Restaurant Reviews
Take a behind the scenes look at our in-depth restaurant reviews covering our favorite dishes from the best Orange County restaurants, Los Angeles restaurants, San Diego restaurants, Southern California restaurants, and restaurants located at popular travel destinations.
Pitfire Pizza in Costa Mesa Introduces New Summer Menu with Irresistible Dishes
Pitfire Pizza in Costa Mesa is a modern industrial restaurant, but what makes this place especially unique is their attached speakeasy called Pie Society. During our time here, I wanted to check out Pitfire’s new summer menu and their exclusive speakeasy. Pitfire...
The Hideaway in Long Beach Offers a Classic Yet Creative Brunch
The Hideaway in Long Beach is a casual yet classic restaurant. Their high-quality cuisine is comparable to even the classiest of steakhouses! During our day out in Long Beach, we decided to grab a nice brunch here before heading off to the Long Beach Aquarium....
If You’re Looking for Authentic Homestyle Cooking Check Out Wilma’s Patio in Newport Beach!
Wilma’s Patio has much to offer with its beautiful Balboa Island location and expansive menu to satisfy all your cuisine cravings. A favorite among Newport Beach locals, this restaurant has been family-owned for over 35 years. The owner, Wilma's daughter Sherri,...
O Sea Brings Fine Casual Seafood Dining to Old Town Orange
O Sea has opened in Old Town Orange and can best be described as fine casual dining with a focus on fresh seafood. The owner, Mike Flynn, emphasizes a distinction on thoughtful and responsibly sourced seafood which is how they developed their slogan "Seafood for...
Looking for Authentic Italian Food in Orange County? Head to Piccolino Restorante in Mission Viejo
I've spent some time recently looking for the best Italian food in Orange County. My favorite restaurants are those intimate, family-owned, unassuming restaurants you have to discover. The restaurants that have been open for years, have a loyal following and are found...
Lighthouse Bayview Cafe Just Might Be The Coolest Looking Restaurant in Orange County!
The Lighthouse Bayview Cafe is a special hidden gem located on Balboa Island in Newport Beach. Not only is this restaurant adorable, but the menu is equally as magnificent as the views. You could not help but notice the reaction of astonishment as each diner entered...
Head to Hopdoddy Burger Bar to Indulge All Your Naughty Cravings
This week I decided to head to Hopdoddy Burger Bar to indulge in some of their delicious gourmet burgers. I'm a firm believer that if you're going to eat a burger, you should go to a place that specializes in them. I try to find a balance between eating healthy and...
La Barra in Dana Point Impresses With Their Coastal Mexican Cuisine
Sometimes the best cuisine can be found in the most unexpected places and La Barra in Dana Point impresses with a creative menu of coastal-inspired Mexican cuisine. La Barra is the new sister restaurant to Lupe's which also has locations in Huntington Beach and San...
Five Crowns in CDM Safely Reopens With New Summer Selections!
Five Crowns in CDM safely reopens and is also offering a few new summer selections to welcome guests back in for dining. Five Crowns has taken extra effort to ensure the safety of its diners at this time which we greatly appreciate. They even ordered the chicest plaid...
The New Restaurant Guidelines for Reopening in Orange County with Olea in Newport Beach
Restaurants have finally reopened and we wanted to provide an inside look at the new restaurant guidelines for reopening in Orange County. As soon as restaurants announced reopening, I was eager to get out of the house and enjoy dining at my favorite restaurants...
Nirvana in Laguna Beach Delights Our Taste Buds With Inspiring Coastal California Cuisine
Nirvana in Laguna Beach is a hidden gem that most locals have seen, but may not have tried, as was the case with me. During OC Restaurant Week I always try to discover at least two restaurants I've never visited before. This year I was instantly drawn to the fabulous...
If It’s Seafood You Crave, Fishbone Laguna Beach Will Be Your New Fave!
Fishbone Laguna Beach is still fairly new to Orange County, opening in the fall of 2019. They have several successful locations throughout Canada and offer artistically presented upscale seafood inspired by the flavors of Portugal. OC Restaurant Week presented the...
CHEERS!
Sondra Barker
I created this site for purveyor of exceptional eats and escapes; our team is always on a journey to find the perfect bites in the most wonderful places.
Bouillon is Easily the Best Traditional French Restaurant in Orange County
If you're searching for the best traditional French restaurant in Orange County, Bouillon in Newport Beach will deliver all of the classics. When I first learned Chef Laurant of Moulin was opening a new restaurant focused on...
Here’s Why The Wilson Creek Temecula Brunch is the Only Way You Should Spend Your Sunday!
Sundays are made for delicious cuisine, sparkling wine, and the Wilson Creek Temecula brunch. If I could plan my perfect Sunday brunch, Wilson Creek would check every box, and boxes I didn't even know needed checking. My life...
Urban Plates Offers Delicious Cuisine You’d Never Expect From a Fast Casual Restaurant
Urban Plates is a fast casual restaurant, but with a fine dining menu. They have numerous locations throughout California and offer dishes you typically wouldn't expect like fresh seasonal fish, Moroccan braised chicken, and...
Selanne Steak Tavern is the Best Steakhouse in Orange County According to Locals
On a search to find the best steakhouse in Orange County, I entrusted my neighbors from Nextdoor, who almost all unanimously voted for Selanne Steak Tavern. Not being one to shy away from an exceptional steak dinner, I grabbed...
Bottega Angelina is our Best New Restaurant in Orange County for 2022!
Our best new restaurant in Orange County for 2022 is the impeccable Bottega Angelina in Laguna Niguel. Diners will be mesmerized by their exceptional Italian cuisine, sophisticated decor, charming Mercato (market), and indulgent...
Where to Find the Best Tacos in Orange County
In celebration of Cinco de Mayo, we're bringing you the best tacos in Orange County. It is no surprise that Californians love their tacos and I have definitely had my fair share over the years. From classics to more innovative...
A Mouth-Watering First Look at Pour Vida Newport Beach
The anticipated opening of Pour Vida Newport Beach has finally arrived after gaining much success from its flagship location in Anaheim. Their new location offers a sophisticated menu in a casual laid back atmosphere. They are...
I Gained 5lbs to Bring You The Best Donuts in Orange County & Los Angeles
Today is National Donut Day and to celebrate I packed on the pounds to bring you the best donuts in Orange County and Los Angeles. I scoured through the Instagram feeds and even asked around on the Yelp threads. The majority...