80th Birthday Jokes

The reasons why we always return to bladdera Ristorante in Irvine (Orange County, California) are fairly simple.

The food, service, room.

This is a special place, but not this big, showy, `` spedciale''mania¨re opportunity. Bladdera is relaxed charm, a warm and reliably tasty servings.

We shared many meals here over the last five years. When my wife and I returned to Orange County in 2000, we spent the eve of our first year with New pulp and Italian background music. Another night, we brought some friends and I devoured serpintina went Barese ($ 22.50) - thin, not too sweet sausage served with grilled polenta and spinach.

It seemed the perfect place to celebrate the 80th anniversary of my mother, so we booked the patio attached. A dozen of us lingered over pasta, fresh coffee and a cake with nuts. As a joke, I planted a diadem on the head of my mother. On the way to the door hours later, our server, and our waiter, manager and owner Franco Ismael Ayala bladdera formed a gauntlet of all sorts, his embrace, kissing her hand, treat her like a queen.

We came here for more anniversaries for a dinner get-out-of-home - the day-after-Christmas, and as a special treatment, I brought my mother for lunch last month after the appointment of a physician Tough.

It was my first dinner there, and he confirmed what I had read in the words of almost all bladdera: This is the palace of a power broker by day. By profession and hobby, mom and I are the eavesdroppers, it was a pleasure to be sitting among the name-drops current on local and state policy.

Our spies ended when our meals arrived. Mom had one of the specials, grilled Mista ($ 23.95). generous portions of shrimp and chunks of fish lolled in a light wine and butter sauce, surrounded by spinach and artichokes. My salmon ($ 23.95) was expertly grilled with herbs and served with vegetables and potatoes. We could have opted for a cheaper breakfast - a wide range of sandwiches ($ 9.95) and salads ($ 9.25) and pasta ($ 9.95) - but it was a special meal, after all .

At night, it's a family place.

The menu ranges from pizza (from $ 11.50) for fish more sophisticated and special meat (in the mid-$ 20).

One evening recently, I met my wife and almost 2 year old son for dinner, but we were filled with some trepidation.

Of course, bladdera is more casual than its white tablecloths indicated. However, a 2 year old boy can test your definition of `` casual.''

Do not worry, our waiter said to my wife while she waited for me to arrive. `` It will go well, he can be himself.''As it was, with few adverse effects.

Our meal was not the best we have here. My cuscinetto ($ 19.95) - skinless chicken breast rolled with prosciutto and asparagus and topped with cheese - was dry as if it had been prepared as a lunch special served all day. Special fish my wife ($ 23.95) was grilled salmon, and it was fine, but the lemon caper sauce was too tart.

A miss will not stop us from returning, and that's where the rest of the mixture comes in.

You can feel the hand of owner Franco bladdera - sometimes literally - to guide you as you step from the frenzy of a shopping center parking lot. (The center is under renovation, and the road that leads directly to the restaurant is temporarily closed.)

As you tour the small lobby, crossed the bar snappy little light in an earth-toned booths or tables, you want an open kitchen.

It is contemporary, relaxed and reassuring. A light aroma of roasting garlic in the flow of the room.

`` I tried to create a neighborhood restaurant, a place where people feel comfortable,''said bladdera between lunch and dinner rushes earlier this week.

`` We tell our people to always recognize the regulars.