Whether you’re looking for a happy hour spot with a great bar to start your evening, you’re entertaining business clients, or you’re just looking for a high-end dining experience with an impressive wine list, this Orange County restaurant has got you covered.

The Winery Restaurant: An Orange County & SoCal Favorite

The Winery Restaurant was founded by Managing Partners JC Clow and William Lewis, along with Executive Chef Yvon Goetz, over a decade ago. While Clow and Lewis knew their idea to bring wine country cuisine to Orange County’s Tustin would be a successful one, they didn’t realize just how successful it would be until the awards started rolling in. The restaurant received the OC Concierge’s Restaurant of the Year award in 2008, just a year after it opened, and again in 2009 and 2013. 

This demand led the team to open an additional two locations, one on the water in Newport Beach in 2014 and the newest location, which opened in San Diego’s Toney La Jolla neighborhood in 2017.

It’s true that Clow and Lewis were the brains behind what Modern Luxury Magazine called the ‘OC’s Best Brunch’, and what OC Foodies declared their 2016 ‘Restaurant of the Year,’ but the man who makes all of the food magic happen is Chef Yvon Goetz.  

Chef Goetz is a classically trained French chef who has worked in some of Europe’s finest Michelin-starred restaurants, including Chewton Glen Hotel, Hambleton Hall, London’s Dorchester Hotel, and the three-star Le Crocodile. He also is one of the few California chefs to receive the AAA Five-Diamond Award.

The Atmosphere

If there is one word we would use to describe the dining room at The Winery, it’s ‘comfortable.’ The atmosphere and ambiance are upscale and warm. The sleek wood paneling, inviting neutral colors, burgundy accents, and low – but not too dark – lighting make this restaurant a great place for a date or a relaxing dinner. The dining room is a mix of comfortable booths, freestanding tables, and tasteful wine decor. The restaurant really does feel like it was designed to be both welcoming and high-end without being stuffy.

The Experience

Before we get to the food, we have to mention The Winery’s wine list. Just as you’d expect from a restaurant called ‘The Winery,’ the wine list at this Tustin restaurant is excellent. The selections change weekly, and at any one time, there will be close to 650 bottles to choose from. For our dinner, we went with a reliable Rhone from Domaine Galevan, Chateauneuf-du-pap, and we were not disappointed.

We started the evening with the refreshing scallop crudo and onion soup gratinee. The soup was finished with a beautiful golden brown gruyere cheese melted over the top, and thick croutons were added to the broth; it was the perfect winter soup.

The menu at The Winery has a lot of standout dishes, so many that it makes choosing your meal a little tricky for fear of missing out. In addition to charred Icelandic salmon, chili lime rubbed Hawaiian mahi-mahi, and two signature steaks, the restaurant also has a unique game meat program called ‘Take a Walk on the Wild Side.’ This nightly special features wildfowl and game meats like alligator, elk, pheasant, rabbit, quail, and squab.

Ultimately, we decided on the braised short rib with prosciutto-wrapped asparagus and carrot-infused couscous and the 8 oz. filet mignon. It’s hard to resist a surf and turf pairing when dining at a restaurant like this, so we also opted for the lobster tail, a trio of mushrooms, and truffle mashed potatoes. 

For dessert, we had to go with the molten chocolate cake topped with whipped cream and served alongside a berry sorbet, which went perfectly with the Chateaunuef-du-Pape. 

Closing Thoughts

The vibe at The Winery in Tustin is great, and our dinner was perfect on so many levels. The food was expertly prepared, the wait staff was exceptionally well-trained, and the Front of House manager, Rich, was truly attentive and took care of all of our needs. All-in-all, the service was intuitive without being pushy or overbearing.

Another thing we really appreciated about the entire experience was how proficient the staff was in all aspects of the restaurant. It’s always a little jarring when you go to a nice restaurant, and the server can’t answer questions about the menu or isn’t versed in the wine list. Even if the food is perfect, these kinds of things can disrupt a good meal. 

If you love high-quality food, endless wine selections, and great service, we highly recommend you check out one of the Winery’s locations.