THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Chat Noir

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Chat Noir Restaurant Review:

Live jazz and the semi-outdoors living room attract an interesting mix of hipsters and a more genteel O.C. crowd, but the foodie set can be found in three different rooms decked in racy red velvet and Lautrec-style posters. An assortment of chilled fruits de mer---Pacific oysters, Gulf shrimp, King crab legs---comes served on a shaved-ice platter with ahi-avocado tartare and various house-made sauces to start things right. Burgundy escargots or heirloom tomatoes with basil vinaigrette with Roquefort blue cheese come in a close second. Entrées include well-marbled steaks or modern Bistro fare like French onion salmon or roasted rack of lamb. Keep in mind that everything---including side dishes like steamed asparagus with hollandaise or creamy macaroni and cheese---is à la carte, so budget accordingly. When the server asks if you’ll be having the soufflé, just say “yes”; made with Callebaut chocolate, it comes out piping hot, crisp on the outside, oozing on the inside and drips with more chocolate sauce when the server presents it. There’s also a lounge menu for those who want to nosh while listening to jazz or who want a quick bite before a performance at the nearby Orange County Performing Arts Center.