Orange County Register

The trend of high-end bargains continues, now at South Coast Plaza, home to the best darn mall food on the planet. 

The “Fashion Plates” promotion runs March 20-29 and features $20 three-course lunches and $40 four-course dinners.

Those prices might not be for the recession-weary scrimper-and-saver, but if you’re going to give yourself a little splurge, these are the times and places.

One of the many starters is shown at right, a Pinot Provence dish of farmers market roasted baby beets, goat cheese, oranges, toasted pine nuts and lemon vinaigrette.

Two of the spots - Nello Cucina and Royal Khyber - include a glass of wine in the dinner menu price. The full menus are not available, but the highlights of each restaurant’s offerings make my mouth water.

Antonello, 714-751-7153: Burrata alla Caprese (fresh soft mozzarella with Roma tomatoes, fresh basil, extra virgin olive oil): gnocchetti fontina e tartufo (homemade potato dumplings, creamy fontina cheese, truffle oil sauce):  scaloppine di vitellina alla Parmigiana (thin veal scaloppini baked in a light tomato sauce); cannolo Siciliano (crispy pastry filled with fresh ricotta, chocolate chips, pistachios, diced candied fruit)
 
Charlie Palmer, 714-352-2525: Chilled English pea soup, grilled Berkshire pork chop with braised pork belly, pan roasted scallops with green asparagus risotto, crisp oyster mushrooms; molten chocolate, hazelnut gelato
 
Darya Fine Persian Cuisine (dinner only), 714-557-6600:  Dolemah (stuffed grape leaves with beef, rice, herbs), shirazi (Persian salad of cucumber, tomatoes, herbs and lemon-olive oil dressing), boneless lamb kebob or shish kebob (marinated filet mignon) with Basmati rice and charbroiled tomato 
 
Hamamori Restaurant-Sushi Bar, 714-429-7650:  Appetizer trio: jumbo asparagus okaki, rissole of kobe beef with foie gras, rock shrimp tempura; chef’s choice four piece sushi; tamari marinated black cod; miso-marinated petit lamb chops
 
Leatherby’s Cafe Rouge (dinner only), 714-429-7640: Caribbean spiced day boat scallop with saffron risotto; pan seared barramundi, Meyer lemon, shaved fennel and field cress salad, prime top sirloin, Stilton cheesecake, grilled marinated Portobello mushroom, huckleberry bordelaise sauce
 
Marché Moderne (lunch only), 714-434-7900:  Spontanée three course lunch menu changes daily
 
Morton’s The Steakhouse, 714-444-4834: Lobster bisque; Morton’s salad with blue cheese dressing; single cut filet mignon, sauce Bearnaise; broiled salmon filet, beurre blanc, choice of sides (sautéed garlic green beans, steamed fresh broccoli, mashed or Lyonnaise potatoes)
 
Nello Cucina, 714-540-3365: Mozzarella in carrozza (lightly fried cheese topped with fresh marinara); insalata di pere (mixed greens; seasonal fresh pears, candied walnuts, feta), fresh fish of the day, ossobuco di vitello  (veal shank slow cooked in red wine with homemade fettuccine), tiramisu
 
Pinot Provence, 714-444-5900:  ahi tuna sashimi, truffle vinaigrette; farmers market roasted baby beets, goat cheese, oranges, toasted pine nuts, lemon vinaigrette; braised boneless shortribs, pommes puree; pan seared Scottish salmon, spring vegetables, sautéed pea tendrils; Valrhona chocolate bread pudding, vanilla bean ice cream, crème anglaise. 
 
Pizzeria Ortica, 714-445-4900: Farro con frutti di mare (mussels, calamari, shrimp); verdure al forno con burrata fresco (wood-oven roasted vegetables, fresh burrata cheese, basil oil); tortelli di pere e pecorino al burro e salvia (pear and cheese tortelli, brown butter, sage); sogliola con pesto Trapanese (roasted sole, tomato-almond pesto);  pollo al mattone (Jidori chicken griddled under a brick), baba al rhum
 
Quattro Caffé (lunch only), 714-754-0300:  Green lip mussels; capellini pomodoro with chicken; vegetarian lasagna;  tiramisu with choice of cappuccino or espresso
 
Royal Khyber Fine Indian Cuisine, 714-436-1010: Spicy calamari  or chicken samosa salad; tandori delights of chicken, fish and lamb with onion basil naan; signature Khyber’s nectar (lamb shank), butter chicken; salmon Malabar with basmati rice pilaf, seasonal vegetables and naan. Includes complimentary glass of house wine or champagne.

Scott’s Seafood Grill & Bar, 714-979-2400:  Hamachi with shishito peppers; quartet of oysters with spicy cucumber mignonette; Dungeness crab cake; roasted beet salad; petrale sole meuniere, lemon-rosemary roasted chicken; strawberry shortcake.

Obviously, reservations are a good idea.

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