Griffin Eats OC

Taquiero Taco Patio - Irvine

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 10 Apr 2019 21:11:00 +0000

4517 Campus Drive

Irvine, CA 92612

949-333-1671

www.taquierotaco.com

What is going on here? Am I actually writing an article for this first time in 5 years? What could possess me to do such a thing? I'll tell you what......TACOS! But not just any tacos....AMAZING TACOS!

Taquiero Taco Patio is a brand new restaurant in Irvine across the street from UCI. They specialize in authentic Tijuana-style tacos. They also offer burritos, mulitas, quesadillas, nachos and fries. I know you must be thinking that there is no way that Irvine can have an authentic taqueria that is better than joints in Santa Ana, but it's true.

The restaurant was co-founded by a gentleman named Sean that moved from OC to Mexico and spent the last 10 years there. He loved the tacos down there and knew that there wasn't anything like it in Orange County. He decided to come back and share the experience with us. All ingredients are fresh, high-quality and the corn they use for the tortillas is non-GMO.

Meat selections include carne asada, pollo pastor, pollo asado, cochinita pibil, veggies and the much sought after al pastor fresh off a spinning rotisserie spit.

They also hand make all of their corn tortillas in house. No premade masa here. They soak corn in the back and mash it up with just a little salt. The tortillas are then hand-pressed and griddled fresh when you order your taco. Tacos automatically come with your choice of meat, salsa, cilantro, onion and guacamole.

(Two tacos with "cheese tortillas")

Tacos will run you $3.50 and burritos are $9.75. These things are packed full of meat and deliciousness. Two tacos will be a feast. Carne asada/al pastor nachos or fries are $10 and mulitas (Tijuana-style quesadilla) are $6.75 with your choice of meat.

The tacos here are delicious by themselves, but get even better when you visit their salsa bar. Here you will find 7 or 8 different salsas, fresh limes, perfectly pickled onions, jalapenos and more. My favorite is this green, kinda creamy salsa with a little kick.

When you have stuffed yourself full of taco deliciousness, make sure to stop at the complimentary Mexican candy case on the way out. Here you can grab yourself a few Mexican delights to top off your meal. Let's hope that people don't abuse this and cause the owners to stop offering this totally awesome amenity.

STAX cookie Bar soft opens today - Monday 10/13/2014 Official Grand Opening Event on Saturday 10/18

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 17:00:00 +0000

4187 Campus Drive

Suite M174

University Town Cener

Irvine, CA

(949) 861-2055

www.staxcookiebar.com

Hours: 10:00 AM - Midnight - 7 Days a Week

A new ice cream sandwich shop is set to have their soft opening today at 10:00 AM at University Town Center in Irvine. Stax Cookie Bar offers a wide variety of freshly baked cookies and ice cream. You can either choose to purchase the cookies and ice cream separately, or you can order a "Sweet Stax" which is an ice cream sandwich made out of two cookies of your choice and a scoop of ice cream in between. Stax brags that you can make over 4,000 different combinations for your ice cream sandwich.

All of the cookies are baked fresh on site. In addition to regular cookies, Stax also offers a variety of vegan and gluten-free cookies. Some of the flavors, such as chocolate-chip, will be constant but they will rotate cookie flavors as well. I was invited down to sample some of the cookies and ice cream. I believe my favorite cookie was the Sesame Green Tea, followed closely by the classic Chocolate Chip. Other cookie flavors include Chai Tea, Root Beer Float, Maple Bacon, Red Velvet and more.

While I really enjoyed the cookies and ice cream, the thing that impressed me the most was the reasonable prices. Cookies are $1.25 each ($1.50 for gluten-free) and a dozen cookies will only set you back $10.95. The Sweet Stax ice cream sandwich is $3.75.

There will be a Grand Opening event on Saturday October 18th with 20% of the proceeds going to support the Irvine Public School Foundation.

Red O Restaurant - Newport Beach

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 13 Dec 2013 18:12:00 +0000

Red O Restaurant - Fashion Island, Newport Beach
143 Newport Center Drive
Newport Beach, CA 92660
Tel: (949) 718-0300
redorestaurant.com

Rick Bayless, the celebrity chef and host of the emmy-nominated show "Mexico: One Plate At A Time", has opened his newest restaurant at Fashion Island in Newport Beach. This is Red O's second location, the first being in Los Angeles. More locations will hopefully be opening soon. Red O restaurant features a dramatic interior paired with high-end Mexican food. I was recently invited down to try some of their culinary delights.

We started our meal off with an Amuse-Bouche of Dungeness Crab Tostaditas. A deep-fried plantain chip was topped with sweet dungeness crab meat, grilled pineapple and tomatillo-avocado salsa. It was absolutely amazing, and probably my favorite part of the meal.

Next, up we tried the Corn & Goat Cheese Tamales and a Tasting of Guacamole that came with four different kinds of guacamole and fried plantain chips. The tamales were light, fluffy and slightly sweet. The goat cheese added a nice creamy, rich flavor that complemented the masa perfectly. I'm thinking of asking my mother-in-law to make some goat cheese tamales for Christmas this year... The guacamole sampler came with Classic, Pomegranate-Walnut, Macha and Yuzu guacamoles. Of the four, I believe that Yuzu was my favorite. The guacamole was spiked with Japanese yuzu and shishito peppers.

Next up was Tortilla Soup. The broth was poured tableside over a bowl of chicken, avocado and fried tortilla strips. The broth was filled with sauteed onions and reminded me a lot of French Onion soup. I wish this soup had more spice to it.

For my entree, I selected the Lamb Mole Negro. Four lamb chops arrived on the plate in a pool of black mole sauce. There seemed to be some consistency issues with the sizing of the lamb chops as some of the plates seemed to be twice as big as others. Each plate came with four lamb chops, but some chops were huge compared to some of the others. The lamb itself was cooked perfectly and was very tender. The mole sauce added a smoky flavor with the slightest hint of sweetness. A fantastic dish.

To finish off the meal, we were served Tres Leches cake. Tres Leches is usually made by soaking a sponge cake in three different milks, evaporated, condensed and regular milk or cream. Red O uses pound cake instead of sponge cake and opts to use non-fat milk instead of cream. The result is a cake that is a little denser than most, and not quite as rich. The cake was topped with toasted meringue and spicy pears.

Overall, Red O is a very good option if you are looking for upscale Mexican food. The prices here will likely make it a "special occasion" restaurant for most. Dinner entrees range from $15-$56. If you're looking to dine there on a budget, try going for lunch when their prices are a little lower.

Kolache Factory Bakery and Cafe - Tustin

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 08 Oct 2013 16:50:00 +0000

Kolache Factory Tustin
14091 Newport Avenue
Tustin, CA 92780
Phone: 714-730-2253
http://www.kolachefactory.com/
Kolache Factory Bakery and Cafe opened today in Tustin, near the 5 freeway and Newport Ave. The bakery started in Texas and the Tustin location is the first, of what they hope will be many, in California. The bakery specializes in kolaches, which are a Czech pastry. Most of the kolaches resemble a spherical roll, reminiscent of a dinner roll. They are stuffed with a variety of fillings. Varieties include sausage, eggs, BBQ beef, fruit, pepperoni, jalapenos and more. The fruit filled kolaches more resemble a danish with a ring of dough surrounding a fruit filling.

I tried one of the apricot kolaches. It reminded me of a Danish, but was less flaky and more bread like. The pillowy, yeasty dough was similar to a cinnamon roll dough, but slightly less sweet. I feel like this is a healthier alternative to Danish, but I'm not sure. Prices range from around $1.09-$2.69. They also serve a variety of other pastries like stuffed croissants and cinnamon rolls. I'm eager to go back and try some other varieties, especially the sausage and gravy.

Patchwork Edible coming to SOCO

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 09 Sep 2013 15:47:00 +0000

www.Patchworkshow.com

by Jeff L.

I recently attended a media preview for the Patchwork Edible show that is coming to SOCO in Costa Mesa on October 5th and 6th. Here is the official statement about the show.

Orange County's Culinary Capital is hosting for the first-time ever the Patchwork Edible Edition for two days, Saturday, October 5 from 11 a.m.-8:00 p.m. and Sunday, October 6 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. The two-day event will showcase the flourishing artisan food movement in SoCal through an interactive weekend filled with baking programs, food trucks, restaurant pop-ups, book signings, beer and wine gardens, samples and more! Come experience the latest offerings from some of the leading voices in the Southern California food movement including Evan Kleiman, Aida Mollenkamp, Russ Parsons, Gustavo Arellano, Bill Esparza, Christoper (CJ) Jacobsen, Dean Kim, Ernest Miller, and Laura Avery, and dozens of chefs, ranchers, farmers, bloggers and authors from across the region.

The Kombuchadog was very intriguing. It is a fermented tea loaded with anti-oxidants, detoxifying acids and probiotics which is really good for digestion. At first it was just bitter, but then it grew on you. They had raspberry and ginger. Definitely raspberry was my favorite. The ginger was made from fresh pressed Peruvian ginger. The alcohol content was slight at 0.7% so as their literature says ”the government does not allow us to say it is good for you”. The labels have pictures of dogs which actually depict real dogs that are in need to rescue. Very refreshing drink with a great story behind it.

For the OC Mixes Cheese Shop there was only a sampling of their very extensive cheese and bread selection. All the food was good but the bread (see center in pic- 4 bread)stood out the most – very light and fluffy yet substantive. Also, the red pepper jam paired nicely with the bread, cheese and meats. The Japanese Ginger had a wonderful spicy kick to it.

Almond Milk definitely has gained popularity and this was the right combination of milk with a slight almond taste, not to overpowering like many. It’s handmade from organic, raw and non-GMO ingredients. It’s also soy and gluten free. It was very smooth, rich and overall tasty. At the event there were samples of the Honey, Cacao and the pure milk. My favorite was just the pure one that was made of organic almonds and pink Himalayan sea salt.

I almost walked by and didn’t stop at the Preservation Society because there was just an array of jars. I started talking with Ernest Miller, the master chef, and was duly impressed. He was very knowledgable about food preservation and their seasonal approach to making jars just makes sense - there is such a variety of differences depending on the time of year. Products we discussed were relishes, preserves, pickles and marmalades. Plus, he was working on a sauerkraut made of red cabbage that turned out excellent.

There was an wide array of bread sample by Bread Artisan Bread and they all were consistently fresh, crunchy outside and chewy inside. Very much like good quality bread you would find in Europe. Onotria was a hidden gem that I will definitely need to seek out to dine in the future. The owner was there making two kinds of mozzarella cheese from scratch, burrata and regular. We had a fascinating conversation about cheese and how different it is in Italy vs America. Both cheeses you had to work and play with in your mouth, chewing slowly to really appreciate the work that went into making them as he demonstrated. The burrata was served on passion fruit and more subtle to the palette where the regular mozzarella was just there waiting to be chewed, savored and appreciated.

The YES Bar caught my attention because Abigail was so passionate about what she did and I had to try these. So, these tasty little morsels are free of dairy, gluten, and soy. I tried the coffee cayenne and macadamia chocolate chip. Both were chewy and crunchy at once with bursting flavors. Definitely worth a try for anyone with food allergies.

Taco Maria served up some seriously good corn and the home made chips were enough to get me to come back and try the restaurant. The chips were fried to perfection and heavy, I had no fear of them breaking when scooping up large gobs of guacamole that they served. They just opened a full sit down restaurant there at the Soco mart area.

Greenleaf Gourmet chopshop served up delightful morsels of flavor and the peaches with cream hit the spot.

Front Porch Pops showcased some new items venturing into pies and pretzel bites. The pretzel came with several kinds of dipping sauces, all worth trying. My favorite from their table though was the cutely packaged up pie cubes – yummy and easy to eat.

For more info, go to: http://www.patchworkshow.com

Z'Tejas - South Coast Plaza - Hatch Chile-Fest 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 02 Sep 2013 22:59:00 +0000

Z'Tejas
South Coast Plaza
Costa Mesa
(714) 979-7469
ztejas.com

To celebrate the annual Hatch Chile-Fest in New Mexico, Z'Tejas in South Coast Plaza is having their own version of Chile-Fest with a special, very limited-time menu that features all sorts of dishes with Hatch chiles. The special Chile-Fest menu runs from September 3rd to September 16th, 2013. $1 from each entree sold off of the special menu will benefit the Blind Children's Learning Center. The menu selection includes items from every category from cocktails, to appetizers, to entrees and desserts. I was luck enough to be invited down to sample some of the special chile items.

I started my night off with the Smokin' Margarita ($8.50) cocktail. I am a huge fan of margaritas, and I really love spicy stuff, so I thought this drink would be perfect. The drink is made with Herradura Anejo tequila, DeKuyper Peach, GRand Marnier, fresh lemon juice and what they call a "special kick." Well this "special kick" really was a "KICK!" The drink has a very potent, spicy sting that leaves your lips a little numb.

Next us was the appetizer of Fried Hatch Chiles and Onions ($6.95). Thin strips of Hatch chiles and onions were battered and fried to a crispy, golden-brown. The strings were served with a side of ranch dressing and BBQ sauce. I really enjoyed this dish, but really wished that there were more Hatch chiles. The dish consisted of about 80%-90% onions, and only a few strips of chile here and there.

Next up were the entrees. V ordered the Adobo Steak Relleno ($13.95) and I went for the Herb Chile Glazed Mahi Mahi ($16.95). V's Steak Relleno consisted of roasted Hatch chiles stuffed with seared beef tenderloin, jack cheese and caramelized onions. They were topped with a chipotle corn relish and server with Hatch chile rice and spicy red beans. V and I both agreed that this dish was very good, but we both wished it had more steak, as there were only around four tiny cubes of steak in the entire dish.

The Herb Chile Glazed Mahi Mahi was served with roasted vegetables, spicy red beans, Hatch chile rice and some small corn tortillas, so you could make your own fish tacos. This was also good, but I felt that it could have used more Hatch chiles. The plate was also served with a cool, creamy slaw that V enjoyed very much.

To finish off the night, we had a Hatch Chile Coconut Flan ($5.95). This cool and creamy dessert was absolutely perfect and my favorite dish of the night. The sweet custard flan was spiked with a nice punch of chile pepper that you could feel in the back of your throat. The more I ate of it, the more I liked it. It may sound a little weird to have chile peppers in your dessert, but trust me, it works.

This special menu only lasts for less than two weeks, so get it while you can. This does seem to be an annual even t for Z'Tejas though, so if you miss it this year, make sure to mark your calendar for next time!

Alegria Fresh - Organic Produce Delivery in Orange County

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 29 Aug 2013 22:35:00 +0000

A new organic produce delivery service launched recently in Orange County. Currently, delivery is only available to Laguna Beach, Aliso Viejo, Newport Beach, Corona del Mar and Dana Point. Irvine will be available soon and more cities will follow as they grow. An organic produce box that weighs over 12 lbs. can be delivered to your front door for $35. Alegria Fresh's new veggie box is available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. These vegetables are harvested within 24 hours of delivery from Orange County's best local certified organic farms, operated by Orange County Produce and Alegria Fresh. Orders can be customized and are available either as a subscription or a one-time order.

For more info, or to order, visit http://www.alegriafresh.com/

Lemonade - Fashion Island, Newport Beach

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 23 Aug 2013 17:19:00 +0000

Lemonade
Fashion Island
Newport Beach
http://lemonadela.com/
Lemonade, a restaurant known for serving fresh, seasonal, Southern California comfort food, opened earlier this week in Fashion Island. It is located near the Island Cinemas movie theaters. Lemonade offers a unique experience by serving gourmet food in an old-school cafeteria-like environment. You start at the beginning of a long line of tasty delights and point out what you want along the way. Items are priced individually and range from $1-$13. Items are seasonal and change eight times per year. Below are pictures of some of the items they had available during the media preview.

Of the many items I tried, I really enjoyed the snap pea and edamame salad with sesame dressing, the red miso braised shortribs and the white truffle mac and cheese. I then decided that my two favorite items I tried were the Avocado and Cherry tomato salad, and the BBQ braised brisket. The BBQ brisket had a nice spicy kick that I loved.

But then......then....I had the COCONUT CAKE!!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH THAT COCONUT CAKE WAS SOOOOOOO GOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!! I MUST HAVE MORE NOW!!!!!!! Light fluffy layers of extremely moist coconut cake were layered with frosting that had the perfect amount of sweetness. The cake reminded me a little of a tres leches, because I think the cake was soaked or drizzled with some sweetened condensed milk. It was SO good. Did I mention it was good? I think I'm going to stop writing now so I can go get more of that cake....

Burrissimo - Costa Mesa

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 27 Jun 2013 16:09:00 +0000

Burrissimo

1534 Adams Ave #D

Costa Mesa, CA 92626

714-206-1682

www.burrissimo.com

By Guest Writer: Jeff L.

Their theme is “fresh Italian” and their selection of what you could put on your meal was impressive. The concept behind Burrissimo is similar to Chipotle. You basically pick your meat and veggies and they then get wrapped up in an Italian herb tortilla with some angel hair pasta and sauce. Their selection of toppings is very extensive.

We started with the bread sticks which looked underdone and were. They were served with an interesting honey butter which, when they were consistent were good, but a little too much on the honey side and less on the butter side. The first batch was more of an applesauce consistency with the second batch being what you would expect in regard to creaminess. The bread was very light and fluffy.

We then had the pepperoni rolls which were served with 3 sauces, alfredo, pomodoro and ranch. The alfredo sauce had this orange hue so I had to doubletake, it could use a little on the flavor side but did have a little kick towards the end. Pomodoro was a simple marinara sauce.

The Tuscany sausage potato soup was really good. Seasoned perfectly and it was light yet hearty.

The Burrissimo wrap is an intriguing concept, at first I’m thinking an Italian wrap with angel hair pasta inside would be weird, but it works. I had the meatball inside which was good but by the time you put all the veggies on it the meat to total product ratio seems small. They make their meatballs from scratch which I respect. I had a smidgen of diavolo sauce because it was too hot but combined with the pomodoro sauce made for a zesty combination.

The Zeppoles were a little on the dry side but combined with the dipping sauces it worked.

Bottom line is that if you want fresh, high quality food for a reasonable price point you should try this place.

Editor's note: Jeff was invited to try Burrissimo as part of a media event.

Fleming's "Small Plates, Big Pours" now through 6/30/2013

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 03:44:00 +0000

Fleming's in Newport Beach is currently running an awesome promotion for wine lovers through the end of June. You can go and get a small plate of amazing food, paired with an extra-large (1.5 times their normal serving) pour of premium wine for $24.95. Some of these wines run close to $25 a glass by themselves, so this is a great deal. There are seven different small-plates to choose from.

SLICED FILET MIGNON
shiitake risotto, chili oil, porcini butter drizzle

COLOSSAL SHRIMP SKEWERS
chimichurri dipping sauce, fennel citrus salad

NEW ZEALAND PETITE LAMB CHOPS
pistachio-mint pesto, "F17" sauce, polenta fries

BRAISED SHORT RIBS OF BEEF
boneless, savory arugula and spinach, natural au jus

SEARED AHI TUNA
fresh vegetable salad, spicy mustard sauce

NEW BEDFORD SCALLOPS
meyer lemon-honey glaze, carrots, green beans, asparagus

FLEMING’S LOBSTER TEMPURA
soy-ginger dipping sauce, arugula, jicama salad

I was invited in to try a small plate and some wine. I chose the Lobster Tempura, V chose the Filet Mignon.

The lobster was fantastic. The succulent lobster tail was juicy, tender and fried perfectly crisp. The jicama salad had a nice spicy kick to it as well.

V really liked the filet mignon. She loved the sauces that it came with. She said that the risotto came in smal nuggets that were slightly pan-fried to give them a slightly crispy exterior that gave way to a creamy interior.

Fleming's in Newport Beach will also be starting Sunday brunch near the end of this month. I can't wait to try it!

Burrissimo Costa Mesa - GIVEAWAY!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 04:53:00 +0000

http://www.burrissimo.com/

Have you guys heard of this new Burrissimo restaurant in Costa Mesa? They also have a new location coming soon in Brea. Burrissimo is a fast-casual restaurant that is similar in food-prep style to Chipotle. The difference though, is that the burritos are made with Italian ingredients! Burritos come filled with angel hair pasta and a variety of toppings, such as pomodoro sauce, alfredo sauce, roasted garlic, sundried tomatoes and so much more! Burrissimo has offered to give out PRIZES TO 11 OF MY LUCKY READERS!

Ten lucky winners will win a $10 gift card to Burrissimo

One GRAND PRIZE winner will win a Burrisimo prize pack. The prize pack must be picked up at Burrissimo, Costa Mesa by June 27, 2013. Prize pack consists of:

A pair of Costa Mesa 60th Anniversary celebration concert tickets for Friday June 28 at 4:00 PM. For more info, visit the Costa Mesa 60th Anniversary Celebration website http://www.travelcostamesa.com/costa-mesa-60/index.html
$25 Burrissimo Gift Card
Burrissimo Logo Cap
Bottle of BSting Signature Hot Sauce
An order of free Zepoles (Italian Donuts)

By the way, if you visit the restaurant between 6/24 and 6/30, you will receive a free order of Zeppoles with a minimum $7 purchase! To enter the contest, please use the rafflecopter form below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wahoo's Fish Taco - NEW Citrus Slaw Taco

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 23 May 2013 17:43:00 +0000

Wahoo's Fish Taco

wahoos.com

Wahoo's will be introducing a new menu item on Saturday 5/25 as part of the ongoing celebration of their 25th anniversary. I was lucky enough to be able to try this taco before it is officially released. The taco is basically the same as their current taco, but instead of being topped with plain cabbage, it is topped with a cabbage slaw that is marinated in a light citrus dressing. I have always been a fan of Wahoo's tacos, but this new slaw adds a whole new element of flavor. The light, tangy flavor of the slaw was a perfect complement to the taco. Add a little Mr. Lee's sauce to the taco and you have a perfect fish taco. I can't wait to see what they come up with next!

Sidecar Doughnuts in Costa Mesa - Opening Date April 12, 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 17:30:00 +0000

270 E. 17th St., #18
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
(949) 887-2910
www.sidecardoughnuts.com

The little gourmet doughnut shop that I have been hearing so much buzz about for the past few months, is finally opening it's doors on Friday 4/12/13. Luckily for me, I was invited down to the shop a few days early to try some of their amazing doughnuts.

The doughnut shop is tucked away in a small strip mall off of 17th Street in Costa Mesa. It's kind of in the back, in an area that isn't really visible from the street. There isn't really a sign on the building either, but I'm thinking that maybe it just hasn't been installed yet. I actually drove past the place twice because I couldn't see it. Trust me though, it's there!

Sidecar will have a rotating menu of flavors. They plan to have anywhere from six to ten flavors at any given time, however, Maple Bacon, Birthday Cake and Cinnamon Crumb will likely be constant on the menu. Unfortunately, the flavors I was looking forward to trying the most, guava, passion fruit and rosemary, were not on the menu of opening flavors. They plan to keep the public updated on the current roster of flavors on Facebook (facebook.com/sidecardoughnuts), Twitter (@sidecardoughnts not a typo, leave out the "u") and their website. The flavors I got try try were Huckleberry, Birthday Cake, Malasada, Malasada with Haupia, Raspberry & Cream, Cinnamon Crumb, Meyer Lemon Poundcake, Maple Bacon, Callebaut Chocolate and Toasted Coconut.

Of the 10 flavors I tried, the Toasted Coconut had to be my favorite. A light, fluffy doughnut, covered with a thin layer of glaze was topped with a generous sprinkling of toasted coconut. My second favorite was the Malasada with Haupia filling. A malasada is a Portugese-style doughnut that is often found in Hawaii. Haupia is a coconut milk based custard-like filling.

Sidecar takes great care to make sure that their doughnuts not only have visual appeal, but are made from the finest ingredients. The huckleberries they use for the Huckleberry doughnut are hand-foraged from the wild in the forests of Oregon. This seems a little extreme to me, but it was a mighty tasty doughnut. Because of the high-quality ingredients, prices at Sidecar range from $2-$4 for a single doughnut. This may seem steep when you're used to paying 60 cents to a dollar for a doughnut at your local doughnut shop, but relatively cheap when you consider what some other high-end "gourmet" desserts are going for these days.

I also have to talk about their coffee......oh the coffee..... Sidecar has brought in coffee from Oregon, roasted by Stumptown coffee. I was handed a cup of this coffee when I walked in the door. I casually took a sip, expecting this to be an average cup of Joe. What I experienced though was one of the best cups of coffee I have ever had. I believe the roast I had was the Indonesia Sumatra. The coffee was rich and perfectly balanced. Drip coffee is available by the cup for $3. Coffee beans are also available by the bag to take home, but come at a premium....about $18 for a 12 oz. bag.

Overall, I think that Sidecar doughnuts is a great place to go and get yourself a quick, gourmet treat. With the prices though, it's likely I won't be stopping in every time I get a hankering for doughnuts. I do look forward to returning and trying the guava, passion fruit, rosemary and other unique flavors that they come out with. I know I'll be keeping a close eye on their Twitter feed and Facebook page to see what flavors are coming next!

FYI. Doughnuts are available from 7AM Monday-Friday and 8AM on the weekends, until they run out. They drop new doughnuts into the fryer about every 30 minutes and their last fry is currently at 12:31 PM.

Smashburger

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 21:25:00 +0000

Smashburger - Orange County
26541 Aliso Creek Rd, Ste C
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
949-716-3855

1003 The Shops at Mission Viejo
(Inside the mall food court)
Mission Viejo, CA 92691
949-364-1246

www.smashburger.com

SEE BOTTOM OF ARTICLE FOR A SMASHBURGER GIFT CARD GIVEAWAY!

SmashBurger, a chain that started in Denver CO, has recently begun to expand into Orange County. I was invited down to sample some of their offerings. SmashBurger sets themselves apart from their competition by literally smashing their burgers down on a flat top grill. They say that this puts a good sear on the meat and thereby gives the beef patty a good exterior crust while retaining the juices. Below is a video of the process they go through to create a SmashBurger.

It seems that Smashbugers across the country all have regional specialty burgers in addition to the standard SmashBurgers. The two regional burgers for the Orange County area are "The LA Burger" and "The OC Burger." I decided to try the LA burger and V tried the OC burger.

The LA burger consists of a beef patty topped with a crispy wonton, fried egg, cilantro, cucumber, lettuce, tomato and a Japanese Steakhouse ginger dressing. The burger was very good. The cucumbers and the cilantro gave the burger a very fresh, crisp taste. However, I felt that the dressing was a little on the bland side.

The OC burger was topped with baby portabella mushrooms, baby arugula, grilled onions, aged swiss cheese and truffle mayo. V enjoyed her OC burger a lot. She loved that the grilled onions were nice and caramelized instead of barely grilled like at some other burger places. She thought that the truffle mayo was very good but felt that there was a little too much of it on the burger. She said she would definitely get this burger again, but would just ask them to go easy on the mayo.

I also got to try one of their Fresh Mex chicken sandwiches. A chicken breast is pounded out until it is really thin and then grilled on the flat top. The chicken was topped with guacamole, cilantro, pepper jack cheese, tomato, onion, sour cream and chipotle mayo. I would usually never choose a chicken sandwich over a burger, but I think I really enjoyed this sandwich more than my burger. The chicken was cooked well and was not dry at all. The sandwich had a nice spicy kick to it and was full of flavor.

Smashburger offers a variety of side dishes. Their signature Smashfries are tossed with rosemary, olive oil and garlic. They were very tasty with a pungent kick of rosemary. Fries are also available in sweet potato form and can be smothered with chili and cheese. Fried pickles and onion haystacks are available at the Aliso Viejo location. They also offer fried green beans and carrot sticks.

In addition to burgers, SmashBurger offers a variety of chicken sandwiches, hot dogs and salads. Burgers are also available with a veggie patty. Ice cream shakes and malts are made with Haagen Dazs ice cream and are very rich and decadent. I love the fact that they offer a malt option, instead of just a plain milkshake.

Overall, I was very happy with the food at SmashBurger. I feel that the prices are reasonable and the burgers are much better than your standard fast food joint. I also appreciate the fact that they take the time to present the burgers nicely, instead of just wrapping them in paper and throwing them in a bag. SmashBurger currently has the two location in Aliso Viejo and Mission Viejo and plans to open a third location in San Clemente in the next six months. They are also currently looking for a location in the Irvine area.

SmashBurger has offered to give away a $20 gift card to one lucky reader! Use the form below to enter! GIVEAWAY VALID ONLY FOR RESIDENTS OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA!

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Fish Camp - Huntington Beach

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 23:17:00 +0000

Fish Camp
16600 Pacific Coast Highway
Huntington Beach (Sunset Beach), CA 92649
562-592-2267
www.samsfishcamp.com

I was recently invited down to try the new menu at Fish Camp in Huntington Beach. Fish Camp is a fast-casual dining concept from the owners of the King's Fish House chain. All of the suppliers are the same, so you basically get the same food as you would get at King's, but at a slightly lower price point because they have eliminated the traditional wait-staff. They also offer only a limited selection of beer, wine and a few cocktails instead of a full bar.

As you enter the restaurant, there is a small fish market where you can buy fresh fish by the pound. One difference between King's Fish House and Fish Camp is that Fish Camp mongers all of their fish in the restaurant every day.

We started out the meal with a few appetizers. JL ordered a cup of the Clam Chowder ($2.95 cup, $5.25 bowl, $7.75 sourdough bowl) and an order of the Crab Cakes ($7.95). I started out my meal with the Baja Shrimp Cocktail ($5.75). We split an order of the Ahi Tuna Poke ($8.75) as well. Lastly, we also both had a Cajun Bloody Mary ($5.75) that we both thought was awesome. It was made with Absolut Peppar vodka to give it an extra kick.

JL really enjoyed his clam chowder. He said that it was really creamy and had a stronger seafood flavor than most clam chowders. He thought that the crab cakes were pretty good, but a little dry.

My Baja Shrimp Cocktail kind of reminded me of shrimp on top of a cold gazpacho soup. The cocktail consisted of a cup of a chunky, cold tomato sauce with avocado mixed in. The shrimp were sliced in half lengthwise and placed on top of the sauce. It was served with crispy tortilla chips. This dish would be the perfect, refreshing start to a warm, balmy summer evening spent relaxing on their patio in the cool ocean breeze.

The Ahi Tuna Poke has peanuts in it. I also felt it was slightly underseasoned. The dish wasn't bad, but I feel it could be improved.
For my main course, I ordered the King Crab Legs (market price, $33.50/1-lb. on 2/7/13). The dinner plates come with your choice of two sides. I chose brown rice and cheesy grits. JL ordered the Sea Scallop plate ($16.75) with french fries and cheesy grits. I really enjoyed my king crab legs. The legs had been partially split open with a knife and the crab was easy to remove from the shell. The crab was cooked perfectly. The cheesy grits were very good. JL and I both agreed that it was a very good, however slightly unusual side dish. The brown rice was just plain, steamed rice. I was hoping for it to be slightly seasoned.

JL enjoyed his scallops. He said that they were smaller than a lot of scallops that he has gotten at other restaurants, but that they were packed full of flavor. He described them as dense in a good way and very tasty.

To finish off our meal, I decided to try a piece of their Chocolate Cake ($4.55).

JL got a piece of their Key Lime Pie ($4.45). The key lime pie is made in-house. JL thought that it was very good and has a nice tang to it. The chocolate cake is made by an outside bakery. The cake was served cold and was dense and fudgy, the way I like it.

Overall, I think that Fish Camp is a very good option if you are looking for a fast-casual seafood experience. The seafood is all of very high quality and it is prepared well. One of the managers was telling me that the company is looking to open a new Fish Camp location by the end of the year and they hope it to be in South Orange County. In the near future, they will be focusing on opening more Fish Camp locations than King's Fish Houses. I hope they open one near me soon!

Pitfire Pizza - Costa Mesa

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 18:00:00 +0000

353 E 17th St.

Costa Mesa, CA 92627

949-313-6333

www.pitfirepizza.com

Please Note: The following is a guest review written by Jeff L.

I attended a media event so take my reviews as such. I was coming from PCH and drove past the restaurant but the parking behind it is very intuitive. This is the first restaurant of theirs in OC and the 6th location overall having been in LA for years. Costa Mesa makes sense for a restaurant like this with its simple, laid back atmosphere yet subtle attention to details. For example, the column you see when ordering was made out of mahogany from a boat deck, the bulbs on the wall to your left as you walk in spell Pitfire in braille, and the seats are made from VW beetle car seats. The place is very approachable and I liked the open counter seating encouraging you to sit next to the kitchen in a community type arrangement. The counter made me think of a diner meets European café setting.

The drink menu was limited but focused to make anyone happy. They have all your major wines but all hand picked trying to get from California if they could. I had one of the signature cocktails called Crystal Cove which was quite refreshing and the rosemary stick made for an interesting touch – you could smell the fresh rosemary though drinking it could be challenging because the rosemary kept wanting to go in my nose – I somehow managed though. I had a sample of the beer which was very refreshing yet bold in flavor. They have from 5-10 beers on tap. In addition to regular sangria they also offered a pear apple version. The boomboom red wine was excellent and highly recommended by management. It reminded me of a daily drinkable Italian table wine that just was what it was. For pricing of $7 to $12 a glass it was perfect with the pizza.

The chicken meatballs were uneventful but the sauce brought them to life. On to pizza, I tried several and all were excellent. The crust was thin akin to a southern Italy but not crispy on the bottom. The topping to crust ratio was just right. The edge of the pizza crust was quite crispy though giving it a good combination. I am not a pumpkin person usually but pumpkin squash pizza was quite lovely, very subtle yet flavorful with the brown butter and fontina cheese rounding it out nicely. The Burrata pie was excellent with the arugula a nice touch. One pizza had me intrigued because it was pear but had a spicy kick, turns out they put a few red chili flakes on it. On to my favorite, the sausage party was divine and seeing all that meat on it had me anticipating a more saltier version but the balsamic drizzle kept it at bay and really brought out the flavor. The final pizza was the Tuscan off-menu with thinly sliced potatoes of all things but it worked.

Chicken Meatballs

Pumpkin Pizza

Burrata Pizza

Sausage Party Pizza

Tuscan Pizza with Potatoes

They make almost if not all of their own food and even have their own bread room. In the spirit of community they have a nice private dining room behind the kitchen and even installed the first oven they ever used from 15 years ago. Overall it has high quality food made by people that are passionate about what they do. The three themes of food, design and community are abundant throughout the entire experience and I will definitely be back with a high recommendation.

Hopscotch Tavern - Downtown Fullerton

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 01:25:00 +0000

Hopscotch Tavern

136 E. Commonwealth Ave

Fullerton, CA 92832

714-871-2222

www.hopscotchtavern.com

Housed in the old Fullerton train depot, Hopscotch Tavern will be opening any day now (Most likely Wed 11/21). I was recently invited to check out the place before it opens to the public. Hopscotch will offer a full-service menu and a premium selection of whiskeys and craft beers. Their focus will be on providing a laid-back vibe with high-end drinks, so don't expect to come here and find $2 beer specials. The atmosphere feels casual and upscale to me at the same time. The bar is made from old whiskey barrels and there are eye-catching whiskey and beer themed quotes painted on the walls.

Hopscotch will serve lunch and dinner 7-days a week and brunch on Saturday and Sundays. The menu will consist of comfort foods at a reasonable price. It seems that a bulk of their menu will consist of barbecue items like pulled pork, pulled beef and pulled chicken with various styles of barbecue sauces. They will also offer a full rack of ribs for $19. A selection of cheese-stuffed burgers, that we did not get a chance to try, will also be available. All of the food from Hopscotch will be made fresh in-house with the exception of their hamburger buns.

The two items that stood out to me were the Huevos Diablos (Deviled Eggs $5) and the Cracklin' Rosemary Flatbread ($5). The deviled eggs are quite tasty, but a little sweeter than I like. The star of the night for me was the Cracklin' Rosemary Flatbread. Butter drenched, rosemary infused flatbread was topped off with crunchy bits of pork cracklins (chicharrones). It was a flavor explosion that will definitely bring me back.

Hopscotch will also offer a variety of desserts including the ButterSCOTCH cake ($6) that is pictured below. This is a rich, crumbly, dense butter cake that is infused with a splash of scotch whiskey.

Hopscotch is a place that I would recommend for people looking to unwind with an appetizer or a nice dessert after dinner with a premium glass of whiskey. I also look forward to trying their brunch. The brunch items range from $6-$9 and include items such as Hawaiian Bread French Toast, Pulled Pork Benedict, Sweet Potato Waffle and Biscuits and Gravy.

Capriotti's Tustin - Grand Opening and Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 01:28:00 +0000

I went down to the Grand Opening of Capriotti's today in The District at Tustin Legacy. The new sandwich shop is located next to Peet's Coffee. I have been excited to try this sandwich shop ever since I heard about the sandwich they are famous for, The Bobbie. The Bobbie is basically Thanksgiving on a freshly baked roll. Capriotti's freshly roasts turkeys every day in their shop and also bakes their rolls from scratch. They take a generous portion of the freshly roasted turkey and top it with cranberry sauce, stuffing and mayo. The sandwich is absolutely delicious. The only thing I can think of that would improve this sandwich is if they added a nice slather of chilled turkey gravy to it. Capriotti's makes it possible for me to have this sandwich any time of year instead of just when I make it for myself the day after Thanksgiving!

The sandwiches at Capriotti's come in three sizes, small, medium and large. The small is 9 inches, the medium is 12 inches and the large is a whopping 20 inches! I couldn't believe all the people I saw walking out of the shop with sandwiches that were almost as long as their arm! The Bobbie is $7.49 for a small, $8.99 for a medium and $12.99 for a large.

Capriotti's has graciously offered up two "Meal for Two" vouchers for me to give away to two lucky readers. Each voucher is redeemable at any Capriotti's location for two 9-inch subs, two bags of chips and two drinks. Enter to win below!

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Panera Gift Card Giveaway!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 00:23:00 +0000

To celebrate the opening of their new Mission Viejo, CA location (25523 Marguerite Parkway, Suite A2), Panera invited me down to sample some of their menu items and give away a couple of gift cards to my readers.

We were able to sample many of their items from sandwiches to soups and freshly made breads. Every morning Panera freshly makes all of their baked goods. The baked goods from the previous day are donated to a local charity.

Of all the items I tried, I believe that my favorite was the Sonoma Chicken Stew with a Dry Jack Cheese Biscuit (pictured above on the left). The stew was very creamy and reminded me of the filling of a great chicken pot pie. In fact, I was thinking of buying a large batch of this later to bring home and bake into some pie shells. The chicken stew is a seasonal item though, so get it while you can! Panera has graciously offered to give away two $10 gift cards to two lucky readers. Use the rafflecopter form below to enter!

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St. Regis Monarch Beach to host a Beaujolais Nouveau Farm-to-Table Wine Dinner

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 19:47:00 +0000

Chef Castan, St. Regis Monarch Beach

When: Thursday, November 15, 2012

Reception: 6:00pm

Dinner: 7:00pm

Where: Motif Restaurant

The St. Regis Monarch Beach

One Monarch Beach Resort

Dana Point, CA 92629

The St. Regis in Monarch Beach will be hosting a Beaujolais Nouveau Farm-To-Table wine dinner on Thursday November 15th. A pre-dinner reception will begin at 6:00 PM on the Sunset Terrace of Motif. This won't just be a rinky dink reception though, the pre-dinner festivities will include bruschetta, an oyster station and artisanal cheese tasting. After the reception, they will unveil this year's Beaujolais Nouveau with Chef Castan's 5-course dinner menu that is inspired by French wines and Lyon, the gourmet city of France. Tickets are extremely limited and are $85 each. Ticket price includes mentioned wine and food. Tickets are available by contacting Jacqueline Doti at 949-234-3405 or jacqueline.doti@stregis.com Below is the full menu for the event:

Reception

Fresh Farmer's Market Bruschetta

Oyster Station

Artisanal Cheese Tasting

2012 Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau

First Course

Fish soup featuring Carlsbad Aqua Farms Mussels and Clams

with Braised Baby Fennel and Saffron Broth

Second Course

Roasted Organic Breast of Guinea Hen and 'Boudin Blanc' with Chanterelle and Lobster Mushroom Ragout featuring a Temecula Olive Oil Company White Balsamic Vinegar Jus

Third Course

Classic Beef Bourguignon with Parsnip Puree and Winter Vegetables

Fourth Course

Warm Burgundy Cheese and Petite Seasonal Salad finished with Temecula Olive Oil Company Roasted Garlic Extra Virgin Olive Oil Vinaigrette

Le Beaujolais

Roasted Apples with Red Wine Sorbet and Milk Chocolate Cream

2012 Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau

$85 per person

California Strawberry Tea Kettle Giveaway!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 17:57:00 +0000

Summer is slowly winding down and this also means the end of strawberry season. There's still a little time left to get some great California strawberries though! To celebrate the end of another great season, the California Strawberry Commission has partnered with Griffin Eats OC to give away a Copco Strawberry Tea Kettle! To enter the contest, wait for the Rafflecopter form below to load and then follow the directions to enter!

Did you know that in addition to being delicious, strawberries are EXTREMELY healthy?
Here is an excerpt from David Grotto's book 101 Optimal Life Foods with some great info about the health benefits of strawberries:

Strawberries are SUPER! Let Me Count the Ways

By David Grotto, RD, LDN

Author of 101 Optimal Life Foods

Spokesperson for the California Strawberry Commission

You may have seen the term “superfruit” associated with various fruits in the marketplace. It certainly has become a popular term tossed around quite a bit in the media lately. It prompted me to think, “What exactly qualifies a fruit to be ‘super’?”

When writing 101 Foods That Could Save Your Life, I researched the term “superfruit” and found that there wasn’t a legal definition for it. But as a registered dietitian, I knew that certain fruits had unique qualities and health attributes that made them different from others. In deciding what fruits to include as worthy members of the 101 Foods book, I looked for distinguishing factors such as nutrient density, which is a measure of how much nutrition is delivered in comparison to the calories provided.

Another important attribute was evaluating the health benefits of adding in a specific fruit into the diet. But as a consumer who also has an eye on taste and versatility, regardless of how healthy and nutritious a superfruit is, if it isn’t accessible, easy to prepare, and great tasting, then in my book, that fruit is less-than-stellar. Not surprisingly, strawberries are a perfect example of a superfruit that meets all “super” criteria!

Super Nutritious

And with such a low calorie and sugar profile they are a welcome addition for people who want to look and feel their best all year long – not just in the summer! Strawberries are packed with a variety of nutrients including vitamin C, folate, fiber and potassium.

They also contain important plant nutrients called polyphenols such as anthocyanins, ellagic acid, ellagitannins, gallotannins, quercetin, kaempferol and phenolic acids.

Super Healthy

Being nutritious is great, but what about the effect of those nutrients on health? Scores of studies exist that evaluate the health benefits of the nutrients found in strawberries.

• Potassium helps control blood pressure and fight stroke.

• Fiber helps control weight and relieve constipation.

• Vitamin C helps repair damage in the body and is an important nutrient in promoting a healthy immune system. This is especially important during cold and flu season. Folate is a B vitamin that fights birth defects and helps control the inflammatory process associated with heart disease.

The plant nutrients found in strawberries, particularly polyphenols, have antioxidant capabilities that can reduce inflammation and oxidative stress. These two harmful processes have been linked to major challenges to our health, including cancer, cardiovascular and neurological disease, arthritis, obesity, diabetes, autoimmune disorders and pulmonary disease. Polyphenols help protect and repair cells.

Research on these and other nutrients found in strawberries have shown

promise in various studies in:

• Improving cognitive decline,

• Reducing damage that leads to aging,

• Enhanced signaling between brain cells,

• Reducing total and LDL cholesterol and preventing the oxidation of LDL cholesterol,

• Reducing the requirement of insulin for glucose control, and

• Protecting DNA from harmful mutations.

Super Accessible

Some superfruits are only available fresh at certain times of the year or not at all – not so super. Because California strawberries are grown year round, you can find them fresh or frozen at your local grocery store whenever you want them.

Super Delicious

Perhaps this is the one “super” trait that trumps them all. Who cares if a fruit is good for you if it isn’t delicious? In fact, strawberries are ranked #1 as kids’ favorite fruit and adults love them, too! They are versatile as an ingredient in salads, soups, sweet and savory dishes…you name it. And best of all, they are pretty super tasting all by themselves.

References

Willis LM, Shukitt-Hale B, Joseph JA. Recent advances in berry supplementation and age-related

cognitive decline. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2009 Jan;12(1):91-4. Review.

Shukitt-Hale B, Lau FC, Joseph JA. Berry Fruit Supplementation and the Aging Brain. J Agric Food

Chem. 2008 Feb 13;56(3):636-41.

Basu A et al. Freeze-dried strawberry powder improves lipid profile and lipid peroxidation in women

with metabolic syndrome: baseline and post intervention effects. Nutr J. 2009 Sep 28;8:43.

Jenkins DJ et al. The effect of strawberries in a cholesterol-lowering dietary portfolio. Metabolism.

2008 Dec;57(12): 1636-44.

Zafra-Stone S. et al. Berry anthocyanins as novel antioxidants in human health and disease. Mol Nutr

Food Res, 2007 Jun;51(6): 675-83.

Weaver J et al. Strawberry polyphenols are equally cytotoxic to tumorigenic and human breast and

prostate cell lines. Int J Oncol. 2009 Mar;34(3): 777-86.

Cheplick S, Kwon YI, Bhowmik P, Shetty K. Phenolic-linked variation in strawberry cultivars

for potential dietary management of hyperglycemia and related complications of hypertension.

Bioresour Technol. 2010 Jan;101(1): 404-13.

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Agora Churrascaria - Irvine

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 23:15:00 +0000

Agora's Passion Fruit Caipirinha

Agora Churrascaria
1830 Main Street
Irvine, CA 92614

949-222-9910
www.agoranow.com

Agora Churrascaria is a restaurant that I am sure many of you have heard of. It is known as Orange County's best Brazilian Steakhouse aka Churrascaria. Large skewers of fire-roasted meats are paraded around the restaurant and sliced directly onto your plate. It's a veritable all-you-can-eat meat-apalooza. Since every article written about this place is focused on the meat....the juicy, tender, succulent, flavorful, scrumptious meat....I have decided to talk a little bit about something different. The salad bar.

The salad bar at Agora Churrascaria is included in every meal. The idea is that you are supposed to go up to the salad bar to get yourself a salad or some side dishes before you gorge yourself on meat. Often times though, I see many people skip the salad bar altogether and just pig out on meat. Now, while this may seem like a good way to get your money's worth, you're really missing out on some of the best stuff that Agora has to offer.

Here are a few pictures of the salad bar.

The salad bar is filled with some of the most delicious, fresh produce you have ever seen. Red, ripe juicy tomatoes with fresh mozzarella and thick stalks of asparagus are laid out in a meticulous fashion. You will also find a nice selection of cured meats, like salami and prosciutto spread out near a giant platter of crumbled parmesan cheese. Large peeled shrimp are served chilled with cocktail sauce. One side of the salad bar is made of pre-made salads like pasta salad and potato salad and are among some of the best you will ever have.

In addition to the chilled salad bar, there is also a hot food bar that includes several different side dishes that would often be seen as a meal by themselves. On the hot food bar you will find selections such as black bean stew (fejioada), clams with olive oil and white wine, chicken stroganoff, garlic rice, salmon, mussels, sautéed collard greens and mashed potatoes.

So, while I would still highly encourage anyone to visit Agora when they want to pig out on meat, I urge you to give the salad bar a try. You will find some delightful treats that will nicely complement your meat feast. Perhaps you can even use some of the selections from the cold bar to cool yourself down after the meat sweats start...

Current prices as of August 2012:
Adult Lunch: $25
Adult Dinner: $43
Hot Bar and Salad Bar Only: $21 lunch/$31 dinner
Children age 6-10 are half price

Bruxie Gourmet Waffle Sandwiches

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 17:00:00 +0000

Bruxie Gourmet Waffle Sandwiches
Rancho Santa Margarita 22205 El Paseo, Suite A RSM, CA 92688 Open Daily Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner 949.207.6570

Brea Downtown 215 W. Birch Street Brea, CA 92821 9am - 9pm Sun - Wed 9am - 10pm Thur - Sat 714.255.1188

Old Towne Orange 292 North Glassell Street Orange, CA 92866 9am - 9pm Sun - Wed 9am - 10pm Thur - Sat 714.633.3900

www.bruxie.com If you live in Orange County and you haven't yet heard of Bruxie Waffles, you're probably living under a rock. Bruxie opened their first shop near the Orange Circle about 18 months ago. Since then, they have expanded to three locations due to their extreme popularity. In addition to their original location in Orange, they now have locations in Brea and Rancho Santa Margarita.

For those of you that are uninitiated to the waffle sandwich, the concept may sound a little weird, but I assure you that it is good. Bruxie offers a variety of gourmet sandwiches, but uses freshly made waffles instead of the standard bread. The sandwiches are inspired by the common street food in Brussels. The light, airy, crispy waffles take a boring old sandwich and turn it into a culinary delight.

I was recently able to attend that grand opening celebration of the Bruxie Waffles in Rancho Santa Margarita. I was able to sample a wide variety of their sandwiches including:

Chicken and Waffles with Maple Syrup $7.95

Hot Pastrami $7.95

Turkey Avocado Club $8.95

Philly Cheesesteak

Roasted Mushroom and Goat Cheese $7.95

Green Eggs and Ham $6.95

Patty Melt

Lemon Cream and Berries (Very Tart! $6.50)

S'mores ($5.95)

Seasonal Creme Brulee ($6.50)

Overall, the fan favorite for the night seemed to be the Hot Pastrami. Shaved Boar's Head pastrami is served hot with Gruyere cheese, cider slaw, spicy brown mustard and half-sour pickles. The flavors all work together well to bring forth an amazing hot pastrami sandwich. Bruxie also offers a selection of frozen custards and old fashioned cane-sugar sodas. You won't find and Pepsi or Coke here. The next time you're out looking for a sandwich, I highly recommend that you stop by your closest Bruxie for a taste experience that you won't soon forget.

California Avocado Prize Pack Giveaway!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 04 Jul 2012 21:39:00 +0000

To celebrate California Avocado Week, I am giving away a California Avocado Prize pack to one lucky reader! The prize pack includes an apron, a t-shirt, an avocado "slice and scoop", some avocado recipes and an insulated cooler bag. Enter the contest below by entering a blog comment, liking Griffin Eats OC on Facebook, liking California Avocados on Facebook, liking our sister site Dining Out In OC on Facebook or following Griffin Eats OC on Twitter. If you do everything, you will get 5 entries! Enter by using the form below!

**UPDATE** You can now also earn one extra entry for sharing this contest on Facebook or Twitter.

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California Avocado Week at Downtown Disney, July 1-7 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 15:13:00 +0000

California Avocado Week is running now through July 7th. During avocado week, you will be treated to daily cooking demonstrations, a daily guacamole making contest with prizes, samples and giveaways. Events start at 5:00 PM near ESPN Zone. Most of the Downtown Disney restaurants will also be featuring special avocado-themed dishes. Here is the press release for more detailed info:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Downtown Disney Presents Second Annual California Avocado Week July 1 - July 7
Public Invited to Free Interactive Chef Demonstrations, Food Sampling and Guacamole Contest

WHAT: Downtown Disney has teamed up with the California Avocado Commission to present the second annual California Avocado Week at Downtown Disney. To kick off the celebration of American Summer Holidays and the 4th of July, Downtown Disney and California Avocado Commission are hosting free chef demos and a guacamole contest that is free to the public.

Each day, beginning July 1 and continuing through July 7, a chef from one of Downtown Disney’s premiere restaurants will take center stage, demonstrating culinary creations starring fresh California avocados, which are in season now. Attendees will be invited to taste the featured dish.

Following the cooking demonstration, there will be an interactive “Guac Off” competition. A select number of guests will be chosen to create a personalized guacamole recipe using a selection of ingredients. Daily grand prize winners will receive a $100 Downtown Disney gift card and $85 California avocado gift pack.

In addition, throughout the week, restaurants in Downtown Disney will feature special California avocado menu items and Sephora will offer refreshing avocado facials.

WHEN: Free interactive public events commence at 5 p.m. on July 1 and continue through July 7

WHERE: Downtown Disney
1580 S. Disneyland Drive (at Disneyland Drive and Magic Way)
Anaheim, CA 92802

FOOD DEMO CALENDAR (Some recipes will be available for posting):

Sunday, July 1 Chef Meyer, House of Blues, California Avocado and Blue Cheese Crusted Rib Eye

Monday, July 2 Chef Thomas Keaveny, ESPN Zone, Mini California Avocado Shrimp Clubs and Grilled Chicken California Avocado Wrap

Tuesday, July 3 Chef Dore Sommer, Rainforest Café, Awesome Appetizer Adventure and Guacamole Burger

Wednesday, July 4 Chef Alejandro Reyna, La Brea Bakery, Shrimp and Salsa Stuffed California Avocado and Turkey California Avocado Sandwich

Thursday, July 5 Chef Darrin Finkel, Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen, Fried Green Tomato BLT with California Avocado and Jazz Kitchen French Quarter Salad with California Avocado

Friday, July 6 Chef Jose Estrada, Tortilla Jo’s, Ceviche de Huauchinango Shots and Shrimp and California Avocado Enchiladas

Saturday, July 7 Chef Nick Weber, Catal Restaurant, Tartare of Hamachi with Shisho, Micro Cilantro and California Avocado and Jalapeno Sorbet