Had a wonderful dinner at Ilya! We shared the grilled octopus and steak frites, then I ordered the sea bass for my entrée, which was easily the highlight of the meal. It was beautifully cooked, incredibly fresh, and full of flavor without feeling heavy. It's the dish I'd come back for again. We ended the evening with the tableside tiramisu, which was a fun experience and the perfect way to finish dinner. Between the warm atmosphere, attentive service, and thoughtfully prepared food, it made for a great night out. Looking forward to coming back and exploring more of the menu. read more

Ilya Restaurant - Mediterranean Near Me - San Clemente, California

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We went to Ilia in San Clemente for my wife's birthday dinner and overall had a great experience. I'd give it a solid 4 out of 5 stars. The restaurant is located right off the freeway, literally a few feet from the offramp, and parking appeared to be valet only when we arrived. As we walked toward the entrance, the atmosphere completely changes. The architecture, artwork, colors, and overall design genuinely make you feel like you've been transported somewhere in the Mediterranean. They did an awesome job creating the atmosphere, and it made for a great setting for a special night out. We started with three appetizers: the mezze platter, meatballs, and baked feta. The mezze platter was easily a standout and something I would definitely recommend. The meatballs and baked feta were both very good as well, although they had somewhat similar flavors. Next time, I'd probably choose one or the other rather than ordering both. Before our entrées, we decided to give the escargot a try. They were interesting and I'm glad we tried them, but probably not something I'd order again. For dinner, we ordered the steak frites and the half duck. The steak frites were awesome and something I would absolutely order again. The duck was more of a mixed experience. I don't see duck on menus very often, so I wanted to give it a try. The sliced duck breast was served fairly simply with greens, and I felt like it really needed a sauce or another element to bring everything together. The other portion of the dish was prepared more like duck confit with a crispy topping, and I enjoyed that part quite a bit more. It actually had a comforting flavor that reminded me a little of the holidays. Along with the duck being underwhelming, what kept the experience from being five stars was the service. It wasn't bad, but I would have liked a little more attentiveness and promptness with things like refilling drinks and making sure the table had everything we needed, and dirty dishes removed and replaced throughout the meal. Overall, Ilia was a great experience with an incredible Mediterranean atmosphere, some excellent food, and a really unique setting. Definitely worth trying, and we'll be back. read more

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My friend and I had a wonderful meal at Ilya in San Clemente. I ordered a few dishes to share along with mocktails and coffee since we did brunch, and everything was fresh, beautifully presented, and full of flavor. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, the service was attentive, and it's definitely a restaurant I'd recommend for a nice brunch option or dinner in OC! read more

I've been to Ilya twice and absolutely love the space and ambience, it's beautiful! The drinks are beautifully prepared and excellent. Food however was mixed both visits, our group loved the Ilya Mezze and the goat cheese endive salad. The grilled octopus was prepared correctly and also a table favorite. Barramundi Carpaccio was tasty but tiny. We also ordered the baked feta, it was okay. For dinner our branzino was way overpriced and disappointing. Steak frittes also disappointed. Sea bass with night! They have valet for $10 but you can also park near by easily. Next visit we will try brunch! read more

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I spent Sunday brunch at ILYA and the space is so beautiful . Every dish was thoughtfully prepared, but those pancakes definitely stole the show. Here's everything we ordered: Truffle Market Salad - market lettuce, seasonal vegetables, truffle vinaigrette, and Parmigiano Reggiano. Grilled Octopus - romesco, chorizo butter, pickled radish, and fresh dill. Perfectly cooked! Shakshouka - organic eggs with tomato, bell pepper, cumin, and cilantro, served with sourdough toast. ILYA Pancake - whipped butter, honey soy agave syrup, and fresh berries. Definitely add this spot to your brunch rotation! read more

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It was a decent dining experience for two, but I'm not in any rush to return. To start with, we were seated kind of between the inside and the patio where the curtain is. Awkward seat since there was a large table of people behind it and I got knocked and nudged quite a lot, which took away from comfort during the whole dining experience. The table got pulled back a bit but it didn't stop the accidental nudges from the other guests (hidden behind the curtain, they didn't realise they were hitting a person). The food was ok, but not terribly memorable. The gazpacho was very loose and the chunks of tomato included on the dish seemed a little unripe. I also had to ask for a spoon to serve it. I love a good beef tartare, as I love how good quality raw beef sings. The beef quality was excellent, but it got lost in the heavily briny and pickled accoutrements. I wouldn't order it again. The highlight was our main, which I think may have been a new addition that day to the menu. Service was pleasant, with the food runner, Lily, being a little ray of sunshine! read more

The hosts were disengaged with greeting us and still took awhile to seat us, even with a reservation. Once seated the server was great, helpful with provided recommendations. I would go to this spot more for ambience and drinks vs food. Tried the duck special. Duck was a bit too chewy, compared to other duck at fine dining restaurants. The octopus was the best app but overall nothing too special. I think the spot is worth a try, but was a little overhyped in my honest opinion. read more

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An absolutely fantastic dinner with the most delicious food and perfect service. We celebrated our 15 year anniversary here and can't wait to come back to this beautiful spot. Our server Tayla was so personable and engaging. We thoroughly enjoyed all of her suggestions which were totally spot on. We started with the bread basket, served with a lemon butter so delicious followed by the octopus appetizer that melts in your mouth. The endive and goat cheese salad is light and refreshing. For the main course, we split the lamb chops and roasted carrots. All of the sauces and spices are perfectly balanced. We were treated to a fabulous chocolate dessert to cap off a wonderful night The interior is so pretty open and welcoming all of the staff are so attentive this is definitely five star service! read more

Ilya Restaurant - Menu - Mediterranean Near Me - San Clemente, California

The food was just ok. Not deserving of the high prices. I had a lemon drop martini and felt sick and eat my dinner. (Lamb Chops $68.00) When I got home I was very sick and still felt sick the next day. The other thing that bothered me was the $10.00 mandatory valet fee with no where else to park except down the street read more

ILYA might be one of the prettiest Mediterranean restaurants in San Clemente. The space is bright, open, and beautifully designed, with a coastal atmosphere that makes you feel like you're on vacation. The menu features Mediterranean-inspired dishes designed for sharing. Our favorites of the night were the ILYA Mezze and grilled octopus. The mezze was a great way to start the meal, and the octopus was especially memorable. We also tried the steak frites, half dry-aged Rohan duck, haricot vert, and the Cheating Vegan cocktail. The restaurant is led by Top Chef MENA winner Charbel Hayek, and the creativity behind the menu definitely comes through. We visited for dinner, but they also serve brunch. Overall, ILYA is a beautiful spot for a date night, celebration, or relaxed meal with friends. We'll definitely be adding it to our list of South Orange County favorites. read more

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Came here over the weekend for a girls night out and had a fantastic experience! The interior is beautiful, making it a great spot for a night out. While waiting for our third friend to arrive, my friend and I grabbed a drink at the bar. The bartenders were incredibly attentive, kind, and social. While we were debating what to order, one of the bartenders overheard us and recommended "The Cheating Vegan" (a mezcal-based drink). I typically steer clear of mezcal because of the smoky flavor and lean toward tequila, but her recommendation was spot on. It was beautifully crafted and absolutely delicious. Once our table was ready, we started with the meatballs to share. They were perfectly made, zero notes. For entrees, I had the steak frites with chimichurri. The steak was cooked well, though the fries were a bit too salty for my taste. My friends ordered the lobster spaghetti (which she loved) and the chicken. The chicken was good, though the mustard sauce was a bit too savory and could have used a touch of acidity to balance it out. For dessert, our server recommended both the tiramisu and the lemon tart. We couldn't choose, so we got both and thank goodness we did. The tiramisu was perfectly scoopable and amazing. But the lemon tart was phenomenal. It was beautifully tart, and the crust was perfectly crispy with a distinct, nutty flavor from crushed hazelnuts. Easily one of the best desserts I've had recently. Exceptional service, gorgeous ambiance, and great food quality. We will definitely be back! read more

Been really into Mediterranean food lately so I came and gave this place a try as it's been in my list for a few months. It just opened 6 months ago apparently and it's pretty busy. The ambiance is really cute inside. I love the decor and the patio seating is very aesthetic. The service is a little slow, but im sure they're trying their best. The food is pretty decent. I really liked the homemade pita bread and the lamb was surprisingly very good! Would definitely give this place another try if I'm in the area read more

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Came here for dinner with a friend and had a great experience! We started with the baked feta which was good! It came out in a cast iron with a tomato stew. We shared the Truffle Tagliatelle and the Steak Frites. Both were very good! The noodles were so soft, you can tell they are made fresh in house. The medium rare steak could have been a little bit more rare, but the flavor was good. For dessert, we did the Tiramisu which is served table side. This was super fresh and shareable for the table. The ambiance here is so chic, and worth stopping by even for just a cocktail. read more

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This restaurant is so pretty! I love the decor! We had reservations and were promptly seated. The Clean Sheet and False Promise mocktails were colorful and not too sweet. I liked the False Promise more- it had Sencha Tea extract with coconut water, lime juice, ginger beer, and Thai basil. So refreshing! We chose the grilled tiger prawns and white fish carpaccio for our starters. Both appetizers were very tasty! For our entrees, we shared the rigatoni bolognese and branzino. They offered to take out the head and tail off, but we were experts at eating this fish. I loved how light the fish was. We chose the tres leches for our dessert! It was pretty dense, if you like that texture. The staff was very nice and friendly! It's a perfect spot for date nights or if you want to celebrate something special! read more

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Wow so good! Lucked out and made it to happy hour lots of amazing options. Not your typical happy hour menu! Would definitely come back! read more

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Came here for Sunday brunch and had such a great experience! The restaurant is beautiful with a bright, open atmosphere that feels relaxing and inviting. We especially loved the broiled Marlborough oysters and the branzino, and everything was fresh and beautifully presented. The hot chocolate was also such a fun treat! The service was friendly, and the whole meal felt like a little Mediterranean getaway. Looking forward to coming back and trying more of the menu! read more

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I came here with a group of friends for a birthday celebration. We had a fairly large group of 11 people. We waited about five minutes or so and were seated. The space itself is very beautiful with open-air dining and lots of natural light. There are four dollar signs on the Yelp profile for a reason. Mocktails are $15, entrees start at $36. I ordered seared salmon and Clean Sheet (mocktail). The salmon was pretty well cooked so it was more than well done than seared. The entrees do not come with any sides so you'll have to order anything extra that you want. One of the friends I was dining with asked the server and another person who I assume was in management about the lack of sides to go along the entree and he comped her a spinach and mushrooms and carrots side dishes which was very kind of him. Service was good and our waters were refilled frequently. The food itself was good but not great. My boyfriend and I shared the salmon and the truffle tagliatelle. The pasta was very flavorful and delicious. No complaints there. The salmon was average. For the price, I was hoping for more as far as flavor and presentation. I had some of the escargot and some of the mezze platter, both were decent. read more

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Another solid addition to the San Clemente lineup for restaurants. This place packs a straight punch. Great drinks. The food was delicious and the inside of it is very modern. Giving it a trendy vibe. Our service was solid. Hope this place gets the recognition it deserves locally. Cheers! read more

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We sat in the patio, which was very cute, but can get cold. Our service was great. The restaurant was beautiful. We started with the dips and they were all good. I wish they provided more pita bread with the dish though. We also tried the prawn appetizer. It was fine. For our mains, we got the truffle pasta and the steak with the pepper sauce. The truffle pasta was tasty but a little bit overcooked. The steak had a great sauce to it, but it wasn't the best cut of meat as there were some chewy and fatty parts, it also came out cold. They were really kind and provided free dessert for a birthday at our table. We got the tiramisu and it was delicious. read more

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My husband and I who are locals have been looking forward to finally trying this restaurant as Mediterranean is one of our favorite cuisines. We decided to stop in for a spur of the moment early dinner and happily found seats at the bar. Over the course of the night it started filling up fairly quickly. We were in the mood for champagne and though they only have prosecco by the glass, we were excited to see an option for a half bottle of Perrier-Jouët. For those who prefer cocktails, they have a very intriguing menu. We didn't have a large appetite so we shared two appetizers and an entree. The barramundi carpaccio was light and refreshing, though a little fishy. The mezze platter was our favorite of the night; it came with three dips and a nice array of veggies and delicious warm bread. For our meal we had the rack of lamb and added fries. The lamb was a little disappointing as it was mostly fat and the fries were underwhelming. I did have higher expectations for the food given the notability of the owner (a Top Chef winner), regardless we still enjoyed ourselves and are glad we tried them out. I could see myself returning for drinks and appetizers at the bar for ambiance sake. read more

Ilya Restaurant - BARRAMUNDI CARPACCIO - light, refreshing, a little fishy - Mediterranean Near Me - San Clemente, California

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Came here tonight with family to celebrate two birthdays and left feeling pretty conflicted about the experience. The frustrating part is that this place clearly has all the ingredients to be great. The food itself was genuinely very good, the atmosphere is beautiful, and when things were going smoothly, the staff and management were warm and welcoming. Unfortunately, the experience really shifted once we found a long, thick dark hair in one of our dishes that clearly did not belong to anyone at our table. Mistakes happen, especially at newer restaurants, so honestly that alone would not have ruined the night for us. What stood out more was how the restaurant chose to address this issue - or more so lack of addressing it. A very lackluster "would you like to order something else instead?" Acknowledgement or an apology of the unwanted coarse human hair in our food would have went a long way especially as it killed our entire table's appetite. In addition to reflect on the service, we spent most of the evening having to flag our waiter down rather than him proactively checking on the table. One small moment summed up the night perfectly. My mom had brought flowers in a vase for the birthdays. They were sitting on the table throughout dinner. The manager at one point came up and asked if we were celebrating something special because the flowers looked like they did not belong to the restaurant. Additionally, we had also noted twice in our OpenTable reservation that we were celebrating two birthdays. At the end of the meal, desserts came out completely standard with no acknowledgment at all until we had to ask for candles ourselves. By that point, gifts had already been exchanged and the moment had kind of passed. Again, the frustrating part is that this place is close to being excellent. The food and ambiance feel like a 5-star experience, but the level of service attention felt more like we were dining at a Cheesecake Factory. Not much thought, just going through the motions. That said, this restaurant is still fairly new, around 6 months old, so I do think there is room for growth. Right now, based on our experience it feels like they are missing the level of execution and hospitality consistency that separates a good restaurant from a truly great one. read more

Absolute perfection from check in to leaving. What an absolute gem of a restaurant with the most easy going service that was also so incredibly attentive. There is a small parking lot with valet which made parking incredibly easy. Every single dish that was ordered was of the most top notch quality and can't wait to be back sooner than later hopefully! read more

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I came here on a date night and it didn't disappoint. It's a beautiful space with lots of indoor and outdoor seating options. Service was excellent and our server had great recommendations for drinks and food. Food was great, I recommend the papas. The only thing that could have been improved was it was a little chilly when we went and the outdoor set up with heaters was not sufficient. Overall good experience read more

Ilya Restaurant - Mediterranean Near Me - San Clemente, California

This is a new restaurant in San Clemente and the decor / ambiance is on point. Beautiful patio and lots of heaters to be enjoyable in colder temperatures. Highly recommend coming with at least a party of 3 people to share multiple plates. The roasted carrots were delicious, flavorful and perfectly roasted. The tiger prawn were somehow creamy tasting and full of flavor. Goat cheese salad was hands down the favorite to the night, fresh, crunchy and goat cheese everywhere. I'm typically not a huge meatball fan but here they are so packed with flavor and sauce was perfect pairing. The spicy rigatoni could have been spicier but we still enjoyed it. We ordered our steak medium rare, it was more on the medium side but still tasted good. Overall, I would recommend llya and make sure to order a good spread from meat to veggies. read more

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Ilya is a celebration of flavor, and brings Chef Charbel Hayek's vision for peace, abundance, and connection through food to life. They really make you feel welcome, like part of the family, when you dine here. We shared: Cheating Vegan Casablanca Ilya Mezze White Fish Carpaccio Seared Salmon Rigatoni Bolognese Lemon Tarte The ambiance is such a nice, open-air Mediterranean courtyard kind of vibe that makes you want to linger over cocktails and conversation for hours. We really loved the mezze - the fluffy bread and hummus are pure heaven. The cocktails have such unique flavor combinations, like masala chai infused vermouth and butterfly pea tea. Even the lemon tarte dessert had a base of basil cream on the bottom that really put a unique twist on a classic dessert. read more

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Went back for my second visit and it was just as good as my first! Tonight, my husband and I were seated in the bar area, which has tables surrounding an olive tree. I know I said this in my first review, but everything about this restaurant is spectacular! The bar is beautiful, the restaurant beautiful, the wine and meat displays are really nice and service tonight was just as good as the first time! Since I had the Bavette steak the first visit and it was so delicious I had it again. We added a side of spinach with mushrooms and a share plate of the Truffle Tagliatelle. My husband had the lamb chops which he has been craving since his first visit. All of these flavors together were beyond delicious! Another thing I love about this restaurant is the portion sizes. I think they're absolutely the perfect portion size, you get enough food, but you're not stuffed! Kind of convenient for the restaurant since it saves just enough room for dessert! Haha, which, of course we did.... last time we had the tiramisu tonight we tried the lemon tart, which was not only beautiful, but tasty! I cannot wait to bring everyone I know to this restaurant! read more

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New place in town. I love the aesthetics and decor - Simple, clean natural look. Open air, tree in center of dining room and fireplace with heaters throughout. Plenty of seating but Reservations suggested. Open view of kitchen. Great food. We had the starter with hummus, babaganoush pita etc with some veggies- Delicious. The truffle pasta was made with cream so I didn't have it (no vegan options yet but hopefully soon) my husband loved it. The tiramisu was soft, creamy, and delicious (hopefully a vegan option will be considered). Zach the GM was polite to go around to each table and graciously received feedback requests. Lindsey, our waitress was a doll. Very kind, helpful and attentive. We will return for sure. read more

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We tried Ilya for the first time and the atmosphere is so charming the moment you walk in--such a cozy indoor + outdoor space that feels perfect for a date night. Service was also super attentive throughout. As for the food, it was a bit of a mix for us--we enjoyed 3 out of the 5 dishes we ordered. Our favorites were the tiger prawn appetizer, truffle pasta, and the tiramisu (definitely a highlight), while the branzino and hummus didn't quite stand out to us. If we're ever back in the area, we'd love to try the steak next! read more

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Came here for my birthday dinner and had such an amazing experience from start to finish. The staff welcomed me with birthday wishes the moment we arrived, which immediately made the night feel special and personal. The atmosphere was beautiful -- elegant but still cozy and inviting. It felt upscale without being pretentious, which I really loved. Every dish we ordered was incredible. You can tell a lot of care goes into both the flavors and presentation. One thing that really stood out was how they paced the meal and fired the food in stages, so everything arrived fresh and at exactly the right time. It made the entire dining experience feel thoughtful and elevated instead of rushed. The service was absolutely top-notch. The staff was attentive, friendly, knowledgeable, and genuinely seemed to care that we were having a great experience. This was honestly one of the best birthday dinners I've had in a long time. Can't wait to come back! read more

Ilya Restaurant - Mezza Platter - Mediterranean Near Me - San Clemente, California

I dined at ILYA recently and had such an incredible experience! The space is stunning and truly feels like you've been transported somewhere in the Mediterranean. The indoor dining area is moody and romantic, while the outdoor patio is perfect for sunset. It's a great spot for date nights, celebrations, or catching up with friends. Food and drinks were just as impressive. The grilled tiger prawns had amazing flavor. The white fish carpaccio was a standout. I don't usually gravitate toward white fish, but I would absolutely order this again. The truffle tagliatelle was rich, well-balanced, and perfect for sharing. The grilled bavette was cooked beautifully, and the chimichurri was so unique and addictive. I genuinely wish I could buy a bottle. All of the sauces here are incredibly well done and elevate each dish. The tiramisu is a must-order. It's served tableside, light, creamy, and the perfect way to end the meal. Cocktails were all unique and well executed. Service truly stood out. Everyone was warm, attentive, and welcoming. Our server mentioned it was her first night out of training, and you would never have known. She was knowledgeable, thoughtful, and made great recommendations throughout the meal. Parking is valet, and even the team outside was just as kind and hospitable as the staff inside. Every touchpoint felt like 5-star service. Overall, a 10/10 experience. I can't wait to come back and bring more people here! read more

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Once again, an amazing food experience. This is my most favorite restaurant in the OC. From its food, service, atmosphere, personnel you can expect nothing but pure excellence! Kudos to Zach for his hospitality to every diner there. It is a most definitely a happening place that you will want to dine! read more

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This was my second time visiting ILYA, but the first time having a sit-down meal rather than a couple drinks at the bar. Both experiences have been wonderful, but last night was really amazing. The food is top notch, the drinks are well-crafted and delicious, and the service was next level. We started at the bar, and the bartenders were quick to greet us, and it's obvious they are well-trained in their craft. Once we were seated at a table, Matt, our server, was extremely attentive and knowledgeable. He was friendly and helpful in recommending dishes and making suggestions. During our meal, we were visited by the GM, Zack, who made sure we were happy and enjoying our meal. I think it's apparent that everyone who works here, from what I've experienced, cares about the environment they're creating for their customers. read more

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Went last night with two girlfriends. The Building is absolutely beautiful and welcoming. Our Server Matt was nice, but the mail manager of the night was extremely helpful, kind, and really helped make our night special. He is extremely personable. Now I'm for the best part... The food was fabulous. We made the night of sharing we started with baked feta. It was so yummy and the homemade pizza was incredible.. We then shared steak Frites and truffle tagiatelle. The steak was cooked to perfection and had the most incredible seasoning and taste. It was served with chimichurri, which one of the girls could not stop raving about. The frites were nice and cooked well. But I have to admit my favorite thing was the truffle tagliatelle. The creamy Parmesan and truffle sauce was extremely perfectly balanced and delicious. We added shaved truffles to the top, which just made it even more special. For dessert we ordered tiramisu which came out and a huge bowl and they dished it out for you at your table. I would recommend this place. I'm not gonna tell you that it's inexpensive because it's not... But it was worth every penny. I'm attaching some pictures of the food and also of how beautiful the building is because that always makes an experience special. The only thing I have to admit it is very loud and difficult to hear the people at your table. read more

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The lemon tart dessert changed my life. Possibly top 5 best desserts I've had in my entire life. Like the chef is French or something and it might be better than any dessert I've had in Europe. But the entrees were pretty average. Like good but nothing out of this world. The service was so amazing like everyone was SOO nice. And like vibes were just so good and like the owner came up and talked to us and just a great experience. It wasn't too expensive so Id definitely come back with friends for like a little GNO dinner. read more

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The food was good however pricey for what it was. Service was amazing!!!! The server was super helpful, the water was kept full, the wine was kept full. The location is nice although the seats at our table were a little short for the table. Like they were purchased by look not function. I would bring a light jacket with you as it can get breezy. read more

Ilya Restaurant - Bread basket - Mediterranean Near Me - San Clemente, California

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Food, ambience, service---excellent, excellent. Our waitress Teila .... Excellent I'm a vegetarian: recommendation: please add more than 1 vegetarian entree on the menu, I want to come back since I live 3 minutes from the restaurant, but I don't want to eat the only Vegetarian entree on the menu. Thank you read more

Our experience was overwhelmingly positive. While the open sliding door made the space a bit chilly and VERY loud, I believe closing it during this season would create a cozier atmosphere and provide more privacy for diners. The service, led by Tayla , was top-notch - friendly, attentive, and efficient. The food was impressive, with standouts like the baked feta and Truffle Tagliatelle. Unfortunately, the New York Strip didn't meet our expectations - it was tough and lacking in flavor. It didn't taste like a New York strip either and they should've told us that they will serve it cut, if we would've known, we would've ask for them to serve it uncut! The fries was our side dish and it was overcooked (see in the picture) it was hard and tasteless (unsalted) Also the corkage fee is $30 per bottle as we did bring a bottle of wine. Nevertheless, we're eager to return and try other entree options, aside from their steaks. I also did not like the way their reservation works. If you call the place they would direct you into an automated voice and it is just so much work and very hard to get ahold of them. It is easier to book online such as open table yes! But when you have to change your reservation time you have no other choice than to call and wait for how many minutes until they direct you to an actual person... This is why I would only give it a 3 stars... though we did have a good experience. I will also give them a chance since I do understand that they just open! read more

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Well, this is quite a surprise in San Clemente. Been open roughly a month in South San Clemente, my husband decided to plan a date night to this restaurant. Let's start with parking. There is valet parking at $10 per car or you can try street parking, which can be a little difficult. They will take a credit card. Now let's get to the restaurant and experience - we had a great time. We arrived at 7:30 and it took a few minutes just for our table to be completed and ready for us to be sat. Gorgeous first impression when you walk in. The host stand was very friendly and professional. It's kind of a indoor outdoor type restaurant. There's definitely an outdoor seating area that's covered. It does feel cozy and like a room and there are heaters and a fireplace. We sat into the section that was more like a regular dining room closest to the bar area. There is an open kitchen. The bar was pretty busy. To the right of the bar was quite a bit of soiled and used glassware that just needed to be washed and put away. Wasn't the best observation, but not the worst either. Since we visited an in January, I do recommend perhaps a sweater or light jacket for either room because both rooms were cool. We were promptly greeted and offered a choice of waters. Our server was very professional and friendly. I wish I remembered her name, but she had brown wavy hair. We opted to start with the bread basket, which was not very impressive overall. The only items that I did like were the pitas. The rest just seemed to be premade toasts and breads that were just put into the basket. Next time I would just ask for just the pita or not to get this starter at all. we then moved onto the goat cheese and endive salad as well as the barramundi crudo. We also ordered the potatoes brava. All three of these items are great. For the Main, we decided to share the Bavette steak, which is essentially a flank steak. It comes with chimichurri sauce. Now here's what I would do I would order the potatoes bravas as your side item with any of the meats. They do offer french fries but I think the Spanish potatoes are delicious and would compliment any of the steak entrées. They are double fried and seasoned and were delicious. The steak was actually very good. It was well seasoned and tender. We asked for medium rare. Water and beverage refills came throughout the night. Our only giggle of the night would be charging for a refill for a Coke. I'm not at all for nickel and diming guests but when you're already paying $60-$70 and up for an entrée, I think complementary refills add to the experience. I will say this is a fountain Coke. It was delicious. It had the perfect amount of carbonation and ice. It always frustrates me when I get those tiny little Coke bottles or cans at other locations around town. I want a crispy Coke. The dessert menu featured three items, including tiramisu, a lemon tart, and trace Leches cake. We opted to pass on dessert but next time we're definitely gonna try the tiramisu. we saw it go past us. It is served from a large bowl which looked amazing. The restaurant was full by the time we left around 8:40 PM. Good crowd. It felt welcoming and not snobby if that makes sense. I think there was a genuine air to making sure guests were comfortable etc. The manager came by our table to say hello, which was appreciated. Will definitely come back. It's a welcoming new location for the city. read more

Ilya Restaurant - Bavette - Mediterranean Near Me - San Clemente, California

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We had a great experience. The staff was incredibly attentive, but it never felt rushed or like they were trying to move us along. It truly felt like a full dining experience rather than a quick in-and-out meal. We even got to meet the chef, which was a special treat since we're big fans of Top Chef. Everyone was so lovely and kept checking on us, and the whole room had such a great energy. We ordered the octopus, baked feta, shrimp, endive salad, rack of lamb, oyster mushrooms, spinach, and carrots. Everything was delicious, but the octopus really stood out. We order octopus often when we're out, and this one was so unique--the accoutrements and presentation were exceptional. Also very creative and delicious desserts. A memorable meal all around! read more

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Top Chef alum Charbel Hayek brings us on a culinary Mediterranean journey at Ilya. San Clemente is the perfect spot for these coastal vibes - fresh seafood, wood-fired cooking, creative cocktails, house-baked breads, fresh seasonal local produce, and an array of perfectly-paired wines. I absolutely loved the Cycladic-inspired atmosphere and fiery elements. And the food and cocktails were delicious. We tried the bread basket served with a butter olive oil blend, the Barramundi Carpaccio, Grilled Tiger Prawns, Spicy Rigatoni, Branzino (my fave!), and Lemon Tarte. As for their cocktails, my faves were the Artemisia and the Vesuvio Margarita. The staff was incredible - so friendly and on top of it especially given how crowded it was when we went on a busy Saturday evening. Parking can be tricky but they offer a valet service for $10. Go during sunset for the most romantic views! read more