{"id":16464,"date":"2014-08-13T15:43:01","date_gmt":"2014-08-13T22:43:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shescookin.com\/?p=16464"},"modified":"2014-08-18T12:00:16","modified_gmt":"2014-08-18T19:00:16","slug":"date-night-leatherbys-cafe-rouge-and-the-theater","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shescookin.com\/date-night-leatherbys-cafe-rouge-and-the-theater\/","title":{"rendered":"Date Night: Leatherby’s Cafe Rouge and the Theater"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Tomato<\/a>
\nIf you’re lucky enough to live in Orange County…then you’re lucky enough! Sun, surf and sand along 42 miles of uninterrupted beaches that provide endless outdoor recreation, enviable year-round temps, natural beauty and eclectic cities, diverse cultures and cuisine, and a sophisticated, yet casual lifestyle that embodies SoCal. We’re also incredibly lucky to have a thriving arts and theater scene centered in Costa Mesa at the multi-venue Segerstrom Center for the Arts.<\/p>\n

The entire gamut of world-class performing arts is at our fingertips, from Tony award-winning Broadway musicals, The Jazz Series, and National Acrobats of China at Segerstrom Hall, to internationally acclaimed philharmonic orchestras such as Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the London Philharmonic, acclaimed violinist Joshua Bell, Grammy winning pianist and composer Billy Childs, Mariacha Vargas to Judy Collins at Ren\u00e9e and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, and ballet or Schoolhouse Rock Live! at Samueli Theatre. We have it all.<\/p>\n

\"Segerstrom<\/a><\/p>\n

These architecturally stunning, state-of-the-art facilities are united by a spacious Arts Plaza whose culinary epicenter is Leatherby’s Cafe Rouge with Executive Chef Ross Pangilinan<\/span>\u00a0at its helm. Le Cordon Bleu trained, Pangilinan’s skill and talent was recognized by the Patina Restaurant Group where, at the age of 21, he was offered his first sous chef position at Pinot Provence in 2005. After two years he returned to France to work at Michelin-star\u00a0Regis\u00a0restaurant. Other successes include the opening of Sinatra in Las Vegas and in 2009 Pangilinan returned to Patina Restaurant Group \u00a0as Executive Chef at Leatherby’s Caf\u00e9 Rouge. His menu exemplifies his life story \u2013 contemporary Californian cuisine with international influences.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Chef<\/a><\/p>\n

Chef Ross\u00a0Pangilinan<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0About 14 years ago, when College Girl was in elementary school, we subscribed to the Broadway Series at what was then called the Orange County Performing Arts Center, now Segerstrom Hall. It ensured us a cultural fix and an elegant night out at the theatre about 5-6 times a year. Over the years we’ve seen all the Broadway hits including Phantom of the Opera, Caberet, Wicked, and The Producers to, more recently, Book of Mormon, Jersey Boys, and coming up next week, Once<\/strong><\/em>. If you didn’t see Ghost, The Musical<\/strong> <\/em>you missed out on a fabulous musical stage adaptation of the 1990 film starring Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze in an unforgettable love story and won Oscars for supporting actress Whoopi Goldberg and screenwriter Bruce Joel Rubin.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Before seeing the play, we dined at Leatherby’s<\/strong><\/em> to experience Chef Ross’s culinary interpretation of Sam and Molly\u2019s love story in\u00a0<\/span>Ghost the Musical <\/em>which was as alluring as I suspected it would be. Leatherby’s is part of the spectacular\u00a0Ren\u00e9e and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0<\/strong>designed by world-renowned architect Cesar Pelli. I am awestruck every time I see this contemporary curvaceous gem shining bright against the night sky. The wall of windows floods Leatherby’s with twilight, the setting is elegant and serene, punctuated with rouge half-moon booths that echo the curvilinear lines of the exterior and are perfect for conversation or private t\u00eate-\u00e0-t\u00eate.<\/span><\/p>\n

The service at Leatherby’s is always outstanding, attentive without being intrusive, and Chef Ross’s artistic presentation and seasonally-inspired plates are modern interpretations of American dishes. He has designed a pre-theater prix fixe menu customized for each production and inspired by the music and characters. For Ghost, The Musical<\/em> the menu offered a choice of first course, main course, and dessert for $45\/$64 with wine pairings – very reasonable considering the beautiful execution, exceptional quality, and service you will experience. We ordered one of each and as I was quickly photographing each dish, we struck up a conversation with the couple in the booth next to us where the gentleman was doing the same. I’ve met some wonderful people during these shared moments of food fanaticism. Matthew and Karen are a photographer and personal chef duo and he proceeded to take photos of all our dishes and share them with me via Flickr. All the food photos here are courtesy of Matthew Manteon.<\/p>\n

\"Date<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0Matthew and Karen Manteon in front of\u00a0Ren\u00e9e and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall<\/em>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Avocado<\/a><\/p>\n

For the First Course: “Three Little Words” was a trio of delicate tastes:\u00a0Avocado & Crab Toast, Beet & Goat Cheese Salad, Beef Carpaccio & Truffle Vinaigrette and Heirloom Tomato “soup & salad”. The Tomato Watermelon Gazpacho was sublime – refreshingly cool, sweet watermelon balancing the acidity of the tomatoes and a hint of heat on the finish. The crunchy oyster crackers of the baby heirloom tomato fattoush salad lent a welcome crunchiness.<\/p>\n

\"Tomato<\/a><\/p>\n

The Main Course offered a choice between “Sam Wheat” – Farro wheat risotto with poached organic chicken breast and “I can’t breathe” – Scottish salmon and Israeli couscous. Both were excellent, but I have to rave about the chicken. Blissfully crispy skin and moist flesh accompanied by a chewy farro risotto flavored with chicken jus and Banyuls vineger and fresh al dente vegetables.<\/p>\n

\"Farro<\/a><\/p>\n

Perfectly cooked medium Scottish salmon with Israeli couscous, roasted vegetables with a carrot, ginger puree is beautiful array of color, texture and flavor. Variations on the salmon are a staple on Leatherby’s menu and available off the prix fixe menu.<\/p>\n

\"Scottish<\/a><\/p>\n

For dessert we had a choice of \u00a0“The Love Inside” or “Unchained Melody”. I had to go with Unchained Melody – that song, made famous by the Righteous Brothers, gives me goose bumps every time.<\/p>\n