Oceanfront Dining

A weekend trip to seaside Orange County can make all your epicurean fantasies come true

Part One of Two

BY KORINA JOCHIM

It’s so easy to get caught up in the beautiful storm that is Los Angeles, but occasionally we all need to treat ourselves beyond the city limits. Luckily, Orange County offers a nearby haven (less than an hour’s drive to most of these destinations) that offers sweeping seaside vistas, plenty of parking spots, and some of the most artful cuisine on the West Coast. No, really. It also just so happens that some of the O.C.’s finest places to dine are attached to hotels, and are reason enough to visit on their own. Slip behind the “orange curtain” to try these restaurants for an impressive culinary tour or special occasion celebration.

Palm Terrace at The Island Hotel Newport Beach

OK, we’re going to tattle on Palm Terrace. It really is the O.C.’s best-kept culinary secret, and we’ve got a loud mouth. Located in the swanky Island Hotel, the cuisine at Palm Terrace is virtually incomparable, and we are a bit put out that we don’t seem to get this quality of dining and service in Los Angeles! (And no, we’re not talking about servile manners or serving up what’s trendy to be competitive—Palm Terrace embodies authenticity.) Food envy aside, you’ll want to begin in the adjacent lounge with some of their fantastic mojitos and the lamb, Kobe beef, and lobster tacos—heaven! But be good and don’t fill up, because you’ll want to give Executive Chef Bill Bracken every opportunity to flex his culinary muscles for you. We marveled at the restaurant’s ambiance—the palm motif wasn’t overdone, it was just right in that understated, slightly retro way. The airy dining room looks out onto an oasis of palm trees, soothing to the eye and balm for the soul. Our suggestion is to either come back many times, or order the “Small bites” tasting menu, so you can get a taste of their most popular dishes. We adored the witty presentation of these dishes, but especially their Caesar salad, featuring “dippable” Romaine lettuce tips. The signature macaroni and cheese with truffles is reason enough to make the trip, and we couldn’t stop sighing over the classic Kansas City bone-in steak with velvety sauce béarnaise and the inspired Maine lobster with foie gras tortellini, fava beans, and wild mushrooms. And now we have to stop, because we’re getting carried away with singing Palm Terrace’s praises. It really is that good.

Must Try: “Small bites” tasting menu

Vital Info: 690 Newport Center Dr., Newport Beach

949/760-4920; www.theislandhotel.com

Splashes at Surf & Sand Resort

Definitely the most modern and gay-friendly resort we’ve encountered in the O.C., Laguna Beach’s Surf & Sand Resort also features the stellar, oceanfront restaurant, Splashes. We suggest dining on the terrace, with its jaw-dropping views and summery atmosphere. The restaurant’s masculine, modern furnishings nonetheless incorporate many earthy touches, such as hickory floors and beaten copper accents. Executive Chef Lewis Butler’s is creative and playful—try the tuna carpaccio with basil oil or the phenomenal roasted baby beets salad with goat cheese, savory granola, and hibiscus reduction to start. We are devotees of the rich braised short ribs and olive crusted Central Coast lamb, paired with some fine California wines. For dessert you would be remiss not to indulge in the white and dark chocolate mousse pate with pistachios and caramelized orange sauce, which manages to balance intensity with freshness in a way that is emblematic of Splashes’ approach.

Must Try: Olive crusted Central Coast lamb

Vital Info: 1555 South Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach

949/376-2779; www.surfandsandresort.com

The Californian at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa

This restaurant was a surprise indeed—Sous Chef Priscilla Willis has a light touch with the Asian fusion menu items and the loving care she takes with her preparations is just the thing after the “food fatigue” that results from too many rich ingredients. We found The Californian’s fare to be fresh and healthy, from the fruit-infused iced tea (hits just the right note on a hot summer afternoon) to the sesame-seared Alaskan halibut served with soba noodles and crisp bok choy in a light broth. How funny is it that we have to travel to Huntington Beach to get Asian food that is this well-executed? Our compliments to the chef. The homemade sorbets are a delicious, palate-cleansing finale to your meal.

Must Try: Sesame seared Alaskan halibut with Soba noodles, baby bok choy, exotic mushrooms, and memi broth

Vital Info: 21500 Pacific Coast Hwy., Huntington Beach

714/845-4776; www.huntingtonbeach.hyatt.com

PAMPER

Butterfly Effect

The level of pampering and care at the St. Regis Monarch Beach is positively transportive

BY VICTORIA LANE

Located on the coast of the southernmost part of Orange County in Dana Point is the stunningly beautiful St. Regis Monarch Beach. Set upon a majestic cliff overlooking a world class golf course and the sparkling sea is a Tuscan-style slice of heaven dedicated to ultimate escape in a very pampering atmosphere.

The staff of the St. Regis Monarch Beach is among the most attentive, thoughtful, and well mannered I’ve come across. It’s almost shocking to the system to be reminded that service as an art is not completely dead. There was no need to lift a finger or put much effort into checking in and finding our suite as we were escorted through the process.

Our accommodations were a stylish executive suite with elegant, modern décor overlooking sprawling lawns and a pool designed to appear straight out of Olympia. Between the sea air and the lush exquisite surroundings, relaxing was compulsory. We felt like royalty on a secret getaway.

One of the amenities of our particular floor of suites was butler service. That included small domestic chores such as ironing clothing and polishing shoes. In the morning, freshly pressed coffee was served with biscotti upon request. Coupled with the twice daily housekeeping, we felt as if we had a full domestic staff looking after little things.

I had the opportunity to dine at the Stonehill Tavern, one of several restaurants in the resort, including a private beach club right on the water with a casual menu. But this particular one was a true gem of culinary excellence and headed up by Michael Mina. If you haven’t heard of him, he’s a rock star in terms of cooking. It was one of the finest meals I have had from start to finish. Highlights, though hard to choose from such a triumph of culinary prowess, were the Berkshire pig in black truffle jus and the Kobe beef, so very tender it could be cut with a whisper.

The climax to our visit was a trip to the award-winning Spa Gaucin. It was a lavish, astoundingly relaxing experience with a vast array of amenities and treatments gathered from all over the world. The faces of all the patrons were like those of angels in heaven basking in contentment. I tried the Hollywood Facial as it was my first one and I thought I’d go all the way in my indulging. The experience was sheer pleasure and the results with the Kate Somerville products that they feature were astonishing. The knowledge of the technicians at Spa Gaucin was impressive.

Whether planning a short weekend getaway or a long vacation, the St. Regis Monarch Beach is a must experience for all connoisseurs of the finer things in life.

For more information, visit www.stregismb.com.

COMMUNITY BRIEFS

Musical Mondays

Orange County Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa will screen free movie musicals on Mondays. “All the movies are projected on the side of Segerstrom Hall outside on the community plaza where guests can bring chairs and food and drinks to enjoy while watching the musicals,” says OCPAC publicist Heather Cho. Done in conjunction with the Newport Beach Film Festival, they'll show animated shorts before the main feature which starts at dusk. The line up is Easter Parade on July 14; Grease on July 21; The Muppet Movie on July 28; and Hairspray on Aug. 4. For more information, log onto www.ocpac.org

Saving the Boom documentary premieres

The world premiere of a documentary chronicling the two-year effort to save Laguna Beach's landmark Boom Boom Room is part of Outfest, L.A.'s annual gay and lesbian film festival. “This moving documentary helps detail the 100 years of LGBT history in Laguna and features so many people that are a part of it,” says Fred Karger who spearheaded the Save the Boom campaign. Saving the Boom by director John Keitel screens on Tuesday, July 15 at 7:15 p.m., along with It's Still Elementary, a documentary about LGBT issues in public schools. Director's Guild of America Theater Two, 7920 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood. An after-party will be held nearby. For tickets, call 213/480-7065 or visit www.outfest.org

Drag queen Tupperware party

Shanti Orange County hosts a Tupperware Party featuring drag queen Dixie, the nation's top Tupperware salesperson. “Dixie's an amazing person. Her parties are a scream. She's absolutely hysterical,” says Shanti executive director Sarah Kasman. “And it's the last chance to see her for a while. The day after our event, she's going on a national tour for Tupperware.” Join the fun and pick up food-storage containers at the same time on Saturday, August 9, from 1-4 p.m. at Tia Juana's Long Bar and Grill, 14988 Sand Canyon Ave., Irvine. $10 admission. For tickets, call 949/452-0888 or visit www.shantioc.org

Free HIV testing, results in 20 minutes

Two Orange County locations offer free, rapid HIV-antibody testing each week. The AIDS Service Foundation Orange County (17982 Sky Park Cir., Suite L, Irvine; 949/809-8775) offers rapid testing Tuesdays-Thursdays from 3-8 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. MPower OC (3303 Harbor Blvd., Suite B-6, Costa Mesa; 714/327-0236) conducts rapid tests Mondays-Wednesdays from 3-8 p.m. and Saturdays from noon to 5 p.m. Both sites offer confidential, anonymous testing on a walk-in basis; no appointment necessary. Pre- and post-test counseling is available. Test results are ready in about 20 minutes.