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    Avalon Grille

    3.9 (1.4k reviews)
    PriceyNew American
    Closed 5:00 pm - 9:00 PM
    Updated 2 weeks ago

    Avalon Grille Photos

    Business Info

    AVALON GRILLE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Classy
    Good for groups
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Avalon Grille

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    Pasta
    Sasha A.

    We visited this restaurant during a weekend trip to Catalina Island to celebrate my birthday, and overall, the experience was mixed. We arrived at 7:59 PM, knowing the restaurant was open until 9, but were told we could only sit at the bar, even though there were empty tables. Only after my Bf spoke with the host again were we seated at a table -- and guests who arrived after us were also seated without issue. This felt confusing and left a negative first impression. On the positive side, our server was friendly, and the complimentary spiced popcorn was a nice touch -- we actually really enjoyed it. The food, however, was just average. My pasta was dry at first and then overly oily, and my partner's fish dish was okay but the portion was very small for the price. The cocktails were inconsistent -- mine was strong, while my bf mojito tasted almost non-alcoholic. Overall, I expected a more welcoming and better-balanced experience, especially for a birthday. The atmosphere is nice, but the service and value didn't quite match the prices.

    Ahi
    Amanda O.

    So underrated! A bar/restaurant up the street was busy as on an off season Sunday, and Grille wasn't. Preposterous! We loved the special of lamb grilled, tomato soup and filet Mignon whilst imbibing. Service was wonderful, I think I've two night we had Summer and David. Any establishments would be lucky to have them.

    Ariana B.

    We almost didn't try this place due to the Yelp ratings (we typically only go to restaurants with 4 stars and above) but I'm so glad we did! It was a delicious meal, great service, and we were seated fast in a nice quiet restaurant. I had the Steak Frites and the steak was cooked to perfection. Hubs had the chicken dish and as he said "it's one of the best chicken dishes I've had in a while". We also got a side of the Tomato Orzo (so tasty) and we really enjoyed the popcorn to start; it was unique and tasty. Overall great experience and I think this place is severely underrated. It was our best meal of our whole two day trip to Catalina!

    Buffalo Milk.

    Had drinks at the bar. They were excellent. The staff was very welcoming and friendly. The Buffalo Milk drink was amazing.

    Yummmy
    Grace F.

    Amazing Service! not sure if it's because it was reserved for a Party Of 22, or maybe they just have exceptional service. From the time you walk in, get seated, place your order & wait for drinks & food to come out. Everything we ordered from the menu was also Yummy & to us, worth the money we paid for our Large Party. A ton of seating throughout the restaurant & the ambiance is A1. Our party was happy that we decided to have dinner while visiting the island for the first time, and we'll definitely be back, especially if we've tried all the restaurants on island. Thank You so much for the experience

    Grilled Pork Chop
    Chris M.

    So far this was the best fine dining experience we have had in Avalon. While Bluewater was portentously fine dining, this was by far the best combination of good food, service and ambiance. The pork chop was perfectly cooked and balanced with candied cherries. The octopus was amazing, and the muscles were incredible when combined with the savory sauce. An elegant setting for a very romantic dinner.

    Fantastic food and service
    Keith H.

    Came to catalina for my birthday and this place did not disappoint i got the ribeye and my wife got the branzino the fish was one of the best she has ever had and the shrimp side that comes with it was fantastic and i was treated with a whistle pig flight 6 yr 10yr and 12 yr. Fantastic everything...

    Whole Branzino
    Zan L.

    Visiting Avalon for an extended weekend for my birthday so we decided to give Avalon Grille a try for dinner and had a very nice experience. They don't take reservations, like most restaurants on Catalina, but there was no wait when we arrived at 5:30 and were able to be seated right away. All the staff that we encountered, including our server, were very polite and everything that we ordered came out pretty fast. You can tell the inside has been recently remodeled, and there is a large oval bar in the middle of the restaurant with TVs around it so this would be really nice place to have dinner and/or drinks. As a few reviews mentioned, it is a bit pricey, but not overly so. It's less than you would spend at a lot of restaurants in West LA so I feel that it is fair, especially given it's proximity to the water. They have a lot of great dishes on the menu so it took a minute to decide what I wanted to order. For my meal, I decided to start with the Watermelon Feta Salad and really enjoyed it. It was a good size portion and would be easy to split between two people, but it's also the perfect amount for one person if you're hungry. For my entrée, I chose the Whole Branzino and really liked it. I get Branzino often so I've tried it all over California, and beyond, and I can say that this is a good version. It did have quite a few bones in it, but that's what you get when you do a Whole Branzino. The side succotash was really nice and overall it was very good. Given the limited options in Avalon, I would say this is one of the best places to grab dinner and certainly has an amazing location. I would recommend and would try it again next time I'm on the island.

    Prawns & steak & fries
    Katherine D.

    The ambiance is stunning. Such a vibe. I love how service is super friendly. The popcorn before dinner is yummy. Good palate cleanser. However the food is just mid. The choices aren't great and everything tasted okay. Nothing out of the ordinary. I expected my taste buds to be blown away. Tad disappointing there.

    Stewart L.

    The only time I've been to Avalon Grille was when they used to do a buffet breakfast years ago, pre-pandemic. This was my first dinner here. It's one of Avalon's more upscale and elegant restaurants, though it is hardly stiff or formal. It's definitely on the pricier side. I went on the Sunday of President's and Valentines Day weekend, There was a special 3-course prix fixe menu with 2 options for each course (also available a la care), plus the usual Sunday prime rib special (Sunday Wine and Prime Night), plus the usual menu. I already had my eye on the prime rib, and was planning to compare it to the one served at nearby El Galleon, but my visit there fell through due to illness. I started with their flash-fried green beans off their regular menu. It was a tasty and generous portion with a fairly light batter, served with spicy mayo and garlic aioli. Before that, every table is given a cone of truffled popcorn to whet your appetite. The Grille's prime rib (12 oz $46, 16 oz $52) is a classic presentation with au jus, creamy horseradish, truffled mashed potatoes and charred asparagus. The prime rib was served medium rare as I ordered it and was delish. The au jus was on the viscous side and wine-forward, and the horseradish could have had more kick. The asparagus was fab. I skipped dessert because my hotel offered milk, cookies and gelato/sorbets. Service was very friendly, including the bussers. In warmer weather, there is a side patio. Would recommend.

    Carrot Cake
    Andrea R.

    Catalina island is known to be beautiful but the food is okay. I did receive a complimentary carrot cake for my birthday which was nice. The truffle fries were delicious. The lobster mac n cheese was okay but not life changing. The artichoke dip was fine and the steak was okay. The server would disappear and we wouldn't see them for a while and we only saw them again when it was time to ask for the check. We had to ask another waitress if she could please provide us water. This place is busy so it's understandable but wish our server was a bit more attentive. I would say this place is one we will skip next time we visit.

    Ahi Oscar
    Elizabeth C.

    I was recently in Avalon for four days in January (super off season) which means most places were closed and doing repairs/updates on their establishment in preparation for Valentines Day. So luckily of the restaurants that were open, this was one of them. I had been here before but just to have a cocktail so it was nice to try their menu out too! But shout out to Angelyna who was my bartender/server each meal I had there! She makes one of the best "paper plane" cocktail I've ever had! Highlights on my meals: Ramen Night (Thursday) shrimp tempura: Delicious miso broth, shrimp tempura, with all the classic fixings including a very yummy soft boiled egg. Very generous portion, be ready for leftovers or being super super full. Ahi Oscar Delicious seared ahi on a bed of risotto and broccolini. Super delicious, light but filling meal Grilled octopus (starter) One of the best things in the menu, Smokey and spicy tentacles perfect cooked and soooo delicious. Tomato soup (starter) This is a very interesting take on tomato soup, it includes a "AG" monogram on the soup with basil oil that added a pesto flavor to the soup. On the side, there was a crispy bread with a little bit of cheese and cherry tomatoes on it. Cocktails I had: Old Fashioned Paper Plane (off menu) Good selections of beer too! Gorgeous ambiance, with classic dark wood and rich fabrics making for a warm and cozy (even perhaps romantic!) evening The manager was so friendly too, remembering my name and by my fourth night on the island was greeted with a "welcome home" from him and was treated like a local.

    El coco loco
    Sunnie M.

    Good location and great little happy hour from 4-5pm! We enjoyed all of cocktails and pork belly. We especially loved the passion fruit foam/whipped cream! They were training their staff so can't really comment on service.

    Watermelon Feta Salad

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    9 months ago

    Nothing better than dinner at the bar. Please order the signature popcorn and ahi as an appetizer! Just wow!

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    10 months ago

    The host was rude and pretentious. Just avoid this place if you're here to enjoy yourself.

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    10 months ago

    The food and service were Wonderful ! Best restaurant in town ! Enjoyed my conversation with Stephon ! Great Experience !

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    Avalon Grille Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Avalon Grille

    I tried calling for a reservation. Do Avalon Grill offers that service?

    They do its probably busy , I made reservation when we went, great place to eat

    What are the berries in the old fashioned? I had it with something other than cherries. It was a…

    Luxardo cherries!

    Do you have gluten free options?

    Absolutely. Our chef is very accommodating!

    Do you still offer brunch on Saturday and Sunday?

    Hello! Avalon Grille is currently not open for brunch on weekends. We open at 4pm Friday - Sunday!

    Is this restaurant dog friendly?

    My son has severe, anaphylactic allergies to peanuts and eggs. Can Avalon Grille prevent cross contamination with his allergens?

    Hello! I saw on the Catalina Island website that Avalon Grille is projected to open May 2021. When will you be taking reservations?

    Hi Heidi, Thank you for your inquiry! Yes, we are projected to open in May 2021, but cannot… Read more

    Is this restaurant open yet?

    Hello Lexie, Thank you for your interest in Avalon Grille. Unfortunately, we are still… Read more

    Is the restaurant open for upcoming Labor Day weekend 2020? For breakfast? For takeout?

    Hi Astgik, Unfortunately, Avalon Grille is currently closed. The Bistro at the Atwater is open… Read more

    Can you make a reservation or is it first come, first serve?

    Both

    Hi I been looking for a nice place to relax while we port there this Tuesday (26) do you offer unlimited mimosas on this day? Or any drink specials? Brunch? Etc?

    No, not currently.

    Are the bottomless mimosas available on Thursdays?

    Hi Rita! Our bottomless mimosas are only available during brunch Saturday & Sunday 9am – 3pm. We… Read more

    Do you have bottomless mimosas during brunch?

    We sure do! Our bottomless mimosas special is $13.

    What is available here for vegans to eat?

    Hi Gloria, Vegan dishes on our menu include the roasted tomato soup, roasted beet salad and cauliflower steak confit.

    View All 19 Questions

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    Seeing Poke Nachos on the menu was what led us to The Naughty Fox. It was the right move. Located…read moreright across from the beach and moorings, it was a great spot for people watching on a warm early May day. Small spot, so likely to always be busy. It was just a snack, so that's all we had to eat. The portion size was generous. I've had better Poke (Bear Flag in HB/NB for the win), but it was still very good. The crispy wonton chips were quite nice. Beer menu was slim, but they had one of my favorites... Mango Cart. If you want a refreshing fruited beer. This one is for you. Not quite 5 stars because the service was incredibly sloooooow. We were seated and not even provided a menu.

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    The Naughty Fox - Ahi Poke and Catalina Salad. So high quality, delicious and refreshing after our hike and travel.

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    Sunset Bar & Grill - Birria tacos

    Sunset Bar & Grill

    4.6(42 reviews)
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    Loved this place!! I have came here twice and both times the service was excellent…read more Place is clean and the vibe is very chill. Food is great!! I really enjoy it here and hope to come again my next time in Avalon.

    After a long day exploring the island, my husband and I figured we'd try the restaurant inside our…read morehotel. Pretty good reviews, close by, saves us from driving down the hill... sounded perfect. Yeah... wrong decision. Drinks: My husband ordered a margarita and instantly pulled an ant off the rim of the glass. Okay... it happens. He tried to let it go. Then he noticed a dark winged critter sitting at the bottom of his drink... it was a fly. I told him to bring it to the server's attention. When he did, the server looked confused, like he didn't see anything. Then he said, "I can make you a new one or you can just finish drinking this..." Finish drinking a margarita with a fly in it. That should have told us everything. Food: I ordered the carne asada plate. Seasoning was fine... honestly passable... but the cut of meat was the cheapest, chewiest carne asada I've ever been served. My husband ordered the tri tip plate. It was just bad: * Bland meat * Raw broccoli * Bland mash * Thick, chewy slices of bland "tri tip" To be fair: Our server checked on us when he could. He seemed genuinely trying... but it looked like he was playing chef, bartender, and server all at once. Total recipe for disaster. No one can pull that off. I ate what I could because trying to navigate the island late at night for food isn't ideal... but this meal was a letdown from start to finish. Bottom line: Steer clear. Convenience or not... we won't be back. Not for dinner, and definitely not to give breakfast a chance.

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    Descanso Beach Club - chicken drum sticks

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    3.9(1.1k reviews)
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    I booked two chaise lounges for me a my husband. Overall, we had a really relaxing and nice time!…read moreIt was overcast and cold for about two hours out of our day, so we were pretty cold, once my husband asked for 2 towels though, we were finally able to warm up by using them as blankets. Once the sun came out it was a beautiful day. The food, in my opinion, is meh. You're spending a lot for run of the mill food. It was boring and not really special, I would appreciate either more variety or just better options, epically when you're already paying $150 to be there. The drinks were good, but i honestly wasn't in an alcohol mood when we were there. I liked the virign strawberry daquiri, just yummy. Service was good!

    DESCANSO BEACH CLUB @ SANTA CATALINA…read more My family and I came here on a Saturday evening, and it was honestly such a cool hidden spot. There are a ton of tables and seating right on the beach, but it's kind of secluded you actually have to walk past the theater area to find it. I genuinely didn't even know this place existed until my family and I rented a golf cart and randomly decided to stop by. The vibes here were amazing. We just found a random spot to sit, and a waiter came by pretty quickly with menus. The drinks were honestly pretty affordable for the location and atmosphere too. I ended up getting the piña colada, and it was super delicious. It came topped with whipped cream, coconut flakes, a pineapple garnish, and even a leaf which made it look really tropical and fun. My brother got the Strawberry Sunset, which had strawberry and rum, and that was also really good. We only came here for drinks this time, but I'd definitely come back to try the food because everything around us looked good. The overall atmosphere was what really made the experience though lots of people tanning, hanging out, enjoying the beach, and having a good time in the sun. Overall, this area is such a fun spot, and I would definitely come back again.

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    Descanso Beach Club - Views, 10/10  Drinks, 5/10 lol

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