Rec for nice dinner in Anaheim?

[flameshock]

I'm going to be at an event at the Anaheim Convention Center and could really use a fine dining recommendation.

Any type of food is acceptable.
Looking for an intimate (preferably romantic!) atmosphere. It's a special occasion so the nicer the better :)
Cost isn't a concern.

We don't know the area at all and would be willing to take a taxi about 15-20 miles or so for the right restaurant. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

[josephnl]

Although Napa Rose always gets high marks, we have had very variable food there...from truly excellent, to pretty good. The real drawback for me...and where the restaurant lets down in the fine dining/romantic area is that because it is in Disneyland, there are sometimes many children in the restaurant. Children being children, this is sometimes no problem whatsoever, but sometimes... Indeed, we had an otherwise wonderful dinner there totally ruined by children who were obviously exhausted after a day at Disneyland, and misbehaved.

I would think that Mr. Stox which is right in Anaheim would be an excellent alternative. It is a very traditional restaurant with excellent cocktails, great service, good wine list and very dependable food. If you ask to be seated at a booth in the lounge, it can be a very pleasant and romantic setting.

IMHO the best restaurant in OC is Marche Moderne in South Coast Plaza, quite close to Newport Beach. Don't be put off by their shopping mall location. This is a serious French restaurant with
French-born Florent Marneau at the helm in the kitchen, and his American-born wife, a trained chef in her own right, doing wonderful desserts. If you can get there, you will have a terrific meal.

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Napa Rose Restaurant
1600 S Disneyland Dr, Anaheim, CA 92802

Marche Moderne
3333 Bristol St 3001, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Mr. Stox
1105 East Katella Ave., Anaheim, CA 92805

[Das Ubergeek]

There's Anaheim White House, there's Mr. Stox, there's Park Ave. in Stanton (or its new spinoff, Il Garage, on the same premises), there's the Hobbit in Orange...

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Anaheim White House
887 South Anaheim Blvd, Anaheim, CA 92805

Mr. Stox
1105 East Katella Ave., Anaheim, CA 92805

[kingkong5]

I've heard so many good things about Thee Anaheim White House, and I've been there 4 times and never really got why it's so popular. I do like Mr. Stox for a nice dinner, and I believe they will send their limo to pick you up if you are staying at the convention center/anaheim hotels, no charge.

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Anaheim White House
887 South Anaheim Blvd, Anaheim, CA 92805

Mr. Stox
1105 East Katella Ave., Anaheim, CA 92805

[scottca075]

Napa Rose is probably your best bet in Anaheim, but 15-20 miles would include Newport Beach, but do you really want to cab that far? Depending on the time of day it could be a long ride and expensive.

You said any food was okay, but also said "the nicer the better". There are some great Vietnamese places in the area that have great food, but not fancy at all.

Roy's is another possibilty, but I don't know that I'd call Roy's romantic. Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen has decent food and live jazz, but not everyone finds music during dinner romantic.

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Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen
1590 S Disneyland Dr, Anaheim, CA 92802

Napa Rose Restaurant
1600 S Disneyland Dr, Anaheim, CA 92802

[flameshock]

I love vietnamese food but for this dinner, atmosphere is pretty important.

We're driving down to Newport at least one night of the stay, so that could be feasible. What would you recommend in the area?

[scottca075]

Maybe Basilic Restaurant or Ameilia's on Balboa Island for decent food, but romantic atmosphere. The new Pizzeria Mozza is a possibility, but it is probably a zoo right now, it just opened recently.

South Coast Plaza has a few nice places, Marche Moderne, Mastro's Steakhouse and Antonello's, but being tied to a mall area decreases the romance factor.

All in all, I think Basilic followed by a stroll on Marine Ave and a Balboa Bar from Dad's would be the coolest plan.

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Marche Moderne
3333 Bristol St 3001, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Pizzeria Mozza
641 N. Highland Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Basilic Restaurant
217 Marine Ave, Newport Beach, CA 92662

Mastro's Steakhouse
633 Anton Blvd., Costa Mesa, CA 92626

[ocshooter]

Napa Rose is perhaps the least intimate/romantic fine dining experience I have ever had. I was not the least bit impressed, especially when you are in a huge room packed with large parties fresh out of the park, complete with mouse ears and kids with DVD players or games while mom and dad eat. It is a great looking room, but intimate it is not.

OCAnn highly recommends the chef's counter here, but even there I doubt you are getting an intimate experience and I just don't think the food is worth it.

There are some other options in Anaheim. I have a friend that loves Catal, at the little Disney outdoor mall attached to the park.

I have always enjoyed Roy's which is very close to the CC, but it really is not all that high end.

Anaheim White House gets high marks and is generally well recommended, though I have not been.

For my money, I would call Catal and see if they have an out of the way booth they can set up for you. It is part of the Pinot Group, and some may debate quality as the brand has been diluted, I don't think I have ever had a bad meal at one of the restaurants.

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Napa Rose Restaurant
1600 S Disneyland Dr, Anaheim, CA 92802

Anaheim White House
887 South Anaheim Blvd, Anaheim, CA 92805

Catal Restaurant and Uva Bar
1580 Disneyland Drive, Anaheim, CA 92803

Roy's Restaurant
, Anaheim, CA 92801

[jaykayen]

Napa Rose at the Grand Californian hotel. The service is good, as one would expect from anything Disney. Booking the chef's counter is recommended by many, though I've never done it.

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Napa Rose Restaurant
1600 S Disneyland Dr, Anaheim, CA 92802