Our food columnist looks back on her year of dining out.
Orange County’s restaurant scene experienced major upgrades and a few departures over the past 12 months. “Beach” city eateries found their way into my Instagram “saved” folder, and familiar industry faces resurfaced. As ‘80s singer Howard Jones would say, “Things can only get better.”
Here is my list of food favorites in no particular order.
The Denver omelet with crispy hash browns, left, and the fresh fruit parfait at Sunny Side Cafe.
Photos by Anne Marie Panoringan, Culture OC
Sunny Side Cafe, Seal Beach
There’s a category in Sunny Side’s menu labeled “Extra Shine” that encompasses overnight oats, biscuits and gravy as well as French toast. But it’s the nondescript vanilla bean parfait that put my savory-seeking taste buds on notice. Parfait was the first dish I tried at this retro(ish) dinette (think Monorail Cafe or Ruby’s), but with modern accents. Begin or end with a berry good, sharable treat while knowing it isn’t cloyingly sweet.
Located across the way from Leisure World and a post office in a Seal Beach strip mall, this daytime-only spot accomplished what many places don’t: acceptance by the community. Families, couples and seniors are offered a diverse menu of savories and sweets. A solid Denver omelet (ham, bell peppers, onion, Campari tomatoes, Monterey Jack and cheddar) paired with shredded, crispy hash browns and whatever toast I’m craving is a favorite that comes to mind. 2940 Westminster Blvd.; (562) 431-6625.
At Darkroom. PHOTO 1: The dimly lit lounge is near a record player with a collection of vinyl. PHOTO 2: Anne Marie Panoringan works to get the perfect shot of dinner before the tasting begins. PHOTO 3: All dishes served at a recent visit. PHOTO 4: Caesar salad wraps with comte cheese, matcha nori crunchies and pistachio is texture perfection. PHOTO 5: Grilled trout with cucumber, chowder and lovage oil is one of my favorite dishes. Photos by Anne Marie Panoringan, Culture OC
Darkroom, Santa Ana
This Costa Mesa-adjacent (that’s how it was told to me) tenant strikes a chord with its interpretation of modern California cuisine. A collaborative effort between Chefs Zach Scherer and Drew Adams, Darkroom blends familiar with nuanced ingenuity to craft the kinds of experiences O.C. has been starving for.
The primary dining space is, as the name states, a relatively dim area compared to most restaurants. Yet it glows brightly enough for individuals to saunter over to the rows of donated, eclectic vinyls and browse for the next round of vibes; think diner booth jukeboxes, but with entire setlists of one musician or band. It’s an appropriate feature when you realize Darkroom is walking distance from The Observatory concert venue.
I could describe some of the dishes I had the last time I dined at Darkroom, but the fact is that Adams and Scherer are constantly tweaking the selections based on inventory, which ingredients are still in season and whatever ideas they want to run with. Any given starter, main and dessert will consist of layers – textures, co