We took my sister to Chapter One: the modern local in Santa Ana for her birthday a couple of weeks ago. They had only been open for a couple of weeks so we knew their could be some hiccups and possible menu items missing but the dinner that we ended up having was well worth the just opening restaurant risk. Being that they are a new restaurant and that one of the owners recognized me from the previous restaurant he used to be an owner of I’m not going to give it the full EiOC review, but I think you will get a good feeling for the great flavors that Chapter One is bringing to the table.
The whole vibe at Chapter One is pretty mellow with its library type setting, complete with books.
We ordered both the Smoked Salmon Jerked Nachos which my sister liked but didn’t really have the flavor profile that Mrs. DanGarion and I care for, but it was beautifully presented and I’m sure would be enjoyed by people who like it’s flavors.
While my sister had most of the nachos I chowed down as much of the Scotch Egg as I could. I’ve been wanting to have one of these, in fact I have a couple of recipes I’ve been saving to make them myself, now after having one I’m even more compelled to make my own.
My sister had the Beef Culotte (culotte is the same as Tri-tip or triangle steak), wrapped in bacon and coffee and chocolate crusted, served with Dijon mashed potatoes.
Mrs. DanGarion settled on the Skirt Steak Chimichurri, Marinated skirt steak, apple chimichurri sauce, along with yucca fries.
I had the Italian Burger with Portabella, a special beef blend mixed w/ Italian herbs, roasted tomato relish, parmesan cheese crisp, portabella mushroom, provolone cheese, basil aioli shoestring fries. The cheese crisp was awesome, the fries were good but difficult to eat due to their size. The house made ketchup was better than some other house made ketchup I’ve had.
For dessert my sister had the Soft Chocolate and I the Mrs. and I had the Yuzu Tart. (check out the slide show below pictures of these and more!)
Overall it was a great meal and I’m hoping to go back again soon so we can try some more of the amazing food at Chapter One: the modern local.
Just a FYI we received the desserts for free, I’m not sure if that was because I had told them it was my sister’s birthday or if Jeff (one of the owners) wanted to show me some gratitude, I just wanted to make sure I shared that. No promise was made for a favorable or negative review in exchange for free food. But the desserts were excellent!
Chapter One: the modern local
227 N. Broadway
Santa Ana, CA
714-352-2225
