The Loft @ Montage Resort & Spa

Orange County Restaurant Week: Gotta Love it!

So I visited the Montage Resort & Spa located in Laguna Beach to try their prefix lunch at The Loft. I've heard very good things about The Loft. For a $20 prefix lunch, I ate:

for Starter: BRAISED LAUGHING BIRD SHRIMP-heirloom spinach and garden herbs, winter citrus vinaigrette

for Entree: MAPLE-GLAZED SONOMA CHICKEN SANDWICH-wild arugula and aged gouda, local tomato marmalade


for Dessert: GERMAN CHOCOLATE CAKE- coconut jam, chocolate pecan salad, praline nut ice cream

YUM YUM and more YUM.

I was able to spend a nice day enjoying the beautiful ocean view with 5 star service and delectable 3 course meal for under $30 (including tip & tax).

Bookstores

I love visiting the nearest bookstores just to read and browse the wide selection of books that they have.

The reasons why I like bookstores better than the library are:

1. They carry the newest selections of books.
2. I can buy and drink a nice cup of hot coffee or tea.
3. I don't get scolded for talking too loud or being on my cell phone.

The bookstores that I usually visit are Barnes & Nobles or Borders.

Trader Joe's

Oh how I love thee...Trader Joe's. I buy majority of my grocery at Trader Joe's. I've been a faithful fan since 2001, since I moved to the OC.

Reasons why Trader Joe is the best:

1. Cheap. I've compared some of the vegetables and other products to major grocery stores and TJ is usually 10% or more cheaper.
2. Healthy. They have great organic, whole wheat, low fat food that I enjoy weekly.
3. Delicious. From fresh to frozen their food is yummy! I haven't been disappointed yet.

For the price and the quality, it really can't be beat!

Check out their website and the closest store near you: TJ

**Last night I shared meal that was less than $10 for 2 people! Tuna Steak ($5), bowl of broccoli ($2), and pasta ($1.5). How can you resist TJ? I sure can't~ ;)

Orange County Restaurant Week Coming Soon!

Unite all foodies! Whenever I have an opportunity to try new restaurants especially at bargain prices, I am the first in line.

Orange County Restaurant Week is coming! February 22 to 28th. Take an advantage of their pre-fix menus at great prices for normally very expensive restaurants such as The Loft at the Montage. They range from $20 to $40.

Last month, I had the pleasure of reviewing several Newport Beach restaurants during their restaurant week. My favorite was Buddha's Favorite dinner prefix menu that was only $20!

• Sage
• Baja Tacos
• Buddha's Favorite
• Zov's

HOBBIES

If you are like me, you like to learn something new every year, every month, or even every week!

For the past 7 plus years I have lived in OC, I have taken over 10 lessons and classes to quench that learning itch. Some of them include:

Pottery
Painting
Salsa
Ballroom
Guitar
Golf
Surf
Drawing
Photography
Swing

So where can you get lessons for cheap? For the most flexible schedule and lowest prices, the best place to look is your local community center. The classes are usually held on weekends & evenings, and because they are group lessons, it is cheaper than private lessons. Last summer, I took surfing lessons thru the Newport Beach Community. My lessons were every Saturday for 6 weeks for 3 hour lessons. I had the best time swimming, surfing, and enjoying the california sun.

Here are some resources:

City of Irvine Classes

City of Newport beach Classes

City of Hungting beach Classes

Hello OC peeps!

Welcome to my website: the fabulous frugal OC life!

This blog is about finding cheap and fun things to do in & around Orange County. I have been living in the OC since 2001 and I have filled my days with something new every chance I get. I am passionate about food, travel, photography, and adventure! I am also notorious for traveling to new places, learning a new hobby every year, and trying new restaurants by living within my means. Here you will find inspiration to explore Orange County on your own. Enjoy reading and happy living!

Love,
TK