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Everything we ordered was delicious and we did a bunch of small plates.That zucchini bread w the jamon divine.Excellent service and if you are a foodie,it's a must for Orange County.Fun experience in this Darkroom (imagine being in the darkroom for photography).Whatever the staff recommends is spot on!
[[HIGHLIGHT]]Such an absolute vibe. i think it's meant to be like a vinyl bar?[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I unfortunately did not partake in any beverages but the food alone is incredible. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Very dark and moody lighting and great spot for a friend night out or a first date or whatever your heart desires.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Service was attentive, patient, and super friendly. Scallop Crudo: 8/10 Bright, refreshing, light, and packed with flavour. Only wish there was more scallop :( Fish Dip: 8/10 I think it had a mixture of three different fish. Probably the best version of a fish dip I've ever had. So many different textures and flavours that paired really well with each other. Only thing that was missing was some kind of vessel to dip into the fish. Tartare: 9/10 One of the best tartares I've ever had too. Again, incredible mixtures of textures and flavours, and the potatoes it came with were honestly so good I could've ordered 10 of them just to munch on to myself. Scrambled Egg Agnolotti: 10/10 Little pillows of goodness. Pasta was al dente, the sauce was divine and honestly wished I had ordered a second serving of this Hangar Steak: 8/10 Wished some slices were a little bit more tender but overall, thought this was a very unique and pleasant dish. The serving size on the steak was huge, especially given the price point, and the sauce and creamed spinach brought everything together wonderfully. I'm usually hesitant to order steaks at restaurants cause it's always a hit-or-miss but this did not disappoint Semifreddo: 7/10 - Super unique and while I'm not a big fan of desserts in general, I found this really interesting and actually enjoyed it.
I was very excited to try this restaurant! Have had it booked marked and was able to make a reservation for a birthday here. Parking: Located in a semi-industrial area. Parking can be scarce. The restaurant will provide you with a parking pass however. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Ambiance: Beautiful, cozy, and dark. The waitress informed us that they play all their music on vinyl here so they have to maintain the darkness in the room.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Drinks They don't have a full liquor licenses here so no outstanding cocktails sadly. I ordered a No 93 - italian dry vermouth, fennel pollen, tiny bit of caper brine, "martini". It definitely tasted like something was missing. Food - The waitress stated that they curate new menus and switch out items very often. Therefore, some of the items I order may or may not be offered by the time someone else goes. I wanted to try the burger so bad but they only make 10 a night and were out by the time I ordered. - KANPACHI CRUDO 5/5: This was my favorite dish here - TUNA CARPACCIO 3/5: Fish tasted fresh but the strawberry/watermelon through me off a bit. - CAESAR 3.5/5 - Very refreshing but there was something on this dish that tasted a bit bitter. - MAITAKE MUSHROOM 4/5: Another favorite dish of the night. Great char and texture. My only complaint was that it was on the salty side. - POTATOES 4/5: Crispy and flakey! - WANDERER NY STEAK 4/5: Cooked perfectly medium rare. The steak was so tender. Another dish that was very delicious but also a bit on the salty side. - DESSERT - SEMIFREDDO 5/5: This was amazing. Yogurt was perfectly tart and the strawberry granita really set it off. First time I've had anything like it. The items all had a beautiful presentation but not quite sure if I would make a trip back. Most of the items ended up being a little too salty overall.
This place has been on my places to try. We went here for our anniversary and they were so attentive and the service was great. Our server was Mylena and she was super sweet and also recommended some good options. The food was also really good. We got the tuna crudo, focaccia bread, NY steak, potatoes, wagyu tartare and the burger. We also got the salted corn semifreddo for dessert and it was light and refreshing. The burger and steak were probably my favorites. Literally so flavorful and melt in your mouth. You do have to come a little early to get the burger bc they only have 10 per day. I can't wait to come back again and visit!!
Food: 3/5 - presentation is great, lacks flavors and substance. We tried their crudo, asparagus lasagna, kohlrabi salad, ricotta donuts and chocolate mousse. Everything was mid. Drinks are all vermouth based,low abv and they're good. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Ambience: 3/5 - true to its name, dark.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Parking in the lot is covered/free, but need to get a ticket/note from the host. Service: 5/5 - nothing to fault.
First time here on a Wednesday and it was relatively easy to get a table/reservation. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Going in the restaurant is pretty dark as noted with their name. There is an urban vibe to it and almost hipster feel from the decor to the staff's outfit.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]They play music on vinyl and give your receipt in a cd case which was a nice detail.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Food: Bay scallops: 3.5/5 overall good flavor although it was a little salty for me also the scallops were pretty small to only have 2 per serving Maitake mushroom: 4.5/5 great texture and smoke and I enjoyed the chimichurri sauce with it Crispy yellowtail: 4.5/5 perfectly fried so it remained crispy with the sauce. Great balance of a creamy chowder like sauce and something tart making it great balance Wander NY steak: 2.5/5 there was something very bitter tasting in this dish ending up thinking it might've been one of the toppings either the sesame seed or the koji which made the dish not as enjoyable Semifreddo: 5/5 great dessert balance between tart and creamy with a nice pandan chocolate shell. It was also compt for my birthday which is even a great plus! Drinks: No 81: 3/5 a little bitter and tart No 91: 4/5 nice flavors but didn't taste the pandan much Overall can definitely see the effort to make a unique carefully thought out menu! I had a great time
I am a fan of what they're doing at Darkroom. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The vibe is sexy and the music is all vinyl.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I really hope that they host listening nights here or small DJ events because the setup is begging for it. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Everything flowed very well.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We were helped by our friendly and attentive main server, but also checked on by another server and served our food with verbal descriptions of each dish by the chef (I think). They don't currently hold a liquor license so they serve beer, wine, and house made vermouth-based cocktails which my friend and I both enjoyed. They were quite refreshing. Most of the items are small plates and meant to be shared. We love a shared moment. The menu changes seasonally I believe, or based on what's available so what we had may not be what you see when you go in but if the burger is on there, GET IT. They only serve 10 per night and it's a must-have. The flavor in the au poivre bath was incredible and because it's a rich dish I do recommend splitting it. After the burger, the scotch olives were my second favorite dish. Quite creative and just a nice pop of flavor. Caesar Salad which you can eat as tacos were fun, and the Wagyu Tartare itself was delicious yet the potatoes it sat on were a tad burnt. Yes, I said potatoes. This iteration was served on crispy potato dauphinette with manchego cheese. A miss for me was the broccolini. It was charred to the point of bitterness and the sauce was overpowering. Don't skip dessert. Both the strawberry granita and vanilla bean ricotta donuts rounded out our meal nicely. The buttered popcorn ice cream under the granita was lovely, although the brown butter mascarpone served with the donuts had a bit of an edge over it for me.
I heard about Darkroom from a person sitting next to me at a bar in Chicago. He was from Orange County and highly recommended the place to me. The following week I was in Irvine for work and made a reservation for dinner at 5pm on Tuesday. Darkroom was located in an unassuming strip mall. Definitely felt like a local's hidden gem. If you knew, you knew. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Darkroom definitely lived up to its name. The windows were blacked out, so I had no idea what to expect the interior to look like. Surprise, surprise... it's also dim inside and probably got darker later in the evening because of its black walls when the sun went down. That said, the restaurant was artsy, particularly showing an affinity for eclectic vinyl and urban artwork.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We were greeted by Chante, who was our main server. Appreciated her hospitality and helpfulness. She explained how they had a rotating menu based on seasonal ingredients, and she knew the menu like it was the back of her hand. The food came out quickly, which attributed to overall great service. My friend and I shared the broccolini, hanger steak, and Nashville hot swordfish. I enjoyed everything but the swordfish. Let me explain... The broccolini was a nice starter. I liked that they cut the broccolini lengthwise, and they were cooked perfectly al dente. The coconut cream was tasty, but I would've liked it on the side. My favorite thing about the dish was the toasted pine nuts. The hanger steak was the best dish of the three. The meat was fatty and tender, which sat on a bed of creamed spinach. The flavors were fantastic, and the crunch from the chili oil and sesame seeds added fun textures. We ordered a side of focaccia to sop up the sauces on the dish. The Nashville hot swordfish was a disappointment. I thought the swordfish was cooked well, but the sauce overpowered everything and didn't go well with the herbs. In general, the sauce doesn't a hold a candle to Hattie B's and tasted nothing like Nashville hot sauce. The fresh dill and pickled cucumbers were such an odd contrast.
[SERVICE]: The restaurant completely exceeded my expectations. When we walked in, we were warmly greeted by the owner. That was a surprise, so we immediately knew we were in for something special. Our server/ bartender was also super friendly and funny. But what really stood out were the chefs. They personally brought out each dish and shared the story behind the ingredients and inspiration behind each one. That level of care and passion made the whole experience feel incredibly personal. [AMBIANCE]: Darkroom lives up to its name the moment you walk in--the space is dark, moody, and incredibly intimate. It makes it the perfect spot for a date night. I had read a few reviews mentioning that it could be loud, but that wasn't our experience at all. We sat at the bar and were able to hear each other perfectly fine. [FOOD]: Every dish was carefully crafted and bursting with unique flavors. All served tapas-style for sharing. * CAESAR BITES (5/5)-- a handheld Caesar salad meant to be eaten like a taco. I had never had a salad presented that way before, and now I honestly don't think I ever want it any other way. * MITAKI MUSHROOM (4/5)-- smoked with barbecue dressing and crispy buckwheat for an added crunch * KAMPACHI CRUDO (5/5)-- light, bright, and refreshing and the perfect transition to our main dish * PORK BELLY WITH GREEN CURRY (5/5) -- unbelievably tender and practically melted in your mouth. The green curry complemented it beautifully, balancing the richness of the pork with just the right amount of flavor. * SUGAR DONUTS AND BLUEBERRY MASCARPONE (4/5) -- surprisingly a light dessert and also the perfect sweet ending. On top of that, they surprised me with a birthday miso cake and a glass of prosecco on the house. [OVERALL]: The food was absolutely delicious, but what truly made the night unforgettable was the exceptional hospitality and service. It's clear that everyone there genuinely cares about creating a memorable experience for their guests, and I can't wait to come back!!!
Amazing all around, just like the first time I visited which is a great awesome! Service is always top notch. Scotty at the bar is the best, checked in on us often with the perfect amount of convo and suggestions on the menu. The dishes are all insanely good, we left no crumb behind! [[HIGHLIGHT]]Best part of every visit here is the music. I was wanting to out for dinner & drinks and my favorite band, Interpol was playing on vinyl for our entire visit[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]. It was the cherry on top. Hopefully I'll be closer to being a regular soon! :)
Went here for Valentine's Day, and 6 months later from our first time at Darkroom. It is still amazing, and I would highly recommend. Now that we've gotten more experience, here are some MUST tries. Scallop Tostada (so good we ordered two!) Zucchini bread (my mouth is watering just thinking about it) Pork Tomahawk (get the bread that comes with it!) The roasted bay scallops would have been better if there were 4 instead of two, didn't like the value for them. Overall experience was amazing once again, wait staff and music were all on point per usual, and would definitely visit again and again!
We celebrated a friend's birthday here and had excellent service! I will say a little more menu guidance would've been helpful, but truthfully everything on the menu was so good you can't go wrong. My personal favorite dish was the kanpachi crudo! It was sooo flavorful and so soft. It felt like it was melting in my mouth. The cocktails were also pretty good too, although I can't remember the number I got. The steak was also a show stopper because it tasted like a hamburger! So delicious!! The ice cream with the aged strawberry syrup was also to die for! it tasted so sweet and so good. Finally the ambiance was very nice. It did have a very intimate feel and I liked that I didn't have to yell across the table to my friends. It also had some pretty cool art and decor that I liked! I would recommend going and trying it out. Definitely enjoyed our experience here.
Review Insights
3 months ago
10/10! Everything has exceptional flavor. We tried quite a bit of the menu and everything was delicious. I'm still craving the zucchini bread. Lowkey might have to go back and try to tap someone for the recipe. [[HIGHLIGHT]]This place has all the vibes. The art and vinyls are such a nice touch.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I will be back for sure! read more
6 months ago
The perfect date night for foodies What a combination of ambiance (vinyl records playing eclectic, funk music), dim lighting, innovative chefery (my TM word ), mixology, and outstanding/personable service. This is a must try for date night for foodies!!! read more
7 months ago
Very romantic spot, would recommend for a food date! Portions are quite small so would recommend a couple sides per person if you are planning to go in on an empty stomach. Great drink selection as well! Waiters were very helpful and gave great recommendations! read more
7 months ago
It's one of those nights that you need a good meal after a couple of weeks of hunting for a great restaurant and than boom you find it, this great place that has amazing food, amazing space and amazing music The food was marvelous and I'm lucky to try this place before it becomes part of the crazy list of Michelin and than would be no way the get a table here, service it's excellent since the moment that you get there until the moment that you leave. The ambience it's great, I feel like Inside a music venue but with great food I totally recommend this place read more
3.5/5, great service from beginning to end. Cool menu and concept of the restaurant. Food came out relatively quick and what was ready first. We had reversions for a Friday. The burger was a little iffy for us in terms of taste as it had an aftertaste that I wasn't a fan of. The Caesar salad tacos were delicious and innovative. The steak was ok, it looked saucy but it wasn't but a little on the chewy side. read more
6 months ago
Just came back from dinner at Darkroom and had to leave a review. We were celebrating a friend's recent engagement, and it couldn't have been a better choice. Every dish was absolutely delicious. Our server, Stephen, was fantastic knowledgeable, attentive, and explained each dish beautifully. I really appreciated the attention to detail in both presentation and flavor across the menu. I highly recommend sharing plates so you can try a variety of dishes. I also love that there are some items in the menu that get switched around, it keeps things exciting. Highlights from tonight: tuna tartare (4/5), Caesar wedge salad (5/5), crispy potatoes (4/5), NY steak (5/truly delicious), and the semifreddo for dessert (5/5, incredibly flavorful). Overall, an amazing experience. I'll definitely be back! read more
5 months ago
This was our first time at the restaurant but our server, Scotty made us feel like we were regulars. Celebrated a birthday and our table was set with a card signed by the staff. What a sweet gesture!!! Loved the ambience. We ordered olives and wagyu tartare for appetizers. Loved how they incorporated sumac yogurt w fried olives & wagyu tartare was served in crispy potato with Granny Smith slices on top. I'm a big fan of sweet and savory so it hit the mark!! For mains we had swordfish with pickled cucumber and dill and NY steak in miso creamed spinach. Again very bold and flavorful. I'm glad we came here Thanks we enjoyed it a lot read more
4 months ago
first time at dark room last night and had such a wonderful experience! came as a walk in on a friday evening and we got sat at the bar top with no wait. the establishment is very dimly lit (hence the name) and has a more casual/intimate atmosphere and elegant retro theming. our server/bartender was scotty and he had great service; always checking up on us and giving us great suggestions since it was our first time. we started with their sparkling wine and the no 84 cocktail that had a lot of thai notes to it and honestly tasted like a green thai curry in drink form (it was interesting but good)! the tuna tartare was fresh and i loved the acidity the pickled puntarelle added to the dish, however, it can probably be a dish you can skip as it wasn't anything super wowing. what you can't miss out on though is their prawn schnitzel! the prawn was so tender and fried perfectly that paired so well with the celery and leek remoulade that tasted like it was tossed in some kind of tartare sauce so the two went very well together. as for our entree, we tried their pork tomahawk which was also very tender and drenched in this calabrian chili and fennel butter that gave it almost italian sausage notes. we paired it with their broccolini and this too had thai notes to it with the lemongrass and coconut herbs but it was roasted perfectly. highly recommend also ordering their fresh focaccia bread to soak up all of the leftover sauces from the previous dishes, they make the perfect, fluffy vessels for the sauces and the olive oil that drizzle over the bread is beautifully fragrant on the palate. lastly, the vanilla bean ricotta donuts were such a great way to end the meal. perfectly crispy, fluffy fried balls that paired so well with their creamy rhubarb brown butter mascarpone. if i had to nitpick at anything, the prices are quite steep here especially for some of the portions. our bill came out to $250 after tip so $125/person as i shared everything with my boyfriend and that's how much we had to order so that we were both full/satisfied. if you're willing to pay for those prices, the service, experience, and quality is well worth it. read more
9 months ago
So excited to return 8 months later. There are more tables inside than before. Had a reservation for Saturday 8pm. Still adore the vinyl music and dark ambiance. Maitake Mushrooms - 15/10 I could go vegan for this dish. These mushrooms were AMAZINGG and reminded me of when I tried the Hanger Steak for the first time! Smokey, savory, meaty juicy mushrooms. The chimichurri and buckwheat were perfect toppings, adding freshness and crunch. Wanderer NY Steak - 9/10 Really similar to Hanger but the shishito peppers are swapped for spinach. It was a bit overdone (medium-well), not as juicy and the flavors didn't hit quite the same as the Hanger. Focaccia Bread - made sure to get the bread to soak up all the sauces this time! Must do. Nashville Hot Swordfish - 7.5/10 Flakey soft fried fish. The herbs and dill complimented the fish well, wish it was hotter/more spiced, and the cream sauce was personally a bit overwhelming for how light the fish was. We tried the following cocktails (#35 and #37 are our favorites): #3 - the strongest of the four we tried, sour #32 - light and refreshing #35 - this was delicious, not too tart and also creamy #37 - bright, refreshing, love the passionfruit flavor read more
10 months ago
My boyfriend found this place on instagram and we decided to give it a shot. It's very unassuming outside but once you walk in you are transported to a cozy laid back Interior. We sat at the bar and our bartender/server Scotty was incredibly helpful and so friendly! He answered all of our questions and let us know what plates he recommended. Now the food... OMG it was all so incredibly delicious! We started with the steak tartar and just wow! The best tartar I've ever had and definitely will be back for that alone! We tried the shallots as well recommended by Scotty and those were soo delicate and bursting with freshness and flavor! The peppers with stracciatella and focaccia was so fresh savory. For a main we had the Nashville hot swordfish. I at first was hesitant since I'm not a fan of the Nashville hot flavor on like chicken and such but let me tell you, this was incredible! All the flavors worked so well together! The swordfish was luscious and the flavors were so robust yet light. I definitely recommend it! For dessert we got the bread pudding. I'm not a sweets person but it was soo delicious I couldn't stop eating it! The banana flavor provided brightness to the dish while the savory bread pudding and crunch created blending textures that all worked together nicely. All in all, 10/10 for everything! Great food,service and ambiance! Definitely going to be a regular here read more
I appreciate this place. It's in a non discript location, tuck away in a strip mall. The signage font reminds me of an 80's font. It's super cool and laid back, we walked in and reception desk was occupied by a lovely, friendly face. Welcoming us into the labyrinth of the dark room. We were quickly taken to our table and introduced to the menu. For our first visit we tried the omakase style which the chef will decide our food option and sequncing. This is an option if you want to be spoiled and not think about what food should you order. Check out the food pictures. As it's not only pretty but also delicious. My fave was the zucchini bread with prosciutto, I would come back for that one. I enjoyed all the selection and would come back and try other plates and drinks. Also love the old records playing in the background. Romantic, nostalgic with fantastic food. read more
This is such a fun place! We had dinner with another couple and everything was fantastic. The atmosphere is very dark with red lighting; we appreciated the adjustable lamps they had on the table to read the menus. The music was great all night, lots of 80's pop, which we loved. Our server was one of the most interactive and informative servers I have ever had anywhere. He explained the concept to us, advised on how much we should order, gave detailed descriptions of any dish we asked about, and gave us the perfect amount of attention without being overbearing. Their menu changes depending on what is seasonal, the couple who we dined with said they were here a few months ago and the menu was almost completely different. I really wanted to try the fried artichokes, but they were sold out of them, hopefully they have them next time we come! Our server recommended 6 - 9 plates for the four of us, and I think that was perfect. We all left pleasantly full but not stuffed. I loved almost all the dishes, with only a couple I would skip next time. Fried Scotch Olives - I wasn't sure I would like these because i'm not a big olive person, but these were seriously the best little lamb meatballs I have ever had. I wouldn't have known there was an olive in there, yum, I want more. Radish & Turnip - We all expected these to be roasted, but they were sliced thin and served raw with rich roasted onion and a black sesame yogurt. This was refreshing and very unique. Kanpachi - Delicate, thinly sliced Amberjack in a light nice tomato water mixture with rhubarb, fennel, and coriander. This was good, but so light it was almost forgettable, I wouldn't get this again. Red Hawk - This was my least favorite. While it was tasty, it was SO SWEET that I think it belongs on the dessert portion of the menu. It's a super creamy cheese with black garlic honey, honeycomb, orange and a cracker. We were all really shocked at how sweet this was. Zucchini Bread - The BEST zucchini bread we've ever had, so savory, buttery, and topped with jamon serrano for some saltiness. Parisian Gnocchi - We were warned that these aren't dense like traditional gnocchi, but I loved them anyway. They were light and cheesy with a hint of lemon. My husband isn't a fan of gnocchi in general, but he said he would get these again and again. Hanger Steak - Perfect medium rare steak, served in a delicious Asian-ish sauce with flavors of miso and sesame. Pork Tomahawk - The most tender pork I have ever had, I loved it on it's own and didn't even need the XO sauce that accompanied it. Oh yeah, almost forgot, they also brought us out "secret bread" that was so light and tasty, great to sop up the sauces served with the meats. We also ordered all three of their desserts, which were less desserty than that cheese course! The morel semifreddo was nice, somewhat earthy with sweet maple whipped cream, crunchy cocoa nibs, and super tart pieces of passionfruit. Their donuts were good, they were coated in sugar and had a tasty coffee cream to dip them in. Last dessert was Dark Chocolate, which had a maple sesame foam and was topped with caviar. This sounded bizarre to me, but ended up being my favorite dessert out of the bunch. Their cocktails are good, although they don't have a full liquor license, so the drinks are made with fortified wines, which nobody complained about. I stuck with wine and enjoyed the two that I tried. Dinner was roughly $140 per person after tax and tip, not bad considering how much we ordered and everybody had 2 - 3 drinks. Husband and I are looking forward to going back and trying a few more dishes off this current menu, hopefully we can get over there before they change it up! read more
First Dining Experience With Family At The Darkroom!! Made Resy, Hostess Seated Our Party At Corner Table!! Trendy, Relaxed, Dark Dim Ambiance!! Menu Offers Shared Tapas, Courses, Steaks, Seafood & More!! Great Wine List, Beer & Cocktails!! We Enjoyed & Shared Courses Together! Started With Scotch Olives, Watermelon Crudo, Summer Tomato, Scallops & Nashville Hot Swordfish!! Love The Creative Menu!! Everything Was Delicious!! Ended With Bread Pudding Dessert!! Service Was Helpful & Attentive!! May Return To Try Other Tapas & Their Special Dinners!! Overall, Nice Dining Experience!! ThankU read more
6 days ago
4 months ago
Darkroom offers an exceptional dining experience that perfectly balances a sophisticated atmosphere with a welcoming vibe. It is an ideal destination for various occasions, serving as a great spot for both date nights and gatherings with small to large groups. The ambiance is immediately striking, featuring dim lighting and rotating vinyl records, that establishes a fantastic, immersive mood. The culinary offerings are centered around a thoughtfully curated, seasonal rotating menu. The presentation of the dishes is visually fantastic, demonstrating incredible attention to detail from the kitchen. Plates like the vibrant Kanpachi Crudo with passion fruit, the Wagyu Tartare beautifully layered with Manchego, and the uniquely prepared Nashville Hot Swordfish showcase the kitchen's remarkable creativity. The dessert selection provides an amazing conclusion to the meal. Complementing the exquisite food is a highly impressive wine selection that caters to a wide variety of palates. The service throughout the evening was consistently amazing, with the staff providing excellent, knowledgeable recommendations that enhanced the overall dining experience. The front-of-house team exhibited outstanding professionalism and operational flow. They were highly attentive to our drink levels, meticulously kept the table clear between courses, and ensured that the entire meal was perfectly and appropriately coursed out without ever feeling rushed. Darkroom delivers a masterclass in both hospitality and culinary execution. The flawless pacing, exceptional audiophile environment, and phenomenal menu make it a standout establishment that is highly recommended for any discerning diner looking for an elevated night out. read more
I'll be the first person to say that I don't understand the vibe at all. I understand that it's called Darkroom but it literally is so....dark? For seemingly no reason? The music is cool, so I'll give it that. They have a rotating vinyl playlist, which I definitely appreciated. The tables are a skosh close together but that ended up not even being a factor. The service was SO pleasant, unexpectedly so. Which was the best part of the night. Now the food: Ultimately, all of the food was pretty good, but nothing really stood out as needing to go back. - Fried Scotch olives I found to be an interesting idea but the taste itself didn't really pull through. the sauce was the most interesting part. - Gorganzola arancini with Wagyu tartare: for the price I wish there were a third. The aranchini is sort of whatever but the Wagyu actually was pretty nice. - Little gem Caeasar: this was an interesting presentation of this. While I enjoyed this, I would have enjoyed it infinitely more if there were a crouton/crunch aspect - Spicy chicken sandwich: favorite of the night. It's so unassuming but it's so perfectly crispy, the sauce is delicious. I was a little confused because the menu has such a clear divide in pricing between apps/entrees and this one snuck in at such a lower price point than the other entrees - Hanger steak: there's so so much going on here. While I love the peppers it's served with, it needs a real vegetable or a starch because otherwise the plate is just a saucy adventure. The steak itself is good, but this plate could be so much better. read more
3 months ago
Darkroom you are INCREDIBLE!!! The attention to detail here is amazing and they are serving some of the most unique and delicious food I have ever had! Every single dish I have had here is absolutely amazing, but those mushrooms... might be my favorite dish of all time they're so good. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The inside is so vibey, great ambiance.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The service is incredible. The staff is very friendly and attentive. My new favorite spot in OC! read more
9 months ago
I wanted to follow up on my previous review to say how impressed I was with the way the owner, Zach, reached out personally after my visit. He handled everything with genuine care and professionalism, and I really appreciated the conversation. Between that, the great service from the team, and the overall vibe of the restaurant, I'll definitely be coming back. It's clear they truly care about their guests and stand behind what they do. I recommend giving Darkroom a shot, the experience and hospitality alone make it worth visiting. read more
5 months ago
Went for girls night out on Thursday then date night on Tuesday to DarkRoom and WoW my tastebuds are still dancing! That zucchini bread is life changing GENIUS! The service was perfect seems like a well oiled machine everyone is friendly and so helpful when helping pick what to try! And how cool to listen to vinyls while dining! This place is a 10 you gotta try the burger! read more
Darkroom Let the Darkness consume you. I've never developed an addiction or obsession in such short amount of time. It was instantly. Perhaps at first sight? First sniff? First auditory perception? Fell in luv well before my first bite. Don't judge, just keep reading. After sleeping on it and recollected some mental clarity I can confidently confess this is my new favorite place in OC. This restaurant / bar delivered, checked all the boxes and subsequently exceeded my expectations dramatically. I'm saying this as I already had high hopes and a preconceived notion this place was going to be well above average due to the fact I heard about owners / chefs resume and past work experience. For the time being; I cannot and will not try to describe the 4 dishes and handful of fancy drinks we had last night for fear of not doing justice to the well thought out menu and flawless execution of the team who prepared them. I just wanted to simply express gratitude and give credit where it's merited. I'm ecstatic that restaurants and eateries of this caliber can exist in Orange County CA. Not having to drive to LA when craving something of extraordinary caliber that's just simply on another level is a good thing. It ain't easy to just drive to republique, bestia, bavel, ryla, rustic canyon, cabra, holbox, providence, etc when the mood and bougie appetite strikes. It's a real annoyance that all the superior food is in Los Angeles county. The list goes on for days..while OC for the most part stays basic and unexciting. Btw my gf is a picky and ridiculous batch and she preferred this to all the restaurants listed above (which are all absolutely phenomenal) And of course prefers Darkroom to anything else in OC and we've been close to everywhere that's worthwhile and highly rated from the hole in the walls to the most expensive in gods country. It's the first restaurant she's been blown away by from every single item ordered. Kinda wild. Very great stuff here and don't even get me started on the vibe and concept. The best DJ, and playlist I've ever experienced dining in recent memory. No cap, and I am not even being slightly hyperbolic or dramatic. And of course, really nice and welcoming folks overall. Class act service and personalities for sure. Michelin 1 or 2 star worthy food / adult beverages without the pretentious BS and redtape shenanigans. Salud. read more
Darkroom provides a nice balance of divey charm and cool, The lighting is low and moody, and a library of vinyl for your musical pleasure. Definitely love the ambiance here. Felt the food was something of a hit and miss, but we did get to try a grip load of dishes, its perfect for sharing. My favorite by far was the Kampachi, thats something I'd definitely go back for. For the Hanger Steak, the first bite was good but you quickly get tired of the over-sauced flavors. Overall its a fun place to come back to since they are constantly changing out the dishes. read more
10 months ago
This place is probably the biggest surprise my girlfriend and I ate at. I never heard of this place and wanted to go to a new spot that we both never been to. The food dishes all were uniquely flavored. I felt I was on a food network show. The server was very hospitable and really took the time to explain each dish and recommendations. He was on point and everyone there was so friendly. The dishes don't look filling but at the end of the dinner, we were stuffed. Great music, great staff, excellent food. A good vibe all around. When you want to try something new and expand your palette, try this place. First timers, order the mushroom. It's good. The portions I felt are meant to be shared. Think tapas. Great date night or a dinner outing with some friends. read more
5 months ago
The restaurant might be dark, but the staff are bright & helpful and the food enlightening. Grated manchego sprinkled like snow on top of the Wagyu tartare adds that nice hint of saltiness. Beef fat in the hollandaise sauce...irresistible! Just wished there was a bigger scallop to soak up all that delicious sauce. The prawn schnitzel was crunchy and not oily or heavy. The maitake mushrooms w/the buckwheat had great textures & flavor but slightly too salty. Finally, you must save room for the donuts. I usually don't crave mascarpone but adding rhubarb to balance the sweetness is genius. I wish the room was darker so I could like the bowl clean! read more
2 months ago
5 months ago
Final review for 2024! I saw this place on my yelp feed and was really intrigued by the atmosphere of the place. My wife and I headed on over when they first opened and sat at the bar. With reservations they have dining room seating and a communal seating area. The bar was great though because Scotty the bartender had a great personality and talked to my wife and I during our meal. Place is really dark and moody and plays a great selection of vinyl records while you eat. You can even look through their collection and place an album on the shelf behind the turn table if you want them to play it next. Most of the staff came here from Playground in Santa Ana. Food is meant to be shared and they had a large variety of vegetable dishes and proteins. They change the menu constantly based off the season. They also have a 14 course meal you can buy tickets for and is served in a private dining area. My wife and I shared fried olives, smoked mushrooms, broccolini, and a tomahawk style pork chop with delicata squash. The smoked mushrooms were truly mind blowing and these are a must. They were our favorite of the dishes and I'd probably get my own serving of it next time! Honestly though, everything was creative, beautifully presented, and delicious. The staff would describe in detail what they're serving you when they bring out the dish which is a nice touch. It definitely reminded me of Playground. We should have ended there but we finished with scorching hot made to order apple fritters. Delicious but let them cool down a bit before devouring. Portions were pretty large. Hard to tell with pictures. They only have a beer and wine license but they make their own vermouth and create vermouth based cocktails. I love vermouth and the cocktails they created were some of the best tasting concoctions I've tasted. And since it's a lower ABV I was able to enjoy two of them! I really loved this place and cannot wait to return. Perfect for a date night or hanging with friends. Happy New Year! read more
1 year ago
We came at 5pm on a Thursday evening and it didn't start filling up til 6pm so it was actually really nice. The staff is all super nice and well informed about the menu. We got to meet the co-owner/chef Zach too. It is very dark inside but it's a nice ambiance. The food was all super interesting and well thought out. It also came out quickly and was decently portioned. My brother and I were full after the fifth dish. "Mapo" cauliflower tofu: I appreciated that the mapo was in quotation marks because it's not your usual mapo tofu. It was still well seasoned and spicy like mapo tofu but a different twist. The crunchy shallots and crispy cauliflower was a great texture contrast to the soft tofu. It was very savory and tangy. Definitely an explosion of flavor with every bite. Smoked Maitake Mushroom: the mushroom was both crispy and tender but full of flavor. It was actually better than the hangar steak. Super flavorful but not salty and really juicy. Definitely fun to eat. Bombas crab rice: if you're a huge fan of hollandaise sauce, it was a nice foamy layer on top and the rice was cooked perfectly and absorbed a lot of the sauce without getting soggy. I actually tasted the squid ink more than the crab. A fun tangy mayo forward rice dish. Grilled weiser farm potatoes: the potatoes were grilled perfectly with a crispy skin and buttery soft inside. It was a nice balance between all the impactful flavors of the other dishes. Very comforting. Hangar steak: super tender steak and you didn't even need a knife to cut it because it was so soft. I actually went to the dentist in the morning so my teeth really appreciated how easy to eat this steak was. The koji sauce was a little heavy but the buckwheat and chili crunches on top were delicious. Definitely a unique take to a different kind of "chimichurri" sauce. Passionfruit and coffee glazed doughnuts: strange combination that worked perfectly. The coffee wasn't bitter and paired well with the sweetness of the passionfruit. It was "refreshing" to eat the doughnut holes which were similar to mochi doughnuts on the inside, crispy outside. Freshly fried too. Overall great experience and they have a nice bathroom. It really reminded me of Playground/Detention in the early days before they became a membership only restaurant. Lots of fun with the menu. read more
I wish Yelp would allow for half ratings because this place is closer to 4 - 4.5, but rounding down for price. Overall a very nice new restaurant with high quality food and equally high prices. I was recently made aware a former chef from Playground had a new establishment and I definitely had to check it out! The food here is overall delicious with high quality ingredients, but the prices are also high and the quantity of each dish is on the smaller side. Everything was really tasty, but I didn't have any dishes I would consider a knockout. This place also doesn't have a full liquor licence, so drinks are going to be almost exclusively wine and beer. Their wine selection is great, there is definitely a lot of care taken into sourcing wines from a variety of great regions for both their red and white offerings. There are low ABV cocktails available, and I think they are using amaros and bitters. The cocktails here are great with their more limited bar, but I was just surprised on the ability to use amaros and bitters because I thought that would technically also be restricted without a full liquor licence. Either way, great cocktails. We sat at the bar and were well taken care of, and though the place was busy never had an issue getting orders in or having my water empty. Staff here are super sweet and fast. Definitely a place worth checking out if it's on your list. A little pricey for what you get, but overall it's a solid spot with a great atmosphere. read more
8 months ago
Cool vibes with a Hi-Fi theme going on. Reservation is more than recommended, I'd say it's essential. I accidentally made my reservation for the wrong day but came in right when they opened when almost all the tables were empty but there were going to send us away as they had to leave the tables open. Luckily they were able to accommodate us when I explained we could eat fast and be outta there before they needed the table again. So lucky there, and thanks for their understanding! The food was very good. Everything we ate was on point. The drinks very good but they are all vermouth/wine cocktails so they are lighter on the ABV. So though very tasty, I hope they'll expand in the future which would get them a 5th star from me. read more
2 months ago
5 months ago
Back for the third time and still enchanted! We came in with a big group to celebrate a double birthday, and as always, one of the best things about dining with a crowd is getting to sample a wide variety of dishes which we definitely took advantage of. Our reservation was at 6:30 PM, and we were seated at the front table where the sun was hitting a bit hard (yes, ironic for a place called The Darkroom). We asked to be moved to the back, but they were hosting an Italian event and understandably busy. That said, the experience was still amazing and mostly because of Murv, our Swiftie server extraordinaire! Despite being pulled in every direction, Murv never missed a beat. He checked in often, kept things running smoothly, and gave solid recommendations. Not to mention, any fellow Swiftie earns extra points in my book. Truly the GOAT of hospitality 10/10 would request him again. For the food + drinks rundown: * No. 46 & No. 40 Cocktails - Both were tasty! Just note, the cocktails here are wine-based, not spirit-heavy. * Little Gem Caesar Salad - A staple for us. Crisp, flavorful, can't go wrong. * Wagyu Beef Tartare Bites - Not for me (pescatarian here), but the table devoured them. * Raw Scallop Tostada - Light, refreshing, and a repeat order for me. * Kanpachi - I liked it! A friend from NY said it was doing "too much," but I appreciated the boldness. * Romano Beans - Just okay. Would probably skip next time. * Marinated Watermelon - Skip. It's basically watermelon with Tajín. Cute idea, but not worth it. * Summer Corn Lasagna - Split opinions here; only the corn lovers in our group were into it. * Maitake Mushroom - My personal fave. Ordered it every time I've come. Earthy, savory perfection. * Yellowtail Schnitzel - Crispy, and the sauce? A total scene-stealer. * Slow Cooked Hanger Steak - My boyfriend's go-to. It's slightly different than before (he missed the spinach), but still a hit. * Focaccia Bread - Essential! Don't skip it--especially for soaking up all those incredible sauces. * Glass of White Blend Wine - Murv let me sample a Sauv Blanc and a White Blend. I usually go for the Sauv Blanc, but ended up loving the blend--super crisp and refreshing. Overall: Another excellent experience at The Darkroom. I've got my eye on one of their specialty dinners next maybe the Spanish one? If you haven't been here yet, you're missing out on a unique, flavorful, and fun night out. Great vibe, incredible staff, and food worth talking about. Huge thank you to Murv and the whole team for making our night so memorable this Swiftie appreciates you! read more
5 months ago
Cool spot that'll make you feel like you're in the arts district LA but with better parking. Unique rotating food menu with a wide selection of wines. We had the bay scallops, carrots, smoked potatoes and wanderer steak for 2 people and it was just about the right amount of food. read more
4 months ago
We. Love. Darkroom. If you're a true foodie, this is a MUST try in OC. don't be fooled by the outside, as soon as you walk in the ambiance is perfection. The staff is passionate about the menu, both the drinks and food, and music which is so fun. Each time what we've had has been incredibly unique. Chef really knows what's up. It's for sure a splurge dinner for us but more than worth it every time! read more
1 month ago
We went here for a dinner at the recommendation of a friend and were very glad we did. Situated in a unassuming industrial area, the interior reminds me of an LA vibe, but in a nice way. There is a tasting menu option in the Chrysalis room, but we opted to do the regular dining room. The portions are great for family style and our waiter was helpful in telling us what dishes to get to fit our party. The standouts were the maitake mushrooms and the market tomatoes, with the sauces perfectly complimenting the dish. Beef main was good as well. The dessert was amazing, not just in the presentation but the flavor as well, with a nice crunch from the crispy potato (trust me, it works). All in all, would highly recommend! We'll be back to try the tasting menu. Props to Chefs Zach and Drew. read more
More info about Darkroom
3751 S Harbor Blvd
Ste C
Santa Ana, CA 92704
Directions
(657) 777-3275
Call Now
Visit Website
https://www.wearedarkroom.com
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Ask the Community - Darkroom
If I make reservations, is there a way to confirm there's a vegan entree?
I would definitely note that in your reservation; I don't eat red meat and when sat down I was given a menu that marked all the dishes I couldn't have as well as dishes that were able to be modified to fit my dietary needs. They're very…
What's the dress code?
It's casual. Atmosphere is not at all pretentious like you'd find in LA. Chefs will come visit your table and the whole vibe is very relaxed.
Is there a dress code?
Nope! Super casual and relaxed. You can dress up or down here and make it what you want of it.
Clarification on your corkage fee. If a party of 4 brings one bottle of wine, will the corkage be $160? ($40 * 4)
40$ per human that brings wine. So $40 if you brought 4 bottles. Meant to encourage collectors to come!
What is the corkage fee?
$40 charged per guest who brings wine, subsequent bottles are not charged.
Is there anything vegan on the menu?
We do our best to have always have 2 Vegan offerings, but please let us know when you reserve so we can accommodate
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12 reviews that are not currently recommended
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Darkroom - wine_bars - Updated July 2026
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