Zinc makes a great addition to diet

European corner cafes are sometimes called “le zinc,” which refers to

their zinc-covered tables and counters. John Secretan, Zinc Cafe &

Market’s owner, borrowed the expression for his three popular

vegetarian cafes.

John’s first cafe is on Ocean Avenue in Laguna Beach. There’s

another on South Cedros in Solana Beach. The third is on Coast

Highway in Corona del Mar. He wanted a relaxing environment for

neighbors to feel comfortable. As in Europe, he uses only the finest

in-season fruits and vegetables. (He’s a third-generation

vegetarian.) Zinc serves breakfast, lunch and dessert daily and, new

to Laguna only, dinners Thursday through Saturday.

Corona del Mar’s Zinc Cafe & Market opened in November. The large

cafe has indoor and outdoor seating. The decor is in calm taupe and

beige tones with vaulted ceilings and, of course, zinc-covered tables

and counters.

Zinc’s casual, relaxed atmosphere has so much appeal to those who

have leisure time, as well as busy residents who rush in for coffee,

gifts and gourmet foods to go. The cafe and market are separate. The

market side has self-serve lunches to go. (Soon it will have more

refrigerated foods.) The coffee bar serves premium Peet’s coffee and

six of the highest quality whole leaf teas -- never tea bags.

The market specializes in hand-selected home accessories and

takeout foods for small and large groups. The selection includes

imported fine porcelain, pillows, cookbooks, vases and beautiful

candles. Containers are filled with different foods daily. There

could be anything from delicious roasted tomato salsa to

unforgettable Tuscan white bean soup. It’s well known for its Zinc

vinaigrette and homemade granola (a mixture of oats, pecans, almonds,

wheat germ sesame seeds, coconut, orange rind, butter, brown sugar

and vanilla).

Customers can order food at the counter and then pickup drinks.

Food is brought to tables by servers. Prepared foods can be purchased

at one of the registers in the center of the cafe, menu boards hang

above them, and lines form behind the center door. Free refills for

self-serve coffee are offered on the far side of the bar. For the

breakfast and lunch rush, there’s a quick-serve drink and pastry bar.

The all-vegetarian menu, heavy on dairy products, has an

overwhelming selection. There are appetizers, muffins, scones and

pastries, soups, sandwiches, salads, entrees and desserts. Most

restaurants with extensive menus have a hard time succeeding at every

dish, but Zinc manages fine. Even people who aren’t vegetarians love

it.

All items offer an original twist. Even the fruit salad has been

marinated in honey, cinnamon, orange zest and mint.

Aside from the egg dishes, Zinc’s other protein-rich foods include

baked tofu and carrot stir-fry ($8 per pound); soy bean with shallots

and thyme ($8 per pound); Zinc burger with onions, mushrooms, celery,

oats, walnuts, eggs, mozzarella cheese and herbs are $1.95 per patty;

and seitan, a firm, flavorless wheat gluten food, sometimes called

wheat meat, with mushrooms, green onions, fresh ginger, olive oil and

lemon zest ($8 per pound)

Favorite breakfast items are the huevos rancheros with

papaya-mango salsa ($6.95); Zinc’s muesli with oats, yogurt and

berries/seasonal fruit ($4.95 to $5.95). Other choices are the

poached eggs on toast ($4.50) single, ($4.95) double and healthy

breakfast plate (low fat and high protein) scrambled egg whites

served with black beans and brown rice ($6.50). All egg dishes can

substitute egg whites for an additional charge.

Try a treat from the extensive breakfast pastries. There are

breakfast oak cakes ($1.95), scones in sour cherry, almond, and

currant scones ($1.95), mini-scones ($1.50), and canella (cinnamon

twists) ($2.25).

At lunch, the cafe has entrees such as the eggplant parmesan,

vegetable lasagna with bechamel sauce, or the twice baked potato. Or

try the black bean chili, or the rotating selection of Moroccan pasta

or mushroom nut loaf, polenta, served with a side of mixed greens and

feta cheese ($7.25). There are eight pizzettes, personal pizzas

($6.95); and seven wonderful sandwiches, including the Zinc burger

and the mixed vegetable which is pain rustique bread filled with

thinly sliced fennel, celery, radish, red and green bell peppers,

aioli, olive tapenade, arugula, hard boiled egg and vinaigrette

($6.75).

Best selling in-season prepared foods include my favorite,

balsamic roasted vegetables, a mixture of Brussels sprouts, sweet

potatoes, squash and beets; and a gourmet version of macaroni and

cheese with rosemary, parmesan, fontina and white cheddar cheese

($5.25); or eggplant parmesan with low-fat ricotta, parmesan and

fresh tomato sauce ($5.25), or stuffed bell pepper with wild and

brown rice in a creamy blend of Swiss chard, curry, mushrooms, onion,

jalapeno and fresh herbs ($6.95). All are great selections.

The delicious cakes are baked in Laguna. They’re available by the

slice or whole. There are 23 cakes to choose from. There’s an almond

pound cake with citrus cream cheese and coconut frosting ($25),

Italian Mandorlatta cake ($25), flour-less chocolate cake with creme

Anglaise ($35), German chocolate cake ($35), fresh ginger cake with

creamed lemon curd ($25) and sponge cake with whipped cream and

ricotta cheese frosting ($35 to $45). Popular treats for kids and

adults are the rich chocolate brownies and large pecan cookies with

citrus frosting.

Cafe foods can be ordered in any quantity for take out. Private

catering foods are served on Apilco white porcelain dishes. Zinc

offers deliveries for breakfast and lunch items. The cafe even has a

wonderful prearranged takeout menu for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

RIBBIN’ FOR 20 YEARS

The Newport Rib Co. is celebrating 20 years of serving great

barbecued ribs.

The locals’ favorite rib restaurant serves tasty dinners daily,

and lunches, too, on weekends. It also has popular takeout party

packs, ideal for summer entertaining.

The convenient dinners include baby back ribs, barbecued chicken,

Louisiana hot sausage, sliced brisket, cornbread, two sides and all

utensils. A Pig Pack can feed six to eight hungry people for $59.95;

and a Hog Pack can feed nine to 12 for $74.95. The side dishes

include barbecued beans, coleslaw, potato salad, chili, dirty rice

and garlic mashed potatoes. Its latest party packs are the “U-Que

Pak” and “U-Remote-Q.”

These new takeout meals can be grilled at home, on fishing trips,

while camping, at the beach and at a picnic. Both packs offer the

same great food, but only the “U-Remote-Q” comes with grilling,

serving and eating utensils, napkins and cleanup items. The packs

include savory meats cooked, cold and ready to grill, its famous

barbecue sauce, tasty side dishes and easy to follow cooking

instructions. Prices start at $59.95.

The Newport Rib Co. is open from 4 to 10 p.m. Monday through

Friday; and from noon to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at 2196 Harbor

Blvd., Costa Mesa. (949) 631-2110. www.newportribcompany.com.

IT’S BLUES TIME

Some of Costa Mesa’s top-rated restaurants are participating in

the annual “Hot Blues on a Cool Summer Night” event from 5 to 9 p.m.

Wednesday at South Coast Plaza Village. The annual alfresco

fund-raiser will benefit the Center Stage Chapter of the Guilds of

the Orange County Performing Arts Center.

The entertainment will be provided by Steve Copeland & Raging Sun,

and dining will be provided by Antonello Ristorante, the Bluewater

Grill, Maggiano’s Little Italy, Nello Cucina, Z’Tejas, Pinot

Provence, Quattro Cafe, Royal Kyhber, the Clubhouse and Vie de

France. Sweets and drinks will come from the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf

and Haagen-Dazs.

Tickets are $40 per person in advance or $50 at the door.

www.centerstage.org.

* BEST BITES runs every Friday. Greer Wylder can be reached at

greerwylder@yahoo.com; at 330 W. Bay St., Costa Mesa, CA 92627; or by

fax at (949) 646-4170.