Barolo Café: Authentic Italian cuisine in Tustin, California

Giuseppe, owner and head chef of Barolo Cafe, is originally from Salerno, Italy. The atmosphere inside Barolo Café is much like in Italy, a small café with Giuseppe in the open kitchen, speaking Italian and treating his customers like family. He has traveled the world acquiring his cooking experience on cruise ships and also from some time spent in Nice, France and Monte Carlo, Monaco. Barolo Café has been open since 1982 and his loyal customers keep coming back for more.

Carpaccio ($10.95) is thinly sliced raw beef topped with grana cheese, capers, and olive oil. It is the perfect marriage of the sweet raw beef, salty cheese, briny capers, and just a smidgen of lemon juice. You don’t need to eat all of the capers, just add some to your liking. Rating: 4/5

Calamari Fritti ($10.95) is a very generous portion. It is very lightly breaded like tempura so the outside gets crispy but not golden brown. The calamari is so tender. The sauce has a robust kick and works really well with the calamari. Rating: 4.5/5

Veal Marsala ($16.95) is thinly sliced veal in Marsala wine sauce with mushrooms. The veal is very tender and has a very light beef flavor. The Marsala has a luscious consistency and coats the meat and mushrooms just right. Mushrooms are fresh, spongy, and have an earthy flavor. The sautéed vegetables are a great accompaniment with bright, fresh-picked flavor. Rating: 4/5

Fettuccine con Scampi e Fungi ($19.95) is shrimp, mushrooms, and fettucine tossed in a tomato cream sauce. The sauce really makes this dish pop with just the right amount of seasoning to bring the shrimp, mushrooms, and fettucine together in a harmonious dance of flavors. The mushrooms add a rustic, earthy component. The shrimp are perfectly cooked and plump with a nice snap. It is a very healthy portion with enough to take home for another meal. Rating: 4.5/5

Cannoli is handmade and filled to order. The cannoli shell is crispy and not too hard like a good cannoli should be. The creamy mascarpone cheese is not super sweet. The chocolate chips and the fresh fruit add a decadent layer of flavor – sweet chocolate and sweet, tart berries. Rating: 5/5

For an authentic Italian meal experience, Barolo Café should be your list! Mangia!

Atmosphere: 5 out of 5 stars
Décor: 4 out of 5 stars
Service: 5 out of 5 stars
Food: 4 out of 5 stars

For more information:
Barolo Café

13771 Newport Ave. Suite 9

Tustin, CA 92662

+1.714.734.8882

Hours: Tuesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Closed on Monday

The Cheesecake Factory at Los Cerritos Center in Cerritos, California

Cheesecake Factory, who has been named on Fortune magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work For^®” list for the second consecutive year, opened a new location in Los Cerritos Center on November 3, 2015, providing 325 new jobs for the city of Cerritos. This location also has covered patio seating on the outside of the center plus patio seating on the interior of the mall. It is conveniently located right off of the 605 freeway and South Street.

Passion Fruit Mojito contains Captain Morgan, passion fruit, mint, and Cruzan Single Barrel Rum. This cocktail has a refreshing blend of sweet, tropical flavors. The sweet and tangy passion fruit balances well with the caramel flavor and spicy notes of the rum. Rating: 4.5/5

Hot Spinach and Cheese Dip is spinach, artichoke hearts, shallots, garlic, and a mixture of cheeses served bubbly hot with tortilla chips and salsa. This dip is gooey, creamy, cheesy deliciousness. The spinach adds a touch of greenness while the artichoke adds some sweetness. The addition of chopped tomatoes and sour cream add layer of multi-textural bites. Rating: 4.5/5

Pit Beef Dip is a Baltimore classic with char-roasted beef, melted fontina cheese, caramelized onions, au jus, and horseradish sauce on a grilled bun. This sandwich is reminiscent of a French dip. The beef is tender and juicy. The layer of creamy fontina cheese puts this sandwich out of the park. The sandwich just needs a sturdier bun to hold up to all of the beef juices so it doesn’t get soggy. Rating: 4.5/5

Lemon-Herb Roasted Chicken is fresh, all natural half chicken served with mashed potatoes, carrots, watercress, and topped with a light lemon garlic-herb sauce. The chicken is golden brown on the outside and tender on the inside. The herb flavors bring the chicken flavor forward. Easing back on the lemon would make the chicken just perfect. The carrots are perfectly cooked and sweet. Mashed potatoes are creamy, yet still have some chunks so you know they are made in house. Rating: 4.5/5

Oreo^® Dream Extreme Cheesecake is creamy cheesecake layered with Oreo cookies, topped with Oreo cookie mousse, and chocolate icing. It is not nearly as sweet as you would imagine. Instead, it is decadently creamy, and very chocolatey. The texture of this cheesecake with keep your mouth happy from the soft cheesecake, velvety icing, and crunchy cookies. Presentation is also really nice too. Rating: 4/5

Whether you are shopping or just want a nice place with a variety of menu options, The Cheesecake Factory in Cerritos is a great place to go.

Atmosphere: 5 out of 5 stars
Décor: 5 out of 5 stars
Service: 5 out of 5 stars
Food: 4 out of 5 stars

For more information:
The Cheesecake Factory

201 Los Cerritos Center

Cerritos, CA 90703

+1.562.402.2906

Hours: Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 12 a.m., Sunday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Happy Hour available in the bar area – Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

DRY Sparkling: sparkling botanical beverages and mixology

Sharelle Klaus saw a need for sparkling beverages that were more than just seltzer or mineral water to pair with a gourmet meal and to use as a mixer for classy cocktails. She experimented with herbs and fruits that she loved using in her own kitchen. In 2005, Sharelle crafted the first batches of DRY with guidance from some of the Pacific Northwest’s leading chefs using real, fresh botanicals. DRY Sparkling beverages are gluten-free, OU certified kosher, caffeine-free, sodium-free, and contain only 45-70 calories and 11-19 grams of sugar per 12 oz. serving.

Let’s take a look at some of the flavors:

Cucumber ($7.99/4-pack bottles) contains purified carbonated water, pure cane sugar, natural flavor, and phosphoric acid. A 12 oz. serving is 45 calories with 11 grams of sugar. Tasting notes: light, refreshing cucumber flavor. This would pair well with ceviche, ramen, smoked salmon, paella, and tikka masala. It would mix well with citrus vodka, gin, tequila, and clear rum. Rating: 4/5

Rainier Cherry ($5.99/4-pack cans) contains purified carbonated water, pure cane sugar, natural flavor, and phosphoric acid. A 12 oz. serving is 60 calories with 15 grams of sugar. Tasting notes: beautiful cherry aroma; crisp, refreshing cherry flavor. This would pair well with beef bourguignon, pork sliders, dark chocolate ganache, Korean barbeque, and poutine. It would mix well with brandy, rye whiskey, vodka, light rum, and amaretto liqueur. Rating: 4.3/5

A recipe to try is Some Beach. It contains Rainier Cherry DRY, bourbon, sweet vermouth, orange juice, and ice. It has a mild fruity flavor with a definite punch from the bourbon. It also has a slightly bitter bite. Increasing the orange juice measurement will counteract the bitterness. Rating: 3.5/5

Vanilla Bean ($7.99/4-pack bottles) contains purified carbonated water, pure cane sugar, natural flavor, and phosphoric acid. A 12 oz. serving is 60 calories with 16 grams of sugar. Tasting notes: vanilla aroma; light and refreshing with subtle vanilla bean flavor. This would pair well with roasted chicken, summer salad, fish & chips, shortbread, and pickled vegetables. It would mix well with spiced rum, vanilla vodka, coffee liqueur, and cognac. Rating: 4/5

A recipe to try is Bourbonbon. It contains Vanilla Bean DRY, bourbon, and ice. The bourbon brings the vanilla bean flavor forward. It has a clean, crisp taste on the front with a lingering aftertaste. It’s a strong drink that doesn’t look like one. It’s a manly drink that women can enjoy too! Rating: 4.1/5

Blood Orange ($7.99/4-pack bottles) contains purified carbonated water, pure cane sugar, natural flavor, and phosphoric acid. A 12 oz. serving is 50 calories with 14 grams of sugar. Tasting notes: quite refreshing; tastes sweeter than the others; bold blood orange flavor. This would pair well with falafel, seared scallops, fresh oysters, olives, tacos, and crème brûlée. It would mix well with citron vodka, triple sec, tequila, and rum. Rating: 4.8/5

For more information:
DRY Sparkling

Find a DRY Sparkling retailer near you.