Torelli Realty Loves ARC Restaurant at Soco!

The weather is cooling and it's time to find new comfort food to welcome in the changing season. What better way than to try ARC Restaurant where the "food focuses on the flame." ARC restaurant has recently received rave reviews by the OC Register, OC Weekly and numerous online sources, so we stopped by to see and eat for ourselves. What a flavorful treat!ARC Owners Marin Howarth and Chef Noah Blom present deliciously rustic meals focus on home-made foods using only locally sourced fresh ingredients on scratch cooking, a hands-on approach to preparing all food. Everything is cooked over live fire, either on the grill (fueled with orange wood), or in the brick hearth (fueled by almond). The restaurant does not have a conventional range or oven, so anything and everything that gets cooked, gets cooked over wood.Dishes include savory meatballs with garlic and whiskey, served with toast; a hearty chicken casserole with broccoli and cheddar; and steak and potatoes with citrus and cream. The menu incorporates a bit of mystery with dishes such as the vegetarian option, which is simply described as being made from/with farm, fire, and love; as well as pig with black beans, maple and herbs, which does not specify the part of the animal featured. The restaurant offers lunch, dinner, weekend brunch, and late-night offerings daily.This season ARC introduces new fall cocktails. Bar Chef Koire Rogers has introduced a fresh, innovative fall menu that showcases house made syrups and bitters, along with locally sourced artisanal ingredients. ARC’s bar program will showcase a menu of house cocktails that embody the core approach to craft libations, as well as a selection of spicy beverages meant to provide a bit of heat during the cooler fall months. Bar Chef Koire will also debut a line of vintage craft cocktails made with unique, quality ingredients and his signature techniques.The following cocktails are available now through the end of December (just to name a few!)House Cocktails:THREE’S COMPANY: bourbon...sherry...gran classico...ARC's black onyx bitters...THE GOLDEN STATE: swedish punsch…california brandy...lemon…yellow chartreuse...CHARTREUSIAN: green chartreuse...coconut milk...cacao...lemon oils... Spicy Cocktails:POSTAL SERVICE: anejo rum…Thai chili honey syrup…papaya…prosecco…salt…THE SCOTCH BONNET: scotch…pineapple gomme syrup…lemon…chipotle…scotch bonnet…PELIRROJO: white rum…ginger…serrano…blood orange…bay leaf… Vintage Cocktails:CHERRY MIXTURE: french & italian vermouths...maraschino...angostura bitters...THE WALDORF: swedish punsch…rye gin...lime...ALEXANDER: california brandy...cacao...cream…nutmeg… “With our Bar Program at ARC, our goal is to offer something that our guests are drawn to, and perhaps somewhat familiar with, and then build on that by presenting it with our own twist,” explained Bar Chef Koire Rogers, who has been instrumental in leading the craft beer movement in Orange County. “Cocktails to note are Stirred & Bitter and Three’s Company, both great examples of three-ingredient drinks that show a lot of depth. The restraint in these cocktails is what allows the flavors to be experienced in a clean and clear manner, simply stirred and served over hand-cut ice. Three’s Company utilizes ARC's black onyx bitters, which are house made with flavors of vanilla bean, cinnamon, and chocolate.”For more information about ARC, including hours and address, please visit www.arcrestaurant.com or www.facebook.com/ARCrestaurant.Torelli Realty is glad to have such a unique and quality restaurant in our city. Costa Mesa is becoming more and more of a hot spot for foodies!