- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Andrei's Conscious Cuisine & Cocktails
Category: Restaurants American (New) American (New) [Edit]
2607 Main StIrvine, CA 92614
(949) 387-8887
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 11:30 am - 10 pm
Fri 11:30 am - 11 pm
Sat 5 am - 11 pm
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Garage, Validated, Valet
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Classy
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
261 reviews for Andrei's Conscious Cuisine & Cocktails
Review Highlights
-
"I've come here for meals and happy hour and love both." In 73 reviews -
"Crispy Jumbo Shrimp (One of my favorite dishes." In 11 reviews -
"They have the best octopus salad." In 15 reviews
Loading...
260 reviews in English
-
Review from chelsea m.
Anaheim, CA
5/14/2012
Pommes Frites are hand-cut Kennebec potato fries with a truffle aioli. They were cooked the Belgian way, twice fry - blanching to lock in the flavor and then frying at a higher temperature for a crispy golden brown exterior. The exterior was crispy and had a blister like texture, like kettle chips. The interior was fluffy and tasted like a freshly baked potato. The truffle aioli was fabulous! Rough chopped truffle in a perfectly creamy aioli. Thumbs up, way up!
Octopus Salad is slowly braised & sautéed Moroccan octopus, fingerling potatoes, bell peppers, La Española Chorizo, celery leaves, cilantro, and topped with lemon vinaigrette. This dish was a party for the mouth - so many different flavors and textures. The octopus was the most tender I have ever had. The braising makes it just melts in your mouth. It has a smoky flavor from the grilling process. The chorizo slices were like the best "pepperoni" slices you'll ever have. It was lean and had all of the robust richness of chorizo. The fingerling potatoes were perfectly cooked - tender but not mushy. The bell peppers were sweet and added a fresh, sweet flavor. The vinaigrette was refreshingly light and tied everything together. Thumbs up, way up!
Beef Short Rib is orange-infused all natural boneless braised beef short rib, Cipollini onion, baby carrots, extra virgin olive oil, served with roasted garlic crushed Yukon gold potatoes and horseradish cream. The short ribs were marinated for a day in a burgundy wine marinade. Chef Yves says that the whole restaurant can smell the aroma when these are being made. No knife was necessary, seriously! The braising process made the short ribs incredibly tender. The aroma and flavor of burgundy wine permeates through your senses as you eat it. The sauce is robust and full of beef flavor. The potatoes were not your run of the mill mashed. They were mixed with garlic and olive oil without any dairy. You can really savor the flavor of true garlic mashed potatoes. They were lighter and tasted fresh. Horseradish sour cream was served on the side if you really need the dairy. It complemented the beef as well. Thumbs up, way up!
Goat Cheese Cheesecake is cheesecake made from goat cheese, balsamic caramel, and orange pecan tuile. This was my first experience having cheesecake made with goat cheese. It was really good! It was creamy but not heavy and dense like your typical cheesecake. The flavor did have a slight gaminess but it was not unpleasant. The balsamic caramel sauce was slightly sweet with a rich caramelized flavor. The pecan tuile was like a thin praline, delicate and delightful. Thumbs up, way up! -
Review from Arlene C.
5/24/2012 1 Check-in Here
3.5 stars
Came here for HH. Prices are a little more expensive than other HHs in the area, BUT there drinks are different and DELICIOUS. For the mere convenience and location of this place there are no complaints. I can literally just walk home without any worries of having to drive. The bar, lounge, and restaurant is located upstairs. The time I went there was a private party hosted on the ground level. Very spacious and open. Staff were very helpful and attentive. So for happy hour they have a list of specialty drinks and a hand full of small plates. If you want something different this is a must try. I shall return. -
Review from Brooke P.
4/26/2012 5 Check-ins Here
Andrei's is great for lunch, great for happy hour and great for dinner.
It is definitely on my list for business lunch spots. It is conveniently located in Irvine near the freeway, so it isn't too far for most people. They have complimentary valet during lunch, so use it! They have a nice menu of salads, sandwiches, pizzas and other dishes. I LOVE the octopus salad. It is different, but really tasty. Their shrimp caesar is also excellent. Plan to spend about $15 per person. They also offer sparkling water instead of still for no extra charge. BONUS! Just let the waiter know that you are on a time frame, and things will come out on time and the bill will be provided quickly. If you don't, it can be a long and arduous process to get the bill. This has happened at lunch on three different occasions.
I have also hosted a few happy hours at Andrei's. And by hosted I mean I invite a bunch of people and we all show up. The manager was EXTREMELY accomodating to our large unexpected party. He introduced himself, offered to provide us with our own area to the side since there were so many of us, and gave me his card so that I could call him in advance if I wanted to bring people next time. I thought it was nice of him to make the effort.
I have also hosted a few large events downstairs in their banquet room. They were excellent; well=-staffed, the food was good, the drinks were out quickly and the room was nicely lit. We would definitely recommend it. In fact, we have another even there next month.
My husband and I have also done the three-course dinner which is excellent. All of the food is very fresh and seasonal which I think is awesome. The three course dinner is a steal for about $25. Try it.
Just writing this review makes me realize how much $$ I have spent at Andreis - but it was all worth it, they do a great job! -
Review from Vanessa F.
Irvine, CA
4/3/2012
This was a great restaurant! The food, cocktails, atmosphere and service were all on point. Yes, it is a little pricey, but I believe it is fair to pay a premium for quality food - especially if it is organic and sustainable, which Andrei's is definitely about.
Made reservations for 3 at 7:30pm on a Saturday night. I made the reservation earlier in the day and it was no problem.
There is a parking structure that is a little bit of a walk away if you don't want to pay for valet. Not fun in heels. When you enter the building you can either take the elevator or go up two flights of stairs. Again, not fun in heels. But what makes up for it is that you are greeted with an impressively tall waterfall feature and a masculine, yet modern setting in which you dine. It's a very handsome restaurant.
When we arrived the restaurant wasn't busy, probably about half capacity. I'm assuming this place is busier during business hours, since it located in the business district of Irvine, and probably at happy hour too.
I started off my meal with the Geisha Drop cocktail - lychee infused vodka with passion fruit puree, served in a martini glass with a lychee. So yummy that I had two that night!
We started off with the octopus salad, since so many people had mentioned it on Yelp. I honestly didn't think I was going to like this since I am not particularly fond of octopus or chorizo, let alone combined with fingerling potatoes and celery leaves. Yet, this dish was one of my favorite. Somehow, the combination of flavors and textures all comes together and I think now that the chef is a genius! Definitely a must-try!
Next we tried the vegetable arancinis, which are basically deep-fried risotto balls. I have had risotto balls before and not liked them, but these were nice and crispy on the outside and moist and flavorful on the inside. The sundried tomoto sauce was a great accompaniment.
Our third dish was the lamb sausage and mushroom flatbread, which turned out to be my second favorite dish. I loved all the flavors and the especially all the goat cheese that was on it. Dee-lish!!!
Our fourth dish was the garlic, sage and ricotta gnocchi. This dish was very interesting because the sauce was almost like a tomato salsa and the gnocchi pieces were very large. It tasted like a dish my grandmother would make for me at home, if she were Italian, that is. I really enjoyed it.
Our last main course was the Andrei's cheeseburger, which we ordered with avocado. There was nothing really too exciting about this dish, compared to the other foods we tried, but it was a pretty tasty burger. The bun is toasted, the meat was flavorful and juicy, the cheese was gooey and the veggies were fresh. The fries were the thick-cut type, not really steak fries, but meaty all the same.
And as if this wasn't enough food we decided to try the goat cheese cheesecake, since none of us had ever tried it before. Well, my friends, let me tell you, this cheesecake was absolutely scrumptious! The goat cheese was so creamy and the almond tuille and caramel sauce just put it over the top. SImple, yet decadent. And yes, I cleaned the plate!
Our waitress and the staff were all on point, bringing food out, clearing old dishes, and filling our empty glasses. Not one complaint here.
This was one of the best restaurants I've been too in a long time, and I would highly recommend it to all my foodie friends! -
Review from Christopher B.
Hermosa Beach, CA
3/17/2012
I wanted to love this place. I like what it stands for. I like the loungy atmosphere with the big open windows with the refreshing breeze. They did everything to try to make you believe you're not at a hotel in Irvine.
I spent a little bit of time at the bar- good service, good drink options and a happy hour. Later, we sat down to eat. I had the lentil soup, which I thought was fantastic. It came with warm rolls, which is always welcomed! I opted for the filet mignon, which I probably shouldn't have. The fish dish looked amazing and I was envious after I got mine. Part of the reason is that I felt mine was a bit overcooked, a bit tough, and just didn't have a taste that wowed me! To me, a filet is a dish that should melt in your mouth and make you want to come back for me. I wouldn't order it again.
This place is more like a 3.5 star place but there wasn't enough to make me round it up. -
Review from Melissa J.
Irvine, CA
3/19/2012
I really want to give this place 3.5 stars, but that isn't an option. I've been here about 10 times. Maybe I should then bump it up to 4...BUT, I think there could be a couple of nuances to bump it up that extra .5.
On any occasion I've gotten service ranging from great to slow and inattentive. Additionally, while they have some solid staples on the menu (chicken is always great, but...it's chicken, and anything red meat related is GREAT), pasta dishes and fish dishes are iffy at best.
Likewise service is spotty, ranging from GREAT service, to weird egotistical bartenders, to people who have little to no knowledge about the menu.
I know it is weird to only give 3 stars and say I think this place is great, but I want it to thrive and be better, be the best, and I think that could happen with a few fixes. -
Review from Annie D.
4/25/2012 3 photos
Had the wonderful opportunity to try Andrei's with the AACN Nursing Journal Club in their banquet facility. We enjoyed a preset meal that included a California Baby Green Salad with a Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette, Roasted Free Range Chicken stuffed with Sun-dried tomatoes, basil and goat cheese served with cinnamon couscous and for dessert we had Goat Cheese Cheesecake. The service was good, we were well taken care of but it would be difficult to compare to what a true dine in service would be like since this was banquet style. The salad was standard but the dressing stood out. Sweet and tangy but not overwhelming. The chicken was nothing really exciting although stuffed chicken wouldn't have been my first choice either. However, the Goat Cheese Cheesecake was absolutely AMAZING. All things considered, I wouldn't mind coming back to give their regular menu a try.
-
Review from C C.
Irvine, CA
5/4/2012
Food is good, but very expensive and small portion sizes. The bar tender during the day is incredibly rude - EVERY time i go in there. It's unfortunate and she NEVER has a smile on her face. Everyone else is pleasant.
I recommend the Chopped Salad - the dressing is amazing and the tomato basil soup. -
Review from Bruce C.
Irvine, CA
5/15/2012
Very flashy building. Strange entry; the main floor is apparently some sort of banquet room and the actual restaurant is on the second floor. went there for a business lunch. Very noisy and difficult to hear conversation--not good for a business lunch. the dining table was larger than any i can remember for a lunch for three people--probably one reason it was so difficult to hear the conversation. I had a sandwich which was so so--definitely not as good as the sandwich shop near our office and substantially more expensive. i won't be back
-
Review from Elizabeth O.
Tustin, CA
Updated - 3/6/2012
I keep coming back here because I love it! Still haven't returned Napa Crush to its rightful place on the Signature Cocktail menu and they are now charging $3 for valet, but the quality of the food/drinks and the services is so amazing here that I will always return.
Special shout out to Colleen, who took amazing care of my 24 person party last night. Thank you :) Happy hour here is some of the best in OC.3 Previous Reviews: Show all »
-
10/27/2011
The decor of this place just draws me back each time. Love the free valet parking, too! So I had… Read more »
-
-
Review from V V.
Irvine, CA
3/2/2012
I really wanted to like this place. With such great inspiration (in memory) and philosophy (sustainability and philanthropy) I was expecting a top notch, passionate dining experience.
First the look and feel. Very standard "hotel restaurant" design/ambiance. Many random features and almost a cold feeling that didn't really come together. Staff weren't the most friendly and accommodating people I've ever met.
The menu seemed impressive and I was eager to try almost everything from the flat breads to the innovative cocktails. I settled on the gnocchi b/c I was craving pasta, hubby got the burger. When my order arrived, I almost thought they brought out the wrong dish by mistake. My gnocchi came out in what looked liked to be ravioli or potato pancakes, did not look or taste anything like gnocchi. Hubby's burger was pretty standard too. Cooked 'well' with a lot of butter, fries were big and tasteless.
I ordered a glass of wine and hubby a draft beer. Coming from the restaurant industry, i was a little peeved to see the bartender use three different bottles of wine to fill my 4oz glass and hubby's 14oz draft came about 2 oz short. I may be nitpicking but sorry foodies come with high expectations.
I may give this place another shot, maybe I will have more luck at Happy Hour, who knows... -
Review from Amy V.
Santa Ana, CA
3/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
I went here for OC Restaurant Week
1 starter, 1 main & 1 dessert for $20
- vegetable arancini - WAS THE BEST THING EVER!! it was these crunch balls and the inside was just so good
- beef short rib sliders - I do not like this at all because I don't like ribs but my cousin liked it. Also it was too plain so if you do get it, get mayonnaise or something with it
- chermoula salmon - good salmon! the rice was not my style so I did not like it but the sauce the salmon came with was really good! (the sauce meaning the 3 circles they made with the sauce for decoration haha), The tomatos sauce thing that came with the salmon wasn't good either
- farmer's market cobbler - the cinnamon cobbler tasted soo good with the vanilla ice cream!
- creme brulee - after we took the sugar *YUCK* off of the top of the creme brulee, it was the BEST dessert ever! I really enjoyed it. -
Review from Jason V.
Brea, CA
3/2/2012
this was a great location for a business meeting. I met one my clients here (you may want to call for a reservation). The service was quick and the food was delicious. I had an old fashioned cheeseburger, but the thing was 6" tall. It is messy, but well worth it. My friend had a chopped salad which looked fantastic. The decor is modern and is centrally located in Orange County to meet with large or small groups during the busy lunch hour.
I will definitely go back again. The price wasn't too bad either, about $8-$15 per plate. Looks like they have quite a wine collection as well, didn't get the chance to try it out....I will have to make a 2nd trip for that. -
Review from Kristen C.
Newport Beach, CA
2/16/2012
Yummmmmm. I went here for hh after work and I am a fan!
Drinks were strong and decently priced
Food was delicious, though kind of on the expensive side. ($6 for 6 different kinds of appetizers)
My group ended up sharing Andrei's Pommes Frites, Spiced Chicken Kebabs, Mediterranean Duo and the Vegetable Arancini. The waitress actually recommended the Vegetable Arancini and I was surprised that I liked it. This isn't something I usually go for but I was glad we ended up ordering it.
I also enjoyed the frites with the pesto sauce. I'm such a sauce person and it made these fries stand out.
In addition, ambiance is gorgeous! If you're in the oc area and want to find a nice hh spot to go to I would definitely recommend checking this spot out! -
Review from Sidney S.
Updated - 12/10/2011 1 Check-in Here
The art of the cuisine, when fully mastered, is the one human capability of which only good things can be said -- Friedrich Durrenmatt
Sadly...I have to drop a star now from Andrei's. Mind you...I will still visitespecially since I have a forgotten Travelzoo deal to use :) It is the perfect restaurant in Irvine for a variety of uses: Dates, drinks after work, special occasions. You get to avoid the Spectrum...easy access to freeways...either Valet or Structure Parking...Andrei's is still a superior restaurant with much utilitarian uses with better food than overrated places like Seasons 52.
But someone needs to retrain the staff. Here's the story:
After another lovely even at OC Wine Mart, me and a friend drove around hilariously looking for a place to eat. We started at Andrei's but I changed my mind because I really wanted to go to Anjin and after missing Anjin's shopping center, finally found it only to discover a two hour wait. Than we went to the nearby Camp to see Old Vine full and Ecco hosting a private party. Back to Andrei's we went :) Again, easy 405 access and on a Saturday night Andrei's still had seating.
We ordered a lovely bottle of Spanish Godello and specifically told the waitress we are only ordering small plates and no entrees. She said she understood and would stagger our order.
Which she failed to accomplish unless the definition of stagger is to have all six plates we ordered arrive at same time. Which made it even funnier is that after all six plates arrived, the bread guy finally shows up and asks if we wanted a loaf. Sure Sparky, pile it on.
The food was very good as usual...Moroccan Chicken Flatbread, Risotto Balls, Pommes Frites, Mediterranean Salad...but we just couldn't eat everything in time. Kurobata Short Ribs were cold when we got around to them...skewers lukewarm as well. If the Chef really wanted to show off food why did these plates come out all at once? And the manager saw it and did nothing. The server never said anything. But we were famished after driving around and just laughed about it.
So Andrei's is still solid and still recommended but definitely not five stars.3 Previous Reviews: Show all »
-
3/3/2011
Duck Confit Flatbread
Absolute Perfection Yeah!
Vino list not bad Read more »
-
-
Review from Lisa H.
Cerritos, CA
3/23/2012 2 photos
Parking:
Valet in front of the building, self parking down the alley in another building's parking garage. I hate paying someone to basically drive my car into a spot that's like 5 feet away so we walked.
Restaurant Location:
Up two flights of stairs or via elevator onto the second floor. First floor is some sort of event space.
Menu: New American? A offering of dishes from different cuisines.
What we ordered:
Octopus Salad (recommended by our server) - It's a "salad" but nothing on there belonged to a vegetable group (I don't count garnishes). The octopus was tender and the fingerling potatoes with the caramelized edges were yummy
Andrei's Chop Salad - Feeds a family of four. For a "conscious" restaurant the portion size was shocking, all the leftovers went to waste. Heavy-handed with the dressing. Unfortunately, nothing memorable
Lamb Sausage & Mushroom Flatbread - I personally did not taste this so no comment here. It did look good.
Mediterranean Platter - We love Mediterranean food and have some great choices in Long Beach so this was a disappointment. The leftovers went home with us but remains untouched in the fridge (yes, it will be discarded after this review)
Andrei's Cheeseburger - This was mine. The burger was very, very good except I requested medium and mine was most definitely medium-rare. The fries were dry. I had a Blue Moon on the side, reasonably priced. Great wine and cocktail selection.
Service:
Exceptional. The staff is great and everyone was polite and easy to talk to. Our server was very nice. The manager stopped by to check on us. Happy customers when it comes to service.
Bill:
With one glass of white wine, one draft beer, and the entrées above our bill came to $98 subtotal.
----
We had dinner at Andrei's around 7:45 on a Wednesday night. The place was not very busy, about half of the tables were full. The atmosphere of the place was very nice. There was a large bar in the center surrounded by tables lit by small tealights. There was also a projector that showed a slideshow of close-up flowers, thank goodness it was something pleasant because I sat right across from it. The environment was relaxing, I imagine it would be a great place to meet up with friends for a drink to avoid noisy crowds. Ask for a table next to the windows for a night view of the city streets - nothing spectacular but nonetheless enjoyable. -
Review from Debbie J.
1/11/2012
I stopped in just for a nice glass of wine to unwind and ended up with a delicious dinner.
The Baba-ghannouj served with garlic pita bread was the best I've ever had! Then I ordered the Octopus salad! I was nervous about my dinner selection but it was sinful. It was sauteed octopus with fingerling potatoes, bell peppers, and celery leaves. A lemon vinaigrette came on the side but I didn't feel is was necessary to use it. This by far was one of the best dishes I've had in a very long time. Yum!
I sat at the bar so the service was a tad bit lame. -
Review from Ann M.
Los Angeles, CA
4/29/2012 1 Check-in Here
Service was awful. I really wanted to like this place. The appetizers were quite small. The prices are steep for sure (happy hour prices are good for a few drinks and some apps). I just could not get past the horrible service. Everything took FOR-EV-ER. The waitress was hardly attentive and we waited 20 minutes for our drinks to arrive after ordering them.
-
Review from Jordan P.
Irvine, CA
1/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
Like: Good service, good fish and steak entrees, & martinis.
Dislike: Shrimp Caesar Salad: they are on skewers and hard to remove when you're trying to eat a classy dinner. -
Review from Ritika T.
12/9/2011 1 Check-in Here
The tagline says it all: it really is conscious cuisine. Very healthy food. We started off with appetizers of pita bread and 4 different types of Greek dips. All delicious.
I ordered the vegetarian panini and it was great quality. Their buttersquash soup was really delicious and highly recommendable. The bread was grain-y and healthy.
I came here to help celebrate a birthday, and they were a little off at accommodating large groups. This seems like it's more of a chill spots to gather a few of friends and have drinks with. It's located in an office building, but inside it's pretty ritzy. There's a giant wall fountain inside the building--a nice decorative touch. The decor otherwise was pretty simple yet trendy. I liked the restaurant because it was pretty spacious, so you can't hear the conversations from your neighboring tables.
For birthdays, they give a small chocolate souffle type dessert, which was decadent.
A great, trendy spot to hang out in Irvine! -
Review from Geni B.
Irvine, CA
3/18/2012
Great food, cool atmosphere, great bar! Chef Eves is awesome!
-
Review from Barbara S.
Mission Viejo, CA
12/10/2011
Great food. I had octopus salad which was out of this world. Met the chef who was very nice and friendly. Had delicious carrot cake and also met the pastry chef. Our server, Kim, was great and helpful in making choices.
I would suggest this restaurant to everyone. The menu changes often which is a plus for a restaurant. -
Review from Korma C.
Los Angeles, CA
3/23/2012
Had dinner here. Way overpriced but pretty good meal. Wine selection was o.k. I ordered beef and shrimp kabobs with a spinach salad. Other than one piece of beef that was full of grizzle (you would think for the price, they would pay close attention when they're dicing the meat), the meal tasted great. In fact, it may have been the best spinach salad I've ever had. Oh, and the service was slooooooooow - thought perhaps I misunderstood, and it's really Andrei's Unconscious Cuisine. Nyuk Nyuk. At any rate, the waitress took forever after delivering the wine to take our order, and it's not like they were terribly busy on the mid-week evening. At any rate, you might get some great food, but be prepared for an expensive and lengthy process.
-
Review from Hazel Q.
9/13/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Sure, they have the longest most specific name ever - but they also have one kickass happy hour. Even better? 50% food on Monday! Hot damn. That's a good deal.
Okay, okay, so clearly I've mostly come here to get my drink on, but I've gotta say I've really enjoyed all the food I've noshed on here too. Especially the flatbread. Oh that delicious, heavenly, Mediterranean-y flatbread. Good stuff.
Service is the real standout though. I've never had even a modicum of bad service here - it's always been exceptional. And what's this? Free valet! I'm in! -
Review from Selena H.
Irvine, CA
Updated - 12/22/2011
Came back sooner than expected to try out the HH. Because there were no large events happening, the parking structure was a bit better though still a line for valet. it's ok, i can walk.
wine trio - malbec, cab and something i can't remember. not sure if they just throw in 3 random glasses of red but i'm not too picky and they tasted fine. they have a white wine trio too
tuscan flatbread - felt the cheese was a bit dry on top but i like the variety of veggies.
spiced chicken kebabs - interesting flavor (curry?) and i'm not sure if it was the spice or whether the chicken was a bit overdone. wasn't my fav kebabs.
pommes frites - i love fries and these were crispy but not too oily. enjoyed the cilantro pesto that came with it. no wonder why every table had an order of fries.
overall, a decent hh and i like how it goes on until 7pm (no need to rush out of work!) though the hh dishes can certainly add up, it is plenty to share between 2-4 individuals if you order several dishes. i'd come here again for hh, but prob not for dinner.Listed in: Fine Dining, Best Happy Hour
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
12/19/2011
I've always wanted to try this place and thanks to travelzoo deal (and an awesome friend) had the… Read more »
Comment from Jennifer S. of Andrei's Conscious Cuisine & Cocktails 12/22/2011
Hi Selena, Thanks again for sharing your review of Andrei's… More » -
-
Review from Stevenenen N.
Orange County, CA
Updated - 9/10/2011 1 Check-in Here
Sometimes we take for granted the time we have with friends, family and love ones. And sometimes it takes a near death experience to get us back on track with trying to celebrate life to the fullest each day as carbon based life forms. My world is brighter with certain people in it for sure. And the Danimal is one of them. We may argue like an old married couple, but in the end, we eat, laugh, drink and enjoy God's "Home Grown" gifts and Man's "Store Bought" gifts.
Even though I had a good time here at Andrei's when I first visited 2 years ago, I have not been back till 8/18/11. I truly hate Irvine and the whole corporate suit look and feel. But, since the man of day wanted to do Happy Hour here, our group did not argue with him this day. This day was known as Dan Didn't Die Day. And argumentative Stevenen would not deny an old man that escaped death that morning a simple request of visiting the evil land I hate so much. And if you haven't heard the DDDD story by now, I'm sure Dan would love to tell you.
That dude was milking it that day. At lunch, he was trying to get sympathy from one Wicked Wich over at We Olive. And while I was sitting at the bar with the crew, we witnessed him walk up the stairs and the very first thing he did was show his hospital wristband that read "Fall Risk" to the hostess.
So how does one celebrate DDDD? At Happy Hour of course. They have a HH M-F 3-7PM with drink specials: $5 Well, $5 Draft Beers, $6 Kenwood Cabernet, Hess Chardonnay, Snoqualmie Merlot, $8 Wine and $2 off Specialty Cocktails. They also have 6 small dishes for $6 each.
I went with one of their 6 small dishes, Tuscan Flatbread. Fresh Tomato Sauce, Zucchini & Yellow Squash, Oregano, Feta & Grated Parmesan Cheese on House-Made Flatbread. This was pretty decent. The bread was nice and crispy and the ingredients were fresh.
I washed this down with their red wine HH flight. They gave a nice generous pour on all 3 glasses. Absolutely no complaints here. I liked the cab so much, I ordered 2 more glasses. I don't recall the name though.
Although I gave this resto 4 Stars again, you most likely won't see me here again soon unless another good friend that almost died request my presences here. Yeah, I hate Irvine that much. Besides me and "Suits" don't belong together. As Laura S said, "They look like they are comfortable in them."Listed in: Looking for a Good Deal?, Irvine, I hate you
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
7/22/2009
I just joined a newly formed foodie group and today was our first meet and greet. We were originally… Read more »
-
-
Review from Emily Y.
Irvine, CA
11/18/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I think the only thing holding me back from giving this place 5 is the price. It's really quite expensive, but in my opinion, if you're willing to splurge a little, it's totally worth it.
The atmosphere is incredible - chic, modern yet completely unpretentious and very, very friendly. My friend and I arrived for lunch during our work hour and were given a rundown of the daily specials, which turned out to be a duck salad. My friend opted for a chicken substitution, but I had to try the duck. Best decision ever. The duck was tender and juicy and seasoned just right. They were also quite generous with the parmesan cheese and the candied walnuts/persimmons and pomegranante seeds gave just the right amount of tartness and sweetness to offset the richness of the canard.
Will definitely be back for more.. -
Review from Drew P.
Costa Mesa, CA
12/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
Pretty good health conscious delicacies, with good sized portions, but PRICEY. If it wasn't for groupon we wouldn't have been happy.
Calamari appetizer was my highlight (hard to believe you can be that health conscious and still taste good, but it did). A close 2nd for our party was the Octopus Salad. Very unique style dishes with great taste.
Steak dinners were good, and good sized portions, cooked to order.
Creme Broulet was incredible and they offer two flavors.
Happy Hour seems to be the talk of the yelp-town and look forward to giving that a shot in the near future. Their 6 for $6 dishes and half-off wines look fawbulous!! :) Would've gotten 4 stars but just to hard on the wallet. -
Review from Elle L.
Irvine, CA
12/22/2011
Only had a few appetizers and drinks.
The location is nice and inside the lighting is perfect at night. It's got a nice date feel in the lounge area, and I witnessed some love birds really PDA'ing for over an hour. The appetizers tried were vegetable arancini and they were tasty, and the octopus salad (way, way too salty). We had some champagne mixed drinks too and those worked. -
Review from Laura S.
Orange County, CA
08.18.11.
First annual Dan Didn't Die Day.
Location: Andrei's Conscious Cuisine & Cocktails. That name is too long.
Vibe: Business. We're talking American Psycho style.
Happy Hour: $6 wine, $6 apps.
Olive app: Horrible.
Flatbread app: Tasty.
Valet: Stupid. See structure.
Service: A little snooty.
Mark your calendars for the 2nd annual at Zubies.Listed in: It's All Yelps Fault!
-
Review from Mary R.
Dan Didn't Die.
You should know that upfront, because Andrei's was the location for the first annual Dan Didn't Die Day yesterday (mark your calendars, 2012 looks to be even bigger with Che' Zubie's as a possible host).
Wow, this place cor-po-rate. If valet makes you squeamish as it does me, there's a big parking structure nearby (free). Then you walk into a shiny lobby with a waterfall wall and up the stairs where the suits and skirts are mingling http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Big open space, $6 HH wines, and a man in a hospital bracelet beaming proudly like a kid who just brought home his first report card. I didn't try the food so can't comment on the consciousness of it. But his place is NICE. You know, nice, like, if you're trying to get into the pants of the new intern at your office she will likely dig this place and then in turn she will dig you. Or, if you want a civil gathering of your office chums for someone's birthday you can do that in the back with subtle balloons and class.
Also, there was a man in a shiny blue Sopranos-esque suit and disheveled sideburns outside. It made my day. -
Review from Jeanie D.
Irvine, CA
3/1/2012 2 Check-ins Here
The happy hour offers good prices for high quality foods. They offer $6 food items that are very tastey, many items are directly from their main menu. The cocktails are delicious- chilean spice is my favorite. Service is quick.
-
Review from Carolyn C.
Torrance, CA
12/12/2011
We went to my hubby's christmas work party on saturday night, the food was really deilcious. i loved the appetizers- mushroom caps filled with parmesan, bacon wrapped scallops, crab cakes and Chicken wings with a yummy dipping sauce. The Cesar Salad was great, i went back for more. The turkey was a little dry, but the stuffing was yum with the gravy. the beef was really tasty with the sauce, my hubby went back for more. the martini's are yum too, a little buzzin, i'm such a light weight.
the really awesome thing about the place is ALL THE PROFITS GO TO A CHARITY - which is dedicated in memory to a family member! wow how cool is that. -
Review from Jennifer L.
Stanton, CA
3/10/2012
This place makes me a very happy girl! I went here for a girls night out dinner; and they exceed all my expectations. Service was on point. We were seated right away. Our waiter was funny, very helpful and detailed about the menu.
The octopus salad....amazing. big buttery chopped octopus.
New York steak....amazing. A perfect medium rare.
Servive and Ambiance... excellent.
I will be back! -
Review from Virginia V.
Fountain Valley, CA
9/15/2011
I work nearby and usually order their "ready in 15 mins" for $9.95+tax. The andrei salad is soooooo good but more recently the portion is a lot smaller. It use to be my favorite thing to get whenever I dont bring lunch but now, it's just not worth it. In fact, my friend just got sick from eating their salad yesterday and swears never to come back.
I heard that their Happy Hour menu is a pretty good deal...I will have to try it out one of these days. -
Review from Trishia P.
Fairfield, CA
9/19/2011
Just came from Monday's Happy Hour: 50% off specialty cocktails!
Loved the simple atmosphere, very chic and modern decor and lounge area with couches...complete with dim lighting, open patio windows to let air in and tv screens that play lovely nature scenes.
Service was spot on, our waitress was a doll, so quick and friendly.
I had the pomme frites (french fries) with ketchup and pesto sauce. They were lightly salted with sea salt and were delicious.
The two drinks I got at $4.50 each, were the ...
"Summer in Provence": Lavender, white grape juice and champagne. Very sweet and floral it was perfection. Taste like a flowerly bubbly grape juice.
and
"Geisha Drop" Lychee vodka and passion fruit puree ...very tropical...it reminded me of my summer in Hawaii! Just sweet fruit juice with that little extra!
I also had a few sips of the Chilean Spice and that was tasty...a nice spicy drink!
Plus to top it off ...free parking in the garage behind the office buildings!
To quote Terminator, I'll be back!Listed in: Slice of the OC
-
Review from Simon C.
Irvine, CA
8/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
I've been to Andrei's a few times now for their happy hour. Each time it leaves me buzzed and satisfied.
The drinks on their happy hour menu are all great with a wide range in variety. Between cocktails, flights, beers, they seem to have a great selection.
The atmosphere of the restaurant is also very classy and elegant. The huge windows also let in a great breeze and natural lighting. Definitely a great place to take friends and dates.
Their menu also seems to change time to time when I visit. My only gripe is that the menu changes in food are variable and at times the food is better than at other times.
The cherry on top is that all their revenue goes to a charity. I'd give this place a five if some of my favorite happy hour menu food items were more consistent! -
Review from Luanna Y.
7/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
The 50% off food on Mondays deal is NO MORE. :( After eating here, I can tell you what an amazing deal that was when it was going on. Unfortunately, I totally missed the bus. I think it's a seasonal thing though, so I'm keeping my eyes peeled for when it comes back.
There is a 50% off promotion on specialty drinks and bottles of wine going on now, though. The drinks are really tasty! An awesome vodka, mint, and blackberry concoction that got me slightly buzzing for only $4.50! My friend got their Bastille Day cocktail which was a combo of champagne + fruity goodness and she said it was SO good.
Food was really great too. Large portions. My friends got the sliders and the Andrei Cheeseburger while I ordered the Andrei's Chop Salad. I can't speak for the sliders or cheeseburger (other than to tell you that my friends cleaned their plates), but the salad was amazing. HUGE chunks of chicken, avocado, CORNBREAD croutons (genius!), walnuts, dates, and cheese - I was so full afterwards.
Service was also attentive. Our waiter was polite, quick to refill waters and bread, and made lovely suggestions on things to order.
Absolutely would come back. I'd love to try their happy hour, which typically runs from 3-7pm on most weekdays.Listed in: Fave Places to Imbibe
-
Review from Leslie S.
Foster City, CA
8/11/2011
I have been here twice now, both after work, and was underwhelmed both times. Cannot say I will be returning. I do see the benefit of the restaurant for business dinners due to its proximity to the surrounding office parks. This is not a restaurant I would go to for a good night out or dinner with friends.
First of all the layout, decor, entire theme or ambiance of the restaurant appears to be muddled and entirely confused. The restaurant's mantra they talk about when you order about being organic, conscious, blah blah blah does not appear anywhere else in the restaurants aesthetics other than in its name "conscious."
The food may be "conscious," but I certainly did not find it to be uber healthy either, which from my waiter's speech seemed to be what their mantra was all about. My dish wasn't particularly healthy - the braised short rib and mashed potatoes, albeit tasty, and was overly salted.
The food itself is alright, but nothing stood out at the menu, which was by no means expansive. Again, I see the benefits of having a business dinner here, as it is quiet enough to have conversations with clients and colleagues, but I wouldn't return for a more social purpose. -
Review from Andrew K.
1/24/2012
This is a nice place where you can sit for hours over cocktails, good organic food, in a really cozy and contemporary atmosphere. I enjoyed my time here much!
Read more reviews for this business:
French (1)
