Cafe Lucca - March 12, 2016

Main Entrance - Approaching from the north.

I took all these photos with my iPhone 5.

I love finally giving these local places a chance after years of passing them on my bike.  This was one of the better places, like Mead's Green Door (which I visited earlier in the day).  This place does indeed have an Italian/New York vibe.  I find it interesting that there is a progression of seating options.  There are the outdoor seats, then the outer enclosed seating area, and finally the main room.  The main room is itself broken into a more formal frontal section, and an open self-seating area in back.

It's part table service restaurant and part counter-service.  I made this visit just for the gelato and the photos.  People ordering gelato and perhaps other fare may do it simply by walking up and waiting to be served.  People may be seated more formally and served in that manner too.

Main Entrance panorama!

A Little Closer.

...a little closer.

North wall.

South wall.

South.

North.

Gelato display.

Gelato display.

I enjoyed my tiramisu-butterfinger gelato.  I was impressed by how much I actually received in a relatively small bowl.  Although more expensive than Baskin Robbins, the portions were almost the same as a waffle cone without a huge price difference.  Next time I would like to try the Straciatella gelato.

When I got my gelato in the disposable container my first instinct was to exit, but then I realized that I was there to soak in the ambience.  I'm paying for the right to hang as much as for the gelato, so I came back in and seated myself at the back, which had a vaguely Starbucks vibe due to young adults at the table with laptops.  There was a couple, specifically, and I got the feeling that the girl was uncomfortable with my presence at the table (but it could all be in my mind).  Either way, I heard her making some odd intermittent tapping noises throughout my time there, but it wasn't distracting enough to ruin the experience.  

The restaurant packs much magnificence in a relatively small space between the ceiling design, light fixtures, and artwork. 

View from rear.

 

Main Dining Room Artwork.

The (apparent) owner is a big, hearty man with a thick Italian accent.  When I left he called to me: "Thank you, my friend."  When he scooped my gelato he did so with much gusto.  This is a great place if you want something that has an atmosphere of formality and luxury with the accessibility and convenience of more casual places.

Main Dining Room As Seen From Outer Seating Area.

By the way, the tiramisu gelato used a generic "Magic Shell" formulation that I regularly make and use at home as well.  

My Tiramisu-Butterfinger Gelato with Kitchen in Background.

The Filling Station in Orange, CA - February 20, 2016

The Smoked Salmon Scramble special of the day.

I skipped the goat cheese.  Overall, The Filling Station wasn't as special or as cozy as I was hoping.  The food was alright, nothing I'd return for or try to emulate at home.  For instance, the hash browns were not as crisp as I like.  My favorite restaurants have me working to emulate the dishes at home.  The service was alright as well.  Overall, I prefer Watson's and other diners before this one.

Yet, I took many iPhone snapshots for keepsakes from the lukewarm experience and to show the interesting history they have pictured on the walls.  Unfortunately, you can't taste history.  History, in itself, has no nutritional value to a body.  Do you like your historical importance fried or baked?  With sugar flax meal? 

I didn't caption these pictures because I think they're all self-explanatory.

Blaze Pizza January 30, 2016

Half and Half: Red Vine (Left) and Veg Out (Right) with Arugula.

Blaze catches the eye with its fiery color scheme and name.  However, the crispy thin crust pizza wasn't my style.  Overall, the pizza was alright but nothing I would return for.  I make pizzas almost every week, which means I'm harder to please.  There are three pizza places now in the Orange Plaza: Zito's, The Pizza Press, and this one.  Zito's has the best family oriented, traditional New York style pizza.  Pizza Press is very similar to this place but I prefer it because of the printing press theme complete with old photographs and newsboy-style uniforms.  Blaze uniforms and decor are less intriguing.  Decor is half the reason to dine out, which was lacking.  All the fire on the outside is lost on the inside.  I also did not like the mix of edgy contemporary music playing in the background.

Nonetheless, this is a popular joint, I hope it continues for their sake.  I do like the idea of all the pizza places in our historic town center.  

View from Italian restaurant across the way.

View from Plaza center.

The Pizza Press - Old Towne Orange May 10, 2015

This time I traveled just a few miles to the town center of my hometown.  Sometimes one's hometown provides as much adventure as places many miles away.

Old Towne Eatery Neon Sign Across From The Pizza Press.