Galloping Gourmet: Anaheim
Staying in the Disney area of town - but not actually every going to Disneyland, I don't think I really hit all the culinary highlights of Anaheim, let alone Orange County!
In addition to the usual Starbucks, mostly in hotels, I also had a tasty lunch at the Hilton (a very good burger) and also a nice breakfast at the Clarion Hotel (once the buffet, one ordered).
I also stopped in at a Carl's Jr, but it wasn't the same as I
recall from my youth. Since the Carl's Jr. didn't really have breakfast, I had to go down the street to the Denny's (for the "All American Breakfast).
Showing posts with label Location: Anaheim. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Location: Anaheim. Show all posts
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Roy's: Not your parents' Trader Vic's
Roy's Hawaiian Fusion Cuisine
Roy Yamaguchi opened the first "Roy's" in Honolulu in 1988. Since then, it's grown to a chain with locations around the country. I first saw a Roy's in Philadelphia and was intrigued by the concept. When I saw there was one in Anaheim, I felt I should give it a try.
My table started out with the Wood Grilled Szechwan Spiced Baby Back Pork Ribs and the Pacific Rim calamari. The ribs were excellent and I would highly recommend them. The calamari was something different. Cut in strips, the texture was more like that of lobster and didn't quite have the right "mouth feel" for squid. Different, but maybe a bit too different.
Others at the table had selections from the sushi menu (Lakanilau Roll Seared Kobe Beef wrapped around Dynamite Crab, Tempura, Asparagus & Avocado, and Auntie Lei’s Aloha Roll Spicy Tuna Roll topped with Hamachi, Salmon & Avocado). I tasted the kobe beef rolls and wasn't terribly impressed. Didn't quite work for me.
My own entree was the pork tenderloin (Apple Wood Smoked Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin Maple Miso Drizzle & Asian Pear Chutney). The pork was good, but a bit overwhelmed by all the accompaniments.
The Anaheim location has been open only a few months, but it looked like all the kinks were worked out. The host staff were very friendly and eager to please. The wait and other service staff were helpful (though not quite that familiar with the extensive wine list).
All in all, I think that Roy's makes a fine, but still "safe" exotic destination - a sort of Trader Vic's for the 21st century.
Dish: Pork tenderloin
Meal: Dinner
Rating: *** of 5
Date: 30 June 2008
Address: 321 West Katella Ave. Suite #105, Anaheim CA 92802
Website: http://www.roysrestaurant.com/
Roy Yamaguchi opened the first "Roy's" in Honolulu in 1988. Since then, it's grown to a chain with locations around the country. I first saw a Roy's in Philadelphia and was intrigued by the concept. When I saw there was one in Anaheim, I felt I should give it a try.
My table started out with the Wood Grilled Szechwan Spiced Baby Back Pork Ribs and the Pacific Rim calamari. The ribs were excellent and I would highly recommend them. The calamari was something different. Cut in strips, the texture was more like that of lobster and didn't quite have the right "mouth feel" for squid. Different, but maybe a bit too different.
Others at the table had selections from the sushi menu (Lakanilau Roll Seared Kobe Beef wrapped around Dynamite Crab, Tempura, Asparagus & Avocado, and Auntie Lei’s Aloha Roll Spicy Tuna Roll topped with Hamachi, Salmon & Avocado). I tasted the kobe beef rolls and wasn't terribly impressed. Didn't quite work for me.
My own entree was the pork tenderloin (Apple Wood Smoked Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin Maple Miso Drizzle & Asian Pear Chutney). The pork was good, but a bit overwhelmed by all the accompaniments.
The Anaheim location has been open only a few months, but it looked like all the kinks were worked out. The host staff were very friendly and eager to please. The wait and other service staff were helpful (though not quite that familiar with the extensive wine list).
All in all, I think that Roy's makes a fine, but still "safe" exotic destination - a sort of Trader Vic's for the 21st century.
Dish: Pork tenderloin
Meal: Dinner
Rating: *** of 5
Date: 30 June 2008
Address: 321 West Katella Ave. Suite #105, Anaheim CA 92802
Website: http://www.roysrestaurant.com/
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Gandhi Palace - Worth the wait!
Gandhi Palace
Anaheim was looking a little bleak in the foody department - at least in the areas around the Anaheim Resort/ Disney area. So when a colleague texted me and suggested lunch at an Indian place, I didn't pause before saying YES!
Located in a Ramada Inn just a few blocks from Disneyland, the exterior of the Gandhi Palace isn't terribly inspiring. A group of people queued at the door waiting to get in and the staff slowly seated each group in turn. The restaurant was pretty crowded and there was a big group, but still the wait wasn't that long.
Lunch was buffet style with everything that you might expect: lamb vindaloo, chicken korma, saag paneer; a selection of bread; raita; tandoori chicken, and more.
Reasonably priced ($9.84 with tax) for the all you can eat buffet, it made for a perfect change of pace.
So good in fact, that I returned later that night for dinner with a couple of colleagues. Again, there was a bit of a wait at the door and the staff were not particularly attentive, still the wait wasn't all that bad.
Ordering from the menu, we selected lamb vindaloo, a bhindi masala, and some other selected vegetable dishes. The wine list, though not extensive, did have just the white wine that we wanted.
And well, yes, the food is really good, so I came back again for dinner the next evening (for those of you who've lost count, this makes my third visit!). On this night, again, a line at the door, but I think they staff were starting to recognize me. After we were seated, we decided on the dinner buffet (not offered the previous night I was there). Similar to the lunch buffet, again, everything was great.
One small quibble, the tandoori chicken was a bit dry and thin on meat. The rich lamb vindaloo, however, more than makes up for it!
FYI, the restaurant offers a "traditional" American style breakfast of bacon, sausage, eggs, etc. - it would have been interesting to see an Indian breakfast buffet!
Dish: Variety of dishes
Meal: Lunch and Dinner
Rating: **** of 5
Date: 28 & 29 June 2008
Address: 515 W Katella Ave., Anaheim, CA 92802
Website: http://www.gandhipalace.com/
Anaheim was looking a little bleak in the foody department - at least in the areas around the Anaheim Resort/ Disney area. So when a colleague texted me and suggested lunch at an Indian place, I didn't pause before saying YES!
Located in a Ramada Inn just a few blocks from Disneyland, the exterior of the Gandhi Palace isn't terribly inspiring. A group of people queued at the door waiting to get in and the staff slowly seated each group in turn. The restaurant was pretty crowded and there was a big group, but still the wait wasn't that long.
Lunch was buffet style with everything that you might expect: lamb vindaloo, chicken korma, saag paneer; a selection of bread; raita; tandoori chicken, and more.
Reasonably priced ($9.84 with tax) for the all you can eat buffet, it made for a perfect change of pace.
So good in fact, that I returned later that night for dinner with a couple of colleagues. Again, there was a bit of a wait at the door and the staff were not particularly attentive, still the wait wasn't all that bad.
Ordering from the menu, we selected lamb vindaloo, a bhindi masala, and some other selected vegetable dishes. The wine list, though not extensive, did have just the white wine that we wanted.
And well, yes, the food is really good, so I came back again for dinner the next evening (for those of you who've lost count, this makes my third visit!). On this night, again, a line at the door, but I think they staff were starting to recognize me. After we were seated, we decided on the dinner buffet (not offered the previous night I was there). Similar to the lunch buffet, again, everything was great.
One small quibble, the tandoori chicken was a bit dry and thin on meat. The rich lamb vindaloo, however, more than makes up for it!
FYI, the restaurant offers a "traditional" American style breakfast of bacon, sausage, eggs, etc. - it would have been interesting to see an Indian breakfast buffet!
Dish: Variety of dishes
Meal: Lunch and Dinner
Rating: **** of 5
Date: 28 & 29 June 2008
Address: 515 W Katella Ave., Anaheim, CA 92802
Website: http://www.gandhipalace.com/
Mr Stox - Best on the blox?
Mr Stox Restaurant
Need a table for two or a dinner for 10, 15, 20? Mr Stox is your place. Whether you're looking for a nicer place for a small dinner or hosting a larger event, Mr Stox, managed by the Marshall family since 1977 will fit the bill. I had a business dinner for eight and Mr Stox was just the right mix of casual and elegant. Located in a Mission-style complex that stretches further than it might look from the road, Mr Stox offers a number of different settings from the large dining room (with both booths and tables) to an enclosed patio area that is perfect for a larger dinner.
The menu offers an extensive selection of "classic" dishes of fish, meat, and poultry. With a few "trendy" items on the menu (ahi, osso buco, portobello mushrooms) as well as something you might not expect to see in Southern California (Maryland crab cakes! - the wait staff informed us that the owner was from the Chesapeake area), selections should meet nearly every taste.
For appetizers, the table split orders of onion rings (nice and large and neatly battered) and ravioli (a tasty spring pea ravioli with crispy pancetta and a smoked paprika cream sauce); I added a Caesar salad to the mix.
Others at the table selected the halibut, swordfish, crabcakes, and portobello for entrees. I selected the duck. The Mesquite grilled duck breast and confit of leg was served with a red beet purée with pears and King Oyster mushrooms. The duck was well done and the mushrooms added just the right touch.
Dessert offerings included a crispy fruit tart.
Service was knowledgeable and attentive. A nice wine selection compliments the extensive menu.
More photos.
Dish: Duck
Meal: Mr Stox
Rating: **** of 5
Date: 27 June 2008
Address: 1105 E Katella Ave., Anaheim, CA 92805
Website: http://www.mrstox.com/
Need a table for two or a dinner for 10, 15, 20? Mr Stox is your place. Whether you're looking for a nicer place for a small dinner or hosting a larger event, Mr Stox, managed by the Marshall family since 1977 will fit the bill. I had a business dinner for eight and Mr Stox was just the right mix of casual and elegant. Located in a Mission-style complex that stretches further than it might look from the road, Mr Stox offers a number of different settings from the large dining room (with both booths and tables) to an enclosed patio area that is perfect for a larger dinner.
The menu offers an extensive selection of "classic" dishes of fish, meat, and poultry. With a few "trendy" items on the menu (ahi, osso buco, portobello mushrooms) as well as something you might not expect to see in Southern California (Maryland crab cakes! - the wait staff informed us that the owner was from the Chesapeake area), selections should meet nearly every taste.
For appetizers, the table split orders of onion rings (nice and large and neatly battered) and ravioli (a tasty spring pea ravioli with crispy pancetta and a smoked paprika cream sauce); I added a Caesar salad to the mix.
Others at the table selected the halibut, swordfish, crabcakes, and portobello for entrees. I selected the duck. The Mesquite grilled duck breast and confit of leg was served with a red beet purée with pears and King Oyster mushrooms. The duck was well done and the mushrooms added just the right touch.
Dessert offerings included a crispy fruit tart.
Service was knowledgeable and attentive. A nice wine selection compliments the extensive menu.
More photos.
Dish: Duck
Meal: Mr Stox
Rating: **** of 5
Date: 27 June 2008
Address: 1105 E Katella Ave., Anaheim, CA 92805
Website: http://www.mrstox.com/
JT Schmid’s: Come for the beer!
JT Schmid’s
Where to go on Anaheim? Well, that's a good question, so, looking around the web, I found JT Schmid's. Located near the Honda Center (home of the Might Ducks) and within sight of Angel's Stadium on a weird little strip mall, the vast restaurant dominated the area. It looked like the perfect place to bring a large group, but on a Thursday night, it was pretty quiet.
Starting off with the Panko Crusted Tuna Roll (Sushi grade tuna wrapped in spinach and panko flakes. Flash fried and served with a wasabi soy sauce) and an excellent IPA (from the onsite brewery), things looked good.
The tuna roll was quite good with a reduced soy sauce, ginger, and wasabi.
For dinner, my table got two orders of ribs, the Baby Back Ribs and the Beef Back Ribs. The baby back ribs were quite good, but the beef ribs were a little on the fatty side. For sides,we had the shoe string fries (very good), coleslaw, and sweet potato fries (also quite good).
Service was excellent and the waiter knew the menu (but wasn't bold enough to steer us away from the beef ribs!). Come with a large group, get a beer, and stick with the basic fare!
An additional location in nearby Tustin.
More photos.
Dish: Ribs
Meal: Dinner
Rating: ** of 5
Date: 26 June 2008
Address: 2610 E Katella Ave., Anaheim, CA 92806
Website: http://jtschmids.com/
Where to go on Anaheim? Well, that's a good question, so, looking around the web, I found JT Schmid's. Located near the Honda Center (home of the Might Ducks) and within sight of Angel's Stadium on a weird little strip mall, the vast restaurant dominated the area. It looked like the perfect place to bring a large group, but on a Thursday night, it was pretty quiet.
Starting off with the Panko Crusted Tuna Roll (Sushi grade tuna wrapped in spinach and panko flakes. Flash fried and served with a wasabi soy sauce) and an excellent IPA (from the onsite brewery), things looked good.
The tuna roll was quite good with a reduced soy sauce, ginger, and wasabi.
For dinner, my table got two orders of ribs, the Baby Back Ribs and the Beef Back Ribs. The baby back ribs were quite good, but the beef ribs were a little on the fatty side. For sides,we had the shoe string fries (very good), coleslaw, and sweet potato fries (also quite good).
Service was excellent and the waiter knew the menu (but wasn't bold enough to steer us away from the beef ribs!). Come with a large group, get a beer, and stick with the basic fare!
An additional location in nearby Tustin.
More photos.
Dish: Ribs
Meal: Dinner
Rating: ** of 5
Date: 26 June 2008
Address: 2610 E Katella Ave., Anaheim, CA 92806
Website: http://jtschmids.com/
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