Looking for a great new lunch dining spot for the New Year? Acclaimed Joachim Splichal of Patina Restaurant Group recently unveiled the redesign and new menu of Tangata at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana. Even restaurant critic Brad A. Johnson at the OC Register gave it a glowing review last month.
The new space, in the museum's Mission-style courtyard, reflects the architectural style of the museum with a clean and modern aesthetic. Executive chef Donald Harris is offering an extensive menu featuring Pacific Rim influenced dishes with California flair such as Korean Marinated Skirt Steak with sesame glass noodles, spicy cabbage, and charred green onion; Spam Tacos with corn tortillas, sesame marinated seaweed salad, and spicy Sriracha crema; and Thai Style BBQ Chicken with crispy rice, farmer’s market vegetables, and spicy peanut sauce.
You can also order delicious salads, sandwiches and burgers served with a choice of sesame fries, mixed greens salad or ginger sweet potato fries. Favorites include the candy stripe beet salads with togarashi pepper, fennel, toasted peanuts, fresh herbs, and anise vinaigrette; the Laughing Bird Shrimp Salad with gem lettuce, mango, avocado, cucumber, green papaya and passion fruit vinaigrette.
Tangata’s cocktails are globally influenced and divided into “North America,” “South America,” “Far East,” and “French Polynesia” sections, with creations as the Oaxaca Old Fashioned, Peruvian Smash, and Dreams of Lychee. There’s also a nice selections of wines and premium Japanese sakes.
The restaurant is perfect for al fresco dining and is an ideal venue for weddings or evening receptions. Tangata offers special pricing for groups by reservation only.
Open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
Bowers Museum is at 2002 N. Main St. in Santa Ana. 714.550.0906.
The Latest from greer's oc
Strickland’s Ice Cream Celebrates 90 Years and Two Sweet Years in Costa Mesa
Strickland’s Ice Cream of Costa Mesa is celebrating a major milestone. The Ohio-born ice cream institution marks 90 years of business while also celebrating two successful years serving Orange County.
Founded in 1936 in Akron, Ohio, Strickland’s Ice Cream is…
THE NOTEBOOK Musical Set for Segerstrom Hall in 2026
Producers Kevin McCollum and Kurt Deutsch, along with Segerstrom Center for the Arts, have announced that THE NOTEBOOK, a new musical based on the best-selling novel that inspired the iconic film, will play Segerstrom Hall from Jan. 27 to Feb.…
THE DAILY HEALING Presents Healing House Lido
Healing House Lido brings together art, wellness, and community for an immersive afternoon dedicated to restoration and connection. Hosted at the historic Lido Theater, this one-day experience invites guests to slow down, reset, and engage in meaningful healing practices…
Your Business. Our Audience.
For 19 years, Greer’s OC has given advertisers direct access to a loyal audience of shoppers, diners, and trendsetters who support local businesses.
Readers turn to Greer’s OC for trusted recommendations on shopping, dining, travel, and events, and they respond to…
Follow Greer on Pinterest
from the blog
- 01.08.26 – Strickland’s Ice Cream Celebrates 90 Years and Two Sweet Years in Costa Mesa
- 01.08.26 – THE NOTEBOOK Musical Set for Segerstrom Hall in 2026
- 01.04.26 – THE DAILY HEALING Presents Healing House Lido
- 01.04.26 – Your Business. Our Audience.
- 12.30.25 – Mastro’s Ocean Club Irvine Toasts the New Year With Zero-Proof Style
- 12.26.25 – Holey Moley and Hijinx Hotel Bring Immersive Play to Irvine Spectrum Center
- 12.22.25 – A Thoughtful Holiday Gift for OC Locals
- 12.21.25 – A Coastal Take on Christmas at Huntington Holiday House
- 12.18.25 – Katsuya Century City Debuts Festive Holiday Menu for December Dining
- 12.15.25 – Cozy Earth Is a Holiday Gifting Favorite in Corona del Mar
- 12.12.25 – il Girasole Turns Thanksgiving Into a Day of Giving Back
- 12.09.25 – Holiday Lights Boat Cruise Aboard Pendry Newport Beach’s Private Yacht
- 12.09.25 – Celebrate the Holidays at CasaDami on the Waterfront
- 12.06.25 – Pete’s Christmas Vacation Returns to Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach
- 12.03.25 – Wrap Yourself in Luxury at Oats Cashmere’s Annual Event
- 12.02.25 – French Florist Opens New Boutique in Mission Viejo
- 12.01.25 – Holiday Cheer at North Italia
- 12.01.25 – Coastal Holiday Magic at Paséa
- 11.30.25 – Pouring Joy: Blue Hummingbird Welcomes Its Newest Café
- 11.28.25 – Puesto Goes Seed-Oil Free and Launches New Winter Menu
More Daily Doses
- 01.08.26 – FACE FOUNDRIÉ Makes Its Southern California Debut in Newport Beach
- 01.07.26 – Earlybird Flies Into The LAB With One-Pound Burritos
- 01.07.26 – Newport Beach Restaurant Week Returns Jan. 15–25
- 01.04.26 – Parlor Doughnuts Opens 100th Location in Huntington Beach
- 12.21.25 – Phantom: A Perfect Gift Idea
- 12.18.25 – Celebrate the Season at Pendry Newport Beach
- 12.18.25 – Inside Poppy’s, Anaheim’s New Go-To for California Cuisine
- 12.14.25 – Fire & Lights Festival Returns to Newport Dunes
- 12.11.25 – Butcher’s House Marks Four Years With New Fromage Menu
- 12.09.25 – Manolo Blahnik Opens First West Coast Boutique at South Coast Plaza
- 12.09.25 – ClubSport Debuts New High-End Recovery Amenities in Time for the Holiday Season
- 12.04.25 – Festive Holiday Dining at Paseo, Céntrico and Naples in the Downtown Disney District
- 12.03.25 – Celebrate the Holidays at Discovery Cube Orange County
- 12.02.25 – Chef Charbel Hayek to Open ILYA in San Clemente
- 12.01.25 – Family Holiday Celebration This Saturday at The District
- 11.27.25 – QUA Brings Contemporary Chinese Cuisine to Fountain Valley
- 11.25.25 – Holiday Packages to Help You Look and Feel Your Best
- 11.23.25 – Winter Fest OC Returns November 28 With Expanded Experiences
- 11.21.25 – Wellness That Works: Vida by VTL Boutique Spas + Wellness
- 11.17.25 – Santa Maria Novella Brings Centuries of Craft to South Coast Plaza
