Showing posts with label OC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label OC. Show all posts

Monday, March 7, 2011

The Crow Bar- Corona del Mar, CA

Overall Rating:4.3

He said: 4.25. This place was buzzing when we showed up - no room at the bar and people were patiently waiting outside in the cold for their table to become available. As we made our way through the upper-level to the downstairs dining room I saw all sorts of food that indicated a wise decision on our part. Aggressive price structure but suppose it was warranted.

She said: 4.5. I'd definitely go back. The ambiance was fun and young, and the food was AWESOME. The menu offers a wide variety for all types of eaters. I have zero complaints. Prices are what you'll find at your average gastropub.

Price: $$-$$$

Ambiance: Upstairs- loud, bar-like, young 20's-30's crowd. Downstairs- quieter, smaller, nice.

Good for: Younger crowd, groups, dates, dinner with mom and dad, after-work drink.

Would we go again?: Heck yes

Date visited: 3/5/2011 (Friday night)

Special notes: Make a reservation, as it gets pretty packed. Downstairs is quieter and a little more romantic, upstairs is loud and bar-like, so choose your table based on who you're going with/who you're trying to go home with.


Draanks:
Being that it's a Gastropub, CB has a wide variety of beers. Knowing little to nothing about beer, I flailed my fingers around the extensive beer menu and chose the Russian River IPA and a Delirium Tremens. Mine weren't what I normally look for in a beer (I'm a Blue Moon/Stella/Coors kinda gal), but boy were they strong, so I have no complaints {she choose primarily based on alcohol content - no joke}. K chose a bottle of Whistler Imperial Pilsner followed by a Victory Golden Monkey ale.This would be a good place to ask for recommendations as to which beers went with which meals.


Food
- Appetizer: Grilled dates with chorizo and laura chenel goat cheese filling topped with a port syrup (5/5).  We've ordered stuffed dates at many places, and we will definitely be ordering them from here again. They were perfect. The only problem was that we didn't order more of them.{/they should have given us twice as many for the price but whatevs}
- Chariese's order: Flatbread of the day- Burrata, arugula, pesto and tomatoes (4/5). I ordered this as soon as the waitress said that there was burrata cheese involved, as I am burrata's #1 fan (go fight win). I loved this; it was light and tasty, and exactly what I was looking for. Kevin's burger was definitely better, but being that I don't soberly normally order a whole burger for myself (that's what boyfriend's are for, picking off of their plate), I was happy with my order. You HAVE to order the duck fat fries though. OMGZ.
- Kevin's order: The Crow 'Black Label' Burger with duck fat fries and truffle aoili. This shit was fuckin' delicious. I've eaten my fair share of burgers but this was definitely in the top 1% of my experience. I like my meats rare and this burger was prepared PERFECTLY - conservatively juicy (not messy) light dressings on a Potato bun toasted to the point of optimum juice absorption. The burger was allowed to "speak" for itself with a minimum in ketchup/mustard/mayo/etc - carmelized onions were the only discernible condiments. The duck fat fries rocked my world and I don't even know what an aoili is. THE END.


Will sell bodies for duck fat fries.

I'd like to take a moment of silence for my lost diamond hoop earring, last seen in the picture above. RIP.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Old Vine Cafe- Costa Mesa, CA

Overall Rating: 4.5

He said: 5-Despite our unwritten rule about not visiting the same restaurant twice I have advocated revisiting this place multiple times - the perfect balance between a hearty & filling meal contrasted with a complexity of flavor that is difficult to replicate. My omelet Espana was a little different than what I expected (with the healthy vegetables and what-not) but was delightfully surprised and summarily vacated my plate. Playing clean-up on Reese's Italian Quiche was the cherry on-top as she eats like a 6 year-old and never finishes her meal. Knowing what sort of work they put into their breakfast we HAVE to get back for lunch and/or dinner another time.

She said:  4-One of our favorite hidden gems, this place is g-r-e-a-t. The ambiance is so so wonderful, and makes you feel so at ease. The staff is warm and not all up in yo grill. We sat at the bar stools at the front of the restaurant, making it outdoor/indoor seating, and loved it. I loved the creative menus, and the fact that you were given your own carafe of water at your table (pictured below). I ordered the quiche and coffee, both of which were perfect (see review below). I've recommended this place to multiple people, and will definitely be back.

Price: $$

Ambiance: Casual, quiet, relaxing

Good for: All ages; small restaurant- not good for large groups. Impressing your friends with your knowledge of restaurants that can't be seen from the street.

Would we go again?: Heck yes

Date visited: 1/23/2011 (Saturday)

Special notes: Management had set out a flier for a five-course "dining experience" that sounded excellent after having experienced their bfast so I suspect they do specials every now and again. They also have a tasting menu and pretty extensive wine list. We'll be baahck.

Restaurant website: http://www.oldvinecafe.com/

Chariese's order (pictured above): Italian Quiche (Italian sausage and gouda cheese). I really liked this, and even though it looks small, it's very filling (Kevin happily scarfed down my left overs). The crust was perfectly flaky, and the sausage and cheese were a perfect combo. The side of potatoes and dried fruit really complimented the cheesy and meaty quiche. I probably wouldn't order this for breakfast again (it was a little heavy {not true} for my preferred fruit and oatmeal breakfast), but I had zero complaints. The coffee came with a little nummy cookie which was delicious.

Kevin's order: Omelet EspaƱa (Prosciutto, Artichoke, Red Bell Peppers, Mushrooms & Fresh Manchego Cheese) - LOTS of food that you can either scarf or take your time to analyze and appreciate. Our selections were both fail-safes but expect that other selections are just as delicious as our pre-ordering intelligence gathering produced some tasty sights.

Bandera- Corona del Mar, CA

Overall Rating: 4

He Said: Bandera is quality American cuisine with the setting to match - I've been going to this place for years and have always enjoyed both the food and the ambiance. Last time I got the Filet Mignon and it was perfect. A cozy bar, outdoor waiting area with fireplace and zero corking fee amount to a solid go-to when hosting out-of-towners.

She said: I've never been disappointed by Bandera. When Kevin and I went, we ordered their delicious artichoke as an appetizer (please note that Kevin ate the entire pokey leaf. THE ENTIRE POKEY LEAF. Sendin' him back to his farm next week). I'm boring and ordered the macho salad with roasted chicken, avocado and dates. It was tasty, but I'd order something more fun next time. His filet was derricious (that's what she said).
Price: $$$

Ambiance: Low lighting and clean borders dividing the central bar area from the dining areas amount to an impressive setting where one might easily be under-dressed. You will definitely receive the service you deserve for the price.

Good for: All ages, big groups, nice dinner date, drinks

Would we go again?: Heck yes

Date visited: 12/31/2010 (Saturday)

Special notes: Nice outdoor seating area; right in the heart of Corona Del Mar. Reservations recommended.


Before our New Year's Eve dinner at Bandera. We fancy, huh?
Sadly, we did not take pictures of our meals (we we're just too busy staring dreamily into eachother's eyes!! jk barf), but their bar and drinks were just as great. I had a martini, and Kevin had a cranberry vodka. Both were priced as any nice bar would price their drinks (between $10-$13).

Monday, February 21, 2011

La Galette Creperie - San Clemente, CA

Overall Rating: 4

He said: 4- High on taste and low on quantity: you're definitely not going to walk away stuffed but if you take your time with this meal you will be satiated nonetheless. I regret the "Sunday Brunch" selection and would have preferred the bacon & egg option but her berry crepe was BITCHIN'!

She said: 4- must-go if you're in the area. So delicious and so cute. Get the berry crepe!!

Price: $$

Ambiance: Casual, beautiful ocean front views, small and cozy

Good for: All ages; small restaurant- not good for large groups

Would we go again?: Heck yes

Date visited: 2/21/2011 (Monday, holiday)

Special notes: Cash only, but there is an ATM two doors down


Outdoor ocean front dining (there is also indoor seating).
Chariese's order: Berry Crepe with creme fraiche and a latte
OMGSOINLOVE.  This is hands-down the best crepe that I've ever had, Kevin agreed. The creme fraiche that filled the crepe, blended so well with the fresh berries. And with my mouth. I was so sad to finish. Next time, I'm not sharing with Kevin and his huge bites. Sorry bout it. Latte was good, nothing too extraordinary.
Kevin's order: The Sunday Brunch (smoked salmon-filled crepe with a dill creme and red onion), a latte and coffee.
Kevin's a meat-eater, and calls any meal that lacks meat, "rabbit food". Even with this, he still enjoyed my GurLy CrEpE to his fishy one. Although it was tasty, it paled in comparison.