This makes sense to me. I saw a few whole trays of fries to go while I was waiting for my order.
To change gears…
ALERT - BlueGold and LSXO at Pacific City in HB are no more. Going in its place is Little Sister.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DYh9LvQPsyg/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
Sorry, which vendor/eatery has is at the SM FM?
There aren’t any food vendors at the Santa Monica farmers market anymore, but the produce they grow there in San Juan Capistrano
Does anyone have recommendations for a restaurant with good Chicken Alfredo? My daughter wants Chicken Alfredo before our concert this Sunday in Santa Ana. So maybe something open around 3 or 3:30 pm. I have Ini Ristorante booked but still looking at other options. Thanks.
Try Tutto Fresco…
Old Brea Chophouse (Brea)
I gotta say, the bar program here is solid. I really enjoy the cocktails.
The food is solid. You really can’t mess up steaks and chops at this price point.
Bread service comes out warm.
Tonight’s winners: chopped salad and sautéed wild mushroom medley
The chicken schnitzel was more panko-crusted and tasted more like the clarified butter they fried it in than the lemon-caper sauce I drizzled on top, but this is not a complaint.
Service was pleasant…Jason and April were spot on. We walked in late (after 9) and without a reservation. Reservations highly recommended if you want to dine earlier.
I don’t mind having this within a 15 minute side-street drive from home.
Thanks for the recommendation. My daughter loved the pasta. It’s pretty decent for drive thru pasta. Although, I’ve never gotten pasta through a drive thru before.
Looks great!
Folks Pizzeria (Costa Mesa)
Dropped by while we were in the neighborhood. 45 minute wait for a party of 2 at around 6:30 on a Wednesday evening.
The crust/dough here is solid. Lots of flavor and crisp textures. I only wish they would place a rack between the pizza and platter so it doesn’t sog out.
Sausage and Market pizzas were our choices tonight. Loved the house made fennel sausage with aged mozz and basil. The Market is seasonal with fresh corn, Jimmy Nardellos and their bianco base. Lots of fresh/sweet pops of corn in each bite.
Shout out to the fries that are also on the menu. Fried perfect and seasoned just right. Hints of garlic and herbs with a fun mustard aioli and ketchup on the side.
Picked up their basque cheesecake to go. I declined the dulce de leche drizzle. I wish it was more burnt, but I happy to say that it did ooze slightly at room temperature.
Anjin (Costa Mesa)
Apparently, the best way to get a seat is to come early when they open. Also makes parking in the lot a lot easier, too.
It’s a quaint Japanese barbecue restaurant that operates extraordinarily efficient…like the restaurants in Japan.
The menu is very succinct. Proteins and veggies that can be tossed on the grill, salads, noodle and rice dishes. Sochu cocktails and plenty of beer and sake options to round up the rest of the menu.
We just wanted to grab a few things and bounce. But the menu is too appealing. We ordered the beef carpaccio (excellent for it’s $12 price tag), the house special salad (it’s got seaweed and apples), house made kimchi, beef tongue, and boneless yakiniku short ribs.
You grill your proteins to your desired doneness. There’s fresh lemon juice for your beef tongue, and both a ginger-sesame and a sweetened soy to dip all your other cooked items.
I gotta say, I loved that I didn’t walk out smelling like eau de beouf. Service was great and it was a terrific meal.
I just tried their new Culver City location (in the old Lustig spot at Helms Bakery) and had the sausage pizza–great flavor, but the bottom of the pie (not so bad on the top, other than a few places on the edges) was more charred than it should have been–instead of leopard spots, more like black panther.
This place frustrates me so much, entirely because it’s so crowded! I’d love to pop by here whenever I get the chance, but 45 minutes on a Wednesday is insane.
Folks Pizzeria does reservations on Yelp. I’ve seen some last minute tables for 2/4 tops on non weekends.
https://m.yelp.com/biz/folks-pizzeria-costa-mesa
The parking sitch is more perplexing. 2 lots full to the brim when we went on Wednesday. Got lucky and stalked a person.
Fat of the Land (Santa Ana)
We had an early dinner here over the weekend.
It looks like a quaint little wine bar, but most folks come for the Spanish-flaired dishes. The service team is charming…welcoming and sassy characters who just want you to have a good time.
Iberico de Bellota…I love me some aged pork butter.
Pulpo…it was a touch overcooked and the romesco sauce was too salty, but when you mix it with the mojo vinaigrette, it’s a balanced and nice bite.
The highlights of our meal were the things I didn’t take photos of. Both the gambas al ajillo and the rack of pork were great. Solid dishes that I wouldn’t hesitate to order again.
The team was nice enough to let me try a bit of their basque cheesecake…it did not ooze at room temperature. I took a look at the structure and found it pretty grainy throughout, so I know it had been overcooked. The ratio of cream cheese was rather high, too, because it wasn’t airy and light like other basque cheesecakes I’ve had. It was more NY-style than not.
But we had a good time and we’d be happy to return if we find ourselves in the neighborhood.
Went to Meiji Siemens today for a little cold soba tempura situation. It was really nice! Lot of bite on the noodles, really good fry on the tempura, specifically the shrimp.
extra points for being sandwiched between a Coast Philatelics (for all your stamp collecting needs) and The Train Crossing (a model train shop.) Love these old school, slightly decaying strip malls
The cut on that iberico de bellota looks more like prosciutto…
Planning a 6person bday dinner for a friend in OC. Looking between Izakaya Hachi in Costa Mesa and Izakaya Takasei in HB. Any thoughts from anyone who’s been recently to either or?
Open to other suggestions but these are an easy res for this saturday.
I’ve been to to Takesai in Fullerton but not HB. They are the same group. Takesai is good but I think overall Hachi is better depending on what you’re looking for.
Takesai has a much more extensive menu and variety of yakitori. If yakitori and beer is the focus then Takesai wins hands down. A much more lively room.
Hachi has better sashimi, sushi and composed dishes. Hachi is a little more restrained. Hachi is in the same mini mall as Uncle Tetsu and Wanderlust Creamery if you need dessert afterwards.
