I took this little number - a triple chocolate mousse cake - to a lovely little gathering of friends in Brea on New Year’s Eve. It came from Porto’s, one of the busiest and comprehensive bakeries I’ve ever been to. There are two locations, one in Glendale, the other in Burbank. The bottom layer of the cake is a dark chocolate cake. The next layer is semi-sweet chocolate mousse and the top layer is white chocolate mousse. It is exceptionally airy and exceptionally rich at the same time.
I hope you had a wonderful New Year’s celebration filled with good food, great drinks and, most of all, great friends and family. This will be the final post from me. I’m moving to South Pasadena and while I’m certain I will find plenty of great carnitas tacos, toro sushi, thin-crust pizza, crisp and cold martinis and slithery, chewy udon noodles I will miss much of the delicious food here in the O.C.
As a quick round-up, here are some places and foods I’ve been meaning to tell you about. My apologies for the delay. But, now, get on it:
* El Pollo de Oro in Santa Ana makes excellent grilled chicken. Get either a whole bird or a half: what you want here is the tender flesh covered in an amber, crispy crust that’s at once salty and a little sweet from caramelization. 101 W. 4th St., Santa Ana. 714-973-1917.
* Delaney’s Culinary Fresh sells very good sauces for both pasta, meats and to slather on sliced bread at local farmer’s markets. I’ve tried the four cheese dip, which is chunks of asiago, romano and provolone anchored in a vat of olive oil with basil, oregano, thyme, parsley, garlic and sea salt.
* I’m ordering a cake from Black Market Bakery for a get together this weekend. I’m having dinner with friends at a restaurant and for something extra special I’ll bring Black Market’s creme brulee tart. 17941 Sky Park Circle, Irvine. 949-852-4609.
* The Bread Gallery in San Clemente is serving terrific sandwiches. They’re huge, exploding with fresh farmer’s market picks including sweet tomatoes, fresh mixed greens, shredded carrots and apples. The turkey, tuna and veggie sandwiches redefine our understanding of this humble food. All are served on the Gallery’s own breads. 1624 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949-366-5849.
* The Lost Bean in Tustin is an independent coffee shop making decent joe. Their brews aren’t bitter or ashy. 13011 Newport Ave., Tustin. 714-544-2584.
- Tenny Tatusian
Are you seriously leaving the OC and the Register? My husband and I have always enjoyed reading your food/restaurant articles. You do a fantastic job of describing the flavors, textures, and tastes of different types of cuisine and dishes. We will sincerely miss your prose. Will you be food writing for another publication?
Hi, A.M.,
Thank you for your kind words. Yes, I’m leaving the Register and Orange County. I won’t be doing any food writing in my new job, but this blog will be handed over to a colleague who will bring you her adventures in the O.C. food trade.
Best,
Tenny
Best of luck, Tenny!
I have so enjoyed reading your food articles and I appreciate all the wonderful restaurant recommendations. (Most recently, Opah and the kobe beef burger - yum!)
You will be missed!
I love the Lost Bean!
Tenny,
The Register is losing a great person and a terrific food writer. The only blemish on your career was that review of Ramos Cafe. What stupid editor made you do that??
Best of luck in your new job at LAT.
Best,
Scott
Tenny: Thanks for all the great discoveries over the recent past. Finding the new little spots that make lunch bearable in the vast culinary fast food wasteland of central OC has been a chore you lovingly took on for all us denizens of the non-stereotypical parts of “the OC.”
best,
Gary