Maison Rustique

When Mom was pregnant with me, they really needed the tax deduction. She didn't tell me until 40 years later, but apparently she took castor oil for 4 days to get me here on December 31. No wonder I've always felt rushed.

FWIW, we do have at least one French take-out place here in Orange County, CA.

I'll second that one!! Someone took me there the first time I was in Anaheim.

There are some outstanding places to eat in the Anaheim area. Unfortunately none of them within walking distance of the convention center and none of them quick.

This is interesting. I've been a member of eGullet for at least a year and a half. I only recently (within the past month or so) realized that cooking was discussed in the regional forums. I always thought they were just for discussing restuarants and get-togethers. Most of the cooking discussions seem to take place in (no surprise) the cooking forum. I'm a little puzzled about all this. If we discuss the various cuisines in the regional forums, what are we supposed to talk about in the cooking forum?

Ramos House Cafe

I haven't beeen to L'Hirondelle since the new owners took over. Prior to then, there was nothing "wrong" with it--it had just gotten a little tired for me. It did occur to me--if you'll be around for breakfast or lunch, you can't beat the Ramos House Cafe. I'll check for a website. Sadly they aren't open for dinner.

Guess they do. Cafe Mozart

I recommend either Cafe Mozart in SJC or Iva Lee's in San Clemente. Iva Lee's Don't believe Cafe Mozart has a website--not sure.

"There's no buffet like the Gold Buffet, well known from coast to coast the Gold Buffet!!" Edited to add: Forgot to say that my first "real" job was at the Forum Cafeteria in Antioch Center. I was 16.

bbqboy, thanks for that link! I just spent the last hour reading through it. What memories!!

I actually shopped at Houlihan's before it was a resto--I worked down the street and lived nearby for a while. But then I did eat there, once it became the restaurant. I haven't been to the Plaza area for probably 3 years (unbelievable for me!) but I think that no, there is no more Houlihan's Men's Shop, and no Houlihan's Old Place Restaurant. Is the Plaza still owned/managed by J.C. Nichols Co.? If so they must have a web site with a map that would show what is there and in which locations. When I first graduated from high school I worked for Caldwell's Shoes. I worked in the offices above what was then the Muelbach's (sp?) grocery store. They had 3 or 4 stores on the Plaza and numerous other stores in the mid-west. I'm burning dinner now or would go check on some of this. I can alwasy investigate next time I go back--Mom's harping at me...

Baconburner, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that! It's called smart and planning ahead! There are 2 of us, but I do the same thing--there's always a couple of emergency "somethings" in the freezer.

WTF! Good grief. Thanks for posting this. I'm just a housewife that likes to cook and it pisses me off. I can't imagine what it must be like for you professionals! I just realized you said LA County. I'm in OC. Come on down here and get your goods!

Are there inlanders coming to this dinner? If so, we might want to make sure there is a nice ocean view?

Any particulars we should know about--cost, type of cuisine, etc.? When are you planning this? I've got my thinking cap on. Golden Truffle came to mind immediately, but it's very small and I'm not sure they could accomodate a party of 12 without quite a bit of advance notice. I'm still thinking, but please let me know how much time I have. Edited to add a link to their menu, but it changes all the time. And also, is a full bar necessary or is wine/beer OK?

Thanks, Lars! I've just sent you a PM about an event here in So. Calif. this Sunday.

Lars, your recipe sounds great! And thanks for bumping this up, as it spurred me to check to see if Rancho Gordo online ordering was up yet and it is!! Hurray!!

And I hope that we will break bread together one day!

Steve, I was really just making a point, but now that you ask, we have several rancheros around us. Mind you they are all developed for the most part now, but they include Nellie Gail Ranch (This is our immediate area and a spin off of one of the larger ranches.), Irvine, O'Neill, etc. As I said, I'm not a native (been here for 20+ years). Was just really trying to make a point that what "I" think of when I imagine traditional rancho California food doesn't lead me to think that anyone can "create" it now. It was what it was. Now any one of use might choose to "re-create" this sort of cooking, but to think that "we" are creating it, just doesn't cut it in my way of thinking. JMHO and YMMV. And as you say, you are the native, so you'd be the one to be offended, not me! Anyway, peace my friend! Was merely attempting to raise a different point of view.

Now, I don't want to start trouble here , but if I was a native Californian, I might take exception to that comment. I mean really, "creating" it when there have been California ranches and cooking on them for years? So, I think that maybe what we are talking about here is "Nuevo California Rancho" cooking. N'est-ce pas?

I agree with jschyun. I always look to see what the violation was before deciding whether or not I want to eat there.

My husband will be in Cleveland in a week or so on business. They've told him not to bother with dress clothes--they are strictly casual. But they've given an itinerary. The 2 dinners he will be taken out for are at Fahrenheit and Parker's. He wants to be sure that he won't be embarassed by lack of a coat and tie. Any help with the dress code at these places? And should I be jealous? Thanks!!

Fantastic reports!! I really wish I'd been able to go along for this one. Thanks so much for the lovely photos and superb descriptions!

Add bunches of potatoes. They'll soak it up and you can either leave them in the stew or take them out.