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Utopia Caffe

4.5 (2.1k reviews)
Closed 8:30 am - 9:30 pm

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UTOPIA CAFFE ATMOSPHERE

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Moderate noise
Casual
Touristy
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Recommended Reviews - Utopia Caffe

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Desire N.

POV: you went to Utopia European Caffe for "just coffee" and somehow left with a full brunch, dessert, and 200 photos for Instagram. This Tustin café is seriously so cute -- cozy European vibes, pretty drinks, and food that makes you want to order "one of everything." The chicken fettuccine Alfredo is rich and flavorful, the bolognese is dangerous in the best way, and the Utopia Latte with rose petals and pistachios? Basically the main character of the table. Honestly, this is the type of place where you say "let's keep it simple" and end up staying for two hours gossiping over Turkish coffee. 10/10 brunch behavior.

Strawberry avocado salad
Raven R.

This is a chic, european themed cafe. The staff is nice and they have a bakery section as well as options for hot dishes. We started with a strawberry avocado salad, and got a cacio e pepe for our main. Got walnut baklava for dessert. Cacio e Pepe- This was an interesting twist on cacio e pepe. It has mushrooms, a cheese base, finished with a crispy cheese lace and served with a slice of garlic bread. The flavor was decent but the pasta was on the dry side. Strawberry Avocado Salad- The salad was served fresh with a generous amount of greens and sliced strawberries. The chicken was juicy and flavorful. Walnut Baklava- I was not a fan of this one sadly. The pastry was soggy but it was a sweet treat at the end of the meal. Some improvements could be made on food items but the experience was good overall.

peek of inside the restaurant & line
Terri S.

Aesthetically pleasing restaurant and food presentation! They offer both inside and outside seating. We chose outside on this beautiful day, and they have a massive patio roof to cover guests from the weather. The food was so delicious! I got a light nutella french toast, and it was super generous with the nutella spread, and the berries were fresh and crunchy. We also got their brussel sprouts and I loved it! Perfectly flavored and paired well with the tzatziki sauce. The waiters were nice and was consistent in prebussing our table and checking to see if we were okay.

Pome-nade
Lisa Y.

Cute little European cafe located in The District in Tustin. They have both indoor seating and an outdoor covered patio area. This spot has great brunch vibes, but you can also go for dinner as well. You can also order their breakfast items all day! Order at the register, and they'll give you a number to put on your table. Someone will bring out your food to you when it's ready. I like that they have Turkish speciality dishes like the Classic Menemen and Housemade Manti. These were my favorite! The Classic Menemen has eggs, butter, garlic, herbs, bell pepper, and tomato, served with baguette slices. I don't see Manti Turkish Dumplings at restaurants too often, so when I saw this on the menu, I had to try it. It did not disappoint! These dumplings are stuffed with minced beef in a tomato sauce with yogurt. So yummy! I also like that they have a variety of breakfast platters, including a French, Mediterranean, English, and American-style platter. I got the French Breakfast Platter that includes eggs, home-fried potatoes, soujouk sausage, croissant, sauteed Brussels sprouts, and brie. On the side, you get fresh fruit, jam, and butter. Very filling! The Baby Arugula Salad was colorful and refreshing! It has feta cheese, walnuts, cherry tomato, and sun dried tomato with a lemon vinaigrette and black pepper garnish. If you're looking for something lighter but filling, would definitely recommend this salad! For a side, the Fried Cauliflower is a great option. It's served with a tzatziki sauce on the side. If you like Turkish coffee, they have it here! It's even served with a piece of Turkish Delight.

Utopia Latte & Pistachio Eclair | IG @moniquedao
Monique D.

Had a great experience here. Almost everything we ordered was delicious and thoughtfully put together. I had the Bolognese. The spaghetti was cooked perfectly with the rich, savory meat sauce. BF had the Breakfast Sandwich - grilled salami paired with the melted five-cheese blend, scrambled eggs, and their utopia sauce, inside a ciabatta. He wasn't a fan; said it was kinda greasy. I did really like the potato wedges that came with it. Super crispy and perfectly seasoned. For drinks, the Utopian Latte was yummy. The combination of espresso, white chocolate, and rosewater was unique but really well balanced - not too sweet, with a subtle floral note. The whipped cream, rose petals, and pistachio on top made it feel extra special. And the Pistachio Éclair was the perfect way to end the meal - light, airy pastry filled with a creamy pistachio filling, with just the right amount of sweetness and a nice nutty finish. Overall, everything felt elevated but still comforting. I'd definitely come back.

Chocolate croissant and Pomegranate Blossom Refresher (med)
Jessamine A.

This little cafe is quaint and open early on the weekends. All other food places don't open until later so they have my money. There is the option to order at the counter for take out and to be seated and get served. The staff this morning were friendly. The place was about half full when I arrived a little after 9:00 am and people were still coming in. We love their Pomegranate Blossom Refresher drink. Not too tart and not too sweet. It's perfect! We have yet to try their Pome-Nade (aka pomegranate lemonade). The chocolate croissant I ordered was like their take on a Dubai chocolate croissant. It was heated up and drizzled with chocolate and crushed pistachios. The female employee mentioned she would be putting chocolate in the croissant after it gets heated but there was none, just chocolate on the top. I want to come back and try more of their food. They have items like breakfast plates, omelettes, gelato, pasta, and salads, in addition to pastries and desserts. They also have one retail wall with a lot of tea sets, coffee, tea, and candies.

Hannah N.

Went here for brunch after costco run. The food is a typical brunch but had a good different options order the French which comes with a croissant, potatoes, eggs, fruits, Brussels sprouts and sausage. Food was delicious and good flavoring but the only thing that kinda didnt sit well was the sausage and the fruits were very bland. The matcha latte tasted really nice it kinda had a hint of starbucks matcha. The bussers/servers were very nice and had a positive attitude and very attentive with any needs. I really like how they have a patio area that you can eat in and bring your dog as well!

Utopia latte ($6) Red sleeve cup is the Hidden House coffee that is complimentary with check-in
Sherry C.

Utopia Caffe is famous for their absolutely stunning outdoor patio that looks straight out of a European storybook. They're usually super packed for brunch and lunch. Their French breakfast platter is the most perfect breakfast platter ever--comes with a croissant, eggs your way, Turkish sausage, home-fried potatoes, and a side of brie cheese, jam, and fresh fruit. They're also known for their menemen dish which is similar to shakshouka. Tomatoes, bell peppers, and runny egg...all that deliciousness you can smear on the bread. But the star of the show had to be the Utopia latte. Ugh, this was like heaven and roses in a cup. Thanks for reading! ^-^

Side of potatoes
Crystal M.

Wow! I'm truly impressed! What did we order? Rose Lemonade, Pomegranate ? (Not the refresher), Utopia Latte, Utopia Yogurt, Kibbeh, side of potato wedges, omelet without cheese or sauce. Also took home 3 boxes of Turkish delight and one can of pomegranate powder. Everything was delicious and well thought out. I almost had a complaint about the Utopia Yogurt, but I had to change my mind about this in the end. The parfait came topped with apricots, fresh strawberries, nuts, and granola, maybe more. I didn't think it was sweet enough to cover the tartness of the homemade yogurt. Silly me, there was a fine later of sweet preserves right at the bottom. Wow! Incredible once I found it. It was completely my fault. I normally don't mix all my ingredients together. It seemed to be freshly made from fresh fruit and sweetener and not a dollop of store bought jelly. It was perfect with the Utopia Latte. That delight was sweetened with rose syrup and topped with finely chopped pistachios. The whipped cream was yummy too. My husband raved about the omelet and I took a bite to report that it was well seasoned and fluffy. It had sausage and grilled veggies inside. I thought the combination sounded like too much, but no, I was upset that I had so much food already because I wanted an omelet after that bite. My husband had a rose water lemonade which was prepackaged and he also had the pomegranate refresher. After taking a sip of the pomegranate drink, I went back to the counter and purchased a can of the powder that they sell. I don't like in California, I was passing through. I will confess that they gave me a bag for my purchases that advertised their sister restaurant Doner. I ordered from there with Uber Eats for dinner because my breakfast was so good. You'll have to wait for my review on that one.

Chicken Pesto Sandwich
Kathleen N.

Grabbed brunch here for the first time. Pretty busy but was seated fairly quick. Tried their chicken pesto sandwich which comes with a side of potato wedge OR salad. Was around 15-17 dollars. Big portion size. Crispy and well seasoned potato, which was a plus in my book.

Latte art
Heather D.

This is a great spot whether you're looking for just a coffee or full lunch. I came here for a coffee and pastry with a friend and had a great experience. The staff is always friendly and helpful. This time I got a hot latte and a potato and cheese pastry. The pastry was bit bland so I probably wouldn't get this again but I would recommend a croissant instead. There is some seating inside but a lot more on their outdoor patio.

Chicken Fettucine Alfredo
Johnathan H.

If you're going here, it's only because it's in a convenient location and it looks clean. Don't get me wrong, the food is decent, but it's not worthy of being a sole destination. You're only eating here if you're spending a bunch of time around the mall and you happen to be hungry. The food is nourishing, and that's where it stops. I've made sandwiches and chicken alfredo that's tasted the exact same at home. The chicken in the alfredo comes in small chunks that are hard to eat with the long noodles and it would've been much better in strips.

Matcha Latte
Amita G.

We went here for a quick rainy day weekend brunch! The place is packed!! Make sure you go with time on hand! They don't have table service you have to order first and grab a seat and the servers then will bring you food out. Water is not served you need to take it on your own from water station. Coffee was on mark! And food was huge portion. Ambience is very Middle East feels. Love the atmosphere

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21 days ago

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23 days ago

Utopia is an amazing cafe. The customer service is unbelievable. Nacho especially was really kind and made our experience here 10x better.

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18 hours ago

Best breakfast place in the world. English breakfast is the best with turkey bacon omg come get it fast

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Utopia Caffe Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Utopia Caffe

What time do you start serving lunch/brunch?

I think about 11

Do they take Apple Pay?

Hi Faisal, Yes we do take Apple Pay!

Takes group reservations?

Since is walk in, no reservations needed, plenty of space.

Are dogs allowed in the patio?

Hi Sylvia, yes pets are most welcome in the patio area!

What gluten free desserts are available?

The dessert selection changes every day. For most accurate information please call the store in advance of your visit. Thank you so much.

Is there wifi available?

Yes. Wi-Fi is available

Are there milk alternatives like almond, soy or oat for lattes?

Yes!

Is all the food certified halal?

Yes

Is this a good place to study? Do they allow laptops, have WiFi, etc?

As long as you don't mind crowded place, I don't see why not

Can i make a reservation for a party of 9?

If you go to their more info section it says no reservations:(

Are the hours changed during Ramadan?

No same hours !

Is all of the meat Zabihah halal?

Yes - the chef came out from the kitchen and let us know that the meat is Zabiha/halal.

Is any of the meat or chicken halal?

Yes all of the meat is Halal.

View All 17 Questions

Fat Of The Land

Fat Of The Land

(387 reviews)

$$$

When passion meets a restaurant, this is what it looks like. What a truly lovely experience…read more From the moment you walk in, every detail feels intentional. We were greeted immediately and, despite arriving a bit early for our reservation, were seated right away. The restaurant opened at 4:00 and was completely full by 4:03, always a good sign. Shortly after we sat down, the owner introduced himself and pointed out his wife, who was also helping on the floor. There was nothing pretentious about it, just genuine, down to earth hospitality. He offered wine tastings and shared a few personal favorites. The wine list felt thoughtfully curated and refreshingly different from the usual. I went with the Tempranillo, delicious. The space itself is small, intimate, and beautifully designed. You can feel the passion in every corner, it's not just decor, it's intention. Now, the food... incredible. The bread with ham butter was amazing, honestly tasted like it was baked in house. It could have been? The apple pear frisée salad was the perfect start; light, balanced, and flavorful with just the right touch of sweetness. The shrimp was incredibly fresh, generously sized, and paired with delicate slices of garlic that brought everything together beautifully. The chicken en bravas was a standout super tender, falling off the bone, with a rich sauce that was absolute perfection. And the Basque cheesecake... easily one of the best I've ever had. Light, not overly sweet, just perfectly executed. Service was just as impressive, genuine, attentive, and seamless. Constant water refills, thoughtful plate changes, and a level of care that elevated the entire experience. It almost feels wrong calling this just a "restaurant." It felt more like being invited into someone's home on vacation, with an incredible chef cooking just for you. I truly wish this couple continued success, this place is a rare gem. There's nothing quite like it. Michelin star worthy!!

I am not a rich man, but I do enjoy high-end dining, as long as it's not hurt cuisine (lol HAUTE,…read morebut apropos, thanks speech to text). One of the best dinners I've ever had, which was at the water Grill was twice as much as a dinner here. There's a big difference between the two and not just because of the building, but the service and the food are equal in my mind. I do wish that they had a bit more of an expanded menu not a lot more just a bit more. But everything we had was fantastic. Definitely worth the price. So good that I'm even considering breaking my boycott of chicken just to try the chicken at this place. I do hope it's clean healthy chicken like Jidori or Halal. For being in what is essentially a very sketchy part of Santa Ana, despite OCHSA nearby, it's super cool that there's just kind of this hidden tucked away fancy Schmanski dining spot, so date night could be a little adventurous, depending on who you meet on the streets, and parking for free is a bit of a tumble through the neighborhoods, the inside is so well done that you completely forget that you're in the heart of what is an urban center. Looking forward to going back.

CasaDamí - Overcooked on the outside and completely undercooked and pink on the inside.

CasaDamí

(139 reviews)

$$$$

I made reservations at Casa Dami to celebrate my daughter's birthday, and overall, it turned into a…read morereally memorable experience. When booking, I had the option of dining , chef's table, or patio seating. I specifically chose the dining since my daughter loves creating content, and the indoor ambiance is absolutely beautiful for photos. The hostess seated us on the patio, and I mentioned that I had selected dining. I was told that seating is based on first availability, which was a little disappointing, especially since the restaurant is right on the water and by 7:30 PM it was getting pretty chilly. While they do have heaters outside, sitting in gusty winds with the smell of gas (especially after a fresh trip to the hairdresser!) just wasn't ideal. My daughter went back to the car to grab a blanket. Thankfully, the hostess noticed my discomfort and came back shortly after saying, "Donna, we have another table further down that's out of the wind and under a heat lamp." That small gesture made a big difference, and honestly, that's when the experience started to turn around. From there, things only got better. When our entrées arrived, our waiter Nick realized we had never received our appetizers. Without hesitation, he assured us he would make it right, and he absolutely did. He brought out a selection of cheeses for us to sample, which led to us ordering a caviar bump paired with champagne (highly recommend!). To top it all off, he surprised my daughter with olive cake and fresh berries to celebrate her birthday. Such a thoughtful touch. If I could give this place 10 stars, I would. Not just because the food was amazing, but because of the attention to detail and how seriously they take the overall dining experience. Parking is available in a nearby garage, and they validate the first 90 minutes, which is a nice bonus.

I had this place bookmarked on Yelp since November when it was all dressed up for the holidays. The…read morepictures of the interior looked beautiful and the food looked great. Yesterday, I came here for my birthday lunch with my mom after she made a reservation, and honestly, I wish we had just gone somewhere else. We sat down right at our 1:00 reservation and then waited 35 minutes just to get a drink menu. Not food. Not to order. Just the menu for drinks. After we finally ordered, the champagne showed up about 20 minutes later. It was served in wine glasses, which feels like basic wine bar knowledge, but apparently not here. When we asked to switch them to champagne glasses, the waiter brought out smaller wine glasses. Not exactly good etiquette for a place that leans so heavily on its bar concept. The whipped ricotta appetizer came out even later, around the 65 minute mark. As an appetizer. It was fine, probably the best thing we had, but "fine" after that kind of wait is not a positive. From there, everything just dragged. It took almost an hour for my mom's meatballs to come out, and when they did, they were raw. Not slightly underdone. Fully pink in the middle. She sent them back and was so turned off she didn't even want to eat anything else. I ordered a salad and specifically asked for light dressing. What I got was the opposite. It was drenched in a thick, heavy dressing that made the whole thing borderline inedible and the lettuce soggy. After our food, I tried to order drip coffee, which they didn't have, so I settled for an Americano. I asked for warm cream, which I've had done at plenty of places, and somehow it came out clotted. If you know anything about coffee, that shouldn't happen. At this point, we had been there for over two and a half hours. For a salad, an appetizer, and four raw meatballs. The server was very nice and doing his best with being busy. BUT, the overall operation felt completely disorganized and untrained. We weren't the only ones either. The couple next to us was also complaining after waiting 40 minutes just to order breakfast items. To make it even better, parking is only comped for 90 minutes. So because of their slow service, we ended up paying for parking on top of overpriced, underwhelming food. What should have been a 45 minute lunch turned into a 2.5 hour ordeal. The bathroom also wasn't clean either time I went, which pretty much sums up the lack of attention to detail across the board. The only slightly redeeming part was the crème brûlée, which was... fine. Not amazing. Just fine. It's a pretty space. I'll give them that. But that's about where the positives end. The food is not good, the timing is unacceptable, and the whole experience feels like Instagram style over quality and substance. Definitely not worth the money, and not somewhere I'd ever go back to.

Dunarea Restaurant - Stuffed Cabbage Rolls/Sarmale in Varza

Dunarea Restaurant

(191 reviews)

$$

Excellent authentic Eastern European restaurant! Perfect for family gatherings and large meals…read moretogether as well as quiet date! This has to be one of my favorite Romanian restaurants in OC! Family owned and operated with exceptional staff and service! I can't wait to bring the family back together again for dinner or quick Mititei or some Sarmale! Mhmmm hmmmm chefs kiss! The smells coming from the kitchen will have you eating and sipping wine all night long! The best part the food! I ordered the beef stroganoff chopped filet mignon with mushrooms cooked in a sauce of sour cream, tomato and white wine! We also ordered a side stuffed cabbage rolls/Sarmale in varza, ground pork in pickled cabbage leaves and served with cornmeal and sour cream! The sparkling water in the bottle was even from the Carpathian Mountains! This place is phenomenal! Thank you Dunarea for your hospitality until next time! Multumesc mult!

Delicious Romanian food!…read more Its so rare to find Romanian food, and Dunarea did not disappoint. I got the lamb pastrami, marinated deliciously and usually comes with cornmeal, but i chose fries. The husband got the dobrogeana and was pleasantly surprised. He liked it more than he thought, and it was perfectly cooked chicken with pork sausage all in a delicious broth. We also enjoyed some nice rose and cab, both Romanian of course. Ended the course with profilteroles! Super excited (: Large indoor seating area. Can easily accomate large parties but can also be intimate enough for a date. Service is super friendly and on top of it. When we came there was a large party, but the server (i think owner) was really polite and apologetic and often checked in on us. Highly recommend!

Brussels Bistro - Mariniere Mussel

Brussels Bistro

(988 reviews)

$$$

Such a solid brunch spot by the beach that you can take your family or your partner to. Having…read morevisited Belgium for a day last year, I wanted to see if there was a restaurant that would stack up. This restaurant was easy to walk to, dependable, and delicious. I've been here 3 times and it always hits the spot. The servers here are super attentive and friendly. The outdoor seating is also super sweet; you can get a view of the boardwalk while you eat. Moule in white wine sauce, 9/10: Star of the show for sure. Mussels are cooked nicely. They come piping hot in the pot with the white wine garlic sauce that perfectly accompanies the natural flavor of the mussels. So smart to serve it in the small pot since it keeps the mussels hot and you can scoop the sauce with the shell. They taste fresh and not slimy at all. I appreciated how you can choose the quantity of mussels you want. Frites, 9/10: Pretty much exactly how it tasted in Belgium. Slightly thicker cut fries with mayo and ketchup. Seasoned well and the inside of the fry is still pillowy and warm. Bolognese, 8.5/10: Well-rounded bolognese with a good amount of meat sauce; they did not skimp out on it. Very well-seasoned dish that pairs well with the parmigiano and chili flakes. It also serves as a good pasta dish to eat with the mussels. My only gripe is the noodles could have been a bit more al dente.

Service 10 Ambiance…read more10 Beer Options 10 Food 1-2 (Fries best part) Long time customer. Laguna Beach native. Don't know if it was just an off day/night the food was underwhelming. The escargot a favorite of ours. Re-used shells ok whatever but at least put a bigger piece of meat in there. The shells were filled with oil and some greens but the meat of the "escargot " was a little bit bigger than a pea! The fresh bread was great. Salad Endive - ehh chunks of ham??? Couldn't parent it better or just cheap meat? Steak was very tough. I had to spit a part out bc of the sinew. Then the frozen garlic butter hockey puck!! How do you expect people to put this or use this when it's frozen solid? The meat isn't hot enough to melt it. Overall you need to do better. Won't be coming back anytime soon unfortunately!

Somni

Somni

(46 reviews)

$$$$

Service: A+ Food: A+…read moreDecor and ambiance: A+ An unforgettable culinary experience. I want to recognize all the hard work, passion, and dedication Chef Zabala and his team brought to this extraordinary meal. My wife and I arrived early. I strongly recommend arriving early, since all guests are seated at the same time. All guests are served at the same time - by a highly synchronized team effort. Dress code exists. My wife wore a stunning dress. Me - in a long sleeve, khakis, and dress shoes. I recommend, for male guests, to dress better than I did. Definitely a jacket. The experience starts with warm, friendly smiles as you enter through the door. From there, you will be taken to the outdoor patio area, where tables, seats, hanging decor, and IG picturesque trees await. It's a start to what will be a wonderful experience. Then you will be taken indoors. Inside there is seating for 14. Seating is styled like a curved line. Two sides. You will face the Chef and his team. Plating will take place in front of you, and then taken to each person with synchronized style and grace. I felt like I was watching a conductor conduct a culinary symphony with his orchestra. Food? Unbelievable. Beautiful, creative, and complex. Look at the photos. The dedication it takes to dream of a deconstructed pizza and rebuilt by gastronomy, then executed with precision. And devoured by a few quick mouthfuls, yet fully savored. Service is rhythmic, synchronized, and attentive. Rhythmic because there is a pace, a rhythm set by the courses. Synchronized because the staff work in unison. Attentive because they feel and respond to the pulse of each guest. The wine pairing? Spot on. Team member Caroline did an excellent job here. Even when stuffed to the brim, I would not let a single drop of wine go to waste. No way, down the hatch it goes. On that note, get a rideshare or taxi. Last, Chef Zabala. His passion and dedication are noteworthy. To invent his dishes, to make them, to perfect them, and then to serve them. I can only imagine how much behind-the-scenes work it takes. An artist, a culinary magician, and a dedicated master to his craft. Thank you!

Do you dream of snagging a seat at Somni? Are you willing to skip a few mortgage payments to dine…read morehere? Do you want to satisfy your culinary lust? Are you just curious or just like the feel of your cash draining through the hole in your pocket? Somni might be the restaurant equivalent of summiting Everest although it might be easier to tackle the Hilary Step than finish all 27 courses of this monster meal. Everything you can think of to provide you with a perfect evening has been thought of. Enter through the gnarled tree bent into an arch like the feet of a Shanxi Princess. At 7:30 sharp the Kitchen Warriors line up to greet all 12 patrons being led to tables on the patio. Settle in and ooh and ahh at the Chicken Wire sculpture Giraffe and Clouds hung overhead. BTW the way a Giraffe has 4 stomachs and you will everyone of them to polish off what is being prepared for you. The courses will keep coming long after you've tapped out. One of black uniformed Servers will bring you a Tokyo Fizz in a little flutelet. A Sparkling Yuzu Spritzer and a Fist Bump of Caviar on the back of a wooden hand (where the Coke goes before your nose). Fortunately, a hand won out over other possible appendages with which to showcase a quenelle of Caviar. The Decor is up to the kitchen's magic. Somni was once an old House repurposed into a dinner machine. It's as comfortable as an old friend's Living Room and as lean as a Battleship ready for action. The Staff: 18 top professionals man the Quarter Deck and happily serve under Captain Aitor Zabela. The mission is to crank out 27 perfect courses in 4 hours which also includes some surprises and kitchen whims. Each team member knows the menu, and the ingredients along with why every bite made the cut. The Staff works together like Close Order Drill team. They line to prep a dish and then spread out so that everyone is served at the same time. Pretty slick. The Kitchen itself is a mechanical wonder of high end equipment all of which is as functional and high performance as a Ferrari SF90 Stradale. Somni is not just dinner. It is a dance. It is a cross between The Moiseyev Ballet and Pilobolus. Poke your nose into the heart of the beast and you will see Chef Aitor executing a Pas de Deux followed by all the line cooks stretching to present Variations. The Food: There is no way to describe what awaits you. Try explaining seeing Eagles at The Sphere. You might as well just describe having a bowl of Peyote for lunch, washing it down with 2 hits of Clear Light Acid and then listening to 3 hours of terrific music while surrounded by ultra graphics filling the entire building. It's as close as you'll get to sharing what you just experienced. Dining at Somni is the culinary equivalent. The menu leans Spanish which is predictable as Chef Airtor made little edible fantasies for El Bulli. Here the, Kitchen expands the concept of taste, texture and technique to the rough edges of the imagination. The simple way, at this point, is to share with you what was created for me along with some photos which might help you get the idea. At Somni it is not less is more. It is more is better. 1. Truffle Bump was Caviar Service. 2. One edible "Almond" among a basket of real inedible Almonds. 3. Tarragon Tart 4. Sardine 5. Trufflini 6. Tigre 7. Parmesan Cheese Feather 8. Pizza Margherita 9. Gaspacho Blanco 10. Coco Crab 11. Shiso Puff Tartare 12. Tuna & Spruce Tip 13. Croissant (A Potato rolled out into a paper thin wedge 2 feet long. Then rerolled tightly splashed with Clarified Butter, baked and turned into a tiny little Croissant. This was brilliant and my favorite). 14. Mellones (Mussels). 15. Spanish Turbot 16. Engawa (The base of a Flounder's Fin). 17. Ensaimada (A Spiral Sweet Pastry from Majorca). 18. Iberico Pork (This a rectangle of Roasted Tenderloin. Sadly this resisted being chewed easily, although it was tasty. The Artichoke supported a razor thin slice of Prosciutto. The tip of the Artichoke was stringy and defiant. The Heart at the base was more forgiving. 19. "Cow and her Milk" had to be seen to be appreciated. Basically, it was a cheese cracker. 20. Something that resembled a Pangolin and was also a kind of delicate Cheese Cracker. 21. to 27. Were a series of Sweet Little Things. I added a Hybrid pairing of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Left descending arterial ventricular hypertrophy was an add-on and was on the house. Somni goes in the column of things that you should definitely try once.

Heritage - Carrot Cake

Heritage

(441 reviews)

$$$$

I first came here when I was in Long Beach for work a few years ago and I loved the entire…read moreexperience. Fast forward to a conference I was attending in Anaheim with my family. When I heard Heritage had received a Michelin star, I jumped at the chance to take my family. They all loved it and it was a hit from start to finish. It is definitely won't it to hear reservation. The best part, everyone on staff is truly friendly, helpful and attentive. The dining room is a little bit dark. It's a small price to pay for the amazing food from tonight's dinner. The flavors continue to be creative, inventive, and unforgettable. I never thought I'd ever enjoy passion fruit and crudo together, but I'm a fan! The sea urchin toast intimidated me but was actually a perfect little bite. And dessert was a work of art.

We do not recommend this restaurant, came here for a dinner with some friends. Knowing that it's…read moredifficult to find parking we arrived early and circled around for 10 minutes, our friends thought there will be valet but none at front. The space was very small, intimate setting but frankly just noisy as ceiling was low and everything was hard finishes. We had to talk loud to hear each other. So as servers presented the dish, they were not talking loud enough and most of time we couldn't hear what they said the dishes were, it was simply not clear. The food, was decent, I would have given 3-4 star for the food. However, half way through the course, I told our server we are worried with this little amount of 7 dishes would not fill us, I'm worried we would be hungry. And I really have to warn everyone if you come hungry with an appetite, trust my review and other reviews on here that mentioned the same thing, it's NOT enough food! We had dined at many Michelin star and fine dining restaurants, if they have a set menu we know each plate has small portion with nice presentation, but they will have many more courses to fill us up. Heritage only has 7 dishes and that's including dessert, with this price you could just have included 1-2 dishes that would be better. We went home and immediately cooked ramen to eat, that shows you how unsatisfying this meal was. Now moving onto the service, you really need to train your waiters and waitresses! Both me and my friend went to restroom separate times, my frd went down the hallway and passed by 2 servers and no one acknowledged him. If you are at any fine dining restaurants, and you left your seat the server immediately knows you are looking for a restroom and will direct you. They completely ignored him and looked sideways, he ended up walking all the way to the back of the kitchen and was confused then the kitchen staff told him you missed it, it was midway thru the hallway. Moreover, the restroom sign was white sign on a white door, it's so easy to miss it! The same thing happened to me too, I was looking for restroom and standing next to the kitchen counter, no one acknowledged me and I had to get their attention to ask if this is a restroom with me pointing at the door. You get the idea how unobvious that sign was and how bad the service was. I'm talking about one star Michelin, definitely not worth it in our opinion. Finally, that's right, I'm not done yet. The space is horribly designed with ventilation. Mid-way through the course, it was smokey in the dining area and I had tears in my eyes and had to blink multiple times. Just fyi, our table was at the far end from the kitchen. I looked far into the kitchen, they only had one window half opened in the back and all the smoke smell was going into the dining area. All of us felt it but we didn't complain as we were trying our best to enjoy our time out. When we left and stepped into the car, I smelled the smoke on my jacket, on my inside shirt (I had the jacket on the whole time), and smoke all over my hair! As soon as we got home, we had to switch out all the clothes, cooked and ate the ramen, then jumped into shower and tossed all clothes in washer to get rid of the Smokey smell. Omg this place is horribly designed without adequate verification just really bad overall. If you still decide to go after reading this, for whatever reason, just make sure you have a full lunch of the day before dinner, know not to wear nice clothes (as you will need to dry clean them immediately), and understand the time required to circle around small streets endlessly to look for parking. I honestly want to give it 1 star Yelp review out of all the negative, but the additional 1 was for the chef that the food is decent. But again, do not recommend, take your date and celebrate the special moment elsewhere!

Bluberry Social - Pancakes

Bluberry Social

(352 reviews)

$$

I love me a new brunch hot spot! Thus, Blueberry Social was such a good find. It's uber cute and…read moretrendy ~ perfect for catching up w/ friends, having a cute lunch date with the hubs or even a chill weekend family outing. Located in the Hmart plaza in Portola ~ between Culver Dr and Irvine Blvd, Blueberry Social takes up a decent-sized space, right smack in the middle of the plaza. It's one of those places where you walk up to the counter, order your food & go find a seat to have it delivered. Thankfully, there is plenty of indoor & outdoor seating to choose from, but depending on the time that you dine, I can see how it can get quite crowded. Service is quick & efficient and the staff was friendly ~ providing food & drink recs, since everything looked good and it's hard to decide. The menu is American comfort food w/ a modern twist. The vibe is casual and I love the aesthetically pleasing decor (esp. the cute pinkish suede couches/bench tables inside) ~ it's quite contemporary & calming. The food? Super yums! Everything was very fresh and tasty. It actually felt worth the type (which is rare lol). The portions were solid, and the presentation was definitely IG-worthy..go check out my pics & see for yourself. I've personally been here a couple of times ~ either with friends, w/ the hubs, and/or with my fam, but I always gravitate to ordering the same dish..the SoCal loko moko ($19). Everything..from the island style garlic rice, roasted mushroom onion, brown gravy, angus loco beef patty, Kona mac, and sunny side up golden yolk eggs is just perfection. I've honestly never had a loko moko before (even tho I've been to Hawaii many of times), but I'm sooo glad that THIS was my first, cuz now the bar is set and I have high standards to compare to, moving forward. I just love everything about it..so so YUMS! OMG..get it w/ the blueberry crumble latte and you will die with smile. I swear that coffee is sooo addicting. Who knew blueberry crumble would pair well with coffee, but it does and I'm hooked. 10/10 would come back for another brunch + coffee moment. RxFoodie recommend!!!

Came here to eat breakfast and the portions and food did not disappoint. The ambiance is somewhat…read morefast paced and there is lots of seating outdoor. The drinks Ingot were the blueberry crumble latte and the double matcha. Both drinks were amazing. Strong 5/5. The truffle tots were decent, I expected it to wow me but it tasted super stale and hard. 2/5. We got the egg spam sandwich and surprisingly it was good. The bread was super soft and the jam made it taste that much better. It came with arugula salad and tots. It paired very well. 4.8/5 Next dish is the chicken and waffles. The waffles to me was the star of the dish. The chicken breading kept falling apart which did not make the meal feel god. I waffle was crunchy, soft, and fluffy. Very good. The poach egg wasn't necessary but I ain't complaining. 4.7/5. Last dish is the Choko Moko. Everything about it was great. No complaints. 5/5. The only complaint I have is people who are done inside are super inconsiderate for those waiting. I saw a table that was done when I was in line just sitting down and talking. There's nothing wrong with catching up, but if you see the place is busy, please kindly give up your table so others may sit. I was in line, got my food, ate it, and they were still there just chit chatting while everyone was looking for a table. I hope the wait staff in the future puts a time limit of when someone is done to tell the party to give up their table. It's ridiculous that a party was done stayed an extra hour just to talk while everyone else is waiting with their kids and family.

Utopia Caffe - breakfast_brunch - Updated May 2026

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