Savannah

Did Lawrence Anthony Witsoe Receive the Dumbest Bribery Conviction in California History?

[Moxley Confidential] Mission Viejo lawyer faces 35 years for helping a client get charges dropped—and didn't earn a dime

America's Porn Paradise!

Jenna Haze, Aurora Snow, Dani Daniels and more of the 20 greatest adult film actors and actresses in OC history

30 Facts About Ke$ha We Learned From Her New Book 'My Crazy Beautiful Life'

By: Brian McManusIf you listen closely to Ke$ha's songs (and is there any other way to listen to Ke$ha? ), you already know quite a bit about her. She wakes up in the morning feeling like P. Diddy. She uses a bottle of Jack to brush her teeth (which sounds dangerous). Etc. Etc. So on. So forth. ANYW ... More >>

Research Reveals Why Orange County's Porn Starlets Are Smiling

This should bring smiles to Jenna Jameson, Jillian Foxxx, Amber Lynn, Jenna Haze, Felecia, Lupe Fuentes, Sandra Scream, Candy Apples, Devinn Lane, Janine Lindemulder, Tasha Reign, Eva Angelina and--somewhere--the late Shannon Michelle Wilsey Longoria of Mission Viejo (aka Savannah), as well as any o ... More >>

Whitney Houston, Actress

Surveying the great diva's checkered film career

On The Line: Joe Youkhan of Chef Joe Youkhan's Tasting Spoon, Part Two

Photo by Meranda Carter​If there's something we've learned about great chefs, it's that they have great mentors. Find out who Joe looks up to in this installment of On The Line. To catch up on Part One, be sure to click here.Hardest lesson you've learned: Being a chef and business owner takes a tr ... More >>

2011 OC Restaurant Week Participants Announced

​If we're not inundated with food-truck events, there's always some restaurant week happening somewhere. We're in the midst of Irvine's Restaurant Week. But yesterday, OC Restaurant Week, arguably one of the most successful in our realm, announced its line up for this year, and it's a nice ro ... More >>

Watch Iron & Wine Play Entire New Album Live

​Singer/songwriter Samuel Beam, better known as Iron & Wine, has done something quite different promoting his forthcoming album, Kiss Each Other Clean (due Jan. 25). Last night, he performed the entire album live with his backing band at WNYC's venue the Green Space in New York and r ... More >>

Local Record Review: Sloum from Costa Mesa

Beat Blvd. is Heard Mentality's weekly review of local releases. If you're an OC musician or band with something new to offer--vinyl single, full-length album, CD, cassette--we want to hear from you! Send copies, along with any photos and PR material, to Beat Blvd., c/o OC Weekly, 2975 Red Hill ... More >>

Gettin' Made: Bring on the Easter Candy!

I'm not going to lie to you... as I was scouring Etsy looking for great examples of delicious Easter candy made by folks like you and me, I became obsessed with the bowl of candy that sits pretty much untouched in our kitchen. That bowl of candy now sits right next to me as I type. Because if there' ... More >>

A Tale of Two Chimayós: The Real Deal and the HB Travesty

​I'm currently in New Mexico to research for my coming book on the history of Mexican food in the United States. One of the chapters will deal with the Southwestern cooking phenomenon that spread across the country during the late 1980s and early 1990s and has now largely disappeared to the point ... More >>

2010 OC Restaurant Week Participants Announced

​The OC Restaurant Association came out with their final list of participants for the 2010 OC Restaurant Week taking place February 28th - March 6th. As it seems they signed on virtually every restaurant in existence, perhaps an easier thing to do would be to list who's NOT participating.  ... More >>

2009: Bad Year To Be In The Restaurant Biz, Or Was It?

Edwin Goei​If you think the year that's passed was bad, try owning a restaurant. It was a tough 2009. The luxury brands predictably suffered. The likes of Savannah, White Horses, Manhattan Supper Club and even Tracht's folded as people got tighter and choosier with their budgets. And some ot ... More >>

Free Dinner at Savannah Chop House; But Read The Fine Print

​My fascination with what was once David Wilhelm's might Culinary Adventures dining group continues since I keep getting unsolicited e-mail newsletters from them (I ate at one of his restaurants once and took advantage of an offer where I'd get a discount on the meal if I signed up for it, which I ... More >>

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 indep ... More >>

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.  Meanwh ... More >>

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 a ... More >>

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 ... More >>

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 ... More >>

[Hole In the Wall] Savannah Smiles at Kenyan Cuisine

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 ... More >>

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 fi ... More >>

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 Mign ... More >>

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: ... More >>

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 ... More >>

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 pri ... 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 >>

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 inde ... More >>

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 tech ... More >>

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 $2 ... More >>

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 Bea ... More >>

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 thi ... More >>

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

French Disconnection

David Wilhelm gets crazy with the re-branding

Meat Juices Down Your Throat!

Savannah Steak and Chop House sizzles

Greene Records

Behind the Blue Door

Legs McNeil gatecrashes the other Hollywood

How Porn Saved My Life

Shoe-Nomenal!

God Bless George Esquivel's foot fetish

Nice Guy, Punk Legend

OC guitar god Billy Zoom on life before and after X