Made a quick stop at NEP Cafe while we were in Fountain Valley and it did not disappoint. NEP is…read morepart of Kei Concepts with a modern take on Vietnamese food. The menu takes familiar Vietnamese flavors then gets a little creative with them. The space itself has that same trendy Kei Concepts feel too. Cute, lively, but still casual enough to stop in for brunch or coffee. The workers here were super attentive and friendly throughout our visit. Everything on the menu sounded delicious, but we narrowed it down to the Seafood Ceviche, Matcha Cloud Latte, Egg Coffee, plus the Beef Belly Banh Mi Chao. The Seafood Ceviche comes with scallops, shrimp, calamari, mango, coconut, Thai chili, plus shrimp chips. This was such a clean and bright bite with a little tropical flavor from the mango and coconut. There was a nice kick of spice too. They gave a good amount of seafood, so you weren't just eating toppings and sauce. Scoop everything onto one of those crispy shrimp chips... so good. The Matcha Cloud Latte was dangerously easy to drink. I genuinely think I could take down three of these. It's made with oat milk then topped with matcha cheese foam. It was creamy with such a vibrant green matcha flavor. Slightly sweeter than I normally prefer, but I'm sure you could ask for less sweetness. I'm not a huge coffee drinker, but the Egg Coffee surprised me. It's Vietnamese milk coffee topped with egg foam and cocoa powder. That cream was DELICIOUS. Last was the Beef Belly Banh Mi Chao. It comes with beef belly, black peppercorn sauce, sunny eggs, pork roll, pate, tomatoes. We added Chinese sausage since we were sharing, but honestly we didn't even need it. They give you a MOUNTAIN of beef belly. I loved being able to build each bite however I wanted with the bread, beef, egg, pate, plus everything else on the plate. Such a fun dish to share. Another Kei Concepts win for me. I already know there are more things on this menu I need to come back for.

Came here for the first time for dinner. We had a reservation and got seated right away though we…read moregot there 15 mins earlier. Parking is easy and plenty of spots as there are no other open establishments in the plaza. They have indoor and outdoor seating. Like many of the Kei concepts restaurants I've tried, this place didn't disappoint. I liked everything that we ordered. Price is reasonable. Serving size is just right. Definitely recommended!

Came here in the afternoon, the place wasn't too busy, which was ideal. Houston was very helpful…read more Ordered the BBQ jalapeño burger and it was great, definitely recommend trying it out. Not the best burger ever but definitely up there! Solid 8/10. The fries were also surprisingly good, my first impression of them was they'd be bland but they weren't. The BBQ sauce was unique as well, hadn't tried one quite like this before. Overall a solid place for a quick lunch or a sit down with friends.

This restaurant is amazing. From the juices to the plates and the mango tart everything is…read moredelicious ! Special thanks to Houston that made our family experience even better!! Thank you all!

What an awesome gem of a spot here in Orange County! I've been eyeing checking District 36 Diner…read moreout for the longest time - ever since they opened up earlier this year - but they have the weirdest opening hours! I always thought of them "as the restaurant with the bizarre hours" - literally four hours a day during the week (closed Mondays) - and only slightly longer hours during the weekend. Upon first stepping foot into the space - you're transformed into an old-school diner with Vietnamese influence. The walls are well decorated in Vietnamese memorabilia. I was greeted by Brian almost immediately - who directed me to a spot "wherever I'd like to sit" - and I opted for one of the booths. Brian - is the co-owner of the diner, but is also part of "old-school" Little Saigon culinary royalty - a descendant of the family that founded the OG Song Long restaurant off Bolsa Ave. that has since shut down (known for their Cha Ca Thanh Long dish - which sadly, you can't get here). He is incredibly warm, genuine, and easy to chat with. After trying to decide between their Bo Kho variations (which is my favorite Vietnamese dish next to pho) - I settled for something new for me - their Five Spiced Chicken Fried Steak - which also comes with two eggs your way (I picked "Sunny Side up"), tater tots, and a Diet Coke. The wait was minimal - and the food was awesome! The tater tots tasted fresh - was perfectly crispy on the outside, soft and yummy on the inside. I found myself eating those first - while letting the gravy seep into my chicken fried steak to soften it up a bit. The chicken fried steak was perfectly flavored - you could almost taste a bit of pho spices with each bite. The homemade gravy was out of this world amazing - making the chicken breading soft enough for me to eat comfortably. The two sunny side up eggs had perfect yolks - I like to poke, and then suck each yolk up - before eating the whites. I appreciate Brian cranking up the AC since I forgot to bring in my portable fan - and it was a pretty warm day. Hoping to check them out again this Saturday for their take on Bun Bo Hue or maybe one of their Bo Kho dishes! Plenty of parking in the shared lot with a Grocery Outlet and Artisan 7 Leaves (which I stopped by after my lunch here). Hope to see them more busy! Brian told me he'd definitely consider opening longer hours during the week if business picks up. Check them out!! They have a unique twist on traditional diner foods with a bit of Vietnamese flair!

This diner is in the same plaza as several other restaurants and cafes. The parking lot was not…read morefull when I got there but it did get busy after. The diner is very clean with interesting artwork and vibrant colors. I got the Five-Spice Chicken Fried Steak, Mama's Crispy Rolls, and a cup of Chicken broth to share. The rolls were hot and crispy with fresh leafy greens. The chicken fried steak was very crispy with a consistency almost like fried chicken. The taste is different from a traditional southern type of chicken fried steak. It had an interesting flavor like a mix of the pho seasoning. It is a brownish yellowish color and tastes a little like curry. It paired well with the tots. This was a hearty but not super heavy brunch dish and having a cup of the chicken broth was perfect to wash everything down. The breakfast burrito looked very good on the menu and I might try that for on another visit. I would recommend this diner for anyone looking for one with a retro modern feel and fusion food and good service.

My friend and I happened to be in the area and came across a TikTok showing the food at VOX…read moreKitchen, and we immediately said, "Okay, we HAVE to try this place." And I am SO glad we did because everything about our experience was seriously a 10/10! From the moment we walked in, the customer service was amazing. The gentleman at the front greeted us and escorted us to our table, and right away we felt welcomed and comfortable. Our server, Quang, was absolutely the sweetest! He was so friendly, outgoing, attentive, and helpful, especially when it came to giving us recommendations since it was our first time there. He had such a positive energy and really made our experience even better. And the FOOD!!! If I could give it 1,000/10, I seriously would. We tried the Ube Cloud, Vietnamese Iced Coffee, Garlic Parmesan Fries, Spicy Shrimp Wontons, Corn Ribs, Garlic Butter Prawns, and Filet Garlic Noodles, and honestly, there wasn't ONE thing we didn't enjoy. Everything was full of flavor and absolutely delicious. But what really stood out to us was that it wasn't just the food -- it was the entire experience. The staff, the atmosphere, the music, and just the overall vibe made us feel so comfortable and welcomed. The music they were playing was amazing too! My friend and I were enjoying ourselves, eating good food, listening to good music, and just having such a great time. The whole place honestly had such a warm, homey feeling to it. When we were leaving, the gentleman who had greeted and seated us earlier ended up having a whole conversation with my friend and me. He was so sweet and personable! He mentioned that they may be opening a location in Culver City, and I told him I really hope they do because that would be much closer to home for me. I was even joking with him that if they open one, they need to bring the whole staff from this location over there too because everyone here was THAT amazing. At the same time, even if there ends up being a location closer to me, I would honestly still make the drive back to this one. When you visit somewhere for the first time and have such a great experience, that location becomes special. You can visit the same restaurant somewhere else, but the people, atmosphere, and experience aren't necessarily going to feel the same. This location definitely left that kind of impression on us. I really hope this review reaches management because the staff here deserves the recognition. Everyone we interacted with was wonderful, and Quang especially took such great care of us. This was our first time at VOX Kitchen, but it DEFINITELY won't be our last. We're already talking about coming back and bringing our family and more of our friends so we can all enjoy it together. 10/10 food. 10/10 service. 10/10 atmosphere. 10/10 experience. You guys definitely gained some returning customers!

I didn't know fusion food could taste so good! Today I learned that Chifa is Cantonese Peruvian…read morefood, and I honestly love it so much! Saltado fries with picanha: fries were deliciously fried so that it's crispy but doesn't get soft in the saltado sauce. The picanha was super tender and juicy! Vox pear salad: a refreshing starter with a healthy bed of arugula on top of burrata and pear. The balsamic glaze really pulled it together! Corn ribs: just finger licking delicious Chifa fried rice with filet mignon: fried rice was solid but didn't have the most wok hey flavor that I usually like. It was a bit too moist for fried rice. Filet mignon was a bit tough, but flavor was good! Garlic noodles with crispy salmon: yummy salmon and yummy garlic noodles (could be more garlicky). I wonder if these two could have been more cohesive together somehow, but both individual parts were good! My friend told me this restaurant's owner had a few other fusion restaurants in the plaza, so I'll have to try those as well!

Food BOMB! Vibes = vibeyyyy! Cocktails are delicious!!!…read more Came here for the first time during the week just randomly. It all hit the spot! Super delicious and fresh. You can tell it's high quality ingredients. Cocktails were craft and so yummy. We sat outside and that was such a great move. Great ambiance!! Tried so many things and nothing disappointed! Will be coming back again! The only note is it is on the pricier side but it's high quality. It's one of those special date night places!

This place used to be amazing…read more What happened? Brussel sprouts so burnt. Undercooked fish with a side of hair. Underseasoned and burnt tomahawk. $234 meal (+ tipped $40 despite the bad food) What a disappointing meal. I asked for the tomahawk bone but it was just placed into the takeaway bag bare/exposed, not even foil wrapped. Cmon Arc. What happened.

Saw this brunch place on Instagram and had to try their fried chicken. Easily worth the visit for…read moretheir chicken. It was well-seasoned with a delicately crunchy shell and was literally dripping with juice. They offer it with a lemon garlic sauce but I liked it by itself. Sides of mashed potatoes and brussel sprouts was also very solid. Also has the lemon ricotta which was fluffy, rich yet balanced with the tart lemon curd. Their cinnamon roll and mango cheesecake roll was fresh and gooey. Ended with their freshly squeezed orange juice. The place was bustling but the staff was on top of it and kept things moving smoothly. Definitely worth a visit!

A very welcoming environment. Friendly staff, quick service, fresh and tasty food. A good find!read more

Beautiful outdoor setting, delicious food, excellent service…read more They rolled out some new menu items today, and I tried the Thai green curry and it was fantastic, the best curry I've ever had! Someone in our party had the hamburger, which was amazing, we had the frito misto appetizer, and it was so good we ordered another! Both the owner and the chef came around to our table to check on us. Epic experience!

We hosted a baby shower for my sister at Benchmark and what a horrible experience. On the day of…read morethe event, it was around 90 degrees and the AC broke. The room was getting progressively hotter so we asked if the AC was on and a server casually told us the AC was "on the fritz." We had spent months planning this event and this was incredibly disappointing. Even before the guests arrived, I noticed the cupcakes and macarons I had brought in melting from the extreme heat. All the guests were noticeably and understandably uncomfortable and sweating the entire 3 hours. No one came to check on us or to apologize for the inconvenience. This was not the event we had envisioned for the guest of honor who was 8 months pregnant. It was not only uncomfortable but also posed a health risk.The restaurant showed a lack of concern, care and accountability over the entire situation. I understand that the weather and the AC breaking were out of anyone's control but the handling of the situation and the aftermath was poor. We tried to give the restaurant opportunities to make this right but they failed at every opportunity. Because of the lack of communication, poor decision making and incompetency, I cannot recommend this restaurant for any events. The servers were nice and the food was all right but there are many other acceptable options for food in the area.

If you are looking for a hidden gem in Costa Mesa, this spot is an absolute must-visit. From the…read moremoment you step inside, you are greeted by an adorable interior and decor that cleverly and beautifully matches the restaurant's theme. ​ ​Every single item we ordered from the menu was exceptional: ​Beet Salad & Bone Marrow: Both made for fantastic starters, setting a high bar for the meal. ​Beef Tartare: Served with house-made potato chips that are a masterclass in texture--thin, fried, airy, and crispy all at the same time. ​Steak and Fries: Classic execution and wonderfully prepared. ​Duck Confit: Superb. The pairing of the rich mole sauce and sweet potato puree takes the dish to an entirely different level, complementing each other effortlessly. ​Baklava Cheesecake: A creative and delicious twist on a classic. The cream cheese filling is light rather than dense, and instead of a traditional graham cracker crust, it features a fantastic baklava crust. It is nicely balanced and not overly sweet, though you will definitely want to pair it with a cup of coffee to finish it off. ​ ​Service: The staff is exceptionally friendly, highly attentive, and organized, making you feel well cared for throughout the meal. ​Portions: Portions are slightly on the smaller side. My husband and I ordered three appetizers and two main entrees to share, and we were still quite hungry by the end--so you may want to order an extra dish or side if you have a hearty appetite! ​Overall, a wonderful dining experience with incredible flavors and charming ambiance. Highly recommended!

Very cute restaurant serving fusion cuisine, sort of a mix between Spanish and traditional…read moreSteakhouse fare. Our server was very talkative and did a good job at suggesting dishes. We had the Duck and Steak frites. The duck was my personal favorite of the two. One duck leg set in a flavorful mole sauce that made the dish incredibly delicious. The steak was cooked perfectly to my liking although it was a bit tough. The French fries were addictive. Seasoned well and oh so crispy! They were some of the best I've had!