Landmark. Lasting. Memorable. Timeless. Those definitions of the word "classic" are all apt descriptions of a handful of restaurants that have managed to stand out in Orange County's crowded culinary landscape and become notable dining destinations. They have emerged as such significant titans that there is no reason at all to visit L.A. anymore for dining experiences.

Naturally, any list of classics could be considered subjective (send your own list, with a brief explanation, to kporrazzo@churmmedia.com), but few will argue with the following dozen restaurants that have truly become Orange County classics.

Zov's
On a sun-filled early evening recently, Zov Karamardian, her family and more than 100 of her friends and guests gathered for a philanthropic fundraiser and also to celebrate 20 years in business. The Tustin-based restaurant had the usual collection of well-dressed diners and aficionados who kept the socializing to a minimum to take advantage of the exquisite fare. Host for the night, Chef Jamie Gwen, said in a toast: "To many, many extraordinary meals."

Zov's Bistro, Bakery & Cafe in Tustin has a commitment to providing guests with the finest dining experience. Ms. Karamardian serves Mediterranean-inspired cuisine in an elegant setting that mixes the sophistication of bistro elegance with the relaxed comfort of al fresco dining.

Signature items include the pomegranate martini, Moroccan wild king salmon, and the milk chocolate bomb with crème Brule center. The Z-bar and wine room offer an eclectic martini menu as well as an extensive wine list. Zov's also holds regular cooking classes and winemaker events.

Zov recently opened a Newport Coast location, while an Irvine facility is due to open by November.  

Antonello Ristorante
Since 1979, owner Antonio Cagnolo has been providing an exceptional dining experience that takes guests on a creative culinary journey to the heart of Italy. Warm, romantic and classy, Antonello (across from South Coast Plaza) offers an extensive menu of what Cagnolo calls "Cucina Nostalgica Italiana," along with an award-winning wine list featuring more than 700 foreign and domestic labels. "I try to balance the evolutionary nature of modern cooking with the necessity of a solid hold on tradition," says Cagnolo.

Antonello features antipastos, soups, salads, fresh pasta dishes, fish, poultry, veal and beef entrees. You won't find odd sauces or unusual creations at Antonello, just flavorful food prepared with great care and served by a friendly and attentive staff in an inviting ambiance reminiscent of an Italian villa. Special rooms are available for special private and business parties.
    
The Arches
This classic steak and seafood restaurant in Newport Beach was originally constructed as a gas station and café (with prominent arches in the building's design) in 1922, and then rebuilt as a fine dining restaurant that has played host to numerous celebrities and politicians. "Meet me at The Arches" was a popular phrase for travelers driving along Coast Highway. 

Located at what is now the corner of Newport Boulevard and Coast Highway, The Arches was a popular hangout for celebrities such as Gary Cooper, Tyrone Power, Frank Sinatra, Humphrey Bogart, Shirley Temple and John Wayne. The gas station is gone, but The Arches restaurant is busy as ever. The draw is obvious: leather booths, linen-covered tables, tuxedoed waiters, a superb ambiance, and great food such as abalone, stone crab claws, steak Diane and shrimp scampi.   

The Cellar
In 1969, artistic craftsmen of Disneyland fame created a romantic restaurant in the cellar of the old California Hotel on Harbor Boulevard in Fullerton. Aptly named, The Cellar is the perfect setting for an intimate evening of fine dining. Guests enjoy classic French cuisine while comfortably seated in soft velvet-backed chairs upholstered in rich mellow leather and surrounded by a dimly lit interior. Four elegant dining rooms are set amid structured arches and cave-like walls, decorated with wine casks and silver lanterns.

The Cellar is the winner of The Wine Spectator Grand Award, and was selected in 1992 as one of the top six restaurants in the world for its outstanding wine list. The place features more than 1,300 selections from around the world.

The Crab Cooker
Opened on the Balboa Peninsula in 1951 as Seafood Varieties, the restaurant changed its name to The Crab Cooker after customers started referring to the restaurant as "the place with the big crab cookers outside." In this informal and whimsically-decorated restaurant featuring stuffed and mounted fish hanging from the ceiling and myriad signs and photos covering the walls, some of the best seafood meals in town are still served on paper plates.  The menu boasts "fish, fish, fish, fish, fish, fish," and that's exactly what you'll find at The Crab Cooke. Of course, the famous breadsticks can be found in containers on every table.

Fisherman's Restaurant
Often referred to as the best view in South County, The Fisherman's Restaurant and Bar on the San Clemente pier offers outside dining over the breaking waves of the Pacific Ocean. Glassed-in decks and outside heaters make The Fisherman's Restaurant a year-round experience, but summertime is probably the best time to sit and enjoy frosty mugs of cool libations and bread bowls bursting with steamy clam chowder. Make sure to order a bucket of clams steamed in nectar or one of the many fresh seafood specials. No matter where in the county you live or visit, a trip to Fisherman's Restaurant is worth the drive.

Five Crowns
Corona del Mar has a host of notable restaurants along Coast Highway, but the longtime standout is Five Crowns, a replica of a 12th century English country inn.  Built in 1965, Five Crowns' English character is reflected in both its fine food and enchanting décor. Heavy wood paneling, antique furnishings, cozy fireplaces and period costumed staff capture the romantic spirit of Olde England. The atmosphere is inviting and the service impeccable.

The menu specializes in the finest prime rib, as well as an assortment of top-grade beef and poultry selections, and fresh seasonal seafood dishes. The impressive wine collection has been honored with the Wine Spectator Grand Award. Consider this a place, especially, for holiday dining.

French 75
French 75 in Laguna Beach has a dual history. The building itself dates back to the 1920s, and the restaurant's theme and décor take their cue from Paris circa World War II. The restaurant's signature drink is the French 75, a popular cocktail made with champagne, cognac and a twist of lemon. The walls of French 75 are adorned with dozens of vintage photos from Hollywood's Golden Age.

The French 75 cuisine matches the theme with style and panache. Traditional French onion soup, lobster bisque, foie gras, three-way duck and other selections are guaranteed to delight diners. Be sure to save room for dessert: The chocolate soufflé is fabulous.  "I think French 75 is popular because it strikes a nostalgic chord for both men and women," says owner David Wilhelm. "It's comfortable and romantic, it's accessible and friendly, the food is consistently good, and it offers a total package experience every time."

Las Brisas
In 1938, a restaurant called Victor Hugo Inn was built on the cliffs above Laguna's Main Beach. It soon became world-renowned, with a guest book featuring notable names from Hollywood and royalty. In the late 1970s, the original owners sold their restaurant to Larry Cano, founder of the El Torito restaurants, who turned it into an elegant dinner house inspired by the restaurants of the Mexican Riviera. Since then, Las Brisas - named after the most famous resort in Acapulco - has stood out as one of Southern California's most popular restaurants. 

The cuisine is as spectacular as the view. Popular menu items include a seafood enchilada, sautéed prawns, charred rare ahi, and filet mignon grilled with tequila-truffle glaze. Sunday brunch is always crowded with hungry diners enjoying an array of Mexican-influenced dishes.

Pascal
Located in a nondescript strip mall on Bristol Street in Newport Beach, Pascal Restaurant has been dazzling diners since 1988. Chef and owner Pascal Olhats attended school in Brussels and worked for master chef Paul Bocuse in Lyon before spending three years at Club 55 in St. Tropez. He came to California in 1984 and, after working as a chef at Hotel Le Meridian and Chanteclair, opened his own restaurant. The rest, as they say, is culinary history.

"My restaurant is a small place where we take special care of our customers," says Olhats. "We serve the most authentic French food you can find. The food is light and fresh, and we use as many natural ingredients as possible."

From traditional lobster bisque to the roasted quail and braised rabbit, Pascal is guaranteed to satisfy the most discriminating palate.

Villa Nova
Villa Nova Restaurant on Coast Highway in Newport Beach is painted to look like an Italian villa, but you can tell you're still in Newport with the striking views of the harbor from nearly every seat.  Opened in 1933 on the Sunset Strip in Hollywood, Villa Nova welcomed famous clientele such as Charlie Chaplin, Bing Crosby, Dean Martin, and Marilyn Monroe. The restaurant relocated to Mariners Mile in the late 1960s, where it has since become a local dining favorite serving a variety of traditional Italian dishes. The award-winning wine list has more than 800 offerings, including one of the most extensive collections of California Cabernets, Italian Brunello and Super Tuscans in Southern California.

One of the only venues in Orange County offering live entertainment every night of the week, Villa Nova's piano bar is always at the top of everyone's "Best Piano Bar in Orange County" list.

The White House
A landmark jewel that was once nestled quietly among an enormous orange grove in the early 20th century, Anaheim White House is one of the county's most famous hidden treasures.

Built in 1909 as a private home, the mansion was refurbished and turned into a restaurant that opened on New Year's Eve, 1981. In 1987, Italian immigrant Bruno Serato took over ownership of the restaurant, which now features Northern Italian cuisine in a fine dining atmosphere where patrons are treated as distinguished guests in his home.

Numerous celebrities such as Danny De Vito, Andrea Bocelli, Gwen Stefani and even former President Jimmy Carter have dined at the White House, but you don't need to be a notable name to enjoy the luxurious ambiance and sensational cuisine. The restaurant has won numerous awards, including the Golden Scepter (the highest honor awarded by the Southern California Restaurant Writers Association).