Chef Shirley Chung and seasoned restaurateur Stacie Tran fill The OC with a new flavor with TWENTY EIGHT
by Heather Cassell
It’s good to be forward and stylish girls if you are just opening the newest hottest restaurant and lounge in The OC.
Top Chef finalist Chef Shirley Chung and seasoned restaurateur Stacie Tran are taking Southern California’s sand and surf county by storm with a new forward and stylish dining experience at, TWENTY EIGHT (19530 Jamboree Road; 949-852-2828; ; TwentyEightOC.com), their restaurant and lounge which opened at the beginning of this year.
Together, Chef Shirley and Stacie have a “vision for creating a dining experience that is fresh, approachable, and fun to share” at TWENTY EIGHT.
The stylish restaurant is modern American classic with Asian influence in its minimalist interior appropriately adorned with a vertical wall garden and trees in the atrium and around the restaurant and bar mimicking Chef Shirley’s food that she describes as “modern American cuisine with a Chinese soul.”
Chef Shirley’s menu is unique and innovative reflecting her experiences growing up in Beijing, China and her training in both classic French and Italian cuisine. She also isn’t a stranger to high-end restaurants. She has worked with and opened restaurants for renowned chefs such as Thomas Keller, Guy Savoy, and Mario Batali.
Chef Shirley’s training and experience blend together creating a modern Chinese cuisine.
“I like my cuisine to tell a story, it is reflective of my childhood years in Beijing, my past experiences, and my travels, all of which have inspired me to push the envelope” says Chef Shirley, who has developed an inspirational and innovative menu of fun and shareable plates, matching the fun side of her personality to TWENTY EIGHT.
And why name a restaurant after the number twenty eight?
“The number twenty eight has always been important to me,” explains Stacie on the SoCal Restaurant Show. “In traditional Chinese culture, the number holds significant meaning. In my personal life, it has always been an indicator of positive change and success.”
The details are evident upon entering the restaurant. Guests are greeted by a modern bar adorned by shelves of handpicked wine and fine spirits. Olive trees line the terrace around the corner where guests can sit and enjoy a sip of a handcrafted cocktail.
Nestled in the center of TWENTY EIGHT is the atrium, glowing with the softness of natural light, ample lounge seating and a live plant wall. It’s the perfect setting for small gatherings of up to 100 guests. A retractable glass door from the atrium opens out to the dining room, which can easily accommodate up to 250 guests.
To book your trip to Southern California, contact Heather Cassell at Girls That Roam Travel at Travel Advisors of Los Gatos at 408-354-6531at or .
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