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.
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