Darkroom, located in an industrial area of Santa Ana, surprises diners with its dimly lit, whimsical ambiance crafted by chef Zach Scherer. The interior resembles a funky dinner party, complete with a vinyl music selection that spans genres. The menu is diverse, blending Asian, Mediterranean, and Latin influences with playful dishes like stuffed olives and inventive gnocchi. Diners seeking to break free from conventional small plates will find that each visit offers a new culinary adventure, focusing on exciting flavors and artistic presentations.
The sensation of light being sucked from your aura like a black hole is intentional, and your first introduction to the wild, whimsical mind of chef and owner Zach Scherer.
Imagine your cool friend from college throwing a dinner party where the vibes are consistently immaculate. A dim red glow sets the mood, and the staff provides the soundtrack.
The menu is as unpredictable as the music, zigzagging between Asian, Mediterranean and Latin influences before skidding to a stop at dessert.
During my first dinner, meaty olives were stuffed with anchovy and merguez, battered and fried like Scotch eggs and served over smeared labneh.
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