A new Italian restaurant called Oliver’s Osteria has opened in the space that was formerly Ivory Restaurant & Lounge in Laguna Beach. The menu features pastas to risottos to meat and seafood dishes. 853 Laguna Canyon Rd, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Belgium Waffle Haus has opened in Laguna Niguel serving Belgian waffles and waffle sandwiches. An avocado waffle is also offered. 28241 Crown Valley Pkwy, Ste D, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
Aliso Viejo has a new sandwich shop called Urbane Cafe that bakes its focaccia bread in house. 26921 Aliso Creek Rd, Ste 2C & 2D, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
A new boba tea shop called Miss 6 Tea has opened in Fullerton. Fries, popcorn chicken, and tea eggs are also available. 229 E Commonwealth Ave, Ste E, Fullerton, CA 92832
El Fishawy, a new hookah joint and Egyptian restaurant, has opened in Old Town Tustin. Shish kabobs and traditional Egyptian food such as kibbeh are on the menu. 303 El Camino Real, Tustin, CA 92780
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.