BlogCrush on Zovs

Thursday night I met up with some of my favorite OC bloggers at Zovs in Irvine. As a group of bloggers we often get the chance to try out new restaurants, sample menu items and meet head chefs, I always look forward to getting in a little food photo time when I go to these things.

We’ve been to Haven Gastropub (Orange Circle) where I had my first Beer Float (yep beer and ice cream, soooo GOOD) and a Russian Mule (ginger beer and vodka). Gastropub images: Marcie Taylor

There was also Blog Up, where we had the chance to get in touch with our inner beetnik and test the open mic with a little reading from our blogs, berets optional.

It was BYOB … so I LITERALLY brought my own bubbly.

Next up Lazy Dog Cafe and then Z’Tejas all of these events leading up to the annual  BlogCrush Ball over the summer.

Things have been busy for the OC crushers and after a couple cancellations in the fall we were finally able to get another meet up on the calendar. This time we were in my neighborhood at one of MY favorite restaurants, Zovs. Chef Zov Karamardian, the Zov in Zov’s Bistro and Bakery is the owner of now three successful restaurants here in Orange County. She opened her first restaurant back in 1987 with a $73,000 dollar loan from her mother, with one stipulation from her mother, her mom told her,

“Cook what you know, then elaborate if you want.”

Zov stuck with what she does best, Mediterranean and more than 20 years later she’s up to 3 restaurants and a very successful catering business.

My husband, a long time resident of Tustin first introduced me back in the nineties and we haven’t stopped going for almost twenty years so I have a true crush on Zov and her cooking. When our son was small Zov’s husband Gary would always pass him a sugar cookie behind his back to him, this was the one time it was OK to have a cookie before dinner, why not.

I was actually kinda shocked that some of the OC Blog Crushers had never been to one of her restaurants! ‘Oh the injustice’ I thought.  If you haven’t gone either, let me tell you, you are missing the best Babaganoush and pastry case this side of Orange County. It does not disappoint. Note the full bakery is only at the 17th Street location.

my top pic: Toasted Coconut and Zucchini muffin -or- the Bread Pudding

hubby’s pic: Chocolate flourless cake

13 yr old: Chocolate dipped krispy treats

4 yr old: Chocolate bomb (the most popular dessert on the menu)

I wrote about Zovs search for the BEST Eggplant recipe last May and I have always wanted to feature one of my favorite recipes from her first cookbook, Golden Lentil Soup. Its’ my my comfort food, that and their yeasty rolls with sweet butter… put a fork in me I’m d-o-n-e. She now has a SECOND cookbook Simply Zov– Rustic Classics with a Mediterranean twist and guess what? I got her to sign mine the other night.

The cookbook is huge and filled with gorgeous photographs of her signature dishes. I’m sitting her thumbing through it tummy rumbling, oh what to make first?

Had a great time that evening catching up with so many bloggers, I can’t tell how great it felt to be here a year later still blogging! I mean you never know, what your blog will lead you to and for many it become a burden and the inevitable blog abandonment. For me it has brought me in touch with so many talented people who have let me glean knowledge from their experience and expertise. I have watched some local bloggers go on to be syndicated columnists and authors (I’m looking at you Jo) who are have shown that finding your audience coupled with a strong set of writing skills will move you light years ahead of the pack in attaining personal success. I’m always happy just rubbing elbows with everyone hoping to capture a little blogging mojo by osmosis.

For more information about joining us at future events visit the OC BlogCrush Facebook Page.

See you at the next Blog Crush!