Orange, CA
American
$10 or less
Our rating: 5 forks
Finally a great breakfast spot in central Orange county! What makes a great
breakfast? Friendly service, fresh orange juice, excellent baked goods, and great
atmosphere.
Try the Eggs Florentine poached eggs servers over wonderful bacon, steamed
spinach, tomato on top of an English muffin, or for lunch, their namesake burger
served with bacon and avocado.
The portions are hearty and I rarely have room for dessert, at least immediately
after my meal. Translation: I will often take a brownie, or a slice of wonderful
apple pie to go.
The Filling Station
201 North Glassell Street
Orange, CA
Old Town Orange, just north of the traffic circle
(714) 289-9714
Average Cost Per Person, excluding drinks: $10 or less
Patio, Counter, Credit cards, no alcohol, Casual, Smoking on patio
What To Order: Eggs Florentine, Filling Station Burger, Housemade
Desserts
New York, NY
American
$30 to $50
Our rating: 1 fork
A very popular bistro in NY.
Balthazar
80 Spring St.
New York, NY 10003
212-965-1414
Average Cost Per Person, excluding drinks: $30 to $50
Bar dining, Late night, Closed Sunday, Credit cards, Bar, Beer and wine
Breakfast: Daily 7:30 am to 11 am
Lunch and Dinner: Daily 12 pm to 11:45 pm
After hours: Mon-Thu 12 midnight to 1:30 am
After hours: Fri-Sat 12 midnight to 2:30 am
What To Order: Pumpkin ravioli, saffron risotto, steak frites
Costa Mesa, CA
Cajun/Creole
$20 to $30
Our rating: 3 forks
A small menu with great food and a funky atmosphere make this a unique place to go
with friends or clients. They serve up a variety of soul food and southern
specialties including regional dishes like gumbo and shrimp po-boy. They also have
sandwiches, tasty fries and salads.
Memphis
2920 Bristol Street
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Easy to find, about a mile south of South Coast Plaza
714-432-7685
Average Cost Per Person, excluding drinks: $20 to $30
Patio, Brunch, Late night, Credit cards, Bar, Beer and wine,
Entertainment
What To Order: shrimp po-boy, gumbo, corn bread
Costa Mesa, CA
Italian
RIP
Our rating: 3 forks
09-01-06 Closed in 2003. Update - The chef is now at Onotria Wine Country Cuisine.
2831 Bristol St. (Bear St.) Costa Mesa, CA. 714-641-595
Intimate Italian restaurant near South Coast Plaza. Fresh ingredients, authentic
Parma Prosciutto, Buffalo Mozzarella, and excellent pasta. The Chef hails from the
well known Long Beach restaurant L'Opera and is a much appreciated addition to the
Orange County restaurant scene.
I have only eaten at the bar in this incarnation of Amici Trattoria but the food
is always satisfying.
Be sure to visit the adjacent public sculpture garden designed by Isamu
Noguchi.
Stephano IL Ristorante
3220 Park Center Drive
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
In the corner building "hiding" between Jerry's Deli and El Torito Grill.
714-850-9399
Average Cost Per Person, excluding drinks: RIP
What To Order: Buffalo mozzarella with roma tomatoes and basil, Vongole
Japanese (steamed clams)
Kansas City, MO
American
$20 to $30
Pierpont's is at the East end of the restored Union Station, and though I suspect
is a relatively new addition, looks like has been a fixture since the 1920's. A
great place to entertain clients, you won't be disappointed with the hearty
portions and continental menu. I enjoyed the flash fried calamari served atop
"crispy" spinach and spit roasted chicken Lyonnaise with mashed potatoes.
Pierpont's Union Station
30 West Pershing, #900
Kansas City, MO 64108
Inside the Union Train Station near 28th. At Pershing and Main.
816.221.5111
Average Cost Per Person, excluding drinks: $20 to $30
Late night, Credit cards, Bar, Beer and wine, Non-smoking, Smoking
section
What To Order: Crispy spinach (*the calamari is almost superfluous)
Fresno, CA
French
$20 to $30
Elegant setting and prices to match - but the lunch menu is a bargain
Erna's Elderberry House
48688 Victoria Lane, #577
Fresno, CA
1/2 hour outside of Yosemite
209-683-6800
Average Cost Per Person, excluding drinks: $20 to $30
Los Angeles, CA
Casual/Burgers
RIP
Our rating: 3 forks
3/10/07 Sadly this institution closed. If you are hankering for burger, though
only half as good, try the nearby “Original Tommy’s” on Vermont
street.
The sort of place you'd expect to dine side by side with Philip Marlowe (or Jim
Rockford). No atmosphere, (actually this place barely has walls), but a good
burger, nonetheless.
Jay's Jayburgers
4481 Santa Monica Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA
Just a mile or so north of the 101 at Virgil
(323) 666-5204
Average Cost Per Person, excluding drinks: RIP
Counter, Late night, Cash only, Casual, Smoking on patio
What To Order: chili burger, burger with fried egg, strawberry soda
Corona, CA
Mexican
RIP
Our rating: 3 forks
Closed 2003
This place is a good half hour's drive from my usual haunts, and there isn't much
else to do in Corona (apologies to all you Coronas), but I'll still hop in the car
at the drop of a hat for their camarone tacos, nachos and a cerveza. To be fair,
Corona is on the way to Palm Springs, Riverside, and the local Mountains which
makes for a good excuse to go to Palm Springs.
Los Tacos
202 East 5th Street
Corona, CA 91719
Off the 91 Fwy at Main Street
909-736-1494
Average Cost Per Person, excluding drinks: RIP
Closed Tuesday, Beer and wine
Best Dish: Shrimp Tacos
What To Order: Shrimp tacos, Chili verde nachos, cerveza
Pasadena, CA
Mediterranean
$10 or less
Our rating: 3 forks
Middle Eastern meets In-N-Out Burger -- great burgers, kebabs, Greek and Armenia
specialties
Burger Continental
535 S. Lake Avenue
Pasadena, CA
at California
818-792-6634
Average Cost Per Person, excluding drinks: $10 or less
Patio, Breakfast, Brunch, Credit cards, Beer and wine, Casual, Smoking on
patio, Entertainment
New Orleans, LA
Cajun/Creole
$10 or less
Our rating: 4 forks
The place that invented the
Muffuletta sandwich - olive salad, cheese, and deli meats. No tables, just grab a
seat at the counter or take out.
Central Grocery
923 Decatur
New Orleans, LA
In the French Quarter
504-523-1620
Average Cost Per Person, excluding drinks: $10 or less
Counter, Credit cards, Casual
