How many of you tend to eat dinner out at the same few places? Whether the reason is because they’re convenient, or you just like them… you just do. We did this basically twice a week. Fratello’s or Outback, Soup Plantation and I Hop. We’re a family with young kids. With the insurance, I was ready for a change. My husband, David is your “meat & potato / chicken parmesan and lasagna guy”. Since April, if we got in the car and I didn’t have another restaurant on my lips that he liked (not Mexican or Chinese), he would say “I’m pulling over, and if you can’t think of a restaurant in the next 2 minutes, better than Fratello’s, we’re going to Fratello’s. His favorite saying is “Stick with what you know.” I’m total opposite when it comes to food. Pretty soon I learned my lesson and started researching different places to go. We started venturing out and found some really great places. David had to eat “crow” a few times. Especially when I found Tabu Grill. His favorite “fancy place ever”. If you know of any great places, please add them to the comment box. We still have more to try out, but so far, here’s my Favorites List:
DINNER
Sorrento Grille — Laguna Beach
Tabu Grill – Laguna Beach
Bistro K – Laguna Niguel
Houston’s - Irvine
Jizaki sushi – Laguna Niguel
Nick’s – San Clemente
Five Crowns - Corona Del Mar
Bistango - Irvine
St. Regis Resort – Monarch Beach
Riptide – Mission Viejo
Benihana - Irvine
P.F. Chang’s – Mission Viejo
Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. - Longbeach
Bronx Pizza – San Diego
Opah Restaurant & Bar – Laguna Hills
Avalon Grille – Avalon
Cedar Creek Inn – Laguna Hills
Thai Kitchen - Irvine
King’s Fish House– Laguna Hills
Sammy’s – San Diego
Mr. B’s Pizza Kitchen – San Juan
The Derby – Mission Viejo
Avila’s El Ranchito – Laguna Niguel & San Clemente
D.Z. Akins Restaurant – San Diego
The Lumberyard – Laguna Beach
The Vintage Steak House – San Juan
LUNCH & COFFEE
Fitt Meals To Go
Chipotle
Jersey Mike’s Subs
Surfin’ Souvlaki
Corner Bakery Café
The Neighborhood Cup
Sundried Tomato
Bruegger’s Bagels
Starbucks Coffee
ENGINEER PLANS
I’ll talk about the engineer revision next week since this restaurant review is kind of long.
NEXT POST
Check back next Monday for more restaurant stories and our kitchen remodel progression! Scroll down for the photos.
We go to the same places because we don't go out that often and we hate taking a risk to try a new place and then be disappointed. Going out is too darn expensive. Your pictures are fantastic!
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean by taking a risk on a new place. If you have a question about a specific place, I'll let you know what my family has tried and I'll be honest about if it's good or not. I have a lot more pictures; maybe even the restaurant you want to know about!
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteMy sister in-law went through the same ordeal with getting her house fixed after the plumbing burst. It took contractors 15 months before she could move back home and the work is still not completely finished.
Why does it take so long?
I love some of your foodie stories and your magic is awesome. He visits the St. Regis often.
Wow! Maybe she had a lot more water damage. We had the slab leak and slow leak with mold - no large amount of water. Insurance companies have a lot of other cases to deal with. Our restoration manager helped out too.
ReplyDeleteSometimes it's hard to schedule the subcontractors. It's very difficult to schedule the plumber. They're always out on emergencies. Our contractor is moving ahead on schedule, so it should be okay from now on.
I heard Magic lives across the street from St. Regis.