Foodie Archives - Page 3 of 3

Urban Plates In Aliso Viejo: Food That Tastes Good and Feels Good

My foodie friends and I headed to Urban Plates in Aliso Viejo earlier this month. We all share a passion for good food, and we love to try out new places. We were excited about our visit to Urban Plates in Aliso Viejo, because we had taken a glimpse at the menu online, and we knew there were several options for our diverse palates.

Hosted: Thank you Urban Plates for inviting me to your Aliso Viejo location to try your delicious food. All opinions are my own.

WARNING: The images below may cause some drooling…

As I walked into the restaurant it smelled heavenly…

Everything looked colorful, fresh, and appetizing. The options were endless. I was a little overwhelmed at first, but the attentive staff walked me through the menu selection.

Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free options are also available.

I was craving a salad, and I made my way to the salad bar. It was prepared and tossed right in front of me.

This Antioxidant salad was fresh and crisp.. This UP salad had a lettuce blend, organic baby kale, cucumbers, celery, mint, pickled onions, raw walnuts, grapes, blue cheese, seasonal fruit, and a mint-lemongrass balsamic vinaigrette.

The Urban Pizzettes are hand-stretched and made with organic dough. You can choose from margherita, pepperoni & cheese, bbq chicken, and portobello & pesto. Soooo good!

My pescatarian friend raved about the Herbed Salmon Salad.

It has bibb lettuce, up lettuce blend, roasted and chilled salmon, organic tomatoes, sliced fennel, red bell peppers, garlic croutons, organic egg, green onions, and green goddess dressing.

I indulged, but I felt guilt free because the food was fresh and made with high quality ingredients. It was wholesome, delicious, and affordable.

UP is casual and family friendly. They offer awesome kid options to choose from such as pizza, grilled cheese, mac and cheese, and the urban kid plate that has the choice of grilled free range chicken or grilled steak & any hot or cold side and chargrilled focaccia.

Dessert anyone?

The bakery section at UP is incredible. The pastries and selection of baked goods includes a variety of made-from-scratch cookies, cupcakes, tarts, brownies, layer cakes, cheesecake, cream pies and much more!

My personal favorite was the Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel Crunch Cupcake. This chocolate cupcake is topped with peanut butter frosting, peanut pretzel caramel crunch, chocolate and a ganache drizzle.

I love this place so much, I went two days in a row! On day two, I ordered the Caprese Sandwich and Tomato Soup. I’m sure I will be back with my family soon…

Take out and delivery options available.

Urban Plates Address:

Aliso Viejo Town Center
26661 Aliso Creek Road, Suite B
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656

(949) 424-6160

Win 2 Tickets To Paella Beer & Wine Festival At The OC Fairgrounds August 26th

Do you like Spanish paella and vino?

If so, mark your calendars!

On August 26th from 4-9pm, Orange County’s first Paella Wine & Beer Festival is coming to the OC Fair Grounds. Tickets include unlimited wine, beer and more than 80 different kinds of paella! The nearly 50 local chefs will make the best paella of their lives to compete for the chance to represent the U.S. along with nine other countries at the World Paella Championship in Spain…

I’m giving away 2 tickets! Enter the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win before Thursday August 24th midnight…

Thank you Paella Beer & Wine Festival for the complimentary tickets. All opinions are my own.

“We’re thrilled to bring this exciting celebrationof Spanish culture and cuisine to Orange County, where close to 50 local chefs will create more than 80 different kinds of paella for attendees to enjoy along with unlimited wine and beer,” said Armando Rodiel, CEO & Founder of the Paella Wine & Beer Festival. “The stakes are high for the participating chefs, with the winning team securing a spot at the prestigious World Paella Championship in Spain next month to compete with nine other countries. So, bring your appetites and we’ll provide everything needed for a spectacular evening!”

Like a Spanish open-air market, there will be live entertainment including Flamenco and Spanish rock, and local vendors will offer tapas, sangrias, cocktails, cultural art, and much more.

With thousands expected to attend, the Paella Wine & Beer Festival is one of the most authentic Hispanic culinary events in the United States and presents a unique opportunity for local chefs to become known internationally. Every paella will be judged by experts, most of which are traveling from Spain, to weigh in on the competition. At the event, there will also be a record set with the largest paella ever made in the United States, enough to feed 3,000 people, prepared by Chef Leo Razo of Villa Roma in Laguna Niguel.

¡Viva España!

Hope to see you all at the Paella Beer & Wine Festival this weekend…

Location:

OC Fairgrounds

88 Fair Dr., Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Time:

4:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Tickets:

Tickets start at $50

Tickets include unlimited paella, wine and beer. A portion of all ticket sales will be donated to CANICA USA, a nonprofit which raises funds to grant wishes for impoverished children in Mexico and South America who are living with cancer.

Enter win the tickets on the Rafflecopter below before Thursday August 24th midnight!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Pinch. Peel. Eat. Repeat. Reel Cajun Restaurant & Bar In Garden Grove

The City of New Orleans is a colorful, festive, and one of my favorite places to visit in the South. The food is unique, and has distinct flavors that are forever embedded in my memory book. After traveling and eating my way through “The Big Easy,” I have a whole new level of appreciation for Cajun cuisine. I was thrilled to discover that I don’t have travel far for the authentic flavors of the South. Reel Cajun Restaurant & Bar is now open in Garden Grove….

This month, I hit up this awesome spot with my foodie pals. We were blown away by the fresh selection of crawfish, crab, shrimp, and fish. Everything on menu was OMG delicious. This little hole in the wall is a Cajun food gem!

Thank you Reel Cajun Restaurant & Bar for inviting me to try your Southern Cajun Cuisine. All opinions are on my own.

Reel Cajun is casual and kid friendly…

Score! I love places like this where I can unwind, eat good food, and enjoy a cold beer.

The menu has a variety tasty options and the prices are reasonable.

My favorite items on the menu were the garlic noodles with kielbasa and shrimp, boudin balls, and the crawfish. The cajun fries were also delicious..

Don’t forget the yummy sauces to dip everything in!

Dipping Sauces:

Creole Mustard

House Sauce

Crawfish Dip

Tarter Sauce

Spicy Ranch

Spicy Remoulade

The flavors at Reel Cajun are bold and authentic. The Gumbo was delish and had just the right amount of spice….

The Shrimp Brochette was wrapped bacon, and filled with jalapeños, mozzarella cheese, and served with cajun fries- SO GOOD!

The service was great and the staff was friendly…If you are in the Garden Grove area, this is a great spot to eat. Check out their Facebook page for daily specials..

Address:

10561 Bolsa Ave.

Garden Grove, Ca 92843

Phone number: (657) 266-0800

New Northagate Market Opens In La Habra

I grew up shopping at Northgate Market, and I have watched the store evolve over that last couple of years. Some of my fondest childhood memories include going to the mercado (grocery store) with my mama on Sunday morning, to pick up the ingredients for our family meal. Northgate Gonzalez Market’s opened its newest flagship store in the City of La Habra. Let me tell you, these new stores keep getting bigger and better…

My mom’s kitchen always smells heavenly… Food is very important to my family. Our large gatherings are always centered around good food. Much like Northgate Market, our family recipes have evolved. My Papa makes yummy nopalitos (cactus), my sister Yolanda makes a great Lasagna, and my brother Ernie makes incredible fried noodles. Our family’s cuisine has become somewhat international.

It’s impossible to please everyone and my kiddos are also picky eaters. I used to shop at five different markets to get what I need, but now I don’t have to. The new Northgate Market in La Habra is GINORMOUS and has everything I need, including international products!

Please note that this is a sponsored post. Thank you Gigasavvy for inviting to the grand opening of the Northgate Market in La Habra. Rest assured, that all opinions and gushing enthusiasm are my own.

At the Grand Opening, customers stood in line since 4:30am to get a glimpse of the new store. It was awesome to see the customers dance to “El Mariachi Loco.”

I made my first stop at “La Barra” to get my coffee fix. (One of my favorite things to do) Aguas frescas, teas, and fresh juices are also served at the bar.

You can also get wheat grass shots here…

The produce is so fresh and organic products are available…

This is new!

I made my way to check out the new “Dulceria” (candy shop). The spicy tamarindo reminded me of my abuelo’s little candy store in Mexico.

The variety meats and mariscos (seafood) is colorful and fresh. They also have grass fed meats.

The ceviche bar had an array of delicious options (at least 10) Why cook it all from scratch, when you can count on the freshest ingredients and high quality food at Northgate Markets?

Don’t want to clean up? If you are planning to visit the new Northgate Market, you can relax and enjoy authentic hispanic food. You will find a fresh salad bar, pupusería, menudo, posole, fresh tortillas, and so much more! ( I love this)

Wait they have sushi too?! I think I won the lotto…. I found two sushi chefs preparing some fresh sushi. I was stunned.

I love the warm Conchas ( in the picture shown above) from the panaderia (bakery) in the morning. The bakery is loaded with my favorite carbs. (includes more than 100 new artisan breads, cakes, and cookies made fresh daily)

It’s comforting to know I can find my traditional Mexican products at Northgate Market, but it’s also exciting to see all the new food trends there too!

The new super-sized Northgate Market in La Habra is my favorite store to visit and shop at because they have everything I am looking for and then some! I also frequently visit the Northgate Market on 17th St, in Santa Ana and the Northgate Market on Lincoln in Anaheim.

New store address:

1305 W. Whittier Blvd., CA. La Habra CA 90631

The Full Churrasco Experience at Fogo De Chão

Brazil is known for their dreamy beaches, warm people, and amazing cuisine. This is why it is so easy to fall in love with the culture. Much like the Brazilians, my family loves to surround themselves with good food and good conversation.

This month my family dined at Fogo De Chão to try a full “Churrasco Experience.” A churrascaria is a restaurant that serves grilled meat, and offers as much as one can eat. The waiters move around the restaurant with the skewers, slicing meat onto the guest’s plate. This serving style is called espeto corrido or rodízio. This is popular in Brazil.

Thank you Fogo De Chão for inviting me to try your Brazilian Cuisine. All opinions are my own.

CAUTION: The following images may cause drooling.

The fresh Market Bar showcased a colorful variety of food choices such as: crisp salads, fruit, cheese, smoked salmon, meats, and much more….

Everything was so fresh and delicious… The restaurant is located in the heart of Beverly Hills, California. This spot offers an incredible city vibe that cannot be beat.. In particular, I enjoyed the selection of cheeses. Who wouldn’t love delicious small plates, while sipping on a Brazilian crafted cocktail like the Fogo Premium Caipirinha? (Fogo Premium Aged Cachaça fresh muddled limes, cane sugar)

The salads are fresh and seasonal.

The choices were endless and there is a little something for everyone.

How To Go Fogo

Each guest’s plate is a creation of his or her own, so feel free to mix your favorite meats, sides and selections from the Market Table as you wish. There’s no wrong way to enjoy Brazilian cuisine.

Seafood options are available for my pescatarian friends…. This Mango Chilean Sea Bass was served with fresh homemade mango relish, and malagueta pepper sauce, atop delicious asparagus spears.

Brazilians love food and it shows. The choices on the menu at Fogo De Chão will make you forget that you are in the U.S.

The meats were seasoned just right and cooked to perfection…

My picky eater was happy to sink his teeth into this delicious chicken. There are so many options that make Fogo De Chão the perfect spot for big families. They offer many packages and deals to choose from.

After you eat as much as your heart desires, make room for the Caramelized Pineapple dessert. This warm pineapple is caramelized with a sugar coating, served à la mode, and drizzled with caramel.

Fogo De Chão made us feel like royalty and like family at the same time. If you want a taste of Brazilian heaven, you need to eat here….

Newport Beach Restaurant Week 2017

My friends and I are serious foodies and are on a mission to try as many culinary hot spots in Newport Beach during Restaurant Week as we can. We truly enjoy our time together and share a passion for delicious food, good conversation, and handcrafted cocktails. This also gives us the opportunity to explore our senses and indulge in some culinary experiences.

Newport Beach Restaurant Week is back in town showcasing SoCal’s best cuisines. Now through January 29th food enthusiasts can take advantage and enjoy special prix-fixe menus offered at participating restaurants.

This year over sixty restaurants will participate in Restaurant Week! (listed below)

This event showcases Newport as OC’s premier dining destination. Participating restaurants offer special prix-fixe menus with lunches available for $10, $15, $20, or $25, and dinners for $20, $30, $40 or $50.

At preview night, I got a sneak peek of the hottest food trends and spoke to the innovative chefs making waves in the Newport Coast.

*Disclosure- some of the images below may cause some drooling! Thank you Dine Newport Beach for inviting me to Newport Beach Restaurant Week preview night.

Newport Beach Restaurant Week 2017

Sessions West Coast Deli– Mushroom Chorizo Slider

Tackle Box– Buffalo Cauliflower (one of my favorites)

Don’t forget to search Dine Newport Beach Restaurant Guide to discover your next culinary experience and check for dining offers and promotions.

THE FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF RESTAURANTS PARTICIPATING IN 2017s RESTAURANT WEEK

21 Oceanfront
3Thirty3 Waterfront
A Restaurant
Andrea
Avila’s El Ranchito Corona del Mar
Avila’s El Ranchito Newport Beach
Back Bay Bistro
Bayside
Beachcomber Cafe
Benihana
Billy’s at the beach
Bluefin Restaurant
Bluewater Grill Restaurant
Campus JAX
Canaletto Newport Beach
Cannery Seafood of the Pacific
Citrus
Coliseum Pool & Grill
CUCINA enoteca Newport Beach
Dory Deli
Farmhouse at Roger’s Gardens
FIG & OLIVE
Five Crowns
Fly N Fish Oyster Bar & Grill
Gratitude Newport Beach
Harborside Restaurant
Hopdoddy Burger Bar
Hornblower Cruises & Events
Juliette Kitchen + Bar
Lighthouse Bayview Cafe
Mariposa Restaurant
Modo Mio
Mr. G’s Bistro
Muldoon’s Irish Pub
Newport Landing Restaurant
Oak Grill
Pelican Grill
Pescadou Bistro
Pizzeria Mozza
Port Restaurant and Bar
Provenance
Red O
Rockin Baja Lobster Newport Beach
Rothschild’s
Roy’s Restaurant
Rusty Pelican
Sessions West Coast Deli
Slapfish
SOL Cocina
Stag Bar
Summer House
Sushi Roku
Sweet Lady Jane
Tackle Box
The Bungalow Restaurant
The Ritz Prime Seafood
The Village Inn
The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar
Tommy Bahama Island Grill
True Food Kitchen
Woody’s Wharf
Zinqué

The Ritz Prime Sea Food– Spanish Octopus with romesco, fingerlings and shaved asparagus.

Cucina Enoteca– Polenta creation

Stag Bar + Kitchen– Caprese Slider with mozzarella, habanero-pesto, basil and tomato.

Lighthouse Cafe– Pecan Banana Bread Pudding

Lighthouse Cafe -Dessert For Breakfast by Chef Ryan- Ganache Tart with hazelnut crumble and orange coulis