If you have not been acquainted with Haven Gastropub yet, this is the time to do it. This season, Chef Greg Daniels has presented a fall menu so worthy of praise I’m still salivating at the thought of it. I was lucky enough to be invited to a preview of some fall menu items and after reading about it, I hope you will pay them a visit to check it out for yourself.
** portions shown in photos are tasting size and not reflective of the menu prices listed**
First thing we were presented with were Radishes ($7) an array of icicle, breakfast and lime. Each had its own distinctive taste, my favorite being the lime having a nice spicy kick which creeps up slowly. Dip the radishes in a bit of house made whipped butter and a little Philippine sea salt.
** paired with a Cape Mentelle 2011 Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand **
Next came Duck Confit Salad ($15) — rich pieces of duck meat dotted the crispy Tuscan kale with bits of roasted butternut squash, crunchy pepitas (pumpkin seeds), tossed with walnut oil and sherry vinegar. A beautiful salad either to share or as an entree.
** paired with an Americano: campari, carpano antica, soda **
The Pumpkin Gratin ($9) drew oooos and ahhhhs all around. Sugar pumpkin slices are baked with grana padano and crema then finished in the salamander to create the beautiful crust. This was heaven in a bowl. The sweetness of the pumpkin is so delicious and not as heavy or starchy as potatoes and simply divine!
** paired with Autumn Maple by The Bruery, Pumpkin Beer, CA, USA **
I was most looking forward to Rabbit Pappardelle ($20) and it definitely did not disappoint. The table got really quiet when this course was served because everyone was enjoying it so much they forgot to talk. The pappardelle was perfectly cooked with a nice bite remaining. Braised leg meat, seared saddle meat, roasted fall mushrooms and a decadent, full-bodied rabbit jus completed what I reckon was one of the most perfectly executed dishes I’ve eaten this year.
** paired with Giminez Rilli, 2010 Malbec, Argentina **
Our final dish of the evening, Lamb Belly ($22) was crusted with vadouvan, a French-influenced curry blend of spices which gave it a mild curry flavor without it being overpowering. The lamb had a nice gaminess to it which I really liked. A house made harissa lined the plate which added a wonderfully aromatic and spicy element to whatever you chose to eat it, whether the lentils du puy, spiced rutabaga,or lamb. I wanted more!
** paired with Cali-Belgique by Stone, Belgian IPA, CA, USA **
We ended the evening with Sticky Toffee Pudding ($10) with brown butter Bourbon and vanilla ice cream.
My favorites were the beer pairings, especially the one with the lamb belly. The acidic hints of the IPA helped cut the richness of the lamb on your palate between bites. If you are a beer lover, you need to try this together.
There are other menu items we didn’t try which I am looking forward to coming back for such as the fried pig’s ears and the citrus cured salmon. It’s going to be a great season at Haven!
This week, Haven Gastropub has generously donated a $50 giftcard for one of my readers to win. Just leave me a comment with your FULL name and which menu item you would most like to try (whether I’ve mentioned them in this post or you’re resourceful enough to check out on their website). Entries end on Sunday. Good Luck!
Haven Gastropub
190 S Glassell
Orange, CA 92866
Tel: 714-221-0680
I love Haven! Their duck poutine is really good. I can’t wait to try their new menu, especially the pumpkin gratin!
I would be all over the lamb belly.
I love pig’s ears but it is something you almost never see on menus (except some very authentic Chinese restaurants). So excited about trying it!!!
I definitely want to try the Pumpkin Gratin! ~Adrea Reed
Wow i would absolutely try the sticky toffee pudding with the brown butter bourbon ice cream. That sounds amazing. It would probably pair really well with a barrel aged beer from the Bruery as well. I want it now and it’s 9:00 in the morning!!
I would absolutely try the sticky toffee pudding with the brown butter bourbon ice cream. That sounds amazing. It would probably be really good paired with a bourbon barrel aged beer from the Bruery. I want it now and it’s 9:00 in the morning!!!
Jeff Klein
I’d love to try the rabbit. I’ve only had it once before and it was poorly presented.
— Randy Stuck
The pumpkin gratin looks really good.
My husband & I love Haven Gastropub but haven’t been in a while b/c some of my favorites had dairy in them & I have stopped eating dairy for medical reasons. I am super excited to go try the rabbit & lamb belly dishes for the fall b/c they sound dairy free & I’ve been wanting to try the duck confit salad for some time! Will have to get over there soon & maybe we’ll be lucky enough to win the $50 gift card to save some money on the baby sitter! Love all of your posts!
Congratulations you are the winner
The lamb belly and pumpkin gratin have piqued my interest. I’ve only eaten here once before and I’d love a return visit! 🙂
-Stephanie Han
Haven makes the most fantastic lamb burger I’ve had yet, so if I can resist the temptation to reorder that for the thousandth time, I’d definite go for that lamb belly!
Definitely the Rabbit Pappardelle! That and a glass of red wine and I’m good to go!
Hayley Hansen
Definitely the Rabbit Pappardelle…that and a glass of red wine and I’m good to go!
Hayley Hansen
Strangely obsessed with the idea of that duck confit salad! Would love to try it all though!
Joanna Cook
I would try the Pumpkin Gratin and the Rabbit Pappardelle based on your photos and description of the dish. Bravo!
Anytime there’s pappardelle, It has to go in my belly. So I would order Rabbit Pappardelle
I would definitely try the Mac and Cheese and roasted cauliflower. Both sound delicious. The butterscotch pot de Creme sounds amazing too.
Well First I’d start off with the Pumpkin Gratin and French Onion Soup… THEN I’d HAVE TO get the Brussels sprouts, I would either get the Jumbo Prawns, Lamb Belly or the Rabbit Parpardelle. Oh and there’s dessert!!!???? Get me the Beer float and cheese plate! Hahaha
-Ashley Birdzell
Yes, that’s a lot of beer and poutine for me ! 🙂
That’s a lot of beer and poutine! 🙂
I’m really hoping they put the Butter Poached Lobster over Pumpkin Risotto on the menu that Chef Daniels made for the Riviera Chef’s Challenge, it looks DELICIOUS!!!!!!!! If they dont, I’m all over the Pumpkin Gratin & Lamb Belly entree you have posted on here!! 🙂
My sweet – but not too sweet- tooth is calling out for the Pumpkin Gratin. I would like to ooh and ahh over this heavenly-sounding dish!
Robin Wachner
The rabbit pappardelle looks delicious!!
Can’t wait to try the pumpkin gratin!
The menu item which I would most like to try at Haven would have to be the lamb belly, especially paired with one of the great beers they pour over there.
It is so hard to choose but I think based your description it would have to be the rabbit pappardelle. Love Chef Daniels and really enjoyed his offering at the Chef Challenge last night.
The rabbit pasta sounds interesting. Would live to try. Thanks for the opportunity
LAMB BELLY for Sarah Lawson!!!!! =) yuuuuummy!!!
The lamb belly, rabbit pappardelle, or duck confit salad, would be my choices because i’m always interested in eating differently from the norm-beef, chicken, pork etc.
I was absolutely drooling when you first post the pics of the tasting menu! I want to try them all!! The rabbit pappardelle looks simply divine mmmm. However lamb is my all time favorite so those two dishes are a must for me 🙂 I hope I win so I can enjoy an evening at Haven soon! Thanks for your blog, I really enjoy the pics!
Likaia Demps
The pumpkin gratin looks amazing!!! Would live to try it…
I was going to go with the Pumpkin Gratin until you mentioned the Sticky Toffee Pudding. I guess it’s both!
Id love to try the toffee pudding and pumpkin gratin.
Absolutely a must try is the Rabbit Pappardelle. I love pasta, especially pappardelle, but not many restaurants serve this dish, and definitely not rabbit. I am keeping my fingers crossed.