The Blind Pig Kitchen + Bar

Oink Oink, It's The Blind Pig in Rancho Santa Margarita. This Kitchen and bar is cookin' up some elevated gastropub food that we couldn't ignore. It was a rainy day, but we decided to hit the restaurant up for some lunch! We opted to sit outside in the patio, but it was totally cool cuz they had warmers! Our friend ordered a couple of drinks, and she said they were lovely. Neither Josh nor I drink, but we both got the impression that you should do so here, hahaha. They've got a fun menu with a bunch of different items on it. After perusing it for a bit, we ordered a ton of dishes. Variety is the spice of life! French onion soup, crab cakes, pork belly benedict, mac and cheese, and a bleu cheese burger topped our table. The food came out super quick, and super hot! My my my...the French Onion soup was hot! And it was hot! If you know what I mean. Look at the melty melty cheese! LOOK! PERFECT. You know, honestly I forgot how good this stuff is. The burger too, I mean come on! Great bleu cheese flavor, and cooked to your liking, which is medium for me. I added some fries, and they did not disappoint! It came with this aioli that I thought was perfectly creamy and subtle. Mmm! The Benedict was unexpected! The sauce it came with is a salsa verde-type deal. So yummy and surprising! A great fresh addition to an otherwise super-rich dish. This decadent oaxacan cheese mac comes with crispy prosciutto and corn! A sweet and salty addition to a creamy dish? Reminds me of Korean corn cheese.

I guess my take on this restaurant is that it's worth a try. The location is great, right there on the lake. But overall, I was left feeling a little underwhelmed. In print, the menu, tiki drinks, and concept appeared to be really amazing, my hubby and I love tiki bars, so we were very excited to try it. Unfortunately, the experience didn't match the vision! The food, ambience, tiki drinks and mostly the service was just OK. To explain further, there were visible employees just standing around when we needed them, but would not make eye contact, one of the people behind the bar appeared to be a manager and all she did the entire time we were there was stand there and chat with the bartenders. Our server was friendly and helpful, but sometimes hard to catch.Inside, the restaurant decor is clean and nice, but its small and really tight. The tables are right up next to each other, so you can hear your neighbors full conversation. Also, the patio outside was small, it's right on the lake, but they have covers up with clear plastic windows, which barely allow you to see the beauty, I get the fact that it was winter, but the draw is the lake!Again, maybe it was just our experience this one time and perhaps we should try it again, but we both just really didn't feel like it lived up to expectations, so we're not sure we will.

BEWARE! DANGEROUS INDIVIDUALS AND THEFT!!Drinks are good, however, they have a regular who steals from other customers. My phone was stolen by this regular, the staff all know who he is. Apparently the money he brings in is more important than their other patrons because not only have they not followed up on this issue, they now hang up when I try to contact as they have caller ID. Manager Sam was aware of the situation and did nothing. Despite the protests of myself and others. Luckily my property was ditched elsewhere and was returned by the lovely patrons of that establishment. Spoke to Robert who said all the right things to make this go away. But no follow up from the GM and owner, which was promised. Should have called the cops, but I stupidly trusted the employees. THIS IS NOT A SAFE PLACE FOR SINGLE WOMEN IN PARTICULAR!!!!BE SAFE! STAY AWAY!!!!ETA: I never intended to actually post this. I originally wanted to due to the anger and betrayal I felt, but left it in my drafts. It appears while going through old info, i accidentally posted. Since Tony now feels so inclined to respond, since it's available for the public, let me add the below:1. Tony, you never once spoke to me personally. Despite the multitude of promises from your various managers. 2. HE NEVER EMPTIED HIS POCKETS!! And, was never asked to. My husband pointed out that your regular had his phone in his hand the whole time, yet every time my husband called my phone, the thief's pocket lit up and he quickly silenced my phone. 3. Despite witnessing this, your manager allowed it to happen and stated that there was "nothing he could do about it". 4. Yes, you allowed my husband to conduct a fruitless search through the trash and the bar once it was too late. As we all know where my phone was. In your regulars pocket. 5. My phone was not randomly found as you claim. A family member called, at which time an employee at the gas station answered and provided the help your establishment refused. Why did he have my phone you may ask? Simple. He very, very, clearly explained how it had been randomly dropped off by some guy. When asked for a description, he described your regular to a T. Including how he communicates with people, explaining why the thief's personal phone is always in his hand, not his pocket.6. You state you take your patrons safety as a number one priority. Yet I see no statement confirming he has been banned from your bar. Which your managers stated had been put in place. So Tony. Why did no one make him remove the phone from his pocket? Why did your team avoid involving the police to solve this matter? And why, is this super important regular who spends a lot of money at your bar (per various statements that evening), still apparently a regular? Why have you misled those who read this into thinking that we spoke personally when that never once happened?

We just returned from The Blind Pig. As always, the food was delicious and the service was great. My reason for the two stars is the management. There was a couple having dinner but they brought along an un-trained dog. This dog barked at every other well behaved dog that walked by. It was very annoying. The management did nothing. Now we love dogs and there were other well behaved dogs sitting quietly with their owners. Not so sure if we return. There are many other options.....

Always a great experience here! Bacon wrapped dates are yummy and the atmosphere is really nice on the lake.The waitress was super attentive ! We will be back.

Went here for dinner Saturday night. I think this is probably a better place for cocktails than meals, at least for my taste. I had the lobster roll and husband had the steak. His meat was very chewy and my lobster roll was fine but I've had much better. The spinach and artichoke dip was the best thing we ate, that item was definitely a hit. Location is in a nice plaza with a large parking lot and pretty since it's near the water. We won't be back but for people who live in the area, I would recommend it for drinks and apps.

This is an absolute gorgeous restaurant with a lake view!! It's a HIDDEN GEM in Rancho Santa Margarita!! I wish I had known about this restaurant a long time ago! It was definitely a pleasant surprise!! As soon as I walked in, I was in awe and knew we were in for a wonderful dining experience. The outdoor area was very popular with the customers. There was a great view of the lake and the sunset. The front outdoor area has a view of the courtyard. Starters:Burrata with tomato jam, blueberry gastrique, pistachio tapenade, grilled sourdough. Absolutely delicious!! MUST-TRY!Coconut Shrimp with a sweet & spicy sauce and charred lemonMain:20oz Ribeye with Kimchi Fried Rice, chojang and sesame oil. Perfectly cooked, juicy and tender! The Kimchi Fried Rice was so flavorful!! Stunning presentation! MUST-TRY!! Jidori Chicken Adobo with fingerling potatoes, pearl onions, soy-demi glaze, shaved fennel, white ice, garlic. The soy-demi glaze was very flavorful. The chicken was juicy. Lobster Roll with claw & knuckle meat, celery, shallot, garlic aioli, saurkraut, parsley, brioche bun. It's a little smaller than other Lobster Rolls I've had. Pan Seared Barramundi with a khao soi broth, green papaya, peanuts, cilantro, mint. That broth was packed with so much deliciousness! It tasted like a super flavorful Thai-style curry, just not as thick. The Barramundi had a firm texture and flaked apart easily. A wonderful balance of flavors! Drinks: Painkiller, Toucan Sam, Gild the Lily, Santa Margarita Spritz (some drinks can be made as a Mock-tail) These were so pretty and tasted great! Desserts: (MUST - TRY)Earl Grey Budino with a strawberry glaze, pistachios,whipped creamSkillet Cookiechocolate & macadamia nut cookie, condensed milk, vanilla ice creamThe friendly Staff were very attentive. Our group had so much fun. Our dining experience exceeded my expectations! Can't wait to go back!! Add this to your list of girls night out or date night spots in the OC!!

We recently started going to the blind pig again. And each time, we enjoy the patio, service and drinks. We've even heard some live music, which was great. Last night was exactly what we were looking for. A nice evening walk, a couple of drinks, some apps that were delicious and a view of the lake while the sun went down. Just right.

As usual, Yelpers have it right. Gorgeous view, good service and vibe. I would love to come back for happy hour and see how they pour. My dessert was satisfying for such a hot day but I had to melt the rock hard, pre-scooped ice cream with the warm cobbler. The mint was a refreshing touch but wanted it to meld with the other flavors (maybe a quick torch to the mint and cobbler crumble topping might do the trick?). Extra points for the choice, tart rhubarb which I personally love.Very pleased with our servers. Thank you.

Their 20ounce ribeye was amazing!! Also love their drinks but miss a couple- holla back girl and gossip girl