for those unfamiliar, this is bread at San Francisco's finest. Lovely rounds of sourdough and many other varieties are baked fresh daily. At the window, you can watch bread kneaded and shaped by hand.
The girl and I needed refreshment and stopped in. The line is set a little differently from the older South Coast Metro Pointe location. You walk in and order at a counter off of a printed menu. Then you get a number, find a seat and fill your drinks and wait for your food to be delivered to your table. They offer inside seating, outside seating and some tables are in the mall area. There is a bin of kids menus and packages of crayons for the kids.
The girl scoffs at kids menus and ordered clam chowder in a bread bowl. Her soup was good, she said the clams were nice and chewy, her favorite part...(I am not fond of seafood in general, let alone CHEWY seafood bodies). But she was very content. I had the baguette burger. The meat patty was shaped and frozen, but it's Niman's beef so it is very tender and juicy. The bread was chewy (in a GOOD way) and the salad was light and fresh. There was a garlicky, herb on the bread instead of the usual mayonnaise or mustard and it was just excellent. The dressing on the salad was pleasant and not overpowering. After lunch we chatted and she had a peanut butter cookie and I have a heavenly lemon bar.
The best part is even with drinks and dessert, our lunch was about 22. Normally, I don't tip at counter service, but the service was very attentive without being annoying, and twice our table was visited by staff, so I wanted to leave a tip. Boudin, keep up the good work, and we will be back!
South Coast Plaza Boudin SF
3333 Bristol St.,Space 1000
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
714-689-2253
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Open Sesame
Freakin fantastic. Could it be the beautiful service? The fun location in Belmont Shores? The most amazing food I've ever tasted? All of these make Open Sesame the best Lebanese food in Southern California. Try the fattoush, fried potatoes, hummus, falafel, lamb, meat skewers, and baklava. Everything is the ambrosia of the Gods. Folks, it just does not get better than this, I promise.
The boy urges you to skip the Laban though...a chilled salty yogurt drink with dried mint. Sorry, but I read the description and knew instantly it has to be an acquired taste. He had to learn the hard way...
Belmont Shore
5215 E. 2nd Street
Long Beach CA 90803
Phone: (562) 621-1698
Fax: (562) 621-9018
The boy urges you to skip the Laban though...a chilled salty yogurt drink with dried mint. Sorry, but I read the description and knew instantly it has to be an acquired taste. He had to learn the hard way...
Belmont Shore
5215 E. 2nd Street
Long Beach CA 90803
Phone: (562) 621-1698
Fax: (562) 621-9018
The Secret Spot
I haven't made my way in to this little restaurant until this week. Mostly because the name made me think of over 18 shops and I didn't think the kids would be welcomed in. The place is little more than a couple picnic tables and a counter. We had the 99 cent taco special, chips and salsa, and vegetable soup. If you are vegan, vegetarian, or like to eat homemade food and don't want to cook, this is the best kept secret in Huntington Beach. The people working there are icons of the surf culture, I expected them to be barefoot. It's just very casual and relaxed.
All of the food is home made and really good. The only downside is the chips are straight from a bag and taste healthy, but if you want a deep fryer, you'll have to head across the street to Jack in the Box. The soup was filled with so many vegetables, I couldn't really identify any specifically but think I tasted squash. The tacos were corn tortillas topped with chicken and big slices of avocado and fresh romaine. Be patient - everything is made when you order it, so don't expect to order and have your food ready. Sit down, slow down, enjoy the music and the breeze. I'm excited to go back for their pancakes! I noticed most of the customers who came in after us were known by name from the counter girl. Very cool!
3801 Warner Ave
Huntington Beach, CA 92649
(562) 592-4494
Open Hours Monday-Saturday 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
All of the food is home made and really good. The only downside is the chips are straight from a bag and taste healthy, but if you want a deep fryer, you'll have to head across the street to Jack in the Box. The soup was filled with so many vegetables, I couldn't really identify any specifically but think I tasted squash. The tacos were corn tortillas topped with chicken and big slices of avocado and fresh romaine. Be patient - everything is made when you order it, so don't expect to order and have your food ready. Sit down, slow down, enjoy the music and the breeze. I'm excited to go back for their pancakes! I noticed most of the customers who came in after us were known by name from the counter girl. Very cool!
3801 Warner Ave
Huntington Beach, CA 92649
(562) 592-4494
Open Hours Monday-Saturday 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Z'Tejas Grill
When I was a young teen in Arizona, Fashion Square hit the money and became an icon for desert opulence when Z'Tejas and several other big name restaurants moved in. I loved Z...the big open patio, the casual service and they had the best Cesar salad with ruby trout. it was dressed beautifully with Parmesan crisps. It was the best damn salad in existence.
The girl and I were in SCP and we decided to hit Z'Tejas. Our waiter was slow, brought the wrong drinks, and disappeared. A food runner brought our appetizer over. Surprisingly the chips looked like someone sat on them. We were starving and just tried the find chips big enough for dipping in the cheese sauce (tasted like spicy Velveeta) Much later, our salad arrived even though we asked to have it served with the appetizer. The girl took a bite of the fish and said it was dry. Yes at 5 she knows dry over cooked fish. She took a mouth full of the salad and spit it in her napkin. She said it tasted weird.
So I looked it over. No more fresh lettuce - this came directly from a bag of pre-cut lettuce at the grocery store. I took a bite of the fish and agreed that it was over cooked - but edible. I took a bite of the salad. Instantly, my mouth was coated with what felt and tasted like Crisco. This was some bad salad.
Our waiter never came back. Unfamiliar waiter came over and we explained that the salad was greasy. He came back with another quickly and served the dressing on the side. That is where the salad went to inedible. It had the flavor of liquid shortening.
Our waiter never addressed the situation, the manager never addressed the situation.
Ah Z...what happened? You used to be a good restaurant. Everything was plated well, looked appetizing and was made with fresh ingredients. Now I'm better off grabbing a salad off the shelf at Albertson's. At least the cashier asks "Did you find everything you need?".
South Coast Plaza
3333 Bristol St. Suite 1876
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Phone: (714) 979-7469Fax: (714) 979-7486
The girl and I were in SCP and we decided to hit Z'Tejas. Our waiter was slow, brought the wrong drinks, and disappeared. A food runner brought our appetizer over. Surprisingly the chips looked like someone sat on them. We were starving and just tried the find chips big enough for dipping in the cheese sauce (tasted like spicy Velveeta) Much later, our salad arrived even though we asked to have it served with the appetizer. The girl took a bite of the fish and said it was dry. Yes at 5 she knows dry over cooked fish. She took a mouth full of the salad and spit it in her napkin. She said it tasted weird.
So I looked it over. No more fresh lettuce - this came directly from a bag of pre-cut lettuce at the grocery store. I took a bite of the fish and agreed that it was over cooked - but edible. I took a bite of the salad. Instantly, my mouth was coated with what felt and tasted like Crisco. This was some bad salad.
Our waiter never came back. Unfamiliar waiter came over and we explained that the salad was greasy. He came back with another quickly and served the dressing on the side. That is where the salad went to inedible. It had the flavor of liquid shortening.
Our waiter never addressed the situation, the manager never addressed the situation.
Ah Z...what happened? You used to be a good restaurant. Everything was plated well, looked appetizing and was made with fresh ingredients. Now I'm better off grabbing a salad off the shelf at Albertson's. At least the cashier asks "Did you find everything you need?".
South Coast Plaza
3333 Bristol St. Suite 1876
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Phone: (714) 979-7469Fax: (714) 979-7486
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Brew Bakers
I should mention, I have worked for 5 star companies, owned two restaurants and have an intense background in F&B and the hospitality business. I spent years scouting reservations to figure out the likely AAA reviewers and all of this upper crust stuff has formed a very prissy and entitled attitude about food and service.
I first heard about Brew Baker's in a filer about children's parties. Kids make their own pretzels and bottle root beer. They also advertise that you can bottle your own beer here and that they sell bread, food and beer. So I was envisioning a sterile environment that was child friendly. When the kids asked for a pizza for dinner we decided to check it out.
First, it's the kind of place that looks like it feels sticky. The first thing I noticed was the bar, the second was the amount of breasts on the labels on the wall. Two picnic tables are set up for eating. The tables are covered with the writings of patrons, and these beer labels are everywhere. Right off the bat the girl reads something about how "Everyone needs something to believe, I believe I'll have another beer." I cringed knowing that this will be stored in her mind and probably recited on her school playground the next day.
The service is very, but also genuine, friendly and attractive. The large pizza ($17plus a charge for the topping) was the size of a frozen pizza and the pretzel crust was quite good. It's served on a wooden board and napkins are on the tables. I suppose plates would have just been in the way. The cheese and pepperoni were greasy but not heavy. The only thing that could have improved the pizza was a less sweet sauce.
I'm not sure if the root beer was brewed there or regular root beer off the tap, but it was served without ice and we were given a choice - glass or plastic.
This restaurant is for kids who usually accompany mom and dad to sports bars. As I don't watch sports, my kids were very unfamiliar with the bar scene. This place is perfect for dare I say "less stuck up people". I know my brother would LOVE this place because he is the sort to know everyone and would make fast friends with the locals and staff. I think I would have been more comfortable if I were drinking and with friends than with the kids.
I cannot imagine choosing this location for a child's party (or church group-also advertises for this clientele). Especially with breasts, asses and profanity on most of the walls.
So go with your 21 and over crowd - try out the beer and meet some really nice down to earth people. The pizza is decent and try the soft baked pretzels. Just leave your stuffy friends (and kids if they can read) at home.
Brew Bakers
(714) 596-5506 www.brewbakers1.com
7242 Heil Ave, Huntington Beach, CA 92647
I first heard about Brew Baker's in a filer about children's parties. Kids make their own pretzels and bottle root beer. They also advertise that you can bottle your own beer here and that they sell bread, food and beer. So I was envisioning a sterile environment that was child friendly. When the kids asked for a pizza for dinner we decided to check it out.
First, it's the kind of place that looks like it feels sticky. The first thing I noticed was the bar, the second was the amount of breasts on the labels on the wall. Two picnic tables are set up for eating. The tables are covered with the writings of patrons, and these beer labels are everywhere. Right off the bat the girl reads something about how "Everyone needs something to believe, I believe I'll have another beer." I cringed knowing that this will be stored in her mind and probably recited on her school playground the next day.
The service is very, but also genuine, friendly and attractive. The large pizza ($17plus a charge for the topping) was the size of a frozen pizza and the pretzel crust was quite good. It's served on a wooden board and napkins are on the tables. I suppose plates would have just been in the way. The cheese and pepperoni were greasy but not heavy. The only thing that could have improved the pizza was a less sweet sauce.
I'm not sure if the root beer was brewed there or regular root beer off the tap, but it was served without ice and we were given a choice - glass or plastic.
This restaurant is for kids who usually accompany mom and dad to sports bars. As I don't watch sports, my kids were very unfamiliar with the bar scene. This place is perfect for dare I say "less stuck up people". I know my brother would LOVE this place because he is the sort to know everyone and would make fast friends with the locals and staff. I think I would have been more comfortable if I were drinking and with friends than with the kids.
I cannot imagine choosing this location for a child's party (or church group-also advertises for this clientele). Especially with breasts, asses and profanity on most of the walls.
So go with your 21 and over crowd - try out the beer and meet some really nice down to earth people. The pizza is decent and try the soft baked pretzels. Just leave your stuffy friends (and kids if they can read) at home.
Brew Bakers
(714) 596-5506 www.brewbakers1.com
7242 Heil Ave, Huntington Beach, CA 92647
Friday, February 29, 2008
Does your favorite eatery get a passing grade?
And is passing enough?
http://www.ocregister.com/news/orange-county-restaurant-1985774-inspections-violations
Type in your favorite restaurants and see how they stack up. Los Angeles has a food rating system and the owner has to display their grade. I've eaten at B restuarnats in the past, but feel much happier eating something like sushi at a perfect score establishment.
Even more curious, type in your child's cafeteria.
One surprising rating: places like 7-11 generally score well. I suppose hot dogs on a rolling aparatus isn't a cause for certain death.
http://www.ocregister.com/news/orange-county-restaurant-1985774-inspections-violations
Type in your favorite restaurants and see how they stack up. Los Angeles has a food rating system and the owner has to display their grade. I've eaten at B restuarnats in the past, but feel much happier eating something like sushi at a perfect score establishment.
Even more curious, type in your child's cafeteria.
One surprising rating: places like 7-11 generally score well. I suppose hot dogs on a rolling aparatus isn't a cause for certain death.
Places I refuse to eat (and why)
1. Naples's at Downtown Disney in Anaheim
Reason - was served a marinated salad with shards of glass in it. They remedy - remove the salad from the bill.
2. Hot & Spicy Thai - Aside from hairs in the food, their fried rice is the most embarrassing for a Thai restaurant. Instead if fresh hot rice with slices of onions, you get old rice that tastes old and hard with old frozen peas and carrots. My guess is the chef is from a bad Chinese buffet restaurant. No care of quality, just get rid of the old food into customers plates.
3. Lazy Dog - I don't eat with pets and find the concept alone to be horrifying.
4. La Choza -I'm just not impressed. The salsa is bland, the tortilla's blah, and the food is just ordinary. My companions loved the chili relleno, I'm not one for the item itself.
5. Rodrigo's - Cute place, lots of money in the renovation, the food is uninspiried.
Reason - was served a marinated salad with shards of glass in it. They remedy - remove the salad from the bill.
2. Hot & Spicy Thai - Aside from hairs in the food, their fried rice is the most embarrassing for a Thai restaurant. Instead if fresh hot rice with slices of onions, you get old rice that tastes old and hard with old frozen peas and carrots. My guess is the chef is from a bad Chinese buffet restaurant. No care of quality, just get rid of the old food into customers plates.
3. Lazy Dog - I don't eat with pets and find the concept alone to be horrifying.
4. La Choza -I'm just not impressed. The salsa is bland, the tortilla's blah, and the food is just ordinary. My companions loved the chili relleno, I'm not one for the item itself.
5. Rodrigo's - Cute place, lots of money in the renovation, the food is uninspiried.
King's Pizza
A friend and I were talking a couple years ago and I said, "There is no such thing as a bad pizza". He countered and I argued. A year or two later I did encounter a bad pizza, so he was right.
King's Pizza is a manly place. Crappy menu board, old pictures of what the pizzas look like, bar signs in burned out neon. It feels a little divey and unsanitary. However, when you walk in the door, you are hit with the smell of really good pizza and all of your cleanliness phobias fly out the window. The men behind the counter are maybe Middle Eastern (Lebanese?)and have thick accents, swarthy looks (ah my pirate obsession is rekindled) and are flirty. It's like going to your brother's best friends house - out your feet on the table and have a beer in a bottle. Customers talk in line and there is this anticipation that the wait is worth it.
Sometimes your order is wrong, but you really don't care. All you care about is cheesy goodness with lots of hand sliced veggies and meats. napkins and paper plates are at a premium - if you ask for napkins, you will get one or two of the cheapest napkins in the world, the paper plates are thin and soaked through almost instantly. But it makes up for poshness with it's great flavors. The crust is thinner and chewier than chain places. It's the kind of pizza you have to fold to eat. A perfect pie, every time.
King's Pizza
5908 Edinger Avenue
Huntington Beach, CA 92649
(714) 846-5555
King's Pizza is a manly place. Crappy menu board, old pictures of what the pizzas look like, bar signs in burned out neon. It feels a little divey and unsanitary. However, when you walk in the door, you are hit with the smell of really good pizza and all of your cleanliness phobias fly out the window. The men behind the counter are maybe Middle Eastern (Lebanese?)and have thick accents, swarthy looks (ah my pirate obsession is rekindled) and are flirty. It's like going to your brother's best friends house - out your feet on the table and have a beer in a bottle. Customers talk in line and there is this anticipation that the wait is worth it.
Sometimes your order is wrong, but you really don't care. All you care about is cheesy goodness with lots of hand sliced veggies and meats. napkins and paper plates are at a premium - if you ask for napkins, you will get one or two of the cheapest napkins in the world, the paper plates are thin and soaked through almost instantly. But it makes up for poshness with it's great flavors. The crust is thinner and chewier than chain places. It's the kind of pizza you have to fold to eat. A perfect pie, every time.
King's Pizza
5908 Edinger Avenue
Huntington Beach, CA 92649
(714) 846-5555
Saturday, February 23, 2008
California Pizza Kitchen
I normally try to avoid chain restaurants, but I know when I got to CPK, my kids will be happy and I am guaranteed a good salad.
Last night was no exception. The girl and I were there at 6 - just before the big rush and we had a lovely large table near the bar. She was starving so she had some bread and butter (hey CPK - remember when the bread was warm??? We miss it!). We split the Cobb half salad and a 4 cheese and tomato pizza. Is it gourmet? No, but it is consistently good. Unlike Wolfgang Puck's it is also clean and the service is more attentive. It's one of the few places that makes a large salad that consists of more than iceberg, cabbage and a couple cherry tomatoes. The iced tea was clean tasting and the waitress didn't charge us for the kids drink (we didn't order off of the kids menu).
I did envy those drinking wine and sangria. Why did I develop an allergy to wine???
Last night was no exception. The girl and I were there at 6 - just before the big rush and we had a lovely large table near the bar. She was starving so she had some bread and butter (hey CPK - remember when the bread was warm??? We miss it!). We split the Cobb half salad and a 4 cheese and tomato pizza. Is it gourmet? No, but it is consistently good. Unlike Wolfgang Puck's it is also clean and the service is more attentive. It's one of the few places that makes a large salad that consists of more than iceberg, cabbage and a couple cherry tomatoes. The iced tea was clean tasting and the waitress didn't charge us for the kids drink (we didn't order off of the kids menu).
I did envy those drinking wine and sangria. Why did I develop an allergy to wine???
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Panda Palace is Perfect!
I love Chinese food, but only in Oakland or Irvine (go Sam Woo on Culver!). I'm too picky. I don't like bland, thick cornstarch sauces, overly breaded bits of low quality chicken, and overly salted food with limp vegetables. I also don't like the authentic pork fat and chicken legs.
That knocks out about 99 percent of the Chinese food in Southern California.
Panda Palace is a pretty restaurant, booths, tables, and a banquet room with the giant lazy susan tables. There is also a full bar and a patio. The service is old fashioned Chinese restaurant - something missing form a lot of upscale restaurants. Cloth tablecloths and napkins, appetizer plates, putting the napkins on your lap, and the waitress or waiter serving your plate for you all remind me of when going out for Chinese food was a special event.
The food is cooked to order. It comes out of the kitchen a little slowly - not so slow you are feeling forgotten - just more of a leisurely pace.
I loved the orange chicken. No breading - just a quick stir-fry and the dried orange peels. It's pungent and tasty. The pu pu platter was fun - who doesn't like flames on the table? Also delicious was the kung pow beef. You have a choice of white or brown rice and the brown rice is tender. The only lackluster dish was the Mongolian beef. All the meets and vegetables are a high quality.
If you're looking for a Chinese restaurant that will help you remember why people used to go out to eat (good food, great service and a little pampering), please stop by the Panda Palace.
http://www.pandapalacehb.com/
Located at Peter's Landing
16400 Pacific Coast Highway, suite 112
Huntington Beach, CA 92649
Restaurant Hours:
Sunday -Thursday: 11am to 10:00pm
Friday & Saturday: 11am to 10:30pm
That knocks out about 99 percent of the Chinese food in Southern California.
Panda Palace is a pretty restaurant, booths, tables, and a banquet room with the giant lazy susan tables. There is also a full bar and a patio. The service is old fashioned Chinese restaurant - something missing form a lot of upscale restaurants. Cloth tablecloths and napkins, appetizer plates, putting the napkins on your lap, and the waitress or waiter serving your plate for you all remind me of when going out for Chinese food was a special event.
The food is cooked to order. It comes out of the kitchen a little slowly - not so slow you are feeling forgotten - just more of a leisurely pace.
I loved the orange chicken. No breading - just a quick stir-fry and the dried orange peels. It's pungent and tasty. The pu pu platter was fun - who doesn't like flames on the table? Also delicious was the kung pow beef. You have a choice of white or brown rice and the brown rice is tender. The only lackluster dish was the Mongolian beef. All the meets and vegetables are a high quality.
If you're looking for a Chinese restaurant that will help you remember why people used to go out to eat (good food, great service and a little pampering), please stop by the Panda Palace.
http://www.pandapalacehb.com/
Located at Peter's Landing
16400 Pacific Coast Highway, suite 112
Huntington Beach, CA 92649
Restaurant Hours:
Sunday -Thursday: 11am to 10:00pm
Friday & Saturday: 11am to 10:30pm
Znow's, I Want to Love You, Really I Do!
Znow's Ice Cream - 16479 Bolsa Chica Rd., 92649 / 840-1203
I've visited a couple times. The first time was to try ice cream with alcohol content. Creamy delicious with a kick - sounded like a dream come true. You do have to be 21 to buy these flavors - margarita, merlot, Bailey's and others. And the cost is a dollar more than the regular flavors.
So I ate and ate and never got the inkling there was tequila in my ice cream. It tasted much like the Baskin Robbins all age’s variety.
The next visit, I tried coconut. I used to work at this place that made coconut ice cream and I miss it. It was made with coconut milk and was creamy - not bits of coconut, just lovely flavor. Znow's tasted like coconut, just sort of waxy.
On my last trip, I decided to try the mango. It's called Chili Mango because they top the ice cream with what I'm now sure is ground lucas candy. It's an acquired taste, and I don't care for it - like salty, sweet, chili powder. So I asked for a quart to bring home with the chili on the side. So she packed it and I asked for the powder. She looks at me and says she made it wrong - she accidentally put it in and there wasn't enough mango to make another quart. I should have chosen another flavor, but it already took the kids 10 minutes to decide on the mango so we brought it home. The flavor of the powder is overpowering - you can't taste the mango at all.
The price of the ice cream is high - for that price, I want to be wowed. I expect to like it more than Haagen Daas. I paid about $10 for the quart.
The worst part is how the place doesn't seem to know what it wants to be...faux building on the wall and the metal and concrete give the impression of appealing to teens and young adults, the cheap Chuck E Cheese toys spread all over the counters and cabinets yell, bring the kids!
I won't be getting ice cream here anymore. I tried to love you Znow's, I really tried.
I'm waiting for Yogurtland to open. In the meanwhile, Pinkberry, 31 Flavors, and Thrifty ice cream from RiteAid (I know it's not great, but it's a childhood fave and cheap) will have to fill my hand packed ice cream cravings.
I've visited a couple times. The first time was to try ice cream with alcohol content. Creamy delicious with a kick - sounded like a dream come true. You do have to be 21 to buy these flavors - margarita, merlot, Bailey's and others. And the cost is a dollar more than the regular flavors.
So I ate and ate and never got the inkling there was tequila in my ice cream. It tasted much like the Baskin Robbins all age’s variety.
The next visit, I tried coconut. I used to work at this place that made coconut ice cream and I miss it. It was made with coconut milk and was creamy - not bits of coconut, just lovely flavor. Znow's tasted like coconut, just sort of waxy.
On my last trip, I decided to try the mango. It's called Chili Mango because they top the ice cream with what I'm now sure is ground lucas candy. It's an acquired taste, and I don't care for it - like salty, sweet, chili powder. So I asked for a quart to bring home with the chili on the side. So she packed it and I asked for the powder. She looks at me and says she made it wrong - she accidentally put it in and there wasn't enough mango to make another quart. I should have chosen another flavor, but it already took the kids 10 minutes to decide on the mango so we brought it home. The flavor of the powder is overpowering - you can't taste the mango at all.
The price of the ice cream is high - for that price, I want to be wowed. I expect to like it more than Haagen Daas. I paid about $10 for the quart.
The worst part is how the place doesn't seem to know what it wants to be...faux building on the wall and the metal and concrete give the impression of appealing to teens and young adults, the cheap Chuck E Cheese toys spread all over the counters and cabinets yell, bring the kids!
I won't be getting ice cream here anymore. I tried to love you Znow's, I really tried.
I'm waiting for Yogurtland to open. In the meanwhile, Pinkberry, 31 Flavors, and Thrifty ice cream from RiteAid (I know it's not great, but it's a childhood fave and cheap) will have to fill my hand packed ice cream cravings.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Kellies Deli
Kellies Deli is probably my most strange new favorite place to eat. It's located on the sidewalk of Home Depot on Warner and Goldenwest. It's in a trailer. There are a couple picnic tables if you want to eat in there. I took my order to go. I warned you it's...unusual.
I ordered the breakfast burrito. It's about six dollars. I was impatient and thought she was just microwaving one. I had the lowest expectations, but needed lunch and had to get back to work. Then I heard a clanging. I stood on tip toe and peered in...the girl was COOKING my food. She was scrambling eggs, cooking thin slices of beef, and frying potatoes. Just for me! I almost melted when I bit in this burrito that was almost as long as my forearm. It's spicy, bursting with flavor, the meat was lean and spicy, the potatoes crisp and lovely.
It was a religious experience.
If you are in the area - stop by! I noticed that they also carry high quality sausages and Brewbaker breadsticks.
I ordered the breakfast burrito. It's about six dollars. I was impatient and thought she was just microwaving one. I had the lowest expectations, but needed lunch and had to get back to work. Then I heard a clanging. I stood on tip toe and peered in...the girl was COOKING my food. She was scrambling eggs, cooking thin slices of beef, and frying potatoes. Just for me! I almost melted when I bit in this burrito that was almost as long as my forearm. It's spicy, bursting with flavor, the meat was lean and spicy, the potatoes crisp and lovely.
It was a religious experience.
If you are in the area - stop by! I noticed that they also carry high quality sausages and Brewbaker breadsticks.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Looking to hang with the hungry? Jon's Coffee Shop
A local haunt that reminds you of cafes long gone is Jon's Coffee Shop.
If you order the orange juice, they have a machine filled with fresh oranges. The waitress pushes a button and the oranges roll into the machine and your juice is crushed right then. You can't get fresher than that!
I have had the omelets, oatmeal and other items, but I just love their buckwheat pancakes. They are light and fluffy and a filling. Served diner style with a big scoop of butter and a little container of maple syrup - it's a perfect way to start your day.
Their weekday special is OJ, coffee, two eggs, bacon or sausage, and pancakes - all for under seven dollars. Kids will love the little pond when you walk in the door and has live turtles frolicking. There are also miniature ships, lots of fake plants and of course, the counter where regulars sit. The service is prompt and sometimes a little rough, but they take their jobs seriously - these are diner career women.
Jon's Coffee Shop
(714) 840-1088
16490 Bolsa Chica St
Huntington Beach, CA
If you order the orange juice, they have a machine filled with fresh oranges. The waitress pushes a button and the oranges roll into the machine and your juice is crushed right then. You can't get fresher than that!
I have had the omelets, oatmeal and other items, but I just love their buckwheat pancakes. They are light and fluffy and a filling. Served diner style with a big scoop of butter and a little container of maple syrup - it's a perfect way to start your day.
Their weekday special is OJ, coffee, two eggs, bacon or sausage, and pancakes - all for under seven dollars. Kids will love the little pond when you walk in the door and has live turtles frolicking. There are also miniature ships, lots of fake plants and of course, the counter where regulars sit. The service is prompt and sometimes a little rough, but they take their jobs seriously - these are diner career women.
Jon's Coffee Shop
(714) 840-1088
16490 Bolsa Chica St
Huntington Beach, CA
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Island's
Islands is a west coast-southwest chain. It is comparable to Red Robin, but with fewer menu items. Choices run from salad to sandwiches, burgers, and tacos. Island's always has customers; the food is good, the service quick and casual. Island kitche includes palm fronds and ceramic parrots.
Last night I had the passion fruit iced tea - it has a nice light fruit flavor. We ordered chips and guacamole as a starter. The chips are cooked when you order them so they are nicely hot and salted. The salsa is uninspired - probably Pace from a jar and the guacamole is from a plastic pouch.
I ordered the Wiqui Waqui BBQ salad ans it has lettuce, tomatoes, cheddar & jack cheeses, red onion & jicama, it's tossed with ranch dressing & topped with tortilla strips, bbq sauce & scallions. I had chicken added for an additional charge. Aside from sounding stupid calling it "wiqui waqui", it's a hearty salad with delicious chicken. The only problem is that the chicken is hidden in the salad and it's sort of like going on a bear hunt. Seriouly, at Island's they know how to prepare the chicken so it's moist and flavorful. The tortilla strips and BBQ sauce add a nice texture. Like most salad entree's it's really too big for one person.
The girl had a kid’s cheese burger, unlike most restaurants, you can get it with lettuce, tomatoes, and onions so it is just like a regular burger only a little smaller. She asked for apple sauce instead of fries (my kids are the only kids in the US who do not like potatoes-even in the form of French fries). The boy had the Maui - guacamole, lettuce, tomato, Swiss & mayo on a white bun. He has tried all of the burgers and this is the one he always orders now.
We will go back, mostly because Ruby's and Red Robin aren't quite as convenient as far as location and parking go and partly because it has a fun atmosphere.
One highlight is their new lunch special menu. For 6.95 you can have a nice lunch without breaking the bank.
Various Locations
Last night I had the passion fruit iced tea - it has a nice light fruit flavor. We ordered chips and guacamole as a starter. The chips are cooked when you order them so they are nicely hot and salted. The salsa is uninspired - probably Pace from a jar and the guacamole is from a plastic pouch.
I ordered the Wiqui Waqui BBQ salad ans it has lettuce, tomatoes, cheddar & jack cheeses, red onion & jicama, it's tossed with ranch dressing & topped with tortilla strips, bbq sauce & scallions. I had chicken added for an additional charge. Aside from sounding stupid calling it "wiqui waqui", it's a hearty salad with delicious chicken. The only problem is that the chicken is hidden in the salad and it's sort of like going on a bear hunt. Seriouly, at Island's they know how to prepare the chicken so it's moist and flavorful. The tortilla strips and BBQ sauce add a nice texture. Like most salad entree's it's really too big for one person.
The girl had a kid’s cheese burger, unlike most restaurants, you can get it with lettuce, tomatoes, and onions so it is just like a regular burger only a little smaller. She asked for apple sauce instead of fries (my kids are the only kids in the US who do not like potatoes-even in the form of French fries). The boy had the Maui - guacamole, lettuce, tomato, Swiss & mayo on a white bun. He has tried all of the burgers and this is the one he always orders now.
We will go back, mostly because Ruby's and Red Robin aren't quite as convenient as far as location and parking go and partly because it has a fun atmosphere.
One highlight is their new lunch special menu. For 6.95 you can have a nice lunch without breaking the bank.
Various Locations
Monday, February 4, 2008
Cosi
SouthCoast Metro Pointe
901 South Coast Drive
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Phone: 714-957-6191
Fax: 714-957-3384
Free Wireless Internet Available: Yes
Hours: Monday: 7a-9p Tuesday: 7a-9p Wednesday: 7a-9p Thursday: 7a-9p Friday: 7a-11p Saturday: 8a-11p Sunday: 8a-9p
Cosi is a pretty little cafe that advertises it's a wifi hotspot. It's very inviting with many tables tucked away, pretty chairs and booths and modern, clean lines.
On Sunday they advertise a buy one get one free special on pizza. Having two hungry teens and a child, it sounded like a good bargain. Large pizzas are about $13.00 and they have about 6 different varieties to choose from. We selected:
Meat TrioSausage, bacon and pepperoni
Pan Asian ChickenRed curry lemongrass chicken, roasted red peppers, scallions & red onions, topped with fresh cilantro.
Caesar with Grilled ChickenRomaine, parmesan and croutons topped with grilled chicken breast. Tossed with Caesar dressing.
I also ordered a coffee and soda.
We enter and there is one other table. I order at the counter and I'm told the special is only for individual pizzas. It is easy for me to walk out. I didn't place the sign outside their restaurant with a tiny disclaimer in the dark. I really didn't care; there is a family favorite restaurant next door. The girl said, "Wait, it’s fine", and places the order.
The salad is about the same as a salad in the bag at the grocery store down to the plastic tasting parmesan and the heavy dressing. There are very large chucks of white meat. It sounds good but it reminded me of cheap lunchmeat. It's definitely not natural chicken. Some sort of tasteless pressed cubed mush... Anyway there are four of us and no plates and one fork. The food runner seems bothered by the fact we are sharing everything and need plates and forks for everyone.
The meat trio was humorous. Pepperoni, sausage and bacon bits. Yup, bacon bits. Very strange...
The Asian pizza was the worst pizza I've ever had in a sit down restaurant. It is chunks of canned tomatoes, more of the same bad chicken, raw red onions and heavily doused with fresh cilantro.
Notice the meat trio does not say it has cheese. But it does, white cheese. The Asian pizza has no mention of cheese, and it does not have cheese. Unless a pizza states it has no cheese, it's sort of expected. Anyway, we left the Asian pizza almost untouched.
I haven't described the crust on both pizzas. It was difficult for the teens to enjoy the pizza because the crust is VERY hard. I've had flatbread before but this is almost cardboard like. We all ended up scraping the top layer off and had piles of stale tasting crust on our plates.
The coffee was terrible. The texture was more like ovaltine: thick and mouth coating and it was beyond bitter.
Sunday night's are known for being slow nights in restaurants, and maybe the cook had an off day. With all our other choices though, we won't be back.
901 South Coast Drive
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Phone: 714-957-6191
Fax: 714-957-3384
Free Wireless Internet Available: Yes
Hours: Monday: 7a-9p Tuesday: 7a-9p Wednesday: 7a-9p Thursday: 7a-9p Friday: 7a-11p Saturday: 8a-11p Sunday: 8a-9p
Cosi is a pretty little cafe that advertises it's a wifi hotspot. It's very inviting with many tables tucked away, pretty chairs and booths and modern, clean lines.
On Sunday they advertise a buy one get one free special on pizza. Having two hungry teens and a child, it sounded like a good bargain. Large pizzas are about $13.00 and they have about 6 different varieties to choose from. We selected:
Meat TrioSausage, bacon and pepperoni
Pan Asian ChickenRed curry lemongrass chicken, roasted red peppers, scallions & red onions, topped with fresh cilantro.
Caesar with Grilled ChickenRomaine, parmesan and croutons topped with grilled chicken breast. Tossed with Caesar dressing.
I also ordered a coffee and soda.
We enter and there is one other table. I order at the counter and I'm told the special is only for individual pizzas. It is easy for me to walk out. I didn't place the sign outside their restaurant with a tiny disclaimer in the dark. I really didn't care; there is a family favorite restaurant next door. The girl said, "Wait, it’s fine", and places the order.
The salad is about the same as a salad in the bag at the grocery store down to the plastic tasting parmesan and the heavy dressing. There are very large chucks of white meat. It sounds good but it reminded me of cheap lunchmeat. It's definitely not natural chicken. Some sort of tasteless pressed cubed mush... Anyway there are four of us and no plates and one fork. The food runner seems bothered by the fact we are sharing everything and need plates and forks for everyone.
The meat trio was humorous. Pepperoni, sausage and bacon bits. Yup, bacon bits. Very strange...
The Asian pizza was the worst pizza I've ever had in a sit down restaurant. It is chunks of canned tomatoes, more of the same bad chicken, raw red onions and heavily doused with fresh cilantro.
Notice the meat trio does not say it has cheese. But it does, white cheese. The Asian pizza has no mention of cheese, and it does not have cheese. Unless a pizza states it has no cheese, it's sort of expected. Anyway, we left the Asian pizza almost untouched.
I haven't described the crust on both pizzas. It was difficult for the teens to enjoy the pizza because the crust is VERY hard. I've had flatbread before but this is almost cardboard like. We all ended up scraping the top layer off and had piles of stale tasting crust on our plates.
The coffee was terrible. The texture was more like ovaltine: thick and mouth coating and it was beyond bitter.
Sunday night's are known for being slow nights in restaurants, and maybe the cook had an off day. With all our other choices though, we won't be back.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
RSS Feed (xml)