Review: Finally, here’s the Cuban restaurant we’ve all been waiting for — and it’s in La Palma

Mountain of mofongo, with shrimp. Photo by Edwin Goei At my count, there are, at best, seven Cuban restaurants spread out over Orange County. This is, after all, California, not Florida. We have no equivalent to Miami’s Calle Ocho, no dedicated...

“Hey Brad, where should I eat this week?”  I hear some version of that question every day, so one might think I’d have a canned answer queued up and ready to go. More often than not, I’ve replied “Hana re.” Or else Taco Maria or Vaca. Looking back...

Photo from Papo’s Cuban Kitchen Instagram A new Cuban restaurant has opened in Anaheim’s Platinum Triangle neighborhood. Papo’s Cuban Kitchen serves the usual specialties of Cubano sandwiches and ropa vieja, but also guizo de maiz and sopa fideo...

End-of-year lists like this one are never easy. In terms of legitimate “best new restaurants,” 2019 year gave us an embarrassment of riches. It probably would have been easier to compile a list of the 25 best newcomers, but I’ve never been a fan...

Gem    Omakase by Gino    Isla Cuban    Anjappar    Maison Cafe & Market    Knife Pleat    Henry's    CdM    Louie's by the Bay    Fable & Spirit   

It’s date night, but money’s tight. No problem. Here are five full-service restaurants with delicious food, great drinks and fun, casual date night vibes that won’t break the bank. Bird & Barrel This 15-seat gastrobar in downtown Santa Ana feels...