What's New At Del Frisco's Grille

What’s new at Del Frisco’s Grille in the Irvine Spectrum? How about a Youth Serum cocktail? Now we can all drink from the fountain of youth with this refreshing mix of fresh cucumber and mint, Ketel One vodka, and fresh house-made lemon sour ($12). It’s a seasonal drink, but as long as it stays as hot as a Bond girl, it’ll be on the menu.

Youth Serum cocktail

I happened to be dining on National Cheeseburger Day last week and Del Frisco’s Grille does that food day proud. Take a look at this monster! Grille Prime Double Cheeseburgers ($15.5) were streaming out of the kitchen, but I opted out in order to try some of the new, ahem…lighter, menu items.

Notable and new “Food to Fight Over” shareable plates are the Asian Street Tacos ($10.5) and Lollipop Chicken Wings ($13). Sure everyone’s got a taco, but the Asian flavors and BBQ pulled pork set this one apart. Plus, pickled daikon and julienned carrots, fresh cilantro and thinly sliced cucumbers adds crunchy veggie goodness.

Chef Sarah Daniels takes the ubiquitous Buffalo Chicken Wings and imbues it with a touch of sophistication by revealing the bone, thus, eliminating greasy fingers and a table full of balled up napkins. If you’re like me and rarely order wings for that very reason, these tangy morsels are worth reconsidering.

Happening now is the Grab A Pair $13 Lunch for when you need a quick bite, but want to keep it light. Try any Personal Size Flatbread, Half of a Chicken Avocado Wrap, Half of a Bahn Mi or 2 Fish Tacos served with your choice of a Mixed Greens Salad, Caesar Salad or Cup of Soup for only $13.

Del Frisco’s Grille may be the more casual sister of Del Frisco’s Steakhouses, but you’ll find the same outstanding customer service. The team in Irvine is headed by a friendly and attentive all-female cast led by General Manager, Katie Pavkov, managers Cassi Tozek-Jones and Carrie Crawford, and Chef Sarah Daniels. Del Frisco’s young, dynamic trio – Katie, Cassie, and Carrie go out of their way to ensure your dining experience is an enjoyable one.

Chef Daniels reigns in the kitchen where they break down their own meat daily and everything, except the bread, is made in house. She possesses a knack for reinventing comfort food favorites – like the Prime Beef Short Rib Stroganoff ($31) and Tuesday’s Special Chicken Pot Pie ($15). Fork-tender short ribs are doused with gravy, drizzled with sour cream, and nestled beside a mound of pappardelle pasta nearly hidden by a tangle of crispy onion rings – generous enough for a tasty lunch tomorrow, if you’re able to restrain yourself.

Fork-tender Prime Beef Short Rib Stroganoff

My usual craving for fish or seafood and lighter fare, led me to select the Parmesan Lemon Sole ($30). Delicate sole is lightly breaded, pan fried, and presented with a vibrant arugula-crab salad, sun dried tomatoes and a bright citrus pan sauce – excellent and deliciously healthy!

I should have known from a previous dining experience to save room for the incredible Coconut Cream Pie with White Chocolate Shavings… instead, our server persuaded us to share the Adult Milk Shake – after all, what could be better in this oppressive heat?! Always changing up their specials, I missed this awesome feature in July for National Ice Cream Month where diners ordering any entrée had the option to order one of Del Frisco’s adult milkshakes for $7 (regularly $11). A creamy blend of Creme de Cacao, Nocello walnut liqueur and real vanilla ice cream, it’s the cherry on top of your “cheat day”.

Last but certainly not least, Del Frisco’s has launched a series of beer pairing dinners. A fun way to sample some craft beers that you may not be familiar with and a tremendous value with four small plates and four pairings for $35. The next beer pairing dinner features popular San Diego brewery Green Flash Brewing Co. on Monday, October 26th at 6:30 p.m.