Site icon Great Taste Magazine | Orange County Restaurants and Pros

Best Bite – Taco Maria

best bite
What is the best bite you’ve had recently? Let us know and we’ll spread the word!

04/02/14 Taco Maria – Costa Mesa – Jardineros – mushroom chorizo, la ratte potato, queso fundido

03/01/14 Balboa Bay Resort – Newport Beach – The Salmon tartar with green pea Panna Cotta and green apple yogurt.

01/16/14 Park Hyatt Aviara – Carlsbad – Sweet Peas, Pickled Mushrooms, Young Fava Beans, Homemade Ricotta, Shaved Lamb Pastrami.

12/20/13 Chianina – Long Beach – Dungeness Crab – avocado, jicama, fresno chili and micro cilantro

12/18/13 Fig & Olive – Newport Beach – Truffle Risotto with shaved white truffle. Paired with Chardonnay – LesSetilles, Oliver Leflaive, Burgundy 2011

12/17/13 Lark Creek – Newport Beach – Blue Corn Cakes with caviar and creme fraiche

12/4/ 13 Red O – Newport Beach – Lamb Mole Negro – Colorado lamb chops, lollipop kale, caramelized onion, Mexico City quesadilla, three nut crunch served with Cruz de Alba, Ribera del Duero, Spain 2008

11/19/13 Lucques – Los Angeles – Pancetta wrapped ling cod with green cabbage, chestnuts, dates and mascarpone

11/18/13 Bonefish Grill – Tustin – Ocean Mixed Grill

11/14/13 Tin Roof Bistro – Manhattan Beach – Oxtail Raviolo with Red Wine Beurre Blanc served with 2011 Cabernet Franc and 2010 Casali (Malbec/Cabernet Sauvignon Blend)

11/13/13 Ways & Means – Old Town Orange – Bamboo Steamed Halibut

11/12/13 C4 Deli – Santa Ana – Pork Belly paired with Uvaggio Moscato Secco

10/29/13 Umami Burger – Hollywood – Cali Burger

10/21/13 ARC – Costa Mesa – Wedge Salad

10/20/13 Brunos – Brea – Penne Puttanesca

10/17/13 Taps Fish House – Anaheim – Slow Braised Pork Cheeks

10/09/13 George’s Greek Cafe – Long Beach – Beef/Lamb Gyro

08/21/13 Lark Creek – Newport Beach – Cider-Brined Pork Chop

08/20/13 SeaLegs Winebar – Huntington Beach – Osso Bucco

08/20/13 Coffee, Tea and Tulips – Mission Viejo – Deconstructed Egg Salad

08/17/13 Asha – Long Beach – Baklava

08/12/13 The Blind Pig – Rancho Santa Margarita – “Bowl Cherries” (bacon fat dipped cherries, bacon dust, brie-yogurt)

08/12/13 Cha Cha’s Latin Kitchen – Brea – Queso Fundido

08/07/13 Pie Not – Costa Mesa – Mary’s (rosemary & roasted garlic w/ premium ground lamb, diced onion & back bacon in a shortcrust pastry shell w/ a puff pastry lid)

08/03/13 The Catch – Mahe Mahe Taco

08/01/13 Greenleaf Gourmet Chopshop – Costa Mesa – Grilled Deliciousness (A grilled peach with peach puree, salted pecan crusted burrata cheese, tiny arugula & crispy prosciutto salad and balsamic reduction)

07/31/13 Chez Soi – Manhattan Beach – Maine Lobster

07/28/13 Fleming’s Steakhouse & Wine Bar – Newport Beach – Filet Mignon Eggs Benedict

07/25/13 Zapien’s Salsa Grill & Taqueria – Pico Rivera – Hatch Chile S’mores

07/24/13 Blackbird Cafe – Long Beach – Greek Omelet

07/22/13 Johnny’s Real New York Pizza – Newport Beach – Penne Bolognese

07/21/13 The Ranch Restaurant & Saloon – Anaheim – County Fried Petaluma Quail

07/10/13 JP23 BBQ & Steakhouse – Fullerton – Smoked Artichoke Dip

07/10/13 Layer Cake Bakery & Cafe – Fullerton – Affogato

07/10/13 Matador Cantina – Fullerton – Chorizo Ravioli

07/10/13 Bourbon Street – Fullerton – Mac & Cheese

06/28/13 Tommy Bahama – Newport Beach – Halibut Yuzu Ceviche

06/26/13 Clay Oven – Irvine – Tandoori Chop

06/22/13 Little Sheep – Torrance – House Shrimp Balls

04/22/13 Bruxie Gourmet Waffle Sandwiches – All locations – Smoked Salmon Lox & Dill Cream Cheese

03/21/13 Pelican Grill – Newport Coast – In-House Smoked & Beet-Cured Skuna Bay Salmon

03/12/13 Charlie Palmer – Costa Mesa – Octopus a la Plancha

02/21/13 Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar – Newport Beach – Pan Crisped Pork Belly

02/17/13 Charlie Palmer – South Coast Plaza – Omelet

02/07/13 Beachcomber – Newport Coast – Carnaroli Risotto

11/27/13Andrea – Newport Coast – Greg Norman Wagyu Tenderloin Grade

09/10/12 Tamarind of London – Newport Beach – Lamb Chop

04/01/12 Five Crowns – Newport Beach – Gazpacho

2/03/12 Mozambique – Newport Beach – Mahi Mahi

2/03/12 The Corner HB – Huntington Beach – Bacon and Cheddar Suffed Jalapenos

1/26/12 Thai Gourmet – Long Beach – Lamb Panang Curry

1/21/12 Sabatino’s – Newport Beach – Olive Tempanade

1/06/12 Park Ave. Restaurant – Stanton – Grilled Lamb Chops

12/15/11 Sabatino’s – Newport Beach – Pasta Roll

12/10/11 P.F. Chang’s – Newport Beach – Shrimp and Bacon Okonomiyaki

12/09/11 Paul Martin – Irvine – Sloe Cooked St. Louis Style Pork Ribs

12/01/11 AnQi – Misoyaki Butterfish

11/30/11 Tabu Grill – Laguna Beach -Snake River Farms Wagyu Flat Iron

11/13/11 Mai Tai – Long Beach – Avocado Spring Rolls

11/13/11 Boston’s The Gourmet Pizza – Long Beach – Thai Chile Calamari

11/13/11 Fuego – Long Beach – Mojo Citrus Kurobota Pork Carnitas

11/11/11 C’est La Vie – Laguna Beach – French Onion Soup

11/10/11 Second Story Restaurant – Manhattan Beach – Grilled Rib-Eye Cap Steak

11/02/11 Lugatti’s Italian Grill – Huntington Beach – Ravioli Beef Brasato

10/27/11 The Californian – Huntington Beach – Pan-Seared Barramundi

10/21/11 The Cellar – Fullerton -Buffalo tartar

10/19/11 Three Seventy Common – Laguna Beach – Grandma B’s Chocolate Cake

9/12/11 RA Sushi – Huntington Beach

9/08/11 Leatherby’s Cafe Rouge – Costa Mesa – New Zealand Venison Loin

8/30/11 Marche Moderne – Costa Mesa – Sauteed Sweetbreads

8/16/11 Bad to the Bone – San Juan Capistrano – Ranch Beans

8/16/11 Sole del Surf – San Juan Capistrano – Heirloom, Yellow Heirloom puree and a Green Tomato Salad

8/12/11 Andrea at Pelican Hill Resort – Newport Beach Ristorante – Newport Coast – Ricotta and Spinach Ravioli

8/06/11 AnQi – Costa Mesa – Takuwan Maki Sushi

8/06/11 Royal Hawaiian – Laguna Beach – Coconut French Toast

8/05/11 Buddha’s Favorite – Lido Isle, Newport Beach – Back Flip roll

8/02/11 Pinot Provence – Costa Mesa – Japanese hamachi, cavaillon melon,

7/27/11 AnQi – Costa Mesa – Roasted Dungeness Crab

7/26/11 Bouchon Bakery – Yountville – Shortbread cookies

7/25/11 Bottega – Yountville – Black Pepper ala Carbonara

7/24/11 Napa Style Paninoteca and Wine Bar – Yountville – Gian

7/24/11 Club Culinaire – of Southern California – Gougeres

7/24/11 Solbar – Calistoga – Chilled sweet corn soup

7/23/11 Tex Wasabi’s – Santa Rosa – Vegas Fries

7/23/11 Etoile – Yountville – Pan Seared Sonoma Foie Gras

07/21/11 The Corner – Huntington Beach – Grilled Calamari Steak Picatta

07/29/11 Five Crowns – Corona del Mar – Summer Pole Beans, lemon basil

02/25/10 Zimzala at the Shorebreak Hotel – Huntington Beach – Tasmanian Salmon

02/24/10 Orange Hill – Orange – Savory breakfast patties

02/23/10 Palm Terrace at the Island Hotel – Truffle butter Popcorn

02/22/10 Charlie Palmer – Newport Beach – Roasted Bone Marrow, Raisin Marmalade, Grilled Bread

02/22/10 Sapphire Laguna – Laguna Beach – Lebanese Lamb Kibbeh, Hummus and a Taste of Fattoush

02/18/10 AnQi – Newport Beach – Spring Rolls

02/17/10 Haven Gastropub – Tie – Cabernet Crusted Escolar

02/16/10 Cypress College – Anaheim – Pork Cutlet

02/12/10 Matador Cantina – Fullerton – Chorizo Ravioli

02/12/10 Good To Go – Huntington Beach – Coconut Curry Soup with an awesome flavor filled flax cracker

02/11/10 The Catch – Anaheim – Tasmanian Ocean Trout En Paupiotte

02/09/10 Frenchy’s Bistro – Long Beach –

02/04/10 The Catch – Anaheim – Legendary Chilean Seabass

02/02/10 RA Sushi – Huntington Beach – tie – Sesame Lemon White Fish or the Garlic Citrus Yellow Tail

01/29/10 A Restaurant – Crab Cakes from heaven

01/27/09 Simply Fondue – San Juan Capistrano – Fondue Grilled teriyaki angus tenderloin

01/27/09 Charlie Palmer – Newport Beach – Honey glazed Liberty Duck Breast

11/28/09 A Restaurant – OMG – the new Great Taste lunch – 1/2 Wedge Salad with 1/2 Steak Tartar and a crisp white wine – who wants to share it with me?

10/14/09 Cooking For A Cause – Costa Mesa – Everything was great, the biggest surprise was the steamed meat loaf

10/13/09 McKennas at the Bay – Long Beach – Clam Chowder – traditional style from New England

10/09/09 hush – Laguna Beach – Australian Rack of Lamb

10/07/09 Ruby Palace – Huntington Beach – Preserved turnip soup – the perfect “feel good food” from the moment the spoon hits your mouth.

10/03/09 Finbars – Rancho Santa Margarita – Blue Nose Seabass Picatta – fresh New Zealand filet sauteeed with lemon, capers and white wine. Sour reamed scallion potatoes and sauteeed fresh green beans and carrots.

10/01/09 Fuego at Hotel Maya – Vanilla butter poached Lobster with Aji Amarillo, Cilantro Soft Taco, Boniato Root, Chorizo, Saffron Broth paired with Macrostie, “Wildcat Mountain” Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast

09/30/09 Bungalow – Corona del Mar – Petite Ahi Lettuce Cups – Peggy Fort’s favorite – avocado puree, cucumber, red onion

09/28/09 McKennas – Long Beach – Bread Pudding was amazing and I’m not usually a BP fan

09/25/09 TAPS – Brea – Calamari Provencale – Tender calamari flash fried and tossed in a zesty butter sauce of Worcestershire, garlic, green onion, tomato and Tabasco

09/17/09 Zimzala at the Shorebreak Hotel – Huntington Beach – Green Olive Stew – WOW marinated olives and marble potatos

09/03/09 Shades at Hilton HB – Huntington Beach – loved the Goat Cheese stuffed Piquillo Peppers and the Hanson Mills Grits – yum

08/25/09 Fleming’s – Newport Beach – It’s a tie – Fleming’s Prime Burger – Cheddar Cheese, Peppered Bacon – tied for Best Bite with the Sweet Chili Calamari- both are amazing deals from the 5 for $6 ’til 7 menu

08/21/09 – Tustin – Chili Lime Rubbed Hawaiian Mahi Mahi – roasted tropical fruit Chutney, Jasmine Rice, Lemongrass-Gewurtztraminer Butter

08/20/09 A Restaurant – Banana Cream Pie – Banana Brulee, Pastry Cream in a Banana and Graham Cracker Crust

08/20/09 SOL Cocina – Newport Beach – Newport Beach – Cocktel de Mariscos – lightly cooked shrimp, scallops, calamari and octopus with pico de gallo, chiles and cucumber in spicy tomato-lime sauce, topped with diced avocado

08/19/09 Sage On The Coast – Newport Beach – Coconut Crusted Local White Sea Bass – coconut rice, shitake mushrooms, roasted carrots, bok choy, mango relish, sweet and spicy sauce

08/18/09 Z’Tejas – Costa Mesa – Diablo Chicken Pasta – Red pepper and green spinach linguine with a spicy sauce using cotija cheese and fresh jalapenos, topped with jerk chicken

08/17/09 Michael’s on Naples – Naples – Duck Scallopini – Succulent duck strips and tender marble potatoes in a Currant, Port Reduction

08/14/09 Sol Cucina – Newport Beach – Taco Vampiro – Double tortilla with melted cheese, serrano chiles and scallions, stuffed with carne asada, guacamole and pico de gallo topped with cotixa , chipotle aioli and cilantro

08/12/09 McKenna’s on the Bay – Long Beach – Pan Seared Sonoma Foie Gras – Toasted Brioche, Vanilla Braised Pineapple, Caramel Vinaigrette, Marcona Almonds

08/07/09 Cucina Alessa – Huntington Beach – Penne Funghi Salsicce – Italian Sausage and mushrooms in a porcini and arugula cream sauce.

07/08/09 TAPS – Brea – Maine Lobster Dumplings – Fresh Maine lobster, shallots, lemon juice, chives and butter folded into pasta and steamed. Served with lobster sauce and white truffle foam

07/07/09 Flight – HB – Truffled Mac N Cheese – Marscapone Cheese/Shaved Piave Vecchio

07/02/09 Las Brisas – Laguna Beach – Camarones al Ajillo – Scampi-style prawns, sauteed, with beans, corn and chiles

Exit mobile version