71964 Thu Aug 04 01:02:56 -0700 2005 10 2 Los Angeles Area 0 394164 I rarely ever cross the orange curtain, but tomorrow night I'll be in Newport Beach, near Fashion Island specifically. I would be utterly grateful for any recommendations for dinner in or around Fashion Island. I'm looking for somewhere I can enjoy a leisurely dinner. Also, I will have a chance to catch lunch on my way back up to LA on Friday and was thinking of stopping by a Vietnamese place in Westminster, since I've never been and I've heard that the Little Saigon there is the best in this city. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance! Thu Aug 04 01:02:56 -0700 2005 0 Ninja 1 394167 Leisurely + Fashion Island makes me think Francoli - simple, fresh Italian. Francoli Gourmet 1133 Newport Center Drive, Fashion Island Newport Beach , CA 92660 Tel. 949-721-1289 I wouldn't recommend most of the other restaurants in Fashion Island for lack of the "leisurely" factor - lots of noise and/or scene. Try Quan Hy in Westminster on your way back... Quan Hy 10212 Westminster Westminster, CA 714-636-1652 I'm sure you'll get lots of good recommendations here. Happy eating! Thu Aug 04 02:25:15 -0700 2005 394164 0 bottomlesspit 1 394174 It's a little on the pricey side, but Rothschild's is simply wonderful. Here is what I recommend: Start with the soup. If there is a choice, then you want the minestrone. It has a rich, hearty broth that is brimming with fresh, garden vegetables. It is a truly great minestrone -- one of the best I have ever had, actually. Also, you definitely want to get the garlic bread on the side. It is so good, you may have to get two baskets! Moving on to the entree, my all time favorite remains the following: Tournedos of Beef Rossini, which is beef tenderlion sauteed in Marsala wine & fresh mushrooms. Now, be sure to mention that you want to subsitute a side of Fetuccine Romano for the usual vegetables. Trust me on this. Rothschild's take on this Italian classic is UNBELIEVABLE! I cannot say enough good things about Rothschild's Fetuccine Romano! Wow, this is an awesome dish. You can get it as an entree, but here is the thing. It is even better when complimented by the delightful Tournedos of Beef Rossini, which is as good as any beef entree that I have ever had. The Marsala wine sauce is incredible. WOW! What a great pairing. Truly sublime. Well, that's it. I have posted the website below so you can check it out ahead of time. Oh, and by the way, the atmosphere is just wonderful. Simple, understated elegance. Truly one of the best restaurants that I have eaten at anywhere, and a legitimate hometown treasure for the locals of Newport Beach. I HIGHLY recommend Rothschild's. Have fun! Link: http://www.rothschildscdm.com Thu Aug 04 03:27:42 -0700 2005 394164 0 David Ford 1 394177 Oh, and on the good Vietnamese restaurant for lunch query, be advised of the following: Although I am not really into Vietnamese food, I have a Vietnamese-American friend who absolutely SWEARS by a place by the name of Pho'54. He says that they serve the best pho in all of Little Saigon, and he says that he is an expert. He really loves this place, and goes ALL of the time. I have been once, and can vouch that the place is super clean, with really nice people. Also, the place was PACKED by mostly Asian-Americans, which should speak highly of it's authenticity, I would think. As I said, Vietnamese food isn't really my thing, but I was truly impressed at the freshness of the ingredients in both of our pho' bowls. Everything was very aromatic and beautifully prepared. Anyway, Pho'54 is in a strip mall on the corner of McFadden Avenue and Brookhurst Street. It is in the City of Westminster. Enjoy! Thu Aug 04 04:08:12 -0700 2005 394164 0 David Ford 1 394178 Actually, this is weird, but the food court at Fashion Island is great. The food is two notches above your basic corporate shopping mall food court, and there's a gourmet market right there that has stuff too. It's all inside a giant covered space. Thu Aug 04 04:31:01 -0700 2005 394164 0 joe 2 394185 I second the Francoli recommendation. I have to disagree about the Food Court at Fashion Island. The only thing thats two notches above your basic food court is the price. In the summer its pretty loud and packed with tourists. Not exactly relaxing or leisurely. Thu Aug 04 10:15:57 -0700 2005 394178 0 JR 2 394230 I think what you're referring to is the Atrium Court eating area in Fashion Island. Do not mistake it for the "Food Court" near the theatres which has a McDonald's and other similar spots--I'm assuming you would not want to eat there. :) Thu Aug 04 13:23:19 -0700 2005 394178 0 Mike Q 1 394197 Tuttomare is a decent,not great Italian in FI....fairly upscale and comfortable Thu Aug 04 11:29:13 -0700 2005 394164 0 stormin norman 1 394213 Depending on what you are in the mood for, R&D Cafe in Fashion Island makes REALLY good prime rib and pastrami sandwiches (they are pricey though). Don't forget to order fries & coleslaw ($1.50 each) which are also very good. Thu Aug 04 12:33:48 -0700 2005 394164 0 Funwithfood 1 394215 In terms of Fashion Island, there is R&D cafe infront of Neimans. Small menu, but AWESOME roast beef french dip and great bar... A great place for dinner. --Dommy! Thu Aug 04 12:35:51 -0700 2005 394164 0 Dommy! 1 394490 I don't know if Cafe R & D qualifies for a relaxing leisurely meal - I think of it more as a lunch place with great food. I love the Rothschild's rec and also the back patio at Bungalow is lovely, romantic & pretty uniformly good t great food. This is on the corner of PCH & MacArthur, about 2 mins from Fashion Island. Fri Aug 05 17:05:01 -0700 2005 394164 0 torta basilica