The District at Tustin Legacy has a lot on its plate

TUSTIN likes things super-sized. Just look at its most recent shopping center, the District at Tustin Legacy.

It's no stroll in the park at a million square feet and bills itself as "Tustin's bold, new . . . shopping and entertainment destination." So what do you fill a million square feet with? How about 30 dining options, from sit-down ambience to grab-and-go-go-go.

Lucille's Smokehouse Bar-B-Que was one of the first establishments to open its doors to the public in May of last year. For those who haven't been, Lucille's is a carnivore's dream -- better than any meat-lover's pizza you could get your hands on. Portions are large, choices are many, and dishes are Southern-inspired. Think fried pickles, braised greens and cheesy grits, as well as smoked and then sauce-slapped beef, pork and chicken.

The Auld Dubliner, which is the most recent eatery to open, is another restaurant that cooks culture-inspired dishes, this one being those of a traditional Irish pub. Like any pub, the Dubliner doesn't disappoint with its selection of imported beers on tap. You'll find those you'd expect of an Irish pub, like the ubiquitous Guinness Stout, but there's also traditional American beers, if you'd prefer to keep things local -- but you'll have to settle for a bottle (most domestics are not poured from the tap).

Naturally, the beers on offer at Auld Dubliner act primarily to wash down traditional Irish "fayre" such as corned beef and cabbage, Irish stew and shepherd's pie, to name just a few.

Besides the Dubliner, another place to hit for a pint or two of your favorite beer is JT Schmid's Restaurant & Brewery. There are widescreen TVs to catch the game and live bands on Friday and Saturday nights.

For wine lovers, the Winery Bar Restaurant serves "California contemporary regional" cuisine. The most impressive thing about the restaurant: its 800-square-foot wine cellar, which can accommodate up to 5,000 bottles, improving the likelihood of your favorite red or white being on the premises.

If you're in a rush, the District also has quick bites available. The list includes the typical shopping-center grub: Daphne's Greek Cafe, Panera Bread, Johnny Rockets and so on. And if you're in a big hurry, there is always Costco Wholesale; that $1.50 hot-dog-and-soda deal is mighty hard to beat. The District at Tustin Legacy is located at the northwest corner of Jamboree Road and Barranca Parkway, Tustin; www.thedistricttl.com