Dear Food Gods, Thank you for 370 Common

Well hello again friends.  It has been awhile, mostly because it was the holidays, a little because I worked too much, and also because I just was eating too many good foods to have time to share.  But now I am back and I would like to start with one of my new favorite places - 370 Common.

free bread is always a good start to the meal, especially when its pretzel bread

370 Common is tucked away in the cute beach town of Laguna.  Surrounded by other restaurants, bars and stores, it is unassuming and appears to be just another restaurant in the long list of restauarants.  Boy, could that not be more wrong.

a different take on calamari (and peppers)

Walking into 370 Common, there is a lot of hustle and bustle going on.  Date nights, family dinners, friends chatting loudly, and the wait staff running around to best help everyone.  On this occasion, my boyfriend and I had taken his visiting parents to try out a new place.  Casual, yet expensive enough for "special occasions," 370 was spot on for this family reunion.

my go to side dish - brussel sprouts

We ordered a TON of food.  I had to roll out the door when we were done.  But it was so tasty I couldn't control my appetite.  We started with the calamari and broccolini.  The broccoli was probably one of my favorite vegetable dishes.  Although small it had an egg, prosciutto (always a winner), and Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top - I highly recommend it.

scallops on peas - a "light dish"

I ordered the mussels and brussel sprouts.  The brussel sprouts were amazing.  Legitimately some of the best I have had.  The mussels were good, but I thought the other dishes stood out.  I am not a big fan of meatloaf, but when I say its a must order I mean it.  Its bacon wrapped meatloaf on top of a huge pile of mashed potatoes.  It is heaven...I still dream about it.

beer bathed mussels

We also ordered the scallops which were quite tasty and the pork loin and mac and cheese.  Everything was so decadent, so tasty, so mouth-watering good that I can't really choose a favorite dish.  I honestly don't know what I will do when I go back - order my beloved dishes or try something new???  The struggle is real people.

pork loin on a "bed" of mac n cheese

370 Common gets a 4.5/5 in my book.  I only ding it because I want a reason to go back and give it more stars.  Definitely a great staple to have in the OC.

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

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

The Playground, brunch edition.

If you don't remember, I visited The Playground for dinner a few months ago.  It was so good (especially the fried chicken - dont ask just get it).  So when my boyfriend's plans for our brunch fell through (aka he didn't check to see if the restaurant was open on Sundays), I remembered the Playground serves brunch and we headed over to try it out.

The menu was much shorter than expected.  They have small plates such as cinnamin rolls and donuts, and then some main plates.  We decided to skip the small plates and just order the barbacoa huevos rancheros, and eggs, bacon and toast. Knowing that dinner was so good, we had high hopes. 

Unfortunately EVERYTHING was covered in salt on my plate and the huevos rancheros was lukewarm and there was barely any meat.  I was really bummed by the fact it was so unimpressive because the price was not cheap.  The great news is that the menu changes daily so there might be things worth trying!  And of course there is always chicken and waffles...

3.0/5 for decent food, but it wasn't hot and it wasn't priced well for what we got.

Portlandia - the real deal

Just got home from Portland, Oregon for a long weekend trip and I wish I could list each and every place you should eat at, but we would be here all day.  So instead I will provide a go to list of must sees and eats and you obviously can always ask me about more if you actually are going there...

food carts

Brunch - the most important meal of the day.

Brunch is starting to become one of my favorite meals.  I am not a big fan of breakfast foods - as a kid I would ask for soup before school.  (My parents must have thought I was so weird.)  Now, I can manage some eggs, bacon and potatoes, lots and lots of potatoes.

4 reasons to C4

Santa Ana is the hipster mecca of OC these days.  When I found out a new sandwich shop had arrived I was overjoyed.  San Francisco had more delis in one district then South OC has in its entire vicinity.  C4 is definitely a welcoming sight!

Boats, brunch, booze, baseball, bread...

Oh hey there weekend! Thank goodness you have arrived.  After a long week I like to usually unwind on my lovely couch with all the trashy tv I missed during the week, and sometimes sleep through the commercials or boring parts and then eventually make it off the couch to grab food, only to return again.  Well this weekend, we both should try something different.  I will be finding my way to LA but you should check out these sights...

Newport Beach Boat Show - Do you like yachts? Did I really just ask that...Anyway, Newport thinks you do and is having a event to show them off.  Fifteen bucks for adults, at the Marina Village.

excuse me...who can afford these?

Baseball Exhibit at The Nixon Library.  America's Favorite pastime and your favorite president together at one location.  Just kidding, I like football.  But the Nixon library is supposed to be beautiful.  Wear your little league uniform and get in free.

photo cred: yelp

Wine lessons and tastings at Laguna Culinary Arts on Sunday.  For those wanting to learn about wine or just want to blow $200 on three classes, head to SoCo on Sunday April 8, 15, 22. $175 for all three classes.

National Grilled Cheese Month at Shuck.  I am sorry this is the most amazing thing I have ever heard.  Who doesn't like grilled cheeses!!!  Enough said.

Margarita flights...that's a thing apparently.

 Red O, the new swanky want to be Javier's, is now hosting Sunday brunch.  And you KNOW it includes Endless Bloody Marys, Tequila Sunrises and mimosas for just $20. I'm in.

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...

Beer is my Boo.

I have a love hate relationship with craft beer.  I love how good it tastes, I hate how bad it makes me feel the next morning.  For those that don't know, craft beer means it comes from a brewery that makes a limited supply of that type of beer.  That's it, but apparently it's the trendy thing to do.

beers on beers on beers

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

Day Trip to LA

I traveled to LA a few weekends ago to catch up with my family and some friends from college.  Los Angeles is a great place for a day trip.  The museums, the art galleries in Culver City, Downtown LA bars and clubs, and of course my favorite - the restaurants.

Venice Canals

My parents live near Venice, so I grew up in a very unique area of the world.  Lots of different types of people: families, hippies, homeless you name it.  Well now its the trendy spot and Abbot Kinney is the place to be.  (On a sunny day, you won't even be able to walk down the street it's so crowded!)

It always comes back to the burger.

As a Friday treat, one of my old roommates took my boyfriend and I out to Umami for dinner.  Now I have been to Umami before, and I honestly wasn't impressed (to the point I bad mouthed it.)  Well on Friday, I ate my words...and a lot of good food too.

Manly Burger

Mimosas anyone?

A staple in San Francisco is brunch.  It's a meal that no one skips on the weekends.  Usually it is accompanied by bottomless mimosas.

Bloody's

Newport Beach Restaurant Week.

The dos and the don'ts.  The trys and the passes.  If I could I would eat at every place just to give you a full description of love and hates, but 1) I don't have that kind of time or money and 2) I don't want to get fat either...just kidding I would eat everywhere.  So instead, I have come up with my list of musts and skips and "tell me what you think."  Let me know where you want to eat!

Must eat here.  Like now.
1.  Picante Martin's.  So its kinda iffy on restaurant week because they don't have their menu up AND its not an expensive place to go, but it is amazing food.  Located on Balbs Isle (aka Balboa Island), its a small "hole-in-the-wall" of great Mexican food.  Definitely go for lunch if you can.

2.  Landmark in CDM.  Only $30 for a fun ambiance, people watching and pretty decent food.  The prix-fixe menu isn't crazy, but it looks like you get a lot of food.

3.  Crow Bar in both CDM and Newport.  A bit hesitant to put this on the list but its really good food.  Dinner is a bit steep, but its fun for something out of the ordinary.  And you will be SO full!

4.  A Restaurant in Newport.  The food is supposed to be unbelievable and its a fun place to grab drinks too. Unfortunately its just for lunch but everything on the menu is pretty unique.

Skip:
1.  BJ's on Balboa Peninsula.  It's a pizzeria, and not like a classy one like Pizzeria Mozza.  Its an upscale Shaky's (you remember that don't you).  Not a bad place for a group, but not worth your restaurant time.

2.  Ruby's Diner.  See above, nothing more than an upscale diner.  While I love Ruby's, restaurant week is about exploring new things, and trying places you normally can't afford.  Skip.

3.  El Ranchito.  But I already told you that.

4.  Eat Chow.  This isn't saying don't go there, its just not a great bang for your buck. Yes you get free booze, so its not a total waste of time, but the items they give you as an option aren't necessarily the best things there.  If you go, get the garlic fries.

Tell me what you think.  I haven't been to these places, but have heard mixed reviews:
1.  Amelia's Restaurant on Balboa Island.  Heard some good things, had some colleges friend's work here, never stopped in.  The prix-fixe menu doesn't appear to be amazing, so don't think it's worth the dinner, but then again you never know.  Let me know how it is.

2.  Wilma's Patio.  Again on Balbs, I personally really like the breakfast here but it can get crowded on the weekend.  The prix-fixe menu isn't up so tell me how it is.  I would call for reservations too because it gets CROWDED on the weekends.

3.  Five Crowns in CDM.  So I have done restaurant week here for several years because this is a place I cannot afford on a normal day.  It's your typical steakhouse but not quite as modern as say Houston's or Ruth Chris'.  While the meal is tasty, I am still on the fence about whether it is worth it.  You tell me.

4.  Summer House in CDM.  I have heard great things, and the menu looks pretty decent and not terribly priced for what you get.  I love that you can sit on the "patio" too.

Restaurant Week ends January 26th, so plan accordingly and have a great time!  Let me know about all of your adventures, and where I should go next...

Fried, Juicy, Fatty, and Fresh...

Just how I like my burgers and fries.  My boyfriend is obsessed with finding local dive spots from yelp.  And when I am saying dive, I mean hole in the wall, middle of no where, dive spots.  For the most part, he is dead on.  This past weekend we tried one of his recommendations, The BurgerStop.

So much meat you can't even see the avocado or bottom bun!

Time for a field trip...

Sometimes you have to get away from the OC.  An easy day trip is down to San Diego for some fun.  While the outlets may be calling your name, try to remain focused on your mission: Stone Brewery.

What to do this weekend...

Christmas is my favorite time of the year.  I just get so happy listening to KOST and my Christmas Pandora station, seriously people try Christmas music when you are in a bad mood.  Mind blown.

Anyway...this weekend there are a lot of fun activities to check out.

1.  Chill at Queen Mary opened up right before Thanksgiving, but its definitely something you have to see.  There is an ice skating rink, ice tubing, the Ice Kingdom and Santa.  The Ice Kingdom is the thing to go for.  They hand carve statutes from over two million pounds of ice to portray the story of The Nutcracker, this year.  You have to bundle up, which is nice for us SoCal kids who don't get much cold weather (thank god).

2.  Corona Del Mar Christmas Walk is this Sunday.  A fun festival of crafts, beer tents, and music is sure to make for a great Sunday Funday.  The beer garden has an entry fee and then you get tickets for each beer you want.  After walking around the different tables full of fun gift ideas, take your friends and go out to dinner at Sidedoor or walk to the cliffs to see the sunset.

Post-Thanksgiving Hangover

Well it's been awhile since I gave you anything worth while or a must eat.  And now that Thanksgiving is over, it's time for you to go out and try something new.  Taco Asylum at The Camp is just the place.  While it is a bit over-priced, it definitely is delicious.