I've been here many times and I love everything on their menu. I would recommend making a reservation especially on the busy weekends. Restaurant is nice with some booth seating in the back and even some outdoor seating. Parking itself-there's a small lot next to it but it's almost always full so you can do some street parking in the surrounding neighborhoods. When I last came here, we ordered the red pepper hummus to share and I ordered the French dip! It was excellent as per usual and the service was good. One critique I would have though is that one of the people in my party was a vegetarian and had ordered a veggie burger. The people bringing out the food accidentally swapped the plates of someone else in the party who had ordered a chicken blt when placing the dishes in front of each person. Unfortunately the vegetarian did take a bite of the chicken blt before realizing it was not the veggie burger and spit it out. It is what it is and was an honest mistake. But, maybe confirming the dishes before placing it in front of the person would be good. First time it's happened but we hope it doesn't happen again because we love this place! read more

Coastal Kitchen - Red pepper Hummus - New American Near Me - Dana Point, California

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To start off, parking is an absolute nightmare. Aim to get there earlier and don't be surprised if you have to take use the side streets for parking in the neighborhoods. As for the food, it was pretty good. We got the Salmon, Rotisserie Chicken and Baby Back Ribs. The baby back ribs was definitely the best bang for your buck thing on the menu and they were delicious. The Salmon was ok and the chicken was a little dry. The fries and Cole slaw were very good and our dessert was also very rich. The service was solid and it felt like a place to dress a little nicer but no pressure to wear a suit or anything. read more

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5 stars, no question. From the moment my parents and I walked into Coastal Kitchen in Dana Point, we felt genuinely welcomed. The space itself is beautiful--very clean, high end, and still so cute and inviting. It immediately sets the tone for the experience. What really stood out was how well the team worked together. Everything felt seamless, organized, and attentive without ever feeling overdone. Courtney was our server, and she absolutely made our visit. Her attention to detail was incredible. She anticipated what we needed, made thoughtful recommendations, and made the entire experience feel effortless. The food did not disappoint. The Cajun shrimp was a standout, and we loved the spinach and kale dip so much we had to take it home. The tacos and crab cake salad were fresh, flavorful, and clearly made with care. You can tell there's intention behind every dish. What truly elevated the experience was the service. My wine just wasn't for me, and it was handled immediately with kindness and professionalism. It was taken care of so smoothly, and Courtney even offered me a tea to go, which was such a thoughtful touch. This is the kind of place that gets it right from start to finish. Amazing food, beautiful atmosphere, and standout service. Courtney went above and beyond, and we will absolutely be back. read more

Coastal Kitchen - Crab Cake Salad - New American Near Me - Dana Point, California

We were stunned by the flavor explosion that came from such a simple plate of food. The humble halved fresh tomato was curious yet a pleasant complement. I have to admit the broccoli was flavorless, over steamed and under salted. The brownie was over baked and not chocolatey enough to our liking. However, I'm still rating Coastal Kitchen 5 stars because the main coarse more than made up for the rest and we will for sure return and would still recommend to others. read more

Coastal Kitchen - Brownie a la mode - New American Near Me - Dana Point, California

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Coastal Kitchen captures the perfect Dana Point vibe: beachy and fun, yet sophisticated and fresh. From the moment we walked in, the staff was exceptionally welcoming and navigated the menu with impressive expertise. My wife and I had front-row seats right outside the kitchen, which offered a fun, "behind-the-scenes" look at the culinary team in action ‍. The meal itself was flawless. My lunch filet was a perfect medium-rare, paired with a house salad that was easily one of the best I've ever had. My wife's Crab Cake salad was equally superb--fresh, flavorful, and expertly prepared. What truly sets this place apart is the pacing. Even with a packed house, the staff never made us feel rushed to turn the table. We actually wanted to linger for another round of drinks, though we ultimately moved on to let others enjoy the experience. Pro tip: Definitely make a reservation. We're already looking forward to returning for dinner. read more

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Husband & I came here for lunch yesterday. Place was packed & wait time was 35 min so we sat at the bar to grab drinks while waiting for our table. Service was great at the bar. Once we sat at the table, I ordered ahi tuna tacos & hubby ordered the French dip. Tacos came in 3 & perfect bite size for me. The ahi & ingredients were fresh & delicious. I tried a few bites of the French dip & it was outstanding. I loved that they served it on brioche bun & the meat quality was super tender & juicy. The fries on the side were crispy & seasoned well. Hubby said he'd definitely order it again. Our server was polite & attentive throughout the entire time. Will be again. read more

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Such a chill vibe even through the place was packed on a late Saturday night. We sat in the patio because we had our fur baby so bonus points for being pet friendly. Staff is cordial, food was tasty, so can't wait to come back and try more entrees. read more

Coastal Kitchen - Hawaiian Ribeye - New American Near Me - Dana Point, California

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Cool little restaurant with sophisticated beach vibes! Its dining room hummed with energy, while the bar was occupied by chattering guests. Outdoor seating is great on a nice day, but it sits next to a busy thoroughfare so, expect street noise. We were seated right next to large glass panels overlooking the kitchen. Unfortunately, our spot was near the area where servers congregated around a central terminal to input orders, which meant they were all facing our table. I found myself making eye contact with them several times, which made the experience a bit awkward... THE FOOD. - Parker House Rolls. Dense and springy, their tops dusted with a sweet-savory seasoning and paired with a dollop of pesto butter. I liked it, but as the bread cooled down, it was a bit too firm. - Starter House Salad. Fresh veggies and the portion size is bigger than expected! - Starter Caesar Salad. The tiny fried capers added crunch and a pop of salt to this delicious salad! Highly recommend. - Hawaiian Ribeye. Served at a perfect medium rare with slightly charred edges and sweet teriyaki marinade. I don't like teriyaki marinade, but this was quite subtle and delicious. The side of tomatoes tossed with feta and basil offered a bright counterpoint. Highly recommend. - Halibut. Buttery & delicately flaky, the halibut was perfectly prepared and rested in a rich, silky white sauce. Fresh rock shrimp sat on top the halibut for added oceanic flavors. The side salad was a small mound of gold and ruby beets, mixed in with walnuts and tangerine slices that delivered an earthy, citrusy sweetness. Highly recommend. THE DRINKS. - Spiced Old Fashioned. Layered spice and cherry bitters with notes of lemon for a slight zing. - Stone IPA. Boldly hoppy with a sharp bitterness and notes of piney evergreen. THE PARKING. Parking is free but limited, and the small lot fills up fast. The layout is one-way with a dead end, so if the lot is full, you'll need to three-point turn it back out. Street parking is a fallback, but it's also difficult to find an open spot, so pick your poison. THE VERDICT. Beautiful dining space with lively, sometimes overwhelming acoustics. The kitchen turned out some delicious dishes and the wait staff kept our plates cleared and glasses filled with efficiency. I'd return for another meal! read more

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I don't live in the area but this has been my second time here now over the last couple of years - popping in to have lunch with a friend and this spot is delicious! Parking lot is small but there's lots of surrounding street parking. There a big outdoor patio with heaters for the coolers days and inside seating as well. Customer service was great and I love their food. My and I shared some oysters and then I got their crab cakes (it is a bit wild to me that they only give you 1 single crab cake for the dish - my only complaint) and my friend ordered a sandwich that she enjoyed. I'd definitely pop in here again. read more

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I had a really great time here. The vibe was cozy but sophisticated for a beachside restaurant. All of the menu options were reasonably priced for the menu selection, and there are a lot of options. I chose the classic cheeseburger with a quinoa salad as my dinner side. The portions are generous and tasted amazing. I loved the flavor of the pickled onions paired with pickle on the sweeter side to enhance my savory burger. The fries are thin cut and garnished, enjoyed every bite of my meal! Staff were super nice in spite of how busy it was on a weekend visit read more

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First time visiting Coastal Kitchen. I brought my mom for her birthday. Bre was our server. Can't say enough about our experience. So so so enjoyable! The service was on point. The food was excellent. We had the clam chowder, Parker rolls and the ribs. Definitely will come here again. If you're in town, definitely give Coastal Kitchen a try. Atmosphere is beautiful as well. read more

Great experience. From the time we were greeted to the time we left, everyone was attentive and polite. The food French dip sandwich was delicious. The meat was perfectly sliced, the horseradish was nicely spiced, the brioche bun was buttery and soft. Even the coleslaw was delicious. My guest ordered the ahi salad and it looked like a side salad, there just wasn't much considering it was $30. Overall great experience and yes, I would visit again. read more

We stopped in at Coastal Kitchen without a reservation and were quoted a 40-minute wait, but it ended up being only 15 minutes, such a nice surprise! Our server (I wish I remembered her name) was super friendly and welcoming from the start. We ordered the beet salad, crispy chicken Caesar salad, parker rolls, a filet with baked potato, and finished with the butter cake. Everything was phenomenal. The beet salad was fresh and delicious, and my chicken Caesar salad was crisp, flavorful, and topped with perfectly cooked chicken. I love a good Caesar, and this one easily makes it into my top favorites, I 'd definitely order it again. The filet was tender and paired nicely with the baked potato, which my husband enjoyed. We also enjoyed the fluffy warm butter rolls with the butter mmm so goood. For dessert, we had the butter cake. It could have been a little warmer, but that didn't stop me from devouring it. Between the great food, excellent service, and overall vibe, we loved our experience here. Next time I'm in Dana Point, I'll definitely be back and make sure to make reservations. read more

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If you're in Dana Point and looking for a nice restaurant on PCH, then Coastal Kitchen is a nice classy restaurant. Depending on the weather you can sit outside on the patio by the fire pit, inside at the bar or table. Just note that you will need to make a reservation, this restaurant is popular. The food here is delicious. From the Parker House Rolls, Crispy Chicken Caesar Salad, Salmon, Ribeye ( Husband approved). They have a great cocktail menu. Service, we came for lunch at the end of August. We were seated inside at a booth. We had a server come take our drink order but we were told that she wouldn't be our waitress. The next server came by to check on us and talk our order. She told us that she wasn't our waitress. The next waitress came to introduce herself as our waitress. Our food arrived but our "waitress" never came in to check on us. At the end of our meal, we had to flag someone down so we could get our bill. Atmosphere 5/5 Food 5/5 Service 3/5 read more

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When my wife picks a place, it's usually about the feel and a bit fancier, and this one nailed both. No ocean view, but modern coastal décor made it romantic. We paid a little extra, but happy wife, happy life. The fish sandwich was flaky and flavorful, and the ahi salad had bright, crisp fresh flavors. Service was spot on. Parking was tight, but we triumphed. Lunch crowd was chill, with a nice bar and a patio featuring fire pits and a view of PCH. The menu's small, mostly seafood-focused, but everything's on point. She snapped décor photos--lunchtime, sun shining, it all came together. Her pick--and I'm ready for the next one! Hopeful the decor pix don't result in another house project or another costly trip to HomeGoods. read more

Best restaurant in Dana Point! We came to celebrate a birthday and they made it so special, plus the food is amazing. Highly recommend. read more

Coastal Kitchen - New American Near Me - Dana Point, California

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Service was great! Took about 10 minutes to get seated after checking in for our reservation, but they were polite and thanked us for waiting Sat inside, nice views and during sunset. Only came for oysters and wine (national oyster day) and they luckily still had them in stock! They only have one type (Hama Hama) and they're pretty pricy at $22 for 6 but they were pretty good. Had a couple small bits of shell in a couple but overall nice presentation and shucking Got the Sancerre which was delicious! I'd definitely go back but if it's just for oysters I'd go to glasspar for the variety and lower prices read more

Coastal Kitchen - Hama Hama oysters - New American Near Me - Dana Point, California

The best part is the ambiance. It's very cute and cozy. The service was also great. The worst part sadly is the food. I did not like the flavors. I would not come back for the food. However, my husband said the beer was good. It would be a spot to have just beer. Great location and cozy spot, just gross food. read more

Coastal Kitchen - Stone IPA. Good temperature & a good pour & tastes good - New American Near Me - Dana Point, California

My friends and I really enjoyed our lunch here. We had the crab cake salad, tuna, burger and veggie burger. The crab cake (singular) was one of the freshest and most enjoyable crab cakes, my friends liked the pink grapefruit & I loved the fresh corn & frisée salad. The tuna was tender and perfectly seared, the coleslaw was rich and delicious. I didn't try either burgers but the string fries were good. All fresh fries are good. Great location and beautiful dining room & patio seating. Very enjoyable. read more

Overall, a wonderful experience! From the front of the house, to Hailey's service, to the bar, and back of the house Coastal Kitchen offers a mostly seafood menu in an ambiance that screams a vibe of beachy coast. We started by splitting the clam chowder (that was ok), accompanied by an order of Parker house rolls (I found them too sweet). While my hubs delved into the delicious double chop pork cho- thick, juicy and we brought the bones and some meat home. i throughly enjoyed the lump crab cake salad. Just crab, like in Maryland! The vinaigrette salad with a few chunks of avo was a perfect accompaniment. Great tasting and just enough for an entree. Austin Hope's Cab Sav paired nicely with the chop while, I enjoyed a very decent pour of Arrogant Bastard. Friends joined late and had a very nicely cooked, yummy hamburger. Your choice of sides. Family friendly. We sat in the back with a window into the kitchen which was fun, but it was def noisy. Will I go back? Heck ya! read more

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After a morning of boogie boarding, we stepped in for lunch to get a quick bite. This place is really nice. We got to sit outside on the patio. It's close to the beach. The service was great. My daughter and I both ordered a burger and they were really tasty. The patty itself was juicy and flavorful. I watched everyone else's dishes come out around us and they were beautifully plated and they have such a variety of things at this place. It was a good experience. We will definitely be back when we're down in the Dana point area. There's many more things on the menu I want to order and try. read more

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The food is awesome! Compliments to the chef. The service is another story. Our waiter was the WORST! If you get Xander, run, don't walk. He's terrible. No personality and SO rude. He needs to pick another line of work. We should not have tipped him, but we have morals. At the end, he even purposely left our plates, and another server told him to remove them, and he had an attitude with her. He's literally a horrible human being. Will not be back. read more

This is the most amazing restaurant I stumbled into by accident. Wow! I didn't realize Dana point had this level of culinary excellence! I absolutely loved the grouper sandwich. I don't know how to describe the sauce but it was next level! The staff mentioned that the brownie was really good and I did splurge a little bit. If you're in town, don't miss this spot! read more

Coastal Kitchen - Brownie. Treat yoself! - parks and rec reference. Amazing! - New American Near Me - Dana Point, California

My husband and I have been here several times, and it's quickly become one of our favorite spots! We love the variety of food options and the fact that the patio is dog-friendly--it's such a great place to relax and enjoy a nice meal. The patio ambiance is wonderful, and the service has always been consistently great. We've tried several different appetizers and entrées, and everything has been delicious. This has definitely become our go-to spot in the area! read more

Came here for mother's day lunch, really happy with our experience! The ambiance is an elevated casual, thought the coastal theme was well decorated. Service was very attentive and food came out quick. Everything came in huge portions! We ordered: - Blackened grouper sandwich: the fish on this was really nicely done, large portion too - Chicken BLT: good flavors, also on the heavier side with a double chicken patty. got a side of the quinoa salad, this was really nice and refreshing - French dip sandwich: really good sandwich, the dip complimented the sandwich really well. would recommend a side of fries because of the horseradish sauce - Half rotisserie chicken: not too dry but nothing really special read more

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I want to give them a 4 but a few things prevented it. The kale artichoke dip was flavorless, the service was sub par...he never brought our drink back, never brought us bread. However, the halibut, veggie burger, grouper sandwich were very good. Def suggest trying it. Maybe next time we'll get better service. read more

driving around dana point and was hungry for lunch. came here for some light fresh seafood. Ordered the crab cake salad and like all the previous reviews, it's ALL CRAB. there is no filler of bread crumb or spices, just big juicy meaty pieces of crab. SO GOOD! Also had the chicken tortilla soup, the broth was much creamier than I'm use to, but it was still tasty. The jumbo shrimp cocktail came with 4 ginormous shrimp and the cocktail sauce has a nice kick to it. the side salad is also tasty. Good place for a light healthy lunch read more

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Food: Scottish Salmon was pan-roasted, apricot glaze or traditional remoulade, broccoli & parmesan; Baby Back Ribs (16oz, true Danish ribs, house-made BBQ sauce, coleslaw, french fries Service: great, friendly service Design: interiors has a nice modern seaside estate vibe with white bead board wainscott, navy blue fish wall covering, distressed wood flooring, and other naval/ocean themed touches in the lighting and decor Overall: what a great place to have a New American style Surf or Turf lunch in Dana Point read more

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Another great evening at coastal kitchen. It was a very busy night. We didn't have to wait a few minutes for our reservation time, but that was fine. Once seated, Kelly came over and offered beverages and even took an appetizer order. She was forthcoming about her favorite items on the menu when asked as our guest had not been to the restaurant before. We started with the trout dip and the Parker House rolls. The trout tip was a big hit although we felt there was too much mayonnaise and it was overly salted. Our guests also enjoyed the Parker House rolls, but thought they were dry overall even with the herbed butter. For entrees, we ordered the crabcake, French dip, and crispy chicken Caesar salad. I can't remember the last time I've come here and not had the crispy chicken Caesar salad. All the entrées were delicious. We finished off the meal with the butter cake and everyone loves that. Noise level is extreme and can be difficult to have a conversation. There is outdoor seating and I did see some dogs. Parking can be difficult. There is a lot behind the restaurant that fills up quickly. There's also street parking. Cool coastal vibes. Every person that came to our table is friendly and professional. We always return and recommend to others. read more

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We made reservations which I would reccomend doing just in case. We parked along the street. The inside is clean & nicely decorated. Our server was very sweet & attentive. We got the pascal jolivet for wine which was lovely. For starters we had the Parker house rolls (to die for), & the spinach/kale dip. For our mains we had the Caesar salad as well as the halibut. Everything was exceptional and I would highly recommend. Will definitely be back. read more

An absolute taste bonanza! Our table had the blackened grouper sandwich, French dip sandwich, and the lunch filet. I highly recommend all three! The French dip meat just melted in my mouth. The grouper was perfectly cooked and seasoned to perfection. The filet was juicy and tender. Service was fast and polite, and they gave excellent recommendations. The outdoor patio area is comfortable and has a beautiful view of Dana Point. 10/10 will eat here again! read more

Coastal Kitchen - Blackened Grouper Sandwich - New American Near Me - Dana Point, California

I love grouper and CS is the only restaurant I have found that makes it so delicious! Great and reasonably priced wines too! read more

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Best hamburger in Orange County. The Outlaw burger is big,beautiful and super delicious. Don't forget to order the fries just fresh not from frozen potatoes but in-house made. Super WONDERFUL. You place your order at the counter and then the food is served to your table. We sat outside Saturday evening at 5:30 because it was a lovely evening and we brought our dog. Inside was busy with just a short wait for a table. You try COSTAL COWBOY and you will return and tell your friends about it. I just love the food and the friendly people with a casual atmosphere with happy families. I give it FIVE STARS for every thing.Frank L. read more

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Staff, food, vibe all 10/10! We have been here 4x in the last 2 months. The hummus is really fresh, the chips are delicious and the kale salad is to die for. My husband said the beef dip is the best he has ever had. read more

Ambience 5 Food 5 Service 5 Value 5 We drove one hour, and spent my birthday afternoon in Dana Point. After some research on Yelp in advance, I pre-selected this place for my birthday dinner, and it did not disappoint!! The restaurant was classy yet lively with some coastal motifs. It had a nice outdoor patio with a fireplace and heaters, and we chose to sit there. We hit the last hour of their lunch menu, so the menu seemed slightly limited, but the food was so Delicious (with a capital D)!! I had crab cake salad, which was full of meaty crab meat with no fillers. Avocado was a good combination. My hubby had crispy chicken cesar salad. We shared a bowl of clam chowder, which was so creamy and rich. We loved parker rolls, and felt like we wanted more. The food was overall on the rich side, but it was gourmet! The waitress was attentive, just right, enough amount. The check came out reasonable for the quality and amount of food we had. We enjoyed the visit so much, and are planning to go back soon. read more

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A gem! The ambiance, service, and food were all great! We came in for lunch last weekend and absolutely enjoyed our meal. Our waitress was the sweetest, most patient woman and was so friendly towards our 3 kids. Our favorite dish was the blackened grouper sandwich. It was a bit salty but was cooked perfectly. I would also recommend asking for the bun to be extra toasted bc it sort of fell apart since it's a brioche bun. We appreciated that that they let you pick from a variety of sides rather than just between fries or a side salad. The fried cauliflower ended up being our favorite. This might just be our new favorite spot in Dana point :) We can't wait to be back! read more

Coastal Kitchen - Blackened Grouper Sandwich with fried cauliflower - New American Near Me - Dana Point, California

Best restaurant in Dana Point! Very delicious food and top level service. Although it's hard to find a parking spot during the weekend but overall the location and service is top notch! Bravo read more

Coastal Kitchen - New American Near Me - Dana Point, California

We came on a busy sunday night, and i had to last minute add one more seat to our reservation. the hostess was super accommodating immediately even though i could see the restaurant was obviously packed and was mentally prepared for it to not work out. our waitress was super kind and attentive to our needs. the restaurant was busy but didn't feel too loud! the food was good too! we got a range of halibut, crab cakes, clam chowder, and the chicken! the parking lot was full (fairly small lot), but we found some down the street so not too bad. read more

Coastal Kitchen in Dana Point is an upscale yet casual New American restaurant situated in a historic 1924 building, the first commercial structure in the city. It is highly regarded for its clean, nautical design, featuring white beadboard, navy accents, and an open kitchen view. The restaurant has a sophisticated beach cottage vibe that is bright and airy. It is known for being lively and high-energy, though some guests find the indoor acoustics quite loud during peak hours. You can choose between two indoor dining rooms, a large marble wrap-around bar, or an outdoor patio equipped with fire pits and heaters. Popular items include the Hawaiian Ribeye, French Dip sandwich, and Parker House rolls served with herb butter. Famous for jumbo lump crab cakes (noted for having no filler), northern halibut, and seared ahi tuna salad. The private parking lot is small and fills quickly, though free street parking is available nearby. Because it is a popular local spot, reservations are strongly recommended, especially for dinner and weekends. read more

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Left a review 9 years ago when CK opened and updating it now. Because of its convenient location and nice decor it has been a go-to spot for our group of friends living in DP but recent changes have swayed our opinion of this restaurant. Portions have been reduced in size over the years smaller, smaller, smaller, while prices have gone up up up. A serving of salmon is half the size it used to be and now comes with 1 side, not 2 sides, all at a steep price. Very very noisy and hard to carry on a conversation at tables and booths. Menu has been the same for 9 years, no updates, refreshes, nor specials. Food quality and taste is ok and definitely not exceptional. Service is extremely rushed from the minute one sits down. A definite feeling of get them in and get them out. Now they have restrictions on larger parties of a 2 hour dining max and advise you upon arrival! Very very bad feeling from the moment you walk in! It's too bad because the location is great. Could be a challenge for them when new restaurants open in the harbor. read more