The month of March is kicking off with a week-long array of pre-fixe food menus for you to experience during Orange County Restaurant Week. There are at least 125 restaurants for you to select from, see all of the participating restaurants here, and you can search by city or pre-fixe lunch or dinner menus. In this post, I'll be highlighting three restaurants at the Irvine Spectrum Center that you must try during OC Restaurant Week starting tomorrow March 3rd through March 9th. I always enjoy experiencing OC Restaurant Week because you really do get bang for your buck with the pre-fixe menu options, it's an excuse to dine out or do a date night and it's a fantastic opportunity to get to try a new restaurant. Here are three restaurants at the Irvine Spectrum Center to try:
PAUL MARTIN'S AMERICAN GRILL
The moment I walked into Paul Martin's American Grill at the Irvine Spectrum Center, I noticed how much more open the space is compared to my previous visits. The bar area has increased seating which includes a plush lounge area to welcome guests into the restaurant and the menu is really a delight to experience. Both the lunch and dinner menu have a variety of dishes to choose from, and I specifically tasted a dinner menu. Choose from salads, quinoa bowl, sandwiches or a burger for lunch; or chicken, salmon, short rib or linguine for dinner. For dinner specifically, guests receive a special dessert! I especially loved the brick chicken which paired well with the mashed potatos sitting atop some yummy herb jus and topped with morsels of garlic. Paul Martin's American Grill serves for a great backdrop for dining with business associates or with your family and friends, and you won't want to miss out on their OC Restaurant Week menus. I always pair their raspberry martini which features a house-infused raspberry vodka, try it with your meal the next time your in Paul Martin's American Grill.
534 Spectrum Center Dr.
Irvine, CA 92618
949.453.1144
Website | Reservations
Lunch $15 | Dinner $30
LUNCH - $15 per Guest
starter choice of
SEASONAL HOUSE SALAD tomato, red onion, avocado, cauliflower couscous, herbed croutons, lemon basil
HOUSE-MADE SOUP seasonally inspired recipes
main course choice of
ASIAN CHICKEN SALAD roasted chicken, red cabbage, snow peas, carrots, Marcona almonds, crispy wontons, peanut vinaigrette
COLUMBIA RIVER STEELHEAD SANDWICH grilled salmon, arugula, avocado, pickled onions, housemade pesto aioli, sweet potato fries
CLASSIC AMERICAN BURGER ground Black Angus beef, Tillamook cheddar or Shaft blue cheese, black pepper aioli, fries
SMOKED CHICKEN SANDWICH cold thinly sliced hickory-smoked chicken, tomato, arugula, pesto aioli, toasted ciabatta, fries
QUINOA BOWL spinach, blistered tomatoes, seasonal vegetables, grilled avocado
DINNER - $30 per Guest
starter choice of
SEASONAL HOUSE Salad tomato, red onion, avocado, cauliflower couscous, herbed croutons, lemon basil
french onion SOUP sweet caramelized onions, gruyere, provolone, parmesan
main course choice of
CEDAR PLANK STEELHEAD SALMON crusted with caramelized onions and bacon, spinach, mushrooms, savory
BRICK” CHICKEN pan-seared, herb marinated chicken, mashed potatoes, croutons, herb jus
SHRIMP LINGUINE fresh pasta, spinach, tomatoes, garlic lemon butter, grilled ciabatta
BRAISED SHORT RIB mashed potatoes, horseradish cream, housemade beef jus
dessert
CAMPFIRE SUNDAE vanilla ice cream, warm fudge, candied walnuts, graham cracker crumble, toasted marshmallow fluff
DEL FRISCO'S GRILLE
No matter what time of day I dine at Del Frisco's Grille at the Irvine Spectrum Center, it always has an upbeat atmosphere. I've gotten to dine at Del Frisco's for brunch, lunch and a private event, but surprisingly not for a dinner service. Therefore, I was extremely excited to get to come in for a bustling dinner service. The restaurant's OCRW menu takes classic dishes and elevates them for a truly tasty culinary journey for the guest. I am a sucker for deviled eggs, and I could keep eating these all day the way Del Frisco's makes them with a truffle chive vinaigrette (I know it's gonna be extremely delectable when truffle is involved). Choose from a cheeseburger, steak, chicken or salmon for lunch and beef stroganoff, chicken, salmon and filet mignon (as well as a dessert choice between a decadent pudding jar or nutella bread pudding) for dinner. Don't forget to pair your lunch or dinner with their featured "The VIP" cocktail (which incorporates pineapple infused vodka that the restaurant makes themselves), Peter Yealands Sauvignon Blanc or DFG by Paul Hobbs Malbec (which pairs well with the beef stroganoff). The restaurant has a fun atmosphere in the evenings and is great for a date night or a gathering with friends. I especially loved the pappardelle egg noodles of the beef stroganoff, which includes perfectly balanced portions of short rib and crispy tobacco onions.
772 Spectrum Center Dr.
Irvine, CA 92618
949.341.0376
Website | Reservations
Lunch $25 | Dinner $50
LUNCH - $25 per guest
Starter Choice of
Deviled Eggs
Truffle Chive Vinaigrette
Artichoke Beignets
Fontina, Parmesan, Sweet Basil Dressing
Iceberg Lettuce Wedge
Hickory-Smoked Bacon Crumbles, Tomato, Blue Cheese Dressing
Entrée Choice of
The Grille Prime Cheeseburger
Double-Stacked USDA Prime Beef Patties, American Cheese, Lettuce, Red Onion, Sloppy Sauce, Tomato, Pickle
Hand-Shaved Prime Steak
Creamy Horseradish, Artisan French Roll, Au Jus
Kale & Brussels Sprout Salad with Chicken
Roasted Almonds, Dried Cranberries, Orange Segments, Shaved Manchego, Creole Mustard Vinaigrette
Seared Salmon Fillet
Charred Broccoli with Honey Tahini, Crushed Citrus Herb Oil
DINNER - $50 per guest
Starter Choice of
Deviled Eggs
Truffle Chive Vinaigrette
Artichoke Beignets
Fontina, Parmesan, Sweet Basil Dressing
Iceberg Lettuce Wedge
Hickory-Smoked Bacon Crumbles, Tomato, Blue Cheese Dressing
Entrée Choice of
Prime Beef Short Rib Stroganoff
Pappardelle Egg Noodles, Sour Cream, Tobacco Onions
Brick Chicken
Locally Farmed, Hand-Mashed Potatoes, Asparagus, Roasted Chicken Jus
Seared Salmon Fillet
Charred Broccoli with Honey Tahini, Crushed Citrus Herb Oil
Filet Mignon
6 oz. with Hand-Mashed Potatoes
Dessert Choice of
Salted Caramel Pudding Jar
Whipped Cream
Nutella Bread Pudding
Coffee Ice Cream, Caramel Sauce
CUCINA ENOTECA
Add a bit of color and quirkiness to your dining experience with a visit to Cucina Enoteca. This restaurant is one of my favorite spots to dine for lunch or dinners and I like to take creative meetings here as well. Although I personally didn't get to taste the OC Restuarant Week menu, their menu is sure to not disappoint with pizza, pasta, salad, soup or burger for lunch and pasta, chicken or salmon (with a starter and dessert) for dinner. Pair your meal with one of Cucina Enoteca's delightful cocktail concoctions!
532 Spectrum Center Dr.
Irvine, CA 92618
949.861.2222
Website | Reservations
Lunch $25 | Dinner $40
LUNCH - $25 per guest
First choice of
Soup chef's whim
Tricolore Salad parmigiano reggiano + lemon + olive oil
Second choice of
Margherita Pizza san marzano tomato + house made mozzarella + basil
Polenta + Ragu creamy mascarpone polenta + chef's ragu
Spaghetti cucina meatball + pomodoro + parmesan
Cucina Burger smoked cheddar + lettuce + pickle + tomato + honey mustard aioli + truffle fries
DINNER - $40 per guest
First choice of
Stuffed Fried Squash Blossoms lemon ricotta + mint arugula gremolata
Chopped Salad casalingo pepperoni + cucumber + green bean + tomato + provolone + pepperoncini + almond + dill + rosemary breadcrumb*
Beet + Citrus Salad grapefruit + pickled kumquat + mache + chile granola + labneh*
Second choice of
Bucatini guanciale + tomato + onion + calabrian chili + pecorino + hen egg
Rigatoni eggplant caponata + baby zucchini + burrata + pesto + sourdough breadcrumb
Fra Diavolo Rotisserie Chicken cracked potato + grilled broccolini + sheep yogurt
Grilled Atlantic Salmon cannellini bean + potato + kale + creme fraiche + herb brodo
Third choice of
Tiramisu espresso + chocolate feuilletine + dried raspberry
Malted Milk Budino milk chocolate + sea salt crema + meringue cookie
*Nut Allergen
