nice place to host luncheon in orange county

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rockyfield_IHB

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Hi, I'm relatively new to Orange County and want to host a lunch for family coming from a land far away, maybe around 40 people, do you have any suggestions for a nice place? I know the "usual suspects" like St. Regis or Ritz Carlton, but are there other "hidden jewels" that people here know about, that have a nice ambiance, easy parking and kind of a upscale feel with a nice view? The location could be from the beaches (Laguna or Newport) to Irvine.



Also, what are the nicest (in terms of ambiance/decor) Chinese restaurants in Irvine that serve real Chinese food (not the westernized stuff like PF Changs, etc.)?
 
<em>(oops on the thanks above. hit the wrong button)


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in laguna, try the hotel laguna. they have a small ballroom that seats about 30 and puts you right up close to the ocean. you will hear waves crash. they also have a similar sized room in their restaurant claes. older hotel but lots of local history and charm. also will cost you half what you'd pay at st regis or ritz carlton.





orange hill has one of the best non-ocean views and has a terrific sunday brunch and can accomodate a party that size no problem.





chinese restaurants: sam woo seafood or chef chens in irvine. outside irvine look at prince seafood in cerritos. http://www.princeseafood.com/ or the remodeled new capital seafood in rowland heights. honestly for chinese food you need to look outside irvine.
 
Capital Seafood just received a "C" from the County Health Department posted last weekend. That would scare off all the westerners when they see that posted on the doors. Sam Woo's cooking in Irvine is extremely oily. Chefs are too lazy to wash off the wok after each use so by using heavy lard and oil the food won't stick to the wok and slip right out everytime.
 
You know what. You mentioned the Ritz and the Regis.

Personally I think if your looking for something over the top for some Chinese guests.

Try the Montage. I have a friend that works there and I spend some time visiting her

quite often. That place will set up whatever you need and for far less than the Ritz or Regis

and still get 5 Star service..... Upscale=Yes. View=Yes. Parking=Valet for $ 5.00. 40 no problem.

As far as catering I am sure they can hook you up if you want a Top Notch Chinese Chef.

Enjoy....
 
for the paranoid -- before you check out a new restaurant in OC, since they dont post grades like in LA county, you can look up whether they've had any health violations in the last 60 days.http://foodinspections.ocgov.com/foodinspections/





hey bk, i dont expect chinese restaurants to get an A rating. if they get a B, i would still go but might consider the place to be selling out. bonus points in the acpme food rating system are awarded for scraggly cooks hanging out in front of the restaurant smoking. also, i dont trust any pho restaurant where i do NOT have to wipe the chopsticks first myself.





keep it real. keep it C rating.
 
Rocky,



as far as china restraunts, there isn't much suiting your needs in OC. Maybe May Garden (I think that's the name) on the corner of Jeffery and Walnut, that seems to be a happening place for the chinese seeking china food. But yeah, go outside of OC, like montery park.



I second orange hill, they've got the big patio with fire pits over looking some sort of urban city. Foods okay. Cannon's in dana point, with good ocean view, okay food.
 
I'd also look at the age group, presence of children, background, etc. of the guests to determine what's best for them.





I can say that for my parents and most of my aunts/uncles, they'd go "bleah" at 90% of western-style banquets. But if you take them to a Cantonese style sea food restaurant with C posted at the door, they'd be quite happy. However most kids would hate eating crab if they had to crack the shell, because the parents often don't bother teaching them the correct way to eat crab or fish on a bone.





From experience, the easiest way is to rent a banquet hall and serve food buffet style. Give the guests plenty of choices and let them pick through what they want to eat, instead of "steak or fish?". Often, the more expensive and upscale restaurant only provide nice atmosphere, but the food is cold when it gets to your table because they try to serve everyone at once. It'd have tasted better if they just put them in buffet bins with burner under it. If you do opt for places like those, don't do a "banquet" and just have your guests order individually, tell them you don't care if the food arrives at different times.





http://www.summithouse.net/





Also, if you're planning to do this on a weekday evening (Mon-Thur), you could try places like Claim Jumpers. The prices won't be too expensive and everyone will be well fed. Impress them with a mountain cake.
 
<p>For good chinese food in Irvine, I would recommend Phoenix off Culver & Walnut or China Garden off Jeffrey and Walnut. If you want to have a nice luncheon in the area, I highly recommend Las Brisas off Laguna Beach. Short drive off 133, and try to get a window view table. :)</p>

<p> </p>
 
Thanks for everyone's comments! Yes they are Chinese families that we will be inviting for lunch, with elders, the middle-age parents like us and the younger kids (high school/college and a couple of babies) so we are debating whether to host at a traditional Chinese restaurant or spend more and try something along the coast. We know the Chinese food is better in Rowland/Monterey Park but since everyone will be visiting us in Orange County we thought we'd either look for a nice "real" Chinese restaurant in Irvine, or a view restaurant near the ocean. The Sunday brunch at the St. Regis sounded great until we called and found out the price was $75/person. So the Montage sounds like a great alternative and we'll see how that is and visit the Irvine Chinese restaurants mentioned here too.
 
That's it China Garden. Ummm, Montage ain't going to be much cheaper, Las Brisas brunch sounds more in your price range, but, i don't think the food is that great
 
<p>I don't like Sam Woo much. Am Chinese, grew up elsewhere in a city that was about half Asians with many good Chinese restaurants. I like Crystal Jade in the Quail Hill Mall and eat there fairly often. Nice, but not over the top swanky. Reasonable prices. I often see people often eating in their seperate area for family and birthday parties.</p>

<address>Crystal Jade</address>

<address>6511 Quail Hill Pkwy


Irvine, CA 92603 </address>

<p>(949) 725-3368 </p>

<p>There is a nice park nearby too (Knollcrest Park) with playground & sand play if you are looking for somewhere to hang after lunch where the kids can play & adults can chat. There are covered tables to sit in the shade. LIkely have to drive though - it's a 10-20 minute walk uphill.</p>
 
<p>Anon, </p>

<p> That's what I was about to post. Unfortunately I feel VERY singled out when I go there.... :( </p>

<p>Oh well, I hope your guests enjoy it.</p>

<p>-bix</p>
 
Crystal Jade is quite busy even on week days for lunch. Their dim sum is OK but I don't think they can accommodate 40 people easily.





Have a look at Edwin's web site, you might find something:


http://elmomonster.blogspot.com/





I still think a buffet restaurant would serve your needs better... not expensive and everyone can pick what they want.
 
Not sure about that 40 people statement - there is a largish room on the side that only seems to have people in it when there's a party there. Call & ask.
 
Rocky, Chinese elders rarely asimilated to western foods. That is the reason why they all bought homes clustered around chinese retails and commerce. The kids will eat anything and they would thank you for taking them to McDonald's. Grand parents do not like hamburgers and discourage their children from taking the grandchildren to hamburger joints. Kids love all the foods that they are not allowed to have like fries, fried chicken, chicken nuggets, pizza and etc.



An indicator of an authentic Chinese restaurant is when they posted the menu in Chinese above the lobster and shrimp tanks. Look for the French Style Beef on the menu. Most chop suey Chinese restaurant will take a long time to incorporate the newest item on to their menu. Many places offer dim sum to create a perception of authenticity but only few can get it right. If tripe, pig blood tofu cube and chicken feet are not offered during dim sum then the restaurant is not authentic.



Here is another clue for an authentic Chinese restaurant. Most Chinese think it is extremely degrading having to clean the restrooms so they do the minimum to get by. The restrooms are often filthy dirty and unattended.



The final clue is bad service. If the service is good then you are not eating authentic Chinese dishes.
 
Bkshopr,



You crack me up....your comments is right on. Check out Seafood Cove on Westminster...always full. Every time we went out to a Chinese dinner, I make sure all the kids use the restroom at home before we leave...once you are there, there is no way I am letting the kids use the restroom before we eat...that would ruin the whole dinner. LOL.



Another good Chinese food is on Bolsa, call Duong Son. It is a Ma and Pa resturant. There are also Newport Seafood on First and Newhope, good luck if you are going on the weekend.



Once again....use the restroom at home before you leave.
 
rockyfield -- you may want to consider the island hotel at fashion island. they can do luncheon buffets for a group min of 30. prices around $45/pp. i just happen to be looking for banq space as well so i have a ton of banq menus from several locations. i'll whisper you.





<em>"If the service is good then you are not eating authentic Chinese dishes."</em>


so true, bk.
 
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