Seasonal changes bring menu swaps for restaurants that want to highlight the importance of their ingredients and seasonality. With the recent opening of Stacked in Huntington Beach came also the understanding that we folks in Orange County are cognizant and desirous of menu shifts every few months. For a restaurant that clamors the "Food Well Built" motto as well as prominently displaying on their physical menus the verbiage of "Why are there no prices on the menu? Because we're ingredient-centric!," it is no surprise that Stacked had a few special selections up their sleeve for spring that still maintain their customizable organization. We haven't been to a Stacked before but had heard of their restaurant concept that allows you to build what you want, however you want it, so we were happy to check out their spring menu upon invitation.

What hits the spot for you? Is it something greasy or clean? Creamy or crunchy? Juicy or crispy? Maybe the best of both options can sate your cravings and for some, that means digging into the unique snap of Korean fried chicken skin and reaching the succulent meat beneath. There are several places where you'll find that version of "KFC" in Orange County but the newest player on the scene might have that recipe down pat. Krave Asian Fusion has nestled itself in Irvine near the infamous Diamond Jamboree Plaza but slightly offsite so you don't have to deal with the horrendous parking nightmares that plague that zone. They not only feature some finger-licking chicken but also showcase a few other tasty treats that you might want to get your hands on. We were invited in one afternoon to check out what they had to offer, and we have to say that we just might have to come back for those wings indeed.

When you have a craving, you just have to sate it. That was what happened to us one Saturday. Something was screaming, "Chicken tortilla soup!" to me and apparently it reverberated inside my head, across our shared wavelength, and into Duc's thoughts as well because he started asking when I was going to make it. Luckily, we were stocked already in the kitchen with just about all of the ingredients so it wasn't long before a nice pot of bubbling soup was going. I think one of the soup's appealing traits is all of the texture. You have smooth creaminess from the avocado, the right bite per shredded chicken breast piece, soft beans, and crunchiness from the chips. Not to mention the fresh-feeling flavors! Surprisingly, it wasn't too difficult to throw together either so give it a try yourself.

And a big happy birthday goes out to....Chapter One: the modern local! The beloved downtown Santa Ana restaurant known for its cocktails, fabulous menu, and literature-themed design on top of a beautiful space recently celebrated its fifth anniversary in high fashion - with a whiskey dinner! Pairing up with Eric Strand, who is also known as The Whiskey Scout, as the educator/guide that evening, the restaurant held an exclusive ticketed dinner on March 19th that featured five courses specially constructed for the occasion paired with whiskeys that might never be tasted again outside of the context of the dinner. We were invited to partake in this fabulous event and were glad to glimpse spirits we'd never be able to otherwise.

If you've ever wondered what would prove a good vehicle to deliver deliciousness into your mouth, you've surely concluded that any kind of stuffed pastry makes that easily handheld. For your savory cravings, there is nothing like a convenient meat pie of any origin. In a behind-the-scenes experience we recently had with Chef Dave Larsen of C4 Deli in Santa Ana, their particular one was the Argentinian empanada, derived from the owner's family recipe and full of tasty goodness. Paired with housemade chimichurri and stuffed with plenty of filling, it hit the spot and we needed to see why.

Why do I have the things I have in my pantry still? Upon discovering some delicious coarse grind cornmeal, I realized that cornbread needed to be had. I like how the coarse grind allows for some crunchy pieces however you use it but if you are a fan of otherwise, feel free to use the grind of your choice. These are great for the springtime as well because I'm willing to bet picnics and barbecue outings are in your near future! These muffins are quick and easy to make as well as delicious, especially with some honey drizzled on top.

248 E 52nd St, New York, NY 10022 (Neighborhood: Midtown)
Pricing - $$ | Dining - Casual | Cuisine - Japanese
http://www.hidechanramen.nyc/

Due to what seemed a stroke of luck, I came across a very inexpensive way of flight to visit New York for about a week's time recently so jumped on the chance to hop on a jet across the country. I have visited The Big Apple plenty of times before, and it really helped that my brother lives in Brooklyn so I rarely have to worry about lodging. As with other times, the goal was to eat up the city, and thus I started a ramen list. Hide-Chan Ramen was on that list that I was compiling based on other people's accolades and top rated ramen spots. What made it even more perfect for my friend and I to stop into the cozy ramen shop was how brisk the weather was outside. Who wouldn't want a hot, steaming bowl of delicious noodles and rich broth on a cold day?

194 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10012 (Neighborhood: Greenwich Village)
Pricing - $/$$ | Dining - Casual, To-Go | Cuisine - Indian
www.masalatimesnyc.com

On a recent trip to New York with a friend who has never been, I participated in a nearly full day's walking tour of everything to immerse myself into the history of the area as well as sate the need of my friend to see what the Big Apple was all about. On this tour, our lunch break ended up being in Greenwich Village so we went off to explore what was around. Masala Times was nearby and because of the chilly day, we were completely ready for some Indian food. Upon first walking in and seeing both the bright colors and the cheeky signage, we knew we were in the right spot for lunch.