Populaire Modern Bistro
Restaurant · Costa Mesa ·
French bistro fare with modern California twists and unique desserts
French bistro fare with modern California twists and unique desserts
"Chefs Nick Weber and Ross Pangilinan’s modern California-French bistro is situated in South Coast Plaza, where fried chicken bites topped with caviar fit perfectly with the glitzy atmosphere. Standout starters include crispy duck “spliffs” and escargot ebelskivers; burgers nestled in homemade potato rolls and koji-marinated duck showcase Weber’s attention to detail. Populaire’s laid-back decor with black-and-white photos of Johnny Cash and Ramones album covers offset dusty pink floral wallpaper and pastel blue walls. The look echoes the food: refined with a touch of rock-and-roll." - Jenn Tanaka
"The chocolat dessert tastes like a grown up dirt cup. The pudding-like chocolat crèmeux sits atop a devil’s chocolate cake. The cocoa nib tuile adds a slightly bitter, crunchy candy texture, and the salted creme fraiche and drizzles of olive oil add depth in unexpected ways." - Jenn Tanaka
"Populaire features classic French bistro staples with a modern California twist."
"At South Coast Plaza, the French bistro Populaire opened on June 1 and has already earned high marks from outgoing Orange County Register critic Brad A. Johnson; I found the menu to be charming and fun yet serious in its bistro roots, featuring playful items like ebelskivers stuffed with buttery escargot, a short rib burger, and plentiful duck preparations (seared breast sliced and confit leg meat wrapped like a Vietnamese egg roll), all set against the backdrop of some of Orange County’s most expensive retail real estate." - Jenn Tanaka
"At Populaire Modern Bistro I found the escargot ebelskivers to be a singular Southern California bite: inside the ebelskivers the escargot tastes like mushroom wrapped in fluffy pancake orbs, and the four-piece order comes with a creamy buttermilk sauce drizzled with parsley oil for dipping — a decadent, breezy ode to bistro food from Michelin-lauded chef Ross Pangilinan and chef Nicholas Weber at Pangilinan’s second South Coast Plaza restaurant." - Jenn Tanaka