Restaurant Recommendations

Antonucci’s

This has got to be our #1 dinner spot.  For anyone, going to Antonucci’s is like going home for dinner.  My daughter is in her second year of college, and when we first started going to Antonucci’s, she sat in a high chair.

My wife is an East Coast Italian, and she cooks like you can’t believe!!  No canned sauces for her!  There is only one Italian restaurant that she loves, and that’s Antonucci’s.  Over the years we’ve taken many, many friends to Antonucci’s, and they’ve all ended up becoming regular customers. 

It’s casual, the atmosphere is very warm and cozy, and when you’re there, you truly ARE family.  The owner Bob Canori will meet you at the door with his great big grin, you’ll get a big family-style hug, and now you’re officially family.  Hey, he’s old-school Italian, and that’s just Bob being himself.

They’ve got the best pizza in town, and all of their food is also offered for take-out for those who are on the run.  You’ll find a HUGE menu, with all the classic Italian food you could want, plus they’ve got the most incredible fresh seafood dishes you can imagine.

Manhattan Deli Bar & Grill

Art of the Party www.zcater.com

The Manhattan Deli Bar & Grill used to be known simply as PJ Bernstein’s Deli.  Nothing has changed but the name.  Same owners – same everything.

My wife is from the East Coast and used to work in Manhattan, right across from the Empire State Building.  She LOVED eating at New York delis.  Problem is that we could never find a REAL deli close to us.  We’d seen the sign that said PJ Bernstein’s right next to the Auto Club, just the other side of the freeway and just off Alicia Parkway, but we’d figured it was just like all the rest of the less-than-genuine delis.

One week I had three patients, who had retired here from the New York area, tell me about this deli and tell me that it’s the “real deal”.  So I told my wife.  That Saturday she had me take her there for lunch.  That night she had me take her there for dinner.  And we ate there about three more times over the very next week.  She was amazed.

That was a number of years ago, and things have not changed.  Wonderful food, HUGE portions, and as typical of a New York deli as you’ll find.

I happened to find the following review on the Internet by some motorcycle club.  Sounds to me like they know their delis.

If you are looking for the sweet taste of New York City, then by all means stop by Manhattan Deli Bar & Grill. 

We suggest before you stop by to not eat all day, as they have a very extensive menu, not to mention one of the best dessert displays we have yet to see.

We started our meal with 2 egg creams (egg cream is chocolate syrup, seltzer & milk) we also received delicious homemade kosher dill pickles and rye bread and butter.

We ordered an open face meatloaf sandwich with mushroom gravy & mashed potatoes and a pastrami sandwich with coleslaw. The meatloaf sandwich had two very large thick mouth watering pieces, as well as a very generous helping of mashed potatoes, and outstanding mushroom brown gravy. This is not canned gravy; this is like the kind Ma use to make.

The pastrami sandwich had a good half a pound of very lean beef with just the right amount of fat to make it juicy. They have an outstanding fully stocked bar that would make any biker weep with joy.

We suggest the next time you are riding with 150 bikers to stop on in and tell them Hriders sent you. Dinner for two: $32.25 including our drinks.

Tell them Hriders sent you!

How to Get There

Go down Alicia towards the freeway.  Just after you drive over the freeway, you’ll immediately see a car wash on your right and the Auto Club on your left.  Turn left right there at Paseo de Alicia.  The Manhattan Deli will be right there on your left side.

Shin Sushi

From the Sushi World Guide, I found the following review (that I agree with 100%):

"I have eaten sushi at well over 100 places in the US. This one is my favorite. It is small, only 12 seats at the sushi bar with 5 tables of four around the sushi bar. It is always crowded, but well worth the wait. The owner (Shin-San) is the sushi chef and he brings the personal touch to the freshest fish in Orange County, California. If you are in the area, do not miss this one. Outstanding food at a reasonable (for sushi) price. "
      - Bill Malvey, Sushi World Guide

There is, however, something that I do need to warn you about regarding eating at Shin’s.  Once you eat Shin’s sushi, you’ll have difficulty eating sushi anywhere else, and I truly am not joking about that.  Sure, you’ll find other sushi places that are fun and have great sushi, but each time you return to Shin’s you’ll take a bite and say, “Ahhhhh.  Finally.”

Shin’s sushi is a bit pricey.  And the ambiance is nothing special – very small and clean.  It’s all about the sushi, and NOBODY does it like Shin.  If you go there, you absolutely MUST try his signature dish – the Avocado Dip Hand-roll. 

How to Get There

It's located at the corner of Marguerite Parkway and Oso Parkway

Celinda's Original Mexican

OK, get ready for one of the best kept secrets in the area.  This is simply a take-out Mexican restaurant, but you can also eat there.  Get ready for what might be the BEST Mexican food in Southern California – I’m NOT kidding.  My assistant Nellie was born and raised in Mexico, and she is an incredible cook.  She’s also one of the most well-respected “Extended Functions” Registered Dental Assistants in the entire country.  She’s co-authored dental technique articles with me, helped me teach hands-on courses teaching dentists various clinical techniques, and has been indispensable in helping me develop several of the popular techniques that I have published.

When it comes to Mexican food, Nellie is the supreme expert.  She told me about Celinda’s, and told me that outside of her, and her Mom’s cooking, that she’s never had better Mexican food.  Believe it!  Wow!

So if you’re looking for the BEST Mexican take-out around, this is it.

How to Get There

Celinda’s is located in the same plaza where the Rancho Santa Margarita Post Office is located, at the intersection of Rancho Santa Margarita Parkway and Avenida Empressa.

Five Crowns Restaurant

The Five Crowns is one of my all-time favorites.  Don’t go there for an outside view.  Go there for the old English atmosphere, the impeccable service, and most of all, for the amazing food.  If you’re a prime rib lover, old English style, this is the place.

There is absolutely no more festive restaurant to visit during the holidays.  Every evening they have several groups of carolers singing throughout the restaurant, and they are REALLY good.  They take requests, and even sing the more jazzy holiday favorites such as “Rockin’ Round the Christmas Tree”, “Santa Baby”, and just about anything you’d like.  We always visit at least twice during the holidays, and usually even have our office Christmas party at the Five Crowns.

Claes Restaurant and The Terrace Restaurant in the Hotel Laguna 425 South Coast Highway Laguna Beach, CA 92651 (949) 376-WAVE (9283)   Menu

Claes Restaurant

Claes Restaurant is an upscale fine dining restaurant, but the dress code does not require ties or jackets.  The food is really excellent, and the view is amazing.     Both restaurants sit virtually above the sand, looking directly over the beach and out to the ocean.  Most evenings you will see families (pods) of dolphins swimming by, just a few yards off shore.  The sunsets are amazing.

See a virtual tour of Claes Restaurant. A round cursor will appear on the photo – simply click and drag it to see the entire restaurant.

Terrace Restaurant

If you’re in the mood for very casual dining, with the more simple menu including burgers, sandwiches and lighter dinners, try the Terrace Restaurant, which is just outside the door of Claes Restaurant.

See a virtual tour of The Terrace Restaurant. A round cursor will appear on the photo – simply click and drag it to see the entire outdoor restaurant.

For very casual dining with a breathtaking view, and total relaxation, give the Terrace a try.  They don’t take reservations however.

21 Oceanfront Restaurant

This is definitely NOT casual dining, but men do not have to wear a tie or coat.  Located across from the Newport Beach Pier in Newport Beach, this is a fantastic location with very elegant (and pricey) dining and fantastic food.  For those who don’t mind paying for an expensive dinner, as long as you get what you pay for, this is a great place to dine.

LAGUNA HILLS 25322 McIntyre Street (949) 768.0662 MISSION VIEJO 27845 Santa Margarita Pkwy (949) 461.7170 Menu

Claim Jumper

The Claim Jumper was the first restaurant that both of my children went to – days after they were born.  It’s a casual family atmosphere with reasonable prices and HUGE portions.  It’s very popular, so expect a wait quite often.  The ambiance is reminiscent of the old west – particularly of the California Gold Rush era.

How to Get There

Laguna Hills is just off La Paz and the 5 Freeway. Mission Viejo is at the intersection of Marguerite Parkway and Santa Margarita Parkway.

Map & Directions

Chart House

The view from the Chart House is fantastic (especially on the 4th of July, watching the fireworks), overlooking Dana Point Harbor.  The food is always very good, and they have a great salad bar that even includes caviar with all the fixings.  The atmosphere is intimate, very laid-back and relaxing. 

How to Get There

Directions

Ruby’s Diner

If you haven’t eaten at Ruby’s…where have you been?  Ruby’s is a very casual 1940’s style burger joint.  It’s a great place to take the kids (or yourselves) for a fun lunch or dinner.  My personal favorite is their Chinese Chicken Salad with the original dressing (I’m not too fond of the newer dressing – just ask for the original dressing).  But pretty much everything is very good.  Oh, their chili is great too.

Wood Ranch BBQ & Grill

Nothing fancy – nothing special.  Just a good place to go to have some good food when you don’t feel like cooking.  You’ve gotta try the Tri-Tip Roast Soup!  Very good barbeque – the baby back pork ribs and Tri-Tip Roast  are two of my favorites.

King's Fish House-Laguna Hills 24001 Avenida de la Carlota Laguna Hills, CA 92653 (949) 586-1515 Menu

King’s Fish House   

King’s Fish House is a restaurant chain, and simply fun to go to.  My wife and I like the ambiance in their bar area, and usually sit in a booth there in the bar.  The music is fun, it’s not ridiculously loud, and bar has a full menu.  If you like more quite dining, the main dining room is perfect.  Kings will not be the very best seafood dining experience of your life, but it’s fun, and the food is good.  You can even get sushi there, and amazingly, their sushi is really pretty darned good.

One of my personal favorites is the live Dungeness Crab.  It’s a bit messy, but the rewards are great. Check out the menu.

How to Get There

King’s is located at the 5 freeway and El Toro Road. Take the #5 freeway north to El Toro Road.  Turn left at the foot of the off ramp.  Almost immediately, turn left at the first light (Avenida de la Carlota), and then an immediate right into the parking lot..  King’s is on the corner.

Islands Restaurants

Islands restaurants are great -- really a lot of fun.  When inside, you’ll feel like you’re in Hawaii at a burger place on the beach.  And the food really is great.  There are three locations that are close to us. 

How to Get There

If you are in Coto de Caza or Rancho Santa Margarita, you can hop the 241 toll road to Foothill Ranch to be there in a few minutes.  There’s also one right next to the Laguna Hills Mall (just off the freeway at El Toro Road).  And if you’re going to be at the Kaleidoscope Mall on Crown Valley right next to the freeway, there is an Islands inside the Kaleidoscope.

Opah Restaurant

Opah is a nice upscale casual dining restaurant, and the food is very good for both lunch and dinner.  It is located in the Town Center in Rancho Santa Margarita.

Agave Mexican Restaurant

Agave is actually owned by the same folks who own Opah Restaurant.  It has become rather popular very quickly.  The ambiance is upscale and fun.  I can’t really say how all the food dishes are, because my wife and I pretty much get hung-up on the incredible Slow-Roasted Crispy Pork Carnitas and Chili Relleno – WOW!  They’re great.

Tortilla Flats 27792 Vista del Lago Mission Viejo, CA 92692 (949) 830-9980 Menu

Tortilla Flats

Tortilla Flats is a beautiful place to have lunch or dinner.  I’d say that the food is good, however no better than any good Mexican restaurant, but the ambiance is the key.  Just take a look at the view you have of Lake Mission Viejo eating lakeside.  The best adjective I can use to describe the feeling is “relaxing”.

And even if you feel like eating inside, the beauty of this restaurant is fabulous.

How to Get There

Tortilla Flats is located in the Plaza Del Lago/Market On The Lake center, right on the lake in Mission Viejo.  The cross streets are Vista Del Lago and Marguerite Parkway (just off Alicia Parkway).

El Torito Grill

Excellent Mexican food at the top of the Kaleidoscope Mall

Prego Ristorante

Prego is an upscale fine-dining gourmet Italian restaurant with a very romantic intimate ambiance.  The food is wonderful, and worth the drive.  This is not your typical Italian restaurant  It’s near the Orange County Airport.

How to Get There

Directions

Crown Chinese

This is simply a nice, small traditional Chinese restaurant that we enjoy.  Nothing special or fancy, but I think you’ll like it.

P.F. Changs

This is very good, but very Americanized Chinese food.  Upscale ambiance and fun.  I love the Garlic Snap Peas.

Las Brisas Restaurant

Las Brisas is simply beautiful.  Years and years ago, my wife and I had our wedding reception there.  It is located just about a block up the hill (north) from the center of Laguna Beach, right on the ocean.  The food really is excellent, but the real draw is the ambiance and the location.  I’ve just got to show you some photographs.

Trabuco Oaks Steakhouse

When you drive up to Trabuco Oaks Steakhouse, you might wonder if you should even bother walking in.  Trust me – do walk in!  It’s more like a barn inside than a great restaurant, and if you wear a tie – they’ll cut it off!  There are thousands and thousands of ties hanging from the ceiling wherever you look.  There are even large trees that are growing right out of the ground and through the roof.  The dress is as casual as you’d like, but don’t let that fool you.  You will get the BEST steak you’ve ever tasted here.  Ruth’s Chris, eat your heart out!  This is BETTER.

It’s simple, great food, and for what you get, the price is ridiculously inexpensive.  This is a favorite place of anyone who’s lived in the area for very long.  Do NOT miss this place!

How to Get There

Hwy 5 To El Toro, Left On El Toro For 6 Miles, Turn Right At Cook's Corner. Located 4.3 Miles From There, Past The Fire Station, Right Behind Old General Store On Left Hand Side.

Wasabi Sushi

Well, Wasabi is very good sushi – it’s not Shin’s sushi, but then again, it’s not as pricey either.  The atmosphere is very nice and fun, and everyone there is extremely friendly.  For good sushi that won’t break the bank, this is the place.

How to Get There

It's right next to the movie theater in Rancho Santa Margarita