Dinner & Drinks at Social Costa Mesa
SOCIAL Costa Mesa is an absolute gem of a restaurant in Orange County. Located across the street from The Triangle, SOCIAL is the local hot spot for the yummiest and most innovative craft drinks and new-American inspired culinary delights (and delights is an understatement). Menu offerings include dinner, late night bites, and a weekend brunch; with a classic Southern dishes made from fresh California ingredients. My friend Jen and I had the pleasure of getting to experience Social on a Thursday evening; and we were taken through the most amazing culinary journey by our server Karen.
SOCIAL has an incredible repertoire of craft cocktails, and I got to try a couple during their one year anniversary celebration. For this dining occasion in particular, Jen and I started off with the Honey Boo Boo (gin + honey) and the Gunslinger (smoke+ whiskey + bourbon + citrus) and were taken back by the presentation of the cocktails alone. I had already tasted the Gunslinger prior to this tasting, but to see the way it was presented on the table was on another level. Honey Boo Boo arrived in a honey bear jar with garnish peaking out the top and the gunslinger had a 'smokey' presentation (scroll down to see).
SOCIAL had just and I mean literally earlier that day, released their NEW (and first) seafood platter 8 Oysters, Whole Lobster, 4 Prawns Ceviche, Mignonette, and Cocktail Sauce. The platter seriously blew my mind, the freshness of the seafood (without the 'fishy' taste) had me thinking I was dining seaside. I must admit that Jen and I devoured the seafood platter on our own; however, I would say that this platter is great for sharing for up to 6 people. If you don't want to try a plethora of seafood, but you're an avid oyster go-er, Social also offers just oysters on the half shell. Jen and I both liked how the mignonette sauce were in viles, making it easy to control the amount of sauce on each oyster by simple squeezing the vile.
Our next dish, the Smoked Bone Marrow is absolutely divine. I can't stop raving about it; the marrow is of a gelatinous consistency that is married with the flavors and crunch of a sweet & savory bacon marmalade. I had never tried bone marrow before this, and I fear that no other bone marrow dish will ever live up to Social's Smoked Bone Marrow. To top off this dish, our server Karen helped Jen turn the bone marrow into a liquor luge; Karen poured the liquor down the emptied bone marrow to Jen on the receiving end.
Jen has dined at Social a few times, and suggested we order the Brussels Sprouts (Honey, Sweet Potato, House Tasso Ham, Hazelnuts); which were perfectly crisped. This dish is definitely on the sweeter side, so if you like savory Brussel Sprouts, this dish isn't for you.
We brought our dinner to a close with the Thunderking Coffee Chocolate Cake (Cremeux, Hazelnuts, Coffee Ice Cream) which was very decadent; I liked that the dessert was a coffee and chocolate mix, however, the cremeux was a bit overwhelming and dense with the chocolate cake. The coffee ice cream was a great complement to the chocolate cake. We enjoyed this dessert with wine and a sweet liquor.
Thinking of dining at Social Costa Mesa? Check out their menu here , and visit them below:
SOCIAL Costa Mesa [MAKE A RESERVATION]
12 W. 19th St
Costa Mesa, Ca 92627
(949) 642-2425
Business Hours:
Monday:
Closed - Available for private parties and buyouts.
Tuesday & Wednesday:
Social Hour: 5PM-6PM
Dinner Service: 5PM-10PM
Thursday:
Social Hour: 5PM-6PM
Dinner Service: 5PM-12AM
Friday:
Social Hour: 5PM-6PM
Dinner Service: 5PM-12AM
Saturday:
Dinner Service 5PM-12AM
Sunday:
Brunch: 11AM-3PM
Dinner Service: 5PM-10PM
