Daily Grill celebrates its 25th anniversary with their classic American fare.
To celebrate their 25th Anniversary, Daily Grill is offering a special $25 off promotion for its loyal Preferred Guests. The promotion will be available during dinner beginning August 1 and continuing through the end of September.
To become a Preferred Guest, simply sign up at VIP.DailyGrill.com
The Daily Grill continues to thrive by updating their classic roots with a subtle splash of a modernity. The restaurant first opened in Los Angeles on September 1, 1988 and has since expanded to 20 locations. The goal of the founders was simple – serve upscale American dishes in a casual every day environment and at affordable prices. Clearly they’ve achieved that goal.
Looking around the restaurant you’ll see a diverse group, from professionals in their business attire dropping in after work to couples and families out to dinner, to more causal guests stopping in for happy hour, all basking in the comfortable atmosphere of this food and drink oasis.
Those of you who follow this blog know that I’ve become increasing health conscious. That’s why I was particularly enamored of the the wildly successful “Simply 600” menu, which was launched in January 2012 and consists of lunch and dinner items under 600 calories. In addition to those offerings, they also refreshed their Happy Hour menu and handcrafted drink specials. Now guests can enjoy freshly prepared happy hour menu offerings including certified Angus steaks, chops, fresh seafood, classic salads, and signature home-style desserts. Already famous for their Chicken Pot Pie, Daily Grill has also evolved with the times as indicated by the outstanding seasonal chef driven dishes and low calorie options.
I’d heard about Daily Grill and had always wanted to try it, so I was thrilled when I was invited to sample their new happy hour menu at their Irvine location. While it was my first time dining at this restaurant, I can assure you and it won’t be my last. Everything was outstanding including the ambiance, customer service, decor, and food. The prices are also very reasonable, meaning that your wallet will be as full as your stomach when you leave. There’s an old adage that says “you get what you pay for.” While that may be true in many cases, that’s not true of the Daily Grill, which is one of those rare places where you can find quality without breaking the bank. As my friend and I discussed over dinner and drinks, this is the type of place where you can go any time, from special occasions to nearly daily (pun intended) visits. As you’re about to see, it truly is a gourmet dining experience on a pauper’s budget.
When we arrived we were greeted by Vince Bevany, one of the managers at Daily Grill. One of the many things I enjoyed was watching how everyone pitches in to ensure quality service. This includes not only the servers bringing food to the tables, but the managers as well. They also periodically check on the diners to make sure their experience is nothing less than magnificent.
Nick was our server and not only was he knowledgeable about the food pairings, he was also skilled at recommending beverages that would pair best with our food choices. While I was impressed by this, he assured us everyone at the restaurant was just as educated as he and equally capable of providing customers with such recommendations.
On Nick’s recommendation, I began with The Cucumber Mule, consisting of Karlsson’s Gold, Fever-Tree ginger beer, and cucumber cool, crisp and light drink was the perfect antidote to a hot summer day. The blend of ginger with cucumber was a unique but satisfying combination.
My friend Stephanie, was as eager to eat as I was, but everything we read sounded so good! What to choose what to choose?
After a long debate, we started with Ahi Tuna Poke crispy wontons. HELLO LOVER! As some of you know, I’m a bit of an Ahi snob and prior to know, nothing has measured up to what I’ve eaten in Hawaii. Lets just say I think I just saved plane fare. The Ahi Tuna with the avocado and spices lit my mouth on fire with excitement. This is by far my favorite Ahi dish ever, the cool avacado blending perfectly with the spices. Along with the Cucumber Mule you couldn’t ask for a better pairing.
Next we dined on the Fried Popcorn Shrimp over a sweet and sour sauce. They were perfectly prepared, with the crispy outside yielding to succulent shrimp that melt in your mouth. You can’t help but to twirl the sauce around with your tongue as you savor the exquisite combination.
We took a few moments to savor the food while eagerly anticipating the following items to come. For the next set of samplings, our server suggested the Placido Pinot Grigio. Who was I to argue after his prior suggestion was so delightful?
The next set of samples began with a Spinach Artichoke Dip with Herb Crostini.The presentation alone was absolutely mouthwatering, and the taste did not disappoint. The bread was just right, with a crispy, buttery outside yielding to a soft chewy center. It was impossible to eat just one. The Spinach artichoke dip was creamy and rich. It was a struggle to maintain my table manners as it was so delicious that I was tempted to spoon the dip directly into my mouth. Once again, the drink pairing was exactly what the dish called for.
The fried calamari was equally delicious, cooked perfectly and accompanied by a magnificent ginger lemon aioli.
The chicken cobb sliders were a creative (not to mention tasty) blend of chicken cobb salad on a scrumptious bun.
The portobello fries were served with a pesto dip that balanced the earthy taste of the mushrooms. I know that mushrooms are somewhat of an acquired taste, and this is exactly the type of dish that makes it worth acquiring.
After such an amazing dining experience, I felt the need to personally shake the chef, Hugo Sosa’s hand and thank him for the wonderful masterpieces of flavor that he created for us. Thanks also went to our server Nick for his outstanding service and pairing expertise.
We had a wonderful time and I can assure you that I’ll be back again and again.
Daily Grill
636 Dupont Drive Irvine, CA
Happy Hour:
Monday – 4PM – Close
Tuesday-Friday – 4PM-7PM
Saturday and Sunday – All Day (That’s right, ALL DAY)
