Costa Mesa's Corner Retreat: Plum's Cafe

I don't know how I did not visit this place before last weekend.  I have been sorely missing out in life.  Plum's is probably the best brunch that Orange County has to offer.  It has pancakes, bread pudding french toast, breakfast burritos and my fave - eggs benedict.

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

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.

And with a heavy heart I introduce to you...Iron Press

I really wanted to like this place.  Very badly.  Every time I visit The Mix, or OC Mix Mart, or SOCO, or whatever the hell that place is called, The Iron Press is always packed.  So on one sunny Saturday, I was stoked when there were tons of seats for my friends and I to sit down and grab some lunch.  I had been waiting months to have some chicken and waffles.

A piece of fried chicken and a waffle

Ragin' Cajun in Santa Ana

In a little strip mall a few blocks away lies a mysterious place, unimportant from the outside but full of delicious flavor and excitement inside.  When I first walked into Ritter's Steam Kettle I was blown away.  I expected a fast-casual, counter service, unassuming place.  What I found was a cute family restaurant full of steam kettles lining the brick walls.  Although nothing fancy or overwhelming, Ritter's brings a sense of character and style I just wouldn't expect in Santa Ana.  And the food was just as pleasant.

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

Finally Found my Heaven!

Pad See Ew (my fave Thai dish)

Madee Thai is a VERY small hole in the wall Thai restaurant on 17th street, tucked between a beauty supply store and a brick wall (literally).  For those that are scared off by hole-in-the-wall places, please don't come here.  Because then it won't be crowded when I show up.  This is one of the best Thai restaurants I have had in Southern California (yes the entire location), and I am afraid of spreading the word.  However, it's too good not to share.

This weekend in Orange County

Okay guys, I know I have been MIA.  And I have a lot of places to tell you about, but ya know...billable hours?  Hopefully I can catch up this weekend.  But in the meantime you tell me how you like these top stories.

Apparently this weekend is BBQ weekend, and it is only fitting as it is the weekend before Labor Day, the end of summer, and a hot 85 degrees.  So grab a friend, starve yourself all morning and check out the fun below:

1.  Pig Out 3.0 will take place August 24 from 2-7 PM in Costa Mesa.  Eat all things pig including dishes from your favorite restaurants (and mine) such as A Restaurant, Little Sparrow, Fireside Tavern and more.  Other restaurants are sending their very best mixologists to help you all wash it down.  I promise you, you will smell like pig when you leave...Mind you, you have to pay $75 for that l'eau de toilette.

2.  This Saturday the Fullerton Arboretum is hosting its Brews, Blues and BBQ for an adult only crowd.  Enjoy some Blues music as you taste your way through California's best breweries.  For $45 you receive 10 4 oz. tastings, a souvenir tasting glass and a potential DUI.  The BBQ is not included and is an additional cost, but at least you can choose what you want to eat?  Should be a gorgeous weekend for a concert.

3.  Long Beach is having its own BBQ Festival ALL WEEKEND LONG.  And for $80 you can become a VIP and have all you can eat access (I'm looking at you Wu).  There will be music and dancing, but really if you are eating all that food you probably just want a stretcher to take you from booth to booth.  I wonder how much that would cost....There is also a Photo Booth, but really no one wants to see a picture of you with BBQ sauce down your shirt...

Things to do This Weekend

Sorry I have been MIA again, a packed schedule at work plus a long weekend in San Francisco (post to come soon) means I have zero time for an outside life...and then I got sick.  However, this weekend is too packed with good stuff not to let you in on it.

1.  The Copper Door (one of my favorite bars in the OC) is FINALLY serving food.  If you love craft beer, this bar is a must.  Although dingy, dark and probably dirty, the vibe is a fun underground club with lots and lots and lots of beers on tap.  Their new menu is American- cuisine and currently all items are priced under $10.  Can you believe there is such a place??  Anyway, I am dying to go check it out.

2.  The new Irvine Improv opens with Umami Burger.  Irvine Improv has always been a little low brow, especially when you have to spend money on 2 items of either a horrible cocktail or really bad food.  However, fret no more.  Umami Burger will be served at all shows, beers are actually fairly decent, and if you fancy girl, they have bottle service (I mean really?).  The Improv also has opened up in a new location at the Spectrum, so hopefully it is bigger and better.  I am checking it out this weekend so I will let you know!

3.  Costa Mesa Restaurant Week!  Although restaurant week is not always my favorite, it is a great way to try places you normally cannot afford.  And Costa Mesa has some of the best restaurants in the OC.  Check out the selection here: http://www.travelcostamesa.com/costa-mesa-restaurant-week/.  It starts today and only lasts a week, so plan your meals accordingly!

4.  Orange County is hosting its own music festival this weekend.  The Pacific Festival is being held at the Dunes this Saturday.  If you didn't catch Holy Ghost at Outside Lands this past weekend, they will be finishing up the night.  Tickets are $75.

Hope the weather is great this weekend, because we have a lot of things to do!

Brunch at Vitaly

It has been hard trying to keep up blogging, working, and eating out as much as I should, so when I had a free Saturday morning, I knew I had to skip Rooster Cafe and try a new spot.  Unfortunately, Vitaly was a bummer.
 

Summer time and the living is...busy.

Summer time in Orange County can mean laid back beach weather, or crazy adventures attending all of the summer events going on in the area.  As a "porcelained skin" (read: pale as hell) person, I prefer to go to the events then lay on the beach.  So this past weekend, I packed in my adventures and had a great time at the OC Fair and Del Mar Horse Track.

 

fried cookie dough = heaven

A hidden treasure.

I have been trying to follow as many blogs, websites, people, newspapers, etc. as I can lately to learn about the new restaurant openings, closings, and OC events so that I can 1) attend obviously, and 2) try to let you know about it!  So when Stick a Fork In It mentioned a new spot called Fireside Tavern I was so excited to try it.

Another great LA joint makes its way to the OC!

It is so exciting to me when great LA restaurants make their way to Orange County.  I mean ideally I would rather these places start in OC, but well...you know... So when I found out that Mendocino Farms was opening on 17th Street in Costa Mesa, I couldn't be more excited.

the Cubano

Something fun for the weekend!

If you haven't noticed by now, I enjoy drinking wine.  So when my friend asked if I would try the wine tasting at Hi-Times, it was an easy yes.  Hi-Times used to be this place that I would drive "all the way out to" in order to get our cheap booze  in college (think Popov and Jose).  Well now its where us fancy pants can get craft beer, fancy liquor and the largest assortment of wines I have seen in a store in Orange County for decent prices.  Thank god times have changed...

Fun night out that won't break your budget?

Orange County can be one of the hardest places to find a good spot to go out at.  The Peninsula is where all the 21 year olds drink until they are blacked out and then drink some more.  Triangle Square is where the out of towners hang out.  CDM is where the cougars go...so where are the 20 and 30 somethings hanging out?  The best bet? The Boulevard.

A cheap(er) trip to Naples

I recently visited Pizzeria Ortica in Costa Mesa for some good ol' pizza and Italian food.  I grew up on this type of food so I would arguably say I have a pretty good palate when it comes to Italian.  Pizzeria Ortica pleasantly surprised my expectations, but the service did not.

Happy Hour at Scott's

Once a location I never thought I would enter, I found myself at Scott's for happy hour before Book of Mormon.  I was pleasantly surprised.  Although my friend refuses to go here (there was a health code violation issue, and lets just not go into it right now), my Aunt and Uncle wanted to grab drinks and then head to the show.

salmon spring rolls

Well look who made it to Restaurant Week...

...but then didn't order from the prixe-fix menu.  Oops.  But I am lactose intolerant and I think I have a shrimp allergy, so the options were slim.  However, I did have a wonderful time at Charlie Palmer.

A little Monday morning pick me up.

Well folks, we are back to the daily grind.  I hope you all had a great weekend.  I sure did and have lots of great eats to tell you about.  But since it's Monday, we should start with a cup o' Joe (or tea).

An International Weekend

During the week, I try and eat healthy as much as possible because I know that when the weekend comes I won't be able to say no to all the goodness that restaurants offer.  I have many friends who are able to eat at a restaurant and order a salad, hold the sauce; pastrami sandwich, hold the cheese..etc.  I just can't follow that rule.  (And I am even lactose intolerant!)  This past weekend was NO different. 

Alaskan Roll