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 cones.
• Grilled Lamb — Baby lamb chops served with baked polenta, vegetables and mint chimichuri.
• 4-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.