Celebrated my birthday dinner here and the hostess sat us promptly without a reservation and our server was very nice and personable. I haven't been back since the ownership switched, not to say I was deterred in any way, I just hadn't been back since then. Menu changes monthly but they do keep some regular items on the menu! Food quality is still the same, absolutely amazing. My boyfriend scraped his plate haha and for the first time somewhere, they got our steaks cooked perfectly and correctly! My boyfriend and I love steaks, so we go to different places in the central coast for steaks. Every single time, they either switch our steaks and the way they're cooked. My boyfriend likes medium, I like medium rare. Most of the time I'll get the medium and he gets medium rare. Luckily we usually order the same steak so we just switch but no need to switch at ember! They got you haha our steaks were cooked perfectly and beautifully and it was amazing. At first I kind of thought the potato au gratin was kind of heavy because it was kind of like a pie/cake thing. But omg I couldn't stop eating it after a while it was just so addicting and so good. We also had the pork belly, small portions but it's heavy so the dried fruit was a nice touch We had the salmon crudo too, very fresh and very good. Loved the flavor of everything they put on the plate! Somehow I was too full and not really in the mood for dessert but I deeply regretted it right when I got into the car haha fortunately our server still brought me a small scoop of vanilla ice cream with a candle in it so that was nice :) amazing birthday dinner! Amazing experience and hospitality as always read more

Food is incredibly good, had a Porqueta Ragu and one of their signature flat bread pizza with beets and vegetables; absolutely delish! Service was just outstanding and I want to mention him by name: Brian. Great service, very kind and accommodating. We brought a bottle of wine from our wine club that day and wanted to try it with dinner; corkage is $25, which was perfect! Dim lit ambiance with a view into the front door and the preparation of all the food and cocktails right in front of you. Great ambiance here inside, at the bar and even out back on the patio- really no bad seat here. read more

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I enjoyed everything about this funky location sort of Grover Beach close in what looks like an old commercial building. Inside it's sort of rustic and charming. I loved everything about it except the bar reservation only seating (we had gotten there early to enjoy a drink before our table was ready, but we couldn't sit at the bar even tho there was space because it was "reserved"). No mind, we had a 7pm reser and they had us seated by 6:35pm. The evening picked up from there. We had a great server who explained all the specials and menu to us. I had two glasses of wine and my hubby had a beer. We split an appie of warm pear with gorgonzola and hazelnut salad, he had the duck cassoulet and I had the most amazing woodfired chicken I can ever remember eating. It was tremendously good! He recommended the deconstructed Smore dessert and it was huge for sharing, we ate the entire thing. Out the door with tip it was $207, really not bad compared to paying that for ok food elsewhere. It was a very long drive for us from Cambria, but will continue to be our "go to spot" for special nights out like this last weekend. ~Ms. Ali read more

Don't walk, run to Ember - whoever curated their menu is a true artist! The fried green tomatoes and salmon crudo were phenomenal. The ribeye was perfection. The cocktails - decadent. Can't wait to do it again. read more

Great service. Terrific drinks. I just did not care for the food. I had the duck cassoulet. It was soupy and bland. I had such high hopes for enjoying Ember food, but sadly not this time. read more

Casual atmosphere but serious cooking with local ingredients. Our server was completely knowledgeable about every dish. Delicious food. read more

Riley was an amazing server from beginning to finish. Her recommendation on dessert was superb (see photo: blackberry trifle), Ribeye was perfectly cooked and upon walking in this establishment even the chefs wished is a welcome in. Don't forget the end of dinner cocktail a superb espresso martini .... Will be back ! read more

Ember - Blackberry trifle dessert - New American Near Me - Arroyo Grande, California

Food was over priced. I had the filet mignon. My husband had the salmon. It was supposed to be steelhead trout but they ran out. I have had filet mignon that had more flavor and better seasoning and a 1/3 of the price at a chain steakhouse. The sides (cauliflower and broccoli) were salty. The true crime were the pizzas (small personal sized) at $28 a pie. They should have cost no more than $12. Over priced chain food. Nothing special read more

Finally made it to Ember in Arroyo Grande, and I can't stop raving about it!! From the moment I walked in, the intimate lighting and phenomenal customer service set the perfect mood for an exceptional experience! We ordered their rib eye, and the pasta special which had panchetta and meyer lemon sauce - which were both absolutely phenomenal. Cooked to perfection, the rib eye was tender, flavorful, and just melted with each bite. The pasta special was equally impressive--rich, creamy, and perfectly seasoned. I was blown away by the quality and presentation of both dishes! The toasted marshmallow dessert was the cherry on top of an already amazing meal. It was sweet, gooey, and perfectly nostalgic with a gourmet twist. I highly recommend saving room for it! What truly made the experience stand out was the incredibly friendly service. The staff was attentive, knowledgeable, and made us feel like we were family! Their warm hospitality elevated the whole dining experience. If you're in Arroyo Grande and looking for a restaurant with phenomenal food, intimate ambiance, and top-notch service, Ember is the place to be. I can't wait to go back! read more

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Terrific place for a special occasion. Good food, ambiance, wine selection. Make a reservation if there's more than 2 of you. They fill up. Other people write what they ate, I can never remember specifically what I ate...just if I liked the place or thought it was a fair price for the portion size. read more

My wife and I went there to celebrate our anniversary, and the food and service were excellent. I had the chicken, she had the trout, and we shared the fried green tomatoes appetizer and a dessert. They also bake their own bread, which was delicious. A nice place for a special occasion, we will definitely go back. read more

I wish I would've sent this review earlier because I haven't gone there since my girlfriend's party, the fried green tomatoes were amazing. I'm not sure if that's what they call it on the menu? Regardless, the service was top-notch and even though I am not fancy enough to understand everything on the menu, I do know good food so thank you. It was delicious.. read more

I would eat here once a week if I could. What a treat. Service is phenomenal, professional, prompt, great attitude, and knowledgeable of the menu. I think I'm going to come back here and just try appetizers as my meal because their fried green tomato appetizer is to die for. Their oven baked pizzas are out of this world. They can handle groups of 20 or 30 or even a small intimate group of only a few. They have beautiful outdoor seating as well in their own secluded garden area. This is an absolute treat and one must dress, smart, and be ready for a culinary experience. Hands-down, a phenomenal restaurant all around. Don't forget to try the 100 layer lasagna. read more

Food, and drinks are amazing. Beautiful garden on the patio and nice atmosphere inside. Bill our server was amazing and gave great recommendations. We had the fried quail. Sausage pizza and rib eye. They did not disappoint and Bill's service was fast friendly and attentive. We will come back and recommend. read more

We love stopping by on our way to or from SLO or Paso Robles. Love the lasagna, pizza, steak,... let's put it this way we have tried something we have enjoyed. read more

The duck cassoulet is absolutely phenomenal: easily the star of the show. The duck had perfectly crispy skin and the pork sausage was genuinely life changing. I'm still thinking about it days later. These two elements alone are worth the visit. The only downside to the cassoulet was that the beans were oversalted, which was a bit disappointing given how central they are to the dish. Service was friendly but notably slow. We waited 38 minutes between appetizers and our main course, which felt excessive. Our server was pleasant enough but appeared to be under the influence, which affected the overall attentiveness. We dined on the porch, which was comfortable temperature wise but quite loud. The ambiance was fine overall, just not ideal for intimate conversation. Bottom line: Come for the incredible duck and that unforgettable sausage. Just plan for a leisurely meal and maybe request indoor seating if noise is a concern. read more

Delicious seasonal dessert. Cara Cara crème brûlé. Food is so good and seasoned well. We had the wood fired shrimp, NY steak and crispy skin salmon. read more

Ember - Cara cara crème brûlé - New American Near Me - Arroyo Grande, California

Went to Ember to celebrate my mom's birthday while visiting SLO. We started with some beets and cauliflower flan. The beets were my favorite of the two appetizers, but the mushroom ragu in the cauliflower dish was also memorable. For entrees, we shared the sausage and kale pizza, as well as the asparagus carbonara. Both were incredible, but the carbonara was particularly impressive - pasta and asparagus were cooked perfectly, and I'm not typically a huge pasta fan. The service was decent, and the inside of the restaurant was nice but nothing wildly special. In hindsight, wish we'd been able to sit outside. All around positive experience and would go back again! read more

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The food is farm to table and the specials rotate accordingly. A vegetarian dish or two is available every night and they are beautifully presented. Reservations are important if you want to sit in the main dining room. read more

Steak was cooked medium well and I asked for medium rare. Sides have no flavor. My old fashion was perfect tho.

Seriously??!!! I regret not ever eating here sooner. This place is a gem. I will do my best to share while pleasantly suffering a food coma. We started with a wedge salad and carpaccio. For dinner we shared the Pepperoni pizza, 50 layer Lasagna and the ribeye. All great! But let me circle back on that lasagna. I never order lasagna when I eat out. It's always the same brick. Except here... I was blown away! I will come back from OC just to eat experience this menu again. P.S. the dessert. I gatta go. Also, Joey and Raul are awesome! Thank you read more

Ember - 50 Layer Lasagna - New American Near Me - Arroyo Grande, California

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Filet- perfectly seasoned and cooked exactly as asked Just wish the potatoes weren't so salty Martini- smooth Service- excellent read more

Ember - Filet Mignon - New American Near Me - Arroyo Grande, California

Ember is the color of this foods energy! Talk about deliciousness. From the slow braised heritage pork shoulder appetizer with those crispy bits of chicharrones on top to the Strawberry Pavlova we shared for desert, everything was bursting with flavor. I had the Grilled "Pollo al Mattone" which was tender and delicious, the polenta - crispy on the outside and creamy within, the baby broccoli cooked to perfection, and that Calabrian salsa, ooh wee! She had the Asparagus Carbonara, which was creamy, cheesey deliciousness, and with that Meyer lemon cream cut the richness of this dish perfectly. Service was great, our waiter was attentive and knowledgeable about the dishes. The decor and the playlist set the tone for the fantastic flavors. Recommend you make a reservation soon! read more

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Great local place, good easy location to find, nice place for a date night! Friendly staff, and great customer service and care!

This was a dream experience starting with Anastazia, our server. The roasted beets were indescribably delicious. The fried green tomatoes were so delicately flavorful. (I didn't want to order them because they were fried. They didn't taste like it.) The lasagna was my least favorite but still good. The crème brûlée with the peaches and heavenly components (not even sure what) was so wonderful. I didn't not want to leave this restaurant at the end. It was so dreamy. We sat outside where it was pretty. The inside was too loud for me. Other than that, this was the best restaurant I remember experiencing on the three continents I've visited. Can you tell I loved it? Thank you. read more

My first time here and our server, Riley was wonderful in suggesting cocktails for us to have . We ordered the fried green tomatoes as our appetizer and then had the mushroom sausage pizza. The fried green tomatoes were wonderful with the shrimp on top and the pizza was generous and we were able to bring home leftovers to enjoy the next day. We also ordered the apricot tart for dessert which was light and creamy! The only negative thing was we were dining inside and it happened to be on a warm day so there wasn't much cross breeze inside and it was a bit warm, but other than that food and service was excellent. read more

Unforgettable First Visit -- A True Culinary Gem! First time dining here, and it absolutely exceeded all expectations! We saw on their website that it's a Michelin-mentioned restaurant, and let me tell you -- it delivers on every bit of that recognition. My wife and I were vacationing in Pismo and wanted to treat ourselves to something elegant and memorable. This place hit the mark on all fronts. I ordered the 50-layer lasagna -- and WOW. It was rich, flavorful, and perfectly executed -- like comfort food elevated to fine dining. My wife went with the ribeye, which was cooked to perfection and paired beautifully with layered gratin potatoes and a bright, zesty chimichurri that tied it all together. The service was just as impressive -- warm, attentive, and knowledgeable without ever feeling overbearing. The ambiance is spot-on too: classy yet relaxed, with a coastal charm that sets the perfect mood for a special night out. If you want your taste buds to go wild and enjoy an elevated dining experience from start to finish, this place is an absolute must-try. A true gem close to Pismo Beach! read more

Absolutely PHENOMENAL!!! Every time we come here, the service, the food - despite menu change...drinks..chefs kiss!!! Was my birthday dinner celebration and our waiter on 1/6/2024 told me happy birthday multiple times. Surely made me feel like the queen of the evening!!! Ambience is spectacular!! You are and will always be my favorite spot!!! Husband was a chef for fine dining and you blow his mind each and every time!! Staff is very busy and focused, no stress, just amazing hospitality!!! Wonderful job!!! :) keep up the excellent work, you're a GEM!!! read more

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I came here with eight other girls who were loud--but, like, the fun kind of loud! :) The food was on point, the drinks were great, and the service was spot-on. They gave us a cozy little semi-private spot, which was perfect for our lively group. Even though we were tucked away from the main area, our server never missed a beat, checking in on us like clockwork. It's a bit of a trek from where I live, but if I'm ever in the area again, I'll definitely be back for round two! read more

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We had an excellent New Year's Eve dinner here and couldn't have been more pleased. To start, our waitress, Riley, was awesome. The bread that comes was a good way to start out the meal. We split our meals since everything sounded so good. We had the 50 Layer Lasagna and the Grilled Ribeye and they were amazing. We ended the meal with Cafe Mocha Trifle which was super. They also have a nice wine and draft beer list. The ambience is nice, with a rustic feel and though it was busy, we didn't feel crowded. I highly recommend Ember. read more

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The ambiance, the food and the service are all awesome! Make sure you get reservations if you try to come for dinner on a Friday or Saturday night because it can get busy. They do have an enclosed patio with heaters so if the bar and inside are packed; that's an option. Upon sitting down, I ordered the Sunset & Chill and it was a really good Mezcal cocktail. Very smokey! We got the Pizza Blanco, which was tasty. The duck was tender (fell right off the bone) and was very delicious! The star of the night was the dessert. The marshmallow was toasted perfectly and the Sea Salt Caramel & Hazelnut Crunch were AMAZING! I would go here just for the desserts! I definitely intend on coming back in the future and bringing family/friends! read more

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We've been coming here for years, and the food remains unmatched in the area. Whether you're in the mood for an upscale date night or a casual pizza dinner, this place delivers both effortlessly. The quality is consistently top-notch, and the service is always great. Looking forward to our next visit--see you soon, Ember! P.S. Always get the s'more's dessert - ALWAYS! read more

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Service is excellent here. They are always on top of it, give good recommendations and are super nice. The appetizers are the best part of the meal here; I would recommend the cauliflower, fried green tomatoes and the beets. The cauliflower came with this super tasty homemade Caesar dressing which was such a star! For entrees, the pork chop was the best dish. The duck ragu pasta and the fish are passable. The cocktails here are pretty good. The place is really pretty, open kitchen and nicely decorated. Decent spot if you want to get a bit out of pismo read more

We have been going to Ember since 2014 and it was always consistently excellent. However, last Sunday we had a bad experience. Our orders of chicken took 45 minutes to arrive. The waitress was flip about it, and didn't even check in with us until we called her over after 35 minutes to see what was going on. The chimichurri sauce on the chicken wasn't nearly as good as it used to be. Also, the polenta lacked the slight smokey taste and was not as creamy. And the chicken was not as succulent. Lastly, the 80's rock music just doesn't fit with a supposed higher end restaurant. This place has gone downhill under the new ownership. Sorry to say, we won't be back. read more

Fantastic dinner experience! The chef's design of the entree's is artful and delicious. The balance of spice, texture, plate presentation and flavors to top shelf. The service is friendly and attentive - with recommendations that are spot on. The craft cocktails pair well with the entrees -- ask for a recommendation! Loved the open kitchen. The outdoor patio is a quieter than inside seating. read more

Run don't walk to this Michelin guide restaurant in Arroyo grande! It's in an unassuming location back from the street but don't let that fool you. The entire menu is creative from apps to desserts and specialty cocktails. An excellent craft beer menu as well. We had wedge salads which are made from butter lettuce and served with candied pork belly. My friend had poached Seabass and raved about it. I had the pork Ragu which was delicious with a spicy broth and pasta. It could've used more pork but the bites I had were melted in your mouth tender. For dessert we shared both the blueberry lemon tart and the toasted marshmallow ice cream cocoa cake. Sinful! Anastasia, our server, was so accommodating and helpful. Servings were substantial enough that we had lots of to go boxes. We were seated in the front bar area in the high tops where we could watch the comings and goings. Reservations are pretty much required because it's a popular place any day of the week. Highly recommend! read more

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Ember is a nice hidden gem in Arroyo Grande! Servers were all friendly and the food was delicious! My greatest gripe was the constant opening of doors that really brought the chill to our indoor table. It's awesome to watch food prepared and cooked in the brick oven! The pizzas are served at a great personal size with plenty of topping and lots of flavor! I love that they have a rotating menu and you can try new things as you come in during different seasons! The toasted marshmallow dessert is a must as well! I look forward to coming back again when I'm in town! read more

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Consistency and goodness - that's EMBER! Years after being able to try this place the first time, I finally made my way back. And SO happy I did!! These guys know how to do it right! And they make you feel right at home in the process! Easily one of the best places on the Central Coast!! They are attentive, personable, and seem to really enjoy making your experience the best! The menu changes frequently, so not sure I can make any real recommendations, but my advice is, if it sounds good, don't hesitate - chances are you will not be sorry! Since I do lot live close by anymore, I follow them on socials and frequently find myself licking my phone screen when they post new menu items! The s'mores dessert is a house favorite, so that you might be able to try - and I do recommend it! The only thing you'll be left wanting - is S'MORE! read more

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Food Service Ambiance Is always top notch here. We love the Dog friendly patio is a nice touch! read more

Lovely Restaurant, Delicious Food, and Gracious Service. Hats off to the operators of this establishment; your intent is clear. Good food, served without pretense. Our first time, and we will be back. read more