slowfoodie's Profile
Orange County California...only a few
Pan Cream has closed the cafe. The cafe will become "a Japaneese style" restaurant.
They are now "working on the menu". No time of opening was given.
Similar to Honda YA?
REVIEW: Moscow Deli, Costa Mesa
Went to the Deli the other day. The beef chopped liver is very good. It must be n=made from calves liver, because there is no bitterness to it. The side serving of chopped liver is enough for 3-4 people. It is served with some very nice browned onions on top. The toasted rye bread is dense and perfect for. the liver.
The beet borscht is tasty but there is a huge amount of dill in it. Not like grandma used to make.
New Italian in Tustin
I tried the pizza today, and it is as good as the food. Great crust excellent, cheese, not a heavy sauce with great spices. Just the right amount of olive oil dripping of the foldable crust(I am from Boston sorry). Really the best Pizza in 26 years of living in Southern California.
Now all we need to do is find a good bagel.
New Italian in Tustin
Illiano's Restaurante in Tustin finally brings great southern Italian food to Tustin.
This restaurant is in the same space that previously held Peppinos and then 2-3 other forgetable restaurants.
The breads and some of the pastas appear to be home made. Veal was nicely breaded in fresh toasted bread crumbs, eggplant was superb. Pasta was cooked perfectly and everything was served nice and hot.
Prices are very reasonable main courses are served with a choice of soup or salad and the wine list is also priced within reason. Wine by the glass is served in a water glass, and is quite the pour for $6.00.
This appears to be a family operation and reservations are not needed now but if they keep this up, calling ahead will be needed someday.
I did not try the Pizza but it looked like a great crust, they do serve Pizza by the slice at lunch time. Pizza is also available on a takeout basis. A big plus for the Tustin folks.
651 E. First St.
Phone:714-730-2665
Wow! Mariscos Puerta Esperanza in Orange - what a find!
Excellent food. Way to sophisticated tastes for most of Orange County. This is like a vacation in Mexico . Appetizers are very large and unique tastes Chile Relleno Del Puerto is the "deconstructed" roasted poblano stuffed with tender shrimp,octopus,lovely mussels,calamari,and baby scallops, covered in melted cheese. Enough for3-4.
Camarones Cucarachas is a very unique saute shrimp dish with lemon roasted tomatillo and butter, with aged Cotija Cheese. An excellent dish savory with a hint of heat.
The place was again empty except for 2 two tops. The chef cooked everything to order, and the space itself is well thought out and attractive. The TV had a soccer game going, but the waiter turned down the sound.
The flan was dense and sauced with a nice strawberry coulis.
Nice service. The restaurant is tucked in the corner of a strip mall.
Really unique for Orange County.
Shadowbrook Restaurant Capitola
We made reservations for the past Sunday night at Shadowbrook. The reservation was right on time and we were seated in a warm cozy section. Lots of mood lighting . There is no view at night, with only the reflection of the interior lights in the window. The waiter was attentive if nota bit fake. we ordered appetizer (crabcake like croquette that was heavy and dense),artichoke soup which the waiter forgot to bring, two main courses that were not hot, a flabby sirloin "prime steak with non hot fresh french fries, and a good brocollini steamed veg, and a very coarse grained cornmeal john dory saute with warmish veg) I think that this place is over rated. The waiter asked "how everything was" we nicely told him. The manager came over and said he was sorry. Offered free dessert or glass of wine which we declined.
Told him to bring the bill, which he did taking off the steak which was left 75% uneaten.
Pretty place but the food does not match. Great cozy bar, with wood burning pizza oven.
Best Breakfast Place on Interstate 87
I am very sorry. Got my destination mixed up on a different trip.
We are arriving early at JFK and going on I80 to Troy Penn.
Sorry for the bad info in the first posting.
Best Breakfast Place on Interstate 87
We will be getting into JFK early early AM and then driving to Saratoga Springs,NY.
Is there a great breakfast place 2 hours or so North from the Airport that anyone would like to share?
Anyone tried Izakaya Zero in Huntington Beach?
We went last night. They have been open for 8 mos. The menu is huge and we had the following from Chef Abe san. Edamame were hot and I believe they were fresh and not frozen thawed. Great mohito as well as Tangerine Tini that was a perfect foil for some of the starters. Seaweed salad was picture perfect with alot of great colot texture and tastes. Most of what we had presented the eater with new and interesting textures over and above fresh fresh and exciteting tastes. Hamachic-Kama was a huge piece of Hamachi cheek(collar) slow baked with great sauces and dashi sprinkle ons. The bones were sucked clean with lovely white meat and great skin. Zero Fried rice was great, lots of veggies and assorted seafood bits. Also the table soy sauce is not too salty so you still can taste the food. Fried chicken was moist and succulent. I think they use panko that has been ground up super fine. "Crab Cigar "were two huge eggroll shaped tubes of scallop and shrimp with lots of veggies fresher than fresh. You can see the individual shrimp pieces and scallops. This dish as all others came with three different sauce /dip dishes. Textures were great. "Shrimp Shumai" was a great new texture. Cross between the lightest matzo ball you ever had and what you think Shumai usually looks and tastes like. There were two huge dumplings with a great soy/mustard sauce. The pork belly skewer was a collection of lovely pork belly jewels with grilled veggies. It too came with its own unique sauce combo. Nice balance of skin to meat to fat. Dessert was 2 big scoops of Lychee Sorbet. Again great texture with little hidden gems of frozen lychee fruit to enjoy. There are Dinner plate 2 item specials ,as well as the huge appetizer/small plate items. We really wanted everything we saw everyone else ordering so we look forward to a return trip.The room itself is a huge improvement over the previous restaurant space, for Red Pearl
It is lighter and brighter, natural woods,it is quiet and you can talk and be heard.Seating is great anywhere in the room. Nice use of organic materials and shapes. The globe light fixtures made from fish line cast a great texure over the walls. There is a small area in the back where you can sit/eat/drink and watch the chef. Banquets have cushions and nice back rests, the place was busy but we were not rushed at all. 2 Hr free parking in the main street promenade garage. Bring your ticket to validate at the restaurant. Huntington Beach locals (id required 20% off (not drinks) Tuedays. 50 % off drinks Sunday-Thursday. You could go back 5 times before you ate through the menu. There is no big bar area anymore so the focus is on the food and it shows.
Orange County California...only a few
Crow Bar in CDM is wonderful. The food is fresh bright and well thought out. There are some wonderul draft beers (belgium amonst others). The Duck Fat Fries are very very special.
Service is efficient with now actor/waiters types around. A wide menu choice of small plates.
The clam "chowdah" is a deconstructed version with fresh clams no fillers, non nitrite bacon, fresh thyme, and al dente spuds. Prices are reasonable for the nose bleed real estate they are in. Parking is a challange. A welcome addition to the beige coast.
Herbsaint or Cobalt?
Herbsaint may be spending too much time reading its press releases etc. We ate there Saturday evening at 8:00Pm. Do not for any reason let them seat you in the second dining room. It is the land that waiters forget. Service was very slow (the main dining room was not full), food was not hot (rib eye was done as odered but had been sitting, and frites were warm and not hot. A member of our party ordered the Louisiana shrimp with scallion spoon bread. The shrimp were tough and tasted of iodine. They were sent back and the rib eye was ordered in its place. It came piping hot with frites that were really crisp and super hot.
There were supposedly two people waiting on our table, but we never saw them for most of the night. I spoke to the manager, but he seemed more concerned about getting his computer system to reboot, so he would not have to write cc bills by hand.
Sometimes fame can spoil a good thing.
New Good Upscale Italian in Rancho Mirage - Palm Springs Area
Went again this weekend. The Prix Fixe menu is an ultimate bargain at $24.00. This may be a summer special. There are lots of extra little lovely surprises during the meal. Please try the best olive bread anywhere(I don not like olive bread except this one)If you want a taste sensation, ask if they have chocolate dipped marischino cherries. Real ones not from a bottle.
New Good Upscale Italian in Rancho Mirage - Palm Springs Area
it is before the River on the corner of Frank Sinatra(perfect place for an Italian Restaurant) and Hwy 111. It is in the same building as the old Massimos. The entire space has been redone by the way. It is also one of the few restaurants that is quiet enough to enjoy yourself.
New Good Upscale Italian in Rancho Mirage - Palm Springs Area
We ate at Villa Abbate the other night. The food was superb (a real veal milanesa on the bone). Mr and Mrs Abbate are a breath of fresh air. They love their restaurant and the food shows. This is the best Italian restaurant in the entire desert valley.
It is if you had an Italian mother that was a great cook. Wine prices are reasonable. to boot.
Echo Park
We need a place for a casual moderate priced meal in Echo Park on Friday Night. Italian or French maybe.
If you have anythoughts please share
Sevens Restaurant Tustin,Ca
This new place on the site of several failed bar/restaurants (maybe there were 6 before and that is where they got the name), is new and not to inspirational. It has a very barn like feel, and the service is less than stellar. The diver scallops were salty beyond eating, and when the server was made aware, no communication with the kitchen and or not even a concern by the management.
The dry aged strip steak had a piece of gristle, that could have been use to patch a flat tire.
The bartender short poured several drinks. These people are charging prime prices for less than prime quality in service and food.
Black sheep bistro, Volare trattoiria, Roma "D" Italia
When you walk in, you are not made to feel welcome, no matter that the restaurant isempty.
Diana is a buzz kill. The food by Rick makes up for his wife's lack of inter personal skills. Sit on the patio and join the other non reservations types. The mussels are to die for. But Diana is shell shocked
The Beachcomber @ Crystal Cove Cottages
It is a totally separate division. The also run the catering for up to 200 people.We stayed in one of the cottages and watched an event being setup. The food was cooked on the spot by the beach ,great style and the food smelled great.The event a birthday party we think was a huge success.
The Beachcomber @ Crystal Cove Cottages
The food is nicely done, and the only thing frozen are the fries. Please do not tell anybody about this place, it is a walk back in time. The hamburgers for lunch are hand made.
Grab a pager and walk the beach. They are training lots of staff but they show potential and a fun spirit, The owner of Rubys was busing tables and polishing silver this past weekend.
This is the best place of any coastal area of California.
Ciao Bella in Tustin
The food is not good. There were 2 2 tops at 6:30pm and they served us cold, pasty pasta with shoe leather veal. Don't bother.
