I recently learned about Orange County’s walking trails. They often traverse scenic country parks featuring picturesque waterfalls and panoramic views from mountain vistas. After hiking Peter’s Canyon in Tustin, my daughter and I worked up an appetite and decided to go to Rodrigo’s Mexican Grill and try their lunch express. We were happy to learn…
Orange County
Green Cheek Scores With Excellent Brews and Grub
For Father’s Day, my wife surprised me. She drove down the 405 South, and I initially thought of Long Beach, but we soon entered Orange County. After heading west from John Wayne Airport, we arrived at Green Cheek Brewery in Costa Mesa. Green Cheek is one of my niece’s favorite breweries, and I was excited…
OC Nature Walk With Lunch at Fiesta Grill
I enjoy scenic walks and was delighted that my wife and daughter decided to join me in visiting OC’s Bolsa Chica Wetlands. Being first-time visitors, we were awed by the beauty of the wetlands and the numerous species of birds that frequent the area. After walking the trail, my daughter demonstrated her skill at finding…
Taco Maria Delivers Delicious Alta California Cuisine
Approximately ten years ago, gourmet food trucks piqued my interest in discovering new food finds. One was Taco Maria, a gourmet food truck hosting a Michelin-starred chef preparing selections such as bone marrow quesadillas and mole de pollo tacos. The truck frequently made stops on Saturday at the SOCO Farmers Market in Costa Mesa. Chef / Owner…
Ben Ngu Delivers Tasty Central Vietnamese Cuisine
I recently enjoyed a food-focused staycation in Orange County. Because I would be eating more than usual, I combined delicious food with walks that involved beautiful scenery, such as the Peter’s Canyon Loop in Tustin Ranch. My first stop was Ben Ngu, a Vietnamese restaurant in Garden Grove. Ben Ngu is Ngu Binh’s sister restaurant…
Ha Noi Corner Delivers Tasty North Vietnamese Cuisine
Unlike the majority of Vietnamese eateries that feature Central Vietnamese cuisine, Ha Noi Corner, favors North Vietnam cuisine from Hanoi. The owners immigrated from Hanoi in 2016 and created a menu reflecting the cuisine they enjoyed back home. Visiting Ha Noi Corner, I was pleasantly surprised at the attractive interior. Unlike the stark, minimalist interior…
Garlic and Chives – Creative Vietnamese Food in the OC
While Vietnamese pho and banh mi sandwiches are plentiful throughout LA, other Vietnamese dishes are not as readily available. If you venture south to Orange County, you’ll find Little Saigon, home to many people of Vietnamese descent and authentic restaurants to fulfill the demand. I recently had the opportunity to frequent two in Garden Grove…
Quan Mii – Crispy Vietnamese Crepes Done Well
If you had the opportunity to delve into Vietnamese cuisine beyond pho and banh mi, you’ve certainly discovered bánh xèo, a Vietnamese savory crepe. Bánh xèo is a crispy, stuffed rice crepe popular in Vietnam. Bánh means cake while xèo means sizzle. The name refers to the loud sound the rice batter makes when it…
Pickle Banh Mi, A Worthy OC Contender
Vietnamese banh mi is one of my favorite sandwiches. Prepared well, they are heavenly. The baguette has to be fresh, preferably baked in-house. Proteins can vary widely, but the constant is the pickled daikon and carrot mix. My favorite banh mi shop is Tan Hoang Huong and I’m curious if I’ll ever find one that…
Royal King Elephant, a Laotian Experience
Laotian is not a word that you come across often and unless you are familiar with world geography, you may not realize that the word is derived from the country of Laos. I recently learned of Royal King Elephant; a restaurant located in Orange County featuring food from Laos and Thailand. Royal King Elephant is…