Mitsuwa Japanese Gourmet Fair June 2012 - Costa Mesa, CA : Chestnut Waffle

The Mitsuwa Japanese Gourmet Fair brings us to Costa Mesa to battle for a parking space and try something new. The Meat Eater usually tries the ramen and I try for something I can eat...sweets. (That's about the only thing vegetarian.)

Chestnut Waffle

Something I have not tried before are the chestnut waffles. These are from Kobe Fugetsudo. It's not like a Belgian waffle as we know it. It's basically like a small pancake folded over with a filling inside. Right out of the box, the waffle was rolled and wrapped in plastic. Maybe to hold it's shape?

Chestnut Waffle

Alas after unfolding, it pretty much held its shape too. The dark brown is a whole chestnut and the light brown is the filling. The large chestnut is very sweet...as is the filling. The cake was soft and moist, but not too sweet. It balanced the sweet chestnut and filling perfectly. Altogether it was good. Me likes the chestnut!

The Meat-Eater's ramen was that from Tsujita...where they have a shop in LA. He loves Santouka, but this ramen was just super salty to him. FYI, in case anyone wanted to venture up to LA, unless you like salty...don't try it.

Anyway, these fairs give us an opportunity to try a little something different. See you at the next food fair!

Mitsuwa - Costa Mesa Store

http://www.mitsuwa.com/english/index.html

665 Paularino Ave

Costa Mesa, CA 92626

(714)557-6699

N'ice Cream - Costa Mesa, CA : 3 Scoops

N'ice Cream is organic gelato/sorbet freshly made very morning. Woot! I love Nice Cream. The only location I've been to is the Costa Mesa location.

N'ice Cream stand in Costa Mesa

At the Costa Mesa store, it's actually a part of the OC Mart Mix. There are a variety of unique shops. The ice-cream stand is just behind these bright blue walls.

3 Scoops = 3 Flavors

The 3 scoops above have 3 flavors. The bottom most white colored scoop that you can't really see is mint chocolate chip. Yum, my favorite flavor. The middle scoop with the chips in it is hazelnut chip. Tastes kind of like a Ferrero Rocher...goood. The top plain looking scoop is salted caramel. This one was a bit too salty sweet for me. I've had the one at Sweet Republic in Arizona and that one is so much better. The salted caramel flavors are too strong here...not subtle at all, so not to my liking. All the ice-cream is a tad sweet for my taste, but the texture was perfect. The right amount of softness to be called a gelato. Thumbs up! (Especially if you have a sweet tooth.)

N'ice Cream

http://www.ilovenicecream.com/ 

3313 Hyland Ave. #B5

Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Freebirds - Huntington Beach, CA : Veggie Salad

There's another place similar to Chipotle. It's Freebirds World Burrito. You get what you want on it. Just fill out the form and check what you want...they'll make it right there.

Freedom Veggie Salad

This salad includes the spring mix, black beans, roasted garlic, tomatoes, pico de gallo, sour cream, and guacamole. It's pretty similar to Chipotle except this one has a spring mix selection instead of just romaine lettuce.

Freedom Veggie Salad

The salad is all mixed up here. Pretty good food. Not as prevalent in Southern California yet...but it's growing.

Freebirds

http://freebirds.com/ 

18541 Beach Blvd.

Huntington Beach, CA 92648

714-841-7639