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Little Sparrow and the Playground: 2 Restaurants to Discover near Disneyland in 2014

Orange County has long been known for its beautiful beaches, Disneyland and, more recently, a reality TV show about Desperate Housewives. Not far from Disneyland, you can find all types of restaurants to breakfast, lunch, dinner or perhaps a Sunday brunch. If you are looking for a new and exciting place to discover that is just a short drive from Disneyland, two restaurants in nearby Santa Ana fit the bill.

Little Sparrow and the Playground both recently opened up in downtown Santa Ana and both are receiving rave reviews from customers who have visited the two unique restaurants. To get to Santa Ana from Disneyland, all you have to do is hop on the Santa Ana Freeway (I-5) and head south to the Broadway/Main Street exit. It will only take you about 10 minutes to cover the approximate six miles from Disney to either of the two restaurants.

1) Playground

Followers of season two of the Food Network’s Great Food Truck Race will recognize owner Jason Quinn as the man who came in first place on the TV reality show. When Quinn and his Lime Truck beat out the other food truck competitors, Quinn received a cool $100,000 in prize money. Instead of investing in another mobile restaurant, the entrepreneurial food truck owner decided to take the money and invest in a brick and mortar restaurant called Playground.

Playground uses locally sourced fresh vegetables and produce to prepare its menu of lunch and dinner selections. Each week, the staff goes shopping for the ingredients they will use to make the meat, poultry and seafood platters, sandwiches and appetizers. While there are some items always available, the menu changes each week depending upon the fruit and vegetables that are in season.

Don’t be put off by all of the rules that you may encounter. If the waiter tells you that the food is not supposed to be well-done, don’t insist that the chef put it back on the grill. If the waiter stands firm and tells you there are no substitutions, don’t try to change the policy that applies to all customers. Owner Jason Quinn is not being arrogant. He is only trying to stay true to his beliefs and not compromise his signature menu.

And what a menu it is. You can order pork belly steamed buns with guacamole or a Santa Barbara Sea Urchin with jalapeno, lime and mignonette. If you are a little less adventurous, but still want to satisfy your taste buds, try the succulent fried Cornish game hen or indulge in the out-of-this world Playground Burger made with Wagyu beef and topped with a maple bourbon onion compote and homemade mustard and mayo on a freshly baked bun.

Playground also focuses on craft beer. With 15 different varieties of craft beer on tap and a 60 bottle list, you will find a brew that is sure to satisfy any beer connoisseur’s palate.

On Sunday, the Playground holds what they call Sunday Supper, a kind of pot-luck dinner that gives diners a chance to partake in a 12-15 course dinner including dessert. Groups from four to ten are served family style and there is no special orders allowed. While you can order all of your favorite menu items at dinner during the week, on Sunday, you leave the entire meal up to the creative mind and skills of the chef. Try a little of everything and if you really like a particular course, ask for seconds! Eat as much or as little as you want. If you love trying new foods as well as indulging in some traditional favorites, Sunday Supper is perfect for you.

2) Little Sparrow 

You will have to visit Little Sparrow to see for yourself why the OC Weekly Readers Poll voted Little Sparrow the Best New Restaurantand the Best Sunday Brunch, and also was the Editors Pick for Best Cocktail Lounge. Little Sparrow is a new Café and cocktail lounge that serves up lunch and dinner during the week and offers a classic bunch on the weekend. They are closed on Monday.

Inspired by Parisian bistros, this upscale eatery combines the best of French and light California cuisine to create what can be called New American cuisine. During the week, the restaurant is frequented by business professionals and city workers who are looking for something more than just a hamburger or a slice of pizza.

Lunch at Little Sparrow includes a good selection of reasonably priced sandwiches. For about $10, you can sink your teeth into a Tri-tip pastrami and Swiss cheese on rye or a Halibut Po’boy on ciabetta with old bay aioli and celery salad. If you want to try the best burger you ever tasted, order the 100 percent grass-fed beef burger that comes with freshly sliced tomato, lettuce and cheese.

For those of you who prefer something other than a sandwich, Chef Eric Samaniego will prepare you a delicious and very healthy Grilled Chicken, grilled romaine salad topped with parmesan cheese and an anchovy vinaigrette dressing. If you still have room for dessert, treat yourself to the Plum cobbler with vanilla bean ice cream.

Dinner is served Tuesday through Saturday from 5:30 pm to 11:00 pm. The café is transformed into an elegant dining room with white table cloths and the Chef’s own French-influenced creative dinner platters.

• Pan seared barramundi, miatake mushroom, butternut squash and red quinoa

• Grilled Mary’s chicken, pomme puree, cippolini and chanterelles

• 10 oz. Prime NY Strip, grilled leeks, confit potato and Romescu sauce

• Skuna Bay salmon, chorizo, romanesco, ricotta gnocci

You may not know what all the ingredients are, or even how to pronounce them, and that does not matter. All you have to do is enjoy eating some of the tastiest and most satisfying food in all of Orange County.

Little Sparrow also includes a full bar where you have an excellent selection of wines beer and cocktails. Let the bartender mix you up a special craft cocktail, raise your glass and toast to the good times you are enjoying in Southern California

If you are staying around Disneyland and want to try something other than a chain restaurant, head on over to nearby Santa Ana and try the Playground or the Little Sparrow. It is a safe bet that you will have a most enjoyable food experience and will want to come back again and again.

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Huntington Beach Has Some Of The Best Hamburger Joints In The Country

Huntington Beach #Burgers

Huntington Beach located on the California coastal strand between San Diego and Los Angela's offers years of true California traditions. Tourists that are luck enough o make a vacation of this beautiful coastal location will experience a feeling of California tradition beyond all other locations. Tradition in the form of a good old fashioned juicy hamburger can be fulfilled at any of these top three establishments. Each choice has a unique flavor of producing some fantastic burger cosine.

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Slaters 50/50 on Adams St in Huntington Beach, California is top shelf when it comes to unique burger cosine. Slatters takes a new approach to creating a burger that is far Superior to any from the old days. Slaters 50/50 mixes bacon and other choice spices into their hamburger patties. The results are a juicy burger that is full of enticing flavor. Slatters completes the whole package with its arsenal of fries and sodas to help wash the delight down. A visit to Slatters 50/50 will satisfy the most picky consumer of burger.

Beach Burgers on Beach Blvd offers its guest a nice sit down atmosphere that lets relaxation take place in the form of a great decor. Food and drink is available from 10:00 am till 11:00 pm. A juicy burger that is second too none is what the Beach Burger is all about. Nothing is left out when the chef behind the grill begins working their magic on your burger. The 100 grain fed beef and all natural ingredients all make it possible to produce one of the largest and best burgers in Huntington Beach. Flavor is mouth watering. Types of burgers are endless. The menu is so full of choices that the name of Beach Burgers should be synonymous with top rated burgers of California.
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Island Fine Burgers and Drinks located on Edinger Avenue in Huntington Beach, California makes a statement of top rated burgers. The truth of the matter is that Island's is one of the finest burger establishments on the California Coastline. The reputation as a specialist in the area of making the areas best burger is fast becoming this restaurants profile. For those that have a moment to spare for lunch a trip over to Islands will make the whole trip worth while. A fantastic choice of juicy burgers await the most finicky eater. A all American one pound cheeseburger can make the big man left feeling like he can t getter another bite down. The health conscientious individual will be well taken care of when it comes to keeping it all healthy and trim with a veggie burger that is out of this world. Whatever your choice the possibility are endless from the menu that has a choice for everyone.

A trip to any of these fine establishments will make Huntington Beach a fun and rewarding vacation. With a taste of a great burger Huntington Beach will complete the package of a destination you will want to see again.

More information: 

1. Blog - Huntington Beach California 2013 (...) Knowing were to experience Huntington Beach at its finest
2. News - Five novelty burgers worth trying
3. Recommendation lodging near Hungtington Beach

Create Special Memories with Your Family in Restaurants near Anaheim

Chances are you don't spend nearly enough time with your family. Between work, your children's school schedule and just all the other odd jobs that need to be done around the are, you need to take a bit of a break and bring your entire family together for a delicious, comfortable and relaxing dinner. Whether you're trying to learn about your son's new girlfriend or you're trying to draw closer to that special someone yourself, finding the perfect restaurant near you is essential.

Mi Casa

Whether you're looking for a delicious dinner or just want to sip down an incredible cocktail, Mi Casa has you covered, with the traditional Mexican cuisine. So bring your friends or just a date, sit back, relax, and enjoy all of the different offerings Mi Casa has to offer. And with ample seating, you never have to call ahead for reservation, for those times where you just forget about that important anniversary.

9021Pho

The clever name of the restaurant is not the only perk this establishment has going for it. The delicious Vietnamese cuisine is something you won't find anywhere else in the city. Yes, there are other Vietnamese restaurants in the area, but the combination of price, decor and spice makes it stand out from the crowd. The small facility does fill up quickly, so you want to make sure you arrive early for meal time. 

Bluewater Grill

Bluewater Grill is more than just fresh caught seafood. It is a complete experience. With the extensive wine menu paired with the incredible food menu (which includes both seafood and meat based options), there is an option for anyone right here, without having to go out and look for different restaurant to satisfy all your family's cravings. This is also one of the best date venues in the city, as you allow yourself ample opportunities for romance, ranging from the low mood lighting to the delicious drinks, you and your special someone are sure to find the perfect meals that can satisfy your meal cravings. It's up to you to satisfy whatever other cravings you may have later.

Mahe

So you want a combination of sushi and seafood? There aren't all that many locations throughout the city that give you this option. Mahe is one of the few selections that provides you with this option. From incredibly thick steaks to freshly caught seafood and everything else in between, there really isn't anything you can't find here that you'd find somewhere else. So whether you want a dinner for the entire family or just for a date night, Mahe provides you with all the dinning options you may need. Plus, the sushi bar is perfect if you just want to eat on your own, and as it doesn't take too long to receive the sushi, you can be in and out and back on the road, should your time be limited.

French 75

A delicious combination of French cuisine with Southern California culture, this eclectic mix of fine dining and cool vibes is perfect for any occasion. Although it is more geared to the romantic in you, it is still possible to bring your family and enjoy quality time together while out of the house and sitting together at a single table. 

With the thousands of restaurant options available to you in Anaheim, you need to know what facilities offer up not only the best food, but also the best scenery and services. These are some of the very best restaurants in the area to take your entire family, or to cut loose and enjoy a special date.

Click here for more about family restaurants in Anaheim

 

Best Restaurants Around Mountain View California

Have you ever seen a new restaurant that looked interesting but decided to pass it by and go to another more familiar restaurant that you have enjoyed dining at in the past? If you are like most people, you like a regular routine and are happy when you are in your own little comfort zone. Why chance a disappointing dining experience when you can go for a sure thing at your favorite buffet?
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Well, for one thing, life is all about taking chances and having new experiences. Instead of thinking negatively, think positively. Tell yourself that you will have a memorable evening enjoying fantastic cuisine fit for the mouths of royalty. Make it a point when traveling to avoid national chain restaurants and try a local restaurant. You might just be very pleasantly surprised.

If you happen to be visiting the Silicon Valley area around Mountain View and Palo Alto, you have a wonderful opportunity to try some very fine restaurants. Make a reservation and enjoy!

Chez TJ
938 Villa Street
Mountain View, CA 94041
650-964-7466

Chef Joey Elenterio serves up contemporary French cuisine inside the converted 1894 Victorian house that is now a fine French restaurant. You might be a little shocked when you see the prices, but after eating a specially prepared five or six course gourmet meal, you will more than feel that you got your money's worth. There is a fantastic selection of wines from Spain, Italy, South Africa and many other countries around the world. Of course, you can also order a glass of French Chardonnay or California Sauvignon.

Bistro Elan
2363A Birch Street
Palo Alto, CA 94306
650-327-0284

Sink your teeth into some fantastic French cuisine in this popular restaurant located just minutes from Stanford University. The chef only uses locally grown organic fruit and vegetables. They are purchased fresh every day a few blocks away at the California Avenue Farmer's Market. A house specialty is the Cast Iron Seared Niman Ranch Flat Iron Steak served with béarnaise sauce and a side of freshly cut fries. Add a piece of brown butter almond cake for dessert and a glass of California wine and your meal will be complete.

Amber India Restaurant
2290 El Camino Real #9
Mountain View, CA 94040
650-968-7511

If you have never had Indian food you might want to come for lunch and order the buffet. That way, you can try a little of everything and see what you like. There's a good selection of both vegetarian and meat dishes. The mild butter chicken is a favorite of many regular customers. Watch out for the very spicy Cochin scallops because they have a reputation for setting your mouth on fire.

 

Now that you are getting excited and want to try one of these 3 fine restaurants you might want to make reservations to come and stay to the Silicon Valley. Why not spend a few days seeing the sights and experiencing a one-of-a-kind dining experience. A great place to stay when you come to the area is at the Camino Inn and Suites in Mountain View. It is very close to the three restaurants and you will get a clean comfortable room, a free breakfast and a big smile from the front desk clerk when you check-in.

Visit www.mountainviewfun.com for more information

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4 Amazing Restaurants around Disneyland

The best restaurants offer tempting menus, inviting atmospheres, and great service. Highly appraised restaurants in Anaheim are renown for giving diners the experience of a lifetime. After a long day at Disneyland, finding great food is not usually a priority. These restaurants are in close proximity of the park and have received many rave guest reviews making it easy to have a memorable dining experience.

Napa Rose 714-781-3463

Located within Disney's Grand Californian Hotel and Spa, Napa Rose offers a romantic dinner atmosphere. An upscale menu is tailored to reflect the unique dining atmosphere set by artisan details. Enjoy a carefully selected wine from an array of award-winning choices while you either look out into the illuminated California Adventure Park or watch the excitement in the exhibition kitchen from the counter. Creativity from the resident chef is displayed in his artfully prepared dishes that include combinations worthy of a special occasion. Napa Rose provides for a relaxing, fine dining experience and a great way to introduce romance into your Disneyland experience. 

Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen 714-781-3463

If you're looking to add a little spice to your everyday menu, Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen is where to find it. Ralph Brennan's is located within the Downtown Disney District and serves New Orleans Cajun style cuisine. Everyone will enjoy listening to the jazz band play lively tunes that will make you feel like you're in Cajun country. French Quarter and Mardi Gras details can be found throughout the restaurant providing for a fun atmosphere. Brunch is available every Sunday with menus for adults and a buffet for the children. 

Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. 714-635-4867

Only one block out from Disneyland, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. is a fun place to take the family for great seafood. Bubba Gump's menu has playful reminders of the iconic movie Forrest Gump and, of course, features many variations of shrimp dishes. Although shrimp is the main star of their dishes, Bubba Gump's has other tempting choices such as southern fried chicken, steak, and burgers. Kids have their own menu adorned with activities to keep them entertained while they wait on their food. Bubba Gump's is a great casual restaurant option that will be fun for the whole family.

Anaheim White House 714-772-1381

As a recipient of numerous prestigious awards, the Anaheim White House restaurant provides exceptional service and outstanding culinary creations. Once an old mansion, the Anaheim White House provides charm and elegance for its guests. Five star cuisine is offered for lunch, dinner, and Sunday Champagne Brunch. Menus consist of mouthwatering Italian style bistro dishes that will take you on a culinary journey through Italy. Children are welcomed with their own menu that lets them experience fine dining in their own way. An extensive wine list offers award-winning wines that complement every dish. The Anaheim White House serves a romantic atmosphere along with award-winning cuisine.

For better information about restaurants around Disneyland please visit this blog.

We also recommend a low-cost hotel near Disneyland with great services, pool and jaccuzy, free breakfast and walking distance from all attractions...

Trending Restaurants For Families Near Disneyland - 2012

Taking your family out for a whole day at Disneyland is always a fun and enjoyable time for everyone. You will be able to take them on rides, play games, see a show and many other wonderful activities. After your visit to Disneyland, you can also take them on a wonderful dinner after a day at the magnificent theme park. You can choose from a wide variety of restaurants that are near Disneyland, which will have great dining alternatives. Here, we can go over three of the best restaurants near Disneyland that can be perfect for the entire family. 
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Trending restaurants in Anaheim for 2012

Enjoy Pirates Dinner Adventure

The Pirates Dinner Adventure is the first on the list as one of the best restaurants located near Disneyland. This restaurant provides you with an excellent atmosphere for the whole family, such as games, a show, great food and flawless service. It even has a gift shop inside the restaurant so that you can pick up a souvenir to have a nice memory of your family trip. You will be able to choose from a variety of hardy foods, which will include meals for kids, garden salads, soups, chicken entrees, BBQ plates and delicious desserts for those who have a sweet tooth. This dining establishment definitely ranks up there with the top three best restaurants near Disneyland.
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Discover Rainforest Cafe

You can also visit the Rainforest Cafe for a great night out with the family. The Rainforest Cafe is also located near Disneyland and the employees there will give you a full experience of great dining and entertainment for the kids. They offer a wide variety of theme parties and group events that you can put together for a family reunion. The menu alternatives will also have a little bit of everything for everyone. Some of the menu items will include salads, burgers, pasta entrees, seafood platters, chicken and mouthwatering steaks. You will also find an array of unique and delicious desserts, which are ice cream sandwiches, creamy chocolate pudding with crushed Oreo cookies and many more.

Don't miss Medieval Times 

The Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament restaurant is the last one we will go over as part of the top three restaurants to go and dine with the family, which is near Disneyland. An unforgettable time is what you are sure to have at the Medieval Times restaurant. It is an extravagant place where its theme is dedicated to the medieval times. You will be able to witness a reenactment of a classic battle of six knights in authentic full-body armor clashing in a jousting tournament for the king's champion. While this is going on, you can enjoy your dinner and your family's company for a full night of exquisite food and entertainment. Some of the menu items that you can expect at the Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament restaurant are oven roasted chicken, garlic bread, tomato bisque soup, herb-roasted potatoes, spare ribs, pastry of the castle and your choice of non-alcoholic beverages. 

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