Irvine Food Rec | Knife Pleat: Is This Michelin-Star Spot Worth It? 🍽

Knife Pleat holds a Michelin one-star title and enjoys a prime location on the third floor of South Coast Plaza, right next to the LV penthouse. The ambiance is lovely, but the food doesn’t always live up to the hype — like a student who aces one subject but flunks others. Since the menu changes frequently, favorite dishes often disappear, replaced by hit-or-miss creative plates. 🦆 1. Duck The undeniable star and signature dish. I personally love the orange-glazed duck — tender, juicy, and richly flavored. The sauce cuts through the richness beautifully without being overly sweet. 🧀 2. Truffle Brie The presentation has evolved — earlier versions felt more rustic, but now it’s molded into a smaller portion. Truffle lovers might adore it, but I found it a bit too salty. The side of bitter greens felt unseasoned and out of place. 🍰 3. Desserts The true highlight here — I’d even recommend skipping dinner and just coming for afternoon tea. Their seasonal fruit sorbets are exceptional — not overly sweet, capturing the fruit’s true essence. The complimentary petits fours (chocolates, macarons, dried fruit) are also thoughtful and delicious ❤️ 🥩 4. Beef The beef itself is decent, but the sides keep changing. Sometimes it’s paired with a lovely parsnip purée (looks like carrot 🥕), but other times the sides feel mismatched and disjointed. 🐟 5. Ceviche Super light and fresh! The citrus and miso dressing creates vibrant contrast while staying perfectly balanced. The fish is buttery-smooth — though once, the passionfruit was a bit overpowering. 💬 In short: You might be better off trying their afternoon tea menu, unless you really value the “experience” of the chef coming to your table to explain each dish’s story. #Foodie #OrangeCounty #MichelinReview #FrenchCuisine #IrvineEats #VibeyDining #UCI