12 for Tuesday: Disney Treats & Eats to Crave

For me, part of the "Disney" experience is definitely the yummy treats. Rarely do I go & not get something to nibble on. Sometimes, only an entire meal can suffice me. Other times all I need is a little sugar fix. Here are some of my favorite Disney treats & eats, in no particular order...

1. Corn Dog from the Little Red Wagon on Main St.
2. The Dole Whip at the Tiki Juice Bar, outside the Tiki Room
3. Chicken Tenders from the Stage Door Cafe
4. Churro (have you tried the filled churros found in Downtown Disney?)
5. The famed Monte Cristo from either Cafe Orleans or the Blue Bayou
6. Beignets from Cafe Orleans (you can also pick some up from The Jazz Kitchen in Downtown Disney)
7. Turkey Leg
8. Funnel Cake from the Stage Door Cafe
9. Sonoma Chicken & Apple Salad from the Pacific Wharf Cafe in California Adventure
10. Candy Apples on Main St.
11. Big Thunder Ranch BBQ (come hungry, it's all-you-can-eat)
12. Macaroon from the Blue Ribbon Bakery

So which of YOUR favorite Disney treats or eats did I leave off the list?

xoxo, K

The Counter

Who doesn't LOVE a good burger? Especially if you can also get a thick and creamy shake & some delicious crispy fried onion strings on the side (or if you prefer you could do french fries, chili fries, sweet potato fries, or fried dill pickles). What would make this experience even better? If you could build your burger exactly how you want it, & I do mean exactly...

Well, if this sounds like something you'd like, then you definitely need to check out The Counter where they specialize in "custom built burgers." As their website says "Step into The Counter & you're greeted with a clipboard and an extensive list of fresh mouthwatering ingredients that allow you to build your won gourmet burger. Our 312,120+ different burger combinations make every burger as unique as each customer."

But don't worry, if you have a hard time making decisions & an entire clipboard of options is just to much to handle (as it is for me), they have a whole slew of signature burgers & sandwiches you can try. Plus, every month they feature a new burger & shake of the month. Check out their entire menu HERE.

So the next time you're craving a burger, I'd definitely recommend you check out The Counter. Find the nearest location HERE.

xoxo, K
p.s. My favorite? A Counter Burger, Vanilla Milkshake & Onion Strings.

Taste of Huntington Beach

Just typing this out is making me hungry... the Taste of Huntington Beach is happening THIS Sunday, April 26th from noon 'till 4pm. I honestly can't imagine anything more delicious - all of Huntington Beach's finest & tastiest restaurants under one roof for my sampling pleasure. Yum!
Tickets can be purchased at the door for $60. For a list of the "eateries" involved in this year's celebration go HERE.

Here are all the details:
What: Taste of Huntington Beach
Where: Huntington Beach Outdoor Sports Complex, 18100 Goldenwest, Huntington Beach
When: Sunday, April 26th, 2009, 12 - 4pm
Cost: $60 at the door

xoxo, K
image via Taste of Huntington Beach

The Secret In-N-Out Menu

In college I was introduced to the Animal Style Burger (mustard, cheese, pickles, grilled onions, and extra spread) at In-N-Out and never turned back. I learned that there were certain menu items that you could order that were not on the menu. For example, a root beer float (so good) or Neapolitan shake (a mix of strawberry, chocolate and vanilla ice cream) are two drinks that I like to get that are not listed on the menu. If I am feeling particularly hungry I might even get cheese fries to really increase my calorie intake. The In-N-Out secret menu has great options and allows everyone to figure out their own perfect combo.

What are your " secret" In-N-Out favorites?

xoxo, C

Orange County Happy Hour Week

Just because everyone is trying to pinch their pennies, doesn't mean you can't have a little happiness in your life... all week long (April 12-18th) restaurants, bars, breweries & eateries will be celebrating Happy Hour Week.

What exactly does this mean? From their website: "'Happy Hour Week' is a week of food, drinks & fun! This COUNTY wide event is the first of its kind. Happy Hour week works like this: restaurants, bars, breweries and eateries will offer prix fixe happy hour menus. The best part is that they are offered all day and all week. So whether its lunch time at the office or after dinner, happy hour will still be going during this week... Not a drinker? No worries, we have you covered, Mocktails will be served, after all Happy Hour offers a fun vibe everyone over 21 can enjoy whether you're drinking a Diet Coke or a cocktail... We know Happy Hour comes in many shapes & sizes, from dive bars to wine tasting on the coast. Fear not there will be plenty of Happy Hours to go around. We have enough happiness for all during Happy Hour Week."

Ready to find your happiness? Find the list of Happy Hour Week participants HERE. You can search the participating restaurants, bars, breweries & eateries by a whole slew of options (where they are located, who has an extra long happy hour, etc.) or you can check out the ENTIRE list of participants HERE.

Happy Hour not exactly your "scene"? Have no worries, many of the participants are also offering dining room specials & special food & drink pairings. "This means you can have even more Happiness for lunch & dinner!" Check out those places offering amazing dining room deals HERE.

Get Happy!

xoxo, K
image via Happy Hour Week.

OC Dining Deals

image via Flickr

The recession has me watching my wallet like most Americans, but I still cannot give up eating out because I love memorable dining experiences. I have found that restaurants have been really trying to reach out to their patrons by creating OC dining deals. Here are my current favorite recession friendly and foodie pleasing restaurants:

Infusion offers recession specials Wednesday night for 9.99

French 75 is offering a 10.00 menu

Kimera offers 50% off you bill on Mondays

Have you found any great restaurant deals in the OC?

xoxo, C

Eating at Disneyland

Maybe I'm crazy. Maybe I just don't know what good food tastes like. But, I actually think a lot of the food at the Disneyland Resort is quite tasty. Here are some of our family's favorite places & treats to eat within in the parks...

Disneyland Park
* Surprising, I think the Fruit Stands scattered throughout the park always have delicious, fresh & healthy offerings. You can find fruit stands on Main Street, inside Adventureland right next to the Jungle Cruise, & across from Splash Mountain.
* Near the end of Main Street, right by the Plaza Inn, is the Little Red Wagon Corn Dog Cart. My pick? A corn dog & apple slices, but you can also get chips if you'd prefer.
* Bengal BBQ inside Adventureland. My favorites are the Bengal Beef Skewer, the Chieftain Chicken Skewers & those yummy bacon wrapped asparagus skewers.
* River Belle Terrace, also in Adventureland-ish, has a tasty prime rib sandwich if you're in the mood.
* & Quite possibly the most refreshing treat at Disneyland (the Dole Whip & Float) can be found at the Tiki Juice Bar, & fairly cheap too!
* Cafe Orleans in New Orleans Square, has that delicious Monte Cristo Sandwich that the Blue Bayou is famous for, without the reservations.
* Across the way, the Royal Street Veranda has wonderful soup bowls (clam chowder, steak gumbo & vegetarian gumbo) but the fritters are to die for!
* Inside Frontierland, the Stage Door Cafe is our favorite for fried foods. Awesome chicken tenders (they have a really good honey mustard sauce), fish & chips and mozzarella strips. They also serve funnel cake - one of the best desserts ever!
* Also in Frontierland, the Mexican place Rancho del Zocalo Resaurante has a wonderful tostada salad & a great hacienda chicken ceasar salad.
* Redd Rockett's Pizza Port, located in Tomorrowland, has some good (but greasy) pizza, decent pastas (my favorite is the chicken fusilli), & some yummy salads (try the asian chicken salad).
* & You definitely don't want to miss the churros & turkey legs... located throughout the park.

For all of the Disneyland Restaurants "at a glance" go HERE, for entire menus, go HERE.

California Adventure
* Looking for a hot dog? Then Award Wieners, in the Hollywood Pictures Backlot, is your place.
* Another place to find those yummy chicken fingers, fish & chips and mozzarella strips is the Bountiful Valley Farmer's Market, outside "A Bug's Land".
* Right across the way, is the only place inside either of the two parks (to my knowledge) that you can get a milkshake... Sam Andreas Shakes.
* On the Pacific Wharf, my favorite is the Pacific Wharf Cafe. Sandwiches, bread bowls, but I LOVE the Sonoma Chicken & Apple Salad. Yum!
* Craving Corn Dogs? Head on over to the Corn Dog Castle near the Paradise Pier.
* & If you want something cool on a hot summer day, ice cream & homemade waffle cones can be found at Burr-r-r Bank Ice Cream. & The lines aren't usually as long as the ones you'll find at the Main Street Cone Shop.

For all of the California Adventure Restaurants "at a glance" go HERE, for entire menus, go HERE.

Hope I haven't made you too hungry.

xoxo, K

Sabatino's Sausage Company

Recently I was in the mood for Italian - it must be pregnancy cravings. As my hubby & I were bouncing around restaurant names, nothing was really sounding good. That is, until he suggested a place we haven't visited since our BC (before children) days... Sabatino's Sausage Company a.k.a the Lido Shipyard Sausage Company.

I like to think of Sabatino's as our "little secret". Mostly because it's so hard to find - you don't exactly "stumble across it". It's actually located in a private residential area behind Bluewater Grill on Lido Island. From Lafayette Road, take a right turn onto Shipyard Way, & don't forget to wave hi to the security guard, from there, it's just up ahead on the right.

Once you are there, you will definitely want to try the sausage - it's what they are famous for, you can even have them package it up & take some home. But honestly EVERYTHING is good, check out their menus HERE. The little boys & I started with the Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms, while my hubby had their award-winning Caesar salad. Next I had their Homemade Sausage Ravioli, the hubby had Rigatoni with bolognese sauce & the little boys some of "Grandma's Meatballs". Just writing about it, is making me hungry! It was all so delicious. I can't wait to go back again - maybe next time we will have to hit up the Italian Style brunch on Saturdays & Sundays from 8:30am - 1pm.

Sabatino's Sausage Company
251 Shipyard Way, Cabin D
Newport Beach, CA 92663
(949)723-0621

xoxo, K
image via Sabatino's

p.s. The restaurant isn't exactly huge, so you might want to call for reservations.

Support Your Local Girl Scouts

Celebrate 97 years of Girl Scouting with your friends, family & Claim Jumper. All eight Orange County Claim Jumper locations will be hosting "Girl Scout Day" from 11am - 10pm on Thursday, March 12th. 10% of all food & beverage purchases from customers who provide THIS special flyer will be donated to the Girl Scouts of Orange County. If you happen to know a girl scout, be sure to find out & fill in her troop number on the flyer... each restaurant will be hosting a cookie party the generates the most customers!

Girl Scout Day at Claim Jumper
Thursday, March 12th, 2008
11am - 10pm
Find your nearest OC location HERE.
Print the necessary flyer HERE.

& thank you, thank you, thank you to Miss Pattie for sending us the tip!

xoxo, K
image via Girl Scouts of America

Avila's El Ranchito Mexican Restaurant

I've already posted about my love for Avila's El Ranchito Mexican Restaurant. Everything we order is delicious, & you have to be careful - their warm tortilla chips & salsa can definitely fill you up. On a recent trip we discovered their "appetizer special"... a combination of "bite sized, tacos, taquitos & chingolingas". Yum! Yum! Yum! But I'm digressing here... the real reason I'm posting about Avila's El Ranchito Mexican Restaurant is because I just realized that their Santa Ana location offers "KIDS EAT FREE" on Wednesday nights after 4pm. Yep! Yep! One free kids meal per adult entree ordered. I haven't yet been able to confirm if this deal is available at any of the other 10 locations, but you just might want to check.

Just so you remember...
Kids eat FREE
Wednesday nights after 4pm
Avila's El Ranchito's Santa Ana location

xoxo, K
image via Avila's El Ranchito Mexican Restaurant

$1 Oatmeal

Yum! Yum! Fill your belly without breaking the bank! Jamba Juice is offering their new steel-cut oatmeal for just $1, now through the end of March. Print your own coupon HERE. & Special thanks to our reader, Pattie, for the great tip... keep sending in those tips, we love 'em!

xoxo, K
image via jamba juice.

Orange County Restaurant Week

Starting Sunday, February 22nd and lasting until Saturday, February 28th you can dine at your favorite OC restaurants & discover new ones to love all, at a fabulous price!

Enjoying the Orange County Restaurant Week is as easy as 1, 2, 3...
1. Choose your Restaurant - you can see the ENTIRE list of participating restaurants HERE, or you can search participating restaurants by city, price point, or cuisine HERE.
2. View participating restaurant information & prix fixe menus online.
3. Make your reservations, & enjoy dining at some the OC's top restaurants.

For more information, go HERE.

xoxo, K
images via orange county restaurant week.

Johnny Reb's

When we're in the mood for BBQ, Johnny Rebs' is always at the top of our list. Just one look at the restaurant & you know you are in for a real southern treat. The exterior is exactly what I'd imagine a southern roadhouse to look like, & inside the floor is covered with peanut shells & a deer (or two) hangs on the wall.

The menu is filled with authentic southern favorites including fried green tomatoes, sweet potato french fries, hushpuppies & collard greens. My personal favorite is the Pulled Pork & my kids love the Mac 'n Cheese (actually, so do I). The portions are large, I always end up bringing something home, & the desserts are delicious (ever had fried apple pie?).

Next time you get a "hankering" for the south, I'd suggest you stop by Johnny Rebs'. (They do breakfast too!) & if you're bringing the kids along, every Monday night in February 2009, kids eat FREE.

Johnny Rebs'
2940 E. Chapman Ave.
Orange, CA 92869
(714)633-3369

xoxo, K
image via johnny rebs'.

Pat & Oscar's

If you've never been to Pat & Oscar's, it is definitely a "family place". The menu has everything from pizza & pasta, to salad, chicken, ribs, & my personal favorite part of the meal... bread sticks. They even have complete "meals" available for one, two or four. The food is pretty tasty (especially those bread sticks I mentioned earlier), the prices are pretty reasonable, & most importantly... for a family with little ones, the service is quick!

Every Tuesday night at Pat & Oscar's kids eat FREE. On Tuesdays "diners at all of Pat & Oscar's 19 Southern California locations will receive a free Just for Kids Meal with any adult purchase of $5 or more (limit one free just For Kids meal per person and purchase.)" Looking for other deals & discounts? Sign up for their Breadstick eClub, or check out the Pat & Oscar's Family Rewards.

Pat & Oscar's has 19 Southern California locations, with 4 located here in Orange County. To find your nearest location go HERE.

xoxo, K
image via flickr.

Eating out on Christmas Eve in the OC

image via Gayot

When I saw some of the dining options in the OC for Christmas Eve I thought twice about our traditional homemade meal, but my husband adores tradition, so someone please enjoy one of the following memorable offerings by our local restaurants:

Marche Moderne is offering a Christmas Eve Dinner for $75.00

Charlie Palmers is serving  a four course meal for $70.00

Pinot Provence not only offers a four course meal, but also a children's menu on Christmas Eve

First Cabin at the Balboa Beach Club is offering a traditional Christmas Eve Dinner

Studio located at Montage Resort has a five course, prix fixe menu for $115

Five Crowns (K's newest rave) is serving a five course meal surrounded by English Ambiance

Happy Dining!

xoxo, C

The Five Crowns

I know, I know, the holiday season is almost over. So, if you can't make it this year, you DEFINITELY need put the Five Crowns Restaurant on your list of holiday to-dos for next year. (Although, I'm pretty sure this place would be tasty any time of the year.) Having lived in Orange County for nearly 8 years, I've heard many people rave about the Five Crowns, especially during this magical time of the year. If you've never been to the Five Crowns you'll find it's "a beautiful replica of one of England's oldest country inns... a place of candlelight & cozy fireplaces... where good cheer and warm hospitality invite you to leave your cares at the door. There is something to delight the eye at every turn in this restaurant, with its many nooks and crannies, antiques and rare paintings" as their website states. & I for one, can vouch for how true this statement is.

We had the wonderful pleasure of dining there last night. & I have to admit I was worried... you know how it is, when you've heard so many wonderful things, sometimes you worry that it won't be as fantastic as everyone has made it out to be. But the Five Crowns definitely didn't let us down. The food was delicious & the ambiance was the perfect compliment to our holiday season... every year, from December 1 - 24th, the Five Crowns celebrates the Christmas Season with twinkling lights, sparkling decorations & strolling carolers. Yep! I said strolling carolers. Decked out in their finest "Dickens" inspired attire they wander throughout the restaurant serenading you with your favorite Christmas songs. (If you get the opportunity, ask them to sing one of their "non-traditional" songs. They have a whole slew of "everyday" songs, think Beach Boys or the Beatles, that have been re-written for the holidays. They'll crack you up!)

So like I said earlier, if you don't get a chance to visit the Five Crowns this holiday season, make sure you do next year. Next year I'm hoping we can make it their Dickens Dinner... happening within a few days after Thanksgiving, I'm told it's a incorporates dinner & Dickens' A Christmas Carol - sounds festive, & the perfect way to start the holiday season!

Five Crowns
3801 E. Coast Highway
Corona del Mar, CA 92625
(949)760-0331

xoxo, K
image via five crowns.

On the Border's Chips & Salsa

I'm a chips & salsa kinda girl. There's just something about it that I love. I seriously could eat it all day, every day. & while there are plenty of yummy places to get chips & salsa, one of my personal favorites is On the Border. Did you know that you can get On the Border chips & salsa for takeout? Yep! A decent size bag is about $3. It's one of my favorite treats. Whenever I'm in the mood for a little "pick me up" I swing on over to my local On the Border for a quick order. So next time your in an chips & salsa kind of mood, remember to try On the Border, you'll be thanking me later. Do you think they are open yet? All this thinking about chips & salsa has got me hungry.

xoxo, K

El Torito

I don't know where I've been, obviously hiding under a rock, but I just found out that Kids Eat FREE on Wednesdays at El Torito. (The small print reads: one free kid's meal from our kid's menu per regular adult entree purchased. Limited to children 12 & under. Not valid with any other offer, discount or coupon. Good for dine in only.) It looks like we might be headed to El Torito this week, I've always loved their cornbread. Find your nearest El Torito location HERE.

& on a totally random note, did you know you can buy those fabulous El Torito tortilla strips for your own "home use". & it's cheap! Less than $3 for a big 'ole bag, & they're are so yummy... perfect for soups & salads.

xoxo, K

Reader Tip: The Origianl Pancake House

One of our fabulous readers recently emailed us about one of her new favorite restaurants... The Original Pancake House. In her words, the restaurant offers "HUGE pancakes, yummy crepes, omelets the size of your plate, savory bacon, homemade butter, tropical syrup to die for, etc." Yum! Yum! Yum! Thanks for the tip Cathy!

The Original Pancake House
3322 E. Chapman Ave.
Orange, CA 92869
(714)221-8674
M-F, 6am-2pm
Sat & Sun, 7am-3pm

xoxo, K

Avila's El Ranchito

I've been fighting a cold all week. This weekend I finally had a little energy to actually leave the house. My destination of choice? Avila's El Ranchito, one of our favorite Mexican restaurants. I was definitely craving a big bowl of their Mamá Avila's Soup... it's your basic chicken & rice soup loaded up with chunks of fresh avocado, lots of cilantro, onions, tomatoes & served with warm tortillas. Whenever I'm sick, it's all I can think of. But that's not the only thing that's good, pretty much everything on the menu is delicious. But be sure to check out the menu for your nearest location, because each one is slightly different because they "cater to the community".

We love Avila's because it's definitely a family-friendly restaurant. They always bring out the crayons to keep the kids entertained & the children's menu has both Mexican food choices, as well as basics, like chicken tenders. Plus, because of the hustle & bustle of the restaurant, I'm not usually concerned that if my kids are being a little "louder than usual", that I'll really be interrupting anyone.

Avila's El Ranchito
11 locations throughout Los Angeles & Orange County, for your nearest location, go HERE.

xoxo, K
image via avila's el ranchito.