Costa Mesa Restaurant Week 2011 - Charlie Palmer at Bloomingdale's South Coast Plaza

Food and fashion under one roof is what this restaurant calls an irresistible combination.  I call it genius!  Upon entering the restaurant, you can't help but be intrigued by the vintage and yet sophisticated decor.  In addition to the restaurant, it also houses a Wine Retail Shop, Next Vintage.

Allen and I had been here before and tried many of the amazing Small Plates.  We decided to come back again during Costa Mesa Restaurant Week, this time for dinner.  

Once we placed our orders, we were served with a small loaf of baguette and cheese roll.  I appreciated these were freshly baked.  We also got two small plates of Halibut Ceviche, compliments of the chef, which were quite good.  The sauce was made from orange (I'm guessing) instead of lemon/lime, so it was different.  

The Restaurant Week Dinner Menu offers only 2 entree selections, so I went with it but Allen opted to order from the regular dinner menu.  My first course was the SUMMER MELON SALAD PROSCIUTTO, PICKLED ONIONS, RICOTTA WALNUT BUTTER.  At first glance, I wasn't sure if I was going to like it.  The melons looked 'cooked'.  Once I took a bite, I realized they had been infused with something (liquor manybe?) and were quite good.  I am not a fan of prosciutto, so I gave them to Allen, but I enjoyed the rest.  :)

Before my second course arrived, we also received 2 plates of Tortellini, again, compliments of the chef.  Not sure why we got them because we didn't see other tables getting them, so THANK YOU!  These were so yummy.  

My entree was BLACKENED PORK TENDERLOIN CREAMY GRITS, SHRIMP, BRAISED SWISS CHARD, BACON JUS.  The pork was very tender but it tasted 'smoked' to me instead of blackened.  I loved the shrimp which was very sweet!  I barely ate the rest because I was so full.   

Allen ordered 8 OZ. FILET MIGNON - CARAMELIZED ONION POTATO CROQUET, BABY CARROTS BOURBON PEPPERCORN SAUCE and a side order of GARLIC SAUTEED SPINACH.  The filet was very tender and flavorful.  The spinach tasted very much like Chinese stir-fry and was very good.  But we probably should have gotten something else had we known the filet already came with it. 

For my dessert, I chose MINT CHOCOLATE BROWNIE SUNDAE - DOUBLE CHOCOLATE BROWNIE, MINT CHOCOLATE CHIP ICE CREAM, HOT FUDGE.  The brownie was very different that it was not at all sweet.  The ice cream was very minty.  If you like sweets, this may not be for you, but I enjoyed it. 

I was really surprised not more people were dining there.  I really thought more people would take advantage of the restaurant week.  Maybe because it's the first year and not many people knew about it!  That's too bad because so far, Allen and I are enjoying every dining excursion.

Service: 4 stars
Food:4 1/2 stars
Ambiance: 5 stars
Overall: 4 1/2 stars


Charlie Palmer at Bloomingdale Costa Mesa
3333 Bristol Street
Costa Mesa, CA 92626

(714) 824-4600