Tag Archives: sidedoor

Friday Round Up

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Happy Friday!  Is anyone else as excited for the weekend as I am?  I’m pretty excited because this lovely blogger is having a Chicken and Waffles party which is a pretty fantastic combo.

Here’s a little Friday Round Up if you are looking for some fun things to do this weekend:

peachcobbler doughnut

First off, today is National Doughnut Day!  Sidecar Doughnuts in Costa Mesa is offering free coffee when you purchase their special Peach Cobbler with Corn Thyme Crumb doughnut.  I’ve said it before and said it again, these doughnuts are amazing!  They have other delicious flavors as well so be sure to check them out.

Basi Pilates

BASI Pilates (which is a professional teacher training and education academy) is hosting a Learn from the Leaders conference on June 8 and 9 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Newport Beach.  The founder of BASI Pilates Rael Isacowitz will be heading the conference which will host a variety of workshops including: Form and Function, Pilates in 3D, Pilates for Seniors, Lolita Shares her Pilates Barrels and Arcs, Pilates Programming and Exercise Selection, Pilates Footwork, Low Back Pain and Pilates, Osteoporosis and Kyphosis and Mastering Control in Pilates.  If you are interested in participating please register at the BASI Pilates website.

Pitfire Pizza in Costa Mesa is opening a speakeasy!  Head over to Pitfire this weekend to enjoy some pizza and then head into the speakeasy for some tasty libations.

SideDoorSundaySessionsThreeCheesePanino

And of course SideDoor in Corona del Mar is hosting their Sunday Sessions and will feature work from acclaimed photographer Jessica Cardelucci.

What are you up to this weekend?

Gastronomic Delights at SideDoor

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I’m a big fan of gastropubs.  I like the warm, comforting feel of a classic English/Irish/Euro-pub infused with good eats and twists on traditional classics.  To me, a gastropub is where everyone can get together and relax and just have a good time.  When I stumbled upon the SideDoor in Corona del Mar, I found just that.

The SideDoor is a cute little gastropub located next to the famed Five Crowns Restaurant.  While the Five Crowns may be known for their classic Prime Rib dinners and impeccable service, the SideDoor is known for it’s updated daily (!) menu and warm cozy atmosphere complete with a fireplace and English literature adoring the walls.

Since the menu changes daily, you never know quite what to expect.  Of course, there are some SideDoor staples such as the Fish ‘n Chips, Cheese and Charcuterie board, the Roast Beef sandwich, and of course french fries that are fried in beef fat.

While my dining companions stuck with beer, I chose to go with “Door #2” also known as a white wine flight:

Wines lined up on a wooden door. So precious.

The Charcuterie board with English Cheddar, Goat Cheese and Serano Ham was the perfect starter:

Delicious meats and cheeses waiting to be devoured

The main dishes included Fish ‘N Chips, Macaroni and Cheese and Chicken Pot Pie.  Check out the Great Fish ‘N Chips Challenge to see more.

The macaroni and cheese was pretty much what you would expect – cheesy, gooey, and decadent.  I don’t have macaroni and cheese much but I’d definitely have it at SideDoor again.

Look at all that delicious cheese

The chicken pot pie had a light, flaky crust and was steaming (literally) when it was placed at our table.

Steaming chicken pot pie equals poor picture quality

Then it was time for the piece de resistance aka dessert.  We decided on the shortbread cookies with lemon curd.  While the shortbread cookies topped with lemon curd were quite delicious, it wasn’t the best shortbread that I’ve ever had.  It was more of a delicious cookie than true English shortbread.  For the real deal, I highly recommend Harrods shortbread cookies.

Shortbread you are delicious but Harrods you are not

All in all it was a delightful evening.  I’d definitely come back to the SideDoor again and try some other items on the menu (and the Charcuterie board!).  Now if we could only get a few more of these gastropubs in Orange County…

SideDoor
3801 E. Coast Highway
Corona del Mar, CA 92625