Ways & Means Oyster House @ Orange – Media Tasting

Don’t let the name mislead you, Ways & Means Oyster House is so much more than just Oyster!  Located in the charming Old Towne Orange where Spiro used to be.  I love that they preserved the exterior for sentimental reasons as OTO is a very tight-knit community but transformed the interior  to reflect a nautical theme.  Take a look around, you might feel like you were in a ship.  😉

The executive team at Ways and Means brings a wealth of culinary knowledge and experience that span over decades combined.  Their devotion and passion for fresh and sustainable fare have proven to win over the community already in the very short time since its grand opening less than 3 months ago.   Allen and I were beyond excited to have had an opportunity to meet the talented team as well as trying out many of the amazing dishes Chef Gallagher created.   Hold on to you hat because you are going on a culinary excursion like no other had ever been to.

Smoked Salmon Deviled Eggs with wild watercress and lemon oil (below top) has a delicate mousse-like texture  with the egg white perfectly cooked.  Salmon Rillettes served on house-made Guinness bread with red onion (below bottom), watercress, and lemon aioli.

The bread tray was impressive!  I loved all of them!  And how cute  was the butter shaped like a fruit?  You know they care when every little detail was with thought.  Our meal was with wine pairing and I started with a glass of champagne.

Lobster Emulsion – This is a lighter broth than Lobster Bisque but equally delicious.  Oyster Ceviche with pear confit and lime juice (below top).  I have just recently learned to eat raw oyster and really enjoyed the freshness of this.  Oysters Rockefeller (below bottom) is a baked oyster.  The presentation alone is worth its money!  

I can’t really tell you about the wine as I barely drank any of them other than the champagne. But my fellow bloggers assured me they were excellent.  Lobster Ravioli with goat cheese, basil, and basque-style of peppers (below top) and Kataifi-Style Crab Cakes with cilantro, meyer lemon, and celeriac remoulade (below bottom) were crowd pleasures.  If you like crab and lobster, you will love these. Tuna Tartare with quail’s egg, gherkin, capers, whole wheat toast, and harissa was one of my favorites!  It was absolutely melt in your mouth tender!  Lobster Mac & Cheese with raclette, chili oil, and brioche.  What I can say, this is comfort food gourmet style. Roasted Muskovy Duck Breast with butternut squash puree, puy lentils, sunny-side-up quail’s egg, and apple walnut salad.  Now this dish surprised me.  I mean, at a seafood restaurant?  But it’s worth a try if you’re here.  I think you will be just as pleasantly surprised. Charred Brussels Sprouts with capers, red onion, and Serrano ham (below top).  I liked that this was cooked with ham instead of bacon.  Bamboo Steamed Halibut with cumin spiced savoy cabbage, braised oxtail, braised baby leeks, and red wine dressing (below bottom).  I have to tell you I was about to burst eating all the food that I only took a bite of it.  The halibut was very mild  but the oxtail really highlighted the flavor of the dish.    

Cilantro & Chili Mango Cheesecake with mango sorbet and mango salsa (below top). Duck Egg Crème Brûlée with shortbread biscuit and fresh raspberries (below bottom).   Did I have any more room for desserts?  Barely!  But I managed to take 1 bite of each.  I wish I had a cow’s stomach because they were heavenly!

By far, this was one of the most amazing and generous tasting Allen and I have ever had.  We especially appreciated the hospitality from the entire staff who attended to us throughout the night.

If you are curious what other dishes are on the menu, check out their website here .  Allen and I are looking forward to coming back and try more.  I hope you will visit soon, too.

Ways and Means Oyster House
513 E. Chapman Ave
Orange, California 92866
(714) 516-1800