2intune's Profile
Long Beach Eats
Delius is a very well-regarded restaurant in the town of Signal Hill, which is entirely surrounded by Long Beach. I recommend it strongly. Upscale and higher on the price continuum though.
orange county rec
Hi DukeFan
I too am a Duke fan and will happily weigh in.
Marche Moderne is a great choice, probably my favorite in all of OC. It has a small bar where you can eat, if you dislike dining at a table alone.
Closer to the airport is a very good upscale Italian restaurant, Il Barone. Beautiful fish specials and made-in-house pasta. I strongly recommend it, and if you are without a car, you can easily walk there from the airport-adjacent hotels.
Anqi is another good choice for food you aren't likely to get everywhere, also near Marche Moderne at South Coast Plaza.
And by the way, if you need a basic sports bar to watch opening night of March Madness, near the airport is the Classic Q. Not exactly chow-worthy food (although the burgers aren't bad), that might trump other options, although duke doesn't play until Friday.
Mexican in or near Newport Beach
El Matador on Newport Blvd by the corner of Rochester also fits the bill. Solid old-school Mexican of the Avila's school, but not a chain. Reasonable prices, big drinks and acceptable food.
Where to find castelvetrano olives in Orange County
i saw them in the olive bar at gelson's in dana point last night.
Making potato latkes -- how do YOU remove the excess liquid?
salad spinner. i have an oxo. put your grated potatoes in. rinse several times to get rid of starch. spin. for even more dryness, place in the freezer. sucks any moisture right out.
Pina's Bistro in Tustin
Oh yeah, and how about Rutabegorz, next to the Gary's Outlet? Great salads and in general healthy food.
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Rutabegorz Restaurant
211 N Pomona Ave, Fullerton, CA 92832
Pina's Bistro in Tustin
Zon, on Newport Ave., is great for banh mi and, although I haven't tried it, the pho has been well reviewed elsewhere. Definitely chow-worthy.
Orange County Fresh Fish Help
The Gelson's in Dana Point always has a nice selection of good fish. Prices are somewhat lower than those at Santa Monica Seafood, and the quality is very nearly equal.
Putting pizza stone on charcoal grill
I have been using this method to great success. Lodge Logic L9OG3 Pre-Seasoned 10-1/2-Inch Round Griddle. Get your bbq nice and hot. Also, heat the griddle on the stove top until it is very hot. Oil lightly. Stretch the dough and put it on the skillet. Yes, it will start to cook immediately. Quickly put the rest of your toppings on the dough, and put the griddle on the grill. Cover. The pizza will be done within 5 minutes. The bottom of the crust and edges will have some nice char, and will not stick to the griddle. I learned this method from the LA Times. No corn meal necessary.
South Orange County (Laguna, Dana, SJC) Recs for a Fun/Young Group Dinner on a Friday Night?
Scott has the right idea. Stick with Laguna. Eve's is fun, but K'ya and House of Big are more centrally located, and probably better equipped to handle a large group. Be aware though that at House of Big the wait can be over an hour, so see if they will give you a reservation for a large group. That wait is testament to the fact that the food is very reasonably priced (though not exactly locally sourced) and people are generally having fun and partying.
South Orange County (Laguna, Dana, SJC) Recs for a Fun/Young Group Dinner on a Friday Night?
If you will be at or near the St. Regis, and the rehearsal dinner isn't being held there, consider Stonehill Tavern at the hotel. The drinks and apps are great, and there is a distant view of the ocean. Also, Mahe, across from the Dana Point harbor, has fun-type (as opposed to authentic) Japanese food, and more of a scene. I'd stay away from Renaissance though. I took my teenage sons there a month ago and they still give me a bad time about it. The food was mediocre at best, and the crowd was 50-60 y.o. singles.
Second Olamendis and El Campeon. for brunch and hangover food. There is an Olamendis in the Gelson's shopping center across the golf course from the St. Regis, and if you are staying there, you can walk.
San Juan Capistrano is not a compromise between Dana Point (south) and the OC Airport (north)-- it is farther south than Dana Point. For a compromise, Laguna Beach provides the best dinner options. And given what you seem to be looking for, I would recommend that. House of Big Fish is ok food-wise, but a lot of fun atmosphere-wise. Don't rule out the roof-top bar at Kya. The view is so spectacular this time of year. Try drinks up there then move downstairs to the restaurant. Also, right across the street is Sapphire, which may be the best bet of all. Unique menu, and large group tables outside. I did see a bad review of the place on this board not too long ago, but I've been there a dozen times at least and have never been disappointed. The biggest rap is that the menu hasn't changed as much as I'd like, but that shouldn't be an issue for you.
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Stonehill Tavern
St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort, Dana Point, CA 92629
Kya Restaurant and Bar
1289 S Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Mahe
24961 Dana Point Harbor Dr, Dana Point, CA 92629
Olamendi's
34660 Pacific Coast Hwy, Dana Point, CA 92624
Laguna Beach - Outdoor patio with ocean view
I believe the House of Big Fish and Ice Cold Beer also has an ocean view outdoor patio. Not exactly luxurious, but it fits the description. Also, the Beachcomber at Crystal Cove is just short of Laguna Beach and is right on the beach.
need help with chicken on a gas grill
Another point, and this applies equally to cooking a protein in a skillet -- don't be poking and lifting it up too soon. Meat and fish need to cook a bit before they are moved or turned. Once you see that the part in contact with the heat source has cooked through a bit, the meat will release more easily. Its hard to be patient when you think the food is sticking, but wait and you will be rewarded. Someone smarter than I can may be able to explain the chemistry, but I know this to be the case.
Laguna Beach sushi?
San Shi Go in Laguna is good. We have been regulars there for years. It isn't the best sushi in OC, but it is certainly more than acceptable, and the place is definitely family friendly.
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San Shi Go Restaurant
1100 S Coast Hwy Ste 303, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Laguna Beach: 5-1/2 (Feet)?
I think 5 1/2 feet was Kang's second restaurant, which was in Fashion Island. The original, Five', in Laguna Beach did close. I don't believe there are any plans for a successor.
Shishito pepper recipes needed
A favorite Japanese restaurant grills them then wraps seared albacore sushi around them, finished with ponzu and bonito flakes.
Props to the pasta nazi - Franco's Pasta Irvine
Is this place in the food court by Von Karman?
Cooking hash browns: a side-by-side method comparison
You are rinsing off the starch. Otherwise the results are, well, starchy. Not crisp on the outside and soft inside -- more gloppy.
Cooking hash browns: a side-by-side method comparison
If your potatoes soak up too much oil, you may not have your pan and oil preheated enough before adding the potatoes. I let my cast iron skillet heat up for about 5 minutes on medium low, then add fat (I use a combination of coconut oil and butter), let that heat up til it is shimmering, then add the potatoes. On my stove I'm at med/low, but its a pretty big gas stove. Your mileage may vary on that. After the first few tries, you'll get to see where the cutoff point is between heat too high (burning the bottom before the insides cook), and heat too low (not enough brown, soak up oil). Incidentally, I don't disturb or mix the potatoes while they cook. When the bottom browns, I put a dinner plate, face down on the top of the pan and flip the whole disc onto the plate, re-oil the pan then slide the uncooked side back into the pan.
Knife Sharpening at home [moved from Boston board]
I'm with you loper. I have one of those gadgets and I swear by it.
Cooking hash browns: a side-by-side method comparison
The parboil and freeze method is fine, but a little hard to plan for if you want hash browns for breakfast. I grate raw potatoes then use a salad spinner first to rinse and then extract all of the moisture. Cover the pan for the first ten minutes of cooking then uncover. The result is a nice crisp crust with nicely cooked-through strands. Helps if you use a cast-iron skillet.
Cool Places for a Drink/Light Food in Irvine
Kimera is a good choice. Maybe a cooler place would be Mesa in the same center as Taco Asylum. Mesa
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Kimera Restaurant
19530 Jamboree Rd., Irvine, CA 92612
Taco Asylum
2937 Bristol St, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Ojai
I was just at the Inn last weekend. We stayed for two nights, and ate at Suzanne's the first night and at Maravilla the second. Maravilla was better, but neither was spectacular. And neither was cheap at all. The consensus seems to be that Ojai is simply not an amazing restaurant destination. But the farmer's market Sunday a.m. behind the adobe building was really great. Nice selection of fruit, vegetables, baked goods, meat and seafood. Worth a trip to stock up for the ride home.
Excellent pastrami and/or corned beef sandwich in OC?
Arnie's Manhattan Deli in a Newport Beach office park near John Wayne Airport has fantastic rye bread and very good corned beef and pastrami that are kosher style. I order the corned beef lean. Cole slaw is also passable. Certainly comparable to, if not better than, Katella Deli
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Katella Deli-Restaurant
4470 Katella Ave, Los Alamitos, CA 90720
Arnie's Manhattan Restaurant
1660 Dove St, B Newport Beach, CA
looking for new Potato Latke recipe
I've been using the salad spinner method for latkes and hash browns for years. This yields the most consistent browning, with no mushy center. Definitely a crowd-pleaser.
Unknown and Amazing Molecular Gastonomy Experience in Orange County: AnQi
Based on the OP's review, I'll give it a try again, but after my first visit, I thought it was an overpriced, pretentious PF Changs.
Can you help: Stonehill or Andrea in OC?
Between the two, there is simply no question. -- Stonehill is better. Both are quite expensive, but I have always felt like I got good value at Stonehill. And I've eaten there at least a dozen times. I have only been to Andrea twice, but on both occasions I was very glad someone else was paying. Very. If there is a rap against Stonehill, its that the menu has not changed often enough. Given that you haven't been there before, that shouldn't present a problem. Also, don't rule out Studio as too French. Its not like the only menu options are escargot and sweet breads. Both Stonehill and Studio are suitably formal and appropriate for dress up. Pick one for six months, and another for your first anniversary. BTW, congrats.
Bake Chicken Wings Without Starting A Grease Fire!
I've used the Alton Brown steam-first method also. Definitely works. Its an easy step, steaming for just a few minutes. No need to add fat, and a result almost as crispy as if as if the wings were fried.
Ecco Italian Restaurant Costa Mesa- Good but Unremarkable
I was similarly unimpressed with Ecco. With Il Barone not far away, and the re-opening of Il Giardino (formerly Panini), I'm not sure what Ecco brings to the table.
Is there any terrific pizza in OC?
Il Dolce.. Very good. I'm suprised no one has mentioned it yet. It got a lot of good buzz here when it first opened earlier this year.
