Being the only restaurant in the U.S. with a fashion runway, AnQi by Crustacean evokes glamour and sophistication the instant you enter the Asian-inspired eco modern space. As the Orange County glitterati streamed in for the first-ever Bloomingdale’s fashion show, a palpable excitement fills the air. Once the throbbing techno beat begins, eyes are transfixed on the entrance and follow the gorgeous, leggy models as they saunter down the gleaming plexiglass path. Among the designers featured were Burberry, Hugo Boss, Georgio Armani, Diane Von Furstenberg, Jay Kinkade, D & G, Elizabeth and James, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Vena Cava for Aqua, and more.
My guest, Lindsey Garrett of The Modchik (who is responsible for all the stunning photographs included in the slide show), and I savored the delectable array of Asian tapas and sipped on a Viet-No-Jito while we set up our equipment – or rather she set up her pro gear and I put my P&S on my Gorilla mobile tripod 🙂
This will be my third dining experience at AnQi and I have to say that what I keep coming back to, i.e. the most tantalizing item on the menu – is a cocktail! Is that wrong? I have raved about this cocktail to all my friends and in my post from Spring OC Restaurant Week. It also deserved another mention in my This Week’s Obsession…. feature. This is not to say that the food is not good – it is! It’s gourmet, it’s (relatively) healthy, it’s fusion Vietnamese food at its finest! But the Pink Lotus is inspired, its evocative, it’s childhood memories swathed in a forbidden elixir.
South Coast Plaza (adjacent to Bloomingdale’s)
(714) 557-5679
I suggest that you experience AnQi for yourself and, if you’d like to be informed of upcoming fashion shows, add yourself to their email list. The Orange County Restaurant Association’s Fall Restaurant Week begins this Sunday September 26th – the perfect opportunity!
Disclosure: I was a guest and received a complimentary VIP ticket to the show. I was not paid to endorse or advertise for either Bloomingdales’s or Anqi in exchange for this ticket but I would go there any day of the week to indulge in a Pink Lotus.
oooo Fashion show! I bet that was a blast!
How glamorous and fun for foodies! Love the slide show.
What a great post…I so need to get out more. The fashion show looks great 🙂
.-= Magic of Spice-Alisha´s last blog ..Whats for Dessert – White Chocolate Truffle Dip and Voting =-.
Hi Priscilla, thank you for your vote, will go and send one for you too. That sounds like a great event.
.-= Anna´s last blog ..Sautéed Baby Thai Eggplants =-.
thanks again for the invite can we go back soon??? I want to try the garlic noodles next time!
.-= Lindsey (aka modchik)´s last blog ..Back to Basics – Coach’s Oats =-.
We totally should have gotten the garlic noodles, but there was too much going on at our tiny table to attempt eating noodles 😉
What an elegant place…I would love to visit. All the restaurants you highlight always impress me…and make me wish I lived closer!
.-= Monet´s last blog ..Ready- Set- Blog =-.
sorry, didn’t have a great picture I was sad because your finished dish looked so good! i added what i had…have a great weekend
Hello there, just wandered by. I have a Georgio Armani site. Lots of information out there. Looking for something else, but cool site. Have a great day.