As I previously reported, Provisions Market will being opening soon in Old Town Orange, replacing Bruery Provisions. I recently attended a preview for Provisions Market and I was extremely impressed by what I experienced. The niche that Provisions Market fills is what I am calling “Gastro Hangout.” So what is a gastro hangout? I think it is a place were people can come and gather for conversation over craft beer, great wine and food that enhances the experience. This is a niche that will do very well in Old Town Orange.    

Executive Chef Greg Daniels,  of Haven Gastropub fame, will be overseeing the culinary offerings at Provisions Market, which will feature great cheeses, charcuterie, fresh breads, deli sandwiches, and cold snacks.I asked Chef Daniels about the culinary offerings, “we only have a cold kitchen, no ovens or stoves, so our food offerings will be centered around this.”  You will see things like  house made deli, and even a pig face sandwich” I think this is genius!

 I tasted their Deviled Eggs and they were to die for!   They were slightly pickled in a habanero beet juice and topped with an egg mash. Slightly spicy and packed full of flavor…these are not your Grandma’s deviled eggs! They paired pefectly with my Nut Brown Ale that I was drinking. 

The space has plenty of seats on the community tables and another more intimate area for food and coffee service. The decor has been amped up as well from the v-design wall made with reclaimed wood, chairs seats made with coffee sacks, wine barrel tables and wine bottle hanging lights. The look is hip and a cross between Portland hip and Southern California cool. 

I sampled some of the wines to be featured at Provisions Market  and I was very excited about the potential. They will feature a rotating selection of craft beers that will compliment those at Haven Gastropub down the street. You can expect high standards for the quality of beers to hit their taps, these folks take their beer seriously. The wine selection at Provisions will also be expanded from you may gave experienced at The Bruery. I already saw 20 different wine selections as the unpacked the boxes, I think their total offerings will be well above this. 

The retail section of the Provisions Market will have a wide selection of local and imported beer, wine and to go food. I am personally a big fan of Dutch Wit Beer and Saisons so I was extremely excited to see that there were unpacking some of my favorites onto the shelves. If I am in Old Town Orange, I will be here to pick up a sandwich and a bottle of wine. 

You will also be able to find my favorite sugary guilty pleasure, B.Toffee at Provisions Market. Made locally in Newport Beach by Betsy Thagard and her team. I first covered this product over two years ago and have been addicted ever since. In addition Provisions will be carrying grab and go food like freshly made sandwiches, snacks and I think I remember them saying they will be selling their deli items as well. 

One of the most exciting developments of Provision Market is the partnership with Portola Cofee lab. I tasted some of their coffee that night as was impressed by the freshness and quality. The coffee I tried was sourced from a single farm, ground with a fancy grinder and brewed with a pour over method. I chatted with Manager Jeff Clinard who told me that Portola has exploded in traffic and as a result they have not been able to connect with their customers like they used to. Their new location within Provisions market will allow them to interact and educate in an intimate environment.

The exact opening day has not yet been announced, but I was told it would be “by the end of the month.” Just a couple days away! I am very excited for Provisions to open, as the  Orange Circle area needs a Gastro Hangout to compliment the growing number of restaurants  If you see me handing out here, be sure to say hello.

For the latest updated visit Provisions Market Facebook Page

The post Sneak Peek of Provisions Market in Old Town Orange appeared first on Tom's Foodie Blog.

If you were one of my earliest fans, you might remember when P.F. Chang’s re-opened the Irvine Store and introduced some experimental menu items. The Irvine restaurant continues to be their test restaurant and features new items. P.F. Chang’s continues to evolve and are introducing their new summer menu, which contains the old favorites, plus a couple new items.  I was recently asked by P.F. Chang’s to try out their new summer menu and provide my opinion. The following is my personal reaction to the hosted dishes. 

 P.F. Chang’s provided me a $50 gift card to try these items, although I am giving it away to you my readers as a thank you for your loyalty. See rules and enter on bottom of post.  This post reflects my personal opinion of the new dishes. If they were not good…I wouldn’t blog about them.

P.F. Chang’s new Summer menu

The following is a more in-depth description of my favorite new Summer Menu items:

Peking Duck Summer Rolls –Think of these as an upgrade to their spring rolls, made with duck salad, green papaya, snow peas, carrots and wrapped in rice paper. It is service with a mango jalapeno Vinaigrette and an fruit emulsions that I couldn’t figure out , except that it was sweet and delicious. This was a really nice dish for a hot day, light and cool. I could eat these all day with a dry Riesling on their outdoor patio. My only complaint is that I wish P.F. Chang’s would add more duck chunks into the rolls. I could taste the subtle duck flavor, but I did not get a chunk of meat as I expected.

P.F. Chang’s Peking Duck Summer Rolls are light, flavorful and have a little crunch from fresh vegetables

Grilled Prawns with Red Curry Peanut Noodles –  A wonderful dish, with elements of hot off the grill prawns contrasted with cool noodles and vegetables. This dish reminds me of my Mother making cold noodle salads with fresh vegetables during the heat of Summer.

Chilled noodles are tossed with a spicy, but not hot, red curry –peanut sauce, providing a light spice on the tongue and back of throat. Don’t be afraid, the noodles do not have the heat that makes you reach for water, rather just a gentle sizzle of curry flavor.  The noodles are topped with shaved snow peas, bean sprouts, cilantro, shaved carrots and lime juice. Lastly, it is topped with a sweet peppery prawns, hot off the grill, providing a contrast with the cool noodles.

My favorite summer menu item is their Grilled Prawns with Red Curry Noodles. Hot off the grill prawns are served atop cool red curry noodles and fresh veges. Perfect for a hot evening.

Spicy Tuna Roll -  Although many people consider the spicy tuna roll cliche, I will always order it at least once at my favorite sushi bars. P.F. Chang’s did an exceptional job wit their spicy tuna roll. The tuna was extremely fresh and it balanced the sweet flavors of the rice perfectly with the sting of the spicy tuna.  This would be great on a hot summer day with a frosty beer.

Although spicy tuna rolls is pretty standard. P.F. Chang’s delivered!

Other Items on the summer menu that I did not try

• Summer Vegetable Quinoa “Fried Rice”—Wok-toasted quinoa with summer sunburst squash, mango, tomatoes and snow peas, topped with a sunny side egg.

• Grilled Swordfish with Pineapple Chutney—Asian-spiced line-caught sushi-grade swordfish served over a chilled rice and summer vegetable salad with black garlic aioli and a pineapple-pear chutney.

• Korean BBQ Chicken Stir-Fry—Korean-style chicken stir-fry with red peppers, onions and green beans in a sweet, spicy red chili sauce topped with a refreshing summer kimchi slaw.

• Heirloom Tomato & Thai Basil Salad—A starter salad with a refreshing summer selection of heirloom tomatoes and avocado, finished with Thai Basil and a zesty Asian ponzu dressing.

Upper Right: Grilled Swordfish with Pineapple Chutney
Bottom: Korean BBQ Chicken Stir-Fry
Left: Heirloom Tomato and Thai Basil Salad  (Images courtesy of www.PFChangs.com)

$50 P.F. Chang’s Gift Card Giveaway 

Rules

You are entering to win a $50 P.F. Chang’s Gift Card redeemable at any P.F. Chang’s. Enter the contest using raffle-copter (below). You will earn submission points by completing simple tasks like “Liking” Tom’s Foodie Blog’s Facebook Page or leaving a comment on this post. The more things you do, the better the odds of winning. Ultimately the winner will be selected by random draw. Although the more entries you have, the better odds of winning. Enter the contests allows Tom’s Foodie Blog to announce your name as a winner on this website, Facebook or Twitter.  See Tom’s Foodie Blog’s Disclosure Policy for questions about sponsored contests.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The post P.F. Chang’s New Summer Menu and $50 Gift Card Giveaway appeared first on Tom's Foodie Blog.

Amy’s Baking Company Update: 05/14/2013 9:15pm PST: The Amy’s Baking Company story got more bizarre, see the bottom of this post for updates 

Amy’s Baking Company Update: 05/15/2013 12:30pm PST: K-PHO Channel 5 in Phoenix just got a rare interview with the owners. It is a little humorous.  See the bottom of this post for the link. 

Amy’s Baking Company Update: 05/16/2013 8:34am PST: Fired waitress from Kitchen Nightmares Episodes unloads on Phoenix Channel 3 ..and the restaurant is packed…. Arizona’s top PR firm hired for crisis damage control. See updates on bottom. 

Amy’s Baking Company Update: 5/17/2013 3:46pm PST: Grand Re-Opening and Press Conference Scheduled for Monday. See updates on bottom. 

Amy’s Baking Company Update: 05/20/2013: 3:22pm: Amy and Sammy appeared on Phoenix Radio Station My 103.9 and a restrained paranoid crazy came out. Check out the bottom of the post for excerpts. It’s funny….

Amy’s Baking Company Update: 05/20/2013: 3:53pm: I received this update via fellow food blogger Eat Suki Eat, apparently Amy’s Baking Company had a job fair on Sunday to fill 30 positions. I think they fired the whole restaurant???? See below for details. 

Amy’s Baking Company Update: 05/20/2013: 5:00pm: The press conference has been cancelled, due to legal threats. The PR Firm is “no longer representing Amy’s Baking company. See below for details.

Amy’s Baking Company Update: 05/20/2013: 11:30pm; The first day of the Grand Re-Opening was this evening. The outside of the restaurant was like the Green Zone in Iraq complete with a private security company and police running perimeter control.  ohhh and Sammy is facing deportation. See below for details. 

If you have seen the season finale of Gordon Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares, you witnessed the complete and utter breakdown of customer service and basic respect for their employees on National television. What was once an unknown restaurant in a Phoenix Subburbs has garnered National attention not for their food, but rather the owner’s complete emotional meltdown.

What started with a tiff from a disgruntled customer on his blog, caught fire Nationally when Gordon Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares paid them a visit.  I worked for a restaurant owner like this and watching the show took me back to a dark place. If social media existed back then, they would have been out of business. Unfortunately for Amy’s Baking Company, they may not be as lucky. 

 See the Fox Networks clips on YouTube below. 



Or Go to YouTube to see other clips subited by YouTube Users: 

The meltdown that occurred on Amy’s Baking Company Facebook Page  the day after, is our lesson for the day on how not to react to negative press. As we will see from Amy’s Baking Company Facebook responses, restaurant owners who don’t develop thick skin will eventually loose their business.

Right before the show aired, the posted the opening salvo on Facebook. Their post said,  ”…but will this duo listen to Ramsey, or force him to walk away?” Yikes! They were trying to caste themselves in a favorable tone before the show even aired. I knew it had to be bad. 

Right After the show aired, they posted this on Facebook. If you haven’t seen the show, the owners of Amy’s Baking Company misleads the customers into thinking tips go to the servers, but in reality they go straight into the owner’s pocket.  The public’s comments come in fast and hard. The internet trolls smelled the blood in the water and started to circle. 

Things fell apart for the owners of Amy’s Baking company from here. Note to business owners, the internet is the modern equivalent of broadcast television. Don’t repeat their mistakes.

If you have an emotional breakdown, it will go viral and end up on everyone’s computer, smartphone and inbox within 24 hours. After that, the internet trolls started a feeding frenzy. 

The more you feed internet trolls, the more they get hungry.Unfortunately Reddit users got involved at this point and Yelper’s went vigilante.  Here is Amy getting angry when the REDDIT users discovered that she is selling repackaged cakes on the internet.

It only gets worse folks, sorry for the publication of Amy’s bad Language. At this point they are issuing a direct challenge for t a fight? Ouch, please stop, this is turning Jerry Springer.

Then the threats of legal action appear, this only seems to get the internet Trolls more excited.

This is were we see the complete and utter breakdown. Jerry! Jerry ! Jerry! I will admit I went from complete disbelief to feeling sorry for the owners. They appeared to loose control over their emotions and started to behave illogically. I really hope they don’t loose their business over this, but it is hard to see another path short of their own reality T.V. show. I do pray for them.

If I were them, I would have called it a night after the first post. I wish them luck and hope they find what they are looking for. I don’t think the restaurant industry is for them. Good Luck Sammy and Amy, you guys will need it.

UPDATE:

I just visited their Facebook page and all their crazy posts have been removed! Although now they leave us this gem instead, enjoy my loyal readers, I hope you got a chuckle like I did. Both Forbes.com and Huffington Post picked up this story and it has gone international with news outlets in the U.K. and Australia picking it up.  Since you cannot see all of their original comments I am providing you the service of pasting a gallery of all their rants below. Many are not included in my original story. Again a lesson for all brands out there, know when to disengage and walk-away; don’t fight the entire internet ,you will lose.

Update: Amy and Sammy now claim all their accounts were hacked and now working with the FBI!

Overnight they gained over 39,000 new Facebook likes! Apparently people are tuning in for the show.

biggest gain of Facebook Fans in a single day. Congrats on doing something right

Fox 10 Phoenix gets an exclusive interview chatting about getting “Hacked”  

 

05/15/2013 Update: K-PHO Channel 5 in Phoenix just got had an humorous interview with Sammy

http://www.kpho.com/story/22252110/restaurant-owners-slammed-on-national-tv-speak-out

 05/15/2013 Update:

They started a new Facebook Page and Crazy is back on the menu. I have been working to verify this page is legit, although based on the fact that users comments are being deleted and users are getting blocked, all signs are pointing toward real. Judge for yourself. See a couple excerpts from their newest page. They are classic. 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Amys-Baking-Company-Bakery-Boutique-Bistro-Page/304584339673227

Amy’s Baking Company Update: 05/16/2013 8:34am PST:

O.K. Folks the story continues to evolve. I wish I was in Phoenix right now to check it out!

The waitress fired on the Kitchen Nightmares episode is dishing it out on Phoenix Channel 3 News. See the video below.Their servers are getting slammed, so it takes a few minutes to load.

http://www.azfamily.com/news/Fired-waitress-dishes-on-Amys-Baking-Company-207690151.html

AZfamily.com is reporting that the restaurant shut down for four days after the airing of the show, although is now reopened. Based on my research of their Facebook pages, Sammy wrote on one of their ABC Facebook pages said Amy had a “Medical Emergency.” This post about the medical emergency was removed, although you can find it in my image gallery below.

AZfamily.com is also They have been reopened for the past two days Amy’s Baking Company has been completely booked. According to some of the customers and gawkers on the street, the restaurant is full of 1st time customers hoping for some entertainment. According to an interview with a customer Larry Ash, “You can’t buy this type of Advertising. “

Azfamily.com is also reporting that Amy’s Baking company has hired one of the Phoenix areas top PR firms Rose+Moser+Allyn, who is organizing a “Grand Re-Opening” party, Tuesday May 21st. If you want a seat try to email the PR firm at sjones@rosemoserallynpr.com. If I had time I would purchase a plane ticket to attend.

Arizona Business Journal provides a nice piece on the company doing damage control for them http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news/2013/05/16/amys-baking-co-hires-jason-roses.html

Update: 05/16/2013 4:47PST

This is their latest Facebook Post, They are hosting a “Grand Re-opening” so that “Customers will be able to decide who is correct.” I realllllllly hope the customers attending are not afraid to speak their mind. I realllllly hope that someone is wearing Google Glasses to capture their reaction.

You can’t make up great stories like this folks! Stay tuned for more drama update.

Update on their Facebook likes: Now look at their total Facebook Likes, they are up to, 81, 596, everyone wants to see the show!

Update: 5/17/2013 3:46pm PST

CBS Money Watch has picked up the story and covering their active PR campaign

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505124_162-57584880/amys-baking-company-post-meltdown-pr-campaign/

Amy’s Baking Company’s Facebook Page has now included the full Press Release about Monday’s Grand Re-Opening. There are no more seats available at this point.

According to the press release, posted on their Facebook Page,  they will be holding a press conference prior to the grand re-opening party “…t0  answer falsehoods depicted on a reality television show, including assertions that the restaurant confiscates tips from servers.”  I realllllllly hope I get to see Amy and Sammy is their finest forms. Please ask tough questions folks! all Proceeds of the Grand-Opening will go to a cyber-bullying foundation; it looks like the PR Team is doing their best to white-wash them as “victims”….LOL!!! 

Amy’s Baking Company Update: 05/20/2013: 3:22pm: Amy and Sammy appeared on Phoenix Radio Station My 103.9 and a restrained paranoid crazy came out from Amy. 

Here is a quote from Amy, let me know if you think this sounds like paranoid.

“She says that when things started to turn sour during that evening, she knew it was those darned Yelpers.”

Yes, she is blaming her meltdown on “Yelper” like they are a different species. I bet most of her “Loyal” customers have yelp accounts. Look inwards Amy, I hope you like what you find. 

Here is my favorite quote from the interview,

“I started to notice a few people come in the restaurant that looked familiar to me, and as I saw how things were going and how out of control it was getting… I grabbed the producers, I said ‘They are Yelpers. I know two of ‘em for sure are. I have their names and there profiles right here,’” she tells Monti. “My husband and I started to feel that we were being surrounded by Yelpers, completely set up.” …”Amy says the Yelpers went to her restaurant that night “with harmful, malicious intent.”” Amy from Amy’s Baking company quoted from interview on Phoenix My 103.9

See the video of the radio interview here: 7 parts

 

http://consumerist.com/2013/05/20/owners-of-amys-baking-company-say-yelpers-are-endangering-their-lives/

If I had to give Amy and Sammy some advice, don’t talk to the media…it doesn’t come off well. It only feeds the sharks and trolls.

 Amy’s Baking Company Update: 05/20/2013: 3:53pm:

I received this update via fellow food blogger Eat Suki Eat, apparently Amy’s Baking Company had a job fair on Sunday to fill 30 positions. I think they fired the whole restaurant???? See below for details.

According to Amy from ABC, “The job fair went very well,” restaurant spokesman Mike Scerbo told The Huffington Post via email on Monday. “[We had] lots of applicants. We are about halfway to our goal.”

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/20/amys-baking-company-job-fair_n_3307491.html?ir=Food

Amy’s Baking Company Update: 05/20/2013: 5:00pm:

The press conference has been cancelled and the PR Firm is “no longer representing Amy’s Baking company. They cancelled because The owners, Amy and Samy Bouzaglo, decided to cancel the previously scheduled 1 p.m. press conference

“due to legal threats from Fox producers and other threats from “online bullies,” according to a press release.”

Copy of Cease and Desist order from Hell’s Kitchen Laywers. retrieved from http://assets.bizjournals.com/phoenix/pdf/abc%20docs.pdf

More…

According to the same article published by ABC 15 Phoenix “Rose+Moser+Allyn public relations firm announced Monday that it would no longer be representing Amy’s Baking Company after Tuesday’s grand re-opening event , which has not been canceled. Seating for that event filled so quickly that the Bouzaglos opted to extend the grand re-opening to a weeklong event.”

Read more: http://www.abc15.com/dpp/news/region_northeast_valley/scottsdale/amys-baking-company-cancels-press-conference-re-opening-still-a-go#ixzz2Tsf9mdAt

Read more: http://www.abc15.com/dpp/news/region_northeast_valley/scottsdale/amys-baking-company-cancels-press-conference-re-opening-still-a-go#ixzz2TsesqQkj

Amy’s Baking Company Update: 05/20/2013: 11:30pm

 The first day of the Grand Re-Opening was this evening. The outside of the restaurant was like the Green Zone in Iraq complete with a private security company and police running perimeter control.  ohhh and Sammy is facing deportation.

This blog post from Phoenix New Times captured the experience.

 http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/bella/2013/05/amys_baking_company_grand_re-o.php 

The post Meltdown on Kitchen Nightmares and Social Media: Lessons from Amy’s Baking Company appeared first on Tom's Foodie Blog.

If you have never experienced Taste of the Nation, you should at least onece. This is one of the premiere taste events in the country and features amazing foods prepared by the country’s top Chefs. Aside from eating decadent food and alcohol like a rockstar, your admission will support Share Our Strength’s® efforts to end childhood hunger in Orange County and across the nation.

This year’s event will be held on June 2, 2013 at the beautiful Montage Laguna Beach from 4pm to 7pm, with a VIP reception beginning at 4pm.

Your taste buds will, experience a full melt-down with pleasure

 This year’s event will feature nine of the Country’s top chefs including:

HOST CHEFS

Chef Craig Strong

• Craig Strong – Studio at Montage Laguna Beach-CA
• Lee Smith – Montage Laguna Beach-CA

GUEST CHEFS

• Chris Crary- Santa Monica, CA
  

  Chef Chris Crary

• Lizzie Binder- Formally of Bar Bambino-San Francisco, CA
• Josiah Citrin-Mélisse- Los Angeles, CA
• Jenn Louis-Lincoln/Sunshine Tavern- Portland, OR
• Nick Roberts & Brooke Williamson- Hudson House/The Tripel, Los Angeles CA
• Alan Wong- Alan Wong’s Restaurant- Honolulu, HI
  

  Chef Alan Wong

An appearance by Hawaiian Chef Alan Wong is worth the price of the ticket alone, he is accredited with modernizing the Hawaiian Regional Cuisine into a powerhouse on the world stage.

http://ce.strength.org/events/taste-nation-montage-laguna-beach

The standard package is packed with tastings and spirits:

If you are feeling a little more bougie and want to get intimate with the Chefs:

The post Event: Taste of the Nation, Laguna Beach – June 2nd, 2013 appeared first on Tom's Foodie Blog.

I am lucky to have great women in my life including Mother, Mother in law, and two grandmothers. Let’s not forget my beautiful Wife

So you forgot to make Mother’s Day brunch reservations right? This blog post is here to help you dig yourself out of your predicament. Mother’s Day is the busiest day of the year in the restaurant industry and reservations can book up weeks in advance.

Without a plan, you can be waiting two hours for a table or end up at a crowded Denny’s. Here is my advice: Don’t wait until Saturday to make reservations. Many restaurants are booking up.  If you want something really nice, it is the time to act.

The following high-end restaurants still have reservations for Mother’s Day as of right now:

Scott’s Seafood & Bar

• Three-course Prix Fixe brunch with choices and enjoy bottomless Champagne. Brunch cocktails and kids menu are also available.
• 10am-3pm – Mother’s Day Brunch & Bottomless Champagne, Dinner at 5 PM
• $40 per person, $15 for children, exclusive of tax and gratuity
• To view Mother’s Day menu, go to: http://www.scottsrestaurantandbar.com/MothesDay.pdf
• Reservations: 714-979-2400

Leatherby’s Cafe Rouge

• Three-course prix fixe menu with choices.
• 11am–2:30pm – Mother’s Day Brunch, Dinner at 5 PM
• For Mother’s Day brunch menu, to go: http://www.patinagroup.com/restaurants/20/menus/Leatherbys-Mothers-day-menu-2013.pdf
• $35 per person, $15 for children under 12, exclusive of tax and gratuity
• Reservations: 714-429-7640

The Ranch

• This is currently my favorite restaurant in Orange County! I am not surprised Brunch is on a waiting list.
• Reservations are running out fast for dinner, Brunch is on a waiting list
• Dinner: standard menu
• Reservations: 714-817-4200
• www.theranch.com

Pinot Provence

• Three course prix fixe menu with choices in a classic French setting.
• 10am-3pm – Mother’s Day Brunch, Dinner starts at 5 PM
• Mother Day menu, go to: http://www.patinagroup.com/restaurants/25/menus/Pinot-Provence-Mothers-day-menu-2013.pdf
• $40 per person, $16 for children under 12, exclusive of tax and gratuity.
• Reservations: 714-444-5900

Sol Cocina

• Reservations are running out quickly for this restaurant on the water, overlooking Newport Beach. Reservations are flying, call right away.
• Mothers Day brunch Menu a la Carte 
  
• Brunch: 10am-3pm, Lunch 11:30am-4:30pm, Dinner: 4:30-10pm
• Reservations 949-675-9800 or http://www.opentable.com/sol-cocina-reservations-newport-beach?rid=40732&restref=40732

Savannah Chop House

• This is a great restaurant with excellent grilled meats and professional service.
• There are still some reservations open, call right now if you are interested 949.493.7107.
• 3 course brunch with choices, Dinner specials. Go to the Menu http://savannahchophouse.net/downloads/sch_mothers_day_menu_2013.pdf
• -Brunch 34.95/pp, Dinner specials @22
• -Brunch 10am-3pm, Dinner 5pm-close
• http://savannahchophouse.net/

Brasserie Pascal

• No one can bring you a classic French inspired Mother’s day brunch like Chef Pascal Olhats.
• All reservations as full, although they are accepting walk-ins
• 10:30-3pm
• Three-Course Prix Fixe Menu with choices and includes “Endles Bubbles”
• 34.95/pp

Morton’s The Steakhouse

• Three-course prix fixe menu
• For Mother’s Day menu
  
• $59 per person, exclusive of tax and gratuity
• 3pm-10pm
• Reservations: 714-444-4834

Consider “Untraditional” Mother’s Day Restaurants that take walk-ins

Moldoons Irish Pub

•  Brunch:  start at 10:00 -2:00 . Be sure to show up early for this one, there will be other walk-ins just like you. On the menu is traditional Irish breakfaste fare includingGalway Eggs Benedict with Scottish Smoked Salmon, Corned Beef Hash with Muldoon’s Signature Homemade Corned Beef.
• Dinner: Standard menu will be featured.
• http://www.muldoonspub.com/

Royal Khyber Fine Indian Cuisine

Royal Khyber is providing an Indian Buffet Style Brunch with a very generous selection of fine Indian Cuisine. This restaurant is delicious and just enough different and out of the way to avoid large crowds.

• Brunch – $21.95/pp $13.95 for children under 10
• Champagne, add $5.25 per person and Mimosas are $6.25 per person.
• Reservations 714-436-1010, although walk-ins welcome
• 1621 W Sunflower Ave
  Santa Ana (Costa Mes) Reservations: 714-436-1010
• http://www.royalkhyber.com/home.html

Yama Sushi On the Lake

• One of my favorite Sushi Restaurants, which has a beautiful Patio overlooking Lake Mission Viejo
• Special Mother’s Day Lunch Menu
• 27782 Vista Del Lago C-22, Mission Viejo, CA 92692
• Phone:(949) 716-9262
• Opens at 11am
• www.yamasushionthelake.com

BBQ isn’t Just for Father’s Day

BBQ and Western themed restaurants are known for getting slammed on Father’s Day, although often overlooked for Mother’s Day. I know many of you have Mama’s that love to eat meat. Here are a couple suggestions for great BBQ restaurants that can handle a large crowd:

Wood Ranch BBQ

Well known for their great smoked meat like their ribs, bbq chicken, and pulled pork.

• They do not accept reservations so there will be plenty of tables available for first come first serve.
• They will be serving their standard menu on Mother’s day
• Opens at 11:00am
• Call your local Wood Ranch BBQ for more info by going to their website (Irvine, Rancho Santa Margarita, Anaheim  Hills, Cerritos, Corona)
• http://www.woodranch.com/restaurants/

Lone Star Steakhouse

Lone Star Steakhouse does a really nice job with their steaks and are very experienced with serving large crowds.

• Walk-ins are welcome
• Special Mother’s day items, including crab stuffed Filet Mignon
• Opens 11 am
• http://www.lonestarsteakhouse.com/

If your Mama is a Foodie Hipster

Haven Gastropub

• Breakfast is being offered, starting at 9am-1pm
• Walk-ins are welcome
• Link to their breakfast menu. What looked good to me was their citrus salmon, house made chorizo and cinnamon rolls

SideDoor

Connected to the Five Crowns in Corona Del Mar, this gastropub is only taking walk-ins. They may some really amazing food and have great cocktails.

• I don’t recommend SideDoor for very large groups.
• Special Mother’s day Menu  -  including prime rib, crispy bricked chicken and Hand-Cut Pappardelle
• 11am-3pm
• http://www.sidedoorcdm.com/

Something Very Different – Coffee and Wine

Pdm Café

So your Mother is low key, then take her for fancy coffee and fresh pastries then consider a place like  Pdm Café, which offers fancy coffee and fresh pastries. The café will not be slammed like the restaurants, so you will be able to relax for great conversation in a welcoming environment. PdM Café has been a favorite in Orange County for crustless quiche with goat cheese, zucchini and leeks, Santa Fe scramble, or a French Omelette.

• Hours: Different for each location, so here is the breakdown
  • Fashion Island opens at 7 a.m. and serves breakfast until 3 p.m
  • Corona del Mar is open 7 a.m. until 3 p.m
  • Dana Point is open 7 a.m. until 5 p.m.
  • Bristol location in NB is closed

• See online Menu: http://www.pdmcafe.com/menu.html

A Hidden Vine

A Hidden Vine on the Lake in Mission Viejo has a great view and more than 250 bottles from which to choose. Using Napa Technology wine stations, there are 12 bottles chilled at the perfect temperature and ready for tasting at any time.  Either select a bottle for enjoying in the tasting room or on the patio, or put a designated amount of cash on a pre-paid card to use at the wine stations. The various ounces are priced depending on the bottle.

• Hours: 12 to 6 p.m.
• 27772 Vista Del Lago, Suite B-15, in Mission Viejo (next door to Yama Sushi).
• For more information, call (949) 916-4810.
• http://www.ahiddenvine.com/

Good luck on finding the perfect Mother’s Day Restaurant for  your Mother, Wife or Grandmother. I know she will appreciate your effort and planning.  For other Mother’s Day Ideas also check out recommendations for restaurants and gift from Dani’s Decadent Deals: http://danisdecadentdeals.com/2013/05/09/mothers-day-deals-many-ways-to-spoil-mom-in-orange-county-national-deals-as-well/

The post Last Minute Mother’s Day Restaurant Ideas (Orange County) appeared first on Tom's Foodie Blog.

James, tell me about the state of the Mobile Food Industry and the influence of Eat St Television Show?

“We traced it back to 2008 during the start of the recession. You had high-end Chefs out of work and sick of working for other people. Down there in Southern California, you can lease a turnkey truck for $30k and hit the road the same day. A  Chef can start up their dream without the barrier posed by a brick and mortar”

A perfect example of  what James mentioned is Chef Joe Youkham’s Tasting Spoon Truck, which appeared on Season Three of Eat St.  Prior to jumping into the food truck world, Joe worked as the Executive Chef at the prestigious Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Beach.  With a low barrier to entry, Joe Youkhan thrived in the Gourmet Food truck market and is consistently mentioned as one of the top food trucks in Southern California.  See my review of Joe Youkham’s Tasting Spoon and  pictures from the Eat St Episode.I was in that episode providing color commentary. See the YouTube snipit from the episode.

Since first airing a couple years ago, Eat St has become the place to be seen by the food truck community. A truck’s appearance on the show has become a litmus test of legitimacy.  James Cunningham went on to tell me that, “I can’t even begin to count the number of gourmet food truck operators  tell me that Eat St. inspired them to start up  their own truck.”

Since the food truck craze is now mainstream, what can we expect from Season 4 of Eat St.

“Eat St has been a huge success and the Food Network decided that the new season four will be a double season with 26 episodes. We covered over 125 different trucks this season from all over North America, including Southern California. There is definitely a food truck culture thriving all across North America… I keep hearing from people saying that they have plans to vacation in Portland  or Austin, so that they can try some of the famous gourmet food trucks featured on Eat St.”

Some of the trucks you might expect to see in Season 4 include The Dump Truk, in Portland, that serves traditional Chinese Dumplings stuffed with “Tasty American Classics” like bacon cheese burger . Talk about reverse fusion!

Here are some of the trucks from Southern California that you might recognize on the show. Keep in mind that you also may see some familiar faces in these episodes.

• Chomp Chomp Nation
  
• The Bite Truck
• The Lime Truck
• Dogzilla
• The Flip Truck

Eat St. Cookbook

Tell me about the cookbook, how did it come to be developed?

“After a couple seasons we were getting emails from viewers asking for the recipes from the show. We even had multiple viewers tell us that they actually tried slowing down their DVR, so that they could write down the recipes.”

James went on to tell me that they sent out an email to all the food trucks who participated on the show and asked them for their recipes. According to James

“It was obvious that the Chefs are crazy passionate about what they do and they didn’t hesitate to share their best recipes with us. The response was so strong that they pumped out a 124 recipe cookbook. “We asked the trucks owners to keep the recipes simple enough so that the average home chef can make them. The folks at Penguin books did a really amazing job with the layout.”

Some of the Southern California trucks to submit recipes include Dos Chinos, Peanut Butter Truck, Crepes Bonaparte, Lime truck and Burnt Truck. Other interesting recipes you will find include the Saigon shrimp ceviche, bourbon-mango pulled pork sandwich, S.M.O.G. pie (steak, mushroom, onion and gruyere), and maple bacon cupcakes.

The post Eat St Season 4 and Cookbook: An Interview with the Food Network’s James Cunningham appeared first on Tom's Foodie Blog.

During the Roaring 20′s Louisville, Kentucky was happening! During this time period Louisville was a center for manufacturing, bringing in people with disposable income. The downtown thrived during this time period  as people liked to eat, drink and dance, think of The Great Gatsby. Famous hotels like The Brown Hotel would host these parties and set up late night restaurants for revelers to wind down and sober up.

Even flappers got hungry from doing the Charleston they ate the Hot Brown sandwich

As the legend goes, ham and eggs was the popular dish, although people would get bored of it week after week.  The now legendary Chef Fred Schmidt had an idea to keep his customers, a new hot mess dish that would match his inebriated customers. He developed an open-faced turkey Sandwich with Mornay sauce smothered all over it. The Maitre d, told the Chef Schmidt it looked a little boring , so the chef put it under the broiler, added bacon and pimentos.  The Hot Brown was born. 

Aside: what is Mornay sauce?: The mother sauce of a Mornay sauce is a Bechamel, which is a white sauce made with roux of butter, flour milk. The Mornay adds grated cheeses like Gruyere and parmesan. 

The Hot Brown: Image Courtesy of www. BrownHotel.com

I dare not consider the amount of calories in this sandwich. One day I plan on visiting the Brown Hotel and dining at the English Grill so i can order this sandwich, made the exact same way it was just under 100 years ago. This is the recipe  posted on the Brown Hotel Website (recipe courtesy of www.brownhotel.com   

Ingredients (Makes Two Hot Browns):

2 oz. Whole Butter

2 oz. All Purpose Flour

16 oz. Heavy Cream

1/2 Cup Pecorino Romano Cheese, Plus 1 Tablespoon for Garnish

Salt & Pepper to Taste

14 oz. Sliced Roasted Turkey Breast

2 Slices of Texas Toast (Crust Trimmed)

4 slices of Crispy Bacon

2 Roma Tomatoes, Sliced in Half

Paprika

Parsley

In a two-quart saucepan, melt butter and slowly whisk in flour until combined and forms a thick paste (roux). Continue to cook roux for two minutes over medium-low heat, stirring frequently. Whisk heavy cream into the roux and cook over medium heat until the cream begins to simmer, about 2-3 minutes. Remove sauce from heat and slowly whisk in Pecorino Romano cheese until the Mornay sauce is smooth. Add salt and pepper to taste.

For each Hot Brown, place one slice of toast in an oven safe dish and cover with 7 ounces of turkey. Take the two halves of Roma tomato and set them alongside the base of turkey and toast. Next, pour one half of the Mornay sauce to completely cover the dish. Sprinkle with additional Pecorino Romano cheese. Place entire dish under a broiler until cheese begins to brown and bubble. Remove from broiler, cross two pieces of crispy bacon on top, sprinkle with paprika and parsley, and serve immediately.

The post Forget the Kentucky Derby, the Hot Brown sandwich is what made Louisville Famous appeared first on Tom's Foodie Blog.

143 N. Glassell Street, Orange

Old Town Orange has been rapidly growing as an influential culinary district, thanks to restaurants like Haven Gastropub. The neighborhood just gained a little more street cred, with the announcement that Provisions Market will be opening in May.

The location was previously home to The Bruery Provisions, which shut it’s doors several months ago to the sadness of many beer aficionados. Although craft beer lovers  have a reason to rejoice, Provisions Market is being opened by the Haven Collective. These are the same folks who brought you Haven Gastropub, Taco Asylum and Haven Brewing.

The new Provisions Market will pay homage to Bruery Provisions by continuing to offer rotating craft beer selections in a social setting.  Provisions Market will be bigger and better  by offering craft food,  an expanded wine program, and a full service Portola Coffee Lab Bar.

Portola Coffee Lab will set up shop inside Provisions Market! Woot!

For anyone who follows the Orange County Food scene, this is really big news. Provision Market might remind you of the Italian bars in Rome, which offer beer, wine,  coffee, sandwiches, and charcuterie. Just like in Rome, I imagine Provisions Market to be a place to meet for a stiff attitude adjustment, a few calories and gossip.

Provisions is just a short walk around the Old Town Orange Circle from Haven Gastropub

“Provisions is about community and togetherness – it’s about sharing a great appreciation for beer; and we want to help carry on the vision that was started by The Bruery founder Patrick Rue and his team a few years ago,” commented Wil Dee, Beverage Director of Haven Gastropub, and Partner in Haven Vollective, alongside Chef Greg Daniels and Ace Patel. “The addition of Portola Coffee Lab will only serve to elevate the market’s appeal with an unparalleled coffee experience that has never before existed with the community.”

The Haven Collective Team – Photo Courtesy of www.havengastropub.com

The talented Chef Greg Daniels will oversee the culinary aspect of Provisions Market, with emphasis on great cheeses, charcuterie, fresh breads, deli sandwiches and an expanded prepared food selection. According to Chef Daniels, “We will be building on the original Provisions concept by offering a deeper, chef-driven culinary selection for guests.” 

I am personally excited how the Haven Collective will evolve Old Town Orange, with this newest shop. Success breeds success and I expect other avant-guard restaurants to move into the neighborhood. Keep posted on http://tomsfoodieblog.com for updates and details.When it opens I will be visiting and reporting back to my readers!  Follow me on Facebook http://Facebook.com/tomsfoodieblog to get the latest details. 

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Previous Napa Valley Gastronomic Tour Posts

Napa Valley Gastronomic Tour – Understanding Napa Valley Regions

Napa Valley Gastronomic Tour – Top 10 Winery Experiences Part 1

Wineries with a View

Artesa

1345 Henry Rd, Napa – Hours: 10am-5pm (last tasting at 4:30)

Tasting Fee: Starting at $15 Walk-ins welcome  http://www.artesawinery.com

Artesa is a family winery, owned by the Raventos Family of Spain who wine making history dates back to the sixteenth century.  The property is perhaps the most beautiful of the entire Sonoma and Napa valleys, sitting at a high elevation, this modern structure is built into the hillside.

Aside from the wonderful views, I loved their wines. This winery is known for producing small, ultra-premium lots of grapes in Napa, and Carneros Appellations.  The winemaker Mark Beringer comes from a long family history of winemakers starting with his grandfather Jacob Beringer of the famous winery. His skills speak in the flavors of the wine.

My favorite wines at Artesa included the 2010 Reserve Pinot Noir. Pinot Noir is not my favorite wine, although the Pinot Noirs from Artesa was amazing. . This soft and fruit forward wine is delicious for any level of wine drinker.

Domaine Carneros

1240 Duhig Road, Napa, CA 94559  – 10am-6:00

Tour and Tasting: $30 – Reservations Required – Tours at 11am-1pm-3pm - http://www.domainecarneros.com/

Domaine Carneros has great wine tasting in a French Style Chateau with a patio overlooking the Carneros vineyards.  If you like sunsets, visit near the end of the day to enjoy wine and sunsets. Keep in mind that this winery works as a tour and tasting, so allow yourself sometime and be sure to make a reservation. Domaine Carneros is known for their sparkling wines and Pinot Noirs. This is the same winery that operates the Taitinger label.

Come late to Domaine Carneros to enjoy the sunset

Great Tasting Rooms

Elizabeth Spencer Wines

1240 Duhig Road, Napa, CA 94559  -10am-6pm

Tasting: $20 in tasting room, $25 in Courtyard -  Walk-ins Welcome - http://www.elizabethspencerwines.com/

This Winery’s tasting room is pure boutique and a great find if you are looking for something different and is located next to Cakebread Cellars. The tasting room is really small, but the greater pleasure is sitting under their covered patio in the garden.  While resting under a cool veranda, I sipped Elizabeth Spencer wine while gazing out at their garden. Life is too short for cheap wine and Elizabeth Spencer made my day.

My favorite wine was their 2009 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. The cab is produced from grapes in almost every Napa appellations. The aroma of the wine was red rose, raspberry and English flower candy. The wine has a berry flavor that was full on the palate with hints of mulling spices and chocolate.

Chill out with a wine tasting experience on the patio at Elizabeth Spencer

Tamber Bay

1234 Adams St, St Helena, CA 94574  -10am-8pm

Tasting Fee:   Cookie Pairing:  – Walk-ins welcome http://www.tamberbey.com/

This winery was perhaps one of our favorite accidental discoveries. This place is one of the hidden gems of Napa, tucked off Highway 29 in Downtown St. Helena. I almost passed this place up, thinking that it was, “just another tasting room.”  Sometimes your instincts should be ignored.

When you visit, be sure to take them up on the Savory cookie pairing option! Your wines will be paired with cookies specifically crafted to match and enhance the wine. As we sampled the wine and tasted the cookie, the flavor characteristics of the wine changed. The savory cookies simulate how the wine would pair with a meal. What a great experience.

Our favorite wine was the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Yountville. This is a dark colored wine and it packs a a punch; I called this wine the velvet hammer. The flavor was cherries, currants and cola. On the back end, the flavors turn to dark chocolate, leather, and sweet cherries. This was a smooth Cabernet Sauvignon.

Off the Beaten Path

Goosecross Winery

1119 State Ln, Yountville, CA 94599 10am-4:30pm

Tasting Fee: $15 Reservations Required!  http://goosecross.com/visit-us/

Located on the Silverado Trail in Yountville, Goosecross provides an experience of what Napa used to be like. With a focus on customer intimacy, you will get to enjoy a semi-private wine tasting experience.  I highly recommend that you experience their “Topflight Reserve” tasting experience, which is an intimate tasting in their barrel cellars.  This tasting includes cheese and bread sticks.

Go off Highway 29 and explore Silverado Trail, be sure to visit Goosecross

Duckhorn Vineyards

1000 Lodi Ln, St Helena, CA 94574  Hours: 10:00- 4:00 (last call 3:30)

Tasting Fee: $30  - Reservations Required! http://www.duckhorn.com/

This is one of my favorite wines and wineries in Napa.  Located off Silverado Trail  in St.Helena, Duckhorn Cellars has a pretty property with gardens, lakes and ducks. This winery provides a personalized wine tasting experience, with seated tastings from their wine educators. I recommend that you spend the extra $30 for the food accompaniment!

My favorite wine at Duckhorn was their 2009 Duckhorn Vineyward Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Patzimaro Vineyard. Although this was not a cheap wine, it was smooth and velvety. This wine is like a wild lion who has been tamed into a house cat, strong yet gentle in approach. 

The post Napa Valley Gastronomic Tour – Top 10 Winery Experiences Part 2 appeared first on Tom's Foodie Blog.

Previous Napa Valley Gastronomic Tour Posts

Napa Valley Gastronomic Tour – Understanding Napa Valley Regions

Napa Valley Gastronomic Tour – Top 10 Winery Experiences Part 2

My Favorite “Rock Star” Wineries

Cakebread Cellars

8300 St Helena Hwy,   Rutherford – Hours: 10:30-4:00 pm 

Tasting Fee: Starting at $15 –Reservation Required - www.cakebreadcellars.com

Cake Bread is one of the cult wineries in Napa Valley that has developed a strong goodwill from loyal wine drinkers and they have the goods to back up their name. Just like any cult, this winery stays off the grid. Advanced reservations are a must.

The reservation system is in place to ensure each guest receives a semi-private tasting experiences. With a very limited number of people present at your tasting bar, you will get heavy personalized attention. We really enjoyed our tasting experience and had the opportunity to discuss the wines, pairings, baseball and history of Cakebread Cellars. This is winery is a must for your next visit because of the friendly service and amazing wines.

My favorite wine was their Chardonnay Reserve.   The flavor of the wine is butter cookies, roasted apple,  and pear. The wine has citrus, cinnamon and vanilla aromas. This was one of the better wines I experienced on the trip.

Great customer service and amazing wines at Cakebread Cellars

Flora Springs

Tasting Room: 677 S. St. Helena Highway/ HWY 29   Hours: 10am-5pm

Tasting Fee: Starting at $20 – Walk-ins Welcome – www.florasprings.com

Flora Springs is one of those bucket list wineries that you have to visit during a trip to Napa. Why? It is a combination of their superior wines , friendly service and great setting. You have two options for Flora Springs, their fancy tasting room in St. Helena or their estate winery. The estate winery is a longer adventure with a two hour tour and tasting; in comparison, the tasting room is straight-up tasting. The staff at Flora Springs are very friendly and are a wealth of knowledge about wine.  The wines at Flora Springs are very balanced and in my personal opinion, the best wines in Napa for my palate.

My favorite wine was the Trilogy,  this is the wine that made Flora Springs famous among wine lovers. It is made with a combination of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec. This wine is smooth and balanced between fruit flavors, tannins and character. If this wine was a supermodel, it would be Bar Rafaele.

Flora Springs is a true rock start among Napa Valley Wineries

Wineries with Great Wine and Perfect for Picnics

Gundloch Bundshcu

2000 Denmark St., Somoma Hours: 11am-4:30pm

Tasting Fee: Starting at $10 – Walk-ins welcome www.gunbun.com

We first tasted this wine at a the Vintage Steakhouse in San Juan Capistrano and fell in love it ever since.  This winery has been about 155 years and is still operated by the same family. Although this winery is technically in Sonoma it is tucked at the border of Napa, Sonoma and Carneros growing regions. This winery is a scenic side trip if you are staying in Downtown Napa. This property has a rustic tasting room, wine cave tastings, and offers a tour around their expansive property in a Swiss army vehicle. This place is great for picnics. They sell Italian meats, cheese and bread (and wine) that can be enjoyed on their picnic tables overlooking scenic views. We enjoyed a great lunch of prosciutto, bread, guyre and wine over a view of the lake.

My favorite wine at Gundloch Bundschu is their 2010 Syrah-Cabernet Sauvignon -  This wine is a great blend providing sweet and savory flavors, complex and elegant just like me. The flavor of this wine was a perfect paradox of bacon, roasted coffee bean, chocolate, and ripe blackberries.  This wine tasted like some of my favorite dishes. 

We had an amazing and relaxing picnic at Gundloch Bundschu

V.Sattui

1111 White Ln, St.Helena  - Hours: 9:00am-6:00pm 

Tasting Fee: Starting at $10, Reserve: $15 (cheap) –Walk-ins Welcome www.vsattui.com

Located in St.Helena, at the border of Rutherford, V.Sattui is known for good wines and a great place for picnics. V.Sattui has something for everyone from wine tastings, deli and market, and picnic grounds. This is a great place to unwind after an afternoon of wine tasting. Keep in mind that outside food is not allowed on the property, although the market has a lot of options to make a great picnic. I liked the wines at V.Sattui especially the 2009 Vittorio Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon has the aroma of cocoa powder and earth and has the flavors of berries, oaks and sweet herbs. I picked up a couple bottles along with freshly made sandwiches and fruit prepared by Chef Sainato.

V.Sattui has one of the better deli shops on the Napa Trail

The post Napa Valley Gastronomic Tour – Top 10 Winery Experiences Part 1 appeared first on Tom's Foodie Blog.