OC Michelin 1-Star 🌟 High-Value French Dining: Knife Pleat

Located inside South Coast Plaza (above Chanel and Hermès on the 3rd floor), Knife Pleat is one of OC’s three Michelin 1-star spots. Cozy and intimate layout — perfect for dates. Reservations via OpenTable — usually available 2–3 days ahead for lunch, ~1 week for dinner.😍 I booked inside (patio can get chilly on CA winter nights). As soon as you walk in, you can see Chef Tony Esnault busy in the open kitchen.😁 Starters: Black Truffle Egg & Potato Purée — intense truffle aroma, rich and creamy. Escargot — sauce was unique and delicious, and the spinach served with it was amazing. Mains: Duck — surprisingly tender with no gamy taste, full of flavor. A standout! Sea Bass — decent but not memorable; sweet-sour sauce wasn’t my favorite. Probably won’t reorder. Desserts: Caramel & Pear — even better than Vegas’ Sweet Raku! Finished every bite. Now curious about their afternoon tea starting in February. 💰 ~$120 per person — portions in the photos left us both fully satisfied. In these times of rising fine-dining prices, Knife Pleat offers great value. Service was exceptionally warm and attentive — some of the best I’ve experienced in years. 📋 Menu changes quarterly, and lunch/dinner differ slightly — check Yelp for the latest. Only downside: slow pacing — about half of the 2-hour meal was spent waiting between courses. 📍 Knife Pleat 3333 Bristol St, Ste 3001, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 #MichelinRestaurant #FrenchCuisine #LAFood #OCFood #IrvineEats 🍽️✨