[Laguna Hills] [Asian Fusion] Elephant Bar Restaurant

Elephant Bar Restaurant
24155 Laguna Hills Mall
Laguna Hills,CA 92653
(949) 454-9530
http://www.elephantbar.com

We received a $20 Dinner for 2 email coupon from Elephant Bar.


Wok-Fired Chicken and Lettuce Wrap ($8.50)

Chicken and Lettuce Wrap is one of our favorite appetizers from Elephant Bar.

[Laguna Hills] [Persian] Parmida Restaurant

Parmida Restaurant
26548 H Moulton Pkwy
Laguna Hills, CA 92653
(949) 360-4000
http://www.parmidarestaurant.com

We were in the mood for some middle eastern kabob takeout. We found Parmida Restaurant nearby.


Shish Kabob ($12.99)
Charbroiled chunks of filet mignon & veggies

The filet mignon was cooked to a perfect medium. Really flavor, and so soft inside. One bite and Dr. P is in love with this restaurant.

[Laguna Hills] [Japanese] Kula Revolving Sushi Bar

Kula Revolving Sushi Bar
24155 Laguna Hills Mall
Laguna Hills, CA 92653
(949) 273-1080
http://www.kura-corpo.co.jp/us

We've been to Kula Sushi in Irvine a few times. The $2 per plate sushi is good, but the wait is always crazy. We were really excited when we heard about the grand opening of Kula Sushi in Laguna Hills Mall.



We went on a Saturday night. The wait was about 30 minutes. Personaly I like going to revolving sushi restaruant on a busy night. That way we know the sushi is fresh, and it didn't sit on the revolving belt for too long.

[Laguna Hills] [Japanese] Shinkou Sushi

Shinkou Sushi
24881 Alicia Pkwy, #C
Laguna Hills, CA 92653
(949) 340-3714
http://www.shinkousushi.com

We've been wanting to go back to Shinkou Sushi for a long time. Then one day I spotted a $30 for a sushi dinner for two ($62.50 value) Groupon deal for Shinkou Sushi. I think it was meant to be for me to see that so we would visit this great Japanese eatery again! :-P

Look how good this deal was!! For $30, we got:

A shrimp-and-vegetable-tempura appetizer (a $6 value)
A seaweed salad or large green salad (a $4.50 value)
Two miso soups (a $1.50 value each)
Two of the following rolls: Las Vegas, Shinkou, crunchy, spider, or build-your-own (up to a $9.25 value each)
A 10-piece 1.2 sushi combo (a $16 value)
A large beer, valid for any label except Orion (a $5.50 value)
A large and a small sake, or a bottle of house sake for takeout or delivery (a $9 value)


Sapporo ($5.50)

Shinkou sushi is not a big place. We went on a weeknight, and had to wait about 15 minutes for a table. At first I thought they were busy because of the Groupon deal. But after looking around a bit, we were the only party there with the Groupon deal. It was great to see their business was great because of their delicious food.

[Laguna Hills] [Bakery] Solomon's Bakery & Deli

Solomon's Bakery & Deli
23020 Lake Forest Dr
Laguna Hills, CA 92653
(949) 586-4718
http://www.solomonsbakery.com

We found Solomon's Bakery & Deli from one of these daily deal website.


Solomon’s King for a Day ($8.95)
Triple decker of corned beef, pastrami and coleslaw piled high on freshly baked rye bread.

The King Dr. P got a King for a Day sandwich. haha.... I had half because I'm the queen. Their pastrami is super yummy!

[Laguna Hills] [American] BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse

BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse
24032 El Toro Road
Laguna Hills, CA 92653
(949) 900-2670
http://www.bjsbrewhouse.com

It was late at night. We were hungry, and sorta thirsty.... for some alcoholic beverages. Late night happy hour? After a quick search online, we found out BJ's have late night happy hour starting at 10pm. It was a weeknight... Tuesday I think? When we got there at 10-ish, the restaurant was packed! Seriously? I guess people love late night happy hour.


BJ's Jeremiah Red ($4.25) / BJ's Berry Burst Cider ($4.95)

Dr. P ordered a Jeremiah Red beer, and I got my usual at BJ's, Berry Burst Cider. I always order this one. The cider tasted like yummy berry soda.

[Laguna Hills] [American] Outback Steakhouse

Outback Steakhouse
25322 Cabot Road
Laguna Hills, CA 92653
(949) 829-0683
http://www.outback.com

A while back I signed up for some kind of free giveaway on Outback Steakhouse website, then just forgot about it. Then I received a nice surprise in the mail.



I got a free steak dinner coupon from the restaurant. The offer was good for one 6 oz Outback Special Sirloin and a choice of one side. Since it was valid only Monday through Thursday, we were there on a weeknight. To our surprise, the restaurant was completely packed. Do people in South Orange County eat out everyday?

[Laguna Hills] [Asian Fusion] Elephant Bar Restaurant

Elephant Bar Restaurant
24155 Laguna Hills Mall
Laguna Hills,CA 92653
(949) 454-9530
http://www.elephantbar.com

Do we go to Elephant Bar's happy hour a bit too much? Maybe. But it's good! Not only we keep on going to the same place, we Dr. P also keeps on ordering the same thing. X-D


Classic Mojito with Cruzan Estate Rum ($4.00)

He almost always gets the mojito. And I almost always drink 1/2 of his mojito.

[Laguna Hills] [Asian Fusion] Elephant Bar Restaurant

Elephant Bar Restaurant
24155 Laguna Hills Mall
Laguna Hills,CA 92653
(949) 454-9530
http://www.elephantbar.com

Back at Elephant Bar again. This time we didn't go for happy hour, but dinner instead.



It was a weeknight, and this place was completely packed. We had to wait for 20 minutes to get a table.

[Laguna Hills] [Asian Fusion] Elephant Bar Restaurant

Elephant Bar Restaurant
24155 Laguna Hills Mall
Laguna Hills,CA 92653
(949) 454-9530
http://www.elephantbar.com

We went back to Elephant Bar for their late night happy hour.



It was almost 10pm on a weekday, and there were still a lot of people at happy hour. The earlier happy hour customers were mostly older adults. The late night happy hour customers were mostly young people.

[Laguna Hills] [Japanese] You & I Sushi

You & I Sushi
25381 Alicia Pkwy #M
Laguna Hills, CA 92653
(949) 830-5051

I was hungry, and I want sushi. So I suggested to have all you can eat sushi for dinner. We found a nearby AYCE sushi place called You & I Sushi. The reviews on Yelp seemed good enough. But our experience wasn't as good as the reviews.



They offered a pretty standard all you can eat sushi menu for $24.95/person. They have a one hour rule that you can only eat for one hour. They didn't really reinforce that when we were there, but I didn't like that rule at all. Even though it's all you can eat, I still wish I can take my time, eat slowly, and enjoy the food.

[Laguna Hills] [Japanese] Shinkou Sushi

Shinkou Sushi
24881 Alicia Pkwy, #C
Laguna Hills, CA 92653
(949) 340-3714
http://www.shinkousushi.com

We got a 15% off Grand Opening special coupon from Shinkou Sushi in the mail, and decided to check out this new restaurant.



It's a small place with about 5 tables. Majority of the customers get to-go or delivery orders. We placed our order at the counter and paid, then found a table to sit. While we were waiting for our food, we chatted with the owner and his wife and found out more about them and their restaurant. There are 4 people working in the restaurant: the owner is the cook, the wife is the cashier/delivery person, there's a sushi chef, and a waitress. The husband and wife moved down to OC from Alhambra. The owner is Indonesian, and he was a computer engineer, but worked in Japanese restaurants when he went to school. The sushi chef is Japanese. They have a semi-open kitchen, where you can see the chefs working and making your food. Both the owner and his wife are very very nice and friendly.

[Laguna Hills] [Mexican] El Torito

El Torito
24301 Avenida De La Carlota
Laguna Hills, CA 92653
(949) 951-9137
http://www.eltorito.com

We were back at El Torito for their 3 course meal. For only $11.99, we thought it was a great deal, especially when you have a coupon. We often get $10 off coupon from El Torito in the mail, but this time I only had a $5 off coupon. Still a good bargain though. (If you sign up for their email list on their website, you can get a $8 guacamole for free!)


Chips & Salsa

It was our first time at Laguna Hills location. Service was on the slower side here. A waiter brought us chips, then brought us salsa 10 minutes later. They weren't all that buys, but food came out really really slow.

[Laguna Hills] [Indian] Natraj Cuisine of India

Natraj Cuisine of India
24861 Alicia Pkwy
Laguna Hills, CA 92653
(949) 581-4200
http://www.natrajusa.com

We haven't had Indian food for a while. I haven't really seen any Indian restaurant down in South Orange County. I did a search online and found Natraj Cuisine of India to be closest to our home. I've been to Natraj in Irvine Marketplace a few times, and thought their food was pretty good. I like how that location has the 1, 2, or 3 items combo.



Unlike the fast food restaurant setting at Irvine location, Laguna Hills' Natraj is a more formal sit-down restaurant. We went for their lunch buffet for $10.99/person.

[Laguna Hills] [Pizza] California Pizza Kitchen

California Pizza Kitchen
24155 Laguna Hills Mall
Laguna Hills, CA 92653
(949) 458-9600
http://www.ckp.com

I had a $50 gift card from California Pizza Kitchen. We went to the nearest location from our home for an early dinner. Elephant Bar next door was packed with people waiting outside. But CPK was half empty.



It wasn't even a hot day, but they had the AC blasting. It was so cold inside that Dr. P had to go back to his car to get a jacket for me. We also heard other customers commented about how cold it was. When a manager came by to ask how everything was, we told her about it, and she finally turned the AC down a little.

[Laguna Hills] [Asian Fusion] Elephant Bar Restaurant

Elephant Bar Restaurant
24155 Laguna Hills Mall
Laguna Hills, CA 92653
(949) 454-9530
http://www.elephantbar.com

We love Elephant Bar's happy hour between 4pm to 7pm. We just have to make sure to get there early enough to get a table. This place is always filled with senior citizens ready to party. It just makes us smile when we see so many happy old people. Dr. P made a promise to me that he'll still take me to Elephant Bar for happy hour when I'm 80. haha....


House Margarita ($3.00) / Classic Mojito with Cruzan Estate Rum ($4.00)

I ordered House Margarita, and Dr. P ordered Classic Mojito. We ended up switching drinks because I thought the Margarita was too strong, and Dr. P thought the Mojito wasn't strong enough.

[Laguna Hills] [Fast Food] McDonald's

McDonald's
25192 Cabot Rd
Laguna Hills, CA 92653
(949) 462-0448
http://www.mcdonalds.com

After getting my free ice cream dessert from Haagen Dazs, I saw there is a McDonald's right next door to the gas station. I have a coupon for buy one drink and get a free sandwich coupon from McDonald's. Perfect time to use the coupon since I haven't had lunch yet.


Premium Grilled Chicken Club Sandwich ($4.29 Free) / McCafe Cappuccino ($2.89)

I bought a McCafe Cappuccino, and got the Premium Grilled Chicken Club Sandwich for free. I always like McDonald's cappuccino. I always request it with no sugary flavor syrup added. It tastes so much better with the artificial flavor sugar.

[Laguna Hills] [Dessert] Haagen Dazs

Haagen Dazs
25172 Cabot Road
Laguna Hills, CA 92653
(949) 770-8300
http://www.haagen-dazs.com

I got a coupon for a free Dazzler from Haagen Dazs. I did a search for the nearest location on their website, and found this Laguna Hills "shop". When I got there, I was surprised to find out it was actually a gas station with a Haagen Dazs counter inside. But I guess Haagen Dazs in a gas station is still Haagen Dazs.


Haagen Dazs Dazzler

The coupon was for a Midnight Dazzler, but the lady at the counter told me they did not have the midnight chocolate ice cream. A dazzler is made of 3 scoops of ice cream with 3 layers of topping. Since they were out of the flavor, she let me pick any flavor I want. I got my favorite ice cream from Haagen Dazs, Raisin and Rum. For the toppings, I got Oreos, M&M, and gummy bear. Then I realized gummy bear is not a good topping for ice cream. Gummy bear will turn hard when mixed with ice cream.

[Laguna Hills] [Colombian] Colombian Cuisine at Mitze's Kountry Kitchen

Colombian Cuisine at Mitze's Kountry Kitchen
25381 Alicia Pkwy #C
Laguna Hills, CA 92653
(949) 636-5418
http://orangecountycolombiancuisine.com

I like to try food from different country.  When I saw one of this 1/2 half deal for Mitze's Kountry Kitchen on one of those Gorupon similar website, I bought it right away because I don't think I've had Colombian food before.  We love all the food we had during our honeymoon in Costa Rica.  I wonder if Colombian food tastes similar to that?



It's not a big restaurant.  We went during lunch hour, and the place was empty with only one table of guests.  The waitress was very nice and friendly.  The owner also came out and greeted us, which was nice.  They actually have two menus, one for traditional Colombian food, one for typical American food like sandwiches and burgers and stuff.  Of course we were only interested in the Colombian menu.

[Laguna Hills] [Pizza] California Pizza Kitchen

California Pizza Kitchen
24155 Laguna Hills Mall
Laguna Hills, CA 92653
(949) 458-9600
http://www.ckp.com

Dr. P's family came to visit us down in South Orange County.  California Pizza Kitchen is one of Dr. P's mom's favorite restaurant.  She didn't feel like going out to eat on a weekend night because most likely there would be a wait.  So Dr. P went to get take-out for us to enjoy the meal at http://www.eileenlikestoeat.com.  Dr. P called ahead to order, and they offered the curbside pick-up service.  But we found out later that they charge extra $2 or $3 for the curbside service.  That's really lame.


The Original BBQ Chicken Pizza ($12.99)
Our most popular pizza, introduced in our first restaurant in Beverly Hills in 1985. Barbeque sauce, smoked Gouda and Mozzarella cheeses, BBQ chicken, sliced red onions and fresh cilantro.

BBQ Chicken Pizza is always delicious at CPK.  Actually I like their BBQ Chicken Salad a lot, too.