Nibbles of Tidbits, a Food Blog

I fancy hanging snowflakes during Christmas time that attempt to look half as good as above.

One of the best reds is perfectly cooked Filet Mignon.

Red Velvet Cake, very popular now.

Shrimp Cocktail Teasers — I make the best Cocktail Sauce in seconds.

A Lobster Roll — Never had one, always wanted one, will get one (someday).

Pomegranate Margarita and other interesting Margarita concoctions are here.

I love Beets and used to make them all the time.  The drawback is they stain everything.

I receive a lot of love and find Watermelon Juice irresistible.

Apple credit goes to God, then here.

While picking Strawberries as a kid in a nearby field, I almost got shot with a Salt Gun.

Planet Earth Apple — Do you think it was coincidentally bitten that way? 😉

I’ll forever support cute and sweet, with consideration over cuteness, consider it!?

Chef Niece Bailee could paint these Cherries with ease, I just eat ’em with simplicity.

Another staining food, but superb in countless ways are Pomegranate Seeds.

Oh so beautiful — Standing there now in spirit.

Note:  Continuing our Food Coloring Series with RED — Click color links to see previously posted orange, green, yellow, blue, white and purple food photos.  Have a favorite?

Seasons 52 food sure looks and tastes like it’s over 475 calories, but they promise it’s not.

First, a big thank you goes to our super awesome Server, Julianne and management for the Wine — Though there by default, at one point there was nowhere else I wanted to be.  I walked in feeling down about recent events and left well-fed, optimistic and confident.

Just sayin’ the service and food hit the spot this night, on the patio at Seasons 52 Fresh Grill.

We had Shrimp Stuffed Mushrooms, a Sonoma Goat Cheese Ravioli, Chipotle Shrimp, and Steak and Cremini Mushroom Flatbread — Their menu changes with the weeks and seasons.

Next time I’m saving room and time for the Mini Indulgences — They’re so cute and look tasty.

The Mandarin Orange Cosmopolitan is superb and practically two with a second icy pour.

Outdoor patio view at Seasons 52, with heat lamps and a fireplace in December.

Seasons 52 occupies the space below The Capital Grille at South Coast Plaza.

This day I realized one’s perception is equal to nothing on earth and all continues to be possible for the naive.  There’s a Seasons 52, turn, turn, turn, and a time to every purpose under Heaven — A time to eat, a time to sleep, a time to leap, a time to bleeeeep, a time to get deep, a time to keep, a time to say more than a peep and a time to drive a Jeep. 😉

Do you “want to be part of the NYE Midnight Drop” they asked me?  Two seats on the pictured Super Shot are up for grabs, if I want them.  Part of me thinks it would be a fun way to start the new year, and the other part thinks, no thanks!  I appreciate the offer, but already up in the air in circumstance — That aside, 22/1 are the current odds of winning (2) Tickets to the OC Fair New Year’s Eve Block Party.  Enter here now.  Winner to be drawn Christmas Day.

Worlds collide — I remember David Rosengarten.  In the early days of the Food Network, he was one of my favorites.  I learned a lot from him during several years of Taste, and thought he was so conversant and educated so thoroughly.  I truly understood whatever the principle.

I hadn’t thought of him in a long time, until given The Rosengarten Report by a friend.

A friend whose Mother’s Estate produces Mardesich Extra Virgin Olive Oil in Paso Robles.

And The Rosengarten Report wrote about it, which means it’s something special.

Terrific for them, you and me, since I recently tried a bottle of Mardesich Extra Virgin Olive Oil.  It tastes better than any I’ve tried in a long time and I’m not just sayin’ that because it’s harvested by a degree of separation.  It can also be purchased at We Olive in Paso Robles and Long Beach, another reason to visit Belmont Shore.  I’m glad to like it so much.

It’s most excellent for full-flavored food and perfect with Sourdough Bread.

Bravo Mardesich!  Fruitful growth is wished upon you — And salute to David Rosengarten.

The odds are good for the locals — I know most readers aren’t in the neighborhood, but if you are, the chance of winning (2) Tickets to the OC Fair New Year’s Eve Block Party is 17/1.  To be entered to win them, leave a comment here and/or see our previous report for more ways to enter.  You may enter once a day until Christmas.  Odds subject to change.

You could be toasting with a Bacon Wrapped Hot Dog at midnight — Good luck!

A formal THANK YOU to Cost Plus World Market for the lovely prizes and party supplies.

All were pleased by the smart kitchen tools, house decorations and gourmet Chocolates.

Thanks also go to my friends who contributed the appetizing FOOD, even the Jack in the Box Tacos cut in half, disguised as an Appetizer — That’s funny Michelle.  What do you call ’em?  Ironically several were happy to eat them, and it was fast, easy and cheap for her.  So be it.

Always look forward to the Chocolate Dipped Oreos from Loretta — Wish I had some now.

Merci, Gracie, Danke Shoen, Mahalo, Arigato, Gracias y mas Cost Plus World Market.

A wave to you for making this 17th Annual Christmas Par-Tay a success.

I tour the world at CPWM.

You can lead a Lobster Claw to Butter and Lemon, but you can’t make it taste good.   Well, it appears I can’t.  Maybe you can.  Lobster Claws often seem rubbery and too bland to me.  I’d been craving Lobster for some time now and was told it’s on sale at Gelsons.  It was time.

On the way home from work with nothing planned, I decided to treat myself, so I thought.

That all sounds terrific, but I gotta kill it.  Oh crap, I’m having a flashback.  First in ten, don’t do it again — In other words, I bought my first Live Lobster over ten years ago, but had someone else prepare it.  I just couldn’t do it.  And it didn’t help that a friend was holding it up like a puppet saying…”Don’t kill me.”  I now remember it’s not an enjoyable process.

Just Do It — I was fairly prepared to cook it this time, but discovered new issues.

I followed the boiling instructions above, though think steaming Lobster is probably better.

Unfortunately this process did not yield the generous, tender, sweet meat I was hoping for.

This Lobster’s meat was tough, semi-sweet, watery and sparse — Not good.

And then there’s the Lobster Roe in the middle of the tail, which appears to run parallel to the Lobster’s waste/vein/poop, I don’t know.  I removed both before eating the tail meat.  Not fun.  And the worst part is prematurely diving into a cross-section of the Lobster Tail, before discovering the roe-poo — Yuck.  Though some consider it a gourmet treat, I don’t.

After all was cut out, there was hardly any meat — My Lobster naivety is gone, I think?!

I learned a lot, and firmly prefer that a grilled, cleaned, fat Lobster Tail (only) be served to me.

Gelsons will steam the Whole Lobster for you at no extra charge — I was tempted, but had to prepare it (at least once) myself.  Check, done.  It’s not as easy and fruitful as it seems.

It’s fun to WIN things.  I happily know it.  That might not sound humble, but I truly am.  Just sayin’ I’ve been fortunate to experience many wins (and loss).  It’s life.  Okay, too deep — It’s only about (2) Tickets to the OC Fair New Year’s Eve Block Party.  Do YOU want them?

How to WIN them — Do (1) of these things: LIKE Nibbles of Tidbits on Facebook, Leave a COMMENT on this post, Follow @FoodBlog on Twitter with a Tweet or send an E-Mail to soup4you@hotmail.com.  We’ll track all and draw a name on Christmas Day.  Tickets will be sent out or delivered the next day, December 26th.  You may enter once a day.  Good luck!

Photos in this post are from the OC Fair’s Pre-Party Event, a taste of the OC Fair New Year’s Eve Block Party happening December 31, 2011 — We went last year and had a blast.

The Garlic Scapes guy handing out Deep Fried Artichoke Hearts with a Garlic Dipping Sauce.

Fried Spinach with Parmesan and Bacon from Bacon Mania.

Garlic Sliders from Garlic Scapes, one of our favorite Gourmet Food Trucks of the evening.

Bleu Slaw and “Offensive” Baked Beans (that’s what they call ’em) were from Short Stop BBQ.

Pre-Party glimpse of Gourmet Food Trucks — All to be at the big event on New Year’s Eve.

Everything we ate was excellent and the menus were sophisticated — Impressive and rich.

The Garlic Artichoke Dip and Chips are pictured above, and below are the mentioned samples.

We prefer the Artichoke Dip to the Hearts — It had loads of flavor and the Chips were delicate.

The Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs from Piaggio were two for $5 and couldn’t have been better.  And I got lucky this night too, by winning a Tornado Potato after spinning the pre-party wheel.

Your (2) Tickets to the OC Fair New Year’s Eve Block Party are waiting under this tree.  Remember to enter once a day to WIN ’em, starting now by liking Nibbles of Tidbits on Facebook or by leaving a COMMENT here or by following @FoodBlog on Twitter with a Tweet or by sending an E-mail to soup4you@hotmail.com.  I hope to see you New Year’s Eve.

The Turnip Rose Grand Newport Plaza, Celebrations and Elite Catering — A celebration to last throughout the years.  So bring your good times and your laughter too, they’re gonna celebrate your party with you.  Everyone around Orange County come on.  It’s a wonderful place for a memorable wedding (or event) and we got a taste of it.  Wow about everything!

The venue, FOOD, decor and service couldn’t be better and Celebrations couldn’t be hipper.

At a “Taste of Turnip Rose” we tried a little (and in some cases a lot) of that being offered by The Turnip Rose Elite Catering and we’re still talking about how great it all was.

This is your sample of our sampling of the Grand Buffet, California Classics Buffet and more.

All Chicken was tender and flavorful, not commonly said about wedding reception Chicken.

We’re still marveling that each Filet Mignon being perfectly cooked.

Unique Scalloped Potatoes.

There were self serve and full service stations throughout the Ballroom at the Grand Newport Plaza.  We hit ’em all more than once and rolled out with giant smiles on our faces — More “Filet Mignon PLEASE” seemed to be our theme of the evening.  Gracias.

And many thank you, thank you, thank you’s and WOW’s.

Mahi Mahi (below) to be plated and topped with a Cucumber Mango Salsa.

Filet Mignon and Mahi Mahi shared our third plate of food. 🙂

Flawlessly cooked Filet after Filet after Filet.

Sample table setting.

Pretty Special Martinis.

Hors D’ Oeuvres were passed by well-dressed, friendly and knowledgeable Servers.

The Mandarin Chicken (above) tasted like the Sauce was basted in — Truly tasty alone.

The adorable Gourmet Sliders have Truffle Oil, yum-and-a-half regarding that.

Additional Martini options include the Filet Peppercorn Martini and others below.

Salad Buffet.

Peanut Butter Brownie Shooters and Mini Cupcakes.

Bride and Groom Strawberries.

The service was impeccable and the affiliated DJ played great songs.

We met nice, soon-to-be Brides and Grooms including Nikki & Kyle.  Enlarge for a better view.

Sample food choices/options — You can’t go wrong with The Turnip Rose Elite Catering.

Coffee Stations, a Chocolate Fountain and Liquor injected Strawberries in the courtyard.

Lots to dip.

The Festival of Strawberries, a Sweet Things item with an injection of Kahlua…

…Amaretto, Tia Maria, Drambuie or Grand Marnier, if you so choose.

Love is Sweet! Candy Buffet for guests to pack a box to go.

Fun for all ages — We enjoyed the Candy days after the event, a lingering memory.

On to the hippest, we ended the night with a personal tour of Celebrations.

Celebrations is the most stylish OC wedding venue I’ve seen — Every detail is covered too.

It’s well designed and highlights each Bride and Groom in special ways.

Nice lighting, monogrammed floors, a photo booth, nearby Bars, changing wall photos, etc.

Celebrations is located in the former Club Vegas space, $2M later and way better.

Guests will certainly be impressed with the place now.  We are!

Choose your colors.

The kitchen is pristine too, like everything else there.  Was tempted to show the bathrooms.

As if all isn’t enough, a Farewell Table was set up with Hot Tea, Coffee and Donuts.

Even the parking is pleasant and close to the Grand Newport Plaza and Celebrations.

We love Kelly, one of the nicest around — He runs all with his Brother and a dedicated team.

Full with a Farewell Table Donut bagged in hand — Let’s celebrate, it’s (more than) all right.

08/05/13 Update:  Visit The Turnip Rose website for venue information — The Grand Newport Plaza event room is no longer available, but Celebrations is going strong, and so is The Promenade Event Centre & Gardens in Costa Mesa.

Visit their site to learn more and check back soon to win FREE tickets — Hope to see you there.

I’m most excited about the Canelés, the so-called New Cupcake (left), a favorite in Bordeaux and the Turkish Lokma (right) that would be discovered on a Doughnut World Tour. You should be seeing more of both in 2012 according to The Official James Beard Foundation Blog. Other Food Trends I’m not so thrilled about, especially Diminishing Portion Sizes — I’d prefer to see diminishing prices.  All 2012 Food Trends are published on Delights & Prejudices.

Up the stairs to Make Me Bad — Partly owned by former Korn Drummer is the 2nd Floor Restaurant and Art Gallery in Huntington Beach.  The space has gone through several changes to become the cool place it is today.  You’ll need to learn the specifics elsewhere, since I don’t get paid to know.

In addition to food and drinks, ART is for sale — Eat, drink, shop and people watch.

There’s an attention grabbing Main Street view from the 2nd Floor’s outdoor patio — This day we saw a guy skateboarding up and down Main in a leopard g-string (only).  It was cold too.  Tried to capture him on film, but kept missing it.  Entertaining stuff all-around.

Each table is a work of art (though not for sale, I don’t think) and the menu is unique too.

We’ll definitely be going back for the House Mac & Cheese.

It’s a harmonious blend of Cheddar, Parmesan and Gouda Chesse with Bacon and Jalapeno.

We think the Pulled Pork Sliders rock too.

Have to say we didn’t love the Santana San Lucas Salad (above) — This day it had way too much Dressing and the Filet Mignon was a bit bland and cold.  It’s okay though, because there are more Sliders and Colossal Creations to try next time.

We liked the Sauce on the Thai Green Beans, one of several sides to choose from.

The long Bar is waiting for you and the service is excellent.

Where do you want to sit?

Read what Yelpers are saying about the 2nd Floor Restaurant and Art Gallery.

Just walk up the stairs.  No need to be shy.  And check out the live bands on Wednesdays.

We pause for a moment of branding — For information regarding Freelance Writing Services, please visit I Need Text Company or feel free to send an inquiry through Nibbles of Tidbits.  The special of the day will always be FOOD, but ANY TEXT can be served up hot.  Thank you.

I grew up conducting neighborhood Pepsi vs. Coke Challenges and the results were always split down the middle — Each argued passionately for his/her choice.  I rarely drink either today, but clearly knew which I liked better back then.  At the time, I lobbied heavily for Pepsi.  I believed it to be less sweet and more carbonated, though current co-workers feel strongly otherwise in favor of Coke.  The Cola Wars continue.  Do you have a favorite?  With respect to the infografic, I found the acquisitions interesting.  The next challenged may be between Naked and Odwalla.  Credit: Business Insurance Blog.

Preparing for a Christmas Par-tay by shopping at my favorite store, Cost Plus World Market.

How old are you?  Did you ever have a metal Lunch Pail?  We love the variety and nostalgia at Cost Plus/CPWM.  Would you believe this girl (me) doesn’t like to shop, but it’s always fun and interesting shopping there.  This visit Chef Nieces, Bailee and Lexi of Kids in the Kitchen model a few goods.  Bailee liked the mini Tabasco Bottles — I do too and told her that I used to carry one with me all the time, until one leaked in my purse.  That was a bummer.

Some things just need Hot Sauce, but that’s another story.

We’re supposed to be shopping for a Par-tay, better than a Par-tee.

Too many cool, stylish things — Is it the models? 🙂

Today we set out for a Gift for the Christmas Par-tay exchange, plus 10 Prizes, 4 kinds of Beer, 4 Bottles of Champagne, 4 Bottles of Wine, Munchies, Candy and Wrapping Paper.

And former Miss Downey Contestant, mi Madre still has it — Sorry Mom for writing that, hahaha.

Stay tuned for more about my 17th Annual Christmas Par-tay.  It’s always the first Friday in December.  We filled two carts with unique prizes, beverages and snacks — Ready to dig in.

At publishing time, there are 43 days, 23 hours, 52 minutes and 32 seconds until 2012.

And it’s time for another Block Party, though it seems last year’s was only yesterday.

We were impressed with the inaugural OC Fair New Year’s Eve Block Party in 2010/2011 and look forward to reporting about its 2011/2012 festivities starting at 7:30PM, December 31st.  Check back somewhere along the countdown as we may be giving away tickets.

Posted photos are from the 2010/2011 event — Between the Gourmet Food Trucks, Tribute Bands, Dancing, Rides, Comedy Shows, Dueling Pianos, Casino, Fireworks and more.  There’s plenty to do, see, eat and participate in before and after midnight.  Last year the crowd was fun, friendly, respectable, and varied in age.  The complementary Adult Chocolate Milk and food in the VIP Lounge was nice and the girls were sweet too.  Can you guess which is me?

I now hope to see The Cure and David Bowie Tribute Bands with a Slider and Champagne.

Visit the OC Fair New Year’s Eve Block Party website to learn more — Hope to see you there.

Fun choices on the final day of the year — A grand way to start the first day of the next one.

We Wake And Bake Every Morning — Hhhmmmm, sounds a bit suspicious.  Pushing the envelope again I see, wink wink.  It’s sex, drugs and rock and roll in advertising.  How about some rock and roll, without a cow?  Okay, for now a FREE Biscuit will do.  Thanks Carl’s.

Line up Wednesday morning, November 16th for a FREE Hardee’s Made From Scratch Sausage Biscuit at Carl’s Jr.  During breakfast hours, walk into a Carl’s Jr. and ask for YOUR Biscuit.  No purchase necessary — Eat in or walk out, it’s all yours.  So, how many Carl’s can you hit in the morning?  Puddy says just ask the 8-Ball. 😉

OC Foodies lists several places to dine out in Orange County on Thanksgiving — Might one of the ‘Real Housewives of Orange County’ feast at one of them, possibly but who cares.  Real OC housewives are most likely cooking and cleaning that day, and fakes are just big Turkeys.

I so want to see this bottle amongst the Wine on the shelf — I’d buy it in a heartbeat.  Why not tie its price around the bottle neck with a green leaf scarf.  It’s one of the coolest Wine bottle labels (or non-labels) I’ve seen.  No label needed here, it’s in the design.  Would you want to drink it?  You know, the outside doesn’t actually need to be made of dirt/earth. 😉

I didn’t see the pictured Hamburger on Yelp’s Burger Blitz or anywhere else for that matter, but did see others I’ve tried and some I’ll need to try on their “Most Wanted Patties In Town” list.  If you were to eat this monstrosity, you may turn into a Burger, as it probably weighs more than you.  Do you think it’s possible for one to finish it?  Do you think a giant fork would help?  It likely wouldn’t matter, but an extra stomach (or two+) would surely be in order.

Word.

Thanks go to LUCCA Cafe for recognizing our valuable Veterans this Veteran’s Day.

On November 11th at LUCCA Cafe in Irvine, active duty military personnel and Veterans may enjoy a FREE LUNCH.  It’s being offered in honor of Chef Cathy Pavlov’s father, late Corporal Robert L. Shellrecht, pictured above.  We would like to thank him and ALL those who came before and after for their service to our great country — No one is more deserving.

If you’re one of those special people, mark your calendar and claim your justified meal.

Note: Photos courtesy of LUCCA Cafe, Mediterranean dining (and more) in Orange County.

Continuing our celebration of food in every color, the majesty of purple food and life is evident.

An inedible purple tree that inspires play.

I’ve made a lot of Cole Slaw in my life and always appreciate having it around.

Which Eggplant do you like most?  Know yet?  I’m not sure.  Learn more here.

Are purple colored glasses better than rose colored glasses?

Do you think this Fish is scary, cute, funny, dorky, bucky, weird, sexy?  I’m not sure.

Purple Pepper exterior with a green interior — Green food is pictured here.

The Power of Purple Chart — Check out its benefits.

More about Potatoes and photo credits here — Purple ones can be mealy and bland, I think.

Have you tried Purple Carrots?  Purple food facts, Carrot and Pepper photo credits are here.

Another long road to walk down, though it looks far away from here.  Credit unknown.

Baby, baby, baby, what’s it gonna beeeee?  The post title muse is here and on Purple Rain, a delicious album.  Hope not to see the one-eyed, one-horned Flyin’ Purple People Eater.