if not now...when?

a very happy halloween to you!!

have a safe, spooky, and fun halloween. it's one of my favorite holidays! i'm mostly about the cute and vintage halloween - not so much the scary and gory variety. we will trick or treat until we drop, and fun will be had by all! i'll post pictures of my little green elphaba and my suave, confident obi wan kenobi tomorrow! 

and to put you in a delicious mood for the holiday... a pumpkin crepe complete with pumpkin ice cream from lulu's creperie cafe in laguna hills. i will definitely be sharing more about this little gem later...

to. die. for. stay tuned for more, and have a wonderful halloween!

fun times with OC bloggers at the matador cantina!

i made it to my first oc blogcrush meetup/networking/eating and merriment event this last week. we were hosted by the amazing matador cantina in historic downtown fullerton. i'm so glad i made it - we had a great time!

first of all, when did downtown fullerton get to be so cool? seriously - i went to csuf back in the early 90's and i don't remember a single interesting thing to do up there. but NOW - downtown fullerton is a pretty cool and happening place! tons of restaurants and shopping, all gentrified and revitalized. they have a nighttime farmer's market that is over for the winter, but will definitely be going on my calendar for spring!

our get-togther was hosted by the fine folks over at the matador cantina. really, i could go on and on about the amazing food here. the chile rellenos, the queso fundido, the cantina rolls. but just take a gander at some of the offerings you can find up there.

chile relleno

cantina rolls

 

jalapeno (!!) martini

 

cookie fundido

i think this is one of those times where a picture tells the story better that any words can. the guacamole was amazing. they had a pumpkin cake dessert (seasonal) that was out of this world (and i am a BiG pumpkin fan, so that says a lot). their margaritas were voted the best in OC by the readers of OC weekly magazine. so really, the trip for us south counteans up to fullerton - worth it in my opinion. a great date, a fun girls night out.  AND since it is in the old historic section of fullerton the building itself is actually pretty cool, too.

thanks again to the matador for your food and your hospitality! i know i'll be back SOON!

and oc bloggers - make sure that you sign up at BlogCrush over at facebook so that YOU can come to the next fabulous meetup. it's a great way to meet new blogging friends like suzanne, marcy, priscilla, dawn, lisa, and so many others. i had a great time making some new friends, and i can't wait until the next blogcrush get together! :)

oh, and 

GO ANGELS!!!!

cheap eats for date nights!

i love love love to eat out!! no dishes, no work, and well, fresh bread doesn't hurt, either! ;)

everyone seems to be trimming in their budgets lately - it's a scary world out there. but i have found that there are a few really good restaurants out there coming to the rescue! it's the year of the bargain dinner.

the savannah chop house in laguna niguel has the "perfect 10" menu that they have introduced:

 “The Perfect 10 ”

PREMIUM USDA 10 oz N.Y. STRIP
Mashed Potatoes & Peppercorn Sauce 10

½ POUND KING CRAB LEGS
Jalapeno Cheddar Potatoes, Blue Lake Green Beans 10

FRESH CATCH OF THE DAY
Chef’s Nightly Presentation 10

HONEY & BUTTERMILK FRIED CHICKEN
Mashed Potatoes, Spinach, and Thyme Gravy 10

SAVANNAH VEGETABLE RISOTTO
Asparagus, Cremini Mushrooms, Sweet Corn & Carrots 10

the perfect 10 menu items are available for dine in only.

we went a couple of weekends ago. they originally had only 3 items on this menu, and one of them was filet mignon rather that NY steak, but it was a great deal. i'd go early - we were there with the senior crowd because we were going to the movies. we had no wait, but there were a TON of people waiting by the time we left. we got potatoes AND veggies on the side.

brasserie pascal at fashion island in newport beach is offering the le parfait 10 menu from 11:30am-6:30pm daily. you can choose from choice aged filet mignon, fresh alaskan halibut, or coq au vin. all $10 each, and i understand that they come with a potato and a veggie side. this is not on their website, but i think i read it on another food blog somewhere. sounds delicious!

morton's across from south coast plaza has a great bar/happy hour meal that could totally be a meal. an affordable way to try out a legendary restaurant.

Join us daily in the bar for 'Power Hour' at Morton's. It's Happy Hour done right!
Specially priced select beverages include...

Beer - $4
Sam Adams Seasonal
Budweiser
Bud Light

Wine - $5
BV Coastal Cabernet
Canyon Road Chardonnay
Cavit Pinot Grigio
Columbia Crest Merlot

The Morton's Spritz - $6
A blend of Prosecco, Aperol and orange juice

Morton's Mortinis - $7
Power Hour Cosmo
Power Hour Gin or Vodka Mortini
Power Hour Mojito
Power Hour Jim Beam Manhattan
Power Hour Palm Beacher

'Bar Bites' for just $5 include...
Three Miniature Crab Cakes
Iceberg Wedge Bites
Chicken Goujonettes
Three Prime Cheeseburgers

Jumbo Lump Crab, Spinach & Artichoke Dip

Four Petite Filet Mignon Sandwiches

Blue Cheese French Fries

Oysters on the Half Shell and Colossal Shrimp Cocktail also available

Daily from 4:30pm - 6:30pm and 9pm - Close

And make sure to leave room for Morton's Prime Burger and French Fries for only $15! A mouth-watering meal at Morton's at a price you'll love!

brio tuscany grille in monarch beach sent out a mailer for a $10 menu, including a steak choice and lobster raviolis. it is not, however, on their website, so you may want to call for verification. the mailer didn't have an expiration, but it did come to us in july, so i can't guarantee that they are still offering it.

a couple of much pricier, but ritizier, selections:

the stonehill tavern at the st. regis hotel in monarch beach. they are offering a $39 tasting menu, with a different choice wednesday through sunday. each menu comes with a soup or salad first course, an entree, and dessert (yippee!!).

Join us for dinner and enjoy our Seasonal Tasting Menu
Three Courses - $39

WEDNESDAY- FISH & CHIPS
THURSDAY- STEAK FRITES
FRIDAY- CEDAR- PLANK SALMON
SATURDAY- ROAST PRIME RIB
SUNDAY- SEAFOOD STEW

Social Hour nightly 5:30pm - 7:30pm.
$9 hand-crafted cocktails, bar menu

fleming's steakhouse in newport beach has the summer prix fixe menu for $35.95. this menu will be available through september 22, 2009.

A Complete 3-Course Dinner
$35.95* per Guest

APPETIZER (CHOICE OF ONE)
Spinach Salad
with crisp smoked bacon, egg and balsamic vinaigrette
OR
Chilled Potato Leek Soup
with sautéed corn and herb salsa on rosemary crostini

ENTRÉE (CHOICE OF ONE)
Peppercorn Crusted Filet Mignon
truffle-infused pan juices finished with cream, served with yukon gold potato croquettes
OR

Roasted Sesame Chicken
breast of chicken served with cracked wheat herbed pilaf
OR

Broiled Sea Scallops
with roasted tomato beurre blanc and orzo pasta

SIDE DISHES
Sautéed Mushrooms or Green Beans with toasted almonds

DESSERT
Caramelized Banana Crème Brulée with chantilly crème

* Excluding wine, tax and gratuity.

and you knew that ruth's chris steakhouse had to get in on this trend. and they did with the ruth's summer classics. again - dessert included. i love that! :) the three course meals are $39.95 per person.

Starter
(Choice of Starter)
Caesar Salad
Fresh crisp Romaine hearts tossed with Romano cheese, a creamy Caesar dressing, Parmesan and black pepper crisps

Steak House Salad
Iceberg, baby arugula and baby lettuces with grape tomatoes, garlic croutons and red onions

Mixed Greens & Asparagus Salad
Field Greens served atop fresh asparagus, tossed with roasted tomato vinaigrette, garnished with grape tomatoes & Cajun pecans and topped with crispy onions

Roasted Tomato & Crab Soup
A Roasted Plum tomato soup topped with crab meat and garnished with fresh basil

Entrée
(Choice of Entrée)
6 oz. Filet & Shrimp
A 6-ounce medallion of our filet topped with jumbo shrimp

Fresh Fish Selection
Chef’s daily feature

Stuffed Chicken Breast
Oven roasted free-range double chicken breast stuffed with garlic herb cheese and served with lemon butter

Sizzlin Blue Crab Cakes
Three of our jumbo lump crab cakes topped with sizzling lemon butter

Sides
(Choice of personal side)
Green Beans with Roasted Garlic
Creamed Spinach • 1/2 Broiled Tomato
Mashed Potatoes • Mushrooms

Dessert
Summer "Symphony" Selection:
Duo of Fresh Berries with Sweet Cream
& Raspberry Sorbet in a Chocolate Cup 
 

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and of course, now i'm hungry looking up all of those restaurant websites! so, grab your significant other or even a group of girlfriends. get out there and contribute to the economic recovery! your tastebuds and your wallet will thank you.