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!
Studio is located within the Montage Resort & Spa. It offers you a delectable French menu blended with Californian influences. Chef Craig Strong ensures that all the seasonal ingredients put to use, are of the finest quality, with splendid wines for company. The A la Carte menu changes daily, but the attention to every aspect of the dish, exquisite pairings of flavors and beautiful presentation remains constant. If you're in the mood to splurge, the Tasting Menu offers a variety of signature dishes, and allows you the opportunity to sample the best on offer. Attention is given to details and services are personalized. So, sit back and enjoy your meal while taking in the panoramic Pacific coastline. A perfect place for a romantic dinner with breathtaking views of the sunset over the ocean.
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.
This restaurant provides a unique dining experience in a 1930's Spanish home. It opened in 1972 and has continued to receive many awards including the "Best of Excellence" from Wine Spectator.The prix-fixe menu starts first with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres in the wine cellar. Then guests are seated in the dining room for appetizers followed by either fish or fowl and a salad. Next there is an intermission during which guests meet the owner and chef Michael Phillipi. You get to take a tour of his kitchen and a stroll on the patio and art gallery before returning to your table. The main course might comprise of Beef Wellington, Cote de Boeuf, prawns with champagne beurre blanc, sirloin of lamb or duckling with sundried cherry sauce, depending on the day of the week. Plan in advance, as dinner is by reservation only. Your dinner experience will last around three and a half hours. Reservations for weekend dinners must be made approximately four weeks in advance, while a weekday reservation can be made about a week in advance.
This is a good place to have a delicious seafood lunch or dinner. Located right across the Ronald Reagan Federal Courthouse, it gets a lot of business from lawyers and their clients. Light your fire with the delicious Cajun Alligator or Cajun Seafood Gumbo. Other good options include the Grilled Swordfish and the Calamari Linguine. There is something for everyone, whether you like it spicy or mild. It serves beer and wine and has a pretty good wine list with bottles in the moderate to expensive range.
The Gypsy Den is a mainstay along Broadway in Santa Ana's historic arts district. For more than two decades, this local eatery has served American comfort food with a vegetarian and vegan twist. Most of the options are vegetarian, however carnivores can indulge a little with the Cubano Press sandwich, a hefty Chicken Waldorf, or the Tuna Melt. Live music on certain nights and a full bar round out the entertainment in this restaurant/cafe which is perfect for health-conscious folk in Orange County.
Located in the heart of Santa Ana's historic district, Lola Gaspar brings small bite dining to the revitalized inner core of this otherwise sleepy O.C. city. Most of the items on the menu are reminiscent of Spanish tapas, however the ingredients are a mix of Spain, Mexico and ultimately California. The Crispy Chile Relleno made with a duck confit in a tomatillo-habanero salsa is extraordinary as well as the Salmon Crudo with homemade Ponzu; chef Luis Perez should be proud of both dishes. Additionally, the cocktail menu is just as innovative and enticing, another reason why to visit this restaurant in the historic artists' village of Santa Ana.
Blackmarket Bakery has a couple of locations in Orange County, this one in downtown Santa Ana and the other located at the popular Camp shopping district in Costa Mesa. The use of the word bakery is somewhat of a misnomer, since visitors can get craft beer, cider and sandwiches until late in the evening. The baked goods are phenomenal however; try the fresh breads like the Artichoke Asiago Loaf or the Challah (made only on Fridays), you will be glad you did.
Chapter One: The Modern Local is part of a larger revitalization of cities around the L.A. basin, where the emphasis is on energizing downtown businesses in core areas. In Santa Ana, this particular restaurant mixes innovation, ideals, community and history. Celebrating all things local, the farm-to-table, seasonal menu adheres to sustainability which makes the simple, yet flavorful ingredients stand on their own. The craft libations, from beer to cocktails are excellent, and if you arrive late, the kitchen stays open until midnight.
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.