artful geometries) that gives the meal a grander sense of occasion. occasional specials. Pickup only. 12244 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, (310) 826-4737, shunji-ns.com Vaca Paella Valenciana is always a festive dish. Aromatic with saffron and shot through
Cindy Yamanaka, Orange County Register/SCNG) 9. Broadway (2018 ranking: 16) This is the best restaurant in Laguna Beach. This is the original joint venture from the same team that operates Vaca: chef Amar Santana and frontman Ahmed Labbate. If you’ve
, brickpizzeria.com The carne pizza at Brick in San Clemente includes housemade sausage, porchetta and two types of salame (Photo by Brad A. Johnson, Orange County Register/SCNG) 6. Vaca (2018 ranking: 2) One the one hand, Amar Santana and Ahmed Labbate’s Vaca is the
I am crazy about the Vaca tonic at Vaca, a Spanish tapas spot in Costa Mesa. This frozen gin and tonic is one of the most refreshing cocktails in Southern California. And since the beginning of the pandemic, they’ve been selling that drink to-go
served straight from the frozen drink machine inside the restaurant. So I have been obsessing about this drink. I almost bought a frozen drink machine like Vaca’s but decided my pantry was too small for that. AdChoices ADVERTISING Ads by Teads Then I
It’s no secret that I love the Vaca tonic at Vaca in Costa Mesa. This frozen gin and tonic is one of the most refreshing cocktails in Orange County. And since the beginning of the pandemic, they’ve been selling that drink to-go, which is brilliant
the frozen drink machine inside the restaurant. While stuck at home more than usual for the past few months, I obsessed about this drink. I almost bought a frozen drink machine like Vaca’s but decided my pantry was too small for that. I then realized I
The Vaca tonic cocktail at Vaca in Costa Mesa is by now one of the most iconic drinks in Orange County. It’s a frozen gin and tonic served from one of those ’80s-era frozen daiquiri machines. An adult slushie made with Brooklyn gin, lime juice and
pouches keep well in the freezer for days. The texture of the frozen lime juice and gin is very different than the original Vaca tonic straight from the machine. The ice crystals are flatter and sharper but the flavor is still somehow just as incredible
Research for my annual guide to the best places to eat in Orange County involves a lot of eating. It also involves some good drinking. These are the seven drinks from this year’s 75 Best Places to Eat that I can’t stop thinking about. The Vaca Tonic
is a frozen gin and tonic at Vaca restaurant in Costa Mesa (Photo by Brad A. Johnson, Orange County Register/SCNG) 1. The Vaca tonic at Vaca This is the most famous cocktail in OC for good reason. This frozen gin and tonic is legend, and every time I
) Vaca The takeout cocktail menu changes regularly at Vaca and sometimes includes their margarita, which is seriously one of the finest in OC. It’s the perfect formula of tequila and Cointreau (or something to that effect), plus fresh lime and agave
. Approximately 8 ounces (meant for two), $18. 695 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714-463-6060, vacarestaurant.com. Margarita to-go from Vaca in Costa Mesa (Photo by Brad A. Johnson, Orange County Register/SCNG)
routine of nonstop dining out. Meanwhile, looking back at the past 14-plus months, here are 10 things I’m grateful to have encountered along that journey: 1. Vaca tonics at home Immediately after the initial shutdown, the famous gin and tonic from Vaca in
, Orange County Register/SCNG) Vaca tonic from Vaca One of the greatest cocktails ever conceived: Brooklyn Gin and Fever Tree Tonic, frozen, garnished with basil blossoms. $10 each. 695 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714-463-6060, vacarestaurant.com. Frozen
Vaca tonic from the temporary takeout menu at Vaca in Costa Mesa (Photo by Brad A. Johnson, Orange County Register/SCNG) Margaritas from Water Grill Textbook classic (and very strong) silver margaritas, sold by the quart. Unfortunately these are no
. 3313 Hyland Ave., Costa Mesa, 714-538-8444, tacomaria.com Vaca Paella or steak? That’s always been the burning question when dining at Vaca in Costa Mesa. And it’s the same dilemma you’ll need to resolve when ordering family-style takeout: a massive dry
-aged ribeye, or a big pan of paella Valenciana. Heads, I win; tails, you lose. 695 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714-463-6060, vacarestaurant.com Paella Valenciana from the takeout menu at Vaca in Costa Mesa (Photo by Brad A. Johnson, Orange County