The Crow Bar and Kitchen named one of the top 10 restaurants in Orange County
by Gretchen Kurz
Some are expected, some may surprise. But
each is of Orange County—created just for us,
not relentlessly replicated. Age is not significant;
some are newbies, some are seasoned performers.
Surroundings and hospitality do matter, but cuisine
is the trump card. After all, this list is about
dining, not lodging, shopping, or clubbing.
Some of these places already may be on your
short list—spots you can’t wait to revisit or where
you take visitors, tough customers, or the folks
you like the most.
But we hope that others inspire, and that they
expand your dining universe, if only temporarily.
After all, this list is evanescent. It will certainly
look different a year from now. And that’s
the fun part.
Pubs were no rarity when
Steve Geary
and Scott Brandon launched Crow Bar
and Kitchen in late 2007, but their gastro
pub was a breed apart in this territory.
And the locals showed up in fl ocks.
Why this spot hasn’t hatched imitators
by now is a mystery.
From Day One, this smooth hangout
attained altitude way above the usual draft
brands and greasy pub grub. Hop heads
and foodies come for the eccentrically
labeled craft brews and artisan cheeses.
Another Blind Pig ale for you? Bermuda
Triangle goat cheese, anyone? After years
of helming the kitchen at Oysters, chef
Brandon wows Crow Bar diners with
a fun menu of elevated-but-affordable
noshes. From brick-oven flatbreads to
debauched duck-fat fries to chicken potpie
with roasted mushrooms, this
is peasant fare lifted by organic
ingredients and premium
purveyors, such as Shelton
Farms (chicken), Weiser
Farms (produce), and Fra’ Mani (salumi). Juicy burgers
aren’t frat-boy whoppers,
but there’s no denying
the huge flavor of fresh, houseground
beef. And where else can you order
a pot of house-brined pickles?
Boasting cult ales, lagers, pilsners, and
all matter of fermentation (yes, wines too),
the long bar often is shoulder-to-shoulder
with enthusiasts seeking hard-to-fi nd boutique
offerings. Weekends that start on
Thursday can be an ear-splitting mob scene,
but crowds ease up during lunch and afternoons.
If you’ve
fl own too high the
night before, order
a mean Bloody
Mary and a Hangover
Burger during
weekend brunch
service.
