Stonehill Tavern   

Famed San Francisco Chef Michael Mina has brought hip sophistication to The St. Regis Monarch Beach with Stonehill Tavern. And quite unlike the taverns of old, Stonehill offers well-to-do travelers glassed-in booths for intimate conversations, a marble bar and relaxing sofa area for singles and groups, a casual outdoor terrace and a hallway-like dining room complete with wood walls to ceiling and one of OC's best ocean views. The "hand-crafted tavern cocktails" definitely live up to five-star standards, using only fresh-squeezed juices, housemade tonic and hand-chipped ice. A few favorites are the champagne mojito, lychee gimlet (Tanqueray 10, Cointreau, fresh lime) and the Ward eight (Knob Creek whiskey, pomegranate juice, fresh citrus juices). Then, it's time for Michael Mina's signature trio appetizers in such primary flavors as Maine lobster, Liberty Farms duck, ahi tuna and salad greens. For example, the duck tasting trio comes with a breast (in chanterelles, quince and cumin), a crispy thigh (surrounded by green apple, peanuts and mint) and a succulent foie gras (swimming in Medjool date jus next to an Asian pear salad). The short entre menu is full of fine meats (Colorado lamb, beef filet, suckling pig) and seafood (sable fish, ocean trout, black bass). Or, choose from Mina's "modern American tavern fare," featuring a fantastic salt-baked Maine lobster, a swimmingly fresh shellfish stew, a fall-off-the-bone prime short rib or a unique whole-fried Jidori chicken. And it's no surprise that the wine list and service at this St. Regis-Mina combination are equally superb.