Dining

Two Madres in the Ktchen
09.12.13
Galardi Group, the same Irvine based company that brings us Wienerschnitzel, just opened Two Madres Mexican Kitchen in Mission Viejo. The new concept offers burritos, tacos, bowls, salads, and tortas created with fresh ingredients handmade daily by a chef-trained team helmed by Chef Brent Omeste, formerly with Charlie Palmer, Cucina Enoteca and Marché Moderne.
The menu gives guests the option to customize their perfect dish and there’s something for everyone: meat-lovers, vegetarians and gluten-free options, too.
The drill goes like this, “Pick It,” and choose either a burrito, tacos, bowl, torta or salad; and then “Fill It” with proteins such as chipotle-citrus marinated rotisserie chicken, grilled steak rubbed with garlic, lime and spices, slow-cooked hand-shredded pork marinated in adobo, wild-caught and grilled Ono fish or mixed, grilled vegetables.
And finally, “Own It,” by building your personal flavor creation. Choose your salsas, sauces and toppings from fresh ingredients including: seasoned fiesta, white and brown rice, slow-cooked black and pinto beans, a variety of cheeses, and fresh produce chopped daily such as the crisp jicama slaw. You can also add additional levels of flavor with homemade salsas, sauces and dressings including cilantro aioli, roasted pasilla salsa, chipotle césar, and hibiscus citrus vinaigrette.
Children’s menu items also are available including quesadillas, burritos and tacos served with a kid’s size chips and juice or milk.
Two Madres Mexican Kitchen is committed to sustainable and natural ingredients, meat is fresh and never frozen, and free of hormones, steroids and antibiotics. Local organic produce is sourced as much as possible and dishes are prepared without trans fats or lard.
Celebrate its grand opening today on and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The first 100 guests both days will receive a free meal with other prizes, gift cards and free food awarded throughout the two days. All guests will receive free chips and salsa.
Open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Two Madres Mexican Kitchen is in Portola Plaza at 27690 Santa Margarita Parkway in Mission Viejo. 949.916.3643.
Dining

Tasting Vitaly in OC
09.12.13
As the saying goes, “good things come to those who wait” and Orange County has waited forever for an authentic Italian café just like you’d find in Italy. Vitaly opened at the Camp in May, thanks to its owners, husband and wife team, Maurizio and Barbara Cocchi of Bologna, Italy.
They recreated the first Italian Café in Orange County that specializes in street-food style piadina sandwiches. Vitaly also offers pasta made fresh daily, homemade Italian gelato, pastries, espressos and wine.
With a piadina you can choose between three flatbreads, classic (organic local white or wheat flour, Italian olive oil and fresh whole milk), white whole wheat or gluten free, and then build your own sandwich or go with a classic Romagna style, grilled and filled prosciutto, buffalo mozzarella, wild arugula or other organic and local vegetables and ingredients. The fresh pastas and sauces, such as Béchamel and Bolognese are amazing, as is the lasagna, and they even offer cheese and charcuterie plates.
You can’t leave without ordering gelato made fresh daily, we recommend the gelato flight, a sampler of five flavors served in mini ice cream cones. Choose from delicious flavors such as key lime pie, chai latte, ricotta pear, dairy free dark chocolate, honey lavender, or white chocolate Nutella and sorbets too like pineapple basil and strawberry. They even offer gelato sandwiches, burgers, delicious affogato and you can take pints of gelato to go. Gelato goes perfect with coffees, and you can choose from imported Italian or Kean coffee.
Open 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday; 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday; 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.
2937 Bristol St. (near taco asylum) in Costa Mesa. 714.662.5500.
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