pasta

A Piece of Italy in Costa Mesa

January 5, 2015Leave a comment

Vitaly is a wonderful cafe located inside The Camp in Costa Mesa. I was lucky enough to dine here with some co-workers for our quarterly meeting. The space is awesome! There is a cute espresso bar on the inside directly next to the gelato counter (which I was too full to indulge in…don’t hate me). Then, the kitchen is toward the back. In the middle of it all is a few tables for larger groups. Directly outside, guests can enjoy more patio seating, including seats around a fire pit, which I would love to revisit at dinnertime!

First, I ordered a Chococino-nutella and chocolate cappuccino because it just sounded too good and dessert before lunch is always a good idea! This drink was extremely rich and had a little less kick and a lot more chocolate than I’m used to, but it was delicious! I would definitely recommend waiting until the end of your meal to indulge in one of their specialty espresso drinks that way you won’t fill up before your meal.

We ordered the Cutting Board Delights tray for the table, and my was it BEAUTIFUL! Who knew salumi and cheese could look like art? Well, I did, but my dining companions were very impressed! The selection of meats and cheeses was perfectly diverse and just the right amount for the five of us to share before our meal.

We also shared the Capri-sliced Roma tomato, basil, Italian Buffalo Mozzarella salad. This has to be my favorite Italian salad of all time. The tomatoes were so fresh and the cheese was so creamy!

Almost all of us ordered the same pasta because it just sounded so good. The Porcini Mushroom and white Truffle Oil Fettuccine had the perfect ratio of parmesan to mushrooms to truffle oil.

I can’t wait to go back to try more pastas and the gelato flight! Next time, you are in Costa Mesa, take a detour from The OC Mix and visit The Camp!

For more information, visit http://www.vitaly.net/

The Secret is Out at Maccheroni Republic

November 24, 2014November 24, 2014Leave a comment

I should’ve written about the greatness that is Maccheroni Republic years ago. Why? Not only did Jonathan Gold review it last year, he just added it to his list of Great Italian Restaurants in Los Angeles. The secret is out! The hidden Italian gem across from Grand Central Market has now become the hottest ticket in town, and for good reason! The dishes are superb, the service is pleasant, the patio is beautiful, and they don’t charge a corkage fee. They keep things simple here with their humble decor, and small dining room, but they truly let the food speak for itself. You taste the difference in their handmade pasta, authentic nduja, and decadent desserts. Check out some of my favorites:

The Linguine Al Frutti De Mare is a bowl of clams, bay scallops, and shrimp in a light tomato sauce. It is my mom’s absolute favorite pasta dish!

The Maccheroni Stellari is a meaty star shaped pasta served in a spicy garlic and herb tomato sauce. It is just the right amount of spicy and the star shaped pasta is the perfect thickness to balance out the strong flavors.

This gnocchi is the best gnocchi I have ever had! It is melt in your mouth amazing! It filled with meat ragout and forest mushrooms and it just the right ratio or potato pasta to meat.

The Ravioli Di Zucca and Bianchi and Neri are next on my list to try! If you’re looking for a place to take the parents, a girls wine night out, or a casual date night downtown, Maccheroni Republic is perfect for every occasion.

The Decadence of MB Post

October 31, 2014October 31, 2014Leave a comment

When I think of MB Post, I immediately think of their Bacon Cheddar Buttermilk Biscuits. As soon as you sit down, do yourself a favor, and place an order for those biscuits. They are a great starter to any meal, and the bacon will help clear your head enough to navigate through their menu. Everything sounds and tastes delicious, which makes choosing one main dish so difficult. If you don’t mind sharing, I recommend ordering family style and sharing, so you can try more of Chef David LeFevre’s dishes.

On my last trip, my best friend and I ate on the lighter side. First, we shared the biscuits, then the Brussels Sprouts, and lastly, the Orcchiette with Pork Sausage. Back to the biscuits: They are perfectly flaky and served with the most decadent maple butter that begs to be spread on each and every bite. The Brussels Sprouts drip of butter, hazelnut, and sage. I love Brussels Sprouts, but I LOVE MB Post’s Brussels Sprouts. They are so rich and packed with flavor; I could easily eat 3 orders to myself. This was my first time trying the Orcchiette, and I hope it is on the menu when I return. It was served with Pork Sausage, Rapini, Parmesan Shavings, and a Soft Egg. We broke the yolk and used it as a sauce to coat the pasta with before we attacked it. The yolk made the already rich pasta, even richer, but still palatable. I was expecting the Pork Sausage to be too heavy for the seemingly light pasta, but it fit very well. The ratio of meat to house-made Orcchiette was excellent.

MB Post was one of the first dining establishments that put Manhattan Beach, and the South Bay for that matter, on the map. Many have continued to follow in its footsteps and hold their own. I have heard numerous recommendations to try their brunch, so that is on my to-do list for my next visit to the South Bay!
For more information, visit http://eatmbpost.com/.