Chapter One will donate proceeds to Joplin

This article was originally posted for the Orange County Register.

Chapter One: the modern local, a restaurant in the Artists Village, is hosting a charity event tonight, Wednesday, with all proceeds to be donated to the Red Cross to help victims of last month’s tornado in Joplin, Mo.

A lil' piece of Seoul

The Patio Restaurant, Tustin, CA.

Homey indoor/outdoor spaces, the smell of garlic and spices, smoke filling the air and the sound of cars whizzing past you on a busy street reminded us of Seoul. 

We loved the ripe pungent kimchi cooking on the grill.  It was sweet, salty, spicy and smoky - a perfect bite for kimchi lovers.

The banchan (side dishes) were simple but we were fine with that because the true star was the kimchi. 

The melted rice cakes had soaked up all the salty, fatty goodness of the bacon.  
*Editor's note: Cook these until you see the rice cake start to ooze. 

We love Chamisul Original!

Located on Newport Ave. and the 5 freeway, the Patio Restaurant is open every day at 5 p.m. and until midnight on Friday and Saturday.  

For the modern local

Fellow foodies and friends have been raving about the new kid in town at the Santa Ana Art District. Famous for their pear-shaped potato dish and potentially new competition for The Crosby and Lola Gaspar - Chapter One: The Modern Local officially opened in May. 

What we found was good food and reasonably priced bottles of wine and a perfect green elixir they call the Moscow Mule. 

Chapter One makes this classic drink with a homemade ginger beer that is spicy, refreshing and dangerously addicting.

The Italian burger with Portobella is nothing short of juicy with melted provolone, roasted tomato relish and a parmesan cheese crisp. 

The Ahi tuna is perfectly seared and better as an appetizer than in the Blood Orange Ahi Salad where the fruity dressing leaves you wanting a bit o' wasabi and soy sauce. 

Pictures of the potato pear is popping up all over Yelp! and tastes more simple than it looks. Think fried mashed potato ball with cream of mushroom. 

Exit Main or 4th St. off the 5 freeway and head toward the Grand Central Art Center.