Where to eat in Mission Viejo & Costa Mesa areas?
Mar 1st, 2005, 06:54 AM
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Where to eat in Mission Viejo & Costa Mesa areas?
Hi folks,
We are spending this weekend with my FFIL (future father in law), who resides in Mission Viejo. We will also be meeting with our friends and officiants, who reside in Costa Mesa. And, we are contemplating a trip to the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach (though may postpone that for another trip).
We will be going out to diner Friday and Saturday nights, and also may go to breakfast or lunch once as well. Any restaurant suggestions?
I'm thinking seafood since we will be near the beach (up here in my desert we have no good seafood places), but happy to have any recommendations. Low to moderate price ($10 to $20 entree) ranges are best. Steak, seafood, salads, Italian, Asian, sushi (as long as it also serves cooked food - he loves sushi, I prefer my food cooked
...
Thank you!
-Sandra
We are spending this weekend with my FFIL (future father in law), who resides in Mission Viejo. We will also be meeting with our friends and officiants, who reside in Costa Mesa. And, we are contemplating a trip to the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach (though may postpone that for another trip).
We will be going out to diner Friday and Saturday nights, and also may go to breakfast or lunch once as well. Any restaurant suggestions?
I'm thinking seafood since we will be near the beach (up here in my desert we have no good seafood places), but happy to have any recommendations. Low to moderate price ($10 to $20 entree) ranges are best. Steak, seafood, salads, Italian, Asian, sushi (as long as it also serves cooked food - he loves sushi, I prefer my food cooked
...Thank you!
-Sandra
Mar 1st, 2005, 01:16 PM
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Best seafood place in Orange County IMHO is the Original Fish Company in Los Alamitos (Long Beach-adjacent), on Katella. A close second would be Walt's Wharf in Seal Beach (only because their clam chowder is nowhere as good as Fish Co's). Neither place is far from Costa Mesa.
I'm admitting I'm coming up blank on Costa Mesa eateries, and I'm including the area around South Coast Plaza. There is a great Thai place IN South Coast Plaza called Bangkok Four, but I imagine you want something outside of a mall.
I know good places in Long Beach (my hometown), including the BEST clam chowder I've found in southern CA at Lasher's. But you didn't ask about Long Beach. C'mon, OC Fodorites, what is there in Costa Mesa?
I'm admitting I'm coming up blank on Costa Mesa eateries, and I'm including the area around South Coast Plaza. There is a great Thai place IN South Coast Plaza called Bangkok Four, but I imagine you want something outside of a mall.
I know good places in Long Beach (my hometown), including the BEST clam chowder I've found in southern CA at Lasher's. But you didn't ask about Long Beach. C'mon, OC Fodorites, what is there in Costa Mesa?
Mar 1st, 2005, 01:28 PM
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search the www.chowhound.com website. If you don't find an answer post this same question and you will get multiple responses.
Mar 1st, 2005, 04:37 PM
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If you are headed for the Aquarium, Bubba Gump's on Aquarium Way (the old Pike area) is fun. The main feature is, of course, shrimp. The movie plays continuously on the bar screen and it's moderately priced. I think you will be able to walk over from the Aquarium.
Mar 1st, 2005, 05:33 PM
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Another vote for Crab Cooker in Newport Beach. I will ask my daughter if she recommends any other restaurants since she lives in Newport. If you happen to be around Fashion Island Mall in Newport Beach, I would recommend the Tony Bahamas Restaurant for lunch. It's a little pricey for dinner. I know it's a small chain but there food has always been consistently good. I've eaten there a lot since my daughter has worked there off and on as a hostess. It sounds weird but their Steak Salad is the best. I know you asked about seafood but the beef they use for this salad melts in your mouth. Their coconut shrimp appetizer is good also and of course you can have one of those tropical drinks while you're there.
Mar 1st, 2005, 07:27 PM
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Around the Aquarium, you've got every mid-level chain restaurant represented at the Pike-- and that includes Bubba Gump. A local chainlet that is worth a trip is the Yardhouse in Shoreline Village-- with 200+ beers on tap, poured by the yard, and quite good grub. If you head up to Pine Ave, Alegría is a Spanish/Latin joint with tapas and flamenco entertainment on the weekend. King's Pine Avenue Fish House is a great seafood place (they also run the Water Grill in downtown LA and Ocean Ave Seafood in Santa Monica). Rock Bottom Brewery on Ocean is another chain joint. 555 Ocean is a superb steakhouse (same owners as King's).
In Belmont Heights, the cream of the crop are Christy's (as in Christy Bono, Sonny's oldest daughter) and Lasher's. Italian and American cuisines, both absolutely wonderful.
Belmont Shore has some great places like Shenandoah Café (Southern), Malvasia (Mediterranean), Café Gazelle (Italian), and for live bands and bar Mexican, Panama Joe's.
In Belmont Heights, the cream of the crop are Christy's (as in Christy Bono, Sonny's oldest daughter) and Lasher's. Italian and American cuisines, both absolutely wonderful.
Belmont Shore has some great places like Shenandoah Café (Southern), Malvasia (Mediterranean), Café Gazelle (Italian), and for live bands and bar Mexican, Panama Joe's.
Mar 1st, 2005, 11:42 PM
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Talked to my daughter - for sushi (and cooked items) she likes Zen Bistro in the Triangle Square shopping center in Costa Mesa. The shopping center is on Newport Blvd right where the 55 freeway ends. It also seems to go by the name Zen Sushi.
For Italian, she loves a little Mom and Pop type place on Balboa Island called Giorgio's La Trattoria. They have musicians adding to the atmosphere and it is medium priced. Last time she was there she had lobster ravoli which was around $18 so other pasta dishes are less.
For Italian, she loves a little Mom and Pop type place on Balboa Island called Giorgio's La Trattoria. They have musicians adding to the atmosphere and it is medium priced. Last time she was there she had lobster ravoli which was around $18 so other pasta dishes are less.
Mar 2nd, 2005, 05:52 AM
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I forgot about the 'Claim Jumper' in Costa Mesa and all over O.C, one of the best restaurant you'll find for your budget. Love's BBQ is the best BBQ in SoCal but it's in Lakewood, maybe 20 miles from Mission Viejo. for mexican food we go to Don Jose's in Laguna hills
its really great and about $35.00 for two with no alcohol drinks. Also in Laguna Hills there is a sea Food Restaurant we go to called Delanely's
it cost us about $75.00 for two with wine. The best steak you'll find in O.C is at Stuart Anderson's Black Angus restaurant, there all over O.C but the one we go to is in Santa Ana on Tustin cost about $40.00 for two without alcohol. We live in Orange County and have tried lots of places to eat but these are some of our favorites.
its really great and about $35.00 for two with no alcohol drinks. Also in Laguna Hills there is a sea Food Restaurant we go to called Delanely's
it cost us about $75.00 for two with wine. The best steak you'll find in O.C is at Stuart Anderson's Black Angus restaurant, there all over O.C but the one we go to is in Santa Ana on Tustin cost about $40.00 for two without alcohol. We live in Orange County and have tried lots of places to eat but these are some of our favorites.
Mar 2nd, 2005, 06:07 AM
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Scampi is a good Costa Mesa choice. I've met the owner at some wine tastings he's held, and he's got a great personality and the food is terrific. That said, I prefer Golden Truffle, also on Newport Blvd. It blows my mind how this little place in a strip mall can serve such exquisite food.
Mar 2nd, 2005, 08:59 AM
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On Newport Blvd is a fantastic provencial French place Pescadoo Grill. Oceanfront 21 is a good high end restaurant, and again the Crab Cooker. There's also a good Italina place on PCH called Dolce. All in Newport.
Also, for breakfast check Haute Cakes in Costa Mesa.
Also, for breakfast check Haute Cakes in Costa Mesa.
Mar 2nd, 2005, 10:03 AM
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Capriccio Restaurant is a very good, well regarded Italian restaurant right in Mission Viejo on Marguerite Parkway.
It's not a cookie-cutter chain restaurant, (I think it's mentioned in Zagats...) with good food and atmosphere and reasonable prices, it's a big favorite in Mission Viejo.
It's not a cookie-cutter chain restaurant, (I think it's mentioned in Zagats...) with good food and atmosphere and reasonable prices, it's a big favorite in Mission Viejo.
Mar 2nd, 2005, 03:06 PM
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My daughter absolutely loves Plums. She always calls me on Sunday mornings while she is having breakfast there. A couple of times I was going to meet her there but we were in a time crunch and there was a little bit of a wait. I'll get there sometime.
Mar 10th, 2005, 08:28 PM
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The Il Fornaio in Irvin is very good. If you are in a hurry they have a new side thing where you can run in and get a sandwich, salad, soda etc. My favorite place is Houston's. They make a great burger, Thai salad and prime rib sandwitches. Otherwise, The Cheescake Factory is always great for a grilled shrimp club sandwitch or a grand salad.
