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ANAHEIM. Former presidents, celebrities, and princesses have all dined here, enjoying owner Bruno Serato's Northern Italian cuisine. A signature dish, Gucci Chicken, is baked in parchment with leeks, shiitake mushrooms, and fresh sage and then served with whole-grain mustard sauce. The award-winning restaurant – set in a romantic Victorian mansion with intimate dining rooms, candlelit tables, and incredible service – has it all, including a little something called the Pastry Chariot that's certain to make any meal unforgettable.
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SANTA ANA. While upscale South Coast Plaza Village boasts several superb restaurants, a few separate themselves from the pack. This establishment is one such place, thanks to its sublime northern Italian menu. You'll find a variety of veal, chicken, and fish entrees, but red meat really turns heads. Imported Piedmontese beef is showcased, as in the popular Filetto al Piatto, which is prepared with lemons in a clay pot. Ideal for romantic occasions and celebrating big events, the manor-like restaurant boasts vine-draped walls, fine art, and hand-painted frescoes
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Cafe El Cholo
840 E Whittier Blvd, La Habra, CA 90631 · 562-691-4618
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LA HABRA. Ask a local where to find the best Mexican eats in town, and you'll likely hear this gem named at the top of the list. The restaurant's festive atmosphere is punctuated by stucco walls, earthy colors, and an awesome bricked-in patio. On weekends, the place springs to life with live mariachi music. Sample a pitcher of homemade margaritas, rumored to be La Habra's best. Then, go for Grandma Rosa's special green corn tamales with beans and rice, a Sonora-style enchilada with olives and fried egg, or the 50th anniversary burrito Dorado.
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DOWNTOWN DISNEY® DISTRICT. Devoted to Mediterranean fare, this Downtown Disney® District charmer features a temple-like facade, and its outdoor pavilion makes it a favorite with the young, trendy crowd. Downstairs at Uva Bar (a trendy, Spanish-style watering hole), superb cocktails and brilliant tapas are available; upstairs, diners in a refined setting are wowed by intrepid dishes hailing from France, Greece, Italy, and the Middle East. Featured items include osso bucco over polenta, paella à la Valencia, and grilled Moroccan spiced lamb with garlic French fries.
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Chakra Cuisine
4143 Campus Dr, University Center, Irvine, CA 92612 · 949-854-0009
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IRVINE. A calming space detailed with draped fabrics, subtle colors, and traditional artwork sets the scene for an updated taste of the subcontinent. The cuisine is an amalgam of past and present, defined by earthy spices and spot-on preparation. Masala-roasted halibut, tandoori-cooked lamb chops, and seared, spiced scallops hint at the menu's richness, along with curries and classics like chicken tikka masala. An outdoor patio is available, and a lounge offers exotic cocktails favored by UC Irvine students and local professionals. Great Sunday brunch buffet too.
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Dizz's As Is
2794 S Pacific Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651 · 949-494-5250
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LAGUNA BEACH. This unique joint hearkens back to the days of the Roaring '20s, when big bands, fast times, and even faster living were status quo. Step past the wooden fence and into the front garden, and you'll enter a time warp. Inside, black-and-white photos of early 20th-century stars decorate the charming place. You'll also find king-sized filet mignons, jumbo tiger prawns, and flavorful Cornish hens. Romantics should request a table on the outdoor terrace, where the scene tends to be more intimate.
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K'ya
1287 S Coast Hwy, La Casa del Camino Hotel, Laguna Beach, CA 92651 · 949-376-9718
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LAGUNA BEACH. This hotel restaurant's arched windows and doorways, sidewalk seating, and panache render it a huge hit with well-heeled locals. The menu's Mediterranean-Franco-Asian-inspired dishes earn approving nods from regional dining critics, tempting folks with dishes like grilled filet mignon tournedos and flash fried Thai calamari. You can also treat yourself to duck leg confit, spicy curry-grilled ahi, a grilled flat iron steak, and a handful of pastas. More interested in nibbling? An array of small plates is perfectly sized.
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Olde Ship
1120 W 17th St, Santa Ana, CA 92706 · 714-550-6700
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SANTA ANA. A Tudor-style British pub, this Santa Ana treasure earns high marks for terrific limey fare, including traditional comfort dishes like fish and chips, cottage pie, bangers and mash, and Yorkshire pudding. For added charm, the public house is well-stocked with various and sundry whiskeys, gins, and scotches as well as draughts like McEwans, Guinness, Bass, New Castle, and Boddingtons. A second location is in Fullerton at 709 North Harbor Boulevard (714-871-7447).
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SANTA ANA. A favorite with Santa Ana's Indian contingency, Royal Khyber offers traditional Moghali and Tandoori fare in a contemporary, elegant setting. In fact, the restaurant has garnered many local and regional honors, including earning the Gold Award from the Southern California Restaurant Writers and being the first Indian restaurant in North America to receive a major newspaper's "Restaurant of the Year" award. House specialties include lobster masala with ajwain pepper, spicy chicken madras with black pepper curry, and mushroom matar khorma with ghee in Moghlai khorma sauce. Sunday brunch and Friday's buffet are popular events.
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The Loreley
1340 Sanderson Ave, The Phoenix Club, Anaheim, CA 92806 · 714-563-4166
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ANAHEIM. Located in a complex that houses several entertainment venues (including a beer garden and ballroom), The Loreley boasts German master chefs and native dishes representing a variety of regions. The menu, listed in German and English, features favorites like sauerbraten, wiener schnitzel, and jaeger schnitzel; it also presents seafood, sausages, and Hungarian goulash. Customers delight in a wide selection of imported beers and wines.
Looking for a restaurant? We've explored the options, checked with critics, and pounded the pavement to offer only the best. Recommendations come complete with contact information and a brief description highlighting the important features of the restaurant. Fit our choices to your mood, or let us guide your tastes. You'll likely find a few places that not even locals know about.
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