Fabulous Dining Options at the JW Marriott Anaheim Resort

I was recently invited to check out the dining options at the beautiful JW Marriott Hotel in Anaheim, and was SO impressed! Opened quietly during the pandemic in 2020, the JW Marriott Anaheim Resort is a top notch addition to the Disneyland resort area - situated right next to the Anaheim Garden Walk and walking distance to Disneyland and California Adventure. 

Tocca Ferro

Tocca Ferro is the award winning Italian Chophouse located on the second floor of this lovely resort. If you’re not familiar with this fine restaurant you soon will be as it was just named North America’s Best New Restaurant 2022 by World Culinary Awards! 

With lovely window views of their rooftop garden where the Chef grows many of the ingredients used in the restaurant's delicious dishes, and a warm inviting ambiance you can't go wrong at Tocca Ferro for date night or a lovely dinner with friends. I was highly impressed with the menu overall. The restaurant offers quite a variety of dishes from premium dry-aged steaks and fresh seafood to perfectly al-dente housemade pastas.  The local flavor and love put into each dish really shines thru with fresh flavors you can taste in each bite. 

Trust me folks, even though Tocca Ferro is a hop skip and a jump from the Disneyland resort area it’s not just for tourists.  This is a top notch operation from the fabulous food & drinks to the attentive service. Highly recommend you check out this wonderful restaurant before everyone else discovers it! 

Parkestry Rooftop Bar 

So admittedly, I had no clue there was a rooftop bar on the 11th floor of the JW Marriott until I was invited to check it out.  It's a beautiful space with cozy couches, lovely firepits and live music on some evenings. Oh, and of course eleven floors makes it the highest rooftop bar in Anaheim which comes with a stunning views of the area including the Disneyland Resort, and even the fireworks on the nights they appear!

Not to be outdone by the view, Parkestry Rooftop Bar also serves up some delicious bites including a sinful lobster roll and a perfect for two cheese board! Of course, they also have a great cocktail and wine menu too if you’re just in the mood for a drink with a view. 

Parkestry Rooftop Bar is a definite MUST for visitors or locals alike!

✵The JW Marriott Anaheim Resort is located at 1775 S. Clementine in Anaheim. 

Be sure to visit soon and tell them OCFOODIEGIRL sent you! 

 

Easter Brunch is back in Orange County!

Easter in Orange County is always a special time with our great weather and this year, I suspect many families will be getting together more than in the recent years. Luckily, OC has lots of places to celebrate that will make for a fun Easter memory. 

You do want to make your reservation sooner rather than later though as they do fill up fast! 

Orange Hills Restaurant in Orange

OC fav, Orange Hill is bringing back their Easter Experience brunch. For $89 Adults/$35 Children, Orange Hill is offering their four course brunch from 

10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Check out the full brunch menu here: https://www.theorangehillrestaurant.com/news-item/easter-experience/

Habana at the Irvine Spectrum 

If you're looking for something with a latin flair, Habana in Irvine has a yummy sounding Brunch for $52 per person with entrees like Country Fried Chuelton and Caribbean Flan for dessert! They will also have their regular menu available. 

More info here: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5d38be67c7d842000198f198/t/6247854d87bf2c0dcd0074c2/1648854355947/Habana+-+Easter+2022.pdf

Ysidora in San Juan Capistrano

This new dining hot-spot in SJC, across from the mission and inside the Inn at Mission San Juan Capistrano Hotel is offering a special 5 course brunch menu for $70 adults/$35 children. Not only do they have a special visit from the Easter Bunny himself along with egg hunts for the kiddos planned from 11-1:30pm but also live music for the adults. Sounds like fun! More info here: https://www.ysidora.com/our-menus

Black Marlin in Tustin

Looking for something a little more casual but with good food and fun atmosphere? The Black Marlin in Tustin may be what your Easter celebrating heart is seeking! Lots of a la carte options on a special Easter menu as well as special free-flowing champagne for $17.95 deal. Can't beat that for a lively Easter! https://www.blackmarlinrestaurant.com/files/bm-easter-2022-pdf.pdf

Pasea in Huntington Beach

The lovely Pasea Resort in HB is doing it up for Easter with a Brunch by the Beach which includes a welcome glass of champagne, a build-your-own waffle bar, omelet station, seafood displays, sushi stations and lots more - all with a view of the Pacific! They will also be offering a special buffet station just for the kiddos with all their favs!  $110 Adults/$50 Children More info and tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/easter-brunch-at-pasea-hotel-spa-tickets-296996373147

Bayside in Newport Beach

If you're looking for a little champs on Easter, Bayside is having an Easter Sunday Champagne Brunch! $69 for adults/$30 for children and includes 3 courses. Check out the menu here:  https://www.baysiderestaurant.com/menu#menu=easter-sunday-champagne-brunch

Las Brisas in Laguna Beach

Enjoy Easter with a view at the lovely Las Brisas in Laguna Beach. They're offering an $80 prix-fixe four course brunch menu with some delicious sounding entrees like a smoked salmon tostada, a lobster Benedict, and steak and lobster enchiladas! Check out the full menu here: https://www.lasbrisaslagunabeach.com/easter/

The Winery in Newport Beach

Another Easter with a view at The Winery in NB. For only $59 per guest you get a 3 course Easter feast! Check out the menu here: https://www.thewinerynewport.com/events/easter-brunch

Happy Easter and be sure to tell them OCFoodieGirl sent you! 

New Restaurant Openings!

Several new restaurants have recently opened in OC so no better time to try out a new eatery! 

Todos Santos in Rancho Santa Margarita

The eagerly anticipated new gourmet Mexican restaurant by Chef Casey Overton, formerly of The Loft at the Montage Hotel, has finally opened! Serving up modern authentic Mexican cuisine in an inviting upscale ambiance with a lovely outdoor patio, it's sure to be a hit! To peruse the menu, see their website: https://www.eatdrinksantos.com/

Located in the El Paseo Plaza shopping center at 22322 El Paseo, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688

SteelCraft in Garden Grove

Not just one new eatery but a whole gathering of new places to dine opened with the opening of the much anticipated SteelCraft. You may be familiar with Steelcraft as they have two existing locations  in Bellflower and Long Beach but this is their first foray into Orange County.. The 20,000 square-foot craft food and drink gathering space made up of re-purposed shipping containers with an open-air roof structure, located in the heart of the City of Garden Grove, houses 9 unique small businesses. Something for everyone, SteelCraft Garden Grove is currently home to: Beachwood Brewing, Dark Horse Coffee Roasters, Cauldron Ice Cream, Honey & Butter Macarons, The Nest: A Breakfast Joint, The Chick 'N Shack: Khao Man Gai, Barrio: Modern Filipino BBQ, Renegade Taco, and Teemu Selanne's The Penalty Box. Located at 12900 S Euclid St, Garden Grove, CA 92840

Everyday Eatery in Irvine

Just opened and already getting rave reviews, Everyday Eatery specializes in breakfast, brunch and lunch. This casual new eatery is serving up unique and creative breakfast items with a healthy bent, made with seasonal local products including fried egg sammies, ricotta hautecakes, breakfast burritos, avocado radish toasts and macro bowls along with special coffees and other "bevvies'.  Sounds like it's worth a try! Located at 6634 Irvine Center Drive - near Sand Canyon in Irvine.
https://everydayeatery.com/

Insomnia Cookies in Irvine

You may have visited Insomnia Cookies before as they have quite a following all over the country. They've eccentrically opened their FIRST location in OC at the University Center Plaza in Irvine. Known for their late hours serving up warm cookies every day til 3am, they're a great addition to the UCI area for all those late night cookie runs! Learn more about Insomnia and check out their cookie options on their website: https://insomniacookies.com/menu

Scarlet Kitchen and Lounge in Rancho Mission Viejo

Scheduled to open any day now and eagerly awaited in the newish area of Rancho Mission Viejo, this new family-run eatery intends to serve up delicious food and libations with fresh, local, and seasonal ingredients. Along with signature dishes and fun craft cocktails, guests will be able to enjoy indoor and outdoor seating along with live music and entertainment on the weekends! To keep apprised of the exact opening date, sign up for their mailing list on their website: https://scarletkl.com/

Located at 30865 Gateway Place E-6 in Rancho Mission Viejo

Rock & Brews has opened in Tustin. This is the second location of R&B in Orange County, with the first one in Buena Park. The rock-inspired eatery serves up family-friendly american comfort food. There's also a large  outdoor patio with fire pits and games, and a play area for the kiddos.
Definitely worth check it out!
https://www.rockandbrews.com/tustin/

AND last but certainly not least, is the opening of Bake Cheese Tart in Century City. Even though this opening is in LA not OC I felt compelled to share it as when I visited Asia a few years ago, this was hands-down my most favorite treat that I tried. This is ONLY their second location in the United States, with the first being in SF last year, so we should feel lucky to have a Bake within driving range! Bake is the originator of the Japanese cheese tart that's been copied many times but IMHO Bake is still better than any other I've ever tried. It's hard to describe these little flavor bombs but they're a tad sweet mixed with cheesy goodness and smidge of tartness. Prolly not the best description but rest assure they are delicious and there's a reason people wait hours in Asia to buy them! 

Located at the Westfield Century City Mall, near Eately in the Macy's wing.
https://cheesetart.com/en/

Hope you find a new favorite place 

and don't forget to tell them OCFOODIEGIRL sent you!