Best Restaurants For Scallops In Orange County
Scallops come in all sizes from various oceans from the Pacific to the Atlantic. A prized seafood source, scallops are meaty and served as appetizers or as main courses. Chefs in Orange County bring together classic flavors, personal cultural backgrounds and a range of scallop species into their restaurants' repertoire of dishes. In Ceviche and tacos, seared with risotto and cooked with international flavors, these scallops are the best dishes in OC.
EATS Kitchen & Bar
17900 Jamboree Road
Irvine, CA 92614
(949) 225-6780
www.eatskitchen.com
Where fresh ingredients and unique flavors make a difference in a dining experience, EATS Kitchen & Bar prepares a scallop ceviche that is offered as an appetizer special at various times of the year. Executive Chef Jason Montelibano begins with fresh baby scallops and marinates them in lime juice with cucumber and chiles. The ceviche is served with avocado mousse and micro cilantro. It's an excellent and vibrant choice for summer in the EATS gastropub atmosphere featuring an al fresco patio.
The Bungalow
2441 East Coast Highway
Corona Del Mar, CA 92625
(949) 673-6585
/thebungalowrestaurant.com
The Bungalow is an iconic restaurant where locals come to retreat while enjoying casual dining. Signature martinis served in chilled oversize glasses, USDA prime steaks and fresh fish is what The Bungalow is all about. A favorite and specialty item offered on the From the Sea part of the menu is the kitchen's diver scallops entree. Hand harvested from the ocean floor by professional fishermen and licensed scuba divers, The Bungalow sears the diver scallops giving them a caramelized finish and then plating them upon wild mushroom risotto with heirloom tomato and a fava bean ragout.
Selanne Steak Tavern
1464 S. Coast Highway
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
(949) 715-9881
www.selannesteaktavern.com
Selanne Steak Tavern serves a delicious starter of Pacific diver sea scallops with cauliflower puree and pickled shimeji mushrooms. Executive Chef Joshua Severson uses plump, sushi-grade scallops, the highest quality available and sears the scallops to serve medium rare to medium. The cauliflower puree is enhanced by the addition of Walla Walla onions, cream and black truffle oil. The pickled shimeji mushrooms adds a final level of rich flavor to round out this elegant dish. Selanne Steak Tavern is owned by friends and neighbors Teemu Selanne, hockey legend and NHL star player for the Anaheim Ducks, and Kevin Pratt.
Related: Best Sushi In Orange County
Taco Maria
South Coast Collection
3313 Hyland Ave.
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 538-8444
www.tacomaria.com
Taco Maria at The OC Mix Mart at SOCO has an amazing scallops dish honoring the restaurant's Chicano cuisine, culture and traditions. Chef Carlos Salgado, a Michelin-starred chef who was raised in Orange County takes Japanese Hokkaido scallops to create aguachile. The tender sweet scallops are clearly the star of this vibrant a la carte menu item. The plate is enhanced with cucumber, citrus, serrano and fresh herbs. A la carte is offered at lunchtime serving tacos made with homemade tortillas.
The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar
2647 Park Ave.
Tustin, CA 92782
(714) 258-7600
thewinerytustin.com
Located at The District, The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar serves an amazing scallops dish, perfect for a summer dinner. Jumbo Maine scallops and wild white shrimp are prepared with beautiful notes of saffron, and are plated upon a roasted red pepper and edamame bean risotto sprinkled with a crispy prosciutto. The Winery Restaurant, which also has a location in Newport Beach, embraces the regional flavors of California and incorporates these ingredients into seasonal menus. Without failing to address the restaurant's wine bar, the wine list is sophisticated offering diners a wide range of varietals from all over the world -- that would be about 7,500 bottles stored in the restaurant's climate-controlled wine cellar. Guests are invited to take a peek into the cellar (or even get a tour).
Related: Best Wine Bars In Orange County
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