We are celebrating my husband's birthday. My first thought was FLEMINGS near Newport Center. We dined a year or two ago and it was very good. In the meantime, a friend raved about MORTON'S near South Coast Plaza.

So far, the only two negative's I have read about MORTON'S are a) it is very noisey there, and b) the beef it wet aged.

The other thing to factor in is that in the interim since we dined at FLEMINGS, we went to Argentina ^ Now, our standards are much higher than the first time we visited FLEMINGS :D

I know there have been good/bad remarks about MORTON'S, but I am inquiring specifically about the Costa Mesa location.

So, if you have a vote for Steak in the OC ~~~ I'd love to hear it :) Thanks.

Morton's OC is one of the chain's weakest links... Flemings is good - especially their wine by the glass, but the whole a la carte for everthing deal here (like Morton's) bothers me. Can you tell I don't like chains?! I love Bungalow in Corona del Mar - excellent rib-eyes & atmosphere. Great recent review on Chowhound.com's Los Angeles board. Maestro's (granted, a chain) just opened by SCP - I've heard the one in Beverly Hills is excellent, but have not been to either. The hippest, hottest place in town for steaks is Maestro's in Crystal Cove between Corona del Mar & Laguna.

We are celebrating my husband's birthday. My first thought was FLEMINGS near Newport Center. We dined a year or two ago and it was very good. In the meantime, a friend raved about MORTON'S near South Coast Plaza.

So far, the only two negative's I have read about MORTON'S are a) it is very noisey there, and b) the beef it wet aged.

The other thing to factor in is that in the interim since we dined at FLEMINGS, we went to Argentina ^ Now, our standards are much higher than the first time we visited FLEMINGS :D

I know there have been good/bad remarks about MORTON'S, but I am inquiring specifically about the Costa Mesa location.

So, if you have a vote for Steak in the OC ~~~ I'd love to hear it :) Thanks.

I vote for Flemings. Much nicer than Morton's IMO. More intimate, better menu selection, and nice wine list. Enjoy your evening! ;)

The hippest, hottest place in town for steaks is Maestro's in Crystal Cove between Corona del Mar & Laguna.Interesting that you say this... I was driving by there last night and wondered about it. I know it's fairly new. I tried finding online reviews of it and there is fairly little info. So how did you come to describe it as the "hottest place"? I am tempted to try it....but hesitate to do so for a special occasion when I see so little feedback. Thanks :)

The best steak I've had in California was at an Italian restaurant in Manhattan Beach (Talia's). Really outstanding, though steak isn't their specialty (osso bucco is). I suppose smaller restaurants with a good butcher can get better cuts of meat (their lower volume means they are able to buy meat that is in small supply and they are willing to pay higher prices to their wholesalers). I've always found it ironic that the best meat isn't at steak houses for the most part.

The best steak I've had in California was at an Italian restaurant in Manhattan Beach (Talia's). Thanks ~~~ but it would be REALLY great if you can think of a great place NEARER me :D

As we plan to go to dinner this weekend, I will probably go with Fleming's -- unless I can get some more info on Maestro's...

Man, I miss Fleming's. I cried the day they closed the one in SEA. I really think it's the best steak I've ever had in the USA. Plus great atmosphere and good wine options, I think it's a great choice. And those au gratin potatoes, and the skinny little fries, and the mushrooms...

I hate you guys. :(

Are the au gratin potatoes really good? Funnily enough, the first time we went, we were trying to do Atkins ;) So I can attest to their creamed spinach being delicious :D

Yes! The fries, too, little whispy things with garlic that come in a pile about a foot high. This is one meal I would double up on the potatoes. Anything else just wastes valuable meat space.

Dined at Flemings in Phoenix a few months back. Absolutely nothing special and couldn't hold a candle to Mortons. Have been to a number of Mortons across the U.S. and they are consistently excellent. Would be hard-pressed to ever pass-up a Mortons for Flemings, but it does seem from numerous posts here and on the Fodors talk site that Mortons is one place you either love or you hate....there is no in between.

Interesting that you say this... I was driving by there last night and wondered about it. I know it's fairly new. I tried finding online reviews of it and there is fairly little info. So how did you come to describe it as the "hottest place"? I am tempted to try it....but hesitate to do so for a special occasion when I see so little feedback. Thanks :)

Well, I haven't been there yet - not 'hip' enough - my parents have, though - LOL - they always beat me to to new hot places. It is packed, esp. Thursday nights. They imply a seafood menu, as the name is actually Mastro's Ocean Club, but I hear the steaks are great & HUGE. Only problem is that I doubt you can get a reservation for this weekend, but worth a try!

Now, as I mentioned, they also opened a branch of their very popular Beverly Hills steakhouse in Costa Mesa by SCP. Again, good reviews, but as it just recently opened, I'm going more on the raves the BH property gets. Either of these should be good, fun, festive & more unique than a Morton's or Flemings, so I'd go for it if you can get a resv.

I'll be interested to hear your review, as I need to get off my 'ribeye at Bungalow' kick. (That would also be a great choice for you!)

And, I apologize, I tried to fancify the name - it's Mastro's.

And, I apologize, I tried to fancify the name - it's Mastro's.I knew that ;) Just went to zagat.com....even THEY don't have ratings for it! Mastro's apparently has a steakhouse in Costa Mesa (which I guess I could read up on), but the seafood location in Newport Beach has no rating of any kind! That surprised me.

I'll be interested to hear your review, as I need to get off my 'ribeye at Bungalow' kick. (That would also be a great choice for you!)Better than Flemings or Mortons? We have never dined at the Bungalow. On digitalcity.com they have a few mixed reviews and a couple of complaints that they want you to vacate your table after 90 minutes ~~ have you had that problem?

I knew that ;) Just went to zagat.com....even THEY don't have ratings for it! Mastro's apparently has a steakhouse in Costa Mesa (which I guess I could read up on), but the seafood location in Newport Beach has no rating of any kind! That surprised me.

They literally just opened - Costa Mesa the past few weeks & Crystal Cove a couple of months ago - so, won't be on Zagat's or similiar.

RE: your 2nd question about Bungalow - it's totally different. As I said, I'm really not a fan of the chains & the whole a la carte thing bothers me. Both Morton's & Flemings have much broader steak choices. Bungalow's best is rib-eye. I think the restaurant is much more charming & comfortable and personally have never been rushed, but YMMV.

OK.... I'm now holding a reservation @ Flemings and @ the Bungalow. Will try to decide tomorrow morning and then cancel one of them. Mortons did not have a space available. Mastro's didn't have online booking and I did not call them. No, I wouldn't have made one everywhere... I just thought the Bungalow also sounded interesting and wanted to consider it as a possibility.

What did you end up doing & how was it?

We did go to THE BUNGALOW :)

My husband really enjoyed his rib eye ^ The chilean sea bass was also excellent. Service was pretty good -- not exceptional. Although we enjoyed the shrimp scampi starter and ice cream w/berries dessert, both portions seemed small.

Overall, would definitely recommend the restaurant.

Thanks for the help :) :) :)

I'm glad you enjoyed & apologize for not mentioning portion sizes were definitely smaller than Morton's - whose aren't?