Marche Moderne

Fourth Annual Orange County Food and Wine Festival

Lyon Air Museum

Ten Great First Date Restaurants

Date night. Everyone looks forward to a date except the person who has to plan it, and it's even worse when it's a first date or blind date. It has to be normal--not everyone loves loncheras, for reasons I don't fully grok--and it has to be expensive enough that you don't look miserly.So let's talk ... More >>

On The Line: Alfonso Ramirez Of Pinot Provence, Part One

Ch-ch-ch-changes happen all the time in the restaurant industry. Chefs leave, and are replaced by someone with a vision more aligned with that of the establishment. Alfonso Ramirez helms the kitchen within Westin South Coast Plaza's fine-dining establishment, Pinot Provence. Where have you worked in ... More >>

OINK! Marche Moderne's "Head to Toe" Pig Dinner Is Back

While we don't need an excuse to feast on piggy parts, Marche Moderne's Florent Marneau uses the change of seasons as his culinary reason for celebration. Case in point: " The Pig Head to Toe & choucroute Alsacienne" kicked off last night on the Penthouse level of South Coast Plaza.For those of ... More >>

On the Line: Jonathan Eng of Le Pain Quotidien, Part One

Le Pain Quotidien has been around since 1990, but took its own sweet time arriving in Orange County. They transplanted Jonathan Eng from New York's Bleeker Street bakery to helm the daily breadmaking last autumn. Hungry to explore his dining options beyond Fashion Island, we meet up to recharge over ... More >>

On the Line: Ryan Adams of Three Seventy Common Food Drink, Part One

When interviewing a chef at their establishment, there's always the possibility that we'll be interrupted by one of their staff and our meeting will be cut short. In the case of Ryan Adams, it was quite the contrary. He assured us that interruptions wouldn't occur in their private dining room (a.k.a ... More >>

If You Bought Nutella in the Last Four Years, You May Be Eligible for a Class-Action Lawsuit Settlement

Just when we think we've seen it all, along comes the sweet smell of hazelnut lawsuits. Sounding more like an April Fool's scheme, this comes courtesy of Ferrero USA, Inc., the makers of Nutella. You know, that product Kobe used to hawk (and the only sports reference you'll ever see me make).Here's ... More >>

On the Line: Anne Eng of Panfiniti, Part Two

​Before heading to the commissary for supplies, Anne Eng found the time to meet outside one of her favorite places, Diamond Jamboree's Lollicup. She quips about her adventures in driving the Panfiniti lonchera and how she prefers to spend her free time. While part one's answers may have a lot to c ... More >>

On the Line: Lauren 'Lulu' De Rouen of CUCINA enoteca, Part One

​At 24, Lulu De Rouen was the youngest executive chef for the Patina Group when she was handed the reins at Leatherby's Cafe Rouge. Five years later, she is as driven as ever to pave the way for CUCINA enoteca's first venture beyond San Diego. Her enthusiasm is contagious as we converse about appr ... More >>

OC Restaurant Recommendations for American Express' Small Business Saturday

​Most of you are probably waiting anxiously for Black Friday deals; but me, I'm looking forward to this Saturday, which is the day American Express will credit $25 back to me if I patronize a small business and spend $25 or more with my American Express Card. To get the details, click here. You do ... More >>

Who Wants to Give Us Their Food Goodies to Give Out as Raffle Prizes for the Nov. 10 KCRW Good Food Happy Hour?

​A couple of weeks ago, I was approached by a hot dog vendor who was wondering if we would accept his donation of a $50 gift certificate for his service to give out as a raffle prize for Nov. 10, when we team up with KCRW-FM 89.9's Evan Kleiman for another Good Food happy hour in OC ( this one at ... More >>

Protestors Say F-U to Foie Gras at Marche Moderne

Javier CabralA Tasty Foie Gras Meatball I Ate Once From Chef Gary Robins​This just in: The StopForceFeeding.com coalition will protest directly in front of Marche Moderne at the third floor of the South Coast Plaza tomorrow, Friday, April 22 at 6:30 p.m. The protesters want to make people aware of ... More >>

Over 200 (At Least) Attend First-Ever OC Weekly/Good Food Happy Hour at Crosby

Christopher Victorio/OC WeeklyThanks to everyone who came out! Click here to see more photos from last night.​It was a hell of an evening last night at the Crosby in Santa Ana, as your favorite food blog and KCRW-FM 89.9's Good Food with Evan Kleiman held our first-ever Happy Hour event in la nar ... More >>

The Giveways for Next Week's Good Food/Stick a Fork in It Happy Hour!

​Yes, Virginia: We're going to plug next Thursday's Happy Hour event at the Crosby as much as possible. But there is further incentive to go beyond Aron Habiger's that-night-only special, the opportunity to meet with Evan Kleiman, to talk with fellow Forkers.There's going to be giveways. Good give ... More >>

Caffeine-Infused Clothing Created to Promote Weight Loss

photl user Mela niT​ In the 1990s, Hypercolor made the T-shirt a lesson in science. Crazy Shirts got colorful and dyed clothing with chili and chocolate. Nowadays, there's even a way to make your wardrobe work for you. Better than Spanx, these are undergarments spiked with special ingredient ... More >>

CPK ASAP at South Coast Plaza Closed

​California Pizza Kitchen's QSR (quick-serve restaurant) concept is fizzling. Last year saw the closing of the CPK ASAP adjacent to Angel Stadium of Anaheim, presumably cannibalized by the full-service CPK in the GardenWalk mall.Now it's the turn of the CPK ASAP in the South Coast Plaza annex (you ... More >>

Ross Pangilinan of Leatherby's Café Rouge, Part Two

Photo by Mary Bell​ Today we continue our Q&A with Ross Pangilinan, the Executive Chef at Leatherby's Café Rouge in Costa Mesa. As promised this is the part of the interview where we get a little more personal with him. If you missed the first part, click here. And stay tuned tomorrow for ... More >>

Stephanie Dinh of S Fine Dining, Part Two

Todd Barnes​We continue our Q & A with Chef Stephanie. If you missed it, click here for Part One of the interview.

#6. The Whole Sha-bang Shrimp at Boiling Crab

Edwin Goei You'll have noticed we're changing who writes this feature on a day by day basis: this is how you know we're getting close to the end of our countdown. Make sure to pick up a copy of our Best of OC 2010 when it hits the newsstands October 14!

Gabbi Patrick of Gabbi's Mexican Kitchen, Part Two

Photo by Todd Barnes​We continue our Q & A with Chef Gabbi, and we ask why there's no signage for their incognito restaurant. Click here if you missed part one. Check back tomorrow for a recipe!

Jonathan Gold Lectures at Marche Moderne About Mexican Food "Authenticity," Laughs at Rick Bayless

Frontera Grill is sabroso, though...​Updated after the jump: Rick Bayless responds! And isn't happy...and one of the kings of LA food blogging has even funnier things to say about Bayless... Last Thursday, the CCNMA: Latino Journalists of California (formerly the California Chicano News Media Asso ... More >>

Zov Karamardian of Zov's Bistro, Part 2

Photo by Kimberly Valenzuela​Today we continue on to the second part of our Zov Karamardian interview. Tomorrow, a recipe! Didya miss the first part? Click here to catch up. Favorite music to cook by: Classical, of course any of Mozart's collection.

"10 Days of Spain" at Marché Moderne Through 5/1

OC's finest French restaurant has gone sub-Pyrenées for ten days to celebrate their third anniversary.freddy @ flickr.com CC BY-NC-SA 2.0​

On the Line: Mark McDonald of Old Vine Cafe

​The McDonald brothers, Mark and Brandon, run Old Vine Cafe in Costa Mesa in a Manichean fashion: be nice, they treat you like gods. Be mean, they'll let the mick in them take over. I like them--otherwise, we wouldn't have named them the best restaurant in OC for 2009. And I'm glad to say they're ... More >>

Is There ANYTHING Salvageable from Chowhound's Ultimate OC Restaurants of 2009?

I Can Has Cheezburger?​Well, we've mocked the Register's reader poll; we've mocked our own readers, but now the fine folks at Chowhound have released the results of 2009's "Ultimate OC Restaurants" poll.Sample size was, frankly, a little thin, but the results were better than either of the print p ... More >>

Five Great OC Restaurants I'll Miss

After nine months of eating my way through the county, I'm off to pastures new: LA, to be precise. Not exactly the other side of the world, then, but too far to continue contributing to this blog.Granted, I'll be close to the likes of Mozza (yes!), Cecconi's (overrated? I'll find out) and the super- ... 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 >>

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 >>

This Week In Food

In the last five days:Edwin grilled Florent Marneau of Marché Moderne, who revealed what is possibly the poshest last meal request ever.We made it to Zimzala, in HB's Shorebreak Hotel. Great food, slow service. But it warranted a spot on our top 5 special-occasion restaurants nonetheless.And, final ... More >>

On the Line: Chef Florent Marneau of Marche Moderne

Courtesy of Marche ModerneHe is Florent Marneau, chef and proprietor of Marche Moderne, one of the best French restaurants in the county.  We are food bloggers with a few dumb questions that we've always wanted to know but were afraid to ask.  What do you get when you mix?  You get wh ... More >>

Top 5: Special-Occasion Restaurants

Father's Day may have been and gone, but there are zillions of other events to celebrate, whether it's the Fourth of July--just around the corner, folks!--or your birthday.Here's our pick of the best special-occasion restaurants in Orange County. Most of them, in particular Mastro's, aren't cheap (a ... 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 >>

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 >>

Marché Moderne's Market Is A Feast For the Senses

As I mentioned recently, Marché Moderne is celebrating two years at South Coast Plaza with a two-night special tasting menu and market for diners. Last night was the first night; I attended--and also Twittered about the experience. The food was superb, the dishes showcasing top-tier produce from th ... 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 >>

Tweeters (Twits?) Of The World Unite: We're Now On Board Too!

Yes, that's right--we're caving in to peer pressure delighted to be bringing our readers even more food news and commentary by joining the likes of Obama, Ashton and that bloke from the Mac ads.Our new account will be regularly updated by Gustavo, Edwin and myself.You can follow us at www.twitter.co ... More >>

Marché Moderne's Birthday Market and Menu

To celebrate two years at South Coast Plaza, Marché Moderne is offering a five-course chef's menu and hosting a simultaneous rooftop market for those partaking of it, on April 29 and 30. The marché will feature purveyors and produce from Amelia and Florent Marneau's favorite purveyo ... More >>

Marché Moderne Madness--And Redemption

A couple of weeks ago I ranted about the fact that my husband and I had to wait 20 minutes for a table at Marché Moderne on a Saturday night, despite having a reservation.When he saw my post, chef Florent Marneau had the decency to email me and apologize...It's a testament to Marneau that Marché M ... 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 >>

What's The Longest You've Ever Waited For A Table... When You Already Have A Reservation?

I ask this question as I celebrated a special occasion at Marché Moderne on Saturday night, having booked the table at least a week previously, and then had to wait 20 minutes to be seated. Only then did that happen after a bit of (polite) nudging on my part. OK, we were able to sit at the bar--and ... 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 >>

Classy Stuff at Marché Moderne

The good news is that posh French bistro Marché Moderne is running monthly cooking classes, so even if you can't afford to eat there very often you can at least fake the experience at home once in a while.The bad news is that all the classes for 2009 are sold out, and already have long waiting list ... 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 >>

This Weekend, the 'O' in OC Stands for Oysters—and Maybe Something Else!

Reader Question: Will Marche Moderne Offer Its Spontanee Lunch on Christmas Eve?

A reader e-mailed me today, asking me if I knew whether Marche Moderne will still offer its $20 three-course Spontanee Lunch on Christmas Eve.  This is great question, in light of the fact that they're doing a special $75 Five-Course Christmas Eve Dinner that night -- one that I wrote about her ... More >>

Marche Moderne's $75 Christmas Eve Dinner

Okay, so maybe now, just days after National Bureau of Economic Research officially declared we are eyebrow-deep in recession, isn't the best time to talk about a $75 per person Christm ... More >>

Forbes DOESN'T Mention O.C. as an Up-And-Coming Food Capital

I can't say I'm surprised. Besides, list like these are subjective, as all lists are. But this one, is especially so. A panel of four, consisting of "Food & Wine Restaurant Editor Kate Krader; Anya Fernald, executive director of Slow Food Nation; and Erik Wolf, president of the International Culi ... More >>

The Chuck Wagon

Steakhouses, mess halls, eateries, barbecues, fine-dining establishments, & gratuitous & thematically inconsistent Tolkien references

Moderne Love

If shoppings what ails ya, Marche Moderne is the cure