Business SpotlightPoppy & Seed

Seasonal Fine Dining, Planted in Anaheim

Some restaurants come from a blueprint, but Anaheim eatery Poppy & Seed started with a leap of faith. When husband-and-wife duo Michael and Kwini Reed relocated from Los Angeles to Orange County at the height of the pandemic, they weren’t necessarily planning to open a new restaurant. However, a familiar greenhouse space at Farmer’s Park in Anaheim was suddenly available for lease (...one they’d been eyeing for years!). For Michael, it felt like the right place at the right time, and within just a few days, they had signed the lease.

Today, just a few years into opening their doors, Poppy & Seed operates as one of Anaheim’s most celebrated fine dining experiences, known for its seasonal California menu, fresh ingredients, creative recipes, and commitment to sustainability. The Reeds picked the name as a nod to their first restaurant, Poppy & Rose (founded 11 years ago and still operating in LA’s Flower Market), but here, “Seed” alludes to new growth—literally! A 3,300-square-foot patio wraps around the restaurant’s on-site garden, where herbs and produce thrive year-round and go straight into their dishes!

Chef Michael Reed, a Ventura County native and Culinary Institute of America graduate, brings decades of experience. He’s worked in some of the country’s most respected kitchens and recently earned a James Beard nomination for “Best Chef: West.” His partner, Kwini, who oversees operations and front-of-house, is a board member of the California Restaurant Association and an alum of Cal State Fullerton and the James Beard Foundation’s Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership program. She’s a visible advocate for more equity and access in the restaurant world, especially for Black and women-identifying business owners here in Anaheim.
 

While Poppy & Seed has earned plenty of accolades—including a nod from the Michelin Guide—the Reeds haven’t lost sight of their wider purpose. They’ve hosted culinary workshops with the Anaheim Boys & Girls Club and donated meals for neighborhood clean-up crews around town. They also founded the non-profit “You and I Coalition” to support BIPOC chefs. Their long-term goal is to show folks in Anaheim (and beyond) that hospitality can be a viable, rewarding, and impactful career path.

At Poppy & Seed, the story behind their food is just as intentional as their carefully crafted cuisine. Make a reservation, stay for the good vibes, and see why this restaurant has quickly become a standout among Anaheim’s booming culinary scene!

Address: 350 S. Anaheim Blvd, Anaheim, CA

Website: poppyandseedoc.com