I Found My Rhythm at Tempo Urban Kitchen

With so many restaurants popping up in Brea, how does Tempo Urban Kitchen set itself apart from others? Marching to its own beat, the restaurant aims to provide diners with a menu of fresh, sustainable ingredients presented in one-of-a-kind dishes. The end result is a menu that modernizes American classic cuisine with bold global flavors.

Tempo Urban Kitchen features Chef’s Table, communal table, and an outdoor patio. Throughout the year, Tempo hosts special events, Chef’s Tasting Menus and Wine Dinners. In addition to its eclectic menu of global cuisine, Tempo Urban Kitchen offers handcrafted drinks from its craft cocktail bar. The beverage program focuses on scratch cocktails created with house-made bitters, syrups, and infusions, as well as craft beer and wine from around the world.Freddie, the manager and our host of the night, recommended the Cueva the Killer (Del Maguey Vida Mezcal, Tequila Ocho Plata, Ancho Reyes, Fresh Lime, Malt Salt) and the Brea Highball (Beefeater Gin, Fresh Lime, Housemade Citrus-Rosemary Soda). Don’t expect the ordinary cocktails here. Like the enticing food, the cocktails are made with the best and freshest ingredients including flavored syrups and garnishes that are cut daily.We had a lot of great gnocchi in our recent trip to Italy, so when we saw it on the menu, we had to try it. The citrusy Gnocchi (Potato Dumpling, Pecorino, Gilantro, Serrano & Lime) was a great starter to prepare your palate. Mussels in Spicy Tomato Broth was rich and savory. Did you know mussels are a great source of protein, vitamin B12, and selenium? How great is it to eat something that tastes good and good for you?

I love Salmon  and was intrigued by the Tandoori Salmon (Tandoori-Spiced Scottish Salmon, radish, Beech Mushroom, Black Sesame, Charred Scallion Pesto). Unlike the tandoori we’re used to at an Indian restaurant, this one was more like a dry-rubbed. The skin was charred and crispy while the meat was tender and moist. The pickled radish and beeach mushroom balanced the heavier spice well. The Carnitas Table Side Grill (Chamorro – Pork Shank Carnitas, Guac, Cactus Served with Rice, Veggies & Tortillas) was perhaps the most unusual dish of the night. Two big shanks on a bed of rice and vegetables. The meat fell off the bones easily. You can eat it as is or wrap everything in a tortilla like a taco. Either way, you’ll have tasty fun with it. Freddie brought out Peanut Butter – Chocolate Desire as our dessert. The texture was between mouse and brownie. Although it looked rich, it was actually fairly light and easy on the palate, a nice guilty pleasure to end the meal.

As we were having our meal, we saw some interesting dishes came out of the kitchen and just had to stop the server to take pictures. They look so impressive that we definitely would come back to try them next time.

Fisn ‘N’ Chips (Whole Fried Mojarra, Citrus-Soy, Ginger, Aioli, House-Made Chips)Sword Fish (Cast-Iron Roasted Swordfish, Roasted Vegetables, Baked Roman Gnocci, 7 Deadly Sins Sauce & Nori Chimichurri)Seafood Rice (Rice, Octopus, Market Fish, Shrimp, Green Onion & Tomato)

Tempo has daily Specials and Happy Hour Specials – Mar Mondays ($5 Margaritas, Martinis and Ceviche), Taco Tuesday ($2 Tacos and $3 Beer All Day), Wine Wednesdays (50% off select wine and $6 flatbreads), Thristy Thursdays ($0.99 Fish Tacos, $5 Margaritas, Martinis and Ceviche) and Saturday & Sunday Brunch 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM (unlimited Sangria, Bloody Mary, Michelada and Mimosa Brunch).

I found my tempo. Will you march to your own beat?

Tempo Urban Kitchen
1060 E Imperial Hwy
Brea, CA 92821
(714) 529-2900

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