I was invited by a friend who is a member here at DTTN. We were greeted by wonderful staff who got us seated in the main room with all the personal lockers and it was so fun being able to see everyone's collections and decor. Next, they set up with drinks right away. It was so lovely being able to speak with our bartenders for the night who asked us specifically what type of cocktails we like to enjoy and if we like to sip on tall or short drinks. This experience itself was unlike any other because as soon as my drink came out, it matched EXACTLY the drink I would normally order off a menu. There are preset cocktails to choose from as well but the drink made for me was so lovely. We were next met by Chef Jason who came by and spoke to us about his favorite items on the menu currently. He made suggestions of what to order, how he would pair items together, and even put in a few items to surprise us. I am so happy we had a moment to chat with chef because hearing the story behind the dishes, why he created them, and the inspiration he took from different cuisines was so unique. Many times, we get to enjoy delicious food but we rarely sit down with the chef to understand why it was created for us in the first place. Chef Jason is such a funny, entertaining, and personable man and made the entire dinner even more special. My favorite shout out dishes have to be the Kayseri Mantisi, Wagyu Flake Steak, World Peace Burger, and Sour Patch Melon. These flavors are incredibly complex yet complement each other so wonderfully and every bite is heavenly. There are so many other dishes I tried and each deserves its own shoutout, but these mentioned above blew my mind away. Should I have another chance to come by, I definitely will take it up! The menu rotates and there are always new items that pop up so it will always be a new experience each time. Thank you to all the DTTN staff and members who assisted us with such a beautiful night out. read more

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The absolute best time with exceptional service, amazing food and beverages that are expertly, creatively, carefully crafted by a very passionate kitchen and bar team. At the bar we had the opportunity to explain flavors and preferences and got our minds blown by some of their creations that they make specifically for you. The chef talks to you about the menu and all you can feel is how much he loves what he does. Elijah and the entire team are so warm, so accommodating. Their lounge is tastefully decorated and adorned with several fun coffee table books. We spotted the death & co cocktail book :D You learn about their reason for going the membership only route and it makes sense. It's a wonderful space, and we're hopeful to return one day. read more

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While we are not members, we had reservations at Trust which allowed us access to Detention for a pre dinner cocktail. The bar tenders are true mixologists! We were able to tell them what spirit we were looking for and flavor profiles and let them take it from there. We had a few cocktails, all that were delicious, then headed next door to dinner. read more

DTTN 2.0 - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Santa Ana, California

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Our friends who are members, invited us out to dinner. It's not a pace where you can dine casually. You have to plan for it. You walk in with a member and you just walk out Staff is amazing. Personal touch to the max. Apparently they fine tune the drinks you like to PERFECTION. Owner is energetic, passionate about food and personable. He floated around to make everyone feel good. JOB WELL DONE!!! Food is fantastic. It's almost a continuation of playground. Food seems to have Asian flair with playfulness of Southern California food scene. Food is meant to be shared to think of your table as you order. Corn is amazing!!!! read more

DTTN 2.0 - Old fashion - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Santa Ana, California

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Chef curated meal everything was delicious. Lounge atmosphere. Staff explain every entree. read more

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We've always enjoyed the dining experience we get here, the food as always unique and different and I love the unique twist to all of the dishes that make them so special. The last few times we went they had the most delicious non-alcoholic sour patch kids drink that I still can't forget and we're always sure to get the hazelnut mousse as a to go item after ordering too many dishes and rolling ourselves out the door. I wish we lived a little closer otherwise I'm sure we would go way more often than we do. read more

DTTN 2.0 - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Santa Ana, California

LISTEN UP SANTA ANA, ORANGE COUNTY, ok let's just keep it real, CALIFORNIA!! Are you SERIOUS??? DTTN 2.0 is in our back yard and I'm Just now trying this place?? I WANT YOU TO LOOK AT MY PROFILE WITH CHEF KELLER AT THE FRENCH LAUNDRY. I can honestly say that DTTN 2.0 is the French Laundry of Orange County. Every bite of appetizer, side dish, main course or dessert is an explosion of flavor in your mouth that I couldn't even comprehend how they manage to make food so exciting. I can't even explain the flavors I tasted as it's not anything I've ever experienced other than my experience at the French Laundry. What's even better is that all the food is made to be shared. This way you get to taste different foods and walk out stuffed. The cocktails are also amazing. The staff is super friendly and best of all the chef walks around talking to every table as is you are like family. The ambiance is a combination of a relaxed not stuffy and hip place. They change the menu constantly to keep people intrigued. I can honestly say, this is my absolute favorite restaurant for now on. The pictures I took do not do justice to the flavors I had last night. I didn't know a simple salad could be so amazing until last night. Just imagine the rest if the salad was that good! I read some reviews complaining about the price. If you want a good meal at the average price, go to your franchise steakhouse. If you want an experience with out of the ordinary explosion of flavors, come here. When dining at DTTN 2.0 you are not having a meal. You are having an experience like no other in Orange County. Go take your coupon meal elsewhere. I hate it when reviewers have great things to say about the restaurant but then complain about the price. Also another reviewer complained about her not getting the same meal she had before. Again, the chef makes his menu to keep his guests interested in trying new foods. Who wants to eat the same meal every time when you can try something new and exciting that will change your mind of what your favorite meal is. Just when you think you are happy after finishing one of the dishes and try something new, your mind will get blown away again. So if you like the same meal over and over again, go to your nearest all you can eat buffet restaurant where you can fill yourself up with the same boring meal over and over again. Because you will never find that here. read more

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I came here for sticky pudding! They have different menu throughout the seasons with the freshest ingredients. It used to be the spot to Goto but the crew here all moved to the darkroom. Chill place to sip wine, whiskey and to have a great meal. read more

DTTN 2.0 - So good. - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Santa Ana, California

Went here for a girls night and i absolutely adored the ambiance and vibe of this place. The bartenders are extremely knowledgeable and skilled in their craft. The staff were so welcoming and friendly, i felt like i was visiting my friend's home. We had 5 different cocktails and i was blown away by each one!! Each drink is crafted with passion and perfection. Their cocktails are amazing, but don't sleep on their delicious food. We devoured the guac/ceviche and the rack of lamb. The unique twists and out of the box foods are definitely worth trying! Such a wonderful and fun experience, definitely can't wait to go back. read more

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Wonderful Experience, Amazing Quality, Fun & Tasteful Menu I've been to DTTN at least once a month now since I've first went (about 5 months ago). I haven't been disappointed once, whether it's to dine with friends or grab a quick drink prior to heading out. Please keep in mind that you do need a membership to dine here but honestly, it's super worth it! The experience is top knotch and it's a great way to impress your friends. When you first walk in, they recognize your face & name and you get welcomed so warmly. There's a lot of different seating areas, the bar / cocktail room, sit right in front of the open kitchen and see the chefs at work, or at the dining room. The menu is uniquely created, you can choose an experience from Europe to Asia! Jason will sit down with you and explain all of the new fun items on the menu, this changes seasonally so I won't dig into my favorite items. Just know that all of the flavors have a unique taste that allows you to travel to that country through your mouth. They have an amazing back bar and all of the bartenders are so knowledgeable and will work with you to make your perfect drink. 10/10 would recommend and come back again. read more

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Went in there an hour before closing, the guy at the front shuffling through menus or wiping stuff down not looking at us at all told us dismissively "we are not taking anymore tables, you can try your luck at the bar" in which all the seats were full and there were people standing around, then he turns his back and leaves. Really gave the place an unwelcoming feel, like we have enough guests and we don't really need you. Bad news travels fast, keep making exceptional food because you will need it to make up for this elitist attitude that alienates potential guests. read more

Great food! Perfect spot for business meetings and venues! Really good drinks ... all curated based on the knowledge of the chef about clients ... highly recommend this place !! read more

DTTN 2.0 - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Santa Ana, California

An incredible experience of seeing first hand the professional life of a chef from the behind-the-scenes kitchen life

Playground is out and Detention is in! Detention gave me one of the best problems EVER to have post dining experience, and that is difficulty deciding what you loved more. From the impeccable service, to the swanky new decor, delicious drinks, and finally to the mouthwatering food, the whole dining experience was fantastic! FOOD- *Every-Single-Dish was absolutely amazing.* This is a shareable plates/tapas style dining experience, so if you want to try multiple things, I recommend bringing a friend or two. The menu is constantly changing, so don't always expect to see the same thing twice. A couple dishes were so yummy, they were ordered twice upon tasting them. And for such a high quality dining experience in OC, plates are very reasonably priced. Oyster Mushroom "Bacon" Tartine (10/10)- Provolone Sourdough, Fried Egg Emulsion, Chimichurri Don't be fooled by the "bacon" in the name, there is no actual bacon, but it is so delicious, you won't be disappointed! This tasted like a cheesy mushroom bread to me, and it was so delicious. The bread was sooo delish, a bit on the heavier side, but small enough portion if you're sharing that you won't fill up. Peruvian Bay Scallop Crudo (10/10)- Chile Garlic Condiment, Cilantro, Cumin, Lime So good, we had to order it twice! Playground had a similar dish that was delicious, but this one has that one beat! The flavor was very different, had a little citrus kick to it. Portion size is small and light, make sure there is at least one per person. Brussels sprouts (10/10)- Spanish Chorizo, Manchego, Marcona, Sherry Gastrique I could usually take or leave brussel sprouts, but oh my gosh these were some of the best I've had! The flavors all blended really well, and the Spanish chorizo was a nice little spin to the usual bacon that restaurants often. Perfectly crispy! Wagyu Skirt Steak Lomo Saltado (10/10)- If you know, you know Hands down best lomo saltado I've ever had. For starters, the quality of steak they use, you knew this was going to be good. I mean wagyu steak, it's the best. Then the potatoes and onions are delish, and topped off with the most amazing spicy creamy green Peruvian sauce. The sauce is not so overly spicy that it takes away from the flavor, but be ready for a kick. Achiote Glazed Pork Jowl (10/10)- Smashed Avo, Pico, Salsa Seca, Hand-made Yellow Corn Tortillas Oh-M-G... so good! My expectations weren't the highest for this dish, but I should have known better. Playgrounds signature meat dish was a bone in pork dish, and I'll be the first to say, I like this dish even better. The meat was so flavorful. With all of the fix-ins, this dish is complete. Grilled Dry-Aged White Sea Bass (10/10)- Smoked Ponzu, Charred Leeks, Yuzu Marmalade, Garlic Chips, Scallion Usually not a big fan of skin-on fish (usually makes it taste too "fishy" for me), or dry-aged, but this dish converted me! The light flavor of the white sea bass paired with the delicious sauce, made this dish a winner. Cooked to perfection. Sticky Toffee (10/10)- Perfection. Just order it, you can thank me later. ;) SERVICE(10/10)- Impeccable! Some of the best service I've had in recent memory. Angela was our server, and she was on top of everything. She was super knowledgeable on the food and drink menu, along with other details of the restaurant. She gave great recommendations according to what we discussed. Super friendly, and gave us a wonderful overall dining experience. DECOR- Looks great. They have an open kitchen, a lounge area, and a dining area with booths and high tops. Definitely upgraded for a swankier, more upscale feel. Can't wait to go back. Better hurry before the secret is out! read more

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We arrived a little early before our TRUST reservations and decided to have a quick drink at Detention. It's a very cozy romantic bar/restaurant and the service was excellent. We learned from TRUST that the food served at Detention is based off of the menu at TRUST, and we saw plates going out that looked and smelled excellent. I love how their illuminated wine cellar looks in the middle of the restaurant. I would absolutely come out to DTSA just for this spot. read more

DTTN 2.0 - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Santa Ana, California

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Bring on the flavor! NGL I was worried at first due to such a short food menu but we had an amazing waitress who walked all us first timers through the whole thing. She mentioned that the plates are meant to be shared but honestly the plates were enough for one person. We had 6 people in our party so we got just about everything in the menu. I wish there were more pescatarian options but the one dish they had was pretty good. It'll run you about $100 p/p so don't be cheap. Not pictured was the hen fried rice, carrots, sea bass and all of our cocktails. Nothing on their menu can be modified which is why I'm only giving 4 stars. read more

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When I found out Detention was closing,I rushed to make an reservation. So glad I got to try before they closed their doors. First impression upon walking in is beautiful ambiance. Decoration is beyond - just the right amount of chic. Things tried: - triple cooked steak fries: yum! Perfectly crunchy and that aioli had the right amount of kick. - Hokkaido milk bread and butter: the perfect start to dinner. Bread was good in its own and even better with the creamy butter. - Peruvian bay scallop crudo: the sauces and garlic crisps paired perfectly with the scallop. Another winner dish - pei mussels and merguez: yummy in my yummy! That sauce is incredible and perfect to dip bread in. - breakfast in Texas y'all: it was an interesting dish. Home made tortilla to wrap the soft boiled egg, salsa and pork belly. Made for a yummy eat. - sticky toffee pudding: wow! Delicious. It's sweet, but a nice way to end a meal. All in all such an amazing meal! I wish I would have tried it sooner. read more

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Great vibes, very friendly service, amazing food. Glad I got to come here while its still open to the public. We got the fior di latte to start. This was a delicious blend of fresh basil pesto and pine nuts on mozzarella with fluffy focaccia bread on the side. The japanese potatoes were my favorite though, the nice char on the gai lan (i've never had gai lan like that), the potatoes were roasted with the skin on so the skin was caramelized and crunchy. The textures and flavors on the dish were unique but perfect! Then I had the oyster mushroom "bacon" tartine which actually did taste like bacon! At this point I had slowed down significantly so I could only have one slice. It was a little too creamy and salty to have much of anyway. Plenty of veggie options but wish there was more variety of dishes that weren't bread centric. Of the 6 items that were vegetarian, 3 were bread dishes lol! Finally even though I was pretty full, I still really wanted try the sticky toffee pudding. It was mostly worth the hype. The caramel with the whipped cream and the crispy edges of the toffee pudding was the best. The middle of the pudding was a little drier and less flavorful but I still didn't regret having it. 2 hour free parking nearby on evenings and weekends. read more

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I've had this restaurant bookmarked, so I was super excited to try it. We went here on a double date with our friends. I heard it wasn't easy to get reservations , so this was a pleasant surprise! Loved the ambiance. Our server was great. He spent a lot of time talking to us about the food and provided interesting tidbits of information about the menu, how it's curated etc. He was genuinely interested and invested in our thoughts about the food. The best thing on the menu (in my honest opinion) is the Hokkaido milk bread. So much that we had to order one to go! This was amazing and delicious. We ordered the scallops crudo. I liked this dish! The sauce was super flavorful and scallops were fresh. Refreshing ! Also ordered the dish that nobody orders lol. And we can see why.. it's literally just a bowl of beans. It was definitely not what we expected- thought it would be a nacho and chips dish. Pork jowl- was tasty! Basically expensive carnitas. We shredded the meat and mixed it with the guacamole. The best part of this meal were The homemade tortillas. Loved it! Wagyu lomo saltado- sadly.. this is we a no for me. It's a fusion or twist to the original Peruvian staple. They added jalapeños and gave it a kick. It was a tart sauce, which I wasn't expecting. The wagyu.. or lack there of... it was a chewy meat that didn't taste like the usual melt in my mouth that I'm used to (pause!) The French fries were good. But the worst was the rice. Definitely undercooked, and a struggle to finish. I wanted dessert but we opted for Hokkaido bread to go instead. They told us the menu changes, and it's not always the same. Which I appreciate... the first thing our server said to me was "don't look at Yelp" LOL. I was disappointed because they didn't have sea bass. I wish I could have tried it. read more

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The bespoke cocktails are the best I've ever had. --so fresh and tailored to my taste preferences and even mood. It's an experience like no other. While the main room dining is fabulous, I actually prefer the small bites in the bar. Every option I've tried had been fantastic. I recommend bringing a few friends so you can share and try as many small plates as possible. I love expanding my palette with the chef's recommendations. This is noteworthy because is usually I'm kind of a culinary wuss, but I at Detention I trust the chef completely and keep an open mind. The flavor adventure is worth it! Who knew food could taste like this? The atmosphere is hip but low key and friendly enough to avoid being pretentious. This is a wonderful place for a special date or even catching-up with good friends. It's the opposite of mediocre, and a meal here is a special event. read more

Wonderful experience all around. Had a lot to do with the good vibes from our server Lisa. Octo app was delish! Def the highlight for me. With that bread they served with it. So so good. Beet salad was good but didn't think it was extraordinarily better than any other beet goat cheese salad I've had. Lomo was good. Kinda skimp on the steak and a good majority of pieces were just pure fat. Fries were cooked extra crisp and delicious. Great flavor! Thought the toffee cake was just meh. We both took 1 bite each and decided that was enough. Dense muffin like cake in a warm toffee sauce. Needed ice cream instead of whip imo. Plenty of parking within close walking distance. read more

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I can see why this restaurant is so popular. The food is delicious, but the service was also on point. S E R V I C E Went here with a group of friends and we were seated at a booth. The staff here works as a team and that was emphasized when we were first seated. Good came out at a good pace. My hubby's wine glass stem snapped as he lifted it to sip and it fell on some of the food. Not only did the waitress immediately take care of the spill but also offered to bring my hubby a new drink because his was almost full and comped 1/2 our dish when the glass/drink fell into it. We weren't doing anything crazy or being rowdy, so I'm glad the waitress just handled the situation without much fuss. This could've easily ruined our dinner vibe. A M B I A N C E The ambiance is industrial with dimmed lighting and dark decor. Cool date vibe, although can be expensive for dates 1-3. F O O D - Hokkaido Milk Bread ($10) was suuuuuuper fluffy. It had the right about of salt, crunchiness on the outside and fluffiness on the inside. I want to get this again. - Yuzi Mochi - Was tasty and not too dense. The Yuzu flavor was present, but not strong or even overpowering. - Cauliflower hush puppies was pretty dense. It was crispy on the outside, but hit or miss depending on the person at our table. - Lomo Saltado - Pretty good for steak and fries. The steak was cooked perfectly, although I'd probably forgo this dish given price to flavor/benefit. There's a lot of tasty dishes. - Roasted Eggplant with extra fluffy bread (can't remember the name of this one) -- it was tasty and filling. - Brussel Sprouts - Had a slightly sweet taste to it. We were so full by the time we received it though. It wasn't super crispy, but did have a bit of crunch. read more

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There is nothing more foreign to a civilised and democratic system than preventive detention -- Robert Bourassa A disappointment for sure. Me and two friends were here on a Thursday night to try Detention for the first time since they took over from Playground DTSA. First, the interior has been redecorated and while it looks cool, it needs some noise suppression accents. It was so loud, my ears still hurt weeks later. It made the ambiance miserable. The food was fine, the pictured hummus was my favorite which shows you how unmemorable the other 10-12 dishes were. Everything was trying to be hip, edgy, playful but what I felt instead was pretentious show off plates that never came together for a coherent meal. Corkage free for first bottle. Service was friendly and efficient although I hate ordering EVERYTHING all at once. Completely ruins any chance at serendipity or allowing the flavors to guide you to different dishes. Try it out and see what you think but I will never be back until the noise is tampered down a bit. Not recommended unless you have ear plugs. read more

DTTN 2.0 - My favorite dish...the hummus... - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Santa Ana, California

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By @asiansumplingsmuggler Detention 2.0, a private social club, presents an extraordinary and unapologetically diverse menu crafted by the culinary virtuoso, Chef Jason Quinn. Embracing an attitude devoid of frills or unnecessary embellishments, Chef Quinn fearlessly delivers exactly what he desires. The result? Some of the most exceptional and delectable food and drinks one could experience! His unmatched hospitality creates an ambiance that makes patrons feel as if they've been warmly welcomed into his own home. And great thing here is - you don't have to wait for his invite, well actually sort of - you need a membership to get through the reservation line - but that's about it! read more

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There are not many places that are truly special and exceptional. This is the best food in Orange County. I don't think it's even much of a competition. Only Trust next door compares. Jason, Chuy, Elijah, Cathy and everyone else that makes this place tick are the best in the business. read more

Yes, the food is still amazing here! I am so sad that this place is no longer Playground and the previous owner--talented chef of Playground 2.0 has moved onto something else. The good thing is that the talents are still kept at Detention. Gideon - barrel craft single barrel bourbon, Lucano anniversario, antica rosso - this goes so well with the oyster mushroom "bacon" tartine. Oyster Mushroom "Bacon" Tartine - Provolone Sourdough, Fried Egg Emulsion, Chimichurri -- Rich, umami favors on a perfectly toasted sourdough with that crunch and bite that is so satisfying. Slow Roasted Japanese Sweet Potatoes - Grilled Gai-Lan, Brown Butter-Soy-Lime Emulsion, Our Three Favorite Crunchies - these are those very delicious comfort food paired with Gailan that is prepared in a way that gives a lot of contrast yet offset and heighten the flavor profile do the sweet potatoes. Amazing how they can give pizzazz to these otherwise very unlikely pairing. New Salad, Who Dis? - Banyuls vinaigrette, charred peppers, apple, arcana, sultanas, quinoa. This is quite a salad. The crunch and taste that the quinoa have add new dimensions to a salad that I never thought quinoa can do. I wish I can learn how to prepare quinoa the way they did! Overall, a very healthy yet satisfying salad. Rigatoni zozzona - pork & tomato ragu, parmesan, black pepper - my 5 year old daughter thought it was a little spicy (a mild kick for adults) yet she kept on eating it and drinking lots of water- that says a lot! Usually she will say it's spicy and put the dish aside. Sticky toffee pudding - to my surprise, they prepare it freshly baked to order and is surrounded in lots of sticky toffee yumminess. I think Gordon will approve. I personally feel the sticky toffee ratio is a little too much compared to the pudding but I understand it's part of the presentation. Sometimes just enough, or almost enough, in my opinion would be more artful. read more

Detention is the "new and improved" kickback of Playground and it is pretty good, but it does come with a price $. Location and parking: it's on the corner of a T-intersection and there are multiple parking lots available. If you're lucky, you might get street parking however there's a good amount of construction happening at this time. Inside: the ambience is very chill and I believe it is more for a date or even large groups. I will have to say it does get very loud at times so just fyi. There's a good amount of seating but I would still make a reservation as it can get packed at times. Food: biggest thing you should know is that the food is more tapas style so sharing is caring. Only downside is that you'd be ordering a lot of plates to get full and that will rack up some dough $ in the end. They do offer omakase, however, the ENTIRE group needs to order it. They cannot accommodate part of the party wanting omakase. Pretty much it's all or nothing. Also, food will come out when ready so don't expect everything to come all at once or "appetizers" to come out first. Majority of our food came and it took a while for other plates to come out. All in all with taste, the food was pretty good and had great flavor. Only downside is that it is tapas again so don't come hungry if you're ordering a few plates. read more

DTTN 2.0 - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Santa Ana, California

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We went for brunch on a Sun. Reservation recommended. Streetfront downtown location. Full service sitdown restaurant. Indoor and outdoor seating. Casual atmosphere. Fast and extremely friendly service. The service deserves a special call out - great job! They do not validate parking if you park in the garage, unfortunately. We split the honey butter chicken biscuit to start, which was delicious, but small for the price. Main course was pork patty sandwich. Absolutely delicious and much bigger than the biscuit for only a couple more bucks. Frose to drink was very refreshing! read more

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I've been wanting to try this establishment years ago when it was originally named Playground. After years of forgetting about it, a friend recently brought it up and recommended this spot so it was a delightful return back on the page. Made reservations for our one year anniversary for a Friday evening at 5:30PM. As soon as we entered, we were greeted and seated right away. Our server, Laura S was absolutely great. She asked what the occasion was and when we told her it's our first time and it's our one year anniversary, she offered to give us a toast to start off. The two complimentary glasses of champagne were a great touch to start things off for us! We were deciding on what to get and after some recommendations, we made up our mind. Here's what we ordered: **Evil Ugres: This was like your typical margarita with a tajin rim. Very delicious though, best drink of the evening. (4/5) **La Bruja: Flavor was lacking a little, wasn't the biggest fan. I'd skip. (2/5) **Peruvian Scallop Crudo: Very delicious pieces of scallops. They were nice and fresh. Very flavorful. (4/5) **Dried Aged Sea Bass: This was definitely the meal of the evening. The sea bass was cooked perfectly and the flavor was on point. The cucumbers were a great add on to the dish. (4/5) **Glazed Sakura Pork Jowl: The meat was nice and tender. Came with small pieces of lettuce to wrap the meat with. I didn't taste much gochujang, as the other ingredients overpowered it. Very salty, could barely eat it by itself. (3/5) **Cucumber Crush: This got recommended to us based on what we ordered. The overall flavor was good but was on the saltier side. I would've loved more yuzu flavor and more cilantro to balance the flavors out more. (3/5) There was a reoccurring trend of how salty the food was, but the flavor was good. Huge shoutout to Laura S and her spectacular service. Don't know if I'd be back, but I'd love to try out their sister restaurant, Trust, very very soon! read more

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I feel like I'm hanging out with the young people here at this very hipster restaurant in Santa Ana. We walked in and sat at the bar and ordered Prosecco! Next up, freaking AWESOME pistachios and crushed cucumbers! The bartender Ian is awesome and out dinner was a very pleasant surprise!! Smoked salmon was the best I've had in a loooong time!! Bf had the sea bass and it was good but not even close to the salmon. I would definitely recommend!!! read more

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With the revamp of Playground to Detention, the same playful food experiments remain with more vegetable forward dishes. After having Playground not too long ago, Detention similarly dabbles with different food combinations playing with textures and flavors. My favorites this time around were the vegetable based food options. Here is what we ordered: "Cheddar" Broccoli Sweet Potato - The brown butter emulsion provides a nice cheesy "cheddar" taste that melts in so well with the roasted Japanese sweet potato. There is also the charred gai lan that provides a little umami. It also came with roasted sago that provided a nice crunch with each bite. Definitely would order again! Oyster Mushroom "Bacon" Tartine - Nice pieces of oyster mushroom that have been cooked and flavored to get that smoky meat experience that was really quite good. All over a nice provolone sourdough bread to just soak up all the flavor. Gruyerre Agnolotti Di Plin - Supposedly a play on the French onion soup concept in a pasta form, I felt like it leaned a little sweet with the carmelized onion and not enough funkiness from the gruyere. However, if you like a more sweet pasta, I would say this is good. Bone Marrow Chocolate Cake - Visually and theoretically cool, but was a little disappointing in terms of actual flavor. Supposedly the cake is cooked with bone marrow which does have a slight taste, but ultimately was too faint to make a noticeable difference. The bourbon semifreddo though was very nice with the bitter notes that really balanced out the sweetness of the cake. The service was friendly and knowledgeable about the menu giving thoughtful suggestions. Parking is a little difficult! There is paid parking lot not too far that is free for the first hour. Otherwise, there is some street parking options. Overall, Detention has interesting perspective on food that sometimes hits it out of the park which makes it worth checking out. read more

Omakase Cocktail Experience was absolutely amazing! We simple planned an afternoon at the lounge with drinks and friends. Which it turned out into something much more special. Jared was our bartender, top notch service. He was fun to interact with, extremely knowledgeable and he was able to produce delicious cocktails for all of us. So to clarify, the OCE is a very personalize tour of drinks. The bartender will sit with you and ask you what your preferences are, favorite flavors, textures, etc. He then presents you with a total of 3 cocktails and some shots in between. Also, all snacks on the lounge menu are included if you decide to do this. The scallops were by far my favorite and the fritters were unforgettable. Highly recommend everything about this! read more

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Came here for the first time, made a reservation for 6:15 on a Thursday. It seemed pretty empty at this time but closer to 7 it definitely started filling up. We first ordered the milk bread which was amazing and to die for, I could eat it every day! Then we had brussel sprouts which were quite good as well. There are nice bits of manchego that complimented the chorizo well. It had a slight sweet taste though I wasn't able to pinpoint it. For our entrees we got the lomo Saltado which had a good portion of the meat. It was cooked perfectly and very tender. A tad salty but I didn't mind. We also ordered the octopus which we weren't a big fan of, kind of went out on a whim ordering it though as it isn't one of our usuals. Drinks were good too! I would definitely go back! read more

DTTN 2.0 - Brussel Sprouts w/ chorizo - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Santa Ana, California

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Top tier. Solid 10/10. Highly recommend. Food and service were amazing! Literally such a good time at this restaurant. Started with a drink, Die Hard is a Christmas Movie. Had no clue what it was, thought it was tequila and was pleasantly surprised that it was bourbon, and some other fun stuff. Solid drink and it's so smooth. If there wasn't a giant ice cube in it, it'd be too easy to down this drink! Next, we moved onto the dishes. First, our Charred Broccoli Lettuce Wraps came out, and my partner loved these! I liked them as well, as it tasted so fresh and charred to perfection. The sauce on this reminded me of like a thai sauce and it paired perfectly with the veggies. Definitely will order that again. Next up, we got our Spicy Chicken Dumplings. I loved these! Fried so good, not greasy, sauce wasn't too strong or oily. Overall, delicious plate. Don't let the spice scare you as it's not too hot! Third plate, Grilled Kurobuta Pork Belly. I thought I had to use a knife to cut the pork, but it was so soft, there was no need! It was nice and crispy, and the sauce tasted of cilantro and was very fresh. This dish is delicious and rich. Last dish was Goose's Mafaldini. Daaaamn this pasta was good! Noodles perfect, sauce delicious, basil fresh. Insert *chef's kiss* here. Just a damn good pasta dish. Order it, trust me. Finally, we got our dessert. Burnt Basque Cheesecake. Doesn't look like much when it comes out, but cut into it and you'll see the awesomeness that is cheesy smooth cake. It was rich and airy, but overall a very good piece of cheesecake. I loved it. Highly suggest visiting Playground. You won't be disappointed, and staff is super friendly and overall amazing. We will definitely be visiting again soon! read more

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My husband and I would come to the Playground for any occasion to be celebrated: our anniversaries, promotions, when we found out we were expecting, birthdays, when I wrapped up a semester (I'm a teacher), other milestones, etc. We would also come when we haven't been in a while, just because. For our 2nd anniversary, we even had the pleasure of experiencing Playground 2.0. We love the experimental, unique, and quality food offered at this establishment. And this to say--the 2nd edition, Detention DTSA, has also lived up to be just as grand. We came for an early Valentine's dinner and ordered the following: lamb dumplings, mussels, "all of our favorite things," the pork jowl, and the bone marrow chocolate cake. The menu might be rotating, so some of the things I reviewed or photographed on the menu might not be there anymore. "Biang Biang" Cumin Lamb Dumplings - I don't even like lamb and I liked this dish. The texture of the dumpling skin was absolutely perfect! I wonder if they slapped the dumpling dough on the table as referenced in the name of the dish "Biang Biang!" PEI Mussels and Merguez- It had slices of garlic, sausage, and green onions in a broth. Mussels are usually paired with bread to dip in the broth but OMG, these bread mops were extra special. They were grilled and crispy, but not dry... I can't really explain it! You DEFINITELY need to ask for an extra side of them All of My Favorite Things- This dish is essentially a lettuce wrap 2.0, or maybe 5.0, if we can make that a thing. It's really all the things- tangy, crispy, crunchy, light, refreshing, and cheesy (a hard cheese kind of cheesy). The cheese has a bit of a presence and tasted like Parmesan. So, if you don't like Parmesan...that sucks because this dish is bomb Pork Jowl- Asian flavor profiles were present here. It's tender, mild spice, and sweet (maybe a tad too sweet even with a generous lime squeeze). I think it could do with a couple more butter lettuces and I'm sure if we asked they would've given it to us. It had puffed rice on top, but to frank- with that level of sweetness, it would taste better paired with regular white rice. Bone Marrow Chocolate Cake - I never thought I would be putting those two words next to each other, let alone eating them together in the same bite. It's paired with a vanilla ice cream that's slightly spiked with something, haha. All I have to say is--try it! We brought our newborn baby and I forgot to put it as a note in the reservation..oops. But, the restaurant was super accommodating to finding a space for her to be in the stroller next to our table. I could comfortably nurse her which is a huge plus for me, and something I didn't think about until becoming a mom. The wait staff was also doting on our baby which made us feel great as new parents Lastly, one perk of the transition from Jason (the previous chef/owner) is that each time we come back, we don't ever again have to see an Arsenal jersey hahahahahaha! GO CHELSEA!! read more

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I have been here several times in the past but finally had the chance to dine here again since COVID with a large group of friends. There is a parking lot just across the street with plenty of spaces if you can not find a spot on the street. We dined in an area that had recently been added on. The lighting was not too bright, but I felt the noise level to be bothersome. It was hard to hear people talking even just sitting across from me. The service was friendly and attentive. We always had enough water on the table, which is a must since we had plenty of wines to drink! We had a fresh salad that was nice and lightly dressed with a Champagne vinaigrette. The hummus with avocado and chili oil served with Nan bread was delicious. I really enjoyed the pasta with pork dish and the sea bass. They were my favorites of the night. I felt the broccoli was burnt and tough. I also did not care for the cabbage dish cooked in Waygu fat. However, the fried pork belly was delicious. We had two desserts, a cheese cake and Sticky toffee pudding. The pudding was my fav of the two and I loved the caramel sauce. This is, as before, a fun place to come and enjoy several different plates. I just wish it wasn't so loud. However, I will be back. read more

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What do we want?! Old Detention!! When do we want it?! All the time When Kat and I visited Q4'22 we had THE meal of Santa Ana. The flavors of everything and the sass of everyone made the evening such a memorable one. You can't go wrong with the menu. But looks like ownership went avant garde and decided to convert to an exclusive supper club where you pay $350/year (for the most basic tier) for the chance to make reservations. Got an email earlier this year basically admitting they messed up their transition lol, and that was pretty delicious too. Will definitely stop by again when/if we decide to come back down to earth Edit: $350 read more

Great food and big portions perfect for sharing! Before coming here, I was told this place compares to Bestia. I think that anticipation really colored my experience here. I did enjoy bestia's food and ambiance a little more. Playground (the name when I went, now it's detention) has a much larger space so did not have the intimate, eccentric vibe bestia had. Both places had high quality, uniquely experimental dishes on the menu that were seasonal. Bestia's portion sizes are tiny, so I appreciated the bigger portions at Playground where we could all have more than one bite of shared plates of things we liked. I did feel that experiment wise, bestia's dishes are more successful. They are both tasty and unique, though, and I really enjoyed both foods. Our server was delightful and recommended drinks based on our taste that we really enjoyed. I look forward to returning under the new banner! read more

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Amazing food, Amazing drinks, amazing space, amazing ambience, and most of all amazing people. Anything from the toffee and mochi cakes, to the duck confit pappardelle and oyster mushroom toast is immaculate!!! With an ever changing menu you have to come in and try these delicious dishes before they go. A personal favorite was the burnt basque cheesecake so hopefully it'll come back round. The best restaurant in Santa Ana and I'd highly HIGHLY recommend you come here. You'll find something you love here easy! read more

My friend and I were going to the Michael Buble concert at the Honda Center and found this place for dinner beforehand. My friend thought they were funny with their menu and wanted to try this place. Tried to make a reservation on Monday but it was closed. But I was able to make a reservation online for 6PM. The concert started at 8PM, so I figured it was plenty of time. We were excited and hungry and looked at the menu in the car and decided what we wanted. But we discovered that they change the menu every week! So when we got there, we had to look again and make new plans. We found metered parking on the street and just paid the meter. It was almost 6PM when we got there and there was already people waiting to get seated. I looked around and the place had their 1 star yelp reviews up! Yup, this place has a good sense of humor! We asked the waiter about a few menu items because we were debating between the world famous Brussel sprouts ceaser and the F*** catalina salad mixer. He said the Brussels, it was world famous - OK Then! We asked for another appetizer recommendation and he said the air-loom tomatoes instantly. So we ordered that and the Apple Glazed Pork Belly. For drinks my friend got a vodka drink and I got the rum drink that had Dole Whip, because hello?? Dole Whip! It was good but very boozy, as the waiter had mentioned. Brussels were AMAZING and delicious! Airloom was good but I probably wouldn't get it again. It was tasty but nothing impressive. The pork belly was BOMB!! As was the Sticky Toffee pudding for dessert. Love, Love this place! Great ambiance, food and menu is funny as hell! Sucks but also good that they change their menu so often! If this place was closer to me, I'd be coming every week! Also only open from Wed-Saturday! read more

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