99 Ranch Market is a time-saver for lunch or dinner in Anaheim, CA

Tucked away in a small shopping center, 99 Ranch Market, in Anaheim, is located off a bustling street intersection near Euclid Street and the 5 freeway. It is tucked at the back of a shopping center mainly comprised of Asian stores and restaurants. Opened in 1989, this is a prime location for transplants that are looking for ingredients used in the Far East.

99 Ranch Market has a great butcher block in the back of the store carrying everything from beef, chicken, pork, and seafood. But the seafood section is clearly the best part. You can choose from fresh fish and seafood on ice.  If you like your seafood super-fresh, check out the tanks for live fish, crabs, lobster, and shrimp. Now here’s the greatest part, you can have them prepare it for you via their fry method. On our particular outing, we chose a live catfish from the tank. The butcher artfully dispatches the fish, cleans it (taking off scales and such from the skin) and makes vertical slits for fry process.  He hands it off to the fry cook where your fish is fried to your liking.  We chose “crispy fry” for our catfish.  In about 15 minutes, you will be handed your fish wrapped in foil and butcher paper.  The scent is heavenly.  As you walk up to the front to pay for it, people will smell your delicacy and comment.  We always have people say, “That really smells good!” or “Where did you get that?”

Your job now is to take it home and eat.  The fish is crispy on the outside and succulent and juicy on the inside.  The meat just flakes from the bone in big chunks.  Great sides for this would be some Calrose sticky rice or French fries.

If you don’t have a lot of time to cook and want something tasty, head over to 99 Ranch Market. It’s a crispy delight that you don’t want to miss and you’ll have no pots & pans to wash after your meal.

Atmosphere: 4 out of 5 stars

Service: 4 out of 5 stars

Décor: 4 out of 5 stars

Food: 5 out of 5 stars

For more information:

99 Ranch Market

651 N Euclid St

Anaheim, CA 92801-4621

714.776.8899

Tandoori Garden, Anaheim, CA

This place is for the most part, average Indian food. The garlic naan was the highlight. I'm a little peeved about the Entertainment Card discount that we received. It was supposed to be BOGO Lunch or Dinner entree and instead they just gave us 20% off the whole bill. 50% is not the same as 20%. Review coming soon.

OC Food Diva

Sandella's, Anaheim, CA

We had a wonderful lunch at Sandella's in Anaheim, CA. Article coming soon!

Happy Eats!

OC Food Diva

Strawberry Festival, Garden Grove, CA

This festival is probably the worst I have ever been to. When they say "festival", they should be celebrating strawberries with food vendors making different strawberry concoctions and marketplace vendors that sell strawberry products or even kitchen or garden-related items. This "festival" is basically a carnival and swapmeet. We even saw gang-banger children's clothes. What is that all about? I would have also liked to see some kind of "strawberry cook-off or bake-off". They had a couple of fundraising groups selling basically strawberries and whipped cream.

This definitely not fit for foodies. Thumbs down!

OC Food Diva

Jet Trip: Morimoto is an “Iron Chef” culinary adventure in Philadelphia

Amongst the historical buildings in downtown Philadelphia, a neon green glass door catches your eye. Morimoto’s Zen-like sign on white wall marks that you have arrived for the culinary adventure of your life. As you walk in, you are greeted by a hostess with a kind, Japanese courtesy. The interior décor is hip yet Zen. Chef Masaharu Morimoto’s casual, elegant flair is apparent in the décor and, as you will see, the food too.

Start the night off right with a specialty drink. The Guava Shiso-Jito is Smirnoff Citrus, guava nectar, mint, and lime. This is the best spin on a mojito I’ve ever had. It’s a great drink to relax with. I can feel the tropical breeze just thinking about it. Thumbs up with 5 stars!

To read more and see photos, please visit: http://www.examiner.com/restaurant-in-anaheim/jet-trip-morimoto-is-an-iron-chef-culinary-adventure-philadelphia-review

Happy Eats!

OC Food Diva

Garden Grove Strawberry Festival

Starts this Friday - anyone want to join us? http://www.strawberryfestival.org/index.html

Aquarium of the Pacific Event | Pacific Islander Festival

Aquarium of the Pacific Event | Pacific Islander Festival

Come celebrate part of my heritage at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. See website for details.

OC Food Diva

Empanada Man brings a little bit of Argentina to Lake Forest

Located in a strip mall on Lake Forest Drive as you make your way south from Foothill Ranch, Empanada Man certainly stands out from the surrounding “fast food” joints. The interior reminds you of a pizzeria. As you walk up to the counter, you are cheerfully greeted and in awe as you try to decide what to get from pizza, to empanadas, to sandwiches. Just like chocolatiers make certain designs for different chocolates, Empanada Man has certain crimping styles for the different types of empanadas. They include a photo legend so you can identify each flavor. It’s an ingenious idea.

Let’s start with the Chorizo and Eggs Empanadas.  They are stuffed with beef chorizo, potato, egg, and jalapenos. The flavor combination is divine! The chorizo melds superbly with the potato and the egg and the jalapeno lending a little spice. Thumbs up with 5 stars!

Beef (The Original) Empanadas are stuffed with fresh ground beef, onions, hard-boiled eggs, and spices. It’s like a beef burrito “hot pocket” with a twist. The seasoned beef work perfectly with the egg and onions. Thumbs up with 5 stars!

Chili Verde Pork Empanadas are stuffed with shredded pork, onions, corn, chili verde sauce, and spices. The tender shredded pork is unbelievable and blows any Mexican pork chile verde out of the water. This has the ultimate flavor combination of spicy, salty, and sweet all packed into one. Thumbs up with 5 stars!

If you are looking for some adventure without the airfare, drive on over to Empanada Man and enjoy a little bit of Argentina in your own backyard.

Atmosphere: 4 out of 5 stars

Service: 5 out of 5 stars

Décor: 3 out of 5 stars

Food: 5 out of 5 stars

For more information:

Empanada Man

20761 Lake Forest Dr

Lake Forest, CA 92630

949.855.9257

The Original Renaissance Pleasure Faire in Irwindale has fyne food and drynks

Now through May 22, 2011, the Original Renaissance Pleasure Faire is celebrating its 49^th year as it continues to recreate a 16^th century English sea port town’s faire and marketplace. With shopping, entertainment, and food around every corner, it a day-long experience for first timers as well as veteran Faire goers.

Here ye, here ye! Plentiful food delights abound. Let’s the games begin.

To read more and see photos, visit my column:

http://www.examiner.com/restaurant-in-anaheim/the-original-renaissance-pleasure-faire-irwindale-has-fyne-food-and-drynks-review

Mahalo,

OC Food Diva

National Barbeque Month: Stonefire Grill has the best mesquite grilled meats

Located near the corner of Barranca Parkway and Culver Drive, Stonefire Grill glows with a mesquite-fired grill. After you park your car, you will smell the meats as they cook and your nose will lead you to the front door. This restaurant is setup differently than you might expect. You order your food at a counter that looks like a long hostess stand. They give you a number and you seat yourself. While you wait, you can grab your tools to tackle your meal – plates, flatware, napkins, sauces, and fill up your drink. The service is polite and friendly.

In September 2010, Stonefire Grill celebrated their 10^th anniversary and offered a “Taste of Stonefire” for $10. We were offered a salad add-on for $1, which is a great deal. Please check with the restaurant to see if they are still offering it.


For more of the article and to view photos, please visit: http://www.examiner.com/restaurant-in-anaheim/national-barbeque-month-stonefire-grill-has-the-best-mesquite-grilled-meats-review


Happy Eats!


OC Food Diva