Dining Like the Orange County Housewives

Despite being Orange County residents, we don't normally run in the same circles as the Real Housewives of Orange County. But imagine our surprise when we tuned into tonight's episode of the Real Housewives of Orange County to see Lynne and Gretchen having lunch at Marché Moderne, the same restaurant where we had lunch last month!


James, Amy, Sean, Toro and Tim at Marché Moderne. (11/29/2008)

Our friend Sean had invited to lunch there. Marché Moderne is up on the 3rd floor of South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa. It's one of Sean's favorite restaurants, and he wanted to share it with some friends. Marché Moderne, which means "modern market," brings together strong French recipes with modern American cuisine. The food was amazing.


Japanese Pain de Mie, deviled eggs salad, cucumber and aioli. (11/29/2008)

Sean not only invited Tim and me, but he also extended the invitation to our pal Amy, as well as Toro, a friend that we met at a party not too long ago whom we later came to realize also knew Sean. It was a fun group (not that I expected differently).


Toro and Tim. (11/29/2008)

Sean began his meal with a half-dozen oysters on the half shell, before making his way into sauteed sweetbread a l'echalote. Tim, Amy and Toro each ordered the Spontanée, a three-course menu that changes daily (I think the choices that day were sea bass or some form of beef). We also shared a couple of bottles of great wine, the names of which I can't remember.


The delectable apricot sorbet. (11/29/2008)

I started off with the Marché "Salade Composée" a perfectly seasoned salad with hearts of palm, ham, cucumber, asparagus, P'tit Basque (French sheep's milk cheese), tomatoes, avocado and an agridulce vinaigrette. Then I worked my way into a botique sandwich consisting of Japanese Pain de Mie, deviled eggs salad, cucumber and aioli. Translation: An egg-salad sandwich.


Sean, Toro, Tim and Amy outside Marché Moderne. (11/29/2008)

But lest you think I'm speaking of it in a disparaging tone, let me say, it was the best egg-salad sandwich I had in my life. And what a beautiful presentation too! We closed the meal with a beautiful hand-made apricot sorbet which was lovely. In all, I can see why the Real Housewives of Orange County, or anyone for that matter, would enjoy lunch there. It was that good.