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Tradition by Pascal
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 11:30 am - 2:30 pm
Tue-Thu 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Fri-Sat 5:30 pm - 10 pm
Sun 4:30 pm - 8:30 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Ambience:
- Romantic, Intimate
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
142 reviews for Tradition by Pascal
Review Highlights
"The dinner prix fixe menu is $30 with three courses."
(in 15 reviews)
"Entries are great (good bread, olive and foie gras."
(in 24 reviews)
"Pascal is the best restaurant in Orange County, period."
(in 17 reviews)
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142 reviews in English
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Review from B N.
Huntington Beach, CA
Updated - 1/23/2012
Did not come here to dine for the Newport restaurant week as restaurant week lures too many people in with high expectations that expect a lot for a smaller price tag. Instead we came here to say good bye to Pascal and enjoy the thyme crusted sea bass one last time before he closes this restaurant in February.
We had reservations at 6:00 pm on Saturday and got right in. Our service was prompt and every course hit the mark . As time went by the restaurant was full to capacity with some people waiting out side, which we had never seen here before. By the end of our meal, our service did take a little longer than normal to receive our dessert and bill but the end result was another fantastic meal. I would give them 5 stars had the desserts and bill came a bit quicker.2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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8/9/2011
My wife and I went back on Saturday evening for date night. The service and food was impeccable.
We… Read more »
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Review from Marc T.
1/25/2012 1 Check-in Here
Came here for restaurant week with J. Since they're banning foie gras in cali come July 1st, I really want to eat foie gras a few times a month just to savor the flavors. I stuck with the Best of Pascal while Janette ordered the restaurant week menu.
Sauted Foie - I think France and Gary Danko really killed me on the expecting portions of Foie. Not to say the amount of foie was scarce... it was an OK size, but needless to say I've had larger orders for either the same price or slightly less. The foie was perfectly seared with a nice pink in the middle. It came with 2 small toasted pieces of bread and served with a strawberry balsamic reduction, which surprisingly tasted more "candied strawberry" than "slightly sour strawberry". I prefered the bread/foie combo without the sauce (I think I am partialy to orange sauces w/ foie and anything else just doesn't compare).
Charcuterie - Duck Proscuitto (nice duck fat/salty taste), Country Pate (smooth and not overly liver-y, though not enough toasted bread), Saucisson (french sausage, which was like the less good tasting version of the duck proscuitto), and Pork Rillettes (similar to the pate but with pork shreds, which reminded me of this goose pate I had in Prague). This was also in order of liking.
Salade Maison - if you're getting salad... this one is probably one of the better salads I've had. The butter lettuce was crisp and fresh. The egg was amazingly poached, and the yolk added a saucy compliment to the house vinaigrette, which was sweet/sour/salty in a perfect manner. There were tons of lardons that had a nice crunchy/chewy texture, and the smokiness of the lardons added a nice contrast to the freshness of the salad and yolkiness of the egg. The homemade croutons were seasoned slightly so as to not overpower the salad with the saltiness of the lardons.
Filet Mignon - I ordered blue rare because they said they do it... it came out more medium rare/medium, which upset me considering this is a pretty good restaurant and usually they under cook good meats since those are more "fixable". The filet was over mushrooms and covered with a cognac truffle sauce, which was both sweet like good cognac, and earthy from the truffle, but a little salty. The saving grace was the piece of foie on top of the filet. The foie was the same size as the foie listed in my appetizer review, and just like earlier, it was a properly done piece of foie. So if youre looking for value... get the filet... because youre only paying an additional 15 bucks for filet, truffle sauce. I got the 3 course best of pascal so this doesnt really matter..
NY Steak with Bone Marrow - this was just good. It sounds amazing, and the bone marrow did ad a nice buttery fat element to the otherwise lean new york steak cooked medium, which was chopped into pieces and covered in a bone marrow sauce. The kale was absolutely delicious and did not have any detectable bitter element. The shallots added an extra sweetness to the dish.
Creme Brulee - kind of interesting in the sense that there was a strawberry preserve added to the bottom of half the creme brulee, which made for an interesting flavor combination... almost like the french vanilla/strawberry ice cream concept turned fancy. The strawberry preserves were delicious and went well with the creaminess of the creme brulee, though you do sacrifice a bit of the vanilla flavor this way. The pistachio cookies were probably one of the best cookies I've ever eaten, being slightly sweet, yet nutty and buttery from the pistachio flavors. I would definitely like to see an almond cookie variant of this.
All in all, it was good, and while I was amazed at some parts of the dishes, I was rather let down by others. Not going to lie... the service here is sort of slow, even slower than when I went to France, which usually prides itself on letting diners take their time. However, we spend 3 hours here for a 3 course meal which was a bit long. Still, I give it a 3 stars because the food at least good. I just wished they didn't overcook my steak. Luckily the foie, cookies, and salad (cant believe I am loving the salad) evened it out a little... -
Review from Jeena E.
Tradition by Pascal was a highly anticipated dinner for this Yelper that ended in deep disappointment. I guess they can't all be winners...
The Newport Beach Restaurant Week kicked off last Friday and my husband and I met up with fellow Yelpers Steven N. and Lica N. for an 8 o'clock reservation at Tradition by Pascal. After reading several reviews I had high hopes and Steven seemed equally convinced that Pascal had the potential to wow our tastebuds. After some parking lot antics involving Steven and his truck, we all met in the cozy (cramped) entrance to Pascal where we stood for over half an hour for our table of four. To be totally honest, had Steven and Lica not been with us, I doubt that I would have stayed for the entire meal. The service was not bad at all, in fact the server poured Beck's beer as if it were a bottle of Veuve Clicquot, but the kitchen's timing was absolutely horrific all night long.
We all went with the $40 prix fixe menu and I opted for the Charcuterie plate as a starter and the Veal Paprika as the main dish. As with all of our dishes, the Charcuterie plate took ages to arrive. When it did finally show up, it was quite good. Saucisson, slices, Duck Prosciutto slices, a Pâté, Pork Rillette, Cornichons, Pickles and Caramelized Onions all graced the plate along with a fantastic dijon mustard. I was very impressed with the Prosciutto and Pâté but found the Saucisson a bit passé. I love mixing and matching flavors, so Charcuterie is my thing and this plate was marvelous for that!
I also stole a bite of Aaron's Escargot Cassolette made with Toasted Pine Nuts and Garlic Butter. Perhaps the best Escargot I have ever had, the garlic flavor was very pronounced and the meat was not at all chewy. I would consider returning just for the Escargot with a nice glass of red.
The Veal Paprika I was very indifferent with. The veal itself was cooked quite aptly and the sauce had a great mouth feel, savory flavor yet it was... dull. There was just no wow-factor at all and that is a shame because the ingredients were certainly high quality. The noodles that were paired with the dish were al dente and did a great job soaking up any of the aforementioned uninteresting sauce. The accompanying beans were unoffensive, but again didn't exactly steal the show. I was pretty disheartened by the ho-hum dish, to be totally forthcoming.
Aaron's Sauteed New York Steak with Bone Marrow Shallot Sauce was ordered medium rare and came to the table looking like something that survived the Chernobyl disaster. Charred flesh nuked to well done plus. Thankfully our waiter was gracious enough to strike it from our bill. What was odd is that Lica's order looked perfectly cooked to order and the steak was cut in the kitchen prior to serving, they had every chance in the world to correct themselves beforehand. How lazy!
Lastly, the dessert menu came out about three hours into the meal (I am not exaggerating) and I chose to go with the Profiterole. This was the only item that came out within a reasonable time frame, so I guess that much was positive. The profiterole was very lackluster much to my chagrin as I steered Steven that way. The puff pastry was hard and dry (there is no way these were made fresh), I highly doubt that they were even made on the premises. The chocolate ice cream and sauce were good enough, but nothing Haagen Dazs should be worried about.
By the time I said goodbye to our wonderful company, it was past eleven in the evening. Fine if you are dining at The French Laundry, not so exciting at Tradition by Pascal. Again, the waiter did try everything in his power to salvage our dinner, but the kitchen was not cooperating in any way. I felt bad for the man.
My return is quite doubtful.Listed in: Newport Beach, The WTF's.
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Review from Tiffany L.
Fountain Valley, CA
2/5/2012
I will never go back! I would expect this place to have decent service since they consider themselves "fine dining". But I was so wrong. It took us 20 minutes after we sat down to get water and bread! The service is terrible, it felt like a major incovenience everytime we asked for something. My steak was too salty and dry. On top of that, they charged us a $25 cake cutting fee because we brought a small cake for a bithday celebration. They never said there's a fee but it just showed up on our bill. The waiter even calculate the bill wrong. The whole night was a mess and I will tell everyone about my terrible expreience here.
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Review from Lica N.
This is not a tradition that I'd like to keep. Seriously it was an epic fail in dining that lasted 3+ hours. If it wasn't for the company that I had pleasure dining with "Steven N, Jeena E and Aaron" this review would have one less star.
Was invited to kickoff Newport Beach restaurant week here with a reservation for 8pm. There is absolutely no waiting area inside the restaurant so we all stood by the door where it felt like we were standing over other peoples table while they ate. It took another 20-30 before we were seated and when when we were it was in the back area in the corner with a table with one white folding chair. Hmm so Im guessing they were not prepared for the amount of people coming to dine here otherwise there is no need to folding chairs right?!?!
After about 10 min they brought out water and then another 10 more before we even got the menu. We all decided to order from their $40 prixe fix menu. I decidded on the following:
Belgian Endive http://www.yelp.com/bi... with Roquefort, Toasted Walnuts, Poached Pear, and Sweet Mustard Dressing. This salad was really good. Nice crisp endives with the mustard dressing was very tasty.
Sauteed New York Steak http://www.yelp.com/bi...
with Bone Marrow Shallot Sauce and Sauteed Kale. So aside from myself both Steven and Aaron ordered the same and we all asked for medium rare. Only mine came the closest to medium rare. Steven's was medium and Arron's was done. I think he maybe had one bite that sent it back and had the entire dinner removed from the bill. As you can see the steak was cut and it doesn't take a genius to see that it past medium rare and should not have been served. Aside from that i liked the sauteed kale and the bone marrow shallot sauce was good. Its unfortunate we were not able to enjoy it with a medium rare steak!
Crème Brûlée du Jour http://www.yelp.com/bi...
With Seasonal Berries and a Pistachio Cookie was dessert. Good crust and the creme was good but I didnt really care for the seaonal berries that was buried at the bottom. I couldn't tell what kind of berries they were but the skins of the fruit had pretty much turned leathery and you could have kept chewing on it.
By the time we finished our dessert if was passed 11pm and there were still a good 15 plus people still in the middle of their dinner or just finishing up. Based on how slow service was I'm going to assume they were not ready for the number of people they were having for dinner this particular evening. They were short on staff and chairs!
I like taking my time eating and savoring the flavors of each dish and when I do it tends to be a chefs tasting or omakase with 5+ courses. Not 3 courses where each course takes an hour.
This was a sad start to restaurant week sadness!Listed in: Thats a Big D and a bigger F!
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Review from Steven N.
Most peeps have heard about dining experiences in Europe taking 3 plus hours, right? Well, I experienced a 3 hour meal here, but wasn't in the mood for it to be that long. Good thing I like the peeps I was with. I came here to kick off the first day of Newport Beach Restaurant Week with my favorite Mexican by way of Minnesota, Jeena E. And if you were thinking if she had any relations to Easy E, you be close but wrong. Accompanying this low rider was her hubbie Double A, beep beep, r, o, n. And last but not least, Lica N. She doesn't get a nickname quite yet. I need a couple of more outings with the bottle and the holy water inside it to bless or curse her with one.
We had reservations at 8 PM and the restaurant was packed. We had to wait 30 minutes before we were seated. And when we were seated, one of the chairs at our table was a fold out chair. The very last thing I would expect from a fancy restaurant. They also put a small table next to us that had 5 people all with fold out chairs. That was pretty uncomfortable looking.
We all went for the 3 course prefix dinner for $40. I chose the Escargot Cassolette -
Toasted Pine Nuts, Raisins, and Garlic Butter. This was quite good. The escargot had a great texture and was not that chewy at all. Unfortunately the meal went down hill from here. Next course I chose was Sauteed New York Steak with Bone Marrow Shallot Sauce and Sauteed Kale. Aaron, Lica and I ordered this medium rare and all 3 of us got it at different temperatures. Lica was the closest to medium rare, mine was medium well and Aaron was well done. He took a couple bites and sent it back. They were nice enough to take the whole prefix dinner off his bill though. Besides all 3 of us getting different temperatures, I thought it was even sadder that the steaks were all sliced up. How can you let that go out of the kitchen when you can clearly see the meats were wrong?!
I thought dessert would end the night on a better note, but sadly it didn't. I got the Profiterole. This is a puff pastry filled with chocolate ice cream and topped off with chocolate sauce. Since I never had this dessert before, it took me awhile to realize that it was a FAIL! I thought something was odd about the pastry being so crunchy. Then when Jeena and Aaron said it wasn't suppose to be this way, I then immediately thought the reason is because these puff pastries were frozen. Well, whatever the reason, it truly ruined this fine dessert because the ice cream and sauce were quite good.
By this time it was about 11:15 PM and there were many other diners still here. Keep in mind this joint closes at 10 PM. I guess they aren't in any rush to get home. I like long relaxing meals, but about an hour for each course is pretty Krazy! -
Review from Rupert T.
Irvine, CA
1/15/2012
I have been here a total of 5 times. Out of the 4, it has been nothing but spectacular. The last time was the worst. My partner and I always get the same main entrees. First & second courses we choose never disappoints, but what matters most is the main. He orders the duck, I order the rabbit. Usually it's the best of the best until the last. his duck was dry and my rabbit was no longer braised in a pot. My rabbit was sitting on a plate with a bunch of Mediterranean crap. I'm glad this place will be closed after today. CLOSED! GOODBYE.
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Review from Jay L.
Newport Beach, CA
1/29/2012
Went during restaurant week. I enjoyed their pate amd trout. Their tare tatin was warm on the outside and cold in the inside. Told the waitress and she brought it back. Wine selection was awesome but inventory was low. They didnt have two of the wines we wanted. it was confirmed that the restaurant will be closing in a few weeks. Service was ok.
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Review from Adelaide H.
Tustin, CA
11/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
Was expecting a lot, but got very little. We were a large group of around 20 people, the regular menu was unavailable because of a wine launch, so we were stuck with the set menu which included, appetizers (pate, cold cuts, sausage), entree (choice of 4), cheese and small dessert (chocolate mouse, meringue and apple tart) and 1 bottle of wine per couple for $75pp.
The appetizers were so-so, the entree's were cold, cheeses were ok, desserts were decent. No soups or food from the regular menu was available.
Was very disappointed because if you're going to have a set menu then make it an experience, cold entrees are unacceptable. The individuals who ordered steak got their entrees first and the lag between the delivery of the entrees was around 5 mins for those who ordered chicken. -
Review from Rosie Z.
Monterey Park, CA
12/28/2011
This is such a cute (romantic) place, but i feel like its out of place in the plaza its located. Came here with my boyfriend and a few friends.
Here's what we ordered:
Sea bass- two of our friends ordered these and they both agreed that it was very soft and tasty. Overall, very yummy but the portion was a bit small compared to our other dishes. I agreed.
Steak- i forgot what cut it was (oops!) but there were no complaints and it looked juicy. comes with bone marrow... although its only about a small bite of marrow.
Rabbit- I ordered this one.. and i had left-overs! The rabbit tasted like chicken... if i was blind-folded i wouldve guessed...chicken. I was a bit disappointed because i enjoy the rabbit taste. I believe the chef wanted to add some orange zest? which is fine.. just make sure the rind is not connected, it made it bitter.
Lamb Chops - I thought they looked small.. my boyfriend ordered this dish, he liked it very much. They were cooked perfectly, i thought they tasted ordinary.
Charcuterie? - Everything was good, no complaints.
Cheesecake souffle- Its not super light like a souffle, but not dense like a cheesecake..somewhere in between.
Creme brule- i THINK it was a creme brule, cant quite remember...just remember it being very sweet...overly sweet.
I'm sure there are a few things that i forgot to mention up there... I should also mention that this place isnt the friendliest to your wallet... so make sure its a celebration! -
Review from Chris C.
Aliso Viejo, CA
12/11/2011
My wife & I have been fans of Pascal's Epicerie for years, but hadn't yet dined in one of his restaurants proper, so my recent birthday seems to be a good reason to break our "tradition", and so to sup we did go.
We were greeted warmly & shown to our table inside the romantically lit room.
Following another reviewers suggestion , I started off my meal with a Kir Royal, which turned out to be an excellent choice. My wife's Raymond chardonnay was also very good, and a generous pour to boot!
Our salads were the endive (for her) & the maison for me. Both were wonderful,looked sumptuous on the plate, and tasted the same. We also split a charcuterie plate, which offered a good selection of Pascal's famous rillette, pate, smoked duck ,and saucisson. I next ordered a glass of the Maranet pinot, which was excellent, however I was a bit suprised at the price & the resulting skimpy pour I received.
Our mains were the duck breast & the rack of lamb, both cooked to perfection & bursting with flavor. A $16 glass of Kunde cab to go with (and another skimpy pour), and we were pretty full. We decided on a chocolate chestnut torte to split & an espresso for me.
Except for the pricey ( for the amount you are given) red wine pours, we thoroughly enjoyed our evening out at Traditions. The waits between appetizer & main, and mains & dessert were a bit long (20 minutes AFTER my coffee for dessert to show up?), but we were in no hurry to be anywhere, so besides the slight return of hunger pangs during the wait (lol) we plan on returning again soon.
I would suggest to the restaurant that they perhaps offer more wines by the glass & either reduce the prices or (better) increase the serving sizes. -
Review from Janelle L.
Long Beach, CA
11/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
This place is elegant and romantic.
I had the NY steak when I came and it was absolutely delicious and cooked to perfection. The marinade was great!
The desserts we had on the table were amazing as well. We got the flourless choclate cake and chocolate torte. The presentation is great and the taste matches the look! -
Review from Melissa n.
San Diego, CA
My bf took us here for our 6 months a longgg time ago.
The atmosphere was very romantic, but just keep in mind that there are a lot of older people so when you're drinking, try to control yourself! (guilty)
I'm not much of a wine person, and since they had a full bar, we ordered mixed drinks instead. They are VERY generous with their liquor :).
I ordered a salad with no bacon, and the poached egg was delicious! I never really had poached egg before, so it was a good experience for me.
I also ordered the only vegetarian entree they have (it wasn't on the menu -- I had to ask the waiter specifically), and it wasn't that bad.
Their French waiters are super friendly, but maybe they're a little bit too friendly. My bf had to go to the bathroom twice, and during those two times, the waiter walked by, picked up my bf's napkin, and folded it. The second time he did it, I told him he didn't have to, and he just looked at me and smiled and continued to fold the napkin. haha. I thought that was funny.
I'll probably go back in a year since they only have one entree I can eat. :D -
Review from Lona L.
Laguna Hills, CA
10/26/2011
I've been coming to this restaurant for over 8 years and it remains as fresh and enjoyable as the first time. The menu changes regularly, but popular favorites are usually available. The menu is particularly commendable because one can choose entrees that are either "French fancy" in style or more "French provincial". The "provincial" food includes homey stews, cassoulet, and other French home-style dishes. All in all, a nice way to enjoy French food without the intimidating stuffiness normally associated with French restaurants in the U.S.
The ingredients are fresh and of the highest quality. Yes, sometimes they do run out of popular entrees/desserts , but I actually view that as a good thing because it means the restaurant is NOT overstocking to serve day-old ingredients.
Pascal has been making noticeable efforts to offer special prix fixe menus and entrees at prices that are considerably more affordable than other comparable restaurants in Orange County (without compromising quality). It's not so affordable to be a regular eating option, but it is probably one of the best "bangs for your buck" on a big date night. -
Review from kris c.
National City, CA
1/23/2012
Very romantic and intimate! This is a fancy french restaurant so you would want to be dressed up. Went here yesterday night for me and my girlfriends anniversary. It was also restaurant week so we got a good deal. $40 a person you get a starter, entree, and dessert. It was all worth the money. And add a glass of wine to top it all off. Fantastic food and great service! Had reservations and got my table right away. Soo sad the place is closing down for good after Valentines day ): Definitely coming back before they close. One of the finest restaurants in Newport and in the OC. Come here dressed up and you definitely in for a treat with your lover.
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Review from Jenai E.
Tustin, CA
9/17/2011 6 photos
My husband and I celebrated our 1st wedding anniversary here tonight. We each ordered from the 4-course prix fixe menu. I had the "Gourmet" which consisted of:
Hors d'Oeuvres
Charcuterie Plate - this was very tasty. The Pork Rillette, Cornichons and Caramelized Onions were delish!
Starter
Duo of Beets Salad Lemon Flavored Goat Cheese and Roasted Hazelnuts with Sherry Vinaigrette - this was a very tasty, light summery salad. The goat cheese really made it.
Addition: Lobster Bisque - this was ok. I have to say I've had better lobster bisque. We got the wine pairing which this came with a white wine and I wished it had been served with red. I felt like the warmness of the bisque and chilled wine didn't match.
Entrée
Roasted Duck Breast on Braised Endive, Caramelized Apple, Ginger Calvados Reduction- this was incredibly tasty. The duck was cooked perfectly and I finished every bite of the duck.
Dessert
Flourless Chocolate Cake- to die for. I favor rich tasting desserts and this hit the spot.
My hubby had the "Experience" which consisted of:
Hors d'Oeuvres
Sautéed Foie Gras Served with Cherry Verjus and Spice Bread Toast- this was hands down the tastiest item of the night. Seriously orgasmic.
1er Plat
Irish Salmon Tartare with Arugula and Blood Orange, Melba Olive Toast
Plat Principal
Thyme Crusted Sea Bass On Tomato Concassé, Seafood Chardonnay Sauce (House Specialty) - This was so incredibly delicious. The sauce completely makes this dish. The richness of the sauce is what I had hoped to find in the lobster bisque.
Dessert
Warm Tarte Tatin
With a Strawberry and Champagne Shot - fruity and tasty.
As I mentioned above, we ordered a wine pairing and got a glass of wine paired with each course. They are very generous with the pours! And every glass of wine was incredible. We also started with cocktails. My husband had a Manhattan with Maker's Mark and I had the Blue Heaven off the cocktail menu. My cocktail was excellent and my hubby liked his too.
We pretty much closed down the place, being he last to leave at 10pm. Chef Pascal greeted us at our table and was very friendly and congenial. He joked that we ordered everything on the menu...which isn't far from the truth! It was an amazing gluttonous 3 hour experience. -
Review from Walter L L.
Laguna Beach, CA
Updated - 1/20/2012
This once-great Restaurant is closing soon.I received an email invitation to visit and celebrate the restaurant's past.Pascal was to do the cooking and greet his fans.Well,I went last week.The place was mostly empty and Pascal was a.w.o.l,Service was correct but surly and distracted.Charcuterie plate was tasteless and skimpy.Salad Maison had a hardboiled egg,not a "runny"one as it was supposed to have,The boulabaisse was lukewarm and came with rouille that was devoid of garlic.NOT A CELEBRATION OF A ONCE-GREAT PAST,but a wake ,poorly arranged and poorly attended
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/7/2010
French cuisine,wonderfully executed in a pleasant room.Service is good but a bit rushed,Had the… Read more »
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Review from Jamie E.
Irvine, CA
1/14/2012
Overcooked food. Overpriced wines. Over-pretentious staff. I don't get why this place is so well reviewed. It's definitely not McDonald's. But for $100+\person I know that going in. But why does a salmon need to be cooked to such a degree that it has the texture of steak? And why does the steak have the texture of paper? Oh, and cutting a bone in half doesn't make a steak more desirable The sauces were rich and had a good taste. That said, there are much better options. Even in Orange County.
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Review from David a.
Los Angeles, CA
7/16/2011
I would like to mention at the outset that I used to cook here for a little while over a decade ago (I got fired) and that Pascal is a first class asshole in the kitchen. I do have to admit that he runs a pretty tight ship. With that aside, this is one of the finest dining experiences that you will ever have in California and this guy has amazingly kept it together for almost 2 decades. A rare feat in the restaurant industry,
You are in good, make that great hands from the time that you enter until the time that you leave and have to drive home slightly intoxicated and stuffed through Irvine and right past the Orange County Sheriff's station on the way to the freeway. But you should not be driving drunk now, should you? Just take your time to savor the experience at this place. They don't try and rush you.
My dinners at French fine dining establishments always begin with a kir royale. When the glass lands on the table, take a little sip, close your eyes for a moment and you will be transported straight to Paris. I personally do not drink wine, feel that it tastes like gall, and know next to nothing about it, so I am not worthy to make a comment on his cellar, but this guy will not do anything half ass. There is a full bar with whiskey which I tap into at this place instead following the kir.
The salad with frisee, lardons, a wonderfully poached, farm fresh egg on top with a dijon mustard, red wine vinegar and olive oil dressing with salt and freshly cracked black pepper is worth the drive here alone with some bread and a drink. This kind of salad done correctly is obligatory for any French Restaurant worth it's weight in shit, and here Pascal takes these few simple, high quality ingredients and turns them into a masterpiece. It is just perfect.
There is the matter of the signature sea bass au thyme; You have never tasted sea bass like this before. It is so buttery, with an herby crispiness that just makes you feel like you are in the south of France for a brief moment, A fleeting glimpse of perfection in a piece of bass.
Now if I am going to get lamb, it will be at an Armenian, Lebanese, or Persian restaurant under normal circumstances. And these folks know how to treat a rack of lamb and it is like you are in a garden with 72 virgins or something, it is so good. But at Pascal, the supplier is different, and the preparation is worth a drive from anywhere in California south of Bakersfield. It is a really high quality piece of meat. The potatoes that come in a gratin dish are pretty special as well.
And then there is the port and the coffee. What else would you expect from a civilized place like this? I would like to say in conclusion that I wish that I had a switch that I could flip to make most of Orange County disappear from the face of the earth. I would spare Pascal, and the coastline, and perhaps the Vietnamese community, But everything else would have to go starting with the Crystal Cathedral.Listed in: My very very favorites in LA
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Review from G. I.
La Crescenta-Montrose, CA
8/5/2011
Tradition by Pascal is a Gaulic jewel in a nice but nondescript "strip mall" that faces a frontage road paralleling the 73 toll road. The mall may not be the chicest in tony Newport Beach, and that may be the reason why their prices can be reasonable for such an haut restaurant. However, the service and cooking at Pascal are truly exemplary and exquisite.
The interior of the restaurant is quite comfortable with nice upholstered seats and vases of roses everywhere. Interestingly, one of the centerpiece paintings is a slightly impressionistic painting of an "Oiran" or a Japanese Geisha. The Oiran painting is held up by a bamboo rod and above that are two pieces of finished dark wood that resemble a Japanese Torii which usually is a symbol for a Japanese Shrine. The French Impressionist Monet at his home in Giverny had Japanese Ukiyoe prints, which influenced French painters of the 19th century, hanging on the walls of his home so having a Japanese influence at Pascal may not be so unorthodox.
We went to lunch so we decided to try out their prix fixe menus. There are two of them with both serving 3 courses at $21.00 and $28.00 respectively. Both of them may be the best deal for lunch in all of Newport Beach if not all of Orange County. We ordered Soupe a l'Oignon "Pascaline" which has a deep beefy broth and onions that were caramelized first and then cooked in the broth which brought out a mellow sweetness to the soup. The gruyere type cheese which added richness and the toasted piece of French bread made for a classic French Onion Soup.
We then had the Crepes with Poulet Roti et Champignons which were drizzled with a heavy cream and cheese sauce and baked. There were generous chunks of chicken, and there was a subtle but lingering scent of white truffle oil to add a slightly acidic earthiness.
A Raymond Chardonnay, Napa which had undergone malactic fermentation and barreled in oak to impart a buttery oaky apple flavor and a orange blossom honey bouquet complemented both the onion soup and the crepes.
For dessert we ordered the Creme Caramel and a Apricot Tart. The tart was made with fresh apricots, and the crust was flaky and buttery. The Creme Caramel was very light and not very yolky, and it was a refreshing end to the meal. A Cafe Presse accompanied the two desserts.
On a wall in the hallway next to the cash register, I noticed two signatures scrawled in black marking pen. I went up closer to the wall and read two names: Roger Verge and P. Troigros of French culinary fame who both own three star Guide Michelin restaurants. Pascal Olhats definitely keeps good company, and the signatures serve as an homage to his cooking skills.
It's not often I take the time and go a long distance to a restaurant, but Tradition by Pascal is well worth the trouble to get there. -
Review from Maxwell C.
Irvine, CA
4/7/2011
It was a great experience! Went with the girlfriend for their valentines day special 3 course dinner!
But don't get the foie gras, there was a protest and i found myself getting screamed at by an old lady holding up a sign with a picture of a duck being forcefed corn feed. It was amusing.
Otherwise, service is wonderful, food is great!
Very romantic place. -
Review from Alan T.
3/6/2011
Yes I'm behind on my reviews....
I have like 17 drafts... :(
It's gonna be a long night.
Today marked the final day of OC restaurant week.
I made a reservation a week earlier for a table of 4 @ 6:30.
I arrived at 6pm expecting the place to be packed.
I went up to the door and turned the knob and the damn thing didn't turn...
"It's locked," I exclaimed to my friends and girlfriend, "maybe there's another door?"
The host inside gives us a perplexed look as he approached the door and pushed it open. "Can I help you, sir?"
"I just realized I was supposed to pull on the knob to open the door instead of twist it," I explained to the nice man.
Fast forward....
We're seated, they all get water and I get an Arnold Palmer. I like how they gave me lemon flavored San Pellegrino instead of the usual lemonade; it made me feel fancy ^_^
The waitress that seated us had a cool, secksy French accent, and she looked like Pam Beasley-Halpert from The Office.
I don't know what happened, but another waiter kind of took over waiting our table.
They never really did mention their names.
Food:
I liked my beet salad ^_^
Two types of beets and some lovely goat cheese!
The champagne poached oysters were good. First time I enjoyed oysters given the few times I've tried them.
The bouillabaisse was mighty tasty. You can't go wrong with fresh seafood and the broth was a great dip for the mediocre bread basket.
Coq Au Vin was interesting, and the fish dish my girlfriend got was ok. I'm just glad i got what I got.
Dessert was just OK for me. They were a bit on the sweet side. Too bad they didn't serve up creme brulee...
I love me some creme brulee.
Bill was $130 ish for 4 people which was a great price ^_^
Service wasn't as warm as I'd like, but our glasses were never more than 3/4 empty.
They were also quick to replace the butter knife I dropped or to give us a refill on bread because I'm a carb- munching monster!
Lastly, Chef Pascal, thank you for stopping by our table to check up on us! -
Review from Kymberly T.
Orange County, CA
5/10/2011
Hands down the best European food available in Orange County.
Ordered: escargot, champagne poached oysters, rabbit, quail, cheese platter, sorbet trio, cabernet sauvignon.
Tradition's is in an unexpected plaza on the border of Costa Mesa and Newport Beach. However, once you taste the food you can expect nothing but a five star creation. The escargot and oysters were impeccable--their flavors unbeatable. however, the entrees were rather dry but the flavors were still really great. *I ordered the quail thinking that it would be simply quail, but their entree is a stuffed quail so it's a little less than what I had expected.
Their cheese selection was amazing, fresh, and accompanied by the the freshest honey I've ever tasted.
French food is meant to be like this, and not like Champagne or French 75. -
Review from Vanessa F.
Irvine, CA
4/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
Unfortunately this place is not rated high on my list of French restaurants. The ambiance was strange, the service was barely adequate and the food was not to my expectations. That said, we also went on Valentine's Day weekend, so I was pretty disappointed.
First of all, when you enter the restaurant it's a little awkward because the door opens up right into the dining room and everyone stares at you when you come in. I even found myself doing it myself during our meal. After we were seated it took our waitress a very long time to bring us our menu's, so we were just sitting there and staring at each other for awhile.
We each ordered a glass of wine and when a different waiter dropped off our glasses my husband wanted to confirm what type of wine he received and the guy was very defensive with his reply. I guess he thought my husband was trying to correct him, when in fact the menu did not specifically say the red wine was a blend. Whatever.
After reviewing the Valentine's Day prefixe menu and the regular menu we saw more things we liked on the regular prefixe menu so we both ordered from that instead. Three things that stick out in my mind was that the seared foie gras with strawberries appetizer so small that I just didn't get my foie gras fix, so my husband let me order another. It was not really worth how much we paid for it (I think it was about $20 each). I also remember that I ordered the duck and the skin was not crispy at all. Then, the only two things we wanted from the dessert menu were unavailable. How can you run out of dessert on Valentine's Day weekend?!
The only two highlights of the evening were the warm, crispy bread rolls and the French singer they had performing that evening. But I don't think we will be back. -
Review from Jamie W.
3/8/2011
Most definitely the highlight of the restaurants we selected for OC Restaurant Week...
Instead of doing the restaurant week menu we opted for one of the pricier ones. I had the wild mushroom and duck confit feuillete followed by the lobster bisque and finished up with the rack of lamb. For dessert, the cheesecake souffle. That may sound like a lot of food, but in French tradition, the plates aren't loaded up like you're at Claim Jumper... Thank God. The price? $75 per person. Not bad at all for the caliber of quality and ingredients. If you were in Vegas or LA, you could expect to pay twice that.
Every dish and every detail was perfection. The highlight for me was the rack of lamb. Delicious. The service was amazing and the wine selection was superb.
Yes, this restaurant has a strange location (strip mall) but you forget that the moment you sit down. We sat in a separate area of the restaurant with only a few other tables and it was romantic and understated at the same time. You can dress up but you could also be okay in business casual. I personally wouldn't wear jeans.
I liked that at a real French restaurant our waitress was a real French speaking gal. No snootiness here. Will be back!Listed in: A List
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Review from Belinda S.
Irvine, CA
3.5 stars
Tried the OC restaurant week prix fixe menu. Had the oysters which were alright. The bouillabaisse was delicious but some of my shellfish had sand which was disappointing.
The dessert definitely needs improvement in plating. I thought French desserts were supposed to be pretty, but my tart was lopsided and sloppy.
Overall, not bad, but not spectacular French food. -
Review from Mary P.
Costa Mesa, CA
10/8/2011
Very romantic place to have a dinner date. My husband took me here for dinner. The food was great, the service was impeccable, and everything was just perfect. It is a bit pricey, but well worth it for a nice dinner. Would definitely come again on a special night. =)
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Review from Jackie P.
1/23/2011
Came here on a double date for OC Restaurant Week a few months ago. The restaurant is off a strip mall area where Bristol is split by the 73. Seemed like a good deal, 3 courses for $30. Food roundup:
Appetizers of escargot and oysters: The escargot had lots of herbs and garlic on top and were quite tender themselves served in a cute little cast iron cocotte. The oysters are lightly poached then are topped with some type of creme fraiche sauce, delish! The waiter mentioned this is a signature appetizer. Hits all the senses and is divine!
Main course of duck breast and steak: Like most upscale french places, they really excel with perfectly cooked proteins. The portions were quite hearty and the sauces and veggies were nice.
Desserts of chocolate mousse and lemon tart: These were standard, just ok compared to the rest of the meal.
Lowdown: Good place for classic french food, definitely recommend that oyster appetizer and all of their main proteins. Ambiance is classy and a little older crowd, but is local and accessible. -
Review from Jocko J.
Irvine, CA
5/9/2011
Took my girlfriend for a classy, romantic dinner.
Good, not great food. Way too dark in this place. They have overhead lights that make it feel like you are being interrogated. Bread was good, but that was expected as the pascals bakery is next-door.
Overall not worth the price and a bit pretentious. -
Review from kumi k.
3/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
Tradition by Pascal has been on my yelp bookmark for quite a while. Many prolific yelpers have reviewed the Bouillabaisse as the best they've ever had (or one of the best). So I took advantage of the OC restaurant week and made a reservation for myself and my BF.
On Wednesday night at 7:30pm, the restaurant was nearly packed. A good sign. We were seated immediately and were presented with wine list and Restaurant Week menu. I already knew what I wanted but BF was undecided between steak and white fish. In the end he chose the Long Island Prime Steak for $5 more. After our orders were taken, our server brought bread basket and butter to our table. The bread was not warm.
It's kind of irrelevant to the review but, while waiting for our food, I noticed that there were many Japanese diners which I thought was surprising because of the location and the type of cuisine. I also noticed that although yelp reviews said the attire was dressy, the restaurant itself had a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere. I probably could have worn my nice jeans and it would have still been appropriate.
Our first course came pretty quickly. BF had Sautéed Wild Mushrooms with cognac sauce. It had a rich and full flavor. The cognac sauce was delicious but I thought the flavor was too strong for the mushrooms. I wish I could have tasted the flavor of wild mushrooms more. I had Chilled Champagne-Poached Oysters with welted spinach, salmon roe and a creamy white sauce. Presentation-wise it looked pretty but flavor-wise I'm not sure I liked the combination of all flavors. Their menu did not indicate the sauce so I imagined the dish would be more refreshing.
For second course, I had Provencal Bouillabaisse. It had generous amount mussels and clams, a couple of shrimps and squid and few slices of white fish. The broth was hot and very flavorful. The dish came with a side of Rouille. The Rouille tasted a bit like horseradish sauce, albeit a very mild horseradish sauce. I'm not sure that's how Rouille should taste like but it was still good accompaniment for Bouillabaisse. A few of the clam shells were chipped and I accidentally ate some of it and had to discreetly spit out the shells to my napkin. If you are very finicky with table manners or if you are with someone very finicky, this dish is not for you. BF's second course was visually very pleasing and the flavor was good but nothing outstanding.
For dessert, BF chose the Baked Meringue with Mixed Berries. This dessert was VERY sweet. Very light but because it's very sweet you really need the tartness of the berries to offset the sweetness of the meringue. After the berries were gone, BF stopped eating his dessert. There was one other sweet dessert offered but it didn't sound appetizing so I chose to have cheese plate for dessert. Although I really like cheese, I've never had it as a dessert because I find that concept strange. There were 3 different cheeses with 3 slices of toasted baguette, dried fruits and nuts. I really enjoyed the cheese plate and surprisingly, it was a very good way to end the meal.
Overall the dining experience was enjoyable. But for the price range, I prefer the ambiance, the service and the food at The Cellar in downtown Fullerton. -
Review from Karen W.
12/25/2010 7 photos
3.5 Stars for my OC Restaurant Week experience here. This typically high-end restaurant was made semi-affordable by Restaurant Week, which I appreciate. However, even with the special Prix Fixe menu (or is it BECAUSE of the Prix Fixe menu?) , this wasn't a meal I would particularly crave over others. Why?
Ambiance: I was disappointed by this. The place was cute, yes, but very small and rather crowded. I do enjoy space in more upscale restaurants, and I tend to expect it even more in Orange County.
Service: Good, minus us having to wait thirty minutes or so despite having a reservation.
Food: Small, small portions. That is what happens when you try to get fancy with your eating I suppose. Michael Z. was hungry still (I was okay) and if I recall correctly, we made a trip to Mizuki for some ramen after this meal.
This is what I had:
-Bread: http://media4.ct.yelpc.... It was good bread.
-Oysters in Creme Sauce: http://media4.ct.yelpc.... Really good for oysters I suppose. I enjoyed this tiny appetizer.
-Seafood in Tomato Broth, with Saffron (Seafood Bouillabaisse): http://media1.px.yelpc.... Fragrant, delicate, and exquisite. I loved this, but there was so little of it :(
-Tart with raspberry and vanilla sauce: http://media1.px.yelpc.... Very tasty.
I also tried Michael Z.'s meal. It wasn't as good as mine in my opinion.
-Escargot: http://media3.px.yelpc.... My first time eating snail! It tasted fine, like squid I suppose, and the sauce was tasty but really heavy in flavor.
-Salmon wrapped in bacon: http://media3.px.yelpc.... It was good but didn't leave much of an impression on me.
-Chocolate dessert: http://media2.ct.yelpc.... Tasty but unremarkable.
Verdict: I would rather go to Bluewater Grill for a hearty bowl of Cioppino. I guess I had lofty expectations for Tradition.Listed in: Socal Restaurant Week…
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Review from Stacey C.
1/24/2011
4.5 stars. Restaurant week! What a perfect way to try out a place for no occasion! :)
What I loved:
1. Belgian Endive, with Sweet Mustard Dressing, Roquefort and Toasted Walnuts & Pear Confit (loved the dressing and crunchiness of the endives!)
2. Pan Seared Foie Gras w strawberries! (First time with strawberries...melted in my mouth)
3. Pan Roasted Quail Stuffed with Black Truffle Sausage,
Sautéed Brussel Sprouts with a Cognac Sauce (liked the sides and quail was juicy!)
4. Provençal Fish Soup with Rouille Croutons ( I really loved loved loved this soup!!!!! would have it again!)
Did not like ... the dessert & my steak (over done when I ordered medium). They ran out of souffle so I had to settle for the flourless chocolate cake that tasted like fudge. Sad.... I love souffles!!! :(
Great service, quaint ambiance, would definitely recommend and would go back!!! :D -
Review from Jenny L.
Orange, CA
4/5/2011
T ried the escargot and veal appetizers and loved them
R eally flavorful dishes with lotsa garlic and butter. i love butter!
A ccidentally mispronounced my order of coq au vin as cock ow vin...oops
D ining experience was more on the high end
I nteresting menu of wines
T he bf ordered steak which was just okay but I loved my chicken dish
I nterior has a quaint romantic feel
O ur server was nice and the chef came out to converse w/ each table
N ote to self: learn how to say French dishes correctly
Tradition by Pascal is a fine dining french restaurant and I personally enjoyed all the flavors that were put in each dish. Now I'm interested in trying other french dishes. Delicieux!! -
Review from Robert. A.
Costa Mesa, CA
1/22/2011
1. Excellent service 5 stars
2. Excellent food 5 stars
3. Value for my money 5 stars
This is a good French restaurant. A small romantic dining experience or maybe with another couple. Take a good bottle of wine with you and enjoy. Take your time this is not a place for you to rush.
As everyone has stated the food is very good, unique, and satisfying.
They have a few three and four course prix frix menus that are a good deal.
We have been here four times and have enjoyed it in a different way each time. Twice for dinner, twice for lunch. We have had the sea bass, excellent! Co que vin, beef bourgeon, chicken crepes ( the best dish for lunch). provincial boullabaisse. We love the salads, beet salad is awesome! endive salad is another great one and the Butter lettuce with poached egg, fresh bacon bits. Yum!
They have fantastic deserts!
I believe pascal himself is the chef here, he will come out and say h to you if he is in.
We love this place and will back to try the different dishes. -
Review from Lanna K.
Irvine, CA
4/15/2011
Tradition is in a strip mall where you would never expect a restaurant like this to be located in. Hubs and I have been to Tradition on two occasions and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves both times. Their wine list is very extensive but you can choose to bring your own, with no corkage fee, if you choose (1 bottle free corkage per couple). The service is excellent and they're not pretentious or snobby, as you might expect a highly rated French restaurant to be.
Beet salad - pretty basic but was really good with their lemon flavored goat cheese
Escargot - I usually don't like escargot but this was really good! It had the perfect amount of garlic in it and the escargot was tender, not chewy or rubbery
Champagne poached oysters - good but not great. Wouldn't order it again
Roasted duck - was cooked perfectly but I was unfortunately underwhelmed by the sauce
Thyme crusted sea bass - V really enjoyed this dish but I didn't get what the big deal was about this dish. People rave about it but I didn't think it was that great. Maybe I just have to try it again.
Coq au vin - delicious! The chicken was super soft and flavorful and the pasta was cooked perfectly
I would definitely recommend this restaurant! :) -
Review from Kathleen H.
Newport Beach, CA
1/11/2011
Located in a nondescript strip mall, Tradition by Pascal certain exceeded my expectations and I am a fan!
I had been here previously for the OC Restaurant Week and found our server to be rude and ponpus. She speaks with what my friend thought might have been a French accent and was really condescending to her. I didn't like my tasting menu and felt like it was a missed opportunity to acquire me as a customer.
I came back last weekend with two of our friends who wanted to give this place a try. I was reluctant at first, but decided, hey, why not. I am glad I came back.
Our server was funny and witty. He was clearly busy and he was trying to juggle several tables at once. But, he was as attentive as he could be and had a great attitude.
We ordered different tasting menus and the four of us tried several dishes.
Here are a couple of my faves from the evening:
- foie gras was beautifully prepared and the scent and taste of strawberries really complemented the richness of the foie.
- salad with the butter lettuce with lardo was exquisite. It was perfectly dressed and was a really good portion.
- braised rabbit was absolutely delicious! It was tender and flavorful and I even enjoyed the potato on the side (usually not a fan of potato).
- lamb chops were a bit of a small portion...my husband could easily eat 4-6 chops by himself, and there were only three chops on the plate...I am thinking this could have been better with one additional chop.
- cheese course - there was a good selection. I chose three different cheeses to try and it was $16...so it isn't the least expensive but there are good condiments and the cheeses really were a nice transition to the sweet dessert.
- dessert - pear tart was delicious~! absolutely enjoyed it. my hubbie's profiterole was nice too. My friends had the cheese soufle which I didn't get to try but will definintely go back and order one of these days.
I will come back, and request for the same waiter. -
Review from Joo L.
Irvine, CA
11/1/2010
Tradition by Pascal is one of those rare jewels that's hard to find in a place like Orange County. Tucked away in a somewhat ghetto-looking strip mall, Tradition's food is quite the contrary. It's pretty original as it gets when it comes to French food. The chef is extremely personable and nice, and you can just taste the passion behind his cooking. I've seen him walk around the restaurant many times, just to see meet and greet people and to see how people are responding to his food. The only time I ever questioned the food at Tradition is when they had their Newport Beach Restaurant Week. The food was mediocre that day, but every other day I've been there, the food has been amazing.
I used them for a catered event once, and the food could not have been more perfect. -
Review from Danielle P.
Costa Mesa, CA
9/8/2011
Amazing. Boyfriend brought me here for my birthday, and I couldn't have been happier. From the bread, to the foie gras to the duck I was thouroughly impressed and happy.
The raspberry double-baked cheesecake and hazelnut torte were two of the tastiest desserts I've ever had, and the goat cheese salad with carmelized pears was fantastic.
Wish I had the budget and the skinny genes to go here every night. The total was $176 for two of the 6 course meals and wine. Yum. -
Review from Lisa K.
Amityville, NY
3/3/2011
Went here during Restaurant Week ..... it was pretty tasty
We ordered:
beet salad with hazelnuts - a delightful melange of golden and red beets
chilled oysters - served with a cream sauce.... which was a bit of a miss for me since it overpowered the delicate oyster taste.
coq-au-vin - unctuous and perfectly rich. Full bodied flavor
seafood bouillabaisse - I wanted a little more punch, It was just okay
meringue with berries - meh, I've had better
lemon pie and tarte tatin - pretty tasty, but I didn't get to try the tarte tatin
At the onset of our dinner, Pascal even came out to greet us! How nice.
I'd definitely come back again to try the other dishes. -
Review from To-Nga B.
Westminster, CA
9/8/2011
Definitely the Best Restaurant in OC!!!
The service is oustanding, the restaurant is classic, cozy and so romantic, and the quality and taste of the food is incredible!
