EMC Seafood & Raw Bar Awards

EMC Seafood & Raw Bar Restaurant Review:

Located just off I-5 in Irvine, this sprawling venue is substantially larger than its original location in L.A.’s Koreatown. The open kitchen, corner bar, and smoky gray and brown color scheme add a splash of intimacy to the sprawl. The ample space provides plenty of room for the locals to gather over the cocktails and $1 oysters served during the generous happy hour. Even if you don’t make it here for the timed specials, there are still plenty of items worth diving into. An eclectic mix of seafood abounds, from expected items like oysters Rockefeller and crab cakes to innovative fare such as crispy fried smelt and scallop carpaccio. You can easily load up on raw items and appetizers, but we recommend exploring the rest of the menu where you can unearth hearty dishes, among them creamy uni pasta and whole branzino. Land items are worth noting, particularly the tender, must-have black pepper beef mignon. The simple list of desserts is highlighted by the yuzu crème brûlée with Chantilly cream and mixed berries.