Watertable

Hyatt Regency, Huntington Beach

The innovative menu at this picturesque dining spot features contemporary American fare — a sort of accomplished Cali-comfort food. Sunday Night’s Southern Supper offers roasted salmon, six different side dishes, and warm biscuits for the table to share while the Family Kitchen features an active cooking station. (A build-your-own meal option gives room to try several of their addictive sauces.)

We love that this restaurant offers a classy and romantic evening out for date night, but early sunset hours are ideal to grab an outdoor patio table with the family and let the kids wander the grounds in sight as Mom and Dad knock kick with a craft cocktail like the Hydro-Botanical (botanist gin, fresh blood orange juice, basil leaves, sparkling cucumber water, lemon juice) or the Misty Island Margarita (maestro doble tequila, muddled tangerines and mint, jalapeño infused campari, patrón citronje, agave,lime).

The Kids Menu not only offers healthy options, like a tasty salad with mixed greens, strawberries, cashew granola and yogurt dressing and a crudité collection, but allows parents to choose half sizes of items from the regular menu. “Bar Jars”, though created to accompany craft ales and the nicely curated wine list, will tempt picky eaters to expand their petite palate, with house-made pates, cheeses, and unique treats served in mason jars.

www.huntingtonbeach.regency.hyatt.com

Get Cheesy with the Kids

It’s as close to Comfort Food season as we get in OC, so we thought this was time to dress up an old favorite, the Grilled Cheese. Serve with a side of tomato soup or tall glass of milk* and you have a solid lunch that will keep the kids going all day. *Pour a pint of craft ale for more mature munchers.

If this dish already appears on your menu so many times it elicits groans, not “great!”s, try these suggestions by Chef Max Schlutz at Sessions West Coast Deli to wow kids of all ages. (Or just hit Sessions in Newport and Huntington Beach — www.sessionswcd.com)

BLT Grilled Cheese
Whole grain whole wheat – smoked bacon, arugula, marinated tomato, pepper jack, swiss

Jalapeno Ham and Cheese
Whole grain whole wheat – shaved ham, swiss, jalapeno, pickled onion, sriracha aioli

Tuna Melt
Whole grain whole wheat – jalapeno/dill albacore salad, swiss

Pimento Grilled Cheese
Ciabatta, white cheddar, red pepper cheddar/cream cheese spread

Spinach Artichoke Grilled Cheese
Ciabatta, white cheddar, provolone, spinach/artichoke spread

Duxelle Grilled Cheese
Roasted Thyme/Marsala Mushrooms, Swiss, Balsamic Reduction, Goat Cheese, Arugula