The Hidden Kitchen

Went to the spot of hidden kitchen, the rooster café…
Me — «Hey I forgot to ask you, is this where the hidden kitchen is?»
Her — «No more, they’re gone»
Me — Perplexed face. «What??»
Her — «Yeah, they used to be here but their last service was last weekend, you JUST MISSED them. Their looking for a new place now»
Me — Totally bummed and dissapointed.
If anyone knows where they are or where they might be or how to find out. Please let me know! I was so looking forward to eating here. =(
PS — I gave it four stars since I had to rate if I was going to post this plea for help and information!

**Alert** The location of The Hidden Kitchen will be moving. Unfortunately, I do not have the address or location. Contact them directly to find out where. **Alert**
Now I had reading the hype about «The Hidden Kitchen» for some time here on Unilocal.And due to scheduling I was finally able to make it down here. Now I hear a lot people having issues finding this place but it seemed pretty simple since they were the only one with lights on.
Since they are moving I will give a brief review of the restaurant set up. Only able to seat ~20 people at any one time. The lights were a little harsh and bright. The table settings were simple and nice. The acoustics sucked. There were a few women who felt the needs to cackle and shriek over everyone else. You know who you are, next time keep it down.
The staff, really it is Jeff and his wife, were wonderful. Very friendly, attentive, and helpful with any questions with regards to the restaurant and menu. It really felt like you were going to a friends house for dinner.
The menu changes pretty regularly so what I had may not be there next time so I will give broad brush strokes. Carrot soup was OK. Not my favor but first time having it. Could taste the carrot and curry. Risotto was very nice. It had a nice cheese flavor. Short rib was fork tender and moist with nice Yukon mashed potatoes. Strawberry shortcake was quite satisfying.
The wines that were paired was very good. This was a highlight.
Price is fixed so you know ahead of time.
While I enjoyed my experience here and think Jeff and his wife are doing a great job, the hype may be driving expectation very high. I was not blown away by the food, which is what I was expecting. The food was good but did not «wow» me. I recommend «The Hidden Kitchen» but keep your expectations in check or you may be disappointed.

Visiting the Thompson-​Dobkins at The Hidden Kitchen is more like having an intimate dinner at a dear friends house rather than at a formal restaurant. But don’t let the simplicity and homey-​ness fool you, the food and wine here are top notch and it’s obvious from the moment you walk through the doors that this place is truly a labor of love.
A prix-​fixe menu priced at $ 35 is just something you don’t see everyday, it’s like a Bigfoot sighting, completely elusive. I wanted to check it out for myself and the fact that is was local spot was a huge bonus. The «Kitchen» is headed by a husband and wife super duo that are doctors by day and winemakers and restaurateurs by night. You gotta love the passion.
The food was really very decent, I started with the american made charcuterie plate of prosciutto, speck and chorizo… a veritable smörgåsbord of cured meaty goodness. I then had the braised lamb shoulder over a bed of polenta which was well cooked, very tender and quite tasty. i love washing down meat with more meat. We ate heartily and drank merrily… So much so that I hardly remember the rest of the evening. We had foolishly decided to order more wine to compensate for all the money we saved on a $ 35 prix-​fixe menu and needless to say we got completely crunk.
All in all the setting was sparse but the ambiance was amazing nevertheless. I always have believed that its really not about the place but about the people that fill it. I’m looking forward to returning and trying out the new menu that rotates on a weekly basis. Thanks to Jeff and Julie for a great night, i’ll try not to be such a drunken wreck next time!

I came here with a bunch of Unilocalers for a Hidden Kitchen UYE.
It was difficult to find. I had not taken the name of the place too literally until I had to find it. But hey, now I know.
1^st off… loved their wine selection. LOVED. I even went and bought some myself at Hi-​Times.
2^nd… the company was great so that always helps.
3^rd… The food was good. Yes, the food was good even if the portions were a little small. I was the perfect amount of full when it was all said and done but I still like my portions to be slightly larger than it was.
4^th… Jeff was very personable and did a good job of entertaining us and explaining the wines and the menu.
5^th… I thought the food was a bit… too much for the place. I could enjoy the cheeses and the meats and like them but at the end of the day, cheese is cheese and cured meat is cured meat. There are good and bad ones but I don’t wanna talk about how it was made or where it came from all night. Maybe I just don’t prefer to discuss my food too much. At the end of the day, it was good food but it wasn’t anything I couldn’t have gotten elsewhere.
Overall, it was a very nice meal and a lovely experience and I won’t mind coming back. Can’t wait to see what the menu has to offer next time.

After all the talk and many times trying to book reservations, I finally had the opportunity to try the place everyone has been raving about. We actually arrived a bit earlier than our reservation but they gladly seated us.
3 course menu with suggested wine pairings for each dish — Offering your choice of 3 different appetizers, 2 different entrees and 2 types of desserts.
We, being the foodies that we are, decided to have everything on the menu so we could try — which they graciously agreed to do.
I don’t remember the specific details to each dish but I’ll tell you my favorites.
1.) Appetizer — Cheese (my mind skips me on what cheese it was) Tart
— OH MY GOODNESS — Talk about delightful! It was a baked cheese in a tart pastry that melted in your mouth. The taste was perfect and I haven’t had something that good in quite some time!
2.) Dessert — Roasted Strawberries with a homemade ice cream and a touch of balsamic vinegar. Sounds bizarre? Let me just tell you… the combination of the ice-​cream (which was mildly sweet) paired with this balsamic was something I had never tasted before. I could not believe how great this was. INGENIOUS! I could have had the dessert for dinner!
Our salmon was perfectly under-​cooked with a hint of a buttery taste which was not over powering.
Downside —
We were in heaven until a foursome came in and sat right next to us. Since the tables are situated apx 1.5 ft apart from each other, there isn’t much privacy. The table next to us was so loud and obnoxious we couldn’t even hear ourselves sitting across from each other. They had no idea what they were eating, didn’t know one cheese from another, and asked how come there wasn’t steak!!! I mean, seriously? What are you doing at such a refined place like this? I digress…
I loved this place. I really wish there was a bit more privacy. I will tell you though, we will be going back — Just to see what other great dishes they can conjure up!

I’ve got a confession. I, Hazel Q, avid Unilocaler, am not a foodie. I know nothing of obscure cheeses, spicy wines, or meat smoking methods. What I do know is that I enjoy eating, I don’t enjoy cooking, and learning about wine seems totally overwhelming.
With that said, I really, really enjoyed The Hidden Kitchen, but it just didn’t really do it for me. Something was missing. Do I know what? Actually, no.
To sum it up, things I liked about The Hidden Kitchen:
–That it’s hidden. What an awesome idea to use a breakfast/​lunch place to rent out for dinners as a new restaurant.
–The service. It feels like you’re over at someone’s house for dinner.
Things I thought were okay:
–The food.
–The wine.
–But the thing is, I’m not a foodie, so some things are just over my head, I suppose.
–Things I didn’t like:
–That I could have pretty much the same thing at At Last for half the price.

Ladies and Gentleman, I present to you The Hidden Kitchen.
This place was hidden in view for most people considering how difficult it was for people to search this place (and you all thought it would be an easy quest). Well needless to say, most people found it and the ones who did were the individuals who enjoyed this establishments offerings within the borrowed confines of the daytime Rooster Café.
The Party: Rob, Kathy, Alicia, Sharon, Roo, Eimi, Kat, Kate, and Myself.
The Target: Jeff et. al and the Hidden Kitchen Crew.
I believe we were able to try most of the menus offering, with the following orders:
*-Stuff that I ordered personally
Appetizers:
–Risotto with Roasted Butternut Squash Sage, Mascarpone Cheese*
–American-​Made Charcuterie Plate La Quercia Prosciutto Speck and Fra’ Mani Chorizo
Entrée’s:
–Local Seas Bass and Manila Clams Saffron, White Wine, Shallots
–Short Ribs with Horseradish Cream Pureed Yukon Gold Potatoes, Wilted Organic Spinach*
Sides:
–Artisinal Cheese Plate Percorino Toscano Stagionato (Italy-Sheep’s milk) and Urgelia (Spain-Cow’s milk)*
Drinks:
–French Press Coffee
–Waters all around
–Syrah 2006; Santa Barbara County (bottled by the owners themselves)*
–Random slices of bread: Sourdough, Wheat, and Raspberry etc.
The Bread, a good filler before the appetizers and we accumulated a good stack. The Risotto, I believe had an interesting blend of flavors. Personally I rarely taste, squash in any kind of cuisine outside my mother’s own culinary delights, so it was interesting to see them use Mascarpone creating a rich but very light Risotto. Also don’t get me wrong the Risotto was tasty, however call it pickiness but I much prefer the smaller grain of rice (or cooking procedure) in Café Hiro’s (located in Cypress, Ca.) version (a little more porridge and smaller grain).
Prosciutto wasn’t as stellar as I thought it would be. Maybe I’m too accustomed to the version of Trader Joe’s considering it is a standard that I’ve held this particular slice of meat to. While the Chorizo was probably the most bougie’ pepperoni I’ve ever tried this side of the U.S. Coast (again not criticizing but I’ve barely tried any variety of meat and cheese platters, outside Oscar Mayor and Trader Joe’s so, wineries are a must visit for future reference).
I got to try a spoonful of Eimi’s Bass and Clam dish, this is probably one of the best seafood dishes doused in white wine, I’ve tried to date. Sure it didn’t really tickle my taste buds as I hoped but the broth wasn’t excessive with the Wine (unlike most dishes, that utilize it aka Olive Garden creations etc.).
French Press Coffee, apparently one of the best ways to get the aroma out of coffee. I didn’t find anything special with this either (I probably have, a ridiculously high tolerance to liquid substances so I couldn’t discern what I’m supposed to judge. But the Syrah… wine (or any alcoholic substance for that matter) is something I’m too familiar with. It’s a big hit with many people who have attended this place. A full bodied red, that’s not too spicy and smoother than liquifying cherry starbursts. I did try the other infamous bottle 3ie Degre Rhone (50% Syrah, 25% Grenache, 25% Mourvedre) but it wasn’t my glass of wine considering the spice factor.
The other highlights were also Urgelia Cheese (very smooth texture), and the Short Ribs I ordered. Pureed potatoes, were creamy and mixed well with the spinach. While the Rib was tender to perfection (I’m still trying to figure out how do people get it nice juicy, but cooked really well).
Overall the experience, cost us about $ 400.00 plus (with gratuity included). Is the experience well worth it? Of course, Jeff’s focus of maintaining excellent service and hosting throughout the night was superb. In addition to that, the ambiance is especially complimented with the ever ecstatic Unilocalers who accompanied me on a cold winter night pre-​holiday season for one of the few closing UYEs before 2009.
Cheers, I look forward to finishing and hosting part two on our return visit Jeff and Co., maybe you’ll have a change of menu (and a permanent venue) in the new year?

First and foremost — Jeff is awesome! He is so friendly and makes you feel welcome the moment you walk in the door. The decorations are great and give the atmosphere added class. I can only imagine what a PITB it must be to haul all their dishes/​cookware/​utensils in and out every Thursday and Friday. So now on to the food:
— Their risotto is awesome. It is the lightest risotto I’ve ever had. I think it’s partially due to them using marscarpone.
— The sea bass with Manila clams was pretty good too. I wished there had been a bit more flavor… like maybe tomatoes or some fresh herbs… but it was still good.
— The Eggnog bread pudding was really good too. It was still warm and gooey in the center… it’s like it oozed into my mouth.
And lastly the chef Jesse came out to greet everyone and he genuinely cared about if we enjoyed the food and the experience there. That is true commitment to excellence.

The lights of the Hidden Kitchen beckoned in the dark and we hurried into the warmth of the restaurant leaving the cold night behind us. As soon as we stepped through the door, we were greeted with a hearty handshake from Jeff and hugs and kisses from Julie. In the flurry of all the ‘hellos’ and ‘how are yous’ I couldn’t help but smile. It felt like we had just arrived at a dear friend’s home for a dinner party. It was exactly why I knew it would be the perfect place to have a birthday celebration with friends. At the Hidden Kitchen, you’re already amongst friends.
The food, as always, absolutely delicious. My favorites of the night had to be the sauteed Piquillo peppers with Manchego cheese, pureed organic broccoli soup, «Pot au Feu» of veal breast and beef short rib, and the Pierre Robert that came as part of the dessert cheese plate. The peppers were smoky and savory and the olive oil and sherry vinegar it came dressed with introduced a fruitiness that married well with the cheese. The soup was soothing with a depth of flavor one wouldn’t expect out of such a humble vegetable, but perfect for the chilly evening. My pot au feu was tender and so mouthwatering, I was reluctant to give up the few bites I shared. The Pierre Robert cheese was sinfully luxurious in its melty buttery creaminess.
We had brought a cake with us as it was a birthday dinner and I was touched by how accommodating Jeff and Julie were, allowing me to ready the cake in the kitchen and bring it out, following me with plates and a knife.
As much as I love to go out and try new restaurants, there is something to be said about dining in at home with loved ones around you. I guess the most amazing thing about this tiny place is that it’s a restaurant but it doesn’t feel like one. It feels like home– and that’s pretty cool.

The Hidden Kitchen has become NOT so hidden anymore. Winemaker and I arrive at 8 and the place was packed and poppin’. Honestly, Jeff and Julie and are doing a great job and the food is getting better and better. They are only open on Thursday and Friday nights so the ingredients they get are really fresh and the menu does change weekly. And their wine selection is great and inexpensive.
This past week’s menu:
Sautéed Piquillo Peppers with Manchego Cheese
Arbeqina Olive Oil, Baby Cilantro, Pimenton
or
American-​Made Charcuterie Plate
La Quercia Prosciutto & Speck and Fra’ Mani Chorizo
or
Pureed Organic Broccoli Soup
Wensleydale Cheese Toast
_​_​_​_​
«Pot au Feu» of Veal Breast and Beef Shortrib
Pureed Yukon Gold Potatoes, Local Organic Spinach
or
Cioppino of Crab, Manila Clam, Shrimp and Halibut
Tomato, Chorizo, Red Wine
_​_​_​_​_​
Artisinal Cheese Plate
Beemster Classic (Holland-Cow’s milk)
Queso Leonora (Spain-Goat’s milk)
or
Toasted Almond Pots de Crème
Chantilly Cream, Baby Mint
We brought the 1998 Fontodi Flaccianello that went awesome with the Cioppino and the Charcuterie plate. (I am starting to have a real passion for Italian wines.) ;)
I was a little afraid to review this place in fear that it would get too crowded but the damage is done people are flying in from Georgia to try this restaurant. And I don’t blame them for $ 35 dollars you can’t go wrong.
*corkage is $ 15
Stars 4 ¹⁄₂

We’ve come to eat here a few times now and I’ve enjoyed it very much. The appetizer selections are varied, includes a soup, a tart or a charcuterie plate. Entrée is a choice of two — usually a meat dish and a fish or seafood dish followed by dessert of something sweet or something savory in the form of cheese.
Service is very good. The husband and wife team always makes sure that we are well taken care of and their wines are spectacular as well. Definitely a good choice for a nice evening out with your significant other or with a group of friends.

Some people are skeptical when overwhelmingly good reviews are bestowed upon some establishments and I am no different. However, when small, family-​run restaurants where the owners obviously have an unabashed passion for what they’re doing and it shows in the end result, then I take notice!
I’m a fan of Rooster Café so when I heard about The Hidden Kitchen, I tried to make a trip here — unfortunately, it took a few tries since one night they had a private function, and another night something came up for us. I’d been looking forward to dining here and the anticipation had been building up especially since positive reviews keep popping up day after day.
The restaurant itself is just Rooster with a few tablecloths thrown over the tables and simple nuances to change day to night. Ambiance is not something which really makes a huge difference to how I judge a restaurant so in all honesty, it’s the food and service which wins (or loses) out in the end.
Before our first course arrived our lovely host brought out some complimentary appetizers of baby heirloom tomatoes and imported burrata for us to sample. The burrata was heavenly!!!
First Course was a choice between leek, Roquefort and crème fraîche tart with organic baby arugula salad, Fra ‘Mani and la Quercia Charcuterie plate with accompaniments including prosciutto, speck and chorizo or Scrimshaw Farms’ roasted kabocha squash soup with nutmeg crème fraîche, «Mugoolio» syrup. The leek tart was eggy, light and fluffy although the base was a tad thick when compared to the airiness of the filling.
I loved the charcuterie plate and thought it was better than the one at Pescadou Bistro. All 3 meats were flavorful and served with cornichons. Out of the 3 appetizers, I’d say the soup was my least favorite, although it was still very nice. It was served too cold to my liking. I like my soups scorching hot.
Second Course was a choice between pan-​roasted Atlantic Cod and braised shoulder of lamb. I’m glad I chose the lamb because between the two, I definitely liked the lamb far better.
The fish was nice and flaky and the accompanying tomato sauce was a richly and robust and tasted like something I’ve accidentally (in a good way) made at home. However, in comparison, the lamb was just outstanding. Tender chunks of lamb slow cooked with meat just falling off when poked with a fork, was exactly what I wanted. The polenta was rich and flavorful and very addictive. The entire dish was rather heavy but I was wanting more, it was THAT good!
Final course of the evening was a choice between an artisinal cheese plate and a citrus tart. Since I’m not a huge dessert fan (I always say this and then end up eating my words) I chose the cheese plate. However, after one bite of the citrus tart, I wish I had chosen that instead. It was really tart — just the way I like it – with a strong, aromatic citrusy finish. The cheese plate was good too — a pungent chevre (goat cheese) served with a fruit preserve and a lovely red Leicester cheddar imported from London.
I can’t speak much for the wine because I only had a sip, but it was a syrah and if I hadn’t been the designated driver that evening, I would’ve had much much more!!!
The host and his wife were so gracious and I seriously felt like I was an honored guest in their home. The chef, Jason, stopped by and chatted with us as well before we called it a night! Definitely a worthwhile stop if you love good food, good service and an all around excellent time!

Take two doctors, a Costa Mesa winery, a passion for hospitality and great food, and you’ve got the Hidden Kitchen — one great meal experience that you’ll surely enjoy in the company of great friends.
Truly secluded from the outer clutches of other Costa Mesa eateries, you might not realize the Hidden Kitchen is even there! For just two days out of the week, the Rooster Café puts the sandwiches on hold and instead transforms into Jeff and Julie’s cozy little white-​table clothed «bistro». Not just the owners of the Hidden Kitchen, Jeff and Julie are actually the ones serving your meals, pouring your wine, and ensuring that you’re well taken care of, just like you’re one of their good friends. And last night, I was pleased to enjoy a great meal at the Hidden Kitchen with my friend, the lovely Ms. Augusta S.
The Hidden Kitchen features weekly specials in the form of a 3-​course, $ 35 prix fix menu. Note that this menu can change! When we arrived, Julie graciously gave us the run-​down on the menu, and also pointed out that each of the 3 courses is exquisitely paired with a wine, many of which hail from their own Thompkin Cellars. You gotta love when they take the guesswork out of it! From the weekly selections, I choose a leek/​roquefort/​crème fraîche tart, a pan roasted cod served among a hearty tomato sauce, and the most flakily crusted lemon tart for dessert.
Note that the Hidden Kitchen is a prime example of how far service and hospitality can go these days. After noticing that our fish was «slightly» undercooked, Jeff and Julie had it remade on the double and also offered us a complimentary glass of wine. We both had a glass of the Thompkin Cellar Syrah, which is what Jeff had described as being a «huge» wine. And boy, he wasn’t kidding! After one whiff of the Syrah, one swirl of the glass, and one sip down the hatch, the aftertaste really just reminded me of all the flavors I love about Christmas It was that good! We both left with our own bottle of the Thompkin Cellar Syrah that night.
Overall, the Hidden Kitchen is a casual environment with classy offerings, and clearly emphasizes that the best combination for great food and wine has got to be a great friend. So make sure you grab a friend and head down before it may not be so «hidden» anymore!

Tada… Review number 150… Ahhh, Unilocal… I heart you so… for it is because of you, sweet friend… that I have rekindled the flame of spontaneity deep within, by way of bookmarks To Try and To Review yummy stuffs near by and far away. It’s also because of you that I have met some amazing new people and have new friends to share these experiences with… like Holly W.
Last night Holly and I decided to check out The Hidden Kitchen, a bistro in the making, that she found out about right here on Unilocal.
Rooster Café by day, The Hidden Kitchen by night ~ at least a couple nights a week…
Dinner is served prix fixe with choices, which really adds an element to the sweet charm of the dining experience that is THK… especially in such a quaint space. The service is extremely pleasant… both Julie and Jeff came to our table. Julie is such a delight… the passion she has for what her and her husband have created radiates in warm fuzzies all around. She spent considerable time with us… asking if we had questions… discussing the menu… she’s an absolute delight.
We quickly decided on a bottle of wine… (glass? Neva! Bring that bottle, already!) I am a huge fan of Sauvignon Blanc (mmmm… I love my citrus, what can I say?)… So a bottle of Sauvignon Fohrhof 2006 Kurtatsch (Cortaccia) served us well. I’d never had this particular Sauvignon before and was extremely delighted …13.75% by volume… oh my, I had a buzz after the first glass. The aroma was delicious and the wine was crisp and bright… I’ve been hunting for it online with no luck… I must have this wine again!
After perusing and discussing the menu with Julie… it took no time at all to decide upon the Leek, Roquefort, Crème Fraiche Tart served with an Organic Baby Arugula Salad to start.
My taste buds came alive with the richness of the Roquefort cheese with every bite… the tangy tartness of the cheese with the sweetness of the leeks was like a roller disco on my tongue… and the crust of the tart was perfection… it crumbled perfectly and was absolutely delicious.
For entrée, we had the choice of ~
Pan Roasted Atlantic Cod
With a Tomato, White Wine, Pine Nut, Chile, Currant, and Olive sauce/​purée
Or
Braised Shoulder of Lamb
With Organic Polenta, Glazed Valdivia Farms Baby Turnips
I wasn’t feelin’ lamb… too heavy… so opted for the cod… to keep it somewhat light with all the wine I was enjoying.
Unfortunately the cod wasn’t quite cooked when it arrived to our table, but no worries ~ it was quickly whisked away with apology and replaced moments later with a filet cooked through and through served atop the purée… The cod was tender and the purée had a rich olive taste… I am not partial to tomatoes or tomato sauce, but ya only live once… I gave it a go and enjoyed it thoroughly.
They say to Save the Best for Last… and oh my, did that hold true this evening!!!
Julie approached our table and asked if we would like to try one of their signature wines to make up for the undercooked fish. Of course we were happy to imbibe! She described the syrah with such enthusiasm, we couldn’t resist. The syrah was FAB. Oh my goodness. Talk about bold and lovely! A deliciously warm oaky aroma… and you can really taste the boysenberries and cocoa. Both Holly and I ended up purchasing a bottle to take with.
For the final course, the choices were the Artisinal Cheese Plate or «Tart au Citron» a citrusy tart served with Chantilly Cream and Lemon Zest.
Holly ordered the tart and I ordered the cheese plate, which we split equally.
The cheese plate was amazing awesomeness.
The Coach Family Triple Cream Chevre (New York) was rich and buttery and the berry preserves it was served with complimented it the Most Divine Way… I spread it on a small piece of bread and grew wings to heaven while indulging… YUM. It’s pretty spendy in the world of cheese so it was a treat to be able to enjoy it… the owners of The Hidden Kitchen certainly know what they’re doing.
The Thomas Hoe Stevenson Red Leicester (England) was my absolute favorite… oh man… can words describe? I’ll try. The cheese is aged on average for 4 and a half to six months traditionally in cloth… and is a rich orange color… the taste is remarkably light and similar to aged cheddar… somewhat nutty… delicious in every way… and went well with the raw almonds served to compliment. It’s a perfect snacking cheese and would taste great with dark ale… mmmm… I am sooo buying some this weekend.
The tart was nice… light and airy… the Chantilly cream really made the dish… but I still can’t get over the cheese … mmmmmmm.
I had an amazing time… Holly and I spent close to three hours drinking wine, eating, and sharing stories. I definitely recommend The Hidden Kitchen… it’s a dining experience that you will not forget.
I WILL be back.

I am going to try to keep it simple w/​my review.
Went last night at like 730ish w/​a resey for 745 which was not needed. They weren’t totally full. You could of gotten in w/​o one.
The service was friendly. She asked how I learned about them. I said OC Weekly.

Don’t know if the menu is the same both nights they are open but the bangers and mash was better than the gnoccchi. The meat plate we had as an appetizer was so good! I think it was a proscuitto and a chorizo of some sorts. The desert was yummy, like a crème brulle/​flan type in a little tea cup.
I had the Sauteed Piquillo Peppers with Manchego Cheese, Arbeqina Olive Oil, Baby Cilantro… ((yes, I copied that from Paul L.‘s review)) very good.
The bottle of wine we ordered was really good. I am going to have to look for it at hi-​times now!
I would of given this place 3.5 but I rounded up.

Had another terrific meal here last week. The wonderful people behind the Hidden Kitchen never cease to amaze me. The menu this time has changed somewhat.
COURSE 1:
Sauteed Piquillo Peppers with Manchego Cheese, Arbeqina Olive Oil, Baby Cilantro
This was a very nice surprise, as I would not have picked it as a first choice, but it ended up being my favorite starter of the three. The sweet and earthy peppers filled with the warm cheese was rich and savory. You know a dish is good when the plate is clean and you still want more.
American-​Made Charcuterie Plate with Accompaniments — Prosciutto, Chorizo, and Speck
The Speck was outstanding!
Yellow & Green Wax Bean Salad, Lemon-​Thyme Crème Fraiche, Farmer’s Cherry Tomatoes
More delicate in flavor than the other two, more late summer than early fall. The freshness of the product really comes through in this dish.
COURSE 2:
French Gnocchi with Late Summer Vegetables, Sage, Baby Tomato, Brown Butter, Lemon
Gnocchi is Italian comfort food to me, more so than pasta. But what surprised me was how light and airy the gnocchi were. This is gnocchi for people who do not like the heaviness of standard potato gnocchi. The texture is distinctive, but the lemon and the sage in the dish are the real stars.
Braised Shortribs with Pureed Potato, Farmer’s Carrots, Horseradish Cream
This was the same dish as the last time, but I thought it was even better this time around. The portion size was scaled down a bit, which I think was a good idea, and the meat was better seasoned. Loved, loved, loved it!
COURSE 3:
Artisinal Cheese Plate
Forgot the names of the cheeses, but one of them was served with honeycomb, which I love. A cheese plate worthy a very high-​end restaurant.
Valrhona Chocolate Pots de Crème, Shaved Valrhona Chocolate & Chantilly Cream
I enjoyed this more than the mint version. Great texture and just enough to satisfy my sweet tooth.
The price is still $ 35, which is quite reasonable in my view. The wine is also well priced. We had the most expensive wine on their (small) list, the 2007 Paolo Scavino Dolcetto D’Alba, which was a mere $ 40.
4 ½ stars
P. S. Turns out there were two Unilocalers sitting behind us during dinner. We are taking over the joint!

i love food. who around here doesn’t? and we’ve all dreamed about opening our own restaurant at one time or another, right? well, at least i have. sounds fun until reality sets back in and you realize it’s not as easy or glamorous as it seems.
so it’s not hard to imagine that i was instantly enamored with owners julie and jeffrey, and jason the chef, who set out to follow their dreams and passion and do just that. open their own restaurant. well, not really their ‘own’ restaurant, but if you’ve read the other reviews you know the story. spend some time to talk to them and you’ll discover an unbridled enthusiasm and knowledge about food and wine. so much so that along with the excellent service, you would never know that this was their first foray into restaurant business.
tonight’s prix fixe offered a choice of 3 first courses, 2 mains and 2 desserts.
we started off with a salad of hericot vert and cherry tomatoes, and a charcuterie plate. the salad was delicately dressed in a lemon crème fraîche dressing, and the vegetables were beautifully farmers’ market-​fresh and flavorful. if forgot to note the charcuterie items (prosciutto, speck, and chorizo i believe), but each was good.
main courses were a gnocchi with tomatoes and baby zucchini and a braised short rib with horseradish cream, whipped yukon potatoes, heirloom carrots. i had a taste of the gnocchi and though i enjoyed the autumnal flavors accented with sage, the gnocchi was softer than what i was accustomed to. julie explained that it was a french style gnocchi, made with flour, butter and eggs like a pâté choux, which explained the lighter texture and less toothsome bite. my short rib dish was excellent; the fork-​tender beef left my knife untouched on the table, with enough structure to indicate that the meat was not stewed to death. the horseradish cream was an unbelievable accompaniment, as were the creamy yukon potatoes. be warned that the portion size is not large by any means, but in my mind perfect for this dish.
dessert was a decadent though not overly-​rich chocolate pot de crème and a fairly solid cheese plate (especially for a prix fixe item).
overall, it was an excellent meal and experience. not perfect (the ambiance of the by day rooster café isn’t going to be for everyone), but you got to love what they are doing here.
4.5 *
oh, if that wasn’t enough, i had their amazing rhone blend during my meal which they call 3ie Degré (50% Syrah, 25% Grenache, 25% Mourvedre). deep, delicious, and amazingly complex. it was so good we took a bottle home.

Dr. Jeff «the radiologist and Dr. Julie „the neurologist“,
Thank you for inspiring me to question myself on „what really is my passion“! Not only have you guys identified that you LOVE food, but you decided to do something about it. And THANK YOU for doing it! I had a fantastic time last night!
In my past life, I was in the pharmaceutical sales world. I sucked, swallowed, and „did everything“ to climb my way to the top. Physicians were nothing more than egotistical greedy imbeciles behind white coats. Your charming demeanor, modesty, and knowledge wow“ed» us. We kept on repeating, «wow, they’re doctors and they’re freaking doing this ON TOP of their daytime jobs»! We collectively agreed that since we’re a bunch of drunks, we’re going to open up a wine bar and drink all our profits.
The Hidden Kitchen is open only on Thursday and Friday nights. According to Jeff, it’ll be awhile before they get a full space for nightly service. They only serve a $ 35 dollar tasting menu. The menu changes frequently and according to the chef, it’s anything fresh from the farmer’s market. Last night, we had a vegetable tart, veal, to-​die-​for-​gnocchi, and a cheese plate.
How’s the food? Well, the portions were a little bigger than tasting but smaller than entrée. The gnocchi was the stand out dish of the night. It’s a casual joint. For 35 bucks, it’s a modest dinner. No need to dollify yourself. No need to adorn a coat. Just bring a designated driver because all wines are under 40 bucks!
Unilocalers, can we get a collective «HURRAY» for a delicious hole-​in-​the-​wall joint? Let’s support modest fine dining foods!

Had dinner there for the first time last Friday. I did not know the owners before going to the restaurant.
This is a handcrafted restaurant from people who are clearly passionate about good food and wine. The kitchen delivers a very nuanced meal that evidences great attention to detail without verging into fussiness.
As noted by other reviewers, the short ribs were perfect and the cheese plate, in particular, was reason enough to go back (I am, this weekend).
An excellent place to go for a well executed meal. It feels completely out of place in the County — in a good way…

Being friends with Jeff and Julie since our kids were in kindergarten (they are now freshmen in High School), I have seen them evolve from fun, eccentric foodies, to experienced wine makers and now restaurateurs.
Five of my friends decided to try out Hidden Kitchen last night. We were welcomed by Jeff and Julie right away and they proceeded to describe their wine list and their menu. We started out with a delicious white wine along with both of their starters. Now I love heirloom tomatoes, but I REALLY loved their Organic Summer Veggie and Crème Fraiche Tart! I could have stopped there, but I went on to have their braised short ribs and mashed potatoes. My girlfriend ordered the cod and had potato envy so she finished mine off — they were that good! The wine I had with dinner was their own Thompkin Cellars Syrah — a rich full bodied wine that paired perfectly with the short ribs. Dessert for me was the pots de crème with baby mint. Just enough to satisfy me and my friends (we each had one).
I’m not a food critic or reviewer but couldn’t keep quiet about this exquisite little find in Costa Mesa — go see Jeff and Julie and you won’t be disappointed.