Anne Marie Panoringan

PIE-NOT Finally Makes It Official Today

Partner Jai Snowdon (and his Aussie accent), business partner Ryan Lopiccolo and savory chef Samantha Boxer spent last week going full steam ahead to make their May 1 opening date. However, Murphy's Law attacked them from all angles, and they rejoiced in a "soft opening" last Thursday. As of today, ... More >>

Sunday Brunch: Morning By Thasos

In our ongoing quest to locate a solid first meal of the day, we were introduced to the cuisine of Nathaniel Nguyen. We should preface this by mentioning that brunch is served inside a Greek restaurant across from South Coast Plaza. It's offered on weekends from 8 a.m. to noon at this location only. ... More >>

"Slide Into Spring" Boys & Girls Club of the Harbor Area Burger Bash Recap!

We had the pleasure of judging a very special tasting event over the weekend. Somewhere between the hosted bar, auctions and food tasting, we helped support the Boys & Girls Club of the Harbor Area in Costa Mesa. Along with Moxxe PR busybody Mona Shah-Anderson and our new friend Rudy Chaney of F ... More >>

Q & A With Marcus Samuelsson

We literally had six minutes to converse with visiting chef Marcus Samuelsson before he went downstairs to commence his cooking demonstration. Instead of discussing his memoir or line of cookware, we kept digging. Were we able to learn more about him than his Facebook, website and Twitter feed? Yes. ... More >>

Dueling Dishes: Battle Chicken Nuggets!

It took so long for Burger King to finally come head-to-head with their arch nemesis, even Wendy's started selling nuggets before they did. With last week's overdue announcement, The King has finally stepped up to face off against those golden arches. It's about damn time.We gave ourselves two conse ... More >>

Burger Parlor Finally Opens In Fullerton!

A 35 (or more) minute wait for a burger can only mean one thing-- Burger Parlor is now open in downtown Fullerton! Sunday was the official start date, and we jumped in line to order our O.C. and Royal with Cheese feasts. The purple people eater above is dubbed their Portlandia burger: marinated beet ... More >>

The Pizza Press in Anaheim Shows Quick Service Custom Pizza is the New Chipotle

When three or more concepts are too close for comfort in similarity, us Forkers deem it a trend. Last year, we found Pieology sprouting by Cal State Fullerton, paralleling Chipotle's concept across the way. The "kustom" pizza strategy took off just down the street from where Yogurtland founder Phili ... More >>

Battle of the Fast-Food Mexi Bowl: Taco Bell VS. Chipotle

The chain that El Jefe loves to hate has been on a mission to up the ante. Remember their attempt at breakfast? Those Doritos tacos? Now they want to knock on Chipotle territory. I had a fast food childhood of the Bell, but spent a large part of the last decade chowing Chipotle fare. We were curious ... More >>

A Bite of Chocolate Unwrapped, Awesome Food Exhibit At OC Fair

If you're taking a break from fried food at the fair, Exhibit Promenade is showcasing a new feature called Chocolate Unwrapped: Beans, Bars & Bon Bons. We dropped in while it was coming together to learn more (and hope for samples). A few of the collectibles they managed to acquire had better st ... More >>

Introducing The Women Behind Fullerton's Green Bliss

In Downtown Fullerton's Villa del Sol complex, a new concept is growing. Green Bliss will open its doors tomorrow, featuing locally roasted coffee from Portola Coffee Lab, organic vegetarian food, and a place where diners can sit down and read up on how they can live a healthier, greener lifestyle. ... More >>

Ten Great Indian and South Asian Restaurants in Orange County

What a shame the county line lies where it does; the best Indian restaurants in SoCal lie just five minutes from Buena Park, La Palma and Cypress, yet they're in Artesia, squarely in Squid Ink territory. Damn. Still, we have some good contenders, from Afghan to Southern Indian; it's just a tragedy t ... More >>

10 Great Late Nite Eats In Orange County

​If our team of Forkers aren't out eating, we're probably burning the midnight oil writing about it. When all that talk makes us hungry again, what's still open? This week's list will answer that inquiry. From 24-hour spots to meat eater destinations, boiling tofu stews and a hookah lounge, we've ... More >>

Sushi at Venetian Gentlemen's Club

​When a friend requested assistance with a project, I offered to meet close to their Anaheim home. As luck would have it, someone suggested a sushi place near by that I would find interesting. Last seen rolling on the radar in downtown Fullerton, "Sushi Dave" resurfaced about a year ago inside the ... More >>

10 Great Breakfast Spots In Orange County

​In this list of morning meals, you'll find not just the egg, bacon and pancake joints (although there are certainly a lot of those in there), but also a certain Swedish furniture super store that practically gives away its food, a Cambodian/Vietnamese noodle shop and a place to dip Chinese fried ... More >>

South County's Foodie Emergence, Steamed Hams and More!

What the Stick a Fork In It bloggers learned about food in Orange County in 2011

10 Great Breweries in Orange County

​San Diego? Oh, please. La naranja is where it's at these days for beer. We've got the space, we've got quasi-libertarian city governments who would love nothing more than to bring in business, and we've got three million thirsty people and easy access to Los Angeles. Here are ten of the best.

East Coast Meets West: Tasti D-Lite Opening In Tustin

Tasti d-Lite Facebook page​Of all cities in Orange County (even California!), an East Coast-dominating dessert chain is days away from launching on a sleepy corner at Main Street and Newport Avenue. Featured on episodes of The Apprentice and Sex and the City, Tasti D-Lite touts their frozen treat ... More >>

Letters From OC Weekly Readers

Pizzeria Mozza's Newport Beach Branch to Open Next Week?

Mozza Facebook ​On Saturday afternoon, Joe Bastianich (business partner to Mario Batali and many, many restaurants) made an appearance at Hi-Time Wine Cellars to promote the soon-to-open Pizzeria Mozza. In addition, the shop held a special tasting featuring the family wineries of La Mozza and Bas ... More >>

No. 65: The Sputnik At Rick's Atomic Cafe

Anne Marie Panoringan​Welcome to the Weekly's list of our 100 Favorite Dishes for 2011! Tune in every day until we get to número uno! Now, on to the latest entry.Favorites come in all forms, and this one doesn't contain any beef, chicken, or other animal meat. Yet it is one of the tastiest lunche ... More >>

No. 67: Bacon Fried Rice At The Loft Hawaiian

Anne Marie Panoringan​Welcome to the Weekly's list of our 100 Favorite Dishes for 2011! Tune in every day until we get to número uno! Now, on to the latest entry.Before folks began to praise the Lard, bacon was a staple for breakfast. Chewy or crisp, Canadian or candied, more versatile than its s ... More >>

No. 68: Charcuterie and Cheese at SideDoor

Anne Marie Panoringan​Welcome to the Weekly's list of our 100 Favorite Dishes for 2011! Tune in every day until we get to número uno! Now, on to the latest entry.When Five Crowns decided to 'convert' their bar into a bonafide gastropub, it was a strategic move that paid off. Ye olde kitchen that ... More >>

No. 69: Burger (With Duck Confit) at Watermarc

Anne Marie Panoringan​Welcome to the Weekly's list of our 100 Favorite Dishes for 2011! Tune in every day until we get to número uno! Now, on to the latest entry.Trying to agree on a great burger is debatable; everyone has their favorite. That combination of doneness of the patty, preferred condi ... More >>

Dueling Dishes: Battle Irvine Mexi-Chains Outposts!

​Though Irvine has risen in the past decade as one of the county's best dining cities, chains still rule the land of Agran--and they propagate like Tribbles. Proof in point: two Mexican chains opened their doors in the past month: Chipotle in Westpark and Chronic Taco in Woodbridge. Both offer m ... More >>

Using Coupons Smartly for Super Bowl Sunday

Anne Marie Panoringan​ >I used to consider just shopping at Costco and Target saving money. I was wrong. So very wrong. Thanks to The Krazy Coupon Lady for showing me the light.Anyway, if you're trying not to dash to the grocery store at the last minute, here's a deal for you. Pull the Sund ... More >>

Food Profiling: Noah's Honey

Anne Marie Panoringan​(Food Profiling is a new feature on SAFII where we get to know locals who run a business  making their own food outside restaurants. If you know a person or product of OC origin that you'd like to see featured, let us know!)A friend asked Fullerton resident Richard Haffk ... More >>

Pat' a Chou, Vietnam-Based Bakery Chain, to Make U.S. Debut In Santa Ana Mid-February

Anne Marie Panoringan​ My internal GPS works best in Orange County. Tell me what mall an establishment is next to, and chances are I'll find it. I also prefer surface streets over freeways (if the distance is short enough) because there's always opportunity for a discovery. Located along Mac ... More >>