Greer's OC | The latest in Orange County fashion, dining, and trends.

Peri-Peri Delicious!

By Greer Wylder

December 14, 2011

Fans of Mozambique in Laguna Beach can now dine at its newly opened sister restaurant at The Bluffs in Newport Beach. Mozambique Peri-Peri is a new concept serving many of the same dishes as its original restaurant, but in smaller portions and in a casual dining atmosphere. (It’s named after Peri-Peri, a red pepper used in many African and Portugese dishes.) The menu includes starters such as vegetarian or beef samosas served with cilantro aioli, grilled prawns and chicken pops (marinated chicken served with Asian slaw and Peri-Peri sauce.) Or choose from delicious curry bowls, wraps, or grilled items including a steak sandwich with grilled onions, lettuce, tomato…

I Like Spike!

By Greer Wylder

December 14, 2011

Fresh-grilled tasty fish, reasonable prices, served in a casual setting, what more could a seafood lover over ask for? Spike’s Fish House, a popular fast-casual eaterie in Rancho Santa Margarita just opened its second location in Laguna Niguel and we’re fans—great ingredients, flavors and healthy options. Spike’s has something for everyone, if you favor simple dishes, try the fish house plate that features a ½ pound of a grilled fish, like the panko style tilapia, or fresh wild salmon, with a choice of white or brown rice, and seasonal vegetables, chopped and sautéed fresh; or indulge in delicious battered cod fish and chips. All dishes come with house made…

Sweet Honey in Aliso

By Greer Wylder

November 22, 2011

It won’t get much greener than this. Aliso Creek Inn & Golf Course in Laguna Beach is debuting a hyper-local garden to grow herbs and vegetables for the kitchen and the produce will debut in the spring. Another green initiative at the hotel, Aliso Creek also has a bee-hive to produce local wildflower honey. Executive Chef Jennifer Gonzalez and Bee Keeper and catering director Andrea Wilde are implementing organic gardening with local soil and compost from the property to provide tasty vegetables and herbs, and the local honey make a fabulous addition to the culinary programs. Aliso Creek Inn &…

THANKSGIVING DINING IN OC!

By Greer Wylder

November 13, 2011

By Sheryll Alexander For those who aren’t prepared to cook Thanksgiving dinner or who just don’t feel like dealing with the mess, here’s some of the best Thanksgiving feasts in OC. TAPS Fish House & Brewery A fish house and brewery may not sound like the best place for Thanksgiving dinner (held from noon-8 p.m.), but actually TAPS has one of the best all-you-can eat buffets in OC. We love TAPS buffet brunch on Sundays, so a Thanksgiving brunch sounds like heaven, right? Just a few of the items include herb-brined turkey, braised turkey legs, honey-glazed ham, Prime roast beef,…

Crawfish Boil at Memphis at the Santora

By Greer Wylder

November 02, 2011

We were fortunate enough to taste test Executive Chef Diego Velasco’s new Louisiana style feast, the Memphis Crawfish Boil recently at Memphis at the Santora in Downtown Santa Ana. It’s a new southern dinner that’s ideal for groups of 8 to 20. Just book a reservation one week in advance, arrive hungry and enjoy $1.5 lbs of fresh crawfish, smoked sausage, corn, potatoes, cornbread muffins, salad and one Dixie Lager per person all served on traditional butcher paper. To add to the ambience, New Orleans jazz and zydeco tunes will be playing during the southern feast. The meal costs $30…