need a good restaurant near Orange County Airport for dinner

It could be anything from steak to Italian and almost anything in between as long as it is good. Anyone know of a good place? I was hoping we could figure out something in advance so we don't get stuck at the hotel or a mediocre restaurant chain. Can anyone help? I would be much obliged!

This is Orange County, CA?

Eat after arrival.

In N Out. Unless Houston's or Cheescake factory sounds good.

bobr wrote:It could be anything from steak to Italian and almost anything in between as long as it is good. Anyone know of a good place? I was hoping we could figure out something in advance so we don't get stuck at the hotel or a mediocre restaurant chain. Can anyone help? I would be much obliged!

If you have a car, you can always head down to Newport Beach, which is about 20 minutes away. There are hundreds of great options available there or at Fashion Island.

Most of the places that I us3d to frequent when I was there for two years are long gone.

Too late for the OP but for future visitors to the OC, we enjoyed Playground, 220 E 4th St #102 in Santa Ana, 6-8 miles from the airport depending on the route. The menu changes based on the markets (food not financial), so to give you an idea, some of our favorites were "Fwa Grah, Summer Stone Fruit, Granola, Watercress, Roasted Onion Jam", the "Summer Cold Ramen, Corn & Shoyu Broth", and the "Black Mission Fig Sticky Toffee Pudding". The Fwa was not faux. We were told they get around (thumb their nose at?) the California foie ban by spelling it differently and claiming to give it away if you buy the salad.

Some places somewhat close to John Wayne SNA airport which have been favorites of mine especially the first listing

Nhu Y Ca 8 Mon (8 Courses of Fish) Restaurant in Fountain Valley
http://nhuyca8mon.com/

Crab Cooker in Newport Beach
http://crabcooker.com/

A couple of LA area friends of mine swear by El Cholo, which has been family owned since 1927. There are a few different locations of them, but there is one in Irvine about 10 minutes or so from the airport.

In Newport Beach, Mozambique Peri Peri was pretty unique, and good Peri Peri Chicken is hard to find in the Chicago area so I enjoyed it.