What You're Eating – Best Fall Menus In O.C.
(credit: True Food Kitchen)
The bountiful harvest season is in full swing, even if OC temps still beckon a day on the beach. To get that true feeling of autumn, head to one of these Orange County restaurants serving up the best of the fall season. From hearty meats to root vegetables, here's what you should be eating this season in the OC.
(credit: True Food Kitchen)
Autumn Ingredient Salad
True Food Kitchen
451 Newport Center Dr.
Newport Beach, CA 92660
(949) 644-2400
www.truefoodkitchen.com
The philosophy at True Food Kitchen means you always dine on healthy, locally sourced seasonal ingredients, and there is no better time to try the tastes of the season than fall. The new fall menu includes a kale avocado dip, harvest chopped salad, made with squash, apple, pomegranate, walnuts, goat cheese and a gluten-free basaltic vinaigrette, and the quintessential autumn ingredient salad, with brussels sprouts, cauliflower, squash, mulberry, white bean, pomegranate and horseradish vinaigrette, among others. Don't miss the squash pie for dessert or a seasonal cocktail!
(credit: FIG & OLIVE)
Truffle Mushroom Fontina Scrambled Eggs
FIG & OLIVE
151 Newport Center Dr.
Newport Beach, CA 92660
(949) 877-3005
www.figandolive.com
Head to FIG & OLIVE Newport Beach to take advantage of their new three-course prix-fixe fall weekend brunch highlighting some of the best of Executive Chef Pascal Lorange's French Riviera-inspired fare. Choose from breads and viennoiserie, truffle mushroom fontina scrambled eggs, South of France poached eggs with salmon, and a selection of farmer's market inspired dishes such as Gazpacho Andalucía Soup (with tomato, bell pepper, cucumber, basil, and olive oil bread) and Grilled Thyme Chicken Paillard (with lemon, thyme, arugula, spinach, brussels sprouts, pickled red onion, tomato, haricot vert, almond, bell pepper, and capers).
(credit: Mendocino Farms)
Smoked Turkey Romesco
Mendocino Farms
450 E 17th St.
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
(949) 548-2500
www.mendocinofarms.com
The hearty flavors of a hand-made artisan sandwich are just perfect for fall. At Mendocino Farms, try the smoked turkey romesco on pretzel, which features a six-hour pecan wood house smoked turkey breast, topped with a traditional Spanish almond romesco sauce, spicy harissa aioli, roasted tomatoes, red onions, and Scarborough Farm's baby arugula all beautifully arranged on Drago Bakery's salty pretzel bun.
(credit: Del Frisco Grille)
Grille's Prime Cheeseburger
Del Frisco's Grille
620 Spectrum Center Dr.
Irvine, CA 92618
(949) 341-0376
www.delfriscosgrille.com
Del Frisco's Grille knows that celebrating the autumn season wouldn't be complete without a NFL football special. Throughout the entire football season, head to the Irvine Spectrum to score a special deal for football & meat lovers: a hearty Grille's prime cheeseburger (with a blend of chuck, brisket, and short ribs hand formed into two patties and topped with cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and sloppy sauce on a brioche bun), fries (including Original, Sea Salt & Parmesan, or Sweet Pototo Frites, and an ice-cold pint of craft beer.
(credit: Pitfire Pizza)
Roasted Pumpkin Pizza
Pitfire Artisan Pizza
353 E 17th St.
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
(949) 313-6333
www.pitfirepizza.com
Unveiled on October 16th, Pitfire Artisan Pizza's new fall menu includes a variety of specialty pizzas, pastas, salads, and a seasonally inspired Farmers' Market vegetable platter. Their can't-miss roasted pumpkin pizza is made with brown butter, sage roasted pumpkin, braised chard, fontina, toasted pepitas, and pumpkin seed oil!
(credit: Fleming's)
Deconstructed Porterhouse for Two
Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
455 Newport Center Dr.
Newport Beach, CA 92660
(949) 720-9633
www.flemingssteakhouse.com
For the ultimate in a fall date night, head to Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar in Newport Beach for their indulgent deconstructed porterhouse, available for a limited time this fall by request only. For $99, you and a guest can share a hearty autumn meal consisting of a 28 oz. Deconstructed Porterhouse, roasted cauliflower, and crispy potatoes. Pair your steak with choice of two cabernets: Taken, Cabernet blend, Napa Valley; and Raymond, Cabernet Sauvignon, North Coast.
(credit: Hughes Hoang)
Chicken and Waffles
SOCIAL Costa Mesa
512 W. 19th St.
Costa Mesa, 92627
(949) 642-2425
www.socialcostamesa.com
Take advantage of Executive Chef Jeffrey Boullt's Southern roots as you enjoy the new fall brunch and dinner menu at SOCIAL Costa Mesa, which opened earlier last month. Seasonal comfort food and craft cocktail offerings include chicken and waffles, with jidori chicken oysters, Louisiana tot sauce, and Steen's cane syrup. The duck confit poutine and Fall panzanella salad (with figs, heirloom tomatoes, marinated olives, and chicories) are other best bets.
(credit: Anne Watson Photography)
Fall Prix Fixe Dinner
Taco Maria's
3313 Hyland Ave.
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 538-8444
www.tacomaria.com
The October prix fixe dinner menu at Taco Maria's, created by Chef Carlos Salgado, features a bountiful display of the harvest season's best, served in a variety of traditional Mexican presentations. Try the Campechana, with geoduck clam, abalone, albacore, avocado, and cherry tomato, or Carne Apache, with beef heart tartare, serrano, lime, crisp rice, and egg yolk. The Gazpacho Verde and Mole de Pintada (made with roasted guinea fowl, ancho-almond mole, date, and carrots) are best bets for fall. Wine pairings are offered in addition to the prix fixe price.
Katie Bodell is the Blog Editor for Trekaroo, the largest family travel website in the U.S. She is also a freelance writer, a happy wife to her best friend, and a mom to three sweet California girls. See more on: Trekaroo | CheapOair | Google+ | Twitter.
