By Jody Robinson Perched dramatically atop the bluff at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel, where the Pacific unfurls in endless shades of blue, my recent date night with my husband Tim at RAYA by Richard Sandoval was not just a dinner – it was an experience that lingered long after the

By Jody Robinson There’s a particular kind of evening that lingers long after the last bite – when service feels intuitive, the room hums just enough, and each course seems to arrive with purpose. That was my experience dining at ILYA, San Clemente’s newest Mediterranean destination from acclaimed chef and

Creative Cuisine Highlighting the Bounty of the Pacific Coast My husband and I fancy ourselves fledgling foodies and oenophiles. A favored pastime? Enjoying inventive cuisine and a great glass of wine with good friends – sharing diverse dishes and exchanging tasting notes adds a layer of fun and discovery that

An Elevated, Modern Approach to Italian Cuisine Italian tops our family’s list of favored cuisine in part because there is generally something to appeal to each member’s diverse palate. My husband, Tim, is our resident meat eater and our daughter often opts for vegetarian dishes while our teenage son and

The Crack Shack and Pepper Lunch put a fresh spin on casual dining in the OC Quick, quality cuisine. Inventive dishes and experiential dining in an informal, welcoming setting. What’s not to love? Two of my recent favorite finds are a pair of diverse – but equally delicious – fast

Fresh Mediterranean Flavors in the Heart of Huntington Beach My husband, Tim, two teens and I have pretty varied culinary palates – my son and I fancy ourselves fledgling foodies and seafood aficionados with an emphasis on ethnic dishes, my daughter leans toward familiar vegetarian favorites and Tim is our

There is a lot of attention on the restaurant world as an industry – prominently featured chefs and television reality shows, star ratings, and more. There is also a fair amount of attention on Disney, and when the two come together it can certainly create fireworks. Chef Carlos Gaytan and