The Crab Cooker in Newport Beach is a medium-sized restaurant and seafood market that is near to the Newport Beach pier.

This Orange County restaurant has much on the menu but the most notable item is the clam chowder.

I agree that clam chowder is not much of a unique delicacy but The Crab Cooker has a very tasty recipe and it offers a choice of being served in a normal bowl or a bread bowl. This changes the experience into a memorable one.

One of our favorite past times is to visit The Crab Cooker on a cold night or a chilly winters day and grab a hot cup or bowl of clam chowder. The chowder and a handful of their freshly made oyster crackers are a delight. These oyster crackers are rock hard but act as a perfect complement to the clam chowder.

Often The Crab Cooker has a large gathering of customers outside feasting on clam chowder and socializing.

I have met different and interesting individuals by striking up a random conversation over a hot bowl of delicious clam chowder. In all, a visit to The Crab Cooker offers a high return on the dining experience and in my opinion, a unique feature in Newport Beach.

Winter time is the best season for hitting this Orange County restaurant. Grab yourself a cup of clam chowder and a hand full of oyster crackers, and meet some fun new people. The clam chowder is not the common New England style. This clam chowder is the Manhattan style and cannot be beat.

Trust me when I say that after your first experience, you will be a life long patron of this restaurant. Do not be surprised if you find yourself recommending it to your friends and family as well. Like I said winter visits have become a beloved past time that we enjoy very much.

Though I have recommended the clam chowder, I cannot close this review without mentioning the crab cakes. The crab cakes are amazing and it would be a disservice not to try them!

I am not sure what style their crab cakes are but they will melt in your mouth if you are lucky enough to get some fresh, piping hot, and right out of the kitchen. When TCC was first recommended to me, it was only for the Manhattan clam chowder but then I was smart enough to try these delights as well. On one visit, I noticed the folks at the table next to us were enjoying a plate of them and I inquired as to the quality. They happily recommended them. It seems that patrons that enjoy food at a particular establishment are happy to recommend dishes and share their experiences.

The Crab Cooker

2200 Newport Blvd.
Newport Beach, Ca
92663
(949) 673-0100
http://www.thecrabcooker.com/

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Majestix Comics and Games is an Orange County store in Costa Mesa.

A modest store front disguises a hidden den for a fairly new gaming subculture: Trading Card Game* Combat.

Typically, the combatants are adolescents to young adults but all ages are welcome. Majestix sells the most popular trading card games such as Magic: The Gathering, Pokemon, Yugioh, World of Warcraft Trading Card Game, and Hero Clix. The store also offers a decent selection of the latest comics.

As usual, we try to spotlight the feature that makes each Orange County store unique: Majestix Comics and Games holds daily live tournaments for the competitive trading card players. The aspiring champion can test his or her mettle against other combatants for a small fee for the chance at prizes and glory. The store sells drinks and snacks to sustain the gladiators during their battles.

Majestix Comics and Games is the only store I have found to hold these style of head-to-head tournament events.

Another notable thing about Majestix Comics and Games is that each staff member is not just an employee. The Majestix Comics and Games staff is made up of passionate gamers that values his or her job.

*A Trading Card Game (TCG) also called a Collectible Card Game (CCG) is a game that involves strategic play with a deck of playing cards. Each player has his or her own deck consisting of cards that represent such play items as weapons, energy, heroes, and properties. The turn-based game continues until the life points of all combatants are exhausted, leaving the last survivor as the winner.

Majestix Comics And Games
2057 Newport Blvd. Ste 104
Costa Mesa, Ca 92627
(949) 650-6100
http://www.majestixccg.com/

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The Hi Time Wine Cellar in Costa Mesa is the largest, most impressive wine store that I know of in Orange County.

Founded and family owned since 1957, the store has more than 10,000 wines from different wineries and vintages. The store boasts to have one of the largest temperature controlled wine cellars in the United States and I believe this.

One of the first things a visitor will notice is the friendly and knowledgeable staff. Each of my visits has been expedited because the staff knew exactly where the product was that I wanted. In addition, I have always received excellent recommendations for similar wines.

Next item of note is the vast selection of wines but there is more. As one ventures farther into the store, you will discover the expansive walk-in cellar lined with exquisite wines of many wineries and vintages.

Outside of the cellar and a level down, is a wine bar that is a nice upscale venue for sampling and enjoying the many vintages with fellow vinophiles. The socializing is an added, unforeseen benefit to patronizing this establishment. Hi Time Wine Cellar offers a bulk package to join in on the frequent social gatherings and tastings.

The Hi Time Wine Cellar also offers a large selection of beer as well as an impressive tobacco area.

This Orange County store has a large walk-in humidor filled with a variety of cigar to satisfy any aficionado as well as loose flavored pipe tobacco.

Years ago, I purchased a beer brewing kit from Hi Time Wine Cellar. The kit came complete with a book that detailed the history of brewing as far back as Ancient Egypt. I enjoyed the home brewing experience. The resulting brew that I created was so hearty and strong that my father took home most of my product. Oh yes and he had to call my brother to pick him up because he could not drive!

Hi Time Wine Cellar
250 Ogle Street
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
(800) 331-3005
http://www.hitimewine.net/

Hours of Operation:
Sunday 10am -7pm
Mon-Wed 9am-8pm
Thurs-Sat 9am-9pm

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The Goat Hill Tavern is a big favorite among my friends.

This Costa Mesa bar is very popular but still has that underground feeling.

The Goat Hill Tavern offers more than 140 different beers on tap. Even at the busiest time of the night, the bartenders can get to you quickly and the prices are very affordable. You can buy by the pitcher or by the pint.

The Goat Hill Tavern is one of the very few bars that I have found that serves Pabst Blue Ribbon from the tap. Yes, I know you’re asking yourself why I would drink this beer but trust me, the taste is totally different when served from a tap. Years ago, I joked with a friend who was drinking PBR at a bar with the group. His reply was “don’t knock it til you try it.” I did and was hooked. PBR from the tap is great but I digress.

The bar has free peanuts, great security personnel, pool tables, foosball tables, and best of all: a great gender ratio (from a male standpoint.)

In all of the years that we have been patronizing The Goat Hill Tavern, the mix of girls to guys has usually leaned toward more women.

Honestly, most nights at The Goat Hill Tavern the girls outnumber the guys. This bar is a great lesser know Orange County find. One final note, the club music is great as well.

The Goat Hill Tavern
1830 Newport Blvd
Costa Mesa, Ca 92627
(949) 548-8428
M-Th 1pm-2am F 12pm-2am Sa 9am-2am Su 10am-2am

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