Best near OC Performing Arts Ctr?

[josephnl]

We're going to the ballet this Thursday evening at the OC Performing Arts Ctr. When we're there, we usually dine at Scott's which is fine...but not great. We've not been to Pinot Provence, or Leatherby's Cafe Rouge in at least a year, but when last there, they were also not great. We'd prefer not going across the street to South Coast Plaza where obviously Marche Moderne is a top place. Has anyone been to Pinot Provence or Leatherby's lately? Were they good...or any suggestions?

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Pinot Provence Restaurant
686 Anton Blvd., Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Marche Moderne
3333 Bristol Street, Suite 3001, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Leatherby's Cafe Rouge
615 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

[Das Ubergeek]

Well, are you looking for a high end or a low end place? If you don't want to leave OCPAC, PP and Leatherby's are your only two options. If it's that you don't want to have to suffer the parking at SCP (which I totally, completely understand) but are open to things in the vicinity, I would suggest Old Vine or Onotria for higher-end.

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Onotria Restaurant
2831 Bristol St Ste A, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Old Vine Cafe
2937 Bristol St, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

[josephnl]

You're spot on (as usual) Das U. We really like a nice place that once we park at OCPAC, we can walk to dinner, then on to the performance. Sure we like Old Vine, Onotria, and Marche Moderne even more, but we want something really close. We usually wind up eating at Scott's, but are wondering if there have been any recent visits to Leatherby's, Pinot Provence, or something else that we are not thinking of that would point out better choices. We'll probably wind up at Scott's again, but are hoping that there's something else out there that will fill the bill!

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Onotria Restaurant
2831 Bristol St Ste A, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Pinot Provence Restaurant
686 Anton Blvd., Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Marche Moderne
3333 Bristol Street, Suite 3001, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Old Vine Cafe
2937 Bristol St, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

[Das Ubergeek]

Well, only a little further away is Darya... or you could go to Mastro's or Pizzeria Ortica. Sadly, once you take out SCP (and things like Hamamori and Marche Moderne) it's not really the best place for walking...

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Pizzeria Ortica
650 Anton Boulevard, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Marche Moderne
3333 Bristol Street, Suite 3001, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Hamamori
11043 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025

[ocshooter]

Does Morton's still offer the free shuttle?

[OC Mutt]

Leatherby's is decent, but it doesn't make you crave a return. The place I always go to, though it's not fancy, is The Greek Island Grille - corner of Bristol and Sunflower. Best Greek food in Southern CA. I've been a regular for 5 years. Just ate there last night as a matter of fact - the Bifteki is addictive as is the meletzanosalata. http://www.greekislandgrille.com/

[lil mikey]

You might wish to try Mastro's or Ortica, also in the area. There are reviews of both if you do a search.

I had a delicious guanciale pizza at Ortica last week.

[OC Mutt]

See my thread on Ortica.
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/622016