Napa

Delta Spirit - Playboy Mansion - May 10, 2013

Delta Spirit Playboy Mansion May 10, 2013 Sometimes you have to go to grungy clubs to review rock bands. Fortunately, on this particular night, Delta Spirit was playing a private industry event at the Playboy Mansion. Sponsored by Jack Daniels, the event coincided with a fundraiser for Operation Gr ... More >>

Fourth Annual Orange County Food and Wine Festival

Lyon Air Museum

Gustavo's Latest "Orange County Line" for KCRW: On Disneyland Ending Discounts for Southern California Residents!

I'll be honest: I've never cared much for Disneyland. That doesn't mean I hate on the entirety of the Resort--I like the hotel workers, I own many cups from Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar, and the eating at Napa Rose is simply magnificent. But the park itself? I've been exactly three times since 19 ... More >>

On The Line: Jonathan Rollo Of Greenleaf Gourmet Chopshop, Part Two

If there's one thing we learned about Jonathan Rollo, it's that he doesn't stay still. We grew tired just reading about what he does in his free time.Read our interview with Jonathan Rollo of Greenleaf Gourmet Chopshop, Part One.And now, on to part two . . . .When you're not in the kitchen cooking, ... More >>

On The Line: Dean Kim of OC Baking Company, Part One

"I kinda like being the guy who does bread, but nobody knows who I really am."Oh, Dean. You shouldn't have let us into your office. It seems as though every third chef we interview name drops you. While you might not have your own restaurant, you do provide the goods to 70 establishments in the Ora ... More >>

Lauryn Chun's The Kimchi Cookbook Hits Storeshelves--Buy It!

The last time I checked in with Lauryn Chun, the Garden Grove gal who's doing for kimchi what Roy Choi did for kalbi with her Mother in Law's line of kimchi derived from her mom's legendary recipe at Jang Mo Gip, she was raving about the joys of writing a cookbook. That was a little less than a year ... More >>

High Ground Follows Wounded Warriors to a Healing Place ... Up a Himalayan Mountain

High Ground follows 11 wounded warriors and one Gold Star Mom who heal from the ravages of war by climbing 20,000-foot Mt. Lobouche in the Himalayas."Along with recounting their wartime experiences, they find friendship, and healing on the journey," says Kanani Fong, the military and veteran outrea ... More >>

Pliny the Elder Leads IPA Drinkers into Battle at Total Wine & More Media Deal in Laguna Hills

So there I am, surrounded mostly by beer bloggers at the media's sneak preview of the new Total Wine & More store across from Laguna Hills mall, when a verbal stink bomb is dropped.No, it was not the inevitable gas that comes after virtual ink-stained wretches are poured 10 tastes from the 2,500 ... More >>

And the County Said Oink: PigOut 1.0 This Sunday

What exactly is your pork tolerance limit? Could there be a dish where bacon does not fit in somehow? Is it truly possible to get the ham sweats? Come to Newport Dunes Resort on Sunday and find out.As Anne Marie said back in June, local kitchen man Amar Santana and orange-scarved food impresario Bob ... More >>

OC's Ebrahim Baytieh Named California's Outstanding Prosecutor of the Year

The California District Attorneys Association (CDAA) has named Orange County's Ebrahim Baytieh as the state's "Outstanding Prosecutor of the Year."The honor is not surprising. During his career, Baytieh--a tireless Senior Deputy District Attorney with a photographic memory and a gentlemanly courtroo ... More >>

THE RANCH Offers a Fistful of Dollars

Extron owner Andrew Edwards has invested major coin into his restaurant and saloon

Frati Gelato Cafe Closes In Downtown Fullerton

​Here's a twist on our standard restaurant closure: a local establishment closes its doors for greener pastures. As of March 1, the local gelateria in Fullerton's SoCo district has said goodbye. In business for five sweet years, Frati Gelato Cafe has provided cool delights to local patrons young a ... More >>

On the Line: Michael Rossi of THE RANCH Restaurant & Saloon, Part Two

​Wine pairing is just one of the topics covered in this segment of On the Line. THE RANCH Restaurant & Saloon's Michael Rossi also confesses to a little line dancing. Part one is a good read, but we get a better understanding our of subject in today's edition. "Everything that we can do in hou ... More >>

On the Line: Michael Rossi of the Ranch Restaurant and Saloon, Part One

​There was something different about meeting Michael Rossi. It could've been that I was half an hour early, yet he was more than ready to start our interview. I did not know it, but our conversation would expand beyond the questionnaire. It was like an episode of Inside the Actor's Studio, except ... More >>

Ten Great Romantic Restaurants In Orange County

Courtesy of AnQi​If beauty is in the eye of the beholder, then romance is up to the couple. I am enamored by a room with a view, yet also appreciate when he brings me my favorite doughnut. We already anticipate the "Who cares?", and you know what? We welcome it. Get all that (sexual) frustration o ... More >>

On the Line: Lindsay Smith-Rosales of Nirvana Grille, Part One

Photo by Meranda Carter​With a multitasking nature and the cutest 3-year-old vegetarian for a son, chef Lindsay Smith-Rosales has a great deal to juggle as chef and owner of Nirvana Grille. Fortunately, she found the time to discuss some of her favorite things, like dairy and spike. FYI: She admit ... More >>

Baja Culinary Fest to Take Place Oct. 5-9

​A huge column of smoke rises from a charcoal grill set into a counter; the air fills with the scent of beef grilling and the sound of fat spattering onto the fire below. It takes just a minute or two, and I'm fascinated. My rapt gaze is lost on the taquero, for whom this is not new. He hacks the ... More >>

Drunk After Work: The Counter

​The Place: The Counter, 6416 Irvine Boulevard, Irvine, (949) 336-7272; www.thecounterburger.com.The Hours: Monday through Friday, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

On the Line: Ryan Carson of AnQi By Crustacean, Part Two

Photo by Laila Derakhshanian​Are you seated comfortably? If not, we suggest a tall, cool drink to keep you company as our interview with chef Ryan Carson continues. Find out his connection to Disney, plus how lechon influenced his childhood. While we touch upon the topic of molecular gastronomy, k ... More >>

Drunk After Work: Classic Q Billiards & Sports Club

If you throw a chicken strip, we guarantee it'll hit a pool table.​The Place: The Classic Q, 4250 Martingale Way, Newport Beach, (949) 261-9458; www.theclassicq.com.The Hours: Monday through Friday, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.The Deal: 25 percent off all appetizers, $5 for select appetizers, $4.50 for house ... More >>

Michael Jordan Signs On as Sommelier at the Ranch

​Michael Jordan, member of the Court of Master Sommeliers, former president of the Beachcomber restaurant in Crystal Cove and the former wine director at Napa Rose at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel, has signed on as the sommelier at the Ranch, a steakhouse and live country music venue opening th ... More >>

SanTásti, Our Drink of the Week

​The first time I tried SanTásti was at the San Francisco Vintners Market back in November. It was introduced to me as a palate-cleansing water--the ideal companion for a wine-tasting event. Though I was initially skeptical of the powers of SanTásti, the beverage definitely did its job between p ... More >>

On the Line: Britta Kvinge Pulliam

Photo by Todd Barnes​Orange County--fleeting, impermanent, forever-discarding Orange County--is severely lacking in longstanding food personalities who aren't afraid to open new places while keeping a signature style. There's the Goodells, Pascal Olhats, Chef Abe and...who else? Definitely on that ... More >>

Mexican-Hatin' is Sweeping the Nation!

[¡Ask a Mexican!] And everybody has a different, not-so-endearing nickname for the Brown Menace

Fiddlehead Cellars Sauvignon Blancs

Chris A. Michaels/ / CC BY 2.0Santa Barbara Vines​If there was a moment for California wine--one in which it went from being something that only came from Napa and Sonoma or was just two buck chuck--and became something relevant in pop culture, it was the release of Sideways.

Chinese, Part 4

I desperately wanted to do a piece on Qinghai food in the area, given the news recently; I figured they may have relatives back home to support, but unfortunately Qinghai is not renowned for its food; not a single place could I find that sells niangpi (dough cakes) or caterpillar fungus (ranked with ... More >>

At the Farmers' Market: Kohlrabi

Dave Lieberman​Is there no end to the variety of Brassica plants we can eat as humans? Cabbage (domestic, Savoy and Napa), broccoli, cauliflower, romanesco, Brussels sprouts, all Brassica.Brassica of Brassicas, all is Brassica--including the odd-looking (but delicious) kohlrabi.

Life on the Veg: Taco Verde at Raw

Anyone that has been grocery shopping will know that one of the worst moves to make is to tour the isles on an empty stomach. Unless you've brought your mother along to help you "just say no," chances are you'll end up with a cart full of crap you didn't come for.I almost suffered this same fate the ... More >>

Dueling Dishes: Temecula Sunrise Edition

Living in California and drinking locally, alcohol-wise, is by no means difficult. From the world-famous wine regions in Northern California to the craft beer Mecca of San Diego County and a few other noteworthy sources of wine, beer and booze (SF's Anchor Distilling makes thoroughly interesting and ... More >>

[Hole in the Wall] Korean-Chinese Fusion Fun Time at Young Pung

Guy Fieri: Annoying Even At Disneyland

​There's lots of things we hate, but Disneyland isn't one of them. But Food Network's Guy Fieri at Disneyland? We're so torn.Fieri has brought along his entire family and starring in his very own one-hour holiday special centered around the many seasonal treats Disneyland Resort serves up especial ... More >>

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 Ma ... More >>

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 ... More >>

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 po ... More >>

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 a ... More >>

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 ... More >>

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 ... More >>

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 B ... More >>

Former Capo Unified Superintendent Didn't Report Swanky Spa Getaway

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 sup ... More >>

Grub Guide

Tasty morsels from the county's best damn dining guide

The May Gray Blues

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

How You Get Excitement

Kid Congo in a cornfield

Grub Guide

This week in duck

This Week in Squash

Grub Guide

Tax Shelters, Riding Crops and Grand Marnier

Dining With the Swells at Gemmells in Dana Point

Mona Lisa Lard-Ass

Fat man relives The Shining at Disneys Napa Rose

Pale Fire

The quiet determination of Sofia Coppola

Hotel Hunger Haunts