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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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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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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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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This shop is just down the street from The Pretty Kitty on Newport Blvd. This Orange County store offers a wide variety of hunting, camping, fishing, and even specialty firearms gear.

Personally, I have found much of the fishing gear to be useful and affordable. I’ve purchased many fishing lures and bait at The Grant Boys.

They have great warm weather clothing as well. Years ago, I bought a black Dickies jacket at a reasonable price that I still wear. In fact, I just pulled it out of the clothes dryer. In the past I have also purchased a great pair of long johns that are still in great condition and are very effective in cold weather.

The Grant Boys store also has a wide array of new and used firearms for sale. I have not purchased a gun here but every time I have visited the shop, I find myself at the gun area, looking through the glass display cases at the different handguns. They offer shotguns and rifles as well.

The Grant Boys offers live bait each day.

The worms, night crawlers, and grubs are always fresh. Last year, my daughter was brave enough to get her own container when I took her fresh water fishing. Though she didn’t use them all, she was excited to have her own container and did not have to share with with the old man.

In all of the years I have shopped at The Grant Boys, the staff has been consistently knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful. This Orange County store was established in 1949 and is on its fourth generation of ownership!

The Grant Boys
1750 Newport Blvd
Costa Mesa, Ca 92627
(949) 645-3400

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This appears to be their second shop. It seems that the market for this service is in high demand. The Pretty Kitty Waxing offers an intimate, clean environment in which to receive the waxing services. Individual, private rooms set the environment for a client to get up to 18 different waxing services. The most common is the very popular Brazilian wax. I will not go into details except to say that the Brazilian removes all of the hair from the client’s private area.

Just down the street from The Goat Hill Tavern, this shop was recently renovated and looks great.

Upon my first visit to The Pretty Kitty Waxing, I was surprised to learn that their services were also available to men.

Many other options are available such as legs, arms, face, chest, and back (the last two offered to men.)

One of the staffers said something humorous to me: Most of the “sensitive” women tend to visit The Pretty Kitty Waxing store later in the evening. It seems that some women shout during the waxing of their sensitive areas. Imagine that!

In my visit to the store, I was surprised at the friendliness and professionalism of the staff. The Pretty Kitty also offers helpful information on what to expect before and after their services as well as other “frequently asked questions.”

The Pretty Kitty Waxing
444 W. 19^th st.
Costa Mesa, Ca 92627
949.548.PURR (7877)
prettykittywax.com

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The free app is available to download on the Apple and Android Markets, just search for “California Lawyers”

The app has several helpful additional features:

• Emergency numbers
• Answers to FAQs
• Legal checklists
• “One Button” phone, email, and text connect
• Directions and maps
• Free advice
• Social media links to Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube
• New tools, services and updates and much more!

I really like the advice that they give when recommending the app as well: Teens should have this, just in case they run into legal trouble.

Jackson & Wilson are nearby in Laguna Hills, Orange County, check them out!

Jackson & Wilson
23161 Mill Creek Drive, Ste 150
Laguna Hills, CA  92653

Tel No. 949.855.8751
Toll Free No. 800.661.7044

Website and blog: JacksonandWilson.com

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We found a variety of frozen pastries as well in the freezer section and bought a package of meat pies that were delicious. We also bought some ginger beer and a few little gift trinkets for a friend. I finished the ginger beer on the way home.

Oh yes, I almost forgot that we met a very polite and helpful British couple while shopping here. The gentleman noticed my choice of ginger beer and suggested I try it with a half glass of normal beer. Apparently, this is a tradition back in the U.K. Unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to try it because I polished off the bottle on the way home!

British Food
27601 Forbes Road #2, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
1-949-582-9546

http://www.britishfood.com

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I love nothing better than discovering a small restaurant that serves amazing food at decent prices. Costa Mesa has a little known spot that you have to visit! I am talking about San Sivar Restaurant. San Sivar Restaurant serves real, authentic El Salvadorean pupusas.

What is a pupusa? A pupusa (pooh-pooh-suh) is a Central American dish made of a thick flour tortilla, stuffed with melted cheese, and a choice of different seasoned meats (chicken, beef, pork.) An option to include beans is available as well but I usually skip this.

The pupusa is found in many Central American countries but was made popular by El Salvadoreans. The cuisine of the Central Americas is very rich and diverse. I recommend that if you enjoy Latin foods, that you explore the other authentic dishes that they offer.

The cook at the San Sivar Restaurant makes the pupusas fresh and hot.

They are served with fresh-made red salsa that isn’t too spicy, this dish is delicious.

I have yet to try the other authentic El Salvadorean choices at San Sivar Restaurant because the pupusas are so good. However, previous to my many visits to the restaurant, I was unaware of the uniqueness of El Salvadorean cuisine. Fortunately, I learned from the experience and now whenever we visit a new ethnic restaurant, I pay attention to the various offerings instead of skipping to the safer “Americanized” dishes.

San Sivar Restaurant
1940 Harbor Boulevard, Costa Mesa, CA 92627
(949) 650-2952
San Sivar’s Website

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Last weekend, my wife and I had a craving for British food. Just around the corner from the Pan Asia Mongolian BBQ is a shop name Union Jacks Fish And Chips II. I’m not one for fish and chips but my wife loves this traditional British food.

My eyes were on the selection of candy and other British sweets that were on the rack. The British equivalent of Whoppers is a malted milk ball delight named Maltesers and in my opinion, they are superior. Another favorite of mine is lemon curd. This is the lemon-flavored jelly you will typically find in a Danish pastry. I love this stuff on toast and so do the British. I bought a jar of lemon curd as well.

The Union Jacks Fish And Chips II also offers a few frozen food selections like bangers and other meat pies.

Many people discount British cuisine but they are doing themselves a great disservice. The English have many great dishes that are not only important parts of time honored traditional meals but also individual year round delights.

One of my favorite things about British foods are the names. The Brits seem to have fun naming their dishes. For example, spotted dick is a cake with raisins in it. Blood pudding, meat pie, and bangers are also amusing names attributed to English foods. Union Jacks Fish And Chips sells several of the most popular and loved Brit-foods.

Union Jacks Fish And Chips II
333 E. 17^th Street #2
Costa Mesa, Ca 92627

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