Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
949-722-7586;
www.plumscafe.com
;
369 E 17th St; mains $10-25;
8am-3pm,
dinner from 5pm)
Raise your breakfast game at this gourmet caterer's bistro tucked in the corner of a cookie-
cutter strip mall. With its exposed brick walls and sleek designs, Plums will have you feel-
ing oh-so-chic as you nibble Dutch baby pancakes with Oregon pepper bacon, or alder-
wood smoked salmon hash. Breakfast served until 11:30am weekdays, brunch till 3pm on
weekends.
Avanti Natural Kitchen
VEGETARIAN
11am-10pm Mon-Fri,
10:30am-10pm Sat, 10:30am-8pm Sun; )
A mom-and-pop vegetarian cafe so good, even carnivores will leave feeling sated. It looks
like just another strip-mall storefront, but step inside for the creative chef duo's magic with
pizzas, roasted stuffed portobello mushrooms and the hot taco brunch. The menu features
organic produce from local farms.
Habana
LATIN AMERICAN
(
714-556-0176; the Lab, 2930 Bristol St; mains lunch $6-13, dinner $15-36;
11:30am-4pm &
5-11pm Sun-Thu, to midnight Fri & Sat)
With flickering votive candles, ivy-covered courtyard and spicy Cuban, Mexican and Ja-
maican specialties, this sultry cantina whispers rendezvous. Paella,
ropa vieja
(shredded
flank steak in tomato sauce) and salmon
al parilla
(grilled) come with plantains and black
beans on the side. On weekends, the bar gets jumpin' late-night.
Memphis Café Bar
SOUTHERN
( 714-432-7685714-432-7685;
memphiscafe.com
;
2920 Bristol St; mains lunch $7-12, dinner $12-22;
8am-10pm Mon-Wed, to 10:30pm Thu-Sat, 8am-3pm & 5pm-9:30pm Sun)
Inside a vintage mid-century modern building, this fashionable eatery is all about down-
home flavor - think pulled-pork sandwiches, popcorn shrimp, gumbo and buttermilk-
battered fried chicken. Happy hour at the bar is best.
Drinking
