Nibbles of Tidbits, a Food Blog

It’s easy being cheesy.

At The Getty Center in Los Angeles surrounded by works of art indoors and out.

A tasteful way to spend a day B at the Get-TAY – It ain’t no ghetto. We sang… At the Get-TAY.

A Banquet Piece by Pieter Claesz (1630), a favorite of our food related selections is pictured above – Others are woven between photos of pristine grounds and architecture, spectacular views, and surprisingly great Pizza.  Admission is FREE to see all.  Parking is $15.00.

Flowering Maze over a reflecting pool — Go through it on a boat. JK, it’s just for viewing.

Still Life Tea Set by Jean-Etienne Liotard (Circa 1781).

City and ocean views are framed within 30-inch square grids of travertine — Beauty abounds.

Still Life with Grapes and Other Fruit by Luca Forte (1630).

There are endless angles to appreciate at The Getty Center.

The Restaurant (below) offers Brunch and sophisticated Lunch and Dinner MENUS.

And the Cafe at The Getty Center is located below it.

The Cafe is somewhat cafeteria-style offering convenient, prepared and cook to order food.

We opted for the Pepperoni Pizza, Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio.

It (above) unexpectedly turned out to be one of the best Pizzas I’ve ever had.

Cheers to the Pizza – I’m ready to go back for IT, more exhibits and new views.

Still Life with Lemons, Oranges and a Pomegranate by Jacob Van Hulsdonck (Circa 1620).

Just a few of the 360-degree available views.

Still Life with Fish, Vegetables, Gougeres, Pots and Cruets on a Table by Jean-Baptiste Simeon Chardin (1769) is shown above, and more architectural wonder is modeled below — A photography student’s or wide-eyed explorer’s jackpot is at The Getty Center daily.

Did you know that Vincent Van Gogh’s Irises (1889) is there too?

Sit amongst courtyard fountains and well manicured trees — Nothing is out of place.

The Museum Store is entertaining in itself with its unique items for play and purchase.

We were at the Get-TAY at the right time to see one of infinity beautiful sunsets.

And A Maid Milking a Cow in a Barn by Gerard Ter Borch (Circa 1652).

Is the cow on the left looking at us?  I loved its face in person and miss him already.

We saw (and ate) some thaaangs!  Don’t miss it.

There’s another 2 For $20 Deal to be had at BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse.  We’ve been trying to find them all – Similar deals are at Chili’s, T.G.I. Friday’s and Applebee’s.  We loved BJ’s Bacon Cheeseburger Pizza, Pickles and all!  It really tastes like a Cheeseburger.

Not sure how long you’ll get 2 Salads, a Pizza and Dessert for $20 — Hopefully really long.

We toast to that – Please offer this deal forever BJ’s!

We had an ideal Wedge Salad and Caesar Salad with no complaints.

The previously mentioned Bacon Cheeseburger Pizza (below) is crazy good.

One-upping other 2 for $20 Deals, BJ’s comes with Dessert.

It’s called a Pizookie and ours was 1/2 White Chocolate Macadamia Nut and 1/2 Cookies N’ Cream — It’s a warm, baked Cookie that’s topped with Ice Cream and a dollop of Mousse.

We happily dissected it pretty well — It’s a fine Trademark Dessert indeed.

Photos were taken at BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse in Downey, California.

Day vay-kay to get away from the persistent heat — We escaped to Lake Arrowhead and watched the temperature go down as we drove up the mountain.  Awe, oooo, wow, awe…

Cheers to that — We then enjoyed food baked for various visiting and local species.

It was Beer and Pizza at Lake Arrowhead Village Pizza for we the people.

And a special gourmet treat for Leon (Our Pet Treat Judge) from Three Dog Bakery nearby.

The Pizza was good, but we were most impressed with the extra frosty mugs — Cool stuff!

The view was beautiful and weather comfortable with an umbrella.

Every bite of all shown was consumed and followed by a partial walk around the lake.

Lake Arrowhead, so close, yet so far away — Take the high road to cooler, fresh ground.

Lake Arrowhead Village is extra happening during Oktoberfest — It starts later this month.

I’ve come to realize that any tasting at Pizzeria Ortica is going to be scrumptious.

We loved the opportunity to try several dishes on Pizzeria Ortica’s Fall/Winter Menu.

Many are pictured here and fully described below – Eat dish packed a lot of flavor.

I was reminded how good this restaurant is — Don’t let it go undiscovered.

Can you match the photos to the dish descriptions?  Hope so, as they’re not retyped.

The “Chick” (directly above) — Crushed San Marzano Tomatoes, Parmigiano Reggiano and Extra Virgin Olive Oil is simple and plain looking, but so good.  It’s named for a customer with standing reservations who inspired and loves it.  I surprisingly loved it too.  Thanks Chick.

And other favorites included the Pork Belly Terrine, Pancetta e Zucca and Ricotta Gnocchi.

The photos don’t do the food justice – We’re most impressed after each visit.

They also offer space for group mixers up to 60 people and a private dining room for 35.

We look forward to going back soon for more of the same — All was that delicious.

Thank you Pizzeria Ortica!  Enlarge MENU for a better view.

It’s what I daydream about.  Forget shopping – Is it time to eat again? 

It was a pleasure to see you here at this communal table at Pizzeria Ortica.

Pizzeria Ortica is set to launch a new round of three-course Italian family style dinners.

The restaurant occupies the old Turner New Zealand spot and I love its East Coast feel.

Our food appreciative group felt like family after sharing Verdure and Panzanella.

Also known as Grilled Zucchini, Cippolini Agro Dolce, Roasted Green Beans and Marinated Eggplant, and Baby Heirloom Tomatoes, Cucumber, Green Onions and Basil with Rustic Bread.

Mint Salsa Verde, Roasted Rosemary Potatoes, Peas and Cippolini — Yum.

Roasted Nectarines with Mascarpone Cheese and more I’m not sure about, but it was good.

We’re always looking for a tasty outdoor patio too – Pizzeria Ortica goes on that list.

Blurry I know, but I like its sentiment — Sharing a Brown Butter and Hazelnut Torte.  Grazie.

Update:  Upcoming dinner dates for the Italian family style dinners are July 31^st, August 28^th, September 25^th, October 30^th and November 27^th.

Linked is Food Network Magazine’s compilation of the Best Pizza in each state — To see the magazines choices and learn which Pizza made the cut in your state, click here.  Pictured is one of our local favorites found at The Beachcomber in Newport Beach, California.

Will walk for food – Pondering language variations and communication this day.

Will the real Pie in the Sky PLEASE step right up?!  Is it a Pie Pie or Pizza Pie?

Let me know the way to the right bite. Where’s the snipe?

This story isn’t food related, except for the California Pizza Kitchen in my car when it happened.  A few years ago, I was driving home from work with CPK, irrelevant to the story but continue… I was wearing prescription sunglasses when I left the office, then was later at a stop light after the sun set.  I didn’t switch to regular glasses, since I was almost home.  And while waiting in the left turning lane, I noticed a guy in a car on my right frantically trying to tell me something.  A little sketchy, but I cracked the window to hear what he was revving to say.  And it was simply this… “I guess the sun never goes down for cool people.”  Although he dissed me, I thought it was one of the funniest things I’ve heard.  That’s right, I’m a So Cal native with CPK in the car and now the sun never goes down for me.  Cool!

In AAA‘s Westways Magazine, Al’s New York Cafe in Costa Mesa was recently named one of the “Best Cheap Eats”  in Southern California, and most on Yelp rave about it too.  We tried their Pepperoni Pizza and unfortunately thought it was a bit too greasy for us.*  We might be a little too CPK.  We’ll try a couple of Al’s other specialties next visit.

* We’re not grease snobs – Pizza photo was taken after blotting.

We started at it like a WISH BONE — Then a few of us shared this Pretzel as an appetizer.  We liked the taste of the Pepperoni and sweet flavor of the Pretzel Dough, but neglected to order a side of Marinara Sauce, which we think to be necessary for full enjoyment of Auntie Anne’s New Pepperoni Pretzel.  There’s an extra charge for a DIP, but you’ve gotta have the Sauce with this one — That was the consensus here.  P.S.  Did you know that Sunday, April 26th is National Pretzel Day?

Auntie Anne’s INFO: http://www.auntieannes.com/

There was a lot of fanfare today and FREE Slices of Pizza at the new Domino’s Pizza location on 17th Street in Costa Mesa – They moved across and down the street and today they were giving away Free Pizza Slices between 11AM and 1PM.  I tried the Cali Chicken Bacon Ranch, one of Domino’s American Legend Pizzas.  Loved the Bacon, but my slice didn’t come with Chicken.  It was still good and with a little more Sauce I’d have it delivered.

To celebrate their Grand Re-Opening, Domino’s Pizza also had a couple Laker Girls signing stuff and employees were waving from every corner for two blocks.  You couldn’t miss the hoopla if you were driving by, so hopefully you stopped and got your Free Slice of Pizza.

Domino’s Pizza DIRECT: http://www.dominos.com/home/index.jsp

The “Special Menu” is the Cheesecake Factory’s New Small Plates & Snacks and Specialties Menu.  Here we had the Beets With Goat Cheese Salad and a Margherita Pizzette.  The plates are “small” as they note, but the prices are small too – Each was $4.95.  It’s a better lunch than fast food for the same price, except for the tip.

Related Links:

http://www.cheesecakefactory.com/menu.htm

http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=1960

A rainy day is a perfect day to try a few things at Pizza Hut.  We’re hungry, busy, and don’t want to go out into the rain, so we were happy when this combination was magically delivered to our door in 25 minutes.  Thank you Pizza Hut.  Delivery from anywhere good can be fun.

This time we tried a couple Personal Pan Pizzas, the Quepapas Potato Bites, and the Breadsticks with Marinara Sauce.  One Pizza had Pepperoni and Mushroom, and the other Ham, Pineapple and Jalapenos.  We seamlessly ordered online and were eating in less than a half hour this day. 

There were no complaints about this meal — The Breadsticks and Marinara are pretty good, and the Quepapas weren’t bad either, but next time we’d order an extra side of the Marinara to go with them.  We’re now warm, dry and full.

Related Link:  http://www.pizzahut.com/Default.aspx

I’m very impressed with Little Caesars “Pizza Pizza” who is giving back to our injured Veterans.  They’re really changing lives and making more opportunities for deserving people.  I hope other companies will do the same.  Here’s more information regarding Little Caesars Veteran’s Program. 

http://franchise.littlecaesars.com/VeteransProgram/tabid/76/Default.aspx

This time we tried the Spicy Thai Chicken Pizza and Moo Shu Egg Rolls.  Both were top notch, just like most dishes at the Yard House.  The price and quality are there.  And the varied menu items are consistently good.  There’s more photos of other fabulous Yard House appetizers linked below.  We’re getting around to trying them all.  Why not?

Related Links:

http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=1310

http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=762

This Pizza was okay.  I bought Trader Joe’s Pizza Dough and Pizza Sauce, then added what I had on hand — It has Cheddar Cheese, Salami, Pineapple and Jalapeno.  The Sauce was good and the Dough works, but I might want to try it another time with Mozzarella, Pepperoni, Mushrooms, Olives, Pineapple, Artichoke Hearts, Jalapenos, and maybe more. 

I think I overcooked this Pizza and made the Dough too thick.  Good thing I didn’t videotape myself trying to spread out the Dough and make it stay – HA.  I really wanted to throw and spin it up in the air, but feared I’d drop it on the kitchen floor.  I wished I had a big bolt of plastic to lay down.  I might pick some up before the next Pizza.

Related Links:

http://www.traderjoes.com/

Nick’s Pizza Ristorante Italiano is on Restaurantica – http://www.restaurantica.com/blog/Nicks-Pizza-Ristorante-Italiano/130/

Nick’s Tortellini and Chicken with Artichoke Hearts, Prosciutto and Green Peas in a Light Cream Sauce.

Related Links:

http://www.restaurantica.com/blog/

http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=1240

http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=1213

http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=249

http://www.nickspizzapasta.com/

Here’s Deep Fried Crab Ravioli with Spicy Marinara Sauce, an uncommon Appetizer at any restaurant.  Nick’s Pizza in Costa Mesa is family owned and has been open since 1968.  And the name ‘Nick’s Pizza’ doesn’t do it justice, since it offers so much more. 

I hear its Pizza is great, but haven’t gotten around to trying it yet, because the Pasta is excellent.  Below is the Chicken Portobello, a grilled boneless Chicken Breast and Portobello Mushroom, with Artichoke Hearts and White Wine, served with Pappardelle in Gorgonzola Sauce.

I’ll be posting more about Nick’s Pizza on Restrauntica, so please check there for more food pictures and information, and then check back here for more to come.

Related Links:

http://www.restaurantica.com/

http://www.nickspizzapasta.com/

http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=249