The Eat Index: Conchinita pibil’s time has come; Salt & Straw coming to Newport - OCRegister

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Main Course

Cochinita pibil torta at La Lucha Mexican Kitchen in Santa Ana (Photo by Brad A. Johnson, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Birria is everywhere (like at the top of this newsletter last week), but Brad A. Johnson hopes that the time has come for conchinita pibil to take over.

He’s found delicious dishes with the slow-roasted pork from the Yucatán at the new La Lucha Mexican Kitchen in Santa Ana.

Hungry? Sign up for The Eat Index, our weekly food newsletter, and find out where to eat and get the latest restaurant happenings in Orange County. Subscribe here.

Eat of the Moment

Pork adobo over rice with a fried egg at Irenia, now closed, in Santa Ana. (Photo by Brad A. Johnson, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Gone but not forgotten

Brad takes a trip down memory lane with 10 restaurants that have left us, but that doesn’t stop him from reminiscing about their fabulous dishes. Did your long-gone favorites make his list?

Divine Science Brewing’s founders are Domonic and Robert Keifer, a couple with gluten sensitivities who wanted to share their love of craft beers with like-minded drinkers. (Courtesy of Divine Science Brewing)

Gluten-free suds 

Divine Science Brewing has opened a taproom in Tustin and its founders are Domonic and Robert Keifer, a couple with gluten sensitivities who wanted to share their love of craft beers with like-minded drinkers. All the brews are gluten free, with stouts, IPAs, a pilsner and more.

Sessions, the surf themed sandwich shop, which landed at Macy’s Fashion Island in 2019, will replace Wolfgang Puck Bistro at Macy’s South Coast Plaza, and add another location, not in partnership with Macy’s, at The Shops at Mission Viejo in May. Seen here, the Summer Zephyr sandwich. (Courtesy of Sessions West Coast Deli)

Surfer sammies go uptown

When Sessions West Coast Deli opened at Macy’s Fashion Island in 2019 it was an eye opener. But now the surf-themed sandwich maker seems to have the mall market cornered. It will open in Macy’s South Coast Plaza in June and in The Shops at Mission Viejo in May. Anne Valdespino has more.

Salt & Straw’s ice cream cones include this double scoop with Strawberry Honey Balsamic with Black Pepper on top and Salted, Malted, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough on bottom.(Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Scoop on a new scoop shop

Salt & Straw will open a second OC location this summer on Westcliff Drive in Newport Beach. The scoop shop founded in Portland will bring its innovative flavors to an area that’s already filled with popular restaurants and gourmet boutiques.

Qué Vida Tacos in Huntington Beach specializes in regional Mexican dishes. (Courtesy of Qué Vida Tacos)

Super Mex makeover

Bryan Bradford gave a former Super Mex location in Huntington Beach a nearly $1 million makeover for his Qué Vida Tacos, which opened late last year. Get ready for cochinita pibil of the Yucatán, Michoacán carnitas, and birria from Jalisco.

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Roasted carrots have an earthy flavor profile that pairs nicely with fish, such as a grilled turbot (or halibut). (Photo by David Loftus)

Roasted carrots have become one of Cathy Thomas’ go-to ingredients. The earthy taste pairs nicely with fish, too. Here’s how to make them.

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The Eat Index: Conchinita pibil’s time has come; Salt & Straw coming to Newport - OCRegister
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