Ngo C
Everything was delicious!
While their tasting menu was absolutely stunning (especially their presentations), ordering from the regular (and the special) menu would be more flexible. Portions were surprisingly generous.
Michael Eliot
Wonderful French restaurant, impeccable service and food. I will be back, several menu items I didn't have room to try that look great, like the veal cheeks and morels.
I had three two-scallops appetizer and black cod, both perfectly prepared. And I had several fresh clams that were the freshest I've ever tried.
Recommended.
Lissa Newton
This restaurant was impressive. I've eaten at a Michelin starred restaurant in Paris, and I think this restaurant embodies much of what I loved so much while visiting. The food is familiar yet interpreted so beautifully. The cocktails are spot-on. The bread, as many have reviewed before me, was simple but delicious. I had the Five Course Menu and was delighted. My husband built his own five courses and was very pleased. I think it's safe to assume most everything will be a good choice. The wait staff was attentive and friendly. My only complaint was the temperature of the restaurant was a bit warm.
Deborah S
My husband and I had a lovely birthday dinner on a Sunday evening. There was a smaller crowd so no worries about covid, although I was slightly disappointed that the staff was not masked. Besides that, the food, service, and ambiance were all top notch. There was a lot on the menu we would’ve loved to have, so we will definitely be coming back!
Epis bread: I was hoping for something more flavorful. It was fine and very tasty, but the butter could have used more seasoning. The bread was fresh and moist, though.
Tasting menu: I ordered the tasting menu with cheese pairing. The 4 courses were all excellent, and the 5th (dessert) I swapped out for another dessert with a $2 charge for the change.
The 1st course was a tuna sashimi and veal carpaccio. Beautiful, bold presentation with an interesting mouthfeel — lots of different textures and flavors between the tuna, veal, gelee, and crispy capers.
The 2nd course was a life-changing Dungeness crab with veloute. The veloute came piping hot in a separate cup, which was excellent for sipping. Dungeness crab is a personal favorite of mine so I was very excited it was on the menu. It did not disappoint!
The 3rd course was the scallop. The fennel leek compote added nice flavor, although the kumquat wasn’t very noticeable. Overall it was still tasty and had nice presentation.
The 4th course: steak, truffle, gnocchi, lobster. This was a very rich dish! The sauce was very flavorful and added a lot. To be honest this was probably my least favorite — it was fine, but nothing spectacular.
Cheese plate: Before the dessert came a cheese trio with some candies pecans and preserves. The hard Dutch cheese was a bit bland for me. The truffle Boursin was excellent, as was the blue cheese (which we paired with a Sauternes, so it was extra tasty).
The 5th course we selected the panna cotta. It was creamy and not overly sweet, which was great. Overall nothing special, though.
My husband opted for some oysters, steak tartare, and steak au poivre. All three were excellent. The Kumamoto oysters were delicate and refreshing, and paired nicely with the two sauces. The steak tartare was tasty but not anything noteworthy. My husband raves about the steak — he loves a good rare steak with a nice sere on the outside, and they delivered beautifully. The potato fritters that came with the steak were divine!
Overall this was an excellent dinner and we would love to come back again!
Annie Lozada
Food is amazing! Service was great & corkage fee is fine if you bring an amazing red wine. Loved the chopped salad! Flavors and textures were great. They were out of my original choice of fish, so sad so I had shrimp & scallops which were so-so. Dessert was amazing & great presentation.
Angel Watson
This restaurant was amazing! The entire front-of-the-house team is personable, professional, and attentive! Our server was knowledgeable, made great recommendations, and impeccable service! Every bit of food was delicious and high quality! We were there to celebrate my birthday, and this restaurant was just what I was looking for excellent food, a well-selected wine list, top-notch service, and a great ambiance. I highly recommend this well-operated restaurant!
Mary K
Absolutely fantastic food... the atmosphere is elegant, comfortable, and modern. The service was on point, our server Larissa was friendly, knowledgeable, and flawless. You can tell all of the staff here is very well trained and at the top of their game. And the food is ridiculously good... don’t miss the beef tartare or braised short rib. I will definitely be back soon.
What’s Up OC Fun Events
We were immediately welcomed by a host at the door. We chose to sit at the bar and enjoy some after dinner drinks. Beautiful setting with several private tables. Our bartender was wonderful and attentive. Drinks were not consistent. My friend ordered the same drink twice and it was sweet one time then bitter the next. It can be a little loud to hear each other talk when it gets busy. Looking forward to enjoying a meal there too.
Tech Life with Eva Smith
Best Chic French Cuisine at Marche Moderne. The ÉPIS BREAD & Butter Board Sel Gris and cucumber and ginger beer spritz are great starters.
Recommend the BLACK MISSION FIGS Charred Fig Salade, HOMARD FLAMBÉ AU COURVOISIER & QUENELLE DE SAINT JACQUES and
The FILET AU POIVRE. For dessert recommend the CHOCOLATE SOUFFLE CAKE.A wonderful way to end our evening.
Christine Cook
Been going to Marche Moderne for years. We started with cocktails and caviar. The fresh baked bread is wonderful with butter. We enjoyed steak tartar, salmon, prawns & scallops and finished with apple tart & ice cream! Please bring back the beignets! Wonder staff. Beautiful restaurant!
John Most
Without a doubt--the BEST Fine Dining Restaurant experience in Orange County. When we have a special occasion or feel like treating ourselves special, my wife and I head to Marche Moderne. Our last visit was amazing--as usual, but different. This visit we did the tasting menu and the wine pairing. And while a Michelin-worthy meal like this doesn't come inexpensively, for our wedding anniversary--it was perfection. We started at the bar and our bartenders are just the best. Attentive, great listeners and superbly talented and professional. The hostesses are very friendly and courteous, which sadly in Orange County, you don't always encounter. (On too many occasions I've arrived to find hostesses who believe they are doing me a favor and the thought of a warm greeting with a smile is JUST too much to ask!) But not at Marche Moderne. VERY well dressed, friendly, courteous and efficient hosts and hostesses who GET IT. And make the start of your dining experience a wonderful beginning. The waiting staff have been at Marie for YEARS. And their attitude and professionalism show. True waiting PROFESSIONALS: Highly skilled, friendly, attentive and assuring the quality of every aspect of our meal. (AND THEY KNOW THE MENU). Then the star of the occasion the food which is always superb, full of amazing flavors, great subtle nuances when needed and always prepared perfectly and served as it should be: hot and fresh from the chef's hands. Kudos to all of the chefs in the kitchen who put on an amazing show in the open kitchen and also DELIVER consistently...each time we've been to Marche Moderne. The wine pairing was well selected, though I wish I had asked for a substitute for one white selection. I'm a red wine drinker, and while it would not have been as perfect for the pairing--I just prefer red. OVERALL, always a Michelin experience for a restaurant that INEXPLICABLY does not yet carry a Michelin star. I know you will enjoy.
Max
I was pleasantly surprised at how good everything tasted. The flavor from start to finish was there on every dish.
Started with the charcuterie board with meat and cheese, definitely the way to start out your experience.
The filet was full of flavor and the sauce was amazing. Dipping the fries was great.
Limoncello was dessert was the perfect way to wrap up the evening.
Kian Abghari
I heard a lot of great things about this place but I didn’t think it would live up to all the hype! Great ambiance and very organized. Covid19 precautions were followed very well. They brought us fresh bread and butter. We had the heirloom tomato salad to start. Shared the Seared Rare Hokkaido Scallops & shrimp as well as the Filet Au Poivre. Salad was amazing; loaded with spices in the sauce. The mains were also fantastic. Definitely coming back for more.
Noé
Amazing Restaurant!! Top Class and in OC hard to get better than this! A dedicated team led by a highly devoted Chef and Pastry Chef! Both of whom are Husband and Wife no less!!
The Space is Beautiful and Classy, the food also holds the same and French Style is true at heart here! There is no shortage of talent and the menu shows it, there is no holding back or restraint as the Chef pushes strongly to deliver amazing dishes!! Can’t wait to return!!!
Brian Callahan
Quality of food meets expectation but quantity does not. I was surprised at how small of a portion the venison was but it and the duck breast tasted amazing. The dessert with the pistachio cake and merengue bits was other worldly.
John L
Came for our 10 yr anniversary.
The restaurant was following all Covid guidelines, which was one of the reasons we chose this place.
Started with the Frommage plate. The house made blue cheese was excellent.
Grilled octopus was flavorful and I loved the chorizo and potatoes. The octopus was a bit too soft and mushy.
We had the Duck Confit and Braised Short Ribs. The duck and the sides tasted great but the duck was a bit dry. The short rib was well cooked and seasoned. Very soft and full of flavor. The thick bacon and potatoes were amazing.
The portions were large so we had leftovers so we passed on the dessert. But the restaurant surprised us with two mini cakes with praline mousse and creme fresh. We were so full we couldn't finish the dessert.
FYI, the corkage fee is $45.
Overall, it was an excellent evening thanks to the great food and service.
Richard Arne Weie
We just stopped by for desert and coffe comingvacross the parking lot of another restaurant which was too loud to even hear across the table and over priced for what we got. Never have been to Marche, we found it to be a very classy establishment and had a fantastic waiter helping us make a desert and cheese selection to go with our nightcap. The food was all phenominal and we will definitely next time go for dinner. We heard a lot of patrons spesking French in the background telling me that the French ex pats come here to eat when they want great French food so that saying something.
Gail Richter Jacobs
We had an opportunity to have dinner at Marché’s new location. The menu has new items as well as favorites from the previous South Coast Plaza location. The food is still top notch, inventive, fresh and well prepared. The timing that our courses were served allowed us to enjoy them without being rushed. And the service from all the staff is excellent. Everyone is attentive but not intrusive. We are so pleased that Florent and Amelia have created this wonderful classy restaurant.
Ada Chan
It's so relaxing after the Black Friday mad rush. The food is always fantastic and it's worth every calorie. I love the spontane menu as well as the foie gras terrine. Chef Florent makes every dish special.
Kaz Inouye
Marche Moderne is back! The new location is beautiful! The service is impeccable with added new flairs. Their menu is quite amazing, with section dedicated to the old favorites. The new location is bite of a drive for me but well worth it. I’m so happy that my favorite restaurant is back again.
Mike Tuason
Great quality for both their food and service, very nice location and great ambiance, really like their new location, I highly recommend it.
Mike
Bentley Fierro
Outstanding wonderful every dish made just a little different every day I’m a regular here greatly appreciate the top quality
Mike Ferguson
Everything about this restaurant was superb. Each of the individual dishes we ate were a real delight; unique flavors, well prepared and tasty. As well, the service was impeccable. Fine dining at its best.
Moira Matthys
Went for 25th anniversary and had been before in south coast plaza location, service was great , food was great until I got my undercooked lobster in a very salty Thai broth! I was so disappointed, told our waiter Scott - so nice - he was very apologetic and they offered me a new one or something else, but it was kinda spoiled for me, I just didn’t expect that in such a restaurant. Beautiful location, great service , just too bad for the main dish!
Mary Gardia
Delicious food,excellent service (thank you,Larissa) and great atmosphere...we were celebrating our 44th anniversary and it couldn't have been better �
Radge A. Pangilinan
Our favorite place when we want to eat great food. It's worth the drive from Laguna Beach to South Coast Plaza. And their pre pix lunch menu is just the best that it we try to do it once a month.
Joni Rehnborg
I just shared a wonderful dinner for my niece's birthday. So great to be back to my favorite restaurant, now at Crystal Cove, so close to home! Very knowledgeable waiter Steven (Stephen?) was really helpful with our choices and interesting to chat with. Can't wait to return.
Clifford Leonard
Amazing food. Not very many french restaurants in Orange County. If you are a true foodie, this is the place to be.
Mar Ina
Amazing food! Large portions. I have to return for coffee and dessert.
Ellina Pevzner
simply the best - will please the most sophisticated foodies
Susan Ng Pham
Love this place. Best French restaurant in Orange County. The bone marrow is a great starter. The service is top notch.
Tony Rodriguez
Delicious flavors and exceptional service from John R. The tuna tartare appetizer was wonderful and the seared scallops with roasted leeks was amazing!!!
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