Monster Munching
A blog about dining, cooking, and eating in and around Orange County, California.
Thursday, December 29, 2022
Friday, December 23, 2022
Solstice - Irvine
Solstice Seasonal Kitchen in Irvine is true to its name. In a few days, after the actual winter’s solstice, it will shed its fall menu for a winter one.
What’s shown here is a composite video of the fall menu dishes I tried between two visits.
If you’re seeing this after December 27, you will not likely be able to order any of these items.
But I think that’s the charm of this place. Menus SHOULD change with the season.
What I hope remains is the professionalism I saw in the service.
They remembered the note I left on the online reservation that we were celebrating an anniversary. And they were genuinely contrite when I, for the first time in a long time, had to send back a risotto for being inedibly salty.
Wednesday, December 21, 2022
3 Great Brunch Spots in OC for Everyone in Your List
Thursday, November 10, 2022
Six Asian Fried Chickens in OC
In my latest piece for TimesOC, I eat fried chicken from six different Asian countries and tell you where to get them in OC!
Sunday, November 06, 2022
Saturday, October 22, 2022
Saturday, October 15, 2022
Wednesday, October 05, 2022
Eight of the Newest and Best Unexpected Foods at the Disneyland Resort
As a former Disney Cast Member (who isn’t one?), and a Disneyland fan (who isn’t one?) my latest piece for TimesOC was one of the most fun I had writing about food. I hope it’s fun to read, too!
This story wouldn’t have been possible without the help and access provided by Vy Spears. Thank you, Vy!
Saturday, October 01, 2022
The Pacific Wine & Food Classic 2022
The Pacific Wine & Food Classic at Newport Dunes is back after a two year hiatus because of, well, you know.
Though it’s in October now instead of August, it was still warm out there. Like in previous years, I gravitated to the cooling raw sashimi/sushi/ceviche/poke/crudo dishes. But Krave Asian Fusion’s Korean fried chicken wings were also quite excellent.
Wednesday, September 28, 2022
What I Ate Flushing's Chinatown in Two Hours
I’m not sure if this analogy is apt since I’m a West Coaster, but after following the eating tips of Nom Life while visiting New York City, I have come upon this observation: if Manhattan’s Chinatown is like Los Angeles’ Chinatown, then Flushing’s Chinatown is like the San Gabriel Valley.
It’s where the traditional old-school Chinese joints and chefs meld and mix with the newer generations of cooks and entrepreneurs. The result is a great (and affordable) concentration of every imaginable Chinese delicacy inside a few square blocks.