Show 8: December 1, 2012: Executive Chef Greg Harrison and General Manager Jim Colombo of the iconic Five Crowns & SideDoor in Corona del Mar Part One

How do you reposition a 47 year-old landmark known for special occasions and incredible prime rib? Chef Greg and Jim share the process of how they have reinvigorated The Five Crowns so it’s not just your Grandparents restaurant anymore.

As part of the process the former bar area has been remodeled into a popular British-style gastropub with an inspired small plates menu which changes all the time based on what’s fresh in the marketplace. It’s a casual atmosphere and no reservations are required.

Show 8: December 1, 2012: Executive Chef Greg Harrison and General Manager Jim Colombo of the iconic Five Crowns & SideDoor in Corona del Mar Part Two

You can still get that famous prime rib at The Five Crowns but Chef Greg has taken the previous continental menu in a more contemporary new direction. On Friday evenings he creates a special multi-course menu, “The Chef’s Supper,” for a minimum of eight people which is paired with a variety of beverages. There is no announced menu and it’s a one-of-a-kind dining adventure.

Chef Greg’s signature small plate at SideDoor is a vertical Duck Monte Cristo Sandwich with a fresh duck egg (presented sunny side up) placed on top of the two vertical towers of the sandwich. It’s a show-stopper when on the menu…

December 1: Five Crowns, Guelaguetza, Food Republic

Podcasts

Segment One: Executive Chef Greg Harrison and General Manager Jim Colombo of the iconic Five Crowns & SideDoor in Corona del Mar.
Segment Two: Executive Chef Greg Harrison and General Manager Jim Colombo Part Two
Segment Three: Bricia Lopez of the Guelaguetza Restaurants in K-Town and Plaza Mexico in Lynwood
Segment Four: Jason Kessler – Los Angeles-based food writer for Food Republic and his column for the online version of Bon Appetit Magazine is the “Nitpicker.”
Segment Five: Jason Kessler Part Two
Segment Six: Jason Kessler Part Three

It’s the first Saturday in December and abundant Holiday Cheer will be with us for the month.

Joining Jet in studio will be Chef Greg Harrison, the accomplished new exec at the iconic, 48-year old  Five Crowns in Corona del Mar. The Holidays are always a special time of celebration at Five Crowns and Chef Greg will be telling us about his new touches added to the traditional festivities.

Five Crowns has always been the establishment of choice to celebrate special occasions and still is. Since Chef Greg’s arrival he’s enhanced the menu to retain the signature classics while offering an updated selection of more contemporary dishes.

Lopez Family of Guelaguetza Restaurants and Plaza MexicoWhen you’re talking about the Mexican regional cuisine of Oaxaca no one does it better than the Lopez Family behind the two very popular Guelaguetza restaurants in Los Angeles and in the Plaza Mexico in Lynwood.

Lopez Family scion, Bricia, will be joining us to provide the basic 411 on Tequila and Mezcal (which originated in Oaxaca.)

Who’s that for Holiday cheer?

Jason Kessler, blogger extraordinaire for Food Republic and also the “Nitpicker” for Bon Appetit Magazine’s blog, is with us to report on his just completed adventure at the Margaret River Gourmet Escape in Western Australia. The remote area started as a surf spot and then developed into a world class wine region.

That weekend he rubbed shoulders with some of the most accomplished chefs in the world including Rene Redzepi of Noma in Copenhagen (regarded by many restaurant critics as the Number One restaurant in the world,) and New York-based David Chang of Momofuku fame. Jason also got to chat with Australian star chefs Tetsuya Wakada (Tetsuya’s,) Neil Perry (Rockpool,) and Peter Gilmore (Quay,) all Sydney-based.

Podcasts

Segment One: Executive Chef Greg Harrison and General Manager Jim Colombo of the iconic Five Crowns & SideDoor in Corona del Mar.
Segment Two: Executive Chef Greg Harrison and General Manager Jim Colombo Part Two
Segment Three: Bricia Lopez of the Guelaguetza Restaurants in K-Town and Plaza Mexico in Lynwood
Segment Four: Jason Kessler – Los Angeles-based food writer for Food Republic and his column for the online version of Bon Appetit Magazine is the “Nitpicker.”
Segment Five: Jason Kessler Part Two
Segment Six: Jason Kessler Part Three

Potato Gnocchi

from Executive Chef Greg Harrison of the Five Crowns in Corona del Mar
Yields 6 portions

Large pot with 1 gallon boiling water
1 lb. russet potatoes
8 oz. all-purpose flour
¼ lb. rinsed and trimmed mushrooms
1 egg
Salt
Butter
1/3 c. vegetable or chicken stock

Boil potatoes (skin on) until fork tender.
Strain and peel potatoes with a towel.
Cool potatoes to room temperature.
Press potatoes through a ricer or break up with a potato masher.
Refill your pot with a gallon of water, add salt and bring water to a boil.
In a large bowl, mix the potatoes with oz. of flour and the whole egg.
Mix well until all ingredients are incorporated.
Use the remaining oz. to dust and clean dry work surface. Using a kitchen knife, portion the dough into 6 inch long strips and roll with your hands until as big around as a nickel.
Lay 3 rolled pieces next to each other and cut into
½ inch dumplings with a kitchen knife.

SideDoor

Entrance to Sidedoor Gastropub in Corona del MarSideDoor is Orange County’s award winning gastropub where the focus is on seasonal small plates portioned for sharing, cheese and charcuterie, and a selection of world-class spirits offered in a lively, authentic English pub atmosphere. The chef on duty at the charcuterie station prepares cheeses and cured meats from around the world as well as the popular house specialty, Avocado Mash. Other menu items include daily soups and salads, Prime Rib sandwiches au jus, traditional pub favorites like fish and chips, toasted pressed sandwiches and house-made desserts. Chicken and Waffles at Sidedoor in Corona del MarA variety of delicious small plates provide high quality dining at good value. The friendly, knowledgeable staff is happy to suggest the perfect drink pairing from a constantly updated list of wines and craft beers and our expert mixologist creates unique and memorable signature cocktails.

 

Front of SideDoor Gastropub in Corona del MatSideDoor shares the historic Corona del Mar replica of Ye Olde Bell, England’s oldest inn, with Five Crowns, a fine dining destination since 1965. They are owned and operated by Lawry’s Restaurants, Inc.

In their October Best Of OC issue, OC Weekly’s editors selected SideDoor “Best Pub” in Orange County.  SideDoor was named the 2011 “Restaurant of the Year” by Orange Coast Magazine.

Potato Gnocchi

from Executive Chef Greg Harrison of the Five Crowns in Corona del Mar
Yields 6 portions

Large pot with 1 gallon boiling water
1 lb. russet potatoes
8 oz. all-purpose flour
¼ lb. rinsed and trimmed mushrooms
1 egg
Salt
Butter
1/3 c. vegetable or chicken stock

Boil potatoes (skin on) until fork tender.
Strain and peel potatoes with a towel.
Cool potatoes to room temperature.
Press potatoes through a ricer or break up with a potato masher.
Refill your pot with a gallon of water, add salt and bring water to a boil.
In a large bowl, mix the potatoes with oz. of flour and the whole egg.
Mix well until all ingredients are incorporated.
Use the remaining oz. to dust and clean dry work surface. Using a kitchen knife, portion the dough into 6 inch long strips and roll with your hands until as big around as a nickel.
Lay 3 rolled pieces next to each other and cut into
½ inch dumplings with a kitchen knife.