Mon Chateau Is Home to Showy Brunch

Mon Chateau in El Toro inaugurates Sunday brunch this Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The three-course menu consists of appetizer, entree and the restaurant’s freshly baked desserts. Entrees vary from trout or scallops to steak Benedict. One price, $17.95, includes champagne and entertainment by keyboardist Ferdie Furtado (who also plays Tuesday evenings). The restaurant is at 23642 El Toro Road, El Toro. Reservations: (714) 830-3810.

Top of Laguna in Laguna Beach has closed.

Here come the swallows! The San Juan Capistrano Heritage Festival is in full swing all this month, culminating with the Swallows Day Parade on March 23. Among the restaurants you might consider in SJC: for continental fare, Cafe Mozart at 31952 Camino Capistrano, (714) 496-0212; for Mexican food, El Adobe Capistrano at 31891 Camino Capistrano, (714) 493-1163; for French and Belgian fare, L’Hirondelle at 31631 Camino Capistrano, (714) 661-0425, and for American-regional food, the Rio Grande Bar and Grill at the Capistrano Depot, 26701 Verdugo St., (714) 831-0232.

A newcomer to Balboa Peninsula is the Giggling Marlin, which replaces Bubbles Balboa Club. An interesting new fixture that came with the change is the “hanging post”--from which you may opt to be hung upside down and have your picture taken with a marlin. Like the original Giggling Marlin in Cabo San Lucas, this restaurant offers “California-Cabo” cuisine, such as Cabo ceviche, scallop cocktails, steak arrachero (marinated skirt steak) and mix-and-match plates with such mainstays as chicken enchiladas. Top price on the a la carte menu is $13. The Giggling Marlin is open Tuesday through Sunday from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. The Don Miller Big Band plays on Sundays from 8:30 p.m. to 12:15 a.m. The location: 111 Palm St., Newport Beach. Information: (714) 675-9093.

To anyone who missed the jazz and blues concert by Ron Ellington Shy at Gustaf Anders because I told you a week too late, my apologies. But here’s the good news: Shy, a former member of the Drifters and the Coasters, has booked a return engagement for March 24. He’ll be joined again by the Don & Dewy Show (they composed “Justine” and “I’m Leaving It All Up to You”) and Don Hendricks on drums. The entertainment is from 1 to 5 p.m., and a hot-and-cold buffet (with the restaurant’s own breads and desserts) will be served all day for $20. Gustaf Anders is in South Coast Plaza Village. Call (714) 668-1737 for reservations.

Oceanfront 21 will showcase the wines of Chateau Montelena at the restaurant’s winemaker dinner this evening. Wines include both 1982 and 1986 Cabernets. The cost ($50) includes gratuity and tax. The location: 2100 W. Ocean Front, Newport Beach. Reservations: (714) 675-2566.