Eighteen years ago, bean purveyor Steve Sando of Rancho Gordo harvested his first heirloom bean – Rio Zape. “They were pretty and easy to grow but I had no idea what to expect when I cooked them, says Sando. “They were similar to the pintos I liked but there was so much more going on. […]
![Savor a Day of Mystery and Delight in Santa Catalina, the Bright Gem of the Ocean [Summer Travel 2018]](https://www.ocweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/lede-Catalina-credit-Cynthia-Rebolledo-1-348x180.jpg)
Savor a Day of Mystery and Delight in Santa Catalina, the Bright Gem of the Ocean [Summer Travel 2018]
Catalina’s culture is as rich as its beauty. Its idyllic coastal scenery, crystal waters and lush terrain combine with architecture, hikes, impressive history and an annual wine mixer to create a beautiful getaway destination. Just a one-hour express-ferry trip away, the island fits for an affordable weekend adventure. We recommend taking the early ferry out […]
Drink of the Week: Sergio Smash at Pueblo
As days get warmer, we suggest you sit at Pueblo’s small bar—or even better, at one of the counters out front—as you enjoy a steady stream of classic tapas, including the charred goat cheese, queso fundido spread with black truffle and honey, and the crunchy bite-sized croquetas with creamed cod and potato topped with manchego. […]
ETN: Cold Noodle Salad at Fleenor’s On 4th
Since Judy Fleenor (of Crave Restaurant) opened Fleenor’s On 4th in Santa Ana, it has quickly become a local favorite for lunch and dinner thanks to chef Linh Nguyen (formerly of the Crosby and Foodbeast). Among his array of tasty entrées is a refreshing cold noodle salad, featuring springy mung bean noodles tossed with mixed […]
![Rich Mead Leads the Farm-to-Table Movement By Example [OC People 2018]](https://www.ocweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/food-rich-mead-credit-John-Gilhooley-2-348x180.jpg)
Rich Mead Leads the Farm-to-Table Movement By Example [OC People 2018]
Early every Wednesday, chef Rich Mead’s day begins with a trip to the Santa Monica Farmers’ Market, where he has cultivated long-lasting relationships with the growers to create a menu around freshly harvested ingredients for his restaurant, Farmhouse at Roger’s Gardens. It’s all part of his guiding principles, a blend of two philosophies: fresh and […]
Drink of the Week: Lobo Del Mar at Lola Gaspar
SanTana’s Lola Gaspar doesn’t mess around when it comes to fútbol. It’s one of the best bars in Orange County to catch matches year-round, regularly screening its beloved Barca for fans to enjoy. We recommend you start practicing your chant because you can expect this tiny spot to be extra rowdy for the World Cup, […]
Eat This Now: Hippie Sliders at TAPS Brea
We’ve come across a lot of chalky, flavorless, soggy, poor excuses for veggie burgers that leave us yearning for a steamed ham. That was until we tried the Hippie Sliders at TAPS Fish House & Brewery. This slider does everything right. Packed with quinoa, carrots, mushrooms and zucchini, the patties get topped with shredded iceberg […]
Eat This Now: River Street Reuben at Tower 48
The newly opened Tower 48 is serving up modern deli fare with a twist. The Newport Beach eatery from Andrew Dorsey (SOCIAL Costa Mesa) and Dan Biello (Chronic Tacos co-founder) offers a variety of delectable sides like loaded tower fries (thick cut fries served with bacon jam, melted American cheese, pickled red Fresno chiles, green […]
Chef Carlos Salgado’s Taco Maria Named The Times’ 2018 Restaurant of the Year!
The ever-extraordinary Taco Maria does it again: Jonathan Gold has named our very own Chef Carlos Salgado Los Angeles Times 2018 Restaurant of the Year. The announcement was made at the kickoff event for this year’s Food Bowl, a month-long celebration of everything culinary – with this quote from Gold summing up Taco Maria perfectly. […]
![Baja Tacos and So Much Más at Poquito Más [Hole in the Wall]](https://www.ocweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/HITW_PM_Shrimp_Burrito_San_Felipe-348x180.jpg)
Baja Tacos and So Much Más at Poquito Más [Hole in the Wall]
Inspired by his trips to San Felipe, Mexico, a coastal shrimping and fishing town in Baja California, Kevin McCarney opened his first Poquito Más in Studio City in 1984. His dedication to small-batch, scratch-made ingredients such as corn and flour tortillas (using Fresh Mex organic masa), as well as sourcing wild-caught shrimp and sustainable fish, […]
Eat This Now: Jidori Chicken Wings at Angel Stadium
With the 2018 MLB season well under way, the Angels have stepped up to the plate with some powerful hitters. Shohei Ohtani, the 23-year-old Japanese star who can both pitch and hit, started strong with three home runs in his first three games as a hitter and victories in his first two as a starter. […]
OC-Based Company Smuggle Your Booze Helps Coachella Get Buzzed on a Budget
We can all agree that Coachella has become increasingly more expensive than when it first began in 1999. That said, the unbeatable lineups, art installations, chef driven food and late night dolab parties keep us coming back every year – but after three days of forking over some serious cash it’s easy to go brokechella. […]
Drink of the Week: El Guapo at Tempo Urban Kitchen
With a happy hour offered Monday through Friday, Tempo Urban Kitchen has one thing on its mind: puro pinche pari. Its chingon bartenders are crafting house cocktails that are robust, precisely made and easy to enjoy on a scale between refreshing and spirituous. Plus, they specialize in the agaves, so snag a seat at the […]
Eat This Now: Trio Thursday at Brunos Italian Kitchen
You come to Brunos Italian Kitchen for two things: well-executed Italian fare (all the pasta is made in-house) and the lounge. The downtown Brea eatery offers daily specials and hosts happy hour every night—ideal for getting your evening started or a post-theater bite. But what you want to head here for is Trio Thursday. The […]
Your Coachella Food Guide
Coachella continues to up its game each year. So it’s no surprise that 2018’s food lineup is just as good as the musical one. Here’s our list of must-eat bites for this (and next) weekend’s fest. PIZZANISTA The thin-crust, New York-style pies have earned Pizzanista a ’za seal of approval from just about everyone. Since […]
![Bento Box Combo at Panda Kitchen [Hole in the Wall]](https://www.ocweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/HITW_Panda_Kitchen-348x180.jpg)
Bento Box Combo at Panda Kitchen [Hole in the Wall]
Aside from its less-than-subtle logo and name mimicking a familiar American-style Chinese chain, Panda Kitchen is your standard local takeout joint, equipped with friendly service, comfort and styrofoam boxes packed to their limits with food. Expect to see a steam table of Chinese fast-food staples: orange chicken, beef with broccoli, chow mein and fried rice. […]
Rose Paloma at 100 North Kitchen and Lounge: Our Drink of the Week!
Fullertonians recently got a gastrolounge serving up New American cuisine—think chicken marsala, roasted prime rib sliders and vegetarian lasagna. Located in the building that used to house Tuscany Club—the gateway to downtown Fullerton’s plethora of bars and nightclubs—100 North Kitchen and Lounge is putting out approachable craft cocktails and a menu featuring produce sourced from […]
Eat This Now: Bibimbap Burrito at J’s Korean Cuisine
J’s Korean Cuisine is so well-hidden down a downtown Fullerton alley that you’d almost miss it—that is, if it weren’t for the scent of KFC (Korean fried chicken) wafting through the air and K-pop blasting over the speakers. They serve your typical Korean bar food such as fried chicken wings (crispy soy garlic, sweet chile […]
![Ice Cream Treats and Espresso Drinks at Azules Coffee [Hole in the Wall]](https://www.ocweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/HITW_Azules_Coffee_Affogato-2-348x180.jpg)
Ice Cream Treats and Espresso Drinks at Azules Coffee [Hole in the Wall]
Coffee and ice are great on their own, but combined, they make the perfect pick-me-up. Mexi-style parlor Elado Ice Cream, which we’ve praised in the past, has rebranded as Azules Coffee and now offers organic, fair-trade Mexican coffee in addition to its tasty helados. The shop’s name is inspired by Azules finca in Veracruz, the […]
Five of Our Favorite Beer Snacks
From pickled eggs to Korean fried chicken, here are our favorite savory, sweet and salty bar snacks that are fantastic with cold beers. Cheers! Beef jerky from Long Beach Jerky Co. Founded in 2013 by Alex Naticchioni and Richie Beckman, the Long Beach Jerky Co. delivers small-batch brisket meats using an heirloom recipe passed down […]
Eat This Now: The Pinoy Burger at Ground House
Formerly Pig Pen Delicacy, the hotspot for all things pork, Ground House recently redesigned its stall at the Irvine food hall TRADE into a burger-driven concept built around its mantra of taking American comfort food to the next level. All of Ground House’s burger creations are pretty spectacular, but we recommend starting with the Pinoy […]