Ruby's Diner- Old Towne Orange

Ruby's Diner- Old Towne Orange

I love the pin-up style!!!

Lobster Mac & Cheese- it is a little bit spicy, but this dish definetley takes an aquired taste. The cheese is creamy, and the lobster is very apparent. If you are not a seafood person, don't even mess with this dish- it's not for you!

Black'n'Bleu Sliders- These are soooooo good. Once again a dish that revolves all the way around cheese. It is delicious. Bleu cheese on the slider hamburger with an onion ring and delicious sauce on a hawaiian role.

Guest Features- From Family, Friends, and things I've cooked!

"Cheesecake circles dipped in white chocolate and then Oreo cookie crumbs. Renaissance Esmerelda in Indian Wells." Alicia Seevers

"This is what I'm doing in Arizona while I sit on the patio of the restaurant. Skinny Mojito!"

"Ummmm they are so good lol. Sooooooooo yummy! The flour tortillas are bomb. We come here all the time..." Amanda Victer- regarding a visit to Taco Mesa- Shrimp Tacos previously mentioned in other blogs!

Jennifer Felder- Southern Cookin' at its best!

Steak and Broccoli at home

Bacon and Spinach Souffle from Panera Bakery. Colleen always wanted to go to breakfast at Panera and I never understood- until I tried this piece of heaven. Breakfast was accidentally delivered to our office and we were all fortunate enough to enjoy the fruits of someones mistake! This was cheesy, soft, flaky, with salt from the bacon, and the spinach. It was incredible!!!

This was my dinner from vacation. Everyone had to cook a dinner and I made Tri-Tip with corn, a salad, and green beans. This was the only picture I took but it tasted great!!!

Guest Feature from Andie

"Delicious Grilled Chicken Salad"

"Give us a guest spot on your blog. Live from Mamas Fish House in Paia. Best restaurant on the island" From Andie, in Hawaii, with Sid Vicious and Melinda!

"3 types of quite fish in a yellow curry with snow peas. The best of the night."

"Ono"

"Beef short ribs with local purple potatoes"

"Mamas Fish House- Paia, Maui. This is banana macadamia nut cobbler"

Crosby Family Guest Features

I am proud to say that my Blog has had an impact, all be it small, on people. My aunt and uncle, and 2 cousins, Cooper and McKenna, ventured to the Thursday Night Food Trucks two weeks ago!!! They had a blast and what you see below are direct quotes from my uncle!

"Spicy tuna chips...yummmm"

"Steak with chimichurri sauce over fries...bomb..."

"Homeade red velvet cake."

Thanks Casey, Andrea, Coop, and Bean for being a part of my blog! I love that you guys are as into this as I am!

Pete's Cafe & Bar

Recently my sister, my grandma and I ventured out to L.A. to see a production of Les Miserables at the Ahmanson. It was a Mother's Day gift from my oldest sister, Andie. She, my Grandma, and I all love going to the theater and it has become a little tradition of ours in this past year. Andie last minute took a trip with her good friends to Hawaii so Stephanie, my other sister, and I took my grandma out for a night of good food and great theater.

Stephanie and I did a little research and settled on Pete's Cafe & Bar for dinner. The menu sounded good; experimental and classic at the same time all the while being reasonably priced. The restaurant was also centrally located to the Ahmanson theater which was a big deciding factor.

We started with a goat cheese tart with tomatoes and a small salad on top. I have decided that I love balsamic reduction. It was so thick and tangy and complemented the warm goat cheese so well. The pastry was soft, light, and airy with just enough flake to make it melt in your mouth.

Needless to say, between the 3 of us, we licked the plate clean.

I was extremely exhausted, due to work and Jackson deciding to stay up the night before, so I ordered an Espresso. I used to work at an Italian restaurant, Lorenzo's Pizza and Pasta, when I was at school at ASU. The owner's were from Italy and brought their personal espresso machine from their home into the restaurant. I learned how to make REAL Italian espresso, how to grind the beans, etc... I can remember drinking 2 or 3 of them on a shift at work and not being effected at all. I don't know if I am getting old, or if I just was so exhausted, but the espresso was delicious and woke me right up.

I always think the inside of an espresso cup is so pretty. I was trying to take good pictures for the blog but forgot my camera and was stuck with taking pictures on my Iphone.

I ordered pasta with bacon wrapped scallops. It was really good. I wish that the bacon had had a small amount of crisp on it, but it was delicious none the less.

My grandma ordered the free range chicken with horseradish mashed potatoes, and green beans. Her chicken was incredible!!! I really feel strongly about ordering chicken in a restaurant. I feel that it is so boring, and that you can make/order chicken anytime, anywhere. But my opinion was put to shame in this instance because my Grandma's chicken was really delicious.

Stephanie ordered lamb Bolganese. It was very fragrant. I will leave that to your imagination as to what I am implying.

Close-Up of my bacon wrapped scallops

Dessert was a chocolate lovers delight. While I love my picture and am proud of my work, I did not love this dessert. Chocolate Ice cream, with a flour less chocolate cake, covered in a chocolate ganache, dusted in edible gold, and a wafer twist. The flour less cake was really good and moist, but I always like a hint of Berry, or spice with a chocolate dessert. I think that was all this needed to take this dessert to the next level.

I have to say though, that presentation wise, this was beautiful. And as Andie has always told me, presentation is everything.

Finbars- South Coast Plaza

Unfortunately, this isn't a good blog/review. This restaurant, Finbars, located at South Coast Plaza was less than mediocre and that is being nice. I don't have much to say, besides the food being awful and the atmosphere extremely awkward.

I have an affinity for taking pictures of oil and vinegar, I will confess my weakness.

This was supposed to be an Italian version of fondue, made of mozzarella, but it was AWFUL!!! The cheese was not melted at all and the oil was gooping on top of the dish in an extremely unappetizing way. Also, I can't stand when bread is over toasted. This bread came out cold, over toasted, and inevitably hard as a rock.

I had pasta with artichoke hearts, and what was supposed to be pancetta and a light cream sauce. This ended up being pasta with overcooked bacon and a cream sauce. The sauce wasn't bad, but it wasn't good either. It was Switzerland. Completely neutral, with no flavor, beyond the burnt taste of the bacon.

I am sorry to say, but this was a horrible restaurant with awful food. I felt bad because the owner ( who I am assuming is the owner) was a sweet lady who kept coming by the table to see that everything was ok. I don't like being negative on my blog but I have to be honest, and honestly- this place was awful.

Mr. & Mrs. Bernie Gomez

On a beautiful afternoon a few weekends ago, two very good friends of mine, Bernie, and Brianne were married. It was a beautiful ceremony and Brianne looked gorgeous. I was so thankful to be included in their very special day. I have known Brianne for a very long time, and Bernie almost as long. We met Bernie in Spanish Class with Senor Ruby and the two have been together ever since.

The cake was so pretty. It was a 4 layer square cake covered in fondant. The fondant was light pink and lightly embellished. It was simple with clean lines, and had just the right amount of detail without being cheesy, or gawdy.

Every other layer was different- there was a strawberry layer which was amazing and a pineapple fruit layer which I didn't try but heard rave reviews. This was a beautiful delicious cake and very fitting for the overall feel of the day! Congratualtions to you Bernie, and Brianne, and I wish you all the love and happiness that the world can bring you!