High-Value French Dining at Marché Moderne 🍽️

A review three years overdue — I first dined here right after graduation, and the steak left such a lasting impression that I’ve been wanting to return ever since. I’d forgotten the name, though, and while planning this trip, I ended up choosing it again from a fresh list of options. When I arrived, I realized it was the same restaurant all along! It felt like destiny — like falling in love with the same person all over again. 💫 Now, back to the food — while this place is known for being reasonably priced, the quality and creativity are seriously impressive. You can tell there’s thought and skill behind every dish. Starter 1 - A Stunning First Bite Raw scallop served with what tasted like dried dates and nuts, topped with a creamy mayo-like sauce. The scallop was incredibly tender — almost melting — and paired beautifully with the crunchy fruit and nuts for a wonderful contrast. The flavors, coming from the sauce, dried fruit, and a drizzle of balsamic on the plate, were delicate, tangy, and richly aromatic. 🍤✨ Starter 2 - A Slight Mismatch A very smooth duck liver mousse with a touch of black truffle and a fruit (plum?) jam, accompanied by pickled sweet-and-sour onions and bread. While the jam and onions are meant to cut through richness, the mousse itself wasn’t heavy at all — and their strong flavors ended up overshadowing the delicate liver and truffle. Eating the mousse alone with just a hint of truffle was actually much more enjoyable. 🦆🍞 Main 1 - Still the Star, Just as I Remembered I had to order the filet mignon again — it won me over three years ago and did not disappoint this time. Just look at the perfect sear and pink interior in the photos (p6 vs. p7 from three years ago — both flawless!). Though the sides have changed (I preferred the older version), the steak itself was cooked to perfection and absolutely delicious. 🥩🔥 Main 2 - A Solid Classic The duck confit was well-executed — tender, flavorful, and paired nicely with plum and apple slices to balance the saltiness. Nothing groundbreaking, but a pretty and satisfying dish. 🍗🍎 Dessert & Drinks Didn’t snap photos, but let’s be real — have you ever had a bad dessert at a French restaurant? 😉 Final Thoughts Two people, two drinks, two starters, two mains, and one dessert — all for just $220 before tax and tip. The quality was outstanding, especially for the price. I can’t imagine getting a meal like this in Seattle or New York without paying significantly more! 📍 Marché Moderne #Food #Irvine #IrvineEats #NewportBeach #FrenchCuisine #Steak #LAEats #FineDining