Greer's OC

The new Ironwood restaurant in Laguna Hills, a concept from longtime OC restaurateur Russ Bendel, raises the bar on the dining scene in south Orange County. It’s offering international wine selections, craft beers, creative cocktails and wine country cuisine prepared from scratch by Bendel’s partner, chef Jared Cook.

Bendel, formerly at Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar in Newport Beach, also owns Vine Restaurant & Bar, a Napa Valley-influenced restaurant in San Clemente. Cook also oversees the kitchen at the award-winning eatery.

Ironwood’s name was inspired by the evergreen desert tree—its hardwood is often used for handles of culinary tools. Two Ironwood trees are at the entrance of the restaurant.

Ironwood’s New American cuisine is focused on seasonal offerings and a modern, approach to ingredients and plating such as artisan cheeses and cured meats, served on platters crafted from ironwood.

Appetizers ($8-$16) include English pea dumplings with fresh goat cheese; jumbo lump crab and roasted heirloom beets, and heirloom tomato and watermelon panzanella. Also offered are fresh or baked oysters.  

Entrees ($15-$35) include pan-roasted Greek sea bass, Jidori chicken schnitzel, and whole grain mustard braised Berkshire pork. Other specialties are verbena poached salmon with sweet corn and spring vegetable succotash, and a 1-lb. meatball with house-made pappardelle pasta.

Dessert ($8-$9) highlights include warm fromage blanc brownie, Meyer lemon and Tahitian vanilla crème brûlée, and oatmeal raisin cookie crumble.

You can relax at a cozy indoor bar, and there’s a communal table for eight, along with a chef’s counter and exhibition kitchen. You can choose from the dining room or the outdoor patio featuring spectacular views of Saddleback Mountain. Ironwood is open for dinner only.

At Ironwood you can select from 25 wines by the glass, and 50 selections by the bottle. For beer lovers, Ironwood offers craft beers on its four drafts as well as six bottle selections, including popular Orange County craft beers, Ironwood’s signature cocktails fresh herb and floral garnishes are organically grown at sister restaurant Vine. 

Open 5 to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 5 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday.

25250 La Paz Rd. Suite 100 in Laguna Hills. 949.446.8772