First of all, this is a tiny tiny place with lots of shared parking so try to go after business hours otherwise it'll be challenging to park. It looks like the previous place was casual because it's a bit odd to see tvs in upscale restaurants, nothing bad, just odd but it was clean/nice inside. The food is amazing. We love the complimentary bread, it was warm, nicely toasted on the outside, soft on the inside. The beet salad is one of the best I've ever had! I like my food not drowned in sauces and this was perfect, where you can actually taste the food. I also got the grilled prawns and they were soooooo good. I tasted some of my friends bone marrow and bread, it too was amazing. We had a table of 8 and everyone raved about the food. Unfortunately they seem either understaffed, disorganized, or green. They made us wait over 15-20 minutes for a table even though we had reservations because other patrons wouldn't leave. It's normal to have a time limit and I couldn't tell if the patrons were told their time was up and they refused to leave or if no one told them. They told us that the food comes out when it's made so we understood that but what strange is to have three salmon orders but only one come out, why wouldn't you make all three at the same time? They also got a lot of our orders wrong, at least 3 that I could remember, including mine. After asking about my prawns, several times, they finally brought my order whenever everyone else was done and gave me pulpo, then had to take it back to make the prawns. It looks like the place is meant for small groups or date nights. We were two big groups so maybe it was overwhelming for the staff. The staff was nice and apologetic about the mistakes so we weren't upset but hopefully they can improve because we'd love to return. read more

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This restaurant was only on its third week since opening! Our waiter, Gabriel, was the kindest gentleman and was extremely helpful in helping us choose our meal, as well as how to eat it. In addition to the pictured, we had the grilled artichoke, parker house rolls, and a jackfruit sorbet. It was the first time we had eaten artichokes this way so Gabriel was kind enough to give us a 101 tutorial on eating artichokes. the sorbet was amazing, extremely creamy, was shocked that it was a sorbet, tasted like ice cream! Chef Jackeline came out to say hello to us after and it was truly a pleasure to meet the lady behind these delicious dishes. The ambiance is nice and quiet, perfect place for a date night, for sure! read more

Lemon & Thyme - Mushroom Risotto - New American Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Wow. Completely impressed with this little hole in the wall. It is really cute, quaint & small, with only about 12-15 tables. We went for our 10 year wedding anniversary date night, decided to try something new from a recommendation & we were not disappointed. Really looking forward to coming back and trying something new on their menu! We got.. Bone Marrow Appetizer The special: Truffle Oil Creamy style Pasta (don't remember the actually name) Entree: Duck Mole Everything course was spaced perfectly, the service was lovely, the food was absolutely decadent with perfect portions. More expensive than a casual dine; but there is plenty of Value for the Price. 10/10 highly recommend! read more

My husband and I went here for dinner - we are always looking for a new place and this one is FABULOUS! It is found in a nook in a strip mall, so parking is ample. Once you step inside, the atmosphere is so warm and welcoming - it felt mediterranean to me. The service was perfection and it was clear that our server was passionate about his job and wanted to insure our experience was divine. For an appetizer, we tried the roasted bone marrow. Oh my gosh! It was so, so good. It gets spread on artisan bread and, honestly, I could have eaten two of those and called it a night. But we didn't. My husband ordered the short rib ravioli and quickly devoured it. He also got a side of broccoli, which he loved. I ordered the mushroom risotto with shaved pecorino and ate every bite. It was so savory and flavorful. We ordered an espresso martini, which was so yummy! I would highly recommend trying Lemon & Thyme - we will definitely be back! read more

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We had an absolutely delicious brunch here today and were blown away by the flavors, quality and freshness of the food, but also the warm, welcoming ambiance. Gustavo was friendly, knowledgeable and just the right kind of attentive, describing dishes we had questions about and filling water/tea glasses promptly. We ordered flavorful, piping hot rigatoni, risotto and an amazing arugula, grilled pear and burrata salad drizzled with a light vinaigrette that could have been the main meal. The top-off to this amazing meal was the incredibly crafted baklava cheesecake that was literally the most perfect dessert ever, the right amount of sweetness and fresh edible flowers sprinkled around the plate, just crazy good. This place is so good, it's surprising there weren't people lined up on Harbor Blvd. This was our first time here but we've already added it to our absolute favorites list for future visits. read more

Food here -- one word-- ***AMAZING*** - the food was fantastic get the artichokes get a bottle of flowers order the steak or the chicken and just indulge yourself in the essence of flavor. - the food was fantastic we got some things on the menu cooked in beef tallow and man it was amazing The Service-- one word-- ***UNBELIEVABLE*** - I have worked at hotels before and I think every Food and Beverage Manager should eat in this restaurant and study the service. Our waiter was fucking incredible he remembered everything you wanted, he gave great suggestions, he was truly a man that was great with people, he was funny and you could tell he made the dinning experience twice as good. *** Totally forgot his name but he wears glasses and a yellow apron the dude was on it he knew what we want before we wanted it it was incredible*** - Great experience here highly recommend in Costa Mesa and it is a small little spot near triangle square but the best spots I have been to usually are small little spots like these that have great food and great people. read more

Lemon & Thyme - Beet Salad sorry I suck at taking pictures I was busy grubbin hard - New American Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

The tender short rib ravioli comes in a rich mushroom demi-glaze that is absolutely delicious. You should also start your meal with the savory roasted bone marrow and its bright citrus gremolata. read more

We loveeeee this place!! Great service and amazing food! We go all the time. It's nice and cute and also a bit romantic

Oh my goodness the food was amazing,the waiter we had I believe his name was Gabriel was the most attentive person, his recommendation for our main course and wine was the best. The restaurant was so cute I absolutely loved the decor it brought back good memories from Italy . We were celebrating our 44 anniversary and the dessert they gave us was so yummy. read more

Great food! Amazing service! Baklava cheesecake is my go to dessert! The ratatouille is a must every time! read more

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Delicious food, :) loved the spicy rigatoni and beet salad. Fresh ingredients quick service

The service here was beyond amazing and met my expectations. The food was also amazing. We started off with the pea salad then with the bone marrow, which was OK. The main dishes were the burger, which was beyond amazing. Probably one of the best burger I've ever had to be honest mac & cheese was good. The salmon was amazing and the short rib. Wrap was great. It's a perfect place to come. Enjoy a nice evening with friends and family or even date night. read more

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Attentive service and personable staff. 5 stars for the staff, 4 stars for the food. Our favorites were the lamb croquettes, octopus, and baklava cheesecake. read more

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Great restaurant food was great super fresh and inviting, the service was excellent she was great at recommending items to try and what were popular items. Ambience was great really good vibe but not too loud. Highly recommend particularly if your foodie like me. read more

Wow! Wow! Wow! This restaurant truly deserves a Michelin Star! From start to finish, everything was beyond exceptional. The food was absolutely outstanding. The truffle pasta was mouthwatering, and the ribeye with mashed potatoes and mushrooms was an unforgettable experience. The pear and arugula salad was incredibly fresh and perfectly balanced. Our waiter, Gabriel, was phenomenal--attentive, knowledgeable, and provided excellent recommendations. We never had to ask for anything, as he had everything prepared for us with impeccable timing and care. I've found my new favorite restaurant. An exceptional experience from the food to the service. Highly recommend!! read more

Lemon & Thyme - Ribeye - New American Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

I just found a new spot to add to my list of recommendations when people ask where to dine. Parking is a bit tricky unless you come early but our server, Gabriel, was the VIP! He gave clear directions and even walked us out to help direct our parking! Food was great, the dinner rolls were hot out of the oven, the truffle tagliatelle wasn't too overwhelming with truffle so I appreciated that, the beet salad was light and refreshing. The flavors of all the dishes meshed well together. Gabriel shared that the chef's favorite flavors are lemon and thyme so expect each dish to have some dash or touch of it :) It's not too big of a restaurant and the tables were completely filled by 8 pm. We were lucky to walk in and grab a table when they opened but definitely call ahead or make reservations. Ask for Gabriel, you'll love him! read more

We had an amazing meal here. We felt spoiled by the service from everyone taking care of us. Juan was especially fabulous and gave us recommendations on items. The ambiance was relaxing. Cannot recommend this place enough! read more

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My friend Mari H. came into town over the weekend and we had discussed possibly going to brunch or dinner while she was here. She asked if I had any recommendations and I did a quick search on Yelp. Lemon & Thyme popped up as a hot, new restaurant and I sent her the link. She agreed so we made a reservation. I let another friend know she was coming and we set the date. Lemon & Thyme just opened a few months ago and it's this lovely little restaurant that has Italian and Mediterranean influences. They have some parking spaces in front but there are more spaces behind the restaurant as well. We had perused the menu while waiting for our friend to join us and one of the waiters came to give us his spiel. They are known for their grilled octopus but they also had a seasonal grilled peach salad. We asked about the Branzino and found out it was a 2.5 lb Striped Seabass. Mari had wanted to try it but it was a rather big portion and she did not want to impose it on everyone at the table. A plate of warm Parker rolls came out while we were waiting to order. Once our party was complete, we ordered. We decided on a bottle of the Lucien Albrecht sparkling wine to start. We also ordered the grilled artichokes ($17), grilled peach salad with burrata, and our entrees. We tried the Airline chicken ($26), Spicy Rigatoni ($21), and Truffe Tagliatelle ($29). We enjoyed every bite. The Peach & Burrata salad was so good and I'm glad to have tried it as it is a seasonal menu item. The chicken was moist and the vegetables were crunchy. The mashed potatoes were quite good too. The rigatoni had a wonderful spicy kick to it. The truffle tagliatelle had shaved black truffles on top and it was delicious. We did not pass up on dessert. It was difficult to choose so we got both a slice of the Baklava Cheesecake and the Espresso Creme Brulee. The creme brulee had a strong espresso flavor and was really good. The Baklava Cheesecake was a showstopper with the phyllo dough crust, edible flowers, and spray of rose water at the table. It was also SPECTACULAR as a dessert. If you have a sweet tooth, this is the dessert to try. Let me just say this, while the restaurant is small, the service is impeccable. My water glass did not go empty at all during the time we were there. I did not need to flag anyone down. Someone stopped by intermittently to check if we needed anything. In fact, after we finished our bottle, the server came by to top us off with one of the bottles they had open behind the bar because we were having such a good time in our little booth. It was a fantastic choice to spend our evening there. We had a great time there and very much enjoyed our dining experience. If you're looking for a new restaurant to try, don't overlook this new neighborhood gem. read more

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We tried this place for the first time & will definitely be back. It's a surprise that food & service this good would be in such an unlikely little strip mall on Harbor Blvd. Don't let the setting keep you away. Everything we had was very tasty. Every person we dealt with was friendly , polite & professional. We split the branzino ($75 that night) and it was definitely enough for both of us. We'll be back. read more

Omg the service and service are amazing at this place! When you step inside it feels very cozy like home. Our server Gabriel is so attentive and awesome. The food is delicious and the prices are very reasonable. The portions are huge. It's a gem and I would definitely come back. read more

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Amazing service by Juan! Food was amazing as well. The ambience felt very intimate and cozy. Loved the al pastor octopus, rigatoni and ravioli. The baclava cheesecake was chef's kiss. Will come back 10/10 read more

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Not sure how this spot has been gate kept for so long! I came here on a whim and was so impressed. Intimate setting, perfect for date night. Very attentive staff and high level of service. The bread tastes homemade and is absolutely to die for. Must try the rigatoni - rich, decadent and full of flavor. Don't miss this lovely hidden gem tucked away on the Westside! read more

we went to lemon & thyme for a friday night dinner. it was all around an amazing meal, highly recommend going if you're looking for a good restaurant in costa mesa. we made a reservation, but it looked like it would've been easy enough to get a table if you walked in. the decor was really cute, fitting to a lemon themed restaurant. the service was great! the wait staff was really friendly and attentive. we never had a water glass unfilled. we started with 2 glasses of wine. the served us some bread that was delicious - salt, lemon, and thyme! we followed that with a beet salad which was a refreshing and flavorful start to the meal. the spicy rigatoni had a good kick and was also delicious. the airline chicken was a very impressive meal - chicken was perfectly cooked and flavored, mashed potatoes were perfectly seasoned, and some fresh veggies to balance it out. we ended the night with the baklava cheesecake, a great combo of 2 classics. read more

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Service was good, server was knowledgable and made good recommendations. Portions are smaller than described. Food was good as well.

THEIR BRANZINO!! If you haven't been to Lemon & Thyme yet, you're in for a treat. This place is a brand-new hidden gem that won't stay hidden for long! Everything here is handmade and bursting with flavor. From the homemade potato chips to the divine baklava cheesecake... come on! Chefs here know what they're doing. The branzino was perfectly cooked, and the al pastor grilled octopus was absolutely delicious. Don't miss out on their charcuterie board and beef tartare either. Seriously, everything on the menu is a win!! read more

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Although Restaurant Highlights: 1. Amazing Food 2. Personable with above and beyond service from Gabriel! Although the food was good, I'm a bit torn about a 4 or 5 star rating due the juxtaposition of flavors between the appetizer and main courses. The appetizer which were: the octopus carpaccio and hiramasa crudo, 2 amazingly stellar dishes, and out of this world even. Comparing this to our mains: Octopus Al Pastor and truffle tag-something pasta, these 2 pale in comparison. It was a let down really because the al pastor was flavor has a lot more tang/tartness than what I'm used to from an al pastor anything. The dish itself was honestly a 3 star compared to the 2 apps. Than the truffle tag pasta was really but with the first 3 bites but it got really heavy after that. By comparison, the 2 apps were light, refreshing, had amazing complimentary flavors while the 2 mains did nothing for else. Hence the 4 stars on the food. What really averaged this place up to 5 stars was due to Gabriel. That man was the jack of all trades serving us, serving other tables, than also being a sommelier?? I would kind of go back just for that guy! Also worth mentioning was that it was our birthdays so Gabriel hooked us up with 2 desserts! One was a chocolate cake and the other was a cheese cake baklava. Although they tasted great, it wasn't really for us since it was on the more decadent and sweeter side than what we prefer. Overall, good place and I would go back if the main dishes got rotated out to something interesting. read more

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First time dining here and looking forward to coming back! Came here for dinner with a couple friends on a Friday evening around 5:00. We had a reservation , so we were seated right away and given fresh garlic bread with butter. Our server was really nice and gave us a rundown of basically the whole menu, and gave us a few recommendations. We ordered the grilled artichoke that came with a couple sauces that were soo good; and then I ordered their octopus dish. The octopus had a really nice avocado sauce and had a nice grilled flavor to it. It was not too tough and was cooked really well and came with some baby potatoes as well. Overall a really cute little place with nice ambiance. Would probably be quite nice for a date night as well. read more

Lemon & Thyme - Octopus dish - New American Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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If you blink you will miss this place driving West down Harbor on the right just before 19th Street. OMG what a find! The food was beyond any ordinary restaurant and the service and ambiance was outstanding. It's an outstanding place for a date night. We will definitely be back. read more

Don't sleep on this place! This is one of the best meals I've eaten in my life. Our waiter was so nice and helpful. He explained the menu and helped us pick our dishes. We had the artichokes, the wedge salad, the risotto with steak, and the baklava cheesecake. It was all incredible. I've thought about that risotto and steak every day since we've eaten there. The space is nice -- soft lighting, and the interior feels upscale. At the end of our meal, the chef/owner came out to say hi. She was a lovely person who obviously cares deeply for her craft. read more

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This is a new restaurant and dining at a new restaurant comes with some frustrations which are to be expected and I will not scrutinize the restaurant that much for. There were a few hiccups with some of our table's orders where wrong food was given and the right food order took awhile to come out. With a few more staffing and getting used to the hang of things, things will be sorted out. When it comes to food, from the different dishes I tried...from the complimentary bread to the house salad to the grilled artichoke, I was impressed and thoroughly enjoyed the food. Food really lives up to the name of the restaurant. You can taste a touch of lemon and thyme in the bread as well as the salad dressing. The restaurant itself is very intimate and cozy, and clean. read more

Ambience is good. Food was amazing! Had beef tartare, octopus and spicy rigatoni, every dish was beautifully presented and tastes delicious. Our server Juan was very attentive and made sure we were taking care of from the minute we sat down, Service was very responsive. Price is not bad either. Would def come back! read more

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1000% will be back! The food is amazing here - so much flavor and intentionality in their dishes. I feel like food places often get overhyped but lemon and thyme deserves all the 5 stars!! We got the beet salad (so fresh), truffle tagliatelle (literal perfection but also rich), the ribeye (so good), and dark chocolate cake for dessert (decadent and I love chocolate). All of it was so amazing and I want to go back and try more dishes asap! The restaurant is small, quaint, and cute. Perfect for a date night or a small group of friends! So glad we found this restaurant on yelp! I haven't been blown away by a restaurant in a while - can't wait to be back! read more

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This is a brand new restaurant we just heard about and it was worth the visit. Excellent service friendly staff amazing tapas style dishes. Love the flavors of every dish. Definitely returning to try the rest of the menu items we did not try today read more

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Another phenomenal meal with probably one of the greatest servers we've ever experienced. Gabriel deserves a raise. He could tell me a rock tasted good and I would order it!! He truly elevates our experience every time Cheers read more

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Ambiance is pretty sad at this place especially for dinner, they kept the lights super bright and the interior looks like grandmas kitchen, maybe a better fit for lunch. Service was meh kinda rude and dishes were boring. We ordered cauliflower with zaatar and it was literally steamed cauliflower soaked in olive oil, no taste whatsoever. My favorite were the mushrooms which would be the only item I'd ever consider going back to this place for but still not worth it. I don't understand 4.8 rating... read more

Wow! What a wonderful surprise. From the warm welcome, to the incredible service and delicious food, Lemon & Thyme was absolutely perfect. It's hard to find such a unique gem in Orange County and I am so glad we found it. We had the best salad (perfectly dressed) and yummy shrimp ceviche (with homemade taro chips) to start, the branzino, octopus, mushroom risotto, roasted mushroom side, potatoes for the main, and the epic baklava cheesecake. We got the chocolate tart and they brought vanilla and coconut ice cream (like and almond joy!) as well and it was so good. Highly recommend and look fwd to going back!! Perfect for celebrating my folks 66th wedding anniversary! read more

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What a great spot! We started with their bread, which is usually just a starter. I would've had it as an entree if it were on the menu. I'll be returning for more bread for sure!! I love broccolini and it was chargrilled to perfection. We also tried the octopus Al pastor. The server promised it would melt in your mouth- oh was he right! The textures and flavors of that dish were amazing. We finished the evening with a flight of their handmade sorbets. I've never had more flavorful sorbets. read more

Excellent service. Great food! I had the mushroom risotto and it was rich and decadent. read more

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Service was friendly and attentive- no issue there. It's also a pleasant space. However the food was so-so. I had chilaquiles: For the $18 price I'd expect a good balance of ingredients. Instead it was mostly chips, one egg, a little avocado and not much else. That said the seasoning was ok. Others in my party seemed a little happier with their orders. read more

Inspired food, environment , and service. Grilled peach, burrata, and arugula: one of the best salads I've had. Duck with lovely creamy mole and intricately balanced octopus dish were hits. The lamb croquettes will pop to mind regularly when I have returned to seattle. Lamb and carrots with delicate warm flavors (maybe cinnamon?) encased in a cornmeal crust. Warm hospitality enhanced all the good flavors. Southern Cal: you are so lucky to have such a special place. read more