Show 113, March 7, 2015: Executive Chef Jason Montelibano, EATS Kitchen & Bar

Jason MontelibanoWhen we last spoke with Executive Chef Jason Montelibano he was making a lot of new friends with his distinctive menu at Chapter One: The Modern Local in downtown Santa Ana. Chef Jason, a native of the Philippines, was named executive chef of EATS Kitchen & Bar, a modern all-day gastropub located at the new Hotel Irvine, when the restaurant opened in December 2013. He also oversees the food at the adjacent Red Bar & Lounge.

Featuring California regional dishes as well as modern renditions of Filipino favorites inspired by his heritage, his menu includes Lamb Gnocchi, Fried Chicken and Biscuits dipped in Sriracha butter, Pork Belly Buns topped with homemade kimchi, Crusted Tuna and the Craft Burger. Chef Jason also maintains menu favorites that are Classics like the Cobb Salad, Mac & Cheese and a variety of Flat Breads.

Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Eats Kitchen & Bar is grounded in affordable prices and destined to be a go-to hangout for locals.

On March 19th Chef Jason is hosting a Bootleggers Brewery Craft Beer Dinner at Eats. It’s an educational night of sipping artisan beers crafted locally in Orange County and paired with Chef Jason’s five-course brew-friendly seasonal menu. Limited to 25 guests.

 

Show 61, February 15, 2013: Executive Chef Jason Montelibano, Chapter One: The Modern Local, Santa Ana

orange-county-restaurant-weekThe OC’s most anticipated, and delicious, dining event, Orange County Restaurant Week, returns from February 23rd to March 1st. Diners will have the opportunity to enjoy the wide spectrum of dining options in the County at special prices for prix-fixe menus for both lunch and dinner. Over 100 restaurants are part of Orange County Restaurant Week.

One of the featured restaurants is Santa Ana’s Chapter One: The Modern Local. Chef Jason Montelibano (aka Chef Chicken Wing) joins us to talk about his menu. Given his Filipino ancestry he’s incorporated a few contemporary Filipino touches into his menu.

Chef Jason won Riveria Magazine’s “To Live and Dine” chefs’ challenge event @ SoCo last year with his Lamb & Gnocchi dish.

On his OC Restaurant Week menu are his famous Chef Chicken Wang’s Chicken Wings (Filipino Adobo-style sticky wings with half sour & spicy baby pickles spears, and peanut butter powder) and the award-winning Lamb Gnocchi.