Pleasant Peasant by OC airport

[jsl]

Anyone been there recently? Years ago it was great for meeting people for lunch. I love old school places and have also thought about Fireside Riviera too. But then Houston's come to mind for the up to date folks who are not into trying something a little bit different. Thanks for your input.

[AMC1210]

Still very good.

[OCKevin]

I haven't been to the PP in about two years. I walk by it all the time, because it's close to work and see that it does decent lunch business. Not that it matters anymore, but the last time I went there for dinner with my wife back in '05, we nicknamed it the "Unpleasant Peasant," because there was this reservation taker/hostess who worked there who was just an attitude case (but alas, I defy you these days to find a restaurant without someone like that in the front). Although I haven't been there in a couple of years, I admire how steady a ship this restaurant is: same owners, same management, menu changes very slightly over the years. I see from the website even that they still have the duck breast with blackberry sauce and the lamb loin Dijonnaise which I've had during previous visits. In that sense, you could put it in the same list of other "old schoolers" like the White House or Mr. Stox in Anaheim, Orange Hill in Orange and not expect to be hit with too many surprises. BTW, if you want to try a place that is really old school but is also fresh and modern at the same time to cater to the hipsters in your lunch group, you may want to drive a few more minutes down the 5 and go to Ramos House in San Juan Capistrano.

[torta basilica]

Although I agree with your reply, SJC is definitely not a few more minutes down the 5... It might be a little under 30 minutes down the 73 & that would definitely be the fastest!

I'd also add 21 Oceanfront to the old school list - even though it used to be the Ritz.

[OCKevin]

I have to check to see if 21 O. has a lunch menu, but I agree with you there in terms of "old school." Oh, about SJC...yeah, I guess we live in the world of the "New York Minute" so 20-30 minutes does seem like an eternity.

[torta basilica]

Oops... missed the lunch part. Pretty sure they're only open for dinner.

[jsl]

Funny you mentioned Ramos House because that is where we all met last time. They loved it. This time we need to meet closer to OC airport , Huntington Beach etc. Also Torta I'm old enugh to remember going to the Ritz when it was first located by the Newport pier..............ah, memories.........

[torta basilica]

Totally aging myself, but my husband & my had first date was there... and we started really late.

I clearly remember being aware of the nude painting behind my head ;-)