Dining
Only the Freshest!
06.14.11
When it comes to buying produce in Fountain Valley, Smith Farms is about as old-fashioned as it gets. For a split second, you might even forget that you’re in Orange County. Minus its proximity to tract homes, Smith Farms looks like a rural produce stand with a varied selection of organic produce: tomatoes, potatoes, mangos, avocados, bananas, and a new crop of red, yellow and white onions, as well as extra fancy Haas avocados, Ruby Bliss seedless watermelons, strawberries, corn, lettuce, squash and broccoli. Behind the stand you can also go out into the field and shop from fresh fruits and vegetables, weather and season permitting.
Smith Farms is open 8 a.m. to dusk daily.
It’s at 9736 Ellis Avenue in Fountain Valley. 714.962.3188.
Memphis: Family-Friendly Retro!
06.13.11
Review by Sheryll Alexander
Memphis Costa Mesa is part retro hot spot and a family-friendly Southern-inspired eaterie. Hipsters congregate inside the rather dark space, which gives it some mystery and romance. Memphis is an impressive place to buy a potential lover a drink to sip and savor.
Speaking of drinks, don’t miss ordering up a cocktail at Memphis. We recommend a classic mojito, margarita or hand-shaken martini.
Just remember Memphis is a fusion between classic Southern and fresh California cuisines. You can order fried chicken, meatloaf and jambalaya; and its California bent, means that Memphis is always a good place to dine for fresh ingredients and natural meats. Some of our favorite dishes are the goat cheese and beet salad, popcorn shrimp, buttermilk fried chicken, barbecue beef brisket and a bison burger with cranberry mayonnaise.
Memphis also has a delicious seasonal menu. We tried the sautéed rainbow trout and we loved the thin slices of lightly fried fish, along with wilted baby spinach, a crisp potato cake and a yummy Creole-style charred lemon-and-mustard sauce.
Memphis’ sister restaurant, Memphis at the Santora in Santa Ana’s arts district, is quite the opposite of the Costa Mesa space. It is light, breezy and more family friendly and ideal for large parties.
Memphis has a rather good kid’s menu (for breakfast, lunch and dinner!) with such dishes as chocolate chip pancakes, cheddar cheese burger sliders and macaroni-n-cheese.
Whichever location you choose, the Memphis restaurant chain is always a great place to enjoy OC’s hipster culture with some good and very comforting food and drink.
Memphis Costa Mesa, 2920 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, 714.432.7685.
Memphis at the Santora, 201 N. Broadway, Santa Ana, 714.564.1064.
Sheryll Alexander runs a news media agency based in Costa Mesa, California.
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
- 06.18.26 – Sushi Ii Pairs Up with Brooklyn Kura for a Sake-Focused Omakase Night
- 06.17.26 – Say “I Do” on a Working Avocado Farm in Temecula
- 06.16.26 – Willbo Opens at Lido Marina Village with a Summer Kick Off
- 06.16.26 – Gospel Voices of OC Returns to Irvine Barclay Theatre
- 06.15.26 – Via Lido Plaza Unveils New Mural by Ellen Gladis
- 06.15.26 – Celebrate International Sushi Day at Sushi Roku at Fashion Island
- 06.15.26 – Social Media Services By Greer
- 06.11.26 – The Rooted Home Brings Curated Living to The LAB Anti-Mall
- 06.11.26 – INI Ristorante Rolls Out a Summer Menu Worth Clearing Your Calendar For
- 06.07.26 – Dolce by Tina and Gelato Paradiso Debut Almond Croissant Gelato
- 06.06.26 – Your Business. Our Audience.
- 06.04.26 – Casa Romantica Showcases Festival of Arts Legacy in New Summer Exhibition
- 06.03.26 – Paséa Hotel & Spa Hosts Annual Pup Fest on June 14
- 06.03.26 – Murder Mystery Dinner Experience Debuts in Buena Park
- 06.03.26 – Summer Nights on the Lawn at VEA Newport Beach
- 06.03.26 – Dr. Martens Warehouse Sale Comes to Tustin June 4-7
- 06.03.26 – Broken Yolk Café Hosts Fundraiser for Project Hope Alliance
- 05.27.26 – ‘The Sound of Music’ Tour Brings Its Beloved Story to Costa Mesa
- 05.26.26 – San Pedro Fish Market Celebrates 70 Years on the Waterfront
- 05.18.26 – Azure Day Party Debuts Sundays at The Bungalow Huntington Beach
More Daily Doses
- 06.19.26 – Sherman Library & Gardens Introduces Hazeltine’s and New Afternoon Tea Experience
- 06.19.26 – Pageant of the Masters Returns to Laguna Beach With ‘The Greatest of All Time’
- 06.17.26 – BURN Opens First OC Location in Newport Beach
- 06.14.26 – The Curated Life Brings French Charm to Laguna Beach
- 06.12.26 – Father’s Office Chef Sang Yoon Debuts Tiny’s Burger at South Coast Plaza
- 06.10.26 – Live on the Lawn Returns to Fashion Island This Summer
- 06.08.26 – SEASON Makes Dinner Planning Easy
- 06.07.26 – Wild Fork Hosts World Cuts Sampling Events in OC
- 06.03.26 – Shopbop Pop-Up Arrives at Lido Marina Village
- 05.28.26 – Orange County Brand LYNKS Brings Style and Comfort Together
- 05.25.26 – Champagnes Kitchen Expands to Huntington Beach
- 05.18.26 – Uncle Fluffy Brings Viral Japanese Cheesecake to Costa Mesa’s Triangle Square
- 05.17.26 – Newport Beach TV Fest Returns With Star-Powered Lineup at Lido Theater
- 05.13.26 – Pure Salt Marks 10 Years With New Newport Beach Flagship
- 05.10.26 – A Coastal Spa Experience Arrives at Surf & Sand Laguna Beach
- 05.10.26 – Cozy Earth’s Cuddle Collection Brings Luxury Comfort to Corona del Mar
- 05.07.26 – Sweetgreen Opens at Irvine’s University Center
- 05.06.26 – Icons of Napa Valley Wine Dinner Returns to Henry’s Coastal Cuisine
- 04.29.26 – Mother’s Day Dining Across Orange County
- 04.29.26 – La La Land Kind Cafe Grand Opening at Irvine Spectrum
