Lola Gaspar channels the easy lifestyle of Latin America through its eclectic menu, elaborately decorated interior, and afternoon siesta offerings, which are perfect for guests who want to call off the workday a little early. The dining room is small and romantic, featuring rustic chandeliers and a very quaint, cozy seating area.

Warm chips and grilled calamari make flavorful appetizers, and the tacos are some of the most popular menu items. Lola Gaspar also serves heartier entrees, like skirt steak or spicy carnitas, and regulars rave about the perfectly crispy French fries. The weekday siesta specials include discounted snack plates and cocktails from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., just like they do in Latin countries. Whether you stop by for dinner or to spend the afternoon on the outdoor patio, Lola Gaspar is a welcome respite from the daily hustle and bustle.

Lola Gaspar is open 11:30 a.m. to midnight on weekdays. The hours change on weekends, so be sure to check before planning a visit.

Lola Gaspar
211 W. 2nd Street
Santa Ana, CA 92701
(714) 972-1172
www.lolagaspar.com
www.yelp.com/biz/lola-gaspar-santa-ana

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/austinevan

One of the first steps in becoming an expert in the kitchen is having a thorough understanding of each cooking term on a recipe. After knowing your ingredient, being able to read and follow a recipe correctly is important in how the dish turns out. Here are four must-know kitchen terms to help you out.

1. Meuniere. This term refers to an ingredient, like poultry or fish, being dredged in flour, then sauteed in butter.
2. Hull. When preparing a fruit salad, you may be asked to hull the berries, which means to remove the green stems and leaves.
3. Macerate. Soften and sweeten fruits by macerating them, which means to cover them with lemon juice or liqueur until they have absorbed the flavor.
4. Proof. Before baking bread, you may need to proof the yeast. This tests if the yeast is still active by dissolving it in warm water with sugar or honey for five minutes to see if it foams or bubbles.

The Basic Kitchen: Glossary of Cooking Terms [Le Petites Gourmettes]
Glossary of Cooking Terms [Better Homes and Gardens]
Cooking Terms [Recipe Goldmine]
Glossary of Cooking Terms [Cookery]
Culinary Terms: Food Dictionary and Glossary of Cooking Terms [Culinary Arts About.com]

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/elizaraxi

We’re not sure where the name “The Lost Bean” came from, but it could refer to the coffeehouses of day's past—those simple, welcoming, unpretentious places that brought you good food and memorable coffee. The Lost Bean won’t try to sell you brand memorabilia or toys; the focus is top-notch organic coffee and tea. That’s it. No tricks, no branded products—just comfortable seats and good drinks, the perfect atmosphere for a casual date, a business meeting, or to kick back with a book.

Blended drinks are made with skill, food is reportedly delicious (don’t miss the broccoli and cheese quiche or the chocolate zucchini bread for dessert), and service comes with a smile. The Lost Bean is the return of the coffeehouse as an art form.

The Lost Bean
13011 Newport Avenue
Tustin, CA 92780
(714) 544-2584
www.thelostbean.com
www.yelp.com/biz/the-lost-bean-tustin

CC-BY-SA-3.0/Flickr/stirling noyes