Much to report about in 2013 — Until then we’ll be at the OC Fair’s New Year’s Eve Block Party. After the festivities, Nibbles of Tidbits will kick off with an easy Tomato Soup recipe and explanation re the Sandwich, our Dave & Buster’s experience, and many surprises to come.
Fodder for The Bad, though ultimately not too bad to not eat it — The story ends well with a fast and easy, homemade Tomato Soup. And our Grilled Cheese Sandwich wannabe ended up okay, obviously with less Cheese. Inspiration to prepare both came from Panera Bread, where I recently enjoyed another version of this Sandwich (and Soup). My Tomato Soup is healthier and tastes just as good, if not better. Full story and recipe to be posted here soon.
Too bad we can’t fill our gas tanks with Beer — Don’t drink and drive this year (or ever). Taxi!
I set out to assess and collect information regarding 2013 Food Trends and thankfully found a compilation of several predictions at Nutrition Unplugged and many are linked (below) for convenience. I’m glad to see that Cauliflower will be taking over for last year’s over-rated Kale trend, since I like to roast it in the oven with Garlic Cloves and Lemon. Happy eating in 2013!
Andrew Freeman & Co. – How Hotel & Restaurant Trends Will Shape a New Reality in 2013
Baum + Whiteman – 17 Hottest Food and Dining Trends for 2013
Cooking Light – Our Predictions: 2013 Food Trends
Epicurious – Epicurious Predicts the Top 10 Food Trends of 2013
Food Network – 2013 Predictions from Food Network Kitchens
FohBoh – 2013 Food Trends
Innova Market Insights – Top Trends for 2013
Meat Poultry – Top Food Trends for 2013
National Restaurant Association – What’s Hot 2013 Chef Survey
Orange County Register – Food Trends for 2013
Phil Lempert – The Top 10 Food Trend Predictions for 2013
Produce Marketing Association’s Produce Trends – Produce Trends
Sterling-Rice Group – Cutting-Edge Dining Trends of 2013
Technomic – Technomic’s Take: What’s Ahead in 2013?
The Food Channel – Top Ten Food Trends of 2013
What else would a food blog want? Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday Jesus! Bon appétit.
I love this simple, cute appetizer idea. Do you need more instruction? I’d dress the Baby Greens and Tomatoes with Olive Oil and Salt and Pepper or Italian Dressing to thoroughly enjoy it all. And I might add a dollop of Caramel Sauce at the base of the Apple for dessert.
We traveled to The Globe for dinner and reached La La Land, as we fell in love with the food and more in love with each other over Belgian Craft Beers and specially selected Hoppas.
The Globe Dine • Bar is owned and operated by a lovely husband and wife team from Belgium.
It’s in Historic Downtown Garden Grove — I didn’t know there was such the designation.
Since I generally like historic-anything and food-travel-everything, The Globe enticed.
And it delivered the most flavorful Hoppas (Hops + Tapas) we ever landed on.
Skirt Steak Florets, Blue Cheese, Roasted Pearl Onions with Red Wine Jus was transcending.
It’s pictured at top and directly above, along with Prosciutto Wrapped Scampi Shrimp…
Gouda Croquettes and Cherry Tomato Bruchetta — All transported with exceptional flavor.
Belgian Craft Beers are served in signature glassware and poured following Cicerone rules.
Historic Main Street is fairly short and we think The Globe is the best place on the street.
Our sampling was so good, we hope to go back for more. The menu explores the globe stopping in a different country each month — We took in a pleasing glance of France.
Traveling The Globe is worth it — You’ll find nice people, BEER and varying high-quality food.
Nibbles of Tidbits adopts the Optimist’s View of the Mayan Calendar.
We plan to toast to it with an Oreo Cookie and a big glass of Milk (or we’ll be dead).
Start the OC Fair New Year’s Eve Block Par-tay early at its Pre-Party Event: It’s Free.
A friend recently drove through a Starbucks Drive-Thru and when she got to the window to pay, the employee told her that her Coffee had been paid for by the anonymous person in front of her. She only remembers it was a lady. The gesture made my friend’s day, an otherwise bad one in other ways. It came at the right time and she’s still talking about it. Now I’m going to do it! And it doesn’t need to happen at a Starbucks — Any drive-thru will do, like El Pollo Loco, unless there are too many people in the car behind you, ha. You decide.
It’s great to see a Lindt Store is at The Outlets at Orange, formerly know as The Block at Orange (1998 – 2011), and perhaps to be known as O someday, jk, but reeallllly. Why not? On to the Chocolate… Lindt is my longest favorite and I LOVE the progressive new flavors.
Keep on Chocolatier-ing Swiss Master. Mmmmmmmmm.
We toast to the incredible food at The Globe, soon to be shown here, after recognition of National Lager Day — Other National Food Days in December are linked here, here and here.
A new Panera Bread just opened in Costa Mesa and I went for the Big Kid Grilled Cheese.
It’s off Harbor near Target and Henry’s Farmers Market.
This Panera Bread has an outdoor patio and fireplace (indoors and out).
The new Big Kid Grilled Cheese is described below.
The bites with Applewood Smoked Bacon were divine — It’s an amazing, rich Sandwich.
Combined with Creamy Tomato Soup, it was a most satisfying lunch.
They open early for breakfast.
I may need to go back soon for the same — Extra crispy on the outside is preferred.
Panera Bread offers a good meal — Thanks! See what we’ve said previously.
It’s hard to find a good Sports Bar. I’ve known some bad ones. Since becoming a Packer’s fan, it’s become important to find a comfortable and tasteful place to watch the games — One with lots of big screens, a civil atmosphere and great food (perhaps hardest to find) is most desired. We learned about the changes happening at Dave & Buster’s and can’t wait to test out the digs this Sunday. Read all about it (below) and check back next week for our amusement verdict. I’ve always liked D&B’s though didn’t previously consider it on game day.
Dave & Buster’s Introduces Ultimate Destination for Sports Fans
New look offers New Sports Viewing, New Food, New Games and New Fun — Think you know Dave & Buster’s? Think again. D&B’s, the leader in all-in-one entertainment, is upping the game with the launch of its newly renovated Irvine Spectrum and Outlets at Orange locations. Combining massive 15-foot TV screens, a new menu, new games, and top to bottom upgrades, Dave & Buster’s is the ultimate go-to game day headquarters for sports fans.
Over the past three months, the Orange and Irvine Dave & Buster’s have been transformed into the ultimate destination for sport enthusiasts, with a new contemporary look and feel. With enormous projection screens and 25 huge HD TV’s, Dave & Buster’s has dining, sports viewing, and entertainment under one roof.
“We’re very excited about our new look and can’t wait to share it with sports fans,” said James Glenn, General Manager, Irvine Spectrum. “Our new sports bar is unlike anything you’ve ever seen before, with new food and new games – no other place has this much going on!”
Orange County Dave & Buster’s guests who are looking for fun are definitely going to find it. Highlights of the changes include:
The Irvine Dave & Buster’s is located at 71 Fortune Dr., Suite 960 Irvine, CA, 92618. Hours of operation are 11:00 a.m. – midnight Sunday through Wednesday; 11:00 a.m. – 1 a.m., Thursday through Saturday.
The Orange Dave & Buster’s is located 20 City Boulevard West, Bldg. G Suite 1 Orange, CA, 92868. Hours of operation are 11:30 a.m. – midnight, Sunday through Wednesday; 11:30 a.m. – 1 a.m., Thursday through Saturday.
About Dave & Buster’s
Innovators of the restaurant/entertainment category, Dave & Buster’s was founded in 1982 and is headquartered in Dallas, Texas. Dave & Buster’s now operates 60 large venue, high-volume restaurant/entertainment complexes throughout the United States that offer a food and fun-filled experience to adults and families. The exciting environment of the Dave & Buster’s complex contributes to each guest’s experience and also provides the perfect setting for corporate and group events. Dave & Buster’s is currently updating all of its stores to enhance the TV viewing areas and build a larger sports atmosphere. Each Dave & Buster’s offers an impressive selection of high-quality food and beverage items, combined with an extensive array of interactive entertainment attractions such as pocket billiards, shuffleboard, state-of the-art simulators, virtual reality and traditional carnival-style amusements and games of skill. Dave & Buster’s emphasizes high levels of guest service in an upscale atmosphere to create casual, yet sophisticated, ideal playing conditions.
SOURCE: Press Release from Dave & Buster’s — Read more about it here and here.
I can’t stop going on-and-on about how thin and crispy Chili’s Tortilla Chips are, and mentioned it here once before. Though we set out to taste and report about Chili’s $20 Dinner for 2, the Tortilla Chips were triangle-stars (again) amongst generously portioned, flavorful entrees and appetizer. There’s something HB Strips and Cheese tasting about Chili’s Chips and Salsa, which may make sense to a local!? Maybe it’s the frying Oil and/or the Salsa is similarly sweet. Whatever it is, I LIKE IT. Now onto our $20 Dinner for 2. What a deal!
We previously tried Chili’s $35 Dinner, Drinks & Dessert for 2 — Some dishes are the same as those offered for the $20 Dinner for 2, and some are different. The main differences are the Drinks and Dessert, and neither come with the $20 special. It can’t be that great of a deal.
We’re completely impressed with the large serving sizes and taste of all.
We chose the Crispy Onion & Jalapeno Stack for an Appetizer and the Crispy Honey-Chipotle Chicken Crispers and Grilled Chicken Salad for Entrees — The MENU is here.
Lots of good Entrees to choose from — I like that, and our server Bobby at Chili’s Buena Park location, who was authentically nice and proficient. A bag of Chips to-go well with 4 ripe Avocados awaiting purpose at home. Guacamole with more thin, crispy Tortilla Chips, ole.
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