Barbara’s Bits and Bites: Ruby’s Dinette, The HUB, La Vida Cantina

In our quest to discover and rediscover fun places to eat, my little rescue dog Stasha and I recently found our way back to one of our favorites, Ruby’s Dinette, 428 E 17th St., Costa Mesa, now that it has reinstated full service.

Ruby’s went to a self-serve concept in September. I wasn’t a fan since it made it difficult to dine with your dog on the patio and order food inside.

Meeting with owner Doug Cavanaugh in November, I urged him to at least offer full service on the patio for those with furry friends in tow.

I was delighted when he emailed in February to say the entire restaurant was going back to full-service.

I guess it wasn’t just the doggy-dining crowd who’d moved on; Ruby’s regulars weren’t crazy about serving themselves either.

Stasha and I have made Ruby’s a regular stop again, and we’ve run into other’s who’ve returned, including Costa Mesa blogger Geoff West, Newport activist Jean Watt and Daily Pilot columnist Bruce Cook, just to name a few.

All were happy with the new changes — and the food.

One thing I have noticed is the new server staff is far more friendly and engaging, but I’d like to see some heaters on the patio.

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The HUB Kitchen and Tap

A new discovery was The HUB Kitchen and Tap at 1749 Newport Blvd in Costa Mesa. It has a great patio, complete with heaters, high-top tables and an indoor-outdoor bar.

“HUB Grub” items like street tacos with grilled fish served with lettuce, tomato onion and avocado, and cheese and tomatillo sauce, are tasty. They’re also offered with pork carnitas served with lettuce, avocado and pico de gallo, or battered shrimp tempura served with lettuce and mango salsa ($4 each).

Burgers include the Classic Angus with American cheese, HUB special sauce, lettuce, tomato and onion served on a brioche bun ($10).

I tried the Black and Blu burger with a Cajun spiced patty, creamy blue cheese crumbles, lettuce, tomato and onion served on a brioche bun ($12), and it was yummy.

They also offer a mushroom burger ($12) and California burger with cheddar cheese, Applewood smoked bacon, avocado, Hub special sauce, lettuce, tomato and onion served on a brioche bun ($13).

There’s also soups, salads, sandwiches and flat breads.

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La Vida Cantina

When Stasha and I had visitors from San Francisco who were in the mood for Mexican food, we decided to try the recently opened La Vida Cantina at The Triangle in Costa Mesa.

The patio is spacious, with thatched umbrella coverings, dining tables and a large outdoor bar.

I was really surprised when the hostess told us dogs were not allowed on the patio. Stasha was in her pet stroller. I then asked to see the manager.

I reminded him of the state law implemented Jan. 1 that allows dog owners to take their furry friends with them to restaurants with outdoor patios, provided pets are on a leash and not in the same area where food is prepared.

The manager told me the hostess was not aware of the new law and showed us to a table.

The menu here included the usual Mexican bill of fare — enchilada dishes ($12 to $13) and taco platters ($12 to $13.25), to name a couple.

Salads included Ensalada De Asada ($16) — mixed greens, roasted corn, red bell pepper, onion, cherry tomato and avocado, tossed with a creamy chipotle dressing and topped with grilled Angus steak and queso fresco.

There’s also Ensalada De Pollo ($14) — chopped romaine lettuce tossed in a creamy chipotle dressing with breaded chicken, roasted corn, tomato, red onion, avocado, shredded cabbage and cotija cheese.

My friends and I opted for the Tacos Dorados ($12.25) — two crispy tacos with either shredded chicken or beef, topped with shredded lettuce, cotija cheese and green roasted salsa.

We asked the waiter to mix beef and chicken, and he told us that wouldn’t be a problem. Except that it was.

Mine came with only chicken, and I didn’t want to fuss, so I didn’t send it back. The rest of our party got the mix.

All in all the food at La Vida was OK, but nothing to write home about. The real jazz here is the outdoor bar, which was hopping the weekend we visited.

While Sasha and I will continue to frequent The HUB and Ruby’s Dinette, I doubt we’ll be back to La Vida Cantina — it just didn’t do it for me — and my San Francisco guests agreed.

BARBARA VENEZIA lives in Newport Beach. She can be reached at [email protected].