Indulge in Orange County’s wealth of new offerings, from classic Parisian dishes to authentic Neapolitan pizza.
Bottega Angelina’s freshly made gelato is a taste of Italy. PHOTO BY: ANDREA D’AGOSTO FOR BOTTEGA ANGELINA
Billy’s at the Beach
The Hawaiian-inspired Newport Beach favorite—which has been serving fresh seafood, steaks, pupu platters and tropical cocktails for over two decades—is now offering a festive brunch menu on Saturdays and Sundays from 10AM to 4PM. Snag a table overlooking the water and sample island-themed dishes such as steak and eggs, a “luau” omelet, banana nut pancakes, Hawaiian-style doughnuts and Billy’s Moco Loco, a pan-seared beef patty with two eggs and jasmine rice smothered in brown gravy. For a true tiki experience, pair them with Billy’s World Famous Mai Tai. 949.722.1100, billysatthebeach.net
Farmhouse at Roger’s Gardens offers pandemic-themed cocktails like The Booster. PHOTO BY: DARIN MEYER
Bottega Angelina
From the owners of Angelina’s Pizzeria Napoletana in Irvine comes a 7,000-square-foot authentic Italian restaurant, bar and market atop a hill in Laguna Niguel. The sprawling restaurant with an open kitchen and Stefano Ferrara pizza oven from Naples serves housemade pastas, pizzas and Italian specialties that can be enjoyed on outdoor patios or in the grand dining room flaunting a handcrafted mosaic and dazzling art deco lighting installation. The market conjures an intimate Italian village with freshly made breads, pastas, pastries, gelato and delicacies—sold alongside a curated selection of Italian wines and goods, Norman Love Confections chocolates and illy coffee. 714.222.1569, bottegaangelina.com
FireLake Grill House & Cocktail Bar serves hearty breakfast dishes such as this mesquite smoked duck hash. PHOTO BY: KIM FOX
Farmhouse at Roger’s Gardens
From the heated open-air dining room of this cozy Corona del Mar garden escape, enjoy new winter menu items from chef Rich Mead—who spent four decades cultivating relationships with farmers and purveyors. Veggie sides with locally sourced ingredients like roast spaghetti squash and blistered Brussels sprouts accompany seasonal entrees like grilled Dijon soy-rubbed pork tenderloin and pomegranate glazed salmon salad. Wash them down with Farmhouse’s popular pandemic-themed cocktails—such as The Booster, The Vaccine and The Second Dose—or order the Swig for Selflessness, sales from which support local causes. 949.640.1415, farmhouse.rogersgardens.com
Ramen Shack brings authentic Japanese ramen to San Juan Capistrano. PHOTO BY RON DE ANGELIS
FireLake Grill House & Cocktail Bar
Following the debut of three FireLake American grill concepts in Minnesota and Illinois, the fourth outpost at Radisson Blu Anaheim brings a taste of the Midwest to California. The 143- seat indoor dining room nods to nearby Disney parks with colorful artwork conjuring classic Disney films, and executive chef Edgar Beas’ menu incorporates California ingredients in the brand’s signature wood-fired cooking. Try hearty dishes like Berkshire pork porterhouse, Jidori chicken and rope sausage flatbread for dinner, or mesquite smoked duck hash and tres leches French toast from the Thursday to Monday breakfast menu. 657.439.3306, firelakeanaheim.com
Mediterranean branzino is one of Las Brisas’ new winter dishes. PHOTO COURTESY OF BRANDS
Las Brisas
The four-decade-old Laguna Beach oceanside landmark is spicing up its menus of Mexican-influenced California cuisine with new breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner offerings. Inventive winter dishes include black bean and mango tostada, seared salmon with celery root puree, Mediterranean branzino and butternut squash tamales—plus a platter for four to six dessert lovers featuring tres leches cake, flan, cheesecake and decadent chocolate mousse cake. For breakfast, start the day with seaside views and Las Brisas’ new eggs Benedict selection, with additions like butter poached lobster, smoked salmon and cream of spinach also available. 949.497.5434, lasbrisaslagunabeach.com
Moulin Bouillon in Newport is the brand’s first full-service restaurant. PHOTO COURTESY OF BRANDS
Moulin
Laurent Vrignaud’s chic Parisian cafe brand—which launched in Newport Beach in 2014 and expanded to Laguna Beach, San Clemente, Costa Mesa and Dana Point—now has a seventh location at South Coast Plaza’s Garden Terrace. Just like in Paris’ luxury shopping district Place Vendôme, Costa Mesa shoppers can pause for an espresso, glass of wine, pastry, baguette or madeto- order crepe after perusing French brands like Chanel or Louis Vuitton. Also new is Moulin Bouillon, an all-day, full-service restaurant adjacent to the original Newport cafe—which conjures a bustling 1800s bistro where workers ate meat and broth, or “bouillon.” The brasserie evokes old Paris with vintage tables, framed prints and antiques—plus French favorites like escargots, steak frites and chocolate mousse. moulin.com
Poppy & Seed
From the creators of Downtown L.A.’s brunch spot Poppy + Rose, chef Michael Reed and wife Kwini Reed’s greenhouse-inspired restaurant in the Anaheim Packing District is now offering a chef’s tasting menu in addition to its innovative small plates. The five-course meal will feature shareable family-style dishes made with fresh fruits, vegetables, microgreens and herbs straight from the restaurant’s in-house garden. Following a snack course, move on to crispy pork belly salad, roasted butternut squash ravioli, diver scallops, braised oxtail and an Eton mess crispy meringue with seasonal fruit for dessert. 714.603.7130, poppyandseedoc.com
Puesto’s new cocktails include the Passion Fruit Margarita. PHOTO COURTESY OF BRANDS
Puesto Mexican Artisan Kitchen & Bar
The homegrown California brand from first-generation Mexican Americans is spicing things up with inventive new menus at all Puesto locations—including the Los Olivos Irvine, Park Place Irvine, Huntington Beach and Anaheim branches. Joining the popular taco lineup is a yellow fin tuna taco with avocado puree and black chile oil, and a Colorado lamb shoulder taco with fresh mint. Don’t miss the fierier guacamole and four new cocktails—including Puesto’s first high-end margarita with additive-free tequila and the Bergamot Sour, the strongest cocktail ever offered. eatpuesto.com
Ramen Shack
Southern Californians now have access to the popular New York City ramen concept from acclaimed Japanese American chef Keizo Shimamoto—who honed his craft in Japan before opening Ramen Shack in Queens, but moved back home to California during the pandemic. His San Juan Capistrano restaurant features his greatest ramen hits—including the famed Ramen Burger—made with his own noodles. Don’t miss house favorites like the Signature Shoyu, with classic chicken and dashi broth, or The Quiet Storm, a 13-ingredient broth with soy sauce tare, pork chashu, gyofun and more. 949.373.5218, ramenshack.com
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