Applebee’s Tailors Decor, Menu to Local Interests

Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar opened recently in La Habra.

Pictures on the walls are of local folks who have made a name for themselves: Ann Meyers, a player for UCLA and a member of the National Basketball Hall of Fame; Dan Owens, who plays for the Detroit Lions; Norma Zimmer, who was a regular on “The Lawrence Welk Show”; and Rusty Volkert, who was drafted this year to play for the Toronto Blue Jays.

Applebee’s, a chain based in Kansas, says it tailors its menu to appeal to the local population.

Apparently, in La Habra that means large salads, club sandwiches, burgers and a fudge brownie sundae. There are 60 menu items in all, and entree prices range from $4.50 to $9.

Hours are Sunday through Thursday 11 a.m. to midnight, Friday and Saturday till 1 a.m., Sunday till 3 p.m. The restaurant seats 192.

1238 W. Imperial Highway. (310) 690-0779.

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Rim Jhim Indian Cuisine is offering a $4.95 discount to the driver in a carload of four people or more. The offer is good for weekday lunches, which run $6 to $8.

Yasser Ali, an owner of Rim Jhim, said the offer is intended to encourage car-pooling.

“My wife and I believe in the environment,” he said. Before, “there were six people coming from an office, bringing six different cars.”

He said an average of six parties a day are taking advantage of the discount.

“It’s been very positive,” Ali said.

18687 Brookhurst St., Fountain Valley. (714) 963-6777.

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The Westin South Coast Plaza has put together a package including hotel room and tickets to Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “The Phantom of the Opera,” which is scheduled to open an engagement at the Orange County Performing Arts Center in July.

The package has proven so popular, hotel management said, that the hotel has purchased a third block of seats for sale. The package includes two orchestra or first-tier seats, which normally sell for $60 apiece, for a Friday or Saturday in August, plus a room for two, continental breakfast and valet parking. The cost: $235, including tax and tip.

686 Anton Blvd., Costa Mesa. (714) 540-2500.

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On Sundays after 4 p.m., Slades Harvest Restaurant will give 50% discounts on food and drinks (ordered with dinner) to all employees of the food and beverage industry. Valid identification must be presented to receive the discount. The offer is scheduled to continue indefinitely.

327 Newport Center Drive, Fashion Island, Newport Beach. (714) 640-5422.

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Dohyo Sumo Steak & Polynesian Bar has begun a shuttle service to bring in diners from area businesses and hotels. The restaurant is near Disneyland and the Anaheim Convention Center. Shuttle service extends to those businesses and hotels located within a three-mile radius of the restaurant.

Pickups can be scheduled by calling the restaurant Monday through Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., and on Saturday and Sunday beginning at 5 p.m.

3500 W. Orangewood Ave., Orange. (714) 634-1305.