Press Releases

ANAHEIM, Calif. (May 17, 2007) – Orange County establishments received more than one hundred of the Southern California Restaurant Writers Association’s (SCRWA) top awards for 2006-2007, including Golden Bacchus Wine Awards, Wine of Excellence Awards, Golden Sceptre Awards and individual honors.

    The association’s 34th annual awards dinner was held on May 6 at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim. SCRWA members review and score food, service, ambiance and beverages, at more than 600 restaurants located from Santa Barbara to the Mexican border during the year.

    In 2006, Orange County business and leisure visitors spent approximately 30 percent of the overall $8 billion in spending on meals and beverages. “Restaurants play an important role in our local visitor industry,” said Charles Ahlers, Anaheim/Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau President and member of Orange Coast magazine’s Dining Advisory Board. “We are proud of the world-class cuisine, exceptional service, and award-winning restaurants of OC’s diverse dining scene and look forward to several new offerings in Anaheim this year.”

    Morton’s The Steakhouse, Ruth’s Chris Steak House and k’ya at the Hotel Ménage all opened in Anaheim during the last six months, and six more restaurants are slated to open by the end of the year at the highly anticipated Anaheim GardenWalk. These restaurants join an array of options in Anaheim, including popular fine dining favorites such as Anaheim White House, Mr. Stox, Napa Rose, and Steakhouse 55 (formerly Granville’s Steakhouse) at the Disneyland Hotel, all of which received SCRWA’s elite Golden Bacchus Wine Award.

    Additionally, two Orange County hospitality professionals received individual honors. SCRWA awarded Chef of the Year to Eddie Meza, native of Mazatlán, Mexico and executive chef at the Anaheim White House since 1999. Sommelier of the Year went to Holly Smith of The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel, where she was recently promoted to wine director/sommelier, which includes all operational aspects of Eno, the resort’s new upscale wine tasting room.

    Twenty-eight Southern California eateries received the Golden Sceptre. The Southern California Restaurant Writers Association’s highest honor requires a special vote by the membership, and the restaurant must have received an accumulative 95-100 points to be eligible. Some of the Orange County area restaurants that made the mark are: Anaheim White House, Anaheim; Antonello Ristorante, Santa Ana; The Cellar, Fullerton; Duane’s, Mission Inn, Riverside; Mr. Stox, Anaheim; Napa Rose, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel, Anaheim; Steakhouse 55 (formerly Granville’s Steakhouse), Disneyland Hotel, Anaheim; Sir Winston’s, Queen Mary, Long Beach; and Yamabuki, Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel, Anaheim.

    The association also awarded gold, sterling silver and silver awards to restaurants in a variety of categories. The following are some of Orange County’s top restaurants that received gold awards (90 points or more) in their respective categories:

    Downloadable images of some of the awarded restaurants and individual winners are available.

    Home to renowned beaches, world-famous theme parks and attractions, exciting professional sports, unique shopping, arts and cultural events, and award-winning restaurants, Southern California’s Anaheim/Orange County is a blend of sights and experiences complemented by warm sunshine. For more information about Anaheim/Orange County, visit anaheimoc.org or call 714/765-8888.