Always do sober what you said you’d do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut,” reads the Ernest Hemingway quote scrawled on the sidewalk chalkboard outside Hopscotch Tavern. Another blackboard touts the blue-collar special at this downtown Fullerton rookie watering hole: “beer, whiskey, and cigar” for $15. Read More

At Pitfire, the Talking Heads chant about burning down the house on overhead speakers as the line shuffles up to the cheerful guy manning the register. He is unruffled that I’m practically shouting in his face to place my order, which he loudly reads back with comforting accuracy. The line behind soon stretches out the door, a motley mix of whiny toddlers, relaxed locals, and wary newcomers. Read More

Orange County’s Irish pubs tend toward the cliche ... The formula is past due for an upgrade—the kind you’ll find at Dublin 4. Read More

Yelp reviews are reliably capricious, but I do read my fair share and know how to quickly sift the shills from the sincere. It’s a cinch, really. But Lake Forest’s Brü Grill & Market had me stumped. For months, reactions whipsawed between disdain and delight. Read More

There’s a tequila sunset in progress over Laguna Beach, but only a few steps into Mare Culinary Lounge on busy Coast Highway, it’s dark and moody. Sleek with black and gray glass tiles, the walls shimmer where they catch glints of cobalt blue that glows from beneath the bar. Silent, sepia film footage of elephants, foreign seashores, and a shirtless, barefoot boy flicker on one wall, projected from an unseen source. The enigmatic aura is a stark departure from the funky, beachy scene outside. Read More

Every neighborhood deserves a casual, accessible haunt where food is king, wine is queen, and prices are fair. Newport Beach’s new Juliette Kitchen & Bar is a fine example of such a place. Read More

It’s been a long time since a folksy, value-priced French bistro opened in these parts. And though it was sad to bid au revoir to Cafe Francais, Le Biarritz, and LaFayette, the April birth of west Anaheim’s Bistro Bleu is a blessing for Francophiles who yearn for another addition to a lean family of options. Chef-owner David Kesler is the hero in this story. Read More

Last spring, when chef-owner Jason Quinn plotted his rookie restaurant in downtown Santa Ana, he noted that burgers and craft beers would be central to Playground’s fare. Today, he pours 75-plus swell brews, but not a single burger graces the quirky menu. The feisty Quinn simply assumes you’ll know it’s there, perhaps because of the nonstop parade of fat patties in glistening brioche emanating from the kitchen—a one-size-fits-all meal in a bun. No upgrades. No extras. No requesting how you’d like it cooked. Read More

Colorful Spanish tiles pave the way to the shaded portico at South of Nick’s. Tall ceramic urns overflowing with water burble softly behind a sleek wood bench, a soothing spot to wait for a table. Read More

In the ongoing upgrade of restaurants at the Spectrum in Irvine, Paul Martin’s American Grill is yet another player. Open since November, it’s a handsome, strapping venue with 260-plus seats, zero pretension, and a mission to make the journey from  farm to fork as short as possible. A single-page carte of mainly American dishes instantly appeals. It’s familiar, straightforward, and devoid of overly clever menuspeak. Descriptions are short, plain, and complete. “Salt & Pepper Wild Prawns, buttermilk battered with pesto aioli, $17” gets the job done. When questions arise, the friendly servers typically are menu-savvy and ready with cogent answers. Read More