Great find inside of the south coast plaza mall! After shopping, I was starving and needed…read moresomething within the are without wait. The place is nice and cozy, giving bistro vibes. There was only 1 server so it did take some time to be seated and to get my order in. I had the lunch coarse meal which came with carrot soup, duck entree, and dessert. Everything was delicious! Duck was very moist and well cooked. Definitely recommend!

Located in South Coast plaza shopping mall, so there is plenty of parking. There is Inside and…read moreoutside seating, in a casual modern setting. The service is friendly and very attentive. Our group started with their homemade rolls, octopus, ratatouille, and beet salad. All were delicious and we all agreed we would get again. I got the duck breast, as it was recommended by others who had it before. Unfortunately, the duck was tough and chewy, the skin was not crispy (as it was in the past) and over cooked. The figs were tasty, but the duck was disappointing to most of us. Someone had the Scottish salmon and said it was delicious. The steak was also good and cooked perfectly. Our waiter was very kind, and brought us desserts since our duck was not up to par. The chocolate cake and rice pudding were both delicious and I highly recommend either if you crave something sweet. The service was excellent for our large group. I would definitely come back and like to try other items on the menu.

My family lived in Paris for a while, so we absolutely love French food. Lately, we've been…read moreobsessed with this place called Bouillon Newport--it's the authentic French bistro in OC. The overall restaurant design replicates the classic Parisian Bouillon style. From what the staff told us, all the dishes are made with fresh ingredients purchased daily, prepared on the spot, and they sell out once they're gone! That's why they're known as "the Best Traditional French Restaurant in OC." The service is also incredibly thoughtful, genuine, and welcoming. Everyone on staff speaks French. This time we tried the Confit de Canard (tender and juicy), Escargots, Leg de Lapin, Beef Bourguignon (the tagliatelle it came with was so flavorful), Steak Frites (served with either pepper sauce or Bearnaise sauce), and the Salmon. Everything was delicious! Even the pre-service bread was amazing. The prices are really reasonable too. Five of us dined for $185, which offers great value for money.

I don't know what went wrong there, but something changed for sure. They're normally amazing but we…read morejust went there for lunch and it was absolutely terrible. The Mother's Day menu they were serving for the weekend was extremely disappointing. Of all the dishes we ordered, the frog legs were the only thing that was pretty okay. The scallop risotto was particularly bad, it was as if it was prepared by an amateur, not a professional. And aside from the food, the bathrooms were in a sad state, with trash on the ground (even outside leading to the restroom area), trash piled in the trashcan making it impossible to reach the paper towels, something really unbefitting of a restaurant on this price range. I've been coming here for years and I'm sad to say I don't know if I'll be back for quite a while considering how bad it was today. The way they used to be, I'd recommend them in a heartbeat. The way they were today, absolutely not. I'm glad at least that we came today and not tomorrow on Mother's Day itself.

If you are looking for an authentic French dining experience in Costa Mesa, Butcher's House…read moreBrasserie is a must-visit. From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere felt incredibly genuine--even the waiters were speaking French, which added such a charming, transportive touch to our evening! We came here to celebrate a friend's birthday and were glad we made a reservation in advance, as the place has a great energy and fills up quickly. To experience as much of the menu as possible, we ordered several dishes to share. We started with the Burrata and the Butcher's House Pate. Both were excellent, but a special shout-out has to go to the bread and butter. The bread quality is top-notch, and the butter is divine--it immediately reminded me of the high-quality butter I've had in France. Before the mains, we shared the Butcher's Salad. It was incredibly refreshing and the perfect palate cleanser. We opted not to add protein to the salad since we knew we had a feast coming, and it was the right call. Since they are known for their butchery, most of our group went with steaks. Two friends ordered the steak and eggs, and I went with the classic Steak Frites. The steak was cooked to perfection and the accompanying sauce was amazing. Both the potatoes and the fries were standout sides--perfectly crispy and seasoned. Toulouse Sausage was a total hidden gem! It was incredibly juicy and flavorful. I tried a bite of my friend's cod, and it proved that they handle seafood just as expertly as their meats. It was delicate and fresh. While I didn't get a chance to try the cocktails this time, I noticed they have a full bar with a great selection. I already have my eye on the Espresso Martini for my next visit! Overall, a fantastic spot for a celebration or a nice date night. I can't wait to come back.

This is a cozy place for dinner. I would definitely recommend reservations here as seating is…read morefairly limited. The staff is friendly and attentive. We started with bread and butter and got filet mignon as our entree. We added raclette potatoes and green beans for sides. Finished the meal with apple tart. Bread and Butter- They serve warm baguettes with a perfectly crusty exterior. It was soft and fluffy inside. Accompanied by creamy french butter. Filet Mignon- We each got to choose a sauce to go with the meat and we picked garlic aioli and peppercorn sauce. Both were delicious and elevated the dish. The meat was beautifully aged and tender, cooked perfectly with a smoky sear. Raclette Potatoes- Potatoes were nicely roasted and the raclette cheese was gooey and savory. Proscuitto added a layer of flavor, making every bite memorable! Green Beans- Fresh and tasty. This was sauteed with herbs and maintained a nice crunch. It was a lovely and healthy side. Apple Tart- Delicate flaky pastry base with sweet apples and a rich, caramel sauce. Finished with creamy vanilla ice cream. This was a delicious end to the meal. Great experience overall!

We came to Le Chateau Garden Bistro in Costa Mesa to celebrate my wife's birthday, and it turned…read moreout to be a wonderful choice. Our host Miguel was very accommodating and even let us order from the happy hour menu with just 8 minutes left, which we really appreciated. We tried the Coconut Margarita and Jalapeño Margarita--both were excellent and quickly became our favorites. For food, we ordered the mini caprese, BBQ chicken flatbread, and truffle fries, all of which were fresh and flavorful. To top it off, they surprised us with a slice of cheesecake for the birthday celebration, which was a really nice touch. The restaurant itself is tucked inside a hotel with a beautiful setting by the fountain, giving it a cozy and relaxing vibe. Free parking was a plus, and the service throughout was quick and attentive. Overall, a great experience with good food, amazing drinks, and thoughtful service. Perfect spot for a special occasion.

Ello there ! Welcome back to another review from yours truly…read more I am visiting CA for a conference and I am staying at the Ayres Hotel (Beautiful by the way) and needed some grub before the day started. Side note .. west coast time draaaaags for no reason. Anywho. I decided to keep it lowkey and go to the hotel restaurant and I was not disappointed. I had a classic omelet topped with an undeniably diabolical CHURRO WAFFEL! Yooooo! It slapped. The service was fast , the environment was quiet. Overall 8/10 I do recommend !

Favorite fine dining / Michelin-star restaurant in OC! Can't say enough great things about it!…read more A super intimate, upscale-casual (smart casual vibes with no enforced dress code) restaurant located in the third-floor penthouse of SCP. The space feels intimate because it's on the smaller side, and they thoughtfully stagger reservations so the dining room never feels overcrowded. You can be seated in the main dining room, on the outdoor patio, or on the indoor patio next to the penthouse shops. I come here at least once a year for my birthday because the staff are genuinely warm and make every guest feel special. They clearly care deeply about hospitality and creating a true culinary experience. Honestly, the entire team is top-notch, but on our most recent visit, Kara took especially great care of us. She remembered our preferences, made sure we were comfortable and had everything we needed without needing to ask, and made my birthday feel special while also giving my husband and me space (I dislike when wait staff at smaller restaurants hover - they don't do that at all). The way the staff serves, takes orders, clears, etc. is like a really well-rehearsed dance - they want everything to be paced, smooth, and efficient (without feeling forced or robotic) and it really makes a difference. The food is delicious and beautifully presented, with thoughtful attention put into every detail of the flavor profile and color palette. They NEVER miss. I love how they refresh the menu a few times during the year to showcase seasonal ingredients while still staying true to the restaurant's overall identity. They also have a selection of dining experiences - I always go for the 3 course prefix during lunch and the portion sizes and timing of each course is perfect. Also highly recommend their afternoon tea on Saturdays. Couldn't find a more luxurious afternoon tea experience in OC! I genuinely hope they continue to do well! It's a pleasure to be a guest and feel pampered for a special day or an elevated casual meal with friends/family. Will be back many times in the future!

Came here 11/5/2020 Pricey for small servings but it's an…read moreupscale restaurant so I guess it should be expected. Definitely will be back for the dessert at least... and maybe the tasting menu. Apple (vanilla panna cotta, tatin, earl grey crumble, granny smith: compressed & gelee, green apple sorbet): You gotta come here for dessert. This was phenomenal. The earl grey crumble was delicious and plays well with the sweet tartness of the granny smiths. I'd say the component that felt out of place was the compressed pieces; they tasted like an fresh apple version of tandra which was too sweet and the layers meshed together. Main diver scallops (cauliflower, romanesco, capers, lemon confit, crostini): The scallops were so juicy and perfectly seared on the top. The cauliflowers were good but lackluster. The server told me there's cauliflower puree on the bottom which was yummy. Lemon confit who? There was an essence of lemon but nothing very present. Crostini was essentially like mini plain croutons. Wild Alaskan halibut (braised & fermented fennel, castelvetrano olives, preserved lemon): Only tried a bite of the fish and fennel. The fish was very nicely cooked and the crust on top was delightful. The fennel was sour due to fermentation but I didn't particularly enjoy it.

Great first time experience here!…read more Came on Mother's Day and they were packed, but service was still very quick and efficient. Ambiance was really nice, love the Parisian vibes! Tons of great choices as far as food and pastries. I tried the pesto chicken sandwich and it was really good! They had lots of yummy looking things that I still want to try so I'll have to be back!

The setup feels like an authentic French place - to-order restaurant items, a bakery, a deli…read moresection, and small market items. The meal food was good, but I'd say on the lighter/blander side. Their pastries are the star of the show for me. Would definitely come back specifically for the saint honore, and fruit mousse cake which had passionfruit notes. Really enjoyed the extensive patio seating.

Definitely one of my new favorite brunch spots - made it into my top 5 (in terms of food and…read morelocation, at least)! Love the casual vibe of this place. It's waterfront and can be accessed via the boardwalk (it's behind the street-side shops). Parking can be tough and very expensive - you'll likely have to park in the structure and walk over. Make sure to take your ticket with you for validation. Seating is available inside and outside on their covered patio. Plenty of space for parties of all sizes. I was pleasantly surprised by how easy it was to make a same-day reservation for a Sunday afternoon. They had plenty of open seating even when we got there. Tables were very dirty. They have a lot of work to do - it seems like months if not years of food, dust, and salty moist air mixed together and collected in the creases in the tables, on the walls, etc.. It's like a sticky gross residue that never gets completely clean. Many people like to dress nice in the area but honestly I would hate to wear something nice here out of fear it would get dirty. We also required new plates as ours had old food stuck to them. Service was not great. Our waiter was somewhat attentive but not nice - the poor guy seemed miserable like he hated his job and did not want to be there. Despite the restaurant being full, he wouldn't come by often when we actually needed something - he even disappeared towards the end and a new waiter had to help us. Food is delicious. Besides the location, their saving grace. We tried the sandwiches and yummy! Fries were also delicious with the spicy mayo. Love the different options they have, overall. They also had some great looking food on the brunch and drinks section of the menu. You can scan the QR code at the table to see pictures of each menu item. Overall was good and we'll be back every once in a while because we love Lido. Will try sitting inside in hopes the tables are decent. Really hope management makes some improvements though!

Zinqué is always a good idea. Made a reservation for a Saturday evening and we were seated…read moreimmediately. We sat right along the boardwalk walkway and it was so relaxing with the water view. It was the Saturday before Mother's Day, so it was a little busier than usual, but it didn't compromise the service. Drinks came out a little slow, but the food arrived in a reasonable time. I ordered the house margarita and it was better than expected. I usually opt for wine here. The salmon was delicious and the yogurt sauce really set it off. Perfect portion, fresh, and overall a great guilt-free option. The bolognese wasn't my favorite dish, it lacked protein, but the sauce was tasty. Whether you're stopping in for apps or a full dinner, the vibes won't disappoint.

It was Mother's Day morning when my daughter came home after picking up the flowers she had…read morepreordered, along with a cup of milk tea and a bag of chocolates. Smiling, she said, "Let's celebrate with Spanish tapas." So the beautiful day began with milk tea and chocolate before we headed to the newly opened restaurant Fat of the Land for their Mother's Day brunch, conveniently located on North Main Street in Santa Ana. I later found out it was a special Sunday brunch created just for Mother's Day. Thanks to my daughter's reservation, we were seated right away. The menu selection was smaller than usual, probably because of the special brunch menu, but every tapas dish sounded delicious. We ordered the Castelvetrano olives, Galician smoked paprika octopus, French steak tartare, and Basque cheesecake, paired with a Fiero Spritz and Red Sangria. Both the octopus and steak tartare were outstanding. The Galician smoked paprika octopus was tender, flavorful, and carried just the right hint of spice. The French steak tartare was served on crispy toasted bread with cheese sprinkled on top -- a creative and delicious twist on a classic dish. Fat of the Land truly feels like a hidden gem, and I had such a wonderful time celebrating Mother's Day with my daughter there.

Came in for Mother's Day, my mom has been wanting to try this place for a long time…read more We ordered a variety of different tapas, and decided on sangria. The sangria was super delicious, not overly sweet, which we liked. We ordered the arepo plate which was devoured instantly. - good appetizer to start. Next up was the octopus, pork peppers, shrimp and cheesecake. The shrimp tasted fishy and not my favorite. Octopus was good... decent. Mushrooms were fine. Cheesecake was passable. Over the sangria, arepo plate and pork peppers were the best thing of the night. Staff was very friendly, the setting was intimate. Overall good dinner.

Anyone leaving less than 4 stars shouldn't eat out. This is the best restaurant in OC. I've been…read moreeating at Marche since it first opened-- hidden in South Coast Plaza. The food is of highest quality and it's served impeccably. The staff is always top notch and this place is run incredibly well. The dining rooms are stellar and the noise is never too much. Worth every penny.

Easily the best French food I've had in the US…read more Let's just start by admitting the truth - I'm a total carb girlie. So obviously I had to get the butter and bread. Do I hate paying for bread? Yes. But was the butter amazing? Also yes. We ended up trying 3 different butters: black winter truffle, olive oil and lemon, roscoff sweet onion. All of them were honestly awesome. The onion was particularly good and the truffle had good truffle flavor without being overwhelming. Dishes I ended up trying: -1/2 Dozen escargot cannelloni - this was so interesting. It wasn't my most favorite thing but the flavors were good and worked well together. I probably would just prefer the standard escargot. -Short Rib - this dish is PERFECTION. My god, it came with robuchon style potatoes, which are a PAIN to make if you ever do decide to try to make them yourself. But oh my god, they were so good. I could sit and eat a tub of these. Everything was delicious and everyone in my party left with happy stomachs. There's valet parking but it's pretty easy to find parking in the parking lot for self-parking. You might walk a little further, but no biggie. You probably need the walk after consuming this delicious meal. Our server was also pretty awesome and explained everything on the menu well as well as offering suggestions. I did ask some questions as whether I could sub out anything and she was quick to say since everything is made to order/fresh, they could always offer substitutions on anything they make.

Just. The. Best. Restaurant. Everrrrrr…read more The food is amazing. The wine selection is amazing. The people are amazing. I would best describe it as upscale Mexican-inspired food, with a relaxed, friendly, chill atmosphere, and super cool and eclectic decor. Everything on the menu is delicious, but I especially love the lump crab squash blossoms and the ceviche tostada. We love it here.