It's hard to believe that Costa Mesa's Pizzeria Ortica, co-founded by David Myers and Executive Chef Steve Samson, has only been open since January. An instant hit, despite being slightly off the South Coast Plaza beaten path, it's known for its stunning pastas, meats, fish and pizzas. Not to mention its outrageously good desserts. We caught up with Samson for a chat.

1. Dish that you cook that most represents you. 

That's an easy one...Tagliatelle Bolognese. My mom is from Bologna. I grew up eating my nonna's and my mom's version. It will always be on the menu.

2. What was the last meal you had at home?

A half-eaten two-day old pizza from the restaurant. It still tasted good.

3. Your favorite restaurant (other than yours):

Sushi Nozawa in Studio City. I have been going for almost 20 years.  Mr and Mrs Nozawa run a tight ship.  I also love Shin Sen Gumi in Gardena and Fountain Valley.  It's a lot of  fun and they have great yakitori.

4. Fast food guilty pleasure:

Tacos and tortas at El Gallo Giro in Santa Ana, washed down with an ice cold Jamaica. Que rico!

5. Complete this sentence:  I would like to [verb] [Food Network Star] with [noun]

I would like to baste Bobby Flay with Mario Batali's drippings.  Whatever that means.

6. Last meal of your life, what would it be? 

See my answer to no.1, but I'm not choosing between my nonna's and my mom's ragu'.

7. Items you always have in your refrigerator: 

Sriracha and Tecate Light.  What else do I need?

8. Your most indispensable kitchen tool or appliance:

Right now it's a perforated pizza placing peel. The perforations allow excess flour to sift through instead of burning on the bottom of the pizza. 

The Onion has come out with what they call their "112th Annual Food & Dining Issue."

One of the gems? This video:

Taco Bell's New Green Menu Takes No Ingredients From Nature

Courtesy of California Shabu Shabu

Those who dream of opening a restaurant need to read this blog written by a guy named Len. It chronicles the trials and tribulations (mostly tribulations) of opening a shabu shabu restaurant.

According to its website, Mangiamo Gelato Caffe is opening in HB on 4 July, a few days later than planned. The ice creamery sounds like it has potential, offering 32 gelatos and sorbettos every day. And the story behind it is interesting too (the owner, Bob Hoxsie, is a former construction worker, so it sounds like he's following his dream).

But don't bet on the new date: I've tried calling and emailing numerous times, and haven't gotten a response. Maybe they're too busy putting the finishing touches to the café, but it would be nice to know they're opening for sure.

So, Mangiamo, if you're reading this, let us know: is Saturday the big day or not?

Who says E. Coli doesn't pay? From New Jersey:

A New Jersey court has ruled against an insurance company, siding with Taco Bell Restaurants in a case involving coverage for business losses as a result of food contamination in 2006.

The so-called "Taco Bell Outbreak" of E. coli, allegedly traced to lettuce delivered to some northeastern Taco Bell franchises, led Lloyds Market to assert that its $0 sublimit precludes insurance coverage for incidents stemming for any alleged involvement of a "supplier" and refused to cover the losses.

In the case, Quick Service Management Inc. vs. Underwriters of Lloyds, et al., the Superior Court of New Jersey granted a partial summary judgment, saying Taco Bell should be compensated for its business losses after allegedly contaminated lettuce was served in some menu items.

My friend Christian over at OC Mex Food just discovered that a Baja Fresh in Irvine has started serving "Baja Kogi" tacos. My initial reaction was one of disbelief. But Christian has the pictures to prove it.  

Although I seem to be the only person in the world without a coupon to the new Boardwalk Fresh Burgers & Fries at Metro Pointe, I tried it last night anyway, as I was in the area.
As many people know, Boardwalk got off to a slightly shaky start by sending out coupons that mentioned a June 20 grand opening date... and then didn't open on that day. It actually opened on the 24th, this past Wednesday. It turns out the eaterie was desperately trying to make it happen but the food hygiene inspector had such a backlog she couldn't schedule a visit in time. Maybe Boardwalk could've planned better, but seeing as they've agreed to honor the expired coupons, we're willing to forgive them.

An East Coast import, Boardwalk is another one of those "concept" fast-food joints, which basically means you can build you own burger by adding sauces and toppings, which are free (except for bacon, chili or cheese, each 60¢ extra).

It's hard to place it, though: it's as if it's trying to be more upmarket than a regular burger joint. But in reality it's all very casual and low-key, with inexpensive wooden tables and chairs and a TV overhead. Last night was pretty quiet when I stopped by, but the lady I just spoke to there said they've been busy since opening.

The menu covers all the bases--as well as burgers, there are wraps, salads, dogs and chicken sandwiches or tenders. For dessert, there's the frightening-sounding "funnel cake fries".
 
Service is very friendly, if a tad slow--to be expected to a degree in a place that cooks everything to order, especially one that's only been open a couple of days.

The burgers aren't bad. I chose a "LittleBurger" but was actually given two patties instead of one. The patties were quite large but thin, flimsy in consistency; combined with the mustard, ketchup, pickles and lettuce, they made a tasty mouthful. The wholemeal roll was boring, but that may well be because the signature buns aren't coming till tomorrow.

The fries, served in a cup, are long, hot and crispy, though possibly too salty for some people.

There's also an interesting choice of beverages: fountain drinks such as Strawberry Fanta, beers and ales including Downtown Brown, Great White, Cucapá, Chimay and Hefeweizen, and even mini bottles of wine (!)

Overall then, worth another try, if I can manage to get over the 'is it a restaurant or is it a fast-food joint' issue. Maybe it doesn't really matter. The point is: it sure beats the majority of the other (admittedly dire) food and drink options in the area. And, in any case, I'm going back for the beers alone.

Boardwalk Fresh Burger & Fries, 901 South Coast Drive, Suite 170C, Costa Mesa, (714) 557-5501. Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

Are you trying to get drunk after just one drink but find shots a little too much to handle? Well, then the Rosarito at Chili Pepper in Orange is hands down the drink for you. Even the cute, green bow-tie wearing waiters refuse to serve more than two to any client--and that alone speaks volumes.

It comes served over ice in a classic margarita glass with a straw. And don't kid yourself, it tastes like tequila--tequila cleverly disguised in a bath of Triple Sec and Sweet and Sour. In fact, those are the drink's only three ingredients. But they're enough. More than enough. After the one I had at lunch today, I began seeing the chili peppers on the table cloth spinning and my lunch partner's jokes were strangely entertaining--much more entertaining than usual. Trust me.

Yeah, I'm feeling a little like taking a nap now. Enjoy yours with some of the restaurant's famous enchiladas next time you're in Orange.

Night-night. 

Edwin Goei

There was some chatter on the Chowhound boards today about the progress of the Thai Nakorn in Garden Grove, and it reminded me that the last time I wrote about it here, I reported that March was the target opening date.

Would you look at the time!  It's almost freakin' July!

Today, in answer to a question that was posed on the foodie bulletin board, a poster named TravelPath said that that the owners were having problems with Garden Grove building inspectors. "One week they approve something, the next week they want major changes on the same item," he wrote.

This fact was confirmed when I talked to someone at the Stanton Thai Nakorn.  The man said that the Garden Grove restaurant is actually ready-to-go, but the red tape might push back the opening a month, maybe two.  He seemed a little exasperated at the situation.  I assured him that I would still continue to eat at the Stanton branch in the meantime.  So should you!

I'll have another update here when there is more news.

In the last five days:

Edwin grilled Florent Marneau of Marché Moderne, who revealed what is possibly the poshest last meal request ever.

We made it to Zimzala, in HB's Shorebreak Hotel. Great food, slow service. But it warranted a spot on our top 5 special-occasion restaurants nonetheless.

And, finally, finally, Boardwalk Fresh Burgers & Fries opened in Costa Mesa, having p'd off at least one potential customer by sending out coupons and then not bothering to open on time.