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.
Durty Nelly's is an Irish pub that has a great reputation and a happy atmosphere with a 19th-century vibe. The polished brass and wood paneling add to its authenticity. The clientele is jovial, and many of them are regulars who come in for a midday break or an evening toast. Everybody is family here, even if it is your first time visiting. Friday and Saturday evenings are quite eventful with karaoke starting at 9p and lasting into the wee hours of the morning. The service is quick and friendly, and the prices are reasonable.
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 great drink selection and an amazing pub food menu. If you're not sure what to order, the 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.
When you hear the name, you might think of the classic story of Gulliver's Travels. Being around for forty years is not easy, and staying a favorite Prime Rib restaurant in Southern California is quite an achievement. Gulliver's is famous for their carefully chosen, corn-fed beef. Gulliver's is also well-known for their special dishes like prime steaks, Chateaubriand, salmon, rack of lamb, baby back ribs, and roasted Long Island duck. When you step into the restaurant, you'll feel like you're in 18th-century England. The place is filled with genuine leaded glass pieces, ceramic objects, and collectible prints from illustrators of Gulliver’s Travels like Hogarth and Rowlandson. It has the charm of an English inn, cozy and inviting, with a lively pub to celebrate any occasion with a tasty Prime Rib feast. Gulliver's is a wonderful place to relax and enjoy good times.
Juice Joint Deli is a Juice bar that caters to delicious smoothies, shakes, sandwiches, juices and other Mexican edibles. They also create good breakfast and brunch meals apart from health juices and smoothies. A separate kids menu is available for your young ones. You can opt for customization of your sandwich, smoothie or juice as well.
This family run Greek eatery is authentic and a great culinary addition to Southern California restaurant scene. The father-son duo have created finger-licking culinary marvels that are featured in their menu. Choose a combo dip to start with, and some house special appetizers and pair them with a wine that you can choose from their extensive list. Customize your salad by adding different toppings, ask your server for the best combination. George's is famous for catering and banquet orders. Call on +1 562 437 1184 for more information.
Broadway by Amar Santana is a restaurant located at a short distance from the Main Beach park. The restaurant is owned by Chef Amar Santana, who was a finalist of BravoTV's Season 13 of Top Chef. The restaurant serves American cuisine, of which their Duck Egg ravioli, Amar's brussel Sprouts, and Stuffed Quail are especially famous, along with the delicious Pannacotta. Another outstanding feature about this place is their open kitchen, which provides an incredible view of the Chef's table. The restaurant is furnished with decent wooden furnishings with black accents, which gives it a very elegant and classy ambiance.
Hannas Prime Steak is nestled in the center of downtown Rancho Santa Margarita, across from City Hall, is known for their innovative California steakhouse menu with glimpses of Asian and European cooking styles, in affable surroundings. Though it is thought to be pricey, regulars will vouch for the excellent lunch and dinner offerings and its superb selections of wines. Must try's are their steak salad, sea bass, creme brulee, rib eye, house salad, margaritas, dipping sauces, Australian lobster tail, chorizo and potato 'cigars' and Asian braised short ribs.
Reunion Kitchen + Drink is a trendy and casual dining establishment for enjoying modern American food and craft beers. It is the place to hang out with a large group of friends and have interesting conversations over a round of cocktails. Here, patrons can discover new beers from local microbreweries and enjoy light snacks such as Bacon Wrapped Jalapeños with cream cheese and Reunion Spicy Wings served with Bleu cheese slaw and dressing. If you wish for a heavy meal, opt for the Honey Chicken Brie Sandwich or the Thai Chicken and Noodle with tropical ingredients like avocado and mango. There are also separate menus for breakfast, happy hours and kids. Check their website for details on regular events and discounts.