Best Neighborhood Gem Restaurants in Santa Ana

This was our first time dining in this establishment. I've always heard great things about Mastro's and was excited to try their steaks. Made reservation ahead of time. Our server, Sean, was fairly new, but he was friendly and described the dishes extremely well. We ordered half dozen oysters to start, followed by a chopped salad to share. For our Entrees, I went with their Porterhouse, medium rate, and wife ordered a Pan Seared Sea Bass. She thought the fish was somewhat dry, so we talked to our server, and he was happy to assist us to swap the dish to something else. We decided to get their Seared Scallops; which was more expensive, but tasted phenomenal. My steak was very well seasoned and cooked to the right temp. We also ordered their Lobster Mashed Potatoes which was a good portion to share. It was full of flavor and tasted very buttery. Overall, experience was very good, we also ordered a couple of drinks to go along with our meal. To finish our dinner, we also ordered their Espresso Mouse Cake. It was very sweet, but was a good compliment with coffee.

Greeted by a very cordial hostess then seated in a lovely outdoor area. Our waiter was patient with all of us as first time guests and he explained the menu in great detail. Pod was outstanding.

The host was really attentive and always helpful. We had an amazing night for my girlfriend's birthday. We ordered a rib eye and fillet mignon as the main courses, and they were really delicious and cooked perfectly. I don't recommend the popular cocktail, Stoli Doli, as there isn't much pineapple flavor in the drink, but maybe it is because we like more on the fruity flavor side when drinking a cocktail. High-quality food and top service as we expected when coming to the restaurant. We will come back.

I've been going here for years because it's always reliable with great food. It was very busy last night because the theater had 2 shows. When it is that crowded, it is very noisy. Bottom line, reliable and great, especially if you're going to the theater.

My husband and I took our (grown) granddaughters to this restaurant last night. It was the first time that any of us had been there, and we were WOWED! Our server, Jason, was amazing! He was helpful without being overbearing and humorous, and very accommodating! The food was excellent...and I'm not a seafood kind of girl, to be honest. I had the scallops and they were perfect...Everyone at our table was 100% happy with their meal...AND the pricing was amazing. I thought that the bill was going to be way higher! We will all definitely be returning!