Looking for a restaurant open for dinner Christmas night. Charthouse is out. Bad experience. Bay Club and Woody's are open, but I'm looking for something in between (food and price wise).

Looking for a caterer in Orange County who can make Turducken with all the fixings

I've been to Kimera many times since it first opened. I really enjoyed the opening with the "Global Fusion" menu. Your'e right, it kind of got lost for awhile, but the new chef is injecting new life into the menu. I adore the wine dinners! I love that the new chef changes the menu seasonally and (with the wine dinners) it lends a fresh breath almost every time I dine there! Really creative, a lot of time, effort and passion behind the kitchen doors. But I also like the casual bar menu. The sriracha deviled eggs are the bomb. Don't get me started on the Charcuterie Bar...I've only been once and it was really fun. The guy behind the bar knows his stuff as well! Stellar review in my book!

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Kimera Restaurant
19530 Jamboree Rd., Irvine, CA 92612

25 Degrees is amazing. We've been there several times, morning, afternoon and evening and haven't experienced any ruckus. But it is HB and that's kind of what you would expect. And not that it never happens, but I've never ever seen kids running around. Try the tempura green beans and the sweet potato fries (there is a vast array of dipping sauces, I suggest chipotle or the dill sauce) Perhaps explain right away that you have a timeline. The waitresses are a bit scattered but they are all very nice. I'm sure there are tons of good eats inland, but there's something romantic about eating at the beach. This is your best bet, IMHO. Don't forget the milkshake for dessert! The salty caramel one rocks!

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25 Degrees
412 Walnut Ave, Huntington Beach, CA 92648

Went last Friday night with a party of 6. Made reservations for 8pm, table wasn't ready for 20 minutes. The bar was packed, usual NB suspects. The chips come in the form of tostadas, and are seasoned. No salsa is offered. Guac was $10 and was pretty good. Ordered rounds of drinks (and shots of Patron), the bar ran out of Patron, and the drinks took 20 minutes. For apps we ordered Tortitos (peppers stuffed with seafood and cheese) (void of flavor altogether), some coconut calamari strips (which were the best thing), the ceviche (which I didn't try but heard it was good), and the $10 Guac. Sol. Another round of drinks, another 20 minutes. Went to the bar it took 5 minutes. I ordered the tequila clam appetizer for dinner, the broth rocked but the clams were the size of my thumbnail, guys ordered carnitas and they were dry, others ordered tacos, and I didn't hear any response. A manager came over and profusely appologized for the off service and comped some of our bill. My opinion, not ready for prime time yet, but the inspiration is certainly there. We also noticed that there was no chef in the kitchen that night. Odd, since it's only been open a short time. I'd give it a bit, until the bar scene is less the focus than the food. Certainly worth a try though.

That was my point. We ride bikes up to HB a lot during the summertime, and spend the day on Main Street. Certainly not writing off all of HB. But Hurricane's, Fred's, HB Brewery, Aloha Grill, the ever changing couple of restaurants there by Long Board.... Get's old (and sticky) after 15 + years. It's nice to have the option of a nice upscale burger place. HB (Main Street) is what it is and you can't argue with what works, but for a semi-local regular, 25 Degrees sure fits my bill. (IMHO their burger, was well worth $10.50, my wine was $6 and I saw canned beer for $3) And while the food is decent, it's nice not waiting skin to sticky skin in Wahoo's, Chronic and TK. By the time I eat my food I'm already in a bad mood. I think the new hotels will ensure a lot of new business. I think that's what Izakaya was banking on before they closed.

While it is quite a sum for a burger, it's one heck of a big burger! It was almost dripping down my arm! I love TK as much as the next person, but I wouldn't take a date there. Heck, I won't even let my husband take me there. Izakaya Zero was far too expensive and a misfit for HB (god bless Abe), but 25 Degrees is a breath of fresh air. Given the gorgeous decor, open windows, and super creative menu, $30 seems like a bargin. It ain't Ruby's!

25 Degrees just opened! Started with the tempura green and yellow beans (try it with the dill dip sauce!) The sweet potato fries are perfection, perfectly crisp with a chipotle sauce. Not a big burger eater, but I had the #1 turkey burger and it was insanely good. Nice pours of wine too. The decor is fantastic. Great to have a "foodie" place in HB. This is the real deal!

I whole heartedly second the Crow Bar. Perfect crisp!

I'm not a big burger eater, hopefully they have a nice turkey or veggie burger. Cudos to the Goodell's! I'd walk a mile in the tracks of the truck that carried them. Loved Aubergine!

Stone crab claws just went out of season. You won't get anything here even close to Joe's (unless you order directly on-line, they send a lovely presentation including bibs, mallets and key lime pie). But in season, Mastro's carries them. They're almost as good as Joe's. Can be hit and miss sometimes though towards the end of the season.

Where can I find the best selection of fresh mushrooms around the Costa Mesa/Newport area? Specifically morels and oyster.

I'm having a hard time finding all of this stuff too! No Creole/Cajun markets that I know of,but...
Santa Monica Seafood has frozen crawfish (sometimes around this time they have fresh also)
Bristol Farms has Andouille Sausage (and Tasso if you're interested)
French's (Cupcake) Bakery on 17th Street in Costa Mesa does King Cakes to order.
Don't know about Boudin or Zapp's though. I'll keep an eye on your post!

I'm hosting a Mardi Gras party this weekend and am wondering if anyone knows of a place in Orange County that sells Alligator Sausage. I usually get it from Cajun Grocer on the internet, but I spaced out this year. My husband will be up in LA this week, perhaps somewhere up there even?

It is my 7 year wedding anniversary on September 30th and I would love to be indulged with white truffles. Lots and lots! We are in Newport Beach, but I will travel anywhere for an abundant WHITE truffle experience.

Meatballs on a stick! Right by the wine pavillion. Sooo good! I think they put cheese in them. Yum!

Blue Water in Cannery Villiage has a great Oyster Bar and Fresh sea food. It's right on the harbor with views of all the big yahts (and the jelly fish are going crazy right now, it's fun to watch). A big yes on Pasta Connection also.

Oh no, I'm only too happy that the WPC places are closed. It was good for what it was at the time. Are there any other restaurants who serve butternut squash soup?

My Grandma just got into town and is hell bent on getting a bowl of butternut squash soup tomorrow for lunch. She remembers having it at Wolfgang Puck Cafe and loving it. Are there any restaurants in the Newport Beach area that still serve a good bowl?

My husband and I are traveling in May and staying at the sheraton hacienda. So far in my research I have come up with Nick-san, Don Emiliano and (at our hotel) Pitahayas. Looking for some validation or other recommendations. Dinner rec's only, we like to explore for lunch!

Looking for something new for Saturday night. Has anyone tried or heard the word about the new restaurants Port (behind the old Port theatre) or Restaruant Max?

Looking for somewhere to get my knives sharpened in Orange County, California.

Have tickets to Wicked, looking for a good place to grab chow by the theatre. We're seeing the 1:00 show, so something early, like brunch. Any recs?

I made this recipe for my daughters baptism. I poureed it into plastic wine glasses and topped with berries. Everyone thought it was amazing! No chance of lumps!

1 envelope unflavored gelatin (about 1 tablespoon)
2 tablespoons cold water
2 cups heavy cream
1 cup half-and-half
1/3 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Raspberries, for garnish
In a very small saucepan sprinkle gelatin over water and let stand about 1 minute to soften. Heat gelatin mixture over low heat until gelatin is dissolved and remove pan from heat.
In a large saucepan bring cream, half-and-half, and sugar just to a boil over moderately high heat, stirring. Remove pan from heat and stir in gelatin mixture and vanilla. Divide cream mixture among 8 heart shaped ramekins and cool to room temperature. Chill ramekins, covered, at least 4 hours or overnight.

Dip ramekins, 1 at a time, into a bowl of hot water for 3 seconds. Run a thin knife around edge of each ramekin and invert ramekin onto center of a small plate. Garnish with raspberries.

Want to make Achiote Rubbed Pork Baked in Banana Leaf, but don't know where to buy either main ingredient. I live in Orange County, California. Any suggestions?