Gourmands of Orange County and Los Angeles who are willing to go off the beaten path absolutely need to know about the monthly exclusive dining experience known as “GourMonday” happening at AnQi by Crustacean at South Coast Plaza and launching at Crustacean in Beverly Hills on June 15, 2015. I was incredibly lucky to secure a spot at AnQi’s June “GourMonday” where the culinary celebration centered around the very same menu that the House of An recently presented at the revered James Beard House in New York City.
Held the first Monday of every month, the special menu is created by AnQi’s award-winning culinary team – Chef Helene An, Chef Tony Nguyen & Chef Ron Lee with masterful wine pairings by international wine expert and certified sommelier Jörn Kleinhans. The pre-sold experiential dinners are limited to 18 guests. Each menu allows the House of An chefs to take a walk on the wild side by creating epicurean experiences that ranges from the eclectic culture of street fare to the most progressive of culinary styles. “GourMonday” is a play on the French word ‘gourmand’, or food enthusiast,” explains Elizabeth An. “These one-of-a-kind dining experiences will vary from the extravagant to the eclectic, but all will have one thing constant: an adventure with every dinner.”
Our host Giuseppe Accardi, Managing Partner, and Chef Tony Nguyen
Each dish was a study in flavor combinations and artful presentation. Chef Tony Nguyen introduced each course and remarked on the inspiration behind it. Enhancing the experience were brilliant wine pairings by sommelier Jörn “Joey” Kleinhans who kept us entertained with his poetic descriptions and informed on the worldly varietals he selected: beginning with a Dr. Loosen German Riesling, progressing to Rioja de Ziabla Spanish Tempranillo, Nicolaff Wachau Austrian Grüner Veltliner, Yui French rosé, and ending with a No. 27 Ruby Port. As a fan of dry rieslings and European white varietals such as crisp Sancerre and food-friendly Grüner Veltliner, Joey was rolling out the stairway to heaven for this wine lover.
Filet of Beef Tartare > Chef An’s Prawn Chips > Lemongrass & Truffle Dijon
Adding the clarified broth to the French Onion Pho
French Baguette > Roasted Bone Marrow > Braised Brisket Dumpling
Tumeric Scented Dover Sole > Coconut Tumeric Sauce, Chef Helene An’s Garlic Rice > Summer Vegetables
Pan Roasted Maine Lobster > House of An’s Famous Garlic Noodles™
Green Tea Tiramisu > Short Bread Cookie > Almond Joconde > Matcha Gelato
Inspired by the overwhelming response to “GourMonday” at AnQi, Crustacean in Beverly Hills launches its own “GourMonday” with the House of An James Beard House dinner on June 15, 2015. LA gourmands seeking a one-of-a-kind culinary journey – reserve your spot now!
At South Coast Plaza
3333 Bristol Street, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 557-5679
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