Love their Crystal Cove location. Going back next week. Wish they were closer to me. Great service, food, & drinks ! read more

I don't typically write reviews unless something stands out--this did, for the wrong reason. After waiting about an hour on a Saturday night, we accepted seats at the bar and ordered drinks. As we were about to order dinner (full meal, wine, the works), we were interrupted and asked to move down a few seats to accommodate another group. I declined politely--we were seated at the corner, mid-conversation, and already settled in. The alternative seats were directly next to the service area where staff pick up drinks--objectively a worse experience. The request immediately became an ultimatum: move, or leave. When I asked why, we were told the other group had been waiting longer. I then asked why they hadn't been given our seats in the first place. There was no clear answer. I asked to speak with a manager, who backed the decision. We were not causing a scene--we simply declined to give up our seats after waiting and beginning our experience. So we left. This wasn't about a seat. It was about being treated as expendable once you're already in the door. There are too many good restaurants nearby to accept that kind of treatment. Strong food doesn't compensate for poor judgment in how guests are handled. read more

Old school steakhouse feel, including the red booths and a great cocktail menu. The food is excellent - I've had the steak and the fish and both were winners along with the salads. The service was friendly and paced just right - not rushed and not slow. The server knew the menu well and could answered all our questions. We already have a reservation to return with more friends we want to introduce to A Restaurant. read more

Service was amazing from start to finish. The staff was super friendly, quick, and attentive. Our server, Santiago, was especially great -- very knowledgeable about the menu, constantly checking in on us, and genuinely kind. You could tell everyone there worked together as a team, which made the whole experience feel smooth and welcoming. The food overall was really good. The steak was excellent and definitely something I'd order again. The octopus was a little too salty for my taste, but still not bad at all. We also tried the lobster cream soup and my husband and I weren't huge fans -- it had a flavor we couldn't quite pinpoint, so probably wouldn't order that again. The atmosphere was really nice too: dim lighting, clean, cozy vibe. The place felt a bit small because it was packed, but they mentioned it was actually considered a slower night, so I'm assuming it's a pretty popular spot. Overall, we really enjoyed ourselves and would definitely come back. Also -- the drinks were SO good. read more

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The "A" restaurant here in Newport Beach, CA started off in 1925 as The Archers then shortened the name to The A; and until today I never heard of it. But our dear "local" friends took us here tonight, and I'm sure glad they did! This old school, red patent leather booth - steakhouse is doing everything right when it comes to food, price, ambience and service. The A was shockingly packed on this Monday night and now I know why; it's just so damn good, I've been to steakhouse's all over the world that couldn't compare a lick to The A. Let me run-down what us six souls packed away: * Dry Gin Martini's that were picture perfect (see pix) * A Caesar Salad done so right, I didn't have to ask for extra anchovies * Our Bone-in Rib-eye steaks were sublime * The Mushroom and asparagus sides hit the spot * Our desserts were the best way to end this fantastic meal The atmosphere was kind of Musso and Frank(ish); and that's a glowing compliment. My wife and I go to a lot of restaurants. I I told her my law of averages when going out to eat: Two restaurants will be excellent six restaurants will be good to very good Two will be mediocre to poor Rarely do you get "Stellar"! The A this night was exactly that - Stellar! read more

A Restaurant - Red patent leather booths - Super Old School - New American Near Me - Newport Beach, California

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We had a reservation so check in was smooth. Service is quick and our waiter was very well spoken which I appreciate. Everyone was welcoming and helpful. The ambiance is more so on the darker/chill side. It would be great for a date night or out with friends. Parking is a little bit harder to find but they also have valet. On to the food, I find it quite subpar. It tastes the same as every other restaurant but it's still filling and good. The skirt steak is nice but you could easily make it at home. The same could be said with the vodka pasta as well. Drinks are tasty so that's a plus. Overall I would only come back if I needed somewhere special to go to. read more

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We love coming here, especially for drinks. The staff is always welcoming and friendly. The restaurant is beautiful too. I love that they have a fireplace for those chilly nights and sliding doors for those warms days. We usually come here for drinks and we love it. read more

A Restaurant - New American Near Me - Newport Beach, California

This place came highly recommended to us from friends and it did not let us down. The ambiance is great. Lots of booths. Great people watching. Warm nice lighting. Old school wood decor. The service was great. We had a server, and someone to clear and set each course. They also had a really good sommelier to help us choose our wine. Tuesday is 1/2 price wine night. All the bottles are half off! (Excluding the few that are super rare and allocated) Important note: The bar gets PACKED! We came in right at opening and there were no seats. You have to get there about 20 minutes early to wait in line to get in and get a spot. We didn't know that and wish we would have. Also- they apparently have a founders room that you can rent out, and have a private dining area in its own building in the back of the parking lot. It looked like a great place for a party. read more

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Food is always delicious. I love their wagyu. Also their cocktails are 5 star. The scene is fun. It gets loud but it's a lively ambiance that is nice to go out and be around a group of good people at your favorite table or booth and have a great meal. Service can get a little slow sometimes but the quality of service is 5 star. read more

We attended a birthday dinner in the private dining area named the Owner's Lounge. The small building is completely separate from the restaurant, it feels like a cozy cabin which comfortably fit 15 guests and a DJ! I liked being in the private, intimate setting. The set up had a small DJ booth set up, TV, booth seats, chairs, 2 large tables, and small open space in between to mingle and dance! Valet parking is available for $9. The service was outstanding! The staff had to walk back and forth in the rain since the private room is separate. I cannot remember our servers name, but she really knows how to paint a picture of each menu item by her detailed description. Every single person was extremely satisfied with our delicious meals! I wish I could've had the mac and cheese all to myself! The filet mignon was cooked to perfection. There is no private restroom, so we would walk to the main restaurant for the restroom inside. The restaurant was extremely loud and busy with people waiting by the front door. read more

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Superb meal!! We had not been here in many years - was The Arches back then. Classic old steakhouse - great retro vibe. Service was excellent. Started with very good calamari and then a great Caesar salad. The steaks were the highlight - I had an amazing ribeye and the Mrs had a wonderful filet mignon. Pared with mushrooms and potato puree. Coconut sorbet for dessert. We brought our own wine and paid the $40 corkage fee. Steep, but still a good move I think. There is only valet parking there and it's $9. You can park in a nearby neighborhood if you want, but it's no fun walking uphill after dinner. Great job! read more

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Valet parking ($9.00) Reservations recommended. Ok for groups of maybe 8 or less. Did not see any kids. Small location, great service. Menu offered many options. Must try location if in the area. read more

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Came here for my husbands birthday and had a very nice experience. Super nice inside with amazing food. The steak and sides were all delicious. My only feedback is the asparagus was very large. Intimate setting but can be a louder environment. The staff were friendly and gave my husband a birthday desert with a hand written card. read more

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The bar service was awesome. Our server was awesome. Someone sat down at the booth next to us and was drinking and swearing (f bombs)) with the couple. When the guy stood up, my husband called him out for his behavior. He stopped and said what did you say. I said you are acting like a douche bag. He said, excuse me. You don't talk to a manager that way. He left and came back with a large bouncer to throw us out. LOL! Good bye. Never again. Why are you allowing management to act this way? Lived my entire life in Orange County (54 years) and never been asked to leave. Peace out ‍ read more

Drinks and apps during the holidays here was great! We came on a night that had half off wine glasses and bottles, which is a great deal. The two appetizers we got were the Brussels sprouts and the Mac and cheese. The Brussel sprouts we were unsure about ordering because I'm not generally a fan of just the leaves. However, the sauce and crunch they put on this made this very delicious! Mix it up a bit before you put it on your plate to make sure you capture all flavors. The Mac and cheese were also very good, pretty simple. The ambiance here is great as it's dimly lit which a beautiful bar scene. Great sport for full dinner or just drinks with friends. read more

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Loved the environment so elegant red seats awesome display with alcohol we came a few weeks ago for my mine Amy my wife's anniversary foo was unbelievable I dream about the meatballs every night they gave us a dessert with "happy anniversary " on it was beautiful and out waiter I forgot his name I fell so bad but had had orange hair and orange beard he made the experience much more enjoyable . Will definitely be back !! And they have a cool Photo Booth ! Unfortunate was out of order but next time ! read more

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Fantastic Saturday night! Very vibey. Loved the ambiance. This restaurant is 100 years old and feels historic not dated. It was a lively scene in the restaurant and at the bar. The service was friendly and helpful. Wine list was top tier, and cocktails were great. Finally, I am a snob when it comes to steak, which needs to be prepared perfectly, and the steaks come out perfect to the desired temp. Sides were delicious and get their famous dessert (worth it). I won't say which one, you'll have to go and ask. We definitely will be back, and I may have found my new favorite spot in OC. read more

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"A Restaurant" is a beautiful restaurant inside and out. The interior is a warm feeling with soft lighting all around to make it feel more moody in a good way. Me and My girlfriend went for out Valentine's Day dinner and have a great night here. Our server was very kind and super nice when it came to getting our order, the bussers were great on refilling waters and servers were great even refilling on drinks. This place is very well structured and managed to the point each individual has a great hand with eachother! The food here was also something to mention, we started our evening with the Spicy Yellowfin Tuna, it was a really soft with a nice crunch on the bottom of the presentation. Followed with our entree which was the Boneless Ribeye and to top off the sides with Mac N Cheese and the Sautéed Mushrooms. Everything we had was delicious although I will say I personally wasn't a fan of the mac n cheese. Still the Steak was cooked perfectly and the sautéed mushrooms were also great. For dessert we ended out night with the Chocolate Silk Pie, and man it was delicious! I highly recommend this place! read more

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Alright I have a new opinion of A. Matt was great. Food is good here, but its also good elsewhere, but the service Matt provided was memorable. There wasn't any one particular thing but rather, everything was good. My brother and I agree we would frequent this place again just because of the service. read more

The food was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. The staff was attentive, and the atmosphere made the entire dining experience relaxing and enjoyable. read more

Classic! This is one of those evergreen spots, perfect for a business lunch/dinner or family celebration. Their meat is cooked to perfection and the corn Madelines are a must! The fish is also great so can't go wrong no matter what you get! Service is definitely attentive and you can tell everyone is a professional at their job, the experience in service shows by far. read more

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A Restaurant is a classic, old-school steakhouse that fully lives up to the hype. The spicy tuna appetizer is incredible and sets the tone right away. For the main, the bone-in ribeye is as good as it gets. perfectly cooked, rich, and exactly what you want from a place like this. Dessert didn't disappoint either; the house-made ice cream is a great way to end the meal. Cocktails are a big part of the experience here, and the mezcal old fashioned stood out, balanced, smoky, and done really well. Add in the atmosphere and overall energy, and the vibes are unreal. This is definitely the place to be in Newport Beach, a very cool spot that delivers across the board. read more

A Restaurant - New American Near Me - Newport Beach, California

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A never disappoints. The ambiance is fantastic, food is amazing and the service never disappoints.

Amazing service from Lindsey! Friendly, knowledgeable and down to earth. Get a steak- the bone in ribeye was ridiculous. Also, the potatoes are fluffy and creamy and the perfect pair with a nice juicy steak. Also loved the sautéed mushrooms. Pricey, loud, and fabulous. Highly recommend for a special occasion. read more

A Restaurant - Dirty martini - New American Near Me - Newport Beach, California

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For a classically cool and retro dining experience, this place can't be beat. The other era vibe begins the moment you step into the restaurant. The hostess greeted my wife and me very warmly and took us to our table. We sat on red leather chairs polished to a shimmering shine and admired the polished wooden tables. Red leather banquettes lined the walls of the restaurant, a fireplace had a roaring fire, and stylish, almost noirish black and white photos hung along the polished wooden walls and beneath a polished wooden ceiling. On one wall was the neon-lit word, "Believe." I took that to mean "believe" that you've just been transported to another era. This 100-year-old restaurant definitely imparts a certain magic. Our very friendly waiter got my wife and me started on a Caesar salad and divided it into two plates for us --- a nice gesture, which we didn't request. A lot of Caesar salads in a lot of restaurants are a miss --- this one was a home run. Fresh, crunchy lettuce, crunchy croutons, slivers of tangy parmesan cheese, and light, just right Caesar dressing with hints of anchovy. A great start to the meal. For our mains, I ordered the chicken pot pie --- a classic dish only served on Mondays and Fridays. The perfectly constructed crust covered the dish and then some. Peas, carrots, celery, chicken gravy mixed with juicy chicken made this the best chicken pot pie I've had in years. Just wonderful --- and I'm still thinking about it. My wife ordered Mary's Chicken, roasted herb chicken with roasted herb squash, raisins, sauteed rupini, toasted pine nuts with chili flakes and chicken jus. All of the flavors of all of these fresh ingredients converged just right. It was a great and filling dish --- and so filling we took some home. We had ice cream and berries (raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries) for dessert. The right amount of sweetness and indulgence. The restaurant was packed with happy diners. It had a celebratory buzz about it. A meal here transports you with classic American cuisine and a classic '60s decor to another era. read more

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Amazing Dining Visit To A Restaurant!! Classic, Relaxed, Dark Dim Ambiance!! Welcoming Hostesses & Staff!! Made A Resy & Got Seated At A Nice Corner Booth!! Great Extensive Menu, Includes Charcuterie, Starters, Soups, Salads, Daily Features, Seafood, Steaks & More!! Nice Wine List, Cocktails, & Full Service Bar!! Great Dessert Menu Too!! Ordered The Skuna Bay Salmon & The Akaushi Skirt Steak With Caesar Salad!! Great Meal, Ended With Birthday Ice Cream Dessert!! Our Server & Staff Were Helpful & Courteous!! Will Return For Future Visits!! ThankU read more

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"A Restaurant" is one of the hot spots if you're in New Port for dinner. The decor reminds you of the classic 60/70s era with its red-ish colors and the service impeccable. The food was very good, but not exceptional considering the backdrop mentioned. My ribeye and the side dishes were solid, but the apps were the best part of our meal accompanied with a glass of the Duke's Reserve served neat. read more

A Restaurant - New American Near Me - Newport Beach, California

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My experience at A Restaurant was 10/10 from start to finish! I wanted to try to make reservations for my husbands birthday on a Thursday evening and online all reservations were booked out. I called to see what the wait time might be and the hostess was able to get me a reservation, same day, for 7:30pm! Once we arrived, the valet staff were incredible friendly and it was lovely to not worry about parking on busy PCH. We were given a beautiful booth and the overall vibe of the restaurant is stunning. It's moody lighting, fireplace going, stunning bar, all so visually aesthetic which we love!! Our waiter was Steven A. and he was absolutely unreal. Excellent vibes, recommendations, and overall made our experience even better than we had hoped! We started with the meatballs and caesar salad and oh mama. Then we each got a steak, filet for me and ribeye for my husband, and the herbed butter and roasted garlic cloves to top them with were unreal. As we were leaving we were acknowledged by another 5 employees thanking us for coming in and we couldn't believe how friendly everyone was. Yes, it's a pricier establishment but we both agreed that the food, service, and experience made it a place we'd happily continue to give our money to. It's a MUST visit! read more

Great steaks, expensive but very good! Staff is very informed and in the ball. Will be back read more

I recently dined here and unfortunately had a mixed experience. I do want to start by saying the manager was extremely kind and accommodating. When we brought up our concerns, they took the time to listen and worked toward finding a solution, which we really appreciated. However, our server, Caesar, was very rude and condescending throughout our visit. We ordered two spicy tuna rolls, but only one was brought out. The manager brought out only (1) for us when we complained When we mentioned it, the response we received felt dismissive rather than helpful. Later, when the bill arrived, we noticed we were charged for two spicy tuna rolls. I also ordered a soup that thankfully was not charged, but the situation overall felt careless and unorganized. When I tried to clarify the charges, Caesar responded in a way that felt defensive and unprofessional. He barely checked on our table regularly, nor did he personally bring out most of the food, yet spoke as if the service had been exceptional. At one point, he was laughing while we were trying to address our concerns, which made the experience even more frustrating. We truly appreciate the manager stepping in and attempting to resolve the situation, but the service we received from our server did not meet expectations. I will not be back to this location. read more

We've been trying to get into A for a while and it did not disappoint! The service was spot on, the steaks, sides, salad were incredible! Already planning our next trip. read more

A Restaurant - Guava cheesecake - New American Near Me - Newport Beach, California

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I have desired to visit A Restaurant for YEARS; it was a friend name-dropping the place that put it back on my radar. Wow, I love the old-school elegance, not only in its luxurious furnishings and atmosphere, but with their classy, first rate service. We were fortunate to land a seat at the bar top where we were privileged to be greeted and (mainly) served by Derrick, whose suave presence and warm welcome immediately made me feel at ease and having so much fun -- even before drink in hand! Love the classy-and-intimate, dimly-lit bar atmosphere; the food (attractive-in-presentation and delicious in taste), including the warm sourdough bread (with stylish ramekin of butter!); the elegant cocktails; the locals feel; and the excellent, personable service (thank you, Derrick and Jackie!). I definitely want to return, back to the bar top... very soon! read more

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I have been here a few times. Usually with smaller groups. The past two occasions I've come here as a bigger birthday party dinner group. It is really a versatile restaurant for a small group or a big group. We had our own little table tucked away on the side of the bar with curtains drawn with a TV so it was pretty nice for the kids to play while we ate too. The service was fantastic, it was lagging a little bit in the beginning, but then it really picked it up and they finished strong. The food is always spectacular. Can't wait to come back! I forgot to take a pic of the corn lobster soup. Creamy and delicious. Ribeye was my favorite over the filet. read more

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I loved visiting with my girlfriend. Upon entering, the restaurant felt very spacious, yet cozy. The service was very quick and friendly. We got an assortment of cocktails, appetizers, and entrees--all were amazing. Would recommend! read more

Had higher hopes for this place based on the reviews. service was 10/10 but food lacked flavor. We had the chicken pot pie and ribeye medium both were lacking flavor and salt. Place is a vibe, very dim, and LOUD. If you wanna go somewhere nice, intimate, be able to have a conversation, I would go elsewhere. Probably good for a stop for drinks and fresh sourdough bread. read more

Recently celebrated my best friends birthday at A Restaurant and had a wonderful experience. We had a large party of 8 and they let us sit at the table despite the birthday girl being late. We chose the restaurant because of the ambiance and old timey vibes; they didn't have any issues with us decorating our table for the celebration. It can get a little loud as the night rolls on, but in a fun way. The food was fantastic! We started with the meatballs, fried calamari, and the hamachi crudo. The meatballs only come with 3 so we wish we had ordered more. Fried calamari had a spicy kick to it; we all enjoyed! And the hamachi crudo was gone because I could even snag a picture! For entrees we all had steaks or fish. Everyone enjoyed their meals. My filet was perfectly cooked; and the roasted garlic they serve with steaks is my literal favorite thing ever. We ordered five sides to share; the Mac N cheese was the biggest hit. We did have enough sides for left overs too. For drinks we started with espresso martinis and margs, then moved to wine. We ordered a few bottles of wine for the table; I'm still dreaming of the bottle of Pinot Noir our server Cesar suggested. We had a custom made cake brought out and it was a gorgeous presentation. Only thing I would change is snagging a picture before the candle wax dripped. Our server Cesar was amazing. He took great care of the entire party and never made us feel rushed. We are thankful for Cesar and his attentiveness. The parking gets a little crazy. We all just valet; mar your life easier and do the same!The valet takes Apple Pay too, which was nice. 10/10 can't wait to go back read more

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A Restaurant is far and above one of the best restaurants I have ever been to. They also have the best steak I've ever tasted in my life. This was only my second trip to A Restaurant, but the food was just as good as I remembered. I ordered the 16oz boneless ribeye and it was just perfect. It's extremely simple but comes with roasted garlic and compound butter that is to die for. Others at the table ordered the filet, hangar steak and lobster. Everyone enjoyed their dinner. I also started with the Creamy Sweet Corn Soup with Lobster. If this soup is on the menu, do not neglect it! As a lover of all things corn, this soup was delicious. They bring the bowl to you almost empty- only filled with lobster, cream and garnish and pour the soup right in front of you. The corn soup is so fresh and the lobster is tender. For sides, we ordered the creamed spinach, potato puree, mac & cheese, and the Mexican street corn. I'd advise against the spinach and mac & cheese - the spinach is very blended and kinda soupy and the mac was a bit grainy - just not worth it in my opinion. Definitely go for the Mexican street corn! A note on the ambiance - the restaurant is dark (hence the absence of pictures) and it can be a smudge loud, so keep that in mind. That said, pictures are not needed! Just go! You won't regret it. The service was outstanding. Brian and Dustin were exceptional. They were very attentive and made the experience that much better. They also overheard we were celebrating a birthday and provided a birthday dessert and card signed by the staff. I cannot recommend A Restaurant enough if you are visiting Newport Beach. I'm not local but it is a restaurant I will need to visit at least once a year for the foreseeable future! read more

Best dinner out in a long time! First time dining here. Excellent service, excellent food!!!

A's has a great vibe overall--stylish, polished, and definitely elevated compared to most neighborhood spots. The atmosphere feels upscale and inviting, though the TV presence slightly distracts from what otherwise could be a more refined dining experience. They're known for their Monday chicken pot pie, which we were excited to try, but it ended up being underwhelming. It was fine, just nothing memorable--especially when compared to Erewhon's pot pie, which honestly has more flavor and depth. That said, the meatballs and sauce were excellent and easily the standout of the meal--rich, well-seasoned, and clearly done with care. Aside from that, the food was good but not exceptional. Overall, A's is a nice spot with strong potential: great ambiance, a few standout dishes, but some signature items don't quite live up to the hype. Worth visiting, just manage expectations on the pot pie. read more

This place ruined my birthday. Specified it on my reservation and even got carded so the waitress clearly saw my birthdate. Tried to flag down the older blonde waitress to order dessert and was ignored. Not to mention 9 dollar valet required and a very odd crowd at the bar read more

A Restaurant - Martini - New American Near Me - Newport Beach, California