Ode to Local Pioneer; New Twists in Familiar Places
Larry Cano Left Stamp On Ever-Dynamic Food Scene
We recently lost Larry Cano, a true icon not only in Orange County dining but a major player in introducing America to sit-down Mexican dining and cuisine at a sophistication level way above the familiar taco genre.
New Option at Spectrum, Old Standby in Anaheim
High Marks for Del Frisco; Jägerhaus Back on Radar
Del Frisco’s Grille opened recently at Irvine Spectrum.
Take It From Tommy Bahama: Follow-Up Matters
Take It From Tommy Bahama: Follow-Up Matters
This tidbit about a restaurant doing it right, doing what hospitality is really all about, seems like such a good way to start the column.
Upscale Dining Weekend, New Eateries on OC’s Plate
Famed Italian Chef Stars At Festival This Weekend
There’s a very special event happening at the end of this week.
OC’s First Din Tai Fung and Other Worthy Food Adventures
Chinese Dumpling House Delights With Each Morsel
Din Tai Fung, the famed Chinese dumpling house, opened two weeks ago at South Coast Plaza (entrance on the upper level next to Sears). I surmise that, having heard the buzz about its international reputation, the crowds will flow.
Café Tu Tu Tango Still Tempts Taste Buds for Less
Spanish Menu Served Up in Boho Indy Style
People always ask restaurant journalists: “What is your favorite restaurant?”
Dining on the Latin Side Vibrant, Tasty, Unexpected
Traditional, Progressive Eateries Serve Up Magia
This is the first time I have rounded up a group of Mexican or Latin-themed restaurants for Fifi’s Best. There are lists of the Best Tacos, the Best Margaritas, the Best Mexican Restaurants, and more in so many publications and online. I’m taking another avenue.
Recent Changes Stir Orange County Fine-Dining Pot
Some Very Good, Another Remains to Be Seen
Restaurants keep opening, many of them good, but when we spent time at the new Watertable in the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Hotel & Spa, we realized dish by dish that there are still culinary frontiers being conquered and ways to set the bar much higher. It has been one of the most eye-opening, palate-pleasing forays into fine dining on a comfort-food level that I’ve come across in a long time.
Same Place, Fresh New Vibe at Vine in San Clemente
Offers Warm, Affordable ‘Wine Country’ Experience
Old venues can rev up a lot of new excitement when someone with a strong restaurant background and reputation for being warm and respectful to his employees comes along as owner and offers up a singular kind of affordable wine country experience.
Seafood Lovers, Food Writers Mourn Chef’s Passing
Bluewater Grill Veteran Shared Passion With Smile
Orange County lost a beautiful person and passionate chef last month in Brian Hirsty, executive chef of the Bluewater Grill restaurants. He was only 48, and though he had a rare bone marrow disease, his death was completely unexpected.
Passion for Food, Sharing It Make Dubray Stand Out
Pelican Hill Executive Chef Leads With Strength, Smiles
Our Chef of the Year, Jean-Pierre Dubray, has been engaging the public in appreciation of gorgeously showcased and inherently delicious food for more than three decades.
Primo Restaurants for Fresh, Creative Spring Fare
From French Countryside to Sushi With a Flair
Springtime brings thoughts of colorful flowers emerging, a climate conducive to beaches and boating, and getting out as the winter fades, even though we’ve had such a mild winter.
Pelican Hill Offers Food, More for Locals, Guests
Trio of Restaurants Get Fifi’s Seal of Approval
There’s so much happening at The Resort at Pelican Hill all during the year. I’ll try to capsulize it but nevertheless want to bring you the best of the resort.
It’s Hard Keeping Up With Pascal Olhats These Days
Brasserie Pascal Closing, Epicerie Moving—Where?
A couple of Pascal Olhats surprises popped up recently, and they do not make me happy.
Balboa Bay Club Vet Hissin to Island Hotel as GM
Club Nabs Lesage From St. Regis, Plans Revamps
The exodus of the three well-known faces of the Balboa Bay Club and Resort is complete.
Fresh Seafood Order of the Day at New Tustin Eatery
Plus, Food Mystery Solved, Hawaii Standout Revisited
Bonefish Grill has come to Orange County.
Couple Brings Japanese-California Fusion to OC
Hush Veteran Reyes Back in Old LB Spot
Okura, a robata grill and sushi restaurant, has opened in Laguna Beach and is making use of the space that previously housed Hush and then Katsuya.
The Ranch Loses Wine Expert, Keeps Abiding Quality
Michael Jordan Jumps to Jackson Family Fine Wines
Michael Jordan has left The Ranch Restaurant & Saloon in Anaheim
Casual With a Side of Noise, Good Food and Ambiance
Restaurants Pop Up While Oldie Still Satisfies
Many more new restaurants are introducing themselves to us, and the trend is toward casual and noisy rather than sexy and romantic.
Chefs Introduce New and Old Concepts With Aplomb
Fresh Twists on Familiar, Plus Old-School Cooking
EXECUTIVE DINING Column by Fifi Chao
Easy But Fine Summer Dining in OC, at its Best
Seaside Eating, Local Ingredients, Ambiance
SPECIAL REPORT - FIFI's BEST: Summer Dining at its Finest
Classic Italian Dining With Personal Touch is Winner
Chef From Italy Delivers Charm and Authenticity
SPECIAL REPORT - FIFI's BEST: Summer Dining at its Finest
Fancy But Unpretentious Eating Abounds, I Need More
Plenty of Restaurants With Real Food, Plenty Without
DINING: Fancy but unpretentious eating abounds, in Executive Dining by Fifi Chao
OC-Style Eateries Rise to the Top in Laguna Beach
DePalma Back at Old Spot, Katsuya Leaves PCH
OC-style eateries rise to the top in Laguna Beach, in Executive Dining
Famous Chefs Set to Wield Knives Live For Charity
Fifty Shades of Food Event Set for April 26 in Anaheim
Famous chefs set to wield knives live for charity, in Executive Dining
OClectic
Interesting Menus, Personal Insights From Varied Batch of Standouts
OClectic: interesting menus, personal insights from varied batch of standouts
Month of Romance Is Here—So Are Romantic Ideas
Chocolate at Cocoa Lounge; Soirees at McCharles House
Month of romance is here—so are romantic ideas, in Executive Dining
Prego Still Thrills; Mr. Stox Gets Ready for Farewell
Chef Ugo Gets Over Fire; Marshalls Circle March 15
Prego still thrills; Mr. Stox gets ready for farewell, in Executive Dining
Seasonal Special: Bluewater’s Stuffed-Lobster Deal
As Eatery Works Toward Sustainability Approvals
Seasonal special: Bluewater’s stuffed-lobster deal, in Executive Dining
Bistango Serves Up Artful Dining, Gallery-Worthy Art
Ghoukassians’ Flagship Eatery Marks 25th Year
Bistango serves up artful dining, gallery-worthy art, in Executive Dining
Restaurant of the Year: The Winery
Finely Tuned Fine Dining
SPECIAL REPORT - FIFI's BEST - Restaurant of the Year: The Winery
Delicious, Diverse
OC Offers Array of Dining Choices for Discerning Palates, Pocketbooks
SPECIAL REPORT - FIFI's BEST: OC offers array of dining choices for discerning palates, pocketbooks
Bayside’s Seasonal Dishes Look Good, Taste Better
Popular Summer Menu Extended Extra Month
Bayside in Newport Beach should be on your priority list of restaurants to visit, in Executive Dining
Back Bay Bites: Seafood, Steak, Kobe Beef Sliders
Newport Dunes to Host Charitable Fundraiser
Back Bay bites: seafood, steak, Kobe beef sliders, in Executive Dining
Fig & Olive Set for Fashion Island in Newport Beach
Red Robin to Move From One Tustin Site to Another
Fig & Olive set for Fashion Island in Newport Beach, in Executive Dining
Newport Wine Festival to Offer Tastings, Seminars
Balboa Bay Club Venue Poses Dining Opportunity
Newport Beach Wine Festival to offer tastings, seminars, in Executive Dining
A Passel of Premier Purveyors for OC’s Dining Scene
List of Ingredients runs from Dry Dock to Ranch
Passel of premier purveyors for OC’s dining scene, in Executive Dining
Restaurateur of the Year
Chef Pascal Olhats: An Abiding Culinary Force
Chef/Restaurateur of the Year Pascal Olhats is a unique culinary force
Legends of the Dining Landscape
Iconic Establishments Freshen Menus to Stay Au Courant
FIFI's BEST - Legends of the dining landscape
Beloved Restaurants Will Be Gone But Not Forgotten
Tradition, The Ritz to Join Others Recently Shuttered
A number of legendary local restaurants have closed or soon will.
Diners Globe-Trot at Golden Truffle Each Wednesday
3-Course, Sojourn Features Different Cuisine Weekly
Wednesday nights at the Golden Truffle offer diners the chance to travel the globe with international cuisines, in Executive Dining
Holiday Gift Ideas: Hotel Certificates, Kitchen Gadgets
Wine, Vodka Still Work Well As Fall-Back Ideas
Fifi Chao reviews recently launched Capital Seafood, talks holiday gift ideas
Riviera Gone, Maybe Not for Long; Amelia’s Hits 50
Change at Hilton Anaheim; Mayur Cuisine is a ‘Gem’
Fifi Chao: Mayur Cuisine a “gem,” Riviera gone—but maybe not for long, in Executive Dining
Bon Appétit at Bon A Pita; Bruno Up For CNN Hero
Wood Ranch at Spectrum; Balboa Bay’s Oktoberfest
Fifi Chao profiles Lebanese restaurant Bon A Pita, makes push for Chef Bruno
Pizzeria Mozza, Freshii Arrive; Fleming’s Wine Deal
Asada in Laguna, Broadway Coming; Il Fornaio’s Charm
Fifi Chao profiles Pizzeria Mozza, Freshii, more
Katsuya Opens; Theater, Dinner at La Vie en Rose
Food Adventure at Anqi; A Night at L’Opera
Fifi Chao visits Studio Garden, newly opened Katsuya and more
Restaurateur of the Year: Joe Manzella
Man Behind Taps, Catch is Indie Success Story
Joe Manzella has been named the Business Journal’s Restaurateur of the Year
Worldly Dining
From Afghan to Vietnamese, Restaurants Bring Global Flavor
Fifi Chao picks her favorite local ethnic eateries.
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