From San Juan Capistrano to Irvine, new restaurants are serving up fresh flavors across Orange County. Here’s what’s cookin’.
PUBlic Legacy’s Public Preacher cocktail is spiked with peach-infused bourbon PHOTO BY: MOXXE PR
Bloom Restaurant + Bar
Restaurateur Russ Bendel continues to expand his culinary empire with the opening of Bloom Restaurant + Bar, a charming American bistro located across from the beloved Mission San Juan Capistrano. Known for Laguna Beach’s Sapphire and The Pantry, San Clemente’s Vine, Newport Beach’s Olea and Laguna Niguel’s Ironwood, Bendel is joined by chef Jared Cook, beverage director Gabe Whorley and operations vice president Kyle Simpson. Housed in the historic Ferris Kelly building, the Steiner Studios-designed space invites patrons to enjoy dishes ranging from hearty applewood bacon-wrapped meatloaf to tasty pan-roasted Idaho rainbow trout. Don’t miss the bestselling Ortega cocktail—tequila, Aperol, mint, serrano, lime and grapefruit—that pays homage to its coveted position at the corner of Ortega Highway and Camino Capistrano. Up next: Bendel will add weekend brunch to Bloom’s delicious lineup. Yum! 949.503.2654, bloomsanjuancapistrano.com
Postino Wine Cafe’s dining room features retro boomboxes along its back wall. PHOTO BY: JOSH CORBIN
Breezy
Calling all early birds! Breakfast and brunch are the star of the show at fellow San Juan Capistrano newbie Breezy. Focused on Filipino and island-inspired flavors, the new concept is churning out innovative plates seven days per week, from 8AM to 4PM, with the team from Rodeo 39 Public Market’s Shootz manning the kitchen. Pull up a seat in the pink-hued dining room and indulge your sweet tooth with ube pancakes, topped with ube whipped cream, toasted coconut flakes, coconut cream and mixed berries, or try the savory adobo breakfast burrito stuffed with shredded pork adobo, scrambled eggs and more. Classic breakfast fare, acai bowls and specialty lattes round out the easy-breezy menu. 949.373.5218, experiencebreezy.com
Try a spicy passion fruit margarita during JOEY Newport Beach’s happy hour, offered Monday through Friday from 3 to 6PM PHOTO COURTESY OF BRANDS 59
JOEY Newport Beach
With locations across Canada and the United States, JOEY has finally made its O.C. debut within the former Roy’s space at Fashion Island. Opened Jan. 19, the modern-casual concept offers daily happy hour, lunch and dinner, with fare by executive director of culinary Matthew Stowe, winner of Top Chef Canada season 3. “As a chef, I’ve always been inspired by the high-quality, fresh produce available at your fingertips in the great state of California,” says Stowe. Those ingredients shine across the globally influenced menu, which includes Italian dishes, like ravioli bianco and spaghetti pomodoro; sushi; and even Indian favorites, such as the Bollywood butter chicken. Dine indoors or on the sprawling 1,992-squarefoot patio, complete with a spacious fire pit. Don’t miss Newport’s exclusive collection of reserve wine bottles, curated by group sommelier Jason Yamasaki. 949.826.5699, joeyrestaurants.com/newport-beach
A look at the delicious dishes and drinks that await at Bloom Restaurant Bar in San Juan Capistrano PHOTO COURTESY OF BRANDS 59
Postino Wine Cafe
Postino Wine Cafe has headed west with a bevy of openings across Southern California, including at Park Place in Irvine. An all-day wine bar and restaurant, Postino is ideal for group dining thanks to a menu highlighted by shareable charcuterie boards, sweet and savory snacks, crispy paninis, fresh salads, and plenty of award-winning and proprietary wines, curated by advanced sommelier and beverage director Brent Kalicek. Retro boomboxes line the 5,200-square-foot space’s back wall while umbrellas cover the outdoor patio, ensuring the ambiance is just right for daily happy hour, weekend brunch, or lunch and dinner. “With incredible winemakers, artists and a dynamic sense of community, we couldn’t be more thrilled to open in Southern California,” shares co-founder Lauren Bailey. “Our brand is fueled by providing a space for people to connect over wine, appropriate for both the most casual and sacred of gatherings, and an all-day menu that satisfies any craving.” Welcome to the neighborhood. 949.336.2600, postinowinecafe.com
Breezy’s classic avocado toast features sourdough bread stacked with avocado spread, cherry tomatoes, pickled onions, ricotta, radish, arugula and yuzu vinaigrette. BREEZY AVOCADO TOAST PHOTO BY RON DE ANGELIS
PUBlic Legacy
Open for brunch, lunch and dinner, PUBlic Legacy is the third SoCal concept for partners Gerry Kent and Chad Dickey. Located at Orange’s Stadium Promenade on Katella Avenue, the 174-seat restaurant houses a 30-seat bar and a 40-seat patio, where visitors will discover vegan, vegetarian and meat-driven fare. “My menu plays into the diner’s moods, feelings and even lifestyle choices,” says Kent, who is also the restaurant’s executive chef. “We offer a vegan version of our mac and cheese, which features a housemade cheese sauce with cashews, nutritional yeast and a touch of curry, and it’s every bit as craveable as its dairy counterpart.” Vegan Thai curry is another chef favorite while meat lovers will delight in trying Angus filet mignon coated in peppercorn-cognac sauce and the Legacy smash burger that’s stacked with an original beef and pork blend by Kent. Come hungry! 657.598.2450, public-legacy.com
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