VENUES - ( Feature - Scott's )

Review By Allison M.

Scott’s (formerly known as Scott’s Seafood) has been on the dining scene in Orange County for nearly two decades. For those of you in the industry, you know that is a lifetime for a restaurant to be successful. However, though they have always had amazing dishes to offer, the owners were tired of being branded as a seafood restaurant. So, back in January, they did some remodeling, changed up the menu, created some new drinks, and walah! Scott’s Restaurant and Bar was re-branded and reborn.

I have not visited the location in a few years, when I was invited there to discuss the care of a friend who was undergoing surgery (she looks great, by the way). I remembered the food being tasty, and the décor being what is to be expected of a nice dining establishment in Orange County. Yet, even then, nothing really stood out, so I did not make a return visit until just a few days ago.

I immediately noticed the change in logo (they dropped the “seafood” from the title and changed the font of their sign). Upon entering, I could not miss the redesigned lounge area, which actually reminded me of a club in Vegas of which I am a huge fan. It is both comfortable and inviting, and looks like it can be both crowded with people but intimate at the same time. Since it is a restaurant, they do offer food. Though they are well known for their seafood dishes, they do offer many other types of food, especially steak. The menu now changes every season, so it keeps people wanting to come back to try different dishes practically every month.

For those of you on a budget, they offer a great Happy Hour from 4:00 – 6:00 PM Monday thru Friday, with half-off appetizers, including Margarita Pizza, sushi rolls, and my favorite, fried goat cheese (so bad for my body, but so tasty on my tongue). As for drinks, Happy Hour offers $3 beers, $6 martinis, and $5 glasses of wine. What is really intriguing about their Happy Hour is that they also offer it from 9:00 to close on Friday and Saturday nights. If you are feeling daring, try a Spicy Sarsaparilla. It is mixed with their specially-created Tequila, which is made in-house and infused with Habanero peppers and pineapple (yes, it sounds gross but it actually has quite a kick and is pretty smooth going down).

Scott’s is working on appealing to various cliques. A few nights a week, they bring in DJS to play different types of music. On Thursday nights, they have an outside promotion team create a dance club environment that is popular with those in their early 20s. Friday and Saturday nights brings in an eclectic mix of people, ranging from business professionals to preachers to trendy club kids who are in the mood for a lounge atmosphere, good company and tasty drinks. And if you are there on Friday or Saturday, you can get wasted, then sober up with appetizers from that Happy Hour Menu I mentioned earlier (from 9:00 to close!) How many places do you know of where you can do that? Though I have yet to attend, based on what I have heard, Scott’s is becoming one of Orange County’s new nightly hot spots. And since there is no cover charge on Friday and Saturday nights, that may be appealing to those of you who are feeling the financial pinch of this down economy.

For those of you who may want to actually sit down and dine, never fear, there are specials for you too. If you are a wine connoisseur or you just like to drink, they offer a 50% discount on all bottles of wine every Wednesday night. For families, they offer family style dining every Sunday from 4:00 P.M. on, which is $25/person and includes appetizers, entrées, sides, and dessert. For those of you looking for a new Sunday-Funday environment, they offer Reggae Sundays the last Sunday of the month during the summer months in that groovy, redesigned lounge, with Soul Tree performing live from 1:00 – 6:00 P.M.

Finally, the location is perfect for you to grab drinks and a quick bite before some major shopping, as South Coast Plaza is just across the street, or have some wine and a good meal before seeing a play or show next door at the South Coast Repertory or Orange County Performing Arts Center.

Scott’s has something to offer just about any type of person. Whether you want a gourmet meal, a place to meet friends after work, or a trendy Orange County Hot Spot to visit, Scott’s is the place for you.

For more information, check out their website: www.scottsrestaurantandbar.com.

For whatever reason you visit, enjoy!

Scott’s

3300 Bristol St.

Costa Mesa, CA, 92626

(714) 979-2400