[ Anaheim White House | Bayside | Five Feet | JW's Steak House ]
[ Kitayama | Pinot Provence | Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen ]
[ Ritz Restaurant and Garden | Troquet | Zov's Bistro ]

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Anaheim White House

Orange County's "hidden treasure" has been praised by celebrities and critics alike. The "White House" serves Italian cuisine with a few sophisticated French touches and includes delicacies such as grilled Ostrich tournedos and roast rack of lamb with caramelized garlic sauce. Proprietor Bruno Serrato is charming as ever and will regale you with historical anecdotes. With over 200 wines to choose from, go for a romantic dinner then an evening on the town. This turn-of-the-century Victorian-style mansion with small, candle-lit rooms, is one of the prettiest places in the county.

Bayside

Newport's back bay is the setting for the posh and sophisticated Bayside Restaurant, garnished with lush tropical island decor and vibrant art collections to go with a dramatic floor-to-ceiling curved wine tower made of steel and glass and a bar that buzzes with late night action. It could be because of the extensive wine selection or it could be the Austrian executive chef Paul Gstrein whose menu includes delicacies such as spicy crab fritters, seared foie gras and venison medallions. A large bresaola with marinated mozzarella and arugula starter could be a lighter dinner by itself. Warm apple fritters with ice cream make the perfect ending. Dine in or al fresco and don't miss "Wine Tasting Thursdays" on the terrace.

Bayside
900 Bayside Dr.
Newport Beach
(949) 721-1222
www.baysiderestaurant.com

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Five Feet

This landmark of Laguna Beach features fine dining with fickle menu selections served with chef/owner Michael Kang's signature French/Asian twist with Californian highlights. Five Feet has kept them coming back for over 15 years with specialties like Wontons filled with goat cheese and Dungeness crab cakes with remoulade coldslaw, two house favorites. The specialty of the house remains Kang's whole fried catfish, marinated two days prior to cooking. Not inexpensive but very tasty, flavorful and rich.

Five Feet
328 Glenneyre Ave.
Laguna Beach
(949) 497-4955
www.fivefeetrestaurants.com

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JW's Steak House

Just steps from the convention center, JW's Steak House is a cozy yet spacious restaurant in the Anaheim Marriott, which serves up traditional steak and seafood dinners with even more traditional sides-huge baked potatoes and grilled vegetables. JW's specializes in aged beef but also has some wonderful crab cakes and other seafood. A baked-to-order souffle puts the perfect end to a casual yet slightly upscale dining experience.

JW's Steak House
700 West Convention Way
(714) 750-8000
www.marriottanaheim.com

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Kitayama

For some of the best sushi this side of Japan try Newport's Kitayama, an authentic Japanese restaurant that would feel at home in Tokyo. A traditional Japanese garden and Oriental decor set the mood. The cuisine ranges from sushi served at the large bar to Pan-Asian dishes served on platters, bowls, baskets, and boxes. Bigger parties would do well to start out with the Chef's Choice Assorted Sashimi, then move on to the family-friendly Shabu-Shabu course, before capping it off with some delicious green tea or red bean ice cream. Come for some excellent and reasonably priced Japanese food in a beautiful setting.

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Pinot Provence

Joachim Splichal's posh Pinot Provence is a pleasant French style bistro that captures the enchantment of Provencal dining with dishes that accentuate the flavor of the Mediterranean. Though it's located in the Westin Hotel at South Coast Plaza, it's not long before the relaxing and rustic interior evokes images of the country in the South of France. Locals and visitors return for the white truffle-braised boneless prime beef short ribs, rosemary rabbit and crispy pommes frites. As a hotel restaurant, Pinot also serves up morning fare good enough for it to count as a player with the power breakfast set. On top of everything, the room is just plain beautiful. What a place to enjoy dinner after a long day of meetings.

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Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen

Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen is two-story replica of a traditional French Quarter that includes New Orleans style dining rooms, a Creole Cafe, jazz club, and an outdoor "jazz balcony" with a view of Downtown Disney. The restaurant and cafe sport a large Cajun menu that includes traditional favorites like Pasta Jambalaya, Jambalaya Skewers, Chipotle Shrimp Salad, and the scrumptuous Ya-Ya Pot Pie to go with moderate pricing. If you're rushed, take a quick order of Jambalaya, gumbo or bread pudding to go from Jazz Kitchen Express. Don't expect the fare to compare with what you'd actually find in the Big Easy, but this is a better-than-average attempt at bringing a little spice into Disneyland and, particularly for lunch, a good place to find a break from the crowds.

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Ritz Restaurant and Garden

The Ritz Restaurant and Garden greets patrons with an elegant black porte-cochere (large carriage entrance) and has a menu that might have been prepared by the famous French chef Escoffier. The Ritz is actually an updated tribute to the Gallic master and features a luxurious pavilion-style dining room with classical Georgian accents to go with the garden, gallery, piano room, and more. Try out the catchy "Carousel" assortment of appetizers, then expect to find entrees such as duck with red cabbage and filet of Lake Superior whitefish sauteed in toasted hazelnut crust. A varied selection of house specialties includes almond crusted halibut or Piero's special osso buco, ribs, sirloin, and seasonal dishes. Sink back in one of the comfy chairs or booths and sip a vintage from a very eclectic wine cellar during or after dinner for a fine compliment or closer.

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Troquet

A tough morning of shopping may bring its own rewards, and you'll find even more if you stop for lunch in South Coast Plaza's Troquet. Located on the mall's third level, this French bistro is tiny but mighty with veal cheeks, sweetbread club sandwiches and even caviar and foie gras. For dinner, the five-course prix-fixe, including Steak Tartare and Scottish Salmon, is a good option, or try the chef's "Spontaneous and Seasonal" seven-course menu for a healthy variety. The less hungry and the calorie conscious can opt for a lighter French salad as well. There's also a comprehensive list of wines served by the glass--everything you need to get fortified for an afternoon back in the shops or evening on the town.

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Zov's Bistro

Most feel that Zov's Bistro & Bakery Café in Tustin is worth the drive from Anaheim for its indoor elegance and pleasant patio dining options. Flavorful vegetarian dishes with Middle Eastern and Mediterranean influences are served up nightly by chef-proprietor Zov Karamardian, including many of Zov's "Classic Entrees"-Lamb Shishlik Marinated skewered lamb loin grilled over jasmine rice pilaf, and eggplant garbanzo stew with yogurt mint sauce, Soujouk Arrabbiata Penne with dried armenian beef sausage in a spicy peppery sauce of fresh herbs, shiitake mushrooms, tomatoes and goat cheese. Also superb are the morning pastries, sandwiches and salads presented at the bakery, not to mention an endless selection of deviant desserts.

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