Kettlebar Steam Cooking

Kettlebar, the Southern-infused steam kettle cooking eatery just opened at Union Market at The District in Tustin.

This is the place to find traditional Southern specialties such as seafood pan roasts, bouillabaisse, jambalaya, gumbo, clams and oysters on the half shell, etouffee and po’boys. The concept, first took off at the Oyster Bar inside Palace Station in Las Vegas and now it’s enticing diners in Orange County.

Kettlebar is already a hit at the Anaheim Packing House with its display of stainless steel steam kettles connected by steam filled pipes pumped in unison so that the food cooks rapidly and perfectly.

Favorites include the signature pan roasts, fresh seafood sautéed with brandy,cream and tomato and served with steamed rice for Southern-inspired comfort food. The Kettlebar House Pan Roast features shrimp, crab, chicken and Andouille sausage ($24). Craving gumbo? Get the Creole soup made with seafood, okra, Andouille sausage and a house-special blend of spices ($24). There’s also lobster gumbo ($22) and for those who prefer chicken, there’s a chicken gumbo ($17) as well. The po’boy sandwiches ($11) come with either blackened salmon, blackened shrimp or chicken.

Southern-inspired handcrafted cocktails can be paired perfectly with Kettlebar's offerings such as the Southern Gentleman with Rittenhouse rye whiskey Aztec chocolate bitters, orange bitters, muddled orange peel and chile; there’s also The Kettle Cup, with muddled lemon, lime, orange, Peychaud’s bitters, orange bitters, gin aperol and Carpana Antica with a float of ginger beer.

Kettlebar at Union Market is open seven days a week, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

2493 Park Ave #41 in Tustin. 714.258.8160.