Scarlet Kitchen & Lounge

Scarlet Kitchen & Lounge Restaurant Review:

About the restaurant & décor: How far inland is this South Orange County venue? The shopping center it calls home is the last big retail outpost before Ortega Highway weaves its way through the Santa Ana Mountains en route to Lake Elsinore. It’s a welcome presence in the area’s young, burgeoning neighborhoods. Guests won’t see much scarlet in this restaurant – rustic greens, sleek black tones and gold trim around the bar dominate the modern dining space. What they will witness, however, is young executive chef Paige Riordan breathing needed life into an expanse engulfed by mundane chains.

Likes: The efficiency of the servers.
Dislikes: The dining space's music occasionally seems out of place.

Food & Drinks: Riordan combines fresh, seasonal ingredients and East Coast family traditions to build a tight menu that pushes past the area’s norm without going overboard. Starters like the beet tartare with cashew pine nut crema, shallots and capers show Riordan’s skill with vegetarian and vegan items, while the ground bison chili with chickpeas and the New England clam chowder are hearty and richly satisfying. The steaks, chops and seafood mains are nicely executed, but we recommend the indulgent pork and lamb ragoût with pappardelle dish dubbed Liquid Gold. Save room for the coconut éclair for dessert. The wine list, while small, has some choice labels, particularly by the glass.