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!
Located in the secluded suburb of Chino Hills, this pub offers American comfort food and stellar drinks in a convivial atmosphere. Open for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch, Chino Hills Pub is more than just a place that serves food, it's a restaurant where the whole family can gather. Craft beers and superb cocktails are behind the bar while the kitchen serves burgers, sandwiches, salads, signature dishes as well as a kid's menu. Sunday brunch is from 9a to 1p and it features bottomless Mimosas and Bloody Marys.
If you're looking for a dark, trendy bar and an amazing gourmet burger in one place, then 25 Degrees is it. Enter 25 Degrees and grab a seat at the large bar or at one of the tables and dive in to the menu. Four signature burgers come loaded with toppings like caramelized onions, Burrata, pesto, green chili and more. If you're not in the mood for one of those, they have an option to build your own custom burger with their 14 different options each of toppings, sauces and cheeses. They also offer some equally decadent non-burger sandwich options like the Sonoran Bobak Hot Dog which is a bacon-wrapped hot dog with caramelized onion, tomato, pinto beans, onion, green chili, queso fresco, mustard and garlic aioli. Try a shake, either with or without alcohol, or beer from the tap to pair with your meal.
The Anthill Pub on the UC Irvine campus has a a great drink selection and amazing pub food menu. If you're not sure what to order the fire ants dish, buffalo popcorn chicken with Louisiana hot sauce and blue cheese dipping sauce, is especially good. The rotating beer menu is carefully curated and has one of the best selections in all of Irvine - the fact that this is on a college campus is a recipe for an interesting atmosphere. Live music and other events are held here often.
This Irish pub has a penchant for comedy. Every Thursday night is comedy night with some of the best comedians in southern California gracing the stage. Admission is free before 8:30p so get there early, order a few rounds of Guinness, and get ready to enjoy an evening of riotous laughs. It is equally enjoyable other nights of the week with sports on the tube, live Irish music, and tasty appetizers. It might become your home away from home.
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.
One of the Biggest Chinese-owned bakery chains in the states, this location in Irvine is the place to be if desserts are your weakness. Their pastry chefs are some of the most qualified professionals in the field and produce some truly exquisite masterpieces such as their signature Almond Half Moon, Deluxe Strawberry and the Dong-Po Pastry. They also serve up some amazing savory items like the Cheese Dog, which is a must-have here.
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.
Original Mike's is housed in a building that dates back to 1919, in fact it was formerly the first auto-dealership in this fledgling city. The structure has original details galore and the entire space is decorated with an nod towards yesterday, in fact, the first Santa Ana firetruck is parked here. Mike's is huge, with three bars, three stages and three different dance floors, there is no doubt you'll have plenty of room for you and your friends. Depending on the day of the week, Mike's functions as a live music venue, sports bar and nightclub, and sometimes all three rolled into one. A definite must-stop on any itinerary while visiting Santa Ana.