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    Cafe Rose Express

    4.6 (260 reviews)
    ModerateAmerican
    Closed 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

    Cafe Rose Express American Restaurant Photos

    CAFE ROSE EXPRESS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Casual
    Classy
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Cafe Rose Express

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    Pork & Shrimp Wonton Soup
    Mike S.

    There's something I genuinely appreciate about places that aren't chasing hype or trying to go viral...spots that simply stay true to what they do. Café Rose Express by Turnip Rose is absolutely one of those gems. Every time I dine here, I walk away impressed. The food is consistently well-executed, thoughtfully prepared, and always delicious. Today I tried the Three Cheese Melt, made with cheddar, provolone, and gouda. What really elevated it were the ultra-thin tomato slices...just enough acidity to brighten the sandwich and keep it from feeling too heavy. Paired with the crunchy sourdough, it was easily a 10/10. Honestly, one of the best grilled cheeses I've had in a long time. I also ordered the soup of the day: pork and shrimp wonton soup. Another standout...perfectly seasoned and generously portioned. Even in the small cup, I counted at least five wontons. Solid 9/10. If you're looking for a relaxed spot with great food, I highly recommend visiting Café Rose Express. Take your time, enjoy the atmosphere, and definitely sit outdoors if the weather's nice.

    1/2 sandwich (turkey) and a lobster bisque.
    Enrico A.

    I've been here several times now and I've tried a few of their sandwiches and soups. Everything i've tried is very good and very fresh. Sandwiches and Paninis are all excellent. All their soups are tasty...but my favorite one is definitely the Lobster Bisque. It had huge chunks of lobster in it. Their soups are different from day to day. Considering how busy they get during the lunch crowd they get the food out to you pretty fast. All the workers are very pleasant. I will definitely be visiting this place on a regular basis.

    Beef Me Up Panini
    Allen S.

    A great lunch spot, especially if you work nearby. It gets pretty busy around lunchtime, but there's plenty of indoor and outdoor seating to accommodate the crowd. I tried the new Beef Me Up! panini with a side of fruit, and it did not disappoint. The roast beef and béarnaise aioli made a flavorful combo, and the fresh fruit on the side was a nice, refreshing touch. Definitely worth trying if you're in the area.

    Menu,my choice
    Kristina M.

    This is my first time in this place. I ordered Smoked Salmon Salad and it was delicious! Awesome combination of dried tomatoes, capers, salmon, olives and dressing. Next time I want to try Steak Salaf,I'm sure that is great too.

    Catina shrimp salad
    Kim O.

    Everything about this place is perfect for a little girls' get together or a work meeting. I like how the place is setup for outside dining on a warm summer day or inside. The food is also delicious! From the bread to the salad, it never disappoint.

    Cashew chicken sandwich on a croissant - all of the ingredients are SO FRESH!
    Carrie R.

    Oh how I missed Café Rose! This was my first time back since we were slammed with Covid. I have to admit, I really missed their salads and sandwiches! And my favorite used to be to order any of their salads and they could make it into a wrap - but I found out that they don't do that anymore! Since it had been a while since I had been here, deciding on what to order was tough! I went with one of their new sandwiches - Cashew Chicken with avocado, tomato & lettuce on a croissant. It was good, but really messy. The avocado and tomato would squish out the other end and sides each time I took a bite *Kind of a challenge to eat at your desk. But that's ok - fortunately I had a knife and fork, so I just used that. I'm thinking I might go back again today for a do-over - maybe I'll try to order something that's not as messy. I also have to mention that they make a really good zucchini bread, which is one of your choices for a side you can get with your order - you can choose from a cheese roll, fruit medley, pineapple coleslaw, or zucchini bread. The fruit medley is a good side too but I usually get the zucchini bread. Then I'll save it to have with my morning coffee the next day. It's so moist and has a great flavor. They also sell a whole loaf but you need to give them advanced notice if you want to get one. I don't remember how much it is - maybe like $12 - $15 dollars a loaf *totally worth it! We'll see what I decide on getting today!! Enjoy your day!

    The Special!

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    4 months ago

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    5 months ago

    Great food and service! It's a hidden gem not far from the freeway! And the outdoor seating is very nice.

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    2 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Great food and service. Beautiful place to grab a bite to eat. I would highly recommend it.

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    9 months ago

    The food is always fresh, at a reasonable price, and the zucchini bread is to die for.

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    2 years ago

    Small unassuming urban cafe offering soups, salads and quick lunch eats. Has a country club vibe

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    11 months ago

    This a great place and the food is delicious, service and ambience is nice. I recommend this place 100%.

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    3 years ago

    Delicious fresh selection of salads, sandwiches and very friendly service. Indoor and outdoor patio.

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    Kenwood's Kitchen & Tap - Taps

    Kenwood's Kitchen & Tap

    4.4(645 reviews)
    1.9 mi
    $$

    We were looking for a light, quick meal before a local concert, and our friend suggested this…read moreplace. It fit perfectly for us! It was a beautiful day, and we were given our choice of patio dining. Our server, Grace, friendly and efficient, was exceptional at checking on us which doesn't always happen when outdoors. She brought our drinks and meals quickly. One friend ordered sliders which she really enjoyed. She commented that it was the perfect size and tastes that she was looking for. Another friend and I split a steak salad. Sharing a salad off a plate can be an awkward feat, but they offer a split-plate up-charge for avoiding that! The salad was simple: steak, cherry tomatoes, and lettuce, but chopped fries were an unexpected addition. Overall, a great fit to get our night started off right!

    I had seen this place multiple times on my way and around Southern California. Specifically the…read moreCosta Mesa Newport Beach area but never stopped by. Today. My friend had to go shopping and so we decided to grab a bite to eat at kenwoods. From the outside, the windows are so darkly tinted. I couldn't tell if they were open or not. But upon opening the door there were people scattered throughout the place. So we just walked into the bar area and got a high top table. Server came up to us, asked us for drinks and handed us menus. He came back shortly after we gave him the order. I had a chicken Caesar salad and a space dust double IPA, my friend just had a cup of coffee. The chicken Caesar was really good, and the beer was as expected. The first cup of coffee that he brought to the table was cold so we had to send that back to get a fresh cup. Now it wasn't that busy so I would think that the server would take a moment to check to see that the coffee was warm, but apparently that didn't happen. I got my food and started digging in and the coffee came out a few minutes later. The salad was good, had a nice size chicken breast on top and the dressing was really tasty, not overpowering. I was a little bit stunned at the bill when it came to the table and it was $35 plus dollars, I guess the food and grocery hikes still surprise me, although they shouldn't. The dining experience was okay, it wasn't stellar by any means, but it was adequate, I didn't felt neglected or rushed in any way. The only reason I didn't give it five stars was because of the coffee incident. Having been a server in the food industry. That's definitely one of the things you look for. Bottom line, I would probably come back again. But there are many other places in Costa Mesa to try.

    Photos
    Kenwood's Kitchen & Tap - Bar

    Bar

    Kenwood's Kitchen & Tap - Crispy Cauliflower

    Crispy Cauliflower

    Kenwood's Kitchen & Tap - Super Bowl

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    Super Bowl

    The Country Club - Elegant dining area

    The Country Club

    4.3(1.4k reviews)
    4.7 mi
    $$
    Takes reservations
    Happy hour specials

    We hosted my retirement party at The Country Club. We wanted something different from the usual…read morebuffet thing. The Country Club is beautiful. It's decorated in a 1930's speakeasy theme and is very clean and very well maintained!! My wife contacted Megan, the Event Coordinator who invited us to have dinner so we could check out the venue, go over some scenarios and sample the food. Megan was so super cool, friendly and knowledgeable. She made it easy...she was straight forward with pricing and had great suggestions. She listened to what we wanted and made all the necessary accommodations. We then did a food tasting to select the menu for the event. There was soooo much good food it was hard to make decisions but we did it!! Then came game day!! Megan and here team had everything ready to go. Megan introduced us to the staff members who would be serving us. Everyone was so nice, professional and attentive. Then came the food!! Everything was fantastic and beautifully displayed. All my guests had great time and loved the food and loved The Country Club!! Thank you Megan and the team and thank you to The Country Club!!

    This place was a real awesome surprise. Excellent food,…read moredrinks and service. From the outside you dont expect to walk into a beautiful room with such a stunning bar. I definitely recommend this place!

    Photos
    The Country Club - Mushroom Risotto made with Dashi Risotto, Braised Pork, Maitake Mushrooms, Slow Cooked Egg, Toasted Sesame Seeds

    Mushroom Risotto made with Dashi Risotto, Braised Pork, Maitake Mushrooms, Slow Cooked Egg, Toasted Sesame Seeds

    The Country Club - The Country Club's warm and inviting interior. The site has served as a dining and drinking establishment since 1953.

    The Country Club's warm and inviting interior. The site has served as a dining and drinking establishment since 1953.

    The Country Club - Large covered patio - great for event space and brunch parties

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    Large covered patio - great for event space and brunch parties

    Eat Chow - New Look, Same Chow!

    Eat Chow

    4.2(2.9k reviews)
    4.1 mi
    $$

    I tried the Killer Smash Burger and WOW... 10/10. It was so satisfying -- perfectly cooked with…read morecaramelized onions and chilis that gave it the perfect amount of spice without being overwhelming. Definitely a must-try! The sweet potato fries never disappoint, and adding cheese just takes them to another level. And don't even get me started on the truffle fries... so addicting, definitely meant for sharing (or not). If you're thinking about trying something new here, this is your sign!

    I was introduced to Eat Chow by a close friend and overall had a pretty good experience. Their…read moreservice was surprisingly quick, the food came out in 15 minutes from the time we ordered. The iced horchata matcha latte leaned much heavier on the horchata flavor, so don't expect a strong matcha taste if that's what you're looking for. The best thing we ordered was definitely the Chow Chorizo Burrito. It was fully stuffed, the chorizo was seasoned really well, and the avocado balanced everything nicely. I'd absolutely order this again or even pick up to-go for a full beach day. We also got the Strawberry Haute Cakes, which were massive, fluffy pancakes topped with fresh strawberries. Definitely a good option if you're sharing. A couple of things to note - parking is pretty limited, which is honestly expected for this area, so just plan ahead. The interior also feels a bit cramped for the amount of seating they try to fit in, but the space is at least nicely decorated and has a cozy vibe. Would come back here again for brunch, but only in small groups of 2-4 people.

    Photos
    Eat Chow - Just remodeled! Come see our new look!

    Just remodeled! Come see our new look!

    Eat Chow - Lemon Mascarpone French Toast.

    Lemon Mascarpone French Toast.

    Eat Chow - We got great coffee too!

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    We got great coffee too!

    Verde Restaurant

    Verde Restaurant

    4.6(129 reviews)
    3.6 mi
    Healthy dining
    Locally sourced ingredients

    This review is a couple of months past due - but, better late than never! A friend had recommended…read moreVerde Restaurant after a hike, and I honestly didn't have any expectations. The interior looked cozy and cute - with outdoor seating as well; we opted to sit inside. They have a slightly small menu, which was fine. She insisted on ordering the pickled carrots - so of course we had to start with that. The green sauce on top was absolutely delicious. Onto the food - I ordered the Lemon & Sumac Half Chicken which was full of flavor and nothing short of amazing. Her Rainbow Trout was just as good, making us feel good about what we're putting into our bodies. Yes, it is a bit pricey, but the quality of the ingredients Verde Restaurant uses justifies the price. I would definitely come back here, and so happy it was recommended to me!

    Came here with some coworkers after an event near by…read more Appears to be a farm to table kinda place. The menu is on the smaller side but has good choices for mains. A good list of cocktails but was saddened by the limited selection of non-alcoholic choices. Being a farm to table and local focus restaurant I'd wished they would provide a more inventive non alcoholic selection. We shared the fired cabbage and the cauliflower. Funny enough two of us had the hanger steak and two the protein bowl. Staff is friendly and attentive. Water glasses were always full and the server came by to ensure everything tasted good. The space itself is dark and cozy. Very much like a little farm house you'd find in the country side, albeit modern and minimal. There is parking on the upper level lot that would get you to the front door a lot easier than the maze of stairs and hallways from the lower lot. They were hosting a wine tasting dinner that evening, but that didn't seem to affect service to the rest of the restaurant. If you are nearby and craving some clean honest food I'd definitely check it out.

    Photos
    Verde Restaurant
    Verde Restaurant
    Verde Restaurant

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    Social - SOCIAL - Costa Mesa

    Social

    3.9(1.7k reviews)
    3.9 mi
    $$

    We came here on a Friday afternoon around 5pm. Trying to get in for happy hour and we made it in…read moretime. The place wasn't busy at all. Plenty of indoor seating and a nice long bar. They have 3 nice size tvs too if you're wanting to watch some games. We sat at the bar and for sure thought we'd indulge in happy hour menu times but we saw photos of the Drive Thru Burger and could not resist ordering it. My friend and I split the burger. It was the perfect amount to share as well. The patties were so juicy and flavorful along with the sauce and the rest of the ingredients, it was definitely one of my fave burgers I've had in a while. I decided to try their espresso martini. Not bad at all. I asked for not to sweet and no cream, got exactly what I ordered. We ate for sure coming back to try the bread pudding dessert as well, one of my faves!

    #1 favorite brunch spot in OC! The food is TOP-NOTCH. Amazing options, great flavor, consistent…read morequality. When I say amazing...I mean AMAZING. I've had the Drive Thru burger, chicken and waffles, BTL, etc. and they were each some of the best food I've had in OC. Can't get over their French fries with the homemade ranch and the garlic aioli. Honestly committed to trying everything on the menu at some point this year. Service is also top-notch. Gabriel is the best waiter (you know they're good when you don't even want to call them waiter) I've ever had at any restaurant - he is so sweet, funny, and makes everyone feel genuinely cared for. I love that the restaurant is usually quiet and less busy because that means I don't have to wait to be seated, but I am genuinely SHOCKED. This is the type of place you expect to have a 3hr waiting list. Perhaps it's a matter of location. Perhaps they revamped their menu since some of the negative feedback. If you've tried this place and it wasn't your favorite, please give it another chance for brunch, it's fantastic! Can say enough great things about Social. BLESS YELP FOR HELPING ME FIND THIS GEM!

    Photos
    Social - Northern Halibut

    Northern Halibut

    Social - Wagyu Drive Thru Burger

    Wagyu Drive Thru Burger

    Social - Hand Cut Tagliatelle

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    Hand Cut Tagliatelle

    Lemon & Thyme - Pork belly and black garlic bbq

    Lemon & Thyme

    4.8(303 reviews)
    3.9 mi

    First time at Lemon & Thyme and it was a great experience overall. The ambiance was calm and quiet…read moreenough for our group to comfortably talk throughout dinner. The food was excellent, but our server Gabriel really made the night. He was attentive, funny, and gave great recommendations while answering all of our questions. We started with the prime beef tartare, shrimp ceviche and roasted cauliflower. All three were delicious. For entrees, we ordered the grilled octopus al pastor, short rib ravioli, branzino, and the 24 oz ribeye. Every dish was flavorful and well executed. The ribeye with mashed potatoes and mushrooms was cooked perfectly, but the standout for me was the short rib ravioli. I had heard of it before but never tried it until this visit. The pasta to filling ratio was spot on and every bite was excellent. For dessert, we ordered the espresso crème brûlée, which was rich, creamy, and well balanced. Gabriel also surprised us with a baklava cheesecake on the house, and our group could not stop talking about it. Combining baklava and cheesecake was a game changer. Definitely a place I would come back to.

    Absolutely loved Lemon & Thyme! My boyfriend and I live right across the street and have been…read moredriving by this place for months, so we're so happy we finally came in. The service was 10/10. Our waiter was incredibly attentive, warm, and genuinely enthusiastic about the food. He gave us the best recommendations, and everything he suggested was amazing. The meal itself was incredible. The shrimp saganaki was my favorite, and my boyfriend loved the short rib ravioli. You can tell everything is made with love it has that true mom and pop restaurant feel that's so hard to find. The chef came out at the end and we had such a great conversation. We'll definitely be back!

    Photos
    Lemon & Thyme - Inside

    Inside

    Lemon & Thyme - Peaches and burrata salad (seasonal)

    Peaches and burrata salad (seasonal)

    Lemon & Thyme - Peaches and burrata (seasonal)

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    Peaches and burrata (seasonal)

    Cafe Rose Express - tradamerican - Updated June 2026

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