Lemon & Thyme — Restaurant in Costa Mesa

This is my first time to Lemon & Thyme, and seriously, it totally lived up to the hype. Heads up, though, this spot is cozy we're talking a handful of booths and tables so definitely make a reservation if you don't wanna be left out in the cold. Our main man, Gabriel, was serving up the good vibes (and food!). This guy's got personality for days, and he totally nailed explaining the menu, dropping some awesome recommendations along the way. Important to note that it's all about that tapas style here, so get ready to share. We kicked things off with the Grilled Artichoke, topped with some fresh gremolata. Honestly, this thing was a winner. It came with calabrian and lemon aioli dips, but tbh, the artichoke was so flavorful on its own, it barely even needed them. Next up was the Roasted Lemon & Thyme Cauliflower. For me, it was just okay, but I think that's on me for not scooping up the pomegranate sauce. Pro tip from Gabriel: save that sauce for later, such a great idea! For the main event, I went with the Grilled Octopus Al Pastor with a side of grilled broccolini. Excellent choice, enjoyed every bite. My boyfriend was all about the Seared Duck Breast with Mole Negro he said that mole was super delicious, and the duck was cooked perfectly for him. His daughter kept it simple but with the very flavorful Spicy Rigatoni. Just a heads-up, this place is strictly beer and wine, so if you're a cocktail lover, you might wanna adjust your expectations. It was a scorcher of a day, and instead of just a glass, Gabriel hooked us up with a liter of their white wine special. It was exactly what he promised crisp and refreshing. All in all, it was a seriously awesome first visit. We're definitely gonna be back at Lemon &...

I never ever write reviews but this place truly deserves 5 stars across the board.

Went here for the first time for my dad’s bday and everything was high above my expectations. That night we placed a reservation for my bday dinner for that upcoming Sunday!

Both times we filled out stomachs to the brim, just so that we could try the most we could on the menu. Everything sounded so good! My favorites were definitely the beef tartar with their homemade chips, or delightfully rich truffle tagliatelle.

Not only is the food amazing beyond words, but I truly can’t say enough good things about the service. Gabriel, who was our server on both nights, was amazing. He made sure we had everything we needed, explained every dish for us, and overall provided the best service we’ve come across. We also got the pleasure of meeting the two main chefs, Miguel and Jackeline (I hope I have those names right). The dishes they created for Lemon and Thyme are innovative, delicious, and reasonably priced for the quality. Jackeline even brought out a peach and Knafeh dessert that Gabriel mentioned might be put on the menu. P.S. it was amazing!! We had to pair that with the baklava cheesecake which we all loved… even my boyfriend who doesn’t like cheesecake!

Seriously cannot recommend this...

Really love this restaurant! Last night was our second visit and every dish was excellent! The outstanding quality of the ingredients stands out in all of the preparations! We started with a peaches/burrata salad and it did not disappoint! Flavorful peaches, high quality burrata and beautiful greens! We had the mushroom risotto for the second time and...perfectly cooked and deep mushroom flavor! The tagliata was also perfectly cooked - al dente pasta in a rich and delicious sauce. And, the branzino (again second time) was over the top fabulous! Honestly a dish Lemon & Thyme does EXTREMELY well! The ambiance is absolutely lovely! Warm and comfortable and the service and staff could not be better! If you haven't been to Lemon & Thyme make a res and go! You won't be...