I enjoy attending live events, and for our anniversary, my wife surprised me with tickets to a play at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa. She also included a gift certificate for Vaca, a Spanish restaurant steps from the theater, to enhance our evening. Amar Santana, a former Top Chef contestant, co-owns…
Orange County
Rodrigo’s Mexican Grill Delivers Excellent Value
I recently learned about Orange County’s walking trails. They often traverse scenic country parks featuring picturesque waterfalls and panoramic views from mountain vistas. After hiking Peter’s Canyon in Tustin, my daughter and I worked up an appetite and decided to go to Rodrigo’s Mexican Grill and try their lunch express. We were happy to learn…
Green Cheek Scores With Excellent Brews and Grub
For Father’s Day, my wife surprised me. She drove down the 405 South, and I initially thought of Long Beach, but we soon entered Orange County. After heading west from John Wayne Airport, we arrived at Green Cheek Brewery in Costa Mesa. Green Cheek is one of my niece’s favorite breweries, and I was excited…
Where to Celebrate National Brisket Day in LA
Tuesday, May 28, is National Brisket Day. If you’ve had corned beef or pastrami before, you’ve had brisket. This large piece of flavor-packed beef is often cured or smoked, but it’s also one of the best cuts for braising and slow cooking. Plan to celebrate National Brisket Day with one of your favorites or try…
OC Nature Walk With Lunch at Fiesta Grill
I enjoy scenic walks and was delighted that my wife and daughter decided to join me in visiting OC’s Bolsa Chica Wetlands. Being first-time visitors, we were awed by the beauty of the wetlands and the numerous species of birds that frequent the area. After walking the trail, my daughter demonstrated her skill at finding…
Banh Cuon Luu Luyen For Velvety Rice Cakes
Continuing my desire to experience new Vietnamese street food, I selected bánh cuốn as my next Vietnamese experience. Bánh cuốn is a rolled rice cake from wide sheets of fermented rice batter filled with seasoned meat and vegetables. I visited Banh Cuon Luu Luyen in Garden Grove to complete my OC mini-staycation It’s common to…
Ben Ngu Delivers Tasty Central Vietnamese Cuisine
I recently enjoyed a food-focused staycation in Orange County. Because I would be eating more than usual, I combined delicious food with walks that involved beautiful scenery, such as the Peter’s Canyon Loop in Tustin Ranch. My first stop was Ben Ngu, a Vietnamese restaurant in Garden Grove. Ben Ngu is Ngu Binh’s sister restaurant…
Ha Noi Corner Delivers Tasty North Vietnamese Cuisine
Unlike the majority of Vietnamese eateries that feature Central Vietnamese cuisine, Ha Noi Corner, favors North Vietnam cuisine from Hanoi. The owners immigrated from Hanoi in 2016 and created a menu reflecting the cuisine they enjoyed back home. Visiting Ha Noi Corner, I was pleasantly surprised at the attractive interior. Unlike the stark, minimalist interior…
Garlic and Chives – Creative Vietnamese Food in the OC
While Vietnamese pho and banh mi sandwiches are plentiful throughout LA, other Vietnamese dishes are not as readily available. If you venture south to Orange County, you’ll find Little Saigon, home to many people of Vietnamese descent and authentic restaurants to fulfill the demand. I recently had the opportunity to frequent two in Garden Grove…
Benchmark – Eclectic Cuisine In Beautiful Outdoor Setting
My wife and I recently attended an event in Anaheim. To complete our date night, I searched for a place to eat in Anaheim, and I quickly realized that most restaurants are national chain establishments like Ruth Chris, Morton’s, Lazy Dog Cafe, Dave and Busters, and Buffalo Wild Wings. I selected Benchmark, a restaurant in…