Since 1981, Wine Spectatormagazine 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, isthe 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 Spectatormagazine, and can also be found atWineSpectator.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 and 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 (The) – Anaheim – 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 and Spirits – Newport Beach – Award of Excellence
Catal Restaurant and 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 and 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 and 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 and Brewery – Brea – Award of Excellence
Thai This Lunch and Dinner – Dana Point – Award of Excellence
The Cannery Seafood of the Pacific – Newport Beach – Award of Excellence
The Cat and The Custard Cup – La Habra – Award of Excellence
The Crow Bar and 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
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 and Sea – Dana Point – Award of Excellence
Yves’ Bistro – Anaheim – Award of Excellence
Zov’s Bistro Bakery & Cafe – Tustin – Award of Excellence
