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Name: Bistango
Address: 19100 Von Karman Ave, Irvine, CA, 92612
Telephone: (949) 752-5222
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.86

Bistango

19100 Von Karman Ave, Irvine, CA, 92612

(949) 752-5222
Store is closed

Bistango Menu

Appetizers

Sashimi Of Yellow Fin Tuna

Pan Seared Diver Scallops

Mexican White Prawns Cocktail

Crab And Lobster Cake

Fresh Milk Mozzarella Salad

Tartare Of Sashimi Grade Yellow Fin Tuna

Thinly Sliced Bresaola
Salads And Soups

Waldorf Salad

Lobster Louie Salad

Little Gem Lettuce Salad

Wedge Salad

Organic Baby Mixed Greens

Caesar Salad

Confit Of Muscovy Duck Leg Salad

Artichokes Watercress And Hearts Of Palm Salad

Baby Spinach Salad

Roasted Beet Salad

Sweet Garlic Soup

Soup Of The Day

Gazpacho
Seafood Salads

Mexican Shrimp Salad

Salad Nicoise
From The Baker’s Oven

Pizza A

Pizza B
Pastas And Rice

Linguine

Fettuccine

Risotto

Spaghetti

American Kobe Beef And Black Truffle Ravioli

Penne
Main Course

Seared Rare Sesame Seed Crusted Yellow Fin Tuna

Tamarind-chile Glazed Wild King Salmon

Grilled Pacific Swordfish

Pan Seared Blackened Mahi Mahi

Mushroom Crusted Alaskan Halibut

Baked Chilean Sea Bass

Sea Land And Sky Paella

Grilled Venison Short Loin

Marinated Pan Seared N.z. Lamb Chops

Grilled Prime Filet Mignon

Grilled Prime Hanger Steak

Peppered Prime Flat Iron Steak

Peppered Prime Angus Culotte Steak

Roasted Grain Mustard Marinated All Natural Mary’s Chicken
Aged Steaks And Chops

Bone-in Prime Rib Chop

Grilled “delmonico” Steak

Bone In Prime Filet Mignon

Grilled Prime N.y. Steak

45-day Dry-aged Prime N.y. Steak

Free Raised Veal Chop Mushroom Sauce
Aged Steaks And Chops - Surf To Turf

Main Lobster Tail

3 Mexican White Prawns
Side Dishes

Sautéed Asparagus

French Green Beans

Potato Au Gratin

Creamy Spinach

Jalapeno Risotto

Garlic Herbs Shoestring Fries

Lobster Mac And Cheese

Creamy White Corn

Healthy Meal suggestions for Bistango

Appetizers

Sashimi Of Yellow Fin Tuna [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pan Seared Diver Scallops [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mexican White Prawns Cocktail [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crab And Lobster Cake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fresh Milk Mozzarella Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tartare Of Sashimi Grade Yellow Fin Tuna [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Thinly Sliced Bresaola [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Salads And Soups

Waldorf Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lobster Louie Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Little Gem Lettuce Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Wedge Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Organic Baby Mixed Greens [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caesar Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Confit Of Muscovy Duck Leg Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Artichokes Watercress And Hearts Of Palm Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Baby Spinach Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Roasted Beet Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sweet Garlic Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Soup Of The Day [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Gazpacho [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Seafood Salads

Mexican Shrimp Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salad Nicoise [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
From The Baker’s Oven

Pizza A [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pizza B [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Pastas And Rice

Linguine [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fettuccine [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Risotto [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spaghetti [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

American Kobe Beef And Black Truffle Ravioli [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Penne [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Main Course

Seared Rare Sesame Seed Crusted Yellow Fin Tuna [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tamarind-chile Glazed Wild King Salmon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Pacific Swordfish [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pan Seared Blackened Mahi Mahi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mushroom Crusted Alaskan Halibut [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Baked Chilean Sea Bass [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sea Land And Sky Paella [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Venison Short Loin [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Marinated Pan Seared N.z. Lamb Chops [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Prime Filet Mignon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Prime Hanger Steak [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Peppered Prime Flat Iron Steak [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Peppered Prime Angus Culotte Steak [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Roasted Grain Mustard Marinated All Natural Mary’s Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Aged Steaks And Chops

Bone-in Prime Rib Chop [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled “delmonico” Steak [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bone In Prime Filet Mignon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Prime N.y. Steak [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

45-day Dry-aged Prime N.y. Steak [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Free Raised Veal Chop Mushroom Sauce [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Aged Steaks And Chops - Surf To Turf

Main Lobster Tail [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

3 Mexican White Prawns [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Side Dishes

Sautéed Asparagus [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

French Green Beans [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Potato Au Gratin [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Creamy Spinach [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Jalapeno Risotto [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Garlic Herbs Shoestring Fries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lobster Mac And Cheese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Creamy White Corn [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Visit below restaurant in Irvine for healthy meals suggestion.

Chili’s Grill & Bar ( 3745 Alton Pkwy )

Visit below restaurant in Irvine for healthy meals suggestion.

Chili’s Grill & Bar ( 3745 Alton Pkwy )

Write An Anonymous Review

Ashli D.

Great food & drinks! Hidden gem!!! Must visit if in town.
(5)
Ruth K.

I like this place. I took a team to dinner here after successful completion of a project. One of the "locals" in our group who had recommended the place said I definitely needed to try the garlic soup. As a garlic lover, I couldn't pass it up. We all agreed not to offend one another, so we ALL ordered it. Really, it was good and I can't wait to go back for more someday soon. The only problem with Bistango's menu is that there were so many wonderful options from which to choose, it took me quite a long time to make up my mind --- and only made more difficult by the specials our waiter listed off. Bottom line, we all had a great meal and walked out happy.
(4)
Bianca T.

I with my family had a lunch at Bistango Restaurent. I have been here previously but for the other members it was the first time. The order involved fried bread, fish, mac with salad. They were no as tasty as I had before but the salad was then good. The bread was the most delicious one and it was taken two time for every body. all of them were in a good portion.
(4)
A E.

We dined here on Saturday night 2/22. We had a wonderful evening! The drinks, food and service were all top notch. Akrum (sp?), our server, was professional and provided wonderful service. Excellent thick steaks and venison cooked to perfection! Garlic soup, gazpacho are delicious as well as the beat salad. YUM! Great bar scene with music. The restaurant has valet and is on the dressy side. Yes, the restaurant is expensive and always has been but well worth it in my opinion. My family has been dining at Bistango for 20 years. We will continue to dine here and recommend to friends!
(5)
Lauren B.

Every time i visit Bistango, i leave full and satisfied. Granted ive eaten a few dishes that I didn't absolutely love, i still rate this restaurant highly. My dad was there last night and brought home some leftovers so i indulged In them! Shrimp wrapped in bacon with some kind of yummy cilantro rice! Best. leftovers. ever! Now im dreaming of Bistango and my childhood favorite, Chocolate soufflÃ© too!
(5)
Heidi S.

Went for a very late business lunch and was very pleased. My grilled chicken and penne pasta was delicious, the scallops were the best ever (cleaned the plate), bread was too good and the iced tea had a slight peach flavor that was also quite tasty. One of our associates ordered the waldorf salad and was a little disappointed; he described it as being a little too tangy for his taste (and this guy is not at all picky). The service was excellent - the hot bread and iced tea kept coming and our meals were served quickly. Had not been to Bistango in years and will definitely return
(4)
Mike f.

For some odd reason I stopped going to Bistango a few years ago, probably due to more good restaurants closer to home, but I "rediscovered" this wonderful place last month and am going back tonight for the 3rd time in four weeks. Simply put you can't go wrong with any selection---we hosted a party of seven recently and everyone ordered different entrees, all were pleased with their choices. Especially good deal on fixed menu for $34, soup or salad, awesome mahi mahi and delicious white chocolate cake can't be beat for price and preparation. Lastly, the front of house manager Sean makes every guest feel like a VIP---what more can you ask for!!
(5)
Christine D.

If it weren't for that goddamn chocolate soufflÃ©, I would've thought this place was average. Everything was good but nothing really stood out... ..................Except for that GODDAMN chocolate soufflÃ©!!! Maybe it's because I haven't traveled to Europe yet, maybe it's because I've never tried any of Jacque Torres's chocolate goodies, & maybe I just don't like my soufflÃ©s to be very sweet but holy hell that was the BEST soufflÃ© I've EVER had. I actually finished till my spoon hit bottom and I normally cannot finish chocolate soufflÃ© because they are too sweet. Get it Get it Get it!!!!!
(4)
Danny S.

Came here for a group/company dinner. This was actually my second time dining here. The vibe is nice. They had live music playing in the lounge. Service was decent throughout the meal. My glass was refilled quickly. They have a nice private area to the side of the restaurant that was perfect for about 45-50 people. There were two options for salad and 4 for entrees (steak, fish, chicken, and veggie). I had had the mixed greens with balsamic vinegar dressing. Nothing special, and not overly drenched with dressing. I opted for the new york strip. It came with green beans and au gratin potatoes. The steak was cooked perfectly medium. The green beans were simple but well seasoned. Au gratin was good as well. They had a couple of choices for dessert (I didn't try). Not sure what they paid for this group menu, but I recalled that it wasn't terribly pricey (last timed I inquired about it). I would definitely consider this restaurant for a group event in the future.
(4)
Ray M.

I went there recently with my wife for our 32nd wedding anniversary. I never would have guessed such a great, romantic , upscale restaurant was hidden in the middle of a business district. The service is outstanding from the moment you valet your car. Once in the restaurant, the wait staff is very professional and provide excellent service. When it came time to selecting a dinner entree, our waiter was very helpful. Our server was a wine connoisseur so he was happy to recommend the proper wine to go with dinner. And by the way, when you order a glass of wine, you can get a half, full, or in-between size. The service during dinner was very attentive without being overwhelming. Best of all, the wait staff made us feel like we were very valued customers. Overall, our dinner experience was wonderful, the food was exceptional, the atmosphere was elegant and romantic, and service was amazing. What more could you ask for. I highly recommend Bistango.
(5)
Ale X.

They are not always open on weekends and don't have incredible service, but they do have great food and an artsy atmosphere (jazz band was great).
(4)
Jamie W.

Not quite a five star experience but pretty damn close. I am, however still feeling the love for Bistango this morning and we can't do the half star thing. So, on a whim hubby and I decided to try something new. Daring, right? So he searched Yelp for something in Irvine and came up with Bistango. Yeah, yeah, yeah it's in Irvine. One of my least favorite OC cities because everything just seems so... planned, so buttoned up and so, so vanilla. But don't be turned off by the outer corporate park feel... Bistango's dining room is both classy and comfortable with interesting art and an upscale clientele. We started by sharing the ahi tartare. Yes, it's cliche, but we like it and Bistango's tartare is quite possibly my favorite ever. The chili vinaigrette is to die for. The generous serving of tuna is the star here and not overshadowed by a bunch of mango, edamame and sprouts like some restaurants do tartare. For my entree I had the swordfish which was served with a lemon risotto and olive tapenade. Delicious but the risotto itself didn't strike me as being made of real arborio rice. Hubby had the paella. He raved about the shrimp but did say that he wished the rice component was more "molten". I tasted it and it was very flavorful but kind of came off like pilaf. The servings were moderate to large. We both had leftovers which for us is very rare at a restaurant like this. We rarely order dessert but on this occasion we shared the profiteroles. Definitely an OMG moment. I would have been very happy to swim in that vanilla bean ice cream if someone let me. The service aspect of Bistango was impeccable and really, quite on par with some of the more upscale dining experiences we have had recently. The waiter and busboys were polite and friendly without being too intrusive. No problem with the valet parking. I did think it was funny though how they parked the nice cars up front and the not so nice cars in the further lot. Our 750i was right between a Lamborghini and a 911. I really felt like the underdog. There was no charge except for a tip. Bistango was most definitely a great find and I look forward to trying the other Dining as Art restaurants.
(5)
Ulysses J.

I was here with a group in the bar. This is a very stylish looking place. The environment and service were nice, the food selection was small, the only thing I saw that appealed to me they were out of so I didn't eat. The drinks were good. The service was good. The waitress was nice. That all said, this is kind of high priced. The "small plates" which I know is the style nowadays. Oh well. At these prices there is not much to distinguish this from a thousand other places in the neighborhood, most of which have happy hour so you can save a few bucks and order more freely. That's what I like to do by the way, if there is a good happy hour with good prices they generally find I spend more! They should have an aggressive happy hour menu with discounts on food and drink like many of their neighbors do. I don't think I will be hurrying back. Too bad. Don't get me wrong, Bistango is a nice place. I'd come back if a group was coming here that I wanted to mingle with. A friend and I went out for a taco after Bistango. Heh.
(3)
Eric C.

Place feels dated. The food and cocktails are good.
(4)
Ariana M.

Bistango never fails to impress. Their service is immaculate and the food is always delicious. I usually order the pesto pizza but I have had the watermelon salad. Both are delicious! My boyfriend usually orders the flat iron steak, duck confit salad, or the steak sandwich and he loves them all... and he is hard to impress....especially when it comes to meat. UPDATE I just had to raise my rating from 4 stars to 5. I've been several times since my review and their service is always exceptional. The maitre d' always welcomes us and comes to our table to see how we are doing. They are very attentive and make me feel like I'm one of their VIP diners. The food is also consistent and never disappoints.
(5)
Brandon S.

Went in the other night on a Monday with a group of 6 and ate at the bar. The location is pretty strange, hidden is a business area of Irvine but the food was fantastic! The restaurant has a very upscale look and feel. We ordered off the bar menu which has a sampling of the regular menu in smaller portions. I have to note that the bartender, Brent, was excellent and the drinks were fantastic. We will all certainly return to have a real sit down dinner from the full menu. We all shared the following- -mac and cheese...decadent with either lobster or prawns -cheese and beef.... a large portion of perfectly cooked tender beef with a wonderful melted cheese on top -duck confit slider... this was awesome, I love duck and this was just fantastic -sweet garlic soup....delicious creamy sweet garlic soup....not lo-cal!
(4)
Brian C.

I had high expectations given the price. My Risotto was only good . The bacon wrapped shrimp was delicious, but the rice itself was hard and undercooked. The corn in the risotto was misplaced. It really didn't go with the dish at all. The souffle was definitely the best part of the meal.
(3)
Rico O.

Happy Hour at Bistango is an excellent value with a great atmosphere. Between 5pm to 9pm (not 5pm to close, as stated on their website) all tapas listed on their happy hour menu is $5 each. They also have $5 martini specials and the portion of their menu which reads "Main Course Small Plates" are served 1/2 portion, 1/2 price during that time as well. Since the tapas portions are indeed small, ordering numerous plates will quickly turn an otherwise cheap outing to a pricey affaire. So don't come here for the happy hour starving, hoping to have an inexpensive meal. In fact, I had dinner before hand and arrived to have a two plates and two drinks. At $20, it was incredibly reasonable given the quality & variety, especially since my friends like to share as well. ;) As for the quality of the culinary fare, the items we tried hovered around "average" to "above average", but definitely worth the $5 price tag each - if not more. We sat outside since it was a beautiful night and we wanted to escape the noise generated by the jazz cover band that plays on Friday nights. The Brazilian downtempo music they piped into the patio area gave it a cool, chic lounge vibe. So, try to sit outdoors if possible.
(4)
V L.

Tonight, I was looking forward to a long overdue date night with my husband, having a toddler and finding a babysitter can be difficult. We were looking forward to eating the tapas and the chocolate souffle that everyone raved about on yelp. However, we ended up walking out of this restaurant because the service was absolutely horrible. If you're going to spend a lot of money at a restaurant, you should at least get decent service. We arrived and there were three parties waiting ahead of us at the host station. There was no host/hostess to be found for about 5 minutes. One of the guests (clearly upset as well) had to go track down someone to find the host. The host finally came, telling the party ahead of us, "it will be another few minutes" and then disappeared again without helping the rest of us who were waiting there! When he finally came back, he said he couldn't find our reservation and that it would be "another few minutes". No apology, no friendliness or courteousness. After waiting ANOTHER 10 minutes, we finally got seated....right at the very back corner of the back patio at the back of the restaurant. A waiter came, gave us menus, and disappeared for 10 minutes. We only asked for water, and the water never came. The waiter went around to every table around us offering bread, giving drinks, and yet, we got nothing! When he finally came to take our order, we asked about the tapas and he said that it's only served in the bar area, first come, first served. I definitely was not about to wait another minute for anything in this place! At that point, I was so upset that we just walked out and yelped another tapas restaurant in the area. Don't go here unless you expect to be treated like crap. I don't even want to try the food. It's not worth it.
(1)
Andy H.

One of my favorite restaurants in Orange County. The service is fantastic, from entering the valet to the greeting from the host to the waiter. The food is fabulous and they have a great variety on their menu. some of my favorites are the Grain Mustard Chicken, The Lamb Chops, the shrimp pizza and the garlic soup. The souffle is a fabulous dessert choice. You can't go wrong here with anything.
(5)
Jeff R.

Bit late with this review, but so it goes! Better late than never! Had dinner on Christmas eve here. It was curious to see the restaurant in the middle of such a business-park area near John Wayne airport like this, but we arrived very early. Complimentary valet parking was a nice perk. The bar was nearly deserted as we awaited a table (they had just opened for dinner service). Bar area is sedate and relaxing, with reasonably priced drinks, which surprised me for this area of Irvine. Place looks like it regularly caters to business clientele, and this close to the airport would suggest things be ludicrously over priced. Upscale, yes, but not overpriced!. Pleasantly discovered this was not he case. It was also refreshing to find a bartender that didn't skimp on the potency of the drinks! My extra-dry Manhattan was delivered precisely as that: extra dry! Table service was very nice. Appetizers of a fresh, crusty bread was heavenly. For an appetizer, we tried the divers scallops. Perfectly seared over rice with a mango rice and chutney. Tried the mixed green salad, and do not regret it! The addition of various nuts to the greens perfectly complimented the house vinaigrette-based dressing. Not over dressed, just right! Enough to allow the complex bitter and fresh flavors of mixed greens to work well. Wine selection was appreciable, if not impressive. Expect to pay for this too. Price list was appreciable, if not impressively high. Our waitress didn't do very well in knowing wines, nor offered to find someone more experienced with wine pairings. We decided not to get a bottle of anything. Wine at those prices should include a sommelier or at least a knowledgeable staff member to help with selection. Tried the New York strip. Aged and delicious. Was very pleased with it and would definitely get it again next time I visit. One of the better steaks I've had in a restaurant. Price was reasonable, but nothing close to "Ruth's Chris" prices. This is upscale dining at reasonable prices. Pleased with our decision to visit and will be back.
(4)
Sheila E.

Nothing but.. Best food Best taste Best service... Well done guys for being consistent for over a decade.
(5)
Jacqui S.

Awesome food, service a tentative, ambiance very nice. This a place for a special occasion and be prepare to spend a little money. Try the diver scallops and the Kobe beef ravioli. Was not thrilled with the chocolate cake, a biter under done, it was almost like a molten chocolate cake gone wrong.
(4)
Joanne N.

Went here for happy hour w/a girlfriend. Definitely not a place for the 30 and unders. Martinis were bomb, as long as you specify how you want it. They have live music on Thursday nights which kept us there for a second round of drinks. You can't go wrong with live jazz and martinis! Only ordered fries and they were delicious!! No dipping sauce needed! Bartender asked for my ID, fine ok...but he didn't ask my gf who is actually the same age as me! I think that's just plain rude, hope it didn't make her feel bad. Other than that, the bartender was cool. The outside area looks super cute, would come back for dinner and for the ambience...but this time w/the partner.
(3)
Clayton J.

Memories.... I remember when, this restaurant was on La Cienaga, Restaurant Row, Beverly Hills; wait staff were young and leggy.. fantastic night scene, used to be our hang out scene after Vball on Friday nights However, this is far removed from the LALA land of lore. It sits in the cookie cutter Urban planned land in the OC, known as Irvine... "monitored by the Irvine corporation" LOL! Reminds me of the experiment known as Rancho Bernardo and the rest, in the Kingdoms to the South... Bistango, has mellowed with age... The wait staff are all seasoned professionals, not the part-timers of the past. Customer service, seems have become their credo. They are quite good, my secondary waiter seemed to be a trainee, but, the primary one seemed to step up when the trainee came up a little short in some instances.. I tried all of their recommended dishes, ... solid I selected the first reservation, so, I was able to mill about and enjoy some of the art work located in various places about the restaurant... it's actually a very big location, taking a bit of the walkway and outer area, for patios on separate wings of the Professional tower that it resides on the ground floor. Drinks! None, since I had a long way to drive back home Must have had the Prix Fixe menu.. Garlic Soup, right on! Filet Minon, right on, Dessert, Right on! A solid yes for me, despite some naysayers, I have read from the reviews before I stepped in to the joint. There is a valet area, since I came quite early, while the sun was high in the sky, there was a rather small self park lot to the left, as you come up the drive, to the right is the Valet; so, that's where I parked. Memories are great! This restaurant is doing good, but far from where I am. I enjoyed myself. If, I am ever in town, I will drop in if I want a good meal..
(4)
Vanessa L.

This place never fails to serve me a great dish and spectacular service. I have visited this restaurant many times during lunch with my boss/colleagues or with clients. I have tried a few things on the menu and have not been disappointed yet. Noon is their busiest and they still offer great service. I have not been here for happy hour but, expect another review once I do. I highly recommend this place. Buon appetito!
(5)
Yum E.

I like their gallery like ambiance. Eating next to those paintings in a semi open atrium patio is the highlight of the meal. The food is good too and reasonably priced. They've been around for many years so I hope they stick around.
(4)
Elizabeth O.

I have been here many times in the past, but I just went recently on a Friday night. Live music, great wine, and a decent happy hour ($6 house martinis-and I was there after 8pm). The bar area is pretty small and it can get crowded, so don't expect to get a seat. Free valet parking and a classy atmosphere top it off!
(4)
Drew P.

This started off as the office lunch spot for a stock Brokerage company I worked for in this building back in 2000. Steak sandwiches were always good back then and Happy Hour had its following. On a recent dinner night I felt reintroduced to its grandeur. Expect great service from the time you enter the parking lot to valet, are greated and seated by the host/ess inside, and finally throughout your delictable (sp) meal. All the dishe were exceptional... Garlic and Asparagus soup - Check, Pasta with Steak - Check, Capresse - Check, Souffle - Double Check!! :) Atmosphere is moderately-lit and intimate.
(5)
Nicole D.

Went here for Christmas Eve dinner, but we got there a little bit early for our reservation and sat in the bar for a couple of cocktails. The bar area is very comfortable and the bartender knows what he's doing. I ordered a White Russian (which was bigger than I normally receive when I order them, and very tasty but strong) and my boyfriend ordered a Manhattan which he said was very well made and exactly what he ordered (extra dry...in his experience hardly anyone gets this right, but the Bistango bartender did!). The price per drink was about $7-8 per, which is what I'd expect of a high end bar, and they were well worth it. We sat at our table and were immediately served super tasty fresh bread which was super crunchy on the outside, warm, and soft on the inside. We kept polishing off the bread pretty quickly, I wish we were asked for bread refills more often than we were, we felt like we had to chase people down to ask about bread. We ordered the divers scallops appetizer which came with pan seared scallops that were sliced in half (so they were thinner) over a bed of rice with mango chutney and wasabi. I will come back to this restaurant JUST for this dessert. The scallops were so buttery in texture and the flavors mingled so perfectly, and for an appetizer it was fairly large. Three of us shared it just fine and felt we got a really great taste of something wonderful. There were plenty of scallops as well. I would order this myself on its own for a meal. The wine list is a bit pricey, and for the cost I honestly wish our waitress knew more about the wines. I've been to other fine dining establishments and its generally pretty expected that the server can recommend something but I didn't feel like our server knew much about it, which was really disappointing as when I eat out at a nice restaurant I also go for the experience of having the waitstaff recommend wine parings and favorites. The least expensive sauvignon blanc on the by-the-glass option was $10 for a 9 oz for reference. Both men in my party ordered the New York strip which was aged to perfection and outside of Ruth's Chris was the best steak either of us have ever tasted. It was seasoned perfectly, cooked exactly how they wanted it. Next time I think I'm going to get this choice. The steaks came topped with mushrooms but didn't come with any sides outside of the salad they brought before the steak, which had mixed nuts and an oil and vinegar dressing. I got the Chilean Sea Bass which had mixed reviews on here. It was good, and I enjoyed it, but if you tasted the fish by itself it was kind of "meh", if you ate a bite of the fish with a bite of the mushroom and asparagus risotto, the flavors sang. So, if you're the type to eat each thing individually instead of mixing a bite, this one probably isn't for you, but if you like to try a bit of everything all at once, you will enjoy it. The risotto was described as "wild" mushroom, which it is not. These were button mushrooms. Still good though! The concord grape reduction was tasty, but there could have been more of it, possibly put over the fish, as the fish was needing some kind of sauce/acid to go with it, and I think if there was more of the reduction that would have solved that issue. Overall everything was fantastic, we will definitely be returning! Next time I'm going to get a steak.
(4)
Mike P.

Overall pretty good. Food was fresh and very tasty. The service was very attentive, yet there were a LOT of mistakes made. For example, the elderly couple sitting next to us were regulars, yet somehow their reservation in the computer was lost and they could not have their regular table. Then the waiter offered the lady "some reading material" aka the menu. She said "I dont need it". The waiter said "Oh, got it all memorized?" She said "No, I'm blind!". These are regular customers, the waiter should have known they were blind. Then when their drinks came out, they were wrong. Also, our waiter (same guy as above) didn't know that you hand the menu to the woman before the man. He made the same mistake with our dinner menue and our dessert menus. When our food came (2 steak) they forgot the appetizers. You would think that the food server, upon bringing out 2 entrees without any side orders, would double check that. Instead we had to wait while our side orders were cooked after our steaks. At most restaurants when they clean the bread crumbs off your table, they are scooped into the waiter's hand. Here, they were just brushed onto the floor. On the plus side, they did offer us 2 free desserts to make up for it. Although, when a souffle is going to take 30 min to make, most other restaurants advise you that at the time you order your dinner so they can get started on it. They didn't do that here.
(2)
Karen E.

Loved everything!! Our waiter, Gary was wonderful recommending some delicious menu items. Garlic soup, lobster Mac & Cheese were to die for! Great hospitality and many menu items to choose from! We will be back!!
(5)
Garrett M.

I recently had the marinated hanger steak salad and thought it was great. I'll definitely come back for lunch to have this dish again.
(4)
G M.

Good appetizers and decent pours.
(4)
Carrie B.

I haven't been in years but was meeting a couple friends and wanted somewhere close to the freeway so suggested we meet here. We sat in the bar, it wasn't crowded, there were some musicians playing which was nice. Had the roasted beet and carrot salad which was fantastic. We also shared the spicy chicken pizza that was also very good. Service was excellent and the atmosphere very nice. The restaurant is very large and they have a nice patio as well. I will definitely come here again.
(5)
Cynthia B.

Great place for a business lunch! I go here about once a month for a working lunch, and am always happy with the quality. The fish is always great, but I usually stick with the pre-fixe meal of soup or salad and a main course. This is plenty of food, and the two courses time a business meal nicely. Soups - try the garlic soup or the gaspazcho. Salads - the ceasar is awesome, and so is the regular garden salad. Mains - Scallops, Ahi, or the seafood salad never disappoint! Also, they have a nice happy hour for the business crowd, and each night has a different special. Check their website for the latest!
(4)
Janie K.

Can't stop thinking about the bone-in filet mignon, au gratin potatoes, mixed green salad, and the to-die-for chocolate decadence cake!! Took my boyfriend for his birthday and it was such a fine time, fine meal, and classy service. It's definitely worth the price!
(5)
Diana D.

I went here for a girl's night out. We had dinner in the patio area. It was a bit dark where they seated us, we could barely see the food. It was a group of about 10 but the server didn't remember a lot of our request. It was happy hour and we went off the tapas menu. I enjoy the Thai salad, shrimp, and scallop. The duck sliders were a bit dry, and the beet salad has vinegar and carrots which was a bit odd for me. The one think I really enjoyed was the souffle!!! Wow. Just melts in your melt. I liked the Grand Marnier over the chocolate one. Excellent Excellent. I order vanilla ice cream to pair with the delectable dessert, but the waiter forgot to bring it out! :( and when she went back to get it, it was melted a little already. It was probably waiting too long for her to grab in the back. But at the end, dessert is my thing. And I would come back just for dessert!
(3)
Kelly K.

The older bartender (white, in his 60's) during Happy Hour was unbelievably condescending and rude.
(1)
Les L.

Their Nicoise Salad has gone budget. They used to provide a few 1.5" wide and 4" long strips of seared ahi and now they do .75" wide strips. Also, the quality seems worse since I remembered them ruby red and that is no longer. I take back what I said about their garlic soup not being garlicky. Apparently I had bad garlic breath all day after that meal. Love love the creamy soup and crisp croutons. Tried a few new dishes: the FETTUCINE with filet mignon and mushrooms is excellent though a bit rich.
(3)
Ryan M.

OC Happy Hour Week ended last night, what I should have considered despite the appealing $5.00 drink/tapas meal until 9pm last night, should have also looked at the three course prix-fixe menu (White Chocolate Cheesecake w/Oreo Cookie Crust and Vanilla sauce FTW). In any case, I came here with a companion of mine and we discussed about what tasty morsels to try out. Our friendly and personable Bartender (calls herself Dee), came up to us and took our orders: Drinks -2 orders of Blue Ice Vodka Martinis -2 orders of Blue Ice Appletinis Tapas -1 order of Curry Marinated Lamb Chops w/ Mashed Potatoes and Kalamata Olive Sauce -1 order of Russian Salad; consists of: assorted vegetables, with Fingerling Potatoes and Fully Cooked Tuna -1 order of Fried Breaded Brie Cheese w/ Strawberry-Black Pepper Sauce -1 order of King Salmon Skewer w/ Chili Vinaigrette -1 order of Fried Calamari w/ Chipotle Aioli The drinks were all pretty potent, although if I weren't sick to my stomach earlier yesterday, I would have probably thrown back a bit more on my account. My companion enjoyed their Appletinis (the potency increased over time, according to them). The Tapas ranged from appetizing to mediocre at best. The Calamari, was chewy and rubbery somewhat (should have been crispier, and thicker as me and my companion agreed). Then came the Russian Salad, which also would have been better had they utilized Ahi, instead of regular Tuna (even Blue Fin would have sufficed), but that's probably asking too much considering this is a $5.00 steal. The best tapas of the night were the brie cheese, salmon skewer, and lamb chops. Brie was lightly breaded, fruity, and mild. The skewer had the fish oils blended with the chili for a nice complimentary after taste and dip. While the lamb chops gave the meaning to Anthony Hopkins's performance of Silence of The Lambs. Quietly, pacing ourselves throughout the entire meal, enjoying this succulent dish and the rest of our tapas and drinks. This gave way to many highlights of the night from good conversation, a senior citizen ballroom inebriation, and funny assumptions. Overall, the meal costs $65.00 with tax and tip, and it was quite worth it. I hope next time to try their actual restaurant menu in the future. The Happy Hour bonanza was satisfying enough, while the rest of the good night came to an even more eventful closing. Cheers!
(4)
Frankie G.

Costa Mesa CA: First the waiter was a jerk. He kept shaking his head every time we asked him for something or asked him a question. On the bill it says Noah M. but not sure if this was the guy. Tall, white, and slicked back hair. Anyway I started with the scallops which was a yawn fest and fishy. The Mahi Mahi was okay. Lastly the Pumpkin cheese cake was terrible.
(2)
Si I.

Complimentary Valet Local art work were on display and also for sale from a nearby museum. They had a live band going. Definitely an older crowd. It wasn't too loud and too dark for a fancy place. Waiter was good, been working there for 11 years and the business been around for 25 years. The menu looked delicious. I ordered from their prix fix selection. Garlic soup is their signature soup (good). I also ordered the filet. The steak was cooked to the right temperature, i like it pink(medium) but i didn't like the sauce. Wife got the salmon and she enjoyed it. For the most part, we all enjoyed our food and time there. It does meet expectation and I'll most likely go back. Bring some money though, it's not cheap.
(4)
Paul D.

Great space with cool artwork but the food is average to below average. Do not understand the reviews. It is mid line ahi, steaks, and salads with a premium price. King slamon was cooked well, so either not king salmon or the kitchen staff doesn't pay attention. Think it is the latter: kitchen staff (open kitchen is cool) is talking and laughing with servers and clearly not paying attention to food. It is okay for those who do not know how to cook but if you like Marche, Juliette, and Charlie Palmers, I would avoid this old school establishment. Better bet for Happy Hour and small plates in the bar. Good for out of towners who don't know any better.
(2)
Nic S.

I am new to Orange County (formerly from Perth, Australia) and was missing food I was familiar with. So after stumbling on a few positive reviews on Yelp, I headed out to Bistango with my fiance. It was great and well worth it. We had the Clam Chowder (Soup of the Day) and the Bresaola as our appetizers....which was fantastic. And the Filet and Half Rack of lamb for Mains. I tasted my fiances Filet and the meat literally melted in my mouth. My lamb was great and tender too. The restaurant has very nice ambiance- soft lighting, live jazz band and friendly waitpersons. I would definitely recommended this place to others!!
(5)
Jonathan Y.

I should have done the happy hour thing, but last minute decided to sit in the restaurant because my FRIEND (this is important) decided she wanted to try the actual food. Well, food was okay, the crab-lobster cakes were pretty decent, not the best I've had but far from the worst. The swordfish I ordered was cooked pretty well too, not too tough and just rare enough on a bed of sweet basmati rice and baby greens. The waiter was bragging about how there were TWO medallions in this plate, and as I'm looking at this plate I was thinking about how for almost 30 bucks there sure as hell better be more than one ipod sized filet. The ambiance when I first walked in was nice, it wasn't too bright but wasn't too dim either, and there was a live band with an old couple slow dancing together which was incredibly charming. However, I felt like the waiter was trying way too hard to be classy. He kept placing the silverware in certain positions, kept bugging the hell out of us (or rather my "date") about sushi, sashimi, etc etc trying to make cute lil jokes all the time. All that was ...fine, I could have ignored it. What killed everything was towards the end of the night, he handed me the bill and I handed him my credit card right away. His remark was "Oh you guys must want to get out of here fast, must be your first date" and then he WINKED at me. Don't wink at me. Don't make suggestive, slightly vulgar, awkward comments. At no time during this meal did I show any kind of affection towards my friend. She could be my sister for all you know!
(2)
Matt H.

Undercooked the filet twice. Ended up not eating. Well done means no pink. Ruth's cris never gets it wrong.
(1)
erica j.

Bistango is tucked away off Von Karman. I lived within a mile for over a year and had never heard of it until my friend asked if I wanted to grab a drink there. The valet outside is silly since there is not a problem finding a space another 10 feet away. I like the restaurant layout. There is a nice bar where it is easy to have a private conversation. There are some interesting pieces of artwork that look like bali fusion scenese. There is live music and surprisingly, many couples were dancing to the piano. Dining gives you the option to sit both outside and inside. The kitchen opens into the inside dining room to view. We sat in the bar. I was really surprised their happy hour extended until 9pm. We weren't eating but I glanced through the menu. There are many meat dishes that around around $30. Apparently if you like Maestros, you will like Bistangos... which means I am going to have to return for dinner. Defn recommend you check this out especially if you need to talk business.
(4)
Lisa G.

I love Bistangos! Both the dining room and bar are great places to hang out. The wine list is comprehensive enough to meet everyone's needs and it is priced right. The food is always delicious. Love the small plates in the bar! Service is always over the top! PLEASE update the band! There is an unmet demand for dance music in the 35 to 55 year old range. You are shooting for the 50 to 70 crowd. Your place will be hopping at night with an affluent crowd if you go with a more hip band. A better band gets you a five star rating!
(4)
Christine L.

Let me just start off by saying, I am NEVER returning to this restaurant ever again. If I could give this place a 0 star or 1/2 star, I would. Instead, I have to settle with a 1. You got lucky, Bistango. For the price range, one would expect better food and better service. Was the food worth the price? No. One word to describe it: MEDIOCRE. Was the service good? Absolutely not. Whoever our server was, she did a darn good job at making sure our party of 16 will never come back. She had 3 strikes. Let's take a look at them, shall we? 1) She spilled some sauce on one of my friends when she served him his entree. 2) She didn't include the gratuity on our bill because she forgot. We decided to just double the tax and tip her $64 since the tax was $32. She came back and told us she forgot to include the gratuity on our bill and that we were supposed to tip her $80. EXCUSE ME? We're "SUPPOSED" to tip you after you messed up? Correct me if I'm wrong, but it doesn't seem like proper etiquette for a server to tell their guests how much they're "supposed" to tip. We left her $64 anyway. 3) Are you ready for the cherry on top? The 16 of us decided it would be easiest for the server if we paid all on one bill instead of doing separate checks. The majority of our party paid in cash, and there were 3 people who decided to use their debit cards. Well, I don't know how or WHAT the server did, but she charged $407.29 on my best friend's debit card when she was only supposed to charge around $30. Now how the HECK do you do that? Especially with a fat stack of cash laying with the cards!? My best friend checked her bank statement a few days later, saw the charge, and called the restaurant to straighten it out. Instead, she was greeted with the manager who gave her an attitude even AFTER he admitted it was their fault. She finally got it straightened out and SHOULD be getting her money back. If not, you can bet we're all going to raise hell. Good job, Bistango, good job. You've received a big fat F in all of our books. NEVER. AGAIN. P.S. Your restroom sucks.
(1)
Leon K.

Bistango is a treasure of a restaurant. The tapas menu is fantastic. Beef tenderloin skewer was so good that I believe it may convert a few vegetarian fans to carnivores. Tuna tartar had a bit too much acidity and not enough heat. Could very well be spicier without losing the primary flavors. Plan to return ... and soon.
(4)
Carol A.

Yes, it's visual eye candy with original art on every available space of the walls, lots of interesting seating areas in an open atrium building, and some nooks for private parties. But, the food was just okay and was not enough of a draw to bring me back for another time. I had the filet mignon which I ordered medium rare and received medium well side (I would have been fine with medium, but not medium well). The sides lacked flavor and presentation for what I expect in this price range. Spinach salad was oily (maybe a bit of balsamic would be nice) and the mashed potatoes were very bland. Our group included 10 people and the service was very prompt and attentive. Most in my party had the signature garlic soup which everyone enjoyed. Other guests were happy with his pumpkin ravioli and the swordfish. Overall, it was worth a first visit...but not a second.
(3)
Jun H.

I had made reservations on Open Table and included a note, informing the restaurant that I would be coming by for dessert. The restaurant would have been difficult to find if it weren't for the neon sign along the road. It is located on the lower floor of an office building and inside, bright red umbrellas shield it from the corporate offices above. With limited vision at night, I found the parking lot to be quite small but the option of self-parking was welcomed nonetheless. When I arrived at the podium, I told the hostess that I had a reservation and gave her my name. The manager, or so I thought he was the manager, just happened to walk by and the hostess said to him, "Oh, these are the ones who're just here for dessert." I was a slightly taken aback but said nothing as the manager led my party silently to a table. He said absolutely nothing at all, set down our dessert menus and walked away. When our waitress stopped by, I immediately asked for a dinner menu. We had just eaten dinner so me and my boyfriend shared a Chilean sea bass which came with a side of killer risotto. The sea bass was okay. Maybe it just wasn't my thing as I am partial to fatty fish. Then we got our dessert: tiramisu for him and "chocolate decadence" for me. The presentation was gorgeous. A hard-chocolate swirl ensconced his cocoa-powder ladened tiramisu, and the chocolate decadence was three blocks of carefully placed chocolate atop a river of pistachio creme anglaise. The waitress even gave me a knife, which at first was puzzling but later proved useful when it was discovered that my chocolate blocks were more like chocolate rocks. And extremely sweet chocolate rocks for that matter. Oh, and the pistachio creme anglaise. Subtle, liquid flavor that I could drink buckets of. ------ The second time I visited was in the company of co-workers and the lunch hour proved to be rather busy. We were seated promptly but our waiter hardly came to check on us. I ordered a pesto pizza this time and it was mediocre. It was large enough for me to finish in two sittings. ----- I attempted to visit a third time for dessert, again, and made a reservation on Open Table. As I was heading out the door, I received a call from the restaurant, informing me that the kitchen has closed for the night. Thumbs up for saving me a trip to Irvine.
(4)
Kiran J.

I wish there was a clear distinction that their tapas menu was offered in the bar menu only. Other than that it was great! Great lamb chops, harvest salad and vino!
(4)
Taylor H.

Food is great. Cocktail waitresses are the nicest and cutest around. If you're sitting in the bar area I suggest ordering the Flat Iron Steak off the bar menu. It's cheap and absolutely delicious, but make sure you order it rare or medium-rare.
(5)
Yuri F.

Went here for happy hour before a show at UCI and best happy hour in Irvine! We started with some 5$ good, strong drinks and had a few appetizers. Then dinner outside and it was just wonderful. They even had a guy outside grilling steaks. If you're ever in town I recommend you stop buy for happy hour.
(4)
Alex A.

Very good garlic soup - I know that sounds vile but its one of the best things there period. Also they have a Zinfandel with hints of strawberry that is out of this world. They have a very surly wine captain that thinks he's works for the queen or something but apart from that this place is aces.
(4)
Rachel T.

Okay I am going to break it down as follows. First and foremost when we write our reviews we write from the heart and review our experience and nothing else. Upon entering the parking lot I was very pleased with the valet service. Very attentive on point and very courteous. Upon entering the establishment I must say I was highly impressed with the ambiance. Wow ! I love it, very classy and very clean. The set up is so perfect. Not the overloaded crowded space you normally see in these high end establishments. A booth private and spacious. Great service and very attentive. The menu is to die for, so many good things and so little time. Our server was great and made some great suggestions. Our food from the appetizer to the meal and to the dessert was fabulous. I see here where someone spoke about the music and I must say I loved the music and the musicians. Very upbeat and lively. There is a downfall to this wonderful experience. There was a gentleman there who was the busboy and he seem to have a bad attitude. At first I was not sure. Then he came to clear our table and we told him three times that all of our food was to be packed up and taken home. We had a good amount of leftovers from our dinner. He brings a bag back with only two of our dishes. We had instructed him to pack up four items. He handed me the bag and all I saw was two packages with two of the four items. Then to add insult to injury he threw in three loaves of unwrapped bread. Hard and just thrown in the bag. We approached our server about our concern for the missing food and he said no problem I will handle it. He returns in a timely manner and tells us he is sorry the food is gone bye bye and the kitchen is closed and could he buy us dessert. :(:(:( ...So we agreed, but thought minutes later it was their fault and he should have comped us the food they threw away. We only thought this ,we did not suggest it but he said sorry come and see me again and I will take care of you. This was a classy place but I felt as though they dropped the ball on this. I loved this place and will be back again, I am sorry that I did not know about this place sooner.
(4)
George U.

I came here for a business dinner and found the place engaging. A bit odd with the art and being in a semi open area of an office building, but nice. The server was engaging and I enjoyed him, but I could tell he was a bit green to the restaurant when he recommended a few entrees.
(4)
Nancy F.

We rented out the restaurant for our son's bar mitzvah party for 130+ people on a Saturday afternoon. The food, the service, and the ambience were all perfect. Ray, the manager, has worked at Bistango for many years and he ensured that our event ran smoothly. We served the tapas buffet and the food was plentiful and beautifully displayed. It included lamb chops, beef and chicken skewers, bresaola, smoked salmon, salads, and more. Many people commented to me that the food was the best they have had at a bar mitzvah.
(5)
Diandra M.

Bistango really isn't my kind of place for a casual afternoon lunch. This is the kind of place I'd probably want to go if I needed to expense a lunch with business partners. The food was definitely great, I had the special that day: a California sea bass with lemon risotto. I'd eat it any damn day. It makes me hungry just thinking about it. The service was okay, I would expect more for this kind of restaurant, especially considering it wasn't even half full. I would have given it a higher rating had the environment been more relaxed (I expected Gordon Gekko or Patrick Bateman to walk out at any moment) and had the service been better.
(3)
Yumi C.

Bistango is great for lunch and dinner. However, their happy hour is pretty hard to beat with low prices for good food, late into the evening. Don't be thrown off by it being on the first floor of an office building near no visible nightlife. Great food, great staff, and great music. The nightly live jazz music is a great accompaniment to the delicious food. The outdoor patio area is also very nice, but you can't hear the music very well there. You must try it when you feel like a relaxed classy time worth every dollar!
(5)
tina p.

My girlfriends and I went here for Valentine's Day - to celebrate singles awareness day. ;) When we walked in to the bar area, we saw a couple leaving, they heard that we were there for happy-hour and informed us that there is no happy-hour that night. We felt descriminated as single people and turned back toward the front door. We stopped and asked the hostess if we can just order drinks at the bar??? She said "Of course! we just don't have a happy hour menu tonight.". Whew! I thought our night was ruined. We sat at the bar and ordered regular priced cocktails. The bartender was extremely friendly. He had a huge vase of red roses, and was giving a rose to each woman that sat at the bar that night. What a thoughtful idea, and very classy! Five stars for their customer service. :)
(5)
Kell N.

Was here for a friend's birthday on a Saturday night. How we even got seats in this damn place, I'll never know. Business was BOOMING in there. Interesting mix of very young people (like myself) and the elderly folks. The service was kinda slow but I'm gonna cut them some slack on this one because there were like two people serving the entire room and they did a pretty good job despite that. People at the table were sharing a watermelon salad which was interesting in itself. I had a couple bites of it and it was interesting. Not my kinda thing though. I had the burger (off the bar menu) with bacon, cheese, and onions... with shoestring fries. The flavor was phenomenal - I definitely wasn't expecting that from a place like this. The burger was kind of small, though a pretty good portion size. I wasn't left hungry so that wasn't an issue. The cheese, bacon, and onions all had great flavor on their own. The bread was soft and fresh; a little crunchy on the edges. I really enjoyed it. It was strange, because it was delicious and had lots of sauce on it, but wasn't a messy burger at all. I think that's part of what I liked about it. It wasn't falling apart when I held it. Whoever "built it" did a great job, lol. I would definitely recommend it for the burger lovers out there. The shoestring fries were also tasty as hell. Overall, I'd said the food's very good, albeit a little pricey, in this cool restaurant/art exhibit. I walked around for a little bit while waiting for my food looking at the art. Cool things in there.
(4)
Yvette P.

A place with good service and and consistently good food. Excellent date place, except when they have live music playing because then it is hard to talk. The bands, though not great, can be fun for a group. Crowd is a little bit older, so it is a nice place to avoid the college crowd. They can't afford to eat there anyway. For happy hours, they have a nice selection of menu items which are actually really reasonable. In the summer, a large group can sit together outside and hang out for lovely night.
(4)
Quantum Gastronomy X.

What a ripoff!! This place is focused way more on the decor and the art on the wall than the food, which is decent, but far from what one would expect from a place that charges the kind of prices they do. An example of the total contempt they have for their patrons: My wife and I ordered Shrimp Cocktail as an appetizer. It was $16.90. I kid you not. You must have some pair of cojones to charge that kind of money for a Shrimp Cocktail. But, it was a night out, so I thought, "Why not? I'll bet it's a REALLY great Shrimp Cocktail!" The Shrimp Cocktail, for which they charge $16.90, had THREE (3) pieces of shrimp in it. Honestly, I should have sent it back as soon as it arrived. This is offensive on so many levels, but I'll try to be concise. At a place that purports to be a "Fine Dining" establishment, the customer should be able to trust the restaurant to be fair with them. This is not McDonald's, where you know in advance whether you're going to get 6, 9, or 20 Chicken McNuggets. When I saw that the Shrimp Cocktail cost 16.90, I assumed I was going to get a reasonable amount of shrimp for that price. I didn't ask the waiter "How many shrimp are in it?" because that isn't something you should have to ask at a fine dining establishment. If you're at the kind of place where you have to ask how many pieces of something you're getting, it's not a place of fine dining. You would think they would have enough pride to not screw over their customers like that. Not Bistango. When I walked in the place, I saw it was rated by Zagat. I'm going to be writing a letter to Zagat suggesting they withdraw their inclusion of this place. Places like Bistango not only are going to drive away their own customers, but they are going to ruin for other places as well. I will be VERY reluctant to order appetizers in the future from ANY expensive restaurant, because I'm afraid of getting ripped off again. Yes, I know appetizers are not supposed to be a whole lot of food. That's fine. But don't screw people over. Price the appetizer fairly. The food is okay. It's not bad but it's not wonderful either. Honestly, Scott's has much better seafood. I had the swordfish with risotto. The best I can say about the swordfish was it wasn't gummy. The risotto was flavorless. My wife had the seared tuna, which was better, but the presentation and plating was lousy. Oh, and the service was downright crappy. They served bread, but no butter was on the table. I asked for some, but they never brought it. Any restaurant that can't provide service that is even on par with T.G.I Friday's shouldn't be in business. I don't expect Bistango to be around much longer. I can't believe OC diners would tolerate such mediocrity.
(1)
Kay D.

The food was tasty, but kind of lackluster. Though, I came here on Valentine's Day....extremely packed. The desserts were good, the food was good, but it didn't leave me wanting more. Oh well... Very industrial and hip.
(3)
Summer P.

Perhaps it's because I don't eat steaks, but I seem to be alone in my lukewarm feeling about Bistango. Or perhaps it's good, just not as good as it thinks it is. I like it better for lunch, they do make awesome salads. For dinner though, I was served a pasta primavera that was rotini with creamy sauce. Perhaps I'm just an extreme Italian food snob. Rotini should not be warm and primavera should not have cream sauce. The vegetables were extremely well-prepared. The ambiance is nice, I love the large patio with all the unmrellas, very cool. Service is very professional and nice, just go there for lunch.
(3)
Philip S.

Dinner with colleagues on 18 April. The Rob Roy was abundant but average. Caprese starter was very good. Pasta primavera was excellent. Service was good but a bit slow by US standards. Prices seemed a bit high for the offering.
(3)
Salee Z.

I've been to Bistango numerous times in the past 5 years and always LOVED the food, service, and atmosphere (a five star hands down). I haven't been there in a while though... and so last week, I visited with my girlfriends for lunch... It was a birthday celebration, and I wanted my girlfriend to go on a real treat for her special day! EVERYTHING was good.... but I think the food used to be better. I ordered the filet alfredo.... The meat was so tender and juicy, it melts in your mouth... but something about the sauce wasn't like I remember it (for a $20 lunch plate, you would expect nothing less than perfect, right?) They have a garlic soup that one of the girls ordered... If you like garlic & creamy soups, this is yours! Next time I go, I will make sure it's for dinner. They have a chocolate souffle that is "to die for" but they stopped serving it for lunch :( I say this and I'm not much of a dessert person! Will definitely go again!
(4)
Irene P.

If I could give them 10 stars I would. The place is so beautifully decorated with all sorts of interesting art pieces. The service is spectacular. I had fettuccine and fillet Mignon, and it just melted in my mouth. I didn't even have to chew the meat. The flavor of mushrooms and beef on my noodles was absolutely to die for. The only thing I would change is their bread and butter. With such a fancy place and meal, I would expect some special bread and butter, not a loaf of hard crusty bread.
(5)
Katherine L.

Came here during happy hour. Everything was delicious, perfectly portioned, and satisfying. The duck confit slider was great and unique. Chocolate souffle was fantastic at the end. Also great music and ambiance.
(4)
Chloe D.

comfortable, casual, intimate. great little band on weekends, perfect for a get together with friends for dancing or a casual date.
(5)
Maria H.

Great food! I almost liked everything I had there. The only thing is the prices are way steeper than my pocket, so I cannot afford going there very often. My friends throw parties there and I get to eat there occasionally. I met the owner who is a Persian guy and he said he has couple of other restaurants in the OC area, all fancy. Apparently their chef is well trained in France. Bottom line, if somebody invites me there and pays the bill, I'd definitely go :-)
(4)
Tina L.

I came here with five of my best girlfriends for a birthday dinner. We have fun no matter where we go, but it's always a plus when there's good food and wine involved. I can't speak for my girlfriends' entrees, but I'll review what I had. Appetizer- Sashimi of Yellow Fin Tuna --- DELISH! The sashimi was fresh and mouth watering. I really liked the ginger cucumber salad beneath the sashimi, it was really refreshing. I don't eat avocado, so that just stayed on the plate. The sashimi is a great appetizer cause it's not filling, and it's healthy :) Entree- Grilled Prime Corn Fed Filet Mignon (MEDIUM RARE, without the blue cheese) I loved my entree and no one should ever get their steak well done (yuck). MEDIUM RARE-RARE is the way to go! It was perfectly cooked and tender... I really enjoyed the asparagus too, they were HUGE! I got my filet without the maytag blue cheese, cause that's just weird. And their garlic mashed potatoes were soo good, I just wish they were chunkier, cause I'm not a fan of super soft mashed potatoes. Ambience was perfect! It was nicely lit with great live music, always fun to watch older couples dance the night away. Bistango is a very date-ish restaurant, but we still had a great time with our group of girls. Birthday dessert- it was a creme puff type of plate, and that was super tasty too! PLUS- They have an extensive wine list, so I'm sure you'll find one you like.... Lastly, I wish I remembered our server"s name, cause he was really nice!
(4)
E M.

Had a horrible happy hour experience at Bistango this weekend. The food was just okay, nothing extraordinary. We ordered the chicken sausage and the papas bravas. The chicken sausage was just sitting on a plate and the papas bravas were huge so that there weren't many crunchy edges. Definitely not comparable to papas bravas from Spain. The worst part however was the service. Our waitress (we sat near the bar for happy hour) was so rude and not interested as soon as she found out we were ordering from the happy hour menu. We are usually good tippers since we both worked in food service and we know that HH can be frustrating, but she was reallly bad. She wouldn't make eye contact and the guy bringing our water/food/etc would look aronud and walk to other tables before serving our food/water. He also didn't make eye contact. Odd. The place was decorated well and others seemed to be enjoying themselves so I think we just got unlucky. It did feel a bit like a converted office building lobby turned into a restaurant, but the atmosphere was nice and lively. I only wish our service and food had been the same.
(2)
Arnold W.

I came here back in 2005. My boss took me here before I left the company. It was walking distance. Some things I noticed (that told this place is out of price range): (1) there were 2 lamborginis parked out front; (2) when I ordered water, the waitress asked what kind of bottled water (I just wanted tap), and she looked at me in shock. Anyways, the food here is pretty good! It's really pricey. I had the special that day. I can't remember what it was, I wasn't as much of a "foodie" back in the days. I just remember it was really good! Very flavorful, but a bit salty. Atmosphere is great, really artsy. I'd come back here again, when I make $6 figs one day!! I hope!!!
(4)
Raymond L.

Mmmm, my favorite dish here is the salad made with a whole duck. :) It's a small one though and the head is removed, so if you're imagining the same ones you see hanging in windows at China Town, you're mistaken. The prices are "average" for high-end dining, and I think it's worth the price. To elaborate a little more on the salad, it has a vinaigrette dressing, slices of fresh strawberry, and some candied nuts. Really exquisite tasting/looking. And, to my great surprise Bistango offered a nice cut of steak topped with my favorite cheese: Midnight Moon (see my review of The Cheese Shop in Santa Barbara). The moment I had my first bite it was as if Bistango and I were made for each other. I have a split opinion on the location and setting though; the restaurant is located in an office building which really turns me off. However the artwork and live entertainment (jazz!) is truly elegant.
(5)
Nick S.

If your going to spend the money to go here you might as well spend an extra ten bucks and just go to capital grille. There's such a gap in flavor and quality between the two. It's good food with average service and average live music which makes it overpriced.
(3)
Selena H.

my new fav place for happy hour. while the prices are a bit higher than other hh, the food is great, the drinks are stiff and the environment is just what i need after a long day at work. the patio is perfect for a private conversation. drinks - fav at the moment is the pear martini. just a touch of sweetness and full vodka taste. tapas: - lobster mac and cheese - baked mac and cheese that isnt too cheesy and its perfectly filling - fried breaded brie with strawberry sauce - absolutely delish. and the sauce complements the cheese perfectly. - pommes frites - thin fries with a nice coating of truffle oil and cheese - green papaya and lobster salad - very refreshing salad with perfect pieces of chilled lobster - margarita pizza - (bar menu) slice of tomato and basil on each slice of pizza. i do wish the basil was sliced up into smaller pieces instead as it was hard to eat. - chicken sausage pizza - a nice spice to the pizza overall, a great place to meet up with friends, coworkers. parking is valet or there is a structure in the back. friendly and helpful staff!
(4)
Ms. M.

Bistango is my favorite upscale-but-still-casual dining restaurant in the Irvine area. The atmosphere is stylish yet relaxed, with a variety of art (for sale) on the walls and many tables under large red-and-black umbrellas. But the food is what keeps me coming back. Although I have tried other things on their menu and enjoyed them (e.g., the Sea Bass, the Filet Mignon, and the Ahi Tuna are also standouts), my favorite order consists of (1) the Pan Seared Diver Scallops on sticky rice with pickled ginger and a spicy mango relish as an appetizer; (2) depending on my mood, the Lamb Chops or the Risotto with sweet corn and a white balsamic & rosemary reduction topped with pancetta-wrapped prawns as my main entree; and (3) the Chocolate Souffle for dessert (although this is only available at dinnertime; for lunch, I usually get their Profiteroles which are filled with ice cream, drizzled with chocolate sauce, and sprinkled with slivered almonds). The best thing about Bistango is that it is consistent. I have been going here for years and it's always great. I highly recommend this place for your next "nice night out" or celebratory event.
(5)
Jessica M.

awful service! We had to wait over 45 minutes just to have someone bring us menus.
(1)
Rina K.

I'll put it into simple words, since they seem to do a-okay with the swarming businessmen from the nearby corporate offices. Their decor is much better than the food itself. Nice ambiance, especially when there's live music BUT it can seem a bit sterile. Service was okay --- our waiter did a fine job as a server, but I could sense a bit of a condescending undertone since none of us were in business suits and fancy ties. SO, if you are planning on taking your date to a nice fancy restaurant, I would look elsewhere. A business partner on the other hand...... sure, why not.
(3)
Lex C.

This place does not need me to write another review. They are doing just fine because during the recession, they are still packing the restaurant. Not everything is worth eating here. I really enjoy the granny goose martini on a weekend with live music. It's hard to go wrong with the filet but the New York steak is not bad if you don't get it with the mushroom sauce. Stay away from the mushroom sauce...it drowns out the original flavor of your steak and your cabernet no longer properly pairs with your steak (the mushroom sauce is creamy).
(4)
Cyndi B.

Bistangos is my happy accident! I had originally planned to go to happy hour with a friend somewhere else. The friend arrived at that spot before I did, found that it was completely dead, and suggested we come here instead. Let me just say that I really do believe that everything happens for a reason. We ordered the calamari, lamb chops, duck sliders, and beef skewer off the happy hour tapas menu, and I can honestly say that I can't remember the last time I went to a restaurant and LOVED every single thing I ordered. Can anyone?? Seriously? Anyway, in addition to having good food, the servers were nice and the food came out quicker than I had anticipated, which is always a good thing. They had a live band playing, which was nice because it wasn't too loud. I hate when you go to a restaurant and you're basically just shouting the entire time and trying to read lips, instead of having a real conversation! The last reason that I was so impressed by Bistangos is the decor. They show local artists work all over the walls, which is not only unique, but amazing because the art changes regularly, and all of the art is available for sale. I wish I knew about this place when I lived in Irvine still, but definitely better late than never. I can't wait to come back again for happy hour!
(5)
Alex H.

This place is killer! I loved it how you are eating in the center as you are surrounded by red. It's however a dressy attire but still...Amazing food and great atmosphere!
(4)
Sara C.

i organized our company christmas dinner here and thought this place was wondeful! its connected to a business building, which i didnt like, but since it was after hours, it didnt matter. they sat our party outside of the restaurant min the atrium of the building so we were pretty secluded. the decor was very nice, although i had a hard time figuring out what type of theme they were going for. the food was fab! we had a choice between steak, chicken and salmon and of course, being the seafood luver that i am, i chose the salmon with asparagus. it was totally to die for! and we had the baby greens salad, which to me was just so-so. tiramishi of course was also good. but the best part was the red and white wine and the after dinner drinks.....lol ok seriously, the food was really good too. oooh, i must mention that they serve pomegranet martini here! Mmmm-mmmm! its definitely a good spot for a date or company events.
(4)
Larry Z.

It has been a couple since the last time I came to Bistango, so I was looking forward to getting reacquainted. I really could not remember anything else besides the filet and bleu cheese. The occasion was for a company department dinner, so there were about 20 of us who attended. We were seated in the 'patio' area; which is basically the lobby of the building. No one would have ever guessed because they did a great job of covering the area with large umbrellas and temporary walls. We started with a couple of appetizers which were unremarkable. Tuna tartare with avocado, crab and lobster cakes and Tomato and Mozzarella. They weren't bad, but nothing that justified the $13-$15 price tag. I went with the three course prix fixe menu of caesar salad, filet mignon (rare) and white chocolate cheese cake. The caesar salad was a basic caesar salad. Chopped up romaine lettuce doused with a creamy dressing and topped with a whole lot of croutons. The filet was good as I remembered it. There was a fair bit of gristle areas on the cut, but overall it was tender. It did come out medium rare, more so than rare. I would have loved the center cold. There was a very small dot of the bleu cheese sauce (about the size of a quarter). It was poignant but a bit overly seasoned. A bit of cream could have cut it down and provided a more even distribution by bite. The cheesecake was very good and definitely provided a good ending to an ok meal. Unfortunately, this did not address the service issues that we had. Someone in our group ordered the chicken, but a rack of lamb was brought out (btw I tried a piece of lamb and it was delicious). Upon bringing this to the server's attention, he said that it would take a long time to prepare it. My co-worker agreed and he waited. We tried to wait but after 5 minutes, he insisted that we start. We damn near finished our entree and the chicken had yet to appear. I asked the server about the chicken and the reply was "I told him it would take a long time". I think that was wrong. I specifically heard the chicken being ordered from the start. Instead of having to have the customer wait for another 25 minutes, they should have provided an interim appetizer or pulled the next chicken dish. All in all, it will be a long time until I return. For being a long time Irvine mainstay, Bistango can do a lot better. Starting with their service. Btw, if you're too cheap to pay for valet, park in the structure behind the building.
(3)
Kelly S.

I highly recommend trying this place. I have only eaten at the bar but everything was great. The mac & cheese with lobster is to die for.
(4)
Michael M.

Bistango's has been around forever. It's a benchmark for good food and absolutely wonderful atmosphere. They even have live music Thurs- Sat and and overall fantastic service. I've been going here for years and miss some of the old staff that have retired. John Pierre we will miss you!
(5)
Christine K.

Nice try...but I don't think so. The wine that was "highly recommended" was not to our liking at all..and the food was edible...nothing special. I blame myself for listening to them. I had the halibut which was dry and so boring. We ordered some $80 bottle white that got worse as you drank it. Me and my friend lost an hour and a half of our time, what could have been a great meal, and came out $200 short. I expect a really good meal for that much... 1 star for free parking + 1 star for the nice decor. Maybe I'll be back in about 30 years or so (if this place is still open) and love it?
(2)
Ocean B.

Another quality restaurant from the Dining-As-Art group of restaurants (Bistango, Bayside, Kimera). Recently attended the summer kick-off-party, featuring a grilling contest, on their sunny patio. Passed appetizers were excellent: skewered tender steak; skewered chicken in coconut sauce; mini pizzas with shrimp and artichoke toppings; and their traditional thin-crust pizza, which is always excellent. Didn't see the steak or chicken skewers on the tapas menu, but they would be a welcome addition.
(4)
Wendy E.

I went there for the first time a few days ago with my husband. I had the filet mignon and it was really good. My husband had their sea bass and was not impressed. I tried his and his complaints were validated. The fish was very fishy tasting and was not very good. The service was great. I would go back and give it another shot.
(4)
Noosh N.

I really like the decor in this place. And the live jazz makes me feel like ordering a cognac, smoking a cigar and using words like 'ambiguous' and 'sporadic' The walls are full of colorful large paitings which goes perfectly with the live jazz. Great wine list and drinks aren't cheap...it can add up. Still fine wine and live jazz= looove
(4)
Julie C.

My favorite happy hour place by far. My review is limited to the bar menu so take that into consideration. I've been here several times and the tapas menu is wonderful. I've had the salmon skewers (yummy), lamb chops (to die for), beef skewer (really good and the spinach was perfect), the beet and carrot salad (only thing I have not enjoyed), and the swordfish and salmon small plates which were also very good. The prices for the tapas menu items average around $7 which is unreal in terms of affordability. I found the portions between the tapas and small plate menu to be almost identical so I'll be sticking with the tapas from here on out. The staff are beyond attentive and are a large element of the positive experience. And they have live music and dancing every night but it's geared to those of us on the older side. The ambiance is relaxing with the upscale atmosphere, artwork and live music. I just wish this place was open on Sundays!
(5)
Denise G.

A surprise lunch arranged by the boss today to do a little celebrating. I have here been before and I must admit that I've never experienced anything less than exceptional food as well as service, not once. We started off with seared diver scallops atop pickled ginger and sticky rice surrounded by a spicy mango sauce and dollops of wasabe. I followed this up with a Lobster & Crab burger with black truffle cheese (heaven!). We had to finished up with a sweet treat. Perfect finish!
(4)
Stephanie T.

DON'T USE THE VALET PARKING! What a horrible end to a perfect New Year's meal. My almost new car must have been tipped on two wheels around the corner to have my coffee mug (that fits completely into the console) fly out and what was left in the mug spilled out over the passenger seat. Valet parker said he was busy and had nothing to clean it up with. He opened the back door for me to sit in. I have yet to receive a phone call back from the manager.
(3)
Chipper S.

If you have your AARP card or if you currently live in a senior living community and you'd like to organize a night trip for all in the home - you will love this place so bring your walker or wheelchair and rage! This place is great if you are retired and just discovered viagra. Decor and Ambiance from late 1970's Studio 54 or early 1980's Miami Vice flashback. Very disappointed in the food. I started with the Sashimi of Yellow Fin Tuna appetizer for $17.90. I was very shocked at the price but I thought "this must be some damn good Yellow Fin Tuna" so what the heck. I'm out with my little lady so I'm gonna enjoy a great night. When it arrived I wish I could have pulled a Chef Ramsay and sent it back. It looked & tasted liked pre-packaged & pre-cut really cheap sushi. 7-Eleven has better yellow fin tuna. I was extremely disappointed but I'm easy like Sunday morning so I dealt with it. Then my main course arrived. I ordered the Seared rare sesame seed crusted Yellow Fin Tuna for $27.75. Another disappointment. I wanted to call Bistango to mention how bad it was but I've wasted enough time already just thinking about this terrible place. If you want to waste $120 on dinner for just yourself and one other person this is the place for you. Chef Gordon Ramsay - please visit this place and do a make over and help them re-launch or help them shut it down I rather be lost in Death Valley for 30 days & 30 nights without food or water then to ever step one foot inside Bistango again. Just telling it to you straight.
(1)
JJ C.

What are you people talking about???? Bistango is comparable to a run of the mill hotel restaurant. It's not terrible but it's also nothing special. They just pretend to be fancier than they really are.....kinda like irvine. Maybe this is a treat for the applebees crowd but not impressed.
(3)
John O.

I cannot believe I've lived in the OC for 4 years and just now found Bistango. This place has become one of my favorite restaurants. The food is incredible, the portions generous and compared to other high-end restaurants the prices are reasonable. I've had the Sea Bass and Halibut and both were incredible. They also have fantastic appetizers, such as the seared scallops I had on one occasion and the jumbo shrimp cocktail. The only appetizer that didn't grab me was the sashimi appetizer which was bland for my tastes. They also have a great bar and I've had a couple of good martinis there. Least I forget, the CHOCOLATE SOUFFLE -- WOW, it is the best -- better than Taps, better than Morton's. I rarely get desert but Bistango's souffle is the gold standard (what a cliche). I've been tempted to go there just to get desert! Valet parking is free (yes, Free Mastro and Pinot Provence) and very courteous.
(5)
Jeena L.

I have two words for you: CHOCOLATE SOUFFLE. Bistango's Chocolate Souffle is the absolute last word in chocolate souffles. Dark and chocolatey and warm and gooey, it's a chocolate lover's dream come true. And I am a chocolate lover, so it is my dream come true. Their food is pretty good, too; I just can't remember anything about the food because, whenever I think of Bistango, all that comes to mind is their mind-blowing chocolate souffle.
(5)
Leslie O.

I've had several very good experiences at Bistango. The ambiance is nice... the service has always been dependable... and the food is great! The restaurant is located in the Atrium building near the John Wayne Airport. Bistango offers a variety of seating options, my favorite being the patio seating. It is located in the courtyard of the Atrium, so you are never truly outside even though the sky high windows give it that outside feel. The courtyard seating is also lined with giant umbrellas so the office workers above cannot look down your top while you eat. The atmosphere was well done - I don't think my description does it justice, unfortunately. Regarding the food, I've always been pleased. Today I dined with a group of about 10 people. We all ordered something different and from what I heard, everyone was pleased with their order. I had the Seared Sesame Seed Crusted Ahi Tuna (with Asian-style vegetables and shiitake mushrooms mixed in a spicy soy vinaigrette). It satisfied the intense sushi craving I suffered from today, so I would definitely have to give it a high rating based on that alone. Bistango is on the pricier side, meals ranging as high as $30 per plate, so make sure to have someone else pay when you come! You won't be disappointed!
(4)
Tanaz N.

If i could give this restaurant more stars I would, this is the best restaurant I have ever been to. It is an absolute amazing atmosphere, great food, great service, amazing owner. I recommend the filet mignon. If u want to treat yourself, make a reservation and enjoy a great night.
(5)
Kaz K.

Went here with the family for Thanksgiving dinner b/c we don't like cooking for Thanksgiving anymore. It's in the middle of a business district in Irvine so it's surprising that there's such a lively restaurant here! And, when you park, it's valet... there were 3 valet guys ready to take our car away at the entrance! Haha. The four of us went in there expecting to all order the prix fix thanksgiving menu, but three of us decided to get their delicious-sounding array of meats... I got the 8 oz filet mignon. It was real soft.. tender.. medium rare. I was a little worried about the blue cheese dressing on it, and the server said it wasn't too strong and accented the meat, so I got it anyways. I think for people who don't like blue cheese, it's strong. But I can see how it accented the meat. Anyways, I scraped off some of it and it was still real good. My sister said the pork rib was delicious. She said it tastes even better if you take the leftover home and let it sit for a while. Thanksgiving prix fix menu was great, because it was "new" in the sense that they used lots of creative ingredients, but also traditional because they stuck to the normal Thanksgiving menu of turkey, cranberries, mashed potatoes... etc. Apple pie was DELICIOUS!!!! They use really thinly sliced granny smiths and the crust is this crumbling brown sugar concoction!! Yum... Chocolate fondue was also DELICIOUS!!! The server "joked" it would take 20 minutes - we laughed it off. Soon, we realized he was serious. But the wait was worth it! The server opened up our chocolate cake and poured the cream into it. They have something similar at Bottega Louie in downtown Los Angeles that uses chocolate syrup instead.. reminded me of that. Oh, and the iced tea is free refills. I had about 7 cups. It's good - it has some kind of tropical-tasting flavor infused in it. Service was really great. Everyone there is real professional and nice.
(4)
Jeanie W.

I think Bistango really deserves 3.5 stars, but this was for their Happy Hour only. A few of my girlfriends decided to come here because they offer Happy Hour until 9 p.m. on a Friday. I got there at around 6:00 and it was pretty crowded. I don't know if it's just Fridays, but the crowd was definitely older (think mid 50's to 60's). I felt a little out of place, being the only person here under 30. For appetizers, we ordered the calamari, fried brie and grilled shrimp, which were $5 each. The portions weren't huge, but it was a good enough size. When it came to the drinks, they offered a few specialty martinis for $5, but I stuck with my usual gin and tonic, which was almost $8 (Tanqueray was apparently their "well" gin). The drinks were strong, so that was a plus. The service here was good Our waitress was very friendly and got each round of drinks out in record speed. Valet was free. I also noticed that their valet lot was filled with nice cars. I couldn't help but drool over a Maybach 57S when I was last here. :)
(4)
Steve M.

We've been here several times in the past year or so. Nice place for a special occasion or for a nice dinner with friends. We had a party of 8 adults and 2 kids on Mother's Day last weekend. The food was great, everything from the sea bass to the lamb chops to the blackened mahi-mahi. Service was great at the beginning but started to lag about 3/4 way thru the meal. Coffee took forever for a 2nd person, ditto for a glass of water accidentally removed, finished dishes that should have been taken away the first time was not, finally removed many minutes later. A solid 4 stars.
(4)
Joe V.

I'm a 37-year-old male from Orange County who dropped into Bistango looking for a spot to eat in Irvine after taking a date to the Edwards University theater for a movie. Reasonably priced dining for me falls in the $32.00 - $52.00 range for two, including 20% tip for the server. Bills much larger than that are not in my budget right now. Everything previous reviewers have suggested about the artwork, the ambiance, the service, the food and even the parking (if you can walk, don't valet. There's a parking garage behind the restaurant) are true. That said, guys looking for a nice restaurant in Irvine to take your significant other to: Bistango caters to business clientele or older couples looking for a night of dining and dancing. The restaurant passes with flying colors for what it is and who it's serving, but they do push you hard to order a four-course meal and wine, which would put a dinner bill for two close to $100 after a tip. So guys, beware.
(3)
Phil F.

I came here tonight. Client invited me to dinner and the ambiance is pretty flashy . Really good place to impress a girlfriend...have a romantic date... impress a client or guest. I had the garden salad and the Chilean Sea Bass... it was divine. The rice that came with it had these awesome juicy mushrooms and asparagus. The Sea Bass was delicate and flaky. It had an awesome brown sauce that just makes this dish. The cool thing about this place? Complimentary Valet !!! You just have to tip the attendant....no big deal. I highly recommend this place.
(4)
flo c.

I find it amusing that this restaurant is classified as a tapas bar considering there was really nothing tapas-y about the menu, in my opinion. We came around 1:15 p.m. on a Friday, so it was pretty empty. Bistango is, as other reviewers pointed out, one of the most popular places around here for a business lunch (with clients/people you are trying to impress). It is effortlessly swanky and although we are low on the totem pole in our respective workplaces, we can still feel like we are EVPs. One such example is the complimentary valet service. I thank the stars I just got myself a new car because I would've been mortified to valet my old "vintage" automobile. Case in point, when we came out, there was a Bentley and a Tessla just chilling in front of the place. Yes, someday, I will be one of them. Haha! Back to the review... The atmosphere is uniquely. We got a booth that was decorated with art and very cozy and hush-hush. The servers are extremely attentive and as further examples of Bistango's attention to detail, carry crumb scrapers. There is also one person whose main task is to serve bread so there is no bread basket. We each got a pot of butter although that could've just been accidental. The bread wasn't all that exciting and it was cold. We went with the prix fixe menu. There are two options and the major difference is that prix fixe menu no. 1 has multiple options for the entree but no dessert and menu no. 2 only has one option for the entree but comes with dessert. Pricewise, no. 2 is a few dollars more at $21.50 or something. We both went with no. 2. Both menus offer the choice of starting with salad or soup. We went with soup, which is clam chowder on this particular day. The clam chowder is southwest-influenced with corn, tomato and roasted green peppers. It was liquidy but chunky. Does that even make sense? It was quite good and a nice change from the regular red or white that I'm accustomed to. They followed this by the hanger steak with mashed potatoes and carrots and dressed with a balsamic glaze. The server said that medium rare is ideal and that's what we went with. I would say that 3/4 of the steak ended up medium rare. The 1/4 was more medium well. This was delicious and the serving was very generous. It was definitely not some petit, teeny-weeny filet you would get elsewhere. It's likely one of the best hanger steaks I've ever gotten in a restaurant. I'm somewhat on the fence about the balsamic glaze, but only because I like my steak bare. The dessert is a chocolate chunk cheesecake flanked with whipped cream and strawberries. I got mine to go because I was stuffed at this point. The cheesecake is good although not mind-blowing. Totally random, but the to-go containers here are excellent. No worries about leakage or squashed contents. They're sturdy and, in all likelihood, washable/reusable, if you are so inclined. I found the service by our particular server to be impeccable. The lunch was somewhat pricey but in term of ROI, totally worth the money. $25.00 plus tip for soup, a generous and well-cooked steak and a slice of chesecake? That's pretty good, especially for OC. My other complaint, aside from the boring/cold bread would be the valet service. I understand the need for it when it's busy but when it's basically empty, I can park my own car, thank you. Granted, it's complimentary but I like parking my own car.
(5)
Dee Dee X.

Went on a Wednesday as they supposedly have a special wine tasting from around the world deal on Weds. As it turns out, they didn't get the shipment in this week. Odd and questionable. Slightly disappointed but no big. We ended up sharing a half bottle of Syrah and a couple of $5 items off the happy hour menu. Curried Lamb- YUM, Manila Clams with Proscuitto- YUM, Certified Angus Beef thing- Sort of yum, a bit chewy. Atmosphere was nice- we sat in the bar/lounge area, where it was pretty peaceful. Supposedly it used to be waaay more happenin' but maybe it's the economy. My friend informed me that it was a cougar joint and sure enough, there were a couple of 'em parked at the bar. Speaking of parking- saw a Lambourghini valeting as I strolled in and 2 Maseratis as I strolled out. Not bad for car watching I suppose. Overall food was pretty tasty, decor is nice, but probably not somewhere I'd frequent for happy hours. Maybe for a nice dinner. My friend raved about it forever, but it seems to have gone a bit downhill.
(3)
Jake S.

Highly over-rated restaurant. When I parked, I noticed that 90% of the cars were with Bentleys or S-Class Mercedes, so I figured this place would be killer. This place is so average and grossly over-priced it's not even funny. The drinks were good, the scallops were average, the pasta was average, the filet mignon was average, and the souffle was terrible....it was the driest and least-appetizing souffle I've ever eaten. If you are willing to spend $150+ dollars for two people just to claim you've eaten at a restaurant where Bentley-drivers eat, then by all means eat there. If you want a $30 meal that tastes the same, go to Claim Jumper.
(3)
Dave M.

What a gem this place is! Having dined at many fine restaurants, this was easily one of the best dining experiences we've ever had. I'm feeling much to lazy right now to elaborate but to be honest I don't feel the need. I will say that at least on this night the service, food and ambience were wonderful. I'm just gonna say you should check it. Just don't forget to save room for that delicious chocolate souffle.
(4)
Debbie P.

Normally come here after work for drinks and a chocolate souffle but I was pleasantly surprised when I came here for dinner with a friend. They have an extensive wine list, my steak was cooked to perfection and service was wonderful. On a side note though I love the changing art exhibit for sale.
(4)
John M.

Ok, this review is for the Tapas and Bar Since that is out of the way, the tapas here are pretty good. They were alot better than I thought. We had the lamb chops, salmon skewers, beef skewers, shrimp skewers and a few others. We really didn't have a dish that was really bad. Service was pretty good, took awhile for our order to be taken, but after that service was pretty good. This is restaurant is located in the middle of a corporate area so I would suggest dressing in some of business casual attire. We had stopped in for happy hour since we were in the area and came in with shorts...totally felt out of place.
(4)
Fiona C.

Waited forever for our meal. When the waiter finally came to bring our food they spilled the filet mignonette sauce on my jacket. They didn't even offer to dry clean my jacket until I asked them too. Horrible service and the filet was old and way too difficult to chew.
(1)
Marian B.

My rating for Bistango is closer to 3.5 stars rather than 3. The extra .5 is for the large atrium and artwork on the walls. Every time I come here it always strikes me as weird that it's in an office building. I feel like it should be it's on building. I often come here for lunch but it still doesn't feel right. It seems too nice to be in the building. But I can't complain because it's the atrium in the building that makes me like this place so much. Bistango is owned by the same group that owns Kimera. However, I prefer this place to Kimera. The vibe here is more relaxed whereas Kimera tries to be super trendy. I like the seating and after a glass of wine or two, I want to melt in the seats. The food is decent; typical American cuisine. After going to so many restaurants similar to this one, unless the dish is amazingly superb, they all start tasting the same. What I pay more attention too so I can differentiate restaurants is the service and atmosphere/ambiance.
(3)
Vivian C.

I love the ambience and the live jazz band. The food is pricey, but it's OK to splurge once in a while! And they have cucumber vodka! (why is it so hard to find in CA anyway?)
(4)
Mary M.

I have the pleasure to live only a few minutes away from this establishment, and I have found myself to dine here a lot more than I should. Bistango is hidden somewhere in between the business buildings of Irvine. It is very rare to find a good restaurant in an ugly industrial location, but Bistango is just that nice place you would want to visit to have a nice dinner. Generally, there is an exceptional wine list in Bistango, and the quality and presentation of the food is great, but the service is always terrible. Usually there is over a 30 minute wait to receive a very simple appetizer and the waiters are neither friendly nor knowledgeable about the menu or the wine list. Overall, Bistango became known for the artwork they have on display and available for sale. If you can call a square canvas smothered with red paint and a few green dots in the center "art", then Bistango has that for you too! (Though they do have very nice artwork and sculptures sometime) With all the terrible and slow service that Bistango has, I still find myself having dinner there every week. The "Black Truffle Ravioli" is very very tasty. The Shrimp Cocktail still remains our favorite appetizers, even though you only get four pieces of shrimp for the price of $15.90. Out of all their salads, try the "Baby Artichokes, Watercress and Hearts of Palm Salad" that comes with chopped avocados and walnut pieces. I have tried the "Mushroom Crusted Alaskan Halibut" twice, and it was way too salty every time. They have a pretty good happy hour. If only they could improve their customer service, Bistango would have been absolutely perfect.
(3)
John H.

Another great meal and ambiance at Bistango. My wife and I have been coming here on and off since we were dating and have always been pleased with the food, the atmosphere and the service. This was our second time with our daughters and my wife and my youngest split the filet mignon and without asking the staff did it for them. My oldest daughter is a fan of seared ahi and the chef's did it to perfection. For anyone looking for a great restaurant with a wonderful bar this is the place.
(4)
georgia a.

We have gone so many times and have to write a new review on this favorite place of mine. It is and always will be no matter how many times we go the best place in Southern California. The food is outstanding and the inside of this classy restaurant is just amazing for being inside of an office buliding. The parking is great and also the people taking care of you are so friendly and kind and caring . They are right there to help you to decide what you want to try and it is just a outstanding place. The food has been done to prefection and fresh always. They have many kinds to choose from and always fresh. The cooking area is open for you to view what they are doing and it is so clean! T hey change the art work all the time. I do recommend this restaurant to anyone who loves to try something new and also they have live music to enjoy in the evening. SO awesome ! Love it!!
(5)
Justina C.

The pasta was excellent and the souffle heavenly, but I felt as the service was a bit lacking. If you're going to charge me that much for food, at least do a few things: 1] Provide us with a drink menu 2] Clean the table after the bread & entrees 3] Ask us if we want wine BEFORE you take away our glasses 4] Check up on us The bill came out to 120 for 5 people; we only ordered one dish, and I split with a friend. For that price, the service NEEDS to be better. I did have a lovely 21st birthday here. Heh.
(3)
Mukund M.

Great place for business meetings/lunch and dinner! The service was a bit lackluster. While cordial, the waiter had a wise guy approach. Probably because he was simply wanting to go home. If not, I would have given this restaurant a 5 out of 5. The rest of the service staff was extremely cordial. . I ordered the vegetarian pizza with pesto sauce. They brought extra pesto which was really awesome. I love pesto:) I would love more vegan options on the menu as well. All in all a pleasant experience!! I will definitely go back..
(3)
Patrick W.

So, I rarely order steak. In fact, I don't think I've ordered a steak at a restaurant in the past five years. Something inspired me when I was at Bistango and I decided to get a steak. Either this steak was remarkably well done, or I just forgot how good steak actually is. I had been flirting with the idea of going vegetarian -- Bistango made me see the light. I love meat. Other elements of my meal weren't as noteworthy, but still great. I like the selection of art on the wall, made it feel like eating in a gallery. My appetizer was a pretty good asparagus soup -- but the downside is that you need to deal with the after effects of eating asparagus. I'd strongly consider going again in the future.
(4)
Paul K.

This review is for their lunch only. When you arrive you have to valet park; which is good because they comp your parking ticket. I had the prix-fix menu with the hangar steak and my friend had the salmon salad. Service was good not great but a solid good. My meal started off with a caesar salad. Nice with not too much dressing which I prefer. Next came the steak with potatoes and carrots. I ordered it medium rare and it was cooked perfectly. She had the salmon salad that looked really good. Even though I do not like salmon this looked like a real nice salad. Next came the dessert. A nice piece of cheesecake. Very taste. The total for both lunches with drinks tax and tip was $60. A little pricey for lunch but definitely worth it.
(4)
Mariel C.

Went with some coworkers to take a recruit out to lunch. Nice ambiance inside, and service was pretty good (albeit slower than I would like for the lunch hour. I'm a busy ass woman!!) I had a pasta with steak and mushrooms. It was pretty good - but not much better than something you would find at Pomodoro. For the price, definately not worth it. It seems like people tend to give this place more credit just due to the fact that it's pricier and fancier than other places. I generally don't think it lives up to it's hype. The food wasn't bad, and I probably would have rated it higher - if not for the terrible stomach ache I had afterwards. It's hard to finish your day at work when you keep having to run to the bathroom!!
(2)
Sheila R.

Love the food! I have been going to Bistango for years. They have great fresh fish. I would also like to recommend the chocolate soufflÃ©.
(4)
Mimi S.

Their pastas and steaks are very good and their drinks are always excellent. Their gnocchi dish is also the best around. But I must say that what they are SPECTACULAR at is making a killer souffle--both chocolate and Grand Marnier! Pair one (or both) of those with a latte (LaVazza) and you got yourself a perfect "last meal." The service in the bar can be a bit slow but I've always had good service in the dining room.
(5)
David A.

Although pricey, the food here is spectacular every time I eat here. Had the porcini encrusted halibut this time and it was sublime. The gazpacho was great as always and the service was perfect.
(5)
Coco P.

A co-worker of mine introduced my family to this place a few years ago, and I've been in love with it ever since, and my boyfriend has also become a recent fan. Now Bistango is not by any means a cheap place that you can go to eat often, but it's definitely worth that special occasion. I personally think their prices are very reasonable given the quality of food, so I'm more than willing to pay for it once in awhile. As for the food, everything I've had so far is absolutely delicious! I think their food is mostly the classics and nothing creative, but sometimes you have to appreciate the classic taste. I love their variety of pastas, and the portion is quite large per dish. As are their main entrees, and I've had the pleasure of tasting their fish and red meat. I am especially fond of their filet mignon, which doesn't come with any special side or sauce, but it's still really good for some reason. As for dessert, you cannot go wrong with their creme brulee and souffles, especially the grand marnier, which I think is heavenly. My boyfriend doesn't think it's fluffy enough for him, but I love the extra crisp their souffle has at the edges. Service is amazing, and I've never been disappointed by their courtesy and attentiveness. All the staff there are wonderful and they always refill my water before I even notice it's half empty, and they've always been so patient to explain some of the fancier food terms to me. And the cleanliness of the place is outstanding, and it definitely helps that their interior decor is elegant and comforting. Overall, a really wonderful place for a special occasion, and the quality of food is worth the price. But remember, save room for dessert!
(5)
Michele J.

I have an ex-coworker who absolutely RAVED about this place, so I decided to check it out. We made reservations so at first we were seated inside. The decor was beautiful. We wanted tapas though and were told they only served Tapas outside. We moved and decided to try the tapas. Everything was really delicious. The lamb melted in my mouth. The salmon was sizzling and delicious. I didn't think service was that great, the lady left us there for quite awhile. This restaurant is located in a business area, so dress up!
(3)
Jenn P.

I came here on a Friday night for an anniversary dinner with Boyfriend and even on a Friday it didn't seem very busy. We were seated in the back at a table though I will definitely request a booth next time, they had a lot more privacy. They had an impressive wine list and a lot of selection when it came to the menu. Our lobster and crab cake was good, but I wish it had come with 2 instead of just the one. Boyfriend ordered the steak, which he said was really good, and I had the seared ahi tuna which was AH-mazing. We finally ended with the chocolate decadence cake, which I also wished came with two! Yum!
(4)
Elaine K.

First impressions make a difference. So when it's like three in the afternoon and I see a total of four other guests in the restaurant, there is no reason to not pay attention to people. We are sitting right at the bar in front of the bartender and she doesn't even say hi. The other bartender from the day is right in front of us washing glasses and starts talking to the other girl. It takes about 5 minutes for someone to pay attention to us. She doesn't even say hi and asks us what we want to drink, in that "oh my gosh, I'm doing you a favor so don't waste my time" tone. We ask her about happy hour and then she gets annoyed. Bitch you're a bartender you should expect people wanting happy hour at 3 p.m. We order a bunch of apps such as calamari, carrot and beet salad, clams, and some other stuff I can't remember. I think this place doesn't really know what tapas means. Yeah they are small plates but not with any type of Spanish influence. The food was ok, the service was borderline bad. Probably wouldn't come back to even try there full menu.
(2)
Heina D.

I came here for dinner with friends before they (but not I) went to Prom. It was a long time ago, but I remember the ambiance as wonderful, the waiter as friendly and not at all pretentious, and the seared tuna? Tasty. Of course, there is that little thing called price. You don't get much food for your money and drinks? I couldn't afford one. That's par for the course for an establishment such as this one.
(4)
ãƒˆãƒ¢ T.

A good business dinner location. Ambiance is what you would expect at an upscale restaurant, but I wasn't a fan of their red and black design. Overall, it was what I expected from an expensive restaurant. FOOD: Their New Zealand Rack of Lamb ($33) was excellent, with tender meat and nice seasoning. Dessert dishes were professionally presented, but I was disappointed by the taste. Way too sweat for my liking.
(4)
tran p.

Their chocolate souffle is to die for! Their filet is quite tasty too. It's up there with Fleming's and Ruth's. I can't really comment on any other dishes since I always order the filet and chocolate souffle every time I've been there.
(4)
J C.

Came here a few times because our friends like it. We always come dressed casually. The place is situated in an office complex.. You can see the halls of the upper floors from the dining room.. Quite a unique atmosphere. There's free parking in a parking garage that's a short walk away. The filet is pretty good usually.. above average for a place of this caliber. but not the best. The rack of lamb was sub par.. stick with the filet. The bread is ok.. they have a bread valet, and are often slow to refill. The desserts were lacking for a chocolate lover like me.. I was not impressed. The service is just average, and sometimes slow. I've had to beg for refills before. Overall, this isn't my first choice for steak.. but it's a decent backup choice. I'd rather go to Flemings.. They have easy reservations on opentable.com
(3)
Mike S.

Great restaurant and even better food and services. I go to this restaurant often and enjoy it every time.
(4)
G. A.

Is this the real life, or is this just fantasy... I'm caught in a landslide... Decor/Ambiance: Dark, Artsy, great for business or romance. Suit up. It's located in an office building. Came here for a business lunch, and it was perfect for the occasion! Food:The bread was a french roll, thin, sliced into rounds, and comes with melted/whipped butter. Ordered a salad, the California Chicken salad- with spicy soy vinagrette- strong taste of ginger and endive. Large portion, very filling. Also had crispy wonton strips and peanuts, the flavors blended together, and left you with a zing. Service: First, as I arrived, I was greeted, and asked if I wanted to be seated for the reservation, and then, after we sat, the server noticed that I brought a card for one person in our party, and asked what the special occasion was, but I told them it was nothing. I shrugged it off, but for dessert, they brought out complimentary dessert- two cream puffs filled with a lemon custard with whipped cream and raspberry sauce, shaped like swans, with a happy birthday chocolate message on the front. And then, the man at the front of the house asked if everything was okay and enjoyable. It was! The server was so friendly, and cracked a few jokes, and brought out the food quickly. Parking: You have to pick up a ticket when you enter the parking whether you valet or not. Then, validate at the restaurant. There is also a parking structure if you enter and then turn right at the end of the street, you'll see it on your left side. Yay on service and decor. Pricey, but if it's for a business lunch, it creates an image and has a variety of choices. I'd come back. Escape from reality. Open your eyes and see.. Thunder bolts of lightning, very very frightening me Can you do the fandango.. I mean Bistango?
(4)
Alice K.

I went here for my birthday dinner and I was very happy with my choice. The ambiance is very cute and artsy - definitely more hip, fun, and contemporary. The live jazz music makes the atmosphere more lively, relaxing and pleasant. Our server was very down to earth and helpful with giving us good choices. The food was very delicious as well. I ordered the Grilled Medallions of Venison Loins which were very very tender and delicious. I also had some of the Seared Rare Sesame Seed Crusted Ahi Tuna which was also very delectable as well. Previously I was a raw-fish hater but after this experience, I would defintely order Ahi Tuna as an entree in the future. The chocolate souffle I ordered at Bistango was the BEST I have ever tried so far. It was the perfect ending to my wonderful birthday evening. I will definitely be going here again. Yum.
(4)
Randy H.

A great place for lunch or dinner!!! The ambience at night is very romantic and the food excellent !! I recommend the swordfish blackened or the filet!!
(5)
Josh B.

You know, I was a little surprised at the zagat 25. Wildfish is way better locally speaking. The hearts of palm salad was totally overdressed and the crab cake was greasy. My venison was cooked nicely, but it's a very heavy dish. My wife's halibut was overcooked. Soufle was passable. For what this was supposed to be, I was disappointed. Feels dated and needing a revamp.
(2)
John S.

I really liked it, food was good, atmosphere was fine...as the other reviews mentioned, the live music was a bit much, not really my taste...Martini's were good and meals were all fine. A nice find and certainly beats the heck out of hotel food
(4)
Michael J.

I have been going to Bistango for over 20 years and the food has been consistently excellent. On a few occasions (very rarely) the service has been OK, but never bad. This is our "to go" place for any special occasion or just to have a nice dinner and experience. The live music is not distracting and if you feel like dancing, there is a small dance floor. My only negative comment is regarding the wines at the restaurant. Although the selection is very good, the wines are not temperature controlled. Therefore, on a busy night such as New Year's Eve, when the restaurant ambient temperature can become warm, the wines become warm as well. I hope the management will address this issue. If you do go, the filet mignon and the chocolate souffle' are truly exceptional.
(5)
I B.

I had a business lunch here. I liked the garlic soup. I ordered the Chilean Sea Bass entree. It was ok, nothing to write home about. The fish was good but had no taste. The sauce and the risotto were seriously lacking flavor. Definitely could not taste nor smell the truffle oil which was in the description on the menu. Then to top it all off, my stomach was sick after a few hours (the only food I ate for the day was at Bistangos). This place is over-rated, over-priced, and the valet were rude. I am a food snob and I am definitely not returning here. Not impressed.
(1)
Rich n Nancy C.

I really like this place and have been coming here for years. Consistently great food--I've never had a bad meal here. Exceptional service, a decent wine list and a nice atmosphere with jazz playing somewhere in the background. Their salads are great but the creamed garlic soup is my favorite starter (Oh Yeah...) Their steaks are very good but I usually get one of their fish dishes - the seared Ahi, the Salmon, the Halibut-- they are all excellent. The jumbo prawns in a corn risotto are also a favorite (yessssss.....)
(4)
Ashley W.

The decor is almost like Kimera, except it's less dim and less red inside. Compared to Kimera, I liked this place better because of its extensive menu selections. It ranged from pizza to pasta, from fish to steak. I had the Filet mignon and it was most certainly not disappointing. It was cooked just right with the right about of flavor. But I also much admit that the New York steak is better because that's what the restaurant is known for. My boyfriend thought that the New York Steak came with mashed potatoes, so he brought up that question to the waiter. our waiter explained that is came with roasted potatoes only, HOWEVER, later our waiter came back with a small side dish of mashed potatoes just for him. "Wouldn't want you to leave unhappy," he explains. Anyway, the service is amazing. The water glasses were never empty, the bread (although quite hard to chew on) is constantly brought back to the table, and they keep coming back to check up on us. that was one great dinner experience. I gotta come back here for the souffle since it's also what they are known for. (;
(4)
Adam B.

Been here several times and the food ranges from good to outstanding! Just had the venison on my last visit and it could have been the best I have ever had! Desserts here are delicious too and all of items are well priced for the atmosphere and quality.
(4)
Brandon R.

Nice ambiance, friendly staff and great food.
(5)
Lauren C.

My first disclaimer is that I've never eaten a full meal here. My review is based on my experience at the bar which has been quite good. I usually go here either for the happy hour or the dessert. The happy hour is actually really good here. It's less than 5 bucks for a "small plate" which is usually decently sized. I particularly like the rack of lamb. You could easily order 2-3 helpings of it and have a great meal. I haven't tried all of the other dishes but they're fairly good.. not amazing but good. The thing I really love about this place is the atmosphere. Yes, I know most of the people who go here are older and by that, I mean much older (usually in the late 30s-60s range) but for some reason, this place makes me smile. The decor is nice.. very chic and they have live music all the time. Usually older "light rock" type of songs but it's so cute to see because all of these older couples get on the dance floor and dance in an old school type of way. I tend to come to this place to relax and have a nice cocktail or wine. For the dessert, try the grand marnier souffle. I've tried the chocolate one and they tend to burn their souffles a little and the chocolate one just doesn't taste as good that way. The other desserts are just so-so.
(4)
Sarah M.

The stars above are really for the risoto. This place is famous for their RISOTO. So don't have the sea scallops. Don't have the rack of lamb, or the crusted whatever. HAVE THE RISOTO. You will thank me later! The drinks are pretty good too
(4)
catherine k.

Simply put: soothing, soft jazz music, WONDERFUL, crispy calamari rings with divine aoili sauce on the side, and the happy hour $5 martinis are not bad either. This place is not somewhere to glut and scarf down large portions while guzzling beer, it's has a light, sophisticated atmosphere and located inside a corporate complex, so come here AFTER dinner for drinks and conversation. Enjoy.
(4)
David Y.

Artful restaurant with New American cuisine in a hip atrium space that explodes with color from revolving modern art exhibits. Despite the budget-breaking bill, the classy lounge and nightly live jazz is perfect for that romantic date. Favorites include the Crab and Lobster Cake and the Surf N Turf Paella. $$$$
(4)
Julie F.

One of my favorite first date spots in OC. Lots of private booths, great artwork, service is consistently good -- always a lovely experience.
(5)
Sarah J.

The best filet mignon in Orange County. I was shocked that this was better than a traditional steakhouse filet mignon. It was tender and cooked to perfection...med rare! Always have to order the Chocolate Soufle too.
(5)
Lena B.

happy hour menu without a single drop of alcohol for over $100? i think either their computer was lying or the waitress was. sure we did order a lot of food because the skewers (shrimp, beef, salmon) were no bigger than the size of my middle finger (which i really wanted to stick it out to the waitress when we found out she lied to us) and the calamari were a button hole size tiny. the lamb chop with mash potatoes was better than i had expected, at least. nonetheless, the presentation of food was wonderful and the wine list was extensive. i highly recommend their chocolate souffle. it took at least half an hour to get to our table, but it was worth the wait...5 stars!!! their valet parking is complimentary and the structure parking is free for dinner and bar guests since the gate is left open after 7pm. just make sure your order for happy hour is in by 6:59pm sharp. i correct myself. i am 100% sure the waitress lied. i bet my life on it.
(3)
Yogi B.

These meals are rare. I give in and am the one to get the three course prix-fix, so we can share the appetizer and desert, and she gets (what she wants) the crusted Halibut in porcini sauce. We are mad for porcini's and both want this, but the prix-fix meal at just $41 is too good to pass up. The bread is absolutely scrumptious, the atmosphere is trendy modern, and the jazz band is arriving. We start with a very tasty and spicy yellow fin tuna sashimi with avocado and cucumbers served in a martini glass. Just the right amount of zing. Well this should be good. The entrees arrive and I hear "don't take a bite. Smell this first" OMG just the scent from her porcini sauce and truffle essence is other worldly. So we both start with a taste of her Halibut and it is just absolute heaven. My soy glazed salmon? Well I have eaten a lot of salmon and soy glazed really didn't sound to be even close to same ballpark as the halibut. The preparation was PERFECT. Every bite melted in my mouth. Combined with just a fantastic lemon zest cous-cous with squash it was dazzling. A meal where every morsal was dessert. From the appetizer, to the entrees, to well, the dessert. Absolutely first rate experience. ---------- Last visit was 11/29/2011 and the meal was a let down. For the price the food has to be World Class in flavor and preperation and the preperation was just not where it should be. Porcini mushrooms in Rissoto is now the cheaper Wild Mushrooms. The fish is not melt in your mouth. I am moving them down to four stars and would be three stars if I had not eaten here before and really enjoyed it.
(4)
Scott B.

I should just write 2 reviews for this place because I have such mixed emotions. For Happy Hour (before 7pm sharp) I give it 1 star.. We pre-ordered for a group of 4 at 6:45pm, then decided we may not have enough food. I reodered more appetizers at 6:59pm and the waitress said they would be part of happy hour. LIAR, the bill was $100 with no alcohol and half our order was charged at full price. I confronted our waitress about the bill and she said the computer automatically charges the prices and she could do nothing about it. I didn't want to put a damper on our dinner since I was with out of town friends, but I was Raging mad. For dinner..the venison is delicious...4 stars.
(2)
Geoff S.

The food is amazing! It is expensive but worth every penny!
(5)
Jenni L.

My parents always taught me that "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all". Great advice for some things, but not for writing honest 'reviews' of restaurants.... So we arrive 15 minutes early for our reservation and decide to head to the bar for a martini. I thoroughly enjoy a Ketel One martini with blue cheese stuffed olives...my mouth was watering in anticipation of one. BUT when I asked the bartender if they had my favorite type of olive, he flat out told me, "no." Then he proceeded to tell me, "a lot of people ask for those." So then why don't you have them?!?!? I know you have olives and I know there is blue cheese somewhere in the restaurant, so therefore, if you have any interest in going above and beyond, you could stuff 2 olives for me. I work in a restaurant and understand it is a pain in the a**, but if it makes the guests happy, why not? So I ordered a cosmo instead and it was PERFECT!! We are seated and greeted immediately by one server. The person I was dining with presented a gift certificate that he had to make sure it was still "good" (it was a few years old). More than 5 minutes went by before another server approached us and asked if we wanted appetizers. We ordered the ahi tartar (excellent) and the bresaola (also excellent, but it was 'sold' to us as carpaccio and the only carpaccio I have ever had is thinly slice raw beef, NOT dried) The apps came very quickly, but apparently too fast because we had no share plates. We had to flag someone down to bring them to us. We saw our server pacing around and helping other patrons, but never stopped by our table to offer suggestions or check on us. I finally flagged him down after about 15 minutes to place a dinner order. We ordered a bottle of wine at that time as well. It was brought out promptly. We asked about the souffle at that time (we knew we wanted to order one) and were cut off and the server told us he would tell us about it later. Apparently we were interrupting the 'flow' of his service. Once the food came, he mentioned the souffle (even though we already told him we wanted it!). The food arrived and it was amazing. The presentation was wonderful and the flavors were mouth watering!! The wine we selected complimented both of our dishes. Definitely in heaven!! :) After dinner, the souffle arrived and it was TO-DIE-FOR!!!! Best part of the meal, hands down!! As I said before, we had a gift certificate for "dinner for two." I know from working in the restaurant business that when you see a gc like this you may get concerned. Not everybody knows that you need to tip on the ORIGINAL amount when you get a comp or have a gift card. So instead of our bill being $200, it was $100 (the bottle of wine). We tipped $50+ dollars (in cash!) because we know better. When someone tips me generously, I always go back and thank them again. Not here, he took his $$, failing to offer a coffee refill, and we never saw him again. Until we left and barely acknowledged us. "Please come again" he said, with no sign of appreciation. This was my first visit and I have heard many great things (especially about their happy hour). I do not think I will return for dinner. Happy hour, maybe. I was very turned off by the service we received - very cold and impersonal. The only reason I gave 3 stars was because the food was very good (service deserves 2 stars). I do feel a little bad not saying many nice things, especially since our dinner was "free", but my parents also taught me that "honesty is the best policy."
(3)
Robert C.

4.5 for my tastes. I was here on the Friday night of my birthday. The atmosphere, the elegance, and the whole setting was quite excellent. For an appetizer, I requested the Carpaccio, and it was good - raw beef with capers, vinaigrette, capers, avacado, and some sort of green. My main course was a NY Angus Beef Steak medium rare (with Potatoes, some red wine cream sauce and green beans) for me, and a steak with mushroom risotto for my girl (we also had a bottle of Beaujolais) Suffice to say, my steak was WONDERFUL. seared outside, creamy inside. I'm normally not a steak eater, but I thought this was GREAT and really enjoyed it. The only downside for me were the potatoes which were still hot after a few minutes on my plate. No, not normal hot hot, but nuclear hot. Burn the inside of your mouth hot. The reason that it's 4.5 is that my girly's peppercorn steak was kinda rough on the inside, for her. We both ordered medium rare but her's was noticeably tougher. Mind you it was still edible and quite good, but rather tough (for her at any rate) For dessert, we had the Grand Marnier Souffle. It was Delish. All in all, it was a superb meal, rather good for the price, yet not the most expensive, nor the best I've ever had. All in all, I would bring anyone here to impress them, and I will be back.
(4)
Edda Z.

Perfect setting for relaxing and talking while having a drink or tea. Nice atmosphere with live music. The place looks amazing! Elegant and exclusive but very modern as well. I love the lighting, just the perfect amount of light so you look like you just got your make up done. Just put on a little bit of lipgloss and you'll be ready to go. The tapas are awesome! My favorite, the tuna tart (not sure about the spelling) and If you feeling the music, you can dance to at the little dancing area they have by the stage. If you are trying to look good with a date or looking for a date for that matter, this would be a good place.
(5)
Anne O.

Wasn't terrible but surprised it has 4 stars. Food didn't match price. Food was ok but not what I expected for a fine dining restaurant ($$$) with 4 stars. The food was more of something I'd expect at a casual bistro. Glancing through the menu you're not sure if it's Asian, Seafood, American, French Bistro. I also didn't see any "small plates". Caesar salad tasted more of lemon vinaigrette than Caesar dressing. Crab and Lobster cake also had a lemony tang and the berry tart was so-so. The crust was pretty hard. However, bread, butter and service were excellent!
(3)
Dennis S.

I stopped in here for dinner with a party of 6. A couple of the guys were locals and suggested we eat at the bar. Good choice! Our bartender knew one our guest very well and took excellent care of all of us. Since I had not been there before, he suggested I try the burger. Another good call. Most of the guys had fillet steaks and they were all happy. A very reasonable bill for six hungry, thirsty guys!
(5)
Bhoomi G.

I was so hesitant to go today for expensive lunch.. But then, I don't regret it even a single bit after seeing my pasta :) It's a bit expensive but, amazing food and great service.. The portions are so huge I have enough left over for even dinner :P I will come back here again, may be for Happy Hour or dinner..
(5)
Sheryl L.

Very good restaurant. The atmosphere is superb, the food is spectacular, and the service is second to none. Will definitely return here with my husband
(5)
Sara N.

This place has great food. They have a fantastic happy hour menu of food and drinks that won't leave you disappointed. The outdoor patio is big and nice and perfect for drinks and food after work.
(5)
Alyssa W.

There were 5 of us for dinner, and the tuna tartare was perfection. That doesn't make up for the seafood pasta that looked like it came from TGIFridays, or my "Fresh Mozzarella" with tomato that tasted like "Sell-by is tomorrow" with Costco beefsteak tomatoes. While the service was really great, the food was quite literally "meh". WAY overpriced.
(2)
Thomas N.

We had the privilege of having Dennis as our amazing host. I would have to say best experience by far. Skirt steak and potatoes Au gratin to die for and the Chilean sea bass was cooked to perfection. Can't say no to the chocolate soufflÃ©. Hands down still over favorite place from business lunches to a romantic dinner with Mrs Ngo.
(5)
Linda T.

I find this place to be a very beautiful place to dine and have a relaxing night. The live band/ music was great. I had the lamb and it was cooked perfectly how I like it. "Medium rare", pink on the inside. Our server was very knowledgeable and helpful. He answered every question and knew exactly what to recommend.
(5)
Brenda M.

Excellent place. Met with out of state clients here - prompt service, food was very good - fresh fish and nice wine selection. Cool vibe in bar with musician - will return.
(4)
Daniel L.

Items ordered: Diver Scallops Duck Confit Risotto Lobster Mac & Cheese "Prime" Flat Iron steak New Zealand Venison Very Nice Upscale restaurant, the main area is in the Atrium part of a corporate building with awning over it. It's a nice atmosphere. Our waiter was a friendly older dude who was fairly attentive. We ordered the seared scallops for starter, and the rest for our meal. Seared Diver Scallops - this comes with 2 scallops, each cut into 4 pieces on top of sushi rice and pickled ginger. The scallops were cooked well, and the sauce complimented the scallops well. It was a good light starter. Once we finished our scallops, our main courses took a little while to come out. I think this was because we ordered Risotto, like I've seen in all the cooking shows, risotto always takes a lot of time, so I understand haha. In those competition shows they always mess up the risotto, so I'm ok with them taking their time to get it right. Duck Confit Risotto - The Risotto was probably the highlight of our meal. It is rich though, especially since it is cooked with duck confit. So eating too much of this at one time can be a bit much. There was a lot of duck in there and the risotto was cooked correctly. Lobster Mac & Cheese - This was the one dish we were not impressed with. It seemed like the only cheese was the melted cheese covering the macaroni. The macaroni itself seemed like it was stirred in a mild tomato base, and we did not taste much lobster or find much lobster in there. "Prime" Flat Iron steak.(petite portion) - This was pretty good, I ordered the petite portion is 4oz., which was $17. The meat was cooked right with a red wine reduction sauce on some wilted spinach with a side of Potato au gratin. I liked the red wine reduction, and the peppery seasoning of the steak. New Zealand Venison rack - This was served on a bed of gnocchi. I've never had venison before, and it was not gamey, but a rich meat. Not bad at all. The gnocchi was a tad overcooked I think but the flavor was good. We also ordered one cocktail and one draft beer. Total came out to $125 for a party of two. I think I would consider coming back but to try the garlic soup and ravioli.
(4)
Jeff B.

Underwhelming. Left unhappy with our experience. The elk came out a bit dry, accompanied by microwaved potatoes and appeared to be canned spinach. Gross. The elk was placed on top of some weird piece of bread/toast that tasted stale. Unreal that this dish was $40. The executive chef needs to check his notes on what rookie was running his kitchen tonight. The wife got the sea bass/risotto dish which we liked, but the plate was overtaken by the sauce. Keep it simple and let the fish speak for itself. The sea bass was cooked perfectly, why wreck it with a ton of needless sauce. Will not be coming back to this place. This was not fine dining. And I will never recommend this restaurant to anyone.
(1)
Miranda B.

We finally made it back to this place after 4 yrs (the last 2 times were a bit disappointing). We were pleasantly surprised by the new decor/remodel and menu. The service is top notch and the food was exquisite. I can honestly say there is nothing wrong about this place. The prices are reasonable, you get great service, food and ambiance without the crazy price tag. I can't wait to go back for our next date night.
(5)
Susanne D.

If you want to play a little 1990's Back-to-the-Future game with your significant other, bring them to Bistango (like I unwittingly did based on a skewed Yelp rating based on 2013). Why, you ask? Well, the sign greeting you to Bistango is pretty much Matisse font. You know the one. It was trendy to use in your 1995 communications via AOL but NO ONE CAN F*ING READ IT. *sigh* Entering the restaurant, you feel like you're most definitely either walking onto the set of Full House, Saved By the Bell or Step by Step based on the 90's decor... Then you realize that the only people in Bistango who are under the age of 50 are you, your boyfriend, the cocktail servers and questionably the jazz entertainer. That being said, we all know that "black don't crack"...dude looks better than Stevie, can definitely tickle keys, sing like Marvin and he's entertained by 50-something white couples dancing. GOOD FOR HIM. #highfive In all honesty, he probably isn't very entertained by these people dancing but Bistango pays the goddamn bills and this is Orange County and rents AIN'T cheap #preach! Anyway, on to the positives...the valet is complimentary (tip obviously), we walked in and immediately snagged a bar table on a Friday night at 7pm, the Happy Hour menu is extensive and goes til 9pm, the service was impeccable, HH wine $6 per glass. Score! Food...I'm sorry to report that none of it was special. We ordered the calamari - meh, rubbery, served with an odd, flavorless aoili -- had to request lemon wedges but our cute cocktail waitress offered up marinana also. Yes, please. Sliders...meh. But I gotta give them props for replicating Big Mac sauce. Scallops, pretty flavorless, not properly seared and served over an asparagus "risotto" that was decidely undercooked and in need of seasoning. Lastly we ordered the lobster mac & cheese. Again, bland, lacking of seasoning and maybe a quarter cup of scant lobster meat mixed in. And I'm being generous asserting a quarter cup. I later heard that Bistango has amazing garlic soup, but that tip came too late (Thanks, Aaron E) and I'm already uninspired to return. Still, the entertainment (aside from aforementioned jazz entertainer) was plentiful as dicussions around us centered on doctors appointments, rebellious teenagers and taking probiotics *cough* Viagra. Wait, are you sure those blue things at the host desk were mints?
(3)
Kerey J.

Came here on a week night to meet one other person and sat at the bar. Enjoyed the happy hour cab sav and shared the hummus plate, lobster mac and cheese, and scallops with risotto. Lovely dishes! Can't wait to come back and try more!
(4)
Natasha R.

Okay this place is a bit random. First off it's in office buildings - kinda cool/weird. Next the atmosphere - loved the live music, but the back add on felt like a sub-par ambiance/ white walled museum. Didn't stop the feed from being incredible! The salmon was so beyond any salmon I've ever had. I mean I eat a lot of salmon and have gone to Alaska and this place is THE BEST salmon I've tasted! The Bresaola, the Tuna Tower and Garlic soup were just incredible starters. I'd say garlic soup is a must have! Service was top-notch but nothing beat the older Newport pick up science happening at the bar! We had some real entertainment & evening met some new friends!
(5)
Cici T.

The ambiance at dinner started off as quiet and relaxing and soon escalated to musical and lively. There happened to be live music that night - jazz - and an elderly couple with the swiftness and agility of 20 year olds wowed the dinner crowd with their twirls and dips. We were happily entertained. Service was unfortunately very slow (and not in the leisurely way). Communication with our server also proved to be difficult throughout our dining experience. Due to dietary constraints, we requested a vegetarian risotto and asked if mushrooms could be used. Our server seemed rushed and may not have heard the last bit about mushrooms for he was quick to leave our table. For dessert, one of us asked if there were other options aside from cheesecake, which the server was unable to answer. He returned later to suggest that we should order sorbet when what we really would have appreciated was to peruse the dessert menu (or at least be given all the options for dessert). The meal itself was a bit inconsistent. The complimentary bread was quite the crowd pleaser as it came warm, moist, and aromatic (as if right from the oven), accompanied by salted butter. For the entree I had the halibut, which had a firm, chewy texture as expected, but was a bit dry. The accompanying vegetable sides didn't leave much of an impression but were served with a simple tapenade. Among the dining party, those that extolled their dinner choices were the ladies who ordered pasta. For dessert, we decided upon the pear tart that came with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The tart itself was not freshly made as the texture of the pastry was stiff and stale. The pears were on the dry side. Parking was available in the lot and complimentary valet was provided as well.
(3)
Joy R.

Celebrated my BFF here THANKS to all you Yelpers out there...Thank U so much for the GR8 tips & advice!!! Between my Google & Yelp search for 'Best Chocolate Souffle in Orange County' Bistango was at the top of both lists ... RIGHTLY SO!!! We started the party off with a Pacific Rim Passion martini highly recommended by our AMAZING server, Raquel. Btw - We heeded all of her recommendations & LOVED every one of them. Raquel ROCKS!!! We started with the Kobe Beef Ravioli as recommended by all of you. There really are not enough words to describe the AWESOMENESS of this dish...just try it & you'll understand. Also highly recommended here was the Red Snapper with mushroom risotto. OMG...'nuff said...no really SO GOOD!!! Our compliments to their chef :) Raquel thoughtfully set the timer on her cell to put our order in for the souffle as we finished our entrÃ©e. It arrived precisely on time. While the chocolate souffle is their signature souffle our Bday girl opted for the Grand Marnier with chocolate sauce & whip cream. Basically a gastronomic orgasmic experience in a ramiken. Thank you Bistango for your hospitality & living up to the #1 status bestowed upon you...WELL DONE!!! Next time, I'll bring more folks & join you for HH on the patio :) Thanks again to you & your WONDERFUL staff for truly making this a SPECIAL occasion!!!
(5)
Brigitte O.

Our friends had their wedding reception here and the food was delicious and the service prompt and pleasant. The ambience is nice as is the decor. It is easy to find and parking was easy.
(4)
Nate M.

Great vibe, bad location, good food, and PRICY. The first thing you'll notice when you pull in is you are in the middle of corporate America - quite literally, because this place is part of a large office complex. Not exactly the location you'd choose for a great restaurant, but I'm told (server told me) the lunch crowd is heavy as a result. If you can get over the location, the vibe is good inside. They have lots of local art on the walls, large wine racks, and a Jazz band playing on stage. It sets a nice mood for dinner. Overall the food is good. My wife and I started out with the duck salad. It was a unique dish with very tender duck on mixed greens with crumbled blue cheese and strawberries. A wonderful starter for two. We also split the 10 oz bone-in filet with a side of potato au gratin. The steak was cooked perfectly but was heavy on the seasoning... Very heavy. We really enjoyed talking to the server as well. He was friendly, professional and provided great service. Overall a solid 4 stars. Better pricing and a little less seasoning would land them a 5.
(4)
Brittany L.

Probably 3.5 stars. PARKING: It is complimentary valet, so that was nice. Easy to find because of the big red umbrellas and it's located either inside a business complex or hotel type place. ATMOSPHERE: Here is where it lost stars. I have heard so much about Bistango but finally coming here I was like oh, that's it? I came on a Thursday for lunch with my boss and I saw a lot of older, working people who were probably coming here for lunch as well or taking clients out. The inside is kind of dark and has an old vibe to it. My boss and I agreed it doesn't seem very "trendy" or young. I can see why older people like coming here... There is an atrium/outside type area which is probably nicer than the direct inside, but we got seated at a two person booth overlooking everything. Their kitchen is semi-open and they have an outdoor patio too which I was told has special events wed-friday nights and would be fun for cocktails. But even then, the outside furniture seemed older. FOOD: This is what made me question whether or not I should give it four stars or not. COMPLIMENTARY BREAD - Right when we sat down the bread guy came and gave us each two pieces and a thing of butter. The bread was so good! Super soft on the inside and crusty (but not hard) on the outside. Mmm...I definitely liked the bread. MIXED GREENS SALAD - I wanted a salad so decided for this one. It was pretty good, a little too much dressing and no other healthier toppings, it was mostly nuts and cheese. I was hoping for some fresh fruit or avocado but I didn't look too deeply into the salad menu and just chose the mixed greens quickly. It was a good size too, definitely shareable. CHILEAN SEA BASS - omg, so good. I don't think I've ever had chilean sea bass before, but I hear so much about it and the yelp reviews were raving about it! It is still pretty pricey for a lunch meal ($32) but it's worth trying at least once! It comes with a good chunk of sea bass on top of a mushroom risotto. I'm not usually a fan of risotto but it was really good. I liked that it wasn't too mushy and had a light flavor, nothing too creamy or goupy. It also had a reddish (grape?) sauce that was underneath the risotto, and that was very tasty as well. It also has "truffle essence" and I'm sure that added to the flavor of the dish. Overall, a great dish and highly recommended. The fish itself was buttery and soft, melt in your mouth while still retaining it's firmness. AH. Definitely worth trying for that.
(3)
Cindy L.

I came here for the second time a few nights ago to celebrate my boyfriend's dad's birthday (Happy Birthday, Mike!) and this was such a wonderful experience considering the last time I came here I was so disappointed. The front of house staff was particularly sweet and helped devise a plan for us to pay for dinner without the rest of the family knowing. We started with the Caesar salad, which was particularly delicious -- I would definitely recommend this if you consider yourself a Caesar Salad Connoisseur. No anchovies though -- but still delicious! My boyfriend had the bison ribeye and the macaroni n cheese. The ribeye was fine, a nice medium-rare like we had asked, but MAN -- GET THE MACARONI AND CHEESE. Sure, there is shrimp in it, and yes, bacon too ... but there is so much delicious gooey-goodness going on that it's worth it. It definitely made our night, in fact, the entire table's night because we all had a spoon in the dish. I had the osso bucco ala carte and it was AMAZING! It was a traditional osso bucco made with veal and it was so incredible. It was tender and wonderfully seasoned and came with a side of risotto (which I wasn't particular about since we had the amazing mac and cheese). The best part -- the buttery, rich marrow. My only criticism to the osso bucco is that I wish there was something acidic to cut the richness of this wonderful dish. Other than that -- I love it. I'd order it over and over again if my heart couldn't explode from all of it. And of course, the two souffles were spectacular. The waiter came out with birthday profiteroles, which were MY favorite dessert for the night. All-in-all, FANTASTIC second experience. If they continue this streak of deliciousness I will most certainly return.
(4)
Steven H.

This was a wonderful experience. Was brought here for team lunch and I was impressed. This was a dinning experience. Great menu with plenty of wonder of options from seafood Ahi and Halibut to land which Flat iron steaks to chicken. I enjoyed myself and the ice tea perfect.
(5)
Deborah T.

I do not give 5 Star's easily. The new Bar is absolutely stunning. Our dinner was fabulous. Our waiter Mani was professional and attentive. I highly recommend the Garlic Soup, so delicious. Two of us enjoyed the Chilean Seabass with Mushroom Risotto. It was cooked perfectly and the best I have had in years. The Kobe Beef Ravioli was also excellent. I had the Gazpacho soup, it was tasty, although I miss the crunch of veggies , it was a creamy soup. We finished off with CrÃ¨me Brulee, delicious dine to perfection. We never felt rushed and dined in a relaxing environment. Highly recommend this for dinner.
(5)
Eric S.

Dined at Bistango tonight. Food presentation was beautiful (see pictures). However, all items we ordered were just not up to the Bistango standard we have grown to expect. Server stated new chef has changed the setup for most old menu items or completely changed the dishes altogether. Very disappointed this fine dining establishment reinvented themselves for the worse.
(1)
Ophelia N.

Great happy hour! Not really the most extensive list of happy hour drinks but many mixed drinks on their menu with great tasting and affordable food as well. Starts at 4pm and such a great place to hang out with friends/coworkers :)
(5)
Jeff K.

I've been coming here for years and it's a great night out with live (great quality) jazz ensembles and consistently great food. Perfect for a date, anniversary, birthday. Soup - So first things first, you have to try the garlic soup. This is bar none my favorite soup I've ever had anywhere. If this was a soup shop, I'd give it a rating of 10 if I could. Salad - don't do the wedge salad unless you just like to prepare your own salad and eat lettuce leafs with relatively nothing else. Do get the Caesar, which is consistently great or the Organic baby mixed greens. There dressing on this is great. Entree - The mushroom crusted Alaskan halibut is a great choice that everyone, including myself seems to love. The rack of lamb is great with a wonderful sauce and the Filet is my 3rd choice. I like the swordfish as well, but it's been dry a couple times I've ordered it. Desert - Definitely order the Grand Marnier souffle. You have to order it about half way through dinner, but this is an experience you won't forget. YUM!
(4)
Bridget P.

Came here by myself and sat at the bar. The bartenders ignored me for a few minutes, and then I had the pleasant experience of dealing with a bartender with attitude. He rattled off the drink specials for happy hour as one long word and then looked at me impatiently when I asked for water and a menu. I ended up ordering several small plates and while the food was quite good, the service and bartenders were pretty horrible. Sitting by the waitress station and the end of the bar subjected to me to the wonderful banter of the staff that included swearing at eachother, talking about customers, and the last straw was when my two bartenders ignored me when trying to pay my bill while they ranted about the experiences of working there. Finally, a waiter saw me and helped cash out my check for me, the bartenders never even looked up from their heated and profanity-laden discussion. Seriously, this is all behind the bar and within earshot of customers - the staff here clearly has not been trained or don't care about customers and experience. I'll never be back, that was appalling to have happen at a fine dining establishment.
(1)
Jennifer L.

They have a good happy hour menu for tapas. We came here on a Monday evening as a group of 8 and sat outside on the patio. It was not crowded at all. It was cold so they turned on one of the heater towers for us although about half of them weren't working. We got 2 orders of the calamari, salmon skewers, beef sliders, duck confit sliders, frites, mac and cheese, and guacamole, and 1 order of fish and chips, beef skewer, and clams. It was a good amount of food; we were all pretty full and took some to-go. Most items came with about 2 pieces so we all got a taste of each plate. With all those plates, 3 mojitos, and 1 beer, the bill came out to be about $240 excluding tip. Not bad. I recommend the beef sliders, duck confit sliders, mac and cheese, and guacamole. I would def come back; nice relaxing environment with good food.
(4)
Gina M.

came here for HH and enjoyed myself... $5 martinis and tapas. don't mind if i do! they have a decent selection of martinis and they're appetizers were delicious!
(4)
Jose R.

My family's best place to eat. Their food is great and their service is as well. We've been here 3 times already and it's delicious. I love their garlic soup, their lamb racks, and their filet mignon are delicious!
(5)
kim t.

went there for Mother's day. The place is sort of "hidden" in one of the many industrial buildings in Irvine, but it's a safe and nice area. The restaurant itself provides valet parking although visitor parking is 5 seconds away. The place is very well decorated and laid back. For mother's day, there were plenty of families and very multi-cultural. We had excellent service and were seated almost immediately. I recommend making a reservation as this place is quite popular. As far as the dishes, they are generous with the portions and recommend the iron steak and salmon. Halibut fell a bit flat. Price were great for mother's day off their prix fixe menu, but can be a little steep on a regular night. I would recommend this place highly esp to celebrate an occasion.
(4)
Matthew B.

Came here for the first time and although did not have any expectations, I was not disappointed. Really fancy and high class but a good ambience! The happy hour is great got here at around 5:30 and just had a few drinks. Service was good! Definitely will try the full dinner sometime!
(4)
Mis F.

This is a special place. They have paella on Fridays and it's awesome. Their menu is full of great food items. I have only been there during lunch but I imagine dinner is spectacular.
(5)
Randy D.

I came here for a business meeting and first thing you notice is a nice elegant ambiance. There are different seating options depending on purpose of visit-dimly lit inside for romance, bar seating for happy hour, booths, and well-lit tables for casual dining. I later noticed that they also have large patio seating, and atrium seating for larger parties and events. Upon yelp recommendations I got the garlic soup, which was rich, creamy, and had fresh crunchy croutons. The garlic is subtle in case you have work or extra curricula activities following your meal. The filet mignon entree was cooked to perfection, resting on a bed of spinach and red wine reduction. I came in on a half stomach so I just got the 4 oz. prie fixed meal, which was more than enough considering the asparagus and mashed potato sides. Great meal with no room for dessert! The Bistango's mantra is "Wine and dine artfully", which cleverly connects the artwork paintings within our booth, as well as the elegant decorations throughout the establishment.
(5)
Shirish P.

First of all let me say that the atmosphere in this place is very nice however the service was horrible! We had dinner with our friends and sat at a table near the railing of the front door. I was shocked at the fact the our waiter (Michael) have the ordasity to hand me my beers over the railing because he was too lazy to walk around and hand it to me at the table. I was shocked at the fact that he continued to serve us with handing us drinks over the railing. Secondly the food was not that great for the price. I was very disappointed in this place and wouldn't recommend it unless you wanted to sit at the bar and have drinks directly from the bartender. I must say for 4 people to spend over $200 and to be served the way we we're served is completely wrong! Shame on the owner who was standing and witnessing all of this going on.
(1)
Ed K.

Now I remember why I stop going to this restaurant. I though 1 year later I will give another chance. After I ordered my food, waited for wine, once we finished eating appetizer, he brought our wine. When entree came he forgot to bring side order of potatoes, I understand if he forgot but when we finished eating he finally brought them and they were completely cold. Probably seating on the counter for half an hour. I still thought, we will go for desert. Waited another 15 min for our waiter to tell us that 2 deserts we picked will take another 30 min to prepare. Are not you suppose to give heads up... I usually not a person who rights reviews but this was not a good experience.
(2)
Tony T.

On the more expensive side but what do you expect on the corner of Von karmon in a business district. Mushroom pea soup was amazing I would definitely come back solely for it. Also had a California chicken salad that was really good. Portions are really big. Started out with butter and bread Then mushroom pea soup and the California chicken salad. I hear they have live music. It would be cool to check out the environment at night.
(4)
Franco B.

Unimpressed and over-priced. We were invited to celebrate a relative's birthday here. From almost the beginning, we were underwhelmed by the service. A few of us asked for water which took quite a while to arrive. We ordered beer and 2 bottles of wine. The beer arrived as did 1 bottle of wine in a reasonable amount of time. The second bottle for 2 at our table did not show up and after about 10 - 15 minutes, I finally had to ask the waitress. She stated that they didn't have that bottle at the bar and had to go downstairs for it. When it came, it was only marginally chilled and finally cooled off after sitting in the ice bucket for a while. Two people in our party ordered filet mignon, one the regular size and one petite. Both were on the small side and the petite was really petite. This was for my wife who is not a big eater, but left hungry. Crab and lobster cakes were very good, linguine was average. We'll stick with Seasons 52, thank you.
(2)
Charles R.

Great lunch with a long time friend. We sat at the bar and the service was excellent. I had the avocado artichoke salad - which I thoroughly enjoyed. She had the tuna which she rated a 9 out of 10. Look forward to visiting there again soon.
(5)
Meagan G.

Went there for a work dinner last night with two others. Service was great. The deocr was nice, beautiful artwork. They had live music that was very smooth and relaxing and not invasive to our conversation. I had the goat and beet salad before my entree. It was great, goat cheese was generous slices and very smooth and flavorful. The beets where generous. The entree was the Chilean Sea bass. It was delicious, very tender.
(5)
Nick H.

Celebrated my wife's birthday here. It was awesome. We sat at table #23 (best table in the house) and had a great view of the whole place. The staff was great, VERY tentative! The food was delicious... I order the garlic soup, and a flat iron steak. I cant wait to come back and try something different. My wife went light and ordered the shrimp cocktail and a salad. She was pleased with both and nobody had any complaints that I was aware of. I look forward to returning to Bistango in the near future.
(4)
Jennifer C.

VIP service all the way. Decided to try this place out for Mother's Day, which turned out to be a really good choice. It was a classy joint without the loud crowds and long waits like I imagine most places were dealing with. I believe they are usually closed on Sundays, but were open for the special occasion. Thus, explaining the limited seated tables. That's good news for us! From the moment you pull up to the front of the restaurant, you are cater to as if you were royalty. The prompt valet guys immediately took care of parking the car. The hostess immediately showed us to our table and even swiveled the table out of the booth for easy seating (fancy!). It took longer than normal for our waiter to greet us, but that was well compensated for by top-notch service. Our waiter was one knowledgeable guy. I don't know if he could actually read people or just got lucky because he guessed our preferred meat temperatures spot on! It was probably the latter, but still, it was quite impressive. His recommendation for dishes was on point as well. Everyone seemed to love what they ordered. - TARTARE OF SASHIMI GRADE YELLOW FIN TUNA ($16.75): Delicious! It was the perfect combo of tuna, avocado, and spicy soy vinaigrette sauce. I savored every bite. - CLAM CHOWDER S.O.D. ($8.75): It wasn't to my taste. Not bad flavoring, but I prefer a stronger clam/seafood taste for my clam chowders. - PEPPERED PRIME CORN FED ANGUS CULOTTE STEAK ($28.90): I absolutely loved this. The meat was cooked perfectly - medium rare. I like how the steak was cut into individual slices already. - 6OZ GRILLED PRIME CORN FED FILET MIGNON ($31): Beautiful presentation. Meat was cooked perfectly and had the perfect texture. Everyone enjoyed their experience here. Food was excellent and service was top-notch. The decor of the space was very artsy as well. Lots of interesting sculptures and paintings on the walls. It gives a museum-like feel. Not bad for a last-minute, spur of the moment pick!
(4)
Cat S.

They clearly underestimated the number of people for dinner reservations. Twenty minutes beyond reservation time, there were still about a dozen or so people standing around, arms folded, waiting. Then after seated, lots of tables including us just waiting for food. They need better management. Made reservations for nice meal with out of town family. Wanted it to be special, low key, good meal. Should have gone elsewhere. One star. Bread: complimentary bread was good - crusty outside, soft inside, served with butter. We had three helpings of the bread - that's how good the bread was AND how slow the food was to come out. Food: The food itself was about 2-3 stars: taste was okay but ALL FOOD WAS BARELY WARM! Everything was salad temperature. Soup. Roast turkey. Sides. Sea bass. Risotto. It was like it had sat out for about 10-15min before being brought out. Dessert was okay (profiteroles - dry, tiramisu - too sweet), not good enough to finish or order again. Basically: would only come here if someone else was paying & even then, only if no better option. If I got a gift certificate here, I'd give it away. I think you get the idea.
(2)
Alexis B.

Mothers day din din So I made reservations on Opentable. We double checked to see if they would be open on Mothers day just because their usual hours are closed on Sundays. So we park valet ( it was free that day :D ) Walk in and man the owner has a thing for art. For this week he was showcasing ladies naked bodies built like mine! I'd buy that LOL. I won't lie the three sets of boobs staring at you in the hostess area was very distracting lol Anywho we get seated. This place is VERY spacious!!!! I love a spendy place with lots of booths. Most higher end spots never have enough booths! This one does! Oh yea, the live music was nice, definitely something your parents and their parents would enjoy :D ;) Im not from the Sinatra era. It was still all good and perfect for mothers day. So we scale the menu and while doing that the waiter introduces himself. He was a little witty and had some jokes. Got comfortable with us quick. Nothing wrong with that. I rather have a fun let loose waiter than an uptight stuffy one. I didn't have any cocktails , I find it weird drinking in front of my mom lol So I can't comment on those yet. The menu has a lot to offer! So hard to figure out what I wanted. We started with shrimp cocktail, garlic soup and clam chowder. The shrimp cocktail was deeeeelish. Nice fat plump skrimps and very fresh. The garlic soup had good flavor but way to watery. They needed a thickener badly. My sisters clam chowder was different than the standard clam chowder you eat. This had veggies, not just potatoes. It was good. Now finally the entrees. I choose the Kurabota porkchop, Mom the seafood risotto. The sides that my sister ate and we shared were the jalapeno risotto, potatoes au gratin and the white creamed corn. My porkchop was HUGE so big it lasted me two days of fine eating! The coleslaw topping it was not needed! The chop itself was very moist and nice amount of fat nom nom nom nom. My mom enjoyed her seafood risotto. The sides were great, except the jalapeno risotto needed spice and a little more seasoning! For dessert we choose the tres leche cake and it was insanely GOOOOOOOOOD! I wish we ordered two of those!!! NOW for the part that pissed me the F*CK OFF! The hatin ass busboy (not a boy since he was a "grown ass man" Offered to box our food, we said yes. We told him THREE times make sure you box the sides. He wasn't really sayin shit. Plus he stacked the plates on top of eachother which is not sanitary! Out comes the bag and guess what no fuckin leftovers!!!!! Also the bus boy threw in some STALE ASS 6 halve loaves of uncovered bread. Its like he was like these people are perfect to get rid of our two day old bread LOL We told the waiter and he apologized but the shitty thing is, the kitchen was closed so no new fresh leftovers. There was more than half left in each dish by the way! So dessert was on them. Which a fair deal would have been the sides were on them not a 6 buck dessert. My sister was pissed and so were we ! Ill come back but if I see that miserable bus boy im going to give him a piece!!!
(4)
Laura L.

Free valet. Great service. Beautiful venue with rotating art exhibits. Fantastic. I ordered the baby kale salad, being vegan, and was left full and happy. Will be back for sure!
(5)
CHAUSTER S.

the parking lot is very dark outside. chicken and bison steak was cover with ash. if you can lick off the your bar b que grill, that is what it taste like. the bread was tasteless. seafood was over cook which become chewy, the portion is small and expensive. fruits was sour. fork was greasy and has food on it. very poor bar design
(1)
Lori K.

I've been to Bistango a couple times and know for a fact I'll be returning. Both my visits were on Thursdays. Our first visit we had reservations and sat in the dinning area our second visit we went for happy hour, but since the bar area was packed we sat outside on the patio near the fountain. What I loved about this place both times was the food, the ambiance, the drinks, free valet, and the music. Both times the same pianist was playing in the bar area and the range of music he plays and the types of songs he sings are great. He covers so many genres that you're bound to enjoy something if not all of what he has in his repertoire. When we dined inside, I had the pan seared blackened mahi which was served with asparagus, shitake mushrooms and a lemon caper butter sauce. I loved it! My fiance had the Kobe beef black truffle ravioli and he liked his dish as well. We also had a goat cheese stuffed, balsamic fig as an appetizer and the chocolate souffle for dessert. It was a perfect meal from start to finish. Our second visit we were in the patio, part of a larger group and ordered off the tapas and summer grilling menu. We ordered drinks, grilled fruit with balsamic dressing, mac and cheese, the fried brie, the beef tenderloin skewer, the roasted beet and baby carrot salad, the patatas bravas, & the curry lamb chops. Once again everything was perfect. What I liked about sitting in the patio was that there were speakers which allowed us to hear the music playing inside and the various choices of types of seating. There were couches, cushioned armchairs, regular tables with cushioned chairs and even high top tables and other lounge furniture. One reviewer mentioned they didn't have blue cheese stuffed olives for martini's but both times that's what my fiance was ordering and they had them.
(4)
Chelle T.

I've been to Bistango Restaurant three times this week for lunch. Obviously, there aren't many options in this corporate office park. With that said, I've been pleased with everything that I've ordered thus far. They have a nice selection of salads - tasty but expensive. I particularly enjoyed the Waldorf (butter lettuce); roasted beet and artichoke and watercress salads. They also make nice soups. I sampled the cream of mushroom and the corn bisque. Both were delicious. The waiters are friendly and attentive. However, the hostesses could improve in this area. I love the look of the place - modern and sleek, quite uppercrust. While I enjoy the restaurant, I think they have a rapt audience due to the location.
(4)
K B.

Don't let the location and outside appearance fool you! I went here on Valentine's Day and loved every single thing I put into my mouth. They served us a three course meal. I happily enjoyed the Ceasar salad, My boyfriend's Tuna tartare appetizer, Filet Mignon, and White Mouse cake. Everything was so perfectly delicious!! AND, the servers were amazing! Everything (servers, inside atmosphere, food) just made me fall in love.
(5)
Nathan P.

Great service. Nice restaurant. Steak wasn't that tender. Good live music. Maybe the other good is better.
(3)
Grace C.

What do you do when you're a broke college grad and your company comes here for a Christmas lunch? You order the most. expensive. thing. on the menu. Filet Mignon: $35 worth of rich, decadent and savory meat. The ambience is not to be understated, and the staff were very gracious and accommodating to our needs (especially since we played Christmas secret-santa in between courses.) Can't expect anything less of a 5-star restaurant.
(5)
neviah n.

01/29/2014 Dinner 4 stars for the atmosphere 2.5 stars for the service 3 stars for the food and price This restaurant has a nice atmosphere; contemporary artworks inside with classic music playing. It looks like an outdoor restaurant but it's located inside a business building. I love the decor, but other than that nothing stands out at this place. My friend and I got the seafood linguini, "sea, land, and sky" paella, and some wine. The food was good but not great, and definitely don't worth the prices they charge here. The both the linguini and the paella wasn't saucy enough. Our server wasn't very friendly in the beginning, but was all nice and jolly at the end before he brought out the bills. We all know why...for tips! The worst person in the restaurant was the Asian hostess. She had the most unwelcoming face ever and didn't even break a smile. On the way out, we asked her to help us take a picture and she gave us the attitude like we were bothering her although she wasn't doing anything at the front desk. This girl is good at chasing costumers away, because my friend and I don't plan to come back.
(3)
Mari J.

Good food and drinks, horrible service. We practically had to chase a waiter whenever we needed something. Hostess didn't make us feel welcomed, she didn't smile once.. We were sitted on the patio, as requested. Waiter showed up 15 min later to get drink orders. Water was delivered 20 min later, drinks took 20 min more. I stopped paying attention after that. Place wasn't crowded, so whats the hold up? Who knows. There's much better places relatively close with similar food but way better service
(2)
Maza E.

I came here for a quick dinner, but I was definitely impressed. The ambiance definitely gets a 5 stars. It is an elegant and classy place, and there was live music with people dancing on the side. Definitely entertaining. Service and food were also great. I didn't order very much but I did get the Penne pasta which was made perfectly. Definitely looking forward to coming back to try more food!
(5)
Sheri S.

Great food and service - it's a really nice spot for a business lunch or dinner.
(4)
Rith C.

The restaurant was alright, nothing great, nor anything bad about it. So that's why this review will be short. I had the crested tuna (forgot the full name of it), and for 30 dollars, I've had a lot better. I tried other friend's dishes and they weren't all that great either for the price. The interior is nice, and they have a bar where you can some pretty good drinks. The staff were somewhat rude to our party, and this is the main reason I'm giving them 3 stars. They seemed like they kept rushing us to get seated and eat so they can get rid of us. TL;DR? Food is mediocre for the price they're charging. Interior and ambiance is lovely. Staff was rude that night.
(3)
Ivy T.

My friends introduced me to this place because of their happy hour and souffles. It is located in the business section of Irvine around the hotels and corporate buildings on Von Karmen. When initially entering the parking area you can tell it is a higher end restaurant. There is complimentary valet parking! The bar area had a live jazz band along with TVs with the local sports channels. It is very posh. You'll see some of the South County people dining here or businessmen in their suits grabbing a bite to eat or a couple of drinks. As a high school teacher in North County OC it did feel different. I ordered a Cosmopolitan and it was pretty strong. My friend ordered a Lemon Drop and that was pretty strong too. The happy hour menu is long. Some things tasted great and others didn't. Good Eats - Truffle fries - can't really mess it up, but comes with a chipotle sauce - Souffle - Gran Mariner is the good tasting one, but it takes about 30 min to make - Duck Confit slider Mediocre - Chicken Sausage with veggies - I could've made it at home - Lobster Mac and Cheese - it was dry and didn't have that much lobster Take Back to the Chef - Mussels - they were still raw and stuck to the shells and smelled funny; I was recommended by my friend to leave it alone It's a nice place to relax but pretty heavy on the wallet. For a place this elegant, I'm hoping that their regular menu is better than their happy hour options.
(3)
Nicole H.

Good but important review!.. 1 Mac & cheese is not a indulgent delicious dish.. Dry macaroni with real cheese melted on top. So under the stringy layer of cheese is a big bowl of plain noodles. Wouldn't order again :( 2 Chilean bass with risotto- plain tasting white rice w mushrooms and hard asparagus. Nothing creamy or risotto like at all 3 garlic soup is kinda plain, more cream than any garlic.. Left it aside 4 peppered steak is winner! Amazing!!
(3)
TP P.

Excellent restaurant! I've been coming here for years and years as my most favorite place. Everything is consistent since forever. The soufflÃ© is uncompetitive!
(5)
Ryan S.

I would say this isa 4.5 star experience and place to dine. The service is pretty good for the size of the venue, waters are filled pretty often and bread is brought around often as well. I tried the scallops and crab cakes for appetizers, both were good. Scallops were better to me but that's because I'm pretty spoiled by wild fish grill's crab cakes(best I've ever had) for the main course I tried the filet and potatoes both were very good. Wasn't 100% in love with the wine reduction sauce but it wasn't terrible. The Alfredo I ordered was however very good and I was throughly impressed with it. The white chocolate cheese cake was a great finish for the night. I would recommend this place to friends and family and actually I have. Arrive early for dinner and you will have the place almost to yourself until your finishing up when the rest of the world comes out to dinner on a Saturday night.
(5)
Anthony R.

Great food, great atmosphere and excellent service! FYI this is not tapas style, portions are big. Duck confit salad is bomb and steak was delicious. Desert...
(5)
Vanessa F.

I liked this restaurant so much that I've already been twice in the last 3 weeks! My first night here was for a girl's night. My friend had chosen this place because the reviews of the food were good and they also played live music on the weekends. The restaurant is located inside of an office building, but it is very classy, and you would never know. There is free valet parking, although you can park pretty close by with no problem. I decided to opt for the $36 prefixe menu and tried their signature garlic soup, the blackened mahi mahi, white chocolate raspberry cheesecake, and a glass of Pinot Gris. I decided to order the garlic soup because of the recommendations on Yelp. It was really delicious! Very creamy and not too garlicky. I also really enjoyed the mahi. It was crispy on the outside and soft and flaky on the inside. Cooked perfectly and complimented by the asparagus risotto that accompanied it. The cheesecake was also good. It was not very rich, like a lot of cheesecakes, but actually pretty light. We also ordered a chocolate soufflÃ© which the table shared, but I really didn't care for that as much. Two of my girlfriends ordered the Chilean sea bass with truffle essence that night. They offered me a bite, and I literally had a moment. Not that I didn't enjoy my food, it was fabulous, but I immediately knew I needed to come back to order it. Sure enough, my husband and I decided to do a date night and we came back. This time I ordered the sea bass and my husband ordered the 45-day dry aged "prime" steak, which is like a ribeye. We also ordered the scallops appetizer, the profiteroles for dessert, and the wine pairings our amazing waiter, Eric, recommended (the Pinot noir for the sea bass and a Cabernet for the steak). The seabass was good, but I wish the truffle essence sauce was a bit thicker. It had a sort of watery consistency that didn't stick to the fish that well, but the flavor was still good. It came with a yummy mushroom and asparagus risotto. The Pinot noir was amazing! My husband also ordered a side of the lemon risotto (a special request) to pair with his steak. He thought the steak was all right. We switched plates halfway thru (as is our protocol) and he thought my sea bass was better. I really enjoyed his steak though! It had a blue cheese and arugula sauce on it that really made it flavorful and I could not stop eating it! So yum! Cabernet, also very yum! Perfect wine pairings! Way to go Eric! We were actually not going to order any dessert but we wanted to take a peak at it anyway. My husband wanted to order the profiteroles since we don't really see that on menus too much and he loves cream puffs. Boy, were we glad we did! It was basically cream puffs filled with vanilla ice cream in a chocolate sauce and sprinkled with sliced almonds and chocolate shavings. It was soooo good! One of the best desserts I've had in awhile and it seems so simple! During our dinner, we enjoyed the live band who played Frank Sinatra-esque music. I do have to say that the patrons of this restaurant are of the more mature type. Also, people are not shy to bust a move on the small dance floor! It's a fun environment. I enjoyed my experience here and will definitely be back!
(5)
Koko K.

Ok so the place is in a business building with glass windows... which means if you are going for dinner, you can see people who are still working upstairs. The place is very nice, live music, great service, artworks on the wall - some for sale. The food is good but it comes with a price tag so it is expected. I personally rather eat here for lunch than dinner cause it is more relaxing to be away from work environment.
(4)
David E.

This establishment is about a 4.5 star affair in my book. The ambiance is very nice with a artsy modern look and Latin/Asian influences throughout. There was live jazz music in the evening hours on the weekend. I especially enjoyed the Bossa Nova Jazz covers. The place is dimly lit which adds to the romantic vibe. I especially loved the back patio inside the atrium with high ceilings. You almost feel as if you're in downtown LA with the view of all the office suites running up to the ceiling. In regards to wine we had the CATENA MALBEC (2nd level, just above the producer's "Alamos" brand) and the RENACER PUNTO FINAL MALBEC RESERVA 08'. Oddly enough the Catena lost the game, I can only assume the other Malbec was more expensive as Catena is an excellent Malbec producer from Argentina. The TUNA TARTARE appetizer was very nicely done. The tuna tasted fresh as did the avocado. The crab cake wasn't very firm and disintegrated mostly once cut but the flavor was quite good. The GARLIC SOUP was creamy without being heavy and had a robust garlic taste but not over-the-top or over-done (if you've ever badly over-added garlic to a dish you know what I mean). The SALMON ENTREE was cooked perfectly. NOT dry in the slightest and very tender with good flavors. The WHITE CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE didn't have the most powerful white chocolate flavor but the Oreo crust helped it out. I found it to be very enjoyable and not too sweet. The PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE was a complete TRAIN WRECK. I don't think this dessert ever knew what it wanted to be. There was a moderate sourness that kicked in about mid-way through. This seems to be typical with pumpkin cheesecakes and I've never enjoyed that. I think the monumental mistake by the pastry chef was the use of gingersnaps. That taste was overwhelming and overpowered even the slightest taste or sniff of pumpkin. Also, this was more mousse-like in texture and didn't even really seem like cheesecake. Several people in my party ordered this and not one enjoyed it. The service was very good by all parties involved.
(4)
Jeff K.

went here for a business luncheon to celebrate a new incoming SVP and a departure of one of our coworker. we were required to pre-select our entree dishes 3 days before come in since we were rolling in with 25 or so people. so this took out any confusion it may have caused on the actual day. however, our choices were limited to chicken or shrimp pasta. when we first arrived, there's an option to valet your car and a section to park your car like a few feet away from the valet area... i guess you just gotta be baller or lazy as hell to fork over 10 bucks to have someone park your car when you could do it yourself and walk like 10 seconds to the same area... haha. we started off with salad. it was a simple ceasar salad. nothing too fancy. julius caesar would not be impressed. then went onto the main entree....[[Rosemary roasted free range Mary's chicken with garlic mashed potatoes, baby carrots and lemon mustard tarragon sauce]] to be honest, the mash potatoes were the best part of the dish. this may be a bit biased, since i'm a fiend for any mash potatoes. ugh. we ended out lunch with coffee and tiramisu. the food was pretty good... for being comped by the company. i highly doubt i'd pay 40-50 bucks for it. lol. the interior decor mirrored an art museum... almost every square inch was occupied with a painting. and apparently, you can buy them as well. what spells capitalism better than ending a prix -fixed meal with an art piece worth thousands. lol. the servers are legit. they kept coming around to refill my iced tea, and they were very helpful and friendly. i heard this place has a very legit happy hour menu. in the wise words of arnold schwarzenegger, i'll be back.
(4)
jonathan s.

So everything besides that one pasta dish is pretty average. Large hh menu w live music. Funny scene. Old school. Burger had too bready of a bun. Was fine otherwise. Ill continue to make my way around the menu but am hard pressed to have a non expensed meal here.....unless its for hh.
(3)
Dorothy R.

We had our 50th Anniv. Dinner here, with a small group in the Studio Room. The table was set beautifully and the room was inviting and intimate for our size group. From the first moment we arrived, the staff could not have been more accommodating. The General Manager came in to introduce himself at the start of the evening. Juri was our main server, and he managed to impress everyone equally! Every request was met quickly and with a smile. The food was also amazing. Our guests had a choice of New York Steak, Mahi Mahi, Chicken or vegetarian pasta. Everyone raved about their food. I especially loved the Mahi Mahi with Rissoto. I can't wait to return and again sample their delicious food--hats off to their chef....
(5)
Shehzein K.

This place is nice- the seating is fancy and there is entertainment on some nights that add a good vibe into the ambiance. The food is good also- the tapas menu has some delicious items- mussels and calamari. The entertainment was live jazz music and a couple people were dancing. It's a nice place to go for a night out!
(4)
Richard B.

Really nice Continental cuisine focused on fish and meat. A second focus on Italian. The signature dish, garlic soup, is pitch perfect, rich and flavorful, with little hint of its main ingredient. I had the bone-in lamb chops. Fantastic. My wife had mahi mahi. High marks for service: truly professional. Nice wine cellar.
(4)
Bert H.

Went there last night. Pretty busy for a Wednesday night. Jazz band was low key and nice. Tuna was excellent, rack of lamb was great, as was the venison. Kale salad was very good. Great place when you have put of town clients
(4)
Steven G.

Turned-out to be a bit dressier than I had anticipated. It's very rare that I feel like I may be too casually dressed, but I was just a touch self-conscious...very rare for me for sure. The server was excellent. He was a solid professional waiter and proud of it. Yes, a Waiter, a professional who took pride in his work. Not a generic "server". Nothing wrong with either, but it's always interesting to find this outside of NYC or Chicago. Could've been an act but I doubt it. Atmosphere was great n the FRONT dining rom. The back section where we were seated as we looked like riff-raff surely (Nat Nast shirt and Khakis) was not so great. Very "hotel dining room" feeing if that makes sense. Food was very good. Solid execution and strong preparation/technique. Very good...maybe not 'fantastic', but very good. Have fun...
(3)
Wiley J.

If you come here for the music and atmosphere your on solid ground. If you want exceptional food consistent with what you have paid for, buyer beware. Enough said.
(2)
Karen B.

Really nice restaurant! Great service and atmosphere. Had a great prix fixe menu for lunch with soup or salad starter and an entree. I had the 4 oz petite filet which was very good and nice size for lunch with sautÃ©ed spinach and potatoes. My friends had pasta and a Waldorf salad. We all liked it and will go back again.
(4)
Tommy P.

I liked this place. Food and atmosphere is fun. They have traditional small plates.
(3)
Kim H.

Went back here a second time and feasted on tapas. Felt compelled to tell you how awesome they were. All of them. We got: -Greek salad (tomatoes, cucumbers, feta -- nice and light) -Salmon skewers (comes with 2 small pieces of fish, skewered) -Fried breaded brie cheese (I don't usually describe food as luscious, but this was luscious; comes with 3 balls o' cheese) -Mac and cheese (with little lobster bits! Great portion. We actually got TWO of these because it was so AMAZING!) -Beer battered clams (just tasted like chewy french fries, but that's not a bad thing; comes in many little pieces, in a basket) -Fish and chips (pretty standard, fried goodness. I loved the tiny shoestring fries) And I did not appreciate the bread basket enough last time. Or I wasn't drunk enough last time to attack it. I was this time. Recommended.
(4)
Robert A.

Romantic, check. Stylish, check. Affordable, check. Great service, check. I didn't find anything wrong with this place, other than it being a bit hidden, but most gems are. The company I work for took us out to dinner for X-Mas and we were given the option of either steak or salmon. Nobody can really say no to steak, right? Well, the filet was nicely cooked and very savory. The side dishes were also exquist, so no complaints. Waiters were very kind and patient. Everyone else who ordered the salom seemed to be pleased with the quality of it and it being seared slightly to perfection. I really want to go back and experience the same quality of everything as I did a few week ago. Perhaps try something with some zing or order something fancier. Overall, the resturant is really nice looking and they have plenty of wine to choose from. Parking was also free and I the bar looked cleaned.
(5)
Robert B.

Spent New Years there with friends although we left before midnight. As always, Bistango performs well. Highly professional service and excellent food. Great starters. I had the steak tartare (without the truffle oil) and was also mistakenly given the beet tartare. Both exdellent. Filet cooked to perfection, Sea Bass a good choice. Atmosphere all of the time is jubilant. Music always good and the artwork worthy of a look. An excellent dinner choice anytime of the year. We brought our own wine. Reasonable corkage charge.
(4)
mandana s.

like the ambiance, the music, the food and totally everything.
(5)
Norma A.

As with Bayside in Newport Beach, I love the food and ambience here at Bistango. Really enjoyed the food - I had the Chilean Sea Bass with Mushroom-Asparagus Risotto and the Tres-Leches cake was excellent.
(5)
Swatee G.

Yelp disappointments galore..!! Why people..why?! Seriously yelpers.. we need to get our A-game on! The food at this place does not deserve any stars :( So this place had been on my to do list for a long time, and then finally I could make it the other day with a co- worker, and all that I had imagined.. well.. not good :( We walk in with a reservation, and we are seated immediately. The ambiance was amazing, they had alive Piano performance even on a Thursday and the service was friendly. I asked for a wine suggestion, and the server offered a sweet Riesling. I liked it a lot! But after that, everything else went downhill :( We ordered the Pre Fix Menus,and I anticipated a wonderful meal.. The Cesar Salad.. Meh.. I'd get something better at Olive Garden maybe. Th baked Chilean sea bass, was recommended by the server. The description was great, but when the dish came out, it looked unappetizing and colorless. It was just as flavorless. I barely had half of it. The dessert we ordered was just as bland. Overall, I felt it was a total waste of money. Even the beautiful ambiance did not make up for the bland tasteless food :( Not coming back here or recommending the place to anyone!
(2)
Joy K.

I honestly think I would give this a 3.5-4.0 ..which I guess I shouldn't really be nitpicky about..but anyway, I came here for weekday happyhour, and it was pretty bomb. I ate the lobster mac n cheese and it was more than plentiful as something to snack on and despite what others have said about there not being enough lobster...I felt like it was enough. It was more like little chopped lobster bits, but the bits were in an abundance I promise!! The lemon drop was good, and I think I would come back here for happy hour. The ambiance is fun and dark, and just a chill place to hang out with a friend or two.
(4)
Kent C.

The food is excellent and the service is elegant as well, although slower than would be preferred - and this was on the Friday night after Christmas when the place was not crowded at all. It is a bit over-priced but the quality of the food does justify a nice price tag.
(4)
Drew M.

Came here for an event tonight, and was pleasantly surprised with this gem of ambiance in the middle of Irvine. Spent most of my time out on the patio, which is both spacious and appetizing for potential after hours, pre-evening drinks (as this place IS in Irvine and closes rather early). That being said, their happy hour menu is reasonably priced, and gives a lot of options to snack on. I had the Fried Brie with a Raspberry Black Pepper Sauce and the Melon, Chorizo, and Artichoke Salad with Orange Segments and Jerez Vinaigrette. Loved the raspberry sauce paired with the brie dish, and demolished it without too much thought. The classic Italian dish, on the other hand, took a little more thought. Personally, I didn't find the artichokes to play well with the other flavors, but I can never turn down meat on my plate, even if it is paired with melon. A new taste profile for me, but a good addition nonetheless. I had the opportunity to escape my event under the guise of powdering my nose (and not the OC way), and checked out the piano player, who was fantastic. Live music here most every night, which is a big for me. I managed to get around the bar cougar free, though that's not to say that there weren't a few lurking in the shadows or behind a planter... you just never know where they might be. All in all a good place to bring a client, or a good place to start your evening. Bring your suit.
(4)
Mike M.

NOT A TAPAS RESTAURANT (requested Yelp to correct) - at least not in the main dining area; just at the bar and some outdoor area (not the atrium of the office building) - I thought this was a pretty LAME policy PRICE - higher than most of similar quality, so I would say a bad value FOOD/QUALITY - excellent, so that's the only reason I gave it an overall 2 stars SERVER - stuckup with no personality, so came off as rude MANAGER - fake, came by to ask how everything was, but it was totally ingenuine and a bit creepy; reminded me of Mr.Burns from the Simpsons
(2)
Jon C.

Excellent, had Paella and a dry-aged steak. Paella was excellent, plenty of seafood and spicy sausage. Steak was perfectly cooked. Ambiance is great. If you remember and have time, get a chocolate souffle - awesome and authentic!!
(5)
Bianca V.

What a great dinning experience! If you want to make a typical night special, Bistango will provide you with such experience. Make reservations if you can. We were able to walk right in to our table after the valet took our car. The hostess was friendly and so happy to see you. The restaurant is modern and with beautiful pieces of art throughout. Soon after we live music started which really perfects the atmosphere for your evening. Service, the best you can ask for. The manager even came to our table to welcome us and shake our hands. Our cups were always full and the wait staff made sure we felt comfortable and that we took our time to really enjoy the evening. The food, well my dish Chilean Bass with mushroom risotto was amazing and my party had the steak and salmon and were as satisfied with their selection. It's on the pricey side, so be prepared to pay what a good meal is worth ($15-$40) but if you want to celebrate or make a night memorable Bistango will bring that experience to your table.
(5)
Bec K.

It's a great happy hour. I've had their salmon skewers, beef loin skewers, lambchops, patatas brava, guacamole appetizer, and pommes frites. i liked their creme brulee as it wasn't overpowering and also had their cheesecake which was also quite nice. I liked the live music and my friends have enjoyed the cocktails/beer.A little pricey but the food was worth it.
(4)
James N.

I have always considered Bistango to be a solid player in Irvine fine dining, but last night they badly missed the mark. My entree was a disaster: a duck confit risotto spiced with chili to the point of being too hot for me to eat. Hot chili risotto? What were they thinking? All of the delicate flavors of the caramelized onions, mushrooms, and Grana Padino were lost in the fiery heat. On the plus side it was ridiculously cheap -- $12 -- and the ingredients were of good quality. They also missed the mark with one of my table mates, serving her filet mignon when she ordered the lamb. They prepared a new entree for her, but she ended up eating after the rest of the table had largely completed our dinners. On the plus side, the four appetizers at my table were good (diver scallops, bresaola, crabcakes, and yellowfin sashimi). I know that Bistango can get it right, but last night they got it wrong twice.
(2)
Maggie N.

There is nothing more disappointing then going to a high class sophisticated restaurant with poor quality food. I've experienced that sinking feeling many times but really enjoyed the food and time spent at Bistango . Service was exceptional, classy workers yet welcoming and easy to associate with. The food overall was enjoyable but I really loved the environment for a date night. The crowd is great there because there is a dance floor where couples can dance with a live band. I found this adorable and would definitely come back here again.
(4)
Henry F.

My financial adviser took me here the other day for lunch after our meeting, and man, do I love this place. The food was delicious and the service was THE best. I had the rack of lamb with mashed potatoes and also seared tuna to start. No complaints about either. I really liked the environment. When we walked in, all I saw were people in business attire, so I knew right away this was THE place to be if you wanted to take a client for lunch or have a casual meeting. Right when you walk in the door, there is a neat humidor filled with selections of cigars. Apparently, you can smoke cigars on the patio they have. AWESOME.
(5)
Vaibhav V.

Crab and Lobster Cake: 4/5 -- This is essentially two cakes: a crab and lobster cake on top and a tomato-peppers cake below. The tomatoes and peppers were very well-seasoned and full of flavor, and the crab/lobster cake was excellent and high-quality as well. Fusili: 2/5 -- This was very disappointing. We got this pasta with tomato sauce, and my friend couldn't even finish half of it. Oven Roasted Chilean Sea Bass: 3/5 -- The concord grade reduction brings out a very tangy taste to the sauce. Unfortunately, the dish simply lacked flavor, and the fish was rather dry. Blackened Mahi Mahi: 3.5/5 -- One of the better entrees of the night. The lemon caper sauce was excellent, and the delicious leeks had a slimy yet appetizing feel to it. Tres Leches: 4/5 -- Great combination of bread and milk. Liked the cream on top of it, but wish there was less of it. Sometimes, less is more, right? Vibes: 4.5/5 -- The place has a fabulous, fancy atmosphere, a live band, and incredible outside seating. Perfect location for prom dinner or upscale birthday. Overall, it was a decent place - and I was torn between 3 and 4 stars, because the crab/lobster cake and the dessert were both pretty good. However, the overall meal isn't worth dropping 50 bucks.
(3)
Zach G.

Great layout with both indoor and outdoor options. Renovations to the bar have really opened it up visually. So why the single star? The kitchen. Any kitchen that will put out undercooked mussels with an awful aroma should reconsider their training model. The food has proven to be incredibly inconsistent as well. Some great, some good, some downright unsafe. The management. Doesn't remove the single item from my bill or even apologize. Clearly customer service isn't their priority.
(1)
nancy l.

Wonderful food. Are food server was having a hard night, but it was Christmas Eve! I will be back. Some gluten free options.
(4)
Nick A.

Very simple to describe this place. Beautiful restaurant, great ambiance, delicious food & Excellent service. An excellent place for power lunch meetings. The prices are actually good for what they offer & complimentary valet parking is great. Will be back.
(5)
Kami T.

My boyfriend and his mother goes to this restaurant every Christmas Eve and this year was my first time joining (and my first visit ever). Sadly it may be my last visit after our experience. Let me start with the only good thing at this restaurant: our waiter Gary. He was funny, personable and extremely attentive. He was the only positive thing that night. Thank you Gary! Let's talk about all the bad stuff now: - We had reservations for 7pm. We were seated after 8pm. No apologies were given, just excuses. - There was no place to sit or stand because they were so busy. I'm about 90% sure they were double booked or maybe triple booked. - Once we were seated it didn't take long for our starters, but it took another hour to bring out our main courses. Another hour!! - The risotto was bad. Uncle Ben probably could make it better. Just saying. - Overpriced all the way. I'd rather go anywhere else for the same price or less. - Valet brought us the wrong car. If we were dishonest people we could have driven away with a nicer car than the one we came in. What the heck?? All in all, don't go here. You have been warned.
(1)
Elle C.

Everything was amazing!! Seeing the restaurant's beautiful interior made for quite the first impression. The service was absolutely impressive: from the hostess who seated us, to the attentive, professional, and respectful busboys, to our highly-attentive and distinguished server (who refilled beverages so regularly, we never felt deprived)! In addition, the service was completely unrushed; they KNOW how to make guests feel special and important. Complimentary warm bread and softened butter was a nice start to our meal. We went with the Prix-Fixe menu (3 course dinner, $38), starting with the New England Clam Chowder (pretty presentation, very tasty; however, I would've preferred a thicker consistency and hotter in temperature); the Flat Iron Steak also had a beautiful presentation, and was delicious, accompanied by a savory wine reduction sauce and flavorful potatoes au gratin; the delectably smooth White Chocolate Cheesecake served as a delightful finale. All portions were surprisingly generous for a Prix-Fixe menu. Our experience at Bistango was such a fabulous one; it's certainly a favorite on my list, and one that I look forward to returning to -- hopefully, very soon.
(5)
Josue V.

Came here for family dinner while I was back home in Orange County and had a great experience. The restaurant was not difficult to find or I'm a strange location in my eyes as most of the other reviews have stated. The ambiance of the restaurant is very co, local art all over the walls and they had a man playing piano and singing as well. The only issue I had with the place was that since there was an open air eating area there were some flies inside of the restaurant which occasionally would find their way to our table. As far as the food goes it was very good, I had the black truffle and kobe beef ravioli, meat was very tender and cooked to perfection. Had a great time here, would return.
(4)
Paul B.

Nice atmosphere for an office park restaurant. Great negroni, nice tuna appetizer, but main course haddock was dry as a bone. Perhaps just an off night.
(3)
Sanjay D.

Loved the fries and hummus. Live music was pretty good. Saw people dancing in a public place in Irvine! Even did one slow dance with my wife. Planning to go back and enjoy the soufflÃ©. Nice hangout place for older adults (45 plus).
(4)
Michelle T.

I've had Bistango bookmarked on my Yelp page for several months now and I finally had the opportunity to have dinner here tonight. First of all, this restaurant is beautiful. Natural light shines through as you enjoy your meal and you feel like you're dining outdoors. When you walk inside, you're taken aback by the artwork/sculptures that are prominently displayed. There gorgeous!! You might be surprised to see nude sculptures as you enter Bistango but they really are a sight to see! Anyway, I ordered the halibut and the lilies potato purÃ©e. As we waited for our meal to arrive, our waiter informed us that our bread was on its way over to our table. Oh boy!!! A nice serving of butter was placed on our table and here came the bread!!!!! Woohoo...NO!!!! Get ready for this one... Another waiter walked over with a bread basket and some tongs. He placed two small slices of bread on our plates and was very polite about it. I was in complete dismay because I'm used to receiving a bread basket with enough bread to share with my friends or whomever I'm dining with that night. I posted a photo so that you can see what I'm writing about. I zoomed in when I took the photo and you can't really tell how small they were but seriously, they were small. I'd estimate that they were about 2 1/2 inches long. Hmmmm....Now I'm always watching my weight but I don't need any help with any kind of rationing! (Minus one star for this review..tsk..tsk...tsk..) Soon after, my halibut arrived and this was cooked to perfection! Whew! It was flakey, flavorful, and cooked all the way through. The potato purÃ©e had an interesting flavor to it. They were sweet with an undefinable aftertaste! I was pleasantly surprised because I don't usually venture away from what I'm used to eating but I was feeling brave tonight. I really enjoyed my meal! I really appreciated their complimentary valet parking because other high end restaurants charge for this service. Their parking attendants were friendly and professional. Bistango is a restaurant that oozes romance so this is definitively a hot spot to take friends or significant others to. The elegant nature of this establishment is what won me over!
(3)
Page J.

Great business lunch place. I dined with my business associate. Liked the lunch sets (prix fixe.) My fillet mignon prix fixe lunch was $24 came with salad, baked potato and the steak. Bread & butter were complimentary. All good quality food. Parking is either valet or self-park. I self-parked in the structure, my associate self-parked on the ground. Either way, with validation, there is no time limit. Both my associate and I said that we would come again.
(5)
Anthony D.

Walked in without a reservation after a long-haul flight from London on New Year's Eve. They found a table for us quickly despite having a large party throughout the restaurant that evening. That particular night they had a set menu, made up of delicious and varied dishes. Our group of three ordered different meals and we each sampled the different foods. It was absolutely delicious! The steak was cooked to perfection (a rare occasion for me). The price was higher than average, but the value was there, with a chatty and friendly waiter. I'd like to go back again.
(5)
Sarah J.

i came here with my work for coworker's goodbye lunch. didnt really get to experience the restaurant's ambiance people reviewed about because i came here when the sun was still up! but i could see how people say this restaurant is beautiful. high ceiling, excellent service, and with perfect lighting, i can see it so romantic! i like their entrance, feels like im at some new york city hotel! valet is also free too, but you may want to tip. parking your car yourself might suck because this is in a business district so there might not be parking spaces available. why i give bistango only 4 stars even though their restaurant is really nice and the service is really good? because they dont have that ONE DISH that stands out. everything is good, but they are missing that ONE DISH that is spectacular and makes them stand out from others. I did get their seared ahi tuna, and it came out with nicely decorated salad on the side. tuna here is not thinly cut. its actually really big chunk of tuna lol. their sauce was really good, but again, nothing was memorable. i forgot what my coworkers had, but i took a bite of their food and it was good, but nothing crazy. see, i dont even remember! while waiting for my food, i looked at their other menus and they did have some really good happy hour prices. good drinks and good prices. i might need to visit this place for their happy hour!
(4)
Joe Joe H.

Food excellent but wine in this place is not so good. Even though they carry good brands, we have always had difficulty when the uncorked it. Don't know why
(4)
Bubba S.

Went to Bistango for the first time for a surprise birthday party. My friend reserved the special room for larger parties because he was expecting 20 or so people. I have always trusted his judgment and and he definitely picked a winner this time. The service was excellent as was the quality of the food. My filet was literally melting in my mouth and my wife couldn't say enough good things about the salmon she ordered. I think that you pay for this kind of quality, and it might be a bit on the expensive side, but it turned out to be a great night out at a fine restaurant.
(5)
Anne G.

This place was just "ok" for the price. The ambiance was a definite plus but the food was simply mediocre. The chilean sea bass did not have the usual melt-in-my-mouth effect which was pretty disappointing. In terms of service, our server did her job well but she just came off as odd. On the other hand, the chocolate soufflÃ© dessert was delicious.
(3)
Greg A.

what can i say.... just great food, cool bar. nicely decorated and walking distance from my office. :)
(5)
Cheryl K.

Had lunch here for 1st time every. Interior is gorgeous & unique. Very upscale. Service very attentive. I had corn chowder soup & mixed green salad - both delicious. Portions not overly large, but rather perfect.
(5)
Sonali M.

As usual the perfect meal tonight - the freshest halibut and salmon dishes. The best chocolate souffle ever.
(5)
Annie L.

Happy hour extends until 9pm on Wednesdays! Martinis are only $6, which is a total steal seeing their "speciality" martinis were priced at $12. Tapas are affordable. Live music gave it a romantic/jazzy vibe. We chose to sit in the bar area, which I found to be more laid back/sociable. We ended up ordering a bunch of tapas menu items (5 items) including the skewered salmon, scallop and rice, pomme frites, beet salad, and something else that I can't recall. We also tried the sashimi salad and another salad. Both were pretty heavily dressed so you might want to ask for dressing on the side. Everything we tried was delicious. I'd pass on the fries next time though; nothing memorable about it. Overall, between the 3 of us it our tab ended up being ~$127 w/o tip. Not too shabby for fancy dining. I definitely would rank this restaurant more of an "upscale" place. Valet is complimentary!
(5)
Jay C.

Everywhere I go I order the steak and my girlfriend orders seafood. Thankfully she loved me a lot to trade plate with me. Great seabass but steak fell flat. Also, the scallops were great. The dessert was not good. Was kinda sad with my whole experience and service wasnt that good either.
(3)
Jackie W.

I have mixed feelings about this place. We went for a friend's bridal shower weekend. Happy hour on a weekend doesn't start til later (their website says one time and their staff will tell you another one) so after some wine tasting nearby we had to wait around a little for them to open. Thankfully because we got there early we had no problem getting seats for our large group. The guy who was the bartender/waiter in the beginning has obviously worked there for a very long time and was a little crusty...verging on rude. Once we had an actual waitress, she was nice enough and took care of us. As it got later, it became less and less my scene. Wealthy over-40 South Countians, women in giant heels and tight dresses trying to snag one of the wealthy over-40 men. It was just weird. I will say though, the jazz band is great and there was an AMAZING older couple dressed to the nines that were busting their moves out on the dance floor. Such a cool thing to watch. The food was really good, that I can't deny. I would give it 5 stars for sure. The happy hour really makes a difference price-wise too. Well worth waiting a while outside for.
(3)
Marc B.

Allways consistent and great food with fresh ingridients. The Lampchop is one of my favorite dishes. They also have an amazing Tuna Tartar. Daily Fish specials are allways well prepared.
(4)
R B.

Excellent food and service! The server and manager check up on us regularly. The blackened mahi mahi was so flavorful and moist! The chocolate soufflÃ© is also highly recommended! It is enough to share for two!
(5)
J P.

Been here a couple of times when I was working in Irvine. Came here yesterday w my gf. The place has been renovated. Nice and cozy as always. Amazing food and drinks prices. Happy hour is 4-9 daily . You can't beat that. They also have live acoustic band. Amazing atmosphere if you want to relax after work and get small bites.
(4)
Carren Marie S.

First off, thank you fellow Yelpers! If it wasn't for Yelp I would of never even considered this place :) Valentine's Day this year, I didn't want to go to the same ol' bunch of restaurants. I wanted something "different". And Bistango was that place of fresh air that my BF and I needed. The crowd ranged from only mid 20-somethings and up. And maybe this only makes sense to me, but it was definitely low-key "baller", or at least that's how my BF described it. Bistango is nestled in between office buildings, you would of never known it was there if you weren't looking for it. And just like a diamond in the rough, that is exactly how I would describe the entire experience. Everything that went into my mouth was fantastic! Bistango would be considered a restaurant for the up-scale foodie. Also, one word: TRUFFLE. That was totally on the menu. Contemporarily romantic, all I can say is, "YES, bring a date!"
(4)
Mimi P.

Happy hour..drinks...appetizers daily from 4-9..great spot to come if you missed out on the 4-7 happy hour times... they have a big selection of food choices..such as their delicious lobster mac and cheese, duck or beef sliders and truffle fries... they also have martinis and beers so you can wash down all the good food... Inside bar seating area gets pretty packed so you have to try to get there a little bit earlier...outside seating is awesome during the summer time..but during the winter, it can be cold...and they have heat lamps too.. Definitely a good to spot for small bites and drinks.
(3)
Kimquyen L.

Lunch Review: Crab and Lobster Cake: Yummy but a bit on the small side. 2 stars Baked Chilean Sea Bass: So delicious & worth it (sea bass was just perfectly cooked); the risotto completed this dish. 5 stars. Mushroom Crusted Alaskan Halibut: Yummy, the fish was so soft & buttery; but a bit on the dry side. 4 stars. We told waiter we were celebrating a Bday so he brought out such a nice little complimentary Bday cake..how sweet!! =) I will definitely come back here to try out the HH menu & desserts (heard they are to die for here!!) =) Decor: B- Indoors: I really enjoyed the warm atmosphere & decor here. Very nice warm colors inside the restaurant plus interesting art work on the side walls of the restaurant. =) very classy. But, I was seated @ outside patio: nice breeze but didnt like the fact that people smoked out here -1 Service: A (waiter was very helpful on recommendations & nice) HH: Monday - Friday 4:00 pm to close, Saturday 5:30 pm to close: tapas menu in the lounge or at the bar. $6.00 per item FYI: you don't have to valet your car, you can park inside the structure & have them validate your parking on the way out. =)
(4)
Jenny Y.

Really pretty venue, but the service was awful. They took forever to get us a menu, bring drinks, etc. At least the food didn't take forever -- it was out in 15-20 minutes. But the service left a bad taste in our mouth.
(3)
Jean R.

I was here for a corporate lunch meeting and had a generally nice experience here. I had the gazpacho as a starter which I don't recommend as it was too salty/spicy, and i had the ahi tuna for the main which was pretty solid, but definitely not the best I've had. The interior was nice, and the server and general manager were very attentive. It was busy around lunch time and seems to be a popular dining option for employees in that region.
(4)
Caroline K.

They have a pretty long happy hour, which runs from about 4 p.m. on Mon-Fri to almost closing and from 5:30 p.m. to I think 9 or 9:30 p.m. on Saturdays. I don't recall any good happy hour specials on drinks, though, but they have a somewhat extensive menu of small plates at a discount (ranges from $5 to $9). We ordered a bunch of dishes for our party of four, including: -Mac 'n Cheese - Really good (and large) dish to share. Had a lot of gooey cheese. -Pan Fried Scallop w/ Risotto - Scallop was large and juicy. The risotto was not as good. Just tasted like bland rice, though. -Edamame - Yummy! This was charred and was flavored with lemon/salt. Reminded me of the edamame at Charlie Palmer's. -Pomme Frittes - Thin and crisp fries with a couple of dipping sauces. -Fried Calamari - These were calamari rings (no tentacles). These were okay, but I didn't think the batter had a whole lot of flavor. -Ahi Tuna - Came with guacamole on top, sort of like salsa-style. Ahi was pretty good. -Sliced Flat Iron Steak - This was not part of the HH menu. It came sliced with mashed potatoes and asparagus. Came w/ a wine reduction. Prices are definitely not as cheap as other HH places, though they are cheaper than their normal prices (which are pretty pricey). On Thursdays, they have live music in the bar area, so it can get loud, but there's a nice, large patio with plenty of tables. I'm not sure if HH extends throughout the entire restaurant, but you can definitely get it in the bar area and on the outdoor patio. Nice place to hang out with friends. Drinks were also pretty good - they have a selection of mixed drinks. I got one that tasted like a chocolate banana - it was sweet but strong. Check it out if you're in the area!
(4)
Arash A.

Its a very nice place with good ambiance just people are a little too old and the only young people were there was us ,idk if it was bad timing or its usually like that. The food was terribly and unexpectedly not good. Waiters and waiteresses are really nice and friendly people but it was just the food which we didn't like at all. Chao
(2)
Karyn A.

Not only is this a beautiful place, the food is outstanding and the music was divine. You must try the garlic soup as you will not be disappointed! Although it is pricey, I would come back again for another special occasion.
(5)
Diana N.

My boyfriend took me here for my birthday since my only requirement was that I get a chocolate soufflÃ© for dessert. This place did not disappoint! The soufflÃ© came out piping hot but that didn't stop us - so good! We had the tuna tartare appy which was flavorful but could benefit from having more crunchy accompaniments for texture. I got the paella which was not a true paella. The rice was a little underseasoned but the scallops and shrimp were delicious - great char flavor and markings. My bf got the Chilean sea bass which was really yummy with the mushroom/asparagus risotto. The decor is underwhelming to say the least. In need of an update. Attentive service and complimentary valet were great!
(4)
Matt G.

I have been to Bistango a number of times... it is one of those places you drive up to the valet and realize this is a swanky place. And beyond from the fact that its in Irvine/Orange County. Why? You see BMW, Mercedes, Bentley, and other super high-end cars parked out front... Now pulling up in my Hertz Rental Ford Focus? Different story! I've been here at least half a dozen times, and always wind up getting the same couple of things. One of the best bets here is ANYTHING with the ahi tuna. The tuna tartar appetizer, the ahi salad, or the ahi sandwich. The tuna is fresh and flavorful. They use just the right amount of sesame oil to give it a warm nutty undertone. Service here is impeccable. The wait staff notice if you are wearing dark slacks, and offer you a black napkin instead of a white one (as to not get whit lint on your dark pants). A minor touch, but a nice one none the less. They DO allow you to bring wine in, and pay a modest corkage fee. This is handy, especially if you are hosting clients and want to dazzle them with good wine and not pay the markup. That said-- their wine list is impressive and only has a minor markup from retail. Not a cheap date, however--- dinner will with appetizer and drinks will probably run you 75-100+ per person. It is worth it, this is a great place for foodies as well as not being "too fancy" that you can't wear nice jeans and a smart shirt/sweater. Hands down, my favorite restaurant in Irvine.
(5)
Vincent N.

I had dinner here for the first time on Tuesday March 10th for my best friend's birthday... The service here was extremely slow!!! After being seated we not given menus it took us 10 minutes to ask a busier to get us menus. After we order our food it took 40 minutes just to get the salad... We waited and looked around and didn't' see our server for over 15 minutes. We were able to ordering another round of drinks which took another 15 minutes to get. I would say it took over 80 minutes from ordering to get our main course. Although the food was very good, the service is its downfall.
(2)
Lin F.

Happy Hour eats (tappas--10-15$)and wine (5$) lets you try about 6 dishes! Bar on a Tuesday half full, live music from a one man cello-ist. Valet awesome. Paintings by the ladies room-- beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Met my buddy after work and thank god I was wearing my business outfit instead of my scrubs. Real lookers and blazers here. Fancy, swanky, & dim lighting for the "older" ones to look more handsome and beautiful. Will return for a real dinner on "date" night. Not too pricey here for a steak-- under 50$.
(5)
Shaden M.

Loved the atmosphere and ambiance when we got here on a Friday night. Plenty of indoor and outdoor seating with unique paintings and art work inside. They had a live band playing and they were really look, playing jazz and playing both new and classic songs. We requested them to play sway for my mom and they were sweet enough to play it. Service is excellent, I told the waiter we were celebrating belated mother's day and at the end of our meal he brought a special complimentary dessert which my mom loved! :) The food was delicious I ordered the steak and garlic soup. The steak.could have been more tender and the garlic soup was perfect starter. We also had the kale salad that was refreshing and had many unexpected ingredients in it. Overall I really recommend this place for serving, ambiance and food quality and it would make any event even more special!
(5)
Heidi K.

This place is truly horrible. The food is mediocre at best, it is extremely overpriced, and their commitment to service is subpar. One of the most disappointing dining experiences I've had in the last year. Pros: -Good ambiance, indoor and outdoor seating (though outdoor seating is filled with cigar smokers, so beware) -The appetizers were decent Cons: -The food is really, really... not good. The paella was not actually paella (it was rice with seafood thrown in, not cooked properly), the sea bass dish had a side that was so saturated in butter that was all that I could taste. The dishes run at about $35-40, but it tasted as if it should have cost less than $15 -It's terribly overpriced for the value -They have no focus on service! It took 45+ minutes to get our food, and when we asked, we were told they were just backed up, and that we would have to wait for our turn as they would serve us in the order that our orders were placed. No apologies at all, which I found shocking. -We asked for a few extra chips to go with our tartare (it came with 3), and got charged for it, without warning. Not a huge deal, but left a really bad taste in my mouth. I will absolutely never eat here again. But that's just me. If you feel like spending a couple of Benjamins to eat things that bring you little satisfaction after waiting a lot of minutes, you should go to Bistango. Otherwise, I think your money & tastebuds would be much better spent elsewhere.
(1)
Christine Y.

Upon recommendation of a client, we brought a large group here for a business-meets-pleasure dinner event, and I was very pleasantly surprised by the quality of the ambiance, service, and food. They did a great job of going with the flow of our "musical chairs" activity as we made the rounds for conversation. From the cocktails and wine, to appetizers, entrees, and dessert, everything was brought out at a great pace. They kept our glasses full and our table cleanly set, and the servers were above and beyond pleasant individuals. The caprese appetizer, rib eye steak, and cauliflower au gratin side I enjoyed were all seasoned and cooked to perfection, and the entire presentation of the chocolate souffles we ordered for dessert was lovely. I think everyone thoroughly savored their selections, and everything looked beautiful. The restaurant itself is lovely, and the atrium setting is both intimate with the red umbrellas and lights, and also interesting as you can glimpse the very high ceilings and surrounding architecture beyond them. There was also very convenient parking just past the restaurant in a free structure for those not interested in utilizing the valet option.
(5)
James W.

Over priced mediocre food with mixed service. I have been here several times for business lunches and work related dinners. The two star rating is honestly the best I can do. Price vs Quality is 3 to 1. Had dinner last night with an extra large group and no one was thrilled. The chef needs to check his ego and focus on good quality. If your paying $45 for s steak it should be amazing not bland. The Paella tasted like under cooked boxed rice with chewy over cooked seafood chunks. Disappointed again!
(2)
Denise K.

A few girlfriends and I decided to come here for a happy hour date on a friday evening. Happy hour from 5pm til closing is always a plus! HH is only at the bar, and once we sat down we noticed that pretty much everyone here was a senior. Hot spot for the rich elderly? I felt like the atmosphere was a little weird and took some time to get used to because it has an older, jazzy feel with this weird black metal thing with holes around the walls so don't expect nice pictures here! We tried LOL typical little asian girls what do you expect?! And the lighting was really weird because of the holes against the walls. They have tapas and small plates to order with your drinks, but with these prices, it can get pretty expensive to order enough tapas to fill you up. We ordered the calamari, lobster mac and cheese, baby spinach salad, fiesta potatoes, and the mahi mahi small plate. The baby spinach salad and the lobster mac and cheese were AMAZING! The lobster mac and cheese was the perfect mix of rich and creamy without being too overpoweringly cheesy and had nice chunks of lobster. The corn salad that came with the mahi mahi was also delicious, it was one of the best side dishes I've had. However, the mahi mahi felt very dry and I've tasted much better at other restaurants. The other dishes were tasty but nothing spectacular. The drinks that are discounted during happy hour are $6 which is a good price. I got a lemon drop martini and it was yummy. One of my other friends also got a grapefruit flavored martini but didn't really like it too much. But the funny thing is that only the martinis made with grey goose are discounted during happy hour so mine was cheaper than hers even though she states that mine tasted better than hers made with absolut. Therefore, I'm a little mixed up about how I feel about this restaurant because some items were spectacular and tasted amazing but others were just whatevers ESP for the price! I don't know if I'd ever come back just because it's really for a night when you're feeling baller and for me at least, I can only have so many of those nights in one pay period and there are better restaurants in this price range where I'm ALWAYS blown away by the food.
(3)
Vince I.

Went there recently to have a nice dinner with a friend. Was met with great hospitality at the front desk and top notch service from the staff. The food was great. I ordered the skirt steak and the wife ordered the chilean seabass. Both the steak and the fish were cooked perfectly.
(5)
Parisa H.

They have a great ambience, on Saturday nights they have very nice live music. My favorite style of music which is Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, Joe Cocker and Michael Buble. Couples do tango with this music and enjoy their time. Food is great but service is a bit slow.
(4)
Arthur T.

EXCELLENT. Went here with a group of 10 for work and there was not a single negative comment to be made about the food. Venison: Excellent cut of meat. The knife slipped through like butter Lamb: The most common item ordered at the table and it was seasoned beautifully Chilean Sea Bass: The fish snob of the group loved it. Wines: Fantastic selection. We ordered Spanish and Argentine Malbecs; both were flavorful and paired well with our meals Souffle: Amazing! Just do it. Bistango is a very expensive restaurant, but its quite the fine dining experience, which I can't say about every restaurant in that price range. For work and special occasions, I would definitely come back.
(5)
Layla M.

I only ate here once on a business trip and my honest opinion is - cheap food dressed up to look fancy. We had ordered tapas for sharing, including the poke, Mac n cheese, mahi mahi, potatoes and scallops. The poke was good, but lacked flavor. The mac n cheese was probably the best although the noodles a little underdressed. The mahi mahi was like $16 and way over cooked. That was disappointing. Potatoes were not good. And the scallops were $8 EACH. And those were tiny tiny and again lacked flavor. Trust me I'll spend good money on food but there better be value. There was no value here. Other factors that frustrated me is that this place thinks they are too fancy for their own good. The host was really not very friendly and asked me - why are you here? I was pretty taken back. Plus it took a really really long time to get a menu or even acknowledged once we sat outside. Was it because I don't have plastic surgery and look like I'm ridin in a Benz (and no I didn't show up in sweat pants lookin like a scrub). Seriously stuck up people drive me insane. Positives - waiter was friendly and atmosphere is cool outside. Plus there was live jazz in the bar. My suggestion - live up to your "standards" with everyone and provide better quality food.
(2)
Linda N.

I love this place! Been here twice during happy hour and basically ordered everything on the menu. Every dish is pretty amazing from the simple garlic fries to the risotto topped with scallops. Mac and cheese is my fave! Live band and dancing. Definitely an older crowd's Saturday night hang out. Service is great, very attentive. Not very big group friendly but they try their best to accommodate.
(5)
Nane S.

A lot of people recommended this restaurant to me, I had really high hopes for this place. I was let down by the food. The total was $170. And I left unsatisfied. Complained the whole ride home. It has been a couples years since and I still remember how bad the food was. It's like those bad nightmares that keep repeating in your head. The service was great, too bad I couldn't say that about their food. I would rather spend my money at Ruth's Chris.
(2)
Ray H.

The reviews is strictly of the set menu for the Valentine's Day. The sea bass tasted a bit uncooked with no flavor. The chocolate desert cake wasn't great tasting either. The atmosphere was a older crowed with live music. The service was good with the waiter very attentive.
(3)
Jennifer M.

I can't believe I failed to review this restaurant! We were here several months ago, but it was still one of my favorite dining experiences of 2013! LOCATION/PARKING: Located in the industrial/business/hotel area of Irvine, don't be fooled! They have valet parking and are on the 1st floor of a business building. AMBIANCE: Dimly lit and bright enough to read (no flashlights necessary to read your menu!), they have live music when we went on a weekend/Saturday night and everyone is dressed for the evening. FOOD & DRINKS: Amazing surf and turf options! Full bar and GREAT wine list! Nothing we ordered was neglected and all was devoured (with class, of course)! SERVICE: Impeccable! I wish I remembered our server's name because he was a perfect to match our needs for funny and respectful of our space. Gave great suggestions and knows how to meet the diner's requests. Bottom Line - I have been wanting to go back and hope to do so when in the area!!!
(5)
Akshay A.

Made reservations here this past Saturday for a birthday in the family. Apparently valet parking is complementary, but I parked in the nearby structure since it was free as well. I had my eye on the mahi mahi prix fixe menu, but they ran out of mahi mahi. Huh? Who runs out of a popular fish type at 7pm on a Saturday? Grumbling to myself, I instead got the prix fixe salmon menu. I opted for the following: -Garlic soup. Really good if you like garlic. I don't know what I expected, but it was a meld of creamy and liquidy, lighter colored, and I enjoyed it, as did the rest of the people who tried it -Tamarind-chile salmon. Highlight of the meal. More than made up for the lack of mahi mahi. The potatoes were good, the salmon was super tender, the broccolini was...broccolini.But seriously, this is probably one of the best fish dishes I've ever had, right up there with Duke's and some random lemon butter fish I had when I was like 6. Recommended. -White chocolate cheesecake. Underwhelming. Not super flavorful. I'm a huge cheesecake fan, and wouldn't order this again. I also tried some chocolate souffle, and it too was underwhelming. Atmosphere here is slightly upscale, though there was live music playing so it didn't feel stuffy or anything. I found the whole art gallery sale kind of odd, but then again, I'm sure some people love it, so who am I to judge? I wanted to rate this 3.5 because of the mahi mahi thing (I have no clue why this bugged me so much) and the bad desserts, but the solid service and delicious main course bump this up to a 4. All in all, I'd come back here. Oh, and bonus points for the older couple dancing away in sweet 1920s dress clothes. Work it kids.
(4)
Natalia D.

My husband and I went here for Happy Hour, after work. It didn't seem like they had a lot of specials for a HH menu. we went with the vodka they had on special for the day. Both of us were extremely disappointed with the lack of alcohol in our $7 "happy hour" drinks. I think they had a single shot of vodka, between the two of them. The food was decent. Nothing to write home about. My shrimp scampi was a bit undercooked....my shrimp was basically still grey. The chicken sausage was delicious. The sauce with the sausage was really tasty. The sliders were average; nothing out of the ordinary. However, I must admit that my Carne con Queso was cooked really well. The meat was a perfect Medium/Rare. The one slice of Brie cheese, on the top, could have been double, or tripled. It stuck out like sore thumb and frankly didn't do anything for the meat. The lamb chops were adequate. I think the potatoes were the best part of the dish. The chops themselves could have been cooked a little bit less, as well. All in all, I would come back if this place got a decent Happy Hour menu, and had some sort of specials on the small plates, even for a few hours a day. We walked out ($90) later feeling a bit gipped. Next time we will be heading over the the trust Daily Grill, around the corner, for proper drinks! Now there is a place that knows how to host a Happy Hour!
(2)
Carole C.

Great music, food and original art! An absolute pleasure. Our group loves Bistango. The service is great. We need to go there more often! I love going to places that are a pleasure!
(5)
Hello K.

I really liked the design and layout of this place, much different than the typical OC restaurant vibe. It has a posh 80's vibe with all the red and primary colors. Very Wolfgang Puck. I could totally picture Patrick Bateman eating here (if it was in NYC, lol). The menu had a nice variety, something for everyone. Great service and they are very accommodating for those on a Gluten Free diet. We ordered... Fresh Mozzarella Tomato Salad- It was good and I liked the caramelized onion. Needed a lil touch of salt. Wild Atlantic Salmon- It was a lil overcooked for my liking. They said they serve it medium rare, but it was opaque all the way through so I will order rare next time. It was good and I liked the tart tamarind flavor. Chilean Sea Bass- It was cooked nicely, with a melt in your mouth texture. Nice sauce but I forget what it was. The "risotto" served with it was not exactly cooked properly to be called risotto, more like rice (not creamy at all), but it was still good. Chocolate Soufle- Yummy! Sprinkle a little salt on it to really bring out the flavor of the chocolate. not quite as good as the one at Pascal, but it's a close second. Now that Pascal and Mr Stox are closed, I'm glad I found a place to get a nice soufflÃ©. I appreciate it that they don't over-salt the food like so many restaurants tend to do. Yes, the crowd is pretty old, but then again it usually is at pricier restaurants. I'm sure the older folks appreciate the 80s aesthetic because it reminds them of their good ol' days.
(4)
Deborah D.

Great menu selection, food is excellent, wine list exceptional, bar scene is lively with good entertainment. We are never disappointed with this restaurant. From the moment you walk in you are greeted with a smile and seated at the time you requested.
(4)
David F.

I am not sure why so many people LOVE this place... The food is good, but not creative enough to justify the prices. It tries to be swanky but it misses on actually having some cool swank to it. If you are 48+ it might do the trick, but I was expecting a restaurant from Beverly Hills and ended up with something very Irvine-ish. You can't go wrong here but it does not have enough WOW for me.
(3)
Tim S.

Where do I start. Excellent Valentine experience. Food was outstanding, service and atmosphere the same. I have brought clients from all over the world and they love the overall experience at Bistangos, even to the bread and butter. We visited the owner's wife art gallery next door. Fine art at its best. Again, a good experience.. I am not a relative, just a customer..Good time..Thanks as I will continue to experience fine dining at its best..
(5)
Ryan M.

Beautiful setup and ambiance which says a lot because the restaurant is situated right smack dab between large office buildings in a corporate park. But they somehow get you to forget this as you walk from the (free) valet into the restaurant and out to the patio area under all the umbrellas. My client treated me for lunch so I cannot speak much to the prices, but from the little I saw, it's a bit pricey. But you get great service and food. I tried what is definitely one of the best salmon entrees I've ever enjoyed. So much so that I may just have to order the same thing if I make it back to this area/restaurant. Due to the proximity to the businesses, it's very much a corporate power lunch type of place.
(4)
David P.

Pretty good exp overall. Took a date here on a Tuesday night. First things to note: only select drinks are on the happy hour menu. Martinis were incredibly strong and roughly 7 dollars. Fine by me. Had some calimari, was awesome. The trio jazz band was very impressive. As someone that also plays music, I was into it. Reason for docking one star (actually, f it, this waitress pissed me off. 2 stars): At this point (roughly 2.5 hours in), we had ordered 2 martinis, 1 calimari, and 2 beers. The waitress comes by and ask us if we'd like any more food since the kitchen is closing: roughly 9:15pm if I recall and we were about halfway done with our beers. I politely said, "we're good on food, just the check when you have a chance please.' Said waitress gave me a very displeasing and ugly look. It's a Tuesday night: I'm not looking to get shitfaced. Don't give me a bitchy look because I ask for the check. Roughly 20-25 minutes pass, no check. No acknowledgement by said waitress. Brings check to other tables, dessert to other tables. Just stopped acting like we were there. I had to ask another waiter to bring us the check. If I really wanted to be a dick, I wouldn't have tipped her anything. Anyways..no problem, enjoy your mediocre tip. You did a great job up to that point and I would have given ~25%. 15% at best now. Waiters and waitresses in this industry: don't take the passive aggressive route towards customers. Both I and my date noticed it, and it was extremely rude and uncalled for. When I want the check, I want the check. I don't want to finish all my drink/food and wait around for 10minutes. Note the total for 2 martinis, 2 beers, and 1 calimari was $35 and change. I truly hope said waitress reads this so she knows what not to do when working in the service industry.
(3)
Eden O.

Came here for happy hour with a girlfriend, we were both in awe at the amount of included dishes for happy hour prices. Bistango is located in an office building in Irvine business area; you will get a ticket to enter the parking area, however validation is not required after 7:30p. It also appears at first glance that it is valet only, however if you drive straight you will see the self-parking area. I was expecting a slightly more "mature" crowd and I sure got it. The happy hour is located in their bar area only, which at 5:30p on a Thursday was already filled up. In the corner of the bar they also have live music which can range depending on the night. A piano is set up, but for us this night we had two men playing acoustic guitar. Later in the evening a few couples even started dancing on their small dance floor. The drinks included for happy hour are not as extensive as it is for the food, includes a house red and white wine, a couple domestic beers and two signature cocktails (I can't remember exactly, but something along the lines of lemon drop and cosmo martinis). The food was a different story (SO many options), we finally choose a few to try: Breaded Brie Cheese, Duck and Beef Sliders and the Patatas Bravas. Prices were about $5 - $8 each. Food had decent flavorings and presented well. I would definitely get those duck sliders again. The Brie wasn't served quite hot enough for my liking. Happy Hour from 4 to 9p is also unheard of in Orange County. Perfect spot to catch up with a friend or something mellow during the week after work. Nothing trendy but more of a classic upscale feel.
(3)
Candice Y.

A gem of a restaurant hidden amongst the buildings of corporate Irvine, Bistango is reminiscent of now-closed Kimera. The reality is that the two have very little in common aside from their location and valet parking, which is validated for all guests. The immense size of the place is astounding. As the hostess led us to our table, it was impossible not to admire the restaurant's makeup, the unique details configuring the restaurant's interior and ambience. To the right, a bar area for those frequenting the restaurant for happy hour. Artwork decorating the walls framing the abundant number of booths and dim lighting throughout the venue. From a corner, romantic 90's tunes played by a live band and several couples swaying to the band's music. And straight ahead, a patio opened to the night sky. We were seated out on the patio in an intimate booth proudly displaying the work of a local artist. Although we could not see the band from where we were seated, the music was clearly audible and set the tone for the evening. While waiting for our drinks, we perused the extensive dinner menu which we noticed included a nightly three-course prix fixe menu. We also noticed that the menu changed on the daily and were impressed by the number of choices available. Because I was unable to decide between the Baked Chilean Sea Bass and Mushroom Crusted Alaskan Halibut, I asked our server to assist in my deliberations. I ordered the Baked Chilean Sea Bass several moments later. My friend chose the Peppered Prime Flat Iron Steak from the prix fixe menu. I had a strong itching desire to explore the rest of the restaurant to take a peek at the art displayed in each booth, but did not (or could not?) because it would not have been proper etiquette and I was sure the couples would not welcome any visitors, albeit how friendly. So we sat and participated in the enlightening art of conversation while making the occasional remark about a familiar song, trying not to think of our rumbling stomachs or the delicious food to come. Anyway, I deviate. Order the Baked Chilean Sea Bass. The menu says the entree includes "Exotic Mushroom-Asparagus Risotto, Truffle Essence, Concord Grape Demi-Glace Reduction." I am not a chef and do not know the significance of using truffle essence or concord grape demi-glace reduction, but what I do know was that the dish was absolutely magical. The Chilean Sea Bass was perfectly flaky and moist, and each bite was so flavorful and just about melted in my mouth. Every morsel was savored slowly to keep the lingering taste on my tongue while balancing the fish with the "exotic" risotto. To top it off, the presentation was immaculate, although the plate looked pretty for all of the minute during which I took the requisite photo prior to sabotaging its appearance with my fork. Once we finished all we could of our entrees, the server provided a choice of complimentary dessert as it was my birthday. Per the recommendations of other reviewers, we selected the chocolate souffle and were pleasantly delighted. The server also entertained us by saying that one must not speak loudly when preparing a souffle as the dessert will deflate and topple on itself. I wonder if he just thought we were loud... haha Overall, my dinner was a fabulous experience. The service was top-of-the-line and the decor appealed to my inner artist. I left the place knowing I'd be back someday and have yet to return. But those mid-week beer tastings on the patio look highly plausible...
(5)
Christy S.

We went there for happy hour after seeing a play at the Barclay theater. The tapas & drinks are really flavorful, unique, and delicious and reasonably priced, so it's definitely a handy place to go out for a nice evening with friends. The only down sides were that we were seated outside and though the fountain made the atmosphere really nice, there was no lighting so we all sat in the dark after a certain time with no light, not even candle light and worst of all, the staff didn't notice and didn't seem to care. That's the main thing - I found their service and attention to our needs really, really minimal. The server seemed really unhappy and almost resentful when we asked for things. Maybe she was having a bad day, but we all felt it. We had to wait a pretty long time to get our food and we had to go inside and ask if they were going to take our orders because we were waiting for quite a while. I don't know if it was a situation of "out of sight, out of mind" because the service all but ignored our rather sizable party. It was a slow night for them too, so I didn't see any excuse for this kind of service other than simply not caring.
(3)
BJ B.

I hosted an event at Bistango Irvine for a business dinner. Great venue. The service was amazing and the food options and flexibility were refreshing. Like most restaurants, noise is always a factor but theirs was less than most.
(5)
Ian L.

Went back a second time with a group of 6 of us; the gratuity was extremely high (21%). That is really, really high. Nevertheless, the food and service were good as usual. Standouts: Happy Hour Menu: The beef skewer and the duck confit sliders. Entrees: Shrimp Paella. The pork chop was underwhelming. Useful Lunch Tip: There is a little known (hidden) lunch takeout menu with prices ranging from $8-12, ask for it. The servers always push you for the pricier bar and entree menus which range from $15-30.
(3)
Autum B.

The happy hour here is really great! Good quality ingredients at a reasonable price. The bartender, David was awesome! Really attentive service. All of the suggestions he made for food and drinks were spot on. We will definitely be back soon. Thanks David!!
(5)
JD N.

Beautiful decor and live music. Dressy type of restaurant. The restaurant is huge, located inside an even bigger business building. Valet parking. We got the seared rare sesame seed crusted tuna, 3 course prix fixe grilled prime hanger steak, and the 3 course prix fixe pan seared blackened mahi mahi (prix fixe came with garlic soup or soup of the day, and a white chocolate cheesecake). My friend stated that the tuna was good, but she would like it better if they went easy on the sesame seeds; the taste was a bit overpowering. We both chose soup of the day, which tasted ok. I forgot what kind it was...The mahi mahi was ok, it was placed on top of sweet white corn and a lemon butter sauce, which made it better. The hanger steak (medium rare) was delicious. Service started out just ok, but got better and better. We also received complimentary dessert for my friend's birthday. About $40-60/person depending on what you order, without drinks. I'd definitely like to come back to try their other steak choices.
(4)
Annbriel B.

The bf and I randomly wanted to go somewhere fancy to celebrate nothing in particular. He wanted Tapas and we don't have a usual place we go to for such things, so I did the usual Yelp search. This place ended up seeming like the best option. Our first clue should have been the location. It's in the Irvine business district. Snooty business people. Not our crowd. We walked in a were seated at a nice corner booth. We opened our menus and were startled by all the super duper crazy prices. Where's the Tapas?!? We asked the server and he politely informed us that the Tapas is in the bar and patio only. We happily moved outside. The guy serving the patio was acting as if he wasn't really a server and wasn't really sure of anything and this was all pretty funny. He was nice, just not super helpful. I ordered a Cosmo and bf ordered a gin&tonic. Both were average. Our first order was the chicken sausage. It's exactly what it sound like. It's a sausage, sort of cut up, on a plate, in yummy sauce. I like the sauce, not the sausage. Second we ordered the beef. It was cooked PERFECTLY, and the freaking sauce was THE BOMB. Get it. Then we got the calamari. It was ok. I didn't think it was fried long enough. And the dipping sauce was less than overwhelming, i.e. not a lot of flavor. Lastly, we ordered the shrimp scampi. Best thing we ordered. The lemon sauce it was in was SO good I wish I was still eating it. I wish we just got the shrimp and the steak. Oh well. I was still a little hungry after the 4 plates, but my bf guesstimated that we had already spent $55 so he wasn't sure he wanted to spend more. (It was $55 btw. He's so smart :)). He did offer that we get dessert, so we asked the server about it and he recommended the chocolate soufflÃ©. Well, the soufflÃ© takes 30 mins to make, so even though we were both really wanting it, we were also really wanting to leave. The ambiance was killing me. We declined the soufflÃ© and the other desserts too. A good server would have let us know at the beginning of the meal. Not cool. Don't get between me and a good chocolate soufflÃ©. Or anything chocolate for that matter. A word about the ambiance... SO 90's. I felt like i was in an episode of Sex and The City but I don't mean that in a good way. If you are a business person, above 35, you like spending money, you love valet parking, you think having a fancy car is important, and maybe you're a high end call girl, then you will like this place. We are none of these things. We are in our mid 20's, we like coffee shops and mexican beer. We do not like this snobby rich people of the ages crowd. Bleck. Final verdict: The tapas is overpriced, 1/2 was delicious, the other half was meh, from my quick look at the regular menu all of the food is overpriced and I bet about the same consistence in quality, the ambiance sucks, the crowd sucks, the service was friendly but unprofessional... all in all, 3 Stars, and we probably wont be back.
(3)
Amy Y.

I came here for a meeting for work so I didn't really get the full menu or idea of the pricing but I did have the roasted chicken and it was pretty tasty! Downside is that the restaurant is loud for some reason. Not loud like with people talking or it's too crowded, but loud as in...there is some huge noisy fan hidden somewhere and you can't figure out where it is coming from! We asked the waiters about it too but they said it wasn't something that the could fix.. and it did affect us in that we had to basically yell at each other in order to hear each other. other than that, not a bad place. they validate for parking so that's a plus. :)
(3)
Michael C.

I've been here for lunch and it's pretty solid. I heard they have happy hour all night from 4-9 on weeknights. Sounded perfect because I didn't want to rush making it somewhere else where happy hour usually ends at 7. Their happy hour specials are just tapas. They have a pretty long list of items to choose from and they ranged from $6-10. There are no deals on drinks. -Garlic fries - shoestring fries with truffle oil, garlic, and parmesan served with hony mustard. They were pretty crispy and had a good amount of garlic and parmesan. I didn't taste any of the truffle at all. Good sized portion for about $6 -Calamari - Nothing special here. Just rings and not much flavor to the batter. -Diver Scallop w/ Risotto - You get one scallop over a big bed of risotto. The scallop was good but I just wish there was more. The risotto was sub-par and tasted like bland fried rice. I wasn't expecting much from the food and just wanted something to snack on while I had a few drinks. They have a decent selection of bottled craft beers and they're a lot cheaper ($6) than getting cocktails at $12. The service was great at the bar. They had live music from the piano and guitar. The environment was classy. There's valet right in front of the place and the self parking is just around the corner in the structure. The parking gate opens after 7pm so it is free. They do validate in case you leave earlier.
(3)
Chantal S.

My all-time favorite restaurant. There; I've said it. Food is consistently good; drinks are terrific (and really, what else matters?) They have a huge outside patio for smoking, cigars, and other non-PC activities. They get VERY busy around the holidays, so you have to book your holiday party a year in advance, but everyone we've ever taken there loves it. BTW, when other reviewers refer to "riff-raff," they probably mean me, bc I have no compunction about stopping there after work in sweatpants. Since I've been doing this for years, and the owner has probably sent his kids to college on the $ I've dropped there, they let it slide, but rest assured that most patrons are far more polite and presentable than I am ;)
(5)
Jose R.

Love this place I recommend it to all my friends. I've been here on a couple of occasions.
(5)
Amanda D.

Beautiful hidden gem inside of the industrial and hotel park. Although the crowd is more sophisticated than I would like, the environment is impeccable. There is an art piece above of every table and I was thrilled by the White Knight Moscato! Also like the fact that the pour size of wine comes in 3, 6 and 9 oz....:)
(5)
Joe M.

Food was excellent. The garlic soup is one of their specialties and I loved it. Fish and meats served to our table were all enjoyed. Service was very attentive. Rate it a 4.5.
(4)
1ofaknd D.

My fav lunch place when im working in irvine! i love love their mahi mahi & Chilean Sea Bas is amazing!!!! the service is wonderful & i never can get enough of that yummy bread & butter in a basket and they always remember me for that! eat! eat! eat!
(5)
LS H.

Yummmmm so good, always creative and delish, steak plus potatoes spinach asparagus Yowza service a little off but still it's always a great meal here
(4)
Lynn N.

Went here for HH on a Monday night with Hubs for date night. Was disappointed that they didn't have the same $5 happy hour menu. But oh well, we were already there and decided to stay. So we just ordered off the menu and a few things off of their "Tapas Menu". Here's the low down on what we had: ...Seabass - Eh... Wouldn't pay $36 for it again. It tasted frozen and overcooked ...Beef Tenderloin skewer (Tapas Menu) -- Delish! ... Calamari (Tapas Menu) -- Yummy! ...Beef Ravioli with Truffle (Reg Menu) -- A little salty, but was better than expected.
(3)
Stephanie K.

My friends and I try a different restaurant every month and This was one of them. I loved it here the atmosphere, and good vibes were flowing! It was an older crowd but it was cute to watch them dancing and having a good time!! The food and drinks were very good and the severs were wonderful!
(5)
Julie K.

I drive past Bistango every single day on my way to and from work and it never really crossed my mind to go there for... anything really. As it turns out, I got a chance to check out their Happy Hour and dine there for lunch in the same week! They have a great HH menu, their house wines are $5/glass and martinis are $6 (but only made with Blue Ice vodka). Appetizer prices are not too shabby either, under $10 and decent-sized portions. My friend and I shared the pomme frites and calamari - the fries were SO good while the calamari was just okay. They both came out piping hot though! The bar/lounge area wasn't completely full but it wasn't dead either. They had a live jazz band playing which was a nice touch. A really good, local HH spot if you're not looking for a "scene-y" crowd. A couple days later, we had a work luncheon there and man... what a great lunch that was! They offer a prix fixe menu of your choice of soup or salad and a petite filet mignon for $21. This was SO good and a great value. I chose the spring greens as my choice of salad - this came with a nice crostini with a wedge of goat cheese, very good. The filet came with mashed potatoes, sautÃ©ed spinach and asparagus. Now, I only recently started eating red meat again and I do so very sparingly. This filet encompassed everything I missed about red meat. It was cooked perfectly, melted in your mouth, and was just a perfect piece of steak. Service both times was top notch. Valet is complimentary. I love Bistango.
(5)
Scott B.

Someone said it in another review and I couldn't agree more. This place is like the typical restaurant you find attached to a hotel. Fairly good service and atmosphere with truly mediocre and overpriced food. First the good. The decor and atmosphere are quite nice, the umbrella covered atrium area is pretty neat. Also the service was polite and cordial, nothing to complain about. The food however was totally ordinary by any restaurants standards but at this price I'd call it bad. -The tomato mozzarella appetizer was ok. The tomato and cheese were both lacking flavor. It tasted like someone was heavy handed with soy sauce? -The garlic soup many reviews raved about also lacked flavor. The most distinct flavor was just that of cream. -The filet and truffle ravioli was underwhelming, maybe frozen before? When I think of filet and truffle I think of potent, rich flavors. This wasn't either. Really just kind of salty. I wasn't very fond of the mushrooms on top either. Maybe 15 to 20 years ago this place would have been great, but the unique, fresh, quality food so many places are serving now puts bistango to shame, especially at this price range. People shouldn't settle for this sort of place any more.
(2)
Daniel M.

Ambiance is great. Food, music and service first class. I would give this place 5 stars if the server had a little more experience with the menu.
(4)
Lauren N.

I've been here about 4 times over the past few years. Each time I've ordered the same thing - penne pasta with asparagus. It's just too good for me to order anything else! This last visit I ordered a glass of wine. The waiter brought out a wine glass and a small carafe of wine. He poured a small amount into my glass and continued to pour a little more as he saw me drink some (as he passed by). Soon after he poured the first bit into my glass, I noticed a little fruit fly decided to take a dip in my wine. I brought it to my waiter's attention and he apologized and immediately brought a new glass and a new little carafe of wine. My only complaint is that when the bill came, my glass of wine was more expensive than anticipated. There's an option for a 4 oz or 6 oz glass. The waiter didn't ask which one I wanted and I ended up getting the 6 oz when I would have ordered the 4 oz. I guess I should have been specific, but he also should has asked. Either way, the food is delicious. My husband got the fettuccine with seafood and he said it was one of the best he's had. Just be aware also that you can't add a side salad to your meal for $3 like other restaurant. My "side salad" was $8!! Almost half as much as my entree cost!
(5)
Tiffany T.

The crab cake and tamarind wild King salmon are gooood.
(5)
Jeanine W.

I've been to Bistango a handful of times while my parents are in town and I've consistently had a positive experience. A few dishes I would recommend include the Carrot soup, Garlic soup, salmon, Kobe beef ravioli, and tiramisu for dessert. I also LOVE the concept of a human bread dispenser walking around. I always spoil my appetite when there's a bread basket sitting on the table at other restaurants so this is the perfect way to make sure I still have room for my yummy dinner. I've always had an excellent waiter, who seemed to really care about our dining experience. The decor is the cherry on top to add the the delicious food and amazing service. The dimmed lighting makes for an intimate meal, the artwork is interesting, the piano player is always exceptional, and it's just so cute to watch older couples dance in the background while enjoying your food. Worth the splurge for special occassions.
(5)
Elysse P.

Went with a few of my girlfriends for an early birthday celebration! Happy hour is amazing. We ordered one item each and shared, and everything was yummy. It's very classy and relaxing.. a nice place to catch up with friends, have a cute date, and wind down :) There was live music when we were there; They played oldies... it was cute... couples slow dancing, aw so romantic. HEHE. I Recommend: lambchops clams chorizo salad CHOCOLATE SOUFFLE (If six girls on a Vegas diet can scarf this down in less than 5 minutes..... you know its bomb.)
(5)
Larry L.

no quite what i expected,12$ for a mac and cheese with a couple of shrimps...service was ok...not going back
(2)
Eddie G.

Went here for a team dinner and the food was perfect. The Jazz that was playing in the background was the spark to the place as well as the waiter-Kevin. We all had a great time and would recommend to anyone who wants to have a pleasant dinner.
(5)
Kirun M.

No longer an Irvine resident, I never would have come here if it weren't for my dear friend. I am glad she recommended we come here - and sit at the bar. I didn't get to see the regular menu, but the bar menu (with smaller portion sizes) along with the tapas menu and the Thursday night patio menu left us with several options that fit our appetites and the budget. We started with some wine. They have many by the glass option as well as different sizes - 3oz, 6oz and 9oz. I had a great 6oz Zin and then a 3oz of the same Zin. Why switch when you made the right choice right off the bat? My friend and I decided to share a margherita pizza to start. It was a pretty generous size and we didn't finish it so we'd have room for our entrees. I had the 4 oz swordfish entree which was served atop lemon orzo. The fish was perfectly seasoned and cooked. The orzo was rich and delicious as well. A perfect compliment to the fish. The only thing it lacked was a side of veggies. That would have rounded out the meal perfectly. She had the grilled salmon kebabs with tzatziki and couscous, which she loved. Everything we had was delicious and I would definitely come back here next time I'm in town and craving excellent food.
(4)
Jeff K.

Bistango is a little funny. It has all the elements of a hip, modern restaurant. The place exudes Zen American - and if it weren't for the live music, I would have given this place another star. I'm all for live music. But it's a really nice-looking place that just needs some ambient background sounds. Might I suggest classical music or piano? But noooope, instead there was some band performing wedding songs on a Friday night. Groundless to say the least. And I must mention that the audience clearly consisted of older locals, who'd much rather have things laid back in an "OC" fashion. The food was acceptable. Tasty would be too fervent of a description.. but I do give them one accomplishment: Usually I don't like veal, but after having it here I've reconciled with the dish. Mm. so flavorful and tender. Perhaps 3.5 stars is more like it, but I'll round up because the service was top-notch. Definitely one of those places where your water is refilled ten times without request.
(4)
Kaylin O.

I had a holiday dinner here with a bunch of girlfriends over the weekend. When we first arrived, it was completely empty. People started trickling in afterwards. Since we arrived early, we were able to park in the other parking area for free. People mentioned valet only but we were able to find parking close by for free. The valet guy was nice enough to tell us. I love the ambiance there. It's cozy and there's music playing in the background. They had live entertainment that evening. Since I was still full from my quick lunch at Lawry's Carvery, I decided to go with the Prix Fixe Menu. They have a couple of Prix Fixe Menus one for $39 and one for $32. Each one came with a appetizer, entree, and dessert. It's great for those who couldn't decide on what to get. They had a lot of variety on the menu but it was not overwhelming. I chose garlic soup (substitute for soup of the day), filet mignon, and pumpkin cheesecake. The garlic soup was pretty good. The filet mignon was very tender, cooked medium rare with a side of mash potatotes & spinach. This was also good. The pumpkin cheesecake was good as well. We also had Ponzi, pinot gris, that was crisp and nice. What stood out is the ambiance and the service. Everyone was very pleasant and patient. You can dance and look at the art displayed throughout the restaurant or you can just chit chat like we did. There is outdoor seating as well. Some of the diners were very dressed up for the evening. This restaurant is more for sophisticated mature adults. It's great for small gatherings amongst close friends as we did that evening. I would recommend this restaurant.
(4)
Kathy C.

I've been to Bistango on several occasions and the service has always been great. My steaks were always cooked to perfection. The bartenders are also quite friendly. There are several pieces of art displayed throughout the restaurant. The location of the restaurant itself is a bit odd as it is on the first floor of a corporate business building. The attire is business casual.
(3)
Larry T.

Turkey dinner when few restaurants are open.
(4)
Jessie T.

This is always a favorite of mine --- the sax in the background was amazing! Thank you for a yummy and entertaining night -- I am still smiling!
(4)
Noel C.

Food was very good, but the grand marnier soufflÃ© was the highlight. Enjoyed the live band as well.
(4)
Babette Z.

My husband and I dined here last night 11/21/13. Wine, food and desert were excellent. Rib Eye, Filet Mignon (melts in your mouth) and the Grand Marnier soufflÃ© was to die for! We would like to thank our server Paul, the Englishman. He was very helpful and very attentive to us. He is a great asset to Bistango!
(4)
Marvel Z.

I was a little sad that my out of town guests didn't want to sit by the bar. I really wanted to try out their happy hour small dishes. However, their dinner menu completely made up for my disappointment. We ordered the caprese salad and the wedge salad to share. Both were delicious and beautifully presented. For our entrÃ©e, we ordered the sea bass (very soft and melt-in-your-mouth goodness), the hanger steak (perfectly marinated on top of crispy potato medallions) and the 45 day aged new york steak (to die for). Our waiter asked if we wanted to order their soufflÃ© dinner (which takes 30 mins to prepare) and of course! The chocolate soufflÃ© came at the end of our meal and although we were full, we devoured it. Bistango really impressed me. Everything from the atmosphere with a live band to the food and its presentation just blew me away. I just wish that they would improve on their service. Our server made it a point to write down where every dish went but when our food was brought out, nothing was going to the right person. Can't wait to come back for their happy hour!
(5)
Tina T.

Ok, true a bit pricey! So My Husband and I went for the first time and when we walked in it was kind of cold like too stuffy! Lots of white collar people! Than we meant the three nicest regular customers and had a great time from there. We did order from the tapas menu.Try the beet salad . COSMOS WERE PHENOMENAL and only 6 bucks. The best part was the Chocolate souffle!!! Service was very good and all the food was good.Music at 7pm even got to dance with my husband and home by 9pm to watch Shark Tank!!!! Great date night
(5)
Jane X.

Food is good. But the service is kinda horrible. First when my boyfriend and i went in, the waitress didn't welcome us. She didn't give us menu for more than 10 minutes. Then when we were ready to order food, she did not even come for once to ask if we were ready. Then it took another 20 minutes. Kinda angry. Her attitude was so different for treating other white rich guys. Smiling and talking with them. This was the the first time for me to order food after 30 minutes.
(3)
Jenn D.

Gorgeous ambience for an after work drink/dinner/happy hour. Great tasty food with live jazz music. Come for happy hour 4-9p. I recommend the salmon, lamb, brie with cherry sauce, and chicken sausage.
(4)
Kim N.

Would've never tried this place if it wasn't across my old workplace. And thankfully, my ballin' bossman loved this place and every meal was expensed :) good happy hour. All their drinks and dishes were appetizing! From what I remember the fried brie cheese, lamb chop and scallops were really good. For lunch the portions were very generous, pasta plates were enough to share between two. Favorite entrÃ©e was their seared ahi tuna sandwich.
(4)
Jean C.

Loved it! Came here yesterday for my husband's birthday. We just wanted a nice relaxing dinner, nothing too crazy. I read all the reviews and knew kind of what to expect. I got the prix-fixe menu with the mahi mahi (garlic soup, mahi mahi, cheesecake), my husband got the prawn cocktail, garlic soup, lamb chop, creamed spinach, and chocolate souffle. We loved the food. My husband is very picky and did say "It's decent, not WOW, but it's pretty good" and that's still good because his USUAL response to my "how is your food?" is "not bad.. shrug.." For me, the dinner was great! I had 2 glasses of moscato, which was very yummy, I usually don't even finish one glass but this was really good. Mahi mahi was very flavorful, although we both thought our food was a bit on the saltier side. But we usually cook at home and try to use less salt, so maybe we're just used to blander food. We ate the sauce WITH the food and was a bit better. We still finished our food. The live music was fun, there were people dancing in the lounge, the artwork great too! Overall, it was a great relaxing dinner, and the service was very good. Will def go back and try the Happy Hour.
(4)
Sharri U.

You can't go wrong with anything here, the food and service are outstanding! Love the atmosphere in this atrium-style restaurant, too. It is pricey but worth it (go when someone else is buying). This is now my favorite restaurant in Orange County since Gustav Anders closed up in South Coast Village.
(5)
Rho L.

So where do I f'n start with Bistango. First, their valet parking is somewhat of a joke because a hop, skip and a jump away, okay, scratch that, a mini skip away is an actual parking structure where you can park your auto your damn self and save ten bucks. The ambiance is very chic (do people use that word still?), its contemporary, black and red, lot of artwork on the walls, a semi-outside dining area, black tile, black piano equipped with their very own pianist. (We'll get to him in a moment). The tapas are a great deal, $5 a plate. We were intending to have dinner there but because I had to absolutely have the deep fried brie, we ordered tapas at the bar first. The breaded, deep fried brie was so so so so so good. Also got the spicy chicken sausage which was also great, but nothing phenomenal. i think one fact of the bar area I found particularly disenchanting was the waitress. Ugh can someone school her on customer service? Post tapas, went over to the outside dining area which was quite empty, they sat us by the glass partition that separates the bar and outside dining area. From here, you were able to see to closely eyeball the pianist from the back. (Just wait I'll get to him). Dinner was excellent, filet mignon and their new york steak were cooked to bloody perfection, however I didn't fancy the bleu cheese on my steak. I'm not a bleu cheese fan so that was my fault for not expressing it early on. My risotto was cooked well, but lacked some kick. Dessert was good, but I've had better cheesecake elsewhere. So really, the saving factor here was their steaks. Oh and they have a bread guy. His only job is to bring you individual slices of hot bread, which kinda sucked because we had to keep asking for refills. Okay so about the pianist, from the bar area, this guy seemed to command somewhat of an audience, couples dancing to graaceful oldies, some sinatra, some newer tunes, but from dining area, and what we found utterly hilarious, was this guy's musical prowess came directly from an ipod. a fucking ipod. good show sir. good show.
(3)
Robert M.

I do like this restaurant. With a few reservations. First of all, it's relatively small. So if you're dining, reservations are recommended. If you're there for the lounge/bar, get there early, as spaces fill up. The happy hour is great, although limited in hours, unlike their "happy hour all night" sister restaurant, Bayside. The parking here is funky - there is valet, or you can walk a few steps and there is a free covered parking garage. This place may be a little bit hard to find the first time you go there, so give yourself time., especially at night. The food here - regular menu or happy hour menu, is great. Delicious food, and the drinks are great also. And finally, what can I say - the crowd is generally older. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that, but know before you go if that's your thing.
(5)
David S.

Best restaurant in orange county. If you're looking for a five-star restaurant with excellent service and great atmosphere... this is the place.
(5)
Brian C.

My favorite place in Irvine. Love the remodel they did in the bar area. The food is great and the atmosphere is great.
(5)
Chau N.

This is a great place to just chill and relax with a beer or wine. The ambiance is very dark and relaxed. I came here on a Thursday night and their was a live band. I would come back here again. The waitress could be a little nicer, but maybe I just had an unfriendly one :( . I got a bottle of St. Francis cabernet for $54, which wasn't so bad for a place like this. The crowd is a little older, but you don't get obnoxious annoying people making a ruckus!
(3)
Cat H.

This is fast becoming one of my mom's favorite restaurants. In multiple visits, I've had excellent service on the patio area from a really sweet outgoing but personable waiter. I've also had amazing service by the kind older gentleman bartender. Both deserve some special recognition. And the food just doesn't disappoint. We've come here to celebrate my new job (yay), to treat Mom to something special, and just because and every time, we have great food and great service! It's awesome. Love it. ============= Mom and I had a nice little dinner here to catch up and unwind after a long week. New to the area, we weren't sure what to expect from this restaurant. It was actually a delight. The location looks like it's in a corporate area, but they did a great job decorating so you don't feel like you're in the lobby of an office building. It was really artsy and warm and inviting... as was our server. We started off with some drinks (which are poured nice and strong) and then sampled the ahi tuna and the gazpacho, both of which were good. For a main course we both thought the chilean sea bass sounded excellent, which oh my goodness it was! The standout was definitely the sauce and the mushroom risotto, which I could've licked clean off the plate. It was just amazing. Mom said she loved the tiramisu too. Overall I'm definitely a fan of this place and I am pretty sure Mom will want to come back soon.
(5)
Nish B.

Loved everything about this place. The atmosphere is top notch and the live music they had on a Saturday night was the icing. The pianist played/sang all the right songs - 80s - my favorite! And people danced on the dance floor so it's a very romantic place. On top of that, service is amazing. The best I've ever had at any fine dining restaurant. They are all very attentive and make sure every single thing from water to meal is what you wanted. The food was super delicious and I am definitely going to be coming back here!
(5)
Alice C.

The place is way over priced for how much they charge. A calamari, was almost $18 and it was nothing special, it lacked salt and taste. I ordered the black peppered mahi mahi, and it tasted like I ordered a slice of salt. When I told the waiter, the waiter had the odacity to say that it was black peppered. I have my taste buds, and always order blackened mahi mahi at other restaurants and it's never tasted like that. I will never come back to this place. For a $220 bill, this place was not worth it. Please don't question the opinions of your customers, that does not define fine dining.
(1)
Holly D.

Food is average. Even with a reservation, there was a 45min wait and the maitre d' was clueless. The only redeeming feature was the bar scene.
(2)
Yolanda B.

The hubby took me here for my birthday dinner and it was perfect! The restaurant has a very artsy eclectic kind of feel to it, which made it even more enjoyable, all your senses are being put to work. There was also live music, who could ask for more! We really enjoyed our meal and we will be back!
(5)
Alex Weihsien W.

Overpriced American food! Nothing really made my tastebuds go "WOW! I've never had this before!" Steak was ok and I asked for their three sauces on the side (peppercorn and two other sauces which I forgot their names). Tartare appetizer was fine. My friend's chilean sea bass was better than my steak but the portion sizes here are too small for the price! The grand marnier souffle was the sole redeeming factor here! It's one of the best souffles I've had and the sauce and whipped cream and delicate texture and flavor of the souffle was just amazing! They need to serve tapas regardless of whether you are sitting at the bar or not! It's located inside an office building so if you sit in the part of the restaurant that juts into the office building atrium, you lose that jazzy, classy, dimly lit atmosphere that they have going on in the bar area.
(3)
Regina C.

Went for lunch - Good experience. If you do not know where you are going could be hard to find. located in a corporate parking lot and you wouldn't expect a place this nice tucked away there. Glad the place took reservations, I could see how it could get packed especially so close to all the businesses. Service was pretty good. Ambiance great. Even in the day time it was still pretty dark inside. I ordered the chicken salad, which was really good. Very large in size - I definitely couldn't finish it all. This place is pricey, a little too much for lunch but I hear the HH has great deals so I will go back to try that.
(3)
Jennipher C.

Great food and nice ambiance. Love the duck confit salad and fresh fish. Love their soufflÃ© but order ahead because it take about 25 minutes to prepare.
(5)
karen r.

Moved from Irvine to Scottsdale, so hadn't been back to Bistango for nearly a decade. But we moved back and I remembered really liking the place, so back we went. Great value! In truth after perusing the menus online , I decided the 'happy hour' was the way to go. I was not disappointed. We sat at the bar and shared the mussels, mini rack of lamb, duck confit salad (on the bar menu, not the happy hour menu) but incredibly awesome, and the gaucamole--freshly made with freshly made chips. The food was yummy, the bartender very, very personable! It's my new fave 'hang out' place. We will be back!
(4)
Ritika T.

Love the atmosphere at Bistango! It's extremely artistic. In fact, the entire concept of the restaurant is that it's art meets food. Tip: At least in the day time, it's more of a business-oriented restaurant. Lots of meetings and business professionals dining are seen at Bistango I ordered their whipped cream garlic soup, and it was amazing! I highly recommend it. Don't worry it's only a dash of whipped cream, but it creates an extremely complimentary dual flavor with the garlic. My main course was their pesto pizza. So rich, cheesy, and chalk-filled with veggies. Huge artichokes and savory olives. Highly, highly recommendable. Their desserts were just okay--nothing amazing. Overall, you probably won't be disappointed if you go to Bistango!
(4)
Mimi C.

Went for happy hour (5-9pm) with friends and fam. Loved the chic, artsy setting and the well priced small plates ($6 for HH and $8 normal prices). Service was impeccable .. and we loved the booth we got cuz it was easy to talk to everyone. We ordered practically everything on the menu .. but the only things that stood out to me were the beef tenderloin skewered, the fried calamari (really chewy and lightly crispy) and pan seared diver scallop. Single scallop was perfect topped with lemon risotto! Stuff on the meh side - Russian salad (bro in law ordered cuz he had it in Russia but no one liked it ...), prime mayer beef slider (too dry!!), and the duck confit sliders (although, might be that I just don't care for confit). Available parking options -- self parking (2 hrs free) or valet. the self parking is very limited, though -- probably fits 10 cars max.
(3)
Jay A.

I had a good lunch here today. Nothing exceptional but good. I was with a group of nine and the customer we were entertaining apparently likes Bistango. Was not super hungry so opted for their Cream of Garlic Soup to start. The soup was a tad too rich, needed additional seasoning and the croutons were the $1.49 boxed variety from Ralphs/Vons. Soup was okay but nothing to write home about at close to $10 for a bowl. Had a caesar salad that also was ordinary (yet expensive). I tasted several dishes that came out for others at my table and they were ok. Just ok. Will I come back? Sure. On an expense account when the customer insists we dine here. Would I come here and pay out of my own pocket? Never. I like expensive food but expect better when it comes from my paycheck.
(3)
Ferdinand T.

Been there a few times. But honestly I don't remember the food at all. But I do remember the hot women who go here. So what does that tell you? This is not a place where you take a date, but hang with you guy pals in that wolf pack.
(4)
janet d.

Kinda lazy to type. Great food. Excellent service, bartenders( Steve and David) and wait staff.
(5)
Tina I.

This restaurant has been a family favorite for years so we decided to host my parent's' 50th Anniversary Party in their private banquet room for about 50 guests. Dining in the restaurant is always 5 stars. This 1 star rating is for the private banquet. PROS: Excellent service CONS (speaking for my entire table of 8): - Salad was wilted and soggy - Entrees were poor in quality and not flavorful - Tiramisu cake was served frozen Perhaps they're not best equipped for such a large party? Quite expensive for mediocre food but we all had a lovely time nonetheless and we will absolutely return to dine in the main dining room. Just something to consider should you be thinking of booking a private event here.
(1)
Paul A.

Come for the food and drinks and stay for the music. We go there often and enjoy the entire experience.
(4)
Jess M.

I've heard so many great things about this place, so I finally got to try it on one of their less busy nights. The service is definitely excellent and I enjoyed the art decor and music; overall great ambience, however my 3 star review is for the food which was just OK. I had the lamb chops and other members of my party tried the steak and fish of the night and all were just mediocre in flavors. I would say the most standout dish was the dessert: the chocolate souffle was excellent. But chocolate usually speaks for itself.. and contrary to popular belief of how hard it is to make souffle, it's actually quite easy so while I ended on a good note, the overall dining experience didn't blow me away.
(3)
Doug C.

The atmosphere is the best, The art work is curated by Studio Gallery and they change it every 3 or 4 months so the restaurant looks different 4 times a year. The food and service is the best in O.C. So, pair those two together and you have a magical night out.
(5)
Michael B.

Take your girl on the town for a great night of dinning and dancing. Impress a client with great food and great service. This is the right place to have a great night. The service is great and it shows how well managed the establishment is by how happy the people are working there. A+ and the bar has a weekday late happy hour.
(5)
Heidi s.

Bistango is very close to work so we end up having lunch here a handful of times a year. The garlic soup is awesome- consistently great. I usually have the fish as do most of the people I am with although the salads are also very good. This is a great place for a business lunch as you are not rushed by the servers. Valet parking, even at lunch.
(4)
Sheila S.

Saturday Happy Hour ONLY - This is an exclusively over-65 crowd with a gold digger or 2 thrown in. For the average 21-58 HH goer, STAY AWAY. Free valet and a cute atmosphere. If I were single, ready to mingle, and over 35, I'd check out the weekday HH after 5:30.
(3)
Tyler S.

Two stars for food but the lack of stars is at the bar. I will not return. Service was terrible, the guy bartender made two terrible drinks for us. Customer service was terrible and we showed evidence of it to Steve the bar manager and he couldn't be concerned. Make sure you don't ask what the house wine is verses happy hour here this is two different wines. We got stuck with the overpriced low end Kendall Jackson. What is lower for happy hour? The reason I asked about the happy hour wine is that the wine tasted like gasoline on a prior visit. I wanted to make sure we didn't order that. Steve had no sense of humour or engagement. This was to be a special occasion! It was awful. My last night in Irvine! I'm off where happy hour for $83.00 goes to a great meal with super drinks and customer service. I was disappointed with the attitude of both bartender and bar manager Should be more open to training his staff and good ideas from customers can enhance a place.
(2)
N S.

The BEST restaurant in OC. Great service, great food, great atmosphere,... Highly recommended.
(5)
Orlando G.

Wonderful food and usually delightful service. Flavorful creations from starters, entree, and dessert. I've been here four times and never disappointed. Lunch can be busy so get their early. The dinner venue is quiet and upscale with more fair pricing than expected. The evening entertainment is laid back, definitely the older crowd appeal, soothing and often Jazzy. I always use Valet, inexpensive, instead of the walk from the parking structure.
(4)
Sidney S.

It's all about the ambiance here...the cool artwork and vibe; the jazz quartet playing in the bar...the happy hour specials and large drink menu. The food is just barely above average; nothing cutting edge but presented very well and usually on target. Last visit was celebrating a friend's 40th birthday and I paired our entrees with a very nice 2006 Quilceda Creek cabernet. The filet and fish entrees were tasty; I enjoyed the sauce especially with my Filet. A swank and classy joint :)
(4)
Ann S.

This is our favorite restaurant. We have met our best friends for dinner here about once a month for years and have always been treated like royalty -- and we have never been disappointed. The food is consistently great and the service is always top notch.
(5)
Lauren B.

Happy Hour!!!! :) $5 dollar martinis and $5 tapas plates. yum yum! I have never been to Bistango before but have been to ever other DiningAsArt restaurants and really enjoyed them. They kind of have the same theme to them Yes, this is a little older crowd and the decor is out dated but the bar area is pretty big and the live music is nice. And the food was surprising good and I couldn't believe what we got for only $5. We ordered: Melon, Chorizo and Artichoke Salad with Orange Segment and Jerez Vinaigrette Fried Calamari with Chipotle Aiioli Sauteed Manilla Clams with Spicy Tomato Sauce and Parma Prosciutto and last but not least Curry Marinated Lamb Chops with Mashed Potatoes and Kalamata Olive Sauce (This was probably the best dish we had) It was a nice little bite to eat with the "professionals" around the area. ha ha! :P
(4)
Jennifer S.

Great place in Irvine! The food is the star here...I thoroughly enjoyed the mushroom crusted halibut with mashed potatoes and asparagus = yummy! The atmosphere was nice, but the service could have been better. My coworker's meal came out as the wrong dish, so we waited 5+ minutes for the correct dish to be cooked and brought to the table and we had to ask for our waiter a few times to get service.
(4)
Anon Y.

I have been here twice and LOVED my experience both times. The waiters are always amazing and so knowledgeable. I love their penne pasta probably one of the best I have ever had! The restaurant itself is gorgeous I don't understand why some of these reviewers say the dÃ©cor is outdated. It makes me feel like I am in New York. I would highly recommend coming here. I will definitely be back many more times :)
(5)
Chris J.

My partner and I went to Bistango for our anniversary dinner. It was not too busy, but enough to be expected for a Monday evening. Location is in a business complex, not where one might typically expect a dining establishment. The hostess/greeter/valet were friendly, very welcoming. Wait staff was prompt, informative (notified us that the souffle takes 30 minutes so order in advance) and friendly. Filet and culotte steaks were delicious, very tender. I think for the price you get generous portions, which includes the sides (except soup or salad) considering that high end steak houses will charge you around $30 for just the steak, if not more.
(4)
Aileen N.

the Chilean sea bass was good but everything else was pretty mediocre, especially for the price. It is definitely an older crowd (50 or older) but you get to watch the cute older couples go dancing :) and they also have artwork on the walls that they have for sale.
(3)
Ben B.

We had our rehearsal dinner at Bistango last month and cannot recommend them higher. The venue is beautiful - we had a separate room in the restaurant that is well lit, fairly large for the 50 people in attendance, and has nice art work along the walls. The service was particularly terrific. We had two designated servers for our party, who essentially stuck around the whole time helping with drinks, taking orders, etc. The food was also great, and they were flexible in helping us add vegetarian options to their menu. And, finally, the price was extremely competitive compared with the other venues in the area. Honestly, I can't think of a better place to have a rehearsal dinner!
(5)
Kristi V.

Delicious food. Great ambiance. Please get the sea bass. Came here for a friend's birthday. Had great service. Will def come here again.
(4)
R K.

It was good. Everything was decent. The service was good. There was nothing really to complain about, but there was also nothing memorable. The price was a bit high for what it was.
(3)
GreatScott E.

Nice restaurant tuck away in industrial area I would never thought of looking. We went on a Thursday evening and listened to the live Jazz music. The lady and I were placed in a corner table. Watching us the whole time was a freaky art sculpture. As you looked around the room there are eclectic art pieces for your viewing pleasure (or not depending on your tastes). We ordered the tar tare yellow tail. With cucumbers and avocado it was very good start. I ordered order the pork chops and the lady ordered the Kobe beef ravioli dish. As a side we tried the lobster mac n cheese and sauteed corn. The pork chop was a double cut that I ordered medium. It had a good taste but was a little tough and had to put in more effort then I typically like. The mac n cheese was good and cheesy and was actually better when I mixed the corn with it to give it a little kick and make it more casserole like. The lady chose the grand marnier souffle for dessert. It just wasn't my thing...I guess I was looking for something a little sweeter. Service was great the whole time and very attentive. 3 stars if the lady encouraged me, since the other items on the menu looked good.
(3)
Gabe P.

The pomme frittes are great! The filet mignon and the NY strip were awesome too! Came before 8 on a Saturday nite and it was kind of empty here including at the bar. The band started to play at 8 and in about half an hour it started to get more crowded and more animated.
(3)
Susan F.

This is the best restaurant I have been to in a long time. Was there for lunch after a visit to the nearby Irvine museum. Very popular with the business community. Seated promptly, excellent service, lovely selection of luncheon salads, busy but not too noisy atmosphere. Highly recommended.
(5)
Ryan D.

Amazing food and atmosphere! I came here for my birthday dinner and was very impressed. The restaurant is nicely decorated and the live jazz band makes everything better. I came wanted to try the tapas, but it seems like we had to sit at the bar for those and I didnt feel like going over there. I tried their Fettuccine, which came with filet mignon and a mushroom sauce. It really had to be the best tasting pasta I ever had. The steak was very tender and the sauce was perfect. I usually am not a fan of mushrooms, but this was very pleasing. The portions are also very nice for $20. My gf had the Ravioli, which was suppose to have American Kobe and mushrooms. The raviolis were good, but the "Kobe" beef made no difference to me, and for $23 we both prefer my dish. We also had the Grand Marnier Souffle which was fantastic. They ask for if you want it right when you get your food because it takes 30 minutes to make it fresh. Overall a fantastic dinner. The only thing is I dont know how I will ever be able to eat pasta anywhere else now....
(5)
Hannah H.

Alright so I'm writing this review based on two separate occasions that Ive been to Bistango. It's kind of an obscure location but I'm fine with that, it is SOO worth it. The first time I went with my boyfriend on Valentines day, and we ordered the vday grand prix, which included a spinach salad with parmesan and cranberries, a petite filet with blue cheese sauce, mashed potatoes, spinach, and asparagus. And the dessert was an white chocolate oreo cheescake that is to DIE for. Its about 46/person for that plate, but so much food, and so decadant. The second time was just recently, due to our anniversary. We found it so hard to stray from the grand prix menu, as it was so delicious the first time. So...we ordered the same thing. Consistent and delicious as ever. They change the menu all the time, and its a fresh menu each day. The bread is also delicious as well, but they can be a little skimpy by not leaving the basket at your table. I guess they dont want you to spoil your meal. Fine with me. LOVE this place, and will be coming back soon@
(5)
Vi T.

Overall: Nice place - reminds me of Tao Nightclub decor (in Las Vegas). The only reason I'm giving this place 4 star is because of the service. Although they were very friendly and attentive. It took them one and a half hour to bring our food out, that's just ridiculous for a place that's really fancy and high class. Other than that, the food was amazing! Food: + Pan seared diver scallops: sticky rice, pickled ginger, spicy mango vinaigrette 14.75 - This was good, not usually a fan of scallop (my coworker wanted it), but it was tasty. + Gazpacho: Cold soup with avocado, cucumber and cilantro 10.50 - First time having this, wasn't my favorite... Couldn't get used to the cold soup. + Soup of the Day (Garlic Soup) 8.75 - Delicious, it was full of flavor (garlic and cream) + Marinated Pan Seared N.Z Rack of Lamb Full Size $35.00 - I've never had lamb before and people are always complaining how the texture is rough & gamey, but this LAMB was so soft and delicious. + 6 oz Grilled Prime Corn Fed Filet Mignon $31.00 - This was MY dish & oh-my-gosh was it delicious?!?!? I only got the 6 oz, but I should have gotten the 8oz because I literally ate this steak in 5 bites within 10 minutes. It was JUST that good! + Pork Chop $37.00 - This was good as well. I'm not usually a fan of Pork chops either. I would prefer the Filet, Lamb & then the Pork Chop though. Service: As I mentioned earlier, the waiters were really nice, but the food service was SO slow. When we first arrived, we asked for water and they took 20 minutes to bring that to us. Environment: I think it's a restaurant attached to a hotel. We sat outside on the patio area, which was beautiful (decorations everywhere). The inside of the restaurant had couples dancing. It's a very romantic place to go, the lighting is dim, but it's not too dark and you can see the atmosphere on the outside. It was just so beautiful.
(4)
Mike N.

4 Stars for most of the food we had, 2 stars for where they seated us, 2 star to ridiculous valet....no this does not mean they get 8 stars! We decided to come here for a cousin's U.C. Irvine graduation dinner. I was really looking forward to it because of others' reviews and photos. When we arrived I drove over to the valet lot (self park is right across), The valet guy was not in sight so I parked the car myself. BAM out of nowhere (like the butler from "Mr. Deeds") the valet is right next to my door...I hate valets, always have, always will. Them getting in my car is like having a stranger sleeping on your bed. I have no problem paying/tipping them and giving them my keys, but the second they jump in, I'm mentally freakin' out. I parked in the spot right in front of the restaurant and gave him my keys, really hoping to just pay him later, get my keys and drive off.....More on this later, now to the restaurant & food!!!! The restaurant was beautiful, the lighting was dim and romantic...not that I needed that with the family. There was a live cover band who played and sang very well and actually played one of my favorite songs (Eagles - Hotel California). A cute elderly couple was slow dancing to a fast song which was really funny to watch. We had decided to come to this restaurant because we guessed that it was somewhat hidden in a business district and a little on the pricy side for a graduation dinner. We were right, the place had a few parties here and there, plenty of tables available.....WHY THE HECK were we seated in a spot with a perfect view of the entrance/hostess/next to the restroom hallway? Throughout our dinner, we saw customers walking in and out of the restroom and the hostess and staff chatting and laughing in their little area. This is just bad planning! Some of the food however made up for most of this. I had the "Rosemary Roasted Free Range Chicken Breast". The chicken was very flavorful, and moist...however the dish was chicken breasts on top of "Sun-Dried Tomato Polenta". This was a VERY TANGY polenta (basically cornmeal) that was left untouched, everyone in our party of 8 tried it, no one liked it.....This means I paid $22.75 for two small pieces of chicken. Sure it tasted great, but how about placing that chicken on top of something tasty...maybe like a $10 refund?!?! The Fettuccine with beef tenderloin was one of the BEST dishes at the table, sure we had a few steaks that were aged & cooked to perfection, but at the end of the day, that's just a slab of meat on a grill, not too much cooking to it except for knowing when to flip it. The Tarragon Mushroom Sauce that was with the Fettuccine was unbelievable. I did not like the fact that there was cheese on it when the menu did not mention cheese...this can't be good for lactose intolerant people. This restaurant must use some of the best fresh ingredients around. You can actually taste the freshness. It was a GREAT place that I'm sure I to re-visit.....just not going to get that tangy polenta crap again. Oh back to the valet...When I gave him my ticket and cash, I asked if I can just get the key, he said politely that he'll get the car for me. I didn't want to be an ass and insist that he stay the hell out of my car, so I let it go. But really, It was 10 feet away, we can walk to it, I've practiced...really I do it every freaken day. There's no point in valeting in such a small lot. He pulled the car forward like 5 feet, what's the point?!??!
(4)
Jim T.

This is a high-end venue. The buffet was great. Probably expensive, (I attended an engagement party) they had cigars to smoke on their outdoor pantry. Lots of unspectacular artwork on the walls. The wine was good. Service was excellent.
(4)
Jon N.

Presentation is great. Just check out these lamb chops. yelp.com/biz_photos/ctAJâ€¦ To my surprise this place is pretty affordable for lunch (~$60 + tax + tip for two people including dessert). It's a spendy lunch but still affordable considering it's Irvine and you have a bunch of guys out front valet parking German cars. Don't be a douche and show up in shorts and flip flops. Pretty much everyone here was wearing professional casual type clothing or better. Water is actually served in real glass, OK? Not some cracked red plastic cups that say "Coca-Cola" in beaten white paint. I guess it's OK to come in here with flip flops and shorts if you're super rich and can buy out the place with one phone call, but chances are you aren't rich like that so forget it. Bistango's Score - 88 Points
(4)

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Address : 19100 Von Karman Ave
Irvine, CA, 92612
Phone (949) 752-5222
Website https://www.bistango.com/
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :11:30 am - 9:00pm

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Valet, Validated
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Dressy
Ambience : Classy
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No

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Bistango

19100 Von Karman Ave, Irvine, CA, 92612

Bistango Menu

Appetizers

Salads And Soups

Seafood Salads

From The Baker’s Oven

Pastas And Rice

Main Course

Aged Steaks And Chops

Aged Steaks And Chops - Surf To Turf

Side Dishes

Healthy Meal suggestions for Bistango

Appetizers

Salads And Soups

Seafood Salads

From The Baker’s Oven

Pastas And Rice

Main Course

Aged Steaks And Chops

Aged Steaks And Chops - Surf To Turf

Side Dishes

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