Charlie Palmer

Anne Marie's Top Five Drinks of 2012!

Here's the thing about me and drinking-- from the time that I was "of age", I drank primarily wine. And champagne. My perception of beer was what I saw in commercials and bottles or cans at wedding receptions. It was crap. If I wanted different, it was some stereotyped cocktail in a martini glass.In ... More >>

Drink of the Week: Vino Fresco At Charlie Palmer

For a deceptively plain-looking libation, this is one high-maintenance cocktail. A few years back (when Charlie Palmer was debuting), we remember the vino fresco. Listed at the bottom of the menu, its name intrigued us--we were compelled to order one. During subsequent visits, we noticed our drink d ... More >>

Charlie Palmer Cellar Sale This Saturday

Bev Mo and Total Wine have nothing on Charlie Palmer this weekend. Serving artisan cheese and offering pours of roughly 40 different bottles on sale in a relaxed (read: at no cost) environment is the perfect way to unwind after an afternoon of South Coast Plaza therapy--and even better if you're act ... More >>

The Orange County Bartenders Cabinet Shake It Up

The group of county libation crafters is teaching you to drink as you've never drunk before

Presenting This Year's Crop of New Burger Joints: More Umami, Another The Counter, And BurgerFi

​We're still living in a burger Renaissance folks. As you may recall, the past few years saw a surge of new burger joints, some came from highfalutin gourmets chefs (think Joseph Mahon's Burger Parlor, Charlie Palmer's DG Burger, and Marcus Samuellson's MarcBurger), some came from the In-N-Out-lev ... More >>

Hockey Chefs = Charity, A Dux In Tux Recap

​We had the opportunity to attend the 12th annual Dux In Tux, a fund-raiser benefiting the Anaheim Ducks Foundation, which funds wellness seminars, hockey tutorials and in-school visits to OC's kiddies and beyond. Chefs are paired with a member of the team to assist in executing a custom menu for ... More >>

Start Spreading the News About Broadway

Amar Santana's new restaurant in Laguna Beach would make Charlie Palmer proud

On The Line: Sea Kyeong Kim of Charlie Palmer At Bloomingdales, Part Three

Photo by Meranda Carter​This Charlie Palmer chef takes his craft pretty seriously. After going over the ingredients for the recipe, we must say, this is one intensely flavorful tomato salad! To catch up on what you missed with Chef Kim, links for parts one and two can be found here, and over here. ... More >>

On The Line: Sea Kyeong Kim of Charlie Palmer At Bloomingdales, Part Two

Photo by Meranda Carter​Our interview with Chef Kim continues as we look into his background in Korea, as well as his aspirations for the future. We also hear about his experience working for previous On The Line subject, Amar Santana. Stay in the loop by reading Part One here, and get your heirlo ... More >>

On The Line: Sea Kyeong Kim of Charlie Palmer At Bloomingdales, Part One

Photo by Meranda Carter​When we first began our On The Line series over two years ago, Amar Santana was one of our first interviews. How times have changed. As Santana puts the finishing touches to his  Broadway baby, we spend some time with his hand-picked successor, Chef Sea Kyeong Kim. Ori ... More >>

Drink Of The Week: Viet-jito From AnQi Gourmet Bistro

​Since House of An opened AnQi adjacent to Charlie Palmer, Bay Area transplants (like myself) have wondered if it's on par with the rest of the family. The collaboration of traditional Asian dishes alongside Chef Ryan Carson's inventive point-of-view has succeeded in doing the almost impossible: M ... More >>

G Burger Hits the G Spot

George Makri's La Habra burger stand straddles the comfortable center between dives and boutiques

New High-Concept Restaurants Slated for Laguna Beach

Starfish​Ah, Laguna Beach.  If there was a rallying point where the high-concept restaurants flock, it'd be here.  There are at least three new restaurants slated for the Laguna coast this year, all of them fit for a town that seems to demand a new restaurant or bar to go to every weeken ... More >>

[UPDATED] DG Burger at Charlie Palmer: Is Anyone Listening?

​UPDATE, 8:45 A.M., FEB. 1:  We've received a response from the Charlie Palmer Group--see bottom of post for details. ORIGINAL POST, 10:30 A.M., JAN. 31: Well, it's evident the management at Charlie Palmer in South Coast Plaza aren't paying attention to what's being written about the DG Burge ... More >>

DG Burger Is Damned If You Do

Charlie Palmer's downmarket burger at South Coast Plaza tries not to eat up all the profits

This Week in Food: Controversial Tamale Fundraisers, Great Office Park Eats, and Charlie Palmer!

Flickr user ilovemypit​Given this was Turkey Week, the blogging 'round here was at a more-relaxed pace, but that doesn't mean there weren't goodies in the mix (sorry for the double negative, a no-no in English, but I'm still asleep from the racks of ribs we ate last night). After the jump, some hi ... More >>

DG Burger French Fries Perhaps the Best in Human History

​Here is the line from yesterday's free-burger bonanza at Charlie Palmer's new South Coast Plaza hamburger stand, DG Burgers (and I just remembered that line in the Simpsons when Marge got annoyed at that Italian candy maker who works in the field of Gummi...). Surprise, surprise--give out free an ... More >>

Charlie Palmer on His New DG Burger, the Genius of Guests, and His Favorite OC Restaurants!

Palmer: A class act all the way...​Everyone else today will spill worth-it praise on Charlie Palmer's new burger joint, DG Burger, rave about the burger, wax purple over the fries, breathlessly report on the hundreds-deep line that snaked around his South Coast Plaza eatery to take him up on a fre ... More >>

Charlie Palmer Opening Burger Joint at South Coast Plaza, Giving Away 300 Free Burgers TOMORROW

Trish Rusthoven Daniels/Courtesy of DG Burger​The news has been around for a while that Charlie Palmer is opening a burger stand within his eponymous South Coast Plaza restaurant, but Nation's Restaurant News--the bible of the industry--weighed in with a piece today, placing it in the context of c ... More >>

OC Restaurant Thanksgiving Round-up

Clay Oven's Tandoori Turkey​This is the post we do every year around this time. This is the part where I say, "Not planning to cook for Turkey Day?!  Well, here's a few restaurants who'll do the cooking for you!!", yadda yadda. And this is the part where I add some funny quip about overeati ... More >>

On the Line: Danny Godinez of Anepalco's Cafe, Parte Two

​Photo by Todd BarnesBehold the second part of our interview with Danny Godinez, chef and head of the wonderful Anepalco's Cafe in Orange. Rather, behold it after the jump, where he dishes on the superiority of crepes over enchiladas, the raging debate about authentic versus fake Mexican food, and ... More >>

On The Line: Timothy Kast of Seasons 52, Part Two

Photo by Todd Barnes​Today we continue our Q&A with Timothy Kast, the executive chef partner at Seasons 52 in South Coast Plaza. Stay tuned for a recipe from the chef tomorrow. If you missed the first part, click here. What show would you pitch to the Food Network? Healthy cooking from scr ... More >>

Shelly Register of A Restaurant and Market, Part One

Photo by Todd Barnes​This week, we meet Chef Shelly Register of A Restaurant and Market in Newport Beach. Typically, bakers are strong at either breads or pastries, but not both. The French make a linguistic distinction between these specialty shops: pâtisseries sell pastries, and boulangeries ... More >>

Another New Food Truck Debuts in OC This Week (UPDATE!)

TheLimeTruck.com​For those who think this food truck trend has reached saturation, here's another one that debuted in OC last week. Called The Lime Truck, this roach coach markets itself as serving "California beach cuisine." At the helm is Jason Quinn, a young chef who once worked at Charli ... More >>

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, Cha ... More >>

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 Cuci ... More >>

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. ... More >>

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 gene ... More >>

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 e ... More >>

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 ... More >>

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 w ... More >>

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 Bloomingdal ... More >>

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 b ... More >>

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' ... More >>

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 Mode ... More >>

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. ... More >>

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 ... More >>

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 n ... More >>

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 ... More >>

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 ... More >>

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 2 ... More >>

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.Run ... More >>

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 ... More >>

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.   ... More >>

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 SC ... More >>

$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 ... More >>

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 ex ... More >>

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 faca ... More >>

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

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