Subject: Charlie Palmer

• Now Open in Newport Beach: Code

  Code has opened. If you remember, this is the place that took over Fury in Newport Beach. Done by the people behind Tentation, Ten Asian Bistro, Mosun G, and others, the interior looks as impressive as its exterior; which, by the way, seems like it's cribbed from Charlie Palmer's 405-facing facade. At night, both look like a giant, back-lit ice cube. And from a first glance at the menu, Code serves crudo, seemingly responding to the void created when Blanca's Nick Weber left, taking OC's f

  November 12, 2008

• Spying Charlie Palmer's & Complaining About Crustacean

  I don't shop at Bloomingdale's, but I like going through its front entrance to get to the mall. Why? In the store's entryway, you can see into Charlie Palmer's kitchen through this eye-slit of a peep-hole. From it, you can spy all the cooking action and the Top Chef dreamers doing it, and that's exactly what most of these bright-eyed kids look like: Marcels and Hungs. It's fun to watch what goes on in there, even if it does get a bit boring without the QuickFire Challenges. Next to Charli

  December 11, 2008

• $11 Wagyu Beef Hot Dog at Charlie Palmer's Anyone?

  Ah, Charlie Palmer, how do you do it? While we're all knee-deep in the stink, you forge onward. I suppose there are still rich people around, and they've gotta eat somewhere. And for those of them who watch football, I suppose $11 is nothing to pony up for a hot dog come SuperBowl Sunday. More specifically, it's Charlie Palmer's Wagyu hot dog. Wagyu, if you don't know, is the American cousin of Japanese Kobe beef. Think about it. A Kobe beef hot dog. Insane if we weren't in a recession;

  January 29, 2009

• Valentine's Menus for Just About EVERY Restaurant at South Coast Plaza

  Just in time for Valentine's Day, I got an unsolicited e-mail from a PR person working for South Coast Plaza's restaurants. This time, there's finally some information I'd want to share with you: the special Valentine's menus for just about every eatery at SCP. So if you were thinking of one of SCP's many establishments for treating your honey, there's no need to go and do your own research. JUST READ IT ALL HERE, after the jump.But before you do, be aware that these specials aren't exactly o

  February 5, 2009

• O.C. Restaurants With No Corkage Fees

  I got the following e-mail from a reader named Dorn: I know you are not an alcohol drinker, but I suspect many of your foodie fans love wine. I would love to see a topic covered on OC restaurants that do not charge a corkage fee. Considering that most restaurants mark-up their wines 200% - 300%, this would be a HUGE money saver for many who dine out regularly. My wife and I have discovered that Houston's, Bandera and Gulfstream never charge a corkage fee (all part of the Hillside Group I t

  February 11, 2009

• Cafe Hiro's Valentine's Menu

  Cafe Hiro's Special Valentine's Day Dinner Menu can be seen by clicking HERE, but it's probably pointless for me to show you this now if you don't already have a reservation. A call made earlier on Thursday confirmed that all seats are booked until 9:15 P.M. on Saturday.It's a no brainer why.  $38 for a 7-course menu is a steal.  Never mind that it was $30 for an 8-course menu during Christmas and New Year's Eve.  (Ain't the Law of Supply and Demand an unforgiving bitch?!) 

  February 13, 2009

• Could This Be The Best Club Sandwich In The World?

  Window shopping our way around South Coast Plaza may be a pleasant way to spend a morning, but when it's time to fill our grumbling bellies, we're stumped. There are a few upmarket options, sure (Hamamori, Marché Moderne and Charlie Palmer), along with some fast-food joints at the other end of the scale, but there's not much to write home about in the middle.So I thought I'd try the Wolfgang Puck Bistro at Macy's. It's more café than restaurant, with an open-plan, industrial-style kitchen, alt

  February 19, 2009

• Classy Stuff--This Time At Charlie Palmer, Bloomie's

  OK, so Marché Moderne's cooking classes are all booked up - as I noted last week. But if you're quick off the mark you can sign up for one of the "kitchen technique" classes at Charlie Palmer at Bloomingdale's, South Coast Plaza. According to our sources, they're likely to sell out very quickly.Running from April through August, the classes--which have marvelous names such as "Poaching--The Lost Art"--cost $75 per person, but that also includes a three-course meal in the restaurant. Two are bei

  February 26, 2009

• More Dining Bargains--Fashion Plates at South Coast Plaza

  Seems like the OC can't get enough of dining and drinking deals these days, what with the recent Orange County Restaurant Week, upcoming Happy Hour Week and a ton of other random bargains and promos. Lucky us!This time it's the Fashion Plates event at SCP, a ten-day affair running from March 20 to 29, during which such posh places as Marché Moderne, Charlie Palmer, Hamamori (pictured) and Pizzeria Ortica will be offering three-course lunches for $20 and/or four-course dinners for $40. Nello Cuc

  March 10, 2009

• More St Patrick's Day Treats--At Charlie Palmer, Bloomingdale's

  Dig into some delish-sounding Irish-themed comfort food at the lounge at Charlie Palmer, South Coast Plaza, on Tuesday, March 17. Chef Amar Santana will be showcasing ingredients traditionally associated with the Emerald Isle, including the requisite cabbage, corned beef and potatoes, but he's also adding Cashel Blue cheese and Bushmills Whiskey into the mix. Not all in the same dish, of course--that would be hideous.The special dishes are:Kelly Eisenberg Corned Beef and Cabbage, Fresh Horseradi

  March 12, 2009

• This Week in Food

  Our fave Stick A Fork In It Blog Posts, from this week:Those of us on a budget had plenty to smile about, with free Roastburgers from Arby's and, at the other end of the scale, an extended $10 posh entrée deal at all three locations of Savannah.Fitting news for spring: Edwin reported that Iron Chef Cat Cora and her partner are both pregnant--with boys, it turns out. At least it's not octuplets.And we were also gearing up for St Patrick's Day, bringing you blogs about Charlie Palmer's Irish-them

  March 13, 2009

• Booze News: Next Vintage Wine Shop's 50 For 50 Events

  I'm not advocating that we all reach for the bottle during these stressful times (if a recent study is to be believed, even one small glass of wine a day can increase a woman's cancer risk), but for those of us who like an occasional top-quality tipple but who balk at the high prices, there's good news.There are a ton of local wine deals and--to repeat that overused word--"experiences" in Orange County right now, and we'll be blogging about as many as we can manage. First, we kick off at the hig

  March 30, 2009

• Jaqu's in Huntington Beach Wants to Be Everything to Everyone—And It Just Might Be

  August 28, 2008

• Culinary Giant Charlie Palmer Fires Up the Burner at His First California Restaurant

  July 3, 2008

• It's a Quick Read 34

  Orange County Register: A hushed county awaits the jury verdict in Steve Rocco's trial for alleged ketchup theft. . . . County officials are talking settlement with ex-Sheriff, current-felon Mike Carona's former right-hand man George Jaramillo. . . . Orange County may be among the first in the state to require ignition locks to stem drunken driving. . . . Try the cockroach floating in the dishwater, it's excellent: Restaurants you can't afford--Charlie Palmer at South Coast Plaza

  April 16, 2009

• Warning: Charlie Palmer's New Small Plates May Be Bad For Your Health (But Not In The Way You Think)

  Last night, the bar at Charlie Palmer, South Coast Plaza, launched its small plates menu--available from 4pm until close--with a media shindig.I have to confess that I only tried one dish, but I do have a legitimate excuse: I'd just chowed down on the five-course tasting extravaganza at Marché Moderne and could only face something small and sweet by this point.So my eyes were drawn to the bottom of the menu--churros with smoked chocolate sauce. I've always loved churros, ever since I was a kid,

  April 30, 2009

• This Week In Food

  This Week's highlights from Stick a Fork In It:I wrote about my near-fistfight with a fellow partygoer at the launch of the new Charlie Palmer small plates menu--it must've been the excitement of kicking off our new Twitter account that was getting to me.Talking of Twitter-induced excitement, Edwin's heart went a-flutter when he got word of the kogi truck's arrival in Santa Fe Springs. Sadly, he spent a while in the line before realizing it'd be hours before he got served, and had to call it qui

  May 1, 2009

• Frittata Pans Be Damned! Treat Mom Right With Our Guide To The Best Mother's Day Menus in OC

  Flipping through Real Simple last night, I caught a glimpse of what could be the most insulting ad ever.Sure, the visuals were mouthwatering--an enticing asparagus frittata, cooked to perfection and waiting for a fork to sink into it--but it was the text that nearly made me choke:"Mom deserves the best... Surprise her with our revolutionary new nonstick frittata pan".A black mark against Williams-Sonoma for running this sexist, throwback ad. Seriously, have we not moved on from the 1950s?I say s

  May 6, 2009

• Tippling Treats This Weekend (And Beyond)

  Now that Lent is but a distant memory, we can take to the bottle again without fear of recrimination.Tomorrow, Saturday April 25, sees two wine events taking place locally: The first is at WineStyles in Irvine (Portola Parkway) from 4:00pm to 6:00pm, where you can taste up to six wines for just $5. (The same event runs on Thursday, April 30, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm). If you've more cash to splash, there's the "50 for 50" sale at Charlie Palmer's Next Vintage Wine Shop, which I recently blogged abo

  April 24, 2009

• Reminder: 50 for 50 Event at Charlie Palmer on Saturday

  If you're celebrating Memorial Day at home but need some top-class booze to liven up your dinner, head down to South Coast Plaza between 3:00pm and 5:30pm this Saturday, May 23, for the second of four scheduled sales at the Next Vintage Wine Shop, inside the Charlie Palmer restaurant in Bloomingdale's. As I mentioned previously, these events are a chance to get your hands on top wines at half price. The first event in April was a sell-out, and I'm not surprised. Okay, you have to take i

  May 21, 2009

• Stars Of Santa Barbara--And Other Upcoming South Coast Plaza Wine Events

  Charlie Palmer's monthly 50 for 50 sell-off, with bargains aplenty, has come around again. It's this Saturday, June 13, from 3:00pm to 5:00pm, in the Next Vintage Wine Shop.Antonello Ristorante has started a "wine mixer" once a month, featuring eight wines for $30 per person, followed by a sale of wines at retail prices. The next one, showcasing a trio of Napa Valley wineries, takes place on Friday, June 26, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm. Reservations are required: call (714) 751-7153--as is business ca

  June 9, 2009

• Easy, Breezy Recipe: Amar Santana's Gazpacho

  Here's a signature from Amar Santana, Executive Chef at Charlie Palmer, South Coast Plaza. Light, healthy and a cinch to make, it's perfect for summer (once the weather perks up, that is). On the other hand, if you're feeling fancy, you can jazz it up by garnishing it with marinated baby shrimp and avocado, as Santana does.We couldn't get a photo of the dish itself, but, let's face it: we all know what gazpacho looks like. But not everyone knows what Santana looks like--so here's a cheery pic of

  June 12, 2009

• Dueling Dishes: Posh Mini Kobe Burgers

  Seems like just about everyone is turning out mini burgers these days. But what are we to do when we crave something fancier than Jack In The Box? Head to South Coast Plaza, that's what, where there are two different versions--kobe sliders with truffle aioli, no less--just a few minutes apart from each other.First up: Marcus Samuelsson's offering, the Mini "Kobe" Burger, at the Signature Kitchen at Macy's Home Store. It takes a while to arrive--at least ten minutes, despite there being very few

  June 18, 2009

• South Coast Plaza's Fashion Plates Promo Coming Again Soon

  For a ten-day period (July 31 through August 9), 13 local restaurants will be offering bargain prix fixe menus (many with a choice of entrée): three courses as lunch for $20 and four courses at dinner for $40. That's exclusive of tax, tips and drinks, although Nello Cucina and Royal Khyber are generously throwing in a glass of wine, too. This is the third time the biannual event has run during the summer, perhaps because so few of us can afford to take a vacation these days. It's bound to be po

  July 14, 2009

• Two Upcoming Wine Events (One Tomorrow)

   First up, Saturday July 25, is the monthly 50 for 50 event at the Next Vintage Wine Shop next to Charlie Palmer at Bloomingdale's, South Coast Plaza. From 3 to 5.30 p.m., around 30 top wines and champagnes will be sold off for half their original price. Expect some stunners among the bargains. There'll also be nibbles to soak up the samples, and sommeliers on hand for advice.Then, next Wednesday, July 29, Sage on the Coast is hosting a Wine Tasting Dinner, where Kathleen Spillane of Domain

  July 24, 2009

• On the Line: Amar Santana of Charlie Palmer at Bloomingdale's

  ​This week we grilled Amar Santana, Executive Chef at Charlie Palmer at Bloomingdale's, South Coast Plaza. As well as cooking, the Dominican Republic-born chef also teaches regular kitchen technique classes at the restaurant (for information, check the website).Here, he talks about his love of pork and his desire to grease up a certain ubiquitous food "personality".1. Dish that you cook that most represents you:Crisp pork belly. I just LOVE pork. 2. What was the last meal you had at home?

  July 28, 2009

• Reminder: Fashion Plates Starts Tomorrow

  ​As previously mentioned, a baker's dozen of restaurants in and around South Coast Plaza--including Hamamori (pictured), Marché Moderne and Charlie Palmer--are offering bargain $20 three-course lunches and/or $40 four-course dinners from July 31 until August 9. UPDATE: Royal Khyber and Nello Cucina's dinners, which include a free glass of wine, are priced at $30.For full details of the menus, go to the mall's website (click on Events, then Calendar, then July 31... and scroll down the panel o

  July 30, 2009

• Notes From A Grubfest At South Coast Plaza

  Mall restaurants aren't everyone's first choice when dining out, but South Coast Plaza is surely an exception? Not the fast-food joints and run-of-the-mill chains, of course, but the higher-end spaces. Name one other shopping center in the US that's home to a trifecta of the caliber of Hamamori, Charlie Palmer and Marché Moderne?On Friday and Saturday I took part in a two-day event that gathered a group of local (OC and LA) food bloggers and led us around the crème de la crème of SCP's eateri

  October 5, 2009

• On the Line: Executive Chef James Hamamori of Hamamori

  ​An early pioneer of the sushi conveyor belt concept in New York, James Hamamori worked at Asakuma in Los Angeles before teaming up with entrepreneur Bronnie Lee and opening the first of several Wasa Sushi outlets. Hamamori, located in the satellite wing of South Coast Plaza, followed in December 2007.With its upscale interior and high-end menu of stunningly fresh fish, not to mention its posh mall setting, the restaurant practically screams "Orange County." But that doesn't mean you need an

  September 8, 2009