Nibbles of Tidbits, a Food Blog

Have you heard about Marco’s Meal For Two at Maggiano’s Little Italy?

It’s more like a meal for four than two, and it’s only $39.95 any day at Maggiano’s.

You choose any Appetizer, Two Classic Pastas and a Dessert (plus more later).

We opted for the Stuffed Mushrooms, Mom’s Lasagna Marinara, Baked Rigatoni Pomodoro and Tiramisu — All was generous in size and amazing to eat.  We’d go back again for the same.

And as if that’s not enough, you get to take home two additional Classic Pastas.

Further details are shown above — See MENU for Classic Pasta options.

Cheers to a wonderful Italian meal in Little Italy for dinner.

Two Take Home Classic Pastas, plus leftovers to enjoy a couple times after – A fine value.

The above was pegged an Oil & Vinegar Pac Man and post title includes a fictitious word inspired by another, who expressed Maggiano’s is ‘tops’ in three other letters after the t.

So many love Maggiano’s and I’m always reminded why — Fly me to the spoon and dish up.

Maggiano’s South Coast Plaza yesterday and take away Eggplant Parmesan today.

It’s a coop in the translation of a “friendly society” of neighbors, friends of friends, long time patrons, regulars and the newly enlightened — It’s The Chicken Coop Restaurant at the point of Old Newport and Westminster Avenue.  Dinner, lunch and/or drinks in the Bar is best.

The Prime Rib (top) was the special of this day.  The Chicken Coop prices are comparably good and most entrees are served with a Salad, Baked Potato, Vegetables and Roll.

Broasted Chicken is a specialty — It’s crispy, juicy and pressure cooked to eliminate grease.

They have an Oyster Bar Menu too that offers Oysters Rockefeller, Steamed Clams, Baked Mussels, Mexican Shrimp Cocktails, Shrimp Scampi, Calamari Tacos and much more.

Enlarge MENUS for a better view. 

Their Cadillac Margaritas and Bloody Mary’s are simply marvelous — Fly me to the Coop.

McCormick & Schmick’s Pilsner Room still serves above average Happy Hour Food — They’ve offered an ever changing menu of high quality appetizers at great prices for many years.

This day we had the King Crab Legs with a Tomato Chili Gastrique.

Current MENU and prices above.

1/2 lb. Cheeseburger with French Fries – A long time staple there that’s always good.

Risotto Balls – Enlarge menu for more description on all.

Carrot Chipotle Wings.

Dynamite Mussels, a favorite — Photo doesn’t do ‘em justice.

Legume Empanadas.

Marinated Olives — Since prices are so good you can’t pack anything to go, so eat up.

California Roll.

Gravlox.

Its interior is hipper looking these days, mixed in with appreciated old school.

View of Pilsner Room from above.

There’s an outdoor patio too. 

Entrance to McCormick & Schmick’s.

A peek inside M & S’s.

Flight of Beer — We took a couple flights.

Can’t we skip this part?

Peace out — Thanks for the GC Sarnoff from my other life.

I didn’t order the hit on table tent inserts at Hof’s Hut, but appreciate having one with my name on it.  For the record, my parent’s friends actually asked if they could take it.  I should’ve photographed it instead of scanned it — It’s hard to read, despite its wannabe size progression.  Only 15 more days to get the Fancy Smancy Steakhouse Burger at Hof’s Hut.  Still celebrating…

Happy 30th The Original Fish Company – It’s been one of my favorite restaurants for the majority of the thirty, though it’s been too many years since I’ve dined there.  Once upon a time I lived in Los Alamitos and went there all the time.  Now it’s just an occasional luxury and it was awesome to get back.  We shared an amazing meal of classic appetizers starting with the Crab Trio with chilled Dungeness, Jumbo Lump and King Crab.  I want all of the same.

Steamers with 1/2 Clams and 1/2 Mussels — The “Original” Broth is the best.

Finally satisfied a craving for Oysters Rockefeller, not often seen on menus.

The Smoked King Salmon was moist and flavorful — I used to get the Smoked Albacore a lot.

And must get their Award Winning Clam Chowder every visit.

We built a Tower of Shell — The Fish Company is still remarkable.  For fun we used the Clam Shells as mini cups to drink the Steamer Broth.  Cheers!  This night we had the nicest Server, Curtis (pictured below).  Ask for him.  I’m already standing by to go back.  Got that Jack?

A BIG THANKS to Hof’s Hut Restaurant & Bakery on this official day – The availability of the Fancy Smancy Steakhouse Burger.  I can’t wait to have it as good as YOU make it!

This day it was all about the view and Bloody Marys at Newport Landing.

We were underwhelmed by our food choices — The Sliders, Fish Tacos and Crab Cakes were just okay.  Can’t say we’d get any of them again, but will go back for the view, drinks and Oysters Rockefeller, because I like them and don’t see ‘em on a menu often.

The best spot for two at Newport Landing Restaurant is the upstairs patio.

Enlarge MENU for closer examination.

Nearby Seals claim a boat.

Across the street from Newport Landing on the Balboa Peninsula is the Pacific Ocean.

And fishing off the Balboa Pier for free food.

Hasta manana.

I’ve often thanked God on a Friday and everyday for that matter — T.G.I. Friday’s offers a notable special for two that includes 3 Courses (Appetizer, 2 Entrees and Dessert) for $20.

Menu choices (above), T.G.I. Friday’s Bar view and a Droid at The Block at Orange.

We opted for the Chicken Quesadilla as the Appetizer, but would choose something different next time — Ours was too greasy.  It’s okay though, Friday’s has other Apps to pick from.

For Entrees we had the Petite Sirloin and Bruschetta Chicken Pasta — Both were terrific.

Our Dessert was this Strawberry something.

An eye will be on the Banana Split next time — All things considered, it’s a respectable deal!

Be sure to mark your calendar to try the Hof’s Hut Restaurant & Bakery 60th Anniversary Burger scheduled to be available this September.  It’s called the Fancy Smancy Steakhouse Burger and it is damn tasty, if I do say so myself – It’s so tasty in fact, I won a fancy smancy (aka schmancy) Jenn-Air BBQ Grill (below) for creating it.  Thank you Hof’s Hut and Happy Anniversary to such a fine establishment.  See you soon…

Knowlwood Restaurant claims to be The Home of the World’s Best Hamburger since 1957.  I’m not sure about that, but some I know say they might have the best Turkey Burger.  Having never had a good one, it may be the most flavorful I’ve had, but it still can’t beat the Beef.

When Irish Nachos are smiling, they’re at Knowlwood.

As previously reported, we’ve implemented a new Category — Orange County (OC) Food to complete Phase I of our OC additions.  During Phase II, we’ll be adding a new Blogroll, Orange County (OC) Bloggers, which will provide links to numerous OC Blogs.  To locate OC food news and reviews predating today, please use our SEARCH BOX and/or see other Categories.

Note:  The pictured dishes are from Nick’s Pizza, Maggianos and Kimera, respectively.

Zimzala Restaurant & Bar located in the Shorebreak Hotel in Huntington Beach serves Happy Hour seven days a week.  Between 3 – 7 pm daily and 10 – 11 pm on Fridays and Saturdays, select Appetizers and Drinks are offered at a discount, and not many HH spots have this ocean view.  It’s always a good time there with high quality food and a pleasurable landscape.

The pictured Cheeseburger Sliders are some of the best we’ve had.

The Zimzala Hummus comes with a few Fried Chick Peas (also on the HH menu), thus you may not need to order them separately, unless you want a lot of them.  We were satisfied having those that came with the Hummus (shown above).

Also available during Happy Hour at a price cut is the Sweet Potato Tater Tots with Lime Salt.

Parmesan Herb Fries with Garlic Aioli.

Plus everything listed on the Happy Hour Menu (above), along with other daily specials.

Can you repeat the title three times fast?  Though named Shelly, I’ve never sold sea shells by the seashore (thanks for asking), but instead skated to Sandy’s Beach Grill in Surf City (aka HB) for shared Sea Bass, Salad and Mai Tai’s.  How many S’s is that?  Who cares, cheers to the seashore.  I was last at Sandy’s for a Grand Opening Party about a year ago, pictured here.

Grilled Hearts of Romaine Salad — Happy to see it on the menu, but it’s not the best I’ve had.

Sea Bass – Pecan crusted and served with Shrimp Couscous and Red Pepper Butter.

Mai Tai’s pictured with sketch editing for amusement — It’s a day vacation in Huntington.  We skated from Newport (Orange) to the HB Pier and back.  Thanks again for lunch dear friend.

These were our neighbor’s Burgers at Slater’s 50/50 Burgers by Design in Anaheim Hills.  I’ve never seen one that big.  We were there to try The 50/50, Slater’s Signature with 50% Ground Beef and 50% Ground Bacon that comes with a Fried Egg, Avocado Mash, Pepper Jack Cheese and Chipotle Mayo.  It’s a crazy Burger joint — One gnarly report coming right up.

Some moments seem so long, but life is really quite short.  Cherish it.  The Crystal Cove Beach Cottages first appeared in black and white, and today The Beachcomber plays in color.

I’d been wanting to explore the Crystal Cove State Park Historic District, the Beach Cottages, and The Beachcomber for some time now, but hadn’t been sure how to get there.

I happily know how to get there now and you will too — It’s easier than you might think.

Park at Los Trancos (cliff side) and PCH to catch the shuttle down Crystal Cove (beach side).

The Beach Shuttle is $1.00 each way – It’s seamless and you’re suddenly there.

After drop off, you pass The Park Store and Visitor Center on the way to The Beachcomber.

The Beachcomber is on the sand, overlooking the Pacific — It was remodeled as a restaurant from an existing Beach Cottage and used to be called the Whistle Stop.

The Beachcomber at Crystal Cove also offers Beach Rentals.

Pictured above is a North Beach Cottage, part of the Phase II Restoration Project.

The Dinner Menu – Starters/Appetizers are the same on the Lunch and Dinner Menu, but the Entries change, as does the menu from season to season.  Blankets are always provided.

The Beachcomber Bar serves Appetizers and Drinks only.

We tried several specialty drinks including the Cucumber Mist Martini (pictured above), the El Morro Margarita, The Real Deal Margarita and the Black & Cran Martini.  All were freshly stiff and thoroughly enjoyed on the patio over a leisurely period.

We all recommend the Tunisian Pizza on Grilled Flatbread with Bleu Cheese, Smoked Bacon, Dates, Roasted Tomatoes and Basil.  It’s sweet, savory and delicious, as described.

On the Dinner Menu is Spinach Truffle Mac and other notable options.

And Center Cut Filet Mignon topped with a Bleu Cheese Gratin.

After consuming all, we played on the beach.

And thought about all that’s transpired here in days gone by.

Some Beach Cottages were constructed in the 1920′s with wood that drifted ashore, after a lumber ship capsized.  And many silent films were shot here, due to the area’s Tahitian, Hawaiian appearance.  It’s most apparent in B & W and appreciated in all colors.

View from the Rotating Exhibit Facility in sepia and color — Do you feel a difference?

Back in black (and white) and wanting to step back in time.

I talked to a young Lifeguard and so badly wanted to ask if he’s making $100K a year + extra for sunscreen, as recently reported, but didn’t inquire — Can’t blame him if it’s true.

Worked off the food with silliness and laughter.

Note:  Be sure to ask for parking validation before leaving The Beachcomber, so your parking is FREE.