Fast-food joints aren’t the only ones promoting value menus. Now, casual and fine dining establishments are seeing a need to offer “value” options for penny-pinching consumers. Many restaurants are calling their menu deals, “recession busters” or “bailout packages.”
Here are a few deals going on in Orange County:
(Note: This list is subject to change. Please check with restaurants, as menu items and pricing often changes.)
Salt Creek Grille
I hit the Salt Creek Grille in Dana Point the other night, and was pleasantly surprised to find a great $17 three-course meal option on the menu. It comes with choice of soup of the day, or salad (I recommend the grilled Caesar); entree choice of Jidori chicken, spicy shrimp linguine or miso salmon; plus dessert. No skimping on portions here. A very nice meal, at a fantastic price. (See full menu)
Z’Tejas
The South Coast Plaza restaurant launched in late October a “Under $10″ weekend brunch. The less-expensive brunch items include Bananas Foster French Toast, Chicken and Potato Hash, Eggs Benedict, Barbacoa Beef Breakfast Enchiladas and Jack’s Breakfast Quesadilla (named after Z’Tejas’ founding chef Jack Gilmore). All brunch entrées are priced under $10 and are available Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Cellar
The Fullerton bistro is offering a $9 “Small bites menu” with items such as: Bacon-wrapped scallops, sugar-crusted Ahi tuna served, plump tiger shrimps seared with Garam Masala Indian spice, seared pork filet mignon, duck liver pâté and an assorted cheese plate.
TAPS
The Brea restaurant’s “Taste of Taps” 3-course dinner is one of the best fixed prices meal deals in Orange County. A key reason: TAPS offers the diner more than 20 choices for its three-course program, compared to other restaurants. The $24.95 meal also includes your choice of any beer on tap. Not bad.
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
The Newport Beach restaurant is offering a $39.95 prix fixe dinner through January, 2010. More info here Location: 455 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach (only this location)
Salt Creek Grille
The Dana Point restaurant recently cut its menu prices, on everything from prime steaks to its signature pork chops. The upscale dining eatery is also offering 50% off all menu items during certain hours of the week. Read more here
Orange Hill Restaurant
This fine dining restaurant, tucked atop the hills of Orange, offers a $19.95 “Sunset Dinner” program from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily. (not valid on holidays). The scenic views of Orange County are fantastic at this time, making this a pretty good deal. The three course meal includes choice of four entrees.
Tradition by Pascal in Newport Beach
Chef Pascal Olhats said this week that he would permanently extend his fixed price menu deals until the economy gets better. Wow. That’s great.
Here’s what he’s offering: a 3-course prix fixe menu for $20 at lunch and $40 at dinner. More information, go here.
Stonehill Tavern introduced in July its “Classic Tavern Suppers” which features a 3-course tasting menu for $39 per person. It also is offering $5 bar menu. Read more here.
Royal Khyber at South Coast Village in Santa Ana is offering a $10 or $15 Express Lunch special. CLICK HERE for more details
Morton’s the Steakhouse is offering a lunch-only, $25 3-course special. Read full story here.
What: Free all you can eat dinner and/or lunch with the purchase of show tickets
on Thursday & Friday at 6 p.m. and Sunday at 11 a.m. Adults: $42.50. Kids: $24.95.
Sage on The Coast - Late Night Sweet Tooth Happy Hour
What: Every night after 8:30 p.m., desserts are $5. Add a cocktail and the total price for a drink and dessert is $8. A trio of desserts is $12. Desserts include: a Persian mulberry tart with lemon ice cream, a peach tart tatin with vanilla ice cream, profiteroles filled with caramel ice cream and covered in chocolate sauce, or the anthem-like chocolate fudge brownie with peanut butter ice cream.
Where: Sage on the Coast is located at the Crystal Cove Promenade in Newport Coast.
What: The chain, which has two eateries in Orange County, is offering a three-course dinner for $24.95. The deal, offered daily, includes one soup or salad; a main entrée and choice of dessert or a glass of wine. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday the eatery is also serving a prime rib dinner for two for $42.95. On burger meals, you are also supposed to get $2 off a glass of wine. But, I went there the other day, and didn’t get that discount, so check your bill carefully.
Address: 2636 Dupont Drive in Irvine and 957 Newport Center Drive at Fashion Island in Newport Beach.
Fifty Forks — Fine Dining at Fast Casual Prices
This falls under the Best Kept Secret Category: The Art Institute of California’s student-run restaurant, Fifty Forks in Santa Ana, is open for dinner this summer, as well as lunch. You can create a four-course meal for $30 or less. Example: zucchini basil soup, caramelized sea scallops, filet mignon and Earl Grey crème brulée will cost $29 (before tax).
Address: 3601 West Sunflower Avenue, Santa Ana. Hours are limited. For reservations, call 714-429-0918.
