Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Populaire Modern Bistro

    4.5 (367 reviews)
    Open • 11:00 am - 8:00 pm
    Updated 1 month ago

    Waitlist - Populaire Modern Bistro

    Live Current wait: 0 mins

    Populaire Modern Bistro Reservations

    Populaire Modern Bistro Photos

    Business Info

    POPULAIRE MODERN BISTRO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Touristy
    Trendy
    Intimate
    Romantic

    You might also consider

    More like Populaire Modern Bistro

    Recommended Reviews - Populaire Modern Bistro

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Outside
    Susan J.

    My first time down this wing. Menu looked decent so we stopped in. Restaurant was clean and fresh baked bread sitting out looked tempting. Service was fast and friendly. We both ordered the Royal with Cheese. The burger also came with fries. The bread, burger and fries were all seasoned and cooked well. I'd definitely visit again.

    Tomato
    Joyce Y.

    I LOVE POPULAIRE! It's such a winner. If you're looking for a delicious place to eat after shopping and emptying your wallet, go towards Macy's Men's area and you will enjoy some of the best fusion foods. The Parker rolls are a must and do not ever leave the menu. I also loved the ratatouille and pasta, which is made in-house? Parking is easy, because no one ever goes to Macy's Men's... Haha The customer service is good and they are prompt and kind. The ambiance is brightly lit- I love sitting on the outskirts, so I can watch all the shoppers pass by.

    Pear Endive Salad with Chicken
    Mich C.

    Ty greeted us and sat us right away for an early lunch at 11. There were no other customers. Ty was attentive throughout the meal without being intrusive. The decor was very cute with a more classical Parisian Blue and gold accents mixed with an eclectic mix of art from American musical icons. We started with chamoagne by the glass. It was the perfect balance if sweet and dry. Croque Madame. It was perfectly crisp on the outside. The saltiness of the ham and the creaminess of the cheese were very balanced. The bernaise sauce on the side was the best part to a really delicious dish. -highly recommend The pear endive salad was good. We added the chicken because we were not having a lot of other protein for lunch, but I feel it altered the ratio of dressing to salad. I don't typically like a lot of dressing, but something slightly more acidic would have balanced out all of the rich food we were having. The greens and fruit were delicious and fresh. I would try it again, without the chicken. -recommend if you are in the mood. The french Onion Soup was delicious. It does take awhile, likely because they are making it fresh, so factor that in for time. The taste transported me to Paris, 30 years ago. Such a classic recipie. -strongly recommend. Creme brulee - we were stuffed. We didn't finish our soups, the salad, or the Croque Madame.... so that could have factored into my impression on the creme brulee. It was good and very classic. It was what you think of when you think of a very traditional creme brulee. I wanted it to be exceptional, but it was good. The espresso paired perfectly. - recommend for Creme Brulee lovers. My friend ordered the rice pudding abd she lived it. She said the pistachios were sich a lovely touch. I would definitely return and order the Croque Madame!

    Beautiful atmosphere!
    Kathryn C.

    We ate here last week with another couple, and all of us loved our food. Our friends loved their chicken and farro salad and cheeseburger. My husband really liked his fish du jour. But I think that my croque madame was the best of all of them! Maybe not the healthiest, but absolutely yummy! We split both desserts. The atmosphere was lovely, the service was excellent, and I will be telling all of my Orange County friends to eat here!

    Rebecca P.

    Great find inside of the south coast plaza mall! After shopping, I was starving and needed something 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!

    Chilean Sea Bass
    Pat F.

    As a San Diego county resident, we don't get to dine at Populaire as often as we'd like. We had another opportunity to have lunch and wifey and I ordered their $39 3-course weekday pre-fixe menu. I opted for the Angus Steak while my wife chose the Sea Bass. We both chose the scallop sashimi (versus the alternative endive salad). The scallops were tasty and a perfect first course. I loved my steak and thought the portion was more than generous, and my wife loved her sea bass. There wasn't a kibble of food remaining on either of our plates. The star of the meal was their delicious rice pudding dessert! It was so good my wife ate hers quickly, I savored it and ate it as slowly as possible just to make it last longer. All in all, a perfect lunch which wasn't too little, while also equally not in excess causing us to be stuffed. Service was, as usual, very much on point!

    Kris T.

    It's been a while but the French Onion Soup was calling us! We parked outside the Macy's men's store and walked right in. No wait on weekday for lunch. Our server was awesome. There was a slight speed bump with our meal and they handled it with grace. I rarely say anything but appreciate when it is taken care of.

    Rice Pudding, Tangerine, Wildflower Honey, Pistachio(柑橘米布丁佐野花蜜開心果)
    Kwang C.

    The service is on point, and the dishes are delicate and refined. The only downside is that the portions are a bit small--though if you believe French cuisine is strictly meant to be this way, then never mind. The 5-Spiced Braised Pork Belly with Market Citrus, Ginger, and Honey is the standout dish. The skin is beautifully charred and crispy, the fat layer melts in the mouth, and the meat is thick and tender without being dry. The chef does a fantastic job of fusing Chinese sauces with French culinary techniques. The Crab "Brandade" Cigar with Koji Sauce is a creative dish that stands out for both its unique flavor and presentation. The taste strikes a balance between bitterness and sweetness, and the red lip-shaped bowl is a playful, rock-inspired touch reminiscent of The Rolling Stones' iconic logo. The Caramelized Onion Dumplings in Oxtail Broth feature a clear, gelatinous broth that's rich but never muddy. The deboned oxtail meat is tucked inside the wrappers and scattered at the bottom of the bowl. While described as Chinese dumplings, their size, shape, and sweet onion filling are highly reminiscent of tortellini, making this a clever, Western-inspired take on a traditional favorite. The Scallop Crudo with Szechuan Peppercorn Sauce offers a complex balance of five flavors: sweet, sour, numbing, spicy, and salty. The attention to detail is remarkable--all the citrus membranes are meticulously peeled away, leaving only the pristine, whole segments of fruit that provide sweetness without the typical bitterness of grapefruit. The wine pairing is $36 and features four different pours matched with the four courses. It's well worth a try if you're a wine lover. Beyond the plate, the interior is equally captivating. The decor mixes French elegance, rock‑and‑roll attitude, and a playful sense of fun. It shows the chef‑owner's unique taste and is definitely something worth paying attention to. 服務很到位,料理很細緻,唯一缺點是菜量太少(如果你認為法國餐本該如此那當我沒說)。 五香燉豬腩佐柑橘薑蜜:全晚最驚艷的一道。表皮焦香酥脆,油脂入口即化,瘦肉厚實軟嫩而毫不乾柴。主廚將中式醬料與法式烹調融合得恰到好處。 蟹肉布蘭達雪茄酥卷佐麴香醬: 風味與擺盤皆具獨創性。苦甜交織的味道,紅唇碗碟令我聯想到滾石合唱團的經典標誌。 焦糖洋蔥餃佐牛尾清湯: 湯汁清澈且富含膠質,醇厚而不混濁。去骨牛尾肉分佈在餃皮內和碗底。說是中式餃子,但其外型、尺寸及洋蔥肉餡的甜美風格,皆令我聯想到義大利餃(Tortellini),也算是一道極具巧思的中魂西製佳餚。 花椒醬柑橘干貝薄片:含甜、酸、麻、辣、鹹五味。干貝四周散佈當日特選柑橘,保有甜潤卻避開了葡萄柚常見的苦澀。柑橘外膜全數剝除、僅保留完整果肉的細膩處理,足見主廚的用心。 若你是品酒愛好者,針對四道餐點設計,配對四款不同酒類(36美金)服務值得一試。 除了盤中飧,室內裝潢也同樣迷人。結合法餐優雅,搖滾叛逆,玩偶童趣的室內擺設,彰顯主廚(也是店主本人)的獨特品味,也是用餐之餘值得留心觀賞的一部分。

    Spanish octopus
    Stacy L.

    My personal favorites from the set menu, in order, were the scallop, the crab cigar, the beef cheek, the celery bisque, and then the dessert. But my absolute favorite overall, when ordering from the regular menu was the octopus. It was perfectly cooked with the ideal balance of softness and chew. It's not like the usual octopus that requires a lot of chewing; this one was tender, flavorful, and paired beautifully with the sauce. Service was amazing. Our host, Curtis, was incredible! He was super friendly, easy to talk to, and he really elevated the whole dining experience. We had such a great time. The atmosphere was great as well. We were seated outside since we had a large party, but I do wish we could've been inside because the interior was so aesthetic and the music added to the vibe. Overall, it was a wonderful experience, and I'd love to come back to try another chef's prix fixe menu.

    Their version of a ceviche!
    Beth S.

    Again they knock it out of the park!! Went to Populaire as he never heard of the place and he was thoroughly impressed too! The octopus and the evelskivers were amazingly yummy. And we couldn't leave without having the Royale cheese burger and the Duck Breast entrees. You can't miss with Populaire! From the moment you step in the staff is great and always willing to help figure out what to eat! Love to go here!!

    Beef tartar
    Liz G.

    Service: Fantastic! The server was so incredibly kind and answered all of my questions. The food did take a little bit but that is because they make it fresh in the kitchen!! Food: We went off of our waitresses recommendation and it did not miss! so so tasty, first time I have tried tartar and I am a fan! Ambiance: Cute! It was inside of the mall but it does not feel like you are in a mall at all

    Chocolate mousse cake
    Francine H.

    Located in South Coast plaza shopping mall, so there is plenty of parking. There is Inside and outside 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.

    Duck Breast
    Justine H.

    Located in South Coast Plaza by Macy's and was super easy to make reservations online. We made a reservation for lunch on a Saturday and were seated quickly upon arrival. My fiance and I decided to share 3 dishes and we really enjoyed all of them. The Ratatouille was so hearty and came with delicious grilled bread. Our server kindly offered us more bread if we wanted, and we happily took her upon that offer. The Beef Tartare came with crispy Parmesan crisps and was our favorite dish. For the Duck Breast, we both agreed that the skin should've been crispier as it was a bit chewy, but the meat was juicy and paired so well with the sauce and puree. Service was friendly, although we did have to flag our server down multiple times for refills on our waters. One thing I will note is that the prices on their website are outdated, so each dish was a few dollars more. Overall, delicious French food, albeit a bit overpriced for the portion sizes. Would come back again!

    See all

    1 month ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 2
    Love this 8
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mary B.
    0
    28
    38

    1 month ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Pat F.
    1264
    924
    3377

    6 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Beth S.
    365
    108
    74

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    12 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of S P.
    0
    27
    11

    2 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 2

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Marc L.
    102
    477
    2169

    6 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 3

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    20 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    6 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Katy L.
    20
    41
    92

    3 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    25 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 2
    Love this 3
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Deva R.
    1
    36
    185

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 10

    Populaire Modern Bistro Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Populaire Modern Bistro

    What is the charge for corkage?

    There was no corkage fee.

    View All 2 Questions

    You might also consider

    Bouillon MOULIN - Salade de Chèvre Chaud ( warm goat cheese salad ) - my favorite salad ever & every ingredient is magical !!

    Bouillon MOULIN

    4.4(489 reviews)
    2.6 mi
    •$$

    First time dining at Bouillon and the food was really delicious…read more Service was good. Atmosphere is casual and more like a French bistro style. The only part of dinner I didn't like much is the Bordeaux wine I ordered. French baguette/butter basket was very good, French onion soup was amazing, and the steak au poivre was cooked perfectly and very delicious. Besides the wine I would order all of these again. Dessert: chocolate soufflé, it was very good but I think we were too full from the dinner to be able to really enjoy this very rich dessert. Next time Weill be trying something lighter after a steak dinner. Overall a pleasant experience and will definitely be back.

    Bouillon Moulin looked very promising in its reviews and photos. We were very excited to enjoy a…read moreweekend lunch after seeing the menu online. There were plenty of tables available when we walked in on a Sunday and were seated immediately. Wanting to try a few things, our party of four ordered: * Corbeille Pain et Beurre Francais $5 - Who doesn't love French butter? 4/5 * Le Steak Tartare $23 + egg yolk $2 - One of the main reasons we came and their version was not exciting. 3/5 * Ratatouille $8 - Again, their version was just okay. It's more of a stew and a tomato-heavy one. 3/5 * Escargots $14 - We always love escargot, but definitely needed more bread to enjoy all the butter. Do note that their version has almond and hazelnut in their butter. We did end up ordering another one. 4/5 * Terrine de Campagne $12 - The duck and pork pate was just okay again. 3/5 * Tartare de Saumon $17 - This dish was simply salmon, avocado and mayo and reminded us of something we would get at a Japanese restaurant. 3/5 Overall, we were just underwhelmed by the whole experience - from the food and the service. I honestly don't remember much about the service as it being just fine. I had really high hopes for this place, and even checked out the dessert menu in search of a better ending. Instead, we just got desserts from their sister bakery next door. Perhaps their entrees would have been a better choice.

    Photos
    Bouillon MOULIN - Inside Decor

    Inside Decor

    Bouillon MOULIN - Soupe à L'Oignon | French onion soup

    Soupe à L'Oignon | French onion soup

    Bouillon MOULIN - Inside Decor

    See all

    Inside Decor

    Le Chateau Garden Bistro - Cheesecake for my bday eve 12/31/23

    Le Chateau Garden Bistro

    4.0(196 reviews)
    1.8 mi
    •$$

    Everything went well Actually I could have stayed there…read moreall day. The atmosphere, Staff, Food. You walk through Ayers Hotel where you are greeted with great smiles and great energy on through the courtyard and to Le Chateau with beautiful wood accents and decor. A wall with the looks of a home library. Very welcoming and the staff are very personable, a hint of humor to set the mood. We were there on a Sunday about 3:30 pm, just us and three other people. Their Tea needs no sugar and can't quite remember the what fruit to taste it had but it was very very good. My Wife had chicken and really loved it. I had the fish and chips. I love fish and chips with tartar sauce, lemon, vinegar, hot sauce. Biting into the fish before dipping was better than good it was so delicious at the end I realized I never dipped into my concoction the batter had a good crunch with a hint of I want to say Butter but couldn't quite make out what it was It might be a hidden gem for word of mouth locals only but nevertheless I had to tell you all about it because it was a very very good time all around! I hope you all give it a shot!?

    it has the backbones of a beautiful restaurant, but it has problems. First of all, it's inside a…read morelittle courtyard that's designed to look like a little cobblestone bistro in France or Italy and it's beautiful and a beautiful place to sit down and have lunch. Which is why they should go all the way and not half ass it. Which means they should at least hire a classically trained chef to come in and train their cooks every once in a while, it's not having one there every day. The first time I had the French onion soup, they made it classic in the ceramic pots with the cheese, and the crouton baked in and the broth had a really good depth of flavor. But it was so salty it was like trying to drink ocean water. afterwards, all the other food just tasted salty and I don't know if it's because I ate so much salt or if it because everything else had too much salt in it. the next day I decided to try the French onion soup again and this time the saltiness was more balanced, but it was still a little bit much salt and lacked the depth of flavor, so it was not consistent. Possibly one of the most delicious things on their menu is a happy hour item that it's only available for three hours a day. Which is their shrimp tempura. What's despite being called temper is not exactly Japanese style. But it is very good fried fish and they should make it a main entrée and I can imagine many ways to elevate it like adding saffron to the batter to make it a Spanish or Persian style fried shrimp. Their menu needs a little imagination and inspiration because it's pretty generic with things like fish tacos, and Ahi nachos which you would expect to see that in every other California restaurant that has no identity. Their cooking technique and skills aren't exactly there. I ordered a burger with grilled onions and they just put raw onions, where a couple of them were slightly grilled when I asked them to redo it and do the onions Well done they sent me back burned onions. The hamburger patty was supposed to be medium medium well and it was well done and dry. These are very simple, basic cooking skills and if you don't know how to caramelize onions and cook meat medium medium well, you need to get your cooks some training. They coat their french fries and some kind of flour or seasoning and I don't like that. I asked them if they can just make plain french fries. I asked them if they can just cut up a potato and fry it just like that and they declined, they said it would take too much time. It takes all about five minutes to peel a couple potato's and chop it up and throw it in the fryer. this was at 8 PM on a Sunday night when they had no guests and they were not busy. The chefs did not want to make a fresh potato, they said that they're french fries are premade so these people are not chefs. These are cooks and I think the restaurant would be much better if they had an actual chef in there. As for their customer service, they are very friendly, but difficult to communicate with. I have been ordering room service from my phone and every time I try to order they don't understand anything I'm saying. I had to spend five minutes clarifying my room number and when I would say to the guy thought I was saying three and I tell him no, just 2. Like one and then two.. I even count in Spanish for him and he keeps thinking I'm saying three. It's so bizarre because I don't have an accent or anything and nobody ever confuses my words later on. I tried to speak to a lady from the restaurant. She just couldn't follow anything I was saying and she seemed very confused so you know they're a great stuff here but maybe they need to get someone with better communication skills at the front of the house.

    Photos
    Le Chateau Garden Bistro - Indoor dining

    Indoor dining

    Le Chateau Garden Bistro - Le Chateau: Bread service, warm sourdough with green olive tapenade, $7, recommended!

    Le Chateau: Bread service, warm sourdough with green olive tapenade, $7, recommended!

    Le Chateau Garden Bistro

    See all

    Knife Pleat

    Knife Pleat

    4.0(438 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    •$$$$

    I accidentally posted on my wrong account!…read more This place is amazing and BEYOND 5 stars. Knife Pleat at South Coast Plaza is one of the three closest I've found to a proper afternoon tea here in Orange County, and as someone born and raised in Britain for 20 years, I hope that's high praise! Haha! I've been at least five or six times now, and every single visit has been wonderful! The afternoon tea is beautifully done. The tiered stands are a feast: delicate finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, exquisite little pastries and macarons, all elegantly presented and genuinely delicious. The tea selection is excellent, and everything tastes as refined as it looks. What keeps me coming back, beyond the quality, is the service. They've consistently and graciously accommodated my allergies every time, which makes such a difference and lets me relax and enjoy the experience fully. The staff are attentive and lovely. If you're looking for an authentic, elegant afternoon tea in Orange County, Knife Pleat is the place. I can't recommend it enough, I'll keep coming back!

    We were really excited to visit Knife Pleat in Costa Mesa for a very special occasion. We chose it…read morein hopes it would be a spacious, comfortable place to celebrate, and the setting felt like it should've been a great experience. However, the experience was unfortunately ruined by our server. Our server, Matt, seemed uncomfortable with, and at times frustrated by the questions we had about the menu. Every time we asked for clarification, he responded in a very short, irritated way, as if we were bothering him rather than simply trying to understand what we were ordering. At one point, Matt made a dismissive comment to the effect of: Well, if you like it, eat it, and if you don't like it, you won't--simple as that. The comment felt rude and unprofessional, especially since our questions were reasonable and we were trying to make informed choices. We left feeling genuinely unpleasant and disappointed, and based on the service we received, we don't recommend the restaurant.

    Photos
    Knife Pleat - An elegant restaurant!

    An elegant restaurant!

    Knife Pleat - Finishing off with miniaturized desserts! The serving plate is perfect for placing a ring in the middle for that special special occasion!

    Finishing off with miniaturized desserts! The serving plate is perfect for placing a ring in the middle for that special special occasion!

    Knife Pleat - My favorite dish of the night, risotto. Probably the best I've ever had! You will love it!

    See all

    My favorite dish of the night, risotto. Probably the best I've ever had! You will love it!

    Zinqué - Exterior / patio

    Zinqué

    3.9(1.5k reviews)
    5.4 mi
    •$$

    Got the burger lettuce wrapped ($22) and it was juicy and flavorful with a good amount of fries…read more Others at the table got the burger too and thought theirs was a bit dry. The ambiance is super nice, right on the water and you can get a view sitting outside.

    My friend and I came for dinner on a Monday night, and were pleasantly surprised by how quickly we…read morewere seated. The menu is online and you can order and pay through your phone, which is convenient. Our server was nice, but not super attentive to us, although we attributed this to how busy the restaurant was. We sat outside, and had a great view of the water. The Green Lasagna ($24) was quite good. The pasta is cooked well, and the blend of cheeses pairs super well with the pesto. The portion is a little small for the price, as you only get a little square. The Japanese Sweet Potatoes ($15) are definitely worth a try. They're cooked super soft and the sauce it is paired with is creamy and spicy, creating such a delicious combination. The grilled salmon ($27) was quite good, and the portion was pretty large. The yogurt sauce on top of the salmon made for a refreshing bite. We ordered a non-alcoholic aperol spritz and a non-alcoholic mimosa, as neither of us wanted to drink on a Monday. The aperol spritz was good, but nothing special. We think the mimosa had alcohol in it, as it had a strong taste of champagne. We decided not to drink it, but definitely double check your drink if this is something that concerns you.

    Photos
    Zinqué - Burrata & prosciutto

    Burrata & prosciutto

    Zinqué - Le Bowl

    Le Bowl

    Zinqué - Burrata Pizza Bites

    See all

    Burrata Pizza Bites

    Marché Moderne - Citron Roasted Lobster

    Marché Moderne

    4.1(674 reviews)
    8.9 mi
    •$$$$

    I have wanted to try Marché Moderne since moving back to Orange County from San Francisco five…read moreyears ago, and after finally coming here for our fifth wedding anniversary, I genuinely regret waiting this long. I started with the Singe Germain, made with Monkey 47 Gin, St. Germain, crème de cassis, and lemon juice. This was easily one of the best cocktails I have ever had. It was so good that I ordered two more. My wife got the Rizière de Lychee, which seemed like their take on a lychee martini. The vanilla notes made it unique and really enjoyable, but we both agreed that the Singe Germain was the star cocktail of the night. One of our favorite appetizers at any restaurant is yellowtail crudo or hamachi, and Marché Moderne's version was incredible. The fish practically melted in our mouths, but the mango-yuzu-jalapeño sorbet on top was ridiculous. That sorbet could honestly be served as its own dish. Our only complaint was how quickly the whole thing disappeared. We also tried the grilled octopus petit plat. It leaned more Spanish than French to me, especially with the chorizo, and the potatoes and chorizo ended up being our favorite parts. We both tend to prefer cold appetizers over hot ones, so next time we will probably try the tataki instead, but the octopus was still very good. We ordered the bread as well. Despite all the reviews praising it, I thought it was good, but not necessarily life-changing. The real star was the butter with the big flakes of salt on top. For our mains, my wife ordered the Hokkaido scallops and I got the filet au poivre, essentially their steak frites. The steak frites was incredible. The sauce alone was enough reason to order the entire dish. The steak was cooked to a perfect medium rare, and the tableside presentation made it feel even more special. They first placed down the fries and salad, then brought over the steak in the sauce, transferred it onto the plate, and poured the sauce over the top. They asked whether I wanted sauce over the fries too, which was obviously an immediate yes. The fries were good, although I thought they could have used a little more salt. The salad surprised me the most. I originally assumed it was just there to fill out the plate, but the vinaigrette was fantastic and made it something I actually wanted to keep eating. My wife loved the scallops, which was not surprising because she is a huge scallop fan. The dish itself was somewhat bare, though. It was essentially a few scallops with sauce, so if we had not also been sharing the steak frites and several appetizers, I do not think it would have been enough for her as an entrée by itself. Lastly, we ordered the crème brûlée, and this might have been the best dish of the entire night. It came with berries and a hazelnut cake underneath. Because we were celebrating our anniversary, they wrote "Happy 5 Year Anniversary" in chocolate ganache next to it, which paired ridiculously well with the crème brûlée. That little detail also perfectly summarizes the service. Our server answered every question I had about the menu, asked what we were celebrating, recommended the incredible Singe Germain, and made us feel completely at home. Another gentleman came by to talk with us, and we casually mentioned that it was our fifth anniversary. They did not just remember that it was an anniversary. They remembered that it was five years and included that specific detail on our dessert plate. That extra bit of thoughtfulness meant a lot to us. My only small disappointment was the seating. I had heard that one side of the restaurant has a large window where you can watch the chefs cook, but we were seated closer to the bar and could not see it. It did not hurt the meal, but next time I would love to request a table on the kitchen side. My wife and I have eaten at Michelin-starred restaurants from California to New York City, including everything from one to three stars, and Marché Moderne has the makings of something truly special. The food was excellent, but the service and hospitality took the entire experience to another level. Overall, this was about a 4.7 out of 5 for us. We will absolutely be back, and I cannot believe it took us five years to finally come here.

    Food and service were great. Went to celebrate a bday dinner. Table next to us (3 gentlemen)…read moredecided to have a conference call on speaker phone. It was beyond annoying. Lasted 30 minutes and I think they only ordered like one dish too. Restaurant didn't bother to say anything to them. That was a miss. Who does that. Smh. Maybe they are regulars but that shouldn't excuses them nor the restaurant to protect their ambiance and other dining customers.

    Photos
    Marché Moderne - The Kitchen

    The Kitchen

    Marché Moderne - Oysters on the half shell

    Oysters on the half shell

    Marché Moderne - Des Huitres Oysters from Washington

    See all

    Des Huitres Oysters from Washington

    Orange Paris Cafe - Side #3: Side Salad!

    Orange Paris Cafe

    4.7(179 reviews)
    1.8 mi
    •$$

    This hidden gem is in a little strip shopping center, across Bristol Street from the Ayers Hotel,…read moretucked between a gas station and a dry cleaners and a nail salon. Anyway, it was worth seeking out. Our party of 5 swamped the poor guy working there. We ordered a lot of food, like a double brunch, because we were hitting the road for a long drive back to Northern California. So this one French guy (Yes, he really is French. He moved to Orange County from Paris, hence the name.) This French guy had to make us a couple of sandwiches, an omlette, and about 7 crepes. I felt sorry for him when I found out he was making the crepes one at a time and bringing them out as soon as each one was ready. I think he said his help has Mondays off. These crepes are like the best ever. We didn't want to tell him to stop because every one he brought out was absolutely fabulous. I'm pretty sure it was 7 crepes because we started with 4, and then my daughters and niece asked him to make 3 more. It was a good thing we weren't rushed for time. This is one spot we will definitely return to. We also learned that he is available and does crepes for corporate events. He brings his equipment and sets up in whatever location you want. That would make for a fun company event.

    Orange Paris Cafe, is a French eatery in a small strip area that houses a few other food outlets…read moreand has a gas station just outside of it. It is a unique concept and the place has a following. The dining area is small, but cozy and has a bistro feel, pictures of Paris adorn the walls (the restroom too) and there is French music to blend well with the simple ambiance. We ordered several items. First my Americano coffee (made with Italian espresso), was only good for a few sips, just too sweet for me. Second, the Quiche Maison (traditional French recipe, eggs, tomato, spinach, cheddar cheese). While this pie slice was soft and tasty, it was thin and could have easily passed off for pizza. What it lacked was the usual thickness one sees in a quiche slice, gives it body and also embeds the rich flavor of eggs and cream. Then came the crepes. The tomato and bacon was well received, as was the strawberry crepe. In this department, the crown goes to Crepe Suzette (orange syrup, orange zest, creme anglaise and whipped cream). It had optimum softness, the right amount of sweetness, chew and yes, butter. Truly a heavenly treat for the taste buds. Service is very slow, but rewarding. So if you are not in a hurry and are in the mood for fresh French brunch items, give this place a visit.

    Photos
    Orange Paris Cafe - Inside preparation area

    Inside preparation area

    Orange Paris Cafe - Quiche. Bacon egg and cheese. Small portion, light and delicious breakfast. I really loved it.

    Quiche. Bacon egg and cheese. Small portion, light and delicious breakfast. I really loved it.

    Orange Paris Cafe - Hand Pressed Orange Juice!

    See all

    Hand Pressed Orange Juice!

    Populaire Modern Bistro - french - Updated October 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...