Fashion Island in Orange County California has a great variety of restaurants and eateries. One of our recommendations however is Great Maple. For fun cuisine, mind-blowing desserts, and all-around amazing beverages, it’s one of our favs—especially after an arduous day of shopping.

The photo above shows an appetizer built for sharing: portobello mushroom fries with Parmesan sprinkles, red pepper flakes, and basil pesto aioli. There is easily enough for two and the fries themselves are wonderfully prepared, crispy on the outside and yielding on the inside.  

The Great Maple BLT featured here is a fantastic main course. The highlight is, of course, the bacon of which there’s plenty. The sandwich is elegantly prepared, crunchy to taste and savory on the tongue.

The Steakhouse burger shown next tastes as yummy as it looks. It has the right amount of melting cheese, arugula, and picked red onions to match the perfectly cooked patty and buttery brioche bun.  

But what about dessert? Not to worry. There’s a mouth-watering collection of creations for every palette. The Famous Maple Bacon Donuts combine a savory and sweet combination that turns the ho-hum donut into a delicate show stopper confection.

And we couldn’t resist the light-as-air powdered sugar beignets prettily paired with tart lemon curd. Yes we ate every bit—who could resist? Overall, Great Maple is a fantastic spot for a meal when you’re shopping at Fashion Island or as a destination itself. We recommend the patio BTW—fresh air, memorable good, and a handy place for people watching. Great Maple has four locations in Southern California: Newport Beach, San Diego, La Jolla and Pasadena. Enjoy!