What I like about Tabu Grill is its diversity. You can dress up and sit in the more “formal” dining room, or, just as easily, walk in for a casual meal and sit at the counter, or the bar-style tables. The restaurant is cozy but wonderfully eclectic.
The colors are stunning, and I suggest getting there right when it opens to catch a glimpse of it while there is still some natural light. After dark, the restaurant feels like a hidden romantic cove, perfect for date night with your sweetheart. I’ve dined here several times and on my most recent visit, I had a casual meal with a friend, sitting at the counter and watching the action at the open kitchen.
We started with Seared New England Scallops ($16 ) and I was in orgasmic heaven. The scallops were so perfectly cooked, tender and flavorful. These were really huge scallops and would satiate any cravings you might have. I know it did mine. Served with a potato puree, citrus salad and tangerine beurre blanc, the freshness of the citrus and tangerine flavors goes perfectly with the mollusks.
I love poke and used to eat it a lot when I lived in Hawaii, Tabu Poke ($16) is not exactly traditional Hawaiian poke because besides the ahi tuna, there is mango, celery, avocado, mint tossed in a soy ginger essence and served with taro chips. It is more like tartare than a poke, but nevertheless, very refreshing and a perfect start to a meal.
Those of you who love foie gras need to partake in eating more of it before the ban mid-year. La Bella Farms Foie Gras ($22) is seared and served with a sweet-tart cranberry raisin compote, candied walnuts on warm apple toast. Luscious, silky and sinfully delicious. I need to come back again for this!
We finished our savory dishes with Prime Boneless Short Rib ($16), When it comes to short ribs I can either take it or leave it. I’m happy to try it, but more often than not, I’ve not enjoyed it. Boy was I surprised to find this particular one highly pleasing. The meat is so tender, not the least bit dry or chewy.
Braised in a passion fruit soy marinade, the tartness offset the richness of the short rib which made it so easy to eat. Potato puree and stir fry vegetables sit alongside with a roasted pineapple barbecue sauce. I didn’t find the barbecue sauce overly sweet, which is a good thing since I’m not into my protein dishes tasting like my desserts. Very nice!
As if I had room for dessert but we couldn’t resist the Lemon Thyme Panna Cotta ($11). The panna cotta was very subtly hinted with lemon and thyme with a light bouncy texture. I loved the strawberry relish with white balsamic gastrique which was once again sweet and tart.
Every dish was well thought out and well balanced in flavors. I enjoyed everything I tried and am looking to return again to have the foie before it is banned a few months from now.
I have two $50 gift cards to Tabu Grill to giveaway. Leave me a comment with your full name and email address by Sunday March 11th for a chance to win. Winners will be announced Monday 12th.
Tabu Grill
2892 S Coast Hwy
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Tel: 949-494-7743
I live a few short blocks from there and have driven by it countless times. I can’t believe what a great little gem it appears to be! I can’t wait to get in there and try it, especially since everything you tried is looks awesome! Thanks for the tip!!
Hey! You ate MY meal!!! LOL!! Exactly what I would order, I’m drooling.
Have to try that foie gras before it disappears. Love her restaurants.
Cranberries with foie gras: What a great idea! This restaurant has been on my list of places to go for far to long. Everything looks and sounds delicious.
Anita, a lovely review with amazing looking food. You made me want to go check the place out, so I hope I win! 🙂
looks delicious. Thanks!
Would love to try it. I need to eat foie everywhere I can so that I won’t feel like I missed out by July 1.
Your taste buds are a lot like mine…dislike entree tasting like dessert. Panna Cotta looks heavenly. Scallops, luscious.
Robin Wachner rzohn@hotmail.com
Why have i never eaten here before? Looks like an incredible menu and a funky fun vibe! I definetly will be trying those scallops in the near future! yum!! Do they have a good drink menu?
I feel like if were given an option to have my last meal before I died that dessert (Lemon Thyme Panna Cotta ) would be my natural selection. However on top of a beautiful beautiful woman. And she has to be funny too.
marcus rodriguez
freemen55@gmail.com
freemen55
I would love to try this restaurant after reading your glowing review!!! Thank you for sharing your experiences with us, I really enjoy reading the.
I love jumbo scallops and from your description, it was prepared to perfection.
congratulations, you are one of the winners of the giftcard giveaway
Hi Bryan,
Please respond to my email by noon tomorrow (Thurs 15th March), otherwise a new winner will be picked. Thanks.
Anita
I’ll take it off your hands if Bryan doesn’t want it 🙂
hahahaha it will all go back into a drawing — wish you the best of luck if that happens 🙂
Looks really good and the Poke I wouldn’t mind have 2 orders to myself. Wonder if the braised short rib can be cooked rare?
What a fabulous review! I can’t wait to try it!
I would love to try the Foie Gras.
Looks so good! Would love to try it.
Definitely need to try that foie! And I just LOVE panna cotta, this lemon thyme one sounds like a nice light refreshing dessert to finish off a delicious meal, YUMMMMM!!!!!!!
I need the foie gras before the ban happens!!!
congrats you are one of the winners to the giftcard giveaway
This type if food looks delicious however it[s not familiar to me so this would be a great way to expand my pallet and try something new!
Yum, yum and more yum! I should follow you around and eat any leftovers 😉
-Shannon Smith
ShannonSkin[at]gmail[dot]com
your meal looked great. hope to try tabu soon.
looks so ono!!!!!!!!!!!! have to get to this place soon.
Those scallops look and sound so good!
Sounds awesome!
Ive never been but your pictures make it look amazing! Being from Hawaii I’m always searching out new places to try poke. I can’t wait to try this place.
Everything looks delicious! I would love to try this restaurant! Thanks for the review.
I love poke too, I’m a tradtionist myself too! But I have yet to find someone down here in oc that can make it as good as….Costco. 😀
Costco Hawaii makes some of THE best poke!
Pick me!
Would definitely like to get to Tabu to try that foie gras with cranberry compote!
Everything looks so delightful. I’m really interested in that foie gras.
Jonathan Zabala
jzabala123@gmail.com
That looks delicious! Love the decor.
lemon thyme panna cotta? Sign me up!