“Song Long Restaurant in Westminster is a casual culinary haven that artfully combines Traditional Vietnamese dishes with a touch of French influence. The marriage of these two culinary traditions creates a dining experience that is not only delicious but also reflects the historical intertwining of Vietnamese and French cultures.The roots of French influence in Vietnamese cuisine can be traced back to the colonial period when Vietnam was part of French Indochina from the mid-19th century to mid-20th century. During this time, the French left an indelible mark on Vietnamese culture, and nowhere is this more evident than in the realm of food.French culinary techniques, ingredients, and flavors were introduced to Vietnam, blending seamlessly with the country's rich culinary heritage. The fusion of these two traditions resulted in a unique and flavorful tapestry that characterizes Vietnamese cuisine today. Baguettes, pate, and a variety of pastries are just a few examples of French elements that found their way into Vietnamese kitchens.The star of the show at Song Long is undeniably the Sizzling Fish with Dill (Cha Ca Thanh Long) . This Northern Vietnamese dish is a culinary masterpiece that tantalizes the taste buds with a perfect blend of spices and textures. The fish, marinated with turmeric and a healthy heap of dill arrives sizzling at your table, creating a sensory spectacle. The crispy exterior gives way to succulent, flaky fish that absorbs the aromatic turmeric and dill infusion. It's a symphony of flavors that captures the essence of Northern Vietnamese cuisine.Upon entering Song Long, guests are greeted not only with the inviting aromas of the kitchen but also with a thoughtful offering of bread and butter for the table. Normally you are not greeted with bread and butter at your table at many Vietnamese restaurants so this gives a hint to its French influence. This small gesture sets the tone for the warm and attentive service that defines the dining experience at Song Long. The bread, soft and freshly baked, paired with creamy butter, provides a delightful prelude to the culinary journey that awaits. The restaurant itself is unassuming and very casual but has been an institution in the Little Saigon scene for a long time. As we look around, we see that most of the patrons there are older and you can tell they have been coming to this restaurant for a long time.The casual setting of Song Long adds to the charm, making it an inviting space where diners can enjoy a laid-back dining experience. The staff and owner, knowledgeable about the history behind the menu, adds a personal touch to the journey through the flavors of Vietnam and France and take pride in getting to know their patrons.As you peruse the menu, the array of Traditional Vietnamese dishes and French-inspired creations beckons, promising a culinary adventure. The diverse offerings showcase the restaurant's commitment to preserving Northern Vietnamese flavors while infusing a touch of innovation. Whether you choose to explore other regional specialties or indulge in the Sizzling Fish, every option on the menu reflects the culinary prowess of Song Long.In conclusion, Song Long Restaurant stands out not only for its renowned Sizzling Fish but also for the thoughtful hospitality that accompanies every visit. From the warm welcome with bread and butter to the symphony of flavors on the plate, Song Long captures the essence of Northern Vietnamese cuisine with a touch of flair. It's more than a meal; it's a celebration of flavors, culture, and genuine hospitality that leaves a lasting impression. Dining at Song Long is not just about satisfying your appetite; it's about savoring moments of culinary delight and creating memories that linger.They are opened daily, but only until 3pm, so come early to enjoy their food. We can't wait to come back for more.“
“Beautiful cute little restaurant. The owner is from France and very proud. He is very sweet. Could not recommend this place more. The food was delicious. If we lived here, we would be regulars. Everyone should come support this amazing restaurant.Vegetarian options: Amazing options great place“
“A jewel at South Coast Plaza. I wanted to treat myself with tea @ Tiffany's and elevated my lunch with a caviar tasting experience. Truly appreciated the care and VIP treatment from the moment I arrived. I have had caviar before but this was a step up and learned the best way to enjoy my caviar tasting with guidance from Monica. Highly recommend Petrossian at Tiffany - no special ocassion needed - Treat Yourself!“
“Dropped in for breakfast and got to sit in their cute euro chic patio enjoying a delicious breakfast and the beautiful California sun. We savored the veggie omelette, Denver omelette and indulged in the home made waffles. Adding this family-need gem to the rotation ✅“
“3 companions and I dined at Populaire Modern Bistro in South Coast Plaza on 2/21/24 and I ordered the prix fixe menu. We bought a bottle of wine separately. The PF menu was $65 per person and well worth it. Everything was spectacular. The blending of flavors with the heirloom carrots was unique. I'm not normally a huge fan of tartare normally, but it was really flavorful. The beef cheek was melt-in-your-mouth tender and even the rice pudding - which I can normally take or leave - had some wonderful, unexpected flavors. Don't be fooled by the "bistro" label. This was definitely a cut above the normal bistro fare of steak and frites or Croque Monsieur.Our server was warm and efficient. She was friendly enough to stop and talk but took her cue from us, which was much appreciated. The location used to be part of the Corner Bakery chain. It was remodeled in part, but it's in South Coast Plaza mall so not a ton of atmosphere. Once you taste the food, you won't care!“
“Maldon's Bistro is a heavenly delight for anyone who desires delicious gluten-free French cuisine, baked goods and more. Plus the staff are professional and very friendly. I've eaten here many times now and highly recommend them as a person with a gluten allergy.“
“Excellent cuisineA little piece of FranceToo bad that on arrival we were made to wait 20 minutes at the bar (like 2 or 3 tables) asking us twice what we wanted to consume before finally sitting in the room on the left which was almost empty.It's a shame that the waiter doesn't understand what we're asking and forgets to bring us or brings something completely different from what we asked for (drinks).“
“Incredible food! The sitting area outside seems so relaxing with 2 fountains, chairs & umbrellas. Your greeted with the Welcoming French language from the servers & the wait time was minimal. It was our first time & we will Definitely be back!“
“I had dinner here for the first time and I was not disappointed. The atmosphere was great, food was amazing but the service was top notch. I really do enjoy when the feel of a restaurant makes you feel like you're in a different place. Can't wait for my next visit!“
“What an absolutely MAGICAL experience for my family and I! We went with a small group of business owners and our kiddos and from the moment we stepped through the Club 33 doors the service was impeccable, the 3 course meal was to die for and the ambiance was perfect! It's def all and more that you dreamed it would be! Oh and the cocktails were ahhhhhmazing! Unique, delish and fresh!“
“I fkn love this place! We have been coming to The Cauldron since 2019 and every year it's like the first. Everything about this spot is magical and intriguing. The drink are mouth watering and the food is delicious. We fall in love with this place and each other all over again every year.“
“Small coffee shop within high rise business building. Lots of sitting outside and parking is 2 hour complimentary with validation. Tried instant tiramisu and ice americano. Liked both and instant tiramisu is more lukewarm desert than coffee. Like this “
“We were there with a party of 20 last night. The food was very good, prices are a little over the top. The service was great. Our server had a challenge with space and our party but got everything out to us correctly. I belive her name was “
“At Moulin, I ordered the almond croissant, Mille-feuille, and a cappuccino. The croissant was 5/5! Very airy and crispy with a good amount of almond filling. The Mille-feuille cream filling was too sweet for my liking but the pastry part was very crispy and nice. The cappuccino came with a little piece of dark chocolate which was a sweet touch.This cafe is sort of hidden in a small outdoor plaza with a number of home decor stores, a couple restaurants, and little shops amongst a business area. I like the location as it's not crowded and has a number of outdoor seating, there was a live performer on the Saturday I went too! There is plenty of parking.“
“Everything about this place was really good. I had the sea bass on a bed of spinach. The sauce that came with it was excellent. My date had steak and lobster, and they were both delicious. This is a great place to have a meal but fair prices and good service. We will definitely be back.Parking: There is street parking and some lots, but it does get busy. Don't let that stop you, I have always found a spot within a short walk .“
“Honestly this is a spot that has been timeless in West Costa Mesa especially for those of us who live on the best side of CM! They just reopened last year and were terribly missed post Covid.Excited to hear that the menu is going to be remixed very soon as they already have some solid plates that never disappoint. From a Po’Boy that reminds you of Nawlins’, to an unchopped salad that really hits the spot during artists hour, you cannot go wrong dropping in for especially a drink.The mixology in this place is insane with old school drinks to new school libations made with your favorite booze.The music is usually beyond on point and is a good break from some of the pretentious spots around it (menos Garabaldi…si sabes tu sabes jaja).I always drop in to host friends or fam from out of town as I wish I could be here every week! Do yourself a favor and keep it real when on the West Side and hit up West End!“
“I've been to Knife Pleat half a dozen times for dinner and generally, it's been quite good to excellent depending on the day. Some dishes fail to impress but generally speaking most dishes are exciting, novel, and suffice to say extremely tasty. The desserts in particular have been incredibly creative and interesting. I also find it refreshing to get so many vegetables in a meal of this caliber!Wine pairings have been excellent as well, and the head bartender is very, very skilled.The service is good. All the servers have been incredibly friendly, but the service has felt very rigid and unrefined at various points. What I mean by this is that they are trying very, very hard to do things the "correct" way that it feels very unnatural at times and a bit starling, like when they circle around the table and all stand behind each guest, pause for 2 seconds, then place the dishes down at the same time. I do greatly respect their ambitions, (I think they're going for 2 stars), but this sort of thing I just find silly and unnecessary, even if it was a 2 star.My biggest complaint is just how outrageously priced it is. $295 for 6 courses is deep into 2-star pricing territory. You add in a wine pairing and the mandatory 23% service fee and you're looking at almost $600 per person.I would truly love nothing more than for them to grow into this price point, but as it stands, the meal is quite overpriced.“
“Upon walking in, you'll most likely get a whiff of the hot butter from the sizzling plates from diners. If they have their doors open, it's most likely due to the dining room being smokey from the plates. They offer a variety of meal options but I think they're mostly known for their sizzling plates and beef dishes.Our group had the com bo luc lac (shaken beef with rice), com suon cuu nuong sot bo toi (lamb chops with garlic butter sauce and rice), and com ribeye sot bo toi (ribeye with garlic butter sauce and rice). Even though we ordered all dishes with the red rice, there were other options to choose such as white rice, fries or bread. I'm not exactly sure what's in the red rice to even describe it. I wasn't a big fan of the red rice but to all their own.The lamb chops and ribeye were presented on a sizzling plate with a side salad with vinegarette dressing. Lamb chops were tender and ribeye lacked flavor. The star of the meal was the bo luc lac. It was also tender, shaken with plenty of sauce, and had chunks of garlic. It was absolutely delicious! The plate also had a side of watercress and onions that complimented the dish well. It was so good, our table had to order another. Portion-wise, I'd say it's a single serving. You may not want to share it with how delicious it is.Service was great, too. Now, I saw another reviewer mention this, so I will too. Just FYI, their drinks are served in small styrofoam cups. They do charge $0.50 for water. It's not a deal breaker but I guess some people may not like it. I'm assuming it's the charge for the cup itself.“
“One of the most classic Vietnamese restaurants I have been to. They have so many great dishes!Highlights of the menu:1. Egg rolls - Chả Giò2. Salt and pepper shrimp - Tôm Rang Muối3. Chicken curry - Cary Gà4. Crispy baked catfish - Cá Nướng5. Deep fried banana with rum flame & vanilla ice cream - Chuối Chiên & kem6. Pennyworth juice - Rau má7. Thai milk tea8. Passion fruit juice“
“The team at Pandor made a fantastic Chocolate Croissant and Panini. The iced chai latte was ok in Flavor but not outstanding.Pandor is located in a shopping area on 17th Street in Costa Mesa. It's tucked at the back of the Parking lot with other good places to get food.Pandor has fantastic baked goods and cakes. The staff is friendly and fast. It seemed like they were a little understaffed at the time I visited, there was a "stressed" vibe in the air.The interior is functional, it reminds me of chain bakeries in Europe. Nothing too comfortable, the sounds echo inside the bakery and it makes one not want to spend too long inside. The outside seating area is neat, there's plenty of seating but it was all taken while I visited.I love Pandors baked goods and the Lunch and Breakfast options are all fantastic as well. It would be great to update the interior to something more aesthetic and less echoing but, this doesn't take away from the outstanding produce!Parking: Parking is plenty“
“If you can find a parking spot, this place is totally worth it. There are tons of items on the menu that looked appetizing to me, and I went for the tuna sandwich which I still think was a good pic but I wonder if I could have had better. Also, my eyes were bigger than my stomach. The food was significantly larger than I expected and the cup of soup was a bowl size for everyone else.Overall super happy. Very satisfied.“
“I have been a regular at Moulin almost every day since I moved to California 8 years ago. It's truly a blessing to have this place in our town. The dedication of the owner and staff, along with the quality of the food and pastries, make it worth every penny. To those who visited once and left a negative review based on a single experience, I urge you to reconsider.“
“Food was delicious! Had breakfast today and want to come Back to try lunch. Will was our server and he was excellent!! I will be back just for his service! He was so kind, attentive and sociable! He cares about his customers. You can tell he loves what he does!“
“What a wonderful experience. Very intimate ambience that was shared with friends and family. Be prepared, the dishes are brought out in paces, I arrived hungry but once I understood, I was able to relax and enjoy my company and when the each plate arrived, we would all take notes of taste, texture and try to spot out any familiar ingredients. Say hello to Chef Michael as their kitchen station is behind glass preparing our dishes.“
“I give 4 stars due to the courtyard's authentic resemblance to downtown New Orleans, not quite French Quarter but they did great with the architecture and ambiance. Food is 3 stars, type of flavor you can get anywhere. Service is 4 stars, attentive. Price is 4 stars, reasonably priced. I would come back, I just wish they had better tasting food and a better crafted French-inspired menu to match its ambiance.“
“We frequent this location. The croissants are consistently big, flaky, flavorful and moist on the inside. Raspberry tart is our favorite. Renaud's is gourmet and doesn't disappoint us! Wish they had a place to sit nearby to enjoy with a cup of joe. We always take out.“
“Found this place online because I was looking for an outdoor patio for my dog, and to meet a friend in a new setting. It's in a very quaint and charming shopping village. The server was super friendly and accommodating. We had breakfast and it was absolutely delicious! Highly recommend!“
“I would have given 1 star because the bread pudding was frozen but the person that was there (I don’t know if he was the owner) was nice when I told him about the quality and condition of his food. It was completely frozen but had good flavor. They have good coffee with very good aroma and the other pastries were 8 out of 10, again the pastries didn’t feel fresh and the Nutella cruffin was really good but has way too much Nutella for my taste. Hope they fix the problem with the food as they reheat their bread.“
“My mom, sister and I come here a lot for lunch and it's always great service and such good food!Dietary restrictions: My mom has allergies and they make her orders exactly how she can have them and it's really nice she can order and easily request this.Parking: Good amount of handicappedKid-friendliness: They have kid menus that are affordable and crayons with kid activities to keep little ones busyWheelchair accessibility: Yes ramps/parking for handicapped“
“Finally tried one of Moulin's beautiful pastries this weekend! Definitely very crowded on weekends- all the seats were filled and there was a line out the door.We ordered The Ornament which had mango mousse inside and white chocolate exterior. It was $8 which is pricey, but expected for a South Coast Plaza establishment. Next time, I would try one of their danishes or croissants!“
“We got the Louisiana half chicken dinners and custard fills. Everything was so good! The chicken was juicy and flavorful, the pickles and slaw were crunchy and fresh and the macaroni and cheese was soo yummy! Everyone who helped us was so polite and knowledgeable. Definitely returning next “
“The happy hour deals were amazing. Three appetizers for twenty dollars and they were delicious! Our waitress disappeared halfway through our meal and we had to ask several people for assistance throughout our time here but the food and wine made it worth it!“
“Lynda knows sandwiches! The bread is already nice and crunchy but soft inside. The fillings are just the right amount. And that special mayo is the kicker. Love the shredded chicken sandwich. The fried egg sandwich and their sea salt coffee!“