Restaurants Celebrate South Coast Plaza's 50th Anniversary

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of South Coast Plaza, the internationally renowned shopping and dining destination founded by the late retail magnate Henry Segerstrom, leisurely diners and shoppers-on-the-go can indulge in culinary treats as varied as carnitas tacos to commemorative cocktails, desserts and cookies, expressly created for the milestone and available this month.

Picture above, in the hands of Orange County’s favorite Bravo Top Chef Amar Santana, is Vaca restaurant’s commemorative cocktail, Chaparral, a gin and tonic artisanal cocktail made with Cutwater Spirits Old Grove Gin, Escubac liqueur, East Imperial yuzu tonic, sage and orange has been created expressly for the anniversary by bar manager Michael Rooney.

And, that’s just the beginning! From lima bean soup to prix fixe menus, South Coast Plaza’s fine dining and fast-casual restaurants are offering a tempting array of special menu items in March to mark the 50^th anniversary of the world-renowned retail center.

Restaurateur/chef Antonio Cagnolo honors Segerstrom’s legacy by serving his favorite meal throughout March. Gamberi alla Henry, large prawns cooked in a light San Marzano tomato sauce with Sicilian olive oil and oregano, is prepared table side for guests who want to taste the very dish that brought the two men together 40 years ago. Served with toasted rustic bread, the entrée is available through March at Antonello Ristorante at South Coast Plaza Village during lunch and dinner for $28.

South Coast Plaza diners will find a variety of anniversary offerings throughout the month of March:

FINE DINING

Antonello Ristorante: A favorite of South Coast Plaza developer and arts philanthropist Henry Segerstrom for decades, Gamberi alla Henry is a tableside preparation of jumbo prawns (shown above), created by restaurateur Antonio Cagnolo.

Darya Fine Persian Cuisine:Enjoy a three-course prix fixe dinner menu, with choices, for $50. Includes a glass of wine.

Hamamori Restaurant & Sushi Bar: Experience a memorable five omakase menu from chef James Hamamori for $50. Dinner only.

Mezzet Mediterranean Cuisine: Sample vibrant flavors with a three-course menu for two for $50 with choice of entrees.

Quattro Caffé: Pizza South Coast Plaza features prosciutto di Parma, Puglia burrata, cherry tomatoes and Tuscan olives.

Royal Khyber Fine Indian Cuisine: Partake of a three-course prix fixe dinner menu, with choices, for $50. Includes a glass of premium wine.

Seasons 52: The 50th Anniversary Mini Indulgence is a Greek vanilla yogurt mousse with orange marmalade and shortbread cookie.

Vaca: In addition to the special Chaparral cocktail, enjoy chef Amar Santana’s three-course prix fixe dinner menu, with choices, for $50.

FAST CASUAL AND QUICK BITES

Antonello Espresso Café and Champagne French Bakery Cafe: Both are offering special 50^th anniversary cookies.

Lawry’s Carvery: has a complimentary Golden Anniversary Cheesecake dessert with $30 purchase.

Nékter Juice Bar: The 16 oz. Toxin Flush (parsley, spinach, apple, lemon and ginger) is $5 in March.

Wahoo’s Fish Taco: Top Chef Brian Huskey has created a Camarena tequila chipotle-braised carnitas taco entrée for $5.50 in honor of the 50^th anniversary. Available beginning March 7.

zcafé: The soup of the month for March is the Segerstrom Family Lima Bean Soup made with their heirloom recipe and beans from the Segerstrom Ranch in Costa Mesa. Available beginning March 5.

Fifty years ago, on March 15, 1967, the Segerstrom family unveiled what would become an internationally acclaimed shopping destination on former lima beans fields in Costa Mesa. South Coast Plaza’s 50^th anniversary will be celebrated throughout 2017.

Cocktail photo credit: Vaca Restaurant