For the past 15 years, Stricklands Ice Cream has been a landmark in Irvine’s Campus Plaza. Although it is the lone California outpost of an ice cream chain that has stores in Ohio, it has become part of the fabric of the community–sponsoring local kids’ sports teams and acting as a “third place” for Irvine […]
Now Open: Another Kopan Ramen and MORE!
Enjoy Ramen & Sushi at one time #kopanramen #kopan #ramen🍜 #japanesenoodles #sushi🍣 #specialroll #fresh #poke #enjoy #delicious #appitizers #gyoza #takoyaki #일상 #먹스타그램💕 #맛스타그램 #푸드스타그램 #코판라면 A post shared by Kopan Ramen (@thekopanramen) on Jun 14, 2017 at 5:22pm PDT Kopan Ramen, which has multiple locations including branches in Fullerton and Rowland Heights, has opened a […]
Miss Shabu Brings the All-You-Can-Eat Shabu Shabu Experience to New Levels
I begin this review at the end, when our waiter, a chummy chap named Phil, dropped off the check and with it plastic cups of a sweet slushed-ice dessert called sikhye. I didn’t expect the icy treat, nor did I know it was part of Miss Shabu’s all-you-can-eat shabu shabu price, but after nearly two […]
Now Open: Ja Jiaozi in Irvine and MORE!
Craftsman Pizza of Placentia has opened a second location in Anaheim. 5645 E La Palma Ave, Anaheim, CA 92807 The first American location of Ja Jiaozi, a Chinese dumpling chain, has opened at The Market Place in Irvine. The 2,954 square foot space has a menu that includes a signature dumpling with pork, dried shrimp […]
Channeling Bob’s Burgers, Graze in Santa Ana Does a Great Black Garlic Burger
The first thing I thought of when I saw that Graze—the new 4th Street Market vendor—had a burger with black garlic in it was Bob’s Burgers. If you’re a fan of the show, as I am, you’ll remember that black garlic was what our greasy but earnest burger maker used as a secret ingredient during […]
Now Open: Maison de Pho in Mission Viejo and MORE!
Foothill Ranch’s Maison de Pho has expanded to Mission Viejo. The menu features the noodle soup, rice dishes, stir-fried noodles, and egg rolls. 26861 Trabuco Rd De, Ste D&E, Mission Viejo, CA 92691 HOK Pizza & Stuffed Potatoes has opened in Lake Forest in the space that used to be Pizza Studio. Specialties include […]
Mamón Hillside Eatery Serves Comfort Food With Hints of Inka Mama’s Peruvian Flavor
It may not be obvious, but the new restaurant Mamón Hillside Eatery, located just a few doors down from the Inka Mama’s flagship location in Foothill Ranch, is also a Peruvian restaurant. Well, sort of. There are hints of Peru everywhere, but only if you’re paying attention. I’m pretty sure I saw bottles of Inka […]
Now Open: Top Chef Opens New Restaurant in Costa Mesa and MORE!
Top Chef Brian Huskey has opened a second location of his Corona Del Mar eatery Tackle Box. The new restaurant is located in Costa Mesa’s SOCO. 3321 Hyland Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626 The Island Cinema at Fashion Island is now The Lot, an upscale movie theater brand from San Diego. The upgraded theaters now […]
Now Open: Judy Fleenor’s New Restaurant and MORE!
@fleenors_dtsa Now Open Lunch & Dinner 🍴Carnivore Pizza w/ La Mentada Roja. 😋. . A post shared by Fleenor's On 4th (@fleenors_dtsa) on May 16, 2018 at 5:17pm PDT Judy Fleenor of Crave Restaurant has opened Fleenor’s on 4th in Santa Ana. Entrees include pizzas, steak frites and seared scallops. 400 W 4th St., Santa […]
Hook & Anchor Elevates Fast-Casual Seafood in Newport Beach
Around four years ago, I ate at the exact spot I’m writing about today. I was reviewing a new place that was simultaneously called Biggie Baguette and Quebec Montreal Poutine. The restaurant had two names because it had a split personality; it couldn’t decide whether its specialty was sub sandwiches or poutine. The place shuttered […]
Now Open: Anaheim White House and MORE!
Bruno Serato has reopened his Anaheim White House. The restaurant burned down in February 2017 and has been rebuilt to look like the Colonial-style mansion it once was. 887 S Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim, CA 92805 Element 7 Culinary Kitchen has opened inside the McFadden Market in Santa Ana. The restaurant offers a menu of five […]
Bao-N-Baguette Is the Latest Bánh Mì Purveyor in Little Saigon to Get it Right
Decades ago, I discovered the foodstuff that has made me return to Little Saigon week after week: the bánh mì sandwich. It is nothing short of a miracle. And I’m not being hyperbolic here. If Philly is known for its iconic cheesesteaks, the bánh mì should be the sandwich that defines our region. Where else […]
Now Open: A New Spanish Restaurant in Newport Beach, and MORE!
The Mayor’s Table Pacific Pub & Kitchen has opened in Newport Beach inside the new Lido House hotel, which was built on the site that was previously city hall. The menu includes poached turbot and warm lobster lettuce cups. Brunch is also offered. 3300 Newport Blvd., Newport Beach, CA 92663 A new Spanish restaurant and […]
Basilur Tea & Coffee in Buena Park Serves Japanese Soufflé Pancakes
If you keep up with Japanese culinary trends on YouTube and Instagram, you’ve no doubt heard about the soufflé pancake. It’s the subject of numerous how-to videos, a lot of them featuring overhead shots of mixing bowls. Buzzfeed’s Tasty did a version back in 2016. But if you believe the other videos that show people […]
Now Open: A New Sandwich Shop and Chengdu-Style Hot Pot in Irvine, and MORE!
The sandwich shop Sessions West Coast Deli, which has stores in Huntington Beach and Newport Beach, has opened a restaurant in Irvine, its third to offer sandwiches such as the Meddock Melee and Summer Zephyr. 4500-4820 Barranca Pkwy., Irvine, CA 92604 Chengdu Lao Zao Hotpot, the popular Chegdu-style restaurant featuring a spicy and numbing oily […]
The Experience of Finding, Then Eating Chef Peter Hung’s Banh Xeo Is Like Traveling to Southeast Asia
You walk toward Saigon Supermarket realizing that in the more than two decades you’ve spent eating and shopping in Little Saigon, thinking you’ve explored every nook and cranny, you haven’t been here before. When the sliding doors of the market open, you immediately detect the smell of fried fish. It’s faint, but from the online […]
Now Open: New BBQ at SOCO Farmers Market and MORE!
Judge’s Box – our best seller! It comes with chicken, ribs, pulled pork, brisket, burnt ends, 2 sides and a Texas toast. A post shared by The Q Joint BBQ (@theqjointbbq) on Apr 15, 2018 at 10:09am PDT NOW OPEN: The Q Joint BBQ is a new vendor at the Saturday Farmers Market at SOCO. […]
Heirloom Farmhouse Kitchen at the New Marriott Irvine Spectrum Is Aimed at Millennials, Connoisseurs of Good Food
From the outside, the new Marriott Irvine Spectrum resembles another one of Irvine’s yawn-inducing office towers. Built with equal portions of glass, steel and concrete, it’s a square-shaped skyscraper that’s neither tall nor architecturally distinctive. The inside, however, is a different story. Marriott invested its $120 million budget in making it, in its own words, […]
Now Open: A New Breakfast Joint in Laguna Hills, and MORE!
Mark your calendars to join us for #Easter #BREAKFAST, #BRUNCH or #LUNCH! #TMinus3Days . 📸: @hellomeridian! . #LePeep #butfirstLePeep #food #foodpic #foodpics #foodie #foodphoto #foodpicture #foods #foodlover #foodpost #foodbaby #foodcoma #delish #delicious #nomnomnom #eat #eats #seriouseats #easter #eastersunday #easter2018 A post shared by Le Peep Restaurants (Homepage) (@le_peep) on Mar 29, 2018 at 2:53pm PDT […]
Ditch the Utensils and Eat With Your Hands at Bawarchi Biryanis in Lake Forest
After several hours and multiple hand washings, my fingers still bear the aroma of the leftover biryani I ate. It’s because, for the first time, I used my bare hands to consume the entire plate. I was copying the two Indian gents at Bawarchi Biryanis. When I saw how they ate, I was mesmerized. In […]
Now Open: More Paris Baguettes, Another Panini Kabob Grill, and MORE!
Paris Baguette has opened another location. The one at Heritage Plaza in Irvine is its third in the city. The chain also opened a store in La Habra a few weeks ago. 14450 Culver Dr., Irvine, CA 92604. 1370 S. Beach Blvd., Ste. C/D, La Habra, CA 90631. The Kebab Shop, the “Mediterranean Comfort Food” […]