From Gals Night to Date Night, Come Hungry and Explore the Best Eats in CDM
It’s a crawl, y’all. Grab your best buds or your better halves and hop from one OC hotspot to the next for the ultimate eat-a-palooza. We’re talking everything from what you should drink to how you should order and other little spicy tidbits to keep the night fun and flirty. This evening is bound to be epic but beware: we are not responsible for any hangovers incurred.
To Start
Avila’s El Ranchito
Situated at the start of Corona del Mar, there’s no better place to kick things off than at tried-and-true Avila’s El Ranchito. With its vibrant atmosphere, this beloved restaurant invites guests to indulge in a culinary journey inspired by traditional flavors and time-honored recipes. Start small with some appetizers like the mahi mahi ceviche and a cup of Mama Avila’s Soup. Cheers your Pomegranate Margaritas and get ready for a fun night ahead.
Next Up
The Quiet Woman
We all know that The Quiet Woman isn’t all that quiet. But before things get too rowdy, go earlier in the night for some delicious bites. Oysters, ricotta meatballs, filet sliders and an artisan charcuterie board—you know the vibe, right? Whether you choose to sip a martini or a glass of red, The Quiet Woman is not to be missed on your CDM restaurant hop.
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Continue With
CDM Restaurant
Your Tour de (unbuttoned) Pants continues at CdM Restaurant, where you will order two things and two things only: an incredible bottle of red and the dirty pasta. The dark woods, crushed velvets and leathers just add to the overall experience here. Try to snag a corner booth or a seat at the bar for optimal people-watching. What’s in the dirty pasta, you ask? It’s a rigatoni that has made sweet, sweet love to a thick, sticky sauce of ground duck, sage, ricotta salata and a host of aromatics that is *chef kiss.* If you are feeling flirty, head downstairs to the speakeasy located under the restaurant for one final sip before stumbling down to Bandera.
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Followed By
Bandera
Need we say more? It’s another Corona del Mar restaurant that rarely has a table to spare. You’ve already had your surf, so naturally, it’s time for the turf. Sure, you could order the macho salad and call it a day, but it’s the crawl y’all so go big and go ribeye. The wood grilled ribeye is a sleeper pick—it’s more than shareable and absolutely succulent. Not that you’ll have room, but it’s served with blue cheese tomatoes. And it’s Bandera, so you have to get the cornbread bites (sorry).
And Lastly
Five Crowns
Time for your second stomach to shine. You know, the one that has room for dessert. Our fifth and final spot calls for Five Crowns. Immediately order the dark chocolate souffle. It takes a few minutes longer to prepare, but at this point, you shouldn’t have any sense of time. While you’re waiting, indulge in an espresso martini for that big-time buzz that will hopefully allow you to find your way home after a night of dining and drinking. When that piping hot, ooey gooey souffle comes to the table, remember who sent you (us) and maybe to pop an Advil and Tums or two when you get home.
Enjoy!
