Ironwood

Ironwood Restaurant Review:

Perched on a slightly elevated corner of a Laguna Hills strip mall, this venue makes the most out of its South Orange County location. The eatery is guided by owner Russ Bendel and executive chef/partner Jared Cook, the one-two punch behind the stylish California wine country-inspired San Clemente restaurant Vine. Iron and wood provide an industrial motif, but there’s also brick, gray accents and chalkboard panels touting food and cocktail specials, giving the décor a soft, rustic edge. There's also a sleek outdoor countertop area that affords guests a surprisingly breathtaking view of the Saddleback Mountain range. Cook’s contemporary menu deftly combines depth and seasonal freshness to produce dishes that practically demand a pairing from the well-composed wine list. Starters like the slow-roasted Kurobuta pork belly with thyme-roasted apples and cippolini onions set an elegant tone, while simple intermezzos such as the organic butter lettuce and blue cheese salad strip away any thought of pretense. For mains, the Jidori chicken schnitzel with maitake mushrooms and kabocha squash spätzle is richly satisfying, while the spicy pomodoro that complements the giant house-made meatball is worth a spoonful or two on its own. Be sure to save room for the oatmeal raisin cookie crumble with apple strudel ice cream, a Vine favorite.