A cajun crab boil joint called La Crab has opened in Irvine. Shrimp, clams, and other shellfish are sold and steamed by the pound with your choice of seasoning. 4800 Irvine Blvd, Irvine, CA 92620
A new Chinese hot pot restaurant called Jiouding Hot Pot has opened in Tustin. The restaurant offers five base soups and al carte meats, seafood and offal. 1052 Walnut Ave, Tustin, CA 92780
Woodfire Kabob has opened in Laguna Hills. Persian specialties such as koobideh are served as well as burgers and wraps. 24155 Laguna Hills Mall, Ste 1055, Laguna Hills, CA 92653
Chef Greg Daniels has opened Harley in the space that was formerly Ryan Adams’ Three Seventy Common. 370 Glenneyre St, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
A new pho restaurant called Pho Tho has opened in Garden Grove. On the menu is beef-based pho but also a chicken one. Rice plates and egg noodle soups are served as well. 9738 Westminster Blvd, Ste 102, Garden Grove, CA 92844
Before becoming an award-winning restaurant critic for OC Weekly in 2007, Edwin Goei went by the alias “elmomonster” on his blog Monster Munching, in which he once wrote a whole review in haiku.