Wineworks For Everyone — Restaurant in Mission Viejo

The first impression of Wineworks could use some work - only because the parking lot is so minuscule that we had to park across the northbound off ramp in the Fairfield Inn parking lot. Once we made our way into the restaurant, we were pleasantly surprised.

The wine list was obviously extensive, although there were not as many Italian reds as I would have hoped for (I'm going through a phase). I think what surprised me most was the food. I had checked out the menu beforehand but was not fully prepared. We tried an assortment of the shared dishes - the brussel sprouts (5 stars), the beets & burrata (wish there was more burrata) and the short rib crostini (the bone marrow could use a little more imagination). We finished off with a couple of delicious cheeses and the charcuterie plate.

The service was pretty spot on for a wine bar. Our server seemed to know just the right amount of attention that we needed. My wife asked for a super tannic red and the server delivered one that did exactly what she asked for. Our neighboring table's server was much more hands-on and talkative, but he seemed to be dealing with a couple of regulars, so if you want your server to talk to you about his currentl living situation and vacation aspirations, they can do that too.

Overall, there is a good chance that we'll return to Wineworks sooner or later. The vibe of this place is exactly what my wife and I look for when we go out in the super-chain culinary wasteland that is Orange County. ...

Wineworks has great food and a pretty good wine selection. Their recommendations are almost always spot on, they have live music and the atmosphere is nice. It is also walking distance from my house. So why the two stars?

A couple of reasons but what it really boils down to is snobbery. Twice my wife and I have arrived here early on a saturday (4:30 to 5:00 ish). The first of the two times we walked in and there was not a single patron inside, only staff. The hostess asked if we had reservations, to which we replied no. She informed us that they were booked and could not seat us but we could go to their sister restaurant next door. A little irked, we went next door and ate some not so good food and decent beer. When we walked out at 6 there were two couples seated at wineworks. The rest of the restaurant was EMPTY. So much for booked!!!

A similar thing happened a couple of months later, arrived early, almost completely empty, was told they were booked. We said we just wanted appetizers and wine so the hostess relented to seating us. We stayed and had dinner and wine for a couple of hours. When we left the restaurant was still half empty.

They think they are a much higher end establishment with much more demand than they are or have. Their wine selection is decent but nothing to write home about for the level of snobbery exuded by the front end staff.

We take the drive to Uncorked now for the better...

We always enjoy Wineworks. We love the short ribs, the fish dishes, the lamb, the amazing brie fondue+pears, the bread pudding -- nothing has disappointed us yet. But what really makes a trip to Wineworks so nice is the people who work there--attentive, warm, smart about wine/food, funny with a genuine commitment to hospitality. I think it's worth pointing out the contrast between the exteriors and interiors of this restaurant and its sister restaurant, Dublin 4, next door. It's very easy to overlook these two when driving past the rather ordinary retail/office center where they reside. It's not bad, just kind of invisible. But inside, you're in for a pleasant surprise. The two restaurants have a very different feel from one another, with Wineworks (you guessed it) a modern wine bar + gourmet American-fare restaurant, and Dublin 4 a gastro pub, w/ dressed up versions of pub food but many more sophisticated dishes. Mission Viejo, a very family-focused 'burb, has few extraordinary restaurants just for adults. So Wineworks and Dublin 4 are rarities there .... perfect for happy hour, a date, & nights when Mom & Dad need to...