been here twice 'so far', the trust dinner and the ultimate steak dinner were both fantastic. don't even think about it, just pick the day, the scene, pay, and then wait to be served. you'll leave satisfy, happy, full and buzzed (if not drunk). can't wait for the next special occasion to try something else (i just can't afford going there on a regular basis or i would....) bravo guys! read more

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I care here three times within the past 13 months. The first time was for Trust dinner. Second time we brought friends for Adventures in Seafood. Last time we all came back for Best of Trust 2019. In total I've had over 30 different dishes, and all of them were amazing and tasty. The chefs talk to you while cooking and it feels like a dinner with a show. They really care about the food and your experience at the dinner. There is no set menu and they evolve their food all the time. When we came back to Best of Trust, it was only a couple months after seafood and they taken some of those dishes and added on top of it which was really cool to see it evolve. read more

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LOCKDOWN - Week 3: 4th order TOGO from Playground! They just get more organized every time I go. Pulled into a parking spot right in front, texted that I had arrived and they brought the food out within a minute! Bacon and black bean chili tonight, delicious, with all the extras to go with it everything packaged separately so it stays crisp, fresh and tasty!!! And for dessert we've got mochi and cheesecake!! YUM read more

How do I say this? I really wanted to love the food. most dishes were great. a few dishes didnt quite hit the mark. Overpowering richness not always balanced. My taste buds grew tired 7 dishes in. (there were 12 or 14, I dont remember!) more palate cleanser courses would have helped. One dish supposedly had fois gras in it but the liver took a back seat(a travesty imho). caviar didnt pop on the tongue but the potato it was served on was perfect. Wine parings were a miss. Do you get your money' worth? Absolutely. Is it a fun experience? Absolutely. Would I return? unsure. I used to hit Playground 2-3x/month. At TRUST I felt like i'd been d*ckslapped by chefs and I asked for it and begged for more but I left just a little bruised and abused. we went around NYE and opulence was the theme and it didnt disappoint in that category. I just...wanted more acid balance, more brightness on the tongue, more beautiful vegetables. I've eaten Michelin stars on 3 continents so perhaps I'm a tad jaded. Go. Just go. you'll have fun. You'll support chefs who dare. Go early and have a beautiful drink in the bar. read more

Obviously amazing. Thank you Jason, Nick, Justin, Josh, dishwashers, anyone else I missed Surf and Turf was everything I expected it to be and more; great atmosphere, great company, even as a lone couple. Can't ask for more, and don't want to spoil any of it read more

I don't know what can be said about Playground 2.0 that hasn't already been said. My meal here was the best I've ever eaten, hands down. Like many of you, I've been wanting to come here for awhile and I finally just pulled the trigger and booked a trust dinner to surprise my boyfriend. The hosts at Playground even helped me pull off the big reveal and the night. I'm still salivating just thinking about the 15-course meal we were treated to. It is an 18-seat kitchen so everyone is put into groups of three and you eat family style off the dishes according to your group. And holy crap, these dishes. I'm talking fresh out the oven rolls with foie gras butter and wagyu outside skirt steak. If you've visited Playground before you're familiar with their innovation, and the Trust dinner was no different. We had sous vide cauliflower hearts, you guys (atop a cauliflower and 'nduja puree, for the curious). The flavors the chefs manage to coax out of every ingredient is honestly mind-boggling. I think it's safe to say that you know you're getting an excellent meal when you come to 2.0. The thing that stood out just as much to me, though, was the service we received. The chefs were so kind and welcoming and happy to answer any questions we had throughout the night. They took time to converse with all of us and catered to any and all requests. The sommelier (whose name is sadly escaping me despite its distinctive character) was similarly as knowledgeable and clearly passionate about the wines we enjoyed (which were also amazing, btw). There is no doubt that passion is what powers the 2.0 kitchen and it was truly a pleasure to be able to share in that. If you consider yourself a food lover, I urge you to buy a ticket and walk out loving it even more. read more

Trust - Fresh out the oven rolls with foie gras butter - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Santa Ana, California

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Playground DTSA is probably my favorite restaurant in Orange County and I was super excited to try 2.0! I came here to celebrate my birthday and came for their "Steak Dinner" theme and it was absolutely amazing! We had four courses of Waygu and one of them was A5 Japanese Waygu. Everything was cooked with just salt and heat and it was delicious. If you're a fan of meat, I highly recommend trying this dinner. The meal started off with fresh baked bread that they put in the oven nine minutes before the meal starts so you have the freshest/hottest bread. For the sides there was one of the best salads I've had. Light and fresh and great was to start the meal off. We also had a fried edamame and avocado side dish, zucchini dish, and creamed corn that was made without cream. All which were very tasty! During dinner we had several wines served and the server was constantly refilling our glasses. The wines complemented every part of the meal and were each amazing. As far as service and the experience, this was probably one of my favorite experiences ever dining. It was really awesome to have the chefs right in front of us preparing each dish and interacting with us. They were super fun to talk to and made the experience that much better! Overall this is absolutely one of my favorite dining spots and I recommend going if you love good food. I can't wait to try one of their other themes [especially "Trust"]! read more

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We got tickets for Little Elm and it was an amazing experience. Think intimate dinner theater meets out of the box thinking and then has a baby in the form of a many course meal. There were things I love about Playground 2.0 and things that I didn't love, but even with those things, it's still a "must do". Here's my thoughts and we'll definitely be back: ***Love the intimate bar setting where the chefs are cooking/plating right in front of you. I want to say there are only 18 seats around a bar that stares directly into their kitchen so you're part of the action. ***Don't love that they plate family style per every 3 people. The way my husband and I were seated we ended up sharing with 2 different couples...it's not that it didn't make for good conversation but at the price we paid for tickets it's just kind of weird. ***Loved some of the courses like the most amazing cabbage that they baked in brown butter glaze...it was perhaps the most interesting thing I have ever eaten. And there were a few other courses that blew my mind as well such as the salad (I know, how can a salad blow your mind!)...but it did! ***Didn't love the edginess that seemed at first charming when a few "f"bombs were dropped but then seemed tired towards the end of a long meal. ***Loved the wine pairing and the cocktail that was brought out. You can tell that a lot of thought was put into the selection and how it would play out with the food. Interestingly enough, our meal had a ton of whites which worked great for me but my plate sharing mates...not so much. ***Loved that the dessert courses were small enough that I could still fit them in when I was so full as we neared the end. And they were worth it;) read more

Love this place. What a great EXPERIENCE!!! The food and wine are great and it is like being at a pop up.

I honestly don't even know where to start.. I finally had the chance to dine here for a friends birthday for the "Trust Dinner Party" which is an all inclusive 15 course meal, tax and gratuity included, and with alcoholic beverages included. BE AWARE, there's no advance menu or customization to the dishes so if you're picky and not willing to try new things then this is not the place for you. It is a relief that I don't have to pick and choose what I want to eat because I can get very indecisive and just end up wanting everything when dining out. Jason Quinn and his squad were amazing!!! One of the best dining experience I've had in awhile.. You could obviously tell how passionate they are about their work just by looking at how much effort they put onto each and every one of their dishes and watching their customers reaction while enjoying their food. IT'S PRICELESS! I love it!! FOOD: I've only named a couple Avocado and macadamia handroll: What a great way to start off dinner! The freshness of the avocado and the crunchiness of the macadamia nut was so good together.. I want more! The freshest baked bread w/homemade butter: The reason for the name "freshest bread" is because it literally came right out of the oven in front of us. Be warned, it is pretty HOT! The aroma of the bread right when it came out was making me way too excited.. and I was right, the bread was freaking Amazing especially with their homemade butter! Rack of lamb: Let me tell you first.. I hate lamb! When I saw the lamb coming out I was a little disappointed. Jason asked if anyone hated lamb and of course my friends pointed me out. He was actually relieved that someone hated lamb because he explained to me that this is not your typical lamb.This is a lamb that has never eaten grass so it doesn't have that gamey taste to eat!! LIKE WHAT! I didn't believe it! When I actually tried it.. he was right. Not gamey whatsoever and it was freaking delicious! I ate everything until there was nothing left but the bones.. it was that good. I can't express enough how much fun me and my tastebud had lol! I would totally come back and try their "Ultimate steak dinner". SO WORTH EVERY PENNY! NOTES: - You get the option to change your dirty plate for a new one when you feel the need to. - Seating is a max of 18 people - Each dish is shared between 3 people so you will be sharing with the people next you, regardless if they're your friend or a stranger. - Try to eat in small portions because it is a lot of food! - Be respectful and avoid being on your phone while hes explaining each dish. read more

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My partner and I have been wanting to try this spot since moving (back for me) to Santa Ana from Oakland since hearing about it from a fellow chef friend. The price range was always a bit more than we could ever afford, but we finally got the opportunity to try this spot out. First and foremost: the server was amazing. He had a very hands-off approach which I appreciate, but was always around when we needed water or had a question. We had an issue with one dish (which i'll get to later) and he took care of it immediately. I also appreciate the server and hostess checking on any allergies (my partner is allergic to bell peppers) we may have. Ok, now to the food. I'll list what we ordered and how everything tasted. Uncle Lou's Fried Chicken: I was fairly disappointed with this, but only because of the hype behind it. Now the chicken was cooked PERFECTLY; each bite was juicy all the way through and the flavor was good. The problem lies in the fact that they call it fried chicken and I feel there's an expectation of some type of breaded batter, which there was none. And although the description on the menu doesn't actually state any type of spice, I suppose I wanted something spicy and was let down when it wasn't. Pad Thai Egg Noodles: Also not my favorite, but my partner (who is Burmese) LOVED it. She appreciated the neutrality of spices and how now one thing overpowered anything else, which apparently is how many traditional Burmese dishes are. Brick Game Hen: My absolute favorite! The jerk sauce was spicy, and the plantains were perfectly cooked (something I haven't had since visiting Puerto Rico). Berbere Spiced Rack of Suckling Lamb: Amazing; so incredibly tender and juicy; the almond clusters with yogurt sauce (note: I HATE yogurt) added so much texture and flavor. Charcoal Grilled Pork Collar Marinated With Sweetened Condensed Milk: The pork wasn't rendered enough, so there was a high fat cap which made it too much to handle. The sticky rice was perfect and the marinade was delicious. Brussel Spouts Caesar: My God. Absolutely epic. Just. Order. It. Peruvian Ceviche Is Out Absolute Favorite: Another favorite; the caramelized sweet potatoes were some of the best I've ever had and the fish was extremely refreshing and offered a nice balance. The Peruvian corn was a such a nice touch! Kurobuta Pork Belly Steam Bun: Disappointing. The pork (again) was not rendered enough making it WAY to fatty to eat. The guacamole was good, but not enough to save this dish. The server took it away after he noticed we didn't touch it and took care of it for us. Black Mission Fig Sticky Toffee Pudding: Amazing. A must have. Overall, the food was amazing. I think the chefs focused on ensuring that all the meats were just cooked enough to not be under (which worked for the lamb and chicken) but that left the pork dishes either just ok, or inedible. Still, our overall experience was amazing! read more

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Uh oh, that one review that isn't 5 Stars...cue pitchforks. Ultimate Steak Dinner $150 with drinks pairing included. HIGHLIGHTS: - A5 Wagyu Ribeye @___@ - The chefs are great and very entertaining. They're there to make sure you have a great time, although they will crack jokes at you. Not only that, but they're very educational on each piece of steak you'll be eating and wine bottle served. - For this price, it's definitely worth every penny and is cheap compared to other fancy steak houses. - Best to go in groups of 3. Each plate is split among 3 people at the bar, so if you don't wanna share with a random stranger, bring 2 friends. FOOD: - Fresh Baked Brioche: Soft and buttery bread, it was so delicious with the melted butter. - Salad: I loved the crunchy things inside the salad that gave it great texture. - Wagyu Sirloin with Snap Peas: This was my least favorite of the night and was just okay steak. Its a bit tough, and lacked salt. I was craving some salt or pepper to shake on top or some hot sauce to add to it. The snap peas were served cold, which I really loved. Never had a cold snap pea dish and this was very flavorful. I wasn't too keen on the mayo-type sauce at the bottom. - Wagyu Short Rib & Roasted Baby Carrots: Loved this steak, didn't like the carrots too much, although they weren't bad either. The carrots also had beets, and usually I hate beets but they were able to tame the earthy flavor of these beets very well and I actually enjoyed it. The Short Rib was so tender, juicy, and perfectly cooked on medium rare. - Wagyu Picanha & Cauliflower: This was a Brazilian type of cut and I liked it too. Some parts had a fatty layer one the meat which I liked a lot. The Cauliflower was my least favorite side dish, it was super fatty and drenched in oil and then a mayo-type sauce as well. - Wagyu Skirt Steak & Broccolini with Potato Chips: This steak was cooked on more of the rare side than what I would of liked, but I still enjoyed how tender it was and meaty. Also you only get 1 small piece of meat from the cut. The broccolini and potato chips also had an oily taste to it. I didn't care too much for the chips, but the broccolini was very soft and sweet. - A5 Wagyu Ribeye: Certified steak from Miyazaki Prefecture. Absolutely the best steak of the night. MEAT BUTTER, is what I call it. Dripping with fat, this easily melted in your mouth. There is also only 1 small slice that comes with it. - Nutella Cake with Strawberry Jam: Heavy cake, but I liked the strawberry jam. DRINKS - Huge assortment of wines, which I don't remember. First was a rose, which gradually transitioned to darker red wines. The Odette Cabernet was definitely my favorite and they serve a stout at the very end with your dessert. OVERALL: - Don't get me wrong, I feel like I should be giving a 5 star review. Yes the food was delicious, but why the 4? Although it was a good meal, the courses overall didn't have a flow and cadence. First, there isn't anything that's timed, each meal just comes out onto your plate one after the other, without any time for you to relax or enjoy each course. In fact food was coming out so fast my party was having trouble finishing everything. Secondly, palette cleansers were highly needed in the ultimate steak dinner. Not only were the steaks fatty, but every side dish was equally fatty and oily, either in some heavy mayo-type sauce or in oil. This meal needed something fresh and zesty to cut the heavy and fatty flavors of the beef. Even the dessert was heavy, and a fresh sorbet or fruit would of been the perfect cap to this meal. Overall, the food was good, but I've been to fine dining restaurants where every bite just builds on top of other. Unfortunately the steaks and side dishes didn't deliver that same experience. read more

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I've missed 2.0, yes pricey but hate to say it, worth it. Great food, great people, great drinks...I'm coming back as soon as I can! See my previous review for the ones I like! read more

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I'll admit I was skeptical going in. My wife and I frequent Playground next door, but after reading some reviews here I wasn't sure I'd want to share a dish with people other than my wife (for context, all diners are seated at a bar, and a dish is placed down for every 3 diners; thus if you are in a group of 2 you will necessarily share with someone else). Turns out sharing food with other diners made the experience even better. There is a certain communal feel at PG 2.0, and everyone is in it together. With over a dozen different dishes, you didn't feel bad eating less of one and more of another as there was so much food. The owner and his chefs were very attentive and answered any questions a guest had. The sommelier was awesome too - I peppered that guy with questions throughout the evening, and he had very thoughtful answers even after 90 minutes into the dining experience. My wife and I went to veggieworks. It worked and then some. In summary, a 2+ hour dinner that had me laughing throughout and and left me stuffed with awesome food was worth every bit of the $175 pp price of admission. read more

This is my first time here. I like how you pay a flat fee of $175 all inclusive of meal, wine pairing, tax and tip. If you don't drink alcohol or wine, they give you non alcoholic "Mocktails" or accommodate a cocktail to replace the wine. Obviously the food is amazing and the chef is very energetic and passionate about his meals. There were mixed reviews that the meal was pushed at a fast pace by the women in our group and the guys were happy that they had constant food coming at them. When we normally pay $175 pp, we are used to a 3 hour dinner. Here is two hours which I have to agree with the guys. Just keep it coming! My only disappointment was the wine. There is a area for improvement on their wine selection and their wine pairing. Also when we get a wine pairing they normally get a little more and better quality. However, I did as for more and they did give more every time I asked. Another thing to consider is that the chef serves a plate to share amongst three of you? So if you are in a group it's no problem. If you are on a date you will need to share with your neighbor. You have no control of asking to cook the meat all medium as you don't affect other people's meals. I'm giving it 5 stars as the quality of the food and the presentation of the food is great! They just need to work on their wine pairing. It wasn't horrible. But I did expect better. And they did accommodate those who don't drink wine. You read more

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It's hard not to give this place a four star. Food was great, the service was excellent. We came here on a Saturday night without a reservation, so we were seated at the bar. The bartender Jane was very friendly and professional. She knew the menu very well, explained the dishes to us and made all the dishes sound delicious. We had a the Beautiful Baby Lettuces, Hokkaido Scallop, Dungeness Crab "Cocktail", Wagyu Beef Lomo Saltado, the rack of lamb, fried chicken, and finished our meal with a rice pudding as dessert. Everything was yummy. My favorite dish was wagyu beef lomo saltado, it was so flavorful (I didn't eat fries)just the beef and rice it was really tasty. The salad was very good too, really liked their burrata. The Scorpio was yummy, I would order it again. The fried chicken was juicy, loved the vinegar sauce. They change their menu daily. I can't wait to come here again to try their other dishes. read more

I came here for the Ultimate Steak Dinner and it was the best meal of my life. I surprised my bf by bringing him for xmas and we were both stoked. I'm not going to describe each course because they change up the dishes all the time. If I could, I would come here regularly. I'll definitely be back though. Obviously the best steak I've ever had. Also the best wine I've ever had. The sides were just as incredible. The service was excellent. Jason and the guys were great and accommodating...even though Jason is an Arsenal fan, we won't hold it against him ;) read more

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For my 8th anniversary with my boyfriend, he surprised me with an Ultimate Steak Dinner here at Playground 2.0. If he had gotten down on one knee to present the A5 steak that we had, I would have ugly cried and exclaimed, "Yes! About damn time!" LOL. But seriously, the concept of this place is so cool and the food is just HEAVENLY. The chefs are so talented in what they do and my experience cannot be compared to anything else. Yes, it is very pricey, but it's definitely something that everyone should enjoy at least once in their lives. All the dishes were prepared with such intricacy and respect that it literally tasted like art. We had 5 different kinds of steak (one of them being a waygu A5 steak) accompanied by 5 different accompanying sides. We also had fresh bread straight out of the oven to start and an amazing magic chocolate shell dessert to wrap it up. Between meals, we enjoyed a wide range of wines that paired perfectly with each course. Each course was shared between 3 people and the establishment was very small. This makes the experience so much more intimate as you can interact with other guests and the chefs on a personal level. TL;DR: If I had the opportunity (and the money) to do this again, I absolutely would! I HIGHLY recommend the Ultimate Steak Dinner despite the high price tag (price includes food, pairings, tax and tip). *Special shout out to my boy Daiki, the 30 month old Japanese cow that was served, for being the most delicious thing I've ever tasted in my life. You're the real MVP. Your death was definitely not in vain. #NeverForgotten read more

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My wife took me here for a Brunch date for my birthday. Only 18 seats and you must reserve and pay in advance. Wow. I was blown away by the 12 course meal and all the amazing flavors. They paired each dish with a champagne, bit usually it is with a different kind of wine. The courses are always different. This is a must try. You will not be disappointed. read more

This was worth every penny. I have been to many fine dining establishments and this experience definitely ranks in the top ten dining experiences in my life. Every single dish delivered and was well balanced, seasonal, and delicious. My brother agreed - said this dinner was in the same level of execution of the meal he had at Pujol in Mexico City (a top 50 worldwide restaurant). You do need to trust the chef - there were items I thought I hated executed to the point I loved them. The wine pairing was absolutely key as well. Right here in OC. An amazing experience. read more

Turns out I saved the best for last this year! Playground 2.0 was the venue for our annual Yelper and Foodie friends private dining Christmas PYE. This was year 5 and it turned out to be one the best - as you've probably already read in great reviews by Trina D, Dan H, Jonathan Z and Chris D. The all did a great job going over the food and drink - If you are interested in the "Ultimate Steak Dinner" Jonathan took copious notes during the meal and wrote a detailed description of the courses. The exact dishes will vary a bit anyway - so if you're trying to decide whether or not to visit 2.0, I'll just sum it up by saying go for it, you'll be glad you did. With so many other reviews out there, I'll try to give you a little different take - and focus on the experience. Which I found to be as enjoyable as the food! There are several themes - Ultimate Steak dinner seems like a great one to start with. There's a calendar on their website - you make your reservations by paying for your seats on the site. There is a maximum of 18 seats available. You get confirmation and a ticket via e-mail. We didn't have to worry about that since I bought out all 18 seats. When I ordered the tickets I was able to write a few comments. I had a few questions and was contacted promptly. In the few weeks between ordering and our event other questions came up and Jason and his staff went out of their way to facilitate communication with me. I'd suggest arriving prior to your seating time and having a drink at the bar. For our group Jason had the staff set up some tables and glassware out on the patio. I brought some bottles for a pre dinner toast. A great start to a perfect evening. The food is great - but what really puts it over the top is the interaction with the Chefs - these guys have a passion for food that is prevalent in everything they do. They present the dishes in an informative, and a relaxed, fun atmosphere that was appreciated by all. I was as happy with the sides as I was the meat courses. Rhett was on point with his wine selections - each paired beautifully - it was obvious the pairings were well thought out - Rhett was just as passionate about the wines and gave great introductions to them - several people are sharing the wine list for the evening for later purchases. Everyone in our group loved the experience - many said it was among the best meals they'd ever had. Plenty of food, wine and great times. The entire atmosphere was relaxed - great for a group since everything is paid in advance. Tax, tip and wine is all included - one of my guests wanted to tip more - Jason overheard me saying tip is included and he noted that no money changes hands ever @ 2.0 - since it's all taken care of - you can focus on the food and good times. It was a feature that everyone really appreciated. Many of us are already planning return trips to try some of the other themed nights. I know Ruth and I will be back - If you're planning for a group this is a no brainer win for all - highly recommended. read more

Came here for a friend's birthday for the Ultimate Steak Dinner, which includes 5 courses of meat, 5 courses of sides and dessert. We purchased our tickets a month in advance, there are only 18 spots available per seating. It is bar seating and they make a plate of food for you to share with every 3 people. We came with a party of 6 so it worked out for us. If you come in a party of 2, you will have to share with the person next to you whether you know them or not. The chefs were hilarious, and they kept us entertained the whole night. You could tell how passionate they are about their dishes, they put so much effort into each dish. I love that they explain each dish before serving it. FOOD: - Fresh bread: literally came right out of the oven and served to us within sections. Bread is my weakness.. The brioche and fresh butter was delicious! - Wagyu sirloin and snap peas: steak was cooked perfectly, I loved the snap peas probably one of my favorite side dishes of the night - Wagyu short rib and roasted baby carrots: one of my favorite steaks of the night! Super tender and flavorful. I loved the roasted carrots as well, I believe it was served with bleu cheese and cranberries on top. Everything complemented each other. I probably ate half the side dish myself, oops. - Wagyu picanha and cauliflower: the steak was a bit chewy compared to the others, probably the bottom of my list compared to the rest. The cauliflower was made 3 ways, puréed, roasted and I forgot the last one. It was topped off with a sauce similar to chimichurri. - Wagyu skirt steak: another favorite of the night, packed with flavor and melted in your mouth. - A5 Wagyu ribeye: the steak was from Japan, the steak was super fatty it literally melted in your mouth - Dessert: I believe it was a walnut Nutella cake with strawberry jam, topped with fresh strawberries. Loved the texture of the jam and nutella, complemented eachother well. Major food coma, some of us fell asleep on the car ride home. If you're thinking about coming, it was worth the $150, this includes tax,tip and alcohol/wine. I cannot wait to return to try other theme nights they offer. It was a pleasure, Thank you Jason, Justin, and Nick. Until next time! read more

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My boyfriend surprised me with reservations for the playground for my birthday and Omg!! I love love love love this place! Our dinner reservations were for the trust dinner and I can reassure you that the chefs definitely earned my trust! Jason, Justin, and Nick were all so funny and deliberately made the night an unforgettable one! It was 17 courses but do not be discouraged! It was not that much food at all and if you can't eat it all, they give you Togo boxes! It was perfect and really delicious the day after! We arrive around 6:45 and waited for our host to check us in. The chefs prepare 17 courses and it's shared for every 3 people! I believe the entire restaurant seated 16 people. If I can remember correctly, we started with a sorbet melon ice cream champagne with FRESH bread and butter. It was like piping hot fresh out of the oven hot... It was incredible. The rest of the dinner carried on with American to Asian fused cuisines to Latin American modern day shaved corn by chef Nick! I would have to say that even though the corn was simple and easy to make, it was my absolute favorite just because it reminds me of my child hood where there is a corn man who would come around on his bike in my neighborhood and sell you corn on the cob with mayo, cheese, lime, and spices! The corn was seasoned very similar with cheese, spices, and other delicious ingredients! Everything is paired with wine and anything with alcohol for me is a DEFINITE PLUS. By the end of the night, I was stuffed and a little tipsy from all the different wines that was paired with each course. Overall the experience, the food, the people around were all so nice and welcoming, we will be back most definitely! read more

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Last night, my friend Bob T. and his wife Ruth had their annual holiday get together. This year they chose Playground 2.0 as the restaurant of choice. I was so happy to get an invite since they booked all 18 seats. We had the entire restaurant to ourselves and it was fantastic. They even brought some Prosecco and Moscato for a pre-dinner toast. We had a glass of wine waiting for us when we arrived in the dining area. My friend, Grace C., doesn't drink so she opted for Russian roulette mocktails. Ultimate Steak Dinner is $150 per person which is inclusive of alcohol, tax, and tip; paid in advance, so that you don't need to worry about the bill the day of, just parking. Chef Jason announced that we'd be having wagyu all night: American and Japanese. Every 3 persons get a dish to share. If you're not already friends with your neighbors, prepare to become more intimate. The first course was this fantastic wagyu steak tartare served with a side of amazing garlic knots. Next up, we had an amazing salad with butter lettuce, tomatoes, hard boiled eggs, and the butteriest croutons I've ever had the pleasure of eating. This was followed up with domestic wagyu hanger steak that was seasoned with salt and fire. The steak was cooked over Japanese white oak wood giving the meat an amazing aroma. Each piece of meat was melt in your mouth tender. Then my wine was replaced with something that paired better with the cooked steak. I got pictures of the labels but I didn't have a chance to catch everything Sommelier Rhett Butler said about the wine. Following the hanger steak, we had broccolini with pickled shallots and peppers. This was super tasty. Paired with this dish, was the Imperial domestic picaña steak which was super tender and delicious. We then received a plate of sunchokes with roasted brussels sprouts. That was followed up with peppered steak with a cognac cream sauce. Another glass of wine to go with the peppered steak. You get the picture. Following that dish, was the roasted cauliflower with fried shallots. I love fried shallots. We also received some outside skirt steak and yukon mashed potatoes with lobster bisque mixed in. It was a luxurious bite of food for sure! The pièce de résistance was the Japanese wagyu strip of fatty goodness. You could taste the marbling in this perfectly cooked strip of beef. That's how good it was. It was orgasmically good. I had gotten full after the first few courses but I pressed on and was rewarded handsomely with some of the best steak I've ever had in my life. The last dish was a serving of warm brownies with hazelnut ice cream and hazelnut cookie crumbs. This was served with a lovely vanilla porter to round out the extravagant meal. Thank you to Bob and Ruth T. for organizing such a lovely get together with friends. Thanks to Chef Jason and his staff for the most enjoyable evening. If you haven't tried Playground 2.0, you need to make yourself a reservation and book a ticket to the promised land. read more

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BEST MEAL I EVER HAD! Absolutely phenomenal, I almost cried several times because it was such an amazingly beautiful thing to witness & TASTE. I CAN be a bit of a picky eater and when I heard some of the ingredients, I was all "ummmm....." but I committed and "TRUSTED" them and they exceeded all expectations. I hate mushrooms, loved the mushroom course. I am not a fan of raw tuna, loved the raw tuna course. I had never had risotto before and always wondered what the big whoop was about and NOW I GET IT. Any ingredient that gave me pause was redeemed by the talent of these chefs. I refer to this meal as my "Anthony Bourdain Experience" and it was, for me, a once in a lifetime meal (because I have a hard time justifying $175 on one meal - HOWEVER, I will say it is WORTH EVERY PENNY, I can't wait to do it again, special occasion, of course ha ha). I will be riding the high that this meal provided, for at least a week. The chefs and sommellier are professional and EXPERTLY skilled, while at the same time, personable and easy going. A fantastic experience that I will NEVER forget. If you CAN treat yourself to this incredibly perfect meal, DO IT - you will not regret it. I rarely get excited about things anymore but I was PASSIONATE AF about this meal. I promise, you will be, too. read more

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This is hands down my favorite restaurant in Orange County. I have gone to Playground 2.0 & 1.9 at least 3 times and each dinner has been nothing short of AMAZING. It's a whole dining experience. Chef Jason is such a character and makes the meal so fun (especially when it was the 2.0 version). He comes up with the most creative, delicious dishes and I haven't had a single disappointing item. The very first time I went was for a Trust dinner and I had Japanese Wagyu for the first time and I am now hooked. I went to a 1.9 steak dinner and although all the steak was delicious, nothing compares to the Wagyu. read more

Only for 21-33 year old hipsters. Only if you like to pay high $$$ for drinks Only if you like tasting experiments Only for those who enjoy snotty service. Ordered the most tame food items, interesting flavor combinations. 2 of 7 dishes received thumbs up with our party. (1 was the focaccia). read more

I cannot say anything more then what has already been said in the past....or what others will say in the future, so let me just say this: If you are a "foodie" or just someone who enjoys fabulous food and phenomenal presentation... 2.0 has to be on your bucket list. I have only been there twice so far but I know I will be returning a hundred more times before I die! You will never get the same food as the fare changes daily. Which means you will never get tired of dining there. This is NOT just a place to dine - it is an EXPERIENCE! Thanks guys read more

Trust - More Wagu Please!!! - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Santa Ana, California

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Great food and the chef was friendly. You can tell he is passionate about food. We definitely ate too much.

This is for a 2.0 Trust Dinner: Uhhhh .... come hungry and pace yourself!! My only critique is for myself bc I got full too quickly and couldn't taste every last bit. SO amazing and wish I was rich so I could go all the time. They clearly put thought & effort into all of their dishes and loved how they explained everything so well. My husband and I were in straight up awe about how fucking delicious everything was... yes, seriously, everything! Go go go. read more

Great experience, cozy setting, entertaining staff, delicious Wagyu Steaks cooked to perfection. The bar setting was ideal to watch as the meal is prepared and be able to converse with Chef Jason and his sous chefs. The wine pairings were on point for each course of the meal. read more

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This place certainly doesn't live up to the hype. The food was overpriced, under flavored, and the atmosphere/ambiance was contrived. The waiters wear t-shirts with printouts of negative reviews since they have their fair share to choose from. Tried multiple dishes and most tasted like the chef was trying too hard to be clever. Save your money, enjoy eating elsewhere, otherwise risk reading this review on the back of your waiter's t-shirt while you're thinking that I was right. read more

Food was great, dessert was to die for. The sticky toffee is probably by far the best dessert I've ever had, and their burnt cheesecake rendition was admirable. Everything we got tasted great, solid company, highly recommend. read more

The Ultimate Steak Experience was well worth the money. Everything was excellent - the service, food, & wine paring. Will definitely do this again! read more

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Ultimate Steak Dinner- go! Worth every penny!!! Just had dinner this past Wednesday night with a group of five, we all enjoyed the atmosphere and can't stop thinking about the meal. There is plenty of food to go around and even though you share you will be VERY full. read more

Trust - Certified Wagyu - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Santa Ana, California

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What a great chef, a great meal and a great experience! Really fun dinner. Dude brought me here for my birthday and we were seated with about 15 other people. All plates are shared in 3's. I was kind of taken by surprise by the whole sharing thing since it's my first time, and I HATE sharing. Luckily, my table mates were very nice and was very fair about dividing each dish. Dinner was about 14 courses which included foie gras and wagyu beef from Japan. Everything was very tasty and creative. The whole meal was very friendly, collaborative, and just like having dinner with a bunch of friends. Jason chatted with all of us and told stories. Nico, the other chef also prepared and served some of the dishes, he was super sweet and patiently answered all of our questions. The price you pay also includes drinks, taxes and tips, which is a killer deal. We got to sample 5 different kind of booze, 3 types of wine, 1 whiskey, and 1 beer. Our dessert dishes were not shared, and we got 2 different desserts one of which was a homemade ice cream. Simple amazing and very comfortable. Highly recommend. read more

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Phenomenal. I cannot stress enough how amazing this experience was. We visited Playground 2.0 and had the Trust Dinner theme, and the overall experience was just phenomenal. It was a 15 course meal with wine parings and entertainments from the chefs. Our chef was Jason and Justin, and John the "Cork Dork". The way the dinner works is you share each portion with 2 other people, so 3 people share a plate. Even with sharing I was full to the max, I hit food coma when I got home. The portions are extremely generous and the quality of food was just out-of-this-world. Additionally, I'm not the type of guy to eat too much veggies per meal, but I've definitely destroyed all the salads they've created. Each course was created with innovative ideas and cooked to perfection. My wine glass was also never empty. Overall, if you are looking to do a special dining experience, or take someone out on a very fancy meal/experience, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Playground 2.0. Rest assured, I will be back for more! read more

It starts as a small black envelope that opens to reveal a black ticket with no more than the initials I.O. embossed on it. Its more than a little bit cryptic, and though the entrance fee is a pre-paid $250 per person meal, no more details are provided than simply "Trust". I'd heard that Chef Jason Quinn's new endeavor, Playground 2.0, was modeled after Jose Andres' é, the exclusive Vegas eatery that seats only eight (where I was lucky guest #5475), so I wasn't sure what to expect of the fact that the black tickets had replaced Andres' much more showy golden tickets, as well as the emergence of the porron as a drinking vessel. Was I to be eating truffled cotton candy out of a mold cast from the palm of Quinn's very own hand by the end of the night? At this point, anything was possible... An introduction of the evening's cast showed us that though Jason is amazing at flavor profiles, he respects and leaves the heavy lifting to those who are masters in their craft: risotto master Max. The bread guy Tyler, who turns flour into meltingly delicious brioche rolls. The sommelier Rhett. And of course, the adorable pastry chef Ashley (a la Ashley's leftover pancakes, if you've ever been to a Sunday brunch at Playground next door). What does I.O. mean? Well, it means that you're not sitting next to not only the most enthusiastic (and fortunate) of the local foodie population, but even more than that, the purveyors and restaurateurs that gave rise to the emerging OC avant-garde food scene. To one side sat the owners of local cult coffee shop Portola Lab, and beside them were two gentlemen who ran a popular Boston food truck. And as the third (ish) food course came out and Jason told his story about learning to love oysters, I found that the only ones he used were sourced by Shuck Oyster Bar - whose very owner happened to be sitting next to the boyfriend. Some of the dishes were served family style, so you're passing the lobster risotto and delectable charcuterie down the line. Between that and sharing porrons with the guests adjacent to you, you're bound to make a few like-minded friends over the course of the night. The dinner experience was really personalized, with Jason making a most decadent mac and cheese baked in the rind of none other than his favorite cheese of all time, Tomme de Savoie. It was delightful to bear witness to some old favorites reminiscent of the Lime Truck, like his papaya salad, once adorned with langoustines. I failed Chef Quinn's quiz to win the most succulent parts of the suckling pig, but I don't regret for a second imbibing in the night's generous drink pairings (note: not wine pairings) that led to my waning attention. As my dinner fell on 4/20, the 2.0 staff made sure to recognize, even serving up layers and textures of Valrhona chocolate in tiny terra cotta colored planter bowls: the aptly named and very festive pot brownie course (which - though free of additives, was well received by the crowd). The night ended with house made fortune cookies - complete with house made fortunes. Mine simply read: Sorry. :( Upon hearing this, Jason stealthily slides his own fortune down to the boyfriend. "You're going to get lucky tonight." Not so, Jason Quinn. Maybe the next morning, but for tonight, for my limited capacity and the well-worth-it pain I accepted in over-indulging it, that ship had sailed - about three courses ago, no less. After the last course was served, the cast came out and took a gracious bow. But the curtain didn't fall there. No, it stayed up, Jason chatting to his patrons until the very last ones stumbled back out into the real world. In recent years, I've taken any disposable income available to travel the world, looking high and low through the likes of the sunny freshness of the Amalfi coast, slow cooked meats from the rolling Tuscan hillsides, overly priced delicacies in Paris, the flavors and spices of Spain. I've taken cooking lessons in professional Italian kitchens and had my try at manning the wood-burning ovens, which followed a toast of Prosecco with the kitchen staff. I make several pilgrimages a year to Chicago, battling the website queues and ticketing systems standing between me and the toughest reservations in the U.S. - along with their neighbors in the city that seems like every other Beard nominee calls home. But when I left the I.O. dinner - a little tipsy, a whole lot full - I felt like Dorothy does at the end of the Wizard of Oz: here I'd searched high and low, racking up a good number of frequent flyer miles in hopes of getting secrets from, learning the inspirations of, and toasting with the very chefs who inspire my own inner epicurean - just to find that I had everything I ever wanted in my own back yard all along. OC is badly in need of more pop-ups, and I'm more than a little bit excited for Playground 2.0 to start filling that role. Thank you to the entire staff. It was most definitely a meal to remember. read more

Trust - headed off to wanderlust:Italy #playgrounddtsa - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Santa Ana, California

Playground 2.0 provides chef Jason Quinn and his crew an appropriate stage to showcase their talents. While not the first to think of this concept, you have to love it. Personal interaction with chefs while they are cooking in front of you, telling you about each ingredient, it's foodie theater at it's best. With so many events to choose from, I thought the best one to start with is the "Trust Dinner Party". There is no theme to this night, the chefs cook what they want for you, how they want. When dealing with artists, it's best to sometimes just let them go. This is the omakase concept that high end sushi bars have been doing for years, but here it's a 17 seat counter around an open kitchen. Needless to say, arrive hungry and pace yourself. Most dishes are served tapas style to share with 3 people. Everyone seemed to play nicely and made sure each diner had a fair portion. But don't be too shy, go ahead and take your 3rd, because if you like it, there might not be anything left if you decide you want seconds. Course 1 - Chopped Ocean Trout Hand Roll - great beginning. The seaweed had a slight crunch to it, and the small pieces of Ocean Trout fish skin, that had been crisped up, was added for even more crunch against the succulent "salmon" like trout. It always amazes me that fish skin can take on an almost bacon like saltiness. Course 2 - Fresh Bread and Butter - Simple and awesome. A fresh baked roll, directly from the oven and onto your plate which is a slice of wood. Course 3 - Mark's Chopped Salad - lettuce, tomatoes, red onion, green olives, and cubed smoked cheese in a vinaigrette. These olives were sweet and mild, even my wife who hates olives said, "hey that's not bad". Course 4 - Crab & Green Dragon Apple Ceviche Tostada - proof that mayo makes everything better. Just a little was added to this ceviche and the result was wonderful. This was the first of 3 appearances of the green dragon apple, which is Jason's favorite. Course 5 - Ocean Trout Tiradito - This Peruvian dish packed a little heat in a good way. Sashimi sliced Ocean Trout, avocado, red onion, and topped with puffed ground rocoto chili pepper, which added an amazing spicy crunch. Course 6 & 7 - Two shooters of soup - the first one was a pork broth which was nothing more than the bones and water. It was amazing how intense the pork flavor was. The second one was a creamy curried sunchoke, so good you'll want a whole bowl. Course 8 - Celery Root and Sunflower Seed Risotto - cooked like a risotto, but the cubed celery took the place of the rice in this dish. Very creamy and plenty of parmesan added. Course 9 - Masa Gnocchi, Mole, Smoked Beef Tongue - Gnocchi made from cornmeal masa is something I know Rick Bayless has done. It's a simple but a great idea. Mole to me is like eating a cigar, it's really not my thing, but it's just me. The fact that I didn't mind this mole so much, is a complement to the chef. I still had no problem finishing this dish. Course 10 - Lorighittas Pasta with Black Pepper and Sour Cream - Chef Jason described this dish as his favorite comfort food when he's at home. If you want to explore the flavor of black pepper - wow here you go. It's intense...It's obnoxious...It hits you in the face, yet you somehow must have another bite. Course 11 - Brussels Sprouts with Pork Belly Sugo - Want to change the way people view brussels sprouts - add lots of pork flavor to them. I also loved the flash fried greens for some needed crunch to this dish. Course 12 - Lamb - this perfectly cooked Australian lamb cutlet was cut off the bone for us. I was lucky enough to snag one of the 8 bones by saying "hell yeah" when he asked if anyone wanted one. Course 13 - Wagyu Outside Skirt Steak. This is chef Quinn's desert island steak. While a tougher cut on most mortal steaks that usually lends itself to marinate, the Wagyu is so fine of a steak that it melts in your mouth. Perfectly cooked over white lump charcoal, this slice of steak had a nice seasoned crust to it. Course 14 - Butternut Squash & Spatzle - This is was one of the best dishes of the night and tasted like Fall in a bowl. The sweetness of the green dragon apples against the richness of the butternut squash puree, with the added pine nuts for crunch really worked. Course 15 - Kobe A5 Steak - The real deal from Japan. Of course this melted in your mouth. Once again not a standard cut, but a real tasty bit from the armpit area (or lifter as he referred to it, which does sound nicer.) Course 16 - Green Dragon Clafoutis - This was like a crepe batter but in the shape of a yorksire pudding. Stuffed with green dragon apples, dusted with powdered sugar, topped with vanilla ice cream - take that standard apple pie! Course 17 - Smores Budino - Like a deconstructed smore, this had some wonderful textures. It's hard to beat chocolate to end your meal. I can't wait to return for other Playground 2.0 events. read more

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Playground 2.0 offers one of the best food experiences you will have in your life! While the experience is great, the food is even better. Nights vary by chef and theme, and for this particular event, we enjoyed Chef Justin Werner's creations. He proudly took over that kitchen showing off his East Coast food techniques using California ingredients. The dishes and presentation are all straight out of a magazine, and the flavors are like eating sex. $150 per person included food, pairings, tax, and tip, all very worth the money spent. read more

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