brunch

Munchin’ and Brunchin’ at Taco Maria

March 29, 2015March 24, 2015Leave a comment

This will be the first time I cover a restaurant twice, but before you get upset, I promise it’s beyond worth the second post! I have been dying to try their weekend brunch Prix Fixe menu for quite some time, and I finally got the chance!

*Disclaimer: I was able to try multiple options from each course because I dined with other people that chose different dishes. I HIGHLY recommend doing this, so you can try everything because it is all impeccable!*

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For the first course, you have a choice of Yogurt & Fruit OR Molletes. I already know what you’re thinking… Why would you choose Yogurt Mousse, Granola, and Guava over Molletes with Beans, Queso Fresco, Salsa Tatemada, and Huitlacoche Butter? The answer? Because it’s equally delicious. Seriously. This yogurt terrarium kicks ass. As for the Molletes, you MUST cover them in the salsa and butter that it’s served with. MUST.

Similar to the first course, the second course might not seem like a hard decision, but again, they are both equally nom-worthy. The Oatmeal is served with Vanilla Butter and Ember Strawberries. It has the best consistency and flavor without being too sweet with the strawberries. The Blood Orange Pancakes served with Ricotta and Thyme Maple Syrup are straight out of a dream. The small stack of two is the perfect portion, leaving you wanting just one more bite.

Both dishes in the third course come with an egg on top, so obviously there isn’t a wrong choice here. The Chilaquiles come with Crispy Tortillas, Chile Cascabel, Queso Cotija, and a Fried Egg with your choice of meat; in our case, we chose Ribeye. This dish also made my Top 10 Favorite #PutAnEggOnIt dishes! The Huevos Pescador was a decadent take on the traditional Eggs Benedict, which is a brunch fav of mine. It was covered in Dungeness Crab and Shellfish Hollandaise on top of Toasted Brioche and topped with a Poached Egg.

If you don’t make your reservations now, you’re crazy and clearly allergic to all food. This spot is perfect for a brunch date, Sunday with the girls, impressing the in-laws, or basically any Saturday or Sunday with anyone.

For more information, visit http://www.tacomaria.com/.

If you insist on staying close minded and only eating tacos from a place called Taco Maria, read my Taco Tuesday post here: http://eatdrinklovejenna.com/2014/09/16/tacomaria/

Sundays at The Starling Diner

August 3, 2014January 5, 2015Leave a comment

BREAKING NEWS: I found my new favorite Sunday brunch joint, and it was right in my backyard. The Starling Diner is in the middle of a neighborhood on 3rd Street in Long Beach, CA and has been around since 2007. Breakfast is definitely my favorite meal and The Starling Diner has plenty of options for everyone. When you walk in, you immediately feel as if you are dining in someone’s home. Between the size, decor, and service, you feel very comfortable right off the bat.
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I love their mimosas. It takes a very good alternative beverage for me to forgo coffee during breakfast, but their mimosas are not only beautiful, but also quite delicious. My favorite so far is the pear mimosa with lavender garnish.
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Their Breakfast Bruschetta is the perfect place to start. It is broiled baguette slices slathered with creamy mascarpone and topped with fresh berries. The first time I ordered it, I was pleasantly surprised to see honey on each slice of baguette which wasn’t in the description on the menu. It was the perfect natural sweetener to an already decadent dish. Similar to the mimosa and every other dish that I have had so far, everything is beautiful and delicious.
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Speaking of sweet, the Broiled San Francisco Stuffed Toast is my favorite ‘dessert for breakfast’ item on the menu. They broil the French toast and stuff it with creamy mascarpone and creme fraiche and top it with various fruits including berries, peaches, caramelized apples, and other seasonal specials.
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For savory, I chose the Blue Crab Cake Scramble upon a recommendation from a friend. He did not lead me astray. The blue crab cakes were the perfect consistency and went very well with the fluffy scrambled eggs. If you are an adventurous bruncher, I would definitely recommend this one.

The story behind The Starling Diner is quite an interesting one. The owner opened her first cafe in San Francisco in 1995 after graduating from Rutgers Law. Reverie Cafe was her first successful venture, and although she has since sold it, I couldn’t be happier that she decided to open her third venture, The Starling Diner, so close to my home. The Starling Diner has been around for 7 years and I hope that it stays open for 70 more! Be sure to check out their sister cafe, La Galette Creperie, if you are ever in San Clemente.
If you ever would like to meet me in person, chances are I am here drinking a mimosa or dirty chai latte on Sunday mornings! Also, they are open for dinner Thursday-Saturday from 5PM-9PM which I can’t wait to check out sometime soon!
For more information, see http://www.starlingdiner.com/index.htm.

Mexican-French Fusion at Anepalco’s Cafe

July 23, 2014July 22, 2014Leave a comment

If you haven’t noticed, I have been on a bit of a Mexican food kick lately. Sorry, not sorry. However, my most recent experience at Anepalco’s was a nice change of pace. Why, you ask? Anepalco’s Cafe, in Orange, specializes in Mexican-French fusion cuisine. Intrigued? Read on.

I have visited their Chapman Avenue location a few times now, and I have never been disappointed. The quality and presentation is always on point and the wait staff is always so attentive and helpful. On my most recent visit with family, we indulged in some new menu items, which were all quite tasty and beautiful.

To start, we enjoyed the Queso Fundido. With melted queso fresco, Spanish chorizo, and roasted tomatoes, this dish was not only delicious, but visually pleasing. Served with bread, this is a great appetizer to share.

Next, we shared the Deconstructed Tacos. The lighting in my photo does not do the dish justice. I was curious to see how it was going to be presented, given that they were “deconstructed.” I was pleasantly surprised at how appetizing everything looked on its own. The pork belly mixed with avocados, tomatoes, and corn was the perfect filling mixed with the house made salsa and tortillas.

My parents shared the Not Pa’ella. Because I am allergic to shrimp, I was unable to indulge, but they sang high praises. The dish was filled with scallops, shrimp, chorizo, Jidori chicken, ham, yellow veloute, and creamy rice. If you ever visit Anepalco’s, I highly recommend ordering anything that has the creamy rice in it. It is to die for.

Last, but certainly not least, we closed out our meal with my favorite item on the menu. The Pambazo Torta is probably the most visually pleasing dish you will ever see. It is Yellow Tail, avocado puree, serrano chiles, radishes, and micro cilantro, served between two pieces of toasted Ciabatta. This is a must-try when you visit Anepalco’s. The fish is always fresh and the avocado puree is beyond delectable. I am always tempted to order one for myself, just because cutting it into pieces to share always ruins the beautiful presentation.

With two locations, Anepalco’s Cafe is a foodie destination in Orange. They also serve brunch and lunch, which I am anxious to try one of these weekends. The only other time I have had an equally enjoyable Mexican-French fusion experience was at Papito in San Francisco. I am so happy to have found something that is just as good closer to home. Also, if you are visiting Disneyland, don’t settle for the overpriced dinner options at Downtown Disney, Anepalco’s is just a short drive away.

For more inforamtion, visit http://www.anepalcoscafe.com/