Farrell's Ice Cream Parlour & Restaurant

I scream, You scream. We all scream for Ice Cream. That's right, if you haven't heard the buzz yet, the Farrell's Ice Cream Parlour & Restaurant that you remember from your childhood, is opening today! Located at the Shops at Mission Viejo, right across from PF Chang's. Farrell's offers full-service dining, a HUGE candy area filled with specialty, hard-to-find & old-fashioned candies, lots of fun & of course - lots of ice cream. Employees wearing pin-striped vests, ties & cane hats, the banging of the Farrell's drum, the siren whirling, & the whistle blowing, even the Zoo (a ginormous dessert with over 40 scoops of ice cream) has made it's return... everything that you remember from your childhood, only better. I can't wait to do a little "time warp," kids in tow.



Farrell's Ice Cream Parlour & Restaurant
799A The Shops at Mission Viejo
Mission Viejo, CA 92691
(949)364-5411

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.

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

Carne Asada Fries

image via flickr

I hesitate sharing my next OC food craving with you because it is so gluttonous, but Carne Asada fries are a necessary evil of the OC because they are DELICIOUS. You read right Carne Asada Fries, a pile of fries topped with a huge mound of cheese, cool sour cream, savory guac, and finished off with pico de gallo. Yum! These babies must be finished off with your soft drink of choice and make great junk food.

Albatros in Lake Forest and Alertos in Westminster are my favorite spots to get Carne Asada Fries.

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

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.

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'.

Ruby's Diner

We've talked about Ruby's Diner before... their thick & creamy shakes, yummy burgers, & very family-friendly atmosphere. But did you know that on Tuesday nights (after 4pm) Kids eat FREE? Yep! Yep! With the purchase of an adult entree, kids eat FREE from the kid's menu. For your nearest Ruby's Diner location go HERE.

xoxo, K

25 Loves: A Romantic Spot (at Disneyland)

image via flickr

I love a great romantic spot to spend time with my husband and finding the ideal romantic spot is essential for Valentine’s Day. We spent our Valentine’s Day at Disneyland three years ago and my husband made reservations at the Blue Bayou. You know the place, its that swanky restaurant that you float by on Pirates of the Caribbean. The restaurant is graced with amazing lighting and has a wonderful ambiance for a dinner for two. The food is reasonably priced when you compare it to the other dining choices in the park and here are the details on the menu from the Disney website:

Savor down-home, Louisiana-inspired cooking and full table service in moonlit ambience as Pirates of the Caribbean passenger boats drift past. This popular restaurant serves a range of delectable dishes for lunch and dinner (children's menu available):
Fish and beef entrees — including mahi mahi, roast New York strip and an exquisite dinner special featuring surf and turf
Cajun classics like Tesora Island chicken, jambalaya and a Monte Cristo sandwich
Cajun-inspired wedge salad and gumbo (with entrees)
Specialty desserts like crème brulee (includes pirate keepsake)

For some reason I thought the restaurant was exclusive or impossible to get into, but it turns out all you have to do is call the reservations line (714) 781-DINE) ahead of time. Make sure to get reservation because it is almost impossible to get a seat if you try the day of and don’t forget to try the Crème Brulee.

xoxo, C

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.

Newport Beach Restaurant Week (January 18-22)

I love trying new restaurants and Newport's Restaurant Week gives me the perfect excuse. About 100 eateries participate in the event to encourage people to try some of the best cuisine in southern California by offering affordable gourmet three-course, prix-fixe menus at each restaurant. Lunch is $15 or $20 and Dinner is $20 0r $35, you can go to the website for details about restaurants and pricing.

Here's more details from the website:

The Newport Beach Restaurant Association is proud to present Newport Beach Restaurant Week. Spanning five days in late January, Restaurant Week is a special citywide culinary celebration produced by the Restaurant Association positioning Newport Beach as Southern California’s Premier Dining Destination. Close to 100 of Newport Beach’s best eateries are expected to participate in this citywide, culinary celebration by offering delicious bargain priced three-course, prix-fixe gourmet menus for lunch and dinner.

It is a fun promotion that will attract local patrons and visitors to new and classic restaurants to sample a variety of the exceptional dishes being prepared by the best chefs in Newport Beach. The community is invited to celebrate its love of food during Restaurant Week, which offers great deals on outstanding culinary delights with bargain three-course prix fixe-lunches and dinner menus prepared especially for this event!

xoxo, C

Paradise Bakery

Paradise Bakery is my favorite stop in the food court. They have great sandwiches and salads, even better than their food items are their cookies. I LOVE their cookies. My favorites alternate between the black and white chippers and the coconut chocolate chip cookie. There are two paradise locations in Orange County, one in Santa Ana and the other in Mission Viejo (check the website for details).

Just in case you are not close to a paradise bakery, you can have the whole cookie experience at home thanks to Picky Palate. I made a batch of the Chewy White Chocolate, Chocolate Cookie for my family and we loved them. They are exactly like their black and white chippers, except I made them bigger. Enjoy!

xoxo, C

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