Downtown Santa Ana : not the nicest part of Orange County, but, for some reason, phenomenal chefs are flocking here. You are probably familiar with Irenia, Playground, Mix Mix, or at least SOME spot in DTSA, but are you familiar with Chapter One: The Modern Local ??? If your answer is no, then 1) you are crazy and 2) you need to go NOW.

Unlike most bars/pubs/etc, Chapter One has a sophisticated menu with much more than your typical burgers, fried food, and so on. Open 7 days a week, it seems like there is always something happening at C.One (Chapter One). Weekly specials (including TAPA TUESDAY), daily lunch & dinner, and even Saturday/Sunday BRUNCH. If you are a brunch fan, this is definitely a place to visit. There is live music on both Saturday and Sunday, so you honestly cannot leave there without a smile and good mood. In terms of food? Well. That a lone is enough to make you smile (while drooling), thanks to Chef Chicken Wing.

I have dined for brunch, lunch, and dinner- and it is safe to say that Chicken Wing is not only an amazing dude, but an incredible chef. The first time I met him and tried his food, he literally sat down, ate, and talked about food with me for over an hour. This, obviously, is a sign of a great chef.

Since I have tried so many dishes, I am just going to highlight my FAVORITES. But, if you ever want my opinion on anything specific… just email. 😉

 

• Chilaquiles – Since I am not an egg-person, this was my favorite brunch dish. Because the egg-flavor gets kind of masked within tortillas, avocado, and other flavors, it made for a Shelby-approved dish!
• Shrimp Taquitos – Ugh. This is a sauce-lover’s dream dish. 3 perfectly-cooked shrimp taquitos smothered in avocado crema, salsa, radish, and queso fresco. The sauces and cheese kind of melt together to form just a sinful goodness over the crispy taquitos. You will not want to share this dish…
• The Green Lentil Salad – Another dish you will not want to share (as I quickly learned). Even if you are not a lentil-lover, this salad is SO good. I mean, cmon.. FRIED BEETS on top? YUM!! One of the yummiest salads I have had in awhile, and definitely filling because of the lentils!
• Fish & Chips – One of the best things I have had at C. One, thanks to Anita Lau (who joined me for lunch one afternoon)! I am not one to typically order fish n’ chips, because they are so badly executed many times. These were some of the best, lightly breaded, perfect fried fish and chips I have ever had.
• HOUSE BREAD – IF THIS IS THE ONLY THING YOU ORDER, LET IT BE. BECAUSE IT IT THAT SPECTACULARLY AMAZING. One of my FAVORITE bread/cheese dishes anywhere. Formerly known as “cheezy bread”, C.Wing bakes this AMAZING parmesan focaccia bread and herbed ricotta. I will willingly admit that I have ate it all myself before. If you love ricotta and bread as much as I do, this is crack. No joke.
  • SAUCE HIGHLIGHTS : OK, so C.Wing makes like a BAZILLION sauces – EVEN PORK BELLY AIOLI, for pete’s sake! The first time I was presented with his tray of sauces, I honestly cried. No joke. My favorites have become…
    • House-Made Steak Sauce
    • Garlic Aioli
    • Mango Mustard
    • Dijon Mustard
    • Avocado Crema
    • Gochujang Aioli

 

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So whether you want a decadent lunch, dinner, or weekend brunch.. Chapter One has you covered! None of Chef Chicken Wing’s culinary creations will disappoint. And if you are ever looking for somewhere to host a party….. check out their “Red Room” for private events!

Chapter One: The Modern Local . 

227 N Broadway Santa Ana, CA 92701

http://chapteronetml.com/index.php