Marche Moderne – South Coast Plaza
Posted: February 13, 2011 Filed under: Dining Out | Tags: Amuse Bouche, Beets, French, grappa, Gruner Veltliner, Marche Moderne, Pork Belly, Sea Bass, South Coast Plaza, Trout Leave a comment
Dining at Marche Moderne is like visiting another world, or maybe Paris! We had a wonderful meal there which started with a great Amuse Bouche of tuna with thinly shaved cucumber. 
Starter course was SANTA MONICA MARKET MCGRATH FAMILY FARM BEET SALAD, with pinenuts, orange, goat cheese, petit basil, Saint-Loup goat cheese sherbet, and a CONFIT OF PORK BELLY, served over braised cabbage. The pork belly is so lush it made my eyes roll.
Main courses were trout and sea bass, both served with wonderful potato and vegetable purees. The trout had very fresh and tasty asparagus, and the sea bass had parsnips and baby arugula.
The wine list is extensive, and you can enjoy French wines, wines by the half-bottle, glass, or even a 3 oz taste. Whoever measured my “taste” of a nice Austrian Gruner Veltliner was very generous!
Dessert was a French chocolate maccaron, (not to be confused with a macaroon), served with lemon custard and a rich chocolate sauce. Susan enjoyed a very unique Chamomile flavored Grappa with dessert.
Service was great, even on the Saturday night before Valentine’s Day. We sat on the mostly enclosed and adequately heated patio. Got out on time to get to the theater too.
Purely Consumed 