Great Taste Magazine

Since 1981, Wine Spectator magazine has been recognizing restaurants around the world with their Restaurant Award program. 2008’s winners have recently been announced, and not surprisingly, there are a wealth of local eateries that have received rewards! The highly regarded wine magazine awards chosen restaurants with one of three designations. The Award of Excellence is given to establishments that offer a well-chosen selection of quality producers, along with a thematic match to the menu in both price and style. The Best Award of Excellence was created to give special recognition to restaurants that clearly exceed the requirements of the Award of Excellence, typically displaying menus with vintage depth or excellent breadth several wine regions. Last, but certainly not least, is the Grand Award - Wine Spectator’s highest honor. The Grand Award is bestowed upon restaurants that show, according to the magazine, an “uncompromising, passionate devotion the quality of their wine program.” Restaurants receiving this designation typically offer 1,500 or more selections and outstanding organization, presentation and service of their high-quality wines. The list of 2008 honorees will be published in the August 31 edition of Wine Spectator magazine, and can also be found at WineSpectator.com. Check out the winners…who knows, your favorite restaurant could be on the list!

Cheers!
Lauren Monahan

August 2008

Congratulations to all!

555 East - Long Beach - Best Award of Excellence

Billy’s at the Beach - Newport Beach - Best Award of Excellence

Bistro le Crillon - Newport Beach - Best Award of Excellence

Clae’s - Laguna Beach - Best Award of Excellence

Five Crowns - Corona Del Mar - Best Award of Excellence

Hush - Laguna Beach - Best Award of Excellence

L’Opera Ristorante - Long Beach - Best Award of Excellence

Mr. Stox - Anaheim - Best Award of Excellence

Napa Rose Restaurant - Anaheim - Best Award of Excellence

Pinot Provence - Costa Mesa - Best Award of Excellence

Rosine’s Mediterranean & Rotisserie Grill - Corona - Best Award of Excellence

Stonehill Tavern - Dana Point - Best Award of Excellence

Studio - Laguna Beach - Best Award of Excellence

The Cellar - Fullerton - Best Award of Excellence

The Hobbit - Orange - Best Award of Excellence

The Sky Room - Long Beach - Best Award of Excellence

Anaheim White House - Award of Excellence

Bayside Restaurant - Newport Beach - Award of Excellence

Bistango - Irvine - Award of Excellence

Blackwood American Grill - Corona - Award of Excellence

Blue Coral Seafood & Spirits - Newport Beach - Award of Excellence

Catal Restaurant & Uva Bar - Anaheim - Award of Excellence

Chart House Dana Point - Dana Point - Award of Excellence

Christy’s Ristorante - Long Beach - Award of Excellence

Delius Restaurant - Signal Hill - Award of Excellence

First Cabin Restaurant - Newport Beach - Award of Excellence

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar - Newport Beach - Award of Excellence

Harpoon Henry’s Seafood Restaurant - Dana Point - Award of Excellence

Il Fornaio Cucina Italiana - Irvine - Award of Excellence

Kimera - Irvine - Award of Excellence

Luggatti’s Italian Grill - Huntington Beach - Award of Excellence

Mastro’s Ocean Club Fish House - Newport Beach - Award of Excellence

Mastro’s Steakhouse - Costa Mesa - Award of Excellence

Morton’s, The Steakhouse - Santa Ana, Anaheim - Award of Excellence

Onotria Wine Country Cuisine - Costa Mesa - Award of Excellence

Orange Hill Restaurant - Orange - Award of Excellence

Oysters - Corona Del Mar - Award of Excellence

Parker’s Lighthouse - Long Beach - Award of Excellence

Patty’s Place - Seal Beach - Award of Excellence

Pizzaioli - Chino - Award of Excellence

Restaurant 162′ - Dana Point - Award of Excellence

Restaurant Koi - Seal Beach - Award of Excellence

Ristorante Da Vinci - Long Beach - Award of Excellence

Ruth’s Chris Steak House - Anaheim - Award of Excellence

Sage - Newport Beach - Award of Excellence

Sage on the Coast - Newport Beach - Award of Excellence

Salt Creek Grille - Dana Point - Award of Excellence

Sapphire Laguna - Laguna Beach - Award of Excellence

Scott’s Seafood Grill & Bar - Costa Mesa - Award of Excellence

Spaghettini Italian Grill - Seal Beach - Award of Excellence

Splashes - Laguna Beach - Award of Excellence

Summit House Restaurant - Fullerton - Award of Excellence

TAPS Fish House & Brewery - Brea - Award of Excellence

Thai This Lunch & Dinner - Dana Point - Award of Excellence

The Cannery Seafood of the Pacific - Newport Beach - Award of Excellence

The Cat & The Custard Cup - La Habra - Award of Excellence

The Crow Bar & Kitchen - Corona del Mar - Award of Excellence

The Golden Truffle - Costa Mesa - Award of Excellence

The Quiet Woman - Corona del Mar - Award of Excellence

The Ritz Restaurant - Newport Beach - Award of Excellence

The Twisted Vine - Fullerton - Award of Excellence

The Winery Restaurant and Wine Bar - Tustin - Award of Excellence

Tracht’s - Long Beach - Award of Excellence

Tradition by Pascal - Newport Beach - Award of Excellence

Walt’s Wharf - Seal Beach - Award of Excellence

Wildfish Seafood Grille - Newport Beach - Award of Excellence

Wind & Sea - Dana Point - Award of Excellence

Yves’ Bistro - Anaheim - Award of Excellence

Zov’s Bistro - Tustin - Award of Excellence