There's a Heat Wave Coming. Here's the Plan.

There's a heat wave rolling in, and we have a two-part plan for surviving it.

Part one: lunch. Come hide in our AC while the sun does its worst. Cool room, cold drinks, hot food, zero guilt. It's the best excuse to leave the house and still stay comfortable.

Part two: dinner. By evening the heat breaks, and the patio turns into the best seat in Scripps Ranch — warm, easy, golden-hour perfect. Come as the day cools off and let someone else run the oven.

And because nobody wants something heavy in this weather, we just rolled out a lineup of mocktails built for the heat. More on those below.

Lemon Garlic Risotto with Octopus (Starting Thursday)

This week's special stopped the whole staff in their tracks: Lemon Garlic Risotto with Octopus, the octopus sautéed in garlic until it's tender and gorgeous. We're not exaggerating when we say our own employees were chasing the photographer down just to get the first bite. That's the kind of dish this is.

Creamy, bright, garlicky, octopus done right — and two very different wines to take it wherever you want to go:

The Crossings Sauvignon Blanc plays beautifully here. This is Marlborough, New Zealand at its most vibrant — lively lime, grapefruit, and passionfruit over a crisp mineral finish, from estate vineyards ringed by mountain ranges, a wild river, and the Pacific. Its bright acidity and the garlicky octopus join each other in a dance that'll have your palate grooving with joy.

The ZD Chardonnay goes the other direction entirely, and it's just as good. Made in cool Carneros by two former rocket scientists (the "ZD" stands for their initials and "Zero Defects," the quality standard they held while building rockets), it's barrel-fermented in American oak for that signature buttery, oaky richness. It shines against the creamy risotto in a way that leaves you wondering what you'll get with the next bite.

Bright and zesty, or buttery and rich.

Honestly, you can't lose.

Not a Drinker? We Made These for You.

Some of us are the designated driver. Some of us have an early morning. Some of us just don't feel like it tonight — all completely valid. So we made three mocktails that refuse to treat you like an afterthought.

The lineup:

🍉 Watermelon Tamarind — sweet-tart watermelon and tangy tamarind with a tajín rim for a little salt and spice. Summer in a glass (and yes, the zero-proof cousin of our margarita).

🍍 Pineapple Mule — bright pineapple, spicy ginger beer, and fresh lime over ice. Tropical, fizzy, and exactly what a hot afternoon ordered.

🥒 Lemon Cucumber Lavender — cool cucumber, bright lemon, and a whisper of lavender. Crisp, tangy, and about as refreshing as a drink gets.

All three are on the menu now — just ask your server.

Know Someone in Corporate Events? Send Them Our Way.

Last thing, and it's a favor. If your office has that one person who's always planning the offsite, the holiday party, the team lunch — we'd love to meet them. Our private event space is one of the best-kept secrets in Scripps Ranch for corporate gatherings