A new program to reveal more about Santa Ana has been unveiled.  Entitled Uncover Santa Ana, Epicenter of Creative Urbanism it is designed to show how the city has reinvented itself for the 21st century.  Santa Ana is the seat of Orange County but has often been overshadowed by neighboring attractions like Disneyland, Beach recreation and shopping centers like South Coast Plaza.
Currently it has been reborn with an outstanding reputation for its innovative restaurants and culinary artistry.  We had the opportunity to experience this food innovation when we dined at Chapter One: The Modern Local.  This was formerly a book store and then a complete  restoration took place creating an expansive restaurant, bar and lounge. However the book theme remained in the name and the use of shelved books in the interior decor and ambiance.  There is a full bar and lounge and several dining areas.
We found the menu most interesting, original and most entrees using a wide range of sides for exotic flavors.  Our entree was Barbacoa Short Rib with Hominy and a cabbage slaw.  The Ora King Salmon arrived with butternut squash puree while the steak & Fetta with the steak chimichurri marinated.  Other choices included Brick Chicken with wild rice and kale, Berkshire Tomahawk pork chop with potato salad and jalapeno glaze or Agnolotti ricotta with basil. 
Chef Chicken Wang and Sous Chef Tony Castaneda were honored with a Diners Choice award recently.
Our dessert was a lemon lavender creme brulee.
Chapter One is located at 227 N Broadway in downtown Santa Ana. Telephone 714 352-2225, web www.chapteronetmi.com.  Hours are Monday-Thursday 11 a.m. to 1 a.m., weekends 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.  There is a Happy  Hour weekdays and a Sunday Brunch.
Santa Ana is now California's eleventh largest city with some 490 restaurants, sixty art galleries, a performing arts theater, and two museums.
We will have much more to tell of this new Uncover Santa Ana program.