The Mayor’s Table Pacific Pub & Kitchen has opened in Newport Beach inside the new Lido House hotel, which was built on the site that was previously city hall. The menu includes poached turbot and warm lobster lettuce cups. Brunch is also offered. 3300 Newport Blvd., Newport Beach, CA 92663
A new Spanish restaurant and tapas bar called Pan Y Vino has opened in Newport Beach. Featured dishes include a embutido sampler plate made from Iberico pigs, tapas such as croquetas and octopus marinated in olive oil. 704 E Balboa Blvd., Newport Beach, CA 92661
Panhouse, a build-your-own bowl Asian restaurant, has opened in Orange. Bowls are constructed from white, brown, or oat rice, which are steamed or fried. Proteins included chicken, deep fried chicken, tofu, beef, sweet beef, spicy pork, or spicy raw tuna. 1632 E Katella Ave. Ste A, Orange, CA 92867
Ground House, a new burger joint has opened in Irvine at TRADE. It replaces Pig Pen Delicacy. 2222 Michelson Dr., Irvine, CA 92612
A new Chinese hot pot restaurant called Spice Palace has opened in Irvine’s Northpark Plaza. The usual assortment of meats for boiling are offered a la carte, but also the unusual such as pork brain, frog, and goose intestines. 3967 Irvine Blvd., Irvine, CA 92602
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.