Obvious observation of the year: it's hot. Go to these place we haven't discussed in years, all fine eateries, and cool down with their native sodas:

​PUPUSERIA SAN SIVAR: The hole-in-the-strip-mall takes special care with their pupusas, which have a crispy yet malleable crust encasing thick, sticky cheese. Meanwhile, an oily, impossibly sugary plantain laying alongside refried beans is like a battle between the lush tropics and the Spartan plains of El Salvador on the tongue; a side of sweet sour cream negotiates a tasteful truce. DRINK OF CHOICE: Kolashampan, a creamy orange drink halfway between Minute Maid soda and milk. 1940 Harbor Blvd., Costa Mesa, (949) 650-2952.

SASSOON CHICKEN: At Sassoon Chicken, Armenian garlic paste reaches a blazing,

​

triumphant zenith: raw garlic bulbs transformed into a frosting-like paste thatFs buttery at first but quickly rampages across your sinuses with its smelly wrath. Slather it on SassoonFs chicken--golden skin crispy but retaining juices, meat moist with the savor of smoke, so tender you can easily pick it off the bones with your fingers. DRINK OF CHOICE: Vimto, a British-brewed refreshment that tastes like a sharper Dr. Pepper. 3440 E. Chapman Ave., Orange, (714) 516-9600.

More >>

​The 'five' refers to five cocktails, five wines by the glass and five appetizers (now six, with the burger, but who's counting?). They each cost six bucks and are served at Fleming's bar until 7 p.m.

I've tried a few of the featured appetizers, and my two favorite choices are at opposite spectrums of the calorific spectrum. If you're watching your weight, I'd suggest the seared ahi tuna with spicy mustard sauce. The delicately sliced fish is good quality, and the mustard provides just enough punch. But if you're not, bring on the burger, and diet be damned! From the buttered, toasted brioche bun to the pepper bacon and the melted cheddar, it's decadent and rich. And that's before you get to the thick, juicy patty itself. Oh, and don't forget the two huge onion rings with dipping sauce on the side. It's a real steal for the price.

After all, just because you're at Fashion Island, doesn't mean you have the budget of a Real Housewife.

​We've been following the progress of this new venture, and can confirm that it's set to open to the public this Friday.

Edwin tipped me off about the launch date, so he gets credit for that, as do his foodie friends who tipped him off, DanGarion and Jay Ruiz.

Located in Old Towne Orange, Haven will be "a modern kitchen that prides itself on producing farm-to-table-fresh European old world fare that far transcends typical pub grub."

Good, because typical pub grub in England was until recently quite vile (crappy burgers, dried lasagnas, limp salads). It's the newer, trendier--and pricier--gastropub fare that's far better, and which Haven is aiming to emulate, by the sounds of it. And here's hoping they pull it off. After all, it's not just the big cheeses such as Gordon Ramsay who's had major success in the field--visit any English town with a population of more than about 12 and they're bound to have a gastropub. And a good one at that: Many of them serve better food than even decent London restaurants.
 
We've not yet seen Haven's full menu, but we do know a few things that'll feature on it: Braised Bone-In Short Ribs with garlic carrot purée (yum!) and a dessert with an absurdly bad-taste name, Irish Car Bomb, a food version of the (in)famous cocktail, made with Guinness, Bailey's and Jameson whiskey. And if you're sick of increasingly posh sliders (what next, foie gras?), fear not: Haven serves a corned beef version instead. The hanger steak, at $20, sounds overpriced to me, even if it does come with a Cabernet demi-glace spiked with Mexican chocolate, but it looks like there'll be enough on the menu to satisfy a mix of budgets. Beers include microbrews and Belgian varieties.
 
We don't know much about Executive Chef Greg Daniels (yet), just that he used to work at Heat Ultra Lounge, Mesa and House of Blues.

As Edwin reminded me, Haven is only the second gastropub in OC, after Corona del Mar's formidable Crow Bar & Kitchen. Perhaps heavy comfort dishes and dark-wood interiors don't sit well with our stifling west-coast heat. But we're happy to see the brood expand. After all, Haven's opening is well timed, right on the cusp of fall and its (hopefully) lower temperatures.

​What deranged criminal would call in a fake 911 call claiming a fake shooting at a Taco Bell so their pal could rob a Wendy's? It happened in Florida:

Altamonte Springs authorities say a woman called 911 early Sunday about a fictional shooting at a Taco Bell to distract officials as a male accomplice armed with a BB gun robbed a Wendy's restaurant at 2200 W. State Road 434.

Authorities executed a search warrant at a Lake Mary apartment on Sunday and arrested two people: Mary D. Nobles, 29, and Ronald Darrell Mills, 23.

Officials said they found the getaway vehicle used during the Wendy's robbery, the BB gun and other items from the restaurant, including an envelope and a cash register drawer, according to a news release from the Altamonte Springs Police Department.

Authorities say Mills pointed the gun at the head of a Wendy's employee as the worker was taking trash to an outside garbage container early Sunday. "Mills then ordered the employee to go inside the restaurant, and had the employee and manager lay face down on the floor with their hands behind their backs,'' a news release alleges.

"Mills then removed a cash register drawer and an envelope containing cash from the manager, and fled out the back door." The robbery was reported at about 1:05 a.m. At around the same time, as Nobles was waiting for Mills in a getaway vehicle in the Wendy's parking lot, she placed a false 911 call about a shooting at a Taco Bell at west State Road 436 and Montgomery Road.

​First, look at that picture to the right. See that hat? About half of the attendants at the Orange County Beer Festival on Sunday were wearing one of those. Singha Beer realized what this event was: A chance to promote their brand to people willing to pay $40 for three hours of unlimited beer.

[[For a great photo slide show of the festival, click here]]

That said, it can't really be overstated how awesome three hours of unlimited beer is, especially when it's unlimited non-Natty Light beer -- good beer, in other words. About sixty brewers showed up at Irvine Lake for this year's festival. Attendants arrived around 2 p.m., were handed adorable four-ounce mugs emblazoned with the festival's logo, and then spent three hours drinking beer from whichever tap looked the most attractive at any given moment. My ride's car thermometer hit 100 in the parking lot; the heat's effect was to make the most well-shaded beer booths into the most popular ones.

I took notes, sure. At least, I took notes about the locally brewed beers that I tried. But at a certain point, I started writing notes that are now illegible. Not sure why that is... might have something to do with the fact that I was at an unlimited alcohol-a-thon and had someone else drive me there. Hmm.

Regardless, here were the three most memorable OC-brewed beers that I tried. Keep in mind that I don't have the vocab or know-how to give a technical description of these brews, so I just stuck to the great equalizer: taste. After all, beer's the most democratic of drinks, right?
 
More >>

Mitsuwa.com

It's time for Mitsuwa's Hokkaido Fair again. This annual gathering of specialty Japanese food vendors is always a spectacle to behold, as evidenced by the nigh-impossible parking situation.

"Ramen Shingen" will make their first appearance for this event with "Shio Ramen" from Ishikari, Hokkaido. The secret of soup "mild and refreshing" is a blend of carefully prepared pork bones, vegetables, dried fish, and premium kelp and simmered for 4 days slow-cooking as giving full attention to heat..."

More >>

​Throughout September, as well as featuring goodies such as apple pie with a crumble topping and caramel apple cheesecake, the cupcakery (with a branch in Newport Beach) is offering a complimentary applesauce cupcake with cream cheese frosting for any students in pre-school through 6th grade who bring in an A-graded assignment. They can also enter a competition to win cupcakes for the whole class, which is bound to make them really popular, even with the snobs and bullies.

Now if that's not an incentive for the wee ones to ace that history test (or cheat if they don't), we don't know what is.More >>

​Oh yes, as we mentioned a couple of weeks ago, t'is the time to taste the golden elixir from over 60 breweries from around the world, including loads of local ones.

The event is being held at Irvine Lake, and tickets cost $40, which, in light of this week's announcements that beer prices are set to rise, doesn't seem too outrageous.

See ya there!

Edwin Goei

Commentor Terry M. just wrote in that Thai Nakorn Garden Grove will officially be having their Grand Opening today (Friday, August 28) and that they will be celebrating it by offering free food at lunch. (As I reported, they had their soft opening last weekend). 

​In the last seven days, we:

Seethed and fumed about a new "Mexican" eatery in Brea.

Ingested gazillions of calories. First by eating our way around Disneyland, stuffing in gumbo, Dole Whip, turkey legs and more, and second by chomping through two green curries. It's a tough job, but someone's got to do it.

Made some interesting discoveries. A seafood grill is about to open in Santa Ana, a second Dosa Place is coming to Tustin, and a Japanese shabu-shabu/yakiniku joint from the owner of The Alley should be launching in Costa Mesa by December. And then there's the exciting prospect of a second True Food Kitchen location in Orange County. Things to look forward to, indeed!