We were just there for the first time, for a special anniversary. The view would have been wonderful had it not been for the haze of the local fires, but later on as it cleared, we could see the taller buildings in Santa Ana. Would have been a stunning view after dark (later reservations all taken). They had lots of outside dining as well as inside. Good views from just about everywhere. Valet parking was required but no charge; a sign indicated a suggested tipping fee. Nice entrance and interior but most people were casually dressed (men in shorts - hot June day!) Staff all very friendly. Hubby enjoyed his beef ("good flavor") but wasn't ecstatic, but my Chilean Sea Bass was absolutely divine. Would go again just for that dish! The entrees (mostly in the $30-45 range) include sides; we went with those listed for the entrée, but later the server indicated we could choose from something else. My pre-fixe included a soup or salad (local greens - excellent) .

They've added wine to their menu now; was just there last night and brought another couple - they loved it! They said they liked it better than Thai food. We ordered a sampler platter of appetizers and a plate of the Tea salad, which was plenty for 4, 2 kinds of rice, and then we also ordered an entrée each, and had tastes of all the dishes, so that was fun.

Don't worry about not knowing what to order, the waiters are very helpful. There are also now a lot of reviews on other sites so check those out and you'll get plenty of ideas. Enjoy!

Try irrawaddytasteofburma.com

Here are several from the flyer I have: Southern style noodles, Samusa, Tea Leaf Salad, Coconut Sauce Salmon, Par Lu Dar (dessert looks like a pink pudding or mousse topped with fruit), Coconut noodle soup, egg with okra.

I had a dinner with stewed lamb (tender!) in tea leaves with potatoes, and a Burma-style iced tea. I was awake for 24 hours! (The fresh, stewed tea leaves must contain a lot of caffeine!) and I had the Burma tea, plus a half-glass refill, complimentary - double-whammy of caffeine! (I am used to decaffeinated tea, so this really hit me hard!)

Hubby had a dinner with a variety of things. He doesn't generally care for Asian food, so if he liked it, I think you would be okay - just ask about what you're considering. They were very friendly and happy to explain. It was quite nice inside; not the typical "hole in the wall" we were expecting in that area. A lot of pride in their café and cuisine!

There was something on the menu, Mango Chicken, that I asked for but he said the mangoes were out of season. So although there is quite a good selection on the menu, they might not have everything all the time.

If you don't want to try dinner yet, maybe just go in for a dessert or appetizers.

Great idea, wekick, about having them bring out what's missing. They will often do this unasked, but (as I said before) I don't like my dish going back into the kitchen unless it must . . . you just never know what else might be tucked into what's already on the plate. . .

Since my original post, we went out to a place in San Diego that featured a strawberry (side) salad. Not only were there few strawberry slices, they were small and thin, but not particularly crisp. Later I got to thinking about it, I realized they were probably defrosted (or re-hydrated?), not fresh. And the description on the menu included pine nuts. I looked all through the salad and not a single nut! I asked the waitress "Wasn't the salad supposed to have pine nuts?" She (politely and honestly, I think) said she never recalled having served any strawberry salads with pine nuts, but she would check with the chef. While she went back my son-in-law checked the menu via his cellphone, and sure enough, the salad description included pine nuts. She returned and brought a small but full cup of pine nuts (about 3 TBS.) which was more than enough. Funny thing though, she was still under the impression from the chef that pine nuts were not included with the salad, but obviously she wanted to be sure we were happy (and probably insure her tip didn't disappear!). She was very nice about it, so I bit my tongue and didn't mention that we had pulled up the website and checked the menu wording, something you'd have thought the either she or the chef would have checked . . .so either s/he doesn't read, or wasn't instructed the salad featured pine nuts; lettuce, strawberries, pine nuts and dressing - you kinda notice something's missing when there are only three parts to a four ingredient salad, counting the dressing. Pine nuts being the most expensive . . .Cute place but not interested in going back.

I still liked the original (?) format they had years ago, where you could type in the name of the place and it would actually pop up and you could select or add the location you were reviewing. That was really helpful because the L.A./Orange County region is a huge place. With gas prices and traffic, we don't want to drive more than 20 minutes most times, so it made zeroing in on places nearby easier because the location was listed. Then they went to the red and white, and that was off-putting. I read and posted much less often. This format is too white. Editors call it "white space." And it does seem clunky.

We tried out Aunt Yessi's (? - not sure of spelling . . .) in central Garden Grove this morning and enjoyed it. Northeast corner of Brookhurst and Lampson in the front strip mall. It's a little tricky to spot. There was an omelet place there in the past as well - on the sidewalk in front of the entrance there is a raised area with a previous name.
Their omelets are very fluffy :-) . I tried the shrimp omelet which was a "Special" for the day. It had a nice yellow (Hollandaise?) sauce and a generous portion of sliced avocado on top, and three slices of sweet watermelon (or could have chosen potatoes).
Hubby had the chili cheese omelet from the menu. Both came with toast. The coffee cups are small but the gals come around frequently with refills. Water was nice and icy and good tasting (contrary to postings on other review sites). Service was friendly and good. 1 wheel-chair accessible restroom.
The café is nice and colorful, with (local?) amateur art on the walls. Lots of tables for two or four, so I would call ahead if your group is larger. We went later-morning and got a small table immediately, but overheard the server tell several others they had run out of this or that. No muffin for Hubby - they were gone. We'll go a bit earlier next time and hope to try one!

I've been to places that are worse seating-wise - high table and narrower so you have to sit farther forward away from the back. I've heard that so many people are, uh, well, much bigger around that they can't get in booths unless the table is higher, although they usually prefer tables.

The worst place to be seated is on the (indoor) patio at Katella Deli's. They have those lovely to look at but horribly noisy, uncomfortable, heavy white iron chairs that sound just awful when you move them, and no carpet to absorb the clatter and chatter. We refuse seating there now. We're not the only ones - we've seen others decline that area too.

If you are adventurous and have the least bit of interest in Elvis, have dinner (or a drink)at Azteca on (historic) Main Street (Main branches off from Euclid; it's just north of Garden Grove Blvd.) in Garden Grove. The entire restaurant is packed (I repeat, PACKED!) with Elvis memorabilia, music, etc. The(Mexican)food is decent, but you're going for the décor. There's also a local play house, the Gem Theater with plays on the weekend, about a block away. Across from the Azteca is the Dine Bar and Restaurant which features European cuisine and a range of beers.

Most of the other recommendations I've seen posted are good too. Sadly, not too many good breakfast choices close by; probably most people eat at their hotels for convenience. Most tourists (especially those from small towns) seem very happy with the famous big chain restaurants and there are loads of them along Harbor. (Most of us locals avoid Harbor!)

This might be of interest: http://meetings.anaheimoc.org/partner...

I strongly suspect that the chain restaurants are cutting back both quantity and ingredients that are more costly or caloric. In California, chains have had to list the calorie count on the menu. All of a sudden, we've noticed changes in the menu listings - favorites gone (or taste different), less or different sauce on crepes, etc., salads with dressing calories listed separately, and so on. Personally, I prefer independent places (they aren't under the same restrictions), but we do eat at chains about half of the time for variety's sake or convenience.

I try to avoid sending the plate back. Having married a former food preparer, I know too many stories about what happens to plates of diners who "complain." The server brought me a small bowl of toasted slivered almonds, which I added to the salad. With the coleslaw (different time), the server remarked that the dressing was thin. I guess that means it doesn't stick, but if they know it doesn't stick, shouldn't they toss it gently before scooping it out of the tray? Seriously, there was no trace of moisture or flavor on the slaw. She did bring me out a fresh bowl and there was a slight difference in taste, but not much better. Usually with slaw you end up with some remnant or even a puddle of dressing in the bowl. Not a trace!

I don't recall having extra ingredients not listed unless it was something "standard" like a pickle or ketchup on a burger. But I am annoyed when I ask in advance, "what's the fruit this morning?" when the option is potatoes or fruit, etc. (I can't eat cantaloupe or pineapple), and the server says they will make up a cup without them, or bring me a slice of watermelon instead, but I end up with a pre-prepared fruit bowl with cantaloupe and pineapple anyway. That's why I started just ordering the "house special" potatoes - with peppers and onion - to avoid the fruit issue, but ended up with one piece of onion and one of pepper. Seriously, the food preparer couldn't see how few there were? My husband had the regular version and they looked almost identical! And the reason to add them isn't just flavor - they add vitamins and minerals, as well as eye appeal.

We went to George's tonight and found it to be very good. The pitas are thicker and softer than any other I've had - very good; the dinner salad was very fresh and very crisp, colorful and delicious with olives and cheese. Hubby had the beef with ta'ziki dip and I had the moussaka - excellent. Our dinner included fresh veggies (carrots, green beans, broccoli) that were colorful and cooked good just right - tender-crisp, and the rice was cooked with chicken broth and had additional vegetables, also good. The staff is friendly and attentive, and the décor is colorful and completely transformed from the prior business. The address is Westminster but it is very near Huntington Beach and Fountain Valley, next door to The Lazy Dog Café.

Hard to describe effectively; between medium & dark brown, not heavy, thinner than regular gravy. Tasty in its own way but not overpowering.

Just had Cajun shrimp and cheesy grits elsewhere for comparison (no gravy included), paying $3 more, and did not like it as much, although I did appreciate that the shrimp were shelled. I won't name this place but it was east of the 55 freeway. But the décor was fun, service quite good.

Will have to check out Dommy's suggestion next . . . (thanks!)