Kwsty's Profile
Good place to eat near the Pantages?
I just enjoyed seeing Wicked a few weeks ago and went to dinner after at Off Vine. It was wonderful. Walking distance from The Pantages and great service.
Dinner near The Pantages
Thanks for all the great suggestions! Wicked was wonderful and we had dinner afterwards at Off Vine. Amazing and relaxing, it was perfect. I can totally recommend the half chocolate and half raspberry souffle for dessert! Thanks again!
Dinner near The Pantages
My friend and I are treating each other for our birthdays (dare I say the big FOUR O?) to a matinee at The Pantages to see Wicked on a Saturday in July and were looking to find a great restaurant nearby for an early dinner afterwards.
Criteria: great food, good service, killer wine list, nice atmosphere.
Is that asking too much? (We will sacrafice the killer wine list for amazing martinits!)
Any of you have a good recommendations? Please help!
Takeout (gulp!) sushi for anniversary dinner in OC?
I'd suggest:
Zipangu at The Lab
2930 Bristol St.
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
714-545-2800
Great, fresh and has "interesting rolls"!
Bridal Shower--OC
Try Maryanne at Sage (http://www.sagerestaurant.com). I've used them to cater numerous times and are wonderful. There's one on Newport Coast on PCH and on East Bluff I think in Newport Beach. But, they do travel for catering!
Good Luck!
Third St in Santa Monica - Help!
You guys NEVER let me down! Thanks to all who replied. My boss had a great meal at JiRaffe - it was perfect!
Third St in Santa Monica - Help!
My boss (who's travelling from OC) is meeting a client and asked me to research restaurants for next Tuesday night on or near the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica for a business dinner. I know exactly where to send folks in OC, but Santa Monica is out of my expertise. Anyone have any great suggestions? There are no cuisine prerequisites - just good food with the ability to have and hear conversations.
Thanks!
Where are you dining this weekend?
I hope to go to Iva Lee's in South Orange County. Southern food that I heard was great. This will be a first, so I hope I'm not disappointed.
I'm bored with OC Restaurants
Egads!...with all these great recommendations, I'm gonna have to extend the celebration a bit! You guys rock!
There were quite a few restaurants I haven't thought about listed...Bistango - I love that place and haven't been to the sister restaurant Bayside yet. Could be a front runner! I agree with Habanas - If you haven't been there, please go - night time is the best and sit on the patio and try their mojitos and smoked halibut - truly amazing, and eclectic.
I was impressed with the wine list at Napa Rose (first time there last month) and service was impeccable. The food was great, but I feld they didn't offer enough of a selection. And, sadly, I have to admit, I kinda agree with the atmosphere being too much theme park. The building itself was beautiful, but lighting (too bright to be cozy) and decor felt odd. --- ok, now I sound too picky.
I am now contemplating between Bayside (or Bistango for that matter) and Zov's. I know I discredited Zov's atmosphere in my original post - but I keep tasting their amazing pomegranate martinis in my mind! Oh, what's a girl to do?
Thanks for the input - I'm keeping a list of places "I need to eat before I die" and with your help it's getting longer! I'll post back to let you know where I ended up and if I made the right choice.
Cheers!
Kwsty
I'm bored with OC Restaurants
Help! My friends are taking me to dinner this Saturday for my 40th birthday (..that's a whole separate issue there), and I can't for the life of me come up with a restaurant that I'd be excited to go to. Here's my criteria: great atmosphere - warm and inviting, makes you want to sit and talk all night; great food - not the creative neveau food that has miniature portions piled high; and a great...no, killer wine list. Am I asking too much?
They suggested French 75 (I'm in Irvine, btw), I love the atmosphere but the food is so-so; Zov's Bistro in Tustin - love the food, but the atmosphere is a lil' cafe-ish.
Help a bored poor girl out who's not turning 40, but holding at 39.95, and help me re-passionate (?) myself with the OC dining scene. Any suggestions?
A great restaurant to meet a friend halfway between West Los Angeles/Los Angeles and Newport Beach?
Walt's Wharf is great (if you go, get the grilled artichoke!).
I second Christy's.
You also may check into Lashers in Belmont Heights and L'Opera or Madisons on Pine in LB.
Where's the best pizza in O.C.???
Give Pizza Bakery a try for something a lil' different. Their tag line is "New York style with California flair". Not sure what that means, but the pizza is amazing. Killer garlic dough knots too. They're located in Newport Beach off Dover/Irvine Blvd.
http://www.thepizzabakery.com
I'm interested in finding out about others as well! Good luck.
Wine Glasses...Is there a difference?
Whiner,
The pinot/burgandy glasses? or the cab/merlot in the Tritan Divas? I love the look of the cab/merlot glass. Thanks for the rec!
Ultimate OC Restaurants 2006
1. Zov's - consistently outstanding
2. Taleo (Irvine) - Mexican
3. Habana (Santa Ana) - Cuban
4. Opah (Irvine)
5. French 75
Wine Glasses...Is there a difference?
Wow....there's some great advice (all varied). Thanks so much for your thoughts. I decided to purchase the Vinum Extreme for the Parents (any breakage is out of my hands). However, I'm contemplating the Tritan's for myself (I'm a klutz).
Thanks again! Cheers!
Orange County Gourmet Stores?
Give Frogs Breath Cheese Store at the Orang Circle a try. It's new and is a great space, few rows of wine, imported chocolates, fascinating condiments, including white truffle honey, portobello salsa, cinnamon apple butter, a symphony of jams, vinegars, olive oils and pestos.
Frogs Breath Cheese Store, 143 N. Glassell Ave., Orange. (714) 744-1773.
Aubergine in Newport Beach gone. Enter 508 29
I also recommend The Wine Symposium in Irvine off 405 and Jamboree. This is a small "boutique" wine bar that changes their wines weekly. You may have heard of the owner, "The Blind Wine Guy" - who started it after he went blind a few years back. The bartender there, James, is a hoot and always a friendly place to go. They offer cheese and chocolate plates to pair with the wine. And if your not into wine, they offer beer and Saki tastings as well. Well worth a try!
Top Chef 2 episode 6
Your right. Even when she's happy with meal, you could never tell by her expression. Blank Slate.
Top Chef 2 episode 6
Seriously, what's wrong with me? After reading the posts here, I'm embarrassed to say I'm pulling for Sam. I love a good lookin' man who can cook.
And what's up with Gail, the Food & Wine judge. Does she bug you as much as me? She's got no personality.
Aubergine in Newport Beach gone. Enter 508 29
Where is this? I'm always on the hunt for wine bars!
Ideas for Xmas dinner out
I'm ISO of the same, but for x-mas eve. What area are you looking at?
OC: XMas Dinner w/Ambiance
Thanks, I've read about Napa Rose and was very curious about it. I will say I was concerned about a "theme-parky" feel. May have to do a drive by and check it out. Thanks!
What'ya think?: The Madison in LB
I've been there twice for dinner - the last over a year ago. I was thinking about making a ressie for x-mas eve dinner. Wanted to go someplace that had a great meal, great service, great ambiance. Nothing run of the mill...a high end place. What are your thoughts? Any other suggestions for LB or North OC?
Wine Glasses...Is there a difference?
The Vinum line is what I was contemplating. Thanks for the suggestion of mixing up the 4-packs. I agree with your comment about the O line. That's not my idea of enjoying a fine glass of wine.
Thanks for all your help everyone!
OC: XMas Dinner w/Ambiance
I need to make reservations for X-Mas Eve dinner (party of 5 possible). Would like to stay in Central to North OC or Long Beach. My requirements are:
Great food
Warm and Festive Ambiance
$$ not so much an issue.
In the past we've been to:
Pinot Provence (near SCP)
21 Oceanfront (NPB)
The Ritz (waay past it's prime)
Was considering Madisons on Pine in LB. I've been there for dinner twice.
Any recs?
Wine Glasses...Is there a difference?
Help! I'm searching for the perfect wine glasses for my parents. Avid wine drinkers - who prefers Syrah, Shiraz, Zins and Cabs (no white in their house). Personally, I use Spieglau (and haven't broken one yet - fingers crossed).
Would you wine aficionados suggest Riedel instead? I'd like this to be a great gift!
Empanadas- In Orange County
You may want to give Inka Grill (peruvian) a call. They make 3 different kinds; beef, chicken & veggie - and their sauce is to die for. They're located in Costa Mesa and Aliso Viejo (I think).
Where are the best pasteries & gourmet cookies....HELP
If your willing to travel to OC, the best pastries and desserts can be found at Zov's in Tustin. Out of this world! (not bad pomegranate martinis either)
mk Restaurant on Franklin, anyone?
My boss (from Los Angeles) is attending a conference this weekend in Chicago and staying at the Hyatt. I've already made a res for him at BIN 36; but I need another for him + clients this Monday eve. I was thiking about MK on Franklin. Has anyone been there? Any other recommendations? Help!
Dinner in Costa Mesa
Never heard of this place! I gotta get out more...what kind of crowd goes there? It looks fascinating.
