Restaurant Winner!

Fine, only a handful of you foodies out there voted for the Best Restaurant in O.C. "Marche Moderne" wins with "Tabu Grill" and "Studio" at the Montage tying for second place. Thank you for your votes...it was fun! Congratulations Marche Moderne, and keep up the excellent work! Until next time.

Cheers!

San Shi Go

The jewel of a town Laguna Beach has about six sushi bars between north and south Laguna to satisfy your sushi desires. The one that has my heart is “San Shi Go” and my family and I have been loyal fans of San Shi Go for the past twenty-one years. The restaurant is located on the third floor in a three-tiered shopping center at the corner of Pacific Coast Highway and Oak Streets. In addition to a full sushi bar menu, San Shi Go offers a complete traditional Japanese lunch and dining menu.

Yuji-San, our sushi chef for this particular evening, has been behind the sushi bar serving his customers for fourteen years and we were pleased to have him wait on us that night. Folks, don’t get me wrong…all the sushi chefs at San Shi Go (Koichi, Taku, Yoshi and Jimmy) are wonderful each with a special creativity and at times it is difficult deciding which sushi chef we want to serve us.

My traditional favorite dish is the “Spicy Seafood Salad” with fresh ginger dressing (a top secret recipe). This refreshing salad is a pleasant mixture of crispy romaine and iceberg lettuce layered with slices of salmon, yellowtail, albacore tuna, octopus, shrimp and crab meat then sprinkled with thinly sliced Thai chili peppers, crispy radish sprouts and drizzled with the famous house ginger dressing. I have had ginger dressing at other Japanese restaurants but San Shi Go’s ginger dressing tops them all due to the hearty flavor and lack of heavy oils in the ingredients.

Another favored of mine is the “Cajun Salmon Roll” which is filled with lots of veggies, crab meat, shrimp tempura, avocado, cucumber and a tad bit of spicy mayonnaise then rolled with Cajun seared salmon slices. This cut roll is then drizzled with ponzu sauce then topped with either slivered green onions or crispy fried onions and both toppings add a pleasant, distinct flavor. I could sit here and choose the perfect adjective to describe this cut roll, but you would have to experience it for yourself to get my drift.

The sushi chefs are so creative, any vegan or vegetarian can easily dine at the sushi bar counter and the chefs will make up all kinds of non-fish cut and hand rolls. Although, if you are a veggie head or vegan, you may want to dine in their dining room and save the sushi bar for the serious sushi and sashimi eaters. In any case, all you have to do is have the sushi chef eliminate the bonito flakes from the shishito pepper dish and omit the side of spicy calamari rings from the wonderful spinach salad and you have a dish fit for vegans and veggie heads alike!

A local favorite amongst the non-fish eaters are the “Shishito Peppers” which are vibrant little sweet-hot Japanese peppers. At San Shi Go the peppers are served two ways…one wrapped with seared albacore tuna and the other sautéed and topped with bonito flakes. For those with tender palates, do not let the peppers keep you from ordering them since they are only mildly spicy (humm…could that be an oxy-moron?).

San Shi Go offers a wonderful “Spinach Mushroom Salad” consisting of fresh spinach leaves which have been gently sautéed with sliced domestic and Portobello mushrooms. Crispy thin julienned potatoes and a special dressing are the finishing ingredients for the spinach salad. Occasionally, my spousal unit has an order of Spicy Calamari pieces added to the salad…a nice crunchy bite.

As sushi dishes go San Shi Go has all the traditional fare but another favorite of mine is the “Kampachi Sushi”. Nice size pieces of yellowtail (a firm white fish) are sprinkled with uzu zest (Japanese citrus) then topped with a special black pepper paste. It is a brilliant blend of lemon and pepper and very refreshing.

I had no room for dessert but San Shi Go serves up a good looking “Tempura Ice Cream” which is ice cream wrapped in pound cake then tempura battered and deep fried. This sweet, crispy dish is served to you with a mound of whipped cream…dig in!

This dining establishment has been doing great business in my little town since they opened their doors due to the fact that they have very fresh sushi, creative chefs, great service, an outdoor patio dining area for those sexy summer nights, sake, beer, wine and $great prices$.

In conclusion, two generations of my family have thoroughly enjoyed San Shi Go and, the restaurant is also a favorite local dining spot for the cast members (when they're back home for a visit) of the former MTV reality show, ”Laguna Beach”...bring your autograph book! Thanks San Shi Go and see you tonight for my sushi fix!

Cheers!


Open Daily Serving Lunch and Dinner

Bistro Le Crillon

How is it that some of the quaintest little restaurants are hidden away in measly little strip shopping centers? Tucked away in the Eastbluff Shopping Center in Newport Beach is a diamond in the rough, the charming French bistro, “Bistro Le Crillon”. Owned and operated by the husband and wife team of Chantal Berton de Crillon as chef and Diego Ostroski as Wine Director, Bistro Le Crillon has been at this location since 1989. Chantal, originally from the south of France, can proudly say she is a descendent of the famous Hotel de Crillon family in Paris whose grand hotel, impeccable service and extraordinary haute cuisine date back to the 1700s. Chantal also happens to be the Executive Chef and a “seasoned” one at that!

To get into the bistro you must first walk through a semi-enclosed courtyard that has a warm fireplace and plenty of comfortable seating. Should you decide to order a drink from their full bar prior to your dining experience, the outdoor patio with classic French songs playing in the background is a lovely place to enjoy a cocktail (guys, for the record… Diego mixes up a perfect vodka martini) or glass of wine before you head into dinner. Although hubby tapped into to his personal wine cellar and brought along a 1989 Vieux Telegraphe Chateau Neuf-du-Pape (ONE of my favorite varietals!), next time I dine at Bistro I may just have to try a bottle from their extensive wine collection – a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence.

We ventured out to Bistro Le Crillon on a weekend and although our reservation was for 7:30 p.m. the restaurant had only one patron who was sitting at the bar chatting with Chantal. The fact that business was extremely slow did not keep Chantal from greeting us graciously and serving up some wonderfully tasty Provencal bistro fare.

For our first course we ordered the “Terrine of Wild Duck with Pistachios and Cornichons.” Guys, a cornichon is a baby gherkin pickle which is small, very crunchy and sweet. The terrine was a tad bit on the dry side and I did expect a creamier texture but the flavor was very good. My spousal unit started with “French Tomato Soup” that Chantal makes with low-fat sour cream, croutons and parsley. It was velvety and delicious, we almost licked the bowl (ok…”I” almost liked the bowl)! How in the world can a “low-fat” soup be so darn tasty?

My second course was the “Medallions of Venison” with a scoop of pureed chestnuts, polenta, lingonberry sauce and green apple and celery puree. Chantal suggested I cut a small piece of venison then dip the piece into each separate sauce so I would be able to experience the various flavors that accompanied my meat. Great idea since each sauce and the puree had such distinctive flavors each one working very well with the gamey venison. My chestnut puree had a nice “earthy” flavor and my only “beef” is that it was slightly dry but the green apple and celery puree made up for it since those sauces were so delicious. The mixed puree reminded me of pommes mousseline (classic French mashed potatoes) with its rich taste and perfect consistency. I could have done without the polenta since it was a little on the torrid side. Chantal also makes a spectacular lingonberry sauce which is a slow reduction of mixed berries. My sauce was splendid and had a beautiful, vibrant burgundy color!

For hubby’s second course he chose the “Wild Boar Papparedelle” which marinates in “secret” ingredients for hours then is slow cooked in its own juices and served aux jus. The intense aroma and smooth texture of the Wild Boar stew tantalized my taste buds and had me humming La Vie en Rose…it was a lovely dish. I have dined at Bistro Le Crillon in the past and have had the “Lapin Aux Prunes” (rabbit stew braised with prunes) and tasted the “Navarin of Lamb Tenderloin” with turnips, carrots and potatoes. Both dishes were spectacular and I have yet to experience a bad meal at Bistro Le Crillon! I must confess Chantal works wonders with wild game.

The piece de resistance for the evening was the “French Valrhona Dark Chocolate Soufflé” which has to be ordered in advance. There are two words that come to mind when I think about that dessert…”deliciously decadent”! The perfect accoutrement to the soufflé would have been a lovely sweet dessert wine such as a golden Chateau Eyquem Sauterne. Alas, maybe next time I will enjoy a glass of sauterne with my dessert from their award wining wine collection.

During these cold, blistery nights should you feel the need for some Provencal comfort food take a ride over to Bistro Le Crillon and allow Chantal and Diego to make you feel warm and fuzzy all over by satiating your palate with their delightful taste treats.

Cheers!


Lunch and Dinner Served
Reasonable Price Point (wild game dishes is more expensive)

Burgers and Beyond!!!

I ask ya, who in the world does not love a great grilled burger?!! “The Counter - Custom Built Burgers” in Irvine offers the best ingredients for a fabulous burger. Located in a huge shopping center at the corner of Sand Canyon and Irvine Blvd., The Counter gives everyone from adults to wee lads the chance to customize their own burger.

I love what they stand for…all of their meat patties are 100% natural and certified humane raised and handled (although I’m not quite sure how one humanely slaughters a cow for its meat?). They also have chicken, turkey, veggie and vegan burgers and use locally sourced produce.

Once you enter the burger joint your server shows you to your table and hands you a small clipboard with a form attached at which time you begin the “steps” to build your own burger - from the personalized ingredients to the size. They have so many wonderful items to choose from and at times when I am really hungry I struggle to make a decision.

Some of The Counter’s great cheese options are Danish blue cheese, soft ripened brie, jalapeno jack and gruyere, just to name a few. Then you move onto your choice of toppings and some selections are Bermuda red onion, dried cranberries, roasted red peppers and grilled pineapples for the fancier burger connoisseur. Once you decide on your topping the next step is to choose a sauce. Oh geez, they have tons of yummy sauces to choose from: apricot sauce, chipotle aioli, ginger soy glaze, tzatziki sauce and hot wing sauce. Those are just some of the sauce options! A hamburger is not a hamburger without a bun and you get three types to choose from -: a regular bun, English muffin or honey wheat bun. If you are going carbohydrate free and for an added $1 you can order the “In a Bowl” option. Although, I do not quite understand why eliminating a bun would make you have to pay more. Hey, I don’t make the rules.

For and extra fee, they also offer “premium toppings”. How about some black forest ham, a fried egg, sun-dried tomatoes or honey cured bacon on your gourmet burger? “Heavens to Mergatroid”, the varieties are endless, where do I start??

Since I have heard so many wonderful things about The Counter’s veggie pattie I had to try it. Guys, it is by far the best veggie burger I have ever tasted…and I have tasted many! Homemade daily, the veggie patties are a scrumptious mixture of fresh brown beans, red peppers, mushrooms, onions, spinach, corn, zucchini, carrots and dried cranberries. Yes, dried cranberries, a great balance of sweet and savory! This veggie burger is my idea of healthy, low-fat, comfort food.

My custom built veggie burger consisted of sharp provolone cheese, Bermuda red onions, dill pickle chips, sprouts, tomatoes and tzatziki (diced cucumbers) sauce on a honey wheat bun. Yum-mee!!

My husband ordered a 2/3 lb. chicken burger on a regular bun with grilled mushrooms, tomatoes, avocado, Muenster cheese, grilled green chilies and garlic aioli. The two skinless, boneless chicken breasts were pounded thin, grilled to perfection and piled high in his bun…it looked and smelled delicious. For starter appetizers you can order the “Fried Dill Pickle Chips” (I have never had them and they don’t sound good to me), “Hobo Pack” (mixed grilled veggies and fresh herbs), “Turkey Chili” or “French or Sweet Potato Fries”. They also have several sandwiches on the menu, a child’s menu and various desserts. The hubby and I split the “Fifty-Fifty”, half crispy french fries and half sweet potato fries. The french fries were lightly seasoned and the sweet potato fries cooked to a crispy perfection. You get a side of horseradish mayonnaise but because the fries were so good, my taste buds were happy without the accompanying sauce.

The Counter also has a great beer and wine selection. Their wine list has a decent variety of California red wines and white wines from New Zealand, Spain, France and the Napa Valley. I preferred a nice lager with my veggie burger so I opted for the “Organic Sam Smith Lager” from the U.K. Sam Smith is a small independent British brewery and they produce a very good lager. The Counter also has an “Organic Wychwood Duchy Ale” and four different Belgian beers in addition to several foreign and domestic beers. “Bitburger” brew anyone?

If you find the room to enjoy dessert after your delicious burger, you have four different choices from “Apple Crumble” to “Key Lime Pie” and a couple of other sweets in between.

Unfortunately, The Counter is at least a thirty minute drive for me (with no traffic) but once I got there, enjoyed my delectable veggie burger and lager, the drive was long forgotten and well worth it!

Open Daily & Very Good Price Point
Outdoor patio for those balmy summer nights.
Many more locations throughout Southern California too!

JETS Wipe Out CHARGERS!

Yep…thought that would get your attention! Actually, I refuse to discuss the game other than to say that the Chargers never showed up, nor did their coach. The outcome was especially hard on my hubby since he is a second generation season ticket holder dating back to 1961. In conclusion, regarding the Chargers all I can say is, “boo-who”!

On a much lighter note, I must share with you our wonderful tailgate party meal and do a review of our own food. My son always teases the hubby and me for our elaborate tailgate food, appetizers and wine…and rightfully so since in the past we have enjoyed the likes of grilled Australian leg of lamb, air-chilled organic whole roasted chickens, teriyaki organic Cornish game hens, New York steak salad, etc.

As tailgate meals go we decided the best playoff game meal should be more traditional so we opted for a special sausage sandwich with a freshly baked French baguette roll and all the accoutrement. Therefore, the ol’man made a special trip out to “Sabatino’s Sausage Company” a.k.a. “Lido Shipyard Sausage Company” in Newport Beach to purchase his prized sausages.

The Sabatino family is from Sicily and they have been making these delicious sausages since 1864. Their sausages are unique in that they are made daily and stuffed with a special goat milk cheese from Sicily and fresh herbs. You can purchase a sausage coil then cut it to order at home before grilling. That is a very fresh sausage my friends!

In my most humble of opinions, to call a sausage sandwich delicious, one must have equally tasty and prepared accompanying toppings. Therefore, we grilled green, orange and yellow bell peppers with sweet Maui onion, fresh garlic slivers and thinly sliced jalapenos, and also served sides of roma tomatoes, sauerkraut and Dijon mustard. As noted in the photo, the veggies were sautéed with a dab of butter which brought out their lovely sweetness but we decided to leave the tomatoes fresh and serve them along side the sauerkraut.
Hubby sliced up the fresh sausage roll into small enough pieces to fit within the wonderful crusty French bread (which, was also baked fresh that very morning!) and began grilling away. As the aromatic Sabatino’s sausages began to grill, you could see some of the cheese begin to ooze out of the casings of the succulent slices of yummy goodness. The cheese actually began to caramelize and turn crunchy on the grill (yes, I nibbled!).

For his special contribution to this hearty meal, our dear friend, John, chopped up a lovely fresh baby spinach salad (he even hand picked the spinach leaves that morning…what a great guy!) which included diced cherry tomatoes, candied pecans, red onion, green grapes, avocado, Craisins (dried cranberries and raisins), crumbled goat cheese and Jenny Craig Balsamic Dressing (advertisement, hey, they should really pay me for this one!). The salad was lively and full of luscious flavors. Thanks John!

For dessert we all enjoyed a grand slice of delectable Cherry Pie…what a way to end a tailgate. Although, I can not end this tailgate review showcasing the perfect sausage sandwich without telling you that with this meal we all shared some very nice wines together.

Our little group was in agreement that the 1999 Arajo Altagracia stood up extremely well to the sausage and jalapeno slices which were in the bell pepper medley leaving the 1995 Palmeyer Red Table wine as our second choice. The crispy, refreshing 2006 William Selyem Chardonnay was very nice with the spinach salad.

In addition to homemade sausages, Sabatino’s serves brunch and has a varied menu offering all the traditional Italian dishes with a touch of Sicily. They also offer vegetarian dishes for the non-carnivores out in blog land.

In any event, the Chargers may have played like chickens with their heads cut off but we decided our tailgate meal showcasing the Sabatino’s sausage sandwiches made their loss seem bearable. And the wine helped! Until next time.

Cheers!

Sabatino’s Sausage Company
251 Shipyard Way, Cabin D
Newport Beach, California 92663
(949) 723-0621
Open Daily and Catering Available

Oki Doki

“Oki Doki” is located in Costa Mesa in a small shopping center at the corner of Bristol and Paularino. The restaurant serves lunch and dinner and offers healthy Japanese, Vietnamese and Chinese style food.

If you do not arrive before noon, good luck my little pork dumpling…there are a handful of other restaurants in the center that cater to the busy lunch crowds - therefore, parking is very limited. I spent about 10 minutes looking for a parking spot (and yes, “patience is a virtue”!). The dining establishment is pretty small with about 18-20 tables so you may feel a little crowded.

I started with a “Thai Ice Tea” which is a mixture of Thai tea, sugar, cream and condensed milk (try not to think about the calories!). My tea was flavorful and not too strong or sweet.

The “Imperial Rolls” are rolls wrapped in rice paper and filled with vermicelli, shrimp, basil, cilantro, mint leaves, bean sprouts and julienned lettuce along with a peanut dipping sauce. Although the accompanying sauce was very good, my roll was over-stuffed with vermicelli noodles and not as much shrimp as I would have liked.

Some folks think you should not go to a Chinese style restaurant without trying Egg Drop Soup. Oki Doki makes a wonderful egg drop soup with a nice flavor, velvety texture and plenty of pieces of corn…I thoroughly enjoyed it!

My dining partner and I decided to share the “Seafood Chow Fun”, a combination of calamari, shrimp, scallops and imitation crabmeat (pounded white fish), bok choy, tomatoes, carrots and broccoli served atop chow mein noodles. Although we asked our waitress to have the chef “spice up” the dish for added intensity, the entre came to us sans the requested spice. Bummer! The combined flavors were delicate but tasty none-the-less.

We also had the “Chicken with Vegetables” and I have to admit the dish was quite dull, lacking in rich flavors. The chicken was skinless, boneless white meat but very plain in seasoning. Guys, don’t get me wrong, I understand some folks like simple food with delicate flavors! I did not take photos of the dishes since there was practically no variation in appearance compared to my Seafood Chow Fun dish. I will say that all the veggies in the dishes were very well prepared in that they were slightly crunchy and not soggy or over cooked.

The service was lacking, possibly because the restaurant was full and it was the lunch time crowd. We asked our waitress more than once for extra water and had to inquire about one dish that came to the table late.

My desire is to return for their dinner menu since it looks much more interesting with items such as “Sautéed Shrimp & Scrambled Egg”, “Burdock Salad”, “Little Neck Soup” (most likely clams), and “Seafood Pancake” to name a few.

My take on Oki Doki is that their lunch menu offers dishes that cater to folks who enjoy simple food…simple food for subtle palates! All in all, I will return and give Oki Doki another chance, albeit, not during the lunch hour so that I can avoid the traffic jam in the parking lot and try the interesting dishes that are only available on their dinner menu.

Cheers!

Open daily. No lunch on Sunday.

Proud of "Proud Mary's"

If you have the good fortune to visit or dock at the Dana Point Harbor walk, run, rollerblade or bike to “Proud Mary’s” restaurant. Family owned and operated for 5 years, they are located on the waterfront at the harbor (next to Dana Wharf Sport Fishing) with a beautiful view offering breakfast and lunch daily. Should you decide to hang around for a table, since they do not take reservations, you can mosey along the waterfront for some window shopping and if you are lucky you may even see some cute seals frolicking merrily in the water.

I must admit after a lengthy road bike ride there is nothing better than a hearty breakfast and a “Guava Mimosa.” My friends and I gladly ditch our helmets and bikes and take a seat at the front counter area or outside patio to share the “Short Stack with Bananas & Walnuts” and the healthy “Fitness Scramble.”

Proud Mary’s serves up the best banana walnut pancakes I have ever tasted! They are made with oat flour, walnuts and fresh sliced bananas. The cakes are light and fluffy and the bananas are perfectly caramelized into slices of sticky, delectable, sweetness with the walnuts adding a nice healthy crunch. Delicious! Actually, if you want to cut the calories and sugar you do not even need to add syrup since the cakes are great eating all by themselves.

Surely, it is common knowledge that a combination of protein and carbohydrates after a workout is imperative for refueling our bodies! Therefore, the “Fitness Scramble” is ideal with the combination of egg whites, mushrooms, onions, spinach and grilled ground turkey. This low-fat, high protein dish comes with a side of cottage cheese & sliced tomatoes. One of my favorite dishes too (geez, I have lots of ‘favorite dishes’)!

Do not be fooled, Proud Mary’s has all the traditional breakfast and lunch foods including breakfast sandwiches and breakfast burritos. A local’s popular sandwich is the “Turkey Avo” sandwich. This ‘sammy’ is filled with turkey, avocado, provolone cheese, sprouts, tomato and mayo on squaw bread. For a low-fat, healthier version, omit the cheese and mayo…guilt free.

For the vegetarian/vegan foodies out in blog land, Proud Mary’s also offers an “Avocado Sandwich”, “Bean & Cheese Burrito” (with salsa), “Avocado Burrito” (with beans and salsa) and “Three Cheese Quesadilla”. Of course, the staff will gladly hold the dairy for the vegan folks.

They also have a full bar that faces the lovely view of the harbor. Nick, one of the bartenders and owners, also serves up a lovely “Guava Mimosa” with champagne and guava juice. For those who enjoy a “Bloody Mary” along side their ‘breakie’, your friendly bartender also makes a killer one with just the right amount of spicy kick to it.

Cheers!


Open Daily & Great Prices

VIVA MEXICO!

Senores y senoritas, boy do I have a treat for you! I’m going to share with you a little known secret. ”Chato’s Del Agave” in San Clemente offers some of the best Mexican food I have ever tasted (grandma...don’t be hatin’. Your food was great but you are dancing with the angels now. Miss you!!).

Chato’s Del Agave, a family owned restaurant, is located in the heart of San Clemente and has been there for about 13 years. Bummer for me since I just discovered them within the last couple of years! Entrance to the restaurant is through a wrought iron gate which takes you to a beautifully decorated courtyard. I always feel as if I am in a private hacienda when I go to Chato’s with its beautiful courtyard filled with many cactus plants, bird cages and water fountain. Not to mention the fact that the owners of this wonderful restaurant are almost always present making sure everything runs smoothly. The dishes are from the owner’s Michoacán family recipes which date back six generations and “holy goodness” this family sure knows how to cook up a delicious Mexican feast!

For starters their “Nachos-N-More” are superior to all others nachos I have ever eaten. Typical nachos are a pile of chips drenched with cheese, sour cream, salsa, etc. At Chato’s the nachos are made and served individually on each tortilla chip similar to mini pizza slices. Each and every one is topped with delicious pork carnitas, cheese, beans and salsa. These nachos are by far the best ever!!

Every time I dine at Chato’s I order their splendid “Caldo Talpeno” which is their signature soup. The soup consists of white meat chicken, diced avocados and tomatoes in a light, pleasant broth. I also ask for diced fresh jalapenos on the side and pile them into my soup dish for an extra spicy kick.

This week I had their “Chicken Mole” which is superb! The mole takes two days to make and you can taste wonderful flavors of chocolate and chili power along with at least a dozen other fresh ingredients, which were not revealed to me (I asked, no answer, their secret). What a great combination of flavors!

In addition to all the traditional Mexican fare, Chato’s makes their sopes (very small thick corn tortillas which are filled with tasty goodies) and tortillas homemade…you can really taste the difference. I ask you, how many restaurants make homemade tortillas and sopes?? Not many, and chain restaurants that do make homemade tortillas don’t taste as good as Chato’s. "AY PAPI...quero mas tortillas de maiz"!

Another favorite of mine is the “Carnitas Salad”. I was pleasantly surprised when my waitress brought a plate of chopped lettuce greens topped with a huge mound of carnitas (shredded, roasted pork), radishes and carrots. You have a choice of two dressings; tequila or cilantro and they are both very refreshing…none of the typical heavy ranch or blue cheese dressing at this traditional Mexican restaurant.

In addition to their mouth watering food, Chato’s has a full bar, large beer selection and 147 (you read it right baby cakes, 147) tequilas to sip or shoot. They also offer several special margaritas. My favorite is the low calorie “Organic Margarita” made with organic tequila, fresh lime juice and agave nectar. Two other popular margaritas are the “Coronita” which is served up in a large schooner glass with a mini bottle of Coronita beer poured upside down in the glass and the “Kick Ass Margarita” with an extra added shot of tequila (“tequila tonight, for tomorrow we ride”) in the form of a mini Hornitos tequila bottle also tipped inside the glass. I must say an interesting and fun presentation for a margarita. "Salud chicos y chicas"!

In a “tortilla” shell, you should head down south and try Chato’s Del Agave. I think you will be very pleased. I know I was! Adios amigos!


Open Daily.

TO BLOG OR NOT TO BLOG...QUESTION?!?

Greetings everyone! Recently I have been advised not to “blog everyday”. My “blog advisor” said I should not pester all of you with my trivial daily existence exploring different restaurants then sharing my dining experiences with you (Note: My existence is hardly ‘trivial’). Another blog advisor told me I should be ‘professional’ when writing my reviews so folks would take me seriously. I am no freaking professional and refuse to bridle expressions of my personality through my writing. Phooey on my blog advisors!

I feel compelled to share the story of how my blog site came to fruition. First of all, as my family members and dear friends are aware, this blog began out of pure fun and silliness! During the holidays, I decided it would be nice to leave the comfort of my home, my 50 inch flat screen T.V., super comfy barcalounge and spend the money (guys, we all know going out to a movie has gotten just a little $pricey$...that is why I prefer matinees – does that make me frugl or wise?) to see recently released holiday movies. Usually, I would enjoy a meal be it lunch or dinner while out taking in a movie.

When I returned home I would email my gang to share my food experiences with them at which time I received positive feedback. Two of my pals said they, “live vicariously through me” while two others told me to, “keep ‘em coming”. Mostly, I was told how my readers “love to receive” my emails and told me to start writing a restaurant/food review column. There you have it…my blog was born.

If you have read my profile you will note that I came from scant beginnings which have evolved to a different world altogether. In my cultured travels I have dined in some of the finest restaurants in the world, including, but not limited to, a floating junk (riverboat) on the Halong Bay in Vietnam. Therefore, I thought it was appropriate for me to express my worldliness in the area of fine dining with those who display an interest. And, believe it or not, there are many - it’s a simple as that.

When you check my archived restaurant reviews you will notice how my blog has evolved. The first two are extremely casual then I began to try and be a little more ‘professional (although, I am NO professional). Guys, I have no formal education, nothing. Just a couple of night classes here and there…no degree in journalism or English. I merely enjoy fine dining, have a palate for fine food and wine and like sharing my experiences with my friends and family. This blog is only one of several hobbies of mine. Those who know me are aware of my zest for fitness, athleticism and non-profit charity work.

It is now time to sign off and think about where I will go for my next meal. Of course…I will write about it. Cheers!

"O" So Good

Friends, a new restaurant has moved into our lovely town. “O fine japanese cuisine” (yes folks, that’s the correct spelling) is located in the Albertson’s shopping center at Pacific Coast Highway and Wesley Drive in South Laguna. “O” is an off-shoot of a small chain of Japanese restaurants based in Irvine. Upon entering the eatery, behind the blue beaded curtains, you will find a small dining room which offers traditional Japanese cuisine and a lovely sushi bar that has a warmly-lit countertop which is filled with pretty cut blue glass. The ambiance with soft mood lighting, sushi bar countertop, beautiful hanging hand blown blue pendant lights, along with comfortable seating, is very inviting!

When my husband and I walked in we were graciously greeted by a smiling staff, seated and immediately served a nice amuse-bouche (a single, bite-sized hor’doeuvre, different from an appetizer, not ordered by the customer and selected by the chef as a pre-dinner treat). Our amuse-bouche was radish slices which were marinated in sesame oil, soy sauce and sprinkled with sesame seeds. Very tasty and a nice change from typical soba noodles or marinated cucumber slices.

Our meal consisted of:

Hamachi Belly Sushi;
Yellowtail Kampashio;
Crunch Salmon Tataki Roll;
Yellowtail Hand Roll;
Steamed Asari Clam Soup;
Mountain Potatoe w/Umei (Chef special treat);
Yellowtail Bones (ribs) Baked w/Garlic Chips; and
Mango Pudding w/Seasonal Fresh Fruits

The pieces of fish for the sushi were very large and very fresh. No skimping on fish at “O”!! My Crunch Salmon Tataki was a visually gorgeous cut roll filled with crab meat, crispy tempura shrimp and white onions (we had our sushi chef add asparagus for some veggie) then rolled with salmon slices that had been dredged lightly in cornstarch and quickly seared on the outside. The final result was a delicious roll which was topped with ponzu garlic sauce and red tobiko (flying fish eggs). I also tasted a hint of smokey flavor, very nice. Yes sir…may I have another!!

A wonderfully refreshing treat was the Yellowtail Kampashio. Small cucumbers cut into delicate flower halves were filled with a generous portion of sliced yellowtail sashimi then topped with jalapeno slices, tobiko and pickled wasabi. I have never had “pickled” wasabi and found it to be a little hot and spicy…just the way I like it!

For all you clam lovers out there you must have the Asari Clam Soup. The soup is a very simple but tasty light clam broth with an over abundance of fresh clams which flavors intensify over time. Delicious.

Mountain potatoes anyone? Prior to my maiden voyage to “O”, I had never heard of these little taters. The julienned potatoes were served sushi style in nori surrounded by a quail egg; shiso leave and umei (salty plum paste). When I popped one of those babies in my mouth the raw quail egg exploded and the crunch from the mountain potatoes and salt from the umei blended very well together. Obviously, raw quail eggs are an acquired taste but this chef’s surprise was a delight!

My evening concluded with the Mango Pudding which was topped with fresh fruit (diced strawberries, blueberries and kiwi). When I tasted the pudding I could only think of an exotic summer day…very light, refreshing and not too sweet. The pudding and ice cream are made fresh every week.

As for the booze menu, “O” stocks 24 (yes, 24!) premium sakes, including, but not limited to, Hot Plum Sake, Grape Sake and Yuzu Omoi Sake (with a citrus scent from the yuzu oranges). They also carry traditional Japanese beers, red wine, white wine and champagne.

As a local in Laguna for over 20 years I have been a loyal fan of the same sushi bar in town. I must admit I enjoyed stepping out of the box and trying a different sushi restaurant. O fine japanese cuisine is splendid, the chef is very creative and the sushi extremely fresh. I highly recommend “O", they definitely have my seal of approval. Welcome to Laguna Beach “O”!!



Open daily – lunch too!
Convenient parking and good $price$ point
Shelley Teng (owner)

Church & State

In my last email restaurant review, I noted that I would 'not bore' you with the details of my upcoming multi-course meal at Church & State restaurant. Well, boys and girls, I must retract that comment! Not sharing my out-of-this-world dining experience with you would be just plain selfish. Besides, many of you have asked for a review of this particular restaurant and requested that I "keep 'em coming". Holy goodness...where do I start?!? I guess I will begin by telling you that at 4:30 a.m. this morning I had a food hangover and major gastric distress (yep, expected it and worth every gut pain). Yikes!!!

Church & State is located in the old Nabisco Biscuit Company building in an industrial section of Los Angeles and specializes in French bistro food. The restaurant is designed as a very rustic, industrial style eatery with an open kitchen and Chef Walter Manzke at the helm as Executive Chef. To appreciate my review of this amazing restaurant, you must first understand who the executive chef is. For those how have no knowledge of Chef Walter Manzke he is an excellent chef who has mastered the art of French cuisine. Chef Walter was one of only two Americans "allowed" to study and hone his culinary skills working at the world renown Louis XV ("Louis Cannes", as referred to by those in the know) restaurant in the Hotel de Paris in Monaco (I was fortuante to have dined there!). Folks, please understand Louis XV chooses only 2 Americans a year to enter into their world of gastronomic greatness.

Orange County and Los Angeles, welcome Chef Walter, formerly executive chef at Patina (LA), Bastide (LA), Bouche (Carmel), Auberge de Carmel (Carmel) and Cantinetta Luca (Carmel). I am proud to say he is a dear friend and mentor to my daughter Monica and each and everytime he cooks for us he treats us like royalty creating special dishes not on the regular menu...and, last night was no exception. The 6 diners in my party arrived at 8:00 and were seated immediately.

Please be aware that bistro style eateries are normally extremely casual, loud and can be crowded so go prepared to sit amongst loud diners family style. No intimate booths at this restaurant. Chef Walter greeted us immediately and his sweet wife, Margarita (also a fabulous pastry chef), waited on us throughout the evening. Guys, we had 15 tasting courses plus dessert (decadent to say the least)! Oy vey...the fat and calories. Weight Watcher's take me away!! I won't go into detail about everything we tasted but I will share with you my favorites and the most interesting items on the menu. Out tasting menu:

Kumomoto Oysters - Diced shallots, red wine vinegar and cracked pepper
Tartine au Crabe - Crustini, Dungeness crab, mushroom duxelle (puree), celery remoulade (celery root chiffonade)
Tartine au Oursin - Crustini, fresh sea urchin and Castelas olive oil
Gambas a la Grenobloise - Live Santa Barbara spot prawns, white wine garlic butter sauce
Hamachi Cru - Yellowtail sashimi, blood orange, piment d'Espelette (red chili pepper from the Basque region), fleur de sel, lime rind
Coureau - Fresh razor clams, escargot butter, herbs
Assiette de Charcuterie - Selection of artisan and house made pates, terrines and saucisson sec

Tarte de Brie - Oven-dried red flamed grapes, bacon, brie cheese
Escargots de Bourgogne - Grain feed snails baked with a puff pastry topping and garlic butter parsley

Oreilles de Cochon - Crispy pig's ears, sauce bearnaise
Salad Frisee aux Lardons - Soft poached egg, warm bacon vinegarette w/pigs feet terrine breaded in panko
Turnedo Rossini - Prime beef filet, foie gras, black truffle
Cassoulet du Toulouse - Duck confit, pork belly, sausage, white beans
Gratin de Macaronis et Fromage - Mac N Cheese
Pommes au Lard - Pomme frites, aioli

Profiteroles - Banana ice cream, chocolate-hazelnut sauce
Pot de Creme au Chocolat - Chocolate, hazelnuts, caramel
Creme Brulee - Caramelized vanilla custard
Croustade aux Pommes - Warm apple crisp, vanilla ice cream

So, there you have it...our grand tasting menu. That did not include the cocktails and 4 bottles of wine we all shared (ah wine, nectar of the gods...another blog altogether). They have a full bar and my tradtional pre-dinner Vodka Martini was ice cold shaken to perfection...yummy!

I will comment on my favorites and what I believed to be the most interesting:

The Tartine du Oursin was wonderful. Crustini toast rounds were topped with fresh sea urchin and a velvety Castelas olive oil drizzle. The sea urchin was so fresh and sweet you could taste the ocean in every bite. Just splendid! I am sure the Gambas a la Grenobloise had Long John Silver flipping over in his grave. These shrimp were amazing and it was my favorite dish of the evening. The gambas were split half length-wise then topped with a delicious white wine and garlic butter sauce. Gambas a la Grenobloise was the best shrimp I have ever tasted...seriously! An item one does not see very often in restaurants is razor clams. The clams were extremely fresh and served whole on your plate with the shells split then drizzled with escargot butter and fresh herbs. They were a little sweet so the escargot butter was a great balance of sweet and savory. The Crispy Pig's Ears are not for the faint of heart nor advised for diners with a sensitive palette! Although they were served with a side of béarnaise sauce, one of my dining partners said she thought them to be rather pungent, smelling of a pig sty having the consistency of gelatinous goo. As you can imagine, she did not care for them. In spite of, my other dining partner could not eat enough of them as he dipped his crispy ears in the accompanying velvet mixture of bearnaise sauce. To each his own, right?? The Gratin de Macaronis et Fromage (mac-n-cheese) was not as creamy as I would have liked and had a thinner consistency than the traditional American mac-n-cheese (well, after all, it is a French bistro). The Pommes Frites were cooked in duck fat and had an outstanding flavor. I highly recommend them.

Of the desserts, the Pot de Crème au Chocolat had to have been the most delicious and the richest in flavor of all the desserts. This divine pot of sweetness consisted of a rich chocolate pudding layered with salty caramel and hazelnuts. All I can say is I tried one small spoon and could taste no more. It was deliciously sumptuous but my tongue begged for a break (personally, I am not a huge fan of very sweet desserts). Alas, I could take no more. For all you gooey chocolate lovers out there...this is your dessert!

In conclusion, Chef Walter and staff have done an outstanding job of bringing bistro style French food to Los Angeles. The food is heavenly!! Kudos to Chef Walter and I hope one day you can experience his culinary greatness.

Church & State
1850 Industrial Street
Los Angeles, CA 90021
(213) 405-1434
Open 7 days a week (lunch weekdays)
$$$ (great price point)

Cafe Mimosa, San Clemente

...last night with my 30 year old daughter Monica (Le Cordon Bleu graduate classically trained in French cuisine and gastronomy). We chose "Cafe Mimosa" in San Clemente and were immediately welcomed by the attentive, kind staff. The restaurant is a very quaint two-story house with a warm hue of lighting that bathed my body when I entered the premises making me feel all warm and cozy inside while Ella Fitz Gerald tunes were piped in through the indoor speakers. The current chef at Cafe Mimosa is formerly from Troque (a Tim and Liza Goodell restaurant. Now out of business). I'm a huge patron of restaurants that support the Slow Food Movement offering local, sustainable and organic farmed food and produce. Cafe M is fortunate to have the local farmer's market right outside their doors every Saturday morning. I'm sure Chef Tim takes advantage of the freshest of local farm raised organic ingredients. Although it was drizzling last night, we decided to sit outside taking advantage of the overhead heaters and plastic walls which protected us from the breeze and cold. I always enjoy experiencing a meal with "Dolly" (Monica) since we always try and order items on the menu that are just a little "different" expanding our horizons in the world of gastronomy and fine dining.

One of those 'different' items was "Stuffed Baby Calamari" which was filled with Bilbao Chorizo (from Spain), Piquillo Peppers and Grilled Artichoke Hearts. The flavors melded great together very well but my only criticism is that I would have preferred my calamari sautéed a little more giving the seafood a nice golden brown outside crust as opposed to the 'milky white" look of the plated baby calamari which was presented to me. The "Salt Roasted Beet Salad" was delightful. Large roasted beautiful golden beets and small purple baby beets sat along side a chunk of goat cheese with baby greens and lemon emulsion. Perfection!

Dolly ordered the Charcuterre Plate with artisan cured meats and homemade cured asparagus. The asparagus was perfectly cured and not too tangy. Believe it or not, for dessert we went for savory and finished our meal with a dish of "Bloomsdale Spinach" and the "Market Veggies"! I was pleasantly pleased with the divine flavors in both veggie dishes!!! First of all, I love spinach but have never heard of 'Bloomsdale' Spinach. The spinach is visually pretty (not dull and flat looking like regular baby spinach) and sautéed to crisp-tender exquisiteness!! The market veggies were a scrumptious mixture of haricot verts, asparagus, cippollini baby onions and mushrooms. The teeny, tiny sweet onions are delicious when cooked up allowing their natural sweetness to emerge in your mouth with every bite.

In the past, I have had the "English Cucumber Blood Orange and Cilantro Salad"...very lovely. There is also a "Crispy Tempura Squash Blossom" dish on the menu which is accompanied with green apple, fennel slaw and aioli. I must try that next time!! Although, Dolly whips up killer stuffed squash blossoms when they are in season and available at the farmer's market.

If you ever head down south to San Clemente Cafe Mimosa is a must. They also offer brunch.

Plans Saturday night are to attend "Church and State" in LA for a multi-course wine and food tasting compliments of Chef Walter. You won't hear from me about that meal...don't want to bore you with an explanation of 10-12 different food tastings! DETOX time again!!!

p.s. My kitchen is totally under construction therefore, my tubby ass has had the opportunity to try many different restaurants (most of which aren't even discussed yet!). Hence, me inundating you with my experiences and criticisms of my dining choices. Should you find my 'write ups' dull and unmoving, and lack further interest in them...tell me to BUZZ OFF and I'll take you off the email list. Ciao for now!

Little Saigon Seafood Feast

If you're craving fresh seafood and have a chance to drive to Westminster you must try "Sea Food Cove Chinese Restaurant"! The restaurant (formerly Dragon Phoenix) is adjacent to the Asian Garden Mall, located upstairs in a strip mall in the heart of the Vietnamese community and shares a parking lot with the infamous live seafood grocery store,"A Dong Market" (come now ladies, no giggling). Once you exit the 405 freeway and head towards Bolsa Avenue and Brookhurst Street, you'll feel as if you have arrived in Saigon City, Vietnam (less the hundreds of scooters on the streets). No kidding.

Entering the restaurant can be a challenge for those who try to avoid stairs since a spiral staircase greets you at the door along with a counter where a server mixes up fresh juices of coconut (succulant slices of fresh coconut meat included in your juice...and my favorite), watermelon, orange, and tasty Ca Phe Sua Da the traditional Vietnamese iced coffee. Once at the top of the stairs, a beautiful crystal chandelier beacons you into a world of exquisite smells...keep treking, the food and experience is worth the stair hike. For the cardio challenged, there is an elevator to wisk you to dinner should you have trouble with the staircase. The wait is anywhere from a couple of minutes to 20 minutes depending on the time you arrive. My party of 3 walked right in and we were seated immediately.

The smorgasbord of food included: Thai Style Hot & Sour Soup w/Coconut Milk and Shrimp; House Special Lobster; Shrimp & String Bean w/Garlic Sauce; Hot & Sour Fried Whole Fish; Sauteed Pea Sprouts w/Garlic (love the golden brown garlic!!); traditional Steamed White Rice and TsingTao Chinese Beers.

My Thai Style Hot & Sour Soup was just exquisite with flavors that teased my tongue! The soup was served steaming hot family style and had large pink succulant shrimp floating in a perfect combination of lemon grass, coconut milk, fresh jalapeno pepper slices and fresh thai basil. Very exotic and delicious! I have leftovers for my lunch today...yeah!

Should you order the House Special Lobster, you have your choice of live lobsters in a tank to pick from (small lobsters are sweeter and more tender). Once chosen, the lobster is coated with cornstarch for a light, crisp coating then hot wok fried in vegetable oil with fresh garlic, jalapeno peppers and a dash of sesame oil. I never lick my fingers but this dish had me tossing my dining manners out the door (sorry Emily Post) and I licked my fingers till I could lick no more! The lobster was fit for a king and, shall I say, finger licking good!

Flounder was the fish for our Hot & Sour Fried Whole Fish. The fresh whole fish was quick sauteed in hot oil creating a lovely, crispy skin and laddled with fresh sliced red & green jalapeno peppers then topped off with a thin red sauce. You will find that fresh sliced peppers are used in many of the dishes at Sea Food Cove so if your palette is sensitive to capsaicin and high scoville units you may want to avoid eating the peppers (oh baby...I love it HOT!). Although the fish is not described as sweet, I tasted a hint of sweetness making a perfect combination with the spicey peppers.

I don't want to keep anyone from eating sauteed pea sprouts but they kind of resemble freshly mowed grass...and, I love them!! Usually they're just steamed with a simple flavor but at Sea Food Cove they offer them lightly sauteed with garlic chips. Every tendril of beautiful bright green pea sprout is seriously scrumptious!

There's no way I can tell you how the Shrimp and String Beans dish was since the shrimp arrived at our table way too late and my dining party was stuffed to the gills (imagine) unable to eat one more bite. Based on the appearance and aromatic scent of the shrimp dish and how the other dishes tasted, I'm sure they'll be fabulous as leftovers.

For the food bon vivant challenged who don't frequent Vietnamese eateries, a typical favorite dessert is Tapioca Soup served hot (and, yes, another favorite dessert of mine). I also discovered Sea Food Cove makes their tapioca soup with tapioca, duh...obviously, fresh seaweed, sugared water and fresh green beans. And, yes, I said, "green beans" which are pulverized to create a broth for the soup base. The soup was lightly sweetened and had a nice creamy consistency...I savored every drop of my hot dessert soup while my two dining guests passed their portions to me (must kick up the fat burning mode on my cardio machine). My tapioca soup was ambrosial...more, I want more!!.

And, at times when I'm craving veggie and vegan food I can also order several of the many veggie dishes on the menu which include tofu and buckwheat noodles. I counted 9 different veggie dishes on the menu.

Please don't hesitate to try Sea Food Cove Chinese Restaurant. The costs of the live lobster was only $10.99 per lb. and everything else on the menu is very reasonably priced. They have my vote of excellence!!

Avanti Cafe

Ventured out to "Avanti Cafe" (alas, solo...come to think of it, all of my veggie/vegan meals I savor alone...shame!) last week for another vegetarian/vegan culinary experience. The Avanti Margarita Maxima is thirst quenchingly yummy. Not too tart nor too sweet, made with fresh squeezed juices (no sucky, preservative laced Sweet and Sour mix in this margi!). I highly recommend JUST ONE! Remember to allow yourself enough time to metabolize the booze then clear your mind and drive home safely. The Soup du Jour - Celery, had my taste buds experiencing BORING flavors. Their celery soup consisted of a thick, heavy broth which resembled the bucket of mop water after a long day of swabbing down the decks or a dirty kitchen floor and the taste lacked any hint of seasoning (once again, BORING). I don't recommend that soup. Unless, of course, you enjoy mop water out of a bucket! My favorite salad is the Roasted Fruit, Citrus Miso, Caramelized Garlic & Shallot & Candied Walnut Salad. The food expeditor mixes just enough salad dressing as to not leave my fresh spring greens drowning in dressing and overly soggy. Very refreshing salad! I ended my meal with a fresh Vegan Mixed Berry Walnut Crust Tart. It was the perfect combination of luscious fresh berries with just the right amount of sweetness (not too!) surrounded by a crunchy nut crust. They also have several lovely pizzas for about $10. The cafe is pretty small and in a strip shopping center. All in all...I highly recommend Avanti Cafe. Until next time. Cheers!

Dinner and a Movie...or two...

Okay, here goes...saw "Sherlock Holmes" on Monday. Loved it! Actually, besides liking Robert Downey, Jr. (he is lean and muscular in this role), I very much appreciated the martial arts moves (Randy, you love the deadly combinations too!!). Waiting for the sequel!

"Up in The Air" was good. Interesting story line and who doesn't enjoy ooggling at George Clooney shirtless, laying on the floor?? Enjoyable, but it had it's moments of sadness. Worth it. The precursor to this movie was an absolutely delightful vegan lunch at "The Loving Hut" vegan restaurant in Ladera Ranch. My maiden voyage and well worth the 30 minutes it took me to drive there! The Aulac Salad satiated my Vietnamese salad cravings and tingled my tongue with the fresh crispiness of the greens and cabbages which were topped with a splendid peanut dressing. Their version of won ton soup, a.k.a., Heavenly Soup made me smile. Although, the Wong Tong soup at Greens Cafe in Irvine is the best I have ever tasted!!. Holy crab cakes, I'd drive to 'samesville Irvine' just for the soup at Greens Cafe! David the waiter and Lawrence the owner are very engaging allowing a lone patron to feel comfortable while dining solo making for a lovely repast. I often frequent dining establishment by my lonesome therefore, when the proprietor is friendly, the experience is much more enjoyable. No worries, I'm used to it. Oh yes, everyone who truly knows me (sisters) knows I just LOVE coconut. Loving Hut has the best vegan German Chocolate Cake I have ever tasted. Coconut and dark chocolate, which, is not too sweet! Agave nectar happens to be their sweetener of choice for this delicious culinary sweetness. I highly recommend their cheesecake too....delectable and vegan.

I'll see "Blind Side" and based on what I've heard, I'll cry too. I'm the poignant, sensitive type...despite my strong, lean chick muscles. Hahaha!!

If your lucky, more opinions to follow in the near future. Then again, I may resort to my On Demand movies and save the extra $$$ it costs (even the matinees are getting pricey).