Bistro K

Bistro K
This is a European-style bistro in Laguna Niguel that started out as a cafe and bakery and expanded into a restaurant two years ago. Owner Tony Bagatta created the menu and his daughter, Katia, runs the business. There is musical entertainment on Saturday nights, starting at 7:30 p.m.

What I ate:
A luscious appetizer, that is Bistro K's signature appetizer, Eggplant Siciliano. This is the equivalent of an Italian nacho, made of lightly-fried eggplant in virgin olive oil, with marinara sauce, parmesan cheese and basil. Light and tasty - not greasy. The waiter that night, Andy Slone, recounted how he used to hate eggplant, but after working at Bistro K, and deciding to try this appetizer, he is now a convert. $9

Entrees:
Escolar in tarragon sauce. This Pacific whitefish can only be caught in pure darkness - no moonlight, no lights from any fishing boat. This meaty fish is tender and delicious and very moist. Comes with potatoes and veggies. $26

Pumpkin ravioli in a light, creme-based sauce. This is typically a dish only served in the Fall, but it's so popular that it was back on the menu in March. Pumpkin pasta with pumpkin filling inside. The buttery soft pillows melt in your mouth. The sauce contains shallots and sage. Amazing any time of year. $18

For dessert:
Vanilla ice cream topped with raspberries. Bistro K gets its ice cream from a special gelato creamery in Mission Viejo. It's so creamy and light and the perfect palate cleanser. $4

Restaurant info:
www.TheBistroK.com

Hamamori

Hamamori
This restaurant in South Coast Plaza II (formerly Crystal Court) offers an eclectic, exotic array of sushi. Executive Chef James Hamamori creates the signature sushi pieces to be eaten without soy sauce, so they include a lot of seasoning and garnishes. The restaurant has been open for about two years. Inside is a small eating area and sushi bar. The ambiance is sensual and evokes the feeling of being underwater,due to a wall with undulating waves and other aquatic features and colors throughout the restaurant. The eating area spills out into what used to be the food court, which doesn't have a food court feel anymore. Hamamori is across from California Pizza Kitchen on the third floor of the plaza. The weekday happy hour goes until 6:30 p.m.

What I ate:
Salmon skin roll ($5 during happy hour). This luscious concoction contains salmon skin with gobo, a Japanese root, and is the perfect combination of crispy and salty.

Seared scallop with truffle sauce. One of Hamamori's signature sushi creations that does not require soy sauce. Amazingly delicate and refreshing. It's soft and lightly seared and the truffle sauce is incredible. ($4.50) Some of the other signature creations come with foie gras pate and are also infused with truffle oil.

Raw scallop with caviar. Caviar! Need I say more. Seasoned with yuzu juice with lemon and Himalayan rock salt. Unparalleled. ($4.50)

Unagi with orange zest. Melts in your mouth. ($2.50 during happy hour)


Entree:
Deep-fried pork with white rice and miso soup. The sauce is sweet and super tangy, and better than bbq sauce. The sauce contains vegetables, fruit and vinegar. The pork is Kirubuta tenderloin and very light and moist, even without the sauce. The breading is made of a Japanese bread called panko, which is light.

For dessert:
A special creation of pumpkin flan, topped with candied cashews, strawberries and blueberries. A sweet counterpoint to the sushi. Light and creamy and luscious. The best way to eat pumpkin and the best way to eat flan. ($8)Restaurant info:
www.hamamori.com

Kassra Restaurant

This is a low-key Persian restaurant in Laguna Niguel. Intimate ambiance for good conversation. Persian music wafting in background. Owner Nasser Abuzied is showering this restaurant with a lot of TLC since the closure of his restaurant/nightclub, Cafe 360, in the same shopping center. He uses only fresh ingredients at Kassra.
Interesting tidbit: Abuzied gets his saffron straight from Iran. His mother-in-law brings it when she comes to visit. This saffron infuses a lot of the dishes, including saffron rice and saffron ice cream. The saffron ice cream is the most unique ice cream I have ever tasted.

What I ate:
Lamb shank marinated with fresh herbs and tomato paste surrounded by a ginormous amount of basmati rice (made with dill weed and lima beans). The lamb is so tender that it falls off the shank easily. Saffron rice tops this dish. Optional sauce of yogurt, infused with shallots and garlic. This sauce provided a cold and tangy counterpoint to the lamb's richness. $12.99

Also tried the Marinated Boneless Chicken, with dark meat, served with charbroiled tomato and a heaping portion of saffron rice. The chicken was very moist and enhanced by a homemade dressing, made with balsamic vinegar, mayonnaise and spices. $12.99.

For dessert:Don't pass up the saffron ice cream, infused with rose water. Much lighter than most ice creams. Has a powdery texture from the saffron. A great palate cleanser. $4.50

Also good is the homemade tiramisu, which is much lighter than other tiramisus I have had.

Watch for:
Sunday lunch buffet starting in March



Restaurant info:
www.kassrarestaurant.com

Introduction

This is a new blog about restaurants in Orange County. It will focus on unique restaurants that enhance the culinary quality of the county. In these economic times, a lot of restaurants are hurting or going out of business altogether. So, in this blog, I will feature various restaurants and include some interesting tidbits. Happy Eating.