Cuisine:

• Others
• Homestyle
• Steak House
• Contemporary
• Continental

A Restaurant Description:
Film producer McG (Charlie's Angels, The O.C.) and Sugar Ray singer Mark McGrath have resuscitated The Arches into an ultra-hip restaurant and bar. Inside what was once OC's oldest restaurant, the vibe here is still intimate and Continental cool with high wood beam ceilings, chestnut wood wall paneling, half-moon burgundy banquettes and classic black-and-white prints. Chef Vartan Abgaryan has created a menu of refined comfort food. We enjoy the chicken liver terrine appetizer with its creamy liver pâté, toast points, whole grain mustard, capers, cornichons and kumquat compote. Every day the chef prepares a freshly-made pasta dish, such as Tuesday's tagliatelle with a tender lamb ragù and sheep's milk ricotta. As for entrées, there's a fine signature burger that's worth its high price, as well as seafood, chops and nine cuts of all-natural beef. Side dishes such as roasted mushrooms and macaroni and cheese are all satisfying. Pastry chef Shelly Register, who also oversees the wine, cheese and deli counter at A Market next door, is innovative with modern interpretations of classic desserts such as caramel custard with red Hawaiian sea salt brittle, rhubarb crumble and a must-try vanilla sundae with chocolate syrup.