FORE Magazine

Top Menu

  • About Me
  • Contact Us
  • Home

Main Menu

  • Current Issue
  • Digital Book
  • Profiles
  • Sustainability
  • Travel
  • 19th Hole
  • Classic Course
  • FORE Her
  • More
    • Know the Rules
    • Handicap Hints
    • SCGA Junior
    • Where Are They Now?
    • News
    • Public Affairs
Sign in / Join

Login

Welcome! Login in to your account
Lost your password?

Lost Password

Back to login

logo

FORE Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Digital Book
  • Profiles
  • Sustainability
  • Travel
  • 19th Hole
  • Classic Course
  • FORE Her
  • More
    • Know the Rules
    • Handicap Hints
    • SCGA Junior
    • Where Are They Now?
    • News
    • Public Affairs
19th HoleSpring 2016
Home›19th Hole›Hidden Gem: Rustic, California Cuisine at Arroyo Trabuco is a Can’t Miss

Hidden Gem: Rustic, California Cuisine at Arroyo Trabuco is a Can’t Miss

By Julia Pine
April 1, 2016
10342
0
Share:

“I like to think of us as a restaurant at a golf course, as opposed to a golf course restaurant.”

The above quote is how Chef Jeff Platt describes his restaurant, O’Neill’s Bar & Grill at Arroyo Trabuco GC in Mission Viejo. And nothing could be closer to the truth. O’Neill’s boasts everything about a golf course eatery you love: proximity to golf, spectacular views and food and beer. But what’s even better is that O’Neill’s could very well be a standalone restaurant, not sacrificing quality of food and a diverse menu for convenience.

“I really try for a casual, California ranch cuisine,” says Platt. “We have a slight emphasis on upscale BBQ, but also play around with the menu on a regular basis and make changes. It keeps it interesting for our repeat guests.”

What he’s doing is clearly working; O’Neill’s has become a go-to spot for Arroyo Trabuco golfers as well as the local community just looking for a dinner spot. Recently, the establishment was ranked as the No. 2 19th Hole in all of Southern California by SCGA members.

So what makes O’Neill’s stand out? Upon entrance, it’s the ambiance. Just minutes away from the heart of Mission Viejo, driving onto the property at Arroyo Trabuco makes you feel like you’re well away from the busy-ness of Orange County. It’s tranquil, and the design and architecture of O’Neill’s enhances that, with a rustic feel inside and a serene outdoor patio overlooking a lake.

But it’s the menu and food that keeps you coming back for more.

“We have a lot of businessmen and women who are taking clients out to play golf here,” says Platt. “They are looking for a nice meal afterwards, and we want to keep them here, as opposed to having them leave to go to a steakhouse or something like that. Plus, I’d put our steak up against any other!”

He’s right. On a recent visit we indulged on the Double R Ranch Filet Mignon, which was served with sautéed root vegetables and sage, herb butter. It was as good as any we’d had elsewhere, and only $32, a steal for that quality of meat which, by the way, was cooked to perfection.

The All Natural Duroc Pork Chop is another favorite of that caliber, and sells for only $20. And might we suggest grabbing a side or two as well, starting with the Sprouting “Lollipop” Kale if you find it on the menu. The Kale, which eats more like a Brussel sprout in this dish, is served with a sweet tahini sauce, feta cheese and Fresno chili. Plus, the wine list is expansive; one of the best you’ll find at any public golf course across the country.

“For the wine list, we really wanted to create some diversity,” Platt says. “We have a broad range of guests and want to show off a bit with our wine list.”

Those looking to stay away from the fine dining options have plenty of options, too, such as a classic like a Tri Tip Sandwich, Pulled Pork Sandwich, Steak Burger and Tri Tip Salad, none of which sacrifice a bit of the quality Platt infuses into his more eloquent options.

Then there’s also the bar area, which has a vibe of its own, with 10 rotating craft beers, along with a bottle list, several TVs and a bit more noise.
“The bar definitely has its own feel to it,” Platt says. “It sings more to people just coming out for a casual meal or to hang out for a bit.”

Happy hour runs daily from 3 p.m. – 6 p.m., and offers affordable menu options such as street tacos, chick wings that come with kung pao, buffalo or BBQ sauce, flat bread and onion rings.

“For a lot of people, this has become their hidden gem,” says Platt, who has worked at O’Neill’s for more than six years. “I keep telling them, stop hiding it, bring your friends! I’m proud that we’ve really seemed to create a local, comfortable vibe. I’ve lived in this community for 12 years, and I wanted this to be that vibe and that restaurant that you could go to and get a good mix of quality food. I feel like we’ve done that.”

O’Neill’s is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. They also offer a Champagne Brunch on Sundays with live entertainment from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. For more, visit arroyotrabuco.com/oneills.

Previous Article

From Passion to Purpose: SCGA Board Member ...

Next Article

Motivation M̶o̶n̶d̶a̶y̶ Every Day

0
Shares
  • 0
  • +
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

Julia Pine

Since joining the SCGA in early 2011, Julia has worked to enhance members experiences on scga.org with fresh content, in-depth coverage of tournaments, videos, member engagement opportunities and more. She is the editor of the SCGA's FORE magazine and plusFORE digital magazine and handles the Association's growing social media program and media relations. Julia is a graduate of Loyola Marymount University and grew up in Berkeley, Calif. For her, sports is not just a career, but a passion.

Related articles More from author

  • 19th HoleWinter 2018

    Glamorous Grub

    February 2, 2018
    By Scott Kramer
  • Temecula Creek Inn
    19th Hole

    Cooking For Comfort

    January 1, 2014
    By Julia Pine
  • 19th HoleSpring 2019

    Ernie’s at PGA WEST: In With The In Crowd

    April 26, 2019
    By Matt McKay
  • 19th HoleFall 2017

    Strawberry Fields Forever

    October 23, 2017
    By Corey Ross
  • 19th HoleFeaturedSummer 2024

    A Feast for the Senses

    July 22, 2024
    By David Weiss
  • Journey's End Dining Area
    19th HoleWinter 2016

    Light, Right and Tasty: Flavor, presentation and scenic views impress at Journey’s End

    January 1, 2016
    By Julia Pine

Leave a reply Cancel reply

Recent Posts

  • At The TurnFeaturedSpring 2025Travel

    Irish Ayes

  • At The TurnFeaturedSCGA JuniorSpring 2025

    Mr. & Mrs. Porter

  • 19th HoleFeaturedSummer 2024

    A Feast for the Senses

  • FeaturedSpring 2025Travel

    The Heart of Idaho

  • FeaturedIn The ClubhouseSpring 2025

    Original Wonder Woman

FOLLOW US

Facebook 0Fans
Twitter 0Followers
Instagram 0Followers
Youtube 0Subscriber
  • Recent

  • Popular

  • Comments

  • John Henebry

    By Judd Spicer
    May 15, 2025
  • Fun & Games

    By Kevin O'Connor
    May 15, 2025
  • Rule 25

    By Jimmy Becker
    May 15, 2025
  • Doing More With Less

    By Kevin Fitzgerald
    May 15, 2025
  • Original Wonder Woman

    By Joe Passov
    May 15, 2025
  • The Diva Golfer

    By Azucena Maldonado
    January 31, 2017
  • The USGA’s Major Proposed Changes to the Rules of Golf

    By admin
    December 14, 2017
  • Stand By Me: Temecula Native Joe Skovron On Life As Rickie Fowler’s Caddie

    By Jonathan Coe
    October 26, 2016
  • Remembering Jim Murray: Best of the Best

    By Bill Dwyre
    February 14, 2017
  • Watching the Tiger Watchers

    By Andy Brumer
    February 20, 2018
  • リアルラブドール
    on
    May 8, 2025

    Horse Sense: Micro Investing in Everything From Ponies to Golf

    When comparing canned options,look ...
  • Julie
    on
    November 13, 2022

    The Single Life: The Simple Pleasures of Being “That Guy”

    Thanks for this. I ...
  • free proxy list
    on
    December 5, 2018

    Top 4 College Golf Names You Need To Know

    Hello,I log on to ...
  • Adela C. Garcia
    on
    November 17, 2018

    Revolutionizing the “Ladies Club”

    Azucena Maldonado is a ...
  • Rose Sauceda
    on
    November 15, 2018

    Revolutionizing the “Ladies Club”

    Congratulations my lovely Amiga ...

RECENT COMMENTS

  • リアルラブドール on Horse Sense: Micro Investing in Everything From Ponies to Golf
  • Julie on The Single Life: The Simple Pleasures of Being “That Guy”
  • free proxy list on Top 4 College Golf Names You Need To Know
  • Adela C. Garcia on Revolutionizing the “Ladies Club”
  • Rose Sauceda on Revolutionizing the “Ladies Club”
© 2016 FORE Magazine About Us | Contact Us | Advertise