Things to do in Orange County During Lockdown: Order Takeout From These Upscale Restaurants

At this point, California has maintained social distancing protocols for almost a full year, and most of us probably miss going out and enjoying a nice dinner at our favorite restaurants. While this isn’t exactly a possibility, you can still recreate the same experience at home with the help of some local Orange County eateries. That’s right, not only is ordering takeout one of the best things to do in Orange County to support local business, it’s also a great way to treat yourself to a nice meal, especially when you go the extra mile and order from an upscale restaurant known for its luxurious foods. Here’s a look at some of our favorite restaurants that can really help you set the fine dining mood in your own home. 

1) Hana re

Located in Costa Mesa, this restaurant is perfect for anyone who loves Japanese cuisine. A typical dine-in experience at this restaurant would usually cost about $200 per person, however, you can now enjoy the same quality food for an incredibly low price tag! Starting at $50 per plate, you can get a to-go order from Hana refilled with your choice of sashimi or sushi to enjoy in the comfort of your home. It’s important to note that plates from Hana re must be placed at least a day in advance and come in limited quantities, so make sure that you place your order ahead of time! Visit Hanaresushi.com for more information.

2) The Capital Grille

This recommendation is dedicated to those who love the classic steak dinner. A three-course meal at this Costa Mesa restaurant will run you about $75 per person, but for this quality of food, it sure is worth it! This is an especially good option for those of us who prefer a more hands-on dining experience since you can buy your steak from The Capital Grille raw so you can cook it yourself at home. After all, who knows how to make the perfect steak for you better than yourself? However, if you rather stay out of the kitchen, then of course you can opt to order your steak already cooked by the professional chefs at The Capital Grille so it’s ready to eat as soon as you get home. You can browse their takeout menu to look through their wide selection of wines, starter soups, salads, sandwiches, entrees, sides, and desserts.

3) Hendrix 

This Laguna Niguel restaurant is the perfect choice for those who are interested in a shareable meal. Hendrix offers a $75 prime rib dinner for two that includes two juicy 14-ounce slices of prime rib, au jus, caesar salad, and roasted potatoes. However, if steak isn’t really your thing, Hendrix has you covered! They also offer a selection of burgers, chicken, pasta, and salmon. And If you’re in the mood for an even grander meal, check out their appetizer, cocktail, and dessert menu at hendrixoc.com to see what else you can add on to really complete your celebration. 

4) The Ranch

Located in Anaheim, The Ranch is famous for its upscale cowboy theme, and even though you can’t enjoy the atmosphere in person, you can at least enjoy its delicious food. You can find their full takeout menu at theranch.com. There, you’ll find a lunch and dinner menu, both of which include different seafood, poultry, and steak options, as well as starters, sides, drinks, and desserts! And if you’re looking for a sharable dinner for the whole family, then you may be interested in their $150 50 oz Hyplains Heritage Farms Porterhouse, which also comes with your choice of 2 of their homestyle sides! Or if you’d like something a bit more exclusive, call the restaurant to ask about their featured specials that aren’t included on their regular menu. These delicious specials are only available in limited quantities and change from week to week, so make sure you call ahead! 

5) Marche Moderne

Marche Moderne is the luxurious french eatery of our dreams. For $49.50, you can purchase an artfully crafted curbside dinner package for 1. This package is a 4-course meal that includes a starter, salad, entree, and dessert. From there, you can add on a side of bread, wine, or one of their staple dishes. What makes this Newport Beach restaurant stand out from others (other than their incredible food!) is that their 4-course curbside dinner packages change every single week! That’s right, Marche Moderne will never repeat the same meals, so you can always expect something new and exciting when you order from them. You can find their menu at marchemoderne.net. It changes every Sunday night, so check it out frequently! You won’t want to miss out on a meal you’ll love before it’s gone forever. 

While we may not be able to go out to do things in Orange County, we should still try to have fun when we can, and ordering in food is a great way to do that. So the next time you feel like you need a pick-me-up or high-end treat, consider ordering from one of these upscale restaurants. After how this year has played out, you sure do deserve it!  

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