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    Work in Progress

    4.2 (528 reviews)
    Closed 7:00 am - 4:00 pm

    Work in Progress Photos

    WORK IN PROGRESS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Work in Progress

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    Chloe N.

    This place is sooo aesthetic. It gets very crowded on the weekend and hard to find parking and seats. On weekdays it gets busy too but doable. Their drinks are unique and their homemade syrups are great. I tried their sandwiches which surprisingly taste good. Highly recommend checking it out at least once. Great vibe

    jenn l.

    Been wanting to try this place for a while now and finally had the chance recently. It did not disappoint! I got the breakfast burrito with bacon. I was tempted by the pastrami option bc I don't know anyone else that does PASTRAMI in a breakfast burrito! If I'm being honest, it felt more like a wrap than a burrito bc it was full of cabbage and the sauces provided were like chimichurri and sriracha vs salsa. It still was really good and tasty though! It was crowded on a Sunday morning but luckily a few tables were available. The line was out the door but it moved quickly. The inside is cute with natural lighting and a clean white and wooden look. Would definitely come back!

    Ale S.

    First of all, I absolutely love the name "Work In Progress," and the customer service we received was exceptional. The person taking my order offered some great suggestions. We ended up loving our drinks--the taste was delicious and the presentation was beautiful. We also really enjoyed the atmosphere, especially the lighting inside and the outdoor seating area. It was a great surprise to find that they offer food as well. On the day we visited, there was a cheesecake vendor on-site, and it was truly delicious. I will definitely be telling others that if that vendor is there, they should not pass up getting a slice! Thank you for such a lovely experience!

    katrina a.

    Nice place to hang out. Very cool place. They have outdoor seating so perfect to bring the pup out.

    Dirty Earl
    Felina V.

    Popped into Work in Progress for a caffeinated beverage before a road trip to San Jose. The Dirty Earl was unfathomably delicious! Can't wait to go back to try out more beverages, and maybe even pop in for a wine night. :) Super friendly service!

    Vincent P.

    Quick a hip coffee shop, we were in the area and came here to grab breakfast and coffee. I forgot what drinks we all got, but I do remember that we all enjoyed each of our drinks. The AM Burrito comes with your choice of bacon or pastrami and also a side of pickled onions, house green sauce, and hot sauce. The burrito was tasty and made for a delicious breakfast. The price is certainly a little expensive, but it comes sliced, so you can split it with someone. The split portion was a solid amount for breakfast. Overall, it was a solid experience and I wouldn't mind revisiting!

    Chloe L.

    Updating my review since I got coffee drinks this time and honestly, I prefer the coffee over there Matcha any day. The cold brew was really good and the cream top wasn't too sweet. Parking is always a bit of a struggle at this area in Costa Mesa, but overall would definitely come back for the coffee.

    Brown Sugar Maple- Perfect
    Jeff V.

    For a place called Work in Progress, it seems to have figured things out already. It's always buzzing, rarely empty, and the overall vibe suggests this café is starting to outgrow its own footprint. Service is smooth, and efficient. The line moves quickly, and everyone seems genuinely happy to be there. The interior is bright and open, lively without feeling hectic, with a minimal industrial calm. No table charge means laptops stay awhile, but spots still open up sooner than you'd think. Of the list of sandos, I've tried the SPICY SANDO, CLASSIC SANDO, and the BREAKFAST SANDO. All were excellent. The focaccia bread stood out in particular. Light, buttery, and crispy. It holds up well and ties everything together. Of the drinks I tried, the PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE WITH ALMOND MILK, DE LA ROSA MAZAPAN PEANUT LATTE, MAPLE BROWN SUGAR LATTE, PISTACHIO CREAMTOP MOCHA, and VANILLA LATTE WITH SEASONAL CINNAMON CREAM TOP were all solid, with flavors that stayed controlled and not overly sweet. Work in Progress, currently in high demand. Repeat visits feel inevitable.

    Karen G.

    This place was recommended to me by my YE friend Bonnie, so my bf and I stopped by on a Sunday morning. I almost had a full moment here but I got sidetracked by the cafe across the street and we ended up doing coffee here and breakfast over there. Lol. The vibe is super chill. It's a smaller space, but they make good use of it with both indoor and outdoor seating. Service was quick and efficient, even with how packed it gets. The coffee was delicious! We also shared a croissant topped with pistachio cream and the Ube madeleine but that was a total miss. They were dry like Sahara desert dry and tasted like it had been sitting out for a while. I'm not convinced they make their pastries in-house. Still, I'd absolutely come back for the coffee and would love to actually try their breakfast next time minus the pastries.

    Leeza D.

    Located in the Camp, WIP has a unique menu of coffee and breakfast/sando items. We ordered the Brown butter foam over the cold brew which is very buttery with chunks of brown butter swimming in the creamy top. The hot latte is standard. The Pastrami breakfast burrito is different and tasty! It is enough for two meals. Pastries from Nonna Mercato in Long Beach. Parking easy in the morning. Please come and create your own adventure.

    Dj M.

    It's been over a few years since I've been here since I moved away but I decided to come back with a friend for a light lunch. I used to get their rosemary latte which was delicious. I love that their sandwhiches are on focaccia bread. I ordered the tuna sandwhich and a pistachio cream top matcha latte. It was a little watered down maybe from ice or maybe too much milk. Overall the vibes of this place is really relaxing and nice. Some of the seating can be a little low or uncomfortable for longer durations but the outside patio is a good spot. It can be very quiet inside since there's usually more people working than hanging out. Parking can be difficult, they have a small lot and some street parking, but you can also try the camp area and walk through the middle. Food is delicious, matcha was okay, interior was unique.

    Jenny C.

    I came here with my girl friends after a dinner to check out their wine bar at night and it was such a vibe. There was no wait on a Friday night so there was lots of seating. I really liked the ambient lighting and the music which really set the tone of the mood. It's the perfect spot to go to for a date or intimate hangout. The wine the worker suggested was also really good too.

    Croissant
    Monica G.

    My weekend ritual for a while was sitting at WIP, ordering a sandwich, and reading or journaling. It's too loud to do either comfortably, but i have noise canceling headphones. I love this place. They have fantastic food - criminally underrated (?) a BIT pricey, but i think it's worth it. If you go on a weekend, expect to do a couple rounds before you find parking. My favorite sandwich is the classic turkey sando, but I recently managed to steal a bite from my buddy's spicy sando, and, oh my god, it was so good. The breakfast burrito is also delicious, but not your classic breakfast burrito: there is pickled cabbage in there, so if you're not into that, skip it. I am into that.

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    2 months ago

    Went back recently and the coffee is still under extracted. Not worth the $7 and the hassle of finding parking at The Camp...

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    3 months ago

    Salted foam was unreal! I've tried to recreate but it never hits as hard as when they make it here!

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    Page 2 of 14

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    Ask the Community - Work in Progress

    Do they have outlets and Wi-Fi?

    Yes to both, however there's only 3 so you sometimes have to wait or sit in a corner!

    Do they stop serving AM foods (i.e breakfast burritos) after a certain time?

    They sell it all day until one hour before closing!

    View All 3 Questions

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    Knife Pleat

    Knife Pleat

    4.0
    (429 reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$$$

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

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

    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!
    Morton's The Steakhouse

    Morton's The Steakhouse

    3.4
    (1.4k reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$$

    It is always a pleasure to dine at an establishment that treats their patrons with respect. I am…read morenever short of being amazed at how well the entire staff and leadership ensures my meal and experience is top notch. I would like to especially give a shout out to our server, Fabio, who makes his guests feel like they are the only ones in the restaurant.

    We decided to visit for Mother's Day. We made reservations and were there on time. The hostess was…read morevery friendly and we were sat relatively quick. I do have to note that they were very busy, a lot of groups were coming in at the same time. We were sat in the smaller room to the left. Our server was very helpful and friendly. We did corkage for a bottle ($35). 2 people in our party had the Mother's Day special and I shared a big steak with my brother. The server eventually came by to apologise for the wait and let us know that the kitchen was a bit backed up. We all appreciated the fact that he let us know and we could tell they were very busy. Their onion bread loaf was so fresh it was steaming when we cut it open! The wedge salad was delicious as usual. The ribeye bone in steak was perfectly cooked medium rare. I tried my bfs crab cake and it was really delicious! We asked for their chocolate lava cake dessert which is so rich and delicious. Overall it was a long wait for our food, but it was understandable for a holiday and they did their best to make our experience better. We will definitely be back.

    Photos
    Morton's The Steakhouse
    Morton's The Steakhouse
    Morton's The Steakhouse

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    Antonello Ristorante

    Antonello Ristorante

    4.3
    (981 reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$$

    I am paralyzed a wheelchair and I recently dealt with having pneumonia in the hospital for 90 days…read moreand flatlining for 11 minutes. My favorite dish RAVIOLI DI MAGRO with butter and sage instead of the red sauce. Basically, I like ravioli, stuffed cheese, and spinach with butter and sage. The chef was really kind and accommodating my request and I don't think they had sage at the moment or they ran out, still accommodated the request. I live far from the restaurant my mom will pick it up and bring it by when she sees me but why I am getting from there? The staff is incredible Charles and Mary wonderful! The chef is incredibly talented! Everything is delicious!

    Our first visit to Antonello for our anniversary was truly delightful. We came right at 5 and…read morethere was already a line of people waiting to check in. We chatted with a few couples in line who we found out were regulars. The service stood out right away--our servers were attentive, friendly, and always made sure our water glasses were full. We got a table of bread and butter. The pesto butter I think was yummy and sour dough bread was warm and slightly crisp. We ordered the truffle fries, seafood vongole, and lobster ravioli, and every dish exceeded our expectations. Each bite was flavorful and beautifully prepared. I liked how the ravioli was seasoned. It was light and tasted fresh. Overall, it was a wonderful dining experience, and we're already looking forward to our next visit!

    Photos
    Grilled Salmon with Calabrese sauce
    Grilled Salmon with Calabrese sauce
    Antonello Salad
    Antonello Salad
    Antonello Salad

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    Antonello Salad
    The Capital Grille

    The Capital Grille

    4.3
    (2.6k reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$$$

    The Capital Grille is always a hit for me. One of my favorite times to visit is during The Wagyu…read moreand Wine Pairing. They offer Wagyu burgers paired with a glass of wine for $35. If you appreciate a great burger, and just happen to like wine.. you will be as happy as me. The event happens every April and November. Check it out. As usual, the customer service was always. The ambiance is nice and relaxed.

    came here with bestie for my late bday celebration & we were sooooo surprised at how amazing our…read moremeal was we ordered the calamari & shrimp cocktail for apps for entrees i ordered the steak frites w caesar salad & hg ordered the seared salmon with salad just WOW... the calamari with peppers ???? WE ATE THAT HOE DOWNNNNNN the peppers added the most delicious twist on those perfectly seasoned & crispy calamari. each bite sent us into orbit truly so sexy the shrimp were SO BIG and PLUMP absolutely juicy and bursting with every bite we looooooved our salads, the veggies were super fresh and perfectly seasoned with dressing my steak frites was so good, i got mine medium rare & it was perfectly cooked, and that chimichurri sauce?? so good fries were crunchy and yummy and the green dipping sauce paired perfectly the seared salmon was soooo good like omgggg the couscous & the sauce was SEXY ASL truly so yummy !! the veggies were a fantastic pair with each bite and so cronchy service was AMAZING!! i forgot our servers name but girl, WE LOVE YOUUUUU our waters were refilled before we could even think to ask and she surprised me with free dessert i love how ambient the interior lights are it's perfect for meals with family or date night HIGHLY RECOMMEND

    Photos
    Lobster Mac 'N' Cheese – Made with freshly poached lobster and topped with a Grana Padano crust.
    Lobster Mac 'N' Cheese – Made with freshly poached lobster and topped with a Grana Padano crust.
    Jumbo Lump Crab Cocktail served with housemade mustard sauce.
    Jumbo Lump Crab Cocktail served with housemade mustard sauce.
    14 oz Dry Aged NY Strip au Poivre finished with our housemade Courvoisier Cream for a decadent finish.

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    14 oz Dry Aged NY Strip au Poivre finished with our housemade Courvoisier Cream for a decadent finish.
    Ruin Bar

    Ruin Bar

    4.1
    (476 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    Fun little spot! Would definitely swing by again. You just go in and order your drinks and find…read moreyour own seat. They whip up the drinks super fast! Came on a Saturday afternoon and was such a cozy area to sit outdoors and enjoy drinks with friends :) Tucked in the corner with a vintage, maximalist, whimsical vibe. I got the bees knees and the estoy enamorado and both were a tiny bit sweet for me but still really good!

    A very special bar, from the drinks to the decor. I really like that they are open during the day…read moreand also late at night, with mixed indoor and outdoor seating (though the outdoor seating is a bit worn). Vibes are always good. If you have some time while browsing The Lab during the day, I recommend stopping by for a drink! It's also nice to include in your barhopping itinerary in the evening since there are a number of breweries around too. I've had mixed experiences with the bartenders. Luckily, the gentleman manning the bar during my most recent visit was very friendly. Drinks are always great. I've tried a variety of drinks from the menu here, but my favorites are: -Love in Drunk, a lovely cocktail with cucumber and grapefruit flavors that create a fresh watermelon taste when mixed together -Bee's Knees, short but strong and sweet -London Mule, very herbal thanks to the gin and very refreshing

    Photos
    Old fashion. House bourbon. Better than anywhere else.
    Old fashion. House bourbon. Better than anywhere else.
    Coconut pineapple peach shots. Phenomenal.
    Coconut pineapple peach shots. Phenomenal.
    Outside patio

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    Outside patio
    Darkroom

    Darkroom

    4.6
    (297 reviews)
    2.2 mi
    $$$$

    Darkroom is such a special restaurant and over the past year-and-a-half since they opened, it has…read morebecome my wife any my favorite restaurant in Orange County. That is not an easy title to acquire; we're really lucky to have wonderful restaurants all over OC. But Darkroom simply does it differently. The flavors and textures that we experience every night we go are always so unique and playful while also remaining balanced. No dish is ever just dropped at the table, it is presented and described in detail, which is very helpful because each dish utilizes techniques and ingredients that are surprising and yet work perfectly together. The ambiance is immaculate, with tunes playing from a vinyl station that is showcased in the restaurant. And the most important part: everyone that works here makes every night feel special. They are all so wonderful and really make Darkroom stand out.

    Just completely lol'ing at the person below who says they've had better food at Claim Jumper. Like…read moregurl how can anyone take you seriously with that comment? Readers, ignore the--albeit rare--naysayers. Been here 5 times now and can honestly say no restaurant in OC brings me as much joy as Darkroom. Sure, I wouldn't rate every single dish I've had here as 10/10 but my god many of them have been and some have surpassed that. And even the few that weren't were an easy 7.5/10 minimum. They especially do veggies SO WELL. My husband who has been anti-veggie for most of his life just ate an almost entirely vegetarian meal here to tonight, so well done y'all. You've gotten him to eat foods I've struggled with convincing him to eat for years lol. Every time we come he says we need to get the maitake mushrooms. MUSHROOMS y'all. I couldn't get this man to touch mushrooms with a ten foot pole before. Anyway, explore their offerings. Bring a group to share things with so you can try more! No, darkroom is not cheap but the quality aligns with the price, which is absolutely reasonable for what it is. This would be more expensive if they were in Newport or LA so I'm glad this is where they've landed and I hope things don't change. Big hits this evening were the asparagus with whipped piquillo and the scrambled egg agnolotti. Just chef's kiss. And then besides the mushrooms we always get the potatoes and zucchini bread. And hot tip, always get a couple orders of the focaccia to soak up all the sauces on the dishes. They make for nice little side quests. Assume that for a dinner date, a curious foodie pair could be stuffed and happy for $140-$200 depending on appetite. Allows you to try just enough things and you're gonna want to since the menu changes regularly. What's there now may not be back so choose wisely!

    Photos
    Vinyl records playing.
    Vinyl records playing.
    Smoked tuna, beemster, trout roe, broccoli stem, lemon zest
    Smoked tuna, beemster, trout roe, broccoli stem, lemon zest
    Black truffle risotto

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    Black truffle risotto

    Work in Progress - wine_bars - Updated June 2026

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