Have you seen them in OC so far in 2012?

I really like Scott's, though I do admit there are much better places in the vicinity. Mastros is better than Scotts and Scott's is better than King's. One thing I do love at Scott's and, yes it maybe minor but, their calamari is my favorite of all time.

I'd second Watermarc and Eva's. I'd also at Nick's Laguna in downtown, actually next to Watermarc. Also Sapphire Laguna if you can get a reservation.

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Sapphire Laguna
1200 South Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651

Watermarc
448 S Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, CA 92651

Elmo,
Thanks, we'll try that on a weekend jaunt. Been a while since I've tried one of your recommendations Thanks also to you Janet.

GF would love me more if I could find this. Thanks in advance.

La Sirena is very good... Taco Loco is better.

Doesn't get mentioned much but have had two really good dinners at Nirvana Grill.

Last time there were some great deals and some not so great. Waiting for website to list those. Then it's on like Donkey Kong.

Big O to Go... Mission Viejo. Honestly.

Vine is very good. Pretty high end and from my three times there has always been excellent.

Mine pales in comparison, but I like them nonetheless. Dana Point, basically Selva and Golden Lantern.

Stonehill Tavern
Savannah Chophouse
Gemmells
Harbor Grill
162
Aurora's Taquiera
Gen Kai
Bon Jour Cafe
Casanova
Salt Creek Grill

Scott's Seafood in Costa Mesa has good food but incredible Calamari.

230 Forest - http://230forestavenue.com/

Sapphire - http://www.sapphirellc.com/

Nirvana Grill - http://www.nirvanagrille.com/lagunareservations.html

Tabu - http://www.tabugrill.com/

I highly recommend all the above.

You can go on the cliffs of Dana Point to Cannons or Chart House, I wouldn't recommend either too strongly. There are great restaurants in Laguna and Dana but oceanfront is tough as those are unfortunately restaurants where you pay mainly for the view (i.e. Las Brisas in Laguna).

The best would probably be 162 in the Ritz or one of the restaurants in the Montage hotel, though Studio is higher than the price your looking for.

Plenty of recommendations can be found walking distance to the beach if you look around.

Honestly it was one of the best meals I've had all year. Thanks.

Best onion rings. great breakfast burritos. Good burger.

Thanks all. Ended up eating at Jauque and Mo's on Thursday (awesome redfish, very good shrimp) and Dante's Kitchen (Incredible duck, good redfish). Acme had great Oysters. Luke was just ok. So there you have it.

Hello all,

We'll be in town for the French Quarter Festival in a couple of weeks. Already made dinner reservations for Luke and Dante's Kitchen. Thinking of hitting up Acme Oyster for Thursday lunch.
Any suggestions would be great, preferably around the quarter since we not renting a car.

Also does anyone know where the best BBQ Shrimp is? Thanks all in advance.

Sundried Tomato Cafe in SJC.

A couple of suggestions..

two good italian places -
Brio - http://www.briorestaurant.com/
and Stellas - http://www.stellasitalian.com/

Also in the harbor there's -
Gemmell's- http://www.gemmellsrestaurant.com/
and Harbor Grill - http://www.harborgrill.com/

I'd recommend all four for Dana Point in your price range.

Harbor Grill in Dana Point Harbor and Wildfish in Newport.

Some people are just impossible to please.

I'd recommend Olamendi's over Coyote Grill for lunch, though vice versa for breakfast. I've ate mostly everything at Olamendi's (great Mole), but have never had their fish tacos.

Thanks guys. Forgot about Antonello's. Cafe Hiro sounds great just a bit of a trek from Dana Point. Citrus City is close enough though.

Unfortunately, this is what I expected.

Hello all. I am looking for the absolute best Risotto in Orange County, south would be better. I blame Bourdain for this craving but the help is appreciated.

I used to live walking distance from Ti Amo and when it opened years ago it was a special place. The two times I have been back over the last 18 months have been disappointing though. Food seems a little blander and had really bad service both times. It is a nice location but much prefer Eva's across the street.

>$25
Marche Moderne
Stonehill Tavern
French 75 - Laguna
Gemmell's
Nirvana Grill

<$25
Taco Loco
In n Out
Bon Jour Cafe
Bad 2 the Bone BBQ

Thanks... I'll check it out

Just started job by Jeronimo and Alton area of Irvine. I can go to the spectrum but was wondering if anyone knew any other places in the area. Thanks in advance.