Nibbles of Tidbits, a Food Blog

Today would’ve been my sweet Grandpa’s 95th Birthday — We miss him and others gone by.

The Crab Cooker — It’s one of my favorite landmarks in Newport Beach.

It’s been simple and enjoyable since 1951.

For some reason it’s hard to find consistently good Smoked Fish around here, so I’m glad it always seems to be available at The Crab Cooker.  Elsewhere it’s been previously frozen and defrosted, too dry, refrigerator flavored, unappetizing looking, or it’s too expensive.

Smoked Albacore and Smoked Salmon are favorites to have at home, as often as possible.

Fish options and prices vary.

It’s a Restaurant and Fish Market that’s walking distance from the Newport Beach Pier.

I’m always happy to eat at The Crab Cooker and perfectly satisfied afterwards.

Smoked Fish To Go — I like their Tartar Sauce, but my Cocktail Sauce is better.

And King Crab Legs could be my favorite food of all, if I had to pick one.

Greenleaf Gourmet Chopshop in Costa Mesa — I’m glad to see them in the neighborhood.

It’s a narrow, well utilized, stylish space with goodness to offer.

A group of us (various media) were invited to sample Happy Hour and Kid’s Menu items.

We liked it all and learned that Greenleaf Chefs take pride in each and every dish.

We especially liked the Turkey Melts on Pretzel Bread (below) and Turkey Meatballs.

The Kid’s Menu Chicken Bites with Sweet Potato Fries are pictured below.

See the Greenleaf Gourmet Chopshop website for new menu specifics.

A Delivery Program will soon be launching and Curbside Service is currently available.

They also offer Business Catering and an in-house Coffee/Juice Bar/Specialty Item Shop.

Cheers to Greenleaf with Sangria and another tasty house specialty drink.

They seem to be about healthy food and good times.

More of everything please.

I try to avoid politics here, but better decisions need to be made — People and animals first.

Whatever makes you happy, whatever you want — Music related to food has a place here.

It’s been a long time since I’ve had a Jell-O Shot, but the pictorial basic recipe and linked unique recipes (here, here and here) cause me to want to make and serve ’em at a party.

Have you seen the Anti-Theft Lunch Bag?  Too funny.

This Heart Shaped Egg is on our test list — Do you think it works?  More ideas are here too.

Get off your phat phone and eat it.

Most Someecards are quite funny — Why not walk, talk, dance and drink the drink?

At the 4th Annual Taste Awards with Cat Cora, an award presenter and recipient.

This year I was one of numerous Judges — Award Winners were announced in December.

Medals were handed out at The Taste Awards Ceremony at the Vibiana this January evening.  Flipping Out won for Best Home Decor and Design Program, as represented by Jenni (above).

P. Allen Smith presented a few awards — A fine fellow we just met.

All went well, no one slipped or tripped, but the sound could’ve been better.

The Vibiana is grand and gorgeous — Inside it glowed in RED, pink and purple.

Outside there was little food — We liked what we ate, but hoped for more.

Can you guess the meat?

It’s Goose for Goose Tacos — Plain looking and simple as can be, yet quite tasty.

Above is a Potato/Chorizo appetizer of some sort from the Idaho Potato peeps.

Plates with a hole for a drink glass (above) may be cooler than the people below.

Champagne? Tequila? Thanks for offering.

Too much Tequila for our Idaho Potato Guy — Had to chill on the bench for a while.

Below:  Me on stage pretending to present an award after the show was over, and with my friend Michelle, pretending others are taking pictures of us — In between are Caramels by Amella and the address of the Vibiana.  Thanks for the invitation.  It was a good experience.

I’m hungry, but happy.  Tommy’s or Pink’s sounds good.

Dave & Buster’s for the FOOD would be impressive enough, but no, they’ve got everything.

Step inside to experience entertainment in numerous forms — It’s always fun there.

The Eat+Play Combo’s are pretty good deals — Check ’em out before ordering.

The Snow Cone with Cherry Vodka and Blue Curacao is a fun drink, though on the sweet side.

This visit we ate and played really well together.

In the restaurant, before play, we started with the Spinach Dip (above).

And then had the Fire Grilled Salmon (top) and Chicken and Shrimp Rockefeller (above).

The Dining Room at Dave & Buster’s in Irvine (above) is slated to be remodeled to fit in with recent changes in style and direction — Though I’ve liked it as is, I have confidence in what it might look like next, as D & B’s other transformations have been agreeable.

Our food was excellent — The Chicken and Shrimp Rockefeller is especially awesome.

Cheers to more SPORTS at Dave & Buster’s.

Giant screens to watch favorite teams are scattered throughout.

Walk and roll your way to fun and games.

Pool tables, rooms for private parties, FOOD, Drinks, Sports and Games are to be had.

Lots of GAMES to choose from — We had a blast playin’ for tickets to redeem at the…

…Winner’s Circle for a variety of PRIZES.

Save points and return to add-on more to aim for a top prize, or just see what you can get.

It’s a place for adults (especially) and kids alike — Everyone has a good time there.

It’s all fun and games until someone loses a tie. 😉

Goooooooo Dave & Buster’s!  Thanks for being there for us.

I like Pistachios, but its advertisers make me want Cashews — Ever seen a Cashew Tree?

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.

I marvel at the trees and have always been fascinated by the brain — And I’m keen on Broccoli and Nuts and Mushrooms of all kinds.  That about covers it (at least here now).  Chow Ciao. 😉

Creamy White American Cheese for a Melt or a cold chunk of Extra Sharp Cheddar otherwise.

Fodder for The Bad, though ultimately not too bad to not eat it — The story ends well with a fast and easy, homemade Tomato Soup.  And our Grilled Cheese Sandwich wannabe ended up okay, obviously with less Cheese.  Inspiration to prepare both came from Panera Bread, where I recently enjoyed another version of this Sandwich (and Soup).  My Tomato Soup is healthier and tastes just as good, if not better.  Full story and recipe to be posted here soon.

I set out to assess and collect information regarding 2013 Food Trends and thankfully found a compilation of several predictions at Nutrition Unplugged and many are linked (below) for convenience.  I’m glad to see that Cauliflower will be taking over for last year’s over-rated Kale trend, since I like to roast it in the oven with Garlic Cloves and Lemon.  Happy eating in 2013!

Andrew Freeman & Co. – How Hotel & Restaurant Trends Will Shape a New Reality in 2013

Baum + Whiteman – 17 Hottest Food and Dining Trends for 2013

Cooking Light – Our Predictions: 2013 Food Trends

Epicurious – Epicurious Predicts the Top 10 Food Trends of 2013

Food Network – 2013 Predictions from Food Network Kitchens

FohBoh – 2013 Food Trends

Innova Market Insights – Top Trends for 2013

Meat Poultry – Top Food Trends for 2013

National Restaurant Association – What’s Hot 2013 Chef Survey

Orange County Register – Food Trends for 2013

Phil Lempert – The Top 10 Food Trend Predictions for 2013

Produce Marketing Association’s Produce Trends – Produce Trends

Sterling-Rice Group – Cutting-Edge Dining Trends of 2013

Technomic – Technomic’s Take: What’s Ahead in 2013?

The Food Channel – Top Ten Food Trends of 2013

Merry Christmas — Searching for appetizer or dessert ideas?  I like the Veggie Platter above.

Laugh, eat, love and remember… Jesus is the reason for the season.

Nativity scenes made of Sausage, Bacon and Kraut (or anything else) shouldn’t be banned.

We traveled to The Globe for dinner and reached La La Land, as we fell in love with the food and more in love with each other over Belgian Craft Beers and specially selected Hoppas.

The Globe Dine • Bar is owned and operated by a lovely husband and wife team from Belgium.

It’s in Historic Downtown Garden Grove — I didn’t know there was such the designation.

Since I generally like historic-anything and food-travel-everything, The Globe enticed.

And it delivered the most flavorful Hoppas (Hops + Tapas) we ever landed on.

Skirt Steak Florets, Blue Cheese, Roasted Pearl Onions with Red Wine Jus was transcending.

It’s pictured at top and directly above, along with Prosciutto Wrapped Scampi Shrimp…

Gouda Croquettes and Cherry Tomato Bruchetta — All transported with exceptional flavor.

Belgian Craft Beers are served in signature glassware and poured following Cicerone rules.

Historic Main Street is fairly short and we think The Globe is the best place on the street.

Our sampling was so good, we hope to go back for more.  The menu explores the globe stopping in a different country each month — We took in a pleasing glance of France.

Traveling The Globe is worth it — You’ll find nice people, BEER and varying high-quality food.

Nibbles of Tidbits adopts the Optimist’s View of the Mayan Calendar.

We plan to toast to it with an Oreo Cookie and a big glass of Milk (or we’ll be dead).

A friend recently drove through a Starbucks Drive-Thru and when she got to the window to pay, the employee told her that her Coffee had been paid for by the anonymous person in front of her.  She only remembers it was a lady.  The gesture made my friend’s day, an otherwise bad one in other ways.  It came at the right time and she’s still talking about it.  Now I’m going to do it!  And it doesn’t need to happen at a Starbucks — Any drive-thru will do, like El Pollo Loco, unless there are too many people in the car behind you, ha.  You decide.

I can’t stop going on-and-on about how thin and crispy Chili’s Tortilla Chips are, and mentioned it here once before.  Though we set out to taste and report about Chili’s $20 Dinner for 2, the Tortilla Chips were triangle-stars (again) amongst generously portioned, flavorful entrees and appetizer.  There’s something HB Strips and Cheese tasting about Chili’s Chips and Salsa, which may make sense to a local!?  Maybe it’s the frying Oil and/or the Salsa is similarly sweet.  Whatever it is, I LIKE IT.  Now onto our $20 Dinner for 2.  What a deal!

We previously tried Chili’s $35 Dinner, Drinks & Dessert for 2 — Some dishes are the same as those offered for the $20 Dinner for 2, and some are different.  The main differences are the Drinks and Dessert, and neither come with the $20 special.  It can’t be that great of a deal.

We’re completely impressed with the large serving sizes and taste of all.

We chose the Crispy Onion & Jalapeno Stack for an Appetizer and the Crispy Honey-Chipotle Chicken Crispers and Grilled Chicken Salad for Entrees — The MENU is here.

Lots of good Entrees to choose from — I like that, and our server Bobby at Chili’s Buena Park location, who was authentically nice and proficient.  A bag of Chips to-go well with 4 ripe Avocados awaiting purpose at home.  Guacamole with more thin, crispy Tortilla Chips, ole.