Good restaurants in the General Irvine Area |
|
|
|
|
Living with Parents
Total Posts: 75
Joined 2007-10-03
|
Speaking of that type of food in the Irvine area - what about Nice Time Deli? It’s nearby Ai-chung and that new Chef Chen’s. Usually full of people, but noticed lately it’s been empty.
Porkchop rice is pretty standard menu item. (Most of the times I share that plate and the owner(i think) always says, “that’s it?“) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
IAC Rental
Total Posts: 196
Joined 2007-02-27
|
A&J;, thousand year egg. ‘Nuff said. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Starter Home
Total Posts: 934
Joined 2007-01-08
|
anteaterscientist - 10 April 2008 08:31 AM Speaking of that type of food in the Irvine area - what about Nice Time Deli? It’s nearby Ai-chung and that new Chef Chen’s. Usually full of people, but noticed lately it’s been empty.
Porkchop rice is pretty standard menu item. (Most of the times I share that plate and the owner(i think) always says, “that’s it?“)
I’ve been eating their pork chop noodle for years. But lately the pork chop seems a bit… thin?
Was at the new Ranch 99 in Chino Hills the other day and saw a Nice Time Deli branch there..
=================
P.S. Daikokuya branch now open in Costa Mesa!
http://elmomonster.blogspot.com/ [ Edited: 10 April 2008 03:24 PM by momopi ]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
McMansion
Total Posts: 1350
Joined 2007-05-11
|
Not a restaurant, but if you like chocolates - Valentino’s in The District is awesome. Valentino’s flies in the chocolates in fresh from Belgium weekly, and they are very, very good.
Valentino is at 2829 Park Avenue, Tustin (near Whole Foods). Info: 714-258-0668 or http://www.valentinochocolatier.com/ [ Edited: 10 April 2008 03:59 PM by Anonymous ]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Living with Parents
Total Posts: 93
Joined 2008-04-09
|
Went to S.W. tonight and the Beef chow fun (crispy noodle) is really good.
I will have to try Nice Time Deli. For the amount of Chinese and Taiwanese, you’d think there would be more of a selection.
El Cholo Cantina has a pretty good chimichanga from what I recall. However, I never really felt the urge to return there. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Homeless Newbie
Total Posts: 10
Joined 2008-04-10
|
I was told by my hair stylist that both Ay-Chung and Nice Time Deli were owned by Koreans now. I don’t think Ay-Chung is tasty, and it is only barely resolve my home-missing feeling once in awhile. There are too much MSG in it. You need drink a lot of water afterwards. The owner is stingy and they charge you tips, while the original San Gabriel particularly says you don’t need to tip.
Nice Time Deli has too limited selections. For Taiwanese cuisin in Irvine, I only like A&J;, but still not the best. I am hoping the new Diamond plaza to open soon. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Condo
Total Posts: 349
Joined 2007-10-17
|
I went to La Sirena in Laguna Beach this weekend. I saw that they opened one in the Orchard Hills Village Center. I haven’t been to that one, but I love the one on Mermaid in Laguna. From looking online, it looks like the one in Irvine is bigger and nicer inside. Anyone been to both? Is the Irvine one just as good? |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Starter Home
Total Posts: 946
Joined 2008-03-05
|
T!m - 14 April 2008 11:53 AM I went to La Sirena in Laguna Beach this weekend. I saw that they opened one in the Orchard Hills Village Center. I haven’t been to that one, but I love the one on Mermaid in Laguna. From looking online, it looks like the one in Irvine is bigger and nicer inside. Anyone been to both? Is the Irvine one just as good?
Good call. La Sirena is a great local restaurant. The one on Mermaid is the original and it is very small—a counter inside for 3 people, and a couple tables scattered around outside. I can’t imagine the OH location could be smaller. But the food is delicious. There is also one in South Laguna, in the shopping center across from the Montage (give or take) that is bigger than Mermaid. I’ve never been to the one in OH. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
McMansion
Total Posts: 1026
Joined 2007-05-16
|
mimi - 10 April 2008 11:37 PM I was told by my hair stylist that both Ay-Chung and Nice Time Deli were owned by Koreans now. I don’t think Ay-Chung is tasty, and it is only barely resolve my home-missing feeling once in awhile. There are too much MSG in it. You need drink a lot of water afterwards. The owner is stingy and they charge you tips, while the original San Gabriel particularly says you don’t need to tip.
Nice Time Deli has too limited selections. For Taiwanese cuisin in Irvine, I only like A&J;, but still not the best. I am hoping the new Diamond plaza to open soon.
Ay-Chung is way overrated. When it first opened, the place was packed but now the place barely fill out on the weekends. Much like Ding Tai Fung. . .
A&J;is okay but the waitresses are not nice at all. Taiwanese cuisine is about familiarity and down home cooking. . the people at A&J;treat you as if they are doing you a favor when you order. . .not cool at all.
There are not that many good Taiwanese or even Chinese places in Irvine. . .San Gabriel Valley is where it is at. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Living with Parents
Total Posts: 96
Joined 2007-12-05
|
Shiny just mentioned the Greek place in the food court on Main in the comments from today’s blog entry.I can’t believe I forgot to list it in this thread. The name of the place is Greek Islands Cafe. This is in the food court on Main between Jamboree and MacArthur (the one with Baja Fresh).
I have eaten a lot of good Greek food, and this place is awesome. The best falafel and tahini sauce I have ever tasted. I know the owners, who have been there a long time. If you go at lunch, you’ll see it dominates the business in that food court. Always a line. Get a #2 with falafel and enjoy. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Homeless Newbie
Total Posts: 15
Joined 2008-02-10
|
Is there anything similar to the former Crazy Horse in the Spectrum in Irvine? You know with an 80’s disco day and stuff like that? |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Custom Estate
Total Posts: 2497
Joined 2007-01-10
|
T!m - 14 April 2008 11:53 AM I went to La Sirena in Laguna Beach this weekend. I saw that they opened one in the Orchard Hills Village Center. I haven’t been to that one, but I love the one on Mermaid in Laguna. From looking online, it looks like the one in Irvine is bigger and nicer inside. Anyone been to both? Is the Irvine one just as good?
We went over to La Sirena today. I can’t compare because I haven’t been to the others. We had considered and rejected it before because the “walk up to the counter to order and have your food delivered” was a too reminiscent of Carl’s Jr. and Pat & Oscars. Actually, the whole experience reminded me of Pat & Oscars, but with better food. Staff was reasonably friendly and helpful and the food was quite good. The portions were bigger than I expected, but not so large that you overstuffed yourself. The quality of the food is a big plus, and I appreciated the fact that they use Niman Ranch beef and pork (i.e., organic / humane products) over feedlot products.
The minuses? The partial self service and the “hard” decor. The interior is brick wall and uncovered cement flooring. When we arrived, there were some families there with their kids. Kids being kids, they were not using their “inside” voices, plus the banging of pots and pans from kitchen, and the lack of carpeting or other material to absorb the sound made for a noisy atmosphere.
I would go again for the food, but might get take out rather than sticking around. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
IAC Rental
Total Posts: 196
Joined 2007-02-27
|
Not sure if anyone mentioned California Fish Grill yet, off of Barranca and Culver. Its a quick serve restaurant that has several types of fish that are grilled, they have pretty nice sized portions, and the plates are under $10. They also have clam chowdah, calamari, fish tacos, etc. Great place to grab some grub. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Custom Estate
Total Posts: 2497
Joined 2007-01-10
|
This all came from another thread, but for posterity (and easy searching) I have reposted the info here.
From Caraway:
If you like Anjin KB_B, try TSURUHASHI’s off of Brookhurst, right next door to primeval pets. From Irvine 405 North, exit brookhurst west, it’s about a mile down. Some say it’s better than Anjin, definitely a little bit cheaper prices, but the interiors aren’t as nice, same quality food. Similar wait time.
From Momopi:
Tsuruhashi is actually next to Turner’s, the pet shop over to the right is Prehistoric Pets. The center also has one of the last remaining H. Salt Fish & Chips in the area, and a neat used book store tucked away in the corner.
IMO Manpuku in Costa Mesa is better than Anjin and Tsuruhashi for yakiniku. The best Japanese BBQ I’ve had in this area is Tamaen in Lomita. Gyu-kaku in Torrance is also OK but not the Huntington Beach location. Sansui Tei in Torrance at Rolling Hills Plaza is good if you’re willing to order washugyu beef ($$$). Look across the parking lot from Sansui Tei for a good traditional Japanese soba house.
Instead of Tsuruhashi, try one of the Korean BBQ places in Buena Park. Drive south of Knotts Berry Farm on Beach Blvd and look for a Ken Cranes, it’s about 1-2 blocks south of Beach & La Palma. Pull into the Ken Cranes parking lot and look for a Korean BBQ restaurant directly behind it. Do not order the 2 person combo (the marinated meat included isn’t very good). Order the individual meat selections on the menu instead. The ventilation system sucks but meat selection is good, plus the grill uses square wire-mesh style so the grease drips off. It’s a bit pricy here but meat quality is good.
If you don’t mind lesser quality meat, go north on Beach to Beach & Orangethrope, north of Knotts Berry Farm. Look for Aria restaurant, they have a good all you can eat BBQ special, plus their banchan (side dishes) are pretty decent.
If you like pork (oink oink) try Wako Honey Pig @ 7212 Orangethrope, Buena Park.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Starter Home
Total Posts: 991
Joined 2007-07-17
|
OMG!
Turner New Zealand closed!!! WTF? NOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How can this be? My head is going to explode. They had the best steak I have EVER eaten. It’s a very strange feeling to know you will never eat something as good as that again.
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
IAC Rental
Total Posts: 171
Joined 2008-03-05
|
I just had a great dinner at Onotria in Costa Mesa. It is a California/Italian restaurant that serves great wine and epicurean food. I get so tired of all the chain restaurants you find in Irvine, this place is different in a good way. We started with the “Wild Boar Prosciutto, thinly sliced, with Pecorino Tartufato Cheese & drizzled with Chestnut Honey-Balsamic Vinegar”—simple presentation but delicious. For our main course my wife ordered the foie gras with risotto & mushrooms and I went for the “Lamb Shank, slowly braised with Anise & Curry in Passito Wine Sauce over creamy Eggplant.“ Service was good and prices were moderate. I only drank a glass of wine but their bottle and 1/2 bottle selections seemed numerous. If you are a foodie I think you will like this place. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Condo
Total Posts: 288
Joined 2007-11-05
|
Not sure if it’s been mentioned previously, but places like Anjin and Gyu Kaku can be relatively pricey for Japanese BBQ.
A good place we like to go to Tsuruhashi in Westminster, off of Brookhurst. They have very good quality beef, and it isn’t as expensive as Anjin. And save room for Lychee Ice Cream.
Korean BBQ all you can eat, check out Cham Soot Gol in Garden Grove off of Garden Grove Boulevard. $16.99, stuff yourself silly. No Calbi though, but it doesn’t matter, everything will satisfy you all the same. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Starter Home
Total Posts: 934
Joined 2007-01-08
|
Shooby - 25 June 2008 02:40 PM Not sure if it’s been mentioned previously, but places like Anjin and Gyu Kaku can be relatively pricey for Japanese BBQ.
A good place we like to go to Tsuruhashi in Westminster, off of Brookhurst. They have very good quality beef, and it isn’t as expensive as Anjin. And save room for Lychee Ice Cream.
Korean BBQ all you can eat, check out Cham Soot Gol in Garden Grove off of Garden Grove Boulevard. $16.99, stuff yourself silly. No Calbi though, but it doesn’t matter, everything will satisfy you all the same.
Tsuruhashi is in Fountain Valley. On a scale of 1-5 I’d probably give them a 2.5 to 3. The manager there runs a very tight crew and sends the 2 waitresses down the isle in military precision. Food is OK but I felt like I was dining in a rushed fast food environment. If you happen to be in the area, I’d suggest Kappa Honda or Shinsengumi instead.
I don’t recommend Gyu-Kaku in Huntington Beach, the one in Torrance has better service.
For Japanese BBQ I’d recommend Tamaen in Lomita, San Sui Tei in Torrance, and Manpuku in Costa Mesa.
http://www.tamaen.com/
http://www.yamaya.us/sansuitei/
http://www.manpuku.us/
If you’re in Garden Grove, try Go Goo Ryeo for Korean BBQ—it’s not far from Cham Soot Gol.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/go-goo-ryeo-garden-grove
Go Goo Ryeo is in the back of a small shopping center, could be slightly difficult to find, just keep your eyes open. The place is more “classy” versus Cham Soot Gol is like a… cafeteria. That’s not to say Cham Soot Gol is bad in any way, fine choice and a great deal I’d say! [ Edited: 25 June 2008 03:20 PM by momopi ]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Living with Parents
Total Posts: 106
Joined 2007-04-07
|
Time has flown by so quick. I remember when this forum was a lot smaller. I started this thread a year ago and its nice to know that people are still contributing their favorite restaurants. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Starter Home
Total Posts: 934
Joined 2007-01-08
|
Thumbs up on California Fish Grill by Barranca and Culver.
The serving size and quality has increased since last year.
http://www.californiafishgrill.com/
Skip the fried stuff and order your fish grilled.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Homeless Newbie
Total Posts: 40
Joined 2008-06-26
|
IACRenter - 17 May 2008 10:01 PM I just had a great dinner at Onotria in Costa Mesa. It is a California/Italian restaurant that serves great wine and epicurean food. I get so tired of all the chain restaurants you find in Irvine, this place is different in a good way. We started with the “Wild Boar Prosciutto, thinly sliced, with Pecorino Tartufato Cheese & drizzled with Chestnut Honey-Balsamic Vinegar”—simple presentation but delicious. For our main course my wife ordered the foie gras with risotto & mushrooms and I went for the “Lamb Shank, slowly braised with Anise & Curry in Passito Wine Sauce over creamy Eggplant.“ Service was good and prices were moderate. I only drank a glass of wine but their bottle and 1/2 bottle selections seemed numerous. If you are a foodie I think you will like this place.
I’m going here this saturday…but I couldn’t find your wife’s main course on here :( I wonder if their menu changes often to match with the season. How did you guys like the food…is it as good as it looks?  |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Living with Parents
Total Posts: 145
Joined 2008-06-26
|
kawakonohirukun - 22 July 2008 06:01 PM IACRenter - 17 May 2008 10:01 PM I just had a great dinner at Onotria in Costa Mesa. It is a California/Italian restaurant that serves great wine and epicurean food. I get so tired of all the chain restaurants you find in Irvine, this place is different in a good way. We started with the “Wild Boar Prosciutto, thinly sliced, with Pecorino Tartufato Cheese & drizzled with Chestnut Honey-Balsamic Vinegar”—simple presentation but delicious. For our main course my wife ordered the foie gras with risotto & mushrooms and I went for the “Lamb Shank, slowly braised with Anise & Curry in Passito Wine Sauce over creamy Eggplant.“ Service was good and prices were moderate. I only drank a glass of wine but their bottle and 1/2 bottle selections seemed numerous. If you are a foodie I think you will like this place.
I’m going here this saturday…but I couldn’t find your wife’s main course on here :( I wonder if their menu changes often to match with the season. How did you guys like the food…is it as good as it looks?
Onotria is fabulous! I always order to many apps and can barely eat an entree, because I like to try different things. I haven’t ever found anything that I didn’t like. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Condo
Total Posts: 320
Joined 2007-12-03
|
I just wanted to post this info for somebody who asked a while ago about some good hole-in-the-wall Persian food places:
there is one I went a couple of times to, Charlie Kebob at the Irvine Spectrum’s food court. The food was really good, and the price-quality-size ratio was great. All entrees are around 10-13 bucks, so I really felt in this kind of economy places like this one would be ever-so-popular. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Homeless Newbie
Total Posts: 16
Joined 2008-06-02
|
BMP 309 - 22 July 2008 07:00 PM kawakonohirukun - 22 July 2008 06:01 PM IACRenter - 17 May 2008 10:01 PM I just had a great dinner at Onotria in Costa Mesa. It is a California/Italian restaurant that serves great wine and epicurean food. I get so tired of all the chain restaurants you find in Irvine, this place is different in a good way. We started with the “Wild Boar Prosciutto, thinly sliced, with Pecorino Tartufato Cheese & drizzled with Chestnut Honey-Balsamic Vinegar”—simple presentation but delicious. For our main course my wife ordered the foie gras with risotto & mushrooms and I went for the “Lamb Shank, slowly braised with Anise & Curry in Passito Wine Sauce over creamy Eggplant.“ Service was good and prices were moderate. I only drank a glass of wine but their bottle and 1/2 bottle selections seemed numerous. If you are a foodie I think you will like this place.
I’m going here this saturday…but I couldn’t find your wife’s main course on here :( I wonder if their menu changes often to match with the season. How did you guys like the food…is it as good as it looks?
Onotria is fabulous! I always order to many apps and can barely eat an entree, because I like to try different things. I haven’t ever found anything that I didn’t like.
Do they have good risotto? Haven’t had good risotto since I last went to Pasadena. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Condo
Total Posts: 308
Joined 2007-07-23
|
T!m - 14 April 2008 11:53 AM I went to La Sirena in Laguna Beach this weekend. I saw that they opened one in the Orchard Hills Village Center. I haven’t been to that one, but I love the one on Mermaid in Laguna. From looking online, it looks like the one in Irvine is bigger and nicer inside. Anyone been to both? Is the Irvine one just as good?
La Sirena in OH is excellent. The carnitas nachos are great, and their guacamole is great too. This is the first La Sirena I’ve tried. |
|
|
|
|
