Scarlet Kitchen and Lounge

Have you ever gone to a restaurant and simply just wanted to try out every item on the menu? That was our experience at this restaurant. The ingredients described for each dish looked incredibly interesting and the taste exceeded expectations. The service was warm and hospitable from the hostess who greeted us and escorted us to our table, to Marla who was our server and gave great suggestions and another server who checked in with us to ask about the new deserts on the menu. I want to come back and try more entrees!!

The bacon wrapped dates and bruschetta was delicious. The Scarlet burger and lobster grilled cheese sandwich melted in your mouth. So good! Service very attentive.

We’ve been here a couple times, but we had a bad experience last night. We had to send back the food, they need way more staff. We were there a total of three hours and had one drink and a meal and had to send the food back once. The service and food was poor because they were not well staffed. Full restaurant full patio, one server, one manager, one bartender, One bus boy, and one delivering meals. The explanation was that they were usually not that busy on Wednesdays. took us 20 minutes to get the check after asking for it twice then another 15 minutes to get it back. It was a frustrating waiting game.

10/1/2023 Had reservations for dinner at 5:30 pm at Scarlet Kitchen & Lounge. We checked in to the hostess, who must have forgotten. we checked in as Yelp contacted me about a no-show. This was corrected. We saw Madison and Lorilie, who were amazing at our previous visit. Lorilie is amazing at checking on guests and providing answers to questions, etc. Ava was our server this evening and took our drink and appetizer orders. We started with clam chowder and tomato bisque soups...so good, especially on a cooler day. My wife was craving their halibut, but they ran out, so she ordered the grilled fish tacos, which she enjoyed. I had my go-to Filet Mignon and eggplant parmesean, which was outstanding. It was nice to see the restaurant busy and the crowd happy and conversing. We had a nice experience and will call next time to check on the fresh catch prior to arrival. Ambiance is positive and uplifting, and the staff is quite attentive and professional. Recommended Previous visit Tonight, we found a truly hidden gem right next door in Ladera Ranch. We made reservations for 6 pm and were greeted by the lovely and professional hostess. My wife chose to sit outside in their very nice patio. Once seated, we were greeted by Madison, aka "Madie," and she was beyond fantastic. Madison was a professional, kind, and amazing listener with stellar customer service skills. My wife and I both had a bowl of their tomatoe soup, which was so good and tasty. We also ordered drinks as they have a full bar, and the drinks are made to perfection. Lorilie also stopped by to see how we were doing and asked if we needed any refills or anything else. Lorilie was so kind and very professional. The establishment is very clean and well managed and the staff are quite efficient and pleasant. For our entrees, Madison stopped by and took our order, and my wife ordered the Halibut entree . The presentation, taste, and overall experience left her very happy and smiling. I had asked for a custom dish as I was craving the filet mignon and also the eggplant, so I ordered the filet mignon without potatoes or veggies and a serving of eggplant with marinara. All I can say is WOW. The filet was tender and cooked just as I had requested, medium rare, and so tasty. Great presentation as well on this dish, and the eggplant was cooked quite similar to the way I make it. The meal was fantastic. Overall, the wonderful restaurant, Scarlet Kitchen & Lounge, is a new favorite and our compliments to the chefs, staff, and management! Highly recommended!

My husband booked us a table on a Thursday night (5:30 reservation) as a surprise birthday dinner. It wasn’t that busy when we got there so we got seated right away. Our drink orders were taken shortly after and then our food order was taken a few minutes after that. My daughter ordered the filet mignon without sauce and asked for plain fries on the side. The server was keying the order into the device but oddly it took a really long time just to put that order in. It felt like it took a minute just to put my daughter’s order in. *shrug* My husband ordered the steak frites with plain fries as well. They got his order wrong when it came out. He decided not to say anything about it. I ordered the halibut which was delicious but it was slightly too “peanuty” for me. I also got the clam chowder which was alright. It came out the same time as my main which I thought was a bit weird but whatever. The server (who also happened to be the bartender that night it seemed) checked in on us maybe a couple times. We sat with our finished plates for several minutes until we decided to just leave and asked for the check…3 times to 3 different people. We didn’t bother asking to see the dessert menu because the service was so slow and inattentive. We finally paid and I think the hostess was apologetic and offered a reconciliation but we declined because we weren’t planning on coming back. We’re out of the restaurant at this point and then noticed that they were bringing out a complimentary birthday dessert with a candle. Hahaha! A little late there. The entire experience lasted about 2 hours. Despite all that, the servers and hostess were friendly though.

We were there to celebrate a birthday. Cocktails were delicious, everyone loved their meal selection and the birthday treat was delicious and topped off with a sparkler. Very festive!! Service was excellent. Looking forward to going again in warmer weather to enjoy their awesome patio space.

Once we were able to place our order the food came out relatively quick and was very delicious. The helpers were quick to refill water and clear dishes, but the downside was most of the servers seem to be more into talking with each other than taking our orders or following up.

Get the Mermaid cocktail! Adorbs and refreshing! We came in a little late on a Monday night and was served by Amanda. The service, food, and atmosphere were perfect for a date night. I'm looking forward to going back!

The food is delicious. The service is even better. This is a small restaurant, but it really packs a punch of personality. I was happy because they had a delicious Pinot from the Willamette area of Oregon. they do have a rather large area with a gorgeous fire pit adjacent unfortunately, it was too chilly for us to sit outside, but we will be back in the summer. Tons of parking .

Stopped by on a Sunday after a trip to the Shops at San Clemente. Food was excellent and we enjoyed live music on the patio.

I met AR for an early, Wednesday evening dinner at the Sendero Marketplace, but we hadn't yet decided where to eat. We were limited to the nicer, sit-down restaurants, skipping over the casual spots like Jersey Mike's and In-N-Out. The two upscale options were Scarlet Kitchen & Lounge and Morena's Mexican Cuisine, both on the pricier side ($$$). Scarlet Kitchen, however, boasts a great Happy Hour, with a new "Reverse Happy Hour" every Friday from 8:30-9:30 PM. (AR mentioned it's usually packed here on Fridays. My guess is the evening Happy Hour.) Last time at the marketplace, AR & I dined at Morena's, where we had a fantastic evening of great food and service. So naturally, I assumed we'd be returning there. But AR surprised me with a curveball: she suggested trying Scarlet Kitchen & Lounge instead. Being the adventurous foodie I am, I was all in! We were greeted warmly by two hostesses and offered a choice of indoor or outdoor seating. The evening was cool, and outdoor dining seemed perfect, especially when the hostess brought out cozy throw blankets for us. AR quickly bundled up, and we chose a table away from another family dining outside, sitting side by side. It was a nice evening. Soon after, our waiter Nathan appeared with waters and an impressive spread of menus: Happy Hour menu, regular dinner menu, "Winesday" specials, and another drink menu - at least four or five menus in total. The menu is a creative fusion of American classics with a sophisticated twist. The variety of dishes showcase the chef's creativity and attention to detail. Decisions, decisions... With so many tempting Happy Hour choices, AR and I were both hungry, and everything looked amazing. After some deliberation, we finally placed our order but kept a few menus on hand - just in case we wanted to add more to our meal! Our order: Heart of Scarlet ($10) Happy Hour drink menu Gluten free organic vodka, pomegranate juice, hibiscus, lime Chefs Old Spirit ($11) Happy Hour drink menu Bourbon, spiced apple syrup, cardamon bitters, dehydrated apple & cinnamon stick (Seasonal cocktail) Rueban Tacos ($17) Happy Hour menu Slow cooked pulled pork, sauerkraut, irish white cheddar, romaine, scarlet sauce, choice of corn or flour tortilla Mediterranean Shrimp Risotto ($31.50) Standard menu; split order Wild jumbo shrimp, spicy white wine tomato sauce, portuguese linguica, parmesan risotto, parsley Chocolate Souflee ($12) Dessert menu Rich chocolate cake, vanilla bean ice cream, fresh berries Grand total: $88 (+tip) *See uploaded photos The drinks were well-made. AR enjoyed her floral, Heart of Scarlet, describing it as both tasty and strong. I opted for the Chef's Old Spirit, a seasonal cocktail. It had good flavor but was a bit sweet for my taste (though the Spiked Apple Cider looked tempting as another fall option). The Reuben Tacos were a hit with both of us - great, smoky flavor and nice portions. AR & I also split the Mediterranean Shrimp Risotto. Our server, Nathan, kindly offered to have the dish split in the kitchen and brought out on two separate plates, to which we eagerly agreed. It saved us from the hassle of dividing it at the table - always a good thing for me, as I tend to make a mess. Truth. The risotto was creamy & delicious! I'm not sure if I've ever had risotto before, though I've certainly seen Chef Ramsey yelling about it on TV. AR was in the mood for it, and I'm always up for trying something new! I was pleasantly surprised to find linguica, a flavorful Portuguese sausage, in the dish. (Linguica is a staple in Hawaii, usually served for breakfast alongside eggs.) As we sipped our drinks, AR and I browsed the dessert menu and decided to split the Chocolate Soufflé - a perfect end to the meal. Overall, it was a fantastic dinner date with exceptional service. However, be prepared for a slightly higher price point, but for the level of service, atmosphere, and food, it's well worth it. (In all fairness, it seems the average lunch/dinner for two runs around $100 nowadays.) Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or just indulging in a night out, Scarlet Kitchen & Lounge is a fantastic choice in Mission Viejo. The staff was friendly, attentive and accommodating, frequently stopping by the table to check on the food, refill water glasses, and clear away empty plates. Scarlet Kitchen & Lounge in Mission Viejo is a hidden gem that balances modern flair with comfort. The ambiance strikes a perfect blend of cozy and upscale, with warm lighting and chic décor that set the stage for a great time. AR and I are already planning our return visit. She's eyeing the Lobster Mac & Cheese, while I'm keeping it simple--I just want to try a little bit of everything, especially the Eggs Benedict on their Sunday Brunch menu. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or just indulging in a night out, Scarlet Kitchen & Lounge is a great choice! - Big Aloha! Food: 4 Ambiance: 4 Service: 5 Value: 3+ (Good Happy Hour menu)

This is a nice trendy place. Servers are friendly enough. But the food is mostly terrible. Came here for the first time with family on a Friday evening and ordered some apps. Deviled Eggs - 5/5 (these were great, perfectly seasoned, wish I just ate these) Calamari - 0/5 (rubbery, shrunken, stale batter - One of the worst Calamari's I've ever had in my life) Sweet Potato Fries - 0/5 (Should be called Nasty Potato Fries because they were Not Sweet at all, Hard, mostly Tasteless, and some borderline rotten) I knew after these apps it was time to pay for our bill and eat dinner elsewhere. So to sum up: Nice place with decent staff that serve overpriced less than mediocre food with some borderline inedible. Place needs a Gordon Ramsey food makeover. 1 Star for the horrible food quality and nerve to charge more for it.

We visited the day after Valentine's Day to avoid the crowd and special menu. Even though that was still available, we chose to order off the regular menu. Our server Lorelei was great and very attentive. When our orders took longer than anticipated, both she, and Shannon the manager made sure we were comfortable and brought out 2 complimentary sides. When our entrees arrived they were hot and the lamb was a perfect medium rare. We'll definitely be going back!

Had a 6:45 reservation on Valentine's Day wasn't seated at our table until 7:30. They gave us a prefix menu even though we selected the normal menu. It took nearly 3 hours to get served the 5 courses. Also for the main course, after ordering we were told the first selection wasn't available & selected an alternative. 5 minutes later we were told the alternate selection was also unavailable which left 1 option not included on there prefix menu. Not sure how you run out of a prefix menu items so early in the night but overall the service, timing & experience was very disappointing.

Our server Ashley was so amazing, we cannot say enough positive things about her. She was so attentive and positive. We loved her energy, she was so amazing, she was the best part of our experience. She was so focused on us and I can only hope everyone gets the chance to meet Ashley. The food was decent but Ashley was amazing! We want to shout her out because of how special she was. Thank you Ashley for an amazing experience. We appreciate all of your hard work

This was my girlfriend and I's second time here. We were very excited to find that they had available seating on Valentines Day during dinner time. It was a prefixed 5 course meal with limited options. However, we were disappointed to say the least with the 50 minutes it took to get our first course, a salad... Following the salad was an hour and a half of our server apologizing for our food not being ready. While the service was friendly, I would never wait nearly 2 hours for "friendly service". The only reason my girlfriend and I did not leave earlier is because we were worried no one else would have available seating for us. Very disappointed with the results tonight, too unprepared for a night they should have expected to be busy. Side Note: Management did give us a slight discount for the wait, still not happy.

We came here for valentines dinner and waiting over 1 hour and 45 minutes (with a reservation) for a salad that was mediocre and soggy and carrots and broccoli without having silverware, plates cleared off the table, all while being cramped next to the next table. This was our first time here after hearing wonderful reviews but this sadly was not a good experience. They were very overbooked and it was extreme crowded, like packed sardines. Hopefully we can come and have a good review for this place.

Scarlet Kitchen is a great cozy dinner spot however it is quite pricy so be prepared for that when stopping in for a meal. They have a decent selection on the menu with creative drinks and dishes to choose from. The flavor profiles of each dish are well thought out, some surprising, but not in a bad way. The chef and her team clearly put thought into their dishes, and the service compliments the whole experience well. They have live music which makes the experience feel much more private and fun. They are usually busy so I recommend getting a reservation in advance.

We went to dinner last night with some friends. We ordered the bacon wrapped dates and deviled eggs for apps. Both were very good. My friend and I ordered the filet cooked medium with risotto ($61). Both steaks arrived very rare. Sauce was on the side when we sent them back. When they returned they did not taste good and the sauce was now poured over the steaks. The quality of the meat was not very good for the price. My filet was very fatty. Risotto was bland. The Brussel sprouts were burned. They did offer is a complimentary round of drinks.

We tried this place for the first time and OMG it might be our new favorite. It's a little pricey but the food is wonderful, the cocktails are seasonal and refreshing and the desserts are... amazing!! The restaurant is tucked in a plaza so there is plenty of parking. They have a spacious main dining room but we sat on the covered patio and it was the perfect summer evening. We went on a Friday night and there was live music but not so loud we couldn't have a conversation. I highly highly recommend this place! The atmosphere is great for any occasion; a girl's night, family dinner or a date night out on the town.

Fiancé and I were house hunting in the near area and wanted to grab some lunch nearby. This was the nearest plaza and we wanted to see what else was around that In-N-Out. We browsed the area and settled at Scarlet. Stunning interior and massive outdoor patio. Most of the patrons were sitting outside to dine al fresco, but we chose to sit inside since there were few patrons inside. It felt more intimate/calm to us - plus the view of that bar wasn't bad to look at either haha. Their lunch menu boasts a big variety of options - sandwiches, burgers, seafood, salad and other small bites. I wanted something light, so I decided to go with the Butter Lettuce ($15.00) and add a protein, pan seared salmon (+$15.00). The butter lettuce was beautifully presented with avocado, watermelon radish, toasted pistachios, basil and a maple mustard vinaigrette. When served, they offer fresh cracked black pepper, which I loved. I did wish the lettuce was cut to bite size instead of giant lettuce cups to make it easier to eat without a fork & knife, but it wasn't too much work. The pan seared salmon was cooked to perfection with a golden crust, so no complaints. Fiancé ordered the fish & chips. Any time this is on the menu, it's a must get. Beer battered wild cod served with tartar sauce, scarlet sauce and seasoned hand cut fries. Overall, a solid meal and we left very satisfied. I'll definitely be back whether we find a home here or not. I am very curious about their liquid gold (pork & lamb ragout with pappardelle), so I can't wait to return.

Celebrated my husbands birthday dinner and loved the restaurant. The food was delicious ! Service is excellent. Outdoor dinning is very inviting. HIGHLY RECOMMEND

One of the few places where I'd rather dine at the bar because the counter top is so spacious... and pretty... and they're killing it with the cocktails. Now, the nitty gritty... THE FOOD ELABORATION. - Mornin' Brussels | When in doubt, crack an egg over it. These charred brussels are crispy, tender, and sweet. Shallots further sweeten this delicious dish. The sunny side up egg is a crowd pleaser as part of the excitement is breaking the yolk and watching it spill over everything in its path. Highly recommend. - Liquid Gold Baked Eggs | It's essentially a bowl of marinara sauce topped with two over easy eggs and sourdough bread for dipping. And I'm not sure if "liquid gold sauce" equates to marinara sauce. Regardless, this dish was a little underwhelming for me. - Scarlet Brunch Burger | The aioli garlic with Irish white cheddar contrasted well with the sweet maple bacon onion jam. Burger patty was cooked to my request (medium) and had a great, savory flavor. After saying all this, I felt like it was missing something. Lettuce? Tomatoes? Arugula? Something. It comes with a side of thick steak fries that were disappointing due to several being undercooked. Overall, another underwhelming dish for me. THE DRINKS DRUNK. - The Sophie | Bourbon, banana, ginger, egg white, house made sweet & sour, and candied ginger garnished on a pearl decorated cocktail pick. It looks like an unlikely mix of ingredients, but it was actually really great. - Bloody Mary | Spicy and there's some tomato juice and vodka in there too. Coated with chili on the rim glass, a few olives, and a stalk of celery for added crunch, this cocktail continues to stay classy. THE VIBE EVOCATION. Such a charming spot with an ensemble of chandeliers that hang towards the center of the restaurant. The dining area can seat about 50-60 people. The bar counter is comprised of a gorgeous marble pattern that takes on characteristics of alabaster stone. It's spacious; perfect for grabbing drinks and even dining. An outdoor covered patio is available for the outdoorsy crowd. Heaters may be turned on during the cooler months. THE PARKING AFFAIR. Free parking in the shopping center. I could see parking being an issue during peak times, but we arrived when the restaurant opened at 10:30 AM and didn't have any problems. THE RESERVATION DETERMINATION. Recommend making reservations to avoid the waiting game. THE RETURN QUANDARY. I would come back to try other dishes and cocktails. Oh and the ambiance is quite nice.

If you haven't been to Scarlet Kitchen &Lounge you are missing out! Stopped my for a Saturday lunch and loved it. They have both indoor and outdoor seating, so it's really your choice on what ambience you prefer. We sat at the bar and our server was very friendly and welcoming. Started with Coppola Pinot Grigio and the bacon wrapped dates- YUM! Perfect appetizer. I ordered the Lobster Mac and cheese- so rich and delicious with plenty of lobster. My husband had the Reuben sandwich and thinks it's one of the best he's ever had. We ate here May of 2022 and it was delicious then as well. We won't take nearly as long before visits next time!

This is a good find, tucked into a shopping center. The ambiance is nice. They have outdoor and indoor seating. Staff is friendly. I had a bit of sticker shock looking at the menu. This place is expensive. I had my eye on the halibut, but $48? Pass. I got the blackened fish tacos instead. Three very small tacos. They were good, but not super filling. They have a great list of drinks, good wine, decent beers. I'd recommend it for happy hour and small bites. If you go for a full meal, it's more of a "special occasion" type of place.

Called to make sure they had tables open. They said there's tons on their patio. Drove all the way over there. Got there within 30 mins and they turned us away while they had multiple tables open inside and outside. Apparently if they're busy but have tables open they don't have a waitlist they just don't even let you eat here??? Wtf?? With 3+ hours til they close haha The hostess said they could make us food to go?? If their kitchen could do that why not just seat us. Was gonna add this place to our weekly rotation but I'll never come back. Going to Ironwood in Mission Viejo instead where they don't treat their customers like shit!!!

Delightful little neighborhood spot. I've been here multiple times and just love the casual but upscale bistro feel. Also love the food- of course!!! Delicious every single tim

Had reservations for dinner at 5:30 pm at Scarlet Kitchen & Lounge. We checked in to the hostess, who must have forgotten. we checked in as Yelp contacted me about a no-show. This was corrected. We saw Madison and Lorilie, who were amazing at our previous visit. Lorilie is amazing at checking on guests and providing answers to questions, etc. Ava was our server this evening and took our drink and appetizer orders. We started with clam chowder and tomato bisque soups...so good, especially on a cooler day. My wife was craving their halibut, but they ran out, so she ordered the grilled fish tacos, which she enjoyed. I had my go-to Filet Mignon and eggplant parmesean, which was outstanding. It was nice to see the restaurant busy and the crowd happy and conversing. We had a nice experience and will call next time to check on the fresh catch prior to arrival. Ambiance is positive and uplifting, and the staff is quite attentive and professional. Recommended

Always yummy here ! The service is always amazing and the food is so good! Had a last minute date night with hubby and the lobster roll was so yummy!! I ordered the brussel sprouts instead of fries which turned out to be an amazing pairing! Highly recommend if your in Rancho Mission Viejo area

We were super excited to try this restaurant due to previous reviews. We were seated outside (as requested) but in a dark corner. Asked to have the heater turned on but told it was not functional. Heard others ask about the heaters and also told they were the same thing. Ordered an appetizer and waited quite a while for it. Manager then told us that it had been delivered to the wrong table. Asked if we still wanted it and we said that we did. Server then came to table and told us our entrees were ready and would get cold if we had the appetizer. We then cancelled the appetizer and entrees were served, which were OK. Manager then offered to comp a dessert. Bottom line, not sure we will return which is disappointing because we really wanted to find a good restaurant that we could frequent regularly.

Have been here several times and have always enjoyed. This was a terrible experience. I'll start with the food. We ordered the following: 6x oysters- came out on mostly melted ice and water was filling up the oyster shells Bison Burger- I asked the server how they recommend cooking it. She specially said- "I'd go Medium well because it's been coming out super rare so Medium well is going to be Pink". I said ok. It came out the first time completely overcooked. I sent it back and said I only ordered it this way as that's what you told me it would take to have it pink. I should have taken a picture because when it came out again it may have still been alive. It was medium Rare (at best) I asked for regular fries on the side and they brought out the big steak fries. I told the food runner about the mistake and she (the only nice person we dealt with in general) said don't worry about it, just keep them and we'll bring you regular fries. The server then came over and grabbed them and said I'll get them replaced. Not an issue as we wanted something different but again, our serve was just kind of rude and didn't seem to care. I also asked for a side of "seasonal fruit" which the menu said was $8. She said- we are out of pancakes so not sure we have that. I said- what does one have to do with the other? She said, I think we can make something happen. Again- what does that even mean? It's on the menu! She then brought out a small ramekin of berries and I said, "this can't be an $8 side of seasonal fruit"? Her response was, it's a smaller portion so it's only $5. Again- wtf?! This doesn't even make sense. Eggs Benedict- we ordered it with bacon on a side plate as my wife doesn't eat meat. It came out with bacon on the side which was crumbling and burnt but they also put bacon on the item itself. We showed the server and she had it remade. When it came out for a second time, the whites of the poached egg were still liquid and the hollandaise came in a side container. The server said, "we put the sauce on the side just in case". In case of what? Very strange. Server: Amanda was her name. Looked and acted like she had no desire to be there. Terrible attitude and didn't seem to really care. Also we were sitting outside and I could see directly into the restaurant and the chefs window from our table. When she brought our food in, she was making hand gestures, chuckling and clearly was being flippant about the situation. Just super unprofessional and disrespectful. As noted, the hostess was very sweet as was the girl who brought out our food originally. Our server on the other hand was not. When she came back out, I asked if I could speak to a manager as it was just a really terrible 30 minutes of food and service. She said no managers were working and she was the only one there to speak to about a problem. I told her that wasn't acceptable to me and I would like her managers contact info. I walked inside and she handed me a piece of paper with her manager, Rachel's number. While I understand it's Sunday and can't fault her for not responding if it's her day off, I sent a few messages over a few hours, but zero reply. My last message to her was me saying that at this point I'll just leave a detailed account of the experience. Again- have been here many times and always enjoyable, but this was terrible. Update: I received a call from the manager, Rachel. She was extremely nice and apologetic. She definitely took the issues seriously and asked that I come back for a better experience. My review was not meant to ruin or disparage Scarlett Kitchen, but to simply detail my experience. I will go back and give them another try.

The bar service is terrible!!!!! I was there this past Friday night and they had ONE bartender for over 100 people and a bar back who was running to get glasses of wine. She did not even make eye contact to say she would be with us shortly and we waited over 15 minutes. When I got her attention, the bartender said she was "slammed" and I explained that we could've waited if she acknowledged us. I can understand why she struggled when they were extremely short staffed. Then, in the restaurant, I told them I wanted the lobster but that I was "allergic to dairy" and after a few bites, I realized it was drenched in butter. Our mistake, they said, and took it back. I felt so sick to my stomach that I couldn't even eat after that and threw up when I got home. It's too bad because the food is great and they have live music regularly.

Great spot!! Staff is very friendly and, not that it matters, beautiful. The guys, the girls, all of them are very kind, attentive and easy on the eyes. Owners put together a good team here. Pulled pork was possibly the Best sandwich I've ever had.

Love this place but please, please, please, bring back the Lobster Rolls!!!! Service is always 100% and staff are the best!

Amazing food and even better staff. I had the short ribs! Yum! It's a favorite place for friends and family.

As a frequent visitor to this establishment, I can confidently say that each visit has been nothing short of exceptional. The oysters, particularly during the daytime, have consistently been fresh and delectable, accompanied by impeccable service. Their selection of drinks is truly impressive and always hits the spot. On another occasion, we indulged in their charcuterie platter paired with a glass of wine, and it exceeded all expectations. Despite the $40 price range, the platter was generously packed with high-quality offerings. Whether it's for drinks, appetizers, or a full meal, I recommend this place.

This is the best Restaurant in Rancho Mission / Ladera Ranch. The quality of the food is very high. It's nice that they have a full bar. Service is always Top Notch. If you're lucky you'll be there when they have a singer on the patio.

I went last night for drinks and apps. It's a cute little restaurant in a shopping center. The crab cakes and bruschetta were great! The food came out within 2-5 minutes though which was a little surprising. I was a little surprised when they said they were closing at 8 when yelp said they close at 10. I felt a bit rushed by 7:45 as they were cleaning up and I had just gotten there around 6. Nevertheless, I want to go back to try the entrees.

Located in a shopping center. When we walked inside, the ambience is pretty cool. We ordered the French fry appetizer and it was tasty but definitely pricey! The server we had did a good job. The food was good, not mind blowing, but good! I believe it should be a $$$$ place.

Dropped in today for a drink. I've been here before and thought the food and service was amazing. Not today. The bartender gave us the impression immediately she hated her job. I honestly felt like we were putting her out. I can find a better drink and friendlier service elsewhere. We won't be back anytime soon.

Stopped in for a bite to eat and a drink in between water polos games over the weekend. 1, Great drinks. I had a Salty Dog and a special on the menu, some sort of Bourbon cocktail with a "Saturday" something -or-other in the name. The second drink was awesome so much so the other folks I was with ordered one as well. 2. Delicious food. I ordered the Ruben Tacos and they were fantastic. Hope we have to play at San Juan Hills again soon. We'll be back. Cheers.

Great place for a night drink before going home. Was staying nearby and a go to place for locals.

For dinner the lamb chops and the chicken corn risotto. For dessert the gingerbread espresso martini. Service was excellent. The food presentation and quality were good.

I absolutely love their food, especially their hamburgers, which are among the best in town and come at a decent price. And their Martinis Simply the best! I'll definitely be a frequent visitor.

Yummy food and drinks, great service, and nice ambiance. Everything was tasty and good selection of beers and cocktails.

Wow! So awful! I normally don't write reviews and especially like to write negative things about businesses. Things happen and I try to be understanding. Though, in this case I simply can't believe how poorly things went with dinner. It could have been a scene from a movie. My husband and I sat down for dinner. I ordered the lamb and he ordered the Scarlett burger. Our order arrived in a timely manner and we were off to a good start. Then cut scene... The toppings my husband ordered on the burger were missing. No problem. He let the waitress know and unfortunately my lamb was so salty that I couldn't even eat it. I like salty food so that's saying something. No problem again. I just ordered the burger lettuce wrapped since that would be quicker and then my husband and I could eat together. About 10-15 minutes goes by and my husband is starring at a cold burger and I can't flag anyone down. In the meanwhile it seemed that there was a manager and she came over and asked some new questions about if I wanted fries or the potatoes. The fries were unbelievably salty and she warned me they are prepped like that so I may want to try the potato. Which was nice but why over salt everything? My burger arrived but not lettuce wrapped. So she grumbled that the waitress didn't say that, and took it back. Then my husband's toppings arrived but his burger was so cold they had to take back the burger again. My food finally arrived while they were dealing with his meal. It was OK. And my husband's food finally arrived. it took so long that we barely ate together. His burger wasn't great but he was so hungry that he just picked at it. The seeming manager sat at the table across from us doing paperwork, hardly anyone there, didn't pay attention to the fact that we couldn't get the waitress to come back. Then, after all was said and done and many apologies later once the bill arrived, they didn't even think to say would you like a desert on us, a discount, a credit, anything at all. Everyone knows how expensive it is to go out and when you do, your hoping for a special meal and relaxing time. It was out date night and such a poor turn of events. The entire dinner was awful, and the service was atrocious. We are pretty easy going and friendly, and I can't imagine if that was a super picky or easily aggravated person. The entire staff would have had an ear full. It was an expensive dinner for what we got and if it was slammed I could maybe understand. But the place was pretty empty. They made sure we had water in between the food coming and going so that part was nice.

Came in on a Wednesday night around 7pm without a reservation and got a table very easily. Everyone was smiling and very friendly. The cocktail menu is a lot of fun. We tried the Mermaid Marg, Speed Racer, and The Monica. They were all delicious! We had the Crack Fries as an appetizer. They were cooked perfectly, and the cheese and onions were a delicious touch. For dinner we ordered the Blackened Fish Tacos. Definitely not my favorite. We had 3 medium sized tacos served with a bit of cabbage, and light sauce. I personally thought they were overpriced at $22 for a very basic taco. We also ordered the Liquid Gold. That was outstanding! The sauce was legit homemade, the pasta was perfect, and the lamb was not gamey at all! Soooo good! A definite must have and try one of their amazing cocktails! Our server was Melissa, and she was fantastic! I will be back for sure to try the other items on their menu.

Love coming to Scarlet Kitchen & Lounge. The food has always been REALLY tasty and creative. My meat loving husband ate the veggie tacos and loved them. I had the halibut special and it should be on the menu it was super delicious. The drinks are hand crafted and delish! This place gets 5 stars EVERY TIME. Especially love the live music! The service is great, and i hope RMV allows them to expand out onto the patio and make the restaurant bigger‍

WOW! The food is amazing, comfy atmosphere A great deal of attention to detail. I stopped in while working to get a bite to eat. I got a call from a client who lives in RMV. They thought it was a bar? Well it is much more... You can get good drinks, craft cocktails anywhere if that's what you're looking for for ... EAT. MANGA..

Went here on a Thursday evening to enjoy a nice dinner, it was my first time there and we were seated On the outside patio. They had live music going which was nice, we got drinks, appetizers, entrees and dessert. Everything we got was very yummy but I don't think it matches the price point, also the service doesn't match the price point too. Our server never told us her name and wasn't very personable, felt like more of an order taker to me. Our bill was on the pricer side, like I said it's not a wow factor for me. I might go back for a drink and appetizer and listen to live music but not for main entrees.

Fabulous food and excellent service! Ashley was our server and she was great. Wonderful times and an extensive menu.

I was excited to eat here. Heard good things and it's been on my radar for sometime. We made reservations for Valentine's Day. The day prior the restaurant called to see if we wanted indoor or outdoor. I ask for indoor but the waitress recommended outdoor, she said there was live music, heaters and was inclosed by a tent. So I said ok. Place was packed but they sat us on time. We were asked if we wanted water by two different waiters. Then after a while we were able to order our appetizers. We got oysters and bacon wrapped dates. The oysters were on point. The bacon wrap dates were slightly on the crispy side. I think the bacon was slightly overcooked. It took a while, but the waitress finally came back for main order. My wife got the short rib plate, which was on point. I got the ribeye that I asked for medium rare. It came as medium. I had to wait probably 5 to 7 minutes after getting my plate to start eating it because I didn't have a steak knife. The sweet potato mash under the steak was really good. We also ordered another round of bacon wrap dates and bacon brussels sprouts. The dates never came so we had to remind the waitress. It was a cold night but the heaters helped. That was until the couple two seats down from us asks to have the heater turned off. Within minutes we could feel the cold. We could see our breath and I had to get a blanket for the wife. After they left we ask the staff to turn the heater back on. I totally understand that it was a busy night. And that could be the reason for the over cooked steak, forgetting the food and the delay or service. That why we will be going back, and we will sit inside. I want to give it another try.

Had a very disappointing dinner at Scarlet Kitchen tonight. I admire this place as I'm sure they make money hand over fist--they're in a strip mall next to a Jersey Mike's, but they charge Newport Beach prices and their army of staff flips tables rapidly. But the food just isn't worth it, even when there aren't service issues. I'm vegan and my wife is vegetarian, so we have to research restaurants before we go. Scarlet has a great sounding mushroom risotto on their website, but when we tried to order it tonight, we were told they haven't had it in forever (since last fall, apparently.) The waitress had zero interest in helping my wife find an alternative, so she ended up ordering a side order of risotto and a side order of brussels sprouts. I got the only dish I can eat, the carrot tacos. We were only served the brussels sprouts and tacos, and the food runner didn't say anything about the missing risotto until I asked her. I was told it was coming, with no ETA. When our waitress came over she said the same thing--I asked, coming soon? Eventually? No response. When the risotto finally came out, it was so incredibly undercooked that the rice was crunchy. I asked for a manager for the first time in my life, and was told they'd comp the risotto, but she didn't make an offer to bring out a new one. When I asked, she seemed surprised that I wanted "more" risotto. That's not the word I would use--we were never served any edible risotto in the first place, and returned the original risotto with only half a spoonful eaten. She insinuated that we were trying to scam them out of free risotto when all I asked for was what we originally ordered. She asked what would make me happy, so I told her to refire the entire meal so my wife and I could eat our food together. To their credit, they did better the second time, with all three dishes coming out at the same time and cooked properly. The risotto was nothing special, the brussels sprouts appeared to be cooked in a deep fryer (bland, uniform in texture and color, and oily), and the carrot tacos were poorly conceived. They were described as "a play on pulled pork" but the carrots themselves were just shredded and crunchy (definitely not slow-cooked like the menu says), which is not a texture I'd typically associate with pulled pork. I asked for corn tortillas, but I'm pretty sure these were flour. The jalapeno was raw, which is an odd choice for such a tame dish--why not pickle it to take some of the heat down and play off the slaw? The tacos were also overstuffed for a single tortilla, and impossible to eat without the filling bursting through the bottom. As a vegan it's nice to have an option on the menu that isn't just another veggie burger, but this dish needs some work if a normal person is ever going to enjoy it. When we got the bill, the risotto was comped but they charged us twice for the brussels sprouts and the tacos. You'd think that someone would have double checked the bill when our table had obviously had problems and been promised a comp, but no. Their credit card machine also calculates tip based on the post-tax amount, which is a total scam and a pet peeve. When competition finally arrives to Rancho Mission Viejo, it will kill this place. Two stars because my wife loved the butter lettuce salad she had as a starter.

First timers at this joint. I found this place through OpenTable and booked a reservation. We show up and this was my observation.... First off, the place is nice and clean. The decor lovely. Indoor dining area is small, the bar is gorgeous. I felt that the menu was just basic and a bit pricey, in my opinion. I ordered the Devil eggs, and we both ordered their beef burger. I found that the eggs were a bit salty, and the burger was mediocre. And the service wasn't attentive. We had a so-so experience. The whole experience could use some improvement. Unfortunately, we will not return. It's a definite miss, sadly. And we really wanted to love this place. I hate to write anything negative in my reviews. Thank you for reading this, Yelpers!!!!

Really appreciate a great dining experience. Staff were great, service was great, food was incredible. This was our first time at Scarlet and definitely not our last. Highly recommend a visit!

WARNING: Patio was full of bees this eve. It was so bad, 4-5 swarming around our table & landing on the rims of our drinks. The staff was spraying something out of a clear bottle all around the cement around the tables. We should've asked to move inside like others did but Covid & it was crowded. I really wanted to like this place but a bit overpriced for what you got. Drinks "Speed Racer" $15 basically a spicy margarita was so full of cilantro felt like I was drinking a salad. It should be a garnish not a handful. "Kiss from a Rose" $15 was good. Short glass & huge ice cubes. Parmesan crusted halibut was delicious, risotto was good. Fish tacos: 3 small & bland $21 Server was friendly. Not in a hurry to go back or recommend.

I highly recommend this place. An awesome variety on their menu, EXCELLENT customer service from the greeter, server & waitress/waiter not to mention the great guitarist on the weekend. I love sitting outside, they have blankets available if you're cold!