I had high hopes after seeing the reviews here while we were in Santa Ana for the Art Walk.It took 15 minutes to order food. 20 minutes for the appetizers to come. Then we waited 30+ minutes for the food to even begin to come for the main courses. The waitress was friendly, but neglected to check on us during those 30 minutes despite the fact the restaurant was NOT busy. We decided to leave do to the lack of service. As we were leaving the kitchen said, and I quote "Fine we'll eat the food!" No apology for the delay, nothing. Just a snotty attitude for their mistake, not to mention how incredibly rude, disrespectful, tasteless and unprofessional it was.The mushroom toast thing we ordered for appetizers were incredibly salty and the cheesy bread was too sweet! Also, what restaurant doesn't have iced tea?One of the WORST experiences I have had at a restaurant in recent memory. I have been all over the world and never had a kitchen staff treat me or someone I was with so poorly. Owners and management need to have a sit down on how to treat customers for their kitchen staff, especially when a restaurant has full staff, isn't busy and takes over 45 minutes to get simple meals completed.I'd give this place a 0/5 if I could to be honest.Save yourself the trouble and avoid this place.
Came for dinner while on business. Sat down right away. Menu was explained and drinks ordered. Mostly a sharing menu. We ordered their version of a salad which was quite large and enough for 4-5 people. Fresh and very good. Mushroom bread came out very good with thick warm bread. Asparagus tempura was next and was very good with a little kick. Finally the Hen with plantains and rice was excellent. The dessert of toffee bread pudding is a must. What Mae this a 4 star experience was our waitresses disappeared midway through the meal and we suddenly had no service the rest of the meal.
Good news and Bad News. The good news is that the Sticky Toffee Pudding is still there and out of this world. The bad news is they aren't quite at the level of the Playground with their other dishes. Something was just not quite there in each dish we ordered. The cheesy bread had yummy cheese and arrabiatta sauce, but the bread itself lacked that extra flavor. The braised short ribs was good, but it tasted closer to pot roast even though the sauce and pickled onions were delicious. We also had the lamb dumpling which were good, but again something off with a bitter aftertaste.We also had the beer bratwurst. Everything about that dish was good, but the texture of the bratwurst was really finely ground, so it threw me off because it was unlike bratwurst texture to which I am accustomed.Everything was just almost right there to take you over the top in flavor luke Playground used to, but it just didnt quite get there for me. I will return for the toffee pudding for sure-if they let me after this review. Also, to he fair, they have only been open as Detention a short while and the menu will change again, offering new dishes. We ordered 5 dishes and spent about $150. P.S.The ambience and wait staff are great.
Nice atmosphere and service but the food missed the mark in several instances. Scallop crudo overwhelmed by crunchy burnt fried garlic. Pork wraps were purportedly Korean but very little spice or flavor. Burnt basque cheesecake was barely cooked, with a slight propane torch top - nothing like expected. Overall a disappointment for the price point.
Detention was fantastic! We loved it. Servers were great and food and drinks were super! Can't say enough about it. Each dish is so creative! Can't wait to go back!
The food and drinks here absolutely incredible! I highly recommend checking this place out!!
Great food and ambiance but for the food, portion size, and plating, there are many other places that outshine Detention
Absolutely delicious cocktails and food that was to die for. My husband and I went during the opening week and we had such a hard time stopping ourselves from ordering everything on the menu. My favorite item was the short rib & cucumber salad. The angolotti was my husband's favorite. Oh and the lamb dumplings! Ended with bone marrow chocolate cake WOW!
Get here before it's over... It's been a wonderful 10 years. We are excited for the new place but Playground is Playground and you might as well have a final memorable experience.
Amazing food and cocktails (browned butter cauliflower, pork pasta, and spicy chicken dumplings)