Located right on the sand of Crystal Cove, the Beachcomber operates in one of the historic cottages, and features seafood and mixed drinks. The quality of the food and the service is best proved by its popularity: the wait is often two hours, and limited reservations are accepted only on-line. However, a little planning can make the wait hassle free: make the Beachcomber reception the first stop at Crystal Cove, drop in your name and number, then go explore the beach until being called. Don't have 2 hours? Come for an early breakfast – sipping a cup of coffee on the sun deck while looking out at Santa Catalina Island. A perfect way to start your day.
The exterior of the building is a reproduction of Ye Olde Bell, England's oldest Inn located in Hurley-on-Thames, not far from London. The decor resembles an English tavern to match the outside, and the waitresses are dressed in super-sexy outfits straight out of a movie about Merrie Olde England. The clientele is varied and comes to enjoy the good, hearty meat dishes and the interesting atmosphere. The specialties here are roast prime ribs of beef, rack of lamb, duck, veal and fresh seafood. There is a full bar and an award-winning wine list with bottles in every price range.
La Cave has been thriving for 50 years, opened on Valentine's day in 1962. This subterranean gem has been popular for its fine steaks and seafood, vibrant lounge with live music, DJs, dancing and more. So it doesn’t matter if its a dimly lit cellar because it is great escapade from the daily grind to dine and unwind. Here's to La Cave, uncork the bubbly!
Perched on the beautiful hilltop inside the uber cool Pelican Hill Golf Club, Pelican Grill offers you panoramic views of the golf greens and the wide blue Pacific ocean. A delicious farm to table menu highlighting the wood fire stove with specialties like wood-roasted chicken, New York steak and fries, salmon served with shiitake-ginger vinaigrette, and the scallop and shrimp duo. Or try the gourmet pizzas and the signature spicy tortilla soup with shredded chicken, cotija cheese and avocado puree. All these wonderful creations you can see being made in their open kitchen or just head to their chic lounge and catch the game on two huge screens. Pelican also offers an outstanding alfresco dining on their heated terrace with an ocean-view. Unwind with a glass of wine from their extensive wine list and groove to the live band music every Thursday through Saturday.
Located right on the water in Dorman's Oceanfront Inn across from Newport Beach Pier, Oceanfront 21 offers the ultimate in luxury fine dining. Watch the sunset as you indulge in seafood specialties and steak dishes perfectly paired with some of the finest wines from around the world. Complete with pianist, waiters in tuxes and deep leather booths, this is continental cuisine and service at its finest – with prices to match.
The House of Blues at Anaheim is the place for astounding live music and superb southern cuisine! It is heaven to all music lovers from Rock n' Roll, Punk, Alternative, Rap, Country, to Classical you can find any genre of music here. Alongside with their love for music comes their passion for food. One can find delicious traditional southern favorites such as BBQ Baby Back Ribs and Creole Jambalaya to their own unique creation like Voodoo Shrimp. The House of Blues is the destination for diversity, culture, music, and fine cuisine.
Citrus Cafe, located next to a railroad, is a Tustin neighborhood favorite. But to many of its patrons, breakfast, lunch and dinner here mean much-needed comfort. The restaurant serves a great variety of California cuisine. Must-try dishes are the Greek Omelet, Kobe-Burger, Ricotta Cheese Ravioli, and meatloaf. And everyone loves their bread. Not just large in portion, their dishes are also plentiful in flavor.
This place claims to be Tustin's first and original family-owned Italian restaurant. Since 1961 it has been pleasing the locals with its delicious food and casual ambiance. Menu items include Calabrese Pizza, Pasta Estiva, Gnocchi Catanzaro, Grilled Halibut or Salmon, Shrimp Calabrese, Mostaccioli Arrabbiata, Veal Sorrentino, Osso Buco, Eggplant Sorrentino and more. Don't forget to try one of the homemade desserts like Tiramisu, Rum Cake, Cannoli and Cheesecake. You can also order beer and wine with some good, inexpensive Chiantis by the bottle.
Tokyo Table in Irvine is a contemporary Japanese restaurant with a chic and urban ambiance. The extensive menu is a mix of traditional Japanese dishes and other ethnic influences. It's not only about sushi and teriyaki, here you will find diverse family style dishes such as Fresh Homemade Tofu, Mochi Cheese Gratin, Sushi Pizza, Chicken Kaarage and Ishiyaki style sizzling dishes made at your table side and more. The tastefully done lounge and patio offers cocktail specials, martinis, traditional and innovative creations of sake and soju. Affordable and revolutionizing the Japanese dining, it is the ideal place to celebrate and gather with friends and family.
Taco Rosa is a gourmet Mexican restaurant in Irvine serving a wide array of award-winning dishes from across Mexico. A beautiful blend of the traditional and the contemporary, Taco brings the best of Mexico. Using only natural, grass fed beef and fresh wild sea bass in their steaks, fajitas, enchiladas, salads, tostadas and ceviches, they have created a distinct flavor in their dishes that you can only associate with them. Everything is handmade and from scratch, giving their food and drinks such as fresh fruit margaritas, sangrias, mojitos and martinis, a delightful freshness and flavor. Must try's are the Blackened Chicken Taco, Carne Asada Taco, whole wheat tortilla and chocolate-dipped strawberries. Alfresco dining at the patio is also available.
Andrei's Conscious Cuisine & Cocktails is a Californian restaurant with a farm to table menu using only local, sustainable and naturally grown produces. Inspired by nature, you will be welcomed by a towering waterfall in the lobby, and then greeted by the elegant onyx and granite bar, while the dining room is cozy and inviting with its eco-friendly pecan wood floors. The creative menu, which is Californian cuisine with a blend of Mediterranean flavors, is designed for meat lovers, vegans and vegetarians and gluten free diners. Some of the menu highlights are the octopus salad, beef short rib, flatbreads, sweet potato fries and mahi mahi. The bar has a great selection of cocktails and a nice happy hour. Live entertainment is on three days of the week. A great place for foodies and special occasions.
TAPS Fish House & Brewery is a must-visit restaurant for all seafood, steak and craft beer connoisseurs. Its specialties include a charcuterie and raw bar, hand-cut steaks, 24 beers on tap and more than 150 bottled wines featuring many local gems. Its handcrafted ales have even won several awards. Its popular menu items are Clams & Mussels Cazuela, Maine Lobster Bisque and Whole-Roasted Branzino. You can also create your own charcuterie and cheese platter. The dining room has a vintage feel, replete with a wood-beamed ceiling, black-and-white sketches, and dark wooden furniture. You can also rent the entire premises for smart corporate luncheons and wedding receptions.