Geeze, I'm hungry for a steak today. Wonder why?

 

As far as Mortons in Costa Mesa is concerned: The atmosphere inside the boardrooms is great. IDK about the normal dining area, never eaten out there. Food is great.

Salt Creek Grill is great. I love the place. Only parking choice is valet , and I think its complimentary= big tip for valet.

Those are all bigger restaraunts, almost family atmospheres (you people are newbie players lol j/k). If youre in the Laguna/Newport area, look up Hush. Much more intimate. Save up your paychecks if you arent baller, easily 150 per person. (Especially if you are having wine) Bring your Ferrari, not joking.
Only parking choice is valet, 10dollars +tip.

If youre turning Japanese, I recommend Anjins in Costa Mesa on bristol just south of SCP. Plan on an early dinner or 3 hour wait (no reservations, but you can call and have your name placed on the list and show up at the appropriate time. DO NOT BE LATE) Havent been there in some time though, because the owner opened a sister location in Fountain Valley. Local secret, find on your own! lol!


Citysearch.com is a good idea, although take what the reviewers say with a grain of salt. Especially about the service etc. For all you know they could have shown up in basketball shorts and a wifebeater.

 

Fogo de Chao in Beverly Hills is always great!!!

 

How about a little trip up to Anaheim? Because of D-Land, there are three major fine-dining restaurants in that area.

One is the Anaheim White House. The neighborhood can be better, but they have fine dining with an almost casual feel. Mostly "continental" faire; the lease expensive of the three mentioned on this post.

Mr. Stox's is more of a traditional fine dining restaurant. Very good wine list. Of the three, this is an "old money" type of fine dining establishment. Italian food mostly but also with typical American meat-lovers' dishes.

The last is Napa Rose located at the Grand California Hotel. The best wine list (by the bottle or by the glass) of the bunch, but also the most expensive (thanks D-Land!) and because of the resort setting, it's actually the most casual.

 

Not sure if this counts...but Yiroshima in off of Sunset. Really cool place, nice view (as nice as LA smog lets you have), and great food! Japanese of course, but also had some decent filet there.

 

Got some places to try now...I love these dining threads.

Is it me or the more "atmosphere" or views places have the less tasty the food is?

After years of raves about steak places, I tried a few and was disappointed. Not to say the beef was bad, just for all the hype I was expecting more. When paying $35-$60 for that slab and tack on $15-$20 or so for two veggies and potatoes...

There was a steak place suggested to me in Pasadena that was ~$120/per, any of you been there? I don't recall the name or exact location. I figure the price makes it pretty exclusive.

 

There's a lot of fine dining restaurants along the coast on PCH in Newport Beach and Laguna Beach. I used to work next to a restaurant called The Rusty Pelican in NP. Very nice and great sea food.

 

This thread isn't limited to just Costa Mesa. I live in Pasadena, but will be in the Costa Mesa area on an upcoming weekend, and was wondering what everyone thought of Ocean Club.

I used Citysearch, but wanted some feedback from you guys.

Actually, I've compiled a list of places for fine dining in SoCal. Most of these places are suitable for a special occassion or business dining. (Unfortunately, my list is on my work computer. Will post it up tomorrow for you guys.

 

You must mean Yamashiro. I only go there for drinks. The view is great and it's romantic for dates, but I thought the food was so-so. I haven't eaten there in while so perhaps they improved the food?

http://www.yamashirorestaurant.com/

 

With all due respect my friend, I whole-heartedly disagree. Try Hush; I have not had food not worth the money there and the atmosphere is great, especially for an intimate dinner. Salt Creek grill has ocean view, good atmosphere, and the food is always good. I hear Three Thirty Three (i think thats how the name is. some combination of numbers) is supposed to be good . It is also Ocean view, and I will leave a review here after I have tried it. There is great food here on the coast, but it takes a bit to find it all. I have a number of secret spots as well...It does take an effort to find it, but there is excellent food here. I hate driving inland (especially because it's harder to take your nicer cars w/out worrying about them), so I forced myself to find spots here.

 

We've eaten at Las Brisas in Laguna a few times. Wife ordered oysters and several of them were bad so she sent it back...the returned plate wasn't any better. Fish was "fishy" and over cooked to boot. This is one of those places that IMO offer better views than food quality.

Sage located at the Crystal Cove shopping plaza is pretty tasty, prices to match. I had a Chilean sea bass that was

 

I have heard good things about sage. I have also heard good things about the italian spot in that center as well.

 

Since when do you have time to date?

Just givin' you a hard time!

 

I think view places are hit or miss. The Orange Hill has an awesome view, but I would only have drink on the patio next to a fire pit, as the food is just average. I prefer the food at the Orange County Mining Co. (just down the street) and the view is almost as good.

Las Brisas is in a beautiful locale, but the food there too is just average. Though I've only had brunch there.

And speaking of Chilean Sea Bass, Taps in Brea has one of the best sea bass I've ever had. Sake marinated. Mmmmm....

The seared Ahi and Butter fish at Roy's is incredible. The only thing I've had there that wasn't good was the smoked filet, (has "surf and turf" with the butter fish) it tasted like Sterno. Otherwise, every appetizer, etc. I've had there is great.

I'm looking forward to trying Blue Coral (next to Flemming's and Roy's in Newport/Fashion Island) soon as I've heard it's very good.

Also, for a great location, good food, and a reasonable price, I love Chimayo right on the beach in Huntington, it's a staple 1st date place for me. Have some good food and drinks on the patio, dessert by the fire pit, and then stroll down the beach. And you can probably get out of there for $100 including drinks.

 

Ok. I'm in the office now.

First off, Yamashiro is TOTALLY overrated for food. Food is so-so at best. You go there strictly for one thing...THE VIEW. Other than that, it is just an ordinary restaurant. Not worth it at all IMO.

Now, here's my list. Don't know of if I have time to attach the website to the names, but I'll do my best.

*Some are good for dates, some are good for business dinners.

Lawry's - http://www.lawrysonline.com/theprime...s_gen_info.asp
Campanile - http://www.campanilerestaurant.com/
BOA - http://www.boasteak.com/balboa/index.htm
Crustacean - http://www.anfamily.com/Restaurants/.../homepage.html
Dolce - http://www.dolceenoteca.com/
Geisha House - http://www.geishahousehollywood.com/
Geoffrey's (already posted earlier in this thread) - http://www.geoffreysmalibu.com/
Grill on the Alley - (no official website)
Mastros (already posted earlier in this thread) - http://www.azeats.com/Mastros/default.htm
Asia de Cuba - http://www.mondrianhotel.com/mondria...asiadecuba.asp
Morton's - http://www.mortons.com/website/index.html
Mr Chow - http://www.mrchow.com/beverlyhills.html
Matsuhisa (already posted earlier in this thread) - http://www.nobumatsuhisa.com/flash/index.html
Providence - http://www.providencela.com/
Roy's (already posted earlier in this thread) - http://www.roysrestaurant.com/
Shutters - http://www.shuttersonthebeach.com/re...ne_dining.html
Sofitel - http://www.sofitella.com/sofitel.htm
The Belvedere - http://losangeles.citysearch.com/pro...belvedere.html
Lodge Steakhouse (already posted earlier in this thread) - http://www.thelodgesteakhouse.com/
Cut - http://www.wolfgangpuck.com/rest/index.html

I have a few more restaurants to add later.