French Fare, Anyone?
If French cuisine is to your liking, expect a fabulous option to open soon at the luxury retail location with restaurateur Yassmin Sarmadiand chef Tony Esnault at the helm. The duo recently sold their acclaimed Los Angeles French bistro, Church and State and are concentrating on Knife Pleat, located in the exclusive third-level Penthouse. The celebrated chef will offer his modern interpretation of French classics. Having trained and worked for the illustrious Alain Ducasse (the first chef to own three restaurants with three Michelin stars in three cities), Esnault will feature enticing interpretations of global French fare from all the French provinces. A fan of using each season’s best crops by local growers, pasta and risotto will be menu staples, and a wood-burning oven will only add to the chef’s options. A prix-fixe luncheon menu will be offered, and dinner will feature a tasting menu, signature cocktails, and a well-thought-out wine list. The “elegant yet approachable” restaurant seats 80 and has an especially inviting chef’s table that seats nine with an intimate view of the kitchen.
A Global Culinary Experience
Amar Santana, Season 13 Top Chef runner-up, and his business partner Ahmed Labbate are on a roll. Aside from the national chef honors and recognition, the duo has had great success at Broadway by Amar Santana in Laguna Beach and Vaca in South Coast Plaza’s Park Tower and will be opening a large, multi-themed restaurant this summer called The Hall Global Eatery. Located in the former Z’Tejas Southwestern Grill at the plaza, two fast-food casual food areas will offer an open espresso bar with pastries, baked goods, sandwiches, salads and coffee and an adjacent area featuring Middle Eastern fare. A large juicer will produce fresh juice to order. A full-service dining experience called Crudo will feature 22 seats in the restaurant and 22 seats at the bar, with a shellfish display on one side of the bar and charcuterie on the other side. Chef Santana will be offering some bold new dishes to the mix with his recent trips to Spain, Morocco and Korea as his inspiration. The 200-seat eatery includes a large, tree-shaded patio with outdoor and indoor cocktail bars.
Udon Noodles Make Debut
Marugame Udon, Japan’s premier udon shop and Orange County exclusive, will be opening soon. The innovative fast food casual concept features made-to-order udon noodles, with guests making selections from various types of broth, proteins and garnishes to top the hot or cold udon. Assorted tempura and rice balls may be added. Look for a well-priced menu and quick service.