Business & Tech

Lake Forest Newcomer Brü Grill Gets Top 250 Billing

The restaurant is on Urbanspoon's list of America's most popular high-end restaurants. Only two Orange County eateries made the list.

A Lake Forest restaurant is one of the most popular high-end eateries in America, according to a Top 250 list published this year by online restaurant reviewer Urbanspoon.

Brü Grill & Market, which opened in Lake Forest in fall 2011, was one of two Orange County restaurants that made the list.

Urbanspoon, an online destination for foodies seeking the best eats, compiled the list based on both professional and amateur reviews of more than 660,000 restaurants nationwide.

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"Getting a Friday night table will require some advance planning, but the sheer popularity of these destinations ensures you'll be treated to a memorable gastronomical event," wrote Urbanspoon's Conrad Saam in its annoucement naming the most popular high-end restaurants in America.

"We are so honored, humbled and deeply thankful for this," said Matt Pannek of Irvine's Seven Hospitality, who created Brü Grill. "For our little independent restaurant to be recognized on a national platform is one of the most gratifying honors we could ever receive for our team that works tirelessly to make Brü come to life day in and day out."

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Brü Grill is in good company; among the restaurants listed are a number of renowned California eateries, including Chez Panisse, French Laundry and Bouchon

Gulfstream, a seafood spot in Newport Beach, was the other Orange County restaurant that made the list.

(Go here to see the full list of 250 high-end restaurants selected by Urbanspoon.)

"[The recognition] just goes to show that the independents out there with their hearts poured into every last detail can still have all of their dreams come true, even in this economy," Pannek said. "The support we have received from the community and all of Orange County is overwhelming."


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