SoCal Eats

In the 14 months we've officially lived in California, we've done so many fun things and still have so much more on our bucket list.  The folks at work laugh at us on Monday mornings when they ask how our weekend was.  Some of them have lived in California their entire lives and haven't experienced any of the touristy things we've done!

First off, let's discuss restaurants.  We've been to some really, really great restaurants since we've been here.  I think food automatically tastes better when you can dine al fresco 365.  Some of the great restaurants we've been to (most, if not all, have great views):  

• Orange Hill (sunset view is spectacular and the drink list is fun!).  
• Mastro's Ocean Club Newport (we've been here a couple of times and took KJ here for her annual "back-to-school" dinner where we ran into a couple of Real Housewives from Orange County).  The seafood tower gets me every time.  As does the butter cake.).  
• Mastro's Malibu (I mean.....)

Mastro's Malibu

• Neptune's Net in Malibu (not a 5-Star dining establishment but a fun ride up the PCH and a great place to grab a beer and enjoy the view.  Several movies and TV shows have filmed here as well:  Losin' It w/ Tom Cruise, Point Break w/ Keanu Reeves, The Fast & The Furious, Gossip Girls, The Hills to name a few).
• Mastro's Costa Mesa (no view but have you tried the butter cake???)
• The Capital Grille in Costa Mesa (a favorite date night spot of ours located in one of the most amazing malls I've ever been in! https://www.southcoastplaza.com Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, Baccarat, Burberry, Bulgari, Carolina Herrera, Cartier, Chanel, Christian Louboutin, David Yurman, Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi, Gucci, Harry Winston, Hermes, Jimmy Choo, Louis Vuitton, Monique Lhuillier, Prada, Rolex, Saint Laurent, Valentine, Van Cleef & Arpels, Versace).  
  
• Las Brisas in Laguna Beach (my favorite place to take out of town guests!  The view is incredible and I love the scallops.  We've also been for bottomless mimosa brunch.).  

KJ @ Las Brisas

• Also in Laguna is Skyloft, a great rooftop bar.  LCM and I had dinner when she was in town in November and were able to enjoy drinks and dinner up top.  Our server was wonderful and the place was poppin'.  The bar downstairs was packed and the DJ was awesome!  
• Eddie V's in Newport (located in a shopping center but has a lovely patio).
• Del Frisco's located on Ocean Drive in Santa Monica (great for people watching and within walking distance to the Pier).  
• Fleming's in the Gaslamp Quarter in San Diego (nothing super special about this particular Fleming's; it was just super convenient to our hotel and the food and service are always great at Fleming's!)
• Prime at the Bellagio (OK, technically not a California hotel but we've dined here since we moved to California)
• Centro (a little pizza place near our house with great personal sized pizza's, good wine and a cute patio area)
• American Grub (another local gem!  Fantastic parmesan garlic fries, I love the BLT and Coach likes a chicken sandwich.  Their potato salad is also great and we've always been able to snag a table outside).
• Billy's at the Beach (fun place for Tiki bar cocktails overlooking the Bay)
• Rusty Pelican located on the PCH in Newport (we had lunch here with friends on Easter Sunday and the view from our upstairs table was lovely!)
• 21 Oceanfront located at the foot of the Newport Pier (we had dinner with Dean & LCM here recently and the sunset was picture perfect).  
• The Tea House on Los Rios in San Juan Capistrano (T & I had a wonderful "Royal Tea" experience complete with Veuve, scones and preserves, mixed green salad, tea sandwiches, fresh fruit, sweets and of course, a selection of tea!)

T @ the Tea House on Los Rios

• The Cellar in Fullerton is one of the most unique places we've ever dined at!  Their lobster bisque is world famous (it arrives at the table before your drink order!).  The Cellar Restaurant is located in the Historic Villa del Sol.  This 1920's Spanish style building was once called the 'California Hotel' hosting Celebrities from all over the world who were attending red carpet events across the street at the Fox theatre.  In 1969 The Cellar Restaurant, located in the basement, opened its doors.  The Cellar was designed by Gene White who was the craftsman from the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' at Disneyland. With cavernous walls, red velvet booths, and fascinating details, it proves The Cellar is truly one of a kind.  (For a more intimate experience, be sure to request the Grotto.  There you can sit in the same booth Richard Burton proposed to Elizabeth Taylor.)
• The Summit House, also located in Fullerton, reminds me of a very cozy steakhouse with view overlooking the hills of Orange County.  The Summit House is famous for it's prime rib.  I had the smaller "Cottage Cut" with the cream horseradish and it was outstanding!  

And last but certainly not least, 

• Shake Shake at Crystal Cove (hands down our favorite place so far!  We love to stop here when we're out exploring or we order from our phones when we're at the beach and eat with a view). 

The Shake Shake Crystal Cove