Greer’s OC: SlapFish eatery opens its doors
The SlapFish sustainable seafood food truck has come to a halt, but loyal followers and new fans can revel in news that SlapFish just opened its first restaurant in Huntington Beach.
The fast-moving, casual eatery offers an inventive, chef-driven menu, while focusing on fresh, responsibly-sourced, and healthy seafood — which is a passion of SlapFish owners Chef Jeff Andrew Gruel and Jethro Naude.
The two, self-described “ocean-a-holics” grew up fishing, surfing and working in the restaurant industry. And now, the seafood-loving chef and seafood expert have opened a modern seafood shack where they can expand on their gourmet food truck menu.
They still serve fan favorites like the Lobsticle on a stick (half a South Atlantic lobster tail, skewered, grilled and brushed with melted butter); lobster quesadillas with cold water rock lobster, shrimp, spice, mascarpone and melted jack cheese; and the Spicy Lobster-Shrimp Grinder with rock lobster, shrimp, green apple, lemon, and creamy habanero sauce.
Foodies claim that SlapFish’s seared fish taco is the best in the business, with avocado-herb spread, marinated cabbage, pickled red onion and toasted garlic.
Other must-try dishes include fresh-shucked Carlsbad Oysters, and Slapfish and chips with flake white fish, crispy potatoes, and shallot vinegar; and Michael Harris’ Gambas a la Plancha, with organic shrimp seared in a cast iron skillet with garlic and butter. (Harris won SlapFish’s Facebook recipe challenge contest, and not only does he have bragging rights, but he can order the item free for life!)
SlapFish is in the Newland Center at 19696 Beach Blvd. The eatery is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. For more information, call (714) 963-3900 or visit slapfishsocal.com/index.html.
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Film Fest to shine spotlight on O.C.
With Orange County’s roots in the surf wear and action gear industry, it’s fitting that the Newport Beach Film Fest would lead the country in action sports cinema events. The incredible NBFF Action Sports Film Series will screen 19 films from around the world that tell compelling stories of surfing, stand up paddle surfing, paddle boarding, skateboarding, skiing, snowboarding, motocross and other extreme sports from a historical, physical, and emotional perspective.
Highlights of the series include the world premiere of “Decade of Dominance” at 6:15 p.m. Saturday at Regency Lido Theatre. Directed by O.C. filmmaker Brent Deal, the film follows paddle board champion Jamie Mitchell on his quest for his 10th consecutive World Championship title, paddling across the 32-mile Ka’iwi Channel from Molokai to Oahu.
Following the screening, the Saturday Night Showcase Party at Equinox in Irvine features entertainment, tasty foods from Daphne’s California Greek and hosted bars by Absolut and Stella Artois.
The 2012 Action Sports Film Series Pass is available for $75 and offers an opportunity to see all 19 films in the series. Tickets to individual screenings cost $12. Tickets to the Saturday Night Showcase party at Equinox cost $25.
For tickets, passes, schedule, full synopses and trailers, visit https://www.nbffACTION.com or .
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More about the NBFF
The Newport Beach Film Festival, which is to run through May 3, will boast more than 400 films from 50 countries.
The festival’s standout premieres include “The Man who Shook the Hand of Vincente Fernandez,” the Korean film “My Way,” “Nesting” and “Shanghai Calling,” which will close out the festival on the night of May 3.
This night of cinema, food and drink will be offered at the closing ceremony with a hosted bar by Stella Artois and Absolut, and award-winning restaurants serving hors d’oeuvres. Tickets cost $60 for the film and party.
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Demetrios opens O.C. store
Brides by Demetrios, a leading designer of bridal apparel and special occasion gowns, just opened its first Orange County bridal salon at the Irvine Spectrum Center.
The Demetrios line offers gowns, along with veils, headpieces, shoes, and other bridal accessories, and it carries the Demetrios Platinum line an exclusive to which features unique designs only available at the Demetrios Salons.
Brides by Demetrios is near Nordstrom and H&M at Irvine Spectrum Center in Irvine. For more information, call (949) 923-4923, or visit https://www.demetriosbride.com/.https://www.demetriosbride.com
GREER WYLDER writes Greer’s OC for the Huntington Beach Independent each Thursday and the Daily Pilot and Coastline Pilot each Friday. She’s the founder and president of greersoc.com, a free daily email service that provides the latest in Orange County fashion, dining, music, events and trends. Her blog can be viewed https://www.greersoc.com and she can be contacted at greer@greersoc.com.