Day 1 Santa Ana & Costa Mesa
Eat Authentic
BREAKFAST Gypsy Den | 125 N Broadway | Santa Ana, CA 92701 (714) 835-8840 | www.GypsyDen.com The Lab in Costa Mesa is the first stop on my minibudget mission. I have $30 in my pocket and a plan in my head. I have done some research and on the first day of my mission, I am abiding by the “breakfast is the most important meal of the day” axiom, so I start at Gypsy Den. I park next to a stack of artfully rusted metal drums repurposed as a quirky water feature and make my way towards the restaurant. My thrifty food journey has begun.
Gypsy Den The Combo breakfast plate: $8.62 and a cup of th eir house coffee: $1.89 THASOS GREEK ISL AND GRILLE Thasos Bundle Lunch Feast: $9.43 MEMPHIS at the Santo ra Beet Salad: $5; Happ y Hour Mixed Drink: $6
I could not have felt more at home as I walked into Gypsy Den. Maybe it was the coffee mug they TOTAL: $30.94 served me, which was painted with ginormous rainbow and declared “You’re the greatest Dad,” or maybe it was my native Portlandia sixth sense that adored the mis-matched furniture, antique tables and hippy vibe. I ordered The Combo breakfast plate and a cup of their house coffee, which they source from a local organic roaster (WIlson Coffee Roasters). My breakfast arrived – two scrambled eggs, a 10-grain blueberry pancake and red potatoes. The eggs were really fluffy and satisfying, and the potatoes weren’t treated like the obligatory side dish – they were perfectly cooked and well seasoned. The pancake was served up with real maple syrup and silky Greek yogurt. I had never thought of choosing yogurt as pancake topping, but I was now obsessed. What a great way to start Day One. Gypsy Den served me filling meal in a great environment, and I had barely busted my first Hamilton.
LUNCH Thasos Greek Island Grille | 3940 S Bristol St | Ste 113 | Santa Ana, CA 92704 (714) 708-3000 | www.thasos.com I am still satiated from this morning’s breakfast, but lunch has arrived, so I punch in the address of the next destination on my GPS, which is navigating us towards a shopping center near South Coast Plaza. I have driven past this corner so many times, but have never ventured in until now. Thasos Greek Island Grille is nicely decorated and smells wonderful. I ordered The “Thasos Bundle Lunch Feast,” which encompassed all of my favorites. Falafel for my main dish, served in a warm soft pita, salad and hummus. The service is fast and the food is yummy. I can’t believe that five minutes later I have devoured the entire plate after the breakfast I had. The falafel is crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside and seasoned well. The pita is warm and perfectly chewy and made even more delicious when topped with their garlic hummus. The salad is really fresh and topped with tomatoes, cucumbers and kalamata olives. Check lunch off the list.
Dinner Memphis at the Santora | 201 N Broadway | Santa Ana, CA 92701 (714) 564-1064 | www.memphiscafe.com After eating two meals that hit the spot, my stomach needed a break. I decided to head to downtown Santa Ana for a light meal and drink during happy hour. I needed to let my mind and stomach relax. Santa Ana is re-emerging into becoming the cultural hub of Orange County that it once was. Theatres, clubs and restaurants are all pushing boundaries and attracting the hippest crowds. There are a dozen great restaurants within walking distance of where I parked, but I picked Memphis at the Santora. With only $10 of my budget left to spend, I picked out the goat cheese and beet salad for $5 and one of their amazing premium $6 happy hour drink specials. The salad is simple and not overly complicated with a pile of fresh young arugula, a generous portion of tangy and creamy goat cheese and beautifully roasted beets tossed in a really light vinaigrette and sprinkled with hazel nuts. My drink the “Vodka Daisy” was made with Ketel One vodka, orange Curacao, fresh lemon juice, house-made grenadine and was the perfect complement to the salad and end to my day. I did splurge on the drink by a dollar, but the Vodka Daisy sounded so much better than a Greyhound.
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