Revisiting a Review: Pizzeria Ortica

There hasn't been anything more hotly anticipated around these parts than Mozza, Mario Batali and Nancy Silverton's Newport Beach outpost of their blockbuster Hollywood pizzeria. Since the pair hinted at expanding into our borders two years ago,...

“I'd like pepperoni, sausage, meatba—” I started to say to the Pieology worker when she cut me off. “No, I only do sauces,” she growled. “Pardon me?” “I only do sauces!” she repeated even more forcefully, her head down, a permanent scowl etched...

I waited nearly a year for Ecco to open at the Camp in Costa Mesa. It’s not that I was necessarily looking forward to another Italian restaurant, with Pizzeria Ortica and Il Dolce already existing in the same city. I was more interested in seeing...

A few years ago, a small Peruvian restaurant opened in a dungeon-like space in downtown Santa Ana. The location was dark and rough around the edges, and the ceviches were great. It was called Eqeko. When Eqeko closed after a too-short run, it left...

If you think the year that's passed was bad, try owning a restaurant. It was a tough 2009. The luxury brands predictably suffered. The likes of Savannah, White Horses, Manhattan Supper Club and even Tracht's folded as people got tighter and...