Cochon Butcher || New Orleans

We ate here every day (at least once) during our 6 day trip to New Orleans. Loved the Mac and Cheese, Cubano and Duck Pastrami sliders. Don't miss the pralines with bacon  and the Honey Boo Boo. We tried so many things and it was all so good.

We also ate at Cochon (the restaurant proper)  and tried the alligator and browned butter ice cream, Great service at both the butcher and Cochon.

Looking forward to our next trip to New Orleans!

Lola Gaspar | Santa Ana Artists District, CA

Headed over to Lola Gaspar for lunch today.This is a fun little kitchen and cocktail bar in the artists district near the civic center in Santa Ana.

We sat inside and started our meal with the bacon wrapped dates stuffed with bleu cheese. Delicious! My wife ordered the 3 carnitas taco combo which was served with a mound of yellow rice.

I ordered the grilled pollo piadina with bloomsdale spinach, tomato, cumin yogurt and goat cheese spread in a warm tortilla wrap. My wife didn't want to share any of her carnitas with me  but she gave in after I shared a piece of chicken with her. Chicken is not one of her favorites but my chicken was seasoned so well-she loved it. The carnitas were spicy and delicious.

Next time we want to come for dessert and I'll probably try the fries instead of the greens. My wife liked the greens with the sherry vinaigrette but they were kind of plain for me.

We ate inside-small, very nice and retro-modern with a large bar. There's also a great little shady patio outside too.

Bring your quarters. Parking is street side with meters. Excellent service, no sign outside and one bathroom for the entire place. Don't drink to much.

Where the Cops eat in Las Vegas

I had some training this past week in Vegas and took my wife along to enjoy the pool and the food in the city. We stayed at the Westin. It's an older hotel with excellent service and a great location just off the strip.  The pool and spa area are comfortable and clean.

Here are some of our favorites from the week:

Firefly
Just a couple minutes of the strip. The sangria, especially the white is so good! With half price on drinks during happy hour, this makes for an affordable meal.They serve tapas which basically are appetizers or small plates.

Our favorites were the bacon wrapped dates. They bring out garlic bread slices with almond butter when you sit down...a perfect start to the meal. We also enjoyed the Tiera Y Mar Skewers. I would probably skip the filet mignon sliders and the ham and cheese croquetas next time. The flavor was a bit bland. Great service and great food!

Komex Express
They say you shouldn't judge a restaurant by it's website. In this case, that  is so true. The restaurant itself is a dive with pasty green walls. But you must come here for the food! It takes a long time to get a table and then a bit longer  to get your food but the service was good and the food was amazing!!

Don't miss the fusion tacos especially the the pork and carne asada. The fushion burrito is good and the loaded up fries were amazing too! We enjoyed everything we ordered!!Next time we will probably order 3 tacos each and maybe try the fried rice. It sounded like it was a house specialty.

They also serve you homemade chips with salsa and guacamole when you sit down. Love that! We were out the door for $20 and that included a generous tip.
PS-The local cops had just arrived when we were leaving.

Bachi Burger
Another place that serves up organic tasty burger. The restaurant itself is a bit nicer but casual dress works well. We loved the flavor combinations and the chili topped fries-kinda sweet, kinda spicy. For an appetizer we chose the sausage plate. Meat goodness!

Tacos El Gordo
On the strip-north end. Easy parking, delicious and cheap tacos. We tried the tacos and a quesadilla. The carne asada was a bit fatty for my wife. But the pork was perfect.  Sit outside, enjoy the warm dessert air and some good tacos. We will definitely go back!

Lolas
We ended up at Lola one night for a late night snack and dessert. We tried the fig tart with butter pecan ice cream. Apparently Lola grows her own figs. Deliciousness!! We also shared the hot crab artichoke dip. So good and there were even big chinks of crab in there. Lolas is kind of out of the way but if you are headed to North Las Vegas and the Fremont Experience (don't miss this! It's classic retro Las Vegas!) then it's a perfect stop,

Fillipi's Pizza Grotto || San Diego CA

We will drive an hour and half for Fillippi's Pizza Grotto! And then we will wait in line in a squished Italian market because the food is that delicious. Head to Little Italy for some amazing fettuncini alfredo or maybe some homemade meatballs.

Oh and the ravioli are so good too. And don't miss the pizza. You really can't go wrong with anything on the menu. If you are in a hurry, get take-out and eat it in your car. Or just decide not to be in a hurry and enjoy the crowds. Just make sure you go there to eat if you are ever in San Diego! 

Cherry Cricket || Denver, CO

Don't judge them by their website. It's alittle hokey and green and it chirps. Their burgers are tasty and big without any crickets.

I had to try the Peanut Butter and Jelly Burger-so tasty. This is a casual kind of place that's great for large groups. 

Public House || Temecula, CA

Fresh, local food! One of the best Gastro Pubs around. Public House has a very small indoor dining area (it's an old house) and a patio outside where they have live music. I can only speak to the inside dining for this one.

The food is amazing and the service was perfect. I recommend the Kobe burger and their spicy sweet specialty fries. The seating is not the most comfortable but who cares when the food is this good. 

Umami Burger || Costa Mesa, CA

Ummai Burger is located in The Camp, an Urban shopping space in the heart of Orange County. Umami will send you a text to your cell phone when your table is ready, so you are free to roam around.

There are lots of great shops at The Camp so the wait doesn't feel to long. My favorite is the Port and Stilton Burger but you really can't go wrong no matter what burger you choose as long as it has meat in it!