Marble Steakhouse & Grille — Restaurant in Irvine

Odd... Strange... but good steak ... will try to keep it short...on arrival.. half the restaurant was empty but i was told to wait for about 10-15 minutes.. turns out the hostess thought we wanted to sit in the KBBQ half of the restaurant but my reservation actually was for the steak house side of the restaurant which was only 1/3 full... after seated and many silent and serviceless minutes, a service staff came by and asked the strangest question i have ever experienced..." has anyone talk to you yet?".. i said 'no one has spoken to us' then he said he get us the menus... then he disappeared.. then another wait staff came and this staff told us restaurant is out of water glasses so water is served on wine glasses... there is a bar in the restaurant but when asked for a Martini.. I was told I can only order whatever is in the cocktail menu...this wait staff instead of asking us for drink service but checked again and again if we were ready to order food.. we gave up and order our dinner .. 1) cabonara 2) lobster risotto 3) short rib flat bread - as a starter 4) NY striploin 5) bottle of Austin Hope Cabernet ... server opened wine by placing the bottle on this thigh as he place the wine opener into the cork... then wine was poured into wine glass but dripped onto the wine label, as well as onto the table cloth.. starter flatbread came with main courses...steak knive given was missing a cover piece ( see photo) therefore it hurts as you apply pressure to cut the steak.. i asked the wait staff for antoher steak knive to confirm mine was broken.. I asked the wait staff if thers was any side dishes.. the I was told side dishes were only listed in the lunch menu section but actually were available for dinner... then I ordered the brocolini side dish which is 100% delicious... overall, a strange dining experience but the restaurant has 300% potential.. in the north Irvine/Stonegate neighborhood, we actually can have a "higher end" restaurant and this one shows all the potential of what it can be. Please work on the bar, and the service operation! many basics are there and just please focus on the service/soft touches of what a good restaurant dining experience truly needs! I wish Rick the co-owner all the best and drive this restaurant forward for the next...

I visited Marble for lunch with a group of friends based on a recommendation about their lunch specials. With prices ranging from $13 to $18, it’s a great deal, especially nowadays!

I ordered the stir-fried spicy pork (Dwaeji Bulgogi, 돼지불고기) in Korean, which led to some initial confusion with the server—he thought I wanted the stir-fried soy pork instead. Since most Korean restaurants don’t typically offer a non-spicy version of this dish, it’s best to order exactly as listed on the menu to avoid any mix-ups.

The banchan selection was a bit puzzling. We were served four side dishes: stir-fried fish cakes, marinated seaweed, sweet corn, and marinated cilantro leaves. Surprisingly, there was no kimchi. When I asked for some, the server explained that since someone in our party had ordered galbitang, they would bring it out. This left me wondering—does Marble only serve certain side dishes depending on what you order? In most Korean restaurants, kimchi is a given, not an optional add-on tied to specific dishes. Had it not been for the galbitang, would we have gone without kimchi altogether? Our table also ordered soondubu and doenjang jjigae, both classic Korean dishes, yet still no automatic kimchi.

As for the food, it was decent. My spicy pork wasn’t particularly spicy, at least to my taste, so I asked for jalapeños and garlic to wrap with—items that weren’t included by default, even though they provided ssam (lettuce wraps) and ssamjang (dipping sauce).

Overall, despite a few quirks, the reasonable lunch specials make Marble worth a return visit. I’d be interested in coming back to try their KBBQ (table grilling) to see how...

If you’re looking for a high-end Korean BBQ experience in Irvine, Marble BBQ is the place to go. The restaurant has an upscale and refined atmosphere—you feel that sense of exclusivity the moment you walk in. We ordered their $175 Special Combo, which features Boneless Short Rib, beautifully marbled and incredibly tender. Every bite was rich and juicy, truly top quality. What makes it even better is the service: the staff grills the meat for you with precision, and you can request your preferred doneness—medium-rare, medium, or medium-well—done with elegance and skill.

The grilling itself is a performance. The sizzling sound, the aroma filling the air, and the presentation all come together to create a sensory experience. Special mention goes to Gary Perez, whose grilling technique is not only professional but almost artistic—smooth, confident, and visually captivating.

To complement the premium combo, we also ordered the $15 Spicy Pork Stone Pot Bibimbap. It arrived piping hot, with the rice sizzling in the stone bowl. Once mixed, the spicy flavors balanced beautifully with the crispy bits of rice, making it the perfect pairing with the grilled meat.

Overall, Marble BBQ isn’t just a meal—it’s a refined dining experience that combines flavor, service, and presentation. For anyone in Irvine looking for an elevated Korean BBQ night, this spot is a must-try.

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