Nibbles of Tidbits, a Food Blog

Have you tried Naples Ristorante E Pizzeria in the Downtown Disney District?

If not, you may want to skip it — Not because it’s bad, but because it’s ridiculously priced.

Disney related prices are high indeed and going up, as recently reported.

After watching a Food Network Special on Pizzas, I had been craving a great one — Naples Ristorante E Pizzeria was the first Pizzeria we stumbled on after the show.  It didn’t satisfy, mostly because I have an aversion to being gouged.  Our “Individual” Pizza (pictured) was $19 and the next size up is $32.  We got the Finocchiona Pizza, which is made with Salami, sautéed Onions, Tomato and Mozzarella.  Again, it wasn’t bad, but I know there’s better.

We appreciate taste and value in a Pizza — It makes us happier on earth.

Where are the prices?  I can’t think of one good reason (for the consumer) not to have drink prices on a menu.  Chili’s Restaurant doesn’t put drink prices on its menu.  Drinks can be expensive.  I don’t want to ask… How much is this Margarita, or that one, or how about that Glass of Wine, etc.  It’s a little uncomfortable, but I don’t want a big surprise on the bill, thus I’m less apt to order a drink at Chili’s, especially a Specialty Margarita.  Do you feel the same?

On a positive note, I’ll always order their Chips — Chili’s Chips are the best.

Umami:  A taste sensation that is meaty or savory and is produced by several amino acids and nucleotides (as glutamate and aspartate) — It’s the definition of Umami.  Understand now?

How about this… Umami is a savory taste, one of the five basic tastes (together with sweet, sour, bitter and salty).  A loanword from the Japanese, Umami can be translated as “pleasant savory taste” — It’s basically a description, NOT specific ingredients.  I didn’t know all this.

Pictured is the Original Umami Burger from the Umami Restaurant Group’s Umami Burger.

And Beer Battered Onion Rings from Umami Burger’s Sides Menu.  They were good, but I prefer thinner Onions.  Theirs are thick with too much Onion — Not sure if they are always like that?!

As for the famous Original Umami Burger, I regret to inform that we thought it was just okay.  I’d heard great things about it over the past couple years, but we didn’t find it mind blowingly different.  It’s quite rich actually.  We like its ingredients… Shiitake Mushrooms, Caramelized Onions, Roasted Tomato, a Parmesan Crisp and Umami Ketchup, but idk — It was pleasantly savory, but other Burgers have been even more pleasantly savory, if allowed.

It’s not inexpensive, but had to try it and you may still want to too.  I’d like to try Umami Burger’s Ahi Tuna Burger.  It looks and sounds impressive, like many of Umami Burger’s other Burgers.

Orange County Restaurant Week is over for now, but it’ll be back — I’m not sure when, but you can check here.  Next time, we’ll opt for the Wahoo’s Fish Taco deal more than once.

For $20 it included… (2) Drinks (Beer and/or Wine), an Appetizer (Baja Rolls) to share, (2) Entrees (Two Tacos and/or Two Enchiladas), and Dessert (Churro Chips) to share.

It was the best deal that week — Though it has past, OC Restaurant Week will be back again.

Until then, OC Cocktail Week starts TODAY — Here’s a link to more information about it.

Though full from our Wahoo’s meal, we couldn’t stop eating the Churro Chips, which are similar to those in photo above — We were so busy inhaling them, I forgot to take a photo.

Cinnamon Chips (pictured above) — Photo Credit and Recipe

For Orange County Restaurant Week, we chose Matador Cantina in Fullerton — Mostly because we’re based here now and it’s the best deal offered by 3 participating restaurants nearby.

There’s ample parking and an entrance in the back — It’s dark, but don’t be intimidated.

Enlarge Menu (above) for a better view — We had one of each, pictured herein.

A Ceviche Tostada (above) and/or Banh Mi Tostada (below) were offered for the First Course.

Second Course included Grilled Fish Tacos…

…and/or Chicken Mole Enchiladas.

I especially liked the Cilantro Lime Rice served with the meals.

All was fantastic and I see why Matador Cantina has been voted Orange County’s Best Mexican Restaurant by some.  Third of this Three-Course Dinner for $20 includes a Chipotle Apple Empanada (above) and/or Cro-Churros (below).  We couldn’t taste the Chipotle as much as we wanted to, but all was good and a great pick for OC Restaurant Week.

The X O (above) goes out to my new husband and dining partner for life, Matt (below).  Hi. 🙂

After this week passes, Matador Cantina will continue to offer Weekly Specials.

See Orange County Restaurant Week’s List of Participating Restaurants — It’s HERE, with respective menus and price listings.  We’ll be dining in Historic Downtown Fullerton this year, as it’s near where we just moved and still part of Orange County.  Matador Cantina, The Cellar and/or Hopscotch shall be our choice for lunch and/or dinner(s) next week.

Blue Water Grill opened a restaurant on Catalina Island a few months ago.

A group of us recently traveled across the sea for lunch — Well, not just for that, but it was nice to see a recognizable restaurant immediately upon disembarkment.  I had enjoyed Blue Water Grill in Newport Beach a few times before.  It’s not cheap, but the food is good.

Pictured from top down we had Seared Scallops with Roasted Jalapeno Aioli — They’re great, but I’d prefer more than (3) for the price ($14.75) and it’s not ideal for five to share.

Baked Crab & Artichoke Dip — It’s okay.  More of it would have been better too.

New England Clam Chowder — Always with Tabasco for me.

Grilled Salmon with Vegetables.

Grilled Mahi Mahi Sliders.

The main purpose of this trip was friends, not food.

The new-ish Blue Water Grill is news, but my Bachelorette Party was most interesting.

Much thanks to dear friends — I love Catalina and y’all.

Back to the food…

Veterans and active-duty military personnel deserve to take advantage of the day.  It’s Veterans Day and many want to say thanks!  Several restaurants and others are offering FREE meals.  Those qualified should plan their schedule around the options — Start here.

The La Palma Chicken Pie Shop Restaurant and Bakery has been in existence longer than I’ve been alive — Yelp reviews will tell you more.  I’m new to this old establishment.

I love the prices — They’re old school, like the waitresses who may be original too.

I’m told (and have read) that the Chicken Pie is the best item to order, so it’s what we had.

With Dinner, the Chicken Pie comes with Soup and Salad, a Roll and Dessert.

I got the Ranch Dressing, which isn’t good (tangy) and I’ve since read their Roquefort is best.

Dinner also comes with a choice of Potato — We got the Mashed Potatoes.  Gravy covers it all.

I like smothered Gravy — The Crust was still crunchy and has a good flavor and texture.

It is loaded with big pieces of real Chicken, dark and white — You can order it with all White Meat too.  I may do that next time, just to be on the safe side.  No Peas or Carrots are inside.

Peach Pie for me and Matt had the Chocolate Pudding (not pictured).

The interior is old too and filled with decorative Chickens and long-standing booths.

Is that a flower pot on Matt’s head and a Chicken on his shoulder whispering in his ear?

Come back, says the Chicken.

It’s also a Bakery, as identified — We were too stuffed to try anything.  Next time.

The Baked Chicken Pie Lunch ($5.00) and Dinner ($6.75) are cheap, satisfying meals.

If I’ve ever had Mrs. Knott’s Fried Chicken before, I don’t remember.  I should have, since I’ve probably been to Knott’s Berry Farm a hundred times.  I grew up nearby.  Most of the time there’s a long line and I don’t like long lines.  This day it was free and clear.  We walked right in the very day we resolved to stand in line for it — At Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant.

In one of several dining room areas — It’s fairly large inside and often full.

I came away thinking it could be the Hot Buttermilk Biscuits they stand in line for — WOW, they are good!  They’re warm and something special.  And I’m not one to get excited about Biscuits.

Soup and Salad is served with all Chicken meals — Mrs. Knott’s Famous Fried Chicken for us.

It also comes with the choice of Cabbage seasoned with Ham or Sweet Kernel Corn.

Though the Cabbage with Ham looks basic, it’s flavorful and rich — I’d get it again too.

We split a meal, like others often do, we’re told — It’s a lot of food for one.

Prices have changed in 70+ years — Today all is $16.99, and the same was only $0.85 in 1940.

We upgraded to all White Meat — It’s $3.59 more, perhaps $0.15 back in the day?!

We like the STAR with longevity too — Fried Chicken.  Okay, I’ll stand in line for all.

Shouldn’t they be offering Knott’s Jellies, Jams and Preserves?!  What’s up with the Smucker’s?

From Alaska to California and hopefully back for more — I’ve never been there, but our resident photographer cruised Alaska last year and came back exclaiming he had the ‘Best Crab Bisque’ ever.  It was at Tracy’s King Crab Shack in Juneau and he couldn’t stop talking about it.

I tried to find its recipe online, but could not, thus resorted to having it shipped from Tracy.

It’s not cheap (mostly due to shipping), but I learned it’s worth it — Wow!  I see now.

Though not as pretty as when it’s served to you in Juneau, Alaska, it cooked up flawlessly.

One has the option to add Cream, Milk or Stock — I added Cream, as recommended by Tracy.

She also suggests a squeeze of Lime at the end — It has generous pieces of King Crab.

This King Crab Bisque is superb without a Lime squeeze and magnificent with one.

Tracy’s King Crab Shack was recently featured on Top Chef, as shown in a few TV pics.

Chef-testants had to quickly create a dish with Tracy’s Crab Legs — The Best Legs in Town.

Tracy’s King Crab Shack Story and Stovetop Instructions are above.

Thanks to Matt for the beautiful Alaskan photos and tip on Tracy’s — I’m hooked on all!

Its name cracks me up and it’s somewhat true that Jack in the Box’s new Burger is a Hot Mess in a good way — We like it a lot, though it’s a bit overpriced, but we’ll have one again.

UH-LOW-HAH Aloha Roll (above) — We can’t wait to go back to Sapporo Sushi (f/k/a Niko Niko Sushi) to have it again.  It’s made with Baked Pineapple, Spicy Tuna, Avocado and Mango.

A Tempura Special Roll of some sort (above) for another table — It sure looked good.

We also had the Hungry Roll (above), which is layer upon layer of texture and flavor.  It’s over the top.  Watching it be made was crazy — It’s got Shrimp Tempura, Spicy Tuna, Popcorn Shrimp, Avocado and Crab.  Sapporo Sushi is near CSULB off PCH/7th Street in Long Beach.

Happy Anniversary Orange County Restaurant Week — What restaurant will you be dining at?

I try to avoid politics here, but better decisions need to be made — People and animals first.

We’re working our way through the best deals in town and Chili’s is alive and kicking.

We’ve previously posted about Chili’s 2 for $20 deal here and here — And since it’s so good, we keep going back for more.  Recently added to the choices is the Mango-Chili Talapia (above) and we tried the Bacon Ranch Chicken Quesadilla and we’re still in HEAVY like, next.

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.

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 2 for $20 meal — It’s a real deal at Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar.

Right now at Applebee’s you get (1) Appetizer and (2) full size Entrees for $20 – See MENU.

This was our first time to an Applebee’s and we learned it’s hipper than we thought.

It’s a welcoming place for the young and the old — I like that.  Its full Bar helps too.

We happened upon “$5 Sangria Saturdays” and appreciated the generous size glass too.

For an Appetizer, we opted for the Spinach & Artichoke Dip and would do so again.

And for Entrees we chose the Chipotle Cream Steak & Shrimp and the Three Cheese Chicken Penne.  Both were good.  Top Sirloin was served as the Steak (above) and it was tender, a must for any Steak — I never like to chew and chew and chew a Steak.

The ‘Welcome Back!’ sign shall apply next time, since we’d go back for this deal.

Cheers to 2 for $20 at Applebee’s and other specials like it — The service, atmosphere and lighting was pleasant too.  We also like the T.G.I. Friday’s 3-Course Menu for (2) for $20.  And Chili’s Grill & Bar has a $20 Dinner for Two that we plan to try (and report on) soon.

One of my favorite Burritos is the Junior Super Deluxe at El Tarasco in Manhattan Beach.

It’s been about ten years since I’d been there and had one, and it tastes exactly the same.

LOVE the Chips and Salsa there too — We used to drive miles to get there at midnight.

This day we walked a couple miles along the surf from Hermosa Beach — It’s worth it no matter how you travel to get there.  Enlarge MENU for a better view.  This first El Tarasco has been open since 1969, and though prices aren’t the same, they’re definitely reasonable.

It won’t take another ten years to sink my teeth into another one — I’ve got the fever again.

Note:  It’s a tiny place only a counter long — Sometimes you wait, other times you don’t.

I’m told the food is supposed to be better at ballparks these days, but typical food stands still overcharge and barely suffice — Though that’s the case, we still had fun and the Angels won.

We made the best of it by having the price of a 12-pack in one giant can. 😉

Cheers to a striking day!  It was a hot one too.  Good thing we had it made in the shade.

Have you seen, tried or received an Edible Arrangement?  They’re sure nice, but not cheap.

If you’re delivered one, save its bare bones — My Mom did and prepared them to live again.  The frame of an Edible Arrangement is basically a pot with a foam insert and plastic skewers.

Just cut and ADD FRUIT for an anytime array.

See here for ideas, buy one for its eventual bones or assemble a kit with craft store materials.

Chef Bailee and Lexi of Kids in the Kitchen created a fruit bouquet for a family birthday party, but didn’t want to be seen on camera this day due to teenage makeup concerns — Well, okaaaay then.  They enjoyed crafting it, an outcome sought most.  And it’s tasty too!

  Why not make it a family project?  You can come out now Lexi. 🙂

Much work went into the preparation of this list — The Birthday (Food) Freebies List.  It’s a notable compilation, though we have not verified all.  Do you know the restaurants?  We’re familiar with most of them.  How many stops can you schedule on your birthday?  It might be fun to make an entire day of it.  We’ll surely document it when it happens.  I know a few birthdays coming up.  Anyone game?  More birthday freebies are listed here, here and here.

Happy Birthday to you, whenever it may be…