The Kickoff of Newport Beach Restaurant Weeks was held at the Lincoln Experience Center in upscale Fashion Square. Seven restaurants took part in what was a Culinary Journey With city leaders and media present to take part. We were there with camera to take part with Passport in my other hand ready to be stamped at each restaurant station.
Newport Beach restaurants taking part included The Bungalow, The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar, Mayor's Table, Moulin, Five Crowns and Olea. We also had the opportunity to chat with some of the owners and chefs at these restaurants. From Five Crowns we met Alejandra Victoria, Executive Chef, and was so impressed with her presence that we also took a photo.
At Great Maple we talked with Andrew Dizon, General Manager. Vine Restaurant is one of three owned and operated by Russ Bendel,with vine located in San Clemente, Ironwood Cellar in Laguna Hills and Olea Cellar in Newport Beach. Representing Lido House of Newport Beach was Brian Neubauer, director of restaurant operations.
The Newport Beach Restaurant Weeks started on January 14 and will continue to January 27. This is the sixth year the event has taken place.
Looking at our passport at the end of the evening we noted that we were missing a couple of the stamps but you can be sure we did not miss any of the tasty, unique and sometimes colorful appetizers presented at the event.
Sunday, January 20, 2019
Friday, January 4, 2019
Without question Ara Kalfayan has made Phoenicia one of the best ethnic restaurants in Southern California. Here can be found authentic Eastern Mediterranean and Lebanese cuisine which has always been Ara’s hallmark. Decorations include artifact reminders of the ancient seafaring Phoenicians mixing with colorful peach colored linen and napkins. And trust Ara Kalfayan to find some exciting Lebanese wines.
Which explains why the Southern California Restaurant Writers named him Restaurateur of the Year in 2018.
The restaurant features two large outdoor patios, one with a sliding covering roof when weather is less cooperative as well as two elegant dining rooms.
We opened with appetizers that included Hommos; Labm, Lebanese cream cheese served with garlic; Warak Enab, grape leaves stuffed with rice, oil and vegetables, cooked in lemon juice and olive oil, and Tabbouleh, chopped parsley, crushed wheat, tomatoes and onions.
Some hot appetizers we tasted included Kibbeh Makli, beef dumpling stuffed with ground beef; Bourghoul , onions and pine nuts as well as San Bousek, freshly prepared dough with ground beef and pine nuts and Rekakat, a selection of Lebanese cheese baked in a pastry dough.
Our samplers of grill selections included Beef Kafla, ground beef, onions, parsley and spices, grilled on skewers. One of our favorites are the lamb chops marinated with spices and grilled. Also chicken breast kabob, perfectly prepared rice and the best french fries we have had in a long time.
Phoenicia Restaurant in Glendale has achieved fame for its Lebanese cuisine but it also has an outstanding cellar of wines from many countries including Lebanon.
Through the decades Ara Kalfayan has always been a leader in creating an extensive wine cellar for his wine list. Also he was in the forefront when California restaurants broadened their selection of wines by the glass in the last decades of the 20th century.
Lebanon has a history of making wine for almost six thousand years.
Most wines from Lebanon show a French influence and the red wines are generally blends of French varietals like Cinsault, Mourvedre, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Verdot. Two of Lebanon native varietals are still to be found, Obaideh and Merwah.
The wine list at Phoenicia is one of a kind featuring wines from all over the world and some from Lebanon that are exclusive to this restaurant. Chateau Kefraya is produced in the Bakaa Valley. Chateau Ksara makes French styled blends and the winery dates back to 1857. Chateau Fakra offers red wines from the Kardebvian Valley north of Berut.
Phoenicia is located at 343 North Central Avenue in Glendale with valet parking. It is open daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. except on weekends when with live entertainment there is a 2 a.m. closing time. For more information or reservations call 818 956-7
Which explains why the Southern California Restaurant Writers named him Restaurateur of the Year in 2018.
The restaurant features two large outdoor patios, one with a sliding covering roof when weather is less cooperative as well as two elegant dining rooms.
We opened with appetizers that included Hommos; Labm, Lebanese cream cheese served with garlic; Warak Enab, grape leaves stuffed with rice, oil and vegetables, cooked in lemon juice and olive oil, and Tabbouleh, chopped parsley, crushed wheat, tomatoes and onions.
Some hot appetizers we tasted included Kibbeh Makli, beef dumpling stuffed with ground beef; Bourghoul , onions and pine nuts as well as San Bousek, freshly prepared dough with ground beef and pine nuts and Rekakat, a selection of Lebanese cheese baked in a pastry dough.
Our samplers of grill selections included Beef Kafla, ground beef, onions, parsley and spices, grilled on skewers. One of our favorites are the lamb chops marinated with spices and grilled. Also chicken breast kabob, perfectly prepared rice and the best french fries we have had in a long time.
Phoenicia Restaurant in Glendale has achieved fame for its Lebanese cuisine but it also has an outstanding cellar of wines from many countries including Lebanon.
Through the decades Ara Kalfayan has always been a leader in creating an extensive wine cellar for his wine list. Also he was in the forefront when California restaurants broadened their selection of wines by the glass in the last decades of the 20th century.
Lebanon has a history of making wine for almost six thousand years.
Most wines from Lebanon show a French influence and the red wines are generally blends of French varietals like Cinsault, Mourvedre, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Verdot. Two of Lebanon native varietals are still to be found, Obaideh and Merwah.
The wine list at Phoenicia is one of a kind featuring wines from all over the world and some from Lebanon that are exclusive to this restaurant. Chateau Kefraya is produced in the Bakaa Valley. Chateau Ksara makes French styled blends and the winery dates back to 1857. Chateau Fakra offers red wines from the Kardebvian Valley north of Berut.
Phoenicia is located at 343 North Central Avenue in Glendale with valet parking. It is open daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. except on weekends when with live entertainment there is a 2 a.m. closing time. For more information or reservations call 818 956-7
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