I came for brunch and was underwhelmed by the slow service and dry, bland food…read more While our server was friendly, the food took forever to come out and we barely interacted with any staff after our initial order. The brunch menu was limiting, with only a few egg dishes, sandwiches, and breads. The French toast and waffle were nearly $20 each despite the small portions and standard toppings. *French Toast: the worst item of the meal. The bread had no flavor or egginess and left a strange sandy mouthfeel. The interior was so dry that it soaked up all the moisture in my mouth. A poor showing for a classic French toast. *Waffle: the batter was slightly sweetened but felt too dense. The fruit was fresh, although nothing about the toppings or overall quality stood out. *Steak Frites: hanger steak topped with chimichurri and fries. It was supposed to come with bernaise sauce, but I did not receive any. The steak leaned closer to rare rather than the medium rare I asked for. However, it was still tender, and the chimichurri was vibrant and herbaceous. I wished more sauce had been applied, as the dish was a bit dry. The fries were decent, though I would have preferred more crunch. Given the long wait, I expected much more from the dishes in terms of flavor and execution. I was disappointed by how flavorless and dry everything was.

The first time I came here and ai find out they are closing in two weeks. That is really…read moreunfortunate as the place was adorable! We came because their entire menu is 100% gluten free- what a find! The staff were all friendly and there was a woman playing live music! Parking is easy as there is a garage and they validate. The food was all good, but the biscuit trio was perfection! Sad to see them go.

I love this restaurant!! Food, amazing! Drinks, amazing! Atmosphere, amazing! We had Alejandro as…read moreour waiter and he was so kind and attentive! He made it a great experience. We will definitely be back!

Mostly sandwiches. No cooked meals. I was hoping to get a nice pasta. Not a great selection.read more

Solstice is fun to enjoy a nice Social Hour and get a small bite and a glass of wine…read more The Short Rib Croquettes are tasty paired with Sea Sun "by Caymus" Pinot Noir. Dessert Churros Donuts with chocolate and caramel dipping sauces. Nice staff and beautiful open setting facing a business campus garden. Easy parking garage with validation.

What a gem. We had a fantastic time here during happy hour. The staff were super friendly and…read moreattentive. The food was really good. We tried almost everything from the happy hour menu. The drinks were also fantastic. Prices for happy hour were competitive. No issues with parking. There is a large parking structure and its validated at the restaurant. Overall atmosphere is modern and slick. Lots of nearby worker seem to come here after work. Pro tip. They give a discount for cash payments. I think it was 3-4%. Will be coming back during non happy hour to try out their risotto.

1. The burger was delicious and well-built! I love the flavors of the pie!…read more2. The spot has fun vibes! The interior is nicely decorated! 3. The staff was friendly and hospitable! The food came out after 10 mins! 4. There are indoor and outdoor seatings! Lots of table! 5. There are parking structures and lots! Restaurant should be able to validate! Note: Restrooms have multiple stalls! Photo: Banana Cookie Butter Pie and Classic Smash

Went for happy hour to give the food a try. The steak sandwich was really good. The poke was good…read moreand the "flatbread" was more akin to pizza with such a thick crust, but it was fine. Our server, who was the bartender, was annoying and condescending. He pretty much acted like we were bugging him and complained about his job constantly. Buddy, you can choose another job. If you choose this one, do it and stop complaining. And you can recommend things without acting like we are stupid. It's all about the delivery. This person is just not a good server. And plus being older and a bartender is just icky. IMO. And I say this as a person in my 50's. We might come back. The food was good and the place is really cool. The manager was nice and helped us a few times. I think she probably knows the bartender is a bit of a liability.

Tried salty horse for the first time and I will be back…read more I got there around 9:30 AM which was perfect because there was no line. I ordered the steak and eggs, berries and cream Matcha, and the cookie dough banana bread. My total was about $45. Steak & eggs: 8/10; these portions were big and perfect. The steak had flavor. Tater tots were crispy. Sourdough bread was soft but crunchy on the outside. Eggs were over easy. Berries & cream matcha: 8.5/10; I actually really enjoyed this Matcha. Not sure why it came in a smaller cup than what my cousin ordered, but maybe because I said light ice? I think that is something that should have been mentioned to me that I would get a smaller cup. Otherwise, I liked this matcha a lot. Cookie dough Banana bread: 9/10; this was so good, so soft, so fresh. The only thing I wish is that I would be able to taste more of the cookie dough. I was a bit confused where the cookie dough was at in this banana bread. There were times where I did taste it, but I wasn't too sure. However, it did have lots of flavor and I would probably get the banana bread alone. Overall, I would return. There was a line formed outside around 10:30 AM, so I definitely recommend getting there early. This was even on a Tuesday morning. So it seems like the line forms no matter the day.

Second time visiting Salty Horse as there's always a line out the door and around the corner. Not…read moreonly was the wait for the food faster than the coffee. The girls making the lattes/drinks moved at a snails pace and for an 8 latte they barely bothered to fill it to the top. Would have been better off going to Hola Adios Coffee Shop around the corner.

If you are looking for a hidden gem in Costa Mesa, this spot is an absolute must-visit. From the…read moremoment you step inside, you are greeted by an adorable interior and decor that cleverly and beautifully matches the restaurant's theme. ​ ​Every single item we ordered from the menu was exceptional: ​Beet Salad & Bone Marrow: Both made for fantastic starters, setting a high bar for the meal. ​Beef Tartare: Served with house-made potato chips that are a masterclass in texture--thin, fried, airy, and crispy all at the same time. ​Steak and Fries: Classic execution and wonderfully prepared. ​Duck Confit: Superb. The pairing of the rich mole sauce and sweet potato puree takes the dish to an entirely different level, complementing each other effortlessly. ​Baklava Cheesecake: A creative and delicious twist on a classic. The cream cheese filling is light rather than dense, and instead of a traditional graham cracker crust, it features a fantastic baklava crust. It is nicely balanced and not overly sweet, though you will definitely want to pair it with a cup of coffee to finish it off. ​ ​Service: The staff is exceptionally friendly, highly attentive, and organized, making you feel well cared for throughout the meal. ​Portions: Portions are slightly on the smaller side. My husband and I ordered three appetizers and two main entrees to share, and we were still quite hungry by the end--so you may want to order an extra dish or side if you have a hearty appetite! ​Overall, a wonderful dining experience with incredible flavors and charming ambiance. Highly recommended!

Lemon & Thyme is such a cool little hidden gem right off Harbor in the Newport/Costa Mesa area…read more It's a smaller restaurant and pretty easy to miss, but once you're inside, the atmosphere is fantastic. It has this warm, cozy European feel that almost makes you feel like you've stepped into a little farmhouse somewhere in Tuscany. Our waiter was amazing. I unfortunately didn't catch his name, but he was impossible to miss -- probably 6'7", muscular, bodybuilder-looking guy -- and despite looking like he could bench press the entire restaurant, he was incredibly sweet, attentive, and welcoming. Seriously great service. They also offered decanter service for our wine, which was an unexpected and really nice touch. It added a little sophistication to the experience without the restaurant ever feeling stuffy or overly formal. Most importantly, the food was amazing. Between the food, the wine service, the atmosphere, and how friendly the staff was, this place really impressed me. Definitely somewhere I'd come back to, especially for a comfortable date night or a nice dinner when you want something that feels a little more intimate and unique.

1. The ribeye has crispy outer with a juicy inside! 2. The…read morespot has fun fancy vibes! The interior is spacious! 3. The staff was extremely friendly and attentive! There was a guy talking on the phone two seats away from me the bar, and the server asked if the call was bothering me! The call did not bother me, but I love that act of hospitality! 4. There are a lot of tables! 5. Parking lot has a lot of spots but it can get crowded depending on time and day! Note: There is a dress code that only prohibits sport attires and looking too casual! Photo: Hawaiian Ribeye

A memorable Wednesday evening at Houston's - Irvine…read more It was a one of those days that I felt extremely social and I popped in for a bite. It turned out to be hours of fun talking to new friends. A couple leaving back to Phoenix, a person having a quick cocktail, a gentleman ruminating retirement, and finally a friend to celebrate his birthday. I felt so welcome and taken care of by the bartenders Robyn, Sophie, and Michelle. They were very nice and helped me select Orin Swift Cabernet Sauvignon. I was told the BBQ Pork Ribs were Fork Tender and they weren't joking, served with coleslaw and fries. My friend celebrated his birthday with the Hawaiian prime Ribeye steak and baked potatoes with all the trimmings (which was amazing). For birthday dessert Izzy served us a warm Apple Cobbler with Vanilla ice cream. She was a gracious and personable server who made sure our glasses were not empty and our bellies were full. Thank you! A big Thank You to Charlie Skinner for fitting us at a table on a very busy night! We appreciate the hospitality and will definitely come for our next celebration!

We had the Beer Passport - so we went here to get a few beverages, and I shared their loaded fries…read more Go the Hazy IPA, Citrus and Tahitian Purple - all good beverages, the Tahitian was pretty good as well! The loaded fries was also pretty good and pretty hefty, goes great with beer.

Came here for the monthly IGDA OC game developers meet up that happens here, which ended up being…read morereally great. This place has a very cool and chill vibe. They have an area inside of the building that you can order from and outside, and you can get parking validation from both. Pricing is what is expected from a restaurant, on the mid tier to higher pricing side, and that's particularly expected from Irvine. I ordered a side of the crispy skin on fries which was really tasty! And a larger serving than what I normally expect. I think I wasn't expecting such high quality crispy fries, really, cause I'm used to other places kinda skimping/lowering standards. So I was pleasantly surprised. I would absolutely try their other food items just based off how good the fries were. Got a half pint of the alaskan glacier sour which was right up my alley! I'm not a big fan of alcohol, to be honest, but am always interested in trying something a little more fruit/different from the norm.