This week, I was invited to experience Five Crown‘s new menu and beverage program, which is part of the restaurant’s 50th anniversary celebration!  The new menus cater to both loyal customers and new guests, featuring their traditional items along with innovative dishes.

We dined in the gorgeous private space outside, with long tables set up for a multi-course menu with cocktail and wine pairings.  The candles were lit, and it was just a beautiful setting for the night to come!

Now, let’s get to the food!

Duck dishes are my weakness, and when it’s served on a scrumptious toast, it’s simply amazing!

The classic pairing of crab and avocado was lightened and served to us before taking a seat.  A lovely little bite!

To start, this impressive seafood tower was set in the middle of the tower with clams, oysters, salmon spread, and shrimp.  I had to take one of each!

A lovely white wine from central California was paired with the seafood starters.

A super light and fresh salad, which capitalizes on the last flavors of the season!

The colorful strawberries and golden beets were set atop a creamy fromage blanc.  The mellow flavors were paired with spicy arugula and nutty sunflower seeds.  A perfect spring salad!

This French rosé was a lovely choice for the salad with a bit of sweetness.

In case we didn’t have enough courses, the chefs surprised us with a couple of items!  Both were lovely little bites that I would order again!

A lovely drink with fresh flavors, and the lavender was even picked from the Five Crowns garden!

The salmon was cooked absolutely perfectly with a crunchy, sear.  The hearty lentils were a great accompaniment.

Mustard and potatoes are one of my favorite combinations, so I loved the flavors in this dish!  I totally could have eaten the mustard cream sauce on anything, it was simply divine.  One of my favorites of the night!

The Sauvignon Blanc was paired with our salmon duo, while the Cabernet Sauvignon was served along with our beef tastings.

I had never eaten the classic Beefsteak Neptune dish, but I fell in love!  The bearnaise sauce was so amazing, and the light crab on top made this a more refined version of surf and turf.  The grilled ribeye was dressed in a sweet, yet heavy cognac demi-glace.  Steak-lovers will adore this dish!

Champagne for dessert!  Yes, please!

So, so chocolate-y, rich, and gorgeous.  It tastes better than it looks, if that’s even possible!

This dessert was completely new to me.  Steam cakes are a super light, moist, and melt in your mouth delicious.  The champagne berries were a lovely pairing with them both!

After dinner, I took a look next door at the Side Door as well as a secret speakeasy somewhere on the premises… You didn’t hear it from me, but make sure to check out the entire menu and perhaps order the absinthe with its impressive presentation!

Five Crowns
3801 East Coast Hwy
Corona Del Mar, CA 92625
www.thefivecrowns.com
(949) 760-0331