Greer’s OC: Guide to dining out for Christmas
Now that Christmas Eve has become a popular night to dine out, it’s easy to find great restaurants open for dinner — but not so much on Christmas Day or evening. But we found four, with different price points, including Royal Khyber, which is one of our favorites.
In Laguna Beach, Las Brisas will be serving their popular four-course Mexican Riviera brunch from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., which includes complimentary champagne, freshly baked Mexican pastries, and choice of coffee or tea.
Entrée choices include sand dabs Puerto Nuevo, pasta con camarones and filete de res con huevos. The cost is $36 for adults, and $18 for children younger than 12. The dinner menu with prime rib and fresh fish specials will be served from 4:30 to 10 p.m.
Las Brisas is at 361 Cliff Drive. For more information, call (949)497-5434, or visit https://www.lasbrisaslagunabeach.com.
Pinot Provence in Costa Mesa is serving a French-inspired holiday dinner with a three- or four-course prix fixe menu. Entrée selections include ocean-water poached Atlantic salmon, Yukon potato cremieux, pickled English cucumber, rye crumble, black olive oil and crispy pork belly, foie gras torchon, picked vegetables, toasted baguette and petite cilantro.
The cost is $70 per person for three courses; or $80 for four courses. The cost is $19.95 for children younger than 12. Dinner service starts at 5 p.m., and a la carte brunch menu is available from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Pinot Provence is at the Westin South Coast Plaza, 686 Anton Blvd. For more information, call (714) 444-5900, or visit https://www.patinagroup.com.
Royal Khyber Fine Indian Cuisine is offering a holiday brunch, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., with Indian classics like salads, appetizers, and specialties of tandoori chicken, leg of lamb, vegetarian, fish malabar, Basmati rice pilaf and tandoori breads, plus dessert specialties and fruits. It costs $21.95 per person, and an additional $4.95 for champagne. An a la carte menu will be available for dinner from 5 to 9:30 p.m.
Royal Khyber is at 1621 W. Sunflower Ave., in South Coast Plaza Village, Santa Ana. For more information, call ( 714) 436-1010, or visit https://www.royalkhyber.com.
El Torito Grill is offering an all-you-can-eat Christmas brunch buffet at its three Orange County restaurants, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The buffet includes a carving station of roasted beef, ham and leg of lamb. Also, choose from homemade soups, signature chile rellenos, chicken mole, omelets made to order, traditional and calamari ceviches, scrumptious desserts, aquas frescas, seasonal fresh fruit, plus champagne and more.
It costs $19.50 for adults; and $9.50 for children 12 and younger. El Torito Grill is at 951 Newport Center Drive in Fashion Island, Newport Beach; at 1910 Main St. in Irvine; and 555 Pointe Drive in Brea. For more information, visit https://www.etgrill.com.
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New Year’s Eve bashes
Looking for a New Year’s Eve unlike any other?
AnQi by Crustacean is ringing in 2012 with a breath-taking, avant-garde celebration, unlike anything else in Orange County.
Starting at 9 p.m., graceful aerialists by Q du Soleil will be pouring champagne, and geishas will be hosting an ultramodern food bazaar with an edible food wall and an interactive molecular station. There will even be a noodle and dumpling rickshaw, a library of sushi, liquid nitrogen ice cream exhibit, and a decadent dessert art and a breakfast bar.
Top the evening off with Berlin, performing live, along with world-renowned DJ Angeline and drummer Joakine Eskasen. So come experience a New Year’s Eve like never before with live on-stage performances, dancing and spinning and a countdown with special guests.
Tickets cost $170 (gratuity and tax not included). Glamorous chic attire required.
Other options include an a la carte dinner available from 5 to 7:30 p.m., and the award-winning restaurant will reserve five tables for VIP bottle service at $1,000 each, for up to 10 guests; or reserve the exclusive Chef’s Table, which costs $3,000 for 16 guests, and AnQi’s molecular chef and butler will be “at your service” to create a spectacular 10-course gastronomic tasting menu.
Finish off your unparalleled evening of extravagance with your first breakfast of 2012 and AnQi’s exotic themed drinks.
AnQi is adjacent to Bloomingdale’s at South Coast Plaza, 3333 Bristol St., Costa Mesa. RSVP to Melissa Liebengood at MLiebengood@houseofan.com or (714) 557-5679.
Pacific Edge Hotel in Laguna Beach is ringing in 2012 with a Cirque du Soiree New Year’s Eve Party at the Deck, from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.
The party will include a deejay from Another Mother, featuring Sli Dawg from SOUL Project, surprise entertainment, a custom menu, food and drink specials, and a champagne toast. Guests can reserve VIP access for groups at the surf cabanas and the villa from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m., and the Green Room for bottle service from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. At the party you can watch the ball drop in three time zones.
Pacific Edge Hotel is at 647 S. Coast Hwy. For more information, contact (949) 281-5703, or email orPacificEdgeEvents@PacificEdgeHotel.com.
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Holiday shopping choices
Come meet Beth, the new owner of Sasha Boutique in Laguna Beach, and you’ll receive 15% off on your entire purchase. Sasha carries great casual and chic shoes, apparel, handbags, jewelry and accessories. Sasha is at 550 S. Coast Hwy. For more information, call (949) 715-1444, or visit https://www.shopsasha.com
Considering that most of our favorite fashions we wear day in and day out come from Solutions in Newport Beach, it’s a no brainer that we suggest Solutions as a great resource for holiday shopping. Not only does it stock an incredible selection of denim, and chic tops, blouses and dresses, but it’s also great for men’s fashion needs. Solutions can style the man on your list like you’ve never seen him.
Also, stop by for great stocking stuffers, like jewelry, Hanky Panky panties, and accessories.
Solutions is also offering you a special gift when you make a purchase for the man on your list: take 15% off all dresses and blouses.
Top brands to choose from include Howe, Kasil, Pur Denim, Hudson, True Religion, Stitch’s, Adriano Goldschmied, Rich and Skinny, and Joe’s.
Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Solutions is at 1719 Westcliff Drive. Call (949) 650-0479 or go to https://www.solutionsdenim.com.
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Trunk show at Montage
Meet jewelry designer Nathalie Sherman of Sophia & Chloé at a special trunk show at Montage Laguna Beach, from 4 to 6 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday.
Sherman will be sharing her inspiration for her detailed Divine Elements, Harmony and Signs of a Good Life collections at Treasures at Montage. The boutique carries casual and elegant resort wear, designer handbags and luxury gifts that you can’t find everywhere else.
Sophia & Chloé consists of handmade earrings, necklaces, bracelets, lariats, charms, rings, and bridal jewelry. Designs are made with fine semi precious stones, fresh water pearls, and Swarovski crystals on sterling silver, and 14- and 18-karat white, yellow, and rose gold.
The Montage Laguna Beach is at 30801 S. Coast Hwy. For more information call, (866)271-6953.
GREER WYLDER writes Greer’s OC for the Huntington Beach Independent each Thursday and the Daily Pilot and Coastline Pilot each Friday. She’s the founder and president of greersoc.com, a free daily email service that provides the latest in Orange County fashion, dining, music, events and trends. Her blog can be viewed at https://www.greersoc.com and she can be contacted at greer@greersoc.com.