Yan can move to Costa Mesa

Paul Clinton

Renowned chef Martin Yan will bring two Asian-style restaurants to

the city, one just before summer.

Yan, a recognizable face from his series of cooking TV shows, is

set to open two quick, casual eateries in the city -- one in May, the

other in August.

Yan Can, which Yan is billing as “fresh Asian cooking,” is

expected to open at 1500 Adams Ave. by mid-May. SensAsian is set to

open in August, across the street from South Coast Plaza.

“I think they will fit in fine,” said Ed Fawcett, the president of

the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce. “There’s always a demand for

diversity of restaurants.”

The restaurants, modeled after the popular P.F. Chang’s China

Bistro chain, will offer two distinct, separate menus offering

wok-based cooking, the new proprietors said.

“[The cooking] is going to be concentrated on the wok, but we’ll

also have grill items,” said Arthur Ho, chairman of the development

group launching the restaurants. “Costa Mesa is the launching pad for

the concept.”

Another Yan Can and another SensAsian are or will open in Orange

County.

Yum! Brands Inc., based in Louisville, Ky., is launching the

restaurants in partnership with Hong Kong-based Favorite Restaurants

Group. Yum! Brands also developed KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and Long

John Silver’s. They count more than 32,500 restaurants in more than

100 countries. Yan, best known as the host of the “Yan Can Cook”

show, is a consultant in the venture.

Yan Can is expected to be the more affordable of the two. The

average meal will cost $7.50.

The Yan Can in Costa Mesa will go in next to the Passionate Pastry

& Cafe, at Adams Avenue, Harbor Boulevard and Elm Avenue. At 3,000

square feet, it has a capacity to serve about 60 people.

SensAsian is set to open at Anton Boulevard and Bristol Street,

behind seafood restaurant Scott’s in South Coast Plaza.

* PAUL CLINTON covers the environment, business and politics. He

may be reached at (949) 764-4330 or by e-mail at

paul.clinton@latimes.com.