Subject: Savannah

• Savannah Now Offering Lunches From $4-$7

  Since filing for bankruptcy protection, David Wilhelm's Culinary Adventures seems to be doing something proactive about it: offering cheap meals. For those just tuning in, Savannah is a rebranding of Chat Noir -- an effort to make the place more seem downscale and affordable. But as I noted in this review, the dinner prices, even the make-up of most of the dishes, were exactly the same...it was still Chat Noir -- the same ol' pussy cat with a different name tag. But now they're actually serv

  October 8, 2008

• To Do Tonight 11/25

  Wob's Birthday with DJ Mark E Quark, 9:30 p.m.Not to be confused with the OC Wab. Price $10. No cover before 10:30 p.m. Tapas, 4253 Martingale Way, Newport Beach, CA; 949-756-8194.Long Beach Musicians League, 9 p.m.A league of extraordinary gentleman and ladies. Puka Bar, 710 W. Willow St., Long Beach, CA Mike Hamilton, 6:30 p.m.A true jack-of-all-trades, Hamilton's music hops genres as he plays rock, pop, jazz, blues and pretty much everything in between.Savannah St

  November 25, 2008

• Royal Khyber and Savannah's Creative Ways To Get Your Business Back

  I've got to hand it to O.C. restauranteurs: They've got some good ideas in their heads. With the bad economy eating away at their business, some of them have devised creative ways to draw attention to themselves, and hopefully, get people in the door.  Take Royal Khyber. They're offering a $29.95 package deal which includes a 3-course dinner and a ticket to Slumdog Millionaire. The Indian movie -- which just won big at the Golden Globes and is rumored to be an Oscar-contender -- just hap

  January 16, 2009

• Savannah at the Beach (Formerly Chimayo) Offering $10 Specials

  Despite the fact that Savannah in Huntington Beach hasn't really been around for 10 years, the restaurant formerly known as Chimayo is going to celebrate its 10-year-anniversary anyway. I guess the fact that it changed its name last year (just like Chat Noir became Savannah) is just a technicality. Same as the former sexy French madame of South Coast Plaza, Savannah at the Beach is still Chimayo in spirit. To "celebrate", they're offering lunch and dinner specials for $10 from March

  February 18, 2009

• Savannah Extends 10 Dollar Dinner Menu For Good At All Locations

  Remember THIS POST I published last month? It was about Savannah at the Beach (formely Chimayo) offering $10 dinners from March 2-8 in celebration of their so-called 10-year anniversary. Well, right on the heels of that offer expiring, they've decided that they will extend the deal indefinitely.   The blurb on the website and in newsletters? "The $10.00 menu is here to stay".  Now and for perpetuity (or at least until someone at corporate changes their mind) you can h

  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

• Kimera Discounting Monday Dinner to 50%

  Courtesy KimeraThe economy sucks, but because of it, restaurant bargains abound. A few weeks ago, I told you about Savannah extending its $10 meal deals indefinitely (except for the Savannah in Costa Mesa, which is now closed). Then there's Hamamori with their discounted omakase meals that are priced lower than it has ever been.  Now I got wind that Kimera in Irvine is offering what they call their "Spring Savings" Mondays, where all items are marked down 50% from 5 p.m.-9 p.m.  There is som

  April 1, 2009

• French 75 in Fashion Island Sold Off

  The blood-letting at the once mighty Culinary Adventures continues. March 31st was the last supper for Savannah in Costa Mesa. Now, according to The Daily Pilot, the restaurant group has sold off their French 75 at Fashion Island to a "well known Orange County restaurateur". The article continues to say that "French 75 will continue as a French brasserie, but the sign on the front and the chef in the back should be different by the end of the month."

  April 2, 2009

• French 75 in Fashion Island Offering $10 meals

  Monster MunchingIt worked so well for Savannah in Costa Mesa, why not the French 75 in Fashion Island, too?So the same deal you saw at the now defunct restaurant (and other surviving Savannah's) is now also available at the French 75 at Fashion Island.1/2 pound King Crab Legs. Choice Aged Filet Mignon. Fresh Alaskan Halibut. All ten bucks. I'd say to rush out and get it while the gettin's good, but you already knew that... especially with the news that this French 75 was sold off to a yet unk

  April 9, 2009

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

  August 28, 2008

• French Disconnection

  David Wilhelm gets crazy with the re-branding

  November 15, 2007

• Meat Juices Down Your Throat!

  February 16, 2006

• Greene Records

  October 6, 2005

• Behind the Blue Door

  March 24, 2005

• The Other Angel

  November 28, 2002

• How Porn Saved My Life

  February 14, 2002

• Shoe-Nomenal!

  April 20, 2000

• Nice Guy, Punk Legend

  March 5, 1998

• Reminder: Happy Hour Week Kicks Off This Sunday

  Eat, drink and be merry! Happy Hour Week runs from this Sunday, April 12, to Saturday, April 18, with more than 60 local restaurants, bars, breweries and pubs offering drinks and appetizers at "very happy" prices all day, as well as prix fixe happy hour menus. Teetotalers needn't miss out, however: mocktails are also up for grabs.At the time of writing, the participants were:118 Degrees21 OceanfrontAmbrosiaAvilas El RanchitoBaysideBistangoBistro WestBluewater GrillBrix Wine BarCantina LoungeCata

  April 7, 2009

• UPDATE: McCormick & Schmick's $10 Lunch Menu And A Contest

  WE HAVE A WINNER!  SEE BELOW!If there was a time for restaurants to join the bargain bandwagon, it's now. Months ago, there was what I call "The Restaurants Savannah" -- the few in the roster of eateries that survived Chapter 11 to make up what's left of Culinary Adventures -- and their $10 filet mignon, crab legs, or fresh fish dinner.And now there's McCormick and Schmick's, who are enstating $10 meals of their own in all of their O.C. locations (and their L.A. ones). Except, this deal's

  May 13, 2009

• Huntington Beach Restaurant Week Coming Soon, With Fabulous Competition!

  Yes, folks, more dates for your diary: May 26 to June 2, when various Surf City restaurants will be taking part in the inaugural Huntington Beach Restaurant Week.It's all in aid of charity--in this case, Project Self-Sufficiency, which helps low-income, single-parent families. So get chowing (as if you needed an excuse!!).So far, a dozen restaurants, bars and pubs are confirmed, but more are expected to sign up before the event kicks off.The venues are running prix fixe menus, ranging from cheap

  May 15, 2009

• [Hole In the Wall] Savannah Smiles at Kenyan Cuisine

  May 28, 2009

• Gettin' Made: Everything and the Kitchen Sink Dyeworks

  When you hear the word yarn, do you automatically think of Red Heart? Sure, 100% acrylic's definitely got its perfect uses, but I think you'll back me up when I say it can be less than a joy to work with. If you've never used 100% wool (or cotton or other natural fibers), you're totally missing out on yarn that actually feels good in your hands while you work. So whether you knit, crochet, or (gasp!) macrame, join me as I chat with Birmingham, Alabama's own Mercedes Tarasovich-Clark about her in

  July 14, 2009

• New Hotel And Restaurant/Bar Opening Soon in Long Beach

  ​The AVIA is set to open on Bay Street on either August 6 or 7. The fact that the date isn't yet set in stone hints that preparations are down to the wire, so we wish them well in putting the finishes touches to the property.We're intrigued about this new hotel and, in particular, its restaurant and bar, although there's not much information on it yet, other than the website and a brief press release, which states:"AVIA Kitchen will be a true cook's kitchen, where a hosted daily breakfast feat

  July 28, 2009

• For Your Consideration: "O.C. Babes and the Slasher of Zombietown"

  On film, Orange County has been subjected to bioscience (Creator), thinking simians (Conquest of the Planet of the Apes) and Jack Black (Orange County). But are we ready for clueless babes, a serial slasher and flesh-eating zombies? EEEEEENNNNKTTT!!! Time's up. They're on the way whether we're ready or not. Creep Creepersin's comedic horror flick (or horrific comedy, take your pick) O.C. Babes and the Slasher of Zombietown is being released on DVD Tuesday. You can get a copy at finer zombie

  July 13, 2009

• Savannah at the Beach to Turn Back into Chimayo

  ​If you recall, Savannah was David Wilhelm's last ditch effort to save his floundering Culinary Adventures.  It's what he turned Chat Noir in Costa Mesa into, thinking that good ol' American food was the way to bring customers back.  And as you may know, last April, Savannah shuttered.  Meanwhile, there was his Chimayo in Huntington Beach, which became Savannah at the Beach.  I think you know where I'm going with this: In about a month this Savannah will be history too...but wait!  It's

  August 21, 2009

• From "French 75" to "75 Laguna Beach" to "French 75" Again

  Culinary Adventures​In keeping with theme of everything old is new again (remember this post about Savannah at the Beach becoming Chimayo again?), it was announced last week that Culinary Adventures, that restaurant empire that once had four French 75's in its repertoire, has bought the once independent 75 Laguna Beach, which was previously French 75 up until six months ago. Confused? Well it's simple really, the same menu that Chef Mitch Gillan developed as an independent still applies (fo

  September 1, 2009