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    Iyasaka

    4.9 (37 reviews)
    Open 6:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)
    Updated 1 week ago

    Iyasaka Photos

    IYASAKA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Intimate
    Good for groups

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    Sakana Oroshini (Broiled Fish with Grated Daikon)
    Nicole C.

    Total hole in the wall restaurant. Iyasaka is in an unassuming strip center literally adjacent to a gas station. Walking in the entire atmosphere, layout, and decor is reminiscent of an actual restaurant from Japan. The best part? The food quality is surprisingly exceptional. The execution of the food here is minimal and high quality. Dishes that look simple are packed with flavors, and it's been such a long time that I've had a mackerel dish that surprised me. The pressed mackerel sushi, Saba Battera, is some of the best mackerel I've had in a very long time. Not a hint of any fishy flavor and the portion of fish is huge. It's worth coming to this place for this one dish alone, but for everything we ordered there wasn't a single bad dish. Our server was really sweet and everything came out in a reasonable time. This is a great spot if you need to grab a bite before going out, or even better if you're done with a night out and you need a place to keep the night going. Closing at 2am, this is the perfect spot to end the night with some beer and great izakaya food.

    Shannon Z.

    HIGHLY recommend eating here!!! The vibes, the service, the food - everything was high quality. We came in on a weekday evening and there was no wait. We tried multiple dishes and each dish wowed us. I felt like I was eating dishes from culinary class wars - that's how innovated and amazing the dishes were lol. The dishes were more elevated compared to traditional izakaya. We started off with the tomato salad, which was so refreshing and had an amazing sauce with a mixture of tartiness, sweetness, and savoriness combined. Next, we had the stuffed chicken wings which were amazing - it was like a dumpling but inside of a chicken wing and chicken itself was nice and crispy. After that we got the fried octopus which came in a soup and the flavor was so delicious and unique. We ended with the braised pork belly which was super tender and melted in my mouth.

    Chicken eggplant gratin
    Leon A.

    We really enjoyed coming here since we usually go to izakayas in OC and this is something different. Smaller plates (like kaiseki) and the quality/selection is better and you'll see items you've never seen at the other restaurants. The beef yukke was our favorite, fried octopus was really good and different since it's served in a thick sauce, chicken cartilage (not pictured) was great also. The server used to work at Kappo Honda, and she remembered us and provided the same great attentive service she has always provided. Their drink selection is also different from other late night Japanese places since they make cocktails. Overall, highly recommend for people looking for good eats outside of the other izakayas in OC that have been around for a while like Shinsengumi/Hondaya/Kappo Honda.

    omakase
    Hena L.

    Great service and cute spot! Open super late. We ended up randomly popping in because it was one of the few spots open later. Food-wise, my favorite dish was the pressed salmon sushi. I've been thinking about it still and it's been weeks. We also tried the omakase dish which was an assortment of foods such as sashimi, tofu, an edamame based dish. Even with this, I liked the fish dishes the most and want to come back to eat more of this compared to the other dishes. We tried an apple based cocktail and a melon based cocktail but I wasn't the biggest fan of these. I think it's better to get the beer!

    Seasonal bamboo shoots
    Andrew L.

    Izakaya as a word has been kind of co-opted by non-Japanese to mean more or less upscale Japanese food. The actual real meaning of izakaya should be a drinking restaurant with a focus on small plates. This place has a bar that covers nearly all the major forms of alcohol and the small dishes to accompany your drinks here are superb. All the details here are paid very well attention to for discerning gourmets. I think this is the perfect place to eat and drink for a few hours with a friend or two. I will definitely be back.

    Pressed mackerel so good
    David D.

    We were really impressed by the food quality and taste at Iyasaka. The wife heard about it and I had no expectations, but every dish was so good. We love pressed mackerel and came here just for that one dish. It was our favorite and didn't disappoint. Fish was really fresh and flavors great. Croquette and octopus were delicious, would definitely get those again. Gizzards aren't my thing but the wife loved them. I thought the Hamburg was really good, but it wasn't exceptional where I would order it next time - and that's only because everything was so good and we want to try more. Honestly I would pay more for these dishes as an kaiseki or multi-course fancy meal. Can't wait to go back and try more!

    Giseela N.

    We came with a large group, and everything was excellent. The food had an amazing presentation, and the flavors were delicious. I really appreciated the attention to detail in how every dish was plated. The servers were amazing--very friendly, attentive, and caring throughout our visit. Definitely coming back again!

    Cut mackerel sushi
    M J.

    This is my favorite new restaurant. The staff are so nice and enthusiastic about their food and drinks. The food is delicious, with a great selection of small dishes and main courses. The big surprise for me was the mackerel cut sushi. It was fresh and fatty. The omakase appetizer was creative and flavorful. The roasted duck udon had a delicious, rich broth. I look forward to coming back and trying new things.

    Pressed Salmon Sushi- seared on top and yummy!
    Andy C.

    Yummy food and I'd drive out of my way to go here if I was in a drinking mood. This place is an izakaya that specializes in fried, steamed and boiled food. A lot of their menu offerings are very unique and offer a fun twist on classics, like their agedashi tofu that is wrapped in seaweed before fried. I do wish they had grilled skewers though... My favs: Chicken cartilage with plum Chicken gizzards Stuffed chicken wing Agedashi tofu Rice with salmon and roe Pressed (seared) salmon sushi Eihire- grilled stingray fin Pressed Mackerel roll - fishy in the way mackerel is Fun to try but wouldn't repeat: Japanese taro fries Fried katsu bites Shumai Tomato salad

    Bamboo Sushi
    Emily T.

    The service was attentive and friendly. The server explained all the small plates carefully. The food was uniquely enjoyable as they were prepared in unusual ways such as the corn tempura and the bamboo sushi! The ambience is perfect for a late night place to hang out for after dinner drinks and if so inclined karaoke!! I would recommend trying Iyasaka out sometime. If you are plant based or vegan there are great options for you!

    Battera (Mackerel) Sushi.
    Hiro F.

    My favorite food on this planet is Battera (Saba Mackerel sushi). I haven't found a restaurant in the US that offer a good one. That changed here as they offer one of the best Battera I've ever had. Got me hooked and going back for more tonight. Everything else is also top notch quality good. If you want an alternative to other izakaya and want something authentic, this place is highly recommended.

    Seared Beef Yakke
    Nathan L.

    Delicious well presented food. Dishes for two people, small bites. Stewed beef tongue was amazing. Would def make the journey for a second bite (and third, and fourth...)

    Jamie P.

    I'm so happy I found this place! The food was AMAZING!! We ordered several items and every single one was absolutely perfect. Not only was the quality amazing but the prices were really super reasonable too. Our server was the sweetest!! Super attentive and friendly. Oh, they're also open late. Honestly, this felt like we were eating in Japan while being in Orange County. Amazing food and soooooo worth the visit.

    Corn & Shiso Tempura

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    4 months ago

    Everything was amazing. Highly recommend. Small and intimate. Legit Japanese comfort food.

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    Knife Pleat

    Knife Pleat

    4.0(430 reviews)
    1.8 mi
    $$$$

    Favorite fine dining / Michelin-star restaurant in OC! Can't say enough great things about it!…read more A super intimate, upscale-casual (smart casual vibes with no enforced dress code) restaurant located in the third-floor penthouse of SCP. The space feels intimate because it's on the smaller side, and they thoughtfully stagger reservations so the dining room never feels overcrowded. You can be seated in the main dining room, on the outdoor patio, or on the indoor patio next to the penthouse shops. I come here at least once a year for my birthday because the staff are genuinely warm and make every guest feel special. They clearly care deeply about hospitality and creating a true culinary experience. Honestly, the entire team is top-notch, but on our most recent visit, Kara took especially great care of us. She remembered our preferences, made sure we were comfortable and had everything we needed without needing to ask, and made my birthday feel special while also giving my husband and me space (I dislike when wait staff at smaller restaurants hover - they don't do that at all). The way the staff serves, takes orders, clears, etc. is like a really well-rehearsed dance - they want everything to be paced, smooth, and efficient (without feeling forced or robotic) and it really makes a difference. The food is delicious and beautifully presented, with thoughtful attention put into every detail of the flavor profile and color palette. They NEVER miss. I love how they refresh the menu a few times during the year to showcase seasonal ingredients while still staying true to the restaurant's overall identity. They also have a selection of dining experiences - I always go for the 3 course prefix during lunch and the portion sizes and timing of each course is perfect. Also highly recommend their afternoon tea on Saturdays. Couldn't find a more luxurious afternoon tea experience in OC! I genuinely hope they continue to do well! It's a pleasure to be a guest and feel pampered for a special day or an elevated casual meal with friends/family. Will be back many times in the future!

    Came here 11/5/2020 Pricey for small servings but it's an…read moreupscale restaurant so I guess it should be expected. Definitely will be back for the dessert at least... and maybe the tasting menu. Apple (vanilla panna cotta, tatin, earl grey crumble, granny smith: compressed & gelee, green apple sorbet): You gotta come here for dessert. This was phenomenal. The earl grey crumble was delicious and plays well with the sweet tartness of the granny smiths. I'd say the component that felt out of place was the compressed pieces; they tasted like an fresh apple version of tandra which was too sweet and the layers meshed together. Main diver scallops (cauliflower, romanesco, capers, lemon confit, crostini): The scallops were so juicy and perfectly seared on the top. The cauliflowers were good but lackluster. The server told me there's cauliflower puree on the bottom which was yummy. Lemon confit who? There was an essence of lemon but nothing very present. Crostini was essentially like mini plain croutons. Wild Alaskan halibut (braised & fermented fennel, castelvetrano olives, preserved lemon): Only tried a bite of the fish and fennel. The fish was very nicely cooked and the crust on top was delightful. The fennel was sour due to fermentation but I didn't particularly enjoy it.

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    Knife Pleat - An elegant restaurant!

    An elegant restaurant!

    Knife Pleat - Finishing off with miniaturized desserts! The serving plate is perfect for placing a ring in the middle for that special special occasion!

    Finishing off with miniaturized desserts! The serving plate is perfect for placing a ring in the middle for that special special occasion!

    Knife Pleat - My favorite dish of the night, risotto. Probably the best I've ever had! You will love it!

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    Morton's The Steakhouse - Morton's logo

    Morton's The Steakhouse

    3.4(1.4k reviews)
    2.0 mi
    $$$

    We decided to visit for Mother's Day. We made reservations and were there on time. The hostess was…read morevery friendly and we were sat relatively quick. I do have to note that they were very busy, a lot of groups were coming in at the same time. We were sat in the smaller room to the left. Our server was very helpful and friendly. We did corkage for a bottle ($35). 2 people in our party had the Mother's Day special and I shared a big steak with my brother. The server eventually came by to apologise for the wait and let us know that the kitchen was a bit backed up. We all appreciated the fact that he let us know and we could tell they were very busy. Their onion bread loaf was so fresh it was steaming when we cut it open! The wedge salad was delicious as usual. The ribeye bone in steak was perfectly cooked medium rare. I tried my bfs crab cake and it was really delicious! We asked for their chocolate lava cake dessert which is so rich and delicious. Overall it was a long wait for our food, but it was understandable for a holiday and they did their best to make our experience better. We will definitely be back.

    We were very disappointed with our experience at Morton's Steakhouse. The decor felt dated, the…read morerestaurant was nearly empty, yet we were seated directly in front of the kitchen. Service was also lacking -- our server didn't course the meal properly, which made the pacing feel rushed and awkward. The biggest issue, though, was the food. The Cajun ribeye was honestly one of the worst steaks I've had. The quality of the meat was far below what you'd expect from a steakhouse at this price point, and it was completely flavorless. The broccolini was drenched in chili oil to the point we couldn't eat it, and the au gratin potatoes were undercooked. We also ordered the sundae, which requires 20 minutes advance notice. Unfortunately, it ended up being mostly whipped cream and not worth the wait at all. Had we known how poor the entrees would be, we would have skipped dessert entirely. Overall, a seriously disappointing

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    Morton's The Steakhouse
    Morton's The Steakhouse
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    Antonello Ristorante - Roasted Double Cut Pork Chop, in crusted with mix peppercorns.

    Antonello Ristorante

    4.3(976 reviews)
    2.1 mi
    $$$

    I am paralyzed a wheelchair and I recently dealt with having pneumonia in the hospital for 90 days…read moreand flatlining for 11 minutes. My favorite dish RAVIOLI DI MAGRO with butter and sage instead of the red sauce. Basically, I like ravioli, stuffed cheese, and spinach with butter and sage. The chef was really kind and accommodating my request and I don't think they had sage at the moment or they ran out, still accommodated the request. I live far from the restaurant my mom will pick it up and bring it by when she sees me but why I am getting from there? The staff is incredible Charles and Mary wonderful! The chef is incredibly talented! Everything is delicious!

    Our first visit to Antonello for our anniversary was truly delightful. We came right at 5 and…read morethere was already a line of people waiting to check in. We chatted with a few couples in line who we found out were regulars. The service stood out right away--our servers were attentive, friendly, and always made sure our water glasses were full. We got a table of bread and butter. The pesto butter I think was yummy and sour dough bread was warm and slightly crisp. We ordered the truffle fries, seafood vongole, and lobster ravioli, and every dish exceeded our expectations. Each bite was flavorful and beautifully prepared. I liked how the ravioli was seasoned. It was light and tasted fresh. Overall, it was a wonderful dining experience, and we're already looking forward to our next visit!

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    Seasons 52 - Wood-Grilled Filet Mignon served with broccolini, Yukon mash, red wine and mushroom sauce.

    Seasons 52

    4.1(3.6k reviews)
    1.7 mi
    $$

    once again read my other reviews for the full experience of this restaurant. Do keep in mind this…read moreis a chain but every location has slightly different menus given they are all about fresh and seasonal. On top of that the menu changes every couple of months, which for me is nice because every time I come here I experience something a little different. Do keep in mind this particular location I've been here enough now that I notice some patterns. there's going to be a seasonal fish that is featured. There's also going to be some kind of stuffed mushroom which I like because I like mushrooms. They always have scallops which are always cooked to perfection. I often order that added on to the entree. There will be at least one steak dish and a chicken and a pork dish. they always feature on the appetizers the lump crab cake. it is what it sounds like, a large lump of crab that is breaded. To me it's not a true crab cake but rather a lump of fresh crab that's breaded and fried. It's ok if you're in to that. The one dish I was curious enough to try today was their Kona crusted lamb loin. I don't usually order lamb unless it's an Indian or middle eastern restaurant. I like lamb but it's not exactly something I crave. so how they explained it was that the Kona was basically using coffee grounds as a dry rub on the meat. So I got curious and ordered it. The grounds basically add a slightly different texture and adds a slight bitterness. Sort of like char from a grill. It was ok and interesting but what stood out the most was the fact that the meat was so perfectly cooked and so flavorful and tender that it overpowered whatever the grounds added to the meat. so I would recommend this solely on the basis of how perfectly tender and flavorful the meat was.

    We ordered shrimp and grits, chicken artichoke soup, stuffed mushrooms, brussel sprouts, and the…read morepork chop. Soup: Hot and ok. 3 stars Shrimp and grits: 3 stars (Not the best, not the worst. Could use some seasoning, but edible) Brussel sprouts: 0 stars. Bacon had zero flavor. The brussel sprouts were practically raw and very hard. Pork Chop: 0 stars. We cut into the chop and saw pink. Pink doesn't mean undercooked, but after a couple of bites of small pieces we confirmed it was under. Cooper (great guy by the way) took it back to the chef and they confirmed it was under. I am only writing this review because my partner and I woke up with stomach issues. Just be careful. We just had some bad luck. We ended up going to In n Out afterwards. The manager stopped by to check on us which is appreciated which is nice. They could have gone a step further in ensuring we are ok after consuming undercooked pork but ‍. I don't even think they provided their name when they visited the table. Anyway be careful and don't give Cooper a hard time

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    Seasons 52 - Caramelized Grilled Sea Scallops served with broccolini and mascarpone risotto.

    Caramelized Grilled Sea Scallops served with broccolini and mascarpone risotto.

    Seasons 52 - Cedar Plank-roasted Salmon with seasonal vegetables, marble potatoes and dill-mustard sauce

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    Seasons 52 - Seasons 52 has a wide selection of varietals on our wine menu

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    Ruin Bar - Drinks for the night #tasteofcsuc

    Ruin Bar

    4.1(476 reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$

    Fun little spot! Would definitely swing by again. You just go in and order your drinks and find…read moreyour own seat. They whip up the drinks super fast! Came on a Saturday afternoon and was such a cozy area to sit outdoors and enjoy drinks with friends :) Tucked in the corner with a vintage, maximalist, whimsical vibe. I got the bees knees and the estoy enamorado and both were a tiny bit sweet for me but still really good!

    A very special bar, from the drinks to the decor. I really like that they are open during the day…read moreand also late at night, with mixed indoor and outdoor seating (though the outdoor seating is a bit worn). Vibes are always good. If you have some time while browsing The Lab during the day, I recommend stopping by for a drink! It's also nice to include in your barhopping itinerary in the evening since there are a number of breweries around too. I've had mixed experiences with the bartenders. Luckily, the gentleman manning the bar during my most recent visit was very friendly. Drinks are always great. I've tried a variety of drinks from the menu here, but my favorites are: -Love in Drunk, a lovely cocktail with cucumber and grapefruit flavors that create a fresh watermelon taste when mixed together -Bee's Knees, short but strong and sweet -London Mule, very herbal thanks to the gin and very refreshing

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    Old fashion. House bourbon. Better than anywhere else.

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    Outside patio

    Iyasaka - japanese - Updated May 2026

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