Restaurants Offer New Twist--Old-Time Prices

Larry Cano and Fred Le Franc of Vision Restaurants Inc. recently instituted what they term “Mexican food at old-time prices” at their Manana and Salud restaurants. They’ve cut entree prices as much as 50%. Combination plates now range from $2.95 (for a one-entree selection of taco, enchilada, chili relleno, burrito, tostado, taquitos or tamale) to $4.95 (three selections). All come with Mexican rice and refried beans. Manana restaurants are located at 17171 Brookhurst St., Fountain Valley, (714) 963-8673, and 10900 Los Alamitos Blvd., Los Alamitos, (714) 821-9170. Salud is at 17041 Beach, Blvd., Huntington Beach, (714) 842-1194.

That pretty dining spot on Woodbridge Lake in Irvine--the one you reach via a wooden bridge--is occupied once again. The remodeled restaurant is called Waters. It features California cuisine, from blue corn lobster taquitos to contemporary pizzas, pastas and fresh seafood entrees. Entree-hearty salads are $7.95 and a la carte dinner entrees top out at about $15.95. They’re open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday though Thursday and till 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The restaurant is the labor of Mark Holechek, who also has Trocadero in the Irvine Marketplace and is the former owner of Woody’s Wharf. Waters is at 4615 Barranca Parkway; (714) 733-9503.

Gustaf Anders in South Coast Plaza Village uncorks a wine dinner with Alan Phillips, winemaker at Monticello Cellars and Domaine Montreaux, at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. The five courses include baked sea bass with smoked cod roe sauce, winter vegetables and dill potatoes, and marinated, grilled flank steak with roasted onions and peppers, wild mushrooms and whipped garlic-scented potatoes. It’s $55 per person, exclusive of tax and tip. Reservations: (714) 668-1737.