Snacking In The Parks: New Menu at Cocina Cucamonga in DCA

Time for another edition of Snacking In The Parks! This time around I take a look at the new menu for Cocina Cucamonga in the Pacific Wharf at Disney California Adventure Park.

Above is a look at the new menu. Literally everything is new and everything sounds amazing! I had a difficult time making a choice! The main items are street tacos and bowls and you can choose from four different proteins! Plus, they have salads and a new marinated chicken! They will also have a seasonal margarita flavor and two different Aguas Frescas!

I decided on a Cocina Bowl with al pastor! In the bowl you get pineapple achiote-marinated pork, cilantro-lime rice, epazote black beans, queso fresco, roasted corn, cucumber-tomato slaw and cilantro. All of the flavors blend together seemlessly and it is a rather large portion! Fresh and flavorful, this will be an item I order again!

I also ordered one of the aguas frescas they offer. This is the mango one. The other offering is the seasonal offering, which right now is a watermelon one. The mango one was sweet and refreshing!

To finish my meal, I ordered an ensalada de frutas! A seasonal fruit selection of mango, pineapple and watermelon with chamoy and chili-lime salt! A perfect way to end the meal!

I cannot wait to try more of this exciting new menu!

Who Song and Larry's Awesome Sunday Brunch in Orange

My buddy Drew and I are making Sunday Brunch a monthly habit that we should just call ourselves the Brunch Guys! So this time we are at Who Song and Larry's in Orange. Let's see if this brunch should be a must-do on your list.

Starting with the photo above, the elote is a great sign we are in for an amazing brunch! The elote has several seasoning options but I went with the dunk in the bucket of butter, cheese and tajin!

There is a taco bar and there are three tasty options to choose from. You can get carnitas, smoked chicken or steak and bacon tacos. All three are amazing! My favorite is the steak and bacon as the steak is tender and blends well with the saltiness of the bacon.

There is also bottomless mimosas. The staff does an amazing job making sure your glass stays topped off.

There is a waffle bar and a carving station. The carving station has melt in your mouth tri-tip and two kinds of sausages.

There is also a wafflette bar where they make omelettes in a waffle maker. These wafflettes are large and can easily feed two people.

There is also a central station with all sorts of amazing dishes including garlic butter pasta, mahi mahi, sausages and more.

There is a seafood station with peel and eat shrimp, ceviche and oysters.

For an extra $9 you can get a glass of Grey Goose and head to the build-your-own bloody mary bar. So many options to make your perfect bloody mary.

Here is my creation. I think I went a little too heavy on the spices though.

It was time to make our way to dessert. The chocolate fountain has your usual marshmallows, rice krispie treats and strawberries, but they also add bacon. That's right you can make your own chocolate covered bacon.

The other dessert options include flan, fudge and pie. such a great way to wind down from all of the other food options.

And I didn't even get to the burrito bar, the menudo, the pozole and the chicharones.

Sunday Brunch is an amazing experience! Dare I say too many food options and amazing service make this a must for Sunday Brunch. Plus, they start at 9am if you want to get an early start with no crowds and take your time eating and drinking.

Brunch is $29.99 for adults and $12.50 for kids 12 and under.

To learn more check out their site:

whosongandlarrys.com

Celebrating Avila's El Ranchito 50th Anniversary

This year Avila's El Ranchito celebrates its 50th Anniversary. From it's first location in Huntington Park, they have since expanded to 13 locations. Sasaki Time was proud to be invited to join in on the celebration.

We started with the signature margarita that is pictured above. It was the smoothest margarita I ever had.

Time for some carnitas tacos and cheese quesadillas.

So many options to top off my food.

A refreshing watermelon margarita.

The delicious Coctel de Camarones combines tender shrimp, fresh squeezed lime juice, cilantro and avocado in a "coctel" that you will quickly want more of.

The carnitas are perfectly cooked with the outside nice and crisp and the inside being juicy and moist.

A jalapeno margarita was up next and it was smooth and spicy.

Look at the portion size of the rib eye steak. Perfectly cooked to a medium rare and those onions put this dish over the top.

And a final round of tequila shots to end the evening. Thank you to the entire Avila Family for making us feel just like a part of your family!

To learn more about Avila's El Ranchito and to find a location near you, check out their site:

avilaselranchito.com

Sasaki Time's Zocalo (Roseville, CA) Restaurant Review

My friend Carrie took me to one of her favorite restaurants in the Roseville area in Northern California.

I love that the tortilla chips come with both fresh salsa as well as black beans. I love chips and salsa and could eat these all day. The chips are huge and crisp and that salsa has just the right amount of kick. The black beans is a welcomed addition and go well with the salsa or just by itself to dip the chips in.

Carrie ordered her favorite, the Americanos. These are tacos that have braised chicken, crispy tortillas, shredded lettuce, salsa ranchera, jack cheese, tomato, house hot sauce, cotija and sour cream!

As you can see the dish is complete with cilantro lime rice, black beans and a seasonal salad. Everything is fresh and locally produced.

I went wit the tacos de cazuela! Check out this amazing dish! You can choose between steak or chicken. I went with the steak! The steak is then sauteed with house chorizo, onions, mushrooms and queso baked and served casserole-style.

The flavors here are unbelievable. This dish is the best parts of tacos and a stew! It's so rich and hearty and all the flavors really come together! This is a must try dish!

If you are looking for a great place for fresh Mexican food, then look no further! A great location with a great staff are all waiting for you!

Address:

• 1182 Roseville Pkwy
  Ste 110
• Roseville 95678

Giveaway: Del Real Foods Summer Party In A Box!!!

The “Summer Party In A Box” features Del Real highlights like carnitas, tamales and the newest delicious addition: pork al pastor pupusas. The Party In A Box will also include a Del Real cooler roller bag and water bottle. It’ll make for a great summer picnic.

This giveaway is only for residents in the U.S.

About Del Real Foods:

Founded in 2003 and headquartered in California, Del Real Foods is a family business committed to preserving the rich gastronomy and traditions of Central Mexico. Designed to satisfy all palates and promote healthy eating, Del Real Foods refrigerated products offer authentic taste, using the freshest, locally sourced ingredients and cooked with traditional methods for an enhanced dining experience among family and friends.

Del Real Foods refrigerated products include carnitas, barbacoa, tamales, seasoned shredded beef, shredded chicken and more.

Del Real Foods products are based on the following pillars:

·       Authenticity: the family strives to create deliciously simple products based on traditional recipes infused with Mexican culture and bold colors. Prepared in an industrial, home kitchen, the products will provide comfort and familiarity.

·       Healthy People: cooked with a safe open-kettle method, the products are made with the freshest, ingredients, most of which are locally sourced. Once prepared, they are ready to enjoy. The products are also gluten free and do not contain any trans fats.

·       Healthy planet and better communities: the company has adopted sustainable initiatives including wastewater management and recycling to help the environment. Del Real Foods has also sponsored local sporting events and made donations to local communities to contribute to their improvement.

For more information, visit: http://www.delrealfoods.com/

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Del Real Foods Blogger and Cinco De Mayo Event!

The Cardenas Family, owners of Del Real Foods, hosted an amazing event at their beautiful home the other day for local area bloggers that have supported them in the past year. Sasaki Time was invited and I took my friend Kristen with me to enjoy an afternoon of fantastic food and a wonderful panel discussion on L.A.'s food culture.

When we arrived we went straight to the fresh aguas frescas of pineapple, horchata and cantaloupe.

Then the endless amount of food began! And the best part was that all of the dishes were made with Del Real Foods. Yes, the very same food you can buy in the freezer section of your grocery store!

The cheese tamale fritters.

Fish ceviche!

A perfect setting for amazing food and friends both old and new!

The party wouldn't be a party without a mariachi band!

Salvadoran panini, a pupusa filled with carnitas, sliced onion and cheese.

The fried pork carnitas! So flavorful and one of my favorites of the day!

After doing some serious eating it was time to head to a panel moderated by Latino Foodies co-editor Stephen Chavez. On the panel, from left to right, is Chef Gina Galvan from Chomp Chomp Nation, Tony Spatafora from Dish It Out! with Tony Spatafora and Chef Aaron Perez.

It was a great discussion of where food culture is in Los Angeles and where it is going.

Then it was back to eating! More ceviche!

Toasted mini torta filled with shredded chicken, jack cheese, avacado, refried beans, salsa roja, cilantro, onion, lettuce and tomato!

Mini sopas filled with frijoles refritos, beef barbacoa, shredded lettuce, crema, green molcajete salsa and queso fresco.

Memphis style glazed pork carnitas sliders with honey mustard slaw!

Oh and then there were the desserts! Amazing fruit tarts!

A pineapple sponge cake with coconut topping.

A chocolate espresso cake.

Chocolate covered strawberries!

Red velvet cake!

Mini cheesecake bites!

Mini carrot cake slices!

White chocolate covered strawberries!

So, an amazing afternoon and sadly it was time to head home but not without parting gifts!

These were the parting gifts! Even more amazing food to enjoy at home!

Thank you for welcoming us into your home Cardenas Family! We felt just like family!

To find out more check out Del Real Foods at:
http://www.delrealfoods.com/