December 2011

Cover Story
The 50 Best Dishes in O.C.
Because Orange Coast dining critic Gretchen Kurz knows Orange County restaurants better than anyone, we asked her to choose her 50 favorites from among the thousands of dishes she has sampled in local restaurants. The result is the ultimate foodie bucket list of dishes you simply must try before you die. Some are seasonal. Some are classics. All are memorable. Plus, we share secrets for preparing some of our favorites, including Park Ave chef David Slay’s fabled, deep-fried Crispy Garden Greens. You can learn his technique here. For the full feature, order your December issue here!
by Gretchen Kurz

Did We Miss One?
If we overlooked something delicious that deserves to be on our list of Orange County’s best dishes, here’s your chance to nominate the 51st Dish. Just click here and tell us what it is, where to get it, and why you like it so much. By nominating your favorite, you’ll be entered to win a chance for $100 toward a dinner at Lucca.

Features 
Disenchanted
A writer who spent her childhood behind the scenes at the brand-new Disneyland recalls how that unusual childhood turned her from a Mouseketeer into a somewhat-jaded Grouseketeer. For the rest of us, we included some insider tips for efficient navigation of the “Happiest Place on Earth.” You can read that here. To get the full feature, subscribe or order a digital copy of our December issue here! 
by Gretchen Kurz 

Rogues in Robes
You aren’t imagining it: Orange County has more than its share of misbehaving judges. To commemorate that, we offer a colorful history of injudicious jurisprudence. Read the story’s introduction, or to read the whole story, subscribe or order a digital copy of our December issue here!
by Matthew Heller 

25 Years in the Spotlight
The Segerstrom Center for the Arts turns silver this year. Isn’t it amazing what can grow in a bean field? Want to see the story’s introduction? How about an honor roll of million-dollar contributors listed in the center’s opening-night program?

Zoom! 
Festival of Children Society Editor Gloria Zigner’s monthly recap of the county’s charity events, including the Festival of Children’s 10th anniversary gala at South Coast Plaza’s Garden Terrace.

Guide
Dining at the Bar INSIDERS ONLY!
Here are eight great local restaurants where you can get first-class meals with the speedy service of a lunch counter.
>> Online Only Browse past Guides

Coast Lines
Our Neighborhoods page visits Corona del Mar for its warm and welcoming Christmas Walk. The O.C. Answer Man explains the lack of gold in the surrounding mountains, the abundance of people at Disneyland, and the correct pronunciation of various local city names. In Books, we review Los Angeles Times reporter Christopher Goffard’s “You Will See Fire.” Stat Sheet gives you the numbers on the guy who skippers the smallest craft in the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade. Our Perfect Getaway travel feature takes you to Las Vegas for New Year’s Eve. We catalog local birthday freebies on the Fun Page, and spotlight homes with acreage in On the Market.

O.C. Style
Designers are using fur in innovative and interesting ways this season, from shoes and gloves to purses and backpacks. And the Hot Shop feature spotlights Phyllisophical boutique in Tustin, which has a Paris-inspired inventory that keeps Phyllis Swanson’s clients close to home.

Departments

Drive Every trip in a car is a quiet gamble, so drive like your life depends on it. Because it does.

My Orange County A stolen Rose Parade float during a long-ago night of panic and idiocy leads to lasting life lessons.

Columns
Land’s End What the annual Christmas Boat Parade says about courage and optimism. By Shawn Hubler

Editor’s Letter The Culinary Bucket List. By Martin J. Smith

Artist Spotlight “Dr. Johnson’s Tardy Gallantry,” from the collection of Dr. Howard and Linda Knohl of Anaheim. It’s among the works being exhibited through Jan. 8 at the Muzeo. To see previous Artist Spotlight features, click here.
>> Online Only Click here to see an online gallery of other works from their collection, as well as our comprehensive events listings that will guide you to the month’s best in local arts and entertainment.

Dining
Main Course Sexy newcomers Starfish and Katsuya in Laguna Beach

Nibbles & Bits News and notes from the local foodie scene, including a shishito pepper smackdown, Lake Forest resident Marlene Baroli-Turati’s custom preserves, and where to get the good stuff direct from OC Baking Co.

Rediscovery AnQi in South Coast Plaza

>> Online Only Our authoritative, expanded, and searchable dining listings  

To purchase a digital copy of this issue click here.