Your Next Bite

The Royal Hen – One Year Later

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A couple weekends ago, I went back to The Royal Hen in Balboa Island. I hadn't been since it opened a year ago, so I was excited to see all the new menu items added, especially since they had a limited menu during their soft open.

One year later and their menu has definitely broadened. Chef Tim Goodell (also from A Restaurant and Aubergine) added a ton more "Snacks" from Mini Pork Buns to handmade Pastas. And, "All The Rest" includes shareable dishes from sides like Roasted Veggies to mains, such as Pot Pies.

The Grubdown:

- crisp, creamy 'n earthy, Tempura Squash Blossoms with three Cheeses and Romesco Sauce $11

- fresh with a hint of spice, Avocados with Dungeness Crab & Chili Vinaigrette $13

- like soft pillowey pork candy, Pork Belly Boa with Hoisin & Pickled Carrots $11

- simply divine, Honeynut Squash Agnolotti pasta special with Sage Brown Butter Sauce, Parmesan & Nutmeg

- loved the Romesco but thought the yogurt was a little thick, BBQ Carrots with Lebni & Romesco $7

- more than generous portions with truffle goodies, Cheese & Charcuterie Board with Grain Mustard & Pickles $21

- you won't miss the hard alcohol from this 'spirited' work of art, Contratto Rooster with Contratto Rosso Vermouth, Gingery Syrup, Lemon Juice & Soda $12

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I would honestly order each and every one of these dishes again, so it's hard to choose just one that you MUST try.

The atmosphere is still as warm, intimate and bustling as it was one year ago. The service is friendly and on point. And, the Charcutier has an infectious sense of enthusiasm when it comes to explaining the night's meat and cheese specials.

The Royal Hen has now added Brunch, every Saturday and Sunday from 9:30am-1:30pm.

Expect a third review to come!

311 Marine Ave., Newport Beach, CA 92662. 949-873-5603. 

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.

Pushing your Irish Luck on St. Patrick's Day

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This year's St. Patrick's Day falls on a Monday, which means one of two things: 1. You're stickin' your shamrock where the sun don't shine by fillin' Monday's schedule with green beer  2. You've decided to button up your little Leprechaun suit and sit down for a nice Irish stew instead.

Don't worry, Your Next Bite has got you covered with a pot 'o golden options, from where the Irish have been partying for the past 40 years at Muldoon's to places that push your Irish luck, like British Side Door Pub and Aussie Pie Not.

The Grubdown:

Muldoon's Irish Pub in Newport Beach

- like a bowl of hearty gravy, kissed with a fluffy cloud of mashed potatoes, Irish Stew with certified Angus Beef, plump Peas, Carrots, and a touch of Guinness Stout $25

Side Door Pub in Corona del Mar

- cheesy potato crust, warm 'n tender meat filling with a hint of creamy sour, 20-minute Shepherd's Pie with Ground Beef, Root Vegetable Mash & Goat Cheese $10

Pie Not in Costa Mesa

- tangy A1 sauce flavor, chunky bits of beef, and buttery flaky pastry, Chef's Special Premium Pie with Guinness Braised Beef, Cheddar, Tomatoes & Potatoes in a Shortcrust Pastry shell with Puff Pastry lid $6.50

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Cheers to gettin' lucky!

Gordon Ramsay's The Fat Cow is Udderly Simple

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Last weekend I finally got to trek up to LA to see what Gordon Ramsay's The Fat Cow at The Grove was all about. Housed in The Farm's old spot adjacent to the theater, this new burger joint/gastropub is warm and inviting but with an industrial edge.

Walk in and the old baker's counter is flipped to the right with a colorful display of giant French Macaroons, chunky Chocolate Cookies fresh from the oven, Sugar-dusted Donut Holes, and baristas to brew your hot Cup of Joe. I love the new brick wall on the left that runs the length of the restaurant. There's also a new bar up front, followed by a reclaimed communal table in the middle, and booth seating at the back. Funky light fixtures are strewn about with gold & red glowing orbs that hang like ornaments.

Sit down and napkins & silverware are served in a tabletop caddy, along with Chef Matthew's rather enticing menu. Branzino Ceviche, Lobster Mac & Cheese, Gordon's Shepherds Pie, Fish & Chips, Coppa Picante Ham & Fig Flatbread, Chocolate Salted Caramel Shake – I could go on, but I'm getting hungry and it's past my bed time.

The Grubdown:

- perfect presentation, fluffy fun branded bun, love the angular cut Pickle, juicy not greasy meat, but is missing that extra something for the price, Fat Cow Cheeseburger with Short Rib & Kobe Beef, Butter Lettuce, Tomato & Kennebec Fries $15

- luscious, creamy, greens give it a crisp earthy touch, a bit more salt than necessary, Roasted Beets & Fresh Burrata with punchy Pomegranate Seeds, Upland Cress, Crushed Pistachios, Olive Oil, Salt & Pepper $14

- ridiculously oversized, super creamy, too flakey, all i tasted was sugar, Chai French Macaroon $3

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I only ordered 3 things from the menu, but overall was not impressed. Perhaps I'm too jaded by SoCal's new burger joint every minute, and was hoping for Gordon to add his own spin. Instead, he kept the flavors simple – which is great if you're a purist.

The Burger was juicy and the toppings were crisp, but I wanted some kind of special sauce, or even a Curry-flavored dip for the Fries. The Beets & Burrata dish was my favorite and I did NOT want to split with the hand model. Even so, I felt the Salt took away from its freshness.

Next time, I'll stick to Ramsay's British roots and go for the Shepherds Pie, Fish & Chips, and Sticky Toffee Pudding.

 189 The Grove Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90036. 323-965-1020.

A Christmas Prime Rib at Five Crowns in OC & Taste in LA

Christmas is finally here, which means it's definitely time for some Prime Rib.

If you're looking for a more traditional fine dining experience with tons of Olde English flare, then have a jolly good time at the Five Crowns Restaurant – since the 1960's – in Corona del Mar. I've eaten here many times and it never disappoints. The old-fashioned red telephone booth, the waitresses in period costume dresses, and the warm cozy fireplace completely add to your lavish meal of Prime Rib, Yorkshire Pudding, Creamed Spinach, and English Trifle. Afterwards hit up the new SideDoor Pub for a Pint or glass of Sherry. Or, order your holiday meal to go (see selections below).

Fancy something more modern? Then head over to Taste on Melrose in West Hollywood. Take in the open-air on the patio, which serves as a beautiful setting on tree-lined Melrose Place. Or bundle up inside by the fire. For Christmas Eve they're serving a Prime Rib Special Dinner, along with their regular menu featuring everything from White Truffle Oil & Mushroom Mac & Cheese ($8.50) to Pan Roasted Barramundi ($24.50). And their unique martinis are devilish 'cuz you can't stop ordering them.

                          (Photo courtesy of Five Crowns)

The Grubdown on Five Crowns in OC:

Half (Serves 6-8 $195) or Full (Serves 12-15 $350) Prime Rib Holiday Dinner To Go. Call 949-760-0555 to order 48 hours in advance. 3801 E. Coast Hwy, Corona del Mar, CA 92625.

- Prime Rib cooked to order

- Mashed Potatoes

- Creamed Corn or Creamed Spinach

- Gravy Au Jus

- Whipped Cream Horseradish

(Photo courtesy of Taste on Melrose)

The Grubdown on Taste in LA:

5-item Christmas Eve meal for $26. Call 323-852-6888 for Reservations. 8454 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, CA 90069. @ilovetaste

- Prime Rib

- Potato Gratin

- Creamed Spinach

- Yorkshire Pudding

- Horseradish Cream & Au Jus

Merry Christmas!