These are my favorite local (orange county) restaurants. They are listed in order of preference. I've included approximate per-person cost including tip (and, where mentioned, dessert) but no drinks since I generally drink only water.

Favorite Nice Restaurants

  1. Aubergene (The best I've ever had! Newport peninsula, $125 each)
  2. Houston's (Steak and Seafood at Michelson and Jamboree, $25 each, Excellent five-nut brownie)
  3. Roy's (Fashion Island, Newport Beach, $50 each, Awesome Chocolate Souffle)
  4. ZooLu Cafe (Laguna Beach, $40 each, Awesome Creme Brule)
  5. Shimura (Sushi in Fountain Valley at Brookhurst and Garfield, $40 each)
  6. P.F. Changs (Irvine Spectrum and Fashion Island, $20 each, Awesome Chocolate Torte)
  7. The CheeseCake Factory (in Fashion Island, $20 each)
  8. Macaroni Grill (Italian by Tustin Market Place near Jamboree & El Camino Royal, $15 each)
  9. India Cook House (East Indian on Culver near 5 fwy, $10 each)
  10. Sam Woo's (Chinese in Irvine at Culver & Irvine Center, $15 each)

Favorite Daily Eateries

  1. Bebe's (Thai at Katella and Main in Anaheim, $10 each)
  2. Pei Wei's (semi-fast food Chinese at the Bluffs in Irvine, $8 to $10 each)
  3. Wahoo's (Mexican at Michelson and Jamboree in Irvine, $8 each)
  4. Pepino's (Northern Italian on Rockfield near Lake Forest, $15 each)
  5. Al Palace (Americanized Chinese at Bristol near Redhill, $8 each)
  6. Mother's (Vegetarian also at Michelson and Jamboree, $10 each)
  7. Saral (South Indian, at El Camino and Newport, Tustin, $4 to $6 each)
  8. Baja Fresh (fresh Mexican, The Bluffs at McArthur & Bison, Irvine, $5 to $8 each)
  9. Niki's (East Indian on Bristol near McArthur in Costa Mesa, $5 to $7 each)

Recommended Places That I Want to Try

  1. Tandoor (Glassell & Katella, Anaheim)
  2. India House (Beach Blve & La Palma, Buena Park
  3. Ashoka the Great (at Artesia and Pioneer)
  4. Haus of Pizza (on Harbor and Adams)
  5. Weis' Chinese (on Warner and Magnolia)
  6. Splashes - Surf And Sand Hotel, Laguna Beach
  7. The Dinning Room - laguna niguel Ritz carlton
  8. Joe's Crab Shack - PCH near Newport Avenue

Favorite Häagen-Dazs Flavors

  1. Dulce de Leche
  2. Deep Chocolate Peanut Butter
  3. Vanilla
  4. Macadamia Nut Brittle
  5. Almost any other flavor (they're all good)
  6. Double Rainbow Vanilla (from Trader Joe's) as yummy as Haagen-Dazs, but cheap
  7. Kirkland Vanilla (from COSTCO) as yummy as Haagen-Dazs, but really cheap

Favorite Chocolate

  1. Lindt Dark Chocolate Truffle (Blue Wrapper)

Recipe for Truffles a la Della Rose

Variations

Refrigerate some chololate and grate with a fine grader. Save for later. Melt chocolate in a double boiler. Stir in cream and liqueur. Refridgerate until thick enough to form balls. Roll balls in grated chocolate. Chill in the refridgerator and serve cold. Enjoy right away or store in an air-tight container to prevent drying.