Restaurants Achieve Writer Nominations

And the nominees are. . . . Five Orange County restaurants are among those nominated for the Southern California Restaurant Writers’ individual achievement awards for 1991. Candidates for restaurateur of the year are: Antonio Cagnolo, owner of Antonello Ristorante, Costa Mesa, and principal of Italatin Inc.; Pascal Olhats of Pascal in Newport Beach, and Bruce Marder of DC-3 and Broadway Deli in Santa Monica and West Beach Cafe and Rebecca’s in Venice. For chef of the year: Olhats; Christian Rossineaux of the Ritz-Carlton, Dana Point; Alan Greely of Golden Truffle, Costa Mesa; Susan Feniger and Mary Lou Milliken of City and Border Grill, Los Angeles, and Bernard Derverieux of Cuistot, Palm Desert. For Maitre d’ of the year: Adam Gutteridge of Antoine in Le Meridien Hotel, Newport Beach; Lillian Colin of Orchids in La Jolla, and Tim Tatgenhorst of Sir Winston’s at the Queen Mary, Long Beach. Winners will be announced at the Southern California Restaurant Writers’ annual awards banquet March 8 at the Queen Mary.

McCharles House presents a Laura Ashley Tea Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. Guests will preview the latest Laura Ashley fashions as they sample watercress and chicken curry sandwiches, McCharles scones, petits fours, lemon curd tartlet, coconut cake and Queen Anne tea by Fortnum & Mason. The event is $18.50 per person, including tax and gratuity. The restaurant is at 335 S. C St., Tustin. Reservations: (714) 834-1211 (the Laura Ashley shop) or (714) 731-4063 (McCharles House).

McCharles House will also serve afternoon tea Feb. 9 at Crabtree & Evelyn, the British shop for comestibles and toiletries at MainPlace/Santa Ana. From noon to 4 p.m., shoppers may enjoy complimentary punch and heart-shaped scones served with C & E preserves, conserves and lemon curd. In addition, McCharles House personnel will demonstrate how to set a proper tea table. Information: (714) 973-8955.

The Clay Oven in Irvine will spotlight the wines of Clos du Bois when it presents the first of a series of monthly wine dinners on Monday. A five-course Indian dinner featuring seafood, lamb, chicken and vegetables will be matched to the wines. The evening ($35 per person, including tax) begins at 6:30 p.m. The Clay Oven is at 15435 Jeffrey Road. Reservations: (714) 552-2851.