THE GUIDE
/ DINING AMERICAN A RESTAURANT Stylish spot—”classically hip since 1926”—with red leather booths. Kentucky fried quail; Imperial Wagyu coulotte steak. Café/market adjacent. L (M-F), D (nightly), Br (Su). 3334 W. Coast Hwy., Newport Beach, 949.650.6505 $$$ Map N13 ANDREI’S CONSCIOUS CUISINE & COCKTAILS Distinctive fare—e.g., crab cones, venison shank—and excellent cocktails amid striking decor; garden terrace with fire “tornadoes.” Saturday brunch is new; try the salmon breakfast toast. L (M-F), D (M-Sa), Br (Sa). 2607 Main St., Irvine, 949.387.8887 $$ Map D4 ARC Chef Noah Blöm’s “flame, flavor, finesse” cuisine amid rustic-apothecary decor. Butcher’s Love for four may be O.C.’s best steak; superb cocktails use housemade everything. L, D (daily). New Arc Pizza House is adjacent. South Coast Collection, 3321 Hyland Ave., Costa Mesa, 949.500.5561 $$ Map J12 BACK BAY BISTRO Snazzy spot overlooks Back Bay at the Dunes; retractable roof. Cancun-style shrimp cocktail, Kobe beef sliders, New York steak au poivre. L (Tu-F), D (Tu-Su), Br (Sa-Su). Newport Dunes, 1131 Back Bay Drive, Newport Beach, 949.729.1144 $$ Map M14
Sensational Sequel The taco-centric menu may be the same, but the second Irvine location of Puesto has outdone the acclaimed original. Towering wooden arches, inspired by a 19th-century Mexican silver mine, frame ceilings and rock walls at Puesto Park Place. There are eye-popping streetstyle tile murals, glass walls that open for indoor-outdoor dining, and an ingenious tequila carousel. Tacos—e.g., zucchini and cactus, chicken al pastor with hibiscus chipotle tinga and piña habanero pico, filet mignon with spicy pistachio serrano salsa—feature blue-corn tortillas and crispy melted cheese. Other faves: guacamole nogada with pomegranate arils, mango, chile de arbol and candied walnuts; frozen horchata; and piña colada carrot cake. In addition to tequilas and mezcals, agave spirits include sotols, raicillas and bacanoras. p. 40
BAD TO THE BONE “Real-pit BBQ” (brisket, tri-tip, pulled pork), blackened catfish, mesquite-fired steaks amid cowboy ambiance. L, D (daily). 31738 Rancho Viejo Road, San Juan Capistrano, 949.218.0227 $$ Map I17 THE BEACHCOMBER Historic cottage on the sand at Crystal Cove State Park. Prime flat iron steak with wildmushroom-and-truffle mac; Gimme s’mores! Outdoor Bootlegger Bar. Los Trancos lot shuttle. B, L, D (daily). 15 Crystal Cove, Newport Coast, 949.376.6900 $$ Map E4 BENJIES DELI Old-school N.Y.-style deli known for matzoh-ball soup; bar bites at its Avenue K include reuben fritters and brisket quesadilla. B, L, D (daily). 1828 N. Tustin Ave., Santa Ana, 714.541.6263 $$ Map G14 BROADWAY BY AMAR SANTANA Original spot of Bravo Top Chef finalist Amar Santana—the second, Vaca, is in Costa Mesa—presents creative “cuisine of the Americas” and great cocktails. D (nightly). 328 Glenneyre St., Laguna Beach, 949.715.8234 $$$ Map H15
GUIDELINES Map locators at the end of each listing (Map A3;Map H10, etc.) refer to maps on pages 61-63. Compendium includes editors’ recommendations and advertisers.
INDEX American...................... 34 Brewpubs/Gastropubs.36 California...................... 36 Chinese......................... 37 Continental................... 36 Eclectic......................... 38 Food Halls.................... 44 French........................... 38 International................. 38 Italian............................ 38
Japanese...................... 38 Mediterranean.............. 39 Mexican/Latin............... 40 Quick Bites................... 44 Seafood......................... 41 Steak............................. 42 Thai............................... 43 Vegan............................ 43 Vietnamese................... 43
creme chantilly. L, D (daily); Br (Sa-Su). 330 E. 17th St., Costa Mesa, 949.281.2582 $$ Map K12 THE CRACK SHACK New. Bravo Top Chef All-Stars winner Richard Blais offers chicken- and egg-centric dishes in a dual-level space amid whimsical chicken-themed decor. Spicy Firebird sandwich; fried chicken with six housemade sauces on tap; matzo ball pozole. B, L, D (daily). 196 E. 17th St., Costa Mesa, 949.383.5040 $$ Map K12 DRIFTWOOD KITCHEN & BAR Overlooks the sand. Whole Santa Barbara uni with hamachi and sea-urchin vinaigrette; foie-gras-stuffed Mary’s Chicken and morels. Cozy-edgy Stateroom Bar. B, L (daily); D (Su-Th); Br (Sa-Su). Pacific Edge Hotel, 619 Sleepy Hollow Lane, Laguna Beach, 949.715.7700 $$ Map I15 EAT CHOW “Chowified” fare includes Southern, French, Mexican and Cuban favorites. B, L, D (daily). 1802 Newport Blvd., Costa Mesa, 949.650.2469; 211 62nd St., Newport Beach, 949.423.7080; 313 N. Bush St., Santa Ana, 657.266.0500 $$ Map K12, N12, C4 FARMHOUSE Rich Mead’s new field-to-fork-inspired café, a centerpiece of Roger’s Gardens, is a hit, especially with the lunching ladies. L, D (daily). 2301 San Joaquin Hills Road, Corona del Mar, 949.640.1415 $$$ Map L16
THE CELLAR Cheese shop—a fantastic selection—plus wine bar and excellent restaurant with live music and dog-friendly patio. B, L, D (T-Su). 158 Avenida del Mar, San Clemente, 949.492.3663 $$ Map south of F6
GREAT MAPLE Comfort classics transformed: charred cauliflower hummus; buttermilk fried chicken and maple bacon doughnuts; lobster popover benedict. L, D (daily); Br (Sa-Su). Fashion Island, 1133 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, 949.640.1415 $$$ Map L15
CENTER 360 Chef Greg Stillman of Leatherby’s Café Rouge oversees a curvilinear, casual outdoor cafe on the Segerstrom Center’s new plaza. B, L (M-F); D on performance days. 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.556.2122, Ext. 4042 $$ Map J13
HENDRIX Chef Rainer Schwarz and team behind the Deck and Driftwood in Laguna Beach offer New American: seafood, fire-roasted steaks and rotisserie. D (nightly), Br (Sa-Su). 32431 Street of the Golden Lantern, Laguna Niguel, 949.248.1912 $$ Map I16
CLAIM JUMPER Saloon-style eatery offers rotisserie chicken, baby-back ribs, six-layer Motherlode Cake and its own craft beer. Happy hour daily. L, D (daily); Br (Su). Seven locations include South Coast Plaza, 3333 S. Bristol St., Costa Mesa, 714.434.8479; 190 S. State College Blvd., Brea, 714.529.9061; 2250 E. 17th St., Santa Ana, 714.836.6658 $$ Map J13, A3, G14
HOPDODDY One of “the best burgers in America,” says Food & Wine; Terlingua chili cheeseburger. L, D (daily). Fashion Island, 401 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, 949.640.2337; Tustin Marketplace, 3030 El Camino Real, Tustin, 714.505.2337 $$ Map L15, C5
CITIZEN KITCHEN Sports bar meets urban lounge meets grilled Spanish octopus and Prime N.Y. strip bibimbap. L, D (daily); Br (Sa-Su). Hotel Fullerton, 1500 S. Raymond Ave., Fullerton, 714.635.9000 $$$ Map A3
HOUSE OF BLUES Restaurant and bar at spectacular concert venue offers Southern fare: voodoo shrimp, Nashville hot fried chicken salad, and smokehouse St. Louis ribs. Roof-raising Sunday Gospel Brunch; drag brunch first Saturday of each month. L, D (daily). 400 W. Disney Way, Anaheim, 714.778.2583 $$ Map I10
THE COUNTRY CLUB Old-school decor evokes a Gatsby-esque sports club; new from the owners of Grey Goose Tavern. Popcorn-infused Shinnecock cocktail; hamachi tacos on jicama shells; Aspen Ridge filet mignon; caramelized white chocolate bread pudding with salted
JULIETTE KITCHEN + BAR Chef Daniel Hyatt uses locally sourced ingredients to elevate modern American dishes; top-notch cocktails; brunch (and brunch cocktails) are new. L, D (daily); Br (Sa-Su). 1000 Bristol St., Newport Beach, 949.752.5854 $$$ Map K13
W Mesa in Costa Mesa boasts O.C.’s largest succulent plant (p. 39). Organic Designs by Aggelige, also at the Camp, sells succulents in an Airstream trailer. 34 SOCALPULSE.COM SPRING 2018
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