Commonwealth Lounge & Grill Katsuya
112 E. Commonwealth Ave., Fullerton, CA 92832 fullerton.commonwealthlounge.com | (714) 525-8888
Date: Rekindle the flame Drink: Try the Russian Mule
858 S. Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651 www.sbe.com/katsuya/laguna-beach (949) 793-4030
(Russian Standard vodka, fresh lime and mint, and crisp ginger beer) and the Melon Martini
Date: First date Drink: The Burning Mandarin
This sultry lounge keeps the lights turned low and the style high. With an ornate tin ceiling and black and white film playing on the large screen T.V. behind the bar, you’ll feel the hip quotient rise—its atmosphere is a rare mix of sexy and classy, and is the perfect place to reignite the romantic connection between busy or stagnant lovers. Go for the drinks, but try the Ahi Tuna Tower while you’re there—chunks of fresh tuna and cucumber towered high atop avocado and served with wonton chips. Also try the baked brie—a wheel of brie cheese covered in puff pastry and baked with apricot preserves, served with crackers and grapes. Live entertainment and DJs can be enjoyed every night, and Happy Hour is daily from 4-7 pm. Monday night is Locals Night (half off your bill), and Thursday night is Ladies Night, so every night is a good night to hit Commonwealth Lounge.
Native Knowledge: Commonwealth Lounge supports the local community by carrying local beers like Bootlegger’s, Stone, Ballast, Lost Abbey, Bear Republic, Oskar Blues, and more.
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Mi Casa Mexican Restaurant & Bar 296 E. 17th Street, Costa Mesa, CA 92627 www.micasa1.com | (949) 645-7626
Date: Family date night Drink: House Margarita or the Prickly Pear (Patron Silver tequila, Prickly Pear cactus juice, and lime) Once deemed “the House of Cheese,” Mi Casa provides the perfect laid-back, come-as-you-are setting, perfect for dinner after work or a birthday celebration. There’s a local vibe (the sort of “Cheers” type vibe, “where everybody knows your name”) to Mi Casa that’s hard to come by. Open since 1972, and operated exclusively by three generations of the Moore family, Mi Casa has community engrained in its core. Old signs from its founding are displayed throughout the restaurant and add to the place’s nostalgic feel. Come for Happy Hour (M-F, 3-6pm), Taco Tuesday ($1 tacos, $3 beers, $4 well drinks), or to enjoy the full menu any other time (I recommend the Grilled Mahi Tacos).
Native Knowledge: Try a Partida ‘Original’ Skinny Margarita; you’ll be consuming less than half the calories of a standard margarita and supporting the local economy—the owner of Partida tequila lives locally in OC!
(Absolut Mandarin vodka, handcrushed Serrano chili, fresh lemon and orange juice, with a splash of cranberry) or the Watermelon Cucumber Mojito (white rum, crushed seedless watermelon, English cucumbers, fresh mint and freshly squeezed lime juice) Katsuya offers a beachy posh atmosphere—its walls are filled with silver gilded mirrors and large, close-up shots of geisha imagery. With white chairs and tables, the restaurant gives off a warm and sexy vibe. Offering both indoor and outdoor patio seating, Katsuya is the perfect place to meet for a lunch date or even a first date. Try the Creamy Rock Shrimp and the Baked Crab Hand Roll as starters, followed by the Miso Marinated Black Cod.
Native Knowledge: Katsuya is based in L.A. (with four successful branches), but the newest location in OC will set its focus locally. Stay tuned for the exclusive OC cocktail, coming soon.
The Deck at Pacific Edge Hotel 647 South Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651 www.pacificedgehotel.com/dining_deck.aspx (949) 494-6700
Date: Five year anniversary date Drink: The Lemon Basil (fresh muddled basil, Absolut Citron, fresh lemon, cracked pepper); and the Laguna Mojito (mint, lime, prickly pear, and Bacardi Limon). The Pure Joy and the Blueberry Martini are also delightful. The Deck is one of the very few restaurants in Laguna Beach (and even all of Orange County) where the seating is as close to the beach as you can get without being on the beach. The atmosphere is beachinspired, upscale casual—picture yourself on a beach cottage deck— and you’ll get the feeling that the “somebodies” of OC mingle here. Portions are great for sharing: try the Garbage Salad (Kalamata olives, garbanzo beans, lettuce, cucumber, tomato, red onion, mozzarella, bacon, and salami), the Ahi & Crab Stack (crab, mango, avocado, and tuna with mango coulis and wasabi aioli), and the salmon (tempura sea beans, Hoisin sauce, and a generous portion of salmon atop noodles). For dessert, try the Chocolate Explosion Cake. The Deck is the perfect place for a first date: arrive an hour before sunset and score major brownie points.
Native Knowledge: Locals Only specials on Monday-Thursdays from 2:30-5pm,$5 well drinks, $4 beers, $8 select entrees.