This Week in Food: Feelin' Cozy at The Attic, Top Drinks and Restaurants of 2012, and How to Make Homemade Tamales

LP Hastings

Tamales at Rubalcava's in Placentia

The holidays are almost over, and you can return to spending your money on more selfish things. Let's take a look at some favorite food and drink from this year, as well as new places on the horizon.

Edwin's weekly food review covered the cozy Attic in Long Beach that serves creative Southern, Cajun , and Creole dishes. Then he gave us his top five drinks of 2012, and left us with two rather silly stories. In one a McDonald's employee was fired over...giving too many sprinkles?! And last, he showed us tips on how to win bar bets.

Gustavo's Hole in the Wall article took us to Nimroz in Lake Forest. They're an Afghan restaurant with what he describes as "spectacular" food, and in need of more customers - like you! He named the Toasted Santa Ale from TAPS in Brea as the Drink of the Week in all it's heavy molasses goodness. Next he told us to try the Bleu Tenders at 320 Main in Seal Beach, right now, and finished up with his excitement about the opening of the Grilled Cheese Spot in Santa Ana.

Dave urged us to try the fish tacos at Tacos de Pescado Los Originales in Ensenada for our Tijuana Sí! Column. He shared his reoccurring confusion with the OC Register's Fast Food Maven, Nancy Luna. Then he told us about the opening of Seventh Tea Bar at the OC Mix Mart.

Anne Marie gave us her top five restaurants and shared the opening of The Lost Bean's own wine bar in Tustin. Sarah took us to La Lune Palace for a Long Beach Lunch. And I gave you a tutorial on how to make authentic Mexican tamales with Roland Rubalcava of Rubalcava's in Placentia as my guide.

Happy Noming!

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