I'm excited to pass along info on the upcoming OC Decadence Event next Saturday August 15th! You don't want to miss this one folks! They have upwards of 50 restaurants handing out generous tasty samples and also several liquor companies handing out drinks - ALL included with the price of admission!

Just a few of the fabulous restaurants participating include Social Costa Mesa, EATS Kitchen, Brio Tuscan Grille, SeaLegs Wine Bar, The Crow Bar, Bruxie, The Dirty Cookie and many many more! For a full list, visit the Bites page on the website: OC Decadence Bites!

General Admission tickets are $35 if you buy them online by noon on the day of the event, but if you wait to buy them at the door they go up to $45 so save your wallet some pain and buy them NOW folks: OC Decadence Tix  and if you use code: OCFOODIEGIRL you'll get an additional $5 off GA tix!

Hope to see you there!!

Note: You do have to be 21 to attend this event and IDs will be checked at the door. No sneaking in under-agers. ;)

Birthday Freebies in the OC! 

***Updated in 2017***
So my birthday just passed (thanks!) and it got me thinking about all the freebies I got and how I should make sure that everyone in the OC is aware of all the free stuff they can get just for turning another year older!

Let's start with the yummy stuff....the FOOD FREEBIES!

Daphne's - If you join the Pita Points Rewards program you'll get $5 added to your Pita Points Account on your birthday which is like $5 cash usable for a purchase at Daphne's. It's good for 60 days AFTER your birthday. Sign up here: Pita Points Membership

Brueggers Bagels
Get a free bagel and cream cheese on your birthday. Sign up for their list here: Brueggers E-Club

Famous Dave's
Join Dave's Famous Nation and get a buy one get one 50% off  coupon that is good for two weeks. Sign up here: Dave's Famous Nation

Arby's
Get a free shake  on your birthday for signing up for Arby's Extras. You also get a FREE roast beef sandwich just for signing up! Sign up here: Arby's Coupons

ZPizza
Free small pizza w any purchase of greater value. Join the Ztribe here: Ztribe

Marie Calendar's
$5 off and a slice of pie when you join the e-club.
Sign up at this link: Marie Calendars Eclub

Baja Fresh
On your birthday you get a free burrito and just for singing up you get a free taco! Do it here: Club Baja Signup 

Rubys Diner
Get a free sundae (no other purchase necessary) when you join the Eclub at this link: Ruby's Eclub

Pick Up Stix
Get an order of free cream cheese wontons when you sign up for the dragon email club here: Dragon Email Club

Mimis Cafe
Get a free slice of crepe cake or a 2 pack of muffins/croissants (YUM!) when you join the e-club. No other purchase necessary but it is ONLY valid for one week after your bday so use it quickly! Sign up here: Mimis Eclub

Jersey Mikes
Get a free sub and a drink Sign up here: Email Club

Black Angus
Free steak dinner w purchase of equal or greater value when you join the prime club. It is good for 3 weeks after your birthday so you have some time to use it. Sign up here: Prime Club

Stella's Serious in Monarch Beach
Get a free pizza or appetizer w no other purchase necessary. Sign up here: Stella's Eclub

Corner Bakery
Get a free sweet w no other purchase required when you join the Cafe Eclub. Sign up here:  http://www.cornerbakerycafe.com/

Islands 
Get a free kona pie or chocolate lava when you join the tiki link. No purchase necessary. Sign up here: Tiki Link Club

Kolache Factory in Tustin.
Get 1 free kolache when you join the eclub. Use it quickly though cuz it's only good for 10 days! Sign up here: Kolache Factory Eclub

Bluewater Grill
$10 off any $10 purchase when you join ecrew.  It's good for two weeks after birthday so remember to use it quickly! Sign up here: Bluewater Grill Ecrew

Edible Arrangements
Get some free chocolate dipped fruit on your bday! Sign up here: Edible Rewards

Baskin Robbins
Get a free ice cream on your birthday when you sign up for the mailing list: Baskin Robbins EClub

Buffalo Wild Wings
Join the Buffalo Circle and get free wings on your birthday!  Sign up here: Buffalo Circle

Del Taco
Join the raving fan club and get a free shake on your bday. You also get two tacos just for signing up! Sign up here: Raving Fan Club

Dickie's BBQ
Join the Big Yellow Cup Club and get a free sandwich on your birthday! Sign up here:
Dickie's Eclub

Benihana
Here you can get a $30 gift certificate for dinner. It does require a purchase but if a friend wants to take you to dinner for your birthday this is a nice way to keep it on the cheap for them!  They also have a kabuki club for the kiddos where they get their own birthday surprises. Sign up here:
Benihana Chef's Table 

Firehouse Subs in Santa Ana (other locations?)
Just show your ID on your birthday to get your free bday sub. No sign up necessary!

Noodles & Co. 
There's only two Noodles and Co in OC - in Cypress & Orange but they are worth checking out if hyou haven't plus you'll get  free bowl on your birthday if you sign up here: Noodles E-Club

Jack in the Box
Get a free dessert coupon for signing up for their mailing list here: https://www.jackinthebox.com/offers

Godiva
Godiva will give you a $10 gift card on your birthday. Sign up here: Godiva Rewards

Krispy Kreme
Free dozen doughnuts on your bday for joining eclub: Krispy Kreme Eclub

Wendy's 
Get a free frosty when you join their My Wendy's email club: My Wendy's

Panera Bread
Get a free dessert or drink when you register for their e-club:  Panera Eclub

Sprinkles Cupcakes
Join the fan club and get a free cupcake on your birthday! Sign up here: Sprinkles Fan Club

Veggie Grill
One for the vegetarians! Get a free meal when you download the App onto your mobile phone and sign up! Info here: Veggie Grill Rewards App Info

Applebee's 
Get a free dessert by signing up for their E-club. Info here: E-Club Sign-Up

Bonefish (there's one in Tustin!) will give you a free dessert and lots of other non-birthday perks too! Sign up here: Bonefish Grill Insider

Dunkin Donuts
Join their perks club and get a free coffee on your birthday. Sign up: DD Perks

Jamba Juice
Free small smoothie on your birthday! Sign up here: Jamba Insider

Steak & Shake - ony one in OC so far in Laguna Hills
Free burger & fries when you sign up for their E-Club!


Now for the NON-FOOD FREEBIES!

Best Buy
If you sign up for their rewards program (free!) they send you a coupon for $5 off  any $5+ purchase for your birthday! Even if you just go in for a movie or a CD it's like half off! It's also good the whole month of your birthday. Sign up here: Best Buy Rewards

CVS
If you sign up for a CVS card you can also sign up for their Beauty Club which gives you cash back on beauty purchases. For your birthday, they give you $3 in rewards bucks which is like cash to apply to a purchase. Sign up here: CVS Beauty Club

Angels.com
If you sign up for their mailing list, they will send you lots of coupons and on your birthday they will send you a 15% off coupon for any purchase. Good for a month. Sign up here: Angels Fan List

World Market
15% off coupon when you join the World Market Explorers! It's good for the whole month. Sign up World Market Explorers

DSW
$5 off coupon thru end of your birthday month when you sign up for the DSW rewards program here: DSW Rewards

Sephora
Join the beauty insider and they will give you a free gift on your birthday. It's a different gift every year but it's a good one! Sign up here: Sephora Beauty Insider

I know there are prolly way more than the above so if you know of some feel free to comment below - I'd love to hear about them! Also, as with anything offers are subject to change. These were pretty much what I received this year but it could change by the time YOUR birthday rolls around! ;)

Happy Birthday freebies to you all!

Prix-Fixe Menus in the OC for your Restaurant Week Withdrawls! 

Are you missing OC Restaurant Week already or did you not get a chance to take advantage of those fabulous prix-fixe menus? No worries! There are actually quite a few restaurants in the OC that have prix-fixe menus year round!  In fact, some of OC’s BEST restaurants offer prix-fixe lunches and dinners – what better way to try a place out!  

Here’s a breakdown of restaurants that I know of, grouped by area of the county w links included where available. 

North OC

Summit House in Fullerton - $45 for a 3 course prix-fixe dinner - ONLY on Thursdays w one of the entrée options being their famous prime rib!

Yves’ Bistro in Yorba Linda - $10 for a 2 course lunch w the first course being soup or salad BUT they give you approximately 15 options for your entrée choice.  It also includes a non-alcoholic drink to boot!

Central OC

The Winery in Tustin - $16.95 for 2 courses and $21.95 for 3 courses. Lunch only.

Capital Grille in Costa Mesa – $18 for 2 course lunch from a select menu that includes 4 entree choices. 

Pinot Provence in Costa Mesa – $24 spa prix fixe lunch which INCLUDES a non-alcoholic beverage and tax! Chef inspired  selection so changes every day. This one is definitely for the more adventurous foodies but you really can’t go wrong with anything they serve here!  They also offer a $45 pre-theater 3 course dinner on Tues-Sunday.

Charlie Palmer in Costa Mesa – $20 for a 2 course lunch from 11:30-2:30 …selections change weekly but usually at least 2 entrée options.  CP also offers a $55 3 course pre-theater menu w 3 choices  for entrée from 5:30-6:30 only. Keep in mind that CP is closing in the near future though as they convert to a new restaurant.

Marche Moderne in Costa Mesa – $25 for 3 course ‘spontane’ menu that includes at least 2 entrée options. The  menu changes weekly but is typically updated on their website promptly on Monday. This is a STEAL for the quality of food here as in IMHO this is probably the best French restaurant in Orange County. ;)

Bistango in Irvine- $22  for a 2course lunch w LOTS of entrée options or $24 for 2 course prix fixe w petite filet mignon. They also offer a $46 dinner prix-fixe w 3 courses with 2 entrée options -typically a beef and fish item.

Taco Maria in Costa Mesa $59 for four course dinner offered Wed – Sat 5:30 – 9:30PM with two choices for each course.  They also offer an option $26 wine pairing to go with the prix-fie dinner.  No lunch prix-fixe.

Mortons in Santa Ana – $25 3 course prime lunch – lots of entrée options including a ribeye steak, of couse! Mortons also consistently offers dinner prix-fixe specials like it’s current $59 2 course surf and turf going  but these appear to change seasonally. If you sign up for their emails you’ll be apprised as they come out or you can just call and ask what the current prix-fixe special is.

Old Vine Café in Costa Mesa- $23 for a 3 course lunch menu – 11-3pm, 7 days a week. There are 5 -6 options per course except for dessert which is always Grandma’s cheesecake.  Note: last time they let me pay an upcharge to upgrade to a different dessert but that may be contingent upon your waiter. ;) OVC also offers several ‘tasting’ menus fordinner that vary in price and composition (i.e. vegetarian, etc.)

Pizzeria Ortica in Costa Mesa - $20 for 2 course lunch w 3 choices for each course. You can even add a glass of wine for $8.

Fig & Olive in Newport Beach- $28 for 3 courses lunch w 5-6 choices for each course, and 2 for dessert.  They also offer a similar dinner prix-fix for $38.

Orange Hill in Orange – 3 course prix fixe dinner $40-$49 depending on which entrée you order.

Café Jardin at Sherman Gardens in Corona Del Mar - $28 for a 3 course lunch menu w several options for each course. 

South OC

Broadway – On Mondays nights only, Broadway offers $39 for a 3 course prix-fixe w two options for each course. It changes weekly so best to either call or check the website for that week’s menu.

Savannah Chop House - $20 for 3 course dinner with lots of choices for each course.  It’s available all evening Sun –Thursday and between 5-6:30 only on Friday & Saturday nights.  

Keep in mind most prix-fixe menus offer no substitutions so they may not work for those of you on special diets (sorry my paleo and gluten-free friends!), and many are only available during specific time frames, noted above when known.  As with any specials, it’s always best to confirm the prix-fixe meals are still available when you call to make a reservation.

I'm sure there are plenty more I haven't discovered and if you know of any you'd like me to add to the list feel free to email me! Happy prix-fixing! 

Places in the OC to start the New Year off right!

So every year most of us start out with the same good intentions of getting off that extra holiday weight..but then in a few weeks (or days!) we go back to our normal eating routine. I thought I'd help this year by helping you mix up the normal restaurant rotation with a new place that hopefully helps you stay on track by offering some tasty yet healthy options.

Here's a few of my favorite places in the OC that are not only healthy but yummy!

1. Rutebegorz w locations in Fullerton, Orange and Tustin: Ruta's (as it's called by the regulars) has been around since 1970 and has the following to show it! Although their dishes are not all necessarily 'low-cal' they offer many vegetarian dishes and only serve lean proteins such as chicken breast, tuna and turkey. Sorry steak lovers but you won't find that bone in ribeye or any other red meat here. ;) They also make some amazing soups (cockie leeky is my fav!) and also make their own fresh low fat salad dressings. Ruta's is always a good option for anyone looking to eat fresh healthy homemade food! Be warned though..the menu is huge! You can peruse it before you go here: Ruta's Menu

2.  Seabirds in Costa Mesa : so yes, Seabirds is a vegan restaurant BUT rest assured that you meat eaters won't regret checking them out. I first tried their food back when Seabirds was a food truck, and fell in love w their beer battered avocado tacos. Now that they're a card carrying brick and mortar, the menu has expanded w a vast menu of delish dishes. The only sort of downside is they offer a seasonal menu which assures that the ingredients are as fresh as they can be but it's a bummer when you fall in love with a dish and it's no longer offered...at least presumably, til it's in season again. Even so, if you're trying to be healthy and looking for some creative dishes, Seabirds is a definite must-try. Seabirds Menu

3. Pita Jungle in Newport Beach:  So a place that touts it's motto as 'The Art of Eating Healthy' has a lot to live up to, and PJ hasn't failed me yet.  They offer a large menu w both vegetarian and non-vegetarian fish and chicken options, and most importantly they have a large menu w many very creative dishes. Some of my favorites include the cilantro jalapeno hummus, the mahi mahi w pita chips, and the tastes sinful but it's not chicken tikka masala. They also offer some tasty cocktails and a great Happy Hour from 3-6 P.M. Pita Jungle Menu

4. Seasons 52 in Costa Mesa at South Coast Plaza: Seasons is probably the most recognizable on my list as a local healthy food restaurant. For those who don't know, Seasons 52 specializes in cooking healthy gourmet dishes that are all less than 475 calories. They're notorious for not allowing a stick of butter in the kitchen. ;)  I have to say the first time I ate there I was a tad bit skeptical but it's become one of my favorite places for healthy eating. They have a large menu that includes a seasonally changing section with a variety of dishes.  They also specialize in these wonderful gourmet flat-breads with my personal favorite being the steak and blue cheese one. The flat-breads are featured in their not-so-well-known $15 'flights and flat-breads' Happy Hour special offered until 6:30 PM daily. They also offer sinful 3 bite desserts which are the perfect end to a light healthy dinner. Seasons 52 Menu

5. True Food Kitchen in Newport Beach: TFK is another well known healthy eating establishment but IMHO what sets them a little apart is that they focus on the ingredients instead of the calories. They make an attempt to use the most healthful foods and incorporate them into their dishes in tasty ways that make you not only way to eat them, but crave them!  You'll find unique ingredients in your dishes such as kelp, tempeh and flax seeds, etc. They also offer some amazing cocktails AND tasty mocktails loaded w good-for-you ingredients. TFK Menu

6. Nirvana Grille in Laguna Beach and Mission Viejo: They offer a gluten-free menu AND a vegan menu in addition to a regular menu that focuses on seasonal freshness and includes some wonderful salads loaded w fresh veggies. Salads can be increased to entree size for an additional $5. Menus here: Dinner Menu  Gluten-Free Menu  Vegan Menu

Brio Tuscan Grill in Irvine: okay, okay so yes, Italian isn't exactly light 'diet' fare BUT did you know that Brio has a 'light menu' w 10 salads and entrees under 550 calories?! Yep! It's worth checking out if you're craving those Italian flavors but don't want the calories that come with normal Italian food. Brio's Light Menu

So yes, I know there are many more healthy options in OC and feel free to share your hidden or not-so-hidden places! The above are just my favs when I'm trying to keep it in check.

Happy healthy eating OC!