Nibbles of Tidbits, a Food Blog

Next month is March Mania at Chick-Fil-A.  What that means is… Visit a participating Southern California Chick-Fil-A on any Friday in March, keep your original receipt, then return with your receipt to receive the exact order FREE any day within the month.  For example, buy the pictured Nuggets and Sandwich on Friday, March 5th, then return any day after that in March for the same.  Pay nothing extra — Just save your receipt!

Why would you grab lunch elsewhere on a Friday in March?  One meal becomes two, thus four Friday meals become eight during March Mania.  It’s a super deal.

* I’ve been a long-time fan of Chick-Fil-A’s Chicken Sandwich with extra Pickles, Nuggets with all Sauces, Chicken Biscuit Sandwich and Cole Slaw.  They run a remarkable corporation, provide superior service and are closed every Sunday.  God bless Chick-Fil-A.

It’s true — 50 Forks Restaurant at The Art Institute of California, Orange County serves lunch to the public when school is in session.  To learn more, view details posted at Orange County Food Examiner.  It’s a small place, so it’s recommended that you make reservations to secure a table.  Here’s the telephone number to get right on it – (714) 429-0918.

It’s been reported that one can truly judge a Chef by his/her Short Ribs.  If that’s true, let it be known that 50 Forks Restaurant at The Art Institute of California (Orange County) delivered on the above.  We thoroughly enjoyed all this terrific food at a fundraiser for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation — 100% of the proceeds from this dinner go towards cancer research.  Their motto is… When life hands you lemons, eat! 

Our 10-course meal started with the above Amuse Bouche, Pumpkin Porridge served with Crispy Rice.  The fundraiser was reported to be a 6-course meal, but we happily received much more — Hover over each photo to learn what’s on the menu.  To raise additional funds, all is being served again at 50 Forks tonight.  For cost information, times and telephone number, click here.  There still might be room.

We were seated and served family style, which can be fun or awkward, but luckily we ended up sharing our meal with some cool peeps who love food too.  The Art Institute staff and students were friendly and focused.  Thank you 50 Forks — We’ll be back for lunch.  And God bless Alex’s Lemonade Stand.

On certain days, 50 Forks Restaurant is open for lunch.  It’s a great place to get a gourmet meal for a good price.  And for a limited time, they will soon be open for dinner — The specifics are here.

* Click on the above MENU to enlarge it for better viewing.

On February 5th & 6th, 2010, The Art Institute of California, Orange County will be hosting a special fund raising event to help raise money to aid in the search for a cancer cure.  All proceeds will be donated to Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer.  Chefs at 50 Forks Restaurant will be preparing a 6-course “delicious feast” that’ll be served by Art Institute students.  The small cost of this big event is only $50 (plus tax and gratuity).  There will be two seatings (6PM & 8PM) that are filling up fast.  Nibbles of Tidbits will most likely be attending the Friday event, second seating and we hope to see you there too.  Make your reservations today — (714) 429-0918.  It’s a win-win.

Special K just added a couple new products to their repertoire.  Over the years I’ve enjoyed many boxes of Special K’s Original Cereal, thus opted-in to try their latest products as a Tastemaker for Foodbuzz.  This day four of us gathered together to sample Special K’s Fruit Crisps and Low-Fat Granola.  We reached a consensus regarding one of Special K’s new products and were divided with respect to the other — Our assessment is noted below.

Immediately we ALL fell in love with the Blueberry Fruit Crisps.  They are indeed crispy, light and slightly sweet as reported.  Each pouch of (2) is only 100 calories, which makes for a great health conscious snack.  We’d all buy them next time.  They also come in Strawberry.  And with respect to the Low-Fat Granola we were divided — Two think it’s terrific, one is on the fence and another didn’t care for its after-taste.  Personally I’m a bigger fan of their Original, Cinnamon Pecan, Blueberry and Red Berries Cereals.  Overall, Special K makes a lot of tasty products and we appreciate the opportunity to try their latest.

A new law went into effect on January 1, 2010.  California became the first state to ban Trans Fat in restaurants.  I certainly don’t need Trans Fat, also known as Partially Hydrogenated Oils, but have a big problem with the government telling restaurant owners what they can and cannot use/serve in their respective food businesses.  It’s like rewriting a chef’s recipe.  Responsibility is with oneself.  There are more important issues to be tackled by local and federal government, which are blogged about elsewhere.  This is supposed to be a happy place. 🙂

* Photo is of Newport Harbor in Newport Beach, California.

Nibbles of Tidbits will be making an effort to dine out even more in 2010.  There’s a lot of deals happening and we’d like to take advantage of them.  As the Orange County Food Examiner, I previously reported about several unfortunate restaurant closures in 2009, along with a few dining out tips to minimize the closures in 2010.  Let’s do our part to help stimulate the economy by dining out more this year.  It’s a win-win situation and there will be less dishes to wash.

Note:  Photo is of the Tenderloin Carpaccio served at Fleming’s Prime Steak House & Wine Bar in Fashion Island (Newport Beach).

I’ll be donating money to help fund Ovarian Cancer Research and hope you’ll do the same.  Thanks to Foodbuzz and Electrolux for their efforts to raise money for this very important cause.  As well as money, I’m hoping to dedicate time on February 9th, 2010 in New York City.  Foodbuzz and Electrolux will be hosting a Special Cake Decorating Event and Baking Demonstration (along with Kelly Ripa and renowned Pastry Chefs) to help bring more funds and awareness to Ovarian Cancer Research.  Foodbuzz Featured Publishers were invited to answer a few essay questions to (hopefully be selected) be sponsored to be a part of this significant event.  Chosen or not, I’ll do all in my power to represent and support this worthy organization.  PLEASE do the same.

We thoroughly enjoyed the $45 prix fixe meal served at Back Bay Bistro Restaurant on New Year’s Eve — And we’ll definitely be going back again for the Lobster Bisque.  It’s one of the best we’ve had in a long time, due to a perfect balance of complex flavors.  Wow!

Included with the fantastic Lobster Bisque was a fresh Bistro Salad, Surf & Turf (a Petite Filet Mignon and Jumbo Shrimp served with Garlic Whipped Potatoes, Asparagus and Baby Carrots) and Chocolate Mousse with a fresh Raspberry Puree.  All was fantastic.

Back Bay Bistro is a little tricky to get to — It’s tucked back in Newport Dunes near a boat launch.  Be careful walking over and valet parking, so not to get run over by a launching boat.  Once you’re there, it’s a pleasant experience.

We received excellent service from everyone we encountered and were impressed by that alone.  We mistakenly arrived a 1/2 hour before the first seating and were content to hang outside, but a nice manager (Jesse) invited us in early.  That was super cool of him and on this colder evening it was a treat to be sitting inside with a glass of Merlot.

We’ll be going back soon for Happy Hour — It’s an all around good restaurant that’s nice and airy, has interesting views, offers “dog friendly dining” on the outdoor patio, provides on-the-ball service and high quality food.

For all reasons noted above, we were happy with our decision to enjoy our last meal in 2009 at Back Bay Bistro — And we’ll be heading back over in early 2010 for more.

Happy New Year from Nibbles of Tidbits in Newport Beach, near Back Bay Bistro.

A friend just told me she’ll be eating 12 Grapes at midnight and an Orange on New Year’s Day.  After reading an article on Lucky New Year’s Day Foods, she wants to do all she can to have an amazing 2010.  Instead of Grapes, she’ll be eating Raisins since they’re on-hand.  She says they’re still Grapes (technically once true), but I told her she needs actual Grapes if she’s gonna do it right, HA. 🙂 Who knows?  Happy New Year with or without Grapes, Oranges, Round Cakes and Breads, Noodles, Fish, Black-Eyed Peas, Pomegranates and other regional lucky foods.

I’m not sure if the following hangover remedies actually work, but thought the information was interesting and may be helpful to some.  Hopefully I won’t need ’em this year, but it’s handy just in case.

COFFEE:  While Coffee does NOT help sober you up, it can provide some relief for that pounding headache.

RAW EGGS:  Salvation for hangover sufferers could lie in downing raw Eggs as they contain a chemical ingredient called N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC).  It is thought that NAC boosts the body’s ability to mop up destructive chemicals called free radicals, which build up in the liver as enzymes break down alcohol.  Free radicals are normally destroyed by a naturally occurring enzyme called glutathione, but reserves can be low after periods of heavy drinking.  
 
BURIED UP TO YOUR NECK IN SAND:  In Ireland, it’s said that the cure for a hangover is to bury the ailing person up to the neck in moist river sand.  I don’t think I’ll be doing this.
 
PICKLE JUICE:  In Poland, drinking Pickle Juice is a common remedy.
 
Now why Fernet-Branca?  Fernet (pictured) is a type of spirit known as an Amaro – Italian for ‘bitter’.  One theory is that the bitterness is a cure for the body to begin producing saliva and digestive juices.  Herbalists say that it’s the combination of herbs found in Fernet that make it the ideal cure.  More than 40 barks, roots, herbs, fungi and spices go into Fernet.  These include Myrrh, Orris Root, Saffron and Cinchona Bark.  In fact, when the original formula was conceived in 1845, it was born as a medicine.  Decades later, Fernet is recognized as being healthful.  Give it a try, if necessary.

If you’re looking for somewhere fun to go on New Year’s Eve, I just published a compilation of events happening in Orange County.  As the Orange County Food Examiner on Examiner.com, I’ve provided several links to help you determine where to eat, drink, dance, laugh, sing and kiss on New Year’s Eve.  And if you plan on drinking, please have a designated driver or take a taxi — It’ll help us all start 2010 off on the right foot.  Happy New Year!

I made French Toast with the last slice of Panettone.  It’s not the best photo above, but the Panettone French Toast Recipe is a good one.  It’s a taste combination of Bread Pudding and French Toast, if that makes sense.  I often like adding citrus zest to recipes, thus appreciate the Orange Zest in this French Toast.  And now I’m truly a Panettone lover — I want more.  After all these years, I didn’t know this traditional Italian Sweet Bread was so delicious.

And the winner of the Giant Panettone, plus Bauducco’s amazing Panettone with Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Chips is… Kat Foster.  Congratulations Kat!  We’ll be contacting you shortly to learn where to send your prize.  Thanks to all who entered.  We wish we could have given another Panettone to Vic, Alexis, Kathy and Jade for their diligent entries and touching stories.  We sincerely appreciate all. 

NOTE:  Nibbles of Tidbits always draws its contest winners fair and square, which is out of a hat, box or jar of folded names of all who entered.

I haven’t verified the following, but found it very interesting.  It was forwarded to me by a friend, and since it’s food related it qualifies to be shared here.  I’ll be buying some Bananas tomorrow.  Read on to learn about the benefits of the Banana…

A Physiological Psychology Professor at CCNY told his class about Bananas — He said the expression “Going Bananas” is from the effects of Bananas on the brain.  After reading this, you’ll never look at a Banana in the same way. 

Bananas contain three natural sugars – sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber.  A Banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy.  Research has proven that just two Bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout.  No wonder the Banana is the number one fruit with the world’s leading athletes.

But energy isn’t the only way a Banana can help keep fit.  It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to a daily diet.

Depression:  According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a Banana.  This is because Bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier. 

PMS:  Forget the pills – Eat a Banana.  The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.

Anemia:  High in iron, Bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and thus helps in cases of anemia. 

Blood Pressure:  This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure.  So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the Banana industry to make official claims for the fruit’s ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

Brain Power:  200 students at a Twickenham Middlesex School in England were helped through their exams this year by eating Bananas at breakfast, during breaks and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power.  Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.

Constipation:  High in fiber, including Bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.

Hangovers:  One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a Banana milkshake sweetened with honey.  The Banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.

Heartburn:  Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a Banana for soothing relief.

Morning Sickness:  Snacking on Bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

Mosquito Bites:  Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a Banana skin.  Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.

Nerves:  Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.

Ulcers:  The Banana is used as a dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness.  It’s the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases.  It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

Temperature Control:  Many other cultures see Bananas as a “cooling” fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers.  In Thailand, for example, pregnant women eat Bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD):  Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer tryptophan.

Smoking & Tobacco Use:  Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking.  The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

Stress:  Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body’s water balance.  When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels.  They can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium Banana snack.

Strokes:  According to research in The New England Journal of Medicine, eating Bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%.

Warts:  Those keen on natural alternatives swear that if you want to kill off a wart, take a piece of Banana skin and place it on the wart, with the yellow side out.  Carefully hold the skin in place with a surgical tape.

A Banana is truly a natural remedy for many ills.  When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals.  It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around, so maybe it’s time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, “A Banana a day keeps the doctor away.”

And finally, need a quick shine on our shoes?  Take the inside of the Banana skin and rub it directly on the shoe… Polish with a dry cloth and voila.  It’s an amazing fruit!  Bananas must be the reason monkeys are so happy all the time.

The linked list of 100 Snacking Tips to keep you healthy and satisfied without draining your wallet was sent to me.  It’s marketed towards college students, but I found it to have useful information that everyone could appreciate, thus it’s deemed worthy of being shared here on Nibbles of Tidbits.  Here’s to your health and wallet!

My favorite part of the Cook Or Be Cooked Wii Game is watching Susie Fogelson gag and Mory Thomas fall back on his chair in disgust of most of the dishes we prepared, HA — We cracked up at that.  We actually wanted more and were disappointed that we didn’t see additional ways of showing dislike.  I know that’s not the object of the game, but it’s entertaining.  We wanted them to run out of the room, fall on the floor, or alternately gag and fall back.  Their reactions are a bit redundant, until you get better at the game.

The graphics and likenesses are well done — It’s a little confusing at first, but once you figure out how to go back and forth between the different dish preparations, it’s more interesting.  Wii Cook Or Be Cooked is fun, but we had a better time playing Wii Air Hockey, Skee Ball, Darts, Bowling, Basketball and Shuffleboard the same day.  We were (6) on an RV vacation when we tried Cook Or Be Cooked.  BBQ’ing on the beach in between our Wii game competition was a great time.  We cooked and got cooked by the Food Network this weekend and look forward to doing it again.

It’s reported that Coca-Cola’s new aluminum bottle design keeps Coke 15% colder (longer) than a standard shaped can — I’m certainly a fan of that.  Nibbles of Tidbits previously ran a contest and the prize was a case (24) of them.  And since that time, I’ve learned they’re quite the hot commodity.  You’ll never see them in a boring grocery store — They’re way too cool!

We attended a Coca-Cola Tasting Event at Hotel Erwin in Venice Beach, steps away from the sand.  It was on their High Rooftop Lounge, that’s broken down into stylish pod groupings overlooking the ocean and city.  We missed the sunset, but the city lights were beautiful too.

At this tasting event, 3 cocktails were made with Coca-Cola Classic®, Coke Zero™ and Diet Coke®, each mixed with a different liquor and served in its respective aluminum bottle.  As common in parts of Europe, drinks are made and served in the same can or bottle.  The bartender at this par-tay mixed the drinks over ice, then funneled them back into the bottles before serving ’em with a straw.  They were strong, but good — We liked the Lemon Chilled the best.

The appetizers were good too — There’s a fabulous Chef at the Hotel Erwin.  My favorite was the Mini Corn Dog on a Stick.  The batter was light and corny-crunchy, and they were served with a Coca-Cola Ketchup Sauce.  All went together well.

It was fun to meet other bloggers, like Peachhead, Coastal California, The Girl Blogger and their guests.  My Interior Designer guest requested a tour of a couple suites, which added to our overall cool experience — Down to the fun robes in the rooms.

One takes the elevator all the way up, then walks a scenic platform to the High Rooftop Lounge.  This evening we enjoyed appetizers and Coca-Cola’s hottest coldest drinks.  The bottle design is nostalgic and the drinks were served extra cold — Hope you stumble upon them at a hip place soon.

As a FOODIE, I’m constantly looking for a good food festival, a chili cook-off, a BBQ competition, a taste of a city, a cooking contest or any fun event that’s food related.  It seems like there’s always something going on somewhere.  To assist with finding more in the future, I’ve compiled a list of some of the best resources I’ve found — They’re linked below.  I know there’s a lot more happening out there, so please share your favorite food event source in a comment.

Find a Food Festival

Food Network All American Festivals

Food Reference – Upcoming Food Events

Gayot – Food Related Event’s Calendar

Local Wine Event’s Calendar

Bayside Restaurant in Newport Beach recently had its 10th Year Anniversary.  To celebrate they offered a 4-Course Menu that included some of their best dishes and customer favorites over the years — Our Friday the 13th (coincidentally) menu included Slow Roasted Pork Belly with Hawaiian Pineapple Carpaccio and Macadamias.

Fall Vegetable Bruschetta with Goat Cheese, Pumpkin Seed Essence and a Balsalmic Reduction.

Lamb Loin with a Port Wine Black Garlic Sauce, Roasted Tomato, Baby Artichokes and Potato Puree — This dish was amazing.

Miso Glazed Chilean Seabass with a Sesame Seaweed Salad and Ponzu Sauce.

Mango Sorbet with Ginger Blackberries.

A Composition of Chocolates with Chambord Raspberries.  And a complimentary Glass of Champagne and Amuse Bouche of Beets, Endive and Goat Cheese.  The high quality4-Course Menu was only $25 per person.  Bayside Restaurant offers a lot of specials, so keep checking their calendar.  They’ll also be serving Thanksgiving Dinner this year, along with many other Orange County restaurants.

I scored because my dinner guest doesn’t like Beets or Champagne — I love ’em both, so guess WHAT?  It was double Amuse Bouche and Champagne for me. 🙂

If you don’t feel like cooking and cleaning on Thanksgiving, check out my post on Examiner.com.  It provides an excellent collection of the best menus being served in Orange County on Thanksgiving Day.  As you can ascertain from the photo, our family wrongly loves the crisp Turkey Skin, thus haven’t been able to capture a pristine photo of a beautiful Turkey out of the oven.  A little Turkey Skin with a little Salt is generally a tasty Thanksgiving appetizer.  Bon Appetit!

Sadly, I’m unable to attend the First Annual Blogger Festival that starts today — I had hoped to meet hundreds of foodies in San Francisco this weekend, but instead my diet has been (and will be) consisting of Cough Drops, Mucinex DM, Sudafed PE, NyQuil, etc.  I’m sure none of that will be on the Foodbuzz menus.  I’m envious thinking about what everyone else will be eating.  Nibbles of Tidbits will be there in fantasy and spirit and I truly hope to meet y’all next year.  Have an amazing weekend, but not too amazing. 🙁

We randomly drew a winner of French’s Party Pack and it’s Kathy.  Congratulations!  We’ll be contacting you shortly to learn where French’s can send your prize.  If you also entered the recipe contest, good luck winning that fabulous $25K prize too.  And thanks to all who entered this fast and fun giveaway.  Now I’m craving a Hebrew National with Tommy’s Chili and French’s Classic Mustard, all currently in my fridge — Goody.

If interested, be sure to mark your calendar to try Taco Bell’s New Black Jack Taco FREE on Halloween.  After dark (6PM to be exact), Taco Bell will be giving away its spooky black shelled Taco – (1) per customer.  Since we’ll hopefully be enjoying a costume party during that time, we tried one on our own dime ($0.89 to be exact) and it’s not bad.  Three of us tried one this day and all thought it was relatively good.  Aside from the shell that doesn’t taste any different than a tan one, the Sauce makes it different and flavorful.  We may have another before its limited time expires.