No need to shut your clam

All right, there is no need to be alarmed. It’s going to be OK, just

put the clams down.

There is no need to slave for hours in your kitchen trying to

replicate the creamy New England clam chowder at Scott’s Seafood

restaurant because it is going to be around for a long time to come.

Stop shucking those clams and mincing onions, your craving for

creamy chowder will be fed. Scott’s has got it covered.

I know there has been talk for the past three years that Scott’s

was going to be demolished to make way for a hotel, but the plans

have changed. The Costa Mesa Planning Commission officially approved

changes to the Segerstrom’s Town Center project Monday, which include

sparing the popular dining spot and tearing down the vacant Edward’s

theater instead.

Mark Kuehn, Scott’s general managing partner, said he is thrilled

by the outcome but is still reeling from the need for damage control.

“I still have people who come in here saying, ‘I gotta have that

clam chowder just one more time,’ because they think we are closing,”

Kuehn said.

In December 2000 C.J. Segerstrom & Sons development announced its

plans for the Two Town Center project, which included a hotel on the

corner of Bristol Street and Anton Boulevard -- right where Scott’s

is -- but the restaurant has a 35-year lease with the Segerstroms,

which could not be ignored. Segerstrom officials always claimed the

restaurant would be saved but that didn’t do much for public opinion.

“People read there is going to be a hotel on top of us and they

assume we are going away,” Kuehn said. “The employees were scared, my

vendors were scared. Business conditions were very dark back then.”

Kuehn said he first heard about the changes from reporters and

customers. Segerstrom officials did not consult with him before

presenting the plans to the Planning Commission.

“They never even asked us,” Kuehn said. “I went to [Segerstrom

officials] and said, ‘Hey look, guys, you are making hard for me to

do business here.’”

City officials said the 2000 plans were submitted under deadline

pressure.

The 54-acre project -- a collaboration among South Coast Plaza,

the Orange County Performing Arts Center and Commonwealth Partners

LLC -- calls for a pedestrian-oriented cultural arts district

bordered by Bristol Street, Sunflower Avenue, Avenue of the Arts and

the San Diego Freeway. It also includes the new symphony hall,

expansion of South Coast Repertory Theater, an art museum or academy,

restaurants, an improved parking area and office space.

Now that Edwards Cinemas have gone bankrupt, it allows Segerstrom

officials to reconfigure the project and save Scott’s Seafood’s

corner location.

I repeat, will save Scott’s Seafood’s corner location.

“I’m not trying to bad mouth the Segerstroms or anything, I just

want to clear this cloud that has been hanging over our head,” Kuehn.

“We still have 21 years left on our 35-year lease.”

Oh, there will still be a 200-room hotel but now at least the

guests will have the opportunity to try some Jambalaya style

fisherman’s stew at Scott’s before heading to the evening’s

performance at the Orange County Performing Arts Center.

“We love to be here, love to support the center and the plaza and

everything around us,” Kuehn said.

So please, leave the chowder to the experts. Don’t try to scald

your own milk and chop your own potatoes and celery or find the right

pork salt. If you are anything like me, all you’ll get is a

first-degree burn and a big mess. For the money it costs to buy all

the ingredients -- plus gauze and heavy-duty cleaning supplies -- you

could enjoy a nice bowl in an elegant setting, delivered right to

your table by the courteous wait staff at Scott’s Seafood -- they

aren’t going anywhere.

* LOLITA HARPER writes columns Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and

covers culture and the arts. She may be reached at (949) 574-4275 or

by e-mail at lolita.harper@latimes.com.