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a fantastic fall lineup at Haven Gastropub

November 1, 2012 Mad Hungry Woman 35 Comments

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

Haven Gastropub on Urbanspoon

American, beer, comfort, gastropub, Orange CA, Orange County

Comments

  1. Trina Diep says

    November 1, 2012 at 8:14 am

    I love Haven! Their duck poutine is really good. I can’t wait to try their new menu, especially the pumpkin gratin!

    Reply
  2. Jonathan Hunter says

    November 1, 2012 at 8:21 am

    I would be all over the lamb belly.

    Reply
  3. Shanna Kerr says

    November 1, 2012 at 8:24 am

    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!!!

    Reply
  4. Adrea says

    November 1, 2012 at 8:32 am

    I definitely want to try the Pumpkin Gratin! ~Adrea Reed

    Reply
  5. Jeff Klein says

    November 1, 2012 at 8:52 am

    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!!

    Reply
  6. elheffe99 says

    November 1, 2012 at 8:53 am

    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

    Reply
  7. drstuck says

    November 1, 2012 at 8:53 am

    I’d love to try the rabbit. I’ve only had it once before and it was poorly presented.
    — Randy Stuck

    Reply
  8. Lauren Lim says

    November 1, 2012 at 10:26 am

    The pumpkin gratin looks really good.

    Reply
  9. Courtney Wittkop says

    November 1, 2012 at 11:10 am

    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!

    Reply
    • Mad Hungry Woman says

      November 5, 2012 at 9:47 am

      Congratulations you are the winner

      Reply
  10. stephaniehanart says

    November 1, 2012 at 1:23 pm

    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

    Reply
  11. H.C. says

    November 1, 2012 at 1:23 pm

    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!

    Reply
  12. Hayley Hansen says

    November 1, 2012 at 3:36 pm

    Definitely the Rabbit Pappardelle! That and a glass of red wine and I’m good to go!

    Hayley Hansen

    Reply
  13. Hayley Hansen says

    November 1, 2012 at 3:36 pm

    Definitely the Rabbit Pappardelle…that and a glass of red wine and I’m good to go!

    Hayley Hansen

    Reply
  14. Joanna Cook says

    November 1, 2012 at 9:08 pm

    Strangely obsessed with the idea of that duck confit salad! Would love to try it all though!

    Joanna Cook

    Reply
  15. OrangeCounty Gal (@orangecountygal) says

    November 2, 2012 at 7:57 am

    I would try the Pumpkin Gratin and the Rabbit Pappardelle based on your photos and description of the dish. Bravo!

    Reply
  16. Shari says

    November 2, 2012 at 8:21 am

    Anytime there’s pappardelle, It has to go in my belly. So I would order Rabbit Pappardelle

    Reply
  17. Christi Galuppo says

    November 2, 2012 at 8:33 am

    I would definitely try the Mac and Cheese and roasted cauliflower. Both sound delicious. The butterscotch pot de Creme sounds amazing too.

    Reply
  18. Ashley Birdzell says

    November 2, 2012 at 8:51 am

    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

    Reply
  19. Pete Hsie says

    November 2, 2012 at 9:51 am

    Yes, that’s a lot of beer and poutine for me ! 🙂

    Reply
  20. smalldumplings says

    November 2, 2012 at 9:51 am

    That’s a lot of beer and poutine! 🙂

    Reply
  21. Kim Swistok says

    November 2, 2012 at 10:07 am

    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!! 🙂

    Reply
  22. R Wachner (@wachner) says

    November 2, 2012 at 11:25 am

    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

    Reply
  23. Inge Lazuardi says

    November 2, 2012 at 11:48 am

    The rabbit pappardelle looks delicious!!

    Reply
  24. Gia Dao says

    November 2, 2012 at 1:11 pm

    Can’t wait to try the pumpkin gratin!

    Reply
  25. Gilbert Mercado says

    November 2, 2012 at 4:42 pm

    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.

    Reply
  26. Karen Terry says

    November 2, 2012 at 4:44 pm

    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.

    Reply
  27. Angie kim says

    November 2, 2012 at 6:50 pm

    The rabbit pasta sounds interesting. Would live to try. Thanks for the opportunity

    Reply
  28. Sarah Lawson says

    November 2, 2012 at 8:12 pm

    LAMB BELLY for Sarah Lawson!!!!! =) yuuuuummy!!!

    Reply
  29. Hamilton Le says

    November 2, 2012 at 8:16 pm

    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.

    Reply
  30. Likaia Demps says

    November 2, 2012 at 9:45 pm

    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

    Reply
  31. Lori Birdzell says

    November 2, 2012 at 10:40 pm

    The pumpkin gratin looks amazing!!! Would live to try it…

    Reply
  32. christian1013 says

    November 3, 2012 at 4:59 pm

    I was going to go with the Pumpkin Gratin until you mentioned the Sticky Toffee Pudding. I guess it’s both!

    Reply
  33. Lisa says

    November 4, 2012 at 5:45 pm

    Id love to try the toffee pudding and pumpkin gratin.

    Reply
  34. Lisa Kukula says

    November 4, 2012 at 7:53 pm

    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.

    Reply

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About Me

This blog is a journal of mostly my eating adventures, but also, other things I'm passionate about, including travel, the arts, and also, necessities to complete my life. Centered predominantly in and around Orange County, CA, some will extend to Los Angeles, San Diego and beyond. I am constantly searching for delicious food to eat and fun things to do, nothing is out of bounds. Sometimes it doesn't end well, but I can definitely say, it will always be an interesting journey.

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