On the heels of opening his third location in San Clemente in March, Moulin Proprietor Laurent Vrignaud announces plans to open a fourth store in Costa Mesa this July. The award-winning French restaurant will open at the popular shopping destination SOCO + The OC Mix on Bastille Day, July 14, 2019.
With an emphasis on an elevated pastry program, Moulin Costa Mesa will offer the signature patisserie & viennoiserie items that define the brand, while expanding its pastry production to include innovative & large-format Parisian classics. Laurent has bolstered Moulin’s culinary operations with pastry and bakery artisans from his native France. Named the Orange County Business Journal’s 2019 Restaurateur of the Year, Laurent seeks to meet Southern California’s rising demand for desserts Parisien, which have become increasingly popular at weddings, showers, and corporate gatherings as well as multi-course galas like the Oscars and Grammys.
Located in the heart of SOCO, the 2000 sq. ft. pastry lab will offer a 17-foot glass pastry case and an exhibition-style kitchen, where guests can watch Moulin’s bakers assemble artisan pastries like wedding cake croquembouche, opera, fraisier, baba au rhum, and many other Parisian classics. The new restaurant will serve as the commercial pastry kitchen for Moulin’s existing locations and catering productions. The bakery’s courtyard-facing patio will offer vintage bistro tables and chairs shaded by Moulin’s signature red umbrellas. Inside will be filled with the original metal plaques, light fixtures, and framed French art – all collected by Laurent from France — that have become synonymous with the Moulin brand. The menu will also offer Moulin’s signature salads, sandwiches, crêpes, & espresso beverages.
“We are always evolving at Moulin. We designed this location to be the epicenter of our pastry production,” comments Laurent who plans to triple Moulin’s locations in 2019. “With an emphasis on style and design, SOCO is the ideal destination to expand upon our pastry arts program.”
Much like developers Burnham USA/Burnham-Ward Properties have done at SOCO, Laurent created Moulin as a central gathering place. Delivering its signature all-encompassing French experience, Moulin Costa Mesa will be filled with the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and touch of Paris.
Laurent also plans to open two more locations in Orange County by the end of the year, bringing his growing Moulin brand to a total of six stores and an antique shop in Orange County.
Moulin Costa Mesa will open at SOCO (3303 Hyland Ave., Costa Mesa 92626). The 40-seat restaurant will be open daily from 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. For more information, please visit: www.moulin.com or connect with @moulin on Instagram for behind-the-scenes updates.
