Advertisement

What’s on the menu? Jam

Tanner James sings during AnQi's Red Hour Jam Session at AnQi by Crustacean, South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa.
Tanner James sings during AnQi’s Red Hour Jam Session at AnQi by Crustacean, South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa.
(KEVIN CHANG / Daily Pilot)
Share

Elizabeth An rushed past an elevated glass platform, carrying floral arrangements to tables lined in white linen at AnQi Gourmet Bistro & Noodle Bar at South Coast Plaza. The high-end restaurant An operates is known as a venue for fashion shows, charity events and, Friday night, a concert.

The platform, adorned in scattered red rose petals, gleamed under spotlights. On this 66-foot runway, 11 artists from “American Idol” and “The Voice” performed covers and original songs on this night. Some won, some didn’t. Some were finalists, some runners-up.

And, at 8 p.m., the restaurant’s first and sold out “Jam Session” was the place where the singers headlined the show.

Advertisement

An, a strong supporter of the arts, fashion and music since opening AnQi in December 2009, said her runway-ready concept was designed for fashion shows where models could wear lavish showpieces and luxury clothing from South Coast Plaza boutiques. But An wanted also to bring her love of music to the runway by inviting talented musicians to entertain her diners.

She started in the restaurant business when she helped her family at House of An, which runs two San Francisco restaurants, Thanh Long and Crustacean. In 1997, An opened a second Crustacean in Beverly Hills. The restaurant drew and continues to draw musicians to perform for guests during dinner.

Billy Joel played the piano.

Patti LaBelle, Taylor Dayne and Joni Mitchell sang on the stage.

Robin Thicke danced between tables.

Each concert was so successful that An thought of bringing the same concept to her Orange County location, where patrons could eat dinner and enjoy a show.

“I love the arts and promoting young talent,” said An, who divides her time between homes in Corona del Mar and Beverly Hills.

Minutes before the concert started Friday, An already considered the evening a success by having reality television singers present in her restaurant.

“We have to pump them up and show them it’s a party,” An said. “I want them to showcase fashion or music on the catwalk.”

*

‘Very spontaneous’

Bartenders shook up cocktails. Waiters rushed past, holding trays of the restaurant’s famous garlic noodles. AnQi’s dining room was aglow with red light.

Casey Abrams and Haley Reinhart, top 10 alumni of “American Idol” season 10, appeared relaxed before their performance, mingling with dining patrons.

“Casey and I are very spontaneous,” Reinhart, 23, said of the duo’s casual approach to the concert. “There’s not a lot of preparation.”

“We practice on the bandstand,” Abrams, 23, added.

Tanner James, who appeared on “The Voice,” opened the show behind the piano, playing and singing “Have a Little Faith In Me.”

Abrams and Reinhart followed the audience’s cheers and performed her new song, “My Cake,” with Abrams strumming the guitar.

Candice Glover, season 12 winner of “American Idol”, didn’t show the nerves she felt before appearing onstage.

“I get nervous every single time,” she said. “But I think that’s a sign of humility. Being nervous means you care and you want to put on a good show.”

The 24-year-old singer, who competed in 2013, is the first female winner of “American Idol” since Jordin Sparks won in 2007.

Glover, dressed in fringe leggings and a silk shirt accessorized with diamonds, delivered an R&B rendition of Paula Abdul’s “Straight Up” with guitarist Dylan Chambers.

“Her voice is spectacular,” an attendee whispered to a dining companion.

*

In from Atlanta

Glover welcomed Aubrey Cleland, an “American Idol” season 12 contestant, to the stage, where the duo sang British singer Sam Smith’s “Stay With Me.” Guests rose from their seats snapping photographs.

Glover sang three songs, preferring to avoid “dance songs,” she said before taking the microphone.

“I love Candice Glover,” An said. “I love her music, and most of all, I enjoy watching the new talents and seeing where they go.”

Along with supporting musical talent, An said proceeds from the event would support SPIN, a nonprofit that provides services for adults and children with intellectual disabilities, developmental disabilities and autism.

An plans to host “Jam Sessions” every month with a variety of musical acts.

And Glover, the South Carolina native who flew in from Atlanta for the special event, might just return for a second AnQi performance in Orange County.

“I like it here,” she said with a smile. “I’m not used to the five-lane highway, but it’s actually nice.”

Advertisement