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Claes Restaurant, Elegance with a Side of Decadence
After a brief stroll through downtown, my husband, Scott, and I duck into Claes. It is Friday evening and after a long work week, we are eager to enter the cool white stucco walls of the 100+-year-old building (it's been renovated!) and sit down at an oceanfront table at Claes. It is the perfect escape. Every seat in Claes is phenomenal, providing all diners with a panoramic view
of the Pacific. It is a canvas that is always changing.
Vance, our waiter, points out Catalina Island in the distance, the boardwalk below, and tells us to keep an eye on the horizon for dolphins and whales as he pours two glasses of coastal California Pinot Noir into our glasses. It is whale season in California, the humpbacks making their way up to Alaska. As we are scanning the horizon, our first course arrives, Cream of White Asparagus with Main Lobster. The presentation is fun, with the cream poured from individual serving pitchers around the mound of shellfish. The white asparagus, which is known to be milder in flavor than its chlorophyll-rich counterpart, is tender and smooth and blends well with the lobster.
Outside, a light fog is rolling in over Catalina Island. We sip on our wine as we wait for our next course. Claes boasts an extensive, award-winning wine list, featuring vintages from both home and abroad. Blue Crab Spring Rolls with caramelized onions, shiitake mushrooms and tobiko crème fraiche are ushered to our table by Vance, who smiles and declares them one of his favorites. The lightly wrapped warm rolls and their soft, flavorful contents quickly become a favorite of ours, too! As we wait for our main courses, the sun descends in the sky, taking a few moments to rock atop the ocean surface before slipping out of view. Pedestrians and photographers stroll onto the boardwalk, pausing for the view. Our main course is Pan-Seared (to perfection) Scallops. The scallops are served with parsnips, Swiss chard timbale, and a grapefruit beurre blanc sauce. Fresh fresh fresh flown in that morning. I can taste the freshness in every bite. "This is sooooo good!" I exclaim in delight. Scott agrees. Night is descending upon Laguna Beach and the city lights flicker on. Chris, Claes' manager, comes to the table to describe the course that will follow. My eyes widen, my stomach already sending the "Almost Full!" signal to my head; Chris assures me the steak is not something I can miss, and that he'll get a wheelchair to assist me on the way out if need be :) Paul emerges from the kitchen to place a generous portion of Prime New York Steak in front of us. According to Paul, Claes is the only restaurant in Laguna Beach to serve prime meat selections. The steak, served medium rare, comes served with a carrot asparagus veggie medley and Potatoes Au Gratin with Hawaiian sea salt that I've been trying to mimic in my kitchen ever since. The steak comes served with a choice of sauces. My favorite is the Cognac Peppercorn. Scott likes the homemade Claes Steak Sauce and the Béarnaise sauce, which is creamy, made with tarragon and shallots.
Ok, Claes, did you read my previous blogs? Or, did you just see it in my eyes? I am a girl who LOVES her dessert. Especially crème brûlée. To end the night with three portions of crème brûlée is a dessert dream come true. The crème brûlées are delightfully presented in three espresso mugs. The flavors are: Cookies and Crème, Hazelnut, Cappuccino. I am not ashamed to say I finish all three, smiling happily all the way through! From salad and soup to scallops and service, everything about our dining experience at Claes was simply put: elegant! The restaurant is a great place for special occasions or just a quiet wind down with great food after a long week. Or a birthday. Scott, remember mine is next month. Here's the phone number for Claes reservations, just in case you may need it: (949) 376-WAVE. Hint! Hint! :)
Claes Restaurant is located at 425 S. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach. Find them online at claesrestaurant.com.
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Tags: Claes Restaurant, Date Night, Dining, OC, Orange County, Places to Go in Orange County, Things to Do in Orange County
Comment
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Comment by Newbie on May 18, 2010 at 9:21pm -
So sweet. Sounds like the perfect birthday night! I would offer some suggestions on what to order, but honestly, you can't go wrong---every thing was SO delicious, whatever you select is going to be divine! Hope you all enjoy your meal and Happy Bday to Kelly!
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Comment by Michael Maxsenti on May 17, 2010 at 5:16pm -
After sharing this with Kelly's two sisters and brother we all decided to come here for dinner next week. Looking forward to it!
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Comment by Michael Maxsenti on May 15, 2010 at 1:11pm
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Hopefully Kelly won't read this, but you gave me the perfect place to take her for her birthday dinner in 10 days...thanks!
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