OC Family - Moms. Kids. Life. - (OC Transplant)

Date Night Saturday - Chart House Dana Point

Sat, 06 Mar 2010 09:39:00 GMT

My hubby surprised me with date night and took me to the Chart House in Dana Point. I must say the location is phenomenal, the harbor view is amazing and the actual building is architecturally fascinating. The curved wood is beautiful, great layout too.

I must say our evening did not start out well. We arrived right on time for our 7pm reservation and received a pager. My first thought was why a pager? What does our reservation mean? We waited 15 minutes and then our pager went off. Not too shabby considering we had asked for a window table.

We were walked to our table, which was seated at the end of the hallway, the farthest away from the window as we could possibly be and we also noticed other tables that were empty which were way closer. So we waited for at least 5-10 minutes for a manager to walk by and we then noticed a window table had become available, we asked to move and he promptly moved us.

Our window table was secluded and intimate. You almost feel like your seating in a cave because of the concrete walls. Our view was amazing from that point on...

So that was the end to the chaos... then Beau stepped in. Our young, but very professional waiter. He was prompt and very attentive. Now I can start raving about the food!!!

Our bread was served piping hot and our appetizer quickly followed. We ordered Calamari and Friends. Yes, they have friends and it definitely added to the dish. But the highlight was actually the spicy Thai sauce for dipping with a burst of lime flavor... scrumptious.

Our fish entrees followed. I ordered the herb crusted salmon with garlic potatoes and mustard sauce. The hubby ordered the Macadamia crusted mahi-mahi, both were wonderful.

Our final item was something we talked about during dinner and couldn't wait to try. Their heath bar lava cake. I'll say no more. It was to die for.

So my suggestion for the Chart House in Dana Point. Don't expect to be seated right away and don't expect to have a window seat, but be very excited for the food & the view. It made up for everything else.... oh and just valet your car for $4 instead of looking for a parking spot. Enjoy your date night!

I Love My Pets but...

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 19:54:00 GMT

Anyone who knows me, knows I love my pets. My pets are like kids to me. I'd do anything for them. I love them unconditionally, but I have to draw the line some where. And that's when it comes to pet wardrobes.

Today at Home Depot I saw a white standard poodle and its owner. The poor poodle had barrettes and bows in her hair and a hot pink shiny 1950's type jacket. I didn't know if I should feel more sorry for the pet or the unstable owner....

Also, while on a not-so-recent flight, I sat next to a 20-something girl who had her little dog in a carrier and when the plane was about to land she pulled out a juicy couture fur coat and warned her little chihuahua how cold it was outside. We were landing in Orange County, so you can figure that one out on your own. And mind you, after doing some research, Juicy dog coats are priced around $75 per coat! God made them with hair for a reason.

Poor dog looked kinda like this....
I think the farthest I've gone to "dressing" up my pet was putting a Christmas cape on my Himalayan, Chelsi for a Christmas card. But daily outfits? Really?

I know this is Orange County so I'm curious, how many of you dress your pets up like this??

Triple D Right Here in Orange County

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 15:40:00 GMT

My hubby and I are big fans of Triple D. For those of you who do not watch the Food Network, this is a show hosted by Guy Fieri, a chef who travels across the country to find the best food at no other than, Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. We love the show so much that we bought both of his DDD books and have been trying to check off the restaurants on the West Coast after we visit and order the items that Guy salivates over. He even includes some of the hot recipes in the books.

Guy will be making an appearance doing a FREE show at the Disneyland Resort during Disney's California Food & Wine Festival. This happens daily mostly at California Adventure from April 16 to May 31, 2010! This is their Fifth Annual Food and Wine Festival and most of the culinary experiences are included with park admission, but seating is limited. You can check out all of their upcoming events and register for their signature events at the link above.

Guy's appearance is raising quite the buzz again this year. Last year, crowds lined up as early as 5a.m. to get a seat at his cooking show. After the demo many waited an hour to get his autograph. To be honest, I'd just want some of his food!

Guy visited the area recently filming at local OC Dives. He's been spotted at Mama Cozza's in Anaheim & Paul's Coffee Shop in Fountain Valley. Have you seen him in the OC? If so, let us know where!

Romancing Us With Deals

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 19:44:00 GMT

We're all looking for deals these days, so why not look for a great deal for Valentine's Day? There are a couple of fabulous Orange County restaurants that are romancing us with deals this Valentine's weekend!

Z'Tejas
Z'Tejas Southwestern Grill over at South Coast Plaza is offering a special Valentine's menu Feb 11th - 14th. Their specials run during the dinner hours only and include two scrumptious entrees: Seared Chile-Crusted Scallops ($16.99) and Surf & Turf ($23.99). I get hungry just thinking about them.

Since Valentine's Day falls on a Sunday, they wanted to accommodate those wishing to enjoy the occasion anytime during the weekend.

Back Bay Bistro
Another great restaurant with an amazing scenic view is Back Bay Bistro at the Dunes in Newport Beach. They are offering brunch & dinner menus on Feb 13th & 14th.

Their 3-course dinner menu is only $35 per person/$19 per child 12 and under which features such entrees as Angus beef medallions, chicken Scaloppini, baked Dover sole and fettuccini a la Checca. The meal includes salad or lobster bisque and finishes off with a decadent chocolate mousse for dessert.

Brunch hours are from 9am - 2pm and is fully stocked with a carving station, omelet bar, French toast, fruit, salad choices and the Bistro's award-winning seafood chowder and more. The Sunday brunch is a bit more elaborate than Saturday which will add pasta, waffles, along with shrimp and King crab legs, cheeses and a chocolate fountain. Brunch is only $27.50 on Sunday ($21.94 on Saturday) and for children it's $12 for those 5-10 and $6 for those under 5.

Make sure you call ahead for reservations, because they just might book up.

Let Orange County romance your family this Valentine's weekend!

Date Night Saturday - Plan Ahead for Valentine's Day

Sat, 06 Feb 2010 09:58:00 GMT

I love date night! It's probably because there's always planning involved and I'm definitely a planner. Valentine's Day is next weekend already, so I'm urging you to plan ahead for your date night. Planning ahead in Orange County is key. Restaurant reservations fill up so quickly and you could end up eating at In and Out with your sweetie (though I love In and Out!).

Do something special this Valentine's Day for your loved one. Maybe a special Valentine's Day to you is making dinner reservations at a fancy restaurant you've been wanting to eat at or maybe it's making your Valentine a special homemade meal. Either way, plan ahead and make it special.

One tip that might help the dinner reservation stress is to not book your date night ON Valentine's Day, but maybe during the week or the Friday before. That way you could avoid the crowds and pre-set meals.

Here are my suggestions on a special Valentine's Day. You can never go wrong with the Melting Pot in San Clemente. They have the BEST service out of any Melting Pot in Orange County. If you have never been to a Melting Pot, it's a really romantic fondue restaurant. They have so many options from cooking style to cheeses to chocolate. It's quite heavenly.

I must say my favorite item at the Melting Pot is their caramel rimmed apple martini, it's dessert in itself!

And if you're really ambitious to surprise your Valentine this year, whisk them off to Vegas. There are always some great deals to enjoy in Vegas and my top pick for a romantic restaurant is Top of the World at the Stratosphere.

Check out their view! The restaurant rotates atop the Stratosphere and you see the lit up view of Vegas at 360 degrees!

Whatever you choose to do this year for Valentine's Day, enjoy your date night. I can't wait to hear all about it.

Losing a Pet: Tips to Cope

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 19:50:00 GMT

Losing a pet is far more difficult than I expected. I guess it's something you have to go through to truly understand. I'm sorry if you are reading this and you've experienced the loss of a pet. I was surprised at some of my intense grief that I felt, so I did some research and wanted to pass on these tips for how to cope with the loss of your beloved family member.

1) Intense grief over the loss of a pet is normal and natural. Don't let anyone tell you that it's silly, crazy or overly sentimental to grieve.

2) Different people experience grief in different ways. Besides sorrow and loss, you may also experience guilt, denial, anger, & depression.

3) Don't lock away your grief. Express it. Some express feelings and memories in poems, stories, letters. I created a photo collage. Feel free to cry, scream or talk it out, too.

4) Be aware that your other pets will grieve as well. Pets form strong attachments to one another. Cats grieve for dogs, and dogs for cats. Give your surviving pets a lot of extra attention and love to help them through this period.

5) And finally, when should you get a new pet? Generally, not right away. Work through your families grief and loss before attempting to build a relationship with a new pet. Avoid the lookalike pet. Don't expect your new pet to be "just like" the one you lost. Never use the same name and avoid temptation to compare the new pet to the former one. Take your time and when you are ready, select a pet with whom your family can build a long, loving relationship.

I sure wasn't ready for the day I said goodbye to my 16 year old baby Chelsi, though I knew it was inevitable. Every day was hard for awhile. I recalled every second at the vet, I wondered if she suffered, I thought she would show up each morning on my bed, but of course didn't. Each day got easier, but it took months. I still think about her and miss her, but I took the time to grieve. I'll probably always miss her. I'd love to hear about your beloved pet.

Chelsi & I celebrating her Quinceanera - 15 fun years!

My fear of the dentist

Wed, 06 Jan 2010 20:57:00 GMT

This is the image I see in my head when I think of a dentist visit. Anyone else or is it just me?

I have no idea where the fear has come from. I'm a grown woman, who's married and has pets for goodness sake, but I fear the dentist.

God blessed me with straight teeth. Never had braces. Even dentists ask. It was years until I had my first cavity(ies), but maybe that visit scarred me. I was able to breeze through life visiting the dentist once a year with no problems after that.

After moving to the OC I found a great dentist. (Dr. Vartanian in Newport Beach) They also have great hygienists as well. My insurance pays for 2 visits a year. I'm in and out though having freaked out the 48 hours before and having to pop a Xanax.

Until my last visit.....

The dreaded comment, "Oh wow, you don't feel any pain right now? You should! This cavity is huge, you might need a root canal!" Fear sets in immediately. They want to do it within two weeks. I put it off for awhile and since then I've rescheduled... for a few MONTHS out.

I'm going to take those months to get some much needed therapy... or at least fill my prescription of Xanax.

I have no idea where the fear came from. Wait, maybe my mom showed me the same video that Suz over at Alive in Wonderland showed her kids! That must be it....I'm scarred for life.

A Date for New Year's Eve

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 22:26:00 GMT

What are your plans for New Year's Eve? I think I've got mine all figured out. I'm too old to attend all of the hippest nightclubs in LA to ring in the New Year nor do I even enjoy that scene. So that was out of the question.

I considered making dinner reservations at a posh restaurant like the Montage, the Ritz Carlton or the Resort at Pelican Hill. However, all of the restaurants jack up their prices only to give you a set menu, lousy service and a tiny glass of champagne at midnight. We'd end up walking out at least $200 dollars poorer and un-entertained.

I had one final idea. I asked Bern if it was ok and he surprisingly agreed! So I have a date for New Year's Eve! Of course you know him. He's graced magazine covers and he even has his own radio show. I used to love Ryan's Roses. You couldn't peel me away from the radio to head into work in the morning until I heard the conclusion of the story!!

Yes, it's true. I have a date with Seacrest tomorrow night. We go way back. Years ago for LA Be A Star finale in Vegas. See, I have proof.

Seriously though, Ryan will be hosting Dick Clark's Rockin' Eve from Times Square in NYC on ABC. I think Mr. Clark will be making an appearance also.

I love the famous ball drop. Can you believe that's Waterford Crystal? 2668 Waterford Crystals and 32, 267 LEDS. Amazing. It should be quite spectacular as usual.

Really...I have a date for New Year's Eve. However, it's with my hubby and two fur kids. To enjoy some dinner that WE cooked and to watch the ball drop in Times Square, that's if we make it all the way to midnight. Happy New Year!!!!!

Save Money This Christmas Season!

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 22:52:00 GMT

Have you been to South Coast Plaza this Christmas season? It's beautifully decorated. Magical in a sense. Christmas has a way of bringing a sense of wonder to everyone.

Afraid to visit South Coast on a budget? Wait, you can hang out at the mall and not spend a dime!! So save a little money this season and come window shopping with me!

The gorgeous tree is vibrant with color in the center of the mall. And I love all of the large wreaths, garland and snowflakes all over the buildings!
First stop on our window shopping trip is The Presidential Window. Doesn't this just ring Presidential dinner to you? (That is, if you're invited!!) The long black dress is stunning and only $298, but what do we care, we're just looking!Next is our visit to The GQ Window. Look at those perfectly chiseled faces and black ensembles. They are extra hip with the LED icicle lights on their tree too. But enough eye candy, let's move on.Then we stumble upon The Preppy College Window. The argyle and khakis gave it away? Or was it the barely decorated tree? Get a scarf and a sweater for every day of the week, even though it's 80 degrees outside. We arrive at The Swiss Alps Window. Snow flocked trees, thick puffy quilted jackets and archaic snow shoes for the long journey back to the beach. Don't think they use those anymore, but ok, it's nice for the display anyway. Either way, we get that it's cold in there.Next to our last stop, The Ridiculous Window. All those lights on display for a purse? That's what happens to your money when you buy one. You ask yourself, all that money for one purse? Maybe they try and distract us with the pretty lights. But I'm not buying it! Keep walking.....And finally, we even got a glimpse of Santa Claus! We didn't have to stand in line for hours with screaming toddlers who are afraid of Santa anyway!

Thanks for coming along with me on my window shopping journey. Let me know what displays you've seen!

Date Night Saturday - Catch of the Day

Sat, 19 Dec 2009 11:25:00 GMT

During the busy Christmas season, don't you like to be able to just stop in at a restaurant, not having to plan ahead to make reservations or think about what you'll wear? Us too! So we decided to drop in at the Huntington Beach Market Broiler (though there are 5 locations) for a casual but well-worth-it date night.

After you place your drink order, they bring each table a loaf of their warm sourdough bread. I think I would have been satisfied with the bread and my lemon-drop martini!

For the seafood lover in you, they have many choices for fresh fish for lunch or dinner. We even noticed that you can purchase fresh fish and shellfish from their display case and prepare it at your home. You can even take along some chowder and bread!

We each ordered a two combo plate to diversify our taste buds. Hawaiian ribs, Miso Mahi Mahi, Thresher Shark & Coconut shrimp. Don't forget to try their cheesy potatoes! It's a signature side dish.

We saved room for sweets and had their special pumpkin creme brulee for the holidays. I might even go back just for dessert! You can walk out of the market broiler for $60 or less and their service was great too.

Let me know what YOU ordered when you go! Enjoy!

Date Night Saturday - A Visit to the White House

Sat, 12 Dec 2009 09:47:00 GMT

We love date night! So we left the fur kids and headed over to the Anaheim White House for one fabulous night. In my opinion, this is one of Anaheim’s best kept secrets and Christmas time is the only way to go. The house is decorated to the nines with Christmas lights, ornaments, garland, trees and SNOW! Yes, there is snow.

The ambiance is delightful. A musician seated at a piano greeted us along with his sax. A little bit of Kenny G style. He even wandered through the house with his tunes. We happened to be one room over when we heard, “What a Wonderful World” performed, it was enchanting (We are near the happiest place on Earth!). They also had three lovely roaming carolers, who stopped at our table and sang, “O’ Holy Night”.

Each room is named after a president. We were luckily seated in the Jefferson room; however, I probably would have kindly asked them to move us, if they put us in their latest named presidential room. (ya get my point)

The service was impeccable and the food was great. We chose a calamari appetizer, filet mignon & sea bass for our entrees, soufflé for dessert and we paired our entrees with some great wine. We even received a couple glasses of free champagne when the table next to us accidentally opened a door next to them that set off a not-so-charming alarm sound in our Jefferson room. But we thanked them for the champagne.

I’d highly recommend that you visit the Anaheim White House before the New Year. They are still taking a few more reservations this month. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did… now back to reality.

Introducing the OC Transplant

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 22:18:00 GMT

I'm the newest OC Family blogger and super excited to be here! Originally from Oregon in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, I've lived in Orange County for 10 years now. Though it hasn't been a perfect journey, I wouldn't change a thing. I love Orange County!

Just a little over a year ago, I was married at Casa Romantica in San Clemente overlooking the Pacific Ocean. I can't think of anywhere else I'd rather be than, living by the beaches and watching sunsets (one of my favorite past times).

Another one of my favorite past times is spending time with my hubby and family. I'm not exactly a Mom Blogger, but I'm certainly a Family Blogger. I'm a mom to two wonderful pets. Zoe, a 7 year old Jack Russell Terrier and Hurley, a 15 week old flame point Himalayan.

We do leave our "kids" at home often to enjoy date nights, so be on the lookout for some restaurant reviews and I'd be happy to take suggestions too!

Thanks again to Suz Broughton, OC Family's Lead Mom Blogger for inviting me to join you all!