Subject: Napa

• Mona Lisa Lard-Ass

  October 16, 2003

• Grub Guide

  August 5, 2004

• Woodrow Carter, In Your Facial

  The Temecula Creek Inn--with its views of miles of verdant, vine-covered hills, a golf course, sumptuous spa treatments and nearby wine tastings--is a splendid spot for a decadent weekend getaway. In late 2007, about a month after beginning his post as Capistrano Unified School District's newest superintendent, A. Woodrow Carter accepted an invitation to spend a weekend at the Inn for the "California Superintendent's Health and Wellness Institute." Carter didn't give many details about the retre

  March 3, 2009

• Former Capo Unified Superintendent Didn't Report Swanky Spa Getaway

  March 12, 2009

• [Web Exclusive!] Summer Grows Up: The Season of Big-Budget Bangs Uses Its Brain

  May 15, 2008

• Whipped Cream & Other Delights

  January 23, 2003

• Grub Guide

  August 2, 2007

• The May Gray Blues

  The Beachcombers fare doesnt live up to its spectacular, summery setting

  June 7, 2007

• How You Get Excitement

  Kid Congo in a cornfield

  November 2, 2006

• Bob Becker

  October 19, 2006

• Grub Guide

  August 24, 2006

• Grub Guide

  May 11, 2006

• Grub Guide

  March 16, 2006

• The Return of the Native

  February 2, 2006

• This Week in Squash

  September 22, 2005

• !ASK A MEXICAN!

  July 7, 2005

• This Week in Randomness

  May 26, 2005

• OCs 97 Best American Restaurants

  January 13, 2005

• Pay More Attention to Falling Notes

  November 25, 2004

• This Week in High-Class Grubbing

  August 19, 2004

• My City Kicks Your Citys Dining Ass

  July 1, 2004

• Tax Shelters, Riding Crops and Grand Marnier

  November 27, 2003

• Pale Fire

  September 25, 2003

• Hotel Hunger Haunts

  September 25, 2003

• You Paid for Tony Rackauckas Mexican Vacation

  April 3, 2003

• A Visit to Napa Rose Guarantees Impressed Chicks

  It was supposed to be the perfect Cinco de Mayo: dinner with my chica and some of our pals at the muy muy Napa Rose at Disneyland's Grand Californian Hotel followed by moshing at the Mouse of Blues with O.C.'s O.G. punk-mock veteranos, Manic Hispanic. I should've known better: the two don't mix.Napa Rose, for those who don't know, is Disneyland's attempt at food more serious than their legendary corn dogs. On that level, it's succeeded for years, with an embrace of California cuisine focusing on

  May 14, 2009

• This Week In Food

  This week in Stick a Fork In It:There was breaking news a-plenty, from Jamie "You Callin' Me Chubby?" Oliver bringing his anti-obesity crusade to the US to Pascal Olhats' imminent arrival at French 75 at Fashion Island to the dismal revelation that only two local bars made it on to Esquire's "Best Bars in America" rundown.Meanwhile, Gustavo chowed down at Napa Rose, finding that it's still holding up its mantle as a great OC restaurant. The fried asparagus sounded truly wonderful, and this from

  May 14, 2009

• Light, Summery Recipe: Wolfgang Puck's Chinois Chicken Salad

  I've had this dish a few times at the Wolfgang Puck Bistro inside Macy's at South Coast Plaza. At Chinois on Main, Puck's restaurant in Santa Monica, it's been on the menu for over 25 years, such is its popularity. It even includes Colman's mustard, which I blogged about yesterday.Cooking a chicken from scratch might sound a little drastic, but precooked chicken should work in a pinch. Chinois Chicken SaladServes 4 as an appetizer, 2 as an entréeFor the Chinese Mustard Vinaigrette:2tsp Chinese

  June 17, 2009

• New Hotel And Restaurant/Bar Opening Soon in Long Beach

  ​The AVIA is set to open on Bay Street on either August 6 or 7. The fact that the date isn't yet set in stone hints that preparations are down to the wire, so we wish them well in putting the finishes touches to the property.We're intrigued about this new hotel and, in particular, its restaurant and bar, although there's not much information on it yet, other than the website and a brief press release, which states:"AVIA Kitchen will be a true cook's kitchen, where a hosted daily breakfast feat

  July 28, 2009

• LA Times: De-odorized Kimchi Patented

  Edwin Goei​Breaking news: according to a fascinating LA Times article, someone has invented kimchi that doesn't stink. Now, I didn't know kimchi stink was even a problem, let alone one that needed fixing. To me, the Korean side-dish of Napa cabbage pickled in garlic, chili and ginger does not possess an offensive odor. In fact, I think it's got a glorious aroma. A little pungent, yes, but so are dill spears.It's still got nothing on the stench of the Filipino bagoong or the Indonesian tera

  July 29, 2009

• Dishney: Tweets From the Park

  ​So as of Sunday, July 31, Disneyland and California Adventure ticket prices are up $3. Which, you know, doesn't sound like a whole lot on its own but this just means the single-day pass are now $72 for adults and $62 for children. Remember in 2001 when tickets were "just" $43? Does anybody still recall the days of $25 tickets? Ow.Anyway, throw a couple churros in there, a frozen lemonade, a spinning light-up Mickey... and you've got yourself a priiiiiicey little family getaway that's just dow

  August 7, 2009

• New Menu Items at Panera, With Freebies Next Thursday, September 10

  ​The bread-based chain is giving customers the chance to sample the latest offerings. They'll be out on display, and no purchase is necessary. Expect tastes of the BBQ Chicken Chopped Salad, the Napa Almond Chicken Salad Sandwich, the Breakfast Power Sandwich and, to undo all the good work, the Macadamia Nut Blondies.   On the same day, Panera is also donating some of the proceeds from the sale of loaves of bread and half-dozen bagels to its Operation Dough-Nation program.

  September 2, 2009