Wine is the word at Fleming’s

Greer Wylder

Paul Fleming has a Midas touch at developing prosperous restaurants.

He’s contributed to Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, Z’Tejas Grill and one of

the ‘90s most successful dining concepts, P.F. Chang’s China Bistro

(initials stand for Paul Fleming).

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar in Newport is Paul’s

flagship restaurant.

It opened in 1998 and has been flourishing ever since. It was the

first of what are now numerous nationally recognized Fleming’s

locations. Paul attributes his success at Fleming’s to simply knowing

what diners want -- “quality products that are great, exciting and

reasonably priced.”

Fleming’s serves superior steaks with quality, homey comfort food.

Yet, there is something else that must be said from the outset. While

Paul has achieved and maintained his high culinary goals, superb wine

is undoubtedly the specialty of this house.

Paul’s truest passion is to serve outstanding wines that everyone

-- from novices to connoisseurs -- can appreciate. Or think of it

this way; what other Orange County restaurant offers a

100-wines-by-the glass, more than 100 reserve bottles and wine

samplings? There’s even seasonal wine pairing dinners. It’s all part

of Fleming’s extensive wine program. If there was any doubt left,

consider that Fleming’s has received multiple recognitions, including

18 awards of excellence from Wine Spectator Magazine.

Intimidated or offset by overwhelming wine list? Who hasn’t had

been? Can there be too many foreign languages, unknown locations and

mysterious labels?

Fleming’s has an-easy-to-follow wine list. Each selection flows.

Wines are categorized by grape variety; then progressively listed by

body and flavor. And you don’t have to mortgage your home to purchase

an expensive full bottle.

Enjoy the wonderful-and affordable-experience of wine by the glass

priced from $5 to $15. The list changes frequently for prime

selection -- 60% come from well-known vintners, 40% come from

lesser-known boutique labels from California, Oregon and Washington.

More selections come from France, Italy, Australia and South Africa.

The reserve list is comprised of highly reputable labels of limited

availability. In the wine bar, Fleming’s offers “wine flights” -- a

trio of 2-ounce samples served in miniature carafes and pored into

Fleming’s custom-designed glasses.

Each one is delicately hand-blown, intrinsically for color and

aroma pleasure. Preselected “wine flight” cards are available, as

well as blank cards for custom choices. Samples cost a third of the

price of a full glass of wine, allowing guests to experiment before

committing to a wine.

Even most of the restaurant layout and decor revolve around

highlighting the wine’s visual appeal. The inviting wine bar glows

from custom amber lighting, and the underground wine cellar features

nine dining tables. Wine coolers supply the walls decor. The one

exception, not wine-influenced, is the striking open kitchen, with a

massive quilted copper oven hood that swarms the expansive dining

room. Accent colors for booths, chairs and carpeting enhance warm

woods and echo hues of red wines..

Don’t forget that Fleming’s is also most famous for its steaks --

USDA prime beef -- on the same par as Ruth’s Chris Steak House and

Morton’s of Chicago. It also offers fresh seafood, salads, delicious

appetizers and family-style vegetables. Its signature dish includes

the large 12-ounce filet mignon ($28.95). (It out sells any other

steak on the menu).

Fleming’s proudly offers corn-fed beef, always aged up to four

weeks, and hand-cut daily before its broiled at 1600 degrees, for

sealing in flavorful juices. The wedge salad is merely Iceberg

lettuce, tomatoes, red onions and crumbled Bleu cheese, but strangely

it’s beloved ($6.95). And, Fleming’s potatoes, a spicy, rich mix of

cream, jalapenos and cheddar cheese are craved by so many people;

expecting mom’s send their husbands in to pick them up -- even

request them delivered to hospitals ($6.50).

Of the dessert choices, the chocolate lava cake is most decadent

and most requested. The molten chocolate center is beyond rich;

perfect with vanilla ice cream and chopped pistachios ($7.95).

Each season Fleming’s offers a five-course wine dinner that pairs

wine perfectly with foods. The memorable dinners fill up fast. Early

reservations are recommended. Average cost of a dinner is $45 per

person.

The restaurant is open 5 to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, 5 to 11

p.m. Saturday and Sunday -- closed only Thanksgiving and Christmas

Day -- and located at 455 Newport Center Drive in Newport Beach.

(949) 720-9633; https://www.flemingssteakhouse. com.

* 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.