Best Steakhouse In Orange County? Selanne Tavern. To Me It Is
Intro
During my stay at the Waldorf Astoria (review coming soon) a couple of months ago, I decided to head out to a recommended steakhouse for the evening. Having been to the Pelican Grill multiple times, there was no space on that night so I went with Selanne.
All in all, I love the small chic vibe to it—friendly servers, fantastic food, and not overly noisy, which is always a plus.
Seating
The aspect surrounding this restaurant that I love is just how small and intimate it is. It reminds me of a rustic English countryside Cotswolds feeling, yet with a modern twist to it.
Combining that with the small yet gorgeous outside seating, it gives off an essence of the South of France and the Amalfi Coast.
Dining
As we arrived in our Uber, even the driver thought of this restaurant as one of the best in Orange County.
We were dropped off on the street and made our way to the door. The staff was extremely friendly upon our entrance and offered us a booth in the back corner (very private).
Our server shortly came around, and we proceeded to order a couple of steaks for the table. Service shined brightly throughout this whole experience and can often make or break a restaurant.
By no means was this restaurant cheap. However, much like with life, you pay for what you get. The steaks proceeded to take about 20 minutes after we ordered before they came out, but when they came out, gosh did they look delicious.
Expert Tip- Go with the classic mac and cheese at this restaurant! It won't let you down.
Unsurprisingly, my photo skills need some work😅 (I also didn't want to bother anyone with flash and angles), so I'll share a picture of a Tomahawk from the internet to help.
I decided on the 12-ounce New York Strip steak, and the other member of my party opted for an 8-ounce Filet Mignon. The Strip was done to perfection, which, in my opinion, is becoming rarer and rarer these days (pun intended). The restaurant-made butter provided an elegant and charming taste to the New York Strip. Perhaps the best steak I've had in Orange County (including the Ranch, Pelican Grill, etc.)
Sadly, we were not interested in dessert this time, but next time, we will be devouring one of the many scintillating options they have on the menu.
Final Thoughts
If you happen to be in Laguna Beach, whether it's living or vacation, Salenne Tavern is a fantastic option for an up-scale dinner. Albeit on the higher side of dinners, those steaks are worth every dollar.
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