The Year Brings a Bountiful Harvest to Irvine

Harvest Restaurant and Bakery debuted late last month, bringing natural, nutritious foods to the Market Place center on Campus Drive in Irvine. The restaurant, owned by a Denver-based company, is open daily from 7 a.m. for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Its extensive menu delivers many vegetarian dishes, as well as meats and fresh seafood. Some of the standouts: vegetable lasagne, 90% lean beef burgers, the Harvest burger (oats, soy, vegetables and herbs), turkey crunch cashew sandwich, homemade Swiss granola (available with fresh fruits and yogurt), and wok-fried fresh vegetables, to which you may add beef, chicken, seafood, shrimp, tofu or tempeh. The bakery prepares seven-grain bread, cookies, muffins and desserts. Prices for breakfast average $5. Lunch is $4.95 to $7.95, and dinner $4.95 to $9.95 (there is also a children’s menu). The ambience is casual, modern and airy, with a view of the UCI campus. Information: (714) 725-9184.

The City comes to Orange County on Saturday, when Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Fenniger of L.A.’s City restaurant transport their signature cooking style to the Robert Mondavi Wine & Food Center in Costa Mesa. They’ll conduct a demo from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; cost is $45. The center is at 1570 Scenic Ave. Information: (714) 979-4510.

Although Ron’s in Laguna Beach reopened with evening entertainment several months ago, new owner Roxanne Gin has just begun dinner service. The continental menu is offered Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays from 6 to 10 p.m., with full meals, including soup or salad, sorbet and entree, all under $18. Friday and Saturday evenings a light menu (beef and chicken satay, angel hair pasta and such) is served.