Limelight Java Coffee House

Drinking ice blended mocha after hiking under the sun, how cool is that?

Limelight Java Coffee House is a café that I came across when my husband, his friend and I went for hiking. We intended to go hiking at Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park, a hiking trail that is located in Foothill Ranch, California. It is highlighted by rock formations, creeks and single-track trails that is good for hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians. Since the park is wild, there are wild animals, such as mountain lions and rattle snakes, living in that area. So, you are at your own risk when hiking in that area. However, do not be afraid, since there are a lot of people (adults and kids) hiking in the park.

After we parked our car and walked towards the parking ticket machine, we realized that we did not have one dollar bills. We decided to visit a small café that next to the park’s entrance. My first impression on the café is neutral. It might be because I was not in the mood to look around the café since my mind was busy thinking about mountain lions. Our friend bought a bottle of apple juice and got some changes to pay parking fee, we left the café and promised to go back if we need cold drink for our body.

After walking for 1 hour and 20 minutes in Southern California hot weather, up and down the trail, crossing the small creeks, plus feeling scared of mountain lions and rattle snakes (only I felt that, not those two guys!!), we happily ended our hiking. As promised, we went to the café for cooling down.

Since it was the first time we went to the café, I decided to order a large ice blended mocha for me and my husband. The drink was surprisingly delicious. It was blended smoothly and a taste of dark chocolate was dominant. It’s hard to imagine that the drink was from a tiny little unknown café. If you have a blind test, you would guess it was from a famous café. It was presented nicely with chocolate syrup swirled inside the plastic cup. The drinks are reasonably priced. For my large ice blended mocha, I paid $ 3.45.

The place itself is cozy, clean and colorful. Typical of a small café, it sells coffee, smoothie, juice with or without boba (chewy dark brown tapioca balls or pearls), bottled beverages, cakes and memorabilia.

In my opinion, its ice blended mocha is delicious. Come and give it a shot !!

Royal Donuts and Burgers

This time, I decided to try a small burger restaurant that is located at Jeronimo and Marguerite, Mission Viejo. Every time we pass the place, I have kept telling my husband that one day I should go there. However, we did not go there with a lot of reasons until that afternoon.

After we parked our car, we went inside the restaurant and found that the restaurant is an interesting place. Menus in the restaurant is relatively the same with other fast food restaurants; different kind of burgers such as double burger, cheese burger, ¼ pound burger, of course french fries (who can eat burger without french fries?) and soft drinks. The restaurant provides Thai tea (believe me, it is delicious), ice blended drinks, Icee and doughnuts that make the place different from regular fast food chain.

The restaurant is small compared to In-N-Out Burger or McDonald. However, it has enough room for tables and chairs for approximately 8 to 10 people to sit and enjoy their food. It provides one or two pinball machines for customers who want to play. Although, it has tables and games, there is still enough room for lining up and looking at doughnut displays.

My husband was amazed with the hospitality of the restaurant owners. They welcomed us warmly and took our order calmly since there is no long line as in regular chain fast food joints. They chatted with other customers who seems to be regulars.

We ordered two double burgers with two large French Fries that costed us $ 12.50. The size of burger is bigger than McDonald’s or In-N-Out. I think the burgers are “homemade”. It was delicious.

My husband said if they split the mayo on both sides of the bun, not only on one side, it would be much better because the lower bun would not be soggy.

The French Fries is tasty and made of real potatoes. I do not know why the Fries reminded me of my mom’s Fries. Probably because of the way they cut the potatoes in not so tiny pieces.

In my opinion, this burger is worth trying. It has a different flavor, style and the most important thing, it is delicious!

Phone: (949) 837-3909

Address: 24501 Marguerite Pkwy # 5, Mission Viejo, CA

Noodle Avenue, where you can find Crispy Duck with noodle soup

Have you tried Crispy Duck over steam rice? It is common. Almost all Chinese restaurants or Vietnamese have the food on their menu.

How about Crispy Duck with noodle soup? You might find it only in Noodle Avenue, an Asian cuisine restaurant that is located in Drug Emporium Plaza at Red Hill Avenue, Tustin, California. The food price in the restaurant is relatively not expensive. The price range of the food per portion is between $ 4.75 to 6.50. There is one food in the restaurant that is “expensive”; it is the house brown duck. The price of the food is $.9.50 for half a duck and $ 5.25 for a quarter of a duck. My husband introduced to the restaurant by his colleague. He brought me there since he knows I love noodle.

The restaurant’s menu is dominated by noodles; stir fried or soup. You could choose one type of noodle from four available kinds; thick white noodle, thin white noodle, thin yellow noodle and udon noodle.

I like thin yellow noodle for my soup and thick white noodle stir fried. However, if you prefer steam rice to noodle, you could choose its signature dishes which are served over steamed rice. Besides the main courses, there are seven appetizers that can boost up your appetite; fried fish patty, cream cheese wontons, egg rolls, fried shrimp balls, fried crab balls, house brown duck and edamame with affordable price.

The second time I went there (two Saturdays in a row), I ordered the crispy duck noodle with thin yellow noodle and seafood stir fried noodle with thick white noodle for my husband. I know that it was a crazy to order a hot soup in summer time because the hot fluid from the soup can increase your body heat. But thanks to the restaurant air conditioning I can enjoy one of the most appealing menu items.

I could not believe that taste of the food in the restaurant were so delicious. As an example, the crispy duck noodle soup that I ordered makes a good combination since both foods has their own taste. The soups’ taste is a quite similar with a regular Vietnamese soup; light brown color of broth with rich flavor and spring onion as a garnish. There is a plate of bean sprouts that you can add into your soup. The crispy duck tastes delicious, crispy and not too greasy as other deep fried food. The duck’s meat can be pulled easily from its bone and perfectly cooked.

The seafood stir fried noodle that my husband ordered was tasty with generous portion of seafood considering its price of $ 6.50. The thick white noodles turned brown as it is mixed with sweet soy sauce.

The portion of the food is not gigantic; it is full filling your stomach without make you nauseated or overstuffed.

The restaurant is managed like a fast food style restaurant. There is a condiment bar that provided for customers with soy sauce, chilly sauces, napkins, toothpicks, and completed with small plates for the sauces. You can refill your soft drink or water if you like. There is also a big basket with full of Chinese fortune cookies that you can take after you eat.

The restaurant itself is clean, simple and brings pleasant atmosphere with some oriental ornaments hung on the walls. The dark brown tables and chairs are managed tidily and nicely.

In my opinion: Two thumbs up for Noodle Avenue.

Phone: 714-505-9070

Address : 13816 Red Hill avenue

Tustin, CA 92780

U.S.A.