Bourbon Steak Orange County

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

Classic Americana, Elevated

Bourbon Steak Orange County is Chef Michael Mina's interpretation of the American steakhouse — classic in spirit, but layered with global flavors and a flair for the theatrical. Situated within the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort in Dana Point, the restaurant pairs some of Southern California's finest steak and seafood with an ocean backdrop that rewards an early table to catch the sunset.

Forbes Travel Guide recognized the restaurant for exactly this combination: exceptional food delivered with swift, professional service that carries a genuine sense of ownership and pride. Tableside presentations — sizzling cuts, hay-scented smoke rising from a lifted cloche — give dinner here a sense of occasion that makes it equally suited to a client dinner or a personal celebration.

The Menu

The grill anchors everything. Wood-fired Black Angus cuts range from an 8 oz. Filet Mignon to a 28 oz. Prime Porterhouse, while a dedicated Wagyu section brings A5 Hokkaido striploin, Australian Wagyu filet, and a 50 oz. Snake River Farms American Wagyu Tomahawk to the table. From the sea, whole grilled Branzino, Faroe Island King Salmon, and a Soy Miso Glazed Chilean Sea Bass with coconut ginger sauce and forbidden rice round out the range.

Signature dishes carry Mina's stamp unmistakably: his Maine Lobster Pot Pie arrives with brandied lobster cream, market vegetables, and black truffle, while Michael's Ahi Tuna Tartare combines pear, pine nut, habanero, and sesame oil. Caviar by Kaviari — Osciètre Prestige, Kristal, and Baeri Royal — is available individually or as a connoisseur trio, served traditionally or as a signature parfait.

Sides hold their own: Black Truffle Mac & Cheese, American Wagyu Fried Rice with sunny egg and sausage, and Crispy Brussels Sprouts with honey mustard are worth ordering alongside any cut.

Drinks Worth the Detour

True to its name, the bourbon and whiskey selection leans toward smaller-batch craft varieties. The cocktail list takes creative turns — an Asian-inspired riff on the Moscow Mule uses green chartreuse, green chili vodka, yuzu juice, shiso, and ginger beer. A martini cart service featuring tableside preparations adds an old-school steakhouse touch with a modern sensibility. Special events, such as a Johnnie Walker whisky blending dinner with a four-course paired menu, reflect the depth of the beverage program.

Private dining, outdoor seating, and valet parking make Bourbon Steak Orange County a practical choice for groups as well as couples — a Forbes-recognized fine dining destination that earns its place on the Southern California coast.