Brad A. Johnson
O.C. Register
Southern California, CA, United States
Contact Brad
Discover and connect with journalists and influencers around the world, save time on email research, monitor the news, and more.
| Recent: |
|
| Past: |
|
Past articles by Brad:
Restaurant critic Brad A. Johnson says farewell
Critic Brad A. Johnson says this is not an easy job to give up, but after 10 years it’s time to return his tray table to its upright position. → Read More
These are the 20 best pizzerias in Orange County in 2022
Critic Brad A. Johnson says there’s just no excuse for eating mediocre pizza when all these excellent pizzerias exist. → Read More
Short order: This is the hottest restaurant in OC’S Little Saigon right now
Critic Brad A. Johnson says you’ll probably have to stand in line, even at 3 p.m. on a weekday, but it’ll be worth the wait. Just cross your fingers they don’t run out of banh mi before you can ord… → Read More
Best thing I ate: This chile relleno in San Clemente is worth the wait
Critic Brad A. Johnson says this new Mexican restaurant is very, very slow, but the food is delicious. → Read More
Short Order: Fountain Valley’s new Ini Ristorante is Italian in spirit but Japanese at heart
Critic Brad A. Johnson says you’ll eat very well at Ini, but you’ll need to let go of any strongly held feelings about Italian cuisine and tradition. → Read More
Restaurant Review: South Coast Plaza’s Populaire rewrites the French bistro playbook – Orange County Register
Critic Brad A. Johnson says yet another French restaurant has opened at South Coast Plaza, and it’s unlike anything else in the region. → Read More
Short Order: The new El Coyotito is the same, but different
Critic Brad A. Johnson says the new El Coyotito Mexican restaurant in Orange differs a lot from the original El Coyotito in San Juan Capistrano, but the recipes and hospitality are exactly the same… → Read More
Burger of the month: A great lamb burger in Laguna Beach’s Arts District
Critic Brad A. Johnson says the lamb burger at Zéytoon comes with a side of sunshine and an ocean breeze. → Read More
Critic’s Notebook: Chocolate cake in a jar is my latest obsession
Critic Brad A. Johnson says you might want to stock your fridge with these super-easy flourless chocolate cakes in a jar from a restaurant in Costa Mesa. → Read More
Review: These are the 10 best bakeries in Orange County
Critic Brad A. Johnson scoured the county in search of the top European-style bakeries. Mission accomplished. → Read More
Best thing I ate: This charcoal-fired chicken will disrupt your dinner routine
Critic Brad A. Johnson says the Australian-Mediterranean style grilled chicken at The Chicken Shop is very, very good. → Read More
Review: Outer Reef is the best restaurant to open in Dana Point in years
Critic Brad A. Johnson says the dining room looks familiar but make no mistake: Chef John Tesar’s elegant cooking stands apart from anything else in south county at the moment. → Read More
Best thing I ate: This bagel and lox could become a habit
Critic Brad A. Johnson says this new artisanal bagel shop in Costa Mesa is next level. → Read More
Review: Move over pho, it’s banh canh’s time to shine
Short Order: Critic Brad A. Johnson says he’s fallen in love with the tapioca noodle soup at the new A&B Seafood in Little Saigon. → Read More
Critic’s Notebook: Rekindling my relationship with fried shrimp at Izakaya Ichie in Buena Park
Critic Brad A. Johnson says fried shrimp have long been a guilty pleasure, even though it’s a food that was initially introduced under traumatizing circumstances. → Read More
Best thing I ate: Minimalist donuts in downtown Brea
Critic Brad A. Johnson says the most exotic flavor at this new donut shop is sprinkles, and he’s perfectly OK with that. → Read More
Burger of the month: Blue cheese, maple bacon and the sweet smell of the high life
Critic Brad A. Johnson says the blue-cheese steakhouse burger at A Crystal Cove feels like a warm embrace from a favorite rich aunt, and all the better if she’s paying. → Read More
Review: At Taco Chico in Tustin, start with a sandwich
Critic Brad A. Johnson says this new taqueria in Tustin makes a Puebla-style cemita unlike anything else he’s found in Orange County. → Read More
Critic’s Notebook: My terrible, horrible, no good, very bad week of dining in O.C.
Critic Brad A. Johnson says the routine of a restaurant critic isn’t always as glamorous as it sounds. Cue the tiny violins. → Read More
Review: 4 new pizzerias add diversity to Orange County’s already hot pizza scene
Critic Brad A. Johnson says these newcomers raise the bar for New York and Detroit style pizzas in OC. → Read More