[UPDATED] Dee Nguyen of Break of Dawn to Pop Up at the Crosby on March 24

Kimberly Valenzuela/OC Weekly

​UPDATE, MARCH 24, 9:30 A.M.: The menu has been set (and we've seen it, and it's damn creative), but you may have to wait to get it. From Bill Crosby (HA!) writing on the Crosby's Facebook page:

TONIGHT!!!! This is the first time that we're doing this, and all of our reservation slots are completely filled! If you'd like to try your luck at the bar, it's first-come, first-served for those bar seats. . . . Other than that, come after 10 p.m., and you can still get our normal late-night menu.

Also, for those who are used to the Crosby's usual nut-free status, note that some of the dishes do contain nuts and nut products, so plan accordingly--or come after the pop-up is done at 10 p.m. In addition, the hosts would like you to know that due to the popularity of the event, there will be a time limit on tables--but plenty of time to enjoy chef Nguyen's food. OC Weekly will be there--come say hi!

ORIGINAL POST, MARCH 11, 2:00 P.M.: Move over, Test Kitchen. Dee Nguyen, the bad-ass chef at Break of Dawn--Orange County's No. 1 breakfast spot and our Best Restaurant of 2010--will be making a rare evening appearance and cooking at a one-night pop-up at the Crosby in Santa Ana on Thursday, March 24 from 5:30 to 10 p.m.

The enfant terrible of Laguna Hills, who was executive chef at the Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel before decamping to open his own limited-hours space (and spend more time with his family), will be taking over Crosby chef Aron Habiger's kitchen and serving both sweet and savory dishes unavailable at his Laguna Hills restaurant.

Anyone who has ever had one of the sumptuous breakfasts at Break of Dawn knows that blueberry pancakes and scrambled eggs are not going to be the bill of fare. The menu hasn't yet been finalized, but Nguyen has been tantalizing his Facebook friends with hand-written notes and ideas. Soy-caramel-brûlée azuki-brioche French toast, anyone? Maybe some duck-liver pâté with pistachios?

Still unanswered is the important question of what cocktails will be paired with the product of Nguyen's fevered imagination. Hint, hint. (We dare the Crosby bar mavens to come up with a cocktail involving rau ram.)

For reservations, call the Crosby during business hours (5 p.m. to 2 a.m.) at (714) 543-3543.