Nextweekers

One of Nextweekers' favorite hobby is Food/Dining. We will compile a list of our favorite places for dining out or new places to try in this article, along with reviews based on our experience. Then, we'll have some options for our next dine out. Personally, I enjoy all Asian (Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Indian, etc.) food. Other cuisines such as American, French, Italian, Mexican, Peruvian, Persian, etc. are okay as well. Vegetarian and healthy choices are welcome. As an adventerous person, I'm open to trying new food. Definitely anything sweet would be acceptable to satisfy the sweet tooth. Below are some of my favorite places or places I want to check out. Please feel free to add on.

*Brodard Chauteau on Trask/Magnolia, has music on certain nights, contemporary style, nice decor from the inside ($$-$$$). I was here recently (11/10/09) and was not pleased with their service or their price. BOYCOTTING BRODARD due to overpriced Nem Nuong Cuon http://brodard.net/

*Ô MÊ LY! Euro & Asia Cuisines, 16086 Harbor Blvd., Fountain Valley, CA 92708, (714) 531-7173, (between Edinger and McFadden). Nice French European ambience/decoration, has a one man band (piano). I've tried it and thought it was just okay. French Vietnamese cuisine, a bit expensive ($$-$$$). They have good sorbet ice cream.
*S Vietnamese Fine Dining in Westminster by WTM Mall on Bolsa and West (M-Th open until 9pm, F-Su open until 10pm), www.sfinedining.com, nice ambience/decoration, piano, Vietnamese food is okay, a bit expensive ($$-$$$), but I love the desserts here.

*Really want to try Crustacean in Beverly Hills but it's quite far for OC residents. Heard the French Vietnamese food is good with nice ambience but expensive ($$-$$$). http://www.anfamily.com/Restaurants/crustacean_beverlyhills/displaypages/homepage.html
*Ginger Grass, small restaurant in Silver Lake (LA county), has decent Vietnamese food, more geared toward Western population (even the waiters are not Vietnamese but Vietnamese chef/owner, so the service is adequate). Price is fair to expensive ($$-$$$) depends on your taste, has some good interesting desserts on the menu. www.gingergrass.com

*I generally like Cơm Tay Cầm from Đồng Khánh Restaurant on Bolsa & Ward, open late, price reasonable ($-$$), family style, good mi and hu tieu.
*Thành Mỹ Restaurant family style (cơm phần), still popular and open late, reasonable price ($-$$)

*Mỹ Nguyên family style (cơm phần) and other dishes, not sure if still the same as once was, seems to be less crowded

*Cơm Tấm Thuận Kiều (good cơm tấm and nhiều thịt), two locations: on Bolsa & Magnolia (ABC market plaza) and on Brookhurst by 13th Street (14282 Brookhurst St #2, GG 92843, 714-531-4852, M-Su 9-9:30).

*Cơm Tấm Trần Quí Cáp (second to Thuận Kiều), two locations: on Bolsa in Mini Mall Plaza and on Harbor & Edinger.

*Cơm Tấm Thành (not my favoriate), two locations: on Bolsa & Brookhurst and other is on Bolsa & Harbor?

*Ngự Bình has some good selection of Huế style dishes, spicy Bún Bò Huế.
*Liên Huế (food to go) has good and reasonably priced Huế style dishes.
*Bún Bò Huế Số 1 (Brookhurst & McFadden)

*Quán Hỷ (Bolsa by T&K Market), nice ambience, ($$), some good Hue style dishes.Heard that Quan Hop (Brookhurst and McFadden) is the sister restaurant to Quan Hy but haven't tried it.
*Phở Nam Định (Garden Grove Blvd & Harbor Blvd), okay phở, we only choose this because it's close to Chinh's house

*Phở Quang Trung (Westminster & Brookhurst), good phở
*Phở Lú across from Quang Trung (Westminster & Brookhurst), good phở áp chảo

*Phở Nguyễn Huệ (on Bolsa, corner of Ward), known to have good Phở Gà. I used to like Phở Gà from Phở Bolsa (Brookhurst across from Target).

*Cháo Cá Chợ Cũ, corner of Westminster & Newland (Paradise side), small place, poor service, good cháo and Cha Ca Thang Long, (be aware you could be walking out of this place smelling like cooked parsley).
*Bánh Cuốn Tây Hồ, near Phước Lộc Thọ on Bolsa (several locations but by Phuoc Loc Tho is the original), one in T&K plaza on Bolsa and one by Furiwa plaza on Brookhurst & Westminster.
*Bồ Đề Tịnh Tâm Chay, near Phước Lộc Thọ on Bolsa (Vegetarian), just opened another restaurant on Beach and Edinger in Thuan Phat Market plaza.

*Nha Hang 1.99, special com ga chien and other dishes, drinks about the same price as meals (two locations: Beach & Westminster but more popular is the location on Harbor and Garden Grove Blvd, also have sandwiches).
*Thai Nakorn on Beach Blvd and Chapman, has good Thai food ($-$$).They just reopened the original restaurant on Garden Grove and Blackbird in Garden Grove.

*There's a good sushi roll place in Huntington Beach (corner of Edinger & Warner) calls Joe's Sushi. It's a small place but it's pretty good and it has all-you-can-eat sushi for about $23/person (dinner), closes early around 9pm, closed on Mondays (There are at least two other Joe's Sushi (one in Anaheim on Lincoln and another in Lakewood on South Street). I've only tried the one in Huntington Beach. www.joesushi.com (website doesn't list Anaheim & HB locations, maybe different franchise/owner?)
*Another good sushi place is Chomp Sushi & Teppan Grill in Fullerton (corner of Commonwealth & Pomona), has all you can eat sushi on Thursdays after 8:30pm, come early to get on the list, $20/person ($$). www.chompfullerton.com
*Koki'sTeppan & Sushi (Japanese) also has various locations, especially in Orange County (Irvine, Tustin, Orange, etc.) ($$) 
*Shiki (Japanese) in Tustin, reasonable prices, lunch specials on Tuesdays and Thursdays ($-$$).

*Spoon House (Japanese) in Gardena on Redondo Beach Blvd. (xst: Denker), spaghetti with Japanese flavors ($-$$).
*Furaibo (Japanese) has various locations, good chicken and fried rice, ($$).
*Neul Bom Korean Restaurant: 10712 Beach Blvd. Stanton 90680, (714) 226-9292, good and reasonable priced Korean BBQ buffet w/ lots of side dishes, could be busy on certain days then service is not as good but nice staff.

*Din Tai Fung Dumpling House in Arcadia is well known for their dumplings, claims to have the best dumplings, so expect long waits. I have heard about this for a long time and has always wanted to check it out. It is also quite far. http://www.dintaifungusa.com/

*Happy Family Taiwanese vegetarian food, two locations (Rowland Heights and Monterrey Park). I've been to both places but the one in Rowland Heights is better. Price is very reasonable ($-$$).

*Sam Woo Seafood & BBQ (various locations: Irvine in OC on Culver, Chinatown, San Fernando Valley, San Gabriel Valley). The best one is probably the one in San Gabriel Valley. http://www.samwooirvine.com/

*Jin Patisserie: http://www.jinpatisserie.com/?l=home (in Venice), good and artistic looking pastry in tea house atmostphere, (visited in May 09: quaint environment, tasty pastry, could be a tad pricey, about $5 a piece, accepts MC/Visa).
*Boulangerie Pierre & Patisserie good banh mi (pricey) and other good looking pastry, 14352 Brookhurst Street, Garden Grove CA 92843, (714) 418-9098.

*A A Bakery, flan-jello dessert, 8910 Warner Ave. (xst: Magnolia), Fountain Valley 92708, (714) 847-9880
*Givral Bakery, good cream cake, 9525 Bolsa Ave. (xst: Bushard, in Bolsa Mini Mall), WTM 92863, (714) 839-9711

*Final Touch Bakery, 15056 Weststate Street, WTM (near Bolsa/Magnolia), on side street of Le Croissant

*Little Sheep (Mongolian) Hotpot in LA, http://www.littlesheephotpot.com/

*Ajisen Ramen, not so cheap ramen but opens 24 hour, 2700 Alton Parkway Suite 145, Irvine CA 92606, (949) 833-3288

*85degreeC, Cafe and Pastry/Bread shop, internationally known, started out from Taipei (Taiwan), very popular and busy location in Diamon Jamboree Shopping Center, 2700 Alton Parkway Suite 123, Irvine CA 92606, (949) 553-8585.

*Guppy House-Irvine, 2730 Alton Parkway #101, Irvine CA 92614 (949) 851-9788, shaved ice w/ condensed milk, indoor and outdoor seatings, good service, friendly staff

*Joe's Italian Ice: www.joesice.com; 12302 Harbor Blvd, Garden Grove CA 92840, (714) 750-1076, good soft serve ice cream, open until 10pm nightly.