<p>I’m going to be meeting a client for dinner in Orange County.</p>
<p>I’m looking for suggestions for a nice restaurant not too far from the 405/5. Costa Mesa would be fine, Newport’s too much of a pain. </p>
<p>His commute brings him up from Carlsbad to Santa Ana; I’m coming down the 405 until it merges with the 5.</p>
<p>In terms of price, I’m looking for something that would run $50-$100 for two.</p>
<p>I know that area around the Performing Arts Center a little. Maggiano’s is a bit on the loud side, imo, and Claim Jumpers has decent food but is pretty ordinary though, absent a better suggestion, that would be my current plan. Other locales would be just fine.</p>
<p>I don’t drive, and I’m not a native so please excuse me if this place is totally out of the way for you. I love The Stinking Rose. It’s pretty funky, but also upscale. The theme is garlic; it’s a fun, nice place to have dinner. Location is in Beverly Hills, again, please excuse me if I’m totally off base with my locations, I go to school in LA and use mass transit rather than drive.</p>
<p>We ate in the Stinking Rose In LA. No one in my family will ever forget the garlic ice cream. Frankly, I though the idea was interesting but the food nothing special. Also there was a big crowd.</p>
<p>Z-Tejas and Clubhouse at South Coast Plaza (also where Claim Jumper is) are both better restaurants. Z-Tejas also has a happy hour from 4-7 with half price appetizers (the catfish beignets are excellent).</p>
<p>A new restaurant on Bristol just South of the 405 is Onotoria (wine country type restaurant).</p>
<p>The Ritz is actually in Laguna Niguel/Dana Point, so it’s pretty far from the freeway. </p>
<p>This may be late, but even for future reference:</p>
<p>On the other side of Bristol closer to the back side of the Performing Arts Center, there are a lot of options including Scott’s, Macaroni Grill, Chat Noir, Sensasian, Jerry’s Deli, Avo’s South Coast Bistro. Most of these are off of Avenue of the Arts. </p>
<p>Also, The Clubhouse is located in South Coast Plaza and is awesome and pretty appropriate for a business dinner.</p>
<p>Gulliver’s Restaurang near John Wayne Airport serves prime rib with a unique atmosphere. The meat is all prime grade and they are famous for their spinach souffle and cream corn. They also serve seafood and lamb. </p>
<p>You could also try the Irvine Spectrum Center right at the junction of the 405/5 freeways. It has a many restaurants including a Yard House, P.F. Changs, and Maki Maki.</p>
<p>Thanks, folks…keep 'em coming. I’ll talk to my client on Wednesday and have some recs in hand.</p>
<p>Xiggi, where possible I like to get recs based on personal experience…I’ve certainly used guides as a starter in some places but even then I like to cross check when I can.</p>
<p>“Xiggi, where possible I like to get recs based on personal experience…I’ve certainly used guides as a starter in some places but even then I like to cross check when I can.”</p>
<p>That makes a lot of sense, and it is why I labeled the post “Could this help.” I am afraid that my personal experience would be a tad below your client’s and your expectations … unless you’d go for all-you-can-eat asian or sushi buffets and pizza parlors. Now, I’ll admit trying to keep Matsuhisa on my list when gracious -and generous- friends and family visit LA. This said, I’ll accept your invitation to Ginza Sushi … anytime. :)</p>
<p>I’ve been going to the Five Crowns for 20+ years whenever I’m in Southern Cal. Never a bad meal or disappointing experience. I will drive an hour one way to eat there if I’m in town for a few days. I got to take my D when she was about 12 and she was dazzled.</p>
<p>Thank you for all the recs…I’m saving this list for future times of need. </p>
<p>Based on the multiple recs, we had dinner at the Five Crowns. Note: do NOT go there if you have vegetarians/vegans in your party, they’ll be pretty much outta luck. While swordfish and duck were present…I’m often a sucker for either…the mainstays of the menu were beef, beef, and more beef. Nice English decor, almost excellent service…I ding the sommelier for trying (successfully) to upsell me on the wine list…and very nice food. Did not try any desserts. Appetizers and entrees were both very good. Almost exactly what I had in mind for “level” as a dinner for a client and his S.O., a “thank you” for a very difficult–in several ways–transaction. (He was as thankful to me as I was to him but custom dictates that the agent buys, LOL.)</p>