WH AT TO E AT + DRI N K I N O C N OW By Elisabeth Abrahamson
We Heart Amorcito
The Tiki Gods are Smiling Can’t go to Hawaii right now? No problem. Stowaway Tiki, located inside Union Market at The District in Tustin, brings the island vibes to you. Show up with your friends and share the coconut shrimp, served with a sweet chili sauce, the deep-fried spam musubi (an absolute must-order!), and the Stowaway fries topped with bacon gravy, rum-braised pork, and a fried egg. Pair the shared bites with a classic tiki sipper such as the Painkiller, made with Mt. Gay Black Barrel rum, pineapple, orange, and nutmeg or the Scorched Pina Colada made with spiced rum and topped with a grilled pineapple. 2493 Park Avenue, Suite #23, Tustin. (657) 208-2088; stowawaytiki.com.
Amorcito, located inside The Hangar at the Long Beach Exchange, serves up casual Mexican food. Start with the French fries topped with al pastor, guacamole, salsa, queso, sour cream, pico de gallo, cilantro, and pickled jalapenos. Entrée options include taco salad with all of the fix ins, and two street tacos: carnitas topped with salsa verde, cotija, and chicharrones, and pollo asado topped with salsa verde, chile lime peanuts, red onion, picked red jalapenos, spicy slaw, and queso fresco. Feeling hangry? The birria beef short rib burrito with rice, beans, green chile aioli, salsa, and queso is your go-to. Finish with homemade churros served with a side of cajeta. 4150 McGowen Street, Long Beach. (562) 420-5005; instagram.com/amorcitolb.
Flavorful Folks
The Best New Brewery
Located inside The Camp in Costa Mesa, Folks Restaurant serves up Italian fare in a relaxed environment. Choose from classic margherita pizza, spicy fennel sausage pizza, or mushroom pizza topped with roasted garlic, oregano, and fontina cheese. Be sure to order a few sides to share. We love the fried chicken wings; meatballs with gravy; pappardelle with chanterelle mushrooms, crème fraiche, thyme, parsley, and pecorino Romano; and wild arugula salad with avocado, shaved radish, and lemon. 2937 Bristol Street a102, Costa Mesa. (714) 617-4888; folkshospitality.com.
Stanton’s first brewery, Bearded Tang Brewery, recently opened in September at Rodeo 39 Public Market. The brewery and team, led by Brandon Smith, brew various beers, including ales, blondes, IPAs, and lagers, on-site at the market. Order a cold one from the ever-evolving tap list, sink into a plush chair (or sit at the bar if that’s more your vibe) and enjoy the scene. Bonus: Don’t leave without playing one (or five) arcade games, all located inside Rodeo 39 Public Market. 12885 Beach Boulevard #23, Stanton. beardedtang.com.
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Photo credit courtesy of Stowaway Tiki, Bearded Tang Brewery, Three Birds Hard Seltzer & Playa Mesa
