com Sundried Tomato American Bistro and Café The newest location of the chain recently opened in San Clemente, featuring the same upscale California casual dining experience the brand has become known for. Complete with a fireside dining area outside, and a fine dining area and bar indoors, the restaurant serves specialties like Salmon Steak with Tomato Fondue that are intended to be enjoyed while watching one of several large-screen TVs. 821 Via Suerte, San Clemente 949.388.5757 sundriedtomatocafe.com 25 Degrees Named for the difference in temperature between a medium-rare and well-done burger, 25 Degrees might be the swankiest hamburger joint around. Described as a “bordello meets burger bar,” this sultry place serves up a lusty assortment of sirloin, veggie, tuna and turkey burgers with a variety of imported and domestic cheeses and an assortment of house-made sauces – all meant to be enjoyed in your jeans and T-shirt. 412 Walnut St., Huntington Beach 714.960.2525 5degreesrestaurant.com Watermarc Watermarc prides itself on being a value-driven restaurant that strives to exceed expectations – important in today’s economy. Drop by for a half-glass of wine and one of Watermarc’s 26 grazing plates, or stick around for a bottle of your favorite vino and a more traditional dining experience. Don’t forget to perch yourself at the edge of the experience; the upstairs terrace overlooks Peppertree Lane, while the downstairs dining area opens up to the sidewalk of South Coast Highway. 448 S. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach 949.376.6272 watermarcrestaurant.com Hamamori At Hamamori, contemporary flair meets sophisticated taste. And the result: artful Japanese dishes, created by none other than Chef James Hamamori himself. Using only the freshest ingredients and fish available, Hamamori creates modern Japanese cuisine and delightful sushi that’s as pleasing to look at as it is to devour. 3333 Bear St., Suite 320, Costa Mesa 714.850.0880 wasasushi.com/hamamori Pizzeria Ortica The bustling atmosphere you’ll find here makes for a fun and lively setting to enjoy the flavorful Italian dishes that Pizzeria Ortica creates with its unique and inventive flair. Wood-fired pizzas burst with flavor, and house-made pastas will make your taste buds sing. It’s a loud place filled with loud flavors that complement each other perfectly. And it’s nothing like the Italian you may be used to; it’s anything but a generic pizza shop. 650 Anton Blvd., Costa Mesa 714.445.4900 pizzeriaortica.com Marché Moderne For a modern take on the traditional French bistro, try Marché Moderne, created by husband-and-wife team Florent and Amelia Marneau. The warm, dark atmosphere of the restaurant is the perfect backdrop for a meal inspired by fresh market ingredients and French culinary techniques. Indulge in the rich flavors of a savory entrée and a glass of wine – and be sure to leave room for one of Amelia’s desserts. 3333 Bristol St., Suite 3001, Costa Mesa 714.434.7900 marchemoderne.net RA Sushi This is one hip, stimulating sushi bar and restaurant. A meal here becomes an exciting, new experience with fun, inventive sushi and hot dishes that will please even the pickiest palate. Enjoy the vibe while digging into RA’s popular brand of Pacific-rim dishes. And treat yourself to a signature cocktail by the bar. If you arrive during happy hour, you’re in for a treat: There’s a whole menu of half-off sushi and appetizer specials. • 155 5th St., Suite 183 Huntington Beach 714.536.6390 • 2401 Park Ave., Tustin 714.566.1700 rasushi.com Sol Cocina At Sol Cocina, fresh fish and simple preparations reign to make this Baja-inspired restaurant and bar a tantalizing place for a meal. Combining old-world Mexican charm with new-world comforts, the open exhibition kitchen at Sol Cocina gives it the feel of a beachside taco stand, but with a richer, more modern feel. And your taste buds will be in Sol heaven when they’re hit with the lively flavors you’ll get when you order house specialties such as the Mango Lobster Tostadas, Grilled White Corn Soup and Rainbow Guacamole. 251 E. Coast Hwy., Newport Beach 949.675.9800 solcocina.com |
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