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a little bit of San Francisco in RSM

January 7, 2013 Mad Hungry Woman 18 Comments

I’m still trying to catch up after the holidays and it’s not been easy disciplining myself to buckle down and start writing. One of the restaurants that’s long past due for a review is Embarcadero in Rancho Santa Margarita. Now, everyone I’ve mentioned this place to has been responding with “huh? where? what?”

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Yes, Rancho Santa Margarita sounds far, but isn’t really. It’s just a little bit past Mission Viejo and if you already live out that way, then you’re already there! Why not pop on over and check them out?

Chef/owner George Valdovino is passionate about what he serves his guests. His cuisine is themed after the diversity of cultures you find in San Francisco — hence, the name Embarcadero! We left our evening’s meal up to Chef Valdovinom, allowing him to prepare for us what he felt best reflected his menu.

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** please note photos may not reflect the a la carte portions**

We began with Wedge Tower ($10), a chunk of romaine heart topped with grilled zucchini, feta cheese, cherry tomatoes and drizzled with, pesto vinaigrette and a house-made ranch dressing.

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Maine Lobster Grilled Cheese ($16) featuring sharp cheddar cheese and large chunks of lobster between toasted sourdough bread. Personally I felt the lobster chunks were way too big, but you definitely won’t be complaining about the lack of this tasty crustacean. This was served with a perfectly tart tomato bisque.

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Pan Seared Halibut ($28) is perfectly executed. Moist, flaky fish atop of smoked mozzarella polenta cakes, corn chowder and asparagus topped with micro-greens. The cream sauce is not too heavy and the corn makes for a nice hint of sweetness.

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I totally loved the Pan Seared Scallops ($26) which were accompanied by the most delicious Andouille sausage succotash. There was edamame tossed in, giving it both color and texture. I would love this succotash as an available side dish to go with other entrees!

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Meat lovers will like the New York Steak ($28) served with a side of delightful Brussels sprout slaw. The red wine reduction is flavorful and rich and adds another level of depth to the meat.

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After that dinner, I couldn’t stop thinking about trying out the Sunday brunch they have here, but it wasn’t until a few weeks ago that I gathered a group of my friends together to check it out. At $19.99 per person it was a steal!

There were several salads including a tomato, mozzarella and basil with balsamic vinaigrette and another similar to Chinese chicken salad. Four salad dressings were also available for your choosing.

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I was especially enamored by the seared ahi tuna with cucumber slices and edamame served with a soy based sauce. I had quite a few portions of this and still wanted more.

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The other thing I eat a lot of at buffets are the ‘peel and eat shrimp‘. Here, they were a good size, large and plump, served with a house-made cocktail sauce. I would just come and eat a pound of this!

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My son is a bacon fiend and even before we arrived he said “there better be bacon mommy!” Lucky for him, there was applewood smoked bacon and these awesome sausages to be had. The latter was especially good — salty with a pleasing texture.

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Meat lovers will love the beef roast and baked ham. I’m not a fan of ham but I relished in the roast beef with some spicy horseradish!

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The salmon with pesto sauce was also surprisingly good. The fish was tender and moist — something not always achievable at a buffet.

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One of my friends loved the Eggs Benedict so much she had two portions. These aren’t the traditional kind but rather, topped with a chipotle based Hollandaise and layered with applewood smoked bacon instead of Canadian bacon or ham.

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There were a few more items like roasted potatoes as well as mac n cheese. I’m sure some of the items rotate from week to week, but everything was fresh, tasty and well prepared. I was very impressed by this spread for a mere $20! For $3 more, you can opt to have bottomless champagne or mimosas. The brunch buffet also comes with a soft drink of your choice, tea or coffee.

I hope you’ll make the trip out to RSM to check out Embarcadero. I have a $50 gift certificate generously donated by the restaurant for one of my readers to win. Leave me a comment with your full name and why you would be visiting Embarcadero in the near future. Entries run until Sunday, January 13. A winner will be announced on Monday. Best of luck!

Embarcadero California Bistro
22332 El Paseo
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
Tel: 949-709-2266

Embarcadero on Urbanspoon

American, Californian American, brunch, buffet, Californian, food, salad, seafood, steak

Comments

  1. Trina Diep says

    January 7, 2013 at 8:08 am

    I’ve been meaning to try out Embarcadero and this article just reminded me to. Thanks for the post, Anita!

    Reply
  2. Lauren Lim says

    January 7, 2013 at 8:28 am

    I would visit because I love a good brunch–looks amazing!

    Reply
  3. stephaniehanart says

    January 7, 2013 at 8:31 am

    That Eggs Benedict looks scrumptious–that’s one of my fave breakfast/brunch dishes. I wouldn’t mind driving down from Long Beach for this place; looks like it’d be a great place to meet up with my South County friends 🙂
    – Stephanie Han

    Reply
  4. Christi Galuppo says

    January 7, 2013 at 8:49 am

    I would love to visit this restaurant. Everything sounds amazing. Their spicy chicken and avo rolls sound amazing as well as the potato wrapped salmon.

    Reply
  5. Glen Fujimoto says

    January 7, 2013 at 8:49 am

    I’m a big fan of breakfast, and that Eggs Benedict looks fantastic! Oh, and I could probably take a bite or two of the Maine Lobster Grilled Cheese too 🙂

    Reply
  6. carol sheridan says

    January 7, 2013 at 8:55 am

    I would visit Embarcadero for the amazing looking Eggs Benedict with Chipotle sauce- yum!

    Reply
  7. Adrea says

    January 7, 2013 at 9:04 am

    Oh my lord, that all looked soooo good!

    Reply
  8. Andy C. says

    January 7, 2013 at 9:49 am

    We have seen plenty of restaurants come and go from that center in RSM and we were hoping that a quality place would crop up and stick around…from the looks and sounds of your review I should be looking for a chance to stop by Embarcadero soon.

    Reply
    • Mad Hungry Woman says

      January 7, 2013 at 6:57 pm

      you should totally go and support them!

      Reply
  9. Inge Lazuardi says

    January 7, 2013 at 11:29 am

    I would come for the brunch!!!

    Reply
  10. Laura Huynh says

    January 7, 2013 at 7:10 pm

    Everything looks so yummy! This restaurant has been on my “to try” list. I just have not gotten a chance to.

    Reply
  11. Rosa Jimenez says

    January 7, 2013 at 9:09 pm

    This review will make me try this restaurant! Price is perfect and the food looks delish! I love a variety when I go to brunch! The one thing I don’t like is a fixed menu and you get to choose one entree and they have the nads to call it brunch! I’m sold on The Embarcadero❤

    Reply
  12. Becky Chou says

    January 7, 2013 at 11:40 pm

    I would love to go to Embarcadero because finding new brunch places is always so much fun with family and friends!

    Reply
  13. Jay says

    January 8, 2013 at 8:17 am

    Great news for that area. My mom lives out there, now somewhere good to eat as well.

    Reply
  14. Daphne Ottdevries says

    January 8, 2013 at 8:41 am

    The steak looks great (a real treat left for going out on the town) and I’m sold on going for brunch with all your photos and descriptions. Looks like they serve a lot of things that I enjoy at a brunch and that is rare. Thank you for the review. Nice to have a new yummy non-chain restaurant in town. Daphne Ottdevries

    Reply
    • Mad Hungry Woman says

      January 14, 2013 at 5:14 pm

      congratulations you are the winner

      Reply
  15. Jonathan Za Bala says

    January 8, 2013 at 12:26 pm

    I’m thinking I would do the same as you. I’ll enjoy a nice dinner and then come back for brunch. $23 for brunch and bottomless mimosas is quite a find! Well worth a trip to RSM.

    Jonathan Zabala

    Reply
  16. Lucy Lin says

    January 12, 2013 at 6:59 pm

    I am originally from San Francisco, and I would love to try the brunch here! Looks delicious!

    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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