Bambú New. In four-story atrium at stunningly redone Fairmont, amid gardens with palms, orchids, 20-foot bamboo. Newport Coast cioppini for two; exquisite Italian cassata (semifreddo parfait, sweet pesto, kumquat compote, balsamic reduction, crisp tuilles). All meals daily; Sun. brunch. (All major cards) Fairmont Newport Beach, 4500 MacArthur Blvd., Newport Beach, 949.476.2001 $$$ Map K14
Citrus City Grille Postmodern eatery offers Cal-fusion-trendy cuisine in Old Towne near antique shops. Lunch Tues.-Sat.; dinner Tues.-Sun. (AE, DC, MC, V) 122 N. Glassell St., Orange, 714.639.9600 $$ Map B4
Oysters Live jazz scene, Cal-fusion cuisine, fine wine list, happy hour. Dinner only. (AE, V, MC, DC) 2515 E. Coast Hwy., Corona del Mar, 949.675.7411 $$ Map M15
Onotria Wine Country Cuisine New, and excellent, from chef Massimo Navarretta (Scampi Trattoria). Onotria means “land of vines.” Wine list is 40 pages. Lunch, dinner Mon.–Sat. (All major cards) 2831 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, 714.641.5952 $$ Map J17
Palm Court Farmers market produce, boutique ranch meats at “California steakhouse and seafood restaurant”with ocean views. All meals daily. (All major cards) Waterfront Hilton, 21100 Pacific Coast Hwy., Huntington Beach, 714.845.8444 $$$ Map N9
Sundried Tomato Cafe Eclectic Cal-Med, bold flavors. Blackened chicken spring rolls with honey cilantro sauce; chopped salad; pastas. Lunch, dinner daily; brunch weekends. (All major cards) 361 Forest Ave., Laguna Beach, 949.494.3312. 31781 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.661.1167 $$ Map H15, I17
More CALIFORNIA CUISINE
Anastasia Shares space with boutique. Industrial chic. Try pain caramel toast. Fine dining at night. Breakfast, lunch daily; dinner Fri.–Sat. (AE, DC, MC, V) 460-470 Ocean Ave., Laguna Beach, 949.497.8903 $$ Map H15
Beachfire Beach party! Grilled fish, steaks, ribs, tacos, burgers and veggie fare with Caribbean, Mexican and Asian accents. S’mores for dessert, of course. Lunch, dinner daily. (AE, DC, MC, V) 204 Avenida del Mar, San Clemente, 949.366.3232 $ Map southeast of F6
Cabana Hula girl lamps, Big Kahuna mai tai for four light up beachside bar and grill. Lettuce leaf chicken taco appetizers; macadamia nut-crusted mahi-mahi. Lunch weekends; dinner nightly. (All major cards) 440 S. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, 949.376.8595 $ Map H15
Cafe Zoolu Serengeti-sized portions served in jerboa-sized quarters. Pot stickers; Chunk-O-Swordfish; espresso crème brûleé. Dinner Wed.-Sun. (All major cards) 860 Glenneyre St., Laguna Beach, 949.494.6825 $$$ Map I15
The Californian Cheery, colorful, contemporary, elegant fine-dining room at Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa. Striking décor, ocean views. Parmesan-crusted skate wing with basil risotto and sun-dried tomato butter sauce; fresh berry cobbler with organic ranger cookie streusel and honey lavender ice cream. All meals daily. (All major cards) 21500 Pacific Coast Hwy., Huntington Beach, 714.698.1234 $$ Map N9
Disney’s PCH Grille Cal-Pacific Rim fusion cuisine, imaginative pastries. All meals daily. (All major cards) Paradise Pier Hotel, 1717 S. Disneyland Drive, Anaheim, 714.999.0990 $$ Map I10
Green Parrot Cafe “California bistro cuisine” cafe with lovely Spanish-style courtyard with fountain and art gallery. Near Bowers Museum. Lunch weekdays; dinner Tues.–Fri. (All major cards) 2035 N. Main St., Santa Ana, 714.550.6040 $$ Map G13
Mariposa The popovers that start every meal are fantastic. Cheery room inside Neiman Marcus. Maine lobster club sandwich; pistachio-crusted chicken breast. Lunch daily. (All major cards) Fashion Island, 601 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, 949.467.3350 $$ Map L15
Napa Rose Discovery ingredients from chef Andrew Sutton. Discovery wines from Michael Jordan; dozens of sommeliers. Jorge Sotelo’s pastries are a California adventure. Dinner daily. (All major cards) Grand Californian Hotel, 1600 S. Disneyland Drive, Anaheim, 714.635.2300 $$$ Map I10
Native Foods Vegetarians are sprouting up all over! Casual California vegan fare is a fusion of colors, flavors and textures. Lunch, dinner daily. (All major cards) 2937 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, 714.751.2151 $ Map J13
Opah Slick and happening, in the bar and on the plate. Grilled Hawaiian opah; Louisiana oyster po’ boy; apple jack brandy-smoked baby back ribs. Lunch, dinner daily. (All major cards) 26851 Aliso Creek Road, Aliso Viejo, 949.360.8822. 22332 El Paseo, Rancho Santa Margarita, 949.766.9988 $$ Map G16, east of D6
Pavilion Elegance and top-notch “French Intercontinental Hawaiian” cuisine. New executive chef Bill Bracken and pastry chef Michael Owens come from Peninsula Beverly Hills. All meals daily. (All major cards) The Island Hotel, 690 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, 949.760.4920 $$$ Map L15
Renaissance Dana Point Black & White linguini, Black & Blue & Bleu rib-eye. Live entertainment nightly. Lunch, dinner daily; Sun. brunch. (All major cards) 24701 Del Prado, Dana Point, 949.661.6003 $ Map J17
6ix Park Grill Applewood-fired grill fare in airy new space, floor-to-ceiling windows and garden terrace. All meals daily. (All major cards) Hyatt Regency Irvine, 17900 Jamboree Road, Irvine, 949.225.6666 $$ Map J14
Tabu Grill Small bamboo, teak and stone restaurant, small kitchen. Think Pacific Rim–influenced California comfort fusion. Dinner daily. (All major cards) 2892 S. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, 949.494.7743 $$$ Map I16
Tangata From Patina’s Joachim Splichal. Soup of yesterday; pulled Caribbean spiced pork with mango BBQ sauce, sambal, sweet potato fries. Lunch Tues.-Sat. (AE, DS, MC, V) Bowers Museum of Cultural Art, 2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana, 714.550.0906 $$ Map G13
Tangerine Grill A culinary California adventure opposite Disney’s California Adventure. Chicken tangerine; Santa Maria strip steak. All meals daily. Sun. brunch. (All major cards) 1030 W. Katella Ave., Anaheim, 714.772.1186 $$ Map I10
230 Forest Cozy enough to get friendly with the next table, bustling enough that you don’t have to. Grilled sturgeon with marion-blackberry butter. Lunch, dinner daily. (All major cards) 230 Forest Ave., Laguna Beach, 949.494.2545 $$ Map I15
Woody’s at the Beach Game dishes are the specialty. Dinner Tues.–Sun. (All major cards) 1305 S. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, 949.376.8809. $$ Map I15
Vine High school sweethearts get married, move to Napa, move back, offer excellent wine country cuisine. Dinner Tues.–Sat. (All major cards) 211 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente, 949.361.2079 $$$ Map south of F6
Vue New. “Forward-thinking California coastal cuisine”—and a view. Lamb rack with Cambozola risotto, tomato jam and grilled scallions All meals daily; Sunday brunch. (All major cards) Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort, 25135 Park Lantern, Dana Point, 949.661.5000 $$$ Map J16
Wolfgang Puck Cafe Wolfgang Puck’s more casual concept. Lunch, dinner daily. (DC, MC, V) South Coast Plaza, 3333 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, 714.546.WOLF. The Block at Orange, 20 City Blvd., Orange, 714.634.WOLF $$ Map J13, E3
Zinc Cafe & Market Where Lagunatics—and CDM-ites—hang out come mealtime or dessert. Market for takeout. Breakfast, lunch daily. (Cash, check only) 350 Ocean Ave., Laguna Beach, 949.494.6302. 3222 E. Coast Hwy., Corona del Mar, 949.719.9462 $ Map H15, M16
Oysters Live jazz scene, Cal-fusion cuisine, fine wine list, happy hour. Dinner only. (AE, V, MC, DC) 2515 E. Coast Hwy., Corona del Mar, 949.675.7411 $$ Map M15
Palm Court Farmers market produce, boutique ranch meats at “California steakhouse and seafood restaurant”with ocean views. All meals daily. (All major cards) Waterfront Hilton, 21100 Pacific Coast Hwy., Huntington Beach, 714.845.8444 $$$ Map N9