Dining

Still smitten: Lola Gaspar
02.01.10
After more than year in business, downtown Santa Ana’s darling gastropub-meets-tapas bar is still going strong. Three words you should become acquainted with when you arrive to Lola Gaspar: duck confit fries. The dish—which features pulled duck piled on a crispy bed of fries and topped with salsa verde, crema and queso—is a tasty play on carne asada fries, a popular Mexican fast food treat. Come to think of it, Lola Gaspar’s menu pays homage to another street food: tacos, except you can find specialty versions including venison and buffalo meat tacos, too. The mac & cheese, served in a cast-iron skillet, comes with chicken and mushrooms, yet another tasty comfort dish. Coming soon: Monday night BBQs and whiskey tastings that won’t bust your wallet.
Lola Gaspar is located at 211 W 2nd St in Santa Ana
714.972.1172
www.lolagaspar.com

The Underground Place to Be
01.21.10
La Cave isn’t just a steakhouse and beloved locals’ watering hole – it’s an institution. For 48 years, La Cave’s cozy hideaway setting (it’s actually located underground), marvelous seafood and cuts of meat have made it a longtime favorite restaurant and bar.
No need for the menu – the evening’s specials, whether it be ribeye, filet mignon or Porterhouse, to lobster, crab or shrimp – are all rolled out on carts to each table for consideration and then cooked to your liking. La Cave also recently started serving lunch – all items are under $20 and there’s also a petite portion dinner special for $22.
Oh, and ladies might appreciate that La Cave has the kind of rosy and dim lighting that’s flattering to the skin, perfect date lighting, if you will.
La Cave is located at 1695 Irvine Ave. in Costa Mesa
949.646.7944
www.lacaverestaurant.com
More Daily Doses
- 04.30.24 – Peel Craftbar & Kitchen’s Cinco de Mayo Specials: Sophisticated Culinary Cocktails
- 04.17.24 – Earth Day Celebration: Vegan Sushi & Organic Cocktails at Ocean Prime Beverly Hills
- 05.24.23 – Rare Society Steakhouse Opens in San Clemente, Blending Vintage Charm with Modern Flair
- 05.22.23 – The Country Club Debuts Vibrant New Seasonal Menus
- 04.13.23 – Sustainable Beast Feast Dinner at CUCINA enoteca
Follow Greer on Pinterest
from the blog
- 05.14.25 – Cinq à Sept Opens First California Boutique at Fashion Island
- 05.14.25 – CasaDamí Introduces Weekend Brunch and Golden Hour in Newport Beach
- 05.14.25 – Summer Starts May 17 at Wild Rivers With New Mermaid Cove
- 05.14.25 – Adam Brody, Kate Hudson, Jason Segel, and Sam Rockwell to Be Honored at Inaugural Newport Beach TV Fest
- 05.13.25 – Trevor’s at the Tracks Launches Farm-to-Table Program with Two Local Farms
- 05.13.25 – The Ranch at Laguna Beach Introduces Ceramic Collaboration With Isa Carr
- 05.12.25 – LAWineFest 2025 – Celebrating 20 Years of Wine, Community, and Fun
- 05.09.25 – Bowers Museum Celebrates $500,000 Lead Gift for Terracotta Warriors Exhibition
- 05.07.25 – Celebrate Mother’s Day with Brunch, Flamenco, and Champagne at Café Sevilla
- 05.06.25 – UCI Opera and Symphony Present Puccini’s Suor Angelica at Irvine Barclay Theatre
- 05.04.25 – A Weekend Escape to Catalina Island Just Got Even Better
- 05.02.25 – Hilton Anaheim Debuts Hansen’s Market
- 05.01.25 – Celebrate Mom at Casa Palmero, a Hidden Gem at Pebble Beach
- 04.28.25 – Celebrate Mother’s Day in Style at Hyatt Regency Newport Beach
- 04.25.25 – Play for Gray Charity Pickleball Tournament Returns May 17
- 04.24.25 – Descanso Celebrates Cinco de Mayo with Four Days of Food, Cocktails, and Festivities
- 04.23.25 – 2025 Breeders’ Cup Returns to Del Mar: Tickets On Sale Now
- 04.23.25 – Up to 80% Off at the Beach Riot Warehouse Sale in Tustin
- 04.23.25 – Score Up to 70% Off at the Zumiez Warehouse Sale in Santa Ana
- 04.20.25 – Burger Boss Introduces Halal Poultry, Salmon and Meal Deals
More Daily Doses
- 05.14.25 – Meet Atome Bakery: Sourdough Without the Stress
- 05.14.25 – Newport Beach TV Fest Launches June 5-8, 2025
- 05.11.25 – Cozy Earth Opens Flagship Store in Corona del Mar
- 05.09.25 – Celebrate Mother’s Day at Wild Strawberry Café in Newport Beach
- 05.08.25 – Mom-Worthy Dining in Orange County
- 05.08.25 – A Catalina Day Trip: Ocean Views, Island History, and Unforgettable Stops
- 05.05.25 – Celebrate Mother’s Day in Style Across Orange County
- 04.29.25 – Mother’s Day Dining and Experiences in Orange County
- 04.24.25 – Monaco Italian Kitchen Brings Neapolitan Pizzas and Housemade Pastas to Irvine
- 04.23.25 – South Coast Plaza Celebrates 35 Years of Southern California’s Premier Garden Show
- 04.20.25 – The District at Tustin Legacy Hosts Earth Day Celebration
- 04.17.25 – California Wine Festival Returns to Dana Point
- 04.15.25 – Easter Hoppenings in Orange County
- 04.11.25 – Fashion Island Welcomes a New Season of Style
- 04.10.25 – Celebrate Easter Sunday with Brunch at Top Orange County Resorts
- 04.09.25 – Savor Easter Sunday at These South Coast Plaza Restaurants
- 04.07.25 – Now Open: Vox Kitchen & Bar at South Coast Plaza
- 04.06.25 – Pacific Symphony Premieres Wagner’s “Das Rheingold” in St.Clair’s Final Season
- 04.01.25 – Chef’s Table Friendship Dinner Returns to Tanaka Farms – May 3, 2025
- 03.31.25 – Festival Ballet Theatre Presents The Sleeping Beauty at Irvine Barclay Theatre