Food Trends: Deviled Eggs
Photograph Courtesy of Solstice
Solstice
Virtually every dish at stylish Solstice Seasonal Kitchen changes with the seasons, as the name suggests, but one hasn’t changed since Day One: the Deviled Egg Jar. The venue prides itself on whimsical plating, and this appetizer is no exception. Deconstructing classic deviled eggs—hard-boiled egg whites filled with mashed yolks—it layers the whites with a sweet pickle-celery relish and whipped yolk dusted with paprika in a mason jar alongside toasted focaccia. It’s offered at every meal but seems especially suited to a boozy brunch with Four Roses Bourbon-enhanced Spiked Coffee. 18555 Jamboree Road, Irvine, 949-241-7088, dineatsolstice.com
Photograph Courtesy of Stagecoach Country Roadhouse
Stagecoach Country Roadhouse
Overstuffed Bacon & Eggs top the openers at Wild Thyme restaurant group’s Shorebird Coastal Kitchen in Newport Beach. Now you can enjoy the show-stopping starter at new Stagecoach, too. The ornate deviled eggs, by Wild Thyme culinary director Jay Bogsinske, are presented with celery slices, bacon lardons, chives, and smoked paprika atop a pickled cucumber. Stagecoach favorites also include avocado fries, lemon Caesar, the Loaded Gun Board barbecue platter, and margaritas on tap. The new restaurant is opposite MainPlace. 763 S. Main St., Orange, 657-600-8828, stagecoachroadhouse.com
HQ Gastropub
The pop-culture-inspired spot below Shorebird Hotel presents global fare in concert-themed categories such as Rockin’ sushi, Greenroom salads, and Headliners entrees. It touts meals of “high quality—hence the name HQ,” and that for sure goes for the deviled eggs under Opening Act appetizers. Lime-avocado mash, lardon-laden bacon jam, green onion, and smoked paprika crown five “over-medium” halves presented amid balsamic-glaze dots. Nestled within, ocean-view speakeasy Graceland offers its own menu, elaborate cocktails, and 1970s music. 155 5th St., Huntington Beach, 714-369-2155, hqgastropub.com
Brew Hawg BBQ
Down-home, fast-casual Brew Hawg offers a new world of deviled eggs: Fans of pitmaster Leo Martinez’s barbecue fare top his Hawg Eggs with a choice of eight meats such as brisket, pork belly, and vegetarian “chicken” along with a barbecue-sauce drizzle. Highly original starters also include a waffle cone stuffed with mac & cheese and choice of meat and capped with a scoop of smoked-garlic mashed potatoes. The Momo layers that garlic mash with coconut creamed corn and a choice of meat. Which combo main to get—Judgment, Heaven, or Damnation—depends solely on the number of meats you’d like. 665 N. Tustin St., Orange, 714-502-4053, brewhawg.com
