Silver Trumpet Restaurant and Bar Awards

Silver Trumpet Restaurant and Bar Restaurant Review:

This flagship restaurant at the Avenue of the Arts Costa Mesa hotel captures the metropolitan vibe that emanates from the area. Guests visiting before or after a show at the adjacent Segerstrom Center for the Arts can grab a spot in the cool, white and blue light-infused lounge and enjoy a smartly crafted cocktail or bar bites like juicy chophouse sliders. Those who are looking for a traditional sit-down experience can opt for the spacious dining room and explore executive chef Hector Zamora's intriguing take on traditional and contemporary cuisine. His skill in keeping familiar modern fare refreshing is evident in starters like the calamari with pickled vegetables and sweet cilantro glaze. Mains such as the hearty linguine Bolognese and the pan-fried, herb-marinated branzino with pea purée, sumac onions and citrus gremolata display deft flavor composition. The venue's also an ideal place for a post-show dessert: seasonal cheesecakes and smoked carrot cake with cream cheese ice cream. The tidy wine list features a solid mix of approachable and serious labels, including a couple not commonly found in Orange County. Breakfast and brunch are served, and their respective menus highlight various smoothies and classic items, among them flat-iron steak and eggs.