Story and photos by Julie Diebolt Price (unless otherwise indicated)
Eggslice
I don’t know what came first, the chicken or the egg. However, at Eggslice, it doesn’t matter. The combination of runny egg on crisp Chicken Katsu with spicy Chili jam mayo is unique and delicious.
The menu is simple, but they do it very, very well. Curating a sandwich is a “thing” and must be taught. Techniques to keep the ingredients in place requires making a depression in the bun. Magically, the sandwich stays together until the very last bite.
Thirteen locally-sourced ingredients go into the Chili Jam. It contains no fillers, preservatives, or colors. It takes five hours to cook and is similar to siracha with a sweet flavor on the back of the palate. It is VERY, VERY hot! Add with caution.
It’s been said that the Chili Jam saved a marriage. That’s because that was the only thing the couple could agree on!
Curated breakfast sandwiches and house-made Chili Jam made Eggslice successful and in demand, initially in Australia and now in Southern California. They started in 2017 as a pop-up restaurant sharing space inside a restaurant in Costa Mesa open during the morning hours on Wednesdays and Saturdays. By 2019, they increased their days and hours and learned that Eggslice sandwiches are popular at any time of day. The sandwiches are so well-liked that Eggslice is opening a brick-and-mortar shop in July 2020 in Buena Park with extended hours.
Paris in a Cup Tea Salon & Café
Paris in a Cup Tea Salon & Café
119 S Glassell St, Orange CA
Attention to every French detail is the earmark of Paris in a Cup Tea Salon & Café. From the décor to the dishes, tea sandwiches to scones, every touch is reminiscent of teatime in Paris in the 40s and 50s.
The owner, who has never been to Paris (as the story goes), researched and watched old movies for countless hours to create the perfect Paris experience for her guests. Paris in a Cup has been open since 2007.
Delicate traditional finger sandwiches, elegant teapots and cups with your choice of tea, scones with clotted cream (crème fraîche), and lemon curd (a creamy jam), are always served at Paris in a Cup. Moreover, unique entrées and desserts make the experience complete. It’s hard to decide a favorite morsel as each bite is distinctive.
Reservations are always required, and they book up quickly. Paris in a Cup is famous for its Christmas season festivities with an abundantly decorated tree and carolers. You know that you will experience the best of yesteryear in this tearoom.
Orange County Mining Company
Orange County Mining Company
10000 S Crawford Canyon Rd, Santa Ana, CA
For 46 years, Orange County Mining Company has been serving the public in their casual and rustic digs high on a hill in Orange County. The spectacular view overlooks most of the county and out to the Pacific Ocean, where you can even see Catalina Island. Watching a sunset from the balcony or an inside window seat is breathtaking and memorable. Orange County Mining Company is our “go-to” place for special occasions.
Sunday brunch, complete with champagne, is extensive. The delicious prime rib that you can cut with a fork has an incomparable flavor.
Orange County Mining Company serves a Saloon Happy Hour with dishes that are filling enough to make a complete meal.
We usually order the same thing every time we go, but Orange County Mining Company also serves poultry and seafood along with hearty soups, fresh produce, and sumptuous desserts.
Shuck Oyster Bar
Shuck Oyster Bar
3313 Hyland Ave a1
Costa Mesa, CA
The first time I visited Shuck Oyster Bar, there were 22 varieties of fresh oysters on the menu board. Shipped in daily and guaranteed fresh, the imports came from New Zealand, Mexico, Canada, and New Brunswick. Many hailed from Washington State and others from the Eastern Seaboard.
Cool, fresh, tender, moist, large, plump, all with a distinctive flavor, is how I describe the Shuck oysters on the half shell. These bivalve mollusks with their rough irregular shell didn’t produce any pearls for me. However, the raw delicacy was not wasted on my taste buds. Oysters, served on a bed of ice with lemon slices, are accompanied by spicy condiments of freshly grated raw horseradish, tangy vinegar with shallots and parsley, and a house-made fiery Fresno pepper sauce.
Octopus is the specialty of the house. Carefully prepared, the presentation is extraordinary. Their motto “no color – no flavor” defines what Shuck Oyster Bar brings to this seafood meal. The octopus is simmered with celery, onions, carrots, herbs, and broth for an hour to make it tender. That way you don’t end up with tough, chewy octopus meat. It’s then seared in a cast-iron skillet and blow-torched to give it color. Then, dressed with heirloom tomatoes and a Thai sauce, it is placed on a black platter and served with beet aioli dots in which to dip each bite.
Geared towards millennials who are looking for excellent and sophisticated food in a casual atmosphere, Shuck Oyster Bar also serves a wide demographic. The restaurant is handicapped accessible, has a long table suitable for groups, and barstools to be close to the oyster shucking action.
El Adobe de Capistrano
El Adobe de Capistrano
31891 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, CA
El Adobe, recognized as a California State Historical Landmark, was Richard Nixon’s favorite restaurant when he was at the Western White House in San Clemente. The former President was influential in changing the restaurant’s menu from continental to Mexican cuisine.
The building was originally two separate structures. The north section was the original home of Miguel Yorba Adobe, which was built in 1797. The walls are now part of the cocktail lounge. The southern section was the court and jails established in 1812, and now houses the wine cellar. Stagecoaches drew up to the building on the ground now under the foyer until the railroad arrived in 1888.
The property was bought and converted to a residence and store in 1910. A farmer from Rancho Mission Viejo, Clarence Brown, built the El Adobe restaurant which opened in 1948 for a wedding and reception. Every year to this day, couples carry on the tradition by holding their wedding in the Wedding Chapel in the rear garden. I am pleased to say that I hosted my wedding rehearsal dinner at El Adobe, and it was truly memorable.
The Mexican-Californian ambiance becomes spirited with a live mariachi band performing traditional songs.
The menu includes time-honored fajitas, enchiladas, salads, kitchen favorites, and chef specials. The President’s Choice, which was the President and Mrs. Nixon’s favorite entrée and is still on the menu, is Chile Relleno, Chicken Enchilada, Beef Taco, Rice & Beans.
The Fisherman’s Restaurant & Bar
The Fisherman’s Restaurant & Bar
611 Avenida Victoria
San Clemente, CA
Where better to eat fresh seafood than on the pier at The Fisherman’s Restaurant & Bar in San Clemente. Featuring Pacific Northwest-style seafood, the Pier Restaurant is on the south side of the San Clemente Pier, and the Pier Bar is on the north side, just a few steps away.
The restaurant is open for breakfast and brunch. They offer a variety of omelets, Eggs Benedict six different ways, and House Specialties of pancakes, French toast, and waffles. My favorite is a Side dish. That is the Bagel & Cream Cheese. Throw on some lox, onions, and capers, and it’s a feast for two people.
The Fisherman’s Bloody Mary is a hearty drink. Wine and sparkling, draft beer, and espresso complete the extensive bar menu.
More casual fare like chowders, salads, and sandwiches are served in the Pier Bar, which opens at lunchtime. The Sunset Happy Hour includes Daily Drink Specials with themes and specially priced snacks. Specially priced Sunset dinners with a limited menu are offered until 6 pm. That is the perfect time for watching the sunset over the Pacific Ocean – a classic Southern California experience.
