Savoury’s shines for singles dining

Glori Fickling

We occasionally hear the lament of singles getting short shrift from

some restaurants when seeking a dinner table for one. Simple

solution, choose a reputable establishment for the evening and take a

seat at the bar.

A shining example is Savoury’s, the delightful dining destination

at Casa del Camino Hotel. Since acquisition by Chris Keller,

hospitality is more prevalent than ever, as reflected in the entire

Savoury’s staff. Step up to the bar for a happy greeting by Gerry

Lakas whose guitar is nearby for occasional musical interludes. He

will welcome you with a handful of colorful crystal stones he calls

dream seeds urging you to put them under your pillow thus assuring

peace, happiness and a good nights rest.

You will be plied with one of his creative libations, perhaps a

strawberry/pineapple passion potion which should deliciously give you

nocturnal rest. Then watch his tiny jumping frog provoke more

laughter, chatter and camaraderie. All these promote a party mood for

newcomers and such returning guests as Ibrahim Guirguis, general

manager of the adjacent Capri Laguna who calls this his happy home

away from home.

Adding to all, the Asian-inspired menu is available at the bar.

Under direction of executive chef Diabutsu Ikemizu, individual

offerings are also carried out by his innovative crew, Terry Sheeran,

Carly Jansen and April Buttler responsible for some of the quoted

nightly specials.

The talented Terry Sheeran, for example, recently created a

memorable seafood production constructed of sesame crusted puff

pastry bountifully crammed with shrimp, halibut, salmon, calamari and

sensuously chewy oyster mushrooms in a savory chicken based sauce

surrounded with delicate spokes of asparagus spears and scallions.

Served on an oversize square white porcelain plate, the creation was

majestically crowned with a whole steamed crawfish. Sheeran impresses

with a culinary repertoire encompassing cooking encounters with

legendary Alice Waters at Chez Paanisse. But this charming,

Irish-born chef will soon be returning to his Dublin hometown. So, to

savor one of his personally prepared delicacies, a dinner reservation

should be expedited.

“The arts are not complete without the art or food” is Savory’s

slogan and this creative corps of chefs takes the term very

seriously. Thus, creativity prevails in every category and each dish

emerges a picture of perfection.

The flair for Asian/multicultural cuisines is reflected in a

multitude of taste temptations. Sesame ginger crab cakes with wasabi

scallion aioli are embellished with ahi carpaccio and cucumber carrot

namasu salad, $12. Pad Thai is a holistic version of the Thai noodle

favorite posing fresh Asian vegetables with tofu, lily buds,

mushrooms and greens in a savory holistic broth, $16. Crackle catfish

filet laced with Thai ginger, chili pepper and citrus fish sauce is

accompanied with a lobster dumpling, coconut, curry and roasted corn

ragout, $20. Order this for two and it is arranged on a platter for

$38.

Checking out land favorites we find herb roasted organic chicken

with garlic mashed potatoes and vegetable cassoulet at $19; mesquite

grilled citrus herbed chicken breast over linguini with roasted

garlic pesto cream and smoky sundried tomato coulis at $17. For more

robust appetites the popular Mongolian barbecued short ribs of beef

arrive with wok-charred vegetables and scallion basmati for $24. Then

there’s pan seared tenderloin of beef over garlic mashed potatoes

topped with sweet onion compote laced with pinot noir truffle essence

at $29.

Totally splendiferous is the mesquite-grilled rib eye steak with

gorgonzola cheese gratin grandiosely embellished with a halo of

grilled shrimp, grenadine, red wine, blackberry and onion marmalade;

this fantasy for $33.

NEWS BITES

There is just time to reserve tickets for the Laguna Canyon

Conservancy dinner reception honoring the late Lida Lenney at Tivoli

Terrace, Monday. The three-course repast starts at 6:45 p.m. prefaced

with no-host cocktails at 6 p.m. then followed with a presentation of

“The Lida Lenney Story” narrated by Harry Huggins. Cost $10 for

members, $15 for nonmembers. For more information, call Ed or Kit at

(949) 494-6465.

Holiday reminder! The seventh annual Holiday Wreath auction

happens at Woody’s at the Beach at 8 p.m. on Tuesday. This is always

a festive event, so arrive at 7 p.m. to look over the array of

Christmas bounty, meet the artists and enjoy camaraderie while

sipping a glass of wine and nibbling on some tasty appetizers. The

auction is 8 p.m. sharp.

Art aficionados are well aware of the big, beautiful Lu Martin Art

Gallery on North Coast Highway and of Lu Martin’s wonderful personal

paintings. Her artistic prowess shined once again with the culinary

display she arranged at a recent reception for Collectors’ Night

honoring American impressionist Stephen Shortridge who made a

welcoming personal appearance. The yummy buffet was heaped with

Martin’s own recipes of Chinese chicken meatballs, plump deviled

eggs, stacked turkey sandwiches, olive tapenade, platters of fresh

fruits and cheese, plus little sushi nugget. Phone: (949) 494-8074.

* GLORI FICKLING is a longtime Laguna Beach resident who has

written restaurant news and views columns since 1966. She may be reached at (949) 494-4710 or by e-mail at [email protected].