| If you stick
with snack bars and coffee shops while touring Anaheim , you're doing your tummy
a grave injustice. Even at first glance, places such as Downtown Disney and South
Coast Plaza are full of inviting, tantalizing restaurants. Scratch the surface,
and there are enough dining destinations to keep even the most avid gourmand satisfied.
Whether you prefer unknown neighborhood gems with low prices and simple fare,
or busy, centrally located theme restaurants with high-ticket cuisine, there's
plenty to appease your appetite. Obviously, the restaurants
within the Disneyland parks and hotels tend to be the most expensive and crowded,
but for many people, that's all part of the experience. Places like French Market
Restaurant and Rancho del Zocalo in Disneyland or Ariel's Grotto at Paradise Pier
in California Adventure Park are slightly better than the snack bars, but still
appropriate for families with small children. Each park has one fine-dining venue,
where mature visitors can get a decent meal in a somewhat peaceful setting. At
Disneyland , it's Blue Bayou, in California Adventure Park , The Vineyard Room. All
the aforementioned restaurants are within park boundaries and open to park guests
only. However, many of Disney's most popular restaurants are located in the resort
hotels. Paradise Pier Hotel boasts the colorful PCH Grill, known for its character
breakfasts, and Yamabuki, a Japanese restaurant with a full sushi bar. Over in
the Grand Californian Hotel is Napa Rose, a lovely gourmet room with a 1000-label
wine list; while the Disneyland Hotel holds a half-dozen eateries, running the
gamut from prime steak at Granville's to casual buffets at Goofy's Kitchen to
California cuisine at Hook's Pointe. Downtown Disney has
ramped up its restaurant portfolio considerably in the past few years, with the
help of local restaurateur Joachim Splichal. His Patina Group owns Naples Ristorante
e Pizzeria, the brand-new Tortilla Jo's, and Catal and Uva Bar, a gourmet Italian
and mid-scale tapas bar situated in the same building. Other restaurants worth
checking out include the House of Blues, with its famous Gospel Brunch, and the
Rainforest Café, a favorite of kiddies everywhere. In
order to find real value, you need to venture away from the Disney domain, but
not too far—in fact, you may not even need to leave your lodgings. Anabella Hotel,
located literally one minute from the park, has Tangerine Grill, known for its
warm, Mediterranean-inspired décor and exotic cuisine. The Clarion Hotel
Maingate has two restaurants, the main one being the Clubhouse Grill and Lounge.
Also at the main gate is Millie's Country Kitchen, serving low-priced comfort
food in generous portions. Pavia is a graceful, beautifully decorated haven within
the no-nonsense Hilton Anaheim. The Anaheim Park Hotel is actually located in
neighboring Fullerton , a college town with local gems such as Table Ten and Stubrik's
Steakhouse. If you don't mind driving a short distance for
a gourmet meal, you can enjoy sumptuous contemporary Italian fare and fine wine
at the Anaheim White House, an elegant and spacious landmark owned by local philanthropist
Bruno Serrato. Or, reserve a table at Mr. Stox, known for its 20,000-bottle wine
cellar and its upscale Continental menu, revised daily by the chef. Anaheim
has no shortage of casual restaurants. Scattered throughout the city, they provide
hearty, inexpensive meals at any hour of the day. Start out with breakfast in
the Original Pancake House, a local favorite for decades. If you're downtown,
try the Filling Station, known for its delicious baked goods and pastries. Or,
if you don't want to venture far from the Disney park gates, get an omelet or
a ranch-style breakfast at Millie's. All three of these restaurants serve lunch
and dinner as well. Less than two miles from the Days Inn is Angelo's Hamburgers,
an old-fashioned burger joint featuring skimpily clad carhops. And The Catch,
hangout of hockey players and local happy-hour crowds, is convenient to both Dolphin's
Cove and the Ramada Plaza Anaheim. Try one of the ethnic
restaurants at some point during your stay. Cuban Pete's is a Caribbean-themed
restaurant and nightclub, known as much for its crowds as its cuisine. The same
goes for El Pollo Inka, a Peruvian restaurant with regular Latin dance nights.
Pho Republic, a Vietnamese restaurant in Downtown Anaheim, and Merhaba, a low-key
African restaurant (located on West Ball Road 10 blocks down from the Sheraton),
offer authentic versions of their respective cuisines, but not too much in the
way of atmosphere. If you're staying at the Hilton Costa
Mesa, you're within walking distance of two dozen excellent restaurants. Go to
Pinot Provence or Troquet if you're in the mood for fine French cuisine; Quattro
Café or Antonello if you prefer Italian fare; and Morton's or Turner New
Zealand if it's prime beef you fancy. End the evening with a nightcap and a cheese
platter at Chat Noir or the Clubhouse. Hilton Irvine guests will be impressed
by the quality and variety of nearby restaurants. You can find contemporary Asian
fare at Thaifoon and P.F. Chang's, microbrews and upscale bar nibbles at the Yard
House and Rock Bottom Brewery, and Mexi-Cali cuisine at the newest location of
Javier's Cantina. And all of that is inside the Irvine Spectrum! Other must-tries
include Opah, located in the Tustin Marketplace, and Bistango, in the Atrium Building
just a mile away from the Hyatt Regency Orange County . Hungry
yet? Like we said, we've just scratched the surface. Not only that, but the local
restaurant scene is growing and changing all the time – so check back once you're
ready for a second helping. | 
