579058
Ultimate OC Restaurants, 2008
Wed Dec 10 13:24:28 -0800 2008
49
2
Los Angeles Area
0
4236447
We begin 2008's poll by cutting & pasting from kingkong5's thread of last year and adding maxzook's twist:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/467390 -- Ultimate OC Restaurants, 2007 Edition and
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/575758 -- PLEASE POST YOUR VOTES HERE: Ultimate Los Angeles Restaurants 2008, respectively.
The concept is simple: everyone is asked to list, in rank order, your top 10 restaurants in Orange County that you would recommend to houndly out-of-town visitors or to chowfriends for a special occasion. Since we worship at the altar of deliciousness, your ranking should be based 75% on food and 25% on everything else.
To join the fun, reply with a list of your top 10 choices; specifically, five restaurants in the OVER $25/person for food and another five restaurants for UNDER $25/person. Responses with more than five choices in a category will not be included; however, replies with fewer than five choices will be tabulated. Your entries will be weighted arithmetically: 5 points for your #1 choice; 4 for #2, and so forth. A simple list will suffice, but any & all explanation is welcome.
Over 20 OC hounds responded last year. The more replies we receive, the more useful are
the poll’s findings, so please reply. We’ll keep the polls open until December 31 & publish the results shortly after the new year.
The poll for 2006: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/350718.
And the 2006 results: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/356299
Unfortunately, 2007 results are lost in cyberspace.
Wed Dec 10 13:24:28 -0800 2008
12873
OCAnn
1
4236724
Thanks so much for starting this OCAnn. I don't know if it was the economic downturn this year, but I wasn't as wow'ed by my dining choices so much this year as I have been in years past. Perhaps fewer "special occasion" places opened up in OC this year, at least fewer keepers. Of course, sometimes my special occasion celebration is "because it's Tuesday" so your mileage may vary.
1. Tsuruhashi - given the price/value ratio, we really enjoy ourselves here.
2. Sushi Wasabi - still one of the better omakases in the area. I could live on those blue crab handrolls alone.
3. Newport Seafood - yes it is run down and dirty looking, but our family celebrates special occasions here for the great food - delicious house special lobster and other chinese/vietnamese dishes.
4. Siam Taste of Asia - what wonderful Thai food in this small, hidden hole-in-the-wall restaurant. The owner is super friendly and talkative, but the restaurant is usually empty. Great food though, esp. the beef salad and the fried seabass with tamarind sauce.
5. tbd
Wed Dec 10 14:37:04 -0800 2008
4236447
31764
kingkong5
2
4258744
Where is Siam Tatse of Asia?
I am looking for a good Thai restaurant in South County. I have tried tons and can't find anyone that does good Drunken Noodles
Thu Dec 18 22:28:29 -0800 2008
4236724
235202
oc.mamma
3
4258881
Siam, Taste of Asia, 3520 W First St., Santa Ana. This restaurant is CASH ONLY. Next door to Favori restaurant, it's on First Street between Fairview and Harbor. They do a very good drunken noodle, btw. We ordered some for catering to a potluck party, I think it was a half tray. It was gone so fast, everyone loved it.
Fri Dec 19 02:00:03 -0800 2008
4258744
31764
kingkong5
4
4261619
Great, Can't wait to try.
Sat Dec 20 06:50:50 -0800 2008
4258881
235202
oc.mamma
2
4259403
kk5: The OP was re-written so that there are two categories: <$25 and >$25. Care to resubmit your list?
Fri Dec 19 08:27:23 -0800 2008
4236724
12873
OCAnn
3
4259504
absolutely! Thanks OCAnn, I'll put it in before the deadline.
Fri Dec 19 09:00:29 -0800 2008
4259403
31764
kingkong5
2
4284099
OK always one to wait until the last minute, here are my revisions:
Over $25/pp
1. Tsuruhashi
2. Sushi Wasabi
3. Marche Moderne
4. Houston's
5. Napa Rose
<$25/pp
1. Newport Seafood
2. Siam Taste of Asia
3. Park Ave
4. Pho Thanh Lich
5. Bo 7 Mon Hong An
Tue Dec 30 16:07:31 -0800 2008
4236724
31764
kingkong5
1
4236824
Limiting my responses to places I've been to in 2008:
1) Napa Rose - Tasting menu w/ wine pairings easily the best meal of the year for me
2) Marche Moderne - food is always great; the cramped indoor tables not so enjoyable
3) Tsuruhashi - miso marinated cow tongue + grill = happiness
4) Old Vine Cafe - there's a special place in my heart for their Creamy Cheese Grits
5) Shin Sen Gumi - its recently replaced Kappo Honda as my go to izakaya
Wed Dec 10 15:09:30 -0800 2008
4236447
43864
I got nothin
2
4251682
Edited for over & under $25/person
Over $25/person:
1) Napa Rose
2) Marche Moderne
3) Tsuruhashi
4) Old Vine Cafe
5) The Cannery
Under $25/person:
1) Shin Sen Gumi
2) Taco Rosa (Although the Sunday brunch is over $25/person)
3) Francoli's
4) Tulsa Rib Co.
5) Banh Mi Cho Cu
Tue Dec 16 13:59:37 -0800 2008
4236824
43864
I got nothin
3
4260012
Napa rose is really really good. A little pricey but well worth it. and their wine selection is great!
Fri Dec 19 11:53:20 -0800 2008
4251682
246043
liltamby5
1
4237089
Glad to see you started this up again! The 2007 poll is here:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/467390
And go here if you want to vote for LA County restaurants:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/575758
Wed Dec 10 17:02:54 -0800 2008
4236447
85884
maxzook
2
4237096
Thank you. I have the 2007 poll, but not the 2007 results. I searched & searched and came up empty handed. Maybe you can do a better job of getting your hands on it....
Wed Dec 10 17:04:34 -0800 2008
4237089
12873
OCAnn
1
4237199
This is difficult. How about if we adopt the LA County over and under $25 format?
Wed Dec 10 17:40:21 -0800 2008
4236447
10883
JAB
2
4239006
Thank you. A revision of the OP is in the works w/the help of the CH mods.
Thu Dec 11 10:26:26 -0800 2008
4237199
12873
OCAnn
3
4240030
Over $25:
1. Marche Moderne. Far better than its wonderful reputation, and still getting better.
2. Onotria. Underrated but wonderful.
3. Old Vine Cafe. Just went recently, but this was love at first bite.
4. Koi. So good I don't care about other sushi rests.
5. none -- we've been going to Marche Moderne "too" much.
Under 25
1. Taco Rosa (Irvine location only).
2. Garduno's. [family italian in costa mesa)
3. Kamal Palace [Indian in Marina Pacifica; technically not OC, but its just one minute into LA].
4. Taco Mesa (Costa Mesa location)
5. Roma D'Italia (family Italian in Tustin)
Thu Dec 11 15:26:57 -0800 2008
4239006
117779
lawdog262
4
4283450
We revisited Old Vine after my original post. I'd know put Old Vine in second place and Onotria in third.
Tue Dec 30 12:25:33 -0800 2008
4240030
117779
lawdog262
1
4240093
Over:
1) Shin Sen Gumi
2) Tsuruhashi
3) Old Vine Cafe
4) Marche Moderne
5) Brussel's Bistro
Under:
1) Sabatino's
2) Habana
3) El Adobe de Capistrano - based on the lobster fajitas alone
4) Inka Mama's
5) Seafood Paradise - for Dim Sum
Thu Dec 11 15:51:43 -0800 2008
4236447
10883
JAB
1
4243996
Where are our OC hounds at? This will hardly convince the powers that be to give us our own board. Or, LA hounds who also eat in OC?
Sat Dec 13 09:22:38 -0800 2008
4236447
10883
JAB
2
4255912
Under 25$
1. Avanti Cafe on 17th- coconut tapioca on thursdays to die for-
2. Peking Chinese Restaurant (near little Saigon)
3. Regina's Argentinian- on Euclid
4. Plums
5. Molcajete on Bushard in Huntington Beach
I'm not sure why the text got all big, maybe it's just me that sees it big.
Thu Dec 18 00:25:42 -0800 2008
4243996
26512
meltedcheese
1
4244075
Over $25:
1. Marche Moderne - even better than the first year it opened.
2. Old Vine Cafe - the biggest little restaurant in OC
3. Anaheim White House - a personal fave; also authentic, real Italian
4. Tradition by Pascal - still a go-to place after all these years
5. Zipangu - underrated anti-mall Japanese gem
Under $25
1. Taco Mesa - a successful marriage of informal fast food and gourmet Mexican
2. Stonefire Grill - the BBQ sauce is addictive; they serve excellent sides with the ribs
3. Persian food counter @ Wholesome Choice - well worth the punishingly bad service
4. Brussels Bistro - moulles frites w/ beer is the best comfort food (under $25 w/o beer)
5. Veggie Grill - (Irvine) - reinventing the taste of healthy food
Sat Dec 13 10:08:21 -0800 2008
4236447
99199
OCKevin
2
4283457
Thanks for the intro to Old Vine. We went back two weeks ago, and it was even better than on our first trip there. Its going to make our rotation.
Tue Dec 30 12:26:39 -0800 2008
4244075
117779
lawdog262
1
4245635
Over $25/pp (sorry, still need to hit up more of these)
- Tsruhashi
- Taps
- Houston's
Under $25/pp
- Fukada
- Veggie Grill
- Thien Anh (7 courses of beef)
- Santouka
- El Farolito
Sun Dec 14 08:18:00 -0800 2008
4236447
63444
groover808
1
4248747
Hi OCAnn,
Thanks for taking the time to put this together.
Over $25 -
1. Shin Sen Gumi Robata Yakitori (*not* Ramen)
2. Marche Moderne
3. Maki Zushi
4. Old Vine Cafe
5. Shibucho
Under $25 -
1. Thai Nakorn
2. Darya (Lunch)
3. Kappo Hana
4. Tony's Little Italy
5. Vien Dong - Ultimate Egg Rolls (thanks Das! :)
Mon Dec 15 13:41:29 -0800 2008
4236447
113442
exilekiss
2
4252158
You're welcome, prego, denada or doitashimashite.
Tue Dec 16 16:41:05 -0800 2008
4248747
12873
OCAnn
1
4249747
Over $25:
Summit House
Shik Do Rak
Sorry, I haven't been to enough fine dining in OC
Under $25:
Angelo & Vinci in Fullerton
Thai BBQ off of Orangethorpe
Zankou Chicken
Honda Ya
Rutabegorz
Mon Dec 15 20:43:58 -0800 2008
4236447
240509
SmokeyDoke
1
4249837
Over:
1. Sapphire
2. Cafe Zoolu
3. Tabu Grill
4. Marche Moderne
5. Ikko
Under:
1. Taco Rosa
2. Taco Mesa
3. La Fogata
4. The Counter
5. Pizza Port
Mon Dec 15 21:53:07 -0800 2008
4236447
126766
LegallyBlonde
1
4251276
Over 25
Marche Moderne
Stonehill Tavern
Charlie Palmer's
A Restaurant
Napa Rose
Under 25:
Crow Bar
Old Vine Cafe
El Farolito
Fukada
Izakaya Wasa
Tue Dec 16 11:55:58 -0800 2008
4236447
19248
OCBites
1
4251571
Under $25
- Veggie Grill
- Santouka
- La Sirena Grill
- Taleo
- Basilicos
(on the borderline)
- Honda-Ya
- Shin-Sen-Gumi
Over $25
- Marche Moderne
- Maki Zushi
Tue Dec 16 13:21:30 -0800 2008
4236447
16627
Jigsaw
1
4255900
under 25
nori
santouka
over 25
marche moderne
shibucho
bluefin
maki zushi
charlie palmer
Thu Dec 18 00:08:00 -0800 2008
4236447
106840
jacknhedy
2
4256421
Please tell me what you liked about CP! We went once over the summer and found it bland.
Thu Dec 18 07:48:27 -0800 2008
4255900
117779
lawdog262
3
4257991
on second thought...let's make it bayside. i was sleepy.
cp was not bad, but we're not in a hurry to go back.
let;s put it this way - cp sd they could do some kind of a tasting for us, but we have requested florent at marche to do a special 7 or 8 course tasting menu for us tonight based on his Christmas and new year's eve menus since we're out of town. looking forward to it!
Thu Dec 18 16:11:44 -0800 2008
4256421
106840
jacknhedy
1
4258740
Under 25
1. La Sirena Grill
2. Original Thai BBQ (Fullerton)
3. Chinatown (UCI)
4. Thanh Restaurant (Vietnamese on Culver)
5. Sundried Tomato Cafe
Over $25
1. Gulfstream
2. Banderas
We've tried some other places, but can't recommend them
Thu Dec 18 22:27:19 -0800 2008
4236447
235202
oc.mamma
2
4261615
Forgot Cafe Zulu (in Laguna Beach) for over $25
Sat Dec 20 06:48:58 -0800 2008
4258740
235202
oc.mamma
2
4281968
Chinatown is no longer in business. It turned into some kind of drugstore a while back.
Mon Dec 29 21:37:53 -0800 2008
4258740
10246
choctastic
1
4258751
BTW, OCAnn, don't forget your own vote. (^_~)
Thu Dec 18 22:34:14 -0800 2008
4236447
113442
exilekiss
1
4259399
Okay, here are mine:
> $25
1. Napa Rose
2. Stonehill Tavern
3. Marche Moderne
4. Taps
5. Sushi Momo
< $25
1. Cafe Hiro
2. El Farolito
3. Cantina Lounge
4. Rutabegorz
5. In-N-Out
Fri Dec 19 08:26:15 -0800 2008
4236447
12873
OCAnn
2
4259591
>$25
Marche Moderne
Stonehill Tavern
French 75 - Laguna
Gemmell's
Nirvana Grill
<$25
Taco Loco
In n Out
Bon Jour Cafe
Bad 2 the Bone BBQ
Fri Dec 19 09:27:38 -0800 2008
4259399
10974
1000steps
3
4263004
>$25
Marche Moderne
Le Pescadou
Pascal
Black Sheep Bistro
<$25
In n Out
The Counter
Tulsa Rib Company
Tropika
Sat Dec 20 20:08:11 -0800 2008
4259591
102452
ausfrench
1
4280992
Just a couple days left folks....
Mon Dec 29 14:51:35 -0800 2008
4236447
12873
OCAnn
1
4281125
OVER $25:
1. Maki Zushi, Tustin
2. Mastro's, Costa Mesa
3. Marche Moderne, Costa Mesa
4. Napa Rose, Anaheim
5. Tradition by Pascal, Newport Beach
UNDER $25:
1. Vien Dong, Garden Grove
2. Xanh, Fountain Valley
3. Mariscos Puerto Esperanza, Orange
4. Thai Nakorn, Stanton (and soon in Garden Grove!)
5. El Taco Nazo, La Habra
Mon Dec 29 15:39:45 -0800 2008
4236447
10811
Das Ubergeek
1
4281205
Over $25:
Maki Zushi, Tustin (Omakase)
Black Sheep Bistro
Under $25:
Gabbi's, Orange
Ajisen Ramen, Irvine (in Diamond Jamboree, I'm addicted to the pork ribs ramen)
Zov's
Sushi 5, Tustin (I know it's on a conveyer belt, but I like it!)
Da Bianca Trattoria, Orange (in the hills, at the corner of Newport and Chapman)
Mon Dec 29 16:04:51 -0800 2008
4236447
55224
chazar
1
4281981
I currently eat a strict vegetarian diet, so I've been hanging out with the veggie crowd. Just in case you were wondering about the vegan heavy list. Also, I have no money these days, so haven't done anything over $25 this year, at least not in OC.
Under $25
1. Veggie Grill: badass vegan restaurant that actually serves something that tastes like food. Kudos.
2. Thuyen Vien: cheap vegetarian Vietnamese (mostly vegan but some of the mock meats have animal derivatives) The hands down best vegan pho I've had, and I've been going to every single place I hear about. Very like the real thing. A lot of other things are great too. Truly good brown rice, not that teeth-cracking junk that the hippies force down your throat.
3. Shikdorak, the new Irvine location: This is the best Shikdorak I've been to by far. I was just there with family. The banchan is decent, the food keeps coming, and they give you a little cone of frozen yogurt at the end of the meal. Nice! Was under $25 a person for us.
That's all for 2008.
Mon Dec 29 21:46:43 -0800 2008
4236447
10246
choctastic
1
4282931
My list, based on 2008 experiences:
>$25
1) Sushi Wasabi
2) Marche Moderne
3) Tradition by Pascal
4) Sapphire
5) Old VIne Cafe
<$25
1) Tulsa Rib Factory
2) Bangkok Taste
3) Cafe Hiro
4) Honda-Ya
5) The Counter
Tue Dec 30 09:31:09 -0800 2008
4236447
15180
kdoc
1
4284779
I really can't think of a top 5 for either...end of year brain overload! So a top three and a top four. I haven't been to many of the restaurants listed by others (time to make a list!)
>$25
Studio
Nirvana Grille
Marche Moderne
<$25
Brodard
Zankou Chicken
La Rana
Shin Sen Gumi
Interesting Tabu Grill received a 29 from Zagat (highest in So Cal) but only one person here mentioned it here being their favorite... I personally can't believe they'd receive a 29. Way too high...imo!
Tue Dec 30 21:36:16 -0800 2008
4236447
17067
junglekitte
1
4292218
It may be too late...but here are my favs, not in order:
Over $25
1. Marche Moderne (consistently wonderful, lunch or dinner)
2. Studio at the Montage (wonderful tasting menu for special occasion)
3. Mastro's Ocean Club (I think that is the name...Crystal Cove, not the other location--great Char)
4. Stonehill Tavern
5. Napa Rose (fun, consistent, good wine list)
Less formal, not necessarily under $25 but reasonable:
1. Javier's (mmmmm Mango Margaritas and camarones, Crystal Cove location)
2. Zov's Bistro (lunch, Tustin location)
3. Ramos House (but, sadly, not open for dinner)
4. Gabbi's (Orange Circle)
5. Felix (great Cuban food, Orange Circle)
Sat Jan 03 08:25:39 -0800 2009
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15364
gaa
1
4293215
Sorry foilks, I'm down w/a serious cold...I'll have the results up in a couple days....
Sat Jan 03 15:24:21 -0800 2009
4236447
12873
OCAnn
2
4294089
Take your time and feel better soon, Ann. We're not going anywhere :)
Sun Jan 04 00:03:34 -0800 2009
4293215
31764
kingkong5
1
4302422
Over $25:
1. Bayside
2. Old Vine
3. Sapphire
4. Restaurante Rumari
5. Pina's Bistro
I hope that I am not too late to give my two cents.
Under $25:
1. Veggie Grill
2. Thai del Mar
3. Alessa Italian (Newport)
4. El Chinaco
5. Cafe Panini (the one on PCH)
Tue Jan 06 18:15:37 -0800 2009
4236447
38498
food4life
1
4304950
Poll's now closed.
There were two submissions posted after the deadline; I've included those in the count.
Here are the results: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/585999
Wed Jan 07 12:57:07 -0800 2009
4236447
12873
OCAnn