Populaire Modern Bistro

The Duck Confit Spliff is a great representation of the Vietnamese & French cultures “wrapped” up all in one dish. And for a more traditional & fun way to eat it, you definitely have to use your hands. My only wish was for a little more duck in the spliff.

With the Ebelskivers, the concept was again brilliant. The garlic emulsion creates an intense garlic flavor but in a light and airy way. But like takoyaki, I wish there was more escargot in the batter to remind me more of that chewy feel from the traditional dish.

The surprise star of our meal was the Royale with Cheese. The wagyu had great flavor and char. And the sesame seed bun held up well for this napkin-required burger. But those pickles were amazing nuggets of necessity to add balancing acidity to the richness of the dish.

We definitely want to try the Duck Breast, the Spanish Octopus, and the Prix Fixe Meal on future visits. A final thanks to Chef & Curtis for the friendly service and explanation of the menu.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 5

My wife and I had a prix-fixe menu several months ago and were so impressed that we came back again just for that experience. Happy to report that we were not disappointed - May menu is nothing short of amazing. Took a few snapshots since as they say, pictures are worth a thousand words.

The service is on par with the class of this establishment. We came on a Sunday evening and there were only a few patrons.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Delicious food, super friendly and helpful people, will def go again.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Rice Pudding, Prime Steak Tartare

Decent food especially prix-fix lunch menu is well priced

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 5

Do not waste your time there. They clearly don’t know what they’re doing. We waited 30 minutes for a table, only to be refused service when we returned. There is no communication between the servers and the host—everyone is rude, untrained, and seems annoyed to even be working there. It’s sad, as this used to be one of my favorite restaurants. I will never return, and I’ll make sure to let my friends know how bad the service has become.

Populaire Modern Bistro in Costa Mesa offers a fantastic dining experience with standout dishes like their Kobe beef cheeseburger. The burger is juicy, flavorful, and perfectly cooked, making it a must-try for any food lover. With great service and a stylish atmosphere, it's a top spot for casual dining.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 4

Such a delightful dining experience. The service was impeccable and easy. The small share dishes were delicious, especially the duck spring roll and the octopus. The Royale with cheese burger was perfect. Just as a burger should be.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Maybe I was on the wrong time. Food is good but service was not great. Only one person on the dining floor and the food took very long.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 2

Walking into Populaire Modern Bistro in Costa Mesa, the first thing that caught my eye wasn’t the ambiance, the art, or even the menu—it was the chef’s duck press. That was my signal that this place meant business. Naturally, I went straight to the chef, who also happens to be the owner, and asked if he had any pasta dishes similar to a duck pasta I once had in New York. Without hesitation, he looked at me and said, “I’ll make you whatever you want.”

Let me be clear: what he made wasn’t just good. It was top three pastas I’ve had in the entire world—and I’ve eaten pasta everywhere. It wasn’t even on the menu, yet somehow, it tasted like it had been perfected over generations. That’s the kind of kitchen this is.

To say the food here is “the best” feels like an understatement. Outside of the Hillstone Group, I’d argue this is the best restaurant in California. Period. Every single thing on the menu is a hit. No filler, no weak spots—just bangers, start to finish. And it’s not just the food. The entire experience—the **punk music blasting in the background, the edgy artwork, the effortless but precise service—**feels like it belongs anywhere but an Orange County mall. This place screams Michelin-level talent, but with a soul that would fit better in New York City or Paris.

Honestly, most people wouldn’t even grasp how good this place is. Their palates aren’t trained for it. Populaire isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a flex. And if you don’t get it, that’s on you.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The duck breast was very pleasant. It was very flavorful and the rest of the components such as the pomegranate made the dish very light!

Every dish I had here was great including the ratatouille and French onion soup

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Duck Breast

We had a wonderful experience dining here. The space between each tables, and the cleaness of the restroom in the restaurant are great.
The staffs were friendly and the foods were amazing. Especially the Kobe cheese burger and rice pudding. Oh, The texture of the mashed potato was awesome too.
Will definitely make this place to my pocket list!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Rice Pudding, Bay Scallop Crudo

The Kobe burger sounds good but NO. What a lame burger. Too much bread compared to the meat and no meat flavor at all. Just dry. A bunch of dressing. The dressing took over the flavor.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 2

Service: 3

Great food made with European influence. Appetizers were light and made with care, enjoyed the beef tartare, duck confit spring rolls. The duck breast was tender and delicious. Will definitely return for another meal.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4

I can't say enough good things about this place! From start to finish, the experience was absolutely amazing. The food? Spectacular. Each dish was a work of art, both in taste and presentation. Every bite was a burst of flavor, and you could tell the chefs put so much thought and care into each plate.

The service was top-notch as well. Our server was not only attentive but also friendly and genuinely seemed to enjoy being there. It really added to the overall warm and welcoming atmosphere.

Whether you're here for a casual meal or celebrating something special, this restaurant nails it on all fronts. Highly recommend—definitely coming back!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Nice cuisine and a good ambiance.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5