As spring officially arrives with longer daylight hours, Southern California restaurants offered an exciting array of new and returning favorites across Los Angeles, Orange County, and the Inland Empire this March. Our reporters sampled everything from seasonal park offerings to refined multi-course meals, providing a guide for local dining adventures.

Theme Park Innovations and Coastal Cuisine

Pym’s Test Kitchen: A Marvelous Grilled Cheese

At Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, Pym’s Test Kitchen featured the new Spinach and Artichoke Grilled Cheese. This item transforms the classic dip into a gooey, flavorful sandwich, making it a highly recommended seasonal addition.

A notable feature of this grilled cheese is the layer of crispy, shredded cheese added to the exterior toast. While theme park booths often showcase experimental foods, this offering is worth seeking out on your next visit to the Anaheim park.

Costa Mesa Omakase Excellence

In Costa Mesa, chef-cofounder Shimpei Shinohara is delivering spectacular results at his dual-concept restaurant. The 16-course omakase included technical highlights such as toro tartare topped with dashi-marinated ikura.

Another impressive creation was the cold-smoked snapper, which Shinohara dubs “ocean bacon.” Complementing the savory offerings is the zero-proof Ms. Wednesday, an anima-themed cocktail featuring Japanese citrus and togarashi, making the space a romantic destination.

Inland Empire Favorites and Pasta Perfection

Pinwheel Pasta’s Authentic Italian Speed

Pinwheel Pasta in Rancho Cucamonga has rapidly become a local favorite for its quick service and authentic Italian flavors. Everything served comes with their signature, delicious housemade focaccia bread.

On a recent visit, reporters enjoyed the massive Chicken Parmesan alongside a fresh Burrata and Tomato Salad—a perfect pairing. The menu rotation keeps things interesting, solidifying Pinwheel Pasta as a reliable choice for dining in or taking out.

The Kroft’s Global Comfort Fusion

The Kroft, which expanded beyond its original Anaheim location, excels at blending regional dishes, such as its unique take on poutine. A standout fusion item is the Birria Egg Rolls, inspired by Asian and Mexican flavors.

These two-piece egg rolls are served with a side of consommé for dipping, which softens the crunchy wrapper and complements the tender beef inside. The wrapper itself is light, allowing the birria flavor to shine through without overpowering it.

Refined Dining and Convenient Classics

A Textural Masterpiece at a Top Eatery

One acclaimed establishment continued to astound diners during a recent birthday celebration. Among several rich dishes, the standout was the emerald-hued, two-sheet Lasagne.

This dish featured leeks, broccolini, and a creamy ricotta bechamel layered between heirloom bloomsdale spinach pasta sheets. The slightly browned, crisped edges provided a textural thrill, enhanced by speckled roe adding pops of umami.

Pasta Viva’s Convenient 'Blizzard' in Irvine

Pasta Viva in Irvine offers a convenient, affordable alternative to fresh cheese wheel pasta, located conveniently near John Wayne Airport. The Blizzard pasta is a popular vegetarian option featuring Alfredo sauce, roasted garlic, and Parmesan cheese.

This dish possessed a refreshing hint of lemon, making it ideal for the spring season. Staff at the venue are noted for being incredibly friendly, and the location has a vibe reminiscent of a food hall eatery.

Elevated Comfort at The Kroft (Second Mention)

Exploring the expanded protein-first eatery, the original burger was sampled. The Wagyu Smash Burger includes two thin wagyu patties, American cheese, grilled onions, pickles, and secret sauce on a brioche bun.

Paired with garlic truffle fries, the burger was decadent, as the thin patties melted perfectly together under the cheese. The light toasting of the bun avoided the overly crisp texture sometimes found in banh mi sandwiches.

International Flavors and Local Produce

Vibrant Offerings at El Patron Shinola

El Patron Shinola, situated on the border of Upland and Montclair, impressed with its fresh seafood and cocktails. A recent visit focused on ceviche, ordering both the Tropical Ceviche (shrimp, mango, pineapple in hibiscus sauce) and the Vegan Kiwi Ceviche.

Both ceviches were surprisingly delicious, with the vegan version featuring kiwi and cucumber in a citrus-green sauce. A margarita flight featuring watermelon, strawberry, mango, and lime was also enjoyed.

Sweet Endings at The Three Stags

While The Three Stags in Redlands is known for St. Patrick’s Day fare, they also offer tempting desserts. The March special was an Orange Cake and Marmalade.

This olive oil cake incorporated locally picked Cara Cara navel oranges and blood oranges. It was served alongside house marmalade and vanilla crème anglaise, providing a terrific conclusion to a meal.

Campesino Cafe’s Agri-Excellence

Spring is the perfect time to enjoy dishes made with newly budding produce near The Ecology Center. The Brassica and Grains dish at Campesino Cafe exemplifies California’s agricultural quality.

This flavorful plate combined buckwheat, quinoa, broccolini, and cauliflower, brightened by orange, agave vinaigrette, and fresh herbs. This was sampled after picking up the center’s house-canned strawberry jam.

Koreatown Anniversary Splurge

For a fourth wedding anniversary in March, a couple traveled from the Inland Empire to Koreatown, Los Angeles, for a splurge meal. Among the highlights of the fusion meal was the Mushroom Bibimbap.

This dish featured mixed rice and vegetables, shiitake and enoki mushrooms, an egg topping, and gochujang sauce. Another standout was the Zabuton, a charcoal-cooked wagyu steak served medium rare with chives and onions.