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Scarlet Kitchen and Lounge, Mission Viejo, CA

Scarlet Kitchen and Lounge

4.7
4.7
745 Reviews
$31 to $50
Contemporary American

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2 people
19:00
Booked 14 times today
  • Neighbourhood gem
  • Great for happy hour
  • Great for outdoor dining
Scarlet Kitchen & Lounge is a modern speakeasy with the allure of old Hollywood, offering a menu of east coast classics with west coast flavor and finesse. This chef driven, husband and wife owned restaurant provides a comfortable neighborhood dining experience. Scarlet offers local, quality ingredients carefully curated to meet every diners desires. Scarlet is a place for everyone to enjoy a date night or just a quick bite at the bar. Scarlet introduces a new menu every season courtesy of Chef-Owner Paige Riordan and Chef de Cuisine Daniel Martinez. Enjoy a taste of the season from Scarlet’s dining room or heated canyon-view patio and. Scarlet elevates the plate with a new menu of dishes brimming with bold, finessed flavor highlighting peak-of-season ingredients, humanely raised prime meats, and sustainable seafood, reflective of Riordan’s East Coast roots.

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary American, American, Farm-to-table
  • Hours of Operation
    Brunch Sun 10:30 am–2:30 pm Dinner Tue–Thu 4:00 pm–8:30 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–9:30 pm Bar Tue–Thu 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–11:00 pm Sun 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Sunday Dinner Sun 5:00 pm–8:30 pm
  • Phone number
    (949) 503-3086
  • Website
    http://www.scarletkl.com/
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Executive Chef
    Paige Riordan
  • Private party facilities
    For private events please email events@ScarletKL.com

Menu

Raw Bar

  • Oysters on the Half Shell

    cocktail sauce, mignonette

    • MP

  • Shrimp CocktailUS$16.00

    lightly seasoned wild jumbo shrimp, cocktail sauce

    • Seared Ahi TunaUS$18.00

      "sea-slaw", wasabi yogurt crema, crushed peppercorns

      Bites

      • Bacon Wrapped DatesUS$9.00

        stuffed with parmesan romano

        • Curry Roasted Acorn SquashUS$12.00

          maple syrup, cinnamon, orange supremes, endive

          • Deviled EggsUS$11.00

            sriracha, pickled onions, smoked paprika, chives

            • Grilled CheeseUS$16.00

              raclette cheese, sourdough bread, tomato soup, basil

              • Beet TartareUS$16.00

                cashew pine nut crema, shallots, capers, endive, dill

                • Harvest ChiliUS$13.00

                  ground bison, acorn squash, chickpeas, ancho chiles, creme fraiche, parsley

                  • Marty's Clam ChowderUS$11.00

                    traditional hearty new england recipe

                    Salads

                    • Scarlet Farm SaladUS$15.00

                      red leaf lettuce, radicchio, tomato, basil, kalamata olives, pepperoncini, soppressata, feta cheese, creamy italian dressing

                      • Winter SaladUS$15.00

                        roasted local beets, baby arugula, toasted pumpkin seeds, goat cheese, raspberry vinaigrette

                        • Butter Lettuce SaladUS$13.00

                          avocado, radish, toasted pistachios, basil, maple mustard vinaigrette

                          • Kale Caesar SaladUS$14.00

                            massaged kale, pine nuts, parmesan, horseradish caesar dressing, house made rosemary focaccia

                            Tacos

                            • East Coast Fish TacosUS$21.00

                              grilled or fried wild white fish, coleslaw, tartar sauce, flour tortilla

                              • "Pulled" Carrot TacosUS$18.00

                                slow cooked BBQ carrots, watermelon, radish, avocado, herb slaw, jalapeno, cashew ranch crema, flour tortilla

                                • Rueben TacosUS$24.00

                                  slow cooked pulled pork, sauerkraut, irish white cheddar, romaine, scarlet sauce, flour tortilla

                                  Sandwiches

                                  • New England Lobster RollUS$21.00

                                    maine lobster, toasted roll, hand cut seasoned french fries. Choice of Cold or Warm

                                    • Sloppy Joe Grilled CheeseUS$18.00

                                      grass fed beef, gruyere cheese, sourdough bread, hand cut seasoned french fries

                                      • Scarlet BurgerUS$19.00

                                        grass-fed beef, brioche bun, maple bacon onion jam, irish white cheddar, garlic aioli, homemade rustic fries

                                        • Lobster Grilled CheeseUS$21.00

                                          maine lobster, maple bacon jam, gruyere cheese, garlic aioli, sourdough bread, hand cut seasoned french fries

                                          Mains

                                          • Coffee Rubbed Lamb ChopsUS$38.00

                                            grilled grass fed australian lamb chops, red wine glazed mushroom sauce, barley & currant medley, roasted herb carrots

                                            • Liquid GoldUS$28.00

                                              pork & lamb ragout, pappardelle, shaved parmesan; a Riordan family gem passed on for generations

                                              • Cape Grim Filet MignonUS$52.00

                                                8 oz grass fed pan seared filet mignon, potato mousseline, red wine glazed mushroom sauce, maple roasted brussel sprouts with currants & pine nuts

                                                • Mediterranean Shrimp RisottoUS$28.00

                                                  wild jumbo shrimp, spicy white wine tomato sauce, portuguese linguica, parmesan risotto

                                                  • Paige's Market Fish

                                                    a daily seasonal seafood special served with local market vegetables

                                                    • MP

                                                  • Cape Grim Rib EyeUS$45.00

                                                    10 oz grass fed grilled rib eye, sweet potato mousseline, caramelized cabernet pearl onions, roasted asparagus, horseradish mousse

                                                    • Wild Mushroom BourguignonUS$26.00

                                                      wild mushrooms, caramelized pearl onions, red wine sauce, parmesan risotto, parsley

                                                      • Half Roasted Jidori ChickenUS$34.00

                                                        sweet potato mousseline, maple roasted brussel spouts with currants & pine nuts, cranberry sauce, gravy

                                                        Sides

                                                        • Local Seasonal Market VegetablesUS$8.00

                                                          sautéed vegetables, garlic, herbs

                                                          • ColeslawUS$8.00

                                                            touch of horseradish

                                                            • Maple Roasted Brussel SproutsUS$8.00

                                                              currants, pinenuts

                                                              • Potato MousselineUS$8.00

                                                                choice of sweet or white potato

                                                                • Hand Cut Seasoned French FriesUS$8.00

                                                                  choice of sweet,regular or thick cut rustic fries

                                                                  • Tomato SoupUS$8.00

                                                                    creme fraiche, basil

                                                                    Last updated: 1 February 2022

                                                                    What 745 people are saying

                                                                    Overall ratings and reviews

                                                                    Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

                                                                    4.7
                                                                    4.7 based on recent ratings
                                                                    • 4.7Food
                                                                    • 4.8Service
                                                                    • 4.5Ambience
                                                                    • 4.1Value

                                                                    Noise • Moderate

                                                                    Diners' Choice Awards

                                                                    • Orange County

                                                                      Contemporary American

                                                                    • South Orange County

                                                                      Great for outdoor dining

                                                                    Review summary

                                                                    AI-generated from verified diner reviews
                                                                    Scarlet Kitchen and Lounge offers a delightful dining experience with "stellar" food, service, and atmosphere. Highlights include "delicious" bacon-wrapped dates, perfectly cooked baby scallops, and creative cocktails. The expansive outside patio and live music add to its charm, making it a "great local gem" for casual dining or special occasions.

                                                                    745 Reviews

                                                                    1. Heidi

                                                                      Los Angeles

                                                                      10 reviews

                                                                      5.0

                                                                      10 reviews

                                                                      Dined 6 days ago

                                                                      1. Overall 5
                                                                      2. Food 5
                                                                      3. Service 5
                                                                      4. Ambience 5
                                                                      I love the eclectic menu…something for everyone. The Outerbound Chardonnay was fantastic with the oysters & lobster salad! I can’t wait to go back.

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                                                                    2. Ken

                                                                      VIP

                                                                      Orange County

                                                                      3 reviews

                                                                      2.0

                                                                      3 reviews

                                                                      Dined on 10 January 2025

                                                                      1. Overall 2
                                                                      2. Food 2
                                                                      3. Service 5
                                                                      4. Ambience 4
                                                                      Great service. Kind, friendly and attentive staff. Creative menu, but poorly executed. Their Ribeye steak was comparable to what I imagine is a Denny’s or a hospital cafeteria steak would taste like. It was loaded it up with a glaze, puree and other oily fluff. Imagine your Denny’s ribeye was served slathered in ketchup. At this point, the restaurant is nothing more than watering hole and burger lounge masquerading as something more. You’ll get more satisfaction and value dining at the In-N-Out nearby.

                                                                      1 person found this helpful

                                                                    3. David

                                                                      Orange County

                                                                      1 review

                                                                      5.0

                                                                      1 review

                                                                      Dined on 9 January 2025

                                                                      1. Overall 5
                                                                      2. Food 5
                                                                      3. Service 5
                                                                      4. Ambience 5
                                                                      Love this place. Adding new items on the menu is always exciting. My best dish was the baby scallops cooked perfectly…. Can’t wait to taste the other new dishes coming out soon. Hats off to Chef Paige and Chef Nick.

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                                                                    4. Shelley

                                                                      Orange County

                                                                      9 reviews

                                                                      4.0

                                                                      9 reviews

                                                                      Dined on 4 January 2025

                                                                      1. Overall 4
                                                                      2. Food 4
                                                                      3. Service 5
                                                                      4. Ambience 4
                                                                      I’ve eaten at Scarlet Kitchen a number of times and the food never disappoints. I’ve ordered something different every time just to try different dishes. The bacon-wrapped dates are the perfect balance of salty and sweet. The Scarlet burger hits the spot if you’re craving a burger. Chicken Parmesan is delicious with the pulled pork sauce and perfect proportion of eggplant to the amount of cheese; paired with a glass of Chardonnay, it’s a delicious meal.

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                                                                    5. Jennifer

                                                                      Orange County

                                                                      9 reviews

                                                                      5.0

                                                                      9 reviews

                                                                      Dined on 1 January 2025

                                                                      1. Overall 5
                                                                      2. Food 5
                                                                      3. Service 5
                                                                      4. Ambience 5
                                                                      Delicious early NYE dinner with a good friend…food and service were spot on! Great Happy Hour choices, too.

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                                                                    6. Michael

                                                                      VIP

                                                                      Los Angeles

                                                                      8 reviews

                                                                      5.0

                                                                      8 reviews

                                                                      Dined on 31 December 2024

                                                                      1. Overall 5
                                                                      2. Food 5
                                                                      3. Service 5
                                                                      4. Ambience 5
                                                                      A+ … when can I go again?! Food, drink, service, atmosphere — all stellar! Can’t wait to get back!!

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                                                                    7. Joanna

                                                                      Orange County

                                                                      277 reviews

                                                                      5.0

                                                                      277 reviews

                                                                      Dined on 23 December 2024

                                                                      1. Overall 5
                                                                      2. Food 4
                                                                      3. Service 5
                                                                      4. Ambience 5
                                                                      Overall a lovely experience and the special price Sunday night dinner was a hit. You’re still able to order from the regular menu but it was nice to have a reasonably priced coursed meal for $25 total. The server was attentive and friendly. It’s a great local gem.

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                                                                    8. Rick

                                                                      VIP

                                                                      Orange County

                                                                      47 reviews

                                                                      4.0

                                                                      47 reviews

                                                                      Dined on 13 December 2024

                                                                      1. Overall 4
                                                                      2. Food 5
                                                                      3. Service 5
                                                                      4. Ambience 4
                                                                      Great local restaurant, with great selection of food items! Their drinks are outstanding! Very energetic inside around the bar. Outside patio seating is spread out better. There is live music, which is very nice, but don't get a table near the performer - - the speaker is too loud to hold a conversation.

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                                                                    9. Thomas

                                                                      San Diego

                                                                      5 reviews

                                                                      3.0

                                                                      5 reviews

                                                                      Dined on 7 December 2024

                                                                      1. Overall 3
                                                                      2. Food 3
                                                                      3. Service 5
                                                                      4. Ambience 5
                                                                      Service and ambiance was overall great, the food is a little overpriced for what you receive in terms of quality and the drinks absolutely needs some work. My wife very rarely ever returns drinks, but had to tonight for one of their new holiday drinks and what I had with an expresso martini was lackluster in flavor. Service was overall good and hostess's were friendly and helped us out immediately.

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                                                                    10. Bill

                                                                      Hawaii

                                                                      1 review

                                                                      5.0

                                                                      1 review

                                                                      Dined on 1 December 2024

                                                                      1. Overall 5
                                                                      2. Food 5
                                                                      3. Service 4
                                                                      4. Ambience 4
                                                                      We had a great time, great service and good food.

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                                                                    FAQs

                                                                    Scarlet Kitchen and Lounge offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (949) 503-3086.

                                                                    Scarlet Kitchen and Lounge is rated 4.7 stars by 745 OpenTable diners.

                                                                    Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

                                                                    Make a booking

                                                                    2 people
                                                                    19:00
                                                                    Booked 14 times today

                                                                    Order delivery or takeout

                                                                    Google Map for Scarlet Kitchen and Lounge

                                                                    30865 Gateway Pl Rancho, Mission Viejo, CA 92694

                                                                    Dining areas

                                                                    Additional information

                                                                    • Cross Street
                                                                      Antonio/Ortega
                                                                    • Area
                                                                      Mission Viejo / Rancho Santa Margarita
                                                                    • Hours of Operation
                                                                      Brunch Sun 10:30 am–2:30 pm Dinner Tue–Thu 4:00 pm–8:30 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–9:30 pm Bar Tue–Thu 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–11:00 pm Sun 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Sunday Dinner Sun 5:00 pm–8:30 pm
                                                                    • Price
                                                                      $31 to $50
                                                                    • Cuisines
                                                                      Contemporary American, American, Farm-to-table
                                                                    • Dining style
                                                                      Casual Elegant
                                                                    • Dress code
                                                                      Business Casual
                                                                    • Parking details
                                                                      Private Lot
                                                                    • Payment Options
                                                                      AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
                                                                    • Executive Chef
                                                                      Paige Riordan
                                                                    • Additional
                                                                      Dog Friendly, Gluten-free Options, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Vegan
                                                                    • Website
                                                                      http://www.scarletkl.com/
                                                                    • Phone number
                                                                      (949) 503-3086
                                                                    • Private party facilities
                                                                      For private events please email events@ScarletKL.com
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