Urban Grill and Wine Bar — Restaurant in Lake Forest

As young, impressionable boys, the owners of Urban Grill and Wine Bar must surely have been the sort of lads that were mindful of their parent's admonitions. "Never judge a book by its cover," comes to mind.

Don't get me wrong, it's not that the Urban Grill facade is unsightly - nothing of the sort. It's just that nothing about it drew me in or said "unforgettable dining experience for all who enter."

Regardless of the grill's frontage being somewhat a boilerplate, sterile strip-center, all it took was a simple crack of the door to discover that behind that pedestrian veneer a very unique, upscale eatery had been waiting ever so patiently to enchant our tastebuds.

First impressions were encouraging - inviting aromas, friendly faces, both from staff and wall to wall to patrons, contemporary but cozy atmosphere with tasteful art adoring the walls, and an invigorating buzz...all coalesced to plainly whisper that Urban Grill would offer more than it promised.

It did.

Urban Grill succeeded in spellbinding us on our first visit. Since then, now just a few short months ago, we've returned time and time again, each time anxiously looking forward to our next visit as we slowly drift from the parking lot.

Urban Grill is synonymous with gourmet. More than that, and as my wife is fond of saying, they redefine the genre of "comfort" food. Yes, they also offer an extraordinary selection of boutique wines, but the combination of both epicurean fare and exquisite wines...well, it makes for evenings with friends you wish would never end and are long remembered.

Suffice it to say, the service is superior in every degree. Our servers are warm, genuine, love what they do and they know their stuff. This, of course, points to a management that loves to dine and understands what it's like to anxiously wait, hungry, and desire nothing more than to be indulged.

So then, what about the menu? They offer an ample assortment of dishes ranging from savory sandwiches and salads to the most mouthwatering steaks, pork chops and seafood you'll find in Orange County. Bar none.

URBAN BURGER: ground chuck blend / aged cheddar / crispy onion strings / lettuce / dill pickles / tomatoes / special sauce / caramelized onion bun 13.

GRILLED TRI-TIP: (served hot) caramelized onions / aged provolone / horseradish cream / caramelized onion bun 12]

PORK CHOP: candied ginger apples / asian bbq sauce / herbed matchstick fries [25.

FISH & CHIPS: beer battered white cod / chipotle ranch / herbed matchstick fries.

HOUSE CHOP lettuce / cabbage / red onion / cucumbers / feta cheese / kalamata olives / tomatoes / house vinaigrette Half [5] Full [9]

WARM CAPRESE: roasted tomatoes / fresh mozzarella / sun-dried tomato pistachio pesto / olive oil / crostinis [10]

PRIME STEAK SANDWICH: prime ribeye / aged provolone / onion strings / mushroom skillet sauce / french baguette [19]

As you can see, Urban Grill has not only ensured that you'll never suffer from menu malaise, but they have guaranteed that your wallet will never get in the way of you returning week after week.

The only downside is minor, but a pet peeve of mine...the headshots of the owners, posted on their website no less, are abysmal. Don't look - it'll it scare you away. You just have to wonder how it is that two grown, highly successful men, who have the mastered the culinary arts and aesthetic nuance can be so comprehensively clueless when it comes the image of themselves they portray to the world.

Just because I own pots and knives I don't pretend to be a chef - too bad the owners of Urban Grill have yet to attain similar knowledge about owing a camera...

Oh well, I was going to give them six stars, but they'll just have to...

We decided to try this place based on the great reviews. We either went on a bad night or the restaurant has went downhill. I made reservations through OpenTable and as soon as we sat down I had a feeling we weren’t going to have a good dinner. The table was very wobbly. They sat us under a cooking vent from a previous restaurant.

It took around 20 mins to get our drinks out to us. The drinks were amazing. We got the hidden agenda and it’s pretty much a spicy take on an old fashioned. We ordered the scallops as an appetizer and we only received two scallops, yes only 2 when it’s a 21 dollar appetizer. We thought it was maybe a mistake and we asked the waitress how many scallops the appetizer normally comes with and her response was two!

We almost wanted to end the dinner and leave after those drinks and appetizer but we decided to give them another chance and order dinner. I was wondering what the catch of the day was, the waitress was telling the other tables what the catch of the day was but not our table… My lady ordered the blackened ahi and I got the Australian lamb chops. My lady did not like her blackened ahi at all and was too embarrassed to send her food back. Instead of the ahi being blackened it was extremely sweet, like agave syrup sweet. Also the veggies weren’t cooked, cold inside. My lamb chops were good but cooked to the medium I asked. The potatoes weren’t cooked and the spinach was very soggy because there was way too much olive oil. I hardly ate any of it.

Looks like from the previous reviews that they place has new owners. New owners most likely trying to cut cost due to a new acquisition and they own other restaurants. We won’t be back. Only maybe if they have happy hour and get drinks...

Really a nice restaurant (in terms of atmosphere). Too bad it is tainted by poor customer service. I guess for the kinda money these guys are asking for, they can be snobby. $42.00 for pork chops? Better be the WAGYU of pork. Aside from the prices, their service was HORRIBLE. I came in just to have a beer and check out the menu. I count 6 employees. And I had to ASK someone if I could get a beer. I was happy to see a VERY nice selection on the menu... but the prices are like those of SUPER NICE RESTAURANTS IN LAS VEGAS. And Las Vegas quality? I'm guessing FAR FROM IT. But FOR DAMN SURE... I will not spend my money here... just because of POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE.

I am actually adding this part on to my original review SPECIFICALLY because of a what the female bartender said when I tried to pay and leave. As I sat at the bar with both my wallet and $20.00 bill in my hand, the bartender was cleaning/tidying things up. I even made eye contact with the "bar-back" who was just standing in place doing nothing but look at me, then back over to the bartender. So when I had to ASK someone if I could pay for my beer, the rude, unhelpful, female bartender came up to me and said the beer is on them and to, "Never come back"...

GO BACK? NEVER!!!

TELL ALL OF MY CUSTOMERS, FAMILY, AND FRIENDS ABOUT MY THIS PLACES POOR SERVICE & RIDICULOUS PRICES? EVERY DAY...

LAST NOTE- I even went as far to read what ther OTHER LOW REVIEWS stated. POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE is absolutely killing this nicely apointed restaurant. And from those other reviews, I think the common denominator is the bartender and waiter who have been there for...