Real talk: I've been to many Pizza Press locations ... [more]
Food & Drink
Now Open: Hug Life in Orange, Midori Matcha Cafe in Costa Mesa, and MORE!
When you can’t decide what toppings to get 😅 #huglifeicecream A post shared by Hug Life (@huglifeicecream) on Aug 13, 2018 at 12:39pm PDT Hug Life, the all-vegan establishment that serves house-made, dairy-free ice cream, has opened its second store in Orange. Flavors include Mango Chamoy and Vietnamese Coffee. 3505 Chapman Ave, Ste G, Orange, […]
Towne Park Chela, Our Beer of the Week!
With many new breweries opening, it seems like they’re coming in for crash landing. With others, it seems like they’re still on the runway about to take off. With Towne Park’s opening last year, I wasn’t sure what to think. Their “White Ale Beer” tasted like a Hefeweizen, the IPA had notes of Pine Sol, […]
The Gallegos Family Set Roots with Taco Asylum
Taco Asylum is all about taking your palate for a twirl and escaping the ordinary (as lovingly described on their logo). When I walked in, I was met with an intense aroma of chilis, spices, and meats while I took in the room’s rustic-industrial decor. The menu is full of non-traditional Mexican-fusion delights and local […]
What the Ale! How to Pick a Beerfest That Isn’t a Complete Dumpster Fire
You may get a notification on Facebook or Instagram with a buddy tagging your name on some sponsored beer festival’s post. It would say something like, “Bro/Chica we should go!” But slow your roll. I’ve been to hundreds of beer festivals, and it lately seems as if everyone is trying to cash in on the […]
Midori Matcha Lands at The OC Mix
We stopped by the second branch of Midori Matcha over the weekend to conduct some quality control. Located behind Portola Coffee (within the OG Costa Mesa food hall), they opened Sunday in the former Seventh Tea Bar/Bistro Papillote space. Pictured above, a tart: sablee with azuki cream, walnuts, matcha fragipan and chestnut mousse with […]
Flamin Curry Is New Affordable Indian Fast Food in Belmont Heights
It was only last month that this column space was extolling the virtues of Wok N Roll, a Chinese fast-food institution whose continuously replaced steam trays, cooked-to-order vegan and vegetarian options, and a friendly staff of extended family made it one of the best places in Long Beach putting a two-item combo into a Styrofoam […]
Eat and Drink This Now: Water Grill’s Raw Bar and a Pimm’s Cup Riff
When a restaurant has multiple bars to choose from, it can be a game of being that awkward teenager trying to find the cool table to sit at. At Water Grill, across from South Coast Plaza, my choice of bar neighbors consists of various cellphone-blabbing businessmen, a current-age stunt-double cast of Sex and the City, […]
Ooak Kitchen in Buena Park Offers Vegetarian Dim Sum
When people ask me where to find vegetarian dim sum, I tell them it’d be easier to locate an Indian steakhouse or a healthy KFC. Dim sum, by its nature, is not vegetarian. Even if you avoid all the usual dumplings that have pork and shrimp as main ingredients, you’d still encounter pork fat or […]
It’s Your 2018 Hatch Chile Roasting Schedule!
The aroma of roasting Hatch chiles is one of the best scents of summer. We love watching teams roast and tumble them like tickets in a raffle drum. Schedules just came in from our friends at Melissa’s Produce and Frieda’s Specialty Produce last week, and we’ll update this as any additions/changes are sent to us. […]
Kuh-luh-ner-ee” or “Kyoo-luh-ner-ee?
Twice a month, legendary bartender/chef/restaurant insider Dave Mau pops by Stick A Fork In It to chime in about a random OC food or drink musing of his choice. Enjoy! It’s no secret that the last year has been a tough one for me. Tough by third world standards? Probably not. Tough by mine? Affirmative. It’s […]
Chapman Crafted Pils, Our Beer of the Week!
It was around 3 pm on Saturday when the swapass began to set in. “ROBOT. NEED. PILSNER,” I spoke into our oscillating fan, sounding like some sort of space drunk before heading out into the day’s blaze. What sent me on this quest was seeing that Chapman Crafted is going to celebrate their second anniversary with […]
Now Open: Higo Chicken Peruvian Cuisine in La Habra and MORE
Anyone down with #ceviche ? Especially #peruvianceviche 👌🏼open tonight and tomorrow. 📸 @bermcannon #ocfoodies #sushi #lahabra #fullertonfoodies #losangeles A post shared by Higo Sushi (@higosushi) on Aug 4, 2018 at 5:05pm PDT The owner of Higo Sushi in La Habra has opened Higo Chicken Peruvian Cuisine which offers traditional pollo a la brasa and other […]
OC Grub Guide – 8/2-8/8: Avocados, Oysters and Sidecar– Only The Best!
So much to catch up on; so little time. From epic pop-ups to avocados, we’re ready to indulge. Now run along and eat something already! Mr. Stox Pop-up at Anaheim White House! One of the last times we ate at Mr. Stox was back in 2005, because our friend was treating (he owed us) and […]
What the Ale! TAPS Adds New Tustin Production Brewery and Food Truck
Brewpubs of the ’90s are an endangered species. The only survivors have had to adapt, innovate or kill it with hospitality. But if you’re TAPS Fish House & Brewery, you go a step further than what the other production breweries in America have done: You add a food truck that is a destination of its […]
Indigestion: Battle of the Fast Food Combos
Over the course of one work week, we ate from five different fast food brands to see which meal reigned supreme. A new lunch was delivered each afternoon, and, except for the final day, we had no idea where they would be coming from. It was a challenge we were ready willing to accept. Here’s […]
Brunch Life Fest Celebrates Long Beach’s Growing Love of the In-Between Meal
Anne Chua used to have a traditional view of breakfast: pancakes, waffles, a plate of bacon and eggs. But not long after turning 21, she was taken to brunch and discovered the popular Mexican dish chilaquiles. “It’s like breakfast, but also like nachos,” the now-26-year-old Long Beach native says. “Brunch is my favorite because there’s […]
370 Common Chef’s ‘Fried Chicken Sundays’ Is Spun Off as Buttermilk Fried Chicken in Orange
It’s been around seven years since chef Ryan Adams shook up the Laguna Beach dining scene with family-style suppers at 370 Common. Called “Sunday Socials,” they were supposed to be evocative of meals at home, with everyone at the table and the TV off. On those nights, Adams and crew cooked only one main dish […]
Eat This and Drink This Now: Juliette Kitchen + Bar
I have a theory: If a restaurant serves a quality steak tartare, odds are its burger will be life-changing in some way. To test this theory, I’m at one of Newport Beach’s hidden gems, Juliette Kitchen + Bar, admiring the cozy wine-barrel-staved bar with my angsty 11-year-old daughter, hoping there is something that catches her […]
Now Open: Toast Kitchen & Bakery in Costa Mesa and MORE!
not your average sausage egg mcmuffin. @bakerskneaded english muffin, @thechoriman poblano chorizo, sharp cheddar, roasted garlic aioli, sunny egg 🍳… available for brunch Tuesday through Sunday A post shared by Toast Kitchen & Bakery (@toastamesa) on Jul 25, 2018 at 10:01am PDT Toast Kitchen + Bakery, has opened in the old Golden Truffle spot in […]
OC Grub Guide – Staying Cool: Costa Mesa & Santa Ana Edition
We’re back with another round of “How to avoid heat stroke.” Or as everybody else refers to it, summer in Orange County. This time, we’re taking a look at two of our favorite cities to chill in. Occupying opposite ends of the 55 freeway, Santa Ana and Costa Mesa are constantly changing with their offerings. […]
Tustin Brewing Old Standby, Our Beer of the Week!
“Hey pal, do you like ESB’s?” asks Tustin Brewing’s Jerrod Larsen behind his thick mane of chin shrubbery. When a brewer asks if you like something, that answer should always be yes, as there’s a good chance that item will be poured straight from the fermenter to a glass, then directly into your mouth. “Of […]
