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    The Dock

    4.4 (627 reviews)
    Closed 5:00 pm - 8:00 PM
    Updated over 3 months ago

    The Dock Photos

    THE DOCK ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Romantic
    Classy
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - The Dock

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    Reviews With Photos

    Spiced New Zealand Lamb
    Stephanie Q.

    A perfect restaurant for a night out! I would honestly give a 5/5 in all areas to The Dock, the food was exquisite and the staff were all very friendly and attentive. The space is a bit small but very lovely and you can see the harbor right from where you eat. There's even a private walkway you can go to and take pictures or enjoy the scenery. We got the halibut, scallops, lamb, duck, and (not pictured here) the soup de jour which, for us, was the gazpacho. Overall I would say everything was a delight to eat, everything was tender, juicy, and had just the right amount of sauce and toppings. For me, the soup was the stand out though, one of the best gazpachos I've ever had and I'm not usually a cold soup kind of person. The dock is an upscale seafood restaurant that I believe may use French inspired techniques? Which I would say is the only critique I could have of it. Everything was so tender and perfect, some dishes started feeling a little one note (a very very good note though). There were a variety of ingredients that came on all the plates that, but felt like they never veered far enough to create a more interesting balance for the palate. A classic complaint of my steak too juicy, my lobster too buttery. But technique-wise everything was executed perfectly but I would say if you are more of an adventurous eater you should definitely talk to your waiter/waitress and ask for their advice. Would definitely recommend for any special occasion or if you want enjoy the most fork (dare I even say, spoon) tender meal of your life.

    Pork belly it was delicious
    Marina L.

    We had a blast. Our server was Frankie and he was very polite, knowledgeable and friendly! We Loved to see many people come back to this great restaurant. Such a hidden gem! The only thing I would like to note is we felt a little snug. Tables were very close to each other without much privacy. Other than that a lovely experience!

    Filet Mignon
    Raven R.

    Came here for my birthday dinner. This is an upscale restaurant with an ocean view. The service was excellent and the drinks were strong. They give you a complimentary appetizer: a crostini with salame and an olive garnish which was a nice opening. We ordered filet mignon for our entrees and a molten chocolate cake for dessert. Filet Mignon- The meat was so tender and juicy. It was served with mashed potatoes, a medley of vegetables which were fresh and had a lovely crunch. A savory mushroom sauce tied the flavors together. Molten Chocolate Cake- This had a nice dense chocolate cake base, but the best part is the gooey molten chocolate center! Creamy vanilla ice cream and berries balance the flavors out. Such a rich dessert! Wonderful experience overall!

    View from "The Dock " restaurant

    The day before Mother's Day, my daughter Maggie's mother-in-law and I hosted a beautiful baby shower for her at The Dock in Newport Beach, and it could not have been more perfect. The food was absolutely divine, the service was impeccable, and the waterfront setting was breathtaking. From the outside, the entrance is quiet and understated, but the moment you walk in, you are greeted by sparkling water, boats gently passing by, and one of the most stunning views in Newport Beach. Our guests could not stop raving about the food -- many said it was some of the best they had ever had. The entire experience felt elegant, warm, and memorable from beginning to end. I highly recommend The Dock for any special gathering, celebration, or milestone event. It truly made our daughter's baby shower unforgettable.

    Birthday dessert! Molten lava cake with hazelnut ice cream. Tasty and not too heavy.
    Emily F.

    Second time here--requested the waterfront table and had the first (I think?) seating on a Sunday night at 515. The second visit was just as perfect as the first. Service was impeccable with warm and genuine servers--- Drinks were fabulous: Catalina and the Lito Martini that my partner and I both loved. As always the little amuse bouche of ahi tuna was tasty---then we got the hamachi crudo: AMAZING. The avocado sorbet was a first for me and super unique alongside the foam and the jalapeño. 10/10. The octopus carpaccio was very light considering the chorizo, potato, and romesco sauce. Very well done and good proportion and combination of flavors. We both got the halibut. The marriage of flavors was so well thought out. Then the molten lava cake with the Hazlenut ice cream was a nice touch to a perfect evening. This place is a gem. Worth the higher $$ and I loved every minute.

    Octopus appetizer
    Thomas T.

    Probably one of the best dinners I've had in a long time. And that's saying a lot because I eat great food everywhere. Super amazing food and service. Came in for our reservation and got seated right away. Was greeted very warmly by Deborah. We got to our table and enjoyed the view of the dock and outside. Nice cool crisp breeze coming inside the restaurant. Comfortable tables and chairs. Started with their Tuna Tartar amuse. Super fresh and delicious. A perfect way to get our appetite going. Girlfriend got the Catalina cocktail and she absolutely loved it. It was so good she got two. I got a glass of Austin Hope Cabernet. Can never go wrong with Austin Hope. Solid Paso Cab. I started with the Peach Salad. Omg. One of the best salads I've ever had. Super on point. Fresh peaches, basil pesto, burrata cheese, arugula, pecans, with a light balsamic vinaigrette. Amazing salad. Girlfriend got the Octopus. She absolutely loved it. One of the best she's ever had. The presentation and the flavors were phenomenal. We then got two entrees. The Duck and the Lamb. Both tender, juicy, cooked to perfection, and delicious. The potatoes and veggies that came with both dishes paired perfectly. Highly recommend both these dishes for your main course. Service was superb. Frankie was our server and he was on top of all his tables tonight. Especially ours. I've heard so much about The Dock and how it is one of the best places in all of OC to dine. I agree. Glad we came tonight and will definitely be back. Plenty of street parking outside when we came. Especially after 6 pm you don't need to worry about getting a ticket for parking.

    Hendricks martini up with blue cheese olives!
    Stanley R.

    The Dock is one of our most favorite restaurants in the world! We don't come here often, but when we want a special experience for ourselves or our dearest family or friends this is where we bring them. The setting is the perfect bayside location, right on the water with a private dock in case you want to sail up to dinner! The room is intimate without being crowded or loud. The service is the highest quality you could possibly hope for. Our server was polite, well informed, friendly and helpful. She kept our glasses filled, and was unobtrusive, (and very pretty) The menu is simple but everything is perfectly executed. My pork chop was the best I have ever had. The scallops wrapped in bacon were perfection, the crab appetizer was impressive! My affogato for dessert was an all-time favorite. There was plenty of parking, but please make a reservation early for the day and time you want! We had an unforgettable evening with our life-long friends!

    Lamb
    Genell J.

    Must eat in Newport! If you're wanting fine dining this is it. Super intimate spot where you can watch the sunset on the bay. The service was AMAZING! The food was great and also very filling. Can't recommend it enough!

    Pork belly appetizer
    DeAnna S.

    Our 10-year anniversary dinner was perfection, the food was absolutely phenomenal. Thanks Eric's for the great recommendations and excellent service.

    Inside view
    Ashif D.

    A suitable spot for both families and couples hanging out! Lovely views of the boats and they have their own personal dock from the restaurant. We ordered: 1. Complementary bread and beef with cucumber from the restaurant. Great! 2. Little Gem Salad - $16.00. Candied Bacon, Roasted Pumpkin Seeds, Pomegranate, Petite Greens, Parmesan Dressing. 3. Maple Leaf Farms Duck Breast - $48.00, Polenta Cake, Fava Beans, Haricot Vert Salad, Apricot Compote, Red Wine Jus. 4. Certified Angus Beef Filet Mignon - $68.00, Pommes Au Gratin, Asparagus, Crispy Shallots, Five-Peppercorn Bordelaise. 5. Valrhona Chocolate Molten Cake - $16.00, Vanilla Bean Crème Anglaise, Raspberry Coulis, Praline Ice Cream. Not impressive. Customer service is definitely nice, Tiffany is a great waitress! She is sweet and very enthusiastic about the chef's preparation and presentation! The chef brings dining plates to you making sure food quality is consistent. The wine list is varied with stunning bottles design on the front as well. Great food, service, and ambiance for a weekday night! If there is someone to impress (first date, anniversary, engagement, small group celebration). The Dock will certainly do that. The parking was not bad either.

    Beet salad

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    5 months ago

    Food, Service, Ambiance....fantastic. We have been a few times now and it is excellent each time. The food really is next level.

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    This restaurant is 10 stars! Our meal was fabulous and the staff awesome. Enjoyed watching the boats pass by.

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    Page 1 of 16

    The Dock Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - The Dock

    Do they have Champagne brunch?

    No brunch Dinners only

    Do they still do prix fix for brunch on the weekends? Their menu on the website does not mention it. Thx.

    Nope

    Are you serving a Mother's Day brunch?

    Yes

    View All 5 Questions

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    Bouillon MOULIN

    Bouillon MOULIN

    4.4
    (476 reviews)
    4.7 mi
    $$

    We went to Moulin for our anniversary! I've been here before many years ago, and wanted to go…read moreagain! I love the bakery. I made a reservation for 5:30 and the restaurant was fairly empty, but eventually filled up by around 6pm! The vibes inside are like french bistro! The service was great! Our waiter checked in on us the appropriate amount and was very kind! We ordered escargots to start and they were well cooked and buttery! I got the mussels and fries. They gave so many mussels and a lot of fries. The mussels were in a delicious white wine broth. My partner got the steak au poivre and it was cooked extremely well. Super tender! We ended our meal with the profiteroles which we saw seemed to be the star dessert on yelp! It was refreshing and the chocolate seemed to be as if they made it themselves! I definitely recommend coming here and can't wait for my next visit!

    The beauty of international travel is being able to explore culture through its food. I went on…read more2.5week trip to France last year and grew a new appreciation for the French cuisine. Once I return to the states, I was always on the lookout for authentic French food which I became a keenly aware pretty quickly is a rare find even in Southern California. I was relieved to stumble upon bouillon in Newport Beach. The name alone says it all and seeing a boulangerie around the corner quickly won my heart. Walking into bouillon felt like walking into cafe in Paris. From the signage, chairs and iron tables I was quickly transported back. Reviewing the menu, I quickly knew I was in the right spot and giggled with excitement. I ordered all my favorite straight away; escargot, steak tartare with frites (you must add the egg yolk!), lyonnaise salad (on the menu it's listed as Salade Frisée aux lardon, lyonnaise is a regional name but I know the ingredients), a bottle of Sancerre, soufflé and two espresso. The meal was fantastic, so elegant, refined but made with simple ingredients you can taste. The service was leisurely and impeccable, the waitress was so knowledgeable and welcoming. Most people in the OC are more familiar with the chain bakery Moulin which serves French quick fair but the star of the show is certainly bouillon. They have a fabulous menu for those that missing truly authentic or for folks interested to try new French meals . Great selection of wines from different French regions that are affordable (in France is not about the price tag but more on the region it grew from). Stop by for a quick bite or stay for the long French lunch / dinner. Bon appétit, et vive la gastronomie!

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    Moulin

    Moulin

    4.2
    (1.7k reviews)
    4.7 mi
    $$

    I normally don't eat at French restaurants. Not because I don't like it, I'm just used to food from…read moremy culture. We also came here to use our rest credit. Our server who I forgot his name was super nice and attentive. My husband got chicken and I got duck and both dishes were delicious. We also got a Brie cheese dish as appetizer and it was amazing as well. The vibe and the decorations felt really welcoming and authentic. If we're in the area in the future, we will for sure come back.

    Came in today to pick up two simple things and walked away frustrated by both interactions…read more First was a gift card. The lady who helped me - dark hair, really overly colorful eye makeup, and tattoos - processed the transaction but handed me the card without a receipt. When I asked for one, she spent a moment at the screen and then told me she couldn't print it because she had already closed out my tab. I was confused why 1) she didn't give me a receipt in the first place, then 2) she decided that was the only solution - to tell me it could not be done. After I asked her to find a solution as I needed a copy of the receipt, she finally asked her colleague beside her, who pointed her to the right place, and, voila, the receipt was printed. Leading with "I can't" is never the right customer service instinct, especially for something as basic as a receipt. I also tried to buy the butter they import from France. I stood at the case for several minutes with no acknowledgment. I finally walked over to the nearest employee (her name was Lucy) who was finishing up with a customer at the register right next to the butter section. I politely asked if she could help me when she was free. She looked at me, nodded, and said she would. Then proceeded to assist every customer who lined up behind that original customer without once glancing back in my direction. In fact, I had enough time to walk to the bakery, go through the entire gift card situation as mentioned above, and return to the butter section, and Lucy still hadn't looked over. I left without the butter. Moulin used to have fantastic service. I don't know where those regulars went, but two strikes in one visit, with two different employees, is hard to brush off.

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    Marché Moderne

    Marché Moderne

    4.2
    (668 reviews)
    6.2 mi
    $$$$

    Everyone at our table enjoyed the food. Inquire chef's specials, we had great ones. Service is…read morefaboulous and when our cocktails failed to arrive, I spoke with the floor manager and rest of the evening was spot on. Noise level allowed us to converse at our table.

    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.

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    Zinqué

    Zinqué

    3.9
    (1.5k reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$

    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!

    We went around 9-10pm and the host gave us a table with napkins and utensils but no plate, so…read morealright maybe they forgot. I usually come for the steak fries since the fries are good. However, today's service was so bad to the point that I been waving my hands and making eye contact to order for 15-20 minutes. And they were actually ignore us. Maybe we didn't dress decent enough for them to serve us since we were in our regular jean and tshirt. So I have to actually speak up and call them to order. So when we get to order, it was 10:20pm already. After the foods are brought out, we had a decent dinner together and they are about to close. So one of the server brought out the check for us to pay and we decided to pay with exact amount with cash and leave tip in cash also. One of the server genuinely SMIRKED at us while counting the money. Like he looked at us and SMIRKED. He probably has a bad day or a busy day but still, it's a Tuesday. So instead of a nice dinner and a good nap, we had a really bad close of the day because of service at Zinque. So if you want food at night, you can come to Zinque but don't expect too much for the services recently, since it was SO MUCH BETTER back then until today.

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    Populaire Modern Bistro

    Populaire Modern Bistro

    4.5
    (355 reviews)
    5.7 mi
    $$$

    My first time down this wing. Menu looked decent so we stopped in. Restaurant was clean and fresh…read morebaked 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.

    Ty greeted us and sat us right away for an early lunch at 11. There were no other customers. Ty…read morewas 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!

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    4.5
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    2.2 mi
    $$$

    I can't believe I haven't eaten here until now! My husband and I came in for a date night. We…read moredidn't have a reservation but thankfully we were able to get a table since it was a quiet night. The ambience is so warm, cozy, and romantic. I loved how quiet it felt and how we got to have a great time talking throughout the night. The service was excellent. Friendly, professional, and not intrusive. The food was incredible!! We made it a slow 4 course meal with soup, salad, mains, and dessert. The main dishes were our highlights! The meat and the vegetables were all perfectly prepared. The boeuf bourignon was superb. Meat so tender and flavorful with whipped mashed potatoes. I had the king salmon special which was one of the best I've ever had! I appreciated the portion sizes for being just right, not too small but not so big that you become too full or feel like you're wasting food. The soup special and salad were delicious as well. I loved that the soup was perfectly seasoned and didn't require any extra salt or pepper. Finally the dessert special was a pavlova topped with strawberry ice cream, whipped cream, and strawberries. It was delicate, flavorful, and had an amazing combination of textures. We can't wait to go back! I wish I had pictures but the experience felt so intentional and special that I didn't want to take away from the moment with photos. Make sure you visit! Food that tastes like the person preparing it actually cares is rare in this world.

    A lovely experience from start to finish. Warm and efficient service by Jeremy and the service…read moreteam, paired beautifully with the outstanding cuisine. Cozy dining in a relaxed yet efficient style generally unavailable anywhere else. Sharing a delicious seared scallop and risotto appetizer with a glass of white Burgundy transitioned to beef Bourgogne for me and steak au poivre for my bride of 47 years accompanied by a Bordeaux, both available in half bottles. Nice. A celebratory crème brulie was a fitting conclusion. Attention to details like artisan bread with soft and luxurious butter, hot food served piping hot, quality stemware in a warm and unpretentious dining room. And if all that were not enough, the menu and wine pricing are extremely reasonable. Shhhh.... Unless NPB glam is essential, for those that appreciate dining of quality over being seen, Basilic is not to be missed.

    Photos
    Sweet little dining room with 9 tables.  Reservations are recommended.
    Sweet little dining room with 9 tables. Reservations are recommended.
    BUNDNERFLEISCH -
Swiss Style Dry-Cured Beef
    BUNDNERFLEISCH - Swiss Style Dry-Cured Beef
    CHARCUTERIE PLATE - 
Chef's Choice Charcuterie Selection served with Pâté, Tête de Moine Cheese, Olives & Cornichons

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    CHARCUTERIE PLATE - Chef's Choice Charcuterie Selection served with Pâté, Tête de Moine Cheese, Olives & Cornichons
    Fat of the Land

    Fat of the Land

    4.8
    (435 reviews)
    10.1 mi
    $$$
    Family-owned & operated
    Free parking

    This review is a bit overdue, but wanted to give some major credit to this restaurant for our…read morewonderful experience! We made a reservation a couple weeks in advance for two people. Once we arrived, we realized how intimate and limited the seating was (so makes sense you need to book in advance). This is a great space for date night or a small group. I wouldn't try to come to this location with a large party. I loved the small and intimate dining experience! We got about half the menu and I'd absolutely get everything again. Some of our favorites were the bread + ham butter (a must), the burrata (another must), the mushrooms (I could eat these all day), and the octopus (insane). You can tell every dish has a recipe that has been specially curated for this restaurant, with so many unique flavors and combinations, that you just have to come check it out for yourself. I believe our server's name was Sam, and he was so wonderful! He even brought out their delicious basque cheesecake for the birthday we were celebrating! Just overall a very thoughtful, intimate, delicious restaurant that has easily become a top option for us! Highly recommend!

    Date night with wife, loved the cozy location, we sat at the bar. It seems like every time we eat…read moreout its just "meh"...Fat of the land delivered, we loved it. We both drank the Tempranillo, great wine! Bread + Ham Butter - aight, tastes sort of like chive creamcheese. Gambas al Ajillo - good, got to dip the rest of our bread Burrata - Fresh fruit with vinaigrette, good dish, we enjoyed it. Rack of Pork - I rarely get blown away but they nailed it. Must Order! Basque Cheesecake - Light and fluffy, delicious. We loved the food and the ambiance, service was friendly, great spot. We will come back to try some more dishes, the Steak Tartare was looking good.

    Photos
    Fat of the Land
    Fat of the Land
    Fat of the Land

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    Knife Pleat

    Knife Pleat

    4.0
    (434 reviews)
    5.8 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!

    I was excited to try the Michelin-starred afternoon tea set at Knife Pleat, and it came to about…read more$150 per person after tax and tip. The presentation was pretty, and the staff here provided attentive service. Unfortunately, there were several fruit flies around our table, which made it difficult to fully enjoy the experience. I ended up leaving some of the food unfinished because of it, which was disappointing at this price point. I understand it's summer and these things can happen, but I expected a more polished environment from a Michelin-starred restaurant. Overall, the tea service was enjoyable, but the fruit flies took away from what could have been a memorable experience.

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

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

    The Dock - newamerican - Updated August 2026

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