Best Restaurants In OC That Opened In 2015
Foodies are on the pulse of what new restaurants are opening (and sadly, which ones are closing, too). In 2015, Orange County saw some wonderful new additions to the area's line-up featuring new concepts, the trending food hall experience and celebrity Top Chef and local French chef-driven restaurants. Each restaurant listed below is uniquely distinguished in atmosphere, recipes, ingredients and flavors. Raise a glass to the best restaurant openings of 2015 in Orange County.
Pascal Epicerie & Bistro
31451 Rancho Viejo Road
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
(949) 488-0031
www.PascalRestaurants.com
Pascal's focus is always to serve food made from seasonal, fresh and locally grown and sourced ingredients. For breakfast, lunch and dinner, Chef Pascal Olhat translates the organic "farm to table" idea into his signature French cuisine (seabass with thyme crust, salad Lyonnaise, twice baked cheese cake soufflé) and seasonal creations utilizing ingredients such as foie gras, rabbit, veal, sweetbread, pork belly and octopus with seasonal fruits and vegetables at Pascal. Chef Pascal personally cooks his favorite dishes in an intimate setting Thursday through Saturday, 6 to 9 p.m. (reservations are required). A one-stop gourmet French bistro combined with a cozy booth dining area, Pascal offers a taste of French the way Chef Pascal grew up.
4th Street Marketplace
201 East 4th St.
Santa Ana, CA 92701
(714) 486-0700
www.4thstreetmarket.com
4th Street Marketplace, which opened in February 2015, is a hall of sorts that is European-inspired with artisan cafes and kitchens creating a variety of delicious meals, coffees, juices, baked goods and desserts, craft cocktails and a beer garden. Food highlights at 4th Street Market includes Portola Coffee Lab, an Orange County based coffee purveyor, Electric City Butcher by Chef Michael Puglisi, Ink Waffle for lunch (try the fish waffle tacos or Gyro waffles), MAR (a modern cevicheria), Torch S'More Co., Noodle Tramp (Thai noodles) and many others.
Saint Marc Pub Cafe Bakery & Cheese Affinage
21058 Pacific Coast Highway
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
www.saintmarcusa.com
Saint Marc Pub – Café, Bakery & Cheese Affinage is one of the newest openings this year offering nostalgic American fare. Culinary ambassadors work tableside to guide guests through the unique menu of food and beverages at this Newport Beach eatery. Saint Marc serves 32 wines on draught, craft beer in a can, bacon by design, a charcuterie of savory specialty cured meats and over 100 of the finest cheese selections from all over the world. Projected menu favorites range from chicory coffee and beignets to start the day to ahi tuna cooked on salt rock and bacon by the slice for the latter part of the day. Guests will enjoy the casual ambience dining from the restaurant's fun faux paper plates and Red Solo cups.
Related: Best Breakfast Sandwiches In The OC
Twenty Eight Restaurant & Lounge
19530 Jamboree Rd.
Irvine, CA 92612
(949) 852-2828
www.twentyeightoc.com
Irvine's Twenty Eight Restaurant & Lounge is a chance for foodies to enjoy the creations of Top Chef finalist and Executive Chef/Parnter of the restaurant, Shirley Chung. Infusing her Chinese twist into modern California food, Chef Chung offers up spirited and inspired dishes for sharing or not. Smoked trout crostini, chicken shao mai and "better than your ballpark fries" fall under "fun snacks" on the menu. Other favorites to try are twice cooked pork belly buns, oxtail fried rice, west caught fish, lobster & egg noodles (this one is a feast to share). The restaurant loves a good party - patrons enjoy spending Valentine's Day, New Year's Eve and the Chinese Lunar New Year at Twenty Eight. Plus, they comp your valet parking.
American Tea Room
Fashion Island
549 Newport Center Dr.
Newport Beach, CA 9266
(949) 432-6006
www.americantearoom.com
American Tea Room is a modern 2,250-square-foot tea oasis to sip, dine, socialize and shop. This Fashion Island location, which opened December 8th, is owner and tea curator David Barenholtz's third location (Beverly Hills and Downtown L.A.). Guests gather in a community-style tasting area that seats up to 30 guests to enjoy signature hot and cold tea drinks exclusive to ATR such as Himalayan Butter Tea (Nepalese black, Oolong and Pu'Er teas, butter, salt, milk and honey), Green Tea Terere (cold brew featuring Bliss green and white teas, sweet matcha, lime and orange). More than 200 rare teas are offered, including a premium matcha selection. Culinary Director Valerie Gordon of Valerie Confections creates a variety of freshly made desserts and pastries (matcha panna cotta or Early Grey Sweet bread), tea infused salads (Oolong chicken salad) and breakfast sandwiches (fried egg, aged cheddar, sun dried tomato). Love the tea you ordered? Shop it after your meal.
Related: Best Hot Drinks In Orange County
