New Restaurant to Feature Private Wine Salon and Tasting Room

Savoy Restaurant and Lounge opened its doors in Orange County today, adjacent to South Coast Plaza. Executive Chef Michael Carpenter's menu features a variety of small plates that take the diner on a tour of Europe. The restaurant’s fare and namesake are inspired by the House of Savoy's trans-European rule from the 11th to early 19th century.

The restaurant will also soon debut its private wine salon and tasting room that will feature an award-winning selection from Sodaro Estate Winery, as well as select wines from Napa Valley's Coombsville region.

"Food is meant to be shared and enjoyed with good company," said Michael Carpenter, Executive Chef at Savoy Restaurant & Lounge. "The small plates, intimate atmosphere and attentive service at Savoy will allow our diners to sample a variety of creative noshes as a light snack or entire meal."

Carpenter was recruited to Savoy from The Santaluz Club in San Diego, Calif., and previously worked at the famed Hotel Del Coronado. Carpenter received his Culinary Certificate from the San Diego Culinary Institute.

The 80-seat restaurant features a variety of seating options, including high-top tables, overstuffed lounge and high-back chairs, as well as an outdoor terrace and fire pit. Samples of the menu include:

Sea 3 Way -- A trio of tempura shrimp, seared ahi tuna & baked sea scallop Savoy Silk Road Cones & spicy tuna, salmon tartar and spicy scallops in conesGrilled Lamb -- Baby lamb chops served with baked polenta, vegetables and mint chimichuri4-Mage -- A selection of four farmhouse cheeses & tasty treats Telaggio & Mushroom Pizza -- Italian telaggio cheese and forest mushrooms with truffle oil

The Savoy Restaurant and Lounge also offers a selection of classic and contemporary cocktails including several signature cocktails such as The Costa Mojito and OC-Sunset, a citrus, ginger and champagne cocktail, as well as a selection of award-winning international wines.

"Savoy is the perfect pre-theater destination for our visitors and residents," said Edward Moses-Granger, General Manager of The Hotel Hanford. "We offer complimentary parking and shuttle service to and from the Orange County Performing Arts Center."

The restaurant is part of The Hotel Hanford, a new independent, boutique-style hotel currently undergoing a $7 million renovation. Nearly half of the renovated rooms will be complete and ready for guests in June, and the remainder of the rooms will be completed in summer 2010. The hotel remains open during construction, which is expected to be ready for debut in late summer 2010.

Savoy Restaurant and Lounge is located at 3131 Bristol Street in Costa Mesa, inside The Hotel Hanford. The restaurant and the lounge are open daily with breakfast service from 6:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. and dinner service from 4:30 p.m.-10:00 p.m. The lounge is open untill 11:00 p.m. Prices range from $4.95 - $17.95 a dish. For more information, please visit www.thehotelhanford.com, or call (714) 557-3000.


About Executive Chef Michael Carpenter
Michael Carpenter is Executive Chef of Savoy Restaurant and Lounge, which will feature a tour of European cuisine. Carpenter has held positions at The Santaluz Club and the Hotel Del Coronado, and is a graduate of the San Diego Culinary Institute.

About Hanford Hotels, Inc.
Hanford Hotels, Inc. is a Newport Beach-based owner, operator and manager of hotel properties. In addition to its independently-owned Orange County hotel, The Hotel Hanford, the company owns and manages hotel properties through franchise affiliations with leading hotel brands including Fairfield Inn® by Marriott and La Quinta Inns and Suites.

The company's experienced management team offers a comprehensive package of services within the hospitality industry including innovative commercial building and insightful third-party consulting.

Incorporated in 1970, the company has a rich history in the hotel industry. In 1972 its co-founders started Sixpence Inns of America, an independent chain of 54 hotels over six states. The successful hotel chain was later purchased by Motel 6. For more information, visit www.hanfordhotels.com or www.thehotelhanford.com.

While the temperature climbs in the weeks ahead, the vibe at The Westin South Coast Plaza will definitely stay on the cool side as the hotel's bar staff reach for their muddlers, mint leaves, assorted fruit and spirits to usher in summertime with delicious Westin's signature mojitos.

Guests are invited to enjoy an assortment of these flavorful concoctions, including the classic mojito made with rum, lime sweet & sour, fresh mint leaves and club soda, and mojitos featuring various flavors from strawberry and kiwi, orange and raspberry, pomegranate, to pineapple and ginger, just to name a few.

The cool libations will be available for purchase in the hotel's Lobby Bar and poolside at a cost of $12 each. The special promotion runs from July 1 through September 30, 2010.

All Westin hotels will be serving these mojitos this summer. "They are among the most popular cocktails served and it's fun to watch these hand-crafted drinks as they are being prepared right before your eyes," said Jennie Hoffman, the hotel's director of sales and marketing. "We're all about enhancing our guests' experience, including the beverages we serve."

Extensively remodeled, The Westin South Coast Plaza is now more than ever a leading choice for meeting and event planners nationwide, savvy business travelers, as well as leisure guests seeking a sophisticated, yet relaxing experience.

The hotel's $20 million renovation included new guestrooms that exude an inviting residential feeling and are furnished with a host of convenient amenities like high-speed Internet access, flat screen plasma televisions, the Westin "Heavenly Bed" and the relaxing "Heavenly Bath."

The lobby, public spaces and meeting rooms have been completely redesigned, and a Terrace Level with relaxing outdoor space and a striking 5,100-square-foot pavilion that features insulated walls, an air and heating system, new carpeting, an accent wall and new chandeliers was added. Other upgrades include a wedding gazebo to comfortably accommodate up to 250 people, and an expanded "Grab n Go" coffee/bakery/retail shop to offer guests the ultimate in convenience.

The Westin South Coast Plaza is located at 686 Anton Boulevard in Costa Mesa, California. For reservations and information, call (714) 540-2500 or visit westin.com/southcoastplaza.

The OC Fair & Event Center (OCFEC) has been a valued partner to the Hilton Orange County/Costa Mesa Hotel, located less than two miles away. From annual events such as America's Family Pet Expo to newcomer Barrett-Jackson Auto Auction, the Hilton Orange County always gives a warm welcome to the OCFEC groups requesting accommodations.

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