Food is delicious and the servers are so attentive and kind. The bread came out soft and warm and tasted exactly like their namesake, the perfect combination of lemon & thyme. We ordered the steak tartare as a starter followed by the octopus and duck mole, and all three dishes were delicious. Love how cozy it feels inside. read more

All I can say is Wow! This is one of the best restaurants I have been to in recent times! This establishment is an absolute gem ... To say that the service was outstanding would be an understatement. The romantic ambiance combined with thoughtful service and a meticulously crafted menu result in an undeniably amazing ding experience. Our server was one of the most attentive, appreciative, and friendly service i have come across in a very long time. the staff even opened the door to the restroom for each customer! The food here is on a completely different level! We ordered the octopus Al Pastor and the spicy rigatoni... 10 out of 10. You have to experience this restaurant for yourself. There is a parking available in the front as well as a Jason streets and they are available for reservation on OpenTable. You can thank me later! read more

It's funny that I didn't get a picture of it because we scarfed it down but the reason why we even came here is because my partner wanted a wedge salad. And it was delicious! So a very great start to our dinner tonight. We ordered a bunch of other items. I am such a huge lover of bone marrow and it was absolutely buttery. I didn't know pickled onions would work on it but def elevated it for me. I also was living for the truffle tagliatelle. It was perfectly salty and adding the blackened chicken was a great choice. Thank u to our waiter for suggesting it! I wasn't able to judge the octopus but my partner basically said he liked the flavors but didn't realize the octopus would be one long tentacle instead of cut up. So I guess visually he was just a bit taken aback. But overall still delicious. The baklava cheesecake was the perfect end to the dinner too! The service was excellent & the venue is perfect for a nice quiet date night. I will def want to come back especially for the pasta! read more

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It was out first time here and we were blown away. The location was a little surprising, as the outside is very unassuming, but as soon as you walk in, the small, cute restaurant has the most amazing ambiance. It was the perfect balance of fine dining and comfort. The hostess was extremely kind and walked us in right away. Our server Robert was super funny, kind, and attentive. There was another server who was extremely caring and made sure our cups were full and empty dishes didnt stay at the table long, but we didnt have a chance to get his name. We ordered the Cheese & Fruit Board, Lamb Croquettes, Spicy Rigatoni, Grilled Octopus Al Pastor, and Espresso Creme Brulee. Our two appetizers (the board and croquettes) were amazing starters. The board was light and fun, and the croquettes were a little heavier and rich. When it came to our mains, the Spicy Rigatoni stood out compared to the Grilled Octopus (surprisingly). The Spicy Rigatoni was simple, but so delicious. It wasn't too salty, and it had the perfect tanginess from the tomato that cut through the creaminess of the sauce. The octopus tasted delicious, but felt just a tad overcooked, and didn't stand out compared to the rest of our order. Finally, we ended with the Espresso Creme Brulee. We saw that their cheesecake is super popular, but seeing as my boyfriend and I are not the biggest fans of cheesecake, we opted for the creme brulee and we did not regret it at. Admittedly, we aren't big fans of creme brulee either, but this one blew us away. We must have finished this in 90secs tops. The espresso flavor was infused throughout the top shell, but also all throughout the cream and cut through the sweetness perfectly. One thing we were extremely grateful for was the timing of each course. We tend to eat fast, and at most restaurants we sit with empty plates from our appetizers for a while, but our servers here were on top of it all night. Overall we had such an amazing experience eating here. The quality of the food and service were top notch. We saw so many interesting dishes on the menu so we will definitely be back again. read more

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We tried this place for the first time & will definitely be back. It's a surprise that food & service this good would be in such an unlikely little strip mall on Harbor Blvd. Don't let the setting keep you away. Everything we had was very tasty. Every person we dealt with was friendly , polite & professional. We split the branzino ($75 that night) and it was definitely enough for both of us. We'll be back. read more

Located in a small strip mall, the restaurant had decent parking and a cute, cozy interior. Our server Gustavo was very attentive and checked on us often with water refills and to clear our plates. The complimentary bread was slightly salty with sea salt but very fluffy inside. The ratatouille was sweet but baked well. The vegetables were crispy on top and well cooked underneath. Octopus Al Pastor: it included a long skinny but well grilled octopus arm with a side of tasty pork bits, pickled vegetables, and potatoes. It was very filling and interesting. Overall, a great experience and hope they do well. read more

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Food = AMAZING. Waiter was Gabriel and he was such a gem, so helpful and happy to help out with any questions. This place is such a hidden gem and I cannot wait to come back read more

Lemon & Thyme - Baklava cheesecake and espresso creme brulee - New American Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Food and service was amazing! Food was top notch. Flavors exploded in your mouth. Service was superb. Server knowledgeable on the menu and recommend the best options. To drink, we had 2 Estrellas and they were served with a chilled glasses. That alone, chefs kiss. For dinner, beef tartar, spicy rigatoni, ratatouille, side of grilled chicken, mac n cheese, and espresso crem brûlée. 10/10 read more

Lemon & Thyme - Espresso crem brûlée - New American Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Was in the area some time ago and was looking for a place to eat. I didn't choose this place, but im glad we stopped by. Service was amazing and the food was just as good. Our waiter was very attentive, made great recommendations, and let me try some sweet wine in which I ordered after since I ended up liking it. I absolutely have no complaints and look forward to coming back in the future. read more

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Service was excellent our server was super sweet and welcoming. I can't remember his name but I'd definitely come back and ask for him again Thank you for being so kind. The Food was so tasty and delicious everything we ordered had amazing presentation and the flavor was on point. Came in for Sunday brunch with a couple neighbors to celebrate a birthday and we all had an amazing time and had some delicious food and mimosas. We will definitely be back for dinner soon. read more

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Nice Ambiance with music playing in the background. Table or booth seating. Excellent service. Food was very tasty, portion was very small. read more

Lemon & Thyme - Nice ambiance & Comfortable seating for all size people. - New American Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

So i am responding to the servers comment on my review. If you read my review, it really isn't saying that the food is bad or that i had an awful experience. I was giving my perspective where most if not all reviews are 5-stars. I am informing people which i believe the portions are small and it is expensive. I said the food tasted good and the service was fine. But i dont find it fair to bash on my honest review that isnt even bad. I am letting people know what to expect in terms of if you'll be full off an entree and how much it'll cost. In this economy i'm letting ppl know lol. If i'm too broke to eat here just say that. read more

Lemon & Thyme - server at lemon and thyme not vibin w my review - New American Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Found this gem when I was looking for a dessert place. We came here for a dessert but the menu was very impressive and we ended up ordering our 2nd dinner. We ordered the steak and baklava cheesecake. Both were delicious!! Staffs were very friendly and we had one of the best service. The place is clean and spacious. I really recommend this place for anyone who likes delicious meals. read more

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A MUST TRY CULINARY EXPERIENCE. Food had a unique and delectable flavor. Unlike your typical, with a tang of lemon and a refreshment of thyme! From the Salmon to the Airline Chicken to the Beet Salad. Flavor was fresh and inspires you to greatness in every bite. But the bread? Oh the bread! We look forward to returning for a reservation next Thanksgiving Day. Don't let the size fool you, the environment is cozy yet comfortable. Who do you need as an escort in your journey? Gabriel! He will be your guardian angel on your culinary adventure. His personality will entertain while his genuine enthusiasm for the fare will Lead you to a meal that will not disappoint. Must try: -Baklava Cheesecake: Creamy cheese consistency, a crunch of flakes and a puddle of honey. Dressed with a sheer overcoat of a sparse spritz of rose water to bath it in an almost invisible vail of floral notes. He doesn't like Baklava but he devoured this one! Please, don't let the name mislead. Give it a shot and be surprised even by the delivery. -Bread pudding (special occasion menu) read more

Lemon & Thyme - Bread Pudding (special occasion menu) Served warm and bathed in a light yet creamy sauce. Not too sweet. - New American Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Chef Jackeline created a beautiful private birthday brunch for my daughter's 15th birthday! She has a calm demeanor and her goal was to make sure the birthday girl was happy. Goal accomplished and then some. She was a joy to work with. We had an Amalfi Coast lemon theme which matched the restaurant perfectly. She accommodated our private party of 26, created a gorgeous custom birthday brunch menu (I offered to print it), custom brunch menu selection, beautiful fruit trays, mocktails, prepared delicious food, homemade sorbet (I can't stop thinking of the lemon one) and baklava cheesecake sprayed with rose water (this dessert alone is worth the visit) and provided us with the best servers. Their brunch is phenomenal but I highly recommend going there for dinner as well. For dinner, I think it's best to do family style as there are so many options to try and the portions are generous. read more

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Delicious food, :) loved the spicy rigatoni and beet salad. Fresh ingredients quick service

Wow. Completely impressed with this little hole in the wall. It is really cute, quaint & small, with only about 12-15 tables. We went for our 10 year wedding anniversary date night, decided to try something new from a recommendation & we were not disappointed. Really looking forward to coming back and trying something new on their menu! We got.. Bone Marrow Appetizer The special: Truffle Oil Creamy style Pasta (don't remember the actually name) Entree: Duck Mole Everything course was spaced perfectly, the service was lovely, the food was absolutely decadent with perfect portions. More expensive than a casual dine; but there is plenty of Value for the Price. 10/10 highly recommend! read more

We loveeeee this place!! Great service and amazing food! We go all the time. It's nice and cute and also a bit romantic

My husband and I went here for dinner - we are always looking for a new place and this one is FABULOUS! It is found in a nook in a strip mall, so parking is ample. Once you step inside, the atmosphere is so warm and welcoming - it felt mediterranean to me. The service was perfection and it was clear that our server was passionate about his job and wanted to insure our experience was divine. For an appetizer, we tried the roasted bone marrow. Oh my gosh! It was so, so good. It gets spread on artisan bread and, honestly, I could have eaten two of those and called it a night. But we didn't. My husband ordered the short rib ravioli and quickly devoured it. He also got a side of broccoli, which he loved. I ordered the mushroom risotto with shaved pecorino and ate every bite. It was so savory and flavorful. We ordered an espresso martini, which was so yummy! I would highly recommend trying Lemon & Thyme - we will definitely be back! read more

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Service was friendly and attentive- no issue there. It's also a pleasant space. However the food was so-so. I had chilaquiles: For the $18 price I'd expect a good balance of ingredients. Instead it was mostly chips, one egg, a little avocado and not much else. That said the seasoning was ok. Others in my party seemed a little happier with their orders. read more

We had an amazing meal here. We felt spoiled by the service from everyone taking care of us. Juan was especially fabulous and gave us recommendations on items. The ambiance was relaxing. Cannot recommend this place enough! read more

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**May 2024: Friday Night Visit** My elementary school friend and I planned to visit another Italian restaurant, but were met with an hour plus wait, PLUS valet parking. We were both hungry after attending an event together, so we opted to see what other tasty options Costa Mesa had to offer. I did a quick yelp search and saw Lemon & Thyme with a perfect rating! The photos of the food looked really tasty, so we decided to head there instead - and boy we LOVED it there! The restaurant is located on Harbor near the Triangle Square Shopping Mall and there are a few parking spots up front. Otherwise there's additional parking in the back as well. I actually missed the restaurant and parked in front of SOCIAL Costa Mesa, the restaurant behind it. Regardless, I made it! Upon entering, I was greeted by one of the most friendly servers on the planet. He had a huge smile on his face and was incredibly warm and welcoming. I want to say his name was Gabriel - but remembering names is one of my biggest weakness - forgive me! He went ahead and explained the menu and gave us some great recommendations. We decided to take him up on a couple of the recs and were not disappointed DISHES Grilled Artichoke ($16) - I'm embarrassed to admit that aside from Artichoke dip, I didn't know how to properly eat an artichoke. lol Nevertheless, he taught us! Pull out the petals, dip it in the sauce and bit the meat. When we made it to the center we could cut off the interior and eat that. It's certainly a dish that was interactive as my friend and I'm happy to say that I'm an artichoke eater pro now! ha! Mushroom Risotto ($22) - Wow! Carb lovers rejoice! This was so incredibly creamy and decadent. My friend and I were "mMmmm"ing the entire time. Grilled Octopus Al Pastor ($24) - This dish was so beautifully presented. Certainly has the same level of presentation as any fine dining restaurant and the octopus was perfectly charred. Loved! Dragonfruit Sorbet - I loved everything that we tried on the menu, but this sorbet was out of this world. While it didn't have any dairy, it was so smooth and thick. I even asked my friend and wondered if they'd sell this by the pint for take out. I would definitely buy it! SUMMARY Overall, the experience was 5 stars! From the service, to environment, to the food everything was wonderful and such a great place for family and friends to catch up while not compromising quality food. I can't wait to come back! read more

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The service here was beyond amazing and met my expectations. The food was also amazing. We started off with the pea salad then with the bone marrow, which was OK. The main dishes were the burger, which was beyond amazing. Probably one of the best burger I've ever had to be honest mac & cheese was good. The salmon was amazing and the short rib. Wrap was great. It's a perfect place to come. Enjoy a nice evening with friends and family or even date night. read more

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Blown away by server Robert's greeting... Robert approached the table and was aware of my dietary preferences based on my dining profile. He'd already taken a menu a noted which items met my preferences and which could be modified to meet preferences. WOW! I've had restaurants mention my profile preferences during their greeting, but have never had a menu marked up that could be left so I had something to look at to make a decision from. Beef tartare Delicate house chips with a bit of vinegary zing. The chips were fresh, light, and salty. Excellent touch of the capers layered within the tartare. Subtle shallots and light smoke mussel aioli. Caesar Salad Fresh crisp baby gems. Pungent anchovies as garnish. Croutons that melt in your mouth and pop with savoriness. Finished with a sprinkle of shaved pecorino. One of the top caesers I've had!!! Ora King Salmon Perfectly prepared medium, excellently seared top and crispy skin on the bottom. A very sweet honey citrus glaze. I was able to sub broccolini for pomme purée. The vine roasted tomatoes are a lovely accompaniment of acid with the honey glaze. This has been a highlight of my dining experiences! It's only a matter of time before reservations will be booked weeks, if not months, in advance. The interior is elegant and romantic. There's parking in front and behind the restaurant. I had the pleasure of meeting Chef de Cuisine, Jackeline, while dining... what a gem she is... Heart of gold and a woman who shares my passion of exquisite food. read more

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First of all, this is a tiny tiny place with lots of shared parking so try to go after business hours otherwise it'll be challenging to park. It looks like the previous place was casual because it's a bit odd to see tvs in upscale restaurants, nothing bad, just odd but it was clean/nice inside. The food is amazing. We love the complimentary bread, it was warm, nicely toasted on the outside, soft on the inside. The beet salad is one of the best I've ever had! I like my food not drowned in sauces and this was perfect, where you can actually taste the food. I also got the grilled prawns and they were soooooo good. I tasted some of my friends bone marrow and bread, it too was amazing. We had a table of 8 and everyone raved about the food. Unfortunately they seem either understaffed, disorganized, or green. They made us wait over 15-20 minutes for a table even though we had reservations because other patrons wouldn't leave. It's normal to have a time limit and I couldn't tell if the patrons were told their time was up and they refused to leave or if no one told them. They told us that the food comes out when it's made so we understood that but what strange is to have three salmon orders but only one come out, why wouldn't you make all three at the same time? They also got a lot of our orders wrong, at least 3 that I could remember, including mine. After asking about my prawns, several times, they finally brought my order whenever everyone else was done and gave me pulpo, then had to take it back to make the prawns. It looks like the place is meant for small groups or date nights. We were two big groups so maybe it was overwhelming for the staff. The staff was nice and apologetic about the mistakes so we weren't upset but hopefully they can improve because we'd love to return. read more

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Great restaurant food was great super fresh and inviting, the service was excellent she was great at recommending items to try and what were popular items. Ambience was great really good vibe but not too loud. Highly recommend particularly if your foodie like me. read more

This restaurant was only on its third week since opening! Our waiter, Gabriel, was the kindest gentleman and was extremely helpful in helping us choose our meal, as well as how to eat it. In addition to the pictured, we had the grilled artichoke, parker house rolls, and a jackfruit sorbet. It was the first time we had eaten artichokes this way so Gabriel was kind enough to give us a 101 tutorial on eating artichokes. the sorbet was amazing, extremely creamy, was shocked that it was a sorbet, tasted like ice cream! Chef Jackeline came out to say hello to us after and it was truly a pleasure to meet the lady behind these delicious dishes. The ambiance is nice and quiet, perfect place for a date night, for sure! read more

Lemon & Thyme - Mushroom Risotto - New American Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Food here -- one word-- ***AMAZING*** - the food was fantastic get the artichokes get a bottle of flowers order the steak or the chicken and just indulge yourself in the essence of flavor. - the food was fantastic we got some things on the menu cooked in beef tallow and man it was amazing The Service-- one word-- ***UNBELIEVABLE*** - I have worked at hotels before and I think every Food and Beverage Manager should eat in this restaurant and study the service. Our waiter was fucking incredible he remembered everything you wanted, he gave great suggestions, he was truly a man that was great with people, he was funny and you could tell he made the dinning experience twice as good. *** Totally forgot his name but he wears glasses and a yellow apron the dude was on it he knew what we want before we wanted it it was incredible*** - Great experience here highly recommend in Costa Mesa and it is a small little spot near triangle square but the best spots I have been to usually are small little spots like these that have great food and great people. read more

Lemon & Thyme - Beet Salad sorry I suck at taking pictures I was busy grubbin hard - New American Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

I ordered take out and the portion was tiny. Seemed almost as if they gave me a side and not my meal? I had called and asked about the portion sizes and they said they were big but that was not my experience. Definitely not worth the price. read more

Attentive service and personable staff. 5 stars for the staff, 4 stars for the food. Our favorites were the lamb croquettes, octopus, and baklava cheesecake. read more

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Wow! Wow! Wow! This restaurant truly deserves a Michelin Star! From start to finish, everything was beyond exceptional. The food was absolutely outstanding. The truffle pasta was mouthwatering, and the ribeye with mashed potatoes and mushrooms was an unforgettable experience. The pear and arugula salad was incredibly fresh and perfectly balanced. Our waiter, Gabriel, was phenomenal--attentive, knowledgeable, and provided excellent recommendations. We never had to ask for anything, as he had everything prepared for us with impeccable timing and care. I've found my new favorite restaurant. An exceptional experience from the food to the service. Highly recommend!! read more

Lemon & Thyme - Ribeye - New American Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

I just found a new spot to add to my list of recommendations when people ask where to dine. Parking is a bit tricky unless you come early but our server, Gabriel, was the VIP! He gave clear directions and even walked us out to help direct our parking! Food was great, the dinner rolls were hot out of the oven, the truffle tagliatelle wasn't too overwhelming with truffle so I appreciated that, the beet salad was light and refreshing. The flavors of all the dishes meshed well together. Gabriel shared that the chef's favorite flavors are lemon and thyme so expect each dish to have some dash or touch of it :) It's not too big of a restaurant and the tables were completely filled by 8 pm. We were lucky to walk in and grab a table when they opened but definitely call ahead or make reservations. Ask for Gabriel, you'll love him! read more

Omg the service and service are amazing at this place! When you step inside it feels very cozy like home. Our server Gabriel is so attentive and awesome. The food is delicious and the prices are very reasonable. The portions are huge. It's a gem and I would definitely come back. read more

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Amazing service by Juan! Food was amazing as well. The ambience felt very intimate and cozy. Loved the al pastor octopus, rigatoni and ravioli. The baclava cheesecake was chef's kiss. Will come back 10/10 read more

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Limited but very diverse menu. Affordable gourmet food. exceptional service. intimate attractive setting with very clean restrooms. it's clear the chef and owner take great pride in the restaurant and food. very good and eclectic food. I had the braised short rib ravioli in a savory beef mushroom gravy fir $29. read more

My friend Mari H. came into town over the weekend and we had discussed possibly going to brunch or dinner while she was here. She asked if I had any recommendations and I did a quick search on Yelp. Lemon & Thyme popped up as a hot, new restaurant and I sent her the link. She agreed so we made a reservation. I let another friend know she was coming and we set the date. Lemon & Thyme just opened a few months ago and it's this lovely little restaurant that has Italian and Mediterranean influences. They have some parking spaces in front but there are more spaces behind the restaurant as well. We had perused the menu while waiting for our friend to join us and one of the waiters came to give us his spiel. They are known for their grilled octopus but they also had a seasonal grilled peach salad. We asked about the Branzino and found out it was a 2.5 lb Striped Seabass. Mari had wanted to try it but it was a rather big portion and she did not want to impose it on everyone at the table. A plate of warm Parker rolls came out while we were waiting to order. Once our party was complete, we ordered. We decided on a bottle of the Lucien Albrecht sparkling wine to start. We also ordered the grilled artichokes ($17), grilled peach salad with burrata, and our entrees. We tried the Airline chicken ($26), Spicy Rigatoni ($21), and Truffe Tagliatelle ($29). We enjoyed every bite. The Peach & Burrata salad was so good and I'm glad to have tried it as it is a seasonal menu item. The chicken was moist and the vegetables were crunchy. The mashed potatoes were quite good too. The rigatoni had a wonderful spicy kick to it. The truffle tagliatelle had shaved black truffles on top and it was delicious. We did not pass up on dessert. It was difficult to choose so we got both a slice of the Baklava Cheesecake and the Espresso Creme Brulee. The creme brulee had a strong espresso flavor and was really good. The Baklava Cheesecake was a showstopper with the phyllo dough crust, edible flowers, and spray of rose water at the table. It was also SPECTACULAR as a dessert. If you have a sweet tooth, this is the dessert to try. Let me just say this, while the restaurant is small, the service is impeccable. My water glass did not go empty at all during the time we were there. I did not need to flag anyone down. Someone stopped by intermittently to check if we needed anything. In fact, after we finished our bottle, the server came by to top us off with one of the bottles they had open behind the bar because we were having such a good time in our little booth. It was a fantastic choice to spend our evening there. We had a great time there and very much enjoyed our dining experience. If you're looking for a new restaurant to try, don't overlook this new neighborhood gem. read more

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Not sure how this spot has been gate kept for so long! I came here on a whim and was so impressed. Intimate setting, perfect for date night. Very attentive staff and high level of service. The bread tastes homemade and is absolutely to die for. Must try the rigatoni - rich, decadent and full of flavor. Don't miss this lovely hidden gem tucked away on the Westside! read more

If you blink you will miss this place driving West down Harbor on the right just before 19th Street. OMG what a find! The food was beyond any ordinary restaurant and the service and ambiance was outstanding. It's an outstanding place for a date night. We will definitely be back. read more

Wow! What a wonderful surprise. From the warm welcome, to the incredible service and delicious food, Lemon & Thyme was absolutely perfect. It's hard to find such a unique gem in Orange County and I am so glad we found it. We had the best salad (perfectly dressed) and yummy shrimp ceviche (with homemade taro chips) to start, the branzino, octopus, mushroom risotto, roasted mushroom side, potatoes for the main, and the epic baklava cheesecake. We got the chocolate tart and they brought vanilla and coconut ice cream (like and almond joy!) as well and it was so good. Highly recommend and look fwd to going back!! Perfect for celebrating my folks 66th wedding anniversary! read more

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1000% will be back! The food is amazing here - so much flavor and intentionality in their dishes. I feel like food places often get overhyped but lemon and thyme deserves all the 5 stars!! We got the beet salad (so fresh), truffle tagliatelle (literal perfection but also rich), the ribeye (so good), and dark chocolate cake for dessert (decadent and I love chocolate). All of it was so amazing and I want to go back and try more dishes asap! The restaurant is small, quaint, and cute. Perfect for a date night or a small group of friends! So glad we found this restaurant on yelp! I haven't been blown away by a restaurant in a while - can't wait to be back! read more

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