Nibbles of Tidbits, a Food Blog

Quiznos Sammies are mini Sandwiches on Flat Bread.  There’s not much Meat nor anything else, but the Bread and Sauces make ’em pretty tasty.  I especially liked the Chipotle Mayo on the Sonoma Turkey (below) and Basil Pesto on the Italiano (above).

Quiznos currently offers 7 different Sammies at $1.99 each.  There are a couple others I’d like to try — Overall, Sammies seem like a girl’s (or kid’s) menu item.  I don’t see many guys being satisfied with these two for lunch.  And it’s a little embarrassing ordering a Sammie.

Quiznos DIRECT: http://www.quiznos.com/subsandwiches/

There’s less than two hours left to receive a FREE SCOOP of Ice Cream from your local Ben & Jerry’s Store — But luckily ALL Coasters can get a $0.31 Scoop of Ice Cream from Baskin Robbins on April 29, 2009 to honor America’s Firefighters.  More information about both deals is linked below.

http://www.benjerry.com/scoop-shops/feature/free-cone-day/

http://www.baskinrobbins.com/spotlight/31CentScoopNight.aspx

Nibbles of Tidbits is currently in love with Häagen Dazs FIVE (Passion Fruit) — Hopefully that’s the next SCOOP. 🙂

Häagen Dazs FIVE: http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=3670

For the locals, Orange County’s 1st Happy Hour Week is happening NOW until April 18, 2009.  After reading a few of the participant’s menus, we excitedly chose Bayside Restaurant.  The TAPAS they’re offering are fantastic.  It’s hard to decide what to get, because all 16 of them sound amazing.  I wish I had time to go back before the deal ends — Right now all Tapas are $5.95 (each).

From top to bottom, we shared the Smoked Scottish Salmon, with a Warm Blini, Lemon Aioli, Capers, Dill and Onion — Grilled Lamb Chops with Potato Puree and Mustard Sauce.

Bresaola (Air Dried Beef) Carpaccio with Arugula and Parmesan — And Medallion of Venison with D’Anjou (Pear) and Spiced Red Wine Sauce.  WOW, we highly recommend the Venison.  It’s so tender and flavorful.

As you can see, it’s high quality food for less than $6 — Carl’s $6 Burger PA-LEEZ give me a break.  Can someone out there PLEEEZ serve this through a Drive-Thru?

More about OC Happy Hour Week:
http://www.happyhourweek.com/

Bayside Restaurant: http://www.bistango.com/bayside.shtml

This Office Bake Sale raised $570  in a little over an hour — Not a bad wage.  All proceeds of the sale will be going to local charities.  Bake Sales are an excellent way to raise money.  It’s a WIN-WIN.  And they are extra yummy if you have good Bakers in your office.

This post includes just a sampling of the Baked Goods — In addition to what is shown HERE, there were several Pies, White Chocolate Fudge, Biscotti, Chocolate Dipped Rice Krispie Treats, Homemade Shortbread Cookies, Pumpkin Bars, Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting, Chocolate Dipped Oreo Cookies and much more. 

My small contribution was this Orange Bundt Cake with an Orange Glaze (below).  It’s a White Cake doctored up with Orange Juice, Orange Peel and Powdered Sugar.  It was designated to sell whole for $5 — I hope its purchaser liked it.  I liked what I bought.

See More Bake Sale Tips HERE:
http://baking.about.com/cs/hintsandtips/a/bakesales.htm

Could you eat on $7 a Day for a Week?  That’s Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, and there’s no accepting free food, no eating what you already have, and the meals should be somewhat healthy.  Many will be doing that April 20-24, 2009 during the United Way’s Hunger Action Week. 

What an interesting challenge — I would probably learn a lot.  If I didn’t already have longstanding lunch and dinner plans next week, I’d do it too.  It appears $7 is the maximum food stamp benefit for an individual.  I’ll make myself take the challenge another week or the economy may force it upon me.  Until then, I’ll be following the food blog reports, especially the posts by Savory Sweet Life.  

United Way Hunger Challenge: http://savorysweetlife.com/?p=205

Getting Started with a Grocery Diary: http://savorysweetlife.com/

My favorite isn’t The Works Plate, which is pictured here.  The most satisfying combination and best value for me at The Flame Broiler Restaurant is the “Chicken Veggie Bowl” with all White Meat*, easy Rice, Green Onions and 2 small containers of Magic Sauce.  All together it makes up a yummy well rounded lunch or dinner.  It’s the usual, but wanted to try their Beef, and a Plate in lieu of a Bowl.  Plates are roughly $2 more than its Bowl counterpart.

After this visit I learned it’s unnecessary to order a Plate, since the Salad it comes with is minimal and gets warm next to everything else (not a fan of that), and the other difference between a Plate and Bowl is the addition of a half Orange — HOWEVER, the Plate appears to have more meat (exact % unknown), which I’m sure appeals to many.  A fair portion of meat is served with the Bowls and Plates.  After more testing, I’ll be sticken with the White Meat Chicken while still kickin’, and I ain’t dk’in — That’s inappropriate I know, but so, got to go.  Ciao.

* There’s an extra charge for all White Meat Chicken. 🙁

Related Links:

http://www.flamebroilerusa.com/

http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=1528

I’ve come to love this restaurant — Tradition by Pascal in Newport Beach serves spectacular food and offers excellent friendly service.

This day we had the Lunch Prix Fixe Menu, which is a great deal.  It includes a choice of four Entrées — Three are pictured here.  Starting from the top on down are Pascal’s Baked Chicken Crêpes with Gruyere, Rainbow Trout with Steamed Organic Fingerling Potatoes and Caper Meuniére, and My Mother Therese Homestyle Cooking, which is Veal, Broccoli Rabe and Fettuccine.

The Lunch Prix Fixe Menu also includes one of three Starters.  We chose the Homemade Pâté and Soupe Du Jour, which was a Puréed Vegetable Soup without Cream.

We were celebrating a Birthday, so they customized one of the Desserts with a candle.  This day it was Flan.  We added a Lemon Tart for a little more sweetness.  A Chef’s Choice Dessert or Glass of House Wine is part of the Lunch Prix Fixe Menu ($22) — I like the Wine/Dessert swap because I don’t always want Dessert, and it’s an extra savings on a sought after beverage.

Here’s a link to Tradition by Pascal and MORE: http://pascalnpb.com/

Pascal Epicerie Food Photos

Happy Birthday Arlene and Thank You Very Much Shanda.  The food and company are always GREAT!

Today at the Bloomingdale’s Cooking Demonstration, Executive Chef Owner Cathy Pavlos of Lucca Cafe announced that Orange County Restaurant Week has been extended for another week.  That’s great news!  There’s more time to enjoy the prix-fixe meals being offered at several OC Restaurants.  Pictured here is the Braciole al Forno we had for dinner at Il Farro Caffe Trattoria.  More about our visit will be reported in an upcoming post.

MORE INFO: http://www.orangecountyrestaurantweek.com/

BK Burger Shots from Burger King aren’t those cute little Sliders we’re all liking these days, but instead it’s just one giant perforated Burger, HA.  We tried a 6 Pack of Burger Shots and had to pull them apart to get one.  You can tell these were made quickly.  They taste just like a Whopper, but without the Lettuce and Tomato I’d prefer to have.  This was $4.09 — I’d rather have a Whopper for a buck.  Since Burger King’s website is a bit confusing and time consuming, only one related page is linked below.

Burger King: http://www.bk.com/#menu=2,91,-1

I got all of this at Ikea’s Restaurant & Cafe for $3.99 — It’s Penne Pasta with a combination of Marinara & Alfredo Sauce, Vegetables, Garlic Toast and a Salad.  That’s less than you’d pay at a fast food joint, and a lot more food.  As previously reported, the environment is relaxing and its cafeteria style ordering is fun. 

HOWEVER, although this looks good, it’s kinda bland.  I liked the Garlic Toast and the Salad Bar, but their Ranch Dressing has that tart taste I avoid in some.  Overall, for the price I’d doctor it up with Salt, Pepper, and the Parmesan Cheese they offer with it.  And I’d try a different Salad Dressing.

Ikea’s Salmon: http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=2199

Ikea’s Meatballs: http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=1743

The Cheesecake Factory now offers a low priced “Small Plates & Snacks” Menu.  It’s currently in paper form and separate from their laminated menu-magazine.  The Small Plates Menu presents several unique and tasty food choices under $5.   We’ve only had the Fried Artichoke Hearts (pictured above) for $3.95.  That’s a pretty good deal, so I look forward to trying more options.  The prices make it possible — They’re great for the quality the Cheesecake Factory seems to maintain.  Also pictured is the Grilled Chicken Tostada Salad, one of the CF’s Salads that come in full portion only.  It’s a perfect Salad for two, since it’s served on two separate Tostada Shells.  It’s obviously not on the Small Plates Menu, but we shared it this day.

We’ve reviewed other Cheesecake Factory dishes and LOVE their Taquitos and many other items.

Mesa Grill & Barbeque is on 17th Street where Baja Fresh used to be.  I just learned there’s two, this one in Costa Mesa and one in Santa Ana.  I recently received their menu and generous coupons in the mail, which gave me a great reason to give them a try.  I got all this food for $13.47, 50% off its regular price of $25.  Either price, it appears to be a good deal.

It’s the Mesa Platter for 2, which includes Half a Chicken, BBQ Baby Back Ribs, Tri-tip, Pulled Pork, Mesa Chicken Wings, Rosemary Potatoes, Tri-tip Beans, Corn on the Cob with Mesa Butter, Garden Salads, Cornbread, and a Spicy Cheese Fondue with Homemade Potato Chips.

Mesa Grill & Barbeque did good by distributing its menu and deals.  Unfortunately I hadn’t seen too many people eating there, but this night they had quite a few.  And I now know that the food and service is definitely worth a re-visit.  I especially liked the Tri-tip, Pulled Pork, Corn on the Cob, and Spicy Cheese Fondue with crispy Potato Chips.

Related Links:

http://www.mesagrillbbq.com/

http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=1269

UPDATE 08/01/09:  It unfortunately appears that this restaurant closed.

Newport Beach Restaurant Week 2009 starts Sunday, January 18th and goes through Thursday, January 22nd.  It’s a good time to try top-notch restaurants at a great price.  Several restaurants throughout Newport Beach, Corona Del Mar, and Balboa Island, Peninsula and Village offer gourmet prix-fixe menus for lunch and dinner.  A couple of us are starting at Tommy Bahama’s Island Grille tomorrow for the 3 course $20 lunch.  The menu looks fantastic — I know one of us will have to try the Lobster Cove Grilled Cheese, Maine Lobster with Four Cheeses, served with “From Scratch” Heirloom Tomato Soup.

See 2009 participating restaurants and menus HERE: http://newportbeachdining.com/restaurantweek/2009participating.asp

2007 Restaurant Week Review – A condensed version of this article was published in The Current Newspaper on February 9, 2007 – http://www.ineedtext.com/Review%20-%20NB%20Restaurant%20Week%202007.pdf

Where’s my extra CHEESE Del Taco?  That’s what a few of us want to know.  Del Taco charges $0.39 for extra Cheese on their regular $0.59 Taco.  The cost of extra Cheese is more than half the price of the Taco.  And since we pay that much for the extra Cheese, WE WANT IT.  We’re not just interested in paying more for the Taco.  Can you PLEASE start giving us what we paid for?  Corporate needs to communicate this to all restaurants — ADD THE EXTRA CHEESE when a customer requests and pays for it!

Related Link:  http://www.deltaco.com/

The service at The Golden Truffle Restaurant was superb.  We enjoyed the prix fixe New Years Eve Menu.  The food offerings were progressive and broad, which I like.  And the $68 price for four sophisticated courses wasn’t bad.  We enjoyed our food and wine on the outdoor patio under the overhead heater.

Respectively pictured are just a few of our picks — The Cream of Maui Onion Soup, the Tempura Chicken and Avocado Hand Roll with Fresh Wasabi, the Pit Smoked Prime Cowboy Cut Brisket with Whipped Potatoes and Horseradish Jus, the Black Truffle Sauteed Breast of Jidori Chicken with Beaujolais and Mushrooms, the Lavender and Wild Honey Creme Brulee, and the Bitter Chocolate Pot De Creme with Crushed Berries.

The Sauce on the Jidori Chicken and the Brisket were both outstanding.  We hoped for more Black Truffle flavor on the Chicken and more Lavender in the Creme Brulee, but their preparation was perfectly executed.  Overall it was a great experience with well timed and friendly service.  I’d go back for that.  Although it’s a restaurant, The Golden Truffle’s main business is catering.  Long ago they figured they might as well set up a store front too.

Related Links:

http://www.goldentruffle.com/

http://www.jidorichicken.com/

http://www.answers.com/topic/prix-fixe

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuber_(genus)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I’m saving $3 a Cupcake.  The trick is to make them, so I created My Own Cupcake Shoppe.  I’ve tried to make mine better than those previously reported on Nibbles of Tidbits.  Some Cupcakes are better than I’ve purchased, but none as good as the best.  I’m still striving towards that. 

I made all Cupcakes pictured and will post the step by step process when advised that it’s not being published elsewhere.  That’s currently unknown.  Until then, enjoy the concept.  It was fun making them.  Better pictures to be provided in a future post.

So far I’ve made the following flavors:  Orange, Lemon, Lime, Raspberry, Pineapple Coconut, Carrot Pecan, Snickerdoodle, Marble, Bailey’s Irish Cream, White and Milk Chocolate Chips, and Chocolate Mint.

Related Links:

http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=187

http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=12

http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=808

http://www.ineedtext.com/index_files/Page2246.htm

Since today’s topic on my political blog ‘Politics is Not a Sport’ relates to food, I posted a link here.  The picture is just for aesthetics and relates to a future post about homemade Cupcakes.

http://usacopywriter.wordpress.com/2008/08/04/youre-my-politician-not-my-parent/

Since several Cupcake Bakeries have popped up around town, I decided to conduct a taste comparison of the 3 closest to me — Dolcissiomo, Suzie Cakes and Mrs. Beasley.  I tried a small variety from each. 

(1)  Dolcissiomo Cupcakes were my overall favorite.  I’ve tried almost all the Cupcakes there.  They offer a lot of great flavors and look aesthetically best. http://www.dolcissimobakeshop.com/

Lemon Blueberry

Orange Dreamsicle & Coconut Snowball

Tiramisu & Lemonade

(2)  Suzie Cakes Cupcakes were very moist and appeared to have a filling, at least the two I tried did.  You can see it in the pictures.  http://www.susiecakesla.com/

Lemon and Vanilla

(3)  Mrs. Beasley’s Cupcakes have the most frosting by far, so if you’re into that, they’re definitely the Cupcakes for you. http://www.mrsbeasleys.com/Cupcakes.cfm

Orange and Mini Blueberry

The Grand Prize flavor winner was Dolcissiomo’s Orange Dreamsicle.  It may be the best Orange flavored Cake I’ve ever had.  I’m trying to confirm that opinion, but it’s only sold on Tuesdays.  I’ll report about more locations as I try them.

(POST UPDATE 08/20/08: It appears that Dolcissimo Cupcakes just moved or closed. This post will be further updated when that information is known)

Here’s a Cupcake Challenge on Food Frenzy:

http://foodfrenzy.freedomblogging.com/2008/05/28/oc-cupcake-challenge-the-results/#more-1140

Cupcake Blogs:

http://cupcakestakethecake.blogspot.com/2008/03/five-sweets-bakery-costa-mesa.html

http://ooolala-cupcakes.blogspot.com/

My Cupcake Pics – The Story Told Later:

http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=12

The grocery store Rotisserie Chickens used to be a better deal.  This one was $6.99, tiny and too salty.  The larger cooked Chickens were $10.99 today.  I’m glad I have a Rotisserie for next time.  Look for something else, if you can — Although, sadly most food prices are up. 🙁

Related Links:

http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=126

http://www.popeilfamilystore.com/rotisseries.html?gclid=CIHc-9L5_pMCFSgtagodgisqVw