Anaheimer

Any type of cuisine, any serving style, any diamond or star rating, you will find them all in Anaheim and surrounding area.

If your main goal for your trip to Anaheim is to visit the amusement parks, then it might be inconvenient for you to step out of the parks and find a good place to eat. But if you make the effort you will be rewarded with great dining experiences.

Here are a few of my favorites:

Elephant Bar Restaurant

For a unique culinary adventure, head to Elephant Bar in La Mirada or Irvine. Sample the scrumptious cuisine of Asia, the tropics and regional favorites. Good tasting food, delicious mixed drinks and great service to match will keep you coming back for more.

My wife and I especially like the  Wok-Fried Mongolian Beef, Shrimp and Chicken Jambalaya, Orange Shrimp, and Macadamia Crusted Mahi Mahi. For desert try the Cheesecake Brule.

The prices are moderate and the portions are just right.

www.elephantbar.com

Anaheim White House
This Northern Italian elegant restaurant features stake and seafood along with traditional Italian fare. The restaurant occupies a lovely turn of the century house with beautiful romantic ambiance. The service is exceptional and they do offer valet parking. Prices are on the high end, but you get what you pay for. Don't forget to order your wine from the 200+ California and Europe wine list.

Anaheimer Tip: Although there is no official dress code, do dress up. Everyone else will be!

Anaheim Garden Walk

A walking distance from the Disney Resort main gate, the Garden Walk is full of dining choices along with shopping and entertainment. Watch a movie at the unique movie experience “Cinema Fusion”, play a few games of bowling at “300 Anaheim Bowling”, enjoy the fountains and waterfalls, then head to one of those exceptional restaurants:

Food Court at Garden Walk

Garden Walk has a large outdoors food court filled with a variety of restaurants like: Cinnabon; Mrs. Fields; Sbarro; Submarina; The Great Steak & Potato Company; Johnny Rockets.

California Pizza Kitchen

The home of the untraditional Pizza. This is where you can find Pizza pies like BBQ chicken, Thai Chicken and Jamaican Jerk.

Roy's Hawaiian Fusion Cuisine

The first Roy's opened in Honolulu, Hawaii back in 1988. Since then this chain has been serving fusion delicacies made with fresh pacific ingredients and combining the styles of Europe and Asia. The portions are small compared to other restaurants in the area, but the flavors are always unique.

Cheese Cake Factory

This is our family’s favorite dining place. Along with the signature delicious cheese cake selection for desert, they have excellent fusion main dishes. Entrée prices are in the middle and the portions are huge. After trying to finish our meals individually several times, we decided to start sharing dishes and leave room for desert.

Mimi’s Café

Mimi’s Cafés are designed as French cottages. They are famous for their French/New Orleans cuisine and tasty muffins. We like to go there for their hearty breakfasts. Try the “Mixed berry Pain Perdu” or one of the breakfast quiches. Don’t forget to order one of the scrumptious muffins with your breakfast. For lunch or dinner, try French onion soup, Cobb salad, pork roast, halibut, or Pasta Jambalaya.

Anaheimer Tip: While you are waiting to be seated, sample the complementary fresh pastries usually located next to the door.

Two locations in Anaheim. Both are great, but the one on Harbor was recently refurbished, closer to the Disney Resort and offers patio seating:

Orange Hill

People usually go to Orange Hill Restaurant for the breath taking views of Orange County from atop the hill, but they get surprised by the quality of food and service. Every time I go there it is a new experience for me. So choose you experience: Romantic dinner on the porch with fire pits for warmth; Table dining indoors or cocktails at the bar.

Anaheimer Tip: Before you get to the restaurant you have to climb a very steep hill. Make sure your car is up to the challenge.

Golden Nights Mediterranean Restaurant

This restaurant offers great 16th century décor, tasty Mediterranean entrées, belly dancing, garden dining, fountains and great service. Try the Chicken, shrimp or lamb kebab. If you prefer something safer, try the red snapper.

Anaheimer Tip: For a group of 3 or more, order Mazzah for your main dish. It is a feast of many small dishes to share - like Humus, Mutabal, baba ganoush, etc. with Pita bread. It goes very well with Wine or mixed drinks.

7115 Beach Blvd.
Buena Park, CA 90620
(714) 228-9730

Chili's Grill & Bar

My family and I spend a lot of time at Chili’s. We love the food and appreciate the excellent service.

Choose from a large variety of Tex-Mex and southwestern cuisine dishes. Some of our favorites are Baby Back Ribs, Citrus Fired Check and Shrimp Fajitas, Southwestern Eggrolls and Grilled Salmon.

For desert you have to try their Molten Chocolate Cake (order an extra scope of ice-cream).

Prices are moderate and potions are large.

http://www.chilis.com

Las Brisas

Step into the Mexican Riviera without leaving Orange County. This restaurant sits atop a hill in Laguna Beach overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

With stunning views, authentic Mexican seafood and exemplary service, this is a must for visitors and residents alike.

Anaheimer Tip: Reservations are a must. If you attempt to go at the spur of the moment, you will not get in.

The restaurant offers seating on the patio, dining room or at the bar. My favorite is the patio where you can immerse you self in the scenery while enjoying your food and drinks.

They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, but my favorite time to go is for the Sunday champagne brunch.

Prices on the high side and portions are just right.

http://www.lasbrisaslagunabeach.com

Book about OC Restaurants: Zagat 2009 Orange County Restaurants (Zagat Survey)