Excellent service, beautiful ambiance, and the food was fantastic. Came in for a girls pow wow and loved every second of my experience. One of my girls lives in Anaheim and she picked this spot. We had wings, calamari, and the spinach artichoke dip as our appetizers. The fried chicken sandwich was soo good. My server had me order it differently and I wish I remembered haha. But love getting recommendations from staff! That was a great sandwich and I will be back because of it. Drinks, comfy seats, yummy appetizers, girl time, supportive staff was very much appreciated. We're all former servers from the cheese and still catch up every few months. Love that we get to try new eateries and cool meetups. Even luckier to have found Julep.
Nestled in the modern Village at La Floresta shopping plaza, in between Whole Foods and Mendocino Farms, sits Julep Cast Iron Kitchen and Drink restaurant. The interior was beautifully decorated with contemporary décor and Victorian style paintings. The host was not present but eventually made his way to the stand to assist our reservation. Drink Menu: (4/5): They have over 2 dozen cocktail types (brunch cocktails, oldies but goodies, and house cocktails). They even have large format cocktails for groups. If you're looking for a cool ambiance for a party or happy hour, Julep would be an awesome place to visit for drinks. Everyone at our table enjoyed our drinks. Food Menu (3/5): Predominately American style food items. Many of the appetizers were heavy. While many of the entrees we ordered looked appetizing, but there wasn't anything memorable techniques, sauces, or flavors we haven't already experienced. Service (5/5): Bret is probably one of the best servers our group has ever experienced in a long time. He was so personable, funny, helpful, and frequently checked on our table. I would come back for drinks and for the service provided by Bret.
Stopped by for a drink and a bite on a Saturday around 3pm. They were not very busy and we sat at the bar, no wait. The ambiance is open and comfortable, fun decorated with a modern-vintage take. The service was very attentive and he gave us very good suggestions. We loved our drinks, my husband went for the tiki drink which he said it was dangerous. My coffee martini was delicious, perfect light foam and toasted marshmallow. We ate the pretzel and ahí tuna, food came out at a decent time. The tuna was a bit spicy but the pretzel was on point, will definitely order it again. I want to be back for dinner in the future. Great find!
Food: really tasty!! We ordered several items off the lunch/dinner menu and none of them disappointed. We have tried the chicken piccata and braised short rib, which were well cooked and properly seasoned. The most memorable dish is their Parmesan truffle fries. They aren't too cheesy (great for those who like cheese but are lactose intolerant lol). Ask for their serrano aioli - it pairs divinely with the fries. I can't wait to try more items there! Drinks: love the Ken-Tiki Tea Spiller and Black Dahlia! Their cocktail menu has so much variety - it's perfect for adventurous drinkers and groups of friends who have different tastes. They also have 1/2 off bottles of wine on Mondays (amazing) and we ordered the Conundrum Red Blend (my favorite) and Michael David Sauvignon Blanc - both recommended by our server Chuy (sp?). Service: Chuy helped us out our first visit and made the experience so special we returned two days later. He was very helpful and friendly. He really went the extra mile to ensure we had a full experience dining at Julep. Major props to him! Ambience: an open-air, upscale casual space with cool decor, comfortable seating (patio available), and a beautiful full bar. Everything was clean and put together. Parking: can be crowded after work hours since spots are shared with many businesses including a Whole Foods. But circle around a few times and you're sure to find a spot.
The restaurant's large windows flooded the space with natural light, making it feel bright and airy. The eclectic decor and soft jazz music hinted at a vintage vibe, but the overall atmosphere was more laid-back than exclusive. Despite some inconsistencies in the decor and staff attention, there was something alluring about this place - a certain je ne sais quoi that drew me in. Parking: Parking was a nightmare. The lot was shared with several other businesses, including a bustling Whole Foods market, which meant that spots were scarce and competition for them was fierce. As a result, I had to circle the block multiple times before finally snagging a spot, and even then it was a tight squeeze. The shared parking situation added an extra layer of stress to an otherwise enjoyable dining experience. Honey Blossom: Honey Blossom is refreshing and I loved it! This refreshing cocktail is perfect for warm weather or anytime you need a pick-me-up. The combination of Barr Hill gin, raw honey syrup, and lemon juice is incredibly thirst-quenching, with a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors. The presentation is adorable, too - it comes in a cute honey bear cup. Brussel Sprouts: The roasted Brussels sprouts with sweet chili sauce, crispy bacon, and crumbled goat cheese, and I must say, it was a surprisingly delightful combination. At first, I was a bit skeptical about the sweet chili sauce - it's not typically a flavor I associate with Brussels sprouts. However, after a few bites, I found myself really enjoying the sweet and spicy kick it added to the dish. But the real game-changer was the goat cheese. I'm not usually a fan of goat cheese, but in this case, it added a creamy richness that complemented the crunchy Brussels sprouts and crispy bacon perfectly. It was a truly unexpected twist, but one that really worked well together. Garlic Mashed Potatoes: I'm obsessed with these garlic mashed potatoes! They're creamy, flavorful, and utterly addictive. The roasted garlic aroma is intoxicating, and the perfect balance of butter, milk, and potatoes makes each bite a delight. The garlic is cooked to perfection, adding depth without overpowering the dish. The portion size is generous, and I found myself sneaking back for seconds (and thirds!). If you're looking for a comfort food side dish that will impress, look no further. These garlic mashed potatoes are a game-changer. Broccolini: Unfortunately, these broccolini flopped. The florets were hard and crunchy, with a texture that was more akin to biting into a raw carrot than a tender, steamed green. The lack of cooking made it difficult to even chew, let alone enjoy. The flavor was bland and uninspired, lacking the subtle bitterness and earthy sweetness that broccolini is known for. Overall, a disappointing and unappetizing side dish. Mac & Cheese: This luxurious mac and cheese impressed with its presentation and rich, creamy sauce. The flavors were complex and well-balanced, but unfortunately, the cheese kept separating from the noodles, leaving a frustrating texture. It was like eating macaroni with a side of cheese sauce rather than a harmonious blend. While I didn't get to experience the distinct flavors of a specific type of cheese, the dish still showed promise. With some tweaks to the cheese sauce consistency, this could be exceptional. As it stands, it's still a tasty but imperfect dish. Slow Braised Coca-Cola Beef Ribs: I was a bit skeptical about the idea of Coca-Cola in my beef ribs, but I'm happy to report that it added a fascinating dimension to the dish. The ribs themselves were tender and fell off the bone with ease, making them easy to cut with a fork. The slow braising process did wonders for the meat, making it incredibly juicy and flavorful. The Coca-Cola flavor was an interesting addition, but it wasn't overpowering. As someone who isn't a big fan of Coca-Cola, I found it to be more of a subtle accent rather than a dominant flavor. If I were a fan of Coca-Cola, I imagine I would have loved the way it added a depth to the dish. As it stands, I still enjoyed the unique flavor profile and would definitely order these ribs again. If you're looking for a twist on traditional BBQ ribs, these slow braised Coca-Cola beef ribs are worth trying. Just be aware that the Coca-Cola flavor might not be for everyone, but it's definitely an acquired taste that's worth exploring. Cast Iron Sea Bass: The sea bass was cooked to perfection, with crispy bacon, caramelized shallots, and crunchy Brussels sprouts adding depth and variety. The chile serrano aioli was the perfect accompaniment, with its spicy kick and creamy texture. This dish was a masterclass in flavor combination and technique.
my family visited and had dinner,the food was delicious but our server Bree was amazing!!! Her positive energy and vibrant personality was what completely made this a great experience!!!
I need the gold giraffe lamp! Ugh. Other than that, this gorgeous restaurant is serving up a wide range of cultural inspired flavors sure to pique the interest of any foodie adventurer. For this trip, we did breakfast for my dad's birthday and after listening to his travel stories throughout Europe, it was time to order food. THE BREAKFAST FOOD. - Rock Shrimp Beignets | Served with spicy harissa remoulade, these bite-sized beignets were lightly crispy outside and plumpy little shrimps inside. Great appetizer to start things off! - French Toast | Thicc brioche bread with an even coating of batter and powdered sugar sprinkled on top. We poured a little syrup on top and shared this dish because we had other things to pig out on. - Fried Chicken & Waffles | The fried chicken here is tender, juicy, and crispy in all the right places. Waffles are buttery and slightly sweet. And their crispy bacon adds that next level of oink we don't need but it enhances the dish so we'll take it. - Fried Chicken & Eggs | If I could just highlight the sausage gravy for a moment here because I've already doted on their fried chicken in the previous dish. The gravy had a butteriness to it that complimented the savory sausage flavor so well, while the pepper seasoning cut through the richness just enough. The consistency was creamy and a perfect sauce to dip everything into. Highly recommend this dish. - Spanish Skillet | Loved all the vegetables in this dish and cracking a couple of over easy eggs on top just livens up the breakfast experience even more. It comes with a side of toast, and if you aren't dipping that into your egg yolks, then dip it into that sausage gravy, lol. THE DRUNK DRINKS. - Mint Julep | A lovely refreshing cocktail with bourbon, mint, and simple syrup. My only complaint is the paper straw that can only handle a few sips before withering up and dying in your drink. THE PARKING. Parking is free and not difficult to find an open spot, but it may depend on time of day. THE RESERVATION DETERMINATION. YES, make reservations. You don't want to wait there while everyone else walks past you because they made a reservation and you didn't.
Last night, my friends, wife, and I had the pleasure of dining at Julep, and it was an experience to remember. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted by our waiter, who was not only super awesome but incredibly attentive throughout the evening. He had a fantastic sense of humor, making us laugh and ensuring we were well taken care of. I ordered the fish tacos, which were nothing short of delicious. The flavors were perfectly balanced, making each bite a delight. To accompany my meal, I enjoyed an Old Fashioned whiskey drink that was expertly crafted and very tasty. Later, Angel, the manager, recommended their whiskey flight, and I'm so glad I took his advice. The variety and quality of the whiskeys were impressive. For dessert, we indulged in a crème brûlée. It was rich, creamy, and incredibly filling, the perfect end to a fantastic meal. This visit was a significant improvement over my last experience, and I'm thrilled I decided to come back. Julep has truly outdone itself, thanks to the amazing staff and delightful dishes. We'll definitely be returning soon!