Culinary Management Group Inc. to Open Trendy New `'Fugu Lounge'' in California's Newport Beach Community.

Business Editors & Restaurant Writers

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 19, 2002

Culinary Management Group (CMG) Inc. today announced plans to open the West Coast's first Tantric Restaurant and Lounge named "Fugu Lounge" in the coastal community of Newport Beach & Costa Mesa, Calif.

The restaurant is scheduled to open January 2003.

The new location is positioned next to The Yard House within the "Triangle Square" entertainment center, where it will occupy 8,800 square-feet, with an additional 1,000 square-feet of patio, on the second level corner. The building is a prime hot-spot location for the company's new trendy lounge/restaurant, overlooking the main access into the coastal Newport Beach area.

The new 9,800 square foot restaurant and lounge will feature an eclectic aphrodisiac inspired cuisine featuring unique portions of freshly prepared signature dishes, designed by celebrity Chef Larry Nicola.

Nicola is one of Beverly Hills' most renowned chefs catering to the high profile entertainment industry events and hottest celebrity parties such as: Gucci, MTV, Rolling Stone Magazine, Screen Actors Guild, Yahoo!, Microsoft and Disney.

The restaurant will accommodate seating for 290 and feature multiple cocktail lounges, dancing, VIP lounges, and an additional 1,000 square feet of outdoor patio for guests to enjoy the temperate climate of Newport Beach. Construction is budgeted at $1.6 million, expected to begin in October 2002.

The project is a joint venture with Matrix Industries Development Corp., a premier developer specializing in California's Orange County area and the Phoenix area.

"We are very pleased to be once again joining the Newport Beach community where we believe the demographics are perfectly suited for the Fugu Lounge concept," said Doug McAllister, president and chief executive officer of CMG Inc.

"The casual and trendy, yet sophisticated surroundings of Fugu will serve as an ideal meeting place for visitors, as well as the residents of this popular enchanting beach front city." Orange County currently offers only a select group of traditional restaurants including: PF Chang China (Nasdaq:PFCB), Dave & BUSTERS (NYSE:DAB), and California Pizza Kitchen (Nasdaq:CPKI).

The company is very excited to be the first to market with its exciting new Los Angeles style concept.

McAllister said the Newport Beach Fugu Lounge announcement follows the January 2001 successful opening of the company's previous venture "Josh Slocums" with celebrity investor Dennis Rodman, located on oceanfront property in lower Newport Beach. "We are moving forward with momentum on multiple fronts of our strategic growth objectives," said McAllister.

About CMG

CMG Concepts develops and manages entertainment-driven, upscale specialty and fine dining restaurants. The CMG principles are an experienced and very successful group, talented in the area of restaurant concept creations, business plan development, architectural design, and marketing promotions.

With a diverse and disciplined culinary background, both McAllister and Rob Stevens, lead principles of CMG, have successfully partnered together to produce & manage next-generation food concepts in today's fast changing marketplace.

With more than 25 years of experience, CMG has been able to establish long-term relationships with worldwide hospitality consultants, chefs and contractors. These consultants often collaborate with CMG to provide its clients with a complete and comprehensive turnkey experience for their restaurant and hospitality projects.

Note to Editors: Hard Hat Tours, interviews with the owners, architectural renderings and color transparencies are available upon request. To make arrangements, contact Stevens at 949/260-9366.