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2011 Food Highlights

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As 2011 wraps to a close I thought it would be fun to take a look back at some of the dining adventures that I had over the past year.  There were some highs, there were some lows (cough Ecco) but overall it was a great year for food.  I can’t wait to see what 2012 brings!  I already have some places on my must try list…

Here is the best of the best for 2011:

Best Organic Restaurant:  True Food Kitchen

My love affair with True Food Kitchen began early this year and hasn’t let up since.  I love the breakfasts, the freshly made hummus, the light flatbreads and of course the mojitos.  There will definitely be more True Food Kitchen in 2012.

Best Italian:  Cucina Alessa

Cucina Alessa is by far the best Italian restaurant I’ve been to in the O.C.  All the pasta is freshly made and the butternut squash ravioli is something else.  If you are looking for the real deal when it comes to Italian food, this is your place.

Best Mexican:  Mi Casa in Cabo San Lucas, MX

Mariachis, margaritas the size of your head and authentic Mexican cuisine.  Does it get any better?  I think not.  The chicken enchiladas were the best ones I’ve had in a long time.

Best Bar:  SideDoor

SideDoor was an early discovery in 2011 and I’m sad to say I haven’t been back since.  I loved the pub feel, loved the food, and loved the wine.  More return trips are in my future.

Best Burger:  Paul Martin’s American Grill

Paul Martin’s breathed fresh life into Irvine’s dining scene and I hope to see more places like this in 2012.  The burger I had was cooked to perfection and was incredibly juicy and flavorful.  The dirty martini that went with the burger didn’t hurt either.

Best Dessert: Sugar Blossom Bake Shop

Sugar Blossom Bake Shop was a refreshing change from your standard cupcake-chain fare. Don’t get me wrong, I love me some Sprinkles, but I also loved the delicious cupcakes and unique flavors that Sugar Blossom had to offer.  In addition to cupcakes Sugar Blossom has cookies and other treats, namely a chocolate covered macaroon that I basically had a love affair with.  The carrot cake cupcake comes in a close second.

Best Bakery/Breakfast:  C’est Si Bon

C’est Si Bon isn’t new to Orange County, but it was a new discovery to me this year.  The scones are amazing, the croissants are nice and flaky and there is always a line out the door.  That should tell you something right there.

Best Cheap Eats:  Bruxie

Waffle sandwiches that are freshly made at a cheap price?  Sign me up.  Bruxie makes delicious waffle sandwiches with delectable fillings such as eggs and bacon, fried chicken and pastrami.  If you are skeptical about the idea of a waffle sandwich fear not – these sandwiches are a must try.

And that’s a wrap for 2011!  Bring on the good eats 2012!

Current Foodie Favorites: What’s up June

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Every now and then I like to talk about some of my current (ongoing) food obsessions over at Sweet Potato Bites.  With summertime just around the corner, I felt it was time for another food obsession list.

Without further adieu…

1. The Acai Mojito at True Food Kitchen

There’s something about this mojito that was just so light and refreshing – maybe it was the Veev Acai, or the lemon juice or the fresh blueberries in the drink but it was just delightful.  I have a feeling I will be spending a lot of time at True Food Kitchen this summer enjoying these mojitos.

2. Bruxie

Have you been to Bruxie yet?  If not, you really need to make it a priority to get down there and enjoy one of their delectable waffle sandwiches.  Seriously people, these are really good.  You can read more about my first experience with Bruxie here.

3.  Everything at Taco Mesa

I love Taco Mesa (and Taco Rosa) and nothing to me says summertime like enjoying some freshly made tacos and an ice cold beer.

4. The Scones at C’est Si Bon

C’est Si Bon may be a new (to me) food discovery and it’s certainly left an impression.  I spend nights dreaming about their raisin scones.  No, seriously.

5. Watermelon

Now that the temps are warming up – I can’t get enough.  Watermelon for breakfast, lunch, dinner and a snack?  Sounds good to me.  Sprinkle a bit of sea salt on top and it’s the perfect combination of salty and sweet.

6.  The Calamari appetizer at Kitayama

I love pretty much everything at Kitayama but I really liked this Calamari appetizer.  It had the great calamari crunch but then also had a slightly spicy flavor to it.  Yum!

7.  The Shrimp Quesadillas at the Sheraton Hacienda del Mar in Cabo San Lucas

Oh. My. Word.  These quesadillas were pretty fantastic, so fantastic in fact that I had this meal twice.  I plan on trying to recreate this shrimp quesadilla goodness at home, or at least see how Taco Mesa stacks up.  If you ever find yourself in Cabo San Lucas be sure to go to the Sheraton Hacienda del Mar and order the shrimp quesadilla at the Delfines pool bar or Tomatoes restaurant.

I was too busy stuffing my face with quesadillas so I never took a photo, so here’s a view of Cabo instead.

Ahh…summertime.

Bruxie: Bringing Haute Street Food to Orange County

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First it was frozen yogurt.  Then cupcakes.  Cake lollipops followed soon after.  While all these trends are still alive and thriving in Southern California, I’m officially jumping on the Waffle Sandwich trend.  What brought this on you may ask?  The answer is my recent (and first) waffle sandwich experience at Bruxie.  It was truly love at first bite.

Where the (waffle) Magic Happens

Bruxie is a small waffle shop located in Old Towne Orange up the street from Chapman University that serves gourmet waffle sandwiches, waffle cut fries, milkshakes and floats and old school real sugar (hooray!) sodas.  There’s no indoor seating, just a few benches and high top tables near the parking lot.  And this place is PACKED.  I’m talking line down the street packed.

So on one lovely Saturday morning, the Englishman, my parents, and myself decided to head down to Bruxie to get our waffle sandwich on.  While standing in the PACKED line, my stomach began to growl with the smell of fresh made waffles in the air.  As we got closer to the front of the line, I began contemplating my waffle sandwich options.

The Bruxie menu offers a lot of delicious savory and sweet options, along with daily specials.  I decided to go with the Applewood Smoked Bacon, Scrambled Egg and Cheddar waffle and a side of waffle fries.  It. Was. Delicious.  The waffle was light and fluffy (and not too sweet) and the savory bacon and egg were the perfect complement.

Egg, Bacon, and Cheese Waffle Deliciousness

The side of waffle fries were light and crisp, and seasoned perfectly.  And cooked in peanut oil! (Which is perfect for this corn and soy allergy girl)

Waffle Fries - the perfect side dish!

The Englishman decided to roll with the Buttermilk Fried Chicken and Waffle Sandwich as he experienced this combo at famed joint Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles and wanted to do a comparison taste test.  The verdict?  “Bruxie’s waffles were light and airy like a butterfly, and Roscoe’s was heavy and dense like a plump goose” (direct quote right there).  Needless to say, I think Bruxie was the winner in his book.

Buttermilk Chicken and Waffle Sandwich = Success

My mom had the same waffle as me (and loved it) and my dad decided on one of the specials – The Ruben Waffle sandwich complete with Roast Beef and Sauerkraut.  He was pleased with his sandwich as well and it’s safe to say that not a crumb was left behind when we finished our meals.

Bruxie's Special of the Day: The Ruben Waffle

While we did not try any of the sweet waffles, the options looked purely decadent and delicious.  Nutella with Bananas, Lemon Cream and Berries, and S’mores are just a few of the sweet waffle choices on the menu.  Being a Nutella fan myself, I plan on making a trip back very soon to try the Nutella and Banana waffle.

Thanks to Bruxie, I think it’s fair to say that waffle sandwiches are truly the new haute cuisine to hit Orange County.  Forget crepes and paninis, I’ll take a waffle sandwich please.

Bruxie

292 North Glassel Street

Orange, CA 92866