Eureka: How UCI got cool.

Okay, I don't know if it will make UC Irvine cool, but this new chain called Eureka is exactly what the campus needed.  Although the pub has been voted best bar in Orange County by OC Weekly, Eureka caters to the community not just students.  As much as I love the pub, it does make me feel like I am trying to relive my glory days.  Eureka doesn't judge me.

the cowboy: bbq burger

For my 100th post I give you the best restaurant in OC - Il Garage

Yes, you read that right.  Il Garage is the best restaurant that I have eaten at in OC.  While I can think of a few places that are as tasty (or tastier), this place brings something that other places don't have - a garden.  Tucked in the middle of nowhere Stanton (yes that is in OC), Il Garage is hard to find.  In fact, you have to drive along Beach Blvd and then keep driving.  Once you have found Park Ave restaurant, you must walk through it into the backyard.  Then, and only then, will you find this treasure.

Although its in a food court at an Asian market, Santouka Ramen hits the spot.

In light of my recent purchase of some airplane tickets to Tokyo next month, I headed over to Mitsuwa Marketplace for lunch.  For anyone who has been here before, you know there are many options for a quick lunch.  Udon, sushi, beef tongue (yes you read that right), curry and of course ramen.  One of my favorite ramen places in Orange County, Santouka Ramen was my first choice for that day.

Interested in Healthy Lunch Options?

During the week I always try to keep my meals "light" because on the weekends all hell breaks lose.  (Read: drunk munchies and hangover cures.)  There is a new fad taking shape in Orange County, and Tender Greens is leading the way.

Chinese Chicken Salad

An odd place for a happy hour.

Good Morning Gents and Ladies.  It's my favorite day of the week - Thursday.  Why you ask?  Well once upon a time it meant the start of the weekend: toga parties, bar crawls, etc.  Now it is one more day to the weekend, but I can see the light; I am finally happy that the weekend is so close; and I am not exhausted from an entire week of work.  Plus Friday is really just a short work day anyway right?  (Sorry work, I am absolutely kidding about that...)

The Secret to Din Tai Fung

So if you haven't heard of the place yet, you should probably dig yourself out of the hole you have surrounded yourself in.  Din Tai Fung has been in America for a while, but it originated from Taiwan (ya know that non-Chinese Chinese place).  The specialty here is Shanghai dumplings (ironic right?), which are small, soup dumplings usually filled with pork.

Xiao Long Bao

Kobbideh Kebob

Two of the most magical words known to man kind.  And one of the best places in Orange County is Panini Cafe.  Although its a Southern California chain, they don't skimp on the portions and don't skimp on the taste.  Although you can spend $20 a person, you won't go home hungry.

chicken kebabs

Panini Cafe is open for brunch, lunch and dinner and is located both in Newport Beach and Irvine.  There is always a crowd at both locations, but you usually don't have to wait too long.  On a trip for lunch, we waltzed straight onto the patio and ordered the chicken kebob special and of course, the Kebob of my dreams.  The meals come with either basmati rice (my favorite) or wheat rice pilaf (not bad) and then a choice of three different types of salad.  Believe me when I say you cannot eat it all.

kobbideh!!!

The food is so tasty, and came out hot.  The price is steep [for lunch] (see update below), around $10-$15 for the complete meal, but it's not an everyday lunch spot so I was willing to pay a bit more.  However, on this particular occasion they forgot about our food and didn't really apologize or make up for the situation.  For a "quick" lunch it took them 25 minutes to bring out our food after asking about it twice.  I haven't had issues here before though, so hopefully its just my curse of bad service not an everyday thing.

humus platter

Panini Cafe also has obviously paninis, soups, salads, and other types of kebobs.  I also need to try their brunch because it looks great (and huge).  They also have a to-go menu which I noticed has a family four pack of food.  Yeah I might not have a family of 4 but this is definitely going to be on my list of fast, healthy dinners.  Don't judge me...

breakfast sandwiches

update: I was schooled in the expense part of this post.  It may seem expensive to me at lunch, but you can get out of there for about $15 for dinner and the food is really about two meals.  The chicken kebob special is definitely worth ordering for lunch as its the same amount of food but for only $10.

 

4.0/5 for great food, a good ambiance but so-so service.

Reverse Happy Hour is the ISH!

As we know, I have a big thing for sushi - HUGE.  So when my friends mentioned reverse happy hour and on a weekend nonetheless, I ran to Tomikawa as fast as my feet could get me there.

crunchy salmon roll with spicy tuna

Blaze is opening in La Habra - but here's the good news, FREE PIZZA!

For those of you that haven't tried Blaze, you should check it out this weekend.  In fact, if you want to drive to La Habra, the restaurant is giving away free pizza all day on June 28 - THIS Saturday!  Free.  Pizza. Guys.  Free.

The concept behind Blaze is fresh, fast and tasty pizza you personally create.  Think Chipotle but pizza - you get to pick your toppings, your sauce, and then wait for it to cook 3-4 minutes before you can dive in.  It's thin crust so if you are looking for something heavier, this isn't your place.  If it were up to my boyfriend, he would eat this for dinner every night.  I tend to like thicker crust pizzas because it feels more like a meal, but for convenience and something other than Chick-Fil-A I recommend trying it.

:making pizza for the masses:

Where to post up for the (final) game.

USA takes on Germany in its final game of group play tomorrow at 9 AM.  Yes, 9 AM.  For some of you that don't have to be at work and secretly stream it on watchespn.com, quite a few places are opening up early for your viewing pleasure.  Below are a few I recommend:

I really hate when I get bad service.

Whenever I hear about a new opening, I try to visit the restaurant as soon as possible.  Bosscat Kitchen was no different, and I was even more inclined because it is around the corner from my work and a friend had visited it with great reviews.  So when I needed a place to celebrate my birthday, this was my first choice for my girls' night out.

shrimp and grits

Local lunch spots.

When I can get away from my desk, I try to eat at new lunch spots around my work.  I don't technically get much of a lunch break (thanks attorney life), but every once in awhile a girl needs a break.  This past week I took two - oops! 

just a plain ol' roast beef sandwich from Checkers

my wacky, windy weekend.

I need a weekend from my weekend sometimes.   I usually love planning events and get togethers. Lately, I have tried to NOT plan anything because I am so tired from working, but somehow I end up busy as ever.  This weekend was no different...

A little bit of the East Coast for your mouth.

Since moving from San Francisco I have been on a mission to find a good deli.  A good sandwich can really make your afternoon.  However, OC - the land of chains - hasn't offered too many options.  Subway, Quiznos, and Togo are fine but nothing special.  Nate's Korner is always a great option but too far from my work.  This new chain went in close by and I finally checked it out.

Okay, I suck. I know.

So being a lawyer apparently takes a lot of time.  Who knew? 

Now that the Holidays are over, its time to get back into the swing of eating, and drinking, and adventures.  That means I need your help.  With great pleasure I announce the beginning of Irvine Restaurant Week.  (I didn't even know they had this.)  And like all great things in Irvine, this means a lot of chain restaurants, a crappy website and lots of food for a cheap price.

The Holidays are upon us...

...which means bring on calories, sweets, and extra pounds.  When you aren't running from holiday dinner to thanksgiving stuffing, you probably should eat something healthy - probably.  Urban Plates offers a wide selection of good eats.

While you are out this weekend...

When hungry, must eat.

the "doughssant"

So I'm not a big donut person.  I know its sinful, but I just can't wrap my head around the sweetness and heavy dough.  However, there is this new concoction called the cronut that has become the new "it" thing at bakeries all over the country.  A cross between a donut and a croissant, the Fusion Tea Bar serves their own version.   The "doughssant" is filled with a sweet cream filling with croissant dough and all the sugary goodness that is a donut.  Whether you are eating it for breakfast, or a mid day sugar rush, this is definitely worth a try.  Just try and cut yourself off after one; I don't want to be recommending diabetes.

What did you do this weekend?

Weekends are always too short.  This past weekend was the first time that I got to stay in Orange County for an entire Saturday.  (Wedding season is the worst for travel.)  Being local meant lots of new adventures.

Ramen, Fried Tofu and Cutlet Curry

Dinner time at Diamond Jamboree
For anyone who has visited this shopping market, you know that it is like Disneyland for Asian food.  Parking is a nightmare, so try the parking structure first before you battle for spots in the lot.  One of the best restaurants in that area is Ajisen Ramen.  It has ramen (duh), sushi, udon, and rice dishes.  They also have boba for you die hards.  The ramen comes out within minutes of you ordering and is so large that you will not need to eat for the rest of the day.

TGIF and TG for Chinese food.

Thank god it's Friday.  Especially after the week I've had.  It's the last weekend to celebrate Halloween, first weekend to celebrate Thanksgiving; that means a lot of fattening food people.

This weekend is all about Chinese Food for me.  With one of the best dim sum restaurants in the world opening up next year, its time we got serious about all the different varieties available in the OC.  Here is a list of some of my favorites.

The Weekend Update

What to do this Weekend

Cheers to Friday!

Huntington Beach:
Oktoberfest at the Old World Village.  A small piece of Germany in Southern California.  For $20 and a tight pair of lederhosen, join the traditional band and have a few liters of cold, wheat beer.  Prost!

OC Fairgrounds:
OC's Ultimate Beerfest.  Craft beers, vendors, food trucks, what more can a girl hope for on the weekend.  There is even a flip cup competition for you old frat boys.  $50 entry fee for some serious brews, $15 for your DD (ouch).  Buy early because it will sell out.