Raw Power

On its website, the Gypsy Den advertises itself as “Orange County's Original Alt Café,” and no one save for maybe Alta Coffee in Newport Beach would argue. It's a legend–never necessarily cutting-edge, but always comforting to the hipsters and...

This story begins not at Huntington Ramen, but at a new restaurant I was originally planning to review for this issue. It looked promising at first: The place had a catchy name, well-curated social-media accounts, an eclectic menu and a bar with...

While bemoaning the impending demise of Sam's Seafood last summer, its fans waxed nostalgic about their beloved OC landmark. They chatted on Internet discussion boards and blogs, writing fondly about what they would miss most about the...

Mountain is the most underrated Korean restaurant in Buena Park. I've visited on weekend nights during what should've been the dinner rush and it wasn't more than half full. There's a banquet room that's never occupied and a patio where unused...

There are thousands of Japanese fast-casual chains akin to Seasons of Japan across the U.S., but only nine are actually called “Seasons of Japan.” All but the one that just opened in Irvine are located east of the Mississippi, most of them in...