Loved everything about this place! Ambiance is casual and intimate, you're seated closely to fellow guests along a kitchen bar top where food is served family style and immediately after cooking. Wine pairings were generous and went very well with the food. Service was fantastic, you get descriptions of food from someone who genuinely loves what they do and the dishes they create. read more

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Stone counter seating for only 18 guests. Three chefs serving the things they are proud of while putting on a three-man show. I love their passion and enthusiasm, starting with their "freshest bread". The oven-to-plate brioche is a signature starter that reflects their values, their commitment to getting you the freshest food they can. The Greenest Salad goes so well with this, and all the veggies taste like they were just picked from the field. They procure many top-notch ingredients, and most of the preparation is simple so the food can speak for itself. My favorites from that night include the Mussels Croquetas which had beautiful bits of shellfish and a cream sauce that was to die for. They also made the first Paella I've ever liked, and their Lamb is the most delicious I've ever tasted. There is a dessert that I hope they never stop serving. The Kougin Amman ice cream sandwich is a genius pairing, especially because they just might make the best pastry in the world. I love the up close and personal approach, and the ingredients are incredible. A fun little splurge if you're in the area. read more

I absolutely recommend! Idk why I thought there would be more solo diners but it was only I. Fortunately I sat next to friendly strangers. The crew were so friendly, welcoming and knowledgeable. If I weren't so dang shy--I would have asked a ton of questions because the chef is generous with his banter. The restaurant is minimalist and earthy. Sitting at the bar and watching the experts at work was a delight. The food was excellent, fun, delicious and an absolute experience. I would definitely try again. Hopefully before they close in June. read more

Interesting concept where it's a sort of tapas-style omakase. It's run by two chefs who enjoy entertaining and they're quite the show themselves. Food wise, it was largely hit or miss with me. They served freshly-baked bread right in the beginning and mine was very dry unfortunately. My partner's was tender and pillowy though, so not sure what happened there. There were some dishes that were off balanced, where it was either weird flavors or over-seasoned. I did have some favorites, particularly their slowly flame-grilled chicken and their corn soufflé. Both take quite a bit of technique and the chefs absolutely nailed them to perfection. Overall I had a fun time and some tasty food but not sure if it's worth a return visit. read more

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Recently I came here for a b-day dinner. Trust is a Chef's table concept restaurant and was ranked #18 in 2023 Yelp's Top 100 Places to Eat in the US. Was the dinner expensive? Yes, but our party paid for an intimate 18-seat culinary theater experience by Chef Kyle McClelland and sommelier poured paired beverages (alcoholic or non-alcoholic upon request) with each course. [Reservation]: Prepaid reservation for parties of 1 to 6 with 3% credit card processing fee via Tock. There's a different theme for each evening from Conservas & Tapas (Spanish flavors), Trust Dinner Party, Trust Lite, Adventures in Seafood, Italian Night, Evening at the Farmer's Market, etc. With reservation, visitors also get an evening pass to DTTN 2.0 (membership lounge right next to the Trust Kitchen) and let concierge know by sending an email (concierge@detentiondtsa.com) prior to 3 PM on the day of dining event. However the lounge still welcomes last-minute walk-in visitors and that was what our party did. [Entrance]: The kitchen entrance is on N Spurgeon St and the door opens exactly at 7 PM. Visitors can just hang out at the DTTN 2.0 lounge in the meantime. *** Ultimate Steak Dinner from 7 PM to 9:30 PM (a celebration of beef featuring several of the world's finest examples and favorite steakhouse sides. $225 per person, food and wine pairings, tax and gratuities included) *** === Rose === *** Bread from 61hundred *** + Airy texture. *** Red & Green baby romaine lettuce, classic dressing, garlic sourdough croutons *** + Light and delicious salad to start the meal. *** Tomato's & Emerald Figs, fried quinoa, ricotta, basil, balsamic *** + Acidic, sweet, and salty = quite an interesting and great tasting flavor profile. *** Steak Tartar , toasted milk bread, parm *** + Lovely toasted Japanese milk bread and melt-in-your-mouth steak tartar. === Barbera === *** Japanese BBQ Korean cut short rib, sweet & sour mixed mushrooms *** + Short rib tasted slightly salty, but mushroom had great seasoning. *** Wanderer Hanger steak, grilled Jimmy Nardello Peppers, chimichurri sauce *** + Juicy steak with a slightly vinegary aftertaste from chimichurri sauce. Good peppers. === Syrah === *** Imperial Flank steak, organic roasted carrots, mandarin yuzu butter *** + Steak cooked to perfection. *** Imperial Outside skirt steak, whole roasted XO cauliflower *** + Another melt-in-your-mouth steak. === Bordeaux === *** Aussie Sher Striploin, Turlock Asparagus, smoked egg yolk aioli *** + Smokey. *** USDA Prime 24 Day Dry Aged Ribeye, Wiser Farm Fingerlings, charred organic onions *** + By this point I was pretty much full. === Vermouth === *** S'mores Cake Binchotan whip*** + While whip cream tasted quite interesting, the cake tasted a bit too sweet for my liking. *** Coriander & Cardamon Brown Butter, Ice cream sandwich *** + Ice cream also tasted a bit too sweet for me. [Conclusion]: The only nitpicking aspect with the dinner was overly sweet desserts, but the main courses were amazing and the service was superb. This is absolutely an amazing & intimate spot to celebrate special occasions and to fire taste buds on all cylinders. P.S. - They have takeout boxes so yes customers can take leftover home (our party only took desserts and small portion of cooked leftover back home). read more

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This was a great night. Small chefs table and overall an experience. The price is all inclusive and I'd say if you don't drink it's not as great of a deal at $250/person but I think they will discount the meal if you notify them. You split the tasting with your partner which was interesting but that's how we eat anyway. We will be back to try again as the menu seems to change with what's available. The bar connected is also a great spot. read more

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Chef Jason was hilarious! The way he described his dishes were truly comical, we got a meal and some entertainment. My favorite was the many layers of thin beef... almost like a Lady M crepe cake but using meat! The green salad was also surprisingly enjoyable. And we didn't just get 1 dessert, we were served 2. Overall great experience! read more

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First time here trying the seafood night out. Might have been my favorite meal recently. The bread and pastry at the end were out of control and the skill level to get the fish skins so crispy and yet the fish still being juicy was amazing. I would come back easily for a celebration. read more

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1. Each dish was unique, and they were delicious in each of their own way! My favorites are the fresh brioche, Hangar Steak, and the Honey Citrus Cake! That hanger steak was tender! 2. The spot has a nice intimate ambiance! The interior is also cozy yet comfortable! 3. There are only indoor seatings at a counter with a small number of seats available! Reservation is required! 4. The staff were friendly and informative about the content of each dish and wine! They are also good at controlling the flow of the multiple courses! 5. Garage Parking, Meter Parking, and Neighborhood Parking are available! There is a free two hours period for the garage parking on the weekends and nights! Note: There is a restroom available for customers! It just located in the back after passing the last guest's seat! Photo: Oysters, Fresh Brioche, Boston Salad, Sashimi, Fried Clams, New England Clam, Chowder, Scallops, California White Sea Bass, Pasta, Duck, Hangar Steak, Honey Citrus Cake, and Triple Chocolate Dessert read more

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I throughly enjoyed this experience if you want to go all out on an expensive coursed dinner! I loved the more intimate setting where you're sitting right in front of the chefs preparing the dinner. Every dish comes with a wine pairing and I was pleasantly surprised by the wine choices! I really don't usually love wine but all of the wines worked well to each dish & also they weren't wines on the dry side. The first course was an oyster with caviar. I didn't mind the oyster or the caviar but it had different vinegars on it & honestly I do not think it paired with it. It tasted sour in a funky way. I could barely swallow this & I am pretty open with food. Thankfully everything else was really great so it started off rocky & improved from there. After that, they had this bread from a local bakery that was KILLER. I loved the big flakes of salt on it. It was warm & pillowy. There was also a salad with goat cheese & apples! It was refreshing while creamy. I liked it overall. The next course was different beets - I think if someone liked beets they'd really enjoy it but I'm just not a beets girl. My favorite dish was this piece of bread with bacon jam, mussels & shaved Parmesan on it. IT WAS DECADENT AND IT WAS UNFORGETTABLE. Me and my boyfriend still talk about it. The mussels had a slight chew as they should but easy to bite through. The bacon jam was smoky & you couldn't get enough of it. The Parmesan paired so well with this adding a creamy but tangy bit. I liked the scallop dish overall with the flavors but the scallop could've been more tender. The meat dishes were both incredible! I think my favorite meat dish was the veal. It had this creamy tuna sauce under it that worked really well with the tender veal. I will say - I had a bit of a harder time than I would have liked cutting through a ribeye at an establishment this expensive. I also think they could benefit from sharpening the knives so it cuts through easier! After the dessert, there was a freshly baked kouign amann. I mean how'd they know that was my favorite pastry?! They didn't but I love them for serving that. It came out super hot & the ribbons of sugar extending when you pulled out the bread was beautifully artistic. Overall, I'd come back when I want to treat myself! read more

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Review specific to the battledish vegetarian dinner On paper this was a good concept - battledish -3 chefs compete to make 3 cold, hot appetizers, entrees, dessert. But execution and dishes fall below expectations. At the beginning the chef narrated the dishes as he said trying to not give away too much and it felt a bit awkward like they're buying time for the brioche. (Since it's an intimate affair, maybe they could have introduced themselves and gotten to know the crowd, just a thought). There was a score sheet for each person and at the end, they tallied and just stated who won each round, no stakes/special appreciation, no connection to the concept. We went in for a vegetarian dinner. There are 10-12+ dishes but they're shared among the party yet each person pays $200. I've seen the other menus where there is meat and the food feels substantial. IMO, they could either do the vegetarian one at a lower price or consider offering at par in qty. All dishes felt pretty lack luster at the cost - for cold we had a snap pea with yogurt, a radish with some yogurt sauce and finally beets with yogurt....There was a lot of yogurt and just the main ingredient without a theme or even a base carb. The same pattern repeated itself in the other courses. There was no uniqueness or standouts from a dish perspective. It would have probably helped if there were palette cleansers or better distribution of the dishes so it keeps things fresh. Throughout the meal, some of the chefs kept saying or giving away who made what. The entrees and hot appetizers felt identical/repetitive in flavors. The main whites and reds (wines) were not good and the server felt illiberal (felt as though there was an air or distinction abt hosting or having people of color, which as subject I didn't appreciate). It also didn't end on a great light palette cleansing note, the dessets were also too palette saturating and too fatty. The only dish of the night with some weight/ substance (yet too much fat), the baked pastry was also fatty heavy sweet. They could have done more, a lot more with everything. This was my birthday dinner and I didn't feel it was worth the price. read more

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Always a great time when coming here! Tried the ultimate steak dinner recently and it was delicious! So far I've tried Surf & Turf, Trust, and The Ultimate Steak Dinner theme and everything has been great. You can't go wrong with the wine pairing that is included! Love the environment, the service, and the food. read more

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Dined here 3 years ago, and still dreaming of this place. This is one of the coolest restaurants with delicious food that I've been to ever!! It's on the pricier side but well worth the experience. Great for a special events like bday/anniversary celebration etc. Ambiance: very intimate space, need to book early for a specific time slot (can't just walk in); everyone is seated in this round table format with chef in the middle Food: food was incredible!!! Everything the chef made was with such details, he walked through the ingredients of each dish and everything was so unique and paired really well with the wine suggestions; highly recommend coming here!! with each dish, he talked about the inspiration to making each dish, service was incredible read more

Trust - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Santa Ana, California

Came here for the first time to celebrate our anniversary. This night they did a fun Battledish set up. 12 courses in 4 categories, each category paired with wine. So fun to watch them cook and create right infront of you. It is a small place with seating for 18. The food was amazing, conversation was fun, and we walked away full and happy! Looking for a special night out, this is worth the money and a great place to celebrate! read more

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Great dining experience at Trust. Unique take on chef's choice or omakase. Chef Jason was an excellent host and delivered an outstanding culinary experience. Only 18 seats are available so reservations are a must. Each item paired with an accompanied wine made it out to be a great night. Definitely would recommend for any foodie or anyone looking to try something new. read more

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Enjoyed Ultimate Steak night with my family and friend, it was a great experience. Literally has us saying "wow" and "oh my god" after every bite. It's bar seating for 18 so it seems as if it would be uncomfortable but it was actually a great way to connect with the service and feel the enjoyment as a group. It was so fun. I hope to go again! read more

Fabulous experience for an upscale dining place. Celebrated my birthday here with my kid and it was just simply delicious and a day to remember. Took me awhile to get a booking and the price per person is not bad all. Since it's a small intimate kitchen counter sitting, plus it is a small place in dtsa district, parking can street parking or parking lot areas. Foods menu change weekly so you don't know til you get there but if you are allergic to something, you can tell them during booking via online. It is something you got to try it one in a life time, especially on a special occasion with that special someone. read more

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I love the concept of chefs making whatever menu they want to serve and a small intimate seating / chef's counter area. Cool experience and concept. But, overall the food was definitely not Michelin star level. read more

This is the ultimate foodie experience. We have been several times. The experience is very intimate with limited seating allowing the chef to explain and serve everyone. My favorite was the curly bartender pairing. My fiancé loves the meat and sommelier wine pairings. The bread is straight from the oven to your mouth. Every single dish is incredible. read more

My boyfriend took me here for our anniversary and so happy and thankful he did because every dish served that night was delicious (especially the toasted bread with a clams/bacon/tomato sauce on top, which I forgot to take a picture of...couldn't stop talking about it! & the ice cream!). Loved the ambience as well, very relaxed and enjoyed seeing all the chefs working their magic. Will definitely be coming back! read more

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One of my favorite restaurants. The menu allows me to be more adventurous with what I eat(mainly because it's a total surprise) and at the same time it's crazy delicious. Also love the atmosphere and being able to watch them cook the meals. read more

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Trust was absolutely amazing. Some of the best food I have ever eaten. Chef Justin was awesome, and really created an exciting culinary experience. I cant tell you about the food because you have to experience it yourself. The meal of a lifetime. read more

Trust - Deliciousness happening - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Santa Ana, California

Truly a unique, incredible experience. The food was Thai style, each dish fresh and delicious. The Thai tea tiramisu dessert is something I'll never forget! read more

What a fun experience! Chef Justin is entertaining and you can see his passion for food come through all night. My absolute favorites from the night were the Iberico pork (soooo tender!!!), kouign-amann, wagyu oxtail stuffed tortellini, the mashed potato, and the brioche bread! I went with a friend so the dishes you see in my pictures is the portion for the 2 of us that we shared. You get 6 wine/alcohol pairings, I included my favorites from the night in the pictures! Had a great time with my friend. Left pretty full and happy. Definitely recommend taking a Lyft or Uber there so you can enjoy the night! read more

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I have mixed feelings about Trust, and whether I would return. First, the food was amazing, fresh and prepared with care. The service was very friendly! The deal breakers for me was being a non drinker, I still had to pay the same fixed price as the wine pairing customers. Also, all the dishes come out family style and not individual plates. Your plates and cutlery are not automatically changed out after each course (unless you request) causing flavors get all mixed up. Seating is very tight, that you are bumping elbows with the next person. For me, Trust missed some major points in fine dining. But, if those things don't bother you, I would recommend trying it out, because the food was good. Like I said, mixed feelings. read more

Best food I have ever had. It is food, wine, and an experience! I went to the dinner party event and wouldn't mind coming back for something else. I would have given this five stars but the other people in my party were deeply offended by the constant use of the F-word by the chef. While it didn't bother me personally, it was excessive and could easily have been avoided. The chef was very entertaining, and would be entertaining without constantly using that word. read more

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So it's pretty rare that I would be 100% sure i would come back to a restaurant i have to drive an hour for but man Trust is a special place. Kyle was our chef but the whole crew you interact with a lot. The experience is really social with both the kitchen and other guests because you're all seated at the bar. The courses feel like they kinda just make what they want to make that week and the food is fantastic. The time I went the dry aged branzino was probably my favorite thing. I'd say when I went the food was 9/10 for me but I imagine it could go up or down based on other menus. The experience though was an 11/10 and i doubt that would change! Make a trip out of this bring and S/O or a friend and you won't be disappointed read more

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This place serves up amazing food in a unique environment. The chefs explain from the beginning the menu and from there you sit back and enjoy. The best part is that the people who are cooking the food are the same ones serving you. And without a doubt that have all the knowledge of the food being served. On top of that, they are thee most chill vibe people and make the conversations that happen throughout the night feel very natural. This dining experience was one of the best that I have ever had. read more

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Small bar seating location in Downtown Santa Ana next to Detention. The food was delicious and the wine flowed well as it was included in the price of the menu. The service was nice and low key and homey. We were really hoping for wagyu but everything was yummy. read more

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My family are part of the OG'S of Jason Quinn's establishments. We are true foodies. My wife and her boss, wife and I finally had the opportunity to dine with the new chef (Kyle). The food was on par with what you expected for Trust. Kyle and his wife thank you for an excellent and delicious dinner. read more

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Went to Trust to celebrate hubby's birthday (Nov. 2024) and it turned out that it's the new chef's first week at the restaurant! Chef Kyle had an impressive experience prior to Trust in Boston/LA/London and described Trust as his new "playground". We loved how intimate the setting was - counter seating/open kitchen/casual flow of conversations between the guests and the chef. It felt just like a private dinner party. Now comes the food - there was no menu, no choices to be made - but almost everything served was a crowd-pleaser. Starting with a freshly baked brioche, we had salmon pastry with caviar, tuna/toro tart, Wagyu short rib tortellini, grilled shrimp skewers, swordfish (the most tender I've ever had!) with bok choy, lamb chop with creamed potatoes, and finished with 3 desserts. Every dish had amazingly fresh ingredients with familiar but elevated flavors. The meal also came with 6 wine parings - they were good, but some didn't pair too well with certain dishes (since one glass of wine was served along 2-3 dishes). But overall it's a great value considering it's already included in the price of the meal! read more

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Had a chance to celebrate my daughter's 21st birthday at Trust tonight-- Intro to caviar. Wow! Every single dish was truly excellent! Seasoned perfectly and portions were not skimpy. The chefs and sommelier were engaging, friendly and looked excited to be there. We thoroughly enjoyed our experience and will be back! read more

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Fun people behind the counter (chef and his team) + low key ambiance + over ten courses= bliss! If you're expecting a quiet fine dining experience this isn't it. But if you want fun stories with each dish and the inspo behind the ingredients with straight up talk, this is your place. They aren't uppity or stiff, the chef and his team are down to earth Amazing people. They're fun, they keep the mood energetic and lively and the wine keeps coming. I don't even think I could Keep up with the pours. The pairings complimented the dishes so so well! From literal fresh from the oven bread to Iberico ham done two ways to generous truffle shavings over pasta, there was no indulgence spared. The final pastry was sinful. Wish I could try every course offering they have! Depending on the night, there's a different theme. You can't go wrong. Parking is difficult but it's worth the hassle. So. Damn. Good! read more

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Not sure who could give Trust anything but 5 Stars!!! Brad Johnson ranked this spot 52 out of the top 75 restaurants in Orange County, Brad doesn't have a Fu#*ing clue! If you're searching for an epic dining experience that transcends the ordinary, look no further than Trust in Santa Ana. This intimate 18-seat restaurant, helmed by the talented and very passionate Chef Justin Werner, is more than just a meal; it's a culinary journey that I can confidently say is the best dining experience I've ever had. As soon as you arrive, you're warmly welcomed outside by the incredibly talented sommelier Tricia Chambers. The atmosphere envelops you, creating a cozy feeling akin to dining at a close friend's home--a friend who is moving to New York in November to reconnect with his friends, a friend who happens to be a culinary genius, a friend who incorporates story telling with every new plating your lucky enough to offer your taste buds, a friend who hopefully will continue his culinary journey in NY because you like NY and you want to eat at his house again. Chef Werner and his team are not just serving food; they are artfully crafting a theatrical experience that engages all the senses. Each dish is carefully curated, perfectly paired with exquisite wines, thanks to the expertise of sommelier Tricia Chambers, who will also be leaving with Werner in November. Their departure will undoubtedly leave a void in the dining scene, but the memories they've created for me and my guests last night will last a lifetime. The prix-fixe menu is a celebration of flavors, and every bite is a revelation. You can truly tell that every ingredient is chosen with love and years of testing. Each new dish was a standout from the opening salad to the following twelve mini meals I shared with my wife. Each new plating is explained in great detail by Chef Werner or a member of his team, and they are truly a team that works with the same precision as an Olympic synchronized swim team. Your bread arrives straight out of the oven with a brush stroke of butter and a sprinkling of salt, so hot you have to pause before touching it. The kitchen theatrics and story telling add an extra layer of excitement, as you watch the magic unfold right in front of you. It's not just about the food; it's about the passion that Chef Werner and his team pour into every aspect of your meal. Trust is truly a bucket list dining experience, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have been part of it. Thank you, Chef Justin Werner, Tricia, Kyle and the rest of the team for creating such an epic experience for my family and fiends. I hope there is a cookbook in your future--please don't forget to include that pineapple and coffee oil recipe! You've crafted a million-dollar food memory that I will cherish forever. I will be back to this extraordinary restaurant because chef Kyle, the quiet yet extremely talented chef will be taking over. Sure it will be different, but that's the best part of a culinary experience! If you truly appreciate great food and a unique, fun and entertaining environment try Trust in Santa Ana if you can even get in. read more

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Omg. I love food and am a big foodie. This has to be the best food I've ever had. The pairing, description and chef Kyle were so freaking good!!!! read more

I waited 10 days before writing this review to capture the lasting impression of Justin's team at TRUST. It's easy to be wow'd in the moment here-- in every bite and perfectly paired sip of alcohol. This restaurant has the highest reviews of any restaurant I've ever seen, in both quantity and stars. So you know the food is going to be on another caliber. Therefore, that is not what my review will focus on. Before TRUST I could not tell you the first names of any server or chef , regardless of how excellent their service was, 10 days after dining. But I vividly remember Justin (head chef and owner), Kyle (chef), Jason (sommelier), and Chewy (assistant chef). This team works in lock-step to pump out an astonishing amount and variety of food. Imagine being in a room with experts of their craft, and you are their focus. It's both educational and extremely engaging. Not to mention fun and hilarious-- these guys are funny! Serious about their work yet they seem to love to interact with each other and the guests. My favorite dish of the night was the sautéed sunchokes. Having lived in the North, these root vegetables are a staple this time of year yet I have never had them so delicious. They melted in your mouth with deep, rich, umami flavor. Jason (Sommelier) is a delight to talk to. He is unassuming about his volume of knowledge-- he's extremely chill. He said a quote that I still remember: "wine's purpose is to aid in the enjoyment of life". At the end of day, even if you can nail all of the notes and subtleties of the wine, the point is to be enjoying yourself. This was a gift from my mother for my brother and I to dine with her. I will not be forgetting about the magic of Justin and the team anytime soon. read more

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"Getting know chef Kyle" this seafood haul was amazing! You really cannot go wrong when there is oysters, scallops, and caviar! Truly appreciated head chef, Kyle, for his seafood influence. Every dish was perfectly seasoned and delicious. I couldn't agree more when chef Kyle opened with the statement that seafood is difficult to cook with. I know I tend to over cook. Every played was perfectly cooked. The whole team was amazing! read more

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If you're not a wine drinker, I wouldn't recommend Trust unless someone else is paying for you. Half of the experience was how well they paired each wine with each dish and the backstory of each wine. They poured everyone a good amount of wine so you'll definitely be satisfied if you enjoy wine. For the non-alcoholic options, there was iced tea and a variety of carbonated drinks. They are separate from Detention so you couldn't drink their Smith tea from Portland. The building for Trust is right next to Detention but you can wait inside Detention until its time to eat. Plenty of parking in the front on a Friday night because Detention was closed. The dining area is a L-shaped bar with about 12+ people so it's not super intimate but not too busy either. You get front row seats of Chef Justin cooking with his sous chef, Kyle. He explains each dish well especially on where it came from and how he thought of the concept. The food is tasty and if you have a regular appetite, you'll be pretty full. If you came straight from a workout, you'll be comfortable. The food is hearty and well-presented without the frills and decently portioned. Chef Justin and his team encourage bringing any leftovers home so don't feel awkward asking for to-go boxes for any of the 13 courses. I enjoyed the majority of the dishes as it was a good range of vegetables, meats, carbs and seafood. And there were 3 desserts which I'll never object to. Even the desserts ranged from fruity, rich and creamy, and a baked pastry with ice cream. Overall, it was a very wholesome and fun experience with a similar vibe to Detention but obviously better because you can talk to the chef and sommeliers. The other guests were pretty interesting as well so a very good social activity without the pretentiousness. read more

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Over the years, I have heard so many amazing things about this exclusive dinner party with life changing food. I've past by countless times but always thought it was out of my realm of possibility. While this extravagant well crafted 13 course meal wasn't life changing or the best thing I've eaten this year, it was still a damn good meal that changed my perspective on food. I booked a solo reservation the day of and was surprised to see that there were still a few open slots. Since I was celebrating my birthday, I just went for it and decided not to wait to try this place any longer. The menu is of course a mystery and the anticipation was building. On the Saturday of thanksgiving weekend, the menu started off with their "freshest bread" with house cultured butter. The bread goes straight from the oven to right in front of you. It was a piping hot, soft and pillowy brioche ball. In my opinion, there was too much Maldon salt on top which made it too salty in some bites. This was a bit of a running issue I had with some of the dishes. (3.5/5) We were then offered a salad with endive, frisée, apple, pickled cranberries, walnuts, puffed quinoa, and a shallot dressing. One of the better salads I've had in awhile and I was able to finish it all surprisingly.(4/5) After the salad was a tostada with hokkaido scallop and an avocado mousse. This dish wasn't all too special to me, but I liked how I could taste all the ingredients. (3/5) Another unique dish was the persimmon with cherry over spiced creme fraiche. I think the spices for this was a bit overpowering because I couldn't taste the natural flavor of the fruit. One of my least favorites. (2.5/5) We pick back up with a dish of lobster, octopus, and shell beans. The proteins were both extremely tender and sweet. I liked the texture and flavor that the fried green element brought to the plate. Normally not a fan of beans, but I enjoyed them here.(4/5) Next course was some kind of cheesy spaghetti. The pasta was handmade and the texture was different from any Italian pasta I've had. The flavor and texture reminded me of Asian egg noodles. The cheese sauce wasn't all that special in my opinion, but the star was the pasta. (3/5) I experienced the most unique way of serving broccoli ever and it was their "Korean fried broccoli". The broccoli is deeply smoked, battered and fried, then tossed in a soy gochujang sauce. Very different and a fun way to eat a vegetable. It was very much like a vegetable tempura. The broccoli itself still retained its texture. I thought that this was a cool concept, but the flavor was way too smoky for me to taste the sauce itself. (3/5) The final course before being introduced to the meats was this slow roasted maitake served with fried sweetbreads, pickled shallot and jalapeño, and butternut squash sauce. All the elements worked and tasted best together. You'd never find me eating sweetbreads voluntarily, but it was pretty good when fried. (3.5/5) The duck breast was served over mole and dried salsa. It was my first time trying mole so it was very intense. Very dark and rich with the chile being the flavor that stood out the most. The dry salsa added the crunch factor but not exactly sure what it was. (3/5) Can you really go wrong with steak and potatoes? Their version was a wagyu picanha and beef fat sous vide potatoes. Very simple preparation but one of my favorite courses since I love steak. There was shaved truffle on top but that didn't add too much to me. (4/5) Finally, dessert was served. At this point I was bursting from the seams so it was a struggle to the finish line. Desserts included this small cube of yuzu (idk what it was tbh, solid but not frozen like ice cream) and fresh whipped cream, strawberries, and citrus. Very light and refreshing. (4/5) The other dessert was a semifreddo with salted caramel, chocolate sauce, and cookie crumble. Very good dessert when eaten all in one bite. It had a sweet and salty combo that reminded me of a pretzel for some reason. (3.5/5) To finish, we had a freshly baked pastry. I forgot what it was called but it was similar to a croissant. It was warm and had a sugar coating which made for a satisfying conclusion. (4/5) All dishes were served with a wine pairing and I liked that they were constantly refilling our glasses. Nothing stood out to me but I enjoyed all of them. We started with this champagne that had a strong green apple flavor to it. And we ended with a vermouth to pair with the dessert. (3.75/5) Service and experience overall was the best part to me. All the staff was friendly and welcoming and Chef Justin was very lively and engaging. I'd definitely be interested in trying one of their themed dinners like the ultimate steak dinner or seafood ones. The level of enjoyment fluctuated for me and I didn't feel like the menu worked all together as it seemed a bit random. Overall, I'm glad to finally experience Trust and would recommend it to adventurous eaters. read more

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Best concept in not only Santa Ana but all of Orange County. Felt like I was having dinner with a bunch of friends. Love being able to see them cook. Service was impeccable and I can't wait to return! P.s. the finale dessert is to die for read more

Trust - Game over - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Santa Ana, California

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