Thursday, May 15, 2008

Domaine Restaurants Introduces, A Restaurant

omaine Restaurants powerhouse proprietors Tim and Liza Goodell have championed the Southern California dining scene with trend-setting establishments such as Dakota, Meson G, Troquet, Aubergine, Red Pearl Kitchen and 25 Degrees. Their newest project, A Restaurant, is set to launch May 2008 in their home town of sunny Newport Beach, California.

Tim, an Orange County native, and local investors acquired the region's oldest restaurant The Arches, which first opened its doors in 1926The legendary restaurant experienced many changes over the decades but despite all the transformations, the space has remained a Newport Beach institutionTim and Liza's acquisition of the property last August preceded the biggest and most anticipated transformation to date.

Together with Tim's former schoolmate, well-known director McG (Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle, We Are Marshall, and Terminator 4), local real estate developer Chris Brigandi and singer Mark McGrath (Sugar Ray), the versatile Goodell duo has breathed life into the old-school landmark with a culinary makeover.

The menu at A Restaurant is exemplary of Tim and Liza's progressive approach to fine dining: Simple and delicious updated American-style classics. Executive chef Vartan Abgaryan whips up signature entrees like the "Vintage Natural" Prime Steaks, Abalone Club Sandwich, Beef Stroganoff with Egg Noodles, and other dishes that exude "refined comfort food". But what's a meal without the perfect glass of vino? Tamira Clayton, Beverage Director, has created a fun exercise for both the oenophile and the occasional sipper. Pick your pleasure from an extensive wine list separated into two categories of wines marked under $100 and over $100 -dubbed the "Captain's List."

This standout team also welcomes dessert-extraordinaire pastry chef Shelly Register who will also oversee A Restaurant's gourmet market next door, A Market, as the culinary director. The market will be stocked with delicious prepared foods and goodies for a take-home experience.

Keeping to tradition and paying homage to history, Liza and designer Betsy Van't Hoff have maintained the restaurant's former old world flair. The speakeasy-meets-clubhouse interior transports you to the 1920s; vintage plaid carpeting and chestnut paneling takes you miles away from its beachside location to an era of the unapologetically cool.

A Restaurant is located at 3334 West Coast Highway, Newport Beach, California; (949) 650-6505.

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