New American Restaurants near Lake Forest, CA

“Our Place Lake Forest is a great neighborhood Bar/Restaurant. The staff is very friendly and they take good care of the customers. I host an Open Mic there on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday every Month. It is always Taco Tuesday when I am there. I get the Beria Tacos and they are delicious. Our Place has great music on many other nights. They also have comedy nights and are great supporters of the LGBTQ community. The owner cliff is a great guy and does an awesome job of running the place. I highly recommend Our Place.“

“This is the best burger in Orange County! The people working here are genuinely kind and helpful.The location isn't great but they should not deter you from trying this gem out!I suggest the Hole in the Wall Burger and the Carne Asada Fries.“

“Scott is always helpful and friendly and ready to make suggestions if I’m uncertain of a good choice. Sandy runs a beautiful, well put together restaurant and she’s always friendly. The food is always tasty and fresh and reasonably priced. I always recommend friends and family to come dine hereVegetarian options: The vegetarian options are plentiful and tasty“

“We had a great evening dining at our local Urban Plates tonight! Everything was above and beyond, excellent, starting with the cashier’s joyful attitude to the attentive servers, Ruth and Javier specifically. Thank you to them, along with the great chefs and management! We look forward to being back and highly recommending it to others.“

“So I've ordered food here a few times, and I appreciate the friendly staff and wel prepared food.I especially appreciate the meticulous attention to the preparation of the salads here. The vegetables so far have been fresh, crisp, and tasty. (I ordered the kale quinoa salad and its cery tasty)My family say the French onion burgers are awesome and the chili fries here are delicious also. This place is also always clean and well staffed whenever I stop by, and online ordering is straight forward.“

“I was thoroughly impressed by the exceptional dining experience it offered. From the moment I walked in, the ambiance set the stage for what was to become an unforgettable evening. The fusion of great food, an impressive beer selection, and live music created an atmosphere that was both elegant and inviting.The culinary journey began with a salad that was far from ordinary. The freshness of the ingredients, paired with a dressing that perfectly balanced acidity and sweetness, made for a promising start. However, it was the sea bass that truly stole the show. Cooked to perfection, the fish was flaky and moist, with a crust that added just the right amount of texture. Each bite was a testament to the chef's ability to elevate simple ingredients into something extraordinary.Not to be overlooked, the beer selection was commendable. Each option was carefully selected to complement the menu, offering a variety of styles and flavors that catered to both casual beer drinkers and connoisseurs alike. It was evident that "The Drake" places a high emphasis on providing a holistic dining experience, where food, drink, and atmosphere harmonize to leave a lasting impression.The live music added an extra layer of enjoyment to the evening. The selection of music was thoughtful, enhancing the dining experience without overwhelming it. It was the perfect backdrop to a night of indulgence, contributing to the overall sense of satisfaction and contentment.Above all, the service was impeccable. The staff was attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely friendly, making us feel welcomed and well-cared for throughout the evening. It's rare to find a place where every aspect of the experience is executed with such care and precision.In conclusion, "The Drake" in Laguna Beach is a gem that offers not just a meal, but an experience.“

“GREAT quality restaurant/bar with fresh and delicious appetizers and entrees, and quick and friendly staff and service. They also have AWESOME Happy Hour service with a generous timeslot from 4-7 p.m., Mon. - Fri. We'll DEFINITELY be back, as regulars!“

“After a long day at a conference at The Ritz, ten of us took an uber to this gem of a restaurant. The atmosphere is very warm and inviting. The smell of wood-fired pizza immediately set my mind on pizza and wine. We were greeted warmly and seated quickly. Everyone in our party raved about the food they ordered. Our server was delightful, fun, and knowledgable and she managed our party perfectly. I look forward to returning.“

“The food here is healthy, delicious, and never disappoints. The braised beef is my favorite, and the steak dish my husband prefers is always cooked to perfection. Great service too - thank you Carlos for your kindness, friendliness, and efficiency!“

“Great all -american fare,we are on the patio which is clean and relaxing our waitress Janel.was a doll,so helpful, attentive and together, explained how the dishes were prepared that we were interested in and just all together made our dining experience first class.I had the seafood bisque soup which was perfect,not much of it but it was delicious.The Swordfish entre with mash potatoes and sauteed vegetables was great,the, swordfish was prepared just right as were the vegetables and potatoes,just the right amount of seasoning and the vegetables sauteed in a sauce that was light and tasty.All I all the food,service and ambience were just right,I would suggest asking for Janel.as your waitress we returned for dinner a few days later,food was still just as good but our server was fine,but nowhere near as good as Janel.who was working that evening but was super busy with a bunch of other tables,but she helped us just because she could see we needed a couple of things and was close by and because she really is that good at her job and cares,am A -Class Person and waitress.This place is well worth the visit.Vegetarian options: Not a great place for vegetarians,I saw NO vegetarian or Vegan four way tasting offering.Parking: Saffire is definitely worth a visit,great food,not unreasonably priced,portions are honestly a little small for my liking(but that's me) but would highly recommend.Wheelchair accessibility: Wheelchair ramp at both entrances,very easily accessible.“

“Meh. General Manager is Persian and we were wondering if he is related to the famous singer & violinist, Bijan Mortezavi. This particular location was pretty busy. Some of the dishes we ordered were the brussel sprouts, bacon candy, edamame, buffalo wings, buffalo cauliflower, cajun fries and ahi tuna crispy rice.“

“Nice little shop in the Target parking lot. You feel welcome when you are there. The menu is A-la carte. I ordered the cold roast beef half sandwich and a pasta salad on the side. About $11. The sandwich was good and the meat was fresh sliced. It had the normal toppings. The pasta salad was not what I expected so, I am going to guess the wrong one was put in the bag. It's a good lunch spot and seems to have many regulars.“

“This Irish pub is our frequent stop when we are in the mood for its authentic European food experience. A small patio makes for intimate dining, weather permitting. Heat lamps abound for more robust weather. It is not to be missed near St Patty's Day. The place bustles with good old Irish exuberance! Though extremely rushed, our waiter took his time with our large party of 9, and did not make a mistake when serving what everyone ordered. He even added accoutrements without our asking. Definitely stop by during St Patty's to have a rousing good time. And plan to drink a lot of Guinness!“

“We did Door dash for pick up. I personally didn't care for the spicy sauce on the spicy green beans so if I order them again I'd get just the green beans, BUT that's a personal preference. The turkey pot pie was good especially because it was dairy free and I don't usually get to have dairy free pot pie. My family was impressed with the mashed potatoes. If you order a Bite Box it is a single side and a main. The Single Box requires three sides, which is a lot even too much food for lunch or a light dinner. (We were ordering online on DoorDash for the first time so we were confused about how to order just one side and one main but we eventually figured it out.) It was a good healthy lunch and I appreciated that they do dairy free food quickly. It was fast.Vegetarian options: You can specify vegetarian or veganDietary restrictions: Dairy free and Vegan options“

“Had a great experience at Finny’s. Not one thing I could say I did not enjoy. The service was great and had a great time. Got a beer flight and the beer was all good and the margarita flight as well it was awesome and my girlfriend and I had an amazing time. Thanks guys for making our vacation great!“

“Ordered the spaghetti grilled cheese and it was bomb! So cheesy and the toast is so buttery crispy. It comes with a side of fries too along with condiments sauce. The avocado toast was okay, lots of avocado, topped with an egg and crispy bacon.“

“Liam is an exceptional individual who consistently demonstrates a friendly and respectful demeanor. His genuine concern for others is evident in his interactions, and his expertise is widely recognized. It is clear that he is a valuable asset to the company.“

“I absolutely love black market meal prep. They have saved me so much time I have still allowed me to eat healthy while at work. As a first responder, I don’t always have time To go to a restaurant to eat, so having my food with me Makes my life easier. Between the chimichurri sauce, and the green salsa, I swear I could eat every meal with that. The service is always on point. I actually found a workaround for the straws because I love their smoothies and protein shakes but yes, they are a little bit thick for the straws. So I ended up bringing my own straw which are a little bit thicker. I bought them off of Amazon after California decided to make everything out of paper. Keep up the phenomenal work black market, I love your food and your service.“

“What a wonderful experience ! Had to come back after coming in I came in December when the lake had its Christmas tree lightening. I can't and have stopped talking about the bacon covered stuffed dates and how the food was hot and fresh in everything that was ordered. Yesterday I came in with someone who hasn't experienced and lives near the one in yorba linda. With the experience, atmosphere and delicious food he's making sure to attend his local. Miles our server was the absolute best!!! I mean just down right genuine! He was able to catch on with our humor and laugh. When you have employees like this it just makes experience being there and the people your with so much better. We also asked for his opinion on selections for our meal. Instead of saying "I don't know" he was able to pick something from each section in what he enjoys but also what other customers truly enjoy. Having this knowledge and able to share just puts a little more confidence in what you are choosing. I split the pastrami dip sandwich with my friend and we both found it down right delicious. the pickles on that amazing. The dipping sauce was amazing too and I couldn't decide to dip or not. My husband got the chipotle sandwich which was amazing especially the sauce. With that I will definitely be back-hopefully to get pictures next time- but also will be checking for miles to be our guy if he's working!“

“Love the food here! Their hatch burger was really good especially the burger buns are amazing!I understand they don’t customize per your request as mentioned on their menu but we asked for ketchup they didn’t have. We asked for extra hot sauce they gave us a few drops of it in the little sauce cup (came across as rude). We requested for extra kimchi in their kimchi ramen they couldn’t fulfill that request as well.I may go again for its food but I’d hope for more hospitable behavior next time.Vegetarian options: It’s all vegan“

“Had a fantastic night out! Our server made sure we could catch the game and attended to our needs, checking in regularly. We appreciated the option to place our own orders, allowing us to take our time and avoid decision-making pressure. The poke nachos were delicious, and the guacamole was refreshingly simple. We opted for a straightforward burger with extra veggies on the side, and they were warm, flavorful, and served promptly. The only drawback was the slightly steep prices for the portion sizes received. However, reviewing the menu beforehand helped us prepare. Overall, it was a wonderful evening at a great restaurant.“

“I love this place. Every fish option i've tried here is always excellent. And friends with much more depth of wine experience than me, have mentioned that the wine list is top-notch as well. Stacey and the rest of the staff are exceptionally friendly and helpful. Definitely recommend!“

“Great small restaurant with delicious food for affordable price. It was really cool to find this place during my Christmas shopping in Spectrum Mall. The service was fast, although there were many people. You should try their sandwiches, they taste great, especially when they’re warm.“

“If you want a fantastic comfort food joint with some solid drinks Mama's does NOT disappoint! Their portions are huge, so leftovers for the smaller appetite, but the food is delish! I normally have my tuna melt which is a cheese pull from heaven ?, but I've never been disappointed with their tots either, so good!“

“Came in today for lunch with my husband , first time here and will definitely be coming back! Great tasting food and drinks customer service, spot on ! The staff members super friendly specially Uriel made us feel welcome. 5 stars !!! ☺️“

“Came here this morning around 10:30-11am. The people were great from the start. They were super welcoming and informative about the menu. I was kinda confused because they handed us 4 copies of the same menu LOL. We ordered the biscuits and gravy and the sweet heat cutlet. The friend that I was with said the biscuits and gravy were super good. I didn't try them because they really aren't my thing in general. I had the sweet heat cutlet. The chicken was cooked so perfect. However, the cheese did nothing for me except add a strange gamey texture. I ended up pulling it off as best I could. All of their sauces are homemade. Their ranch was super yummy. Overall the food and service were good and the ambiance is super trendy and whatnot but it was honestly a little overpriced. We got 2 entrees and 2 drinks and it was nearly $100 bucks. Not sure if we will be back.“

“Great brewery! The place is huge. There is plenty of seating indoors and outdoors. The beer and food I tasted were delicious! The hazy was my favorite. The carnitas tacos were juicy, meaty, and great tasting. The empanadas stole the show. Crispy and delicious! The customer service was friendly and helpful from everyone we encountered. Will visit again!“

“Went here randomly by googling burgers nearby and boy were we pleasantly surprised. It was nice and clean, indoor and outdoor seating, friendly staff, and delicious food. They were on the pricy side but offer complementary sauces/dips and delicious pickles. I ordered a kids meal, two burgers, fries, and onion rings. The kids meal doesn’t come with a drink which is a bummer but it was okay. I got a bottle of water for about $3 more(which was more than o was told before I paid) and then purchased a fountain drink. Got complementary fries for signing up for the rewards program and app.Food took about 12-15minutes to make from the time we paid. My daughter loved the hot dog. The portion sizes were decent. The flavor on the burgers were one of a kind .. truly.I feel bad because I didn’t get the woman’s name that assisted us, but she had beautiful lashes, unique tattoos, and gorgeous lashes. Super friendly. Only con is she gave me the wrong price for the kids meal water add onThe only con was the price. With everything being à la cart, it got pricey quickly for a burger joint. You’re looking at about a $20 lunch if you keep it basic.“

“So yesterday was my second Tuesday in a row with Joling behind the bar and what a TREAT it has been! She greets you with a friendly smile, is efficient a great multi-tasker and so easy on the eyes! I do not know how Kim finds such quality employees! In this day and age of LACKADAISICAL service at best, Joling offers a level of service that is beyond reproach! Count me in as a Tuesday regular from now on!“

“The brunch is excellent! The brunch serves breakfast as well as lunch items so if you stay long enough you get two meals out of it. Last week they had prime rib! The bottomless mimosas are actually very good - they don't taste like the cheap stuff. I can't wait to invite friends to discover this place and will for sure be coming here regularly.“

“After a long days work of watching friends and spouse at tennis camp, what better way to refuel than healthy salad and a filling sando? The restaurant has a pleasant sit down style layout with more cushy seats on the far wall, but we weren’t just looking for a place for its looks. Our cashier took our orders with lightning speed and we got our food in less than 10 minutes with 5 ppl ordering. Service to get seated was *chef’s kiss*. Wife ordered the steak chimichurri sando with home made buns and I got the keto salad with extra meat. HIT THE SPOT. After nearing food coma, we brought our plates back to its storage home for clean up near the exit, and went back home on our merry way. Would I come back here? You darn right I will.Let’s go!!“

“I came with my two daughters on Taco Tuesday, and WOW. Their tacos are chef's kiss. Not to mention, the drinks are phenomenal! The Mango Tea and Berry Spritz mocktails are delicious, and the house margarita is amazing. The carnitas tacos are to die for, and the shrimp is terrific. They're tender, and just wow. If you're into spicy food, you should definitely get the chipotle chicken taco. The servers are extremely nice people, and very polite. While the service is slightly slow, it is totally worth it! Overall, this place is amazing. I am definitely coming here regularly!“

“Underrated afternoon chill for getting draft beer and healthy pours of wine. We usually come during the week for the burger and beer deal. This time we came and the menu had added options such as the crab cake and fish and chips. Every time we come the server is friendly and gets our food out quickly. The seats are always abundant. Order. Eat. People watch.“

“Deanne and Jose were fabulous servers. The quiet atmosphere was so nice and refreshing. Happy Hour was great, the food and drinks were a great deal kand we really enjoyed ourselves. The food was good and we will definitely come back to try other options!“

“Came here to meet my friends to see a band that was playing and had a couple of beers and was so surprised what a hidden gem this place is. Yes it's not a trendy upscale place but I found it refreshing to see older crowd having so much fun dancing singing audience participation was there even someone jumped in and played a sax. I didn't have food but next time will try as I only heard it was decent.“

“Music a little loud, yet that is the added ambiance of their venue and crowd attraction.Bang-bang strip Tacos, delicious.Impressive giant pretzel display. Yet pretzel slightly dry. Knowing this, I would suggest less baked, so it is softer.Mustard dip delicious yet be prepared as it has a bit of a bite after each bite.Parking: Tustin“

“The food was great! The lentil soup was thick and had a great flavor profile. The lamb burger is just as good as I remember. The only thing I was disappointed about was that they don't have a full dessert menu. We drove to the Tustin café for the dessert we were craving.“