I have gone twice in the last 5 days. The ambiance is amazing the dining area and bathrooms are spotless. The service is impeccable you can get dressed up or you can wear jeans and a T shirt. The fried green tomato's and the pork belly appetizers were prepared nicely. Both had a depth of flavor that made you want to eat more. The 50 layer lasagna was one of the best I have tried. The hint of smokiness from the open fire cooking they are doing set this lasagna apart. The ribeye was cooked to perfection with a very complimenting avocado chimmichurri that elevated the beef. The chocolate cake with marshmallow topping and the play on strawberry shortcake we're both amazing desserts that were just rich enough to make you keep eating more. The attention to detail, the cleanliness and the great service make this one of my favorite places I have found to dine at on the central coast and I look forward to my next visit. read more

Service was exceptional every step of the way. The food was amazing from the appetizer to the main course to the dessert. The vibe was awesome as well. read more

My fiancé made a reservation here for my birthday and it was great! We got seated immediately, I will admit the restaurant was quite cold but no one else seemed to mind as everyone had their jackets off so maybe it was just me. They had a drink they took off their menu I had been eyeing, Snow Day at the Beach, but they were very kind and made it for me anyways! They start you off with free focaccia bread, while was lovely. I got the lasagna and my fiancé got the mushroom pizza. Both dishes were amazing. Honestly, the best lasagna I've ever had! We finished the meal off with the toasted marshmallow dessert, since it was so popular, but honestly it didn't live up to the hype for us. Just too many temperatures and flavors... we felt it would have been better with the marshmallow and cake, no ice cream. But others seem to love it! I would definitely be back here, I loved our main dishes that much. The service was great, we always felt attended to and our waiter was so nice. read more

Ember - Toasted Marshmallow Ice Cream Coco Cake. - New American Near Me - Arroyo Grande, California

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We were in San Luis Obispo for the weekend and a friend of our recommended this place. We made reservations and luckily we were seated in about 10 min. (The place was packed!) Great layout and open kitchen concept loved it! This place was very happening being a Saturday night. We ordered few different things: Winter Tricolored Salad: Toasted walnut, burrata and oranges tasted and paired really well. There was a great crunch and the dressing was really good. Totally worth it! Chanterelle Toast: This was off-menu special of the night. Very well prepared by the chef- buttery stock with mushrooms, toast and parsley! Absolutely delicious. Hope they add it to their menu. Rib Eye: Decent size rib eye; perfectly grilled with some charcoal flavor served with chimichurri sauce. It was perfect combination served with potato gratin, broccoli, and cauliflower. If you are looking for a steak - you will not go wrong with it! Stuffed Sole: Fish itself was great! Well presented but to me personally it lacked some flavors. Not my favorite for the night. My partner being pescatarian she felt like they didn't had much option among main course dishes. But over all it was great experience and I would definitely come back to try others dishes if I am in the area! read more

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Make a reservation, this place is just THAT good and everyone knows it!! You can smell the nice char of the open kitchen's wood fired grill. EVERY dish was yummmmy as were the cocktails ---wood oven roasted squid: the flavors were so above and beyond, yum ---roasted beets: I've been sick of beets but this dish was addictive ---albacore crudo: a light refreshing dish ---lasagna and duck ragu: the pasta dishes! ---steelhead trout and chicken: the meat dishes! NOTE: They change the menu every month which keeps things fresh! read more

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Never...have I enjoyed cauliflower. But the way they cooked it. Here was amazing.. Anastasia was our waitress and she was on point! Definitely coming back here! read more

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Absolutely stunning. From the moment you walk in- beautiful vibe, extremely helpful staff, and off the charts food. I had the 50 Layer Lasagna, hands down amazing. Great high end old fashioned from the bar. We had a large party for a birthday and it was fantastic! Highly recommend. read more

Had my birthday dinner here and it was amazing. The food was great. The service was great. The drinks were fantastic. We both had the ribeye and it was cooked to perfection and the bread is always good. I hundred percent recommend this place. 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

The kind of meal that restores one's faith in dining. The serving staff is flawless. Kind, warm, attentive, professional, and generous with their time. It's a busy place, but everyone is working together so well, it feels fun and not like total bedlam. The drinks were thoughtful and well executed, the prices reflect good value. Wine is well suited to the food. Order the pork chop and the ribeye. The pork chop is transcendent. Everything you've ever loved about ham, fall, sweet and salty in one astounding dish. Do not miss. Ribeye was perfectly prepared, fresh chimichurri was clean and uplifting. Potatoes gratin brought an elegant twist to a classic dish. Truly delightful texture and presentation. Cannot wait to go back. Marshmallow dessert was a fun gluten free ending. All in all, excellent without being fussy. The perfect home away from home. read more

Every time I've tried ember it's delicious and special! It's so funny the area is not really assuming, you'd think this places belongs more in the village but when you walk in the ambiance is great. We've tried the meats and pastas and pizzas and never had a dish we didn't like. read more

Was really excited to check out this spot, overall had a good experience. Service was friendly and quick. There was complimentary bread which was excellent, great herb flavor. I ordered the squash mole which was a real treat, a lot going on with this dish which made for a great set of complex flavor. Excellent use of seasonal ingredients. We go two mains, the lasagna and the chicken. The lasagna was great and among the best I've had, recommend that dish for sure. The chicken was the biggest let down of the evening. While cooked properly it just was very bland. The herb flavor and the salsa verde didn't do nearly enough to make the chicken that flavorful to be honest. I feel like at the very least it needed a different sauce. We got the marshmallow dessert which was good. Overall highly recommend if you're looking for a good ingredient focused casual dining spot. read more

I've been coming to ember for over 6 years and love this place! Pizzas are extraordinary, the brick chicken is moist and flavorful. I've been to Chez Panisse and the taste at Ember is much better. read more

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It's basically the best restaurant you'll ever go to. You'll have to wait--you'll have to pay--and it'll all be worth it.

a good lean toward 3.5 stars Arroyo Grande is sleepy town and Ember is a beacon of light around these parts - it's the type of place you go if you're celebrating a birthday or anniversary or if you're from out of town looking for a nice dinner option. I was the latter. To start my friend and I shared the smoked steelhead trout ($14) with Belgian endive, fennel, golden beets, parsley, almond salsa, horseradish crème fraiche. This was very good. The endive/ fennel / golden beets combination offered a refreshing contrast with the smokey trout and welcomed spring in February with one fell swoop. And we ordered a pizza because I could never not. The pepperoni & fired roasted peppers pizza ($26) was fire. It comes topped with tomato sauce whole milk mozzarella, red onion, herbs & Parmesan. The whole milk mozzarella was a nice binder and better yet provided a nice stingy cheese pull. The crust was a little lacking. - a little undercooked and a little less than impressive undercarriage. For my entree, I opted for the house made boudin blanc sausage ($35). This came with buttermilk mashed potatoes + apple-braised cabbage. What is a boudin blanc sausage? Tis a mixture of lean white meat, milk, eggs, butter and lard. It tasted exactly as it is described - a tad mushy and overtly bland. It didn't do it for me flavor or texture wise. I would describe Ember as the nicest restaurant in a small town - a little fanciful and a little different than the typical, but the rickety wooden chairs, awkward dining configuration and subtle menu misses are just reminders that you're in Arroyo Grande. read more

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We returned, as I said we would and the meal was every bit as interesting and delicious as our meals were during previous visits. We each had a cocktail. My hubby had an old fashioned and I enjoyed the Smoke Signal. It was so smooth and tasty that it would have been easy to sip at least one or two more, it wasn't easy but I limited myself to just the one. On to our meals, We ordered the Potato & Caramelized Leek Pizza as an appetizer. Delish! Oh my, it exceeded any expectation that I had. Dinner for my hubby was the Grilled "Pollo Al Mattone" Half Chicken. Truthfully, I asked him how it was, but he was quite busy eating his meal which is an endorsement. The portion of chicken was generous enough that we brought half home. I chose to have two small plates instead of a standard entree. I selected a veg, the Roasted Cauliflower, and a protein, Local Halibut Crudo. I figured that everything would be good, and the cauliflower was quite good, but the halibut crudo was terrific. You know those boogie food reviewers who describe food using words and phrases like "innovative" and "surprising" while remarking "the dish had depth of flavor" or was "bright and surprising" ? Those folks must have had this crudo. The way the components of this dish worked reminded me of the oysters that I had years ago at the Bear and Star. That was the most "perfect bite" of memorable of restaurant food I'd had until tonight's crudo. I will order it again. Was there dessert, you ask? Well, yes, there was. We chose the Bread Pudding. It's a unique take on standard bread pudding, more dense and less custardy. I'd rank it as good. While their list of three desserts is serviceable and offers something to quench most cravings, none of them have hit the mark for us. Now, on to the wait staff... Bill S. was the man who drew the short straw and ended up with our table. All kidding aside, it was a pleasure to have our dinner experience presided over by Bill. He was professional but personable, approachable and detail focused, as were all the members of staff. From expeditors to bus persons to host staff and everyone in between, they were all top notch and laser focused on the quality of every guest's experience. But, Bill... He made everything just a little bit better, we will ask for him next time. The music, was a blend of 70s and 80s songs that I remember most of the words to. That familiarity brought a level of comfort and relaxation that contributed to our dining experience. I give this visit a 9.5 out of 10, if we'd skipped dessert it'd be a 10. read more

Nice restaurant with good food. I would definitely consider coming here again. It is quite pricey though so be prepared for that. My filet mignon was cooked perfectly and the potatoes au gratin were absolutely delicious. The cream puff was pretty sad though. $14 and only big enough for 2 people to take 1, maybe 2, bites that were just meh. All in all, try the restaurant, but skip the dessert. read more

Make reservation on a Friday night for good reason as they were extremely packed. Our server, Gabriel, was easily the best server I've ever had within any restaurant experience. Service overall was 10/10 always checking in and refilling water and attentive. The outdoor seating was perfect with their heat lamps as well as the indoor seating with more of a darker intimate atmosphere. The food was excellent, you could tell it was very fresh and well made! read more

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This is our first time in Arroyo Grande, coming from Oregon. Ember was highly recommended by a local. When we arrived around 7pm (w/o reservations) on Thursday night, there was a line out the door, with a packed parking lot. We decided to stand in line, and were seated right away. There were plenty of open tables, yet we were given a choice of the drafty table at the entrance or the table by the kitchen (which was almost in the kitchen, such that we found it entertaining watching the pastry chef make Yellow Peach Crostata. We were so close to the pastry chef, that we could chat with him) The Wood Oven Roasted Monterey Squid & Chorizo was so crazy delectable that I was looking forward to the entrées. The Paccheri Pasta & Duck Regu was equally worth ordering. Coming from Oregon, I ordered California Halibut. It was fresh and delicious, but underwhelming compared to the Halibut in Oregon. After watching the pastry chef make Yellow Peach Crostatas for over an hour, we decided to order it. It was also delicious but underwhelming. I expected fresh yellow California peaches but they were over cooked and wilted, such that I will pass on them next time. The overall ambiance and wait staff were great. After reading other Yelp reviews, if I ever come to Ember again, I will order 3 Starters & Share Plates and skip the entrées and dessert. read more

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Great food. Favorites roll over month to month but add seasonal varietals to menu. Yum!

Great service and delicious food - highly recommend! We had the Pizza Bianco (great for sharing as an app with a group). The fried green tomatoes app was also delicious. We also had the butter lettuce salad app which was fresh and delicious. I had the Halibut entree and it was also delicious. A few of us ordered the halibut and the portion sizes were inconsistent but the dish tasted great. Great restaurant for a date, group of friends or family! read more

The focus on open wood fire is very innovative and cool. Very casual ambiance with open kitchen and inviting bar. The service is excellent but I did feel rushed and the courses when ordered together arrived at the table too quickly. Next time I focus on order what I want when I want. Each item was delicious. read more

The food here is amazing. I always get the steak because it is always perfection and for dessert you can't leave there without trying their marshmallow concoction. it is definitely a party in your mouth. The food is expensive but it is hands-down. Well worth it definitely someplace you should go at least once a year. read more

Ember - Marshmallow dream - New American Near Me - Arroyo Grande, California

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This place is soooooo good! We started with fresh focaccia that was so delicious. Then we got the wedge which was not your typical wedge and had the perfect flavors. We also shared the shrimp appetizer which was also cooked to perfection. We ended with a perfectly cooked ribeye. I wish we lived closer. We will be back someday read more

We have been going to Ember since they opened in 2014. I would say we dine at Ember 2 to 3 times a year and in the past 11 years maybe a total of 25-30 visits. This was the first time I wasn't 100% satisfied. I took my wife and daughter for an early valentines dinner on the 12th of February. We had reservations for the patio and our server Riley showed up and was very attentive and friendly. We have never been dissatisfied with the service, and while the menu is pricey we understand you are supposed to get what you pay for... but this time we didn't. The appetizers (Insalta Tricolore, and Salmon Crudo) were fabulous... the three of us shared and each enjoyed them immesely. The problem was the entrees. My wife's favorite meal (she gets it almost every time) is the Ribeye. For $66 her steak was not cooked the way she asked for it. She asked for medium rare and it was clearly inbetween medium and medium-well. And if you're paying that much money for a steak there shouldn't be a thick line of gristle going down the middle of the steak. It was a poor cut and poorly prepared. It should have been better for the amount of money we paid for it. I got the 50 layer lasagna which is always a hit with me but this time the pasta was too al dente and the cheese was overcooked--I had to use my knife cut through the cheese topping. Fortunately the flavor was still good and I enjoyed it in spite of it being sub par compared to past experiences. My daughter had the swordfish and she liked it. I tried a bite of it and it tasted a little overcooked to me. The edges were seared too long which made their texture a little rubbery--overall still good flavor. It made us think the chefs were having a bad night--which is weird because they were not that busy on a Thursday night. The desserts are as always OUTSTANDING. We ordered the toasted marshamallow ice cream cocoa cake and the orange creme brulee (my favorite). Their desserts have never disapointed. We only had tea, water, and arnold palmers for drinks--so nothing really to complain about in that area. I am a decent tipper if service is good and I gave Riley $50 on a $235 bill. I just feel that if I am spending $80 per person on a meal--the food quality should have been better. It usually is but something was off that night. I hope it was just a one-off and that our next visit will be a better experience. read more

When I mentioned to someone about coming to ember, he said, oh it's not good. Don't go there. We had a reservation so we ignored his advice. So glad we did. Crispy quail - Absolutely delighted. Crispy and spicy. Loved it. So much flavor. Squid - Another surprisingly delicious appetizer. Spicy and crispy squid. Three white beans was nicely flavored and the charizo was very flavorful. Spicy and delicious dish. Pepperoni pizza - Very good pizza. The crust was fresh and charred to perfection. I believe there were anchovies there, a bit overwhelmed but still, along with the greens made it quite tasty. Surprising, I prefer the bianco because the pepperoni was on the salty side. Filet mignon - didn't taste the beef but it looks like the medium rare was done perfectly. The potatoes gratin was excellent. Doesn't have much cream but tasted the butter flavor it was really savory. Bianco pizza - The quality of cheese just exploded in your mouth. Though it didn't have anything but cheese yet it's delicious! read more

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Ember never disappoints. The atmosphere, the service,the creative dishes, the hard work put in makes Ember a staple not only for the community but hands down recommend to all friends and family or if you are visiting and dont mind paying a little more its totally worth it. You will thank me later! read more

What an amazing place! Michelin guide deserved. Ember is one of the most popular restaurants in town and I understand why now. Their food is delicious and their dining area is rather unique. The kitchen is in the corner - fully open kitchen so you can see everything they are doing, super cool. We went on on a Friday evening and the place was fully packed on the inside and even on their outside dining area. You absolutely need a reservation to eat here. Their staff are super attentive and always watching tables to remove items. They were also quite fast! Time from order to food appearing was unexpectedly quick, especially for the kinds of items they are serving. For appetizers, we got the eggplant enoltini, albacore crudo, and fried tomato. All three were excellent, but I would suggest the fried tomato over the others - more complex flavor and textures! I ate the ribeye and the meat was cooked fairly well! Minor complaint - I asked for medium, it came back fairly rare. Not that I don't like that, it just wasn't what I asked for. Otherwise, the taste was phenomenal and the potatoes beneath hit the spot. It came with this avocado dip which I didn't really understand at all - the meat was perfect without it. Come here for a special occasion. It's not cheap as it is a more high-end establishment. read more

Ember - Swordfish - New American Near Me - Arroyo Grande, California

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so, we went here for my birthday. we made a reservation for 6:00 and it was in the reservation notes that it was my birthday. we arrived at 6:05 because we couldn't find parking. first off, we were greeted at the door by the host telling us that our table was reserved by someone else at 7:30, insinuating that we need to hurry up, on my BIRTHDAY of all days. i dont care, nor is it my responsibility to care when your reservations are, especially at a restaurant where we are paying around $50 a plate for food. then, the service was sloppy. we brought in a bottle of wine from a local winery that we had gone to just before dinner, and we paid a $25 corking fee. the server did not even pour our first glass of wine. as someone that used to serve in high end restaurants, i was shocked. our food took over an hour to come out, so no, we did not make it out by our 7:30 end time, as so gracefully communicated by our host. we ordered 3 desserts, and they did absolutely nothing for my birthday. not a single person even told me happy birthday. then the server tossed the paid checks onto the table. he did not even take the time to hand our checks back to each person nor say thank you for coming in. all in all, for the price, i was absolutely appalled by the service. read more

I have been to Ember a few times now and love their food and service. The staff is always so friendly and the food is delicious. I will say that sitting inside can be noisy as it is pretty compact with tables, the bar and their open kitchen. However, their outdoor patio is very spacious and comfortable! read more

Steak was great but the roasted potato gratin was amazing! My daughter and I ate in silence that's how great it was. Our server was very nice and attentive. I definitely recommend this place. read more

Ember - Steak - New American Near Me - Arroyo Grande, California

Everything was so amazing! Cindy and her busser were fantastic and the food was delicious. Definitely a good pick for anniversaries.

Literally one of the best meals I've had in all of California. You need to get a reservation because this is a hot spot. It gives you fancy restaurant vibes but extremely reasonable prices. Each bite was bursting with flavour. Please make a visit! I'm still drooling. read more

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Highly recommend Ember!!! I've been there a few times and the Michelin-mentioned restaurant lives up to it's shoutout. The food is beautiful and so so tasty, the restaurant is spacious, and the service is top notch. read more

It's a nice place out in town. A bit spendy but nice atmosphere. We had a decent meal our server tried his best on a busy memorial weekend.

OK we've been on the road for hours had an eaten lunch famished yelped, 4 1/2 stars open at 4:30. We figured we'd be part of the blue hair special. True enough income all the blue hairs. Oh wait, that would be me lol Great atmosphere which fire permeating the restaurant greeted it warmly at the door. What a great menu we started off with. I don't know what you call it, but I think they call it fava bean bruschetta, what? Fava bean bruschetta? Yes, indeed what is treat clean fresh tasty with a great way to start the evening. Our sassy, but perfect waitress Bre. Just like the cheese is a perfect complement to our meal lively engaging very knowledgeable. Next for the butter, lettuce "wedge" salad, which was a yummy treat to the regular iceberg wedge Steak perfectly cooked and wife had of all things asparagus carbonara oh my God, the asparagus was just enough to live in it and lighten it up Cocktails off the hook. We're here for a couple of days and I think this is going to be our go to. Desert was marshmallow cream pie omg read more

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Marvelous place for special occasions! We came here to celebrate two birthdays and an anniversary, and always leave satisfied. And in awe of what they can do with their ingredients. The squid was a favorite and as someone who doesn't prefer the texture of squid, it converted me to a squid fan. The pork belly was also an amazing starter and we were lucky to have it as the special when we went. Their fish dishes are always solid but the sole was a little underwhelming for us this time, very light but we would have preferred bolder flavors (it might be better for someone looking for a subtle flavor). The pot pie was incredible, and the flavors were unlike anything I'd had before. Really well-developed. The strawberry pavlova was as good as it looks! The balsamic pearls really put it over the top as one of my favorite desserts ever. If you have a special event coming up you would like to celebrate, look no further. Being in the open kitchen where you can see the chefs working really ups the ambiance. The service is also impeccable and we felt accommodated and cared for the whole time we were there. If you want to take your time with your meal, I'd suggest making a reservation (a must!) after 7, as there is no time restraint. Thank you for making our special night so special! read more

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ALWAYS amazing! This is the real deal farm-to-table and one of the best restaurants in the area. Cocktails are outstanding, the seasonal menu changes regularly, the wine list is comprehensive, and service is always wonderful. I love sitting at the bar, but the dining room is spacious and there is an outdoor patio as well. If you're on the fence about coming here, don't think twice and make your reservation (you'll need it, they're always busy and very popular). Outstanding quality every time I visit and easily deserves all the kudos and awards it's winning. read more

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One of the best steaks I have had on the central coast. I'd pick this over other steakhouses in the area. I had the 14oz Ribeye Steak with Chimichuri and Potato Gratin. They make their own glaze so the steak is juicy. A bit pricey but definitely worth it. Service was good and seating is ample. read more

Delicious meal, beautiful presentation, exceptional service. OUR MEALS Both meals were presented beautifully. * First bite of my ribeye (with chimichurri) was swoon-worthy -- tender, perfectly spiced, delicious. Bonus is that it was ample enough to enjoy the just-as-delicious leftovers the following day. * My husband enjoyed his lasagna but would've liked a larger serving. OUR SERVER Michael belongs to that rare breed of professionals who has served people all over the world. He's distinguished by his intimate knowledge of every dish on the menu, best wine pairings, and spot-on intuition of what each patron would enjoy. Excellent dining experience. read more