We dine at Salt Creek Grill frequently. It’s Dana Point’s best steakhouse, located at the corner of Pacific Coast Highway and Golden Lantern, with a “peak” ocean view. We say “best steakhouse,” but the best dish by far is the remarkable baby back rib plate. This large dish has wood-smoked sweet tender pork falling off the bone in a tangy but not too spicy BBQ sauce.

Start with a fresh grilled California artichoke with a creamy garlic-butter sauce.

The menu ranges from wood-fired cheeseburgers made of either ground chuck or Kobe beef, to seasonal seafood offerings, tri-tip, and your choice of “choice” steaks. You can sit in the lively bar, often featuring live jazz or a good game on the flat screens, or in the dining room, which has ample booth space available.

Don’t forget to peer into the fire pit before you open the door to the restaurant and walk into a world of sweet soft-smelling BBQ. However be prepared for a wait on Friday and Saturday nights, and Sunday brunch. Valet parking is available and seasonal outside seating is an option. Other locations include Rumson and Princeton NJ and El Segundo and Valencia CA.

Salt Creek Grill is located at 32808 Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point. Phone number is (949)-661-7799. Web site is http://www.saltcreekgrill.com

By Janice and Jim Lacy -

The formal name of this wonderful French restaurant is “Tradition by Pascal”, but don’t try telling that to the longtime clientele based in Orange County, who simply know it as ‘Pascal,’ named after its talented chef owner Pascal Olhats.

Located in an upscale strip mall near John Wayne Airport, Pascal is an elegant, award-winning French Provencal restaurant, with a wonderful wine list. It’s one of our favorite restaurants in Orange County.

This is a small, personalized restaurant, laden daily with fresh bouquets of roses and other flowers, so be sure to make reservations, especially on the weekend.

Your dinner may be prepared under the personal direction of Pascal himself. We are impressed with the consistently interesting dishes Pascal includes on his daily menu, such as quail, duck confit, foie gras, veal sweetbreads, and a delicious Dijon crusted lamb. Here you will also find traditional Provencal dishes, such as coq au vin, bouillabaisse Provencal, and braised rabbit. There is also a prix fixe menu and the possibility of wine pairings. But save room for the classic desserts, especially the apple tart.

Pascal is located at 1000 N. Bristol in Newport Beach. Phone number is (949) 263-9400, ext. 1 You can take a look at Pascal’s menu at www.PascalNewportBeach.com