Charlie Palmer at Bloomingdale's South Coast Plaza

This review is for the bard side only since I've never actually eaten in the restaurant. They have a ridiculous happy hour for drinks. I think the beers are like 2 bucks and a grey goose martini with blue cheese olives are 7 bucks. Thanks to CP my alcoholism can be fed 7 days a week. The food is decent at the bar but the serving size is kind of small. They do amazing chicken wings. The wings are french'd and they replace buffalo sauce with a house made sriracha based sauce complete with some yummy white dip I forget the name of. The bone marrow is original and delicious.

we stopped by for lunch due to the interesting small plates menu but were disappointed - they sounded very innovative but sounded better than they tasted. the duck meatballs were tiny and the orange flavor overpowered the meat, the baby octopus was terrible, and the bacon wrapped dates nowhere near as delicious as i've had elsewhere. we found the decor (and elevator music) to be bland and along with the service - we won't be back.

Charlie Palmer is one of my favorite restaurants in Costa Mesa. My friend recommended this restaurant to me earlier this year because of her previous experience at other locations. My first time here was exceptional. I came during my lunch break from work, so didn't have too much time spend to enjoy the full experience. The atmosphere and decor is beautiful. We opted to sit at the bar to get the immediate service and plus it wasn't busy. I believe Ryan was the bartender that day. He ensured our stay was pleasant, offering tips on the lunch menu, providing a quick samples of the wine and was awesome to have a conversation with. Primarily the service (Ryan, Troy) is what brought me back for multiple visits, but let's not discount the food because its delicious. I quickly became a regular at Charlie Palmers. Making frequent visits primarily, during lunch time and a few times during OC Restaurant Week. Try the pre-fixed menu for lunch, it's 3-course for $25. The restaurant is easy to find, across from AnQi inside of Bloomingdale's. Parking can be a hassle during the holiday season, so if you are short on time, go for the $6 valet.

Great potential, but fell short on two service fronts. Service was mediocre. You know the drill. Waiter never brought bread (We were enjoying cocktails and other distractions, so didn't notice or ask for it. We did notice during dessert that couple at next table enjoyed bountiful basket of home made rolls, however...). Never got Salad we ordered. (Of course we were offered option to get it after we noticed entrees had been delivered, so were not charged for it. What took mediocre service to level worth complaining about is waiter was also inattentive despite what seemed to be slow night. Had to flag him down for service, such as bringing check, picking up credit card, etc. I should also mention, interesting that different waiters, I think more culinary trained, brought food items. The second service front was restroom. Quite clean (and modern), but no paper towels, or hand drier visible. I should say food and drink that we did get were excellent, on par with ultra premium experience you'd expect at a celebrity chef labeled, and priced, restaurant. Charlie Palmer at Bloomingdales is comparable to very similar menu at sister (or foe?) restaurant Broadway in Laguna Beach, I will definitely return to enjoy excellent premium food, decor, and hopefully better service at Palmers.

Seldom does one get to have a perfect prepared meal at a restaurant. Well that’s what I just had at Charlie Palmer’s this Thursday in Costa Mesa. I Started off with “Black truffle cheese ravioli”. It was accompanied with a sweet corn nage, sort of like a corn couscous with 2 wonderful raviolis in a sauce. I loved it and could have eaten a whole plate of them. My wife had the heirloom tomato salad which she loved. She loved it so much she now wants me to serve it to her every week. Which I will try to replicate it. For Main course we both had the very delicious ”Lemon thyme Basted Scottish Salmon” Cooked to perfection and stacked with Israeli Couscous, braised daikon in a coconut green curry. Not only was it beautiful to look it was simply delicious. I especially thought the braised daikon was a wonderful touch which I would not have thought of. We accompanied the meal with a split of garlic sautéed spinach which was also picture perfect. And a very tasty bottle of Patricia Green Pinot Noir which they picked for me. For dessert we split a sampling of their home made ice cream. I rarely eat a dessert but could not stop here. So I had to have a cappuccino get all the flavors to mix. What a great meal with truly outstanding service from the staff. The whole menu looks great and I especially want to try some of the “small plates” at the bar.

Great place for an after work get together or nice dinner. I've always been more than happy with the food and service, whether in the bar or in the restaurant I've always had a wonderful time here. I enjoy the trandy atmosphere and they make a mean whiskey sour. See you guys tomorrow!

They do some cool stuff here. Had a fillet of bison here recently. It was cooked well. The staff is very friendly too.

One of my favorite restaurants in Orange County. Great bartenders, Great food. Best Happy Hour in town.