We made our reservations 2 weeks in advance to ensure we were able to get a table. Once we arrived it took us a few minutes to located the restaurant. They had a minimalist theme going where there was no sign and the actual restaurant was a room with just some plain tables and chairs. We actually asked a bum the directions to Animal and he directed us to a building with no sign. My first thought, what did I get myself into?? Once we arrived we were promptly seated and given our menus. This is when the fun started.

First thing we ordered was the chicken liver toast. It was divine. The only way to describe it is a crispy exterior with a creamy savory interior. Each bite was so delicious we were actually fighting over who would get the last piece. We did end up ordering another one later in the meal because we loved it so much.

Next, on the menu was the marrow bone with chimichurri and caramelized onions. This dish was also amazing but incredibly fatty so if you cant handle the grease I don’t recommend you order it. We ate this with toast as well and enjoyed it thoroughly. I would have liked was a bigger portion of it!

Since we had shared both dishes we were getting hungrier for more. The next thing on the menu we selected was the barbeque pork belly sandwiches with slaw. They were decadent and juicy filled with the fattiness of the belly and tenderness of the pork. At this point, I was getting rather full and slowing down. However, my hungry eating companion was ready to try one more. We decided to go more out of the box and ordered the chicken fried sweetbreads, charred romaine, crawfish xo, creme fraiche. Normally, I am not a big fan of very crispy dishes. However, this dish had the complexity and bold flavors that made me re-think my outlook.

We were gearing up for the final lap. My husband and I wanted to try more dishes but there were so many and our stomach were reaching capacity. So in a last ditch effort we ordered a dessert. We ordered the tres leches with berries and opal basil. It was light, airy and ended with a twist of citrus.

It was the perfect end to a perfect meal. I have been to very few restaurants that have excited and challenged me at the same time. Animal did all of that and more with its charm and finesse. It left us satisfied and planning our next visit there.

Written By: Food Junkie

Note: This is not in Orange County but worth the drive!

Animal Restaurant

435 N. Fairfax Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
http://animalrestaurant.com/

Selma’s is a Chicago based eatery that prides itself on being an authentic Chicago Deep dish pizza. As soon as we entered we were greeted with a warm and friendly greeting. We were then seated in the restaurant section of the establishment. We were meeting our friends there that initially recommended us to this place. They recommended we order the “pizza pie”. This was the most authentic dish on the menu that basically had the meat, cheese, and veggies on the bottom. The tomato sauce drenched the top of the pizza so you had this gigantic piece of pie.

Deep dish pizza

There is one catch to this place. They take a VERY long time to bring your pizza. Normally, I would hate this type of service but there is a very specific reason for this slow response. Reason = made from scratch. They basically make your pizza after you order it from scratch. They had another unique feature that caught my attention. I am not a beer drinker but for those of you that are they have a great tasting menu for their beers on tap. The guys ordered their beers and had a taste of some delicious smooth flavors while we waited. For appetizer we ordered their “chips”. They are freshly cut potato chips that you dip in either ketchup or ranch. I know this sounds very basic but for some reason they seemed to hit the spot while we waited for our pizzas to arrive.

Beer Tasting

After about 20 minutes our pizza did arrive where I went to town taking different shots with my new SLR. Best way to describe the pizza is really only to say, mind blowing. Ok, that might sound a little over the top but it really was a great slice of pizza. It was bursting with flavor and each bite was juicy and filled with spices. The prices are a little expensive but I think its worth it considering you can take it home and enjoy it for another two days.

In conclusion, its worth checking out if you have a craving for some nice deep dish deliciousness. Sometimes, it is just what you need after a long day at work or if you just want to enjoy yourself.

And remember, calories don’t exist here. Just eat and enjoy.

As we entered the restaurant we were warmly greeted and ushered to our table. I found that the menu’s were quite extensive and detailed. I prefer there to be a more limited selection because I get confused on what to order. Nevertheless, I settled on their famous oxtail while my husband chose the chicken in garlic sauce. We also ordered their beef and chicken empandas for appetizer because by that point we were starving. I decided to also order a glass of their sangria which tasted fabulous. It wasn’t strong but incredibly flavorful.

Fortunately, their service was excellent so we received our empandas quickly. My favorite and recommendation is definitely the chicken. The spices seemed like they had been marinated with the meat for several hours because each mouthful was a burst of flavor. They portions were large so once we finished them we were already feeling full.

A few minutes later our entrees arrived and we dug in. Let me say for the record you have to try their oxtail. I know its a strange dish and some might even think it “sounds gross” but it is amazing. The best way to describe it is a bone in cut of meat. The meat texture is tender and soft. It literally falls of the bone. The other dish we ordered was the roasted chicken in garlic sauce.

Now, this might sound very plain but it was not. The chicken was also very tender and the skin had a a crispy tang to it. The garlic sauce was completely surround the chicken. Every time we had a piece of chicken we would dip it directly into it.

Both my husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our meals. We were so happy that we thought lets try the dessert as well. So we ordered a slice of their Tres Leche cake. It was a good cake. Most people would enjoy it completely but I am very selective on tres leche. I enjoy cakes that are drenched in sauce. This cake was not soaked in juices so perhaps I am biased to it.

Overall, our experience was above average and we will be revisiting them very soon.  Ambiance was comfortable. Food and service was excellent as well. You cant go wrong when you have all three! Happy eating!

Written By: Food Junkie

Note: This is not in Orange County but worth the drive!

Versailles Cuban Restaurant

1000 N. Sepulveda Blvd
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
(310) 937-6829

I felt like a kid in a candy store as my eyes glazed over the selection of wine treats before me, I wanted to try them all, but I suppressed the urge and settled on a sample of Sauvignon Blanc and later, a Pinot Noir. For those unfamiliar with the Enomatic wine pouring system as I was before going to OC Wine Mart, it is a system that allows the user to pour themselves a sample, or two or three, of wines of their choosing – a sort of futuristic bartender that you don’t have to tip. In fact, I have seen these systems in airports and at the Staples Center, a machine I suspect will gain an even bigger following very soon. I was given a rechargeable card by the owner’s mother (love family run businesses!) at the register and was told to insert it into the slot in the machine and press the button above my desired wine. Very cool, and would it be nerdy to say that I felt like I was wine tasting in the future? Perhaps, but that is how it felt!

Filler up!

Shortly after my husband and I settled into high bar stools to enjoy our plunder, Julie Lim, the owner greeted us warmly. I had noticed she had made the rounds there and greeted all of her patrons, the atmosphere was a lot like a huge mixer with friends, and quite an escape from the normal stale, often snobby bars one would expect a wine bar to be. She let us know that she was standing by to answer any questions we may have and/or offer suggestions on what wines to choose. She also prepared complimentary cheese platters for her guests, a thoughtful touch.

All done..

Upon exiting the bar area, I couldn’t help but peruse their extensive wine selection in the “liquor” store which was actually a wine store. My bad. I considered some interesting Bordeaux wines and a promising Pinot Grigio before settling on a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon by Educated Guess Wineries and hubby picked a Chianti, both recommended by Julie, plus the Cabernet was on sale which made the decision much easier. The following week, I opened up the Cabernet and found it smooth and fruity and very drinkable, even after very little airing of those tannins. It is perfect for heartier meats, cheeses or dishes.

OC Wine Mart is your after work or end-of-weekend mini-getaway for being good and being good to yourself – after all, resveratrol is good for you!

Article By: The Plate Cleaner

Check them out here:

When I first visited Thailand, I was a picky teenager with no particular interest in trying new and challenging tastes. The warm and approachable atmosphere in Thailand piqued my interest to its amazing culture. Once I approached my trip with an open mind, I was able to experience the culture and try some delicious Thai dishes.  I noted the varied taste profiles and was able to expand my palette. These taste experiences were refreshing and a complete infiltration of flavor that I did not even know existed. Kitima successfully incorporates these delightful South East Asian tastes into their menu.

Kitima is a wonderful Thai bistro that caters to a busy group of professionals who mainly visit for lunch. This green awning joint is nestled within a cluster of high-rise office buildings near the John Wayne Airport bordering Santa Ana and Irvine. It had a beautiful interior with many unique artistic Thai sculptures and paintings.  As we sat down, we were immediately greeted by a friendly waiter who provided us with the menus and proceeded to take our drink orders. We ordered two refreshing glasses of sweet Thai Iced Tea.  This caffeinated  beverage paired perfectly with the rich and spicy flavors we were about to indulge in. The menu had a vast array of Thai dishes from pad thai noodles to penang curry. We also ordered the Drunken Noodles; one order included chicken and the other included tofu.

I was particularly impressed with the waiter’s efficiency and attention to the minutest detail of refilling our water glasses promptly. We were served large portions of the Drunken Noodles, which we relished and devoured. Although, I was unable to finish my entrée, I was more than happy to take it home for a second helping. The Drunken Noodles had a lovely consistency to them, a mixture of soft flat noodles with just the right amount of spice and tanginess to make you crave more and more. They were sautéed in Kitima’s own special blend of garlic and spices, tossed with chicken / tofu, mushrooms, tomatoes and sweet basil.  One fair warning is their prices are quite high especially for lunch, the Drunken Noodles have a hefty price tag of $14. Since they don’t offer lunch specials, all items are from their dinner menu. However, their generous portion size and the delicious food completely make up for the price tag.

Be sure to come back for Happy Hour where they offer 2 for 1 Specials on beer and wine, ideal libations to wash down those hearty dishes! I have been to many Thai establishments in Orange County.   All of which boast to have the most authentic and delicious food around but Kitima is one of the few that have made a real impression on me. Kitima has managed to successfully incorporate a unique blend of culture, taste and spice into its small but beautiful locale.

I definitely plan on visiting Kitima again and trying some more delectable dishes. This eatery was a perfect little taste of Thailand, a country full of flavor and passion. Feel free to share this blog post and comment with your feedback.

Article By: Food Junkie

Check them out here:

Kitima Thai Cuisine
2010 Main Street, Suite 170
Irvine, CA92614

Spinach and Cheese Enchiladas

Carmelita’s is located near an amazing lake with a beautiful view. When we arrived it was very chilly so we decided to sit inside. I wasn’t about to sit through dinner and freeze myself in the process. It’s very difficult to enjoy a meal when you are thinking about your body shivering. We entered a dimly lit restaurant with a very woody and almost cabin like interior. Nevertheless, it was warm and friendly. We were given our menus by a hearty waiter that asked if we would like to start with a pitcher of their famous margaritas. Most of my group wasn’t interested in drinking margaritas and one pitcher was 5 glasses. Regardless, we decided to splurge and order it anyway. It was the spicy margarita with sliced jalapenos in it. It was a flavorful drink with a pretty strong kick to it. I believe they make their drinks from scratch and do not use a mix of any kind. Next, they brought out the typical salsa and chips mixture with a little added bonus of their “famous bean dip”. In my opinion, I think the bean dip was tasty but nothing quite to the context of my friend’s ravings or other reviewers that had tried it before. It was a typical bean dip nothing more and nothing less. I don’t think it made the meal but really just accessorized it by providing us with another item to dip our chips into.

Half the group was vegetarian and ordered Carmelita’s cheese and spinach enchiladas. In addition we also ordered fish tacos, carne sada, and carnitas. I did take a bite out of my friends cheese and spinach enchiladas and the texture was crispy and cheesy. Let’s just my socks weren’t knocked off by that experience. The show stopper was when I ordered the carnitas. First thing that stood out was the portion. It was like having half the pig on my plate! It also included guacamole, a spicy dipping sauce, and some onions and cilantro. They give you a few tortillas to wrap the carnitas in as well. I grabbed my fork and sunk it straight into the meat and as my fork left the plate you could see the juicy tender meat fall apart.

I want to properly explain how my tongue felt. I know that is a strange way to say it but that is exactly what I mean. The meat was so flavorful that it literally made my tongue and taste buds happy. I didn’t even know that food could do that! The meat was seasoned with the right spices and was chewy and tender in all the right places. I know I am going into some detail but I think that this particular dish deserves that much. I tried my husband’s carne asada expecting much of the same experience but was not as satisfied. The carne asada meat was a bit tough although very flavorful. I would suggest ordering it medium rare next time as they tend to cook it more here.

Carne Asada

At this point, we were all quite full and satisfied. Although, I wasn’t a big fan of the cheese and spinach enchiladas my friends were which means that part of my experience is based on the fact that I am such a hard core meatatarian. I would not fully enjoy a vegetarian dish in general. So if you are vegetarian I do recommend those enchiladas for you to try as my friends loved it. The waiter came and asked us if we wanted to get an order of their churros. At first, we were a bit hesitant because what can you really do with churros? But since I am a foodie and a food junkie I jumped at the chance of trying it anyway. We decided on getting two orders and wished we ordered three. I don’t know how they managed it but they had inserted a creamy filling into each of the churros creating a crispy sweet and creamy concoction. It was basically the “perfect churro”. Maybe, I go to far and maybe I don’t. I think you need to go and try this out for yourself because I have tried many churros in my life and this one takes the cake. Or rather takes the churro!

CHURROS..amazing churros!

Overall, I would go back to Carmelita’s to enjoy the carnitas and churros while sitting by the lake sipping on a nice margarita. This is a restaurant you want to visit in the spring or summer to take advantage of all it offers. However, if compared to Taleo a Mexican restaurant I previously visited it comes in at a close second. The main reason is it simply wasn’t the best of the best. They try hard and are quite successful but it was missing that extra factor to make it exceptional. It is still a fine establishment and worth visiting but hasn’t reached my standards yet. I will need to try their seafood and find out if that is what will be their point of excellence.

Article Written By: The Food Junkie

Check out Carmelita’s

31441 Santa Margarita Pky #P
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688

Carnitas and Pastor Tacos

Since it was Taco Tuesday I wanted to make sure to order their famous “carnitas tacos”. They have a great taco plate for $5.00 which allows you to order any four tacos of your choice. I settled on two carnitas and two pastors. I am a pork lover so I had to try these out. In addition, to ordering tacos we also ordered a scallop on garlic mashed potatoes and crab cakes. Now the latter dishes were more fusion and had a Mexican twist to them. Sometimes it’s nice to order out of the normal realm of typical Mexican food.

The customer service at Taleo is top notch. I don’t expect to be kept waiting for anything here. I don’t know what it is but they have a second sense on when to stop by and check in. They refilled our drinks and brought out our entrees promptly.

Anyway, once I sank my teeth into the pastor taco I was immediately in another world. The flavors were spicy, sweet, savory, and tart all at the same time.  The meat was so tender it literally melted in my mouth. Let me just clarify and let you know that I am not exaggerating. I have tried a lot of pastor tacos in my time and this one took first prize.

Giant Scallop

Next, I tried the carnitas and unfortunately wasn’t taken aback as much as I was with the pastor. Maybe, its personal preference maybe it’s not but my ultimate favorite still lies in their pastor. The carnitas meat was flavorful but I found the texture a little tough. I am a huge believer in meat tasting flavorful and TENDER. So if it doesn’t include both of those aspects it is not at the level that I expect for great food. The crab cakes and scallop were both a delight. Flavorful and juicy both left me wanting more. I want to order a larger amount next time as the portion size was very small. But since we had already filled ourselves on the delicious chips and salsa we had no more room left in our bellies. Next time, less chips more crab cakes!!

Overall, I highly recommend visiting this place for either happy hour or dinner. They have many delicious items to try and every time I have always left Taleo happy and satisfied. Just a reminder, that Taleo is a bit pricey so if you are trying to save money it would be best to check out their happy hour first. If not, check out their full dinner or lunch menu. It will not disappoint.

Taleo Mexican Grill

Article by: The Food Junkie

Check them out here:

Taléo Grill
3309 Michelson Drive
Irvine, CA 92612
(949) 553-9002

AnQi is located right next to Bloomingdale’s at the South Coast Plaza. AnQi is part of the House of An that also includes Crustacean; a sister restaurant in Beverly Hills. At first I was a bit taken aback because I didn’t expect to find such an amazing place hidden away in the corner. It has all the trendiness of a lounge in Hollywood with all the style of an Orange County restaurant. When you enter the establishment there is a warm glow and the interior is absolutely gorgeous. Wood paneling, granite and jeweled hanging fabrics.

We decided to sit in the lounge area so we could enjoy happy hour and still sample some of their unique Vietnamese fusion dishes. For drinks, we ordered the Pink Lotus Martini. It’s a cotton candy grapefruit concoction and whoever came up with this one should be awarded because it’s hands down one of the best martinis I have had in a long time. We ended up ordering two each..hey, it was HAPPY hour…or how they say it at AnQi; Red Hour. They weren’t too strong, just the right amount of sweet and strong to make a girl happy. Another very unique drink they had was a pink sake. It was flavorful, not strong, but delicious to taste. Almost like having a strawberry Sprite with a kick of alcohol.

Pink Lotus Martini

In addition, to our lovely martinis we decided to order their famous “Garlic Noodles” and the Bun Bao. I ordered the Garlic Noodles with chicken. I want to point out that if you do order the Garlic Noodles I highly recommend ordering them either plain or with lobster. The chicken was totally not worth it, it was literally just grilled chicken on top of the noodles. They didn’t compliment the noodles whatsoever, the garlic noodles are perfect by themselves.

The Bun Bao was a unique dish with a fusion of flavors. They place the pork belly on a fluffy bun, the type you usually receive when ordering duck. If you have ever ordered duck you know what I am talking about. They place a dollop of hoisin sauce and the Bun bao is complete. We ordered this dish during their “Red Hour” so we only received 3 pieces. I am not sure if you receive more on the regular menu.

I really wish we had ordered more but we were quite full from the Garlic Noodles that we were unable to order more food. I am going to go back there very soon with my husband and order much more than I did with my friend. What can I say? Women tend to have smaller stomachs than their male counterparts. It’s a great date place, hang out, and relaxation venue either way. Another feature at AnQi is that once a month on Wednesday they have a fashion show that you can watch while you enjoy your meal and drinks. I think that my next encounter will definitely be on a Wednesday!

Starving Foodies Recommends:

Drinks: Pink Lotus Martini AND/OR Pink Sake

Appetizer: Bun Bao

Dinner: Garlic Noodles with or without Lobster

Order more food next time! Here is a picture of the last bun bao before I devoured it…

I don’t know what it is about this dish but it left me with a sense of peace. Maybe, it’s just me but it was like a little taste of heaven. This coupled with Garlic Noodles and a Pink Lotus made my week! Try this place out at Red Hour if the prices are a bit high for you or go there for dinner and you will surely leave there feeling satisfied.

Article by: The Food Junkie

Check it out here:

AnQi Gourmet Bistro

3333 S. Bristol Street Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Durban Curry

Anyway we went inside and were seated right away. We had made reservations of course for my father’s birthday. I decided to try this restaurant because it was something new and a cuisine I am not familiar with..African. African cuisine has a lot of curries and different seasonings that can tickle your palate.

After we were seated the wait staff was friendly and prompt. Apparently, the rest of my party had arrived several minutes before myself and my husband so they had already been asked what they wanted to order a few times. We reviewed the menu and decided upon a few different dishes.

Starving Foodies Recommends:

Appetizer: Sampler Plate (Peri Peri Chicken, Grilled Shrimp, sausage, all sitting on a large pineapple)

Main Course: Durban Curry (Currried lamb, vegetables, Mozambique rice, sambals, chutney)

OR

Morrocon Style Chilean Sea Bass (Moroccan seasonings, artichoke, fennel, tomatoes, pesto mashed potatoes)

DESSERT – we ordered two different types of Bread Pudding both delicious rich and decadent.

WINE – We ordered this amazing South African wine that was so smooth, you didn’t even know you were drinking wine!

We all wanted to order something different so we can taste a bit from everyone. That’s how my family is we love FOOD! Now the only complaint I have with this place is that after we ordered our entrees it took them a very long time to get them to us. But lets put it this way…it was worth the wait. Every single thing we ordered was cooked to perfection and taste. The Appetizer plate was delicious but a bit too small since there was six of us. I would recommend ordering another appetizer if you are really hungry. However, they do portion out the meals exactly so you don’t feel stuffed at the end your meal.

The two most popular dishes at our table were probably the Durban Curry and the Moroccan Chilean Sea Bass. The Durban curry was savory and flavorful a close friend of the Indian Rogan Josh curry if you have ever tasted it. But it wasn’t overwhelming and not spicy but savory enough that you just don’t want to stop eating it. The seafood curry was just as good but I felt that the Durban Curry was able to hold the flavor of the seasonings much better than the seafood. That’s just my opinion though. The Sea bass was on another level though. I mean it was juicy, tender, and literally melted in my mouth.  By far, that was my favorite dish and when I return to this lovely place I will be ordering it. Overall, everyone was completely satisfied by their entrees with absolutely no complaints.

The desserts were delicious too but if you are full at this point I would say save your money and not order it. I ordered dessert because I’m a bread pudding fanatic and am always up for trying a new one out.

Macadamia White Chocolate Banana Bread Pudding

After dinner, we sat around and relaxed being as we were so full and satisfied! They also had live entertainment upstairs playing oldies and rock. We did go and check it out but it was around 10PM and quite crowded so we decided to head home. I think if you are a young couple or with a group of friends it would be fun to hang out there. I was with my family so it was a bit to loud for us. The other thing that left a lasting impression was the amazing view of the ocean. Mozambique was a great experience and I would definitely go back there! Probably for a special occasion though as they are quite pricey. Let’s say around $$$$ is how much you will be spending if you visit. Well worth it..and if you get a Restaurant.com coupon you can save a lot more!

So if we were to go by a scale of 1-5 this is how I would rate it…

Ambiance – 4
Food – 5
Service – 5
Price – 3 (Very expensive) But what do you expect for quality food!

Article By: The Food Junkie

Check it out here:

1740 South Coast Highway
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
(949) 715-7100

Upon entering, you feel at ease by the soft browns in the floor, chairs and walls. There is a heady, warm essence that engulfs this place and it almost makes you want to burst out into song, “sometimes you want to go, where everybody knows your naaaame!” Even the wait staff complements the friendly, relaxed vibe, always smiling and attentive. There are also flat screen televisions positioned above the full bar, but the pièce de résistance is the backyard patio. Recalling the nostalgic sidewalk cafés of Europe, hidden from bustling Wilshire Avenue and tucked away in the alley, this is the ideal place for easy conversations with friends while enjoying the live music (Thursday-Saturday).

Portobello Mushroom Sandwich

As its name suggests, there is an impressive array of beers on tap. I started with an old favorite; Blue Moon, wheaty, smooth and refreshing, just like it should be. For my second round, I tried the bar’s own Pint House Honey Blonde. I couldn’t pick out much of the honey taste and it was a bit more bitter than I had expected, but it wasn’t terrible, just okay.

Many bars consider peanuts and Doritos bar food, luckily these don’t even exist at Pint House. Their selection of food is as vast and plentiful as a regular restaurant. I ordered the Grilled Portobello Mushroom Sandwich with onion rings while my husband went with the Pint House Pasta Bowl. My sandwich was stacked with lettuce, tomato, onion, feta cheese, garlic aioli and of course, a Portobello mushroom on a wheat bun. It was a solid, good-tasting sandwich, and the burger bread was firm but soft, but it could have used a tad more flavor.

Yummm Blonde beer!

The onion rings were delicious, fried to a perfect golden crisp and garnished with Parmesan cheese and parsley. I snuck a few bites of my hubby’s pasta, the sauce was smooth, not too thick or thin and not overly seasoned or under seasoned but the pasta was a bit rubbery, not al dente as he suggested, overcooked.

Pint House Pasta Bowl

Article By: The Plate Cleaner

Check it out:

136 West Wilshire Avenue
Fullerton, CA 92832
(714) 525-7468

All in all, I think this establishment’s ambiance is wonderful but the food and drink, not quite there yet. If you’re in the area, definitely check it out, especially during happy hour because of the prices, but not worth the drive from South Orange County in traffic as I had done.