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Food Porn Friday

Food Porn Friday | Watertable | Huntington Beach

Finally getting to the bulk of my birthday dinner celebrations when July was just too frenzied to fit it all in.
My one request: A seaside establishment with alfresco dining to enjoy beach breezes and SoCal’s beautiful sunsets.

Watertable @ Hyatt Regency HB

21500 Pacific Coast Highway | Huntington Beach, CA 92648 | (714) 845-4776

The Vibe

Watertable was just the perfect spot for a low-key Sunday dinner with some of my favorite couples. While we enjoyed freshly prepared West Coast “comfort” cuisine with the ocean and arcade of palm trees in close view, I’m reminded of why I truly love living here. Nothing beats perfect 75deg weather in the middle of August y’all.

On the Menu

Baja California Yellowtail Crudo with spicy sour cauliflower avocana cream, sweet peppers, micro mustard sprouts

Although colorful and quite pretty in presentation, the yellowtail was a bit fishy I felt. Especially when le bf and I are such sushi Nazis, we can tell whether or not it’s fresh and this was not, even day old makes a big dif!

Drake Farms Whipped Goat Cheese with olive oil, sea salt, pickled cherry tomatoes, charred crostini

I love this idea of whipped goat cheese like the cream cheese variety you’d schmear on your bagels. Except the crostini was terribly prepared having been charred then left on the warmer so by the time it reached the table it was cold and so chewy and not at all crunchy like it’s exterior suggests. Good concept but poor execution.

Iberico and Fig Tart with crumbled chevre, stone fruit olive oil, and black pepper

I could make this at home with frozen puff pastry! And where’s the Iberico jamon like they promised? I thought hidden deep inside the tart but after having torn that sucker to pieces, the ham was nowhere to be found. Laaaaaame- pass!

De-constructed Heirloom Tomato Salad with burrata, maldon sea salt, aged sherry, balsamic, and micro sprouts

The crunchy tomatoes were picked at the perfect stage with just a hint of tartness tempering the richness of the burrata and smooth vinegary taste of the balsamic. One of my FAVE starters, I could eat platefuls of this and skip dinner altogether it was so good!

Batter fried pickle chips with lemon dill mayo

I loves me some fried anything so this and their creamer potato cakes is a must order. Especially when downing shots with your din instead of just leisurely enjoying a nice glass of wine, you need the grease to combat the liquor lol.

House bread

Comes out hot and steamy, so deliciously chewy on the inside and crunchy on the out. One of the BEST in town I think!

Pan-Roasted Branzino with meyer lemon, fennel, and thyme stuffed summer succotash, enfuso olive oil

My FAVE entrée on their menu by far. Crispy, seared skin with the juiciest, meaty sea bass this side of the Mediterranean. They serve it with the sweetest roasted corn and chunks of rendered bacon, all-in-all an A+ dish! Even the larger-than-average portion allowed me leftovers for lunch the next day, win-win!

Rosemary-Honey Brined Berkshire Pork Porterhouse with stone fruit chutney, port wine reduction

I felt the pork was slightly overcooked since most restaurants serve it a little pink inside. While the savory/sweet flavors were right on point, I hate struggling to cut my meat but I’m willing to give them another try. Next time I’ll be sure to specify “medium” instead of allowing them to cook it well done. Although I wasn’t given the option, just sayin’.

House Butchered Filet with grilled corn succotash

I’m so partial to Mastro’s I’d be hard pressed to find a comparable steak anywhere in OC. But doesn’t hurt to try, right? Just meh.

Zuckerman Farms Field Asparagus
Sea Salt and Cracked Black Pepper House Cut Fries with jalapeno buttermilk dipping sauce
Warm, Crunchy Cauliflower and Prosciutto Farro with caramelized onion

Know Before You Go

Watertable is located right inside the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach. A super cozy and upscale restaurant where ambiance is king. Their intimate interior dining space is just as beautifully designed and as the outdoor patio deck. If dining with just you and your honey, I’d suggest snagging a seat at one of their indoor banquettes in the private dining room; so very new world European you’d think you were transported to a romantic hidden getaway. They are also very accommodating for large groups so book your next birthday party HERE my loves! Plus free valet with validation never hurt ;D*

Thank you to my sweeties for a fabulous birthday dinner!  Until next time…TGIF!

Bon Appétit mes amis!

 

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27 Comments

  5. Sharlynn Ng Reply

    Awww, happy birthday Juli!!! Love the photos, the food looked amazing! I would have loved to have some of that house made bread, fig tarte and the goat's cheese! You really eat at some of the yummiest places!

  18. Rocksana Salcedo Reply

    Happy late Birthday! Amazing pictures. I love the Hyatt, it's like traveling into a different place. A good friend of the hubby is one the chef's at the Watertable, that we yet have to go check out. We were there before the restaurant changed and love every bit of this place. Food looks amazing!

  20. Marija M. Reply

    Oh happy belated b-day!!!
    And it's not fair photos like this always make me go grab something to eat 😉 xohttp://stylesensemoments.blogspot.com/

  26. Cynthia Hoyt Reply

    GIRL! You are making me so hungry, those pictures are so fantastic! You are truly talented! LOVEE your dress, do you happen to have the link to your friends dress the one in the maxi with the cutout? It's super cute! I can't tell you how much I envy 75 degree weather with no humidity in August. In the South, we're basically dying right now, and forget about cute hair, not all the hairspray in the world would calm my tresses!

    Cynthia
    http://www.sensiblysharp.com

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