With a Top Chef finalist title under his belt, it is no wonder Broadway by Amar Santana in Laguna Beach is a must try. Now don’t get me wrong I love the TV show Top Chef, but Amar Santana is so much more. He began his career interning as a chef at the ripe young age of sixteen at Chantarelle’s famed NY French restaurant. He later enrolled at The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park.
Many people may not know this but I originally wanted to become a Chef and grew up only about 40 minutes away from Hyde Park. I enrolled in several cooking classes in high school and went on a tour of the CIA. This school was beyond impressive. We all were able to look into the classrooms and at the end of the tour there was a huge station of dishes prepared by the students. It was actually amazing. No wonder Chef Amar Santana is so talented!
TOP CHEF — Season:13 — Pictured: Amar Santana — (Photo by: Andrew Eccles/Bravo)
So we obviously know that Amar Santana is a great chef, but let me just also tell you, he is a great guy.
When I dine out I typically do not mention that I am a food blogger. I actually picked Broadway for our engagement celebration with family because I wanted to try their Foie Gras. Not too many places in Orange County have it available. We were all a little worried because my Fiance’s brother and sister-in-law have a one year old who was joining us. Most higher end restaurants would not be too thrilled having a one year old at their establishment, but Chef Amar actually came out from the kitchen to play with the little guy. It was incredibly sweet and genuine. In fact everyone from the chef to the owners were beyond welcoming and checked with our table several times. They all played with little Declan and it really made the evening that much more wonderful.
Foie Gras with grilled peach
Now onto the food. Broadway’s selections and creativity will not disappoint you. You can enjoy Foie Gras atop a grilled peach and tart or indulge in watching a beautiful egg yolk ooze out of their giant ravioli topped with duck prosciutto. Here are several pictures from our delicious engagement dinner.
Heirloom beets with goat cheese panacotta and hazelnuts
Prime skirt steak with fingerling potatoes and chimichurri sauce
Egg Yolk Ravioli with Duck Prosciutto
Japanese Himachi Sashimi
Be sure to also check out their newest restaurant Vaca in Costa Mesa which is also creating quite the buzz in The O.C.
5 out of 5
Broadway
http://www.broadwaybyamarsantana.com/
328 Glenneyre Street
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
949.715.8234
Sondra Barker
