Reasons You Should Dine at Watertable

No two visits to Watertable will be exactly the same. While some signature dishes will always be on the menu, other items are added or changed up regularly to deliver in-season flavors all year long. During summer, breakfast may include items like a garden eggs Benedict with grilled eggplant, baby summer squash and a sun-dried tomato hollandaise. But in the spring, enjoy fresh berries atop a Cinnamon Toast Crunch-crusted French toast with honey-basil mascarpone cream. No matter the season, you’re guaranteed to indulge in a dish that’s expertly prepared with house-made sauces and fresh ingredients.

When it comes to ingredients, Watertable stays local. Nearly every dish features an array of brightly colored produce, from the edible flowers topping breakfast bowls to accompaniments served with entrees like the vegetarian mushrooms and cauliflower featuring a port reduction, cauliflower gremolata and sauteed greens. Using locally sourced ingredients is part of the restaurant’s commitment to seasonality, as well as its ethos to operate ethically and responsibly to positively impact the community and the environment.

Since opening in 2014, Watertable has racked up numerous accolades. Critics are fans of the sophisticated design and elevated cuisine, which is enhanced by an expansive wine list and cocktail program that makes for great pairing options. It earned a coveted place on Orange Coast Magazine’s “Best Restaurant” list and has been celebrated by other OC publications including Modern Luxury and Locale Magazine. And it’s not just locals who love Watertable — USA Today has raved about its breakfast bowls and Open Table recognized it with a Diners’ Choice Award for the Top 100 Best Restaurants in the United States.

A recipient of the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, Watertable offers one of the best wine lists you’ll find in Orange County. It’s a self-described “work in progress,” a reflection of the wine industry’s changing nature. Wines are sourced from specific regions of California like Sonoma, Napa Valley and beyond. In addition, the list introduces diners to an array of global producers from areas including Bordeaux and Reims (France), Piedmont (Italy), and Toro (Spain).

Magic happens behind the bar, where cocktails are shaken and stirred to craft the perfect sip. Watertable has a cocktail program that’s hard to beat, with drinks for every state of mind. In addition to a signature menu featuring the Rye-spresso martini and Cucumber Crush with rum and mezcal, new specials added on a monthly basis implore visitors to think outside the glass. Mixologists add their own twists to classics like the Manhattan, or develop new recipes based on the season. Holidays call for cranberry-garnished cocktails, while springtime brings grapefruit and lemon concoctions. The drinks are endlessly inventive and always tasty.

Early risers can enjoy a decadent breakfast beginning at 6:30 a.m. every day of the week. Catch a coastal sunrise while dining on delights like huevos rancheros and craft coffee. Try the iced matcha latte, which pairs well with avocado toast or the grilled salmon bowl topped with citrus whipped burrata and pickled peaches. The restaurant closes between 2-5 p.m. daily to reset for dinner, with offerings like a 32-ounce prime Tomahawk steak (great for sharing, with a plate of pan-seared scallops in lemon garlic cream sauce). Kids have their own menu for breakfast and dinner as well, making Watertable an easy choice for the whole family.

With a prime spot just across from the shore, Watertable is a haven for coastal sophistication. An elegant, library-esque lounge greets guests upon arrival and provides a comfortable place to wait for your table. Inside the dining room, the bright, open space is flooded with light and chic, well-appointed decor like hand-painted tiles and lattice windows. But you’d be missing out if you didn’t request a table out on the expansive patio, where views of palm trees all around instantly remind you of your SoCal surroundings. During the day, enjoy distant views of the water. At night, cozy up around the fire pit for the sunset, then watch the hotel fountain light up the courtyard.