The Best Eats in Orange County Honored

I don't know what it is about Orange County, but we love to vote on our favorite foods: whether it's the Orange County Register (Best Pizza Round Table? Really?!), or the OC Weekly, everyone has an opinion on the best places to eat. And now there's the Golden Foodie Awards.

Held for the first time on Sunday, the GFAs gave out golden statues to the best food Orange County has to offer. The awards were created by the Orange County Restaurant Association and handed out in a ceremony held at the Fairmont Newport Beach hotel.

Below is a rundown of the winners, provided by Golden Foodie Award winner Nancy Luna, who won for her online food column, "Fast Food Maven." 

Best Food Types

• Best Californian Cuisine: SeaLegs Wine Bar, Huntington Beach
• Best American Food: The Playground, Santa Ana
• Best Mexican Food: Javier's, Irvine and Newport Beach
• Best Mediterranean Food: Lucca Cafe, Irvine
• Best French Food: French 75, Laguna Beach
• Best Asian Food: AnQi by Crustacean, Costa Mesa
• Best Italian Food: Antonello Ristorante, Santa Ana
• Best Indian Food: Tamarind of London, Newport Beach
• Best Seafood: Bluewater Grill, Newport Beach and Tustin
• Best Vegetarian: 118 Degrees, Costa Mesa
• Best Food Truck: The Lime Truck

Best Foods

• Best Pizza: Il Dolce, Costa Mesa
• Best Burger: Crow Burger Kitchen, Newport Beach
• Best Taco: SOL Cocina, Newport Beach
• Best Sushi: Riptide Sushi, Mission Viejo
• Best Steak: The Ranch Restaurant, Anaheim

Best Restaurant Features

• Excellent Service, Casual Dining: Bruxie, (Rancho Santa Margarita, Orange, and Brea)
• Excellent Service, $15 and Up: Anaheim White House, Anaheim
• Best Beer Menu: TAPS Fish House & Brewery, Brea
• Best Wine List: The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar, Tustin
• Best Happy Hour: Brasserie Pascal, Newport Beach
• Best Cocktails: 320 Main, Seal Beach
• Most Delicious Dessert: Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen, Anaheim (Downtown Disney)

Golden Chef: Yvon Goetz, The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar
Golden Pastry Chef: Rachel Klemek of Blackmarket Bakery, Irvine