Favorite Restaurant Dishes in the OC

Here in the OC, DH and I enjoy dining  out on the weekends, sometimes with the little people, sometimes without.  When my friend Ashley shared the 2012 OC Foodie Awards Winners list, it was a culinary good mine.  Some of the mentioned restuarants we had tried, while others were new to us. Dining at each of these mighty fine establishments is our lastet adventure.

Then there was twinkle in my eye and an idea was born. Why don’t we share our favorite dishes to try if you have been there? I need to know what to order friends!

By all means share your favorites  in the comment section below. My favorite dishes are below in Pink…..  enjoy.

Favorite Restuarant Dishes in the OC….

I’d like to order the___________

Best Mixologist: Forrest Taylor of French 75

Best Happy Hour: Brasserie Pascal

Best Cocktails: 320 Main

Best Wine List: The Winery Restaurant and Wine Bar (Heirloom Tomato Salad, Short Ribs and Chocolate Creme Brulee)

Best Steak: The Ranch (Cowboy Rib Eye and Lobster Mac)

Best Beer Menu: TAPS Fish House and Brewery

Best Burger: Crow Burger Kitchen

Best Pizza: Il Dolce Pizzeria

Best Italian Food: Antonello’s (The Fagottini Special – Little Pastas filled with Gorgonzola and Walnuts in Mascarpone Cream topped with Organic Hazelnuts)

Best Tacos: SOL Cocina (Huevos Rancheros and Naked Guacamole with a Cucumber Jalapeno Margarita)

Best Mexican Food: Javier’s (Lobster Enchilada with a Marcos Margarita)

Best Sushi: Riptide Sushi (Shrimp Tempura and Spicy Tuna Roll)

Best Asian Cuisine: AnQi  (Surf & Turf roll, the Ahi Tuna Mini Tacos and Garlic Noodles with a Pink Lotus (cotton candy) Martini)

Best American Food: Playground

Best California Cuisine: SeaLegs Wine Bar

Best Vegetarian Cuisine: 118 Degrees

Best Indian Cuisine: Tamarind of London (Spice-crusted Scallops with Naan Naan Naan paired with a Ginger Sutra)

Best French Food: French 75

Best Mediterranean: Lucca Cafe

Excellent Service in Fine Dining: Anaheim White House

Excellent Service in Casual Dining: Bruxie (Strawberry Creme Brulee Waffle)

Best Seafood: Bluewater Grill

Delicious Dessert: Ralph Brennon’s Jazz Kitchen for their Double Chocolate Bread Pudding

Best Food Truck: The Lime Truck

Best OC Food Blog: Nancy Luna, Fast Food Maven (Yay Nancy – fist pound)

Best Interior Design: Cucina Enoteca (Short Rib Pappardelle  or Pear Gorgonzola Pizza or Jidori Chicken)

Best Restaurant Branding: Wahoo’s Fish Taco

The Next Golden Chef: Francis Laureano

The Golden Pastry Chef Award: Chef Rachel Klemek, Blackmarket Bakery

The Golden Chef Award: Chef Yvon Goetz, The Winery Restaurant and Wine Bar

Kathleen’s Local Pick:

Lola Gasper – Bacon Wrapped Blue Cheese Stuffed Dates, Affogato Di Gelato paired with the House Sangria.

These Favorite Restuarant Dishes in the OC list is in thanks to the 2012 Golden Foodie Awards. It is a red carpet culinary awards show celebrating the best in local food, restaurants, and chefs here is Orange County. Depression came to visit when I realized I was not able to attend the Award Show. To met all those wonderful Chefs and Restaurant owners, how delicious would that be? So PR peep’s, I’ll make sure I ink the date earlier next year.

Until then, bon appetit.