Your Next Bite

From BBQ to Burgers this 4th of July in Newport Beach

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When I think of the 4th of July, the 4 F's come to mind: Freedom, Fireworks, Family, and Food. And, the beach towns of Balboa Island, Corona del Mar, and Newport Beach in Orange County, California are a great place to soak it all in.

4th of July festivities start early in Balboa Island – an eternal vacation spot – as its inhabitants decorate their houses with American memorabilia, and red, white & blue flag banners strung across each avenue.

Corona del Mar is a great family beach spot, complete with a Pirate's Cove playground and a grassy Lookout Point to take in the fireworks overhead.

Newport Beach has fun for everyone from Duffy Boats on the bay to Beach Cruiser bike rides on the boardwalk and a grand Firework show over the Newport Dunes.

The Grubdown:

Bandera – Corona del Mar

- so tender it falls right of the bone, Wood-fired Barbeque Beef Back Ribs with Pomme Puree & Coleslaw $31 (restaurant photo courtesy of Banderarestaurants.com)

Crocker's – Balboa Island

- sweet 'n sour, plump with soft bun, Balboa Bratwurst with Spicy Mustard, Warm Kraut & Potato Bun $9 (Pictured Top Left)

Patty Macs – Newport Beach 

- glisteningly juicy, sweet 'n spicy, pillowy bun with crisp edge, Pan Seared 8 oz Cheeseburger with Caramelized Red Onions, Tillamook Cheddar, Arugula & Roasted Garlic Aioli on a Brioche Bun $12.95

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Happy 4th of July!

Only 3 Days Left of Orange County Restaurant Week

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This year's Orange County Restaurant Week is literally only 7 days – March 3rd through March 11th.

Over 100 restaurants are serving up prix-fixe Lunches and Dinners ranging from $10 to $50 per person.

Try something new, or take advantage of a great deal at your favorite spot. Either way, here are 4 places to go.

The Grubdown:

Cafe Gratitude - Costa Mesa

- packed with so much flavor, didn't even miss the meat, Bountiful Blackened Tempeh Bolognese with Quinoa Shells, Cashew Mozzarella, Broccolini, Brazil Nut Parmesan & Spinach (part of $20 Lunch or $30 Dinner)

Juliette Kitchen & Bar - Newport Beach

- genius, healthy whole grain substitutes for arborio rice, milky smooth, soft 'n creamy, just needed a touch more cheese, Farro Risotto with Baby Squash, Trumpet Mushrooms, Swiss Chard, Tomatoes & Herbs (part of $20 Lunch or $50 Dinner)

Lighthouse Bayview Cafe - Newport Beach

- thick 'n rich, New England Clam Chowder with Clams, Bacon & Chive (part of $15 Lunch or $30 Dinner)

SeaSalt Woodfire Grill - Huntington Beach

- must order, smokey, spicy 'n sweet, Smoked Santa Maria Tri-Trip with Linguisa Sausage, Beans & Salsa (part of $30 Dinner)

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Bon Appetit!

The 16 Best Bites of 2016

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As the year comes to an end, it's time to reflect on the 16 Best Bites of 2016.

From Spanish Tapas to Taiwanese and good 'ole fashioned Fried Chicken, here's where to get Your Next Bite from LA to OC and San Diego. (Listed alphabetically.)

The Grubdown:

A Restaurant - Contemporary American

- creamy 'n silky smooth, earthy with sweet 'n sour notes, Duck Liver Pate with Cinnamon Applesauce, Curried Mustard Yellow Raisins, Rhubarb, Grand Marnier Gelee & Grilled Bread $16

Arc - Locally Sourced American Food

- unreal heartiness, love the mix of shredded & finely ground beef, Chili with Beef, Lentils, Sour Cream, Chive & Grilled Toast $16

Crack Shack - Fried Chicken House

- crispy outside, super juicy inside, buttermilk flavor with just the right amount of grease, Fried Chicken 10 PC $28.00

Din Tai Fung - Taiwanese Dumpling House

- must order, tender, soup explosion in your mouth, Pork XiaoLongBao Soup Dumplings

Farmhouse - Farm to Table Cuisine

- curried cauliflower is the star, while succotash is bland, Farmhouse Vegetable Plate with White Beans & Greens, Curried Cauliflower Cous Cous, Lemon Mint Yogurt, Grilled Corn, Peppers, Red Onions, Squash & Farro with Grilled Peach Chutney $23

Lola Gaspar - Latin & Spanish Food

- the best taco I ever ate, I had an outer body experience, complex sweet 'n smokey flavors, uniquely light 'n thin handmade tortilla, Carnitas Tacos with Salsa Negra, Avocado, Cream & Pickled Chili $10

North Italia - Modern Italian Food

- unique, creamy 'n eye-opening spice, Short Rib Radiatori Pasta with Parmesan Cream, Fresh Horseradish, Wilted Arugula & Herbed Breadcrumbs $21

Ola Mexican Kitchen - Mexican Food

- it'll change the way you eat corn forever, creamy, cool 'n filling, Elote Man Roasted Corn with Cotija Cheese & Lime Aioli $7

Plan Check Kitchen + Bar - Modern American Comfort Food

- juicy, cheesy with ketchup that packs a punch, PCB Plan Check Burger with Americanized Dashi Cheese, Ketchup Leather, Schmaltz Onions, Mixed Pickles & Crunchy Bun $12.50

The Ritz Prime Seafood - Steak & Seafood

- delicate, organic, creamy 'n rich, The Ritz Egg with Smoked Salmon & Caviar $16

The Royal Hen - Gastropub with British, European & Asian Influences

- fluffy, great presentation, Craft Ale Fish & Chips with irresistible Mushy Peas, light homemade Fries & Malt Vinegar Aioli $18

SeaSalt - Santa Maria BBQ

- must order, smokey, spicy 'n sweet, Smoked Santa Maria Tri-Trip with Linguisa Sausage, Beans & Salsa $22

Snow Monster - Ice Cream & Dessert Shop

- my dream come true, rich 'n creamy, crispy toffee crunch, Giant S'mores Macaron Ice Cream Sandwich with English Toffee Ice Cream $4.25

Social - Classic Southern and New-American Cuisine

- crunchy, nutty, sweet 'n fatty, Brussels Sprouts with Honey, Sweet Potato, House Tasso Ham & Hazelnuts $8

Vaca - Spanish Tapas

- the best thing on the menu, authentic, creamy, smokey 'n sweet, La Bola crispy Potato Balls with Ground Beef, Aioli & Spicy Tomato Sauce $9

Ways & Means Oyster House - Seafood

- if garlic bread and rockefeller had a spinach-free baby...Nola Dressed Oysters with Garlic, Butter, Parmesan, Parsley & Breadcrumbs $10

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Cheers to an even more delicious & Happy New Year with bites from Playground to Scopa.

Where to Celebrate Baby Back Rib Day this Labor Day Weekend

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It's official. The end of summer is here. Say goodbye to long days at the beach, late night sunsets, and barbecuin' on the grill.

Speaking of barbecue, here's where to celebrate National Baby Back Rib Day from LA to San Diego and even Austin, Texas.

After all, Labor Day weekend commemorates summer's last weekend before heading home to reality – so let's go big.

The Grubdown:

A-Frame in LA, CA

- lincoln log stacked, air-dried so they're not greasy, but honestly could have used more fat, Baby Back Ribs with Hoison Chili Glaze, bias cut Scallions & Sesame Seeds

Julian Brewing Co. and Bailey Woodpit BBQ in Julian, CA

- tangy 'n sweet sauce, kinda chewy 'n fatty pork, Half Rack of Baby Back Ribs with Side of too intense chopped Raw Garlic & Parmesan Fries and devilishly creamy Mac & Cheese

Lamberts Barbecue in Austin, TX

- the best of all the meats, tender, juicy 'n fatty in all the right ways, Natural Black Angus Brisket with Brown Sugar & Coffee Rub and House Pickled Escabeche

BONE Appetit!

Santa Maria style Steaks from SeaSalt by the Seashore

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My trusty hand model is from the Central Coast in California. So, when he heard a new restaurant had just opened in Huntington Beach, serving Santa Maria style Steaks (a.k.a. Tri-Tip), there was no question where we were eating for dinner.

SeaSalt Woodfire Grill is a celebration of "Old Western" Santa Maria style cooking, dating back 180 years. Meats were slow-grilled over a redwood oak fire, and served with Beans and farm fresh Veggies. The seasoning was simple – salt, pepper, and garlic salt.

Today, SeaSalt pays tribute to the flavoring with a modern twist, offering 8 different Finishing Salts to accompany your dish.

The atmosphere blends old and new with outdoor firepits, warm woods, and "New" Western decor.

The Grubdown:

- garlicky, earthy, and spicy citrus respectively, Sea Salt, Black Diamond & Chipotle Lime Finishing Salts

- one of their most popular appetizers, tons to share, just wish there was more cheese, Whole Grilled Cauliflower with Manchego Cheese Fondue $12

- must order, smokey, spicy 'n sweet, Smoked Santa Maria Tri-Trip with Linguisa Sausage, Beans & Salsa $22

- char 'n citrus wishes, Grilled Broccolini with Lemon Thyme Finishing Salt $9

- smokey, fatty, divine, Smoked Pork Belly Mac & Cheese Side $10

- marshmallow melted too fast, but we still scarfed it down, Scorched S'mores Brownie $14

- best cocktail on the menu, like a fizzy lemonade, Gin & Jam Cocktail with Gin, Lemon & Raspberry Jam $8

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Git yer Grub on!

21214 Beach Blvd, Huntington Beach, CA 92648. 714-804-5545.

11 New Restaurants To Open in Laguna Beach

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Yes, you heard right. 11 new restaurants will be opening in Laguna Beach within a year, according to Stu News Laguna, a Laguna Beach News & Community Forum. Who'd a thought this bohemian, art-centric beach town could turn into such a dining mecca.

Here's a list of a few noteworthy up-and-comers to look out for.

The Grubdown:

- Red Dragon: Mosun/Club M is FINALLY being replaced by a new Cantonese restaurant with chefs straight from Hong Kong. It's slated to open Spring 2016.

680 S. Coast Highway

- Reunion Kitchen + Drink: this new American Comfort Food-based spot opening this fall, is brought to you by the same owners as French 75, Nick's, and the now-closed Asada

610 N. Pacific Highway

- FormerRoyal Hawaiian: the former famous bar is planning to close escrow by a new owner mid June. Stay tuned for more details.

331 N. Coast Highway

- Sail Loft: this rooftop terrace brought to you by the same owner as Mozambique, will feature New Orleans cuisine & Southern BBQ. It's slated to open November/December.

422 S. Coast Highway

- Urth Cafe: this transplant from LA features Organic Coffee, Fine Teas, and dishes like Natural Beef Hash for breakfast, and Butternut Squash & Ricotta Pizza for lunch. It should open this July/August.

308 N. Coast Highway

For news on the remaining six restaurants to come, visit www.stunewslaguna.com/laguna-dining

 

Memorable Barbecue for Memorial Day Weekend

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In the foodie world, Memorial Day weekend is all about the 'cue: 'Cue the sun, 'cue the fun, and 'cue the barbecue.

So for this three day weekend, I give you three of my top barbecue bites from sunny Southern California to Austin, Texas.

The Grubdown:

Bailey Woodpit Barbecue in Julian, CA

- juicy 'n tender with crunchy veg and a flakey bun, Grass and Grain-fed Smoked Tri Tip Sandwich with Grilled Peppers, Onion, and Side of Cole Slaw $8 (Half Order)

Kogi BBQ, Food Truck in Southern California

- cool cabbage crunch, traditional korean bbq flavor Short Rib Tacos with Cilantro ($2)

Lamberts Barbecue in Austin, TX

- the best of all the meats, tender, juicy 'n fatty in all the right ways, Natural Black Angus Brisket with Brown Sugar & Coffee Rub and House Pickled Escabeche $16

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Happy Holiday!

On the deck this 4th of July

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From LA's Santa Monica & Hollywood Hills to OC's Laguna Beach, here's a list of views on the deck to catch the best fireworks shows, while dining al fresco.

The Grubdown:

- enjoy bottomless brunch and $5 margi's all night with Japanese & Latin fusion cuisine on the rooftop at Zengo Santa Monica

- take in some American barbecue, my favorite view of "The Hills", and maybe a glimpse from the Bowl's annual fireworks display at The Roof on Wilshire

- the menu's since changed with a much needed upgrade, but The Deck on Laguna Beach has quite possibly the best unobstructed views of the Pacific and local fireworks

Happy 4th of July!

The never ending food glory of Austin, Texas

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Last weekend was my first trip to the state of Texas for the Paramount Break-a-Leg 5K. It's no surprise I landed at their (food) capital, Austin.

Before I even arrived, a friend of mine had given me a list of 15 restaurants to try. She told me she'd given up on eating full meals at one restaurant, since there were literally five (non-chain of course) on every block. She called it "progressive dining", like friends would do, hopping from one house to the next for a drink, an appetizer, a main course, and finally dessert.

Unfortunately, I only had two and a half days (including a 7:30am race on Sunday), so time was of the essence.

Here's a list of my top dishes I tried from the following 5 restaurants:

The Grubdown:

1.) Lamberts Barbecue

- the best of all the meats, tender, juicy 'n fatty in all the right ways, Natural Black Angus Brisket with Brown Sugar & Coffee Rub and House Pickled Escabeche $16

Bite Advice: Don't even think about coming here without ordering their excellent, refined 'n fresh, Fried Green Tomatoes topped with Jumbo Lump Crab Salad, Spicy Greens, and Green Goddess Dressing too $15

2.) Elizabeth Street Cafe

- so bad for you but so good, pillowey, sweet 'n salty, Niman Ranch Pork Belly Steamed Buns with Cucumber, Scallion & Hoison Sauce $8

Bite Advice: Take advantage of this French Vietnamese fusion cafe by taking a Cinnamon Curry Macaron ($2) to go.

3.) Olivia

- out of this world handmade pasta, creamy smokey carbonara-like sauce, soft 'n tender Rabbit Fettuccine with Lamb's Quarter, Asparagus, Broccoli & Smoked San Marzano Cream $31

Bite Advice: Make a reservation ahead of time, so you can experience some of the best service I've seen in years. Truly superb with great attention to detail. Each plate was served with its own set of silverware, an empty plate was never left on our table for more than 30 seconds, and our friendly waiter even hailed a cab for us on the street while we waited comfortably inside. Oh, and did I mention their food comes from their garden out back?

4.) Daily Juice

- brilliant, why didn't I think of this before, refreshing, sweet 'n soul satisfying, Depth Charge Green Juice with Cucumber, Celery, Kale, Spinach, Parsley & Coconut Water $7 (16oz)

Bite Advice: The perfect treat to enjoy after a 5K or marathon. They also serve smoothies, Kombucha on tap, and Kale & Quinoa Salads to go.

5.) Clark's Oyster Bar

- perfectly tender & delicately balanced, fluffy not heavy with a flakey crunch, Oven Roasted Gulf Oysters with Bechamel, Spinach, Bacon & Sourdough Bread Crumbs $14

Bite Advice: Go for Brunch and sip on the fizzy Pomegranate Blanco Mule $8 while sitting on the sunny patio. If you're trying to decide on the Shrimp Toast $16, it's plump but the Bread is too thick. And the Lobster & Farm Eggs En Cocotte $24 is so rich, it's only for the brave of heart.

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Y'all, I really enjoyed myself in Austin. From the five food spots on every corner (not to mention their huge food truck scene), to the awesome music and friendly folks, I'm definitely on board to Keep Austin Weird.

A Day Trip to Julian Apple Festival

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Last weekend the hand model and I drove southeast to the once-a-year Julian's Apple Days Festival, and then missed it. I hadn't been since I was 8, so memory wasn't serving me well. Neither was their signage, nor their website. (Information on the festival's whereabouts was via phone only – talk about small-town time warp.)

As soon as we got into town, we saw throngs of people and parked the second we found a spot (call it trigger happy from living in LA 9 years). Mesmerized by pony-drawn carriages, apple everything (apple cider, apple butter, dried apple rings, caramel apples), and the ridiculously long line outside MOM's Pie's, suddenly we had forgotten all about the festival.

It wasn't until we had ordered a whole take-home Flaky Apple Pie, devoured a quick slice with warm Cheddar on top, and purchased a 1960's wind-up watch necklace at the antique store next door, did we realize "hey, aren't we supposed to pay a $5 admission fee somewhere to pick apples and drink from the beer & wine garden?" Oops.

The Grubdown:

- for me the melted cheese just adds another textured layer, but my hand model swears by it, gooey 'n rather mild Slice of Flakey Apple Pie with Sharp Cheddar Cheese $4.95

- could use more salt 'n cinnamon to spice things up, otherwise simple, tart 'n fresh with an impressive perfectly raised crust, Whole Flaky Apple Pie $14.95

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After speaking to the lovely lady inside the antique shop, she told us the festival was about a mile east of the main town at Menghini Winery. We figured, "what've we got to lose?" (Besides our parking spot.) By the time we arrived, it had shut down and the winery stopped serving. Thankfully the coffee guy in the side room offered us a rare Heirloom Snow White Apple – with flesh, not skin, as white as snow – on the house. It was very crisp 'n juicy with a faint tartness vs. sweetness.

Driving back into town we stumbled upon Julian Brewing Co. and Bailey Woodpit Barbeque. We drowned our sorrows of missing the once-a-year festival in a gluttonous meal of stick-to-your-ribs down-home comfort food and hard cider.

The 2nd Grubdown:

- the star of the night, juicy 'n tender with crunchy veg and a flakey bun, Grass and Grain-fed Smoked Tri Tip Sandwich with Grilled Peppers, Onion, and Side of Cole Slaw $8 (Half Order)

- tangy 'n sweet sauce, kinda chewy 'n fatty pork, Half Rack of Baby Back Ribs with Side of too intense chopped Raw Garlic & Parmesan Fries and devilishly creamy Mac & Cheese $14

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Next year we (and you!) will have to do ourselves a favor by CALLING Tracy Turner at 760-803-4377 like their website lists, instead of just showing up. Thankfully, Julian offered enough charming distractions to make our day trip.

MOM's Pies. 2119 Main Street, Julian, CA 92036. 760-765-2472

Menghini Winery. 1150 Julian Orchards Drive, Julian, CA 92036. 760-765-2072.

Bailey Woodpit BBQ. 2307 Main St, Julian, CA 92036. 760-765-3757.

Barbie's Q at 2011 Santa Anita Park Food Truck Festival

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Finally, here's Your Next Bite's follow up to the "pony up" at the 2011 Santa Anita Park Food Truck Festival 2 weeks ago. The day couldn't have been more perfect – the sun was shining bright, not a cloud was in the sky – then came the hour-long lines, only to be denied food from the sold-out trucks.

I'm not gonna lie, the Fest was a bit of a mess. My hand model, friends, and I were some of the lucky ones to get a few last dishes from Barbie's Q, Coolhaus, and Naan Stop before the poor hundreds of souls left starving behind us – but not without a strategic plan of course. We definitely worked for our food, each spreading out in 3 different 60 minute+ lines, communicating via cell phone, whilst melting in the sun.

To give you a taste of what we went thru, I'm gonna draw this review out starting with Barbie's Q this week, Coolhaus next week, then finally Naan Stop.

When my friend and I galloped up to Barbie's Q, the only reason we even had a chance was because all the meat was sold out, and only Veggie Sandwiches were left. At this point we were so starving, it didn't even matter. So we stood ground and, low and behold, Barbie's Q found some "extra" chicken, then later on "pork" (which we'd missed), too.

The Grubdown:

- impressive, stole the show, sweet smokey 'n tender Veggie BBQ Sandwich

- every kind and color, chili sweet Barbeque Beans

- kinda slimy 'n sausage chewy-like "questionable" Chicken BBQ Sandwich (I steered clear, but my friends ate it and paid for it later)

- thin, crisp 'n light, a little soupy but satisfying Cole Slaw

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The Santa Anita Food Truck Festival was good in theory, but unfortunately, and ironically, the farthest thing from a horse race. Hopefully next year they'll get the lines and food inventory situated.

Next week, Root Beer and Guiness Ice Cream from Coolhaus.

Willoughby Road Food Truck Serves Up Humble Southern Sophistication

 

It was another beautiful sunny day on the Miracle Mile 5700 Wilshire Blvd. block and, as always, it was loaded with lots of temptation – 10 food trucks to be exact. But it was a tweet from fairly new food truck Willoughby Road, Classic Southern Cuisine Redefined, that caught my eye:

@willoughbyroad  willoughby will be at 5700 and wilshire from 12:00 to 2:00 come try our new cod po boy with sauteed bacon fennel kale and sweet mustard sauce

A food truck that serves up healthy cod and kale? I had to try it!

The Grubdown:

- tender & crunchy Cornmeal Crusted Cod Po' Boy Burger with Sauteed Bacon Fennel Kale & Sweet Mustard Cilantro Jalapeno Aioli (the sauce steals the show!)

- 8-hour smoked & 1-hour braised Harissa Brisket Tacos with Cotija Cheese & Thai Slaw

- soft & creamy black pepper 4-Cheese Mac

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The Cod Po' Boy special ($7) was definitely the star, and I'd totally go back for more. Although the cornmeal crust was a bit salty, the Atlantic cod was super tender and fresh. (Their product is brought in and made fresh daily.) The green Sweet Mustard Aioli, made from a blend of cilantro, jalapeno, mustard, and a few secret ingredients, was so delish I wish it came with more to dip. I really enjoyed the soft warm sesame seed bun it was served on, as opposed to the traditional baguette. And the heaping mound of kale (with sinful bits of bacon) definitely tricked my taste buds into thinking I was getting a healthy balance of veggies compared to all the carbs we were consuming – thank you Evan for sharing with me!

The Harissa Brisket Tacos ($7) were pretty big and we thought a great value for the price. The flavor of the 8-hour braised meat had so much depth – ancho chile, chocolate, coffee, harissa, vinegar. And the Thai Cabbage & Radish Coleslaw it was topped with helped balance out the spice.

The texture of the 4-cheese Mac ($3) was soft and creamy. But the black pepper seasoning really stood out – this ain't your mama's mac.

The unique flavorings in all 3 items really added a hint of sophistication to Southern cuisine I'd never had before. After speaking with chefs Jeshua Garza & Adrian Ochoa about their culinary backgrounds I soon learned why. Both chefs studied together at Le Cordon Bleu in Pasadena. After graduation, both went on to work for famed chefs – Ochoa for Ludovic Lefebvre at Bastide, and Garza for Ming Tsai at Blue Ginger. Garza later refined his BBQ skills working at his Uncle's highly acclaimed real-pit Blue Ribbon BBQ in Massachusetts. The two came together to sell their own refined Southern cuisine at Eagle Rock's Sunday Farmers Market, which shortly after took off as Willoughby Road.

P.S. It was just before the truck left today that the two humble chefs let me in on a little secret – not their recipes of course, they could never do that – the truth is they can barely figure out how to work their twitter account. Pretty ironic considering today's tweet helped them gain 2 new "biters," and after reading this review, hopefully tons more. Enjoy!