Soup

The final bowl of Soup at the home of Cheryl and Michael Kinsman was served Sept. 14. Soup was a get together of whoever showed up on the first Friday of the month, starting Jan. 2, 1999, and later moved to the second Friday. Someone made soup, others brought beverages, salads, desserts and everyone dished. "We only had two rules: you had to be friendly and you had to talk to everyone," said Cheryl, a former mayor. "Over the years, attendance had dwindled, so it was really nice that so many people showed up for the last one. " Michael, the current Chamber of Commerce president, said Soup was started to get folks together who enjoyed good food and good people.

It?s 90 degrees in the blazing Thai sun at 3 p.m. on a Wednesday in Phuket as Elle and her son Alex weave their way through the dense traffic, dodging speeding motorbikes and cars to get across the streets to the unnamed ?fresh market.? A cacophony of sounds and color assault the senses as they reach the sea of green umbrellas shading the piled high stacks of red dragon fruit, yellow jackfruit, orange papayas and green mangos. As they move down the aisles, past the soymilk seller, the squid griller and the Muslim chicken barbecue, on past the Portuguese sweets, the crispy little marshmallow crepes, deep-fried pastries filled with hot dogs and a myriad of other vendors selling exotic vegetables, a hundred different kinds of fish and seafood from the Andaman Sea and every conceivable part of a pig. They are on a mission to find a ?

Glori Fickling There always seems to be happy news at Taco Mesa, the lively Mexican favorite that has added immeasurably to the international tastes found at Food Village on Broadway. A stellar attraction for healthful Mexican cuisine since it opened in September 2003, this family-run favorite offers some unprecedented Tuesday specials. As if the caliber of cuisine and affordable prices were not enough, principal Marco Calderone recently introduced Soup & Taco Tuesday.

People are constantly approaching Elle at the gym to discuss the great short ribs, the spicy crab cakes or the lousy service they had last weekend at this or that restaurant. Her foodie friend Fritz has been nagging her for months to try Brussels Bistro on Forest Avenue's "restaurant row." Down a few steps from the sidewalk, located in the old Kachina space, Brussels Bistro also has a small outdoor patio that's great for summer nights, and they have added a five-seat eating bar on the street.

As the Asian population of Orange County has grown, so has the number of its ethnic restaurants. If you are willing to venture outside of Laguna, you will find an astonishing variety of styles and tastes from Vietnam, Japan, Korea, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and, of course, from all regions of China. Exploring and tasting is one of the great food adventures offered by life in the O.C.   However, there are times when you just want to eat good old-fashioned Chinese food close to home; you know, the kind we grew up with, the type they serve at China Bistro #1. It is so familiar to us you could almost call it comfort food.

In La Ca"ada Flintridge, the family-run Thai restaurant Min's Kitchen has graced Foothill Boulevard for decades. A recent facelift provided newly sponge-painted walls and a lighter appearance to the small dining room. The honey-colored wood tables and chairs add an elegant touch to the décor. Nearly everyone who comes in the door seems to be greeted as an old friend, so it is apparent that Min's has a loyal local following. Servers are hospitable and they're patient with menu questions, but things can get a bit slow, as there are frequently two servers for the entire restaurant, and one or both are fielding a brisk take-out business as well as tending tables.

Eva’s back in the kitchen, and the food is better than ever. As the owner of a small restaurant, you have to wear many hats. In her role as hostess, Eva Madray is one of the warmest and most charming women on the planet. In her role as executive chef, she develops the recipes, makes the sauces and desserts, and oversees the kitchen every night. She also drives around a good bit of Southern California in search of the freshest fish and hard-to-find island ingredients for Eva’s Caribbean Kitchen.

The popular Wine Gallery in Corona Del Mar has opened a beautiful second location in Laguna Beach. The large room is centered around a spacious, U-shaped, marble-topped bar that faces the white-tiled, open kitchen featuring a wood-burning oven. The atmosphere is both sophisticated and cozy. The décor is contemporary and warm, with soft lighting emanating from a fascinating ceiling composed of long wooden slats separated by fire-resistant crushed black paper. Facing the street are floor-to-ceiling windows, with pulled-back curtains made of wine corks.

Here is some sweet news. The Planning Commission last month approved a new bakery and take-out restaurant in the Food Village on Broadway Street. Gateau et Cuisine will specialize in European-style cakes, tarts, custom wedding cakes, cookies, drinks, breakfast items, salads, soups and artisan breads. "I am super excited," said owner and local Judy Haron, who has targeted Feb. 1 as the grand opening of what she calls a "bistro bakery. " Haron, who has an associate of arts degree in fashion design and a bachelor's of fine arts in textile design, most recently attended the Art Institute of California - Orange County in Santa Ana, where she received a diploma in baking and pastry arts.

The final bowl of Soup at the home of Cheryl and Michael Kinsman was served Sept. 14. Soup was a get together of whoever showed up on the first Friday of the month, starting Jan. 2, 1999, and later moved to the second Friday. Someone made soup, others brought beverages, salads, desserts and everyone dished. "We only had two rules: you had to be friendly and you had to talk to everyone," said Cheryl, a former mayor. "Over the years, attendance had dwindled, so it was really nice that so many people showed up for the last one. " Michael, the current Chamber of Commerce president, said Soup was started to get folks together who enjoyed good food and good people.

Editor's note: This corrects the organization the funds will go toward. Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week will conclude this evening in Laguna Beach, when the community unites over a "bowlluck" supper. The Hunger Bowl, sponsored by the city's Housing and Human Services Committee, will serve to strengthen compassion and awareness about homelessness and provide funding for the Laguna Relief and Resource Center, which currently houses 45 local homeless people. The event, to be held from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Neighborhood Congregational Church, will include a variety of soup dishes donated by Laguna's restaurants, live music entertainment and a silent auction of bowl art created by artists from across the country.

Eva’s back in the kitchen, and the food is better than ever. As the owner of a small restaurant, you have to wear many hats. In her role as hostess, Eva Madray is one of the warmest and most charming women on the planet. In her role as executive chef, she develops the recipes, makes the sauces and desserts, and oversees the kitchen every night. She also drives around a good bit of Southern California in search of the freshest fish and hard-to-find island ingredients for Eva’s Caribbean Kitchen.

It?s 90 degrees in the blazing Thai sun at 3 p.m. on a Wednesday in Phuket as Elle and her son Alex weave their way through the dense traffic, dodging speeding motorbikes and cars to get across the streets to the unnamed ?fresh market.? A cacophony of sounds and color assault the senses as they reach the sea of green umbrellas shading the piled high stacks of red dragon fruit, yellow jackfruit, orange papayas and green mangos. As they move down the aisles, past the soymilk seller, the squid griller and the Muslim chicken barbecue, on past the Portuguese sweets, the crispy little marshmallow crepes, deep-fried pastries filled with hot dogs and a myriad of other vendors selling exotic vegetables, a hundred different kinds of fish and seafood from the Andaman Sea and every conceivable part of a pig. They are on a mission to find a ?

Holiday lights are sprouting like jewels in our retailers, on the city streets and in our neighborhoods. My mailboxes — both snail and e-mail — are filled with coupons and sales promotions, and the season of giving marches forward with increasing speed. As in years past, my personal proclivity is not about “shop ‘til you drop” — although I recognize that means I’m not doing my part to jump-start an aching economy. It’s not that I’m against giving, I simply am aware that my personal (and oft times scarce)

Terry?s Grandmother?s Chicken Soup Broth is best prepared in advance so it may chill and fat can be easily removed. 1 roasting chicken, halved or quartered, excess fat removed 3 quarts of water 2 teaspoons salt 1 small parsnip, peeled 2 large carrots, peeled and quartered 1 medium onion, whole 2 stalks celery with leaves, cut in half 3 or 4 sprigs of parsley pinch of sugar salt and white pepper...