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1. Cafe Zoolu
860 Glenneyre St, Laguna Beach, CA 92651 · 949-494-6825
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LAGUNA BEACH. Perhaps one of the OC's best (and most under-publicized) Californian options, Cafe Zoolu is a true product of its surroundings. Eclectic, funky decor features the bold (zebra-striped seats), the unusual (autographed photos of k.d. Lang and the Kingston Trio), and the outright eccentric (Polynesian-style salt and pepper shakers). Owner-chef Michael Leach's menu, noted for its global appeal, is the true star, made complete with superb potstickers, veal chops, and grilled swordfish that have earned rave reviews from critics and diners alike.
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BREA. Highly acclaimed by local and regional food critics, La Vie serves traditional French cuisine in a picturesque Normandy farmhouse. Tantalize your palate with classic Gascon and Provençal dishes: sautéed shrimp scampi with fennel cream sauce, roasted pork tenderloin with port wine sauce and St. Agur cheese, and sea scallops sautéed with lemon grass beurre blanc. In addition, the hand-selected wine list features a good mix of Californian and French labels.
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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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4. Thai Bros
238 Laguna Ave, Laguna Beach, CA 92651 · 949-376-9979
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LAGUNA BEACH. Folks in the know unabashedly proclaim this Laguna Beach treasure as one of Southern California's top Thai joints, and it attracts big crowds for weekday lunches and late-night weekend dinners. If you're looking for a quick bite between meetings, this is definitely the place to frequent; however, if you're looking for a leisurely meal, you might think twice, because the kitchen and waitstaff can have you in and out the door faster than you can say "drunken rice."
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SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO. With its location near the railroad tracks, Ramos House Cafe showcases a style and charm that make it one of Orange County's most unique restaurants. Built in the 1880s, the board-and-batten home provides a cozy setting for delicious comfort food, whether you crave something with a hint of Creole spice or an omelet stuffed with locally-grown veggies and flavored with herbs grown in the Ramos's own garden. A great experience for folks discovering the Los Rios district. Patio dining is available.
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BREA. With this attractive restaurant's proximity to Brea Mall, it's not surprising that it makes a popular lunch destination for shoppers. In late afternoon, the patio is often packed with young professionals taking in the balmy weather and enjoying a Peroni or Tuscan wine. Specialty entrees include scaloppini gorgonzola on garlic mashed potatoes, grilled rosemary-and-garlic chicken, and black pepper-crusted tuna with fresh tomato-basil salsa.
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FULLERTON. This is not a white-tablecloth, "let me just expense it" kind of a steakhouse. No, Stubrik's is a fun place where you can always find live Irish and jazz music, late-night happy hours, and incredibly reasonable prices. High-quality beef is paired with surprisingly affordable bills – equally tasty and wallet-friendly are meatloaf, pork loin, and pastas. Prices are for complete meals, but a side of garlic bread makes for a nice splurge, too. For a cut above the usual and for great atmosphere, this place can't be beat!
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STANTON. With a house specialty like barbecued chopped catfish and curries that have set more than a few mouths ablaze, this casual Thai eatery is not for the faint of heart. Boasting a diverse menu that's decidedly not your standard Americanized Thai fare, Nakorn places little emphasis on smoke and mirrors. Instead of kitschy decor or overworked standards, all you'll find is good, homestyle Southeast Asian cookery. And what more could you really want?
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ANAHEIM. A life-saver for folks with the "gotta go to work" blues is this always-packed restaurant. Just look for the telltale A-frame structure as you cruise down East Lincoln. Try famed apple pancakes smothered in sweet Sinkiang cinnamon glaze or Mandarin crêpes topped with oranges soaked in Triple Sec or strawberry waffles dusted with powdered sugar and topped with whipped cream and fresh strawberries. If "healthier fare" is in order, opt for corned beef hash or minced hickory-smoked ham with three scrambled eggs. You can't go wrong.
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WESTMINSTER. This casual eatery is known all over Orange County for its superb dim sum, unparalleled Kung Pao frog legs, and charbroiled seafood. Huge in-house tanks provide temporary housing for a bevy of jumbo shrimp and lobsters, ensuring that your meal is, indeed, fresh-caught. Reasonable prices make it an ideal lunch and early-dinner destination, especially with savvy members of the business crowd.
10Best announces our latest Best of the City results. Well-informed consumers like you have spoken out, votes have been tabulated, and winners determined. Chosen businesses are designated with a special seal – select any one, and you’re sure to get a best bet. Thanks to so much user input, there’s no way you could go wrong!
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