orangecounty Archives - Brad A. Johnson

OC’s Best Places to Eat 2020

The Orange County Register has begun rolling out the sixth edition of my guide to the Best Places to Eat. The previous five iterations have served as an annual scavenger hunt in the form of a bucket-list ranking of the 75 best restaurants in OC. But it looks a bit different this year because 2020 changed the way we eat. So this year we offer a guide to dining in the pandemic.

Dish of the Week: Kohada from Sushi Ii, Newport Beach

It is often said that sushi chefs judge each other by their kohada, or gizzard shad. And the kohada at Sushi Ii in Newport Beach is surely the envy of sushi chefs everywhere.

Dish of the Week: Cacio e Pepe at Oliver’s Osteria, Laguna Beach

The cacio e pepe at Oliver's Osteria in Laguna Beach is available for takeout during the pandemic. Stay safe out there!

Review: Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel

Since opening in 2001, Disney's Grand Californian Hotel has widely been considered not just the nicest hotel at Disneyland but also the best hotel in all of Anaheim. But is it? Here’s the hard truth.

Dish of the Week: Bistec Encebollado at Isla, La Palma

Southern California has never had a shortage of Cuban restaurants, but we've never had a truly great Cuban restaurant, either. And, yes, I know the ones you're thinking of right now — and they're not as good as you think they are. Want proof? Go to the new Isla in La Palma.

Taco Tuesday: La Super Birria, Santa Ana

Give it a minute. Blowing on it doesn’t help. The consommé at La Súper Birria is served so hot it could melt paint off of an airplane engine. Let it…

Dish of the Week: Laksa at Uncle Fung, Buena Park

The laksa at Uncle Fung in Buena Park is legit. They make their own egg noodles, or mee, and the broth is rich and creamy, a mildly spicy curry thickened with coconut cream.

Review: Hotel Joaquin, Laguna Beach

The 22-room Hotel Joaquin is probably the best bargain in Laguna Beach, and certainly one of the hippest hotels in town with literally zero attitude. It’s not directly on the beach, but it’s just a three-minute walk down the hill.

Dish of the Week: Oxtail pho at Pho 101

This is the best oxtail pho in Orange County. Period. Well, actually, there is one other that's exactly the same...

Dish of the Week: Torta at Playa Mesa, Costa Mesa

When the waitress sets it on the table with a thud, I immediately assure myself that I’m not crazy enough to eat this entire sandwich. I’ll just eat half of it, at which point I will assert self control. Somewhere along the way my plan goes awry...

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