A Great Culinary Adventure in A Fullerton Parking Lot!

Every Tuesday night at 5 PM a secret culinary society appears in a parking lot by a dentist's office on the border between Fullerton and Brea at 2949 Brea Blvd. Its a bevvy of gourmet food trucks from Asian fusion to bacon bliss to cupcakes. 6-8 trucks shell out gourmet foods at street prices. One even had a cordon blu chef aboard. So do yourself a favor and take the parking lot adventure. Bring folding chairs.

We're going to Europe- Wanna come?

I am leading a trip to the Christmas Villages of Europe on December 9-17 from The Muckenthaler. You are the first to hear about it. The trip is $2699 (double) all inclusive (wit Air door to door from the Muck):

Day 1: Friday, December 09, 2011 Overnight Flight
Welcome to Collette's holiday program featuring the traditional Christmas markets, historic towns and spectacular scenery of Europe.

Day 2: Saturday, December 10, 2011 Oberammergau, Germany - Tour Begins
Your tour begins in the charming town of Oberammergau. This evening, join your fellow travelers for dinner featuring local delicacies.
Today Dinner is included.

 

Day 3: Sunday, December 11, 2011 Oberammergau - Innsbruck, Austria - Oberammergau
Today, your Tour Manager provides a brief introduction on the origin and history of the local language. Travel through the spectacular Bavarian Alps to Innsbruck, located in the heart of the Alps in the Austrian state of Tyrol. A local guide provides a tour highlighting the city’s rich history, culture, and popular attractions including Maria Theresienstrasse, the Hofburg, and the “Golden Roof,” all set against the backdrop of the majestic Austrian Alps. The remainder of the day is at leisure to shop in the many specialty stores and the Christmas market.
Today Breakfast is included.

 

Day 4: Monday, December 12, 2011 Oberammergau - Munich - Oberammergau
This morning, travel to Munich and enjoy a panoramic tour featuring the Marienplatz, the Glockenspiel and Olympic Park. Enjoy some free time to explore Munich’s historic area. Later, return to Oberammergau for some leisure time in the small town of craftsmen which owes its fame to the internationally-known Passion Play which is performed only once every ten years.
Today Breakfast and Dinner are included. 

Day 5: Tuesday, December 13, 2011 Oberammergau - Black Forest
Today's highlights include a picture stop at Wies Church, proclaimed as a World Heritage site. You also view perhaps the most famous castle in Bavaria, Neuschwanstein, with its beautiful turrets and pinnacles. Continuing along the scenic route, you traverse southern Germany, skirting the northern shores of Lake Constance to the Black Forest, and proceed to the heart of the mysterious Black Forest region - the setting of legends and stories of yore! Don't forget to shop for authentic cuckoo clocks, Hummels and wood carvings. Your evening begins with a private choir concert performed in an 850-year-old church and ends with a traditional Black Forest dinner.
Today Breakfast and Dinner are included. 

Day 6: Wednesday, December 14, 2011 Black Forest - Strasbourg, France - Black Forest
Travel the picturesque valleys of the Black Forest and the vineyard fields of the Alsace to the provincial capital city of Strasbourg, France where centuries of Roman, French, German and Alsatian influences blend together to lend this city its unique local character. Enjoy a guided tour of the charming old quarter, "Petite France," featuring the Cathedral of Notre Dame, considered to be one of the noblest achievements of Western architecture. Time is available for you to explore the wonderful Christmas market before dinner at one of Strasbourg's finest local restaurants.
Today Breakfast and Dinner are included. 

Day 7: Thursday, December 15, 2011 Black Forest - Bern, Switzerland
Travel to Bern, one of Europe's most beautiful capital cities. Upon arrival, enjoy a panoramic city tour featuring the Bundeshaus (the Swiss Parliament), the famous Bear Pit and the impressive Cathedral. Afterwards you may explore more of the area or shop for handmade items at the local Christmas market.
Today Breakfast is included.

 

Day 8: Friday, December 16, 2011 Bern - Lucerne - Bern
This morning you travel to Lucerne, the "Swiss Paradise on the Lake." Enjoy a scenic walking tour of picturesque Lucerne, highlighted by a walk through the romantic old town. The balance of the day is at leisure to do some last minute shopping or simply enjoy the wonderful setting of this beautiful city on a lake, surrounded by snow-capped mountains. This evening, after returning to Bern, join your fellow travelers in celebrating the end of a marvelous trip with dinner, complete with the region's famous cheese fondue, at a popular local restaurant.
Today Breakfast and Dinner are included. 

Day 9: Saturday, December 17, 2011 Bern - Tour Ends
Your tour ends today in Bern.
Today Breakfast is included.

Solstice Festival Was A Hit

The Muckenthaler Cultural Center's 2nd Annual Solstice Festival was a huge hit yesterday and what a perfect day! Great weather! We had groups from Croatia, Bolivia, Hawaii, Middle East, Ireland and the good ole American South (Bluegrass).  There were kids activities, house tours, a storytelling stage, a music jam sesssion, bocce ball, arts vendors, and fabulous entertainment and everything was free!  Great homemade tamales, brownies and chili was for sale as well as homemade root beer. And a good time was had by all!

See what the Register had to say:

https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=bsp&ver=ohhl4rw8mbn4

A Little Italy in Anaheim

I grew up in Italian neighborhoods in New York.  All my mother's friends were little Sicilian ladies stirring "gravy" all day in the kitchen.  SO I'm a little picky when it comes to Italian Food.  I've yet to find a great Italian restaurant near Fullerton that meets my high hole-in-the-wall standards.  My favorite Italian is still in Los Alamitos- Fio Rito's, who makes the best Cannelloni this side of the Mississippi. But at a recent Muckenthaler Farm Dinner (a true Foodie event) I overheard a lady talking about Italian Markets.  She turned out to be an Italian-born Cal STate professor who swears by Anaheim's Cortina Market as "Authentic" Italian.  Well, lo and behold, they have a eatery attached.  Well reviewed on Yelp and many bragging about the meatballs. Today my culinary adventure brought me to the heart of Anaheim and this venerable establishment, open since the 60s. I am proud to say, its true!  Great food.  Cheap food. Great meatballs. All from the wonderful imports next door at their Italian Market.  Go check it out. Its two steps in the door to fly from Anaheim to Italy- or at least Little Italy, NY.

Who Has The Best Tacos?

There are some pretty great tacos in North OC, but I have yet to find any tacos as good as some of the best lunch truck tacos I used to get at 3 AM after dancing all night in LA clubs when I was in my 20s.  Maybe part of that was the hunger factor and being dehydrated, but those little packages of maze and meat with great salsa make my tastebuds tingle today just thinking about it. 

In Fullerton El Camino Real has a great taco- especially the chorizo taco (ole!) and my new hole-in-the-wall in La Habra that I wrote about last week is nice with fresh tortillas. Taqueria De Anda is pretty good.  Today I tried Taco Adobe in Orange after a friend's recommendation. It was a bit disappointing.  There salsa is just OK, the tortilla is just OK and the tacos varied.  The fish taco (there best seller) was greasy and didn't taste like Mahi Mahi, but the calamari taco was very good.  It was so tender (and you know it can get rubbery if not properly cooked.) So thumbs up on the squid taco!! But I'm still looking for the best taco in North OC.  Suggestions?

Pics of The Litter

Some great pics I found from the 17th Annual Muckenthaler Motor Car Festival:


http://www.flickr.com/photos/dmentd1/sets/72157626698808841/