OC - What's good in Huntington Beach?

[Joani Macaroni]

Any good dinner places in HB other than the chains? Some place with easy parking? Dinner range up to $25 per person. Inland fine - doesn't need to be near the beach. Attending another event at 8 p.m. so prompt service is important.

[kerryhb]

We ate at the recently reopened Vittorio's on Warner at Springdale tonight. We loved it...food and service were terrific. Decor is old school but has been refreshed. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Sadly, it was pretty empty...hope they can overcome prior troubles and rebuild their business.

[Das Ubergeek]

Well, it's probably too late now, but I love me some Cucina Alessa at 6th and Main, and I've had good meals at Flight Bistro (which has gone to the weird "look, we're trying to be Susan Feniger" global small-plates thing).

[JAB]

Zimzala looks interesting but, I haven't made it there yet.

http://www.restaurantzimzala.com/

[Joani Macaroni]

Wish we had tried it during the OC restaurant (pre fixe) week event! The menu sounds fabulous but out of our $25 price range for a complete dinner (side dish of soup - $9?! - must be wonderful! Looks like it will be closer to $50 per person w/ tax & tip). We'll wait for a more special occasion . . . Let us know when you try it!

[groover808]

My review during OC Restaurant Week of Zimzala http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/6897...

I've heard good things about 25 Degrees, designer burgers. Then you can walk over and get the to die for ganache dessert at Zimzala. That should be around $50 for 2.

[georgempavlov]

Zimzala is actually very good. I've only eaten lunch there, twice, but it was way better than I expected.

[Wonginator]

Good Italian at Mangia Mangia.

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Mangia-Mangia
16079 Goldenwest St, Huntington Beach, CA 92647

[Tapeworm]

Silk Thai is relatively good for the HB area.

Technically in Westminster, I know a few people who like Jaqu's on Beach Boulevard.
http://www.jaqus.com

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Silk Thai Cuisine
19690 Beach Blvd, Huntington Beach, CA 92648

[janetms383]

I must be the only person in the area that doesn't really care for Silk Thai all that much.........

[Tapeworm]

If I'm staying within the confines of HB for Thai food, I'd go to Silk Thai for sit down table service and Thai Pepper for takeout.

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Thai Pepper
18023 Beach Blvd, Huntington Beach, CA 92648

[janetms383]

now I'm with you on Thai Pepper. The Best Pad Se Ew!!! Ever

[OC Mutt]

Agree on Silk Thai - excellent.

25 Degrees downtown HB has the best burger and onion rings I've ever had, but at a price. Not the money, but the worst, most dimwitted service I've ever had ANYWHERE - they make the three stooges look like Rhodes scholars. Go at your own risk, the burgers are spectacular and addicting, but the atmosphere, though the room itself is nice, is incredibly unpleasant - littered with children running around like wild animals combined with all sorts of gross often drunk people strewn all over the place. It resembles what I imagine would be the waiting room at a prison on visitors day.

Finally, if you want good greasy, large portion, combo-plate style Mexican (not everything HAS to be haute cuisine hounds!), Mario's is very good at that genre (there are two of them I think but the one I went to was in Loehman's Plaza on Beach and Main). Their super nachos are awesome, topped with a mountain of cheese and guacamole, and pretty much everything is quite good - large portions too.

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25 Degrees
412 Walnut Ave, Huntington Beach, CA 92648

[Joani Macaroni]

The burgers sound great - perhaps we'll try them sometime, but you lost me when you mentioned kids running around. Definitely a deterent, along with the drunks. To me there's a big difference between "dining" and eating. We all have to eat. But when you get to a certain point in life, you want to DINE when you go out (especially if you work at an elementary school - which I do - and get my "fill" of kids running, screaming and yelling at recess!) and enjoy CONVERSATION with adults! (I'm capitalizing for emphasis, not "yelling!"). Well, some of us do, anyway.

Haven't been to Mario's in quite a while. I think there are 3 or 4 locations in the area, one of the originals is off Springdale. They used to make really good crab enchiladas. We've been to the location you mentioned too. The food is pretty good and that location has a lot of room for big groups. Which usually means lots of kids . . .
Thanks for the suggestions. Too bad restaurants can't have a family side and an adults only area . .

[OC Mutt]

agree on the crab enchilada - it's awesome. Also agree on the adults only section in all restaurants but sadly it will never happen.

[Tracicat]

25 Degrees is amazing. We've been there several times, morning, afternoon and evening and haven't experienced any ruckus. But it is HB and that's kind of what you would expect. And not that it never happens, but I've never ever seen kids running around. Try the tempura green beans and the sweet potato fries (there is a vast array of dipping sauces, I suggest chipotle or the dill sauce) Perhaps explain right away that you have a timeline. The waitresses are a bit scattered but they are all very nice. I'm sure there are tons of good eats inland, but there's something romantic about eating at the beach. This is your best bet, IMHO. Don't forget the milkshake for dessert! The salty caramel one rocks!

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25 Degrees
412 Walnut Ave, Huntington Beach, CA 92648

[OCAnn]

ITA re 25 Degrees: great burgers terrible service. However, when we went, there were no kids, but the lights were turned down so low that I had a hard time seeing what I was eating!

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25 Degrees
412 Walnut Ave, Huntington Beach, CA 92648