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A hot lounge and knock-your-socks off mini-dishes await you at Meson G. Owners Tim and Liza Goodell have already conquered the restaurant scene in Orange County with Aubergine, Troquet and the Red Pearl Kitchen. Now the husband-and-wife

have set their sights on the busy intersection of Melrose and Highland in the former longtime home of Michel Richard's Citrus. Meson G's sleek, sexy lounge area, swathed in deep orange and earthy brown £ones, draws a good crowd with a rustic tapas menu and powerful drinks. Hang out with bartenders Nick and Eddie and try a few of their signature cocktails from the “Nick and Eddie menu" like the blood orange martini or their famous mo jitos. Says Eddie, "People order one and they end up having five."

Seating options include the tented pario or the main dining room, separated from the lounge by a sheer white curtain. For dinner, feast on a global Mediterranean-inspired small plates menu. The rib eye and braised short ribs are some of the best in town as is the four-layered pork belly with crushed avo­cado and truffle jus. Dessert is equally imaginative with parsnip cream pie, lemon curd pierogis and rhubarb panna cotta. With Meson G., it looks like the Goodells have another hit on their hands.