Archives for 2015

Watson Drugs and Soda Fountain: Enjoy a Taste of Retro Charm

When most people envision a scene from the 1950s, they think of an old-fashioned soda fountain filled with smiling faces. The Watson Drugs and Soda Fountain still offers that same retro charm in modern-day Santa Ana, creating a lively and wholesome place to bring the whole family. Like you might expect, the restaurant is decorated with kitschy signage and memorabilia all over its walls, and it contains a number of vinyl booths and even a black and white checkered floor.

The authentic soda fountain menu offers casual American lunch options like juicy burgers and French fries and homestyle dinner platters later in the day, and everything tastes better with a thick milkshake paired with your meal. If you want to ditch the modern restaurant trends and take a trip down memory lane, Watson Drugs and Soda Fountain is truly a must-see blast from the past.

Watson Drugs and Soda Fountain
116 East Chapman Ave
Orange, California 92866
(714) 532-6317
www.watsonsdrugs.com

Where to Shop Holiday Gifts for Foodies

If you have a foodie friend or family member, there are a number of great online shopping sites that provide great gifts for the holiday season. From cooking supplies to tasty ingredients and even creative cookbooks, these food-centric online stores have everything you need to find the perfect gift for any foodie.

Lette Macarons
Colorful Parisian macaron cookies are a favorite of any food lover, and this smart website makes it so that you can ship your choice of macaron flavors to anywhere in the country. Order a box of Caribbean chocolate or Sweet Wedding Almond and have them delivered just in time for the holidays.

Uncommon Goods
Just like the name suggests, Uncommon Goods offers hard-to-find kitchen supplies and foods that are perfect for the avid foodie. Shop unique gifts like herbal tea kits, Himalayan salt planks and varietal honey flights.

Williams-Sonoma
The popular home goods store is well known for its impressive selection of cookware and cooking supplies, so just about anything that you purchase from its vast inventory is sure to be a hit with a food loving friend.

Murray’s Cheese
Just about everyone loves cheese, and most foodies would agree that the more pungent, the better. Murray’s is the perfect source for foreign and gourmet cheeses that make delicious gifts.

Happy Winter!

As sweater weather approaches we hope you all stay warm and cozy this season! What are some of your favorite winter activities?

Freshen Up Your Mid-Day Snack at Acai Republic

If you’ve always wanted to try those acai bowls that you keep hearing about, you’ll find a deliciously refreshing selection at Tustin’s Acai Republic. This colorful juice bar is sleek and modern inside, and it is located in a popular shopping plaza with ample parking outside for your convenience on a busy day. Acai Republic serves authentic bowls blended with acai, bananas, and your choice of toppings, which include healthy and filling items like granola or fresh fruit.

Bowls can be blended with fruit juice for added flavor, and you can even add honey or agave for a kick of sweetness without the artificial sugar. There are also different types of pre-made bowls to choose from with names like the Real Brazilian Bowl and the Tahiti Bowl. In addition to acai bowls, Acai Republic also offers fresh-pressed juices and real fruit smoothies. With free Wi-Fi and a coffee shop atmosphere, this is a great spot to check your emails with a healthy snack.

Acai Republic
632 El Camino Real
Tustin, CA 92780
(714) 617-4962
www.acairepublic.com
www.yelp.com/biz/acai-republic-tustin

Embark on a Culinary Journey at Christakis Greek Cuisine in Tustin

Christakis Greek Cuisine on Newport Avenue has served Tustin traditional Greek dishes since 1996. Still family-owned, the service is friendly and attentive, and the menu is fantastic. Begin with a saganaki appetizer, or the fresh and excellent hummus, or the spanakopita—most starters here are very good and very filling. Popular entrees include the paidakia, four charbroiled lambchops marinated in virgin olive oils and Greek spices, and the terrific falafel.

The ambience is intimate and relaxed on most days, but on weekend nights live music and belly dancing accompany meals. Prices are reasonable and the outdoor seating is a calm escape.

Christakis Greek Cuisine
13011 Newport Ave
Tustin, CA 92780
(714) 731-6600
christakisgreekcuisine.com

Zov’s: The Taste Of Quality

Founded in 1987 by a chef named Zov Karamardian, Zov's in Tustin has earned accolades for its Mediterranean-influenced menu and excellence in baked goods. The calamari appetizer makes a great start to a meal while hummus is a great choice for an indecisive eater to fall back on.

The rack of lamb, probably the most popular menu item, is an often-praised entrée and comes highly recommended, while the prime rib is also well-regarded. You can head to the bakery behind the bistro after your meal for a very good dessert, or stay at the bistro and grab Zov’s famous chocolate bomb. According to Zov, the staff does regular trainings to ensure a consistent and warm level of hospitality toward guests, and it shows in the attentive service here.

Zov's
17440 17th Street
Tustin, CA 92780
(714) 838-8855
http://www.yelp.com/biz/zovs-bistro-tustin

Happy Thanksgiving!

We hope everyone has a wonderful day celebrating with family and friends! What are you thankful for this year?

Food Safety Tips Everyone Should Know

Whether you’re cooking for your family or planning a potluck for a whole group, it’s always important to prepare and store food properly to avoid foodborne illness. Here are a few smart tips that will keep your food tasting great while also keeping you out of harm’s way.

  1. Be mindful of leftovers. As a general rule, leftovers should only be kept in the refrigerator for three or four days before they start to go bad. Keep yourself safe by storing all leftovers in airtight containers, and if you don’t eat them in within the recommended time frame, consider it a loss and toss them in the trash.
  2. Use a meat thermometer. When cooking meat, always use a meat thermometer to ensure that it is fully cooked. Beef should be at least 145°F, while poultry should be at least 165°F.
  3. Know your eggs. If you frequently cook eggs, be aware that they have a fairly long lifespan in the refrigerator of three to five weeks. Dishes containing eggs, however, should be discarded after three or four days.
  4. Stay informed about outbreaks. Always watch the news to learn about recent foodborne illness contaminations, such as E. coli or salmonella. Throw away any foods that might be contaminated immediately.
  5. Always wash your hands. The most important thing that you can do when handling any type of food is to wash your hands.

How long can you safely keep leftovers in the refrigerator? [Mayo Clinic]
Learn the Basics to Keep Food Safe at Home [Food Safety News]
Storage Times for the Refrigerator and Freezer [FoodSafety.gov]

Explore the Natural World at the Discovery Cube Orange County

Science lovers in Santa Ana love Discovery Cube Orange County for its wide variety of hands-on exhibits that make learning lots of fun. While this bright, modern museum is great for children and families, it’s so interesting that there is something for people of all ages.

Start your visit with a trip to the Rocket Lab, where you’ll experience blast-off from a Boeing RS-68 rocket ship and even launch your own rockets in the Fuel Station. Next, head over to the Planetary Research Station, which enables you to view the Earth’s weather patterns on a suspended, animated globe model. The Dino Quest exhibit will make you feel like a real paleontologist as you dig for dinosaur bones, while the helicopter tour offers a view from the above of the nearby Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. After you’ve toured all of the exciting exhibits, unwind with a short feature movie at Discovery Cube’s 4D movie theater.

Discovery Cube Orange County
2500 N Main St
Santa Ana, CA 92705
(714) 542-2823
www.discoverycube.org/oc

Happy Veterans day!

Today is a day to honor the men and women who have bravely fought and continue to fight for our country. Thank you for your service!

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