Eva's.

Over the weekend, I spent some gal pal time with my girl Aimee in San Clemente. Aimee had been telling me about this Caribbean joint in Laguna Beach for a couple of months so we worked in a foodie adventure for two at Eva's Caribbean Kitchen. With its funky and eclectic charm, Eva makes you feel right at home as if you were in her very own personal kitchen. Brightly painted with the colors of the rainbow and lit by an array of colorful candles, you just know that you're going to be taken real good care of, and so is your tummy.

Aimee and I had an appetizer - Eggplant Choka, roasted eggplant (stuffed with garlic) and then sauteed with chiles, shallots and seasoned to perfection. Of course it's served on top of toasted pita bread. Whether you're a carnivore or a vegetarian, this start will make you salivate. All of their entrees are served with plaintain, peas and rice and sauteed veggies. I went with the evening's special of Red Snapper and Aimee went with the Curry Prawns. What I loved about both of our dishes is that each sauce was so bold, so flavorful and so different. Sometimes Caribbean cuisine isn't very distinctive and Eva's sauces took each dish to a whole other level. Even though my fish was fried, it was still light and the texture of the fish cam through beautifully, it wasn't compromised at all. The heat of the dish brightened all of its complexities without overshadowing the fish either. The roasted plaintains were absolutely mouth watering, each bite was sweet and nutty. Aimee's curry prawns were also delicious. The curry prawns definitely had alot more kick, but without numbing the inside of our mouth.

For dessert we were immediately drawn to the special - coconut creme brulee, which was topped with toasted coconut and blueberries. Creme brulee is my favorite dessert and this one easily makes it to the top of my creme brulee list. Tropical breezes and swaying palm trees danced in my mind as I spooned a bite of this delicate and creamy concoction into my lil' mouth. Made with coconut milk, this creme brulee was aromatic, smooth and light. A perfect ending to a perfect meal.

If you're ever in Orange County, let alone Laguna Beach, you should totally look up Eva's and stop by for dinner. She's got a gorgeous smile and isn't afraid to hug customers.

**Photo credits go to Aimee Foster.