The last time I checked in on the progress of Valhalla Table at The Camp in Costa Mesa was back in July. Now that summer's just about over, I went to check again. And the only update I have for you? They've put up the sign. It's a nice sign, to be sure. But it's obvious that things aren't moving as fast as I would've hoped.
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At least there are hints that construction is occuring: tape measures, ladders and such can be seen through the glass. That's more than I can say about the other two restaurants in development at The Camp.
Rasta Taco is nothing but a lollipop shaped marker and has been for months and months. It seems to only exist at the moment as an idea, a concept, a dream, a hope.
Ecco, the Italian place slated to open next to Old Vine, is even more mysterious. Two locked heavy doors and a long-outdated coming soon decal is all you see. But behind them could be a flurry of activity. Of course, I'm again being hopeful. It looks the same way I left it four months ago.
Before becoming an award-winning restaurant critic for OC Weekly in 2007, Edwin Goei went by the alias “elmomonster” on his blog Monster Munching, in which he once wrote a whole review in haiku.