Nibbles of Tidbits, a Food Blog

Nibbles of Tidbits’ Food Coloring Series continues with a combo platter aka its first popular color combination — Red & Green in time for December.  Have you seen our series?  FOOD in magnificent shades of orange, purple, yellow, green, blue, red, white, black, brown and pink, have previously been celebrated here.  See respective links.  The Red & Green Color-Combo begins with Chocolate Cups filled with Whipped Cream, Raspberries and Kiwi.  A nice start.

Do I want to go back to Paris?  The above might make me think so, but… Let’s continue on.

Tomatoes, Buffalo Mozzarella, Basil, Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar is all that’s needed.

Watermelon Jellies — Similar to Shelly’s Jellies.  Wait, Shelly’s Jellies are better!

Though the painting looks like Black Olives to me, it’s Green Apples.  Either way, I like it.

I plan to make Caramel and Salted Caramel soon and love it best with Apples and Ice Cream.

Can you find the FOOD above?  A table filled with homemade goodness awaits inside.

Strawberries at a Christmas Party.

Life is short indeed, but I’d opt for King Crab Legs and Filet Mignon — More savory than sweet.

Though a basic, easy dessert to make, it takes time to wait before adding the next layer.

Christmas Cupcake and Cookie decorating ideas.

Looks like a table set for a Christmas Brunch in California — Photo Credit.

Apples and Grapes I didn’t paint, but would give it a try.

It’s Red & Green Season and it’s good for our hearts too — Eat up!  What Color-Combo should be covered next?  Black & White?  Red, White & Blue?  Silver & Gold?  Let us be told.

We set out to have Chili’s $20 Dinner for 2 which includes one Appetizer and two Entrees, but once there we instead opted for Chili’s less advertised upgrade, the $35 Dinner for 2 that includes an Appetizer and Dessert to share, and two Margaritas and two Entrees.

To further surpass the original $20 dinner plan, we upgraded to the Platinum Presidente Ritas.

Enlarge pictured menus to assess options or visit Chili’s.

We chose the Tostada Chips & Fire-Grilled Corn Guacamole for our Appetizer.

LOVE Chili’s thin, crispy Chips — We couldn’t get over how thin they are and would go back just for them.  Have they always been this good?  I don’t remember.  Are they as thin and crispy at all Chili’s?  We hope so, but don’t know.  We dined at Chili’s Buena Park location.

For Entrees we chose the Roasted Red Pepper Grilled Chicken (above).

And the Smokey Chipotle Chicken Fajitas (above and at top).

Fixings for the Smokey Chipotle Chicken Fajitas (above and below).

Shared the Brownie Sundae for Dessert — Usually prefer something light and/or fruity, but it was good and filling.  Overall, we think both the $20/$35 Dinners for 2 are good values.

We’ll try the $20 Dinner for 2 next time, though the Margaritas are tempting.

Similar dinner specials for two can be found at T.G.I.’s Friday’s and Applebee’s.

The New Year’s Eve Block Party returns for a third year with a celebration that only the OC Fair could offer with hit tribute bands, gourmet food trucks, a demolition derby, Vegas-style games and a midnight pyrotechnic celebration, all for one affordable admission price.

For music lovers, the New Year’s Eve Block Party will feature four stages with tribute bands covering four decades of rock music:

• For the 1960’s: Hot August Night – A Neil Diamond Tribute and Abbey Road with Jumping Jack Flash – The Beatles vs. The Stones
• For the 1970’s: Heartbreaker – “Led Zeppelin Live”, Queen Nation – A Tribute to the Music of Queen and Journey Unauthorized – A Salute to the Music of Journey
• For the 1980’s: Strangelove – A Live Depeche Mode Tribute, Atomic Punks – A Van Halen Tribute and Dead Man’s Party – The Oingo Boingo Tribute
• For the 1990’s: Green Today – A Tribute to Green Day, No Duh – The Ultimate No Doubt / Gwen Stefani Concert Tribute Experience and The Joshua Tree – A Tribute to U2

For foodies, the New Year’s Eve Block Party will feature gourmet food truck grub from: Bakery Truck (desserts), Dos Chinos (Latin-Asian fusion), A Bite Truck (California fusion), Baconmania (bacon-inspired dishes), Dogzilla (gourmet hot dogs), White Rabbit (Filipino-fusion), Piaggio On Wheels (Argentinean), Garlicscapes (garlic-inspired dishes), Ragin Cajun (Cajun), Macho Nacho (gourmet nachos), Me So Hungry (gourmet sliders and hamburgers), The Burnt Truck (gourmet sliders), Shortstop BBQ (BBQ fare) and The Lime Truck (fresh California cuisine).

The NYE Bash Demolition Derby will bring the fun of mass destruction for the adventurous types and the free Vegas-style games will offer revelers a chance to test their luck.

At midnight, everyone can enjoy as the OC Fair lights up the night sky with a pyrotechnic celebration to welcome in the New Year.

Tickets are currently available at pre-sale discounts of General $37.50 and VIP $75. For those avid summer Fairgoers, a Block Party admission plus 2013 OC Fair Super Pass Combo is also available at a discounted $57.50. Prices will increase December 1 and the Super Pass combo is only available through December 20.

General admission includes access to the Block Party with standing-room-only tribute band performances, unreserved general admission seating at the NYE Bash Demolition Derby, Vegas-style games with free prizes and access to food trucks, cash bars and other food and beverage options (food and drink prices vary). A VIP ticket offers all the same access as General admission plus complimentary parking, access to a VIP lounge with a private bar serving premium liquor and specialty cocktails, two drink tickets, party favors, hors d’oeuvres, a reserved premium seat at the NYE Bash Demolition Derby and a ticket to return in the summer for the 2013 OC Fair. Group general admission discounts are also available.

Admission and parking can be purchased online at ocfair.com/blockparty or from the onsite Box Office on a limited-time basis (visit ocfair.com/blockparty for the days and hours).

The OC Fair & Event Center is located off the 405 and 55 freeways at 88 Fair Drive in Costa Mesa. For more information, please visit ocfair.com, become a fan on Facebook.com/OCFair, or follow at twitter.com/ocfair.

Note:  Above is a Press Release from the OC Fair — Nibbles of Tidbits LOVES this event and we hope to see YOU at the OC Fair’s New Year’s Eve Block Party this year.  It’s a local party where there’s much to do and it really feels like a comfortable Block Party. 🙂

There’s always something to be thankful for — Happy Thanksgiving from Nibbles of Tidbits.

Many of life’s best moments happen at the dinner table, no matter how it’s set.

Minimal table settings and decor can be just as stylish and special as elaborate ones.

All photos collected herein convey sentiment in some way — I’m thankful for that feeling too.

To dine at each table would be more than fine.  Pass the Wine.

Get ready to enjoy the Holiday Season — For more ideas, instructions and photo credits, see here, here, here, here, here and here.  All utilized are linked to talented creators who inspired.

It’s another Fullerton find for me — I love The Olde Ship‘s interior and real Pub feel.

The Olde Ship British Pub & Restaurant is British owned and operated since 1993, but a first for me and it’s my kind of place.  I like the menu, lighting, friendliness, unique seating and Fish & Chips and want to try more.  Pictured below is the Whitby Platter with Cod and Shrimp.

A toast to how hip it is inside.

Churchill’s Roast Beef & Yorkshire Pudding is pictured at top and Soup of the Day below.

It was Broccoli Cheddar Soup and will be Award Winning Clam Chowder next time.

Thar-be another The Olde Ship in Santa Ana that’s grand and offers live entertainment.

I’m glad to ‘finally see the brilliance’ and now light-up for a line-up of Starters to try soon.

Where can I find the BEST Bánh Mì Sandwich?  Locally all answers lead to Little Saigon.

We collected suggestions, then set out to eat at a few of them in one day.

We started at the Coffee Factory with extra strong Coffees and a Bánh Mì (Thit Nuon).

It’s a BBQ’d Pork Bánh Mì Sandwich that we’d go back for, and the Coffee too.

We were also referred to Paris Patisserie & Boulangerie aka Au Coeur De Paris for Macarons.

It’s formerly known as Le Versailles, I think.

We got a box filled with one of each Macaron flavor to go.

At Tip Top Sandwiches (below) a Chicken Bánh Mì Sandwich on a Croissant was recommended.

There are a couple Tip Top Sandwiches locations off Brookhurst around Little Saigon.

Good, but we liked the Bánh Mì at the Coffee Factory better, though vow to try more.

Also went to Brodard Restaurant for Nem Nuong Cuon and more Macarons (below).

Nem Nuong Cuon are popular Pork Spring Rolls that are wrapped in Rice Paper.

Though a favorite of many, I don’t particularly like Rice Paper over a fried Spring Roll.

And we got another box of Macarons from Brodard to try and compare.

I loved the colors and Macaron flavors at Brodard.

Gorgeous — Never thought to describe a Cookie as gorgeous, but couldn’t stop staring.

We had no complaints about the Macarons — Both boxes were above average.

Without recommendations, it seems impossible for an outsider to know where to go and what to eat in and around Little Saigon.  The above was a good start, but we’re not done searching for the best Bánh Mì and already have other suggestions on a list.  Do you have a favorite?

We went to Michigan (and Wisconsin) — It’s where precious family live, eat, laugh, love, farm, can, build, cheer for the Packers, play cards, enjoy campfires, worship and hunt.

Once thriving century old family farms are deeply special — Wish I could go back in time.

It’s Winter and snow will be falling — I thought all was beautiful, but locals say to come back in the Summer or early Fall to see the changing leaves.  This visit we traveled through Menominee, Green Bay, Stephenson and Wallace (I think) and post the food angle about it.

The Portobello Sandwich is popular at the Serving Spoon — You’ll have to find it.

Their Reuben Sandwich was one of the best I’ve had — It was lean and flavorful.

Truck (below) has a Keg as a gas tank or maybe it was truly Beer.

Sweetie Freis family making Sauerkraut.

Keep it tightly covered and well pressed to make it best.

Freis family canning — Set for the Winter.

Pickles, Grape Juice and Tomatoes.

Peaches, finalized Sauerkraut and more all shelved in a large basement — Impressive.

Once strained, the Grape Juice was simply marvelous darling.

River view from a bro’s house in Wallace — It was campfire time every night.

Walking in the woods, walking in the woods, nobody walks in the woods — JK, we did.

Deer hunting season starts this week — Real action will soon be goin’ down here.

The Deer Whisperer (below) feeding ’em before… Shhhhh.  Sorry, it’s how it goes.

Large bags of Deer Corn and Sugar Beets are sold in the U.P., not seen much in the O.C.

Good hunters have much respect for the animals — Put on that orange too.

There’s much respect for the Lord — No Alcohol before 11:00a.m. on Sundays.

I’ve never tried an Old Wisconsin Wiener — Have you?  It doesn’t sound sexy.

At a Fish Fry they say = A cool hometown bar that serves good Fried Fish on a Friday.

I had Cod, which may be available any day — Names and links to be added once known.

Gun safety is extremely important — I had good training before shooting my first gun.

What kind of gun was it you ask?  A 357 Magnum, thank you very much, and what the %&*$ happened — It was crazy, like skiing on a double black diamond slope the first time you ever go down a mountain.  It was intense and loud as all $*(% without ear plugs.

Venison in all forms abounds — Preparing a Roast for dinner.

Venison Sausage to start.

Cooked Venison with Gravy (below).

A family meal in the U.P.  It was super duper yooper for all — Thank you!

I had 3 plates of mostly the Ham, Cole Slaw and Scalloped Potatoes.

Played Rummy many times too, another first for me.  I play cards, but hadn’t played Rummy.

On the way back to Green Bay Airport we stopped at Seguins — A Cheese shop in Wisconsin.

They offer lots of Cheese samples, unique gifts, and local memorabilia to see, try and/or buy.

I’ve been recruited as a Packer’s Fan — I guess that means they’re winning the Super Bowl.

From what I’ve seen and learned from one visit, the above picture captures a genuine spirit that’s felt throughout the Upper Peninsula and Wisconsin — So happy together.

One of countless thanks is for the freedom to grow and eat fruit — Thank God for it and YOU.

From California to Michigan and back to post about a family vacation and my first trip there.

Much is in store in Michigan with M — Photo Credits.

These Red, White & Blue Gumdrops are similar to Shelly’s Jellies, but different in that SJ’s are always made with real, puréed and/or juiced Fruit, instead of Extracts and/or Oils.  I love the patriotic stars, Gumdrop’s timely color combo and the freedom to make anything I want.

May the best of the worst (too commonly) win — Hope to toast to those I voted for!

My thoughts exactly (above) while in LLC and LLP America — Otherwise you just walk out hungry with more work to do, and have less time to do it.  Right!?  That always sucks about having too many meetings.  Have you seen someecards?  Most are pretty darn funny.

I also like… fun, fabulous, fantastic, fulfillment, fascination, etc. 😉

YOU might have to do something about it — Cheers to more jobs!  Huh?

Happy Friday — Hey, this feels like blogging… 🙂