Come on, get happy (at Starbucks)!

Stopped by my local Starbucks for some cool refreshment and received the following....

a) Excellent service: Couldn't make up my mind, so my barista recommended something new - but charged me for my 'usual' price. If I wasn't pleased with my beverage, I wouldn't have paid the higher cost. (Normally I order a Shaken Passion Tea Lemonade sweetened. Today it was the Iced Tazo Chai with vanilla).

b) My Barista badge on foursquare: Recognition for (finally) visiting 5 different Starbucks venues. Yes, it's the little things.

c) A reminder: I was informed that from Friday, May 7th through Sunday, May 16th there would be a Happy Hour. Half price Frappuccino blended beverages from 3 to 5pm! As if we need another reason to go. This is timed quite nicely with their new customized Frap campaign

Mark your calendars for this excuse to take an afternoon break.

What every Chinese restaurant should have (in their name)

Golden
Ocean
Dragon
Seafood

This stems from a conversation I had years ago when a few of us were en route to dinner. Living in Southern California, we're surrounded by a plethora of Asian cuisine - Vietnamese, sushi, Thai, dim sum, Korean BBQ, just to name a few. It may have been the area we were driving through. Diamond Bar? Rowland Heights? Alhambra? Anyway, the overall consensus was the school of thought over these four words.

Think about it. Could you name at least one Chinese restaurant that didn't have some combination of these words in their name? (Naming it after a person or utilizing the word Chinese doesn't apply here) We're talking descriptive prose to allure you into the promise of lazy Susans and honey glazed walnut shrimp. A round table discussion for you and six or more of your hungriest friends.

It was a lively topic that day. Since it reverberates in my memory bank, I'm thinking it may have also inspired my love of tasty cuisine. While I've always appreciated dining out, college was really the time when I was exposed to different flavor profiles.

OK, on with my weekend. Thank you for putting up with my silliness.


Note to restaurant owners: To further enhance your image, we also highly recommend the inclusion of a 3-letter (all CAPS) "TV" name, i.e. CBS, ABC, NBC. Ample parking is a plus.

Something besides greens

I was sitting in a waiting room the other day when I came across an article discussing the colorful options healthy eaters have. The greens, reds, orange/yellows. Even black and white.

No, really.

For dark foods, the spotlight was on black beans and their high fiber content. It's this attribute that can prevent the spike in blood sugar levels after eating, helping both diabetics and hypoglycemics with their diets. Honorable mention was given to black currants and what's inside of them. Anthocyanins, chemical compounds that help keep blood pumping smoothly (and also give foods their color).

For lights, there was emphasis on varieties of onions (aka alliums) including shallots, garlic and chives. All are high in cancer preventing sulfur compounds. In addition, Vitamin C can be found in these as well as jicama and parsnips. This antioxidant is responsible for maintaining teeth and bones.

So the next time you find yourself in the produce aisles, know that it isn't just about stocking up on lettuces and tomatoes. Veggies and fruits all share similar benefits. It's finding that combination that works for you.

Reality show lead, author, web-series host, and (now) guest star. He's a chef, too!

The May 3rd episode of ABC's Castle will pay homage to one of my favorite shows - Top Chef. Titled 'Food to Die For', the storyline will revolve around the death of a former cheftestant found frozen in the kitchen of his trendy Manhattan restaurant.

In a cameo, chef Rocco Dispirito will play himself. A fan of Castle's literary prowess and the victim, perhaps he'll be a possible suspect?

For those of you that enjoy a little banter with your crime sleuthing (think Moonlighting with a little NCIS team spirit), I encourage you to check out my reason to stay up late on Monday nights.

Navigating the waters of Big Fish....

Checking out a new restaurant is always a bit of an adventure. I mean, you have an idea of what to expect (thanks to my fellow Yelpers), but until you go for it....you never really know what's going to happen.

I'm here to make your next experience at House of Big Fish & Ice Cold Beer better than everyone else's. Just follow these 7 easy steps. It's like Franklin Covey, but for food.

• Waiting for a bite - Fact: By 7pm on a Saturday, the wait was over 2 hours. I kid you not. Pick up a phone and call them. Restaurateurs say most RSVPs aren't even called in until the day before or day of. I'll even provide the number: 949-715-4500.

• Staying afloat - This all depends on where you're coming from, day of the week, time of day, etc. However, most diners will cruise there for happy hour or a weekend dinner. If that's the case, beware of both PCH and Highway 133. Both are the direct routes into Laguna Beach, and both have a tendency to back up. Try allocating an extra 15 minutes, just in case.

• Use a metal detector - (Note: If you are going to pay for $10 valet down the street or arrive after 7pm, stop reading and continue to the next bullet point.) The neighborhood runs on meters. Luckily there is a parking structure behind the plaza. Have quarters ready.
  

• Beach blanket babylon - This is not a quiet place. Say it with me. This is NOT a quiet place. If you can get past that, the rest will be like butter.
  

• Bonfire eats - I like reading fine print. "Bread served on request". Hot, yeasty goodness if it's right out of the oven. You can thank me later.

• Fresh catch - Three little words. Spicy seafood stew. Not that the rest of the menu isn't already a good deal. Mr. brekkie fan is a big cioppino eater, and this is one huge bowl of love. Fish and shellfish in a tomato broth? Yes!

• Sweeter than the perfect wave - The most flavorful tip actually originated from the chef. Two separate options on their menu, but for maximum effect order both the bananas foster AND the white chocolate bread pudding. Then when you get the two, pour the bananas over the pudding. Oh yeah.
  

Celebrate 50 Years of Flavor at Haagen-Dazs

Chocolate. Vanilla. Coffee.

The three original flavors of Haagen-Dazs.

Probably the purest of the ice cream brands I know. My favorite has to be sticky toffee pudding.

If not for Reuben Mattus and his daughter Doris, we might never know the rich flavors their storefronts provide. What began as a "food truck" business in New York is now celebrating decades of quality product and satisfied customers.

For one day, Tuesday, May 18, folks will have a choice between the original three. Scoopage is from 4-8pm at your local Haagen-Dazs. Stop by and be a part of history.

and the next Sonic Drive-In in Orange County will be located ....

(drum roll please)


3531 South Fairview Street
Santa Ana, CA 92704
(cross street MacArthur)


Per their website, the location should be opening in the next 30-60 days.


Since I think most know Sonic because of their commercials (and cherry limeades, or tots), I think there should be a soundtrack as well. This will probably date me, but do I really care?

You see, the 'S' is for super
and the 'U' is for unique
The 'P' is for perfection
and you know that we are freaks
The 'E' is for exotic
and the 'R' is for raps
So tell those nosy people
just to stay the hell back

Supersonic!