The Corner

★★★★☆ 4 (950) • $$

"only writing a review because of the current 3.9 stars when they absolutely deserve at least a 4.5. we came here one night when we had to wait for sushi at the spot in the lot and now crave this place regularly. I think we've tried most if not all the appetizers including the 48 hour fries, chips and dip, deviled eggs, tuna tartare, tostadas, and bacon wrap dates. The dates while a common place that many restaurants are so good here for really what stands out is the deviled eggs with the crab. When it comes to entrées, we order the halibut every time, the celeriac purée is so good it will have you licking the plate. Desserts and drinks are also incredible here just truly can't go wrong"

Perla

★★★★☆ 4.2 (749) • $$

"We happened to be attending the Dia De Los Muertos event so it was understandably busy but we got lucky and our party of 4 got sat within 5 minutes.We ordered their chips & guacamole which was small but delicious, especially those home fried chips!Our party had the veggie fajitas, shrimp ceviche, shrimp enchiladas and a chile relleno and we were super happy with their unique flavors and freshness. We had to add sides since those are ordered separately.I had 2 of the Horchata Martins (delicious!) and we ended with their flan and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The service wasn't as attentive but we totally understood because of the event so we were very patient. Our waitress always had a smile on her face.We sat on their patio which was very family friendly.I would have given it 5 stars except for all the sides you have to order separately & they're very small portions. Even chips & salsa are extra, and again, small little salsa.But you know what? The food was so good we will be back!"

Lido Bottle Works

★★★★☆ 4.3 (605) • $$

"My dog (yes dog friendly) and I popped in for a happy hour bite. I ordered the hummus and the cucumbers, but the waiter suggested I just combine them and save a buck. I got a lavender beer, it wasn't my fave but wasn't awful. Fun to try something new. I'm pretty basic and tend to find their food too fancy, but I enjoyed this visit. Sit outside and enjoy the view!"

Chronic Tacos

★★★★☆ 3.6 (587) • $$

"Great portion size, good flavors, great value for a family dinner out. The Carne asada quesadilla was huge along with a two taco platter easily fed a family of 4. Served with generous Pico de gallo, guacamole, sour cream and salsa."

Taste of Beauty

★★★★★ 4.6 (324) • $$$$

"We went here for my moms birthday and it was our first time trying a plant based fine dining restaurant, and I don't know if any other place could top this experience. We were greeted by a beautiful interior and walked to our own dining room area which was beautifully decorated and had a gorgeous ikebana setup. Our server made this whole experience so great too, she was so sweet!I got the 5-course vegetarian tasting menu while my mom got the 5-course vegan menu. It was $63 per person (an absolute steal) and it filled us up and we felt great after! To be transparent I cannot remember all of the names of each dish but there was a story behind every single one that our waitress explained each time, and I loved how intentional it was. Every dish was also so tasty, I was so impressed with how much flavor there was in the vegan courses. Such a great way to celebrate, my mom had the best time ever and we were left feeling full, happy, and in awe. I know they change their vegetarian menu every new farming season, and the vegan one stays the same (I believe). I would pass on the mock tails and get actual alcohol next time. Thank you for the best experience, I can't wait to come back to try the next tasting menu!"

Sagami

★★★★☆ 3.5 (545) • $$

"A long time friend and I had dinner at the sushi bar at Sagami, Irvine, CA last Saturday night and it was just simply amazing food and service in my view.My friend speaks Japanese, eats here regularly, knows the chefs, the menu and exactly the pace to dine at so i was in great hands. Sagami is a small restaurant with a handfull of tables in the dining area and maybe ten seats at the sushi bar and we were never forgotten or overlooked by staff. The waitress and chefs get an A+ from me in all categories. The restaurant appears to be very clean also. We had appetizers of Sunomono (Japanese cucumber salad), shrimp tempura, a squid dish (the name escapes me) and then began eating numerous pieces of sushi. In between sushi we split a steamed salmon. The unagi, ikura, anago, hamachi were my favorites. We finished off with a futo maki handroll and desert. My buddy had green tea ice cream I think and I had the lightest thing they had...flan.This place is top notch in my book."

Pita Grill Express

★★★★☆ 3.6 (489) • $$

"Unfortunately, nothing memorable about the food. I came here for lunch on a Monday. This place is called California Pita Grill, so not sure if there was a switch in owners. First time coming here, and probably last unfortunately. There are a lot of options here. I got the chicken pita wrap combo with Greek salad for an additional $3.50. Total came out to be about $12.50 which is not bad for lunch. The combo comes with a drink as well. The lunch portion size is enough to fill you up with just the wrap alone... but the chicken was extremely salty and sour. I should have gone to Doner G's instead. I took out most of the chicken because it was so salty. The Greek salad was okay, although it too was doused in sauce also. Better luck next time."

Snipe Island Crafthouse

★★★★☆ 4.4 (140) • $$

"We popped in after a walk on Balboa Island on a Saturday. It wasn't too crowded, we got seated right away. Our server was friendly, service a bit slow but we weren't in a rush and most people are here to relax and have a good time. We got a burger and a pizza, both were yummy! Seems they have a lot of local craft beer options, and cool seating options."

Haus Lounge

★★★★★ 4.8 (68)

"The taste and atmosphere are wonderful, and I appreciate the staff's kindness. The seafood nurungji soup is rich in flavor, featuring shrimp, flower crab, and mussels. I crave it again today!"

California Vintage Wine Bistro

★★★★★ 4.9 (39)

"Options abound in a tidy and tastefully decorated space with tall tables and lots of TVs. We tried the chicken karage, hummus, truffle fries, and the Brussels sprouts. Each dish was delicious, and they all had a nice touch to elevate above and beyond the typical bar fare. Service was prompt and friendly. We will be going back.We visited on a random weekday afternoon so the place was fairly quiet. I can imagine this place as a great pre-game stop before a Ducks or Angels game."

Chapter One: the modern local

★★★★☆ 3.7 • $$

"The food was so amazing! We haven't been here in a while because the quality of the food was not great. They've made some amazing improvements! We went for a brunch and both had the steak and potatoes. The hollandaise sauce was amazing, and it wasn't overwhelming. Next time I'll ask for an additional side of the hollandaise. The potatoes were beautifully seasoned with lots of spices. I cleaned my plate, it was so good!! We'll be coming back more often. Our waiter was so busy but regardless, attentive. Enjoyed that lots of natural light came in from the windows.Again the food was so good! We bought the back a round of beers."

Cafe Sevilla

★★★★☆ 4.2

"My girlfriends and I went here to celebrate a birthday. We found this place on Yelp and were so glad we gave it a try. The food was delicious, margarita was good, and service was amazing! Initially we were going to another restaurant and glad we decided to go here because wow best service we've had in a while. Our server was very welcoming and nice, always checked on us. Even other staff that walked by checked in!We went on a Friday night so there was live music. We got the halibut & shrimp ceviche, the sampler empanadas (it came with 3), and the traditional paella. They were all very good! My favorite was their empanadas! All 3 were so flavorful and the outside pastry was buttery and flakey. Delicious! Margaritas were good too!Note that if you don't like loud, maybe sit outside because indoors and in front of the music was pretty loud. I def recommend this place!"

Vaca

★★★★☆ 3.9 • $$$

"Vaca is hands down one of the best spots for Spanish-inspired cuisine in Costa Mesa! The ambiance is stylish yet welcoming, with a great vibe that makes it perfect for a night out. We started with the croquettas de pollo, which were crispy on the outside and packed with flavor on the inside--so good! The bikini sandwich was another highlight--loaded with Jamón Ibérico, Manchego cheese, and a touch of truffle oil. Every dish was beautifully presented and bursting with flavor.While the tapas can be on the pricier side, it's totally worth it for the quality of the ingredients and the overall experience. The staff was friendly, attentive, and made great wine recommendations to pair with the meal. If you're in the area, definitely check out Vaca for a memorable dining experience!"