My wife, daughter, and I discovered Lemon & Thyme completely by chance - and what an incredible…read morefind. It took a minute to locate the restaurant and figure out parking, but once we arrived at the door, the experience was first-class from beginning to end. The hostess was charming and welcoming, the staff kept our waters filled and the table spotless, and our server, Juan, was outstanding. His knowledge of the menu, detailed descriptions, and personal recommendations made ordering easy and built our anticipation for every dish. We started by sharing the beet salad and Chicken Tinga Empanadas with the Gringo Killer Sauce. The beet salad was fresh and beautifully balanced, while the empanadas were packed with rich, savory flavor. The Gringo Killer Sauce added a bold kick that made them especially memorable. My wife ordered the wedge salad, my daughter chose the Grilled Octopus Al Pastor, and I had the 8 oz Picanha special. Every dish was exceptional. The octopus was a creative and flavorful take on al pastor, and the Picanha special was perfectly cooked, tender and was an absolute standout. Everything was so impressive that I sent my compliments to the chef and was fortunate enough to meet Chef Jackie personally. Then came dessert. Juan described a peach cobbler special that immediately had my mouth watering, while my daughter ordered the Espresso Crème Brûlée. Juan returned to our table with three plates and spoons and informed me that Chef Jackie has recommended her specialty. I did not argue, Chef knows best. She surprised me by sending out something different: a slice of Baklava Cheesecake accompanied by a scoop of house-made peach cobbler ice cream. Now, I have eaten some outstanding cheesecakes all around the world, but this Baklava Cheesecake was on an entirely different level. It was rich, layered, perfectly textured and flaky, and so unbelievably delicious that I nearly licked the plate clean. The house-made peach cobbler ice cream was equally impressive--light and creamy, yet captured the full peach cobbler flavor. The Espresso Crème Brûlée was also beautifully executed, with a crisp caramelized sugar shell and a deep, smooth coffee-flavored custard. My daughter ate half of hers before turning her attention to the cheesecake, and she does not even like cheesecake. That alone should tell you how special it was. I live three hours away, but I will absolutely be making the drive back. Lemon & Thyme delivers exceptional food, thoughtful hospitality, creative dishes, and the kind of personal service that turns a meal into a lasting memory. This is my new favorite restaurant!!! Do yourself a favor and make the trip to Lemon & Thyme. Ask for Juan, trust Chef Jackie, and do not leave without desert. Chef Jackie, Juan and the rest of the staff, thank you for the amazing experience!!!

This is a great little spot. We have driven by the restaurant many times and decided to go for…read moredinner. The inside is small and the decor is very nice . The menu isn't large but there is a range of different options . Everything we had excellent. My husband had grilled octopus Al Pastor and I had Short Rib Ravioli with a Demi glaze that was so full of flavor. They offer a nice wine list as well. Our server Robert, was great. Because of the location, you can drive right by it and not notice it . Please take the time to try this neighborhood gem.You won't be sorry.

Ordered takeout through DoorDash and was very impressed with the food. The Cornish hen was really…read morejuicy with loads of flavor. Upgraded the rice to adas polo and it was as good as any other, thought I thought the price to upgrade ($5.99) was steep. Kashk O'bademjan has become one of my favorite Persian dishes to order and theirs did not disappoint. Takeout was well packaged. Recommended!

I can confidently say that Darbari Persian Grill is my all-time favorite spot for Persian cuisine…read more Every single time I come here, it's consistently amazing. My go-to order is the chicken Cornish, and I always substitute the rice for zereshk polo. The rice is perfectly fluffy every time, and the barberries add the most delicious tang that just brings the whole dish together. It's seriously so good. They're also incredibly generous with their lavash bread, which I love because it pairs perfectly with everything. But what really makes this place special is the service. Everyone here is genuinely so kind and attentive, and I mean everyone. You're always greeted when you walk in and again when you leave, which just makes the whole experience feel so warm and welcoming. There's also an older gentleman who is always there with the biggest smile, checking in to make sure everything is perfect, and it never goes unnoticed. I also love that it's pet-friendly. The outdoor seating area with the turf is such a nice touch, and my dog absolutely loves it. Overall, this place is a 10/10 with 1000/10 service. Anytime I'm in the area, I have to stop here without fail.

New favorite GO TO Greek restaurant. Food was amazing-fresh, incredible flavors, good quality,…read moremeats were cooked perfectly and desserts were outstanding. Salads were exceptional: crispy, fresh produce with great dressings. Spinach and cheese pies were crispy with buttery layered phyllo; SO Good! Lots of drinks to choose from and the place is so clean! Staff was friendly and helpful and the owner even came out and greeted us. This place is true GEM! They cater too!

Everything was very good! From the Spicy Feta Dip, to the Lamb Gyro, to the Tzatziki sauce, to the…read morefries! Everything was very good quality, the portions were generous, and the seasoning/flavors were above what I usually experience at most Gyro/Greek establishments. Love the food and didn't know this place existed. You've got a new fan!

Discovered this place a couple of years ago and took my cousin who lives here in FV less than 2…read moremiles away, but had never been. She's a regular now. Decided to have dinner here again, and so glad we did. Ordered the combo with gyro meat and kefta. Serving size is decent, less meat than expected but tasty and filling, Love the rice and hummus with warm pita. Also ordered the grrek salad. My husband and I shared both entrees. The combo ones with a side salad with a lemony deessing, which was really good and different from the Greek salad dressing, also really good. You can request the pickles id happened to notice when I wsnt to order more pita. 1 cones with the meal but its not enough for the amount of hummus. There are 3 sauces also. A tzaziki, hot sauce and another green one im not sure if it was a pesto. No matter, all good. I'll definitely be back. Its popular for sure, lots of takeout and call in orders. Steady line of customers at meal times.

Service-good Ambiance-poor…read moreFood- ordered stuffed pita lamb/beef EXCELLENT Outstanding flavors

I travel extensively for work and always seek out Lebanese food to connect with my heritage. Having…read moreeaten at hundreds of Lebanese restaurants across multiple states--and traveling back to Beirut once a year--I have a very high bar for authenticity. My wife is also very familiar with the cuisine and cooks many of these traditional dishes herself. Last night, we tried BEI in Costa Mesa, and we are both absolutely thrilled to have found it. The hospitality here is amazing. Tommy gave us a warm greeting right as we walked in, and it was a pleasure chatting with him all evening. Our waiter, George, was equally amazing. He isn't Lebanese himself, but he jokingly told us that he is becoming Lebanese more and more every day just from eating the food here! He knew the menu inside and out, guiding us through the options and sharing his personal favorite plates with real passion. As for the food, my wife and I completely agreed that the chicken shawarma was easily the best I have ever had anywhere in the United States. It fully equals what you would eat at a high-quality restaurant in Lebanon. The toum (garlic spread), which is an absolute must for the chicken, was unbelievable. The hummus, baba ganoush, batata harra (spicy potatoes), and the fattoush salad were all absolutely amazing and perfectly seasoned. We finished the evening with an incredible knefeh for dessert. Even the hookah was great--smooth, well-prepared, and the perfect addition to the evening. They have a DJ on Fridays and a belly dancer on Saturdays, giving the space an awesome weekend energy. If you want genuine Lebanese cuisine paired with true Middle Eastern hospitality, BEI is a must-visit. We will certainly be back every time I am in town!

Had an awesome experience here! The food was delicious, the service was outstanding, and the hookah…read morehad amazing flavor and was nice and strong. Everything was well worth the price. As well as the overall vibe inside is so fun. A special shoutout to Tommy, he provided excellent service and made the experience even better. I highly recommend this place to anyone looking for great food, great hookah, and top notch service. Definitely ask for Tommy!

I had to take a second to write this because the experience was that good…read more Andres at CAVA is on another level. From the moment I walked in, he brought great energy, was genuinely welcoming, and made the whole experience feel personal instead of rushed. You can tell he actually cares about what he's doing -- not just going through the motions. He helped me build the perfect bowl, gave solid recommendations, and made sure everything was dialed in exactly how I wanted it. On top of that, his attitude stood out the most -- positive, attentive, and just real. That kind of service is rare. People like Andres are the reason I'll keep coming back. CAVA is lucky to have him. Give that man a raise.

CAVA is my favorite Mediterranean fast-casual spot and easily my go-to for healthy fast food…read more I love the salad bowls, and the braised lamb is always my order, it's flavorful, tender, and really satisfying. The toppings are great too, with plenty of options that let you build something fresh without it feeling boring. I used to go to CAVA all the time when I lived in New York, so I'm genuinely happy to have one here in Costa Mesa now. Reliable, healthy, and consistently good, this place never lets me down.

This was a delightful find! The food so fresh and excellent , outrageously inexpensive $13 for my…read moreshish kabobs meal, friendly service, quiet setting, outdoor seating! As I love Mediterranean food, I am so happy to find my most affordable favorite here!

Loved this place! Staff was so nice and helpful and the food was delicious. Thank you!…read more -Kate and Gregory

** this is from several months ago** t'was sitting in my drafts for a bit,…read more... Several beer pitchers in @ HACHI (just next door-shout out to them)-- for a celebration of a breakup, the end of midterms, or simply the triumph of continuing to exist (in THIS economy?? were all needing to praise ourselves for simply surviving) -- we found ourselves drawn, like moths to a fluorescently lit flame, to Halal Guys. Now listen. The food? Solid. Reliable. The kind of food that understands you are not here for nuance. You are here because life has punched you in the throat and you require a plate of rice, chicken, gyro meat, and mysterious white sauce to spiritually stabilize. I used to go to the OG one in NYC when i was getting punched in the throat there too. (PUNCHED IN THE THROAT BY ACADEMIA, FIGURATIVELY, y'all haver crazy imaginations outthere). BUT it;s the people... It's always the people... The staff. My siblings in falafel... it was 10 PM. You could feel the collective energy of "we have been serving drunk people since sunset and you are the 437th group tonight explaining your breakup story while pointing at the menu." Not judging, just warmth and the quiet aura of people who have seen things. Who have witnessed humanity at its lowest point: ordering extra hot sauce and then immediately regretting it. JC looked in my soul and I think he understood,,, everything. AND JESS! (my fairy wielding a spoon scooping the heavenly meat and talking to me like a therapist??) And they fed us. Efficiently. Respectfully. Would I return? hell ya i would. only to see if Jess and JC remembers me. JK the food is always reliable. y'all stay away from the hot saucres,

Overall (1/5) This was easily my worst Halal Guys experience…read moreand honestly left me really disappointed. I came craving something familiar and left feeling like I wasted both time and money. First Impressions (1/5) When I walked in, there was only one person working, handling the fryer, the register, and assembling plates. I genuinely felt bad for her, especially considering the steady line forming. What We Got (2/5) I ordered a regular plate, which is what I usually get at Halal Guys. Nothing customized or complicated, just the standard order I have had many times before at other locations. Taste and Quality (0/5) The food was shockingly bad. The rice was raw and crunchy, which was hard to believe at first. The meat pieces were tiny and very chewy, and the pita bread was extremely soggy. On top of that, it was only around 4 pm and the usual spinning meat and grill were not even on, despite the line picking up. Service (2/5) The worker was clearly trying her best, but one person running everything in a busy location is not realistic. She was constantly running back and forth between the fryer and the line, which made the whole operation feel chaotic and slow. Space and Atmosphere (3/5) The space itself was fine and what you would expect from Halal Guys. Clean enough, but nothing stood out positively enough to offset the food experience. Was It Worth It (0/5) Not at all. As someone who is pretty frugal and almost always finishes their meals, I could not finish this plate. It genuinely felt like a waste of $18. Final Thoughts This location does not seem to be held to the same standards as other Halal Guys in the area. This experience was disappointing from start to finish.