We were having quite the day prior to getting to La Copine. We had a 545 reservation but got a flat driving into town and spent hours at Walmart tire being told "30 more minutes" for an hour and a half. We missed our reservation time but decided to try a walk in because it was the whole reason we came into town in the first place. [[HIGHLIGHT]]We were greeted by two really nice hosts who assured us there was room for us sooner than later and we were seated with our dog on the patio pretty quickly. They were so nice to us and doubly nice to our dog![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We ordered fried eggplant, gazpacho, ceviche, a lamb burger, and got a lamb burger patty for the dog (we're not order food for the dog people but she was going through it too with the Walmart stuff so why not). We added a couple glasses of wine and their beer shandy and finished with a strawberry shortcake. Every bite was perfect but we rated them- Gazpacho, Lamb Burger, Eggplant, Ceviche. The gazpacho was a hit with the perfect amount of fresh/sweet cantaloupe and spicy-ness. This place was well worth the trip from Big Bear. My wife noted that everyone there that helped us legit looked happy to be there. There was also a medical emergency and the staff was so kind and helpful throughout and checked in on all the tables in the area afterwards. It kind of showed that they are invested in the people that visit. read more

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What fun! This was a neat little place a bit of a ways from where we were staying in Joshua Tree. I've seen the name bounced around, and a couple friends had mentioned it. We got really lucky - reservations open a month in advance, and we were headed to Joshua Tree the next day. I thought for sure I wasn't going to get a reservation and needed to think of a Plan B for date night. But I texted anyway, with an apology for it being so last minute, and they responded the day of confirming me for the next day! Yay! When we arrived, we asked for a seat inside, since it was super windy that day, and they were able to seat us within a few minutes. We got the butter lettuce salad (delicious), the socarrat (lots of peas and pea sprouts - this was AMAZING, and great the next day cold!), their version of bruschetta on their crispy thin bread - the bread was absolutely amazing. And we also got the tomato...um, I can't remember what it's called, but it has a base of sliced tomatoes, with hard boiled eggs, celery, and tuna aioli! Super refreshing on a super hot day. We also got a couple non-alcky drinks and left very happy. [[HIGHLIGHT]]It was loud inside for sure - or, bustling, if we want to be more euphemistic.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Service for us was a bit on the chilly side, but that might just be the night our server was having. There are 2 single-stalled bathrooms, and parking is very easy in the huge lot they have. I think we might circle back to this place after trying other eats around the area. This was a good time. read more

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My friends and I stopped by around 7pm and there was a short wait. Luckily, they have a really nice waiting area with games and art to keep you entertained. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Inside, the vibe was super cozy and intimate.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We ordered 2 shrimp rolls, the steak tartare, and papas to share. The shrimp rolls had a generous amount of shrimp and the brioche bun was soft but overall they were a little underwhelming. The mayo kind of took over and it could've used more seasoning. The steak tartare was really good and the toasted bread that came with it was perfect. Our favorite dish was definitely the papas. They were crispy, flavorful, and the lemon mayo was so good. The service was friendly and attentive throughout the meal. I'd definitely come back if I'm in Joshua Tree again and would love to try more of the menu! read more

La Copine - New American Near Me - Yucca Valley, California

Some call it an oasis in the desert and I couldn't agree more. Who would expect to find such a delightful spot tucked away in Yucca Valley? Every dish we ordered was absolutely outstanding, no exaggeration. The service was just as memorable. I regret not catching our server's name, but she made the entire experience feel warm, welcoming, and genuinely special. A quick heads up, reservations open a month in advance and without one, patio seating is your only option. We got lucky with beautiful weather, but be prepared for about an hour wait if you arrive right when they open. They do have a great setup in the back where you can grab beer or champagne while you wait, which makes the time pass more easily. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The wait can feel long, but with food this good and those laid back desert vibes, it is absolutely worth it.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

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I love La Copine. It always impresses. Great food, and easily, the best-prepared, most delicious food in Morongo Basin (Wonder Valley-29 Palms-Joshua Tree-Yucca Valley-Morongo Valley). This time, I had the Steak Sando (crispy wagyu ribeye, salted cabbage, tonkatsu sauce, horseradish, pain de mie), which was cooked to perfection. The horseradish added a nice little "bite" to the food without being overwhelming, and the wagyu and sauce were amazing. As a bonus, the service is always friendly, smiling, and attentive (but not too attentive), and the people who come here are often smiling and friendly as well. I am giving this five stars. This is a restaurant that would earn five stars no matter what location it was in, whether a large, cosmopolitan city or out here in the rural high desert. It's good by any measure. Absolutely recommended. read more

If you haven't been, make a reservation now by texting them with the request. If you haven't been, you already know. No one can believe this type of food experience is out in Flamingo Heights but here it is. Probably one of the top five restaurants in all of California this is a place you must try. Bring a group and be ready to share bites while you watch as options you didn't order go by. [[HIGHLIGHT]]It's an interesting, quite hip, sort of place with people of all types, lots of flat brim hats and tattoos.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Everyone is friendly and it's impossibly busy place, for good reason.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Six of us had lunch and shared quite a few dishes. The whipped ricotta and figs was the favorite of our group. We also enjoyed the Duck, Duck Noodle and L'Flatbread. We'd probably skip the lemon beignets next time. They were good but other options were better. We're about an hour away and I don't know why we don't go more often. Our friends group has decided to make a monthly mecca to this amazing little joint out in the desert. We'll be back soon! read more

La Copine - Whipped ricotta and figs - New American Near Me - Yucca Valley, California

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A fantastic time every single time!!! I love every single person that works there! The food is fantastic! We will be back again and again! read more

La Copine - Love their shop! - New American Near Me - Yucca Valley, California

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[[HIGHLIGHT]]If I could give this lovely, delightful, quirky, trendy restaurant 10 stars, I would!!! Old school cool Hollywood vibes. This is definitely where the cool kids go. Dress quirky, bring your fur baby, and get ready to eat![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Hands down the best meal I've had in a long time. Since I had lunch at Pike Place Market at pasta CasaLinga for real! Like hot daaammmmmnnnn! A meal that makes you want to rewind and do it all over again when it's done. Ok- the food. The steak sando was a perfectly cooked piece of rib eye on toasted white bread with a mayo horseradish sauce. Crispy cabbage salad of some sort cut the richness of the horseradish. Now, I'm not normally a fan of horseradish but this was so mildly flavorful that it hit just right: and the meat was 100 percent tender. A steak sandwich of my dreams. One bite of the gnocchi à la vodka from my friends plate and I was in heaven. Rich and creamy exactly like you want! Soft gnocchi's soaking up the sauce. Appetizers- Papas, smashed, fried fingerling potatoes with lemon mayonnaise flavored with rosemary and chives. Crunchy and savory perfection. Even one little seemingly burnt piece tasted good!!! Grilled bread with chopped figs and whipped ricotta. Freaking awesome! Covered in a sweet honey-esc sauce and seasoned with thyme. Spread on the grilled and lightly salted bread. Wow! BAM! An explosion of perfectly executed deliciousness. Be prepared to wait, a while. Possibly an hour. It's worth it! Oh don't forget the way the tea was served with cream and honey. The friendly service. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The stunning desert views.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Do it!! Eat good food and treat yourself. SYOY! read more

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Food is average, portions small and over priced. LA Hipster joint . Staff is moderately friendly and service is decent. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Hippy feeling.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Place is busy so they must be doing something right but I don't see.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Not worth your time in my opinion read more

This is a restaurant with well deserved hype around it. We didn't have reservations and went to the restaurant at 11 am for adding ourselves to the waitlist. We got the table within half an hour, so the wait time was not that bad. Now coming to the food.. everything that we tried was yummy. The standout and must-try dishes were the flatbread, gnocchi alla vodka, pork and beans and the orange creamsicle panna cotta. I'd definitely visit this rests the next time I am in the Yucca valley area! read more

This is a very trendy brunch spot in the desert. The food was high quality, the staff was not only good, but cool in not only personality but fashion sense. Frankly, the food was great but very expensive and even after my family and I had brunch, we were hungry for more. It's a great spot - the staff is super cool - it's also expensive so bear that in mind. read more

Had dinner there, a little too hot for the patio (plus somewhat windy), so we ate inside, which was lively and a nice atmosphere. Great vegetarian options. The gazpacho is the bomb. The best you'll have. There were 2 of us, and we split that, the poutine, and the ceviche. All yummy. And the two wines we selected both went well with the meal. We will be back! read more

The hostess was extremely rude and unnecessarily snarky. They didn't have our reservation; even though/after we showed her the text confirmation, not only did she not acknowledge it was their fault, she continued to treated us like we were idiots. Once seated, our server was friendly and the food definitely was very good! The ceviche was not like any other ceviche I had before; it was creamy and hearty. Japanese eggplant was fried to perfection with a thin coating and paired nicely with the dipping sauce. The orange panna cotta and the coconut rice pudding were both delightful! Panna cotta was smooth and light, and the orange flavor came through nicely. The rice pudding had savory crunches on top that made the texture and flavor profile both complex and interesting! read more

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La Copine is, by far, the best restaurant in the Morongo Basin. Run by a true team of people that genuinely enjoy cooking and serving their food. Make a reservation if you can, and walking up is worth the wait! This is a do not miss experience if you're visiting the area - locals know this well. Best food. Best team. Best drinks. Best music. Best vibe. read more

This place was sooooo good I ate there for lunch 2 days in a row. It doesn't look big but they have quite a few tables, service is fast and they have a waiting area where you can sit and have a drink and play bags. Staff was super friendly. Food was outstanding. Whoever made that menu and is cooking is really crushing it. If you are up by Joshua Tree don't miss this spot. My favorite dish was a vegetarian dish called Lavish Lavash. It was flatbread with hummus and eggplant, tomatoes, cucumbers, and cauliflower and it was magnificent. I had it twice. Everything else was also really really good. Maybe the only thing I didn't like was cornbread chocolate cake. Take a pass on it. In any case, when you get there have someone get in line to out your name down while they park. Might be able to get in a little quicker. It seemed like people were coming in non stop. read more

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Good service, cute vibes, and they brought out the food quickly. I got the fried chicken dish. It was flavorful but the pickles with cabbage were somewhat random as they were sweet and spicy. I wouldn't get it again but I'd return to try another dish! They have two restrooms so there is usually a line to use it. read more

La Copine - Crispy Blackened Chicken - New American Near Me - Yucca Valley, California

We had a good meal at La Copine, but the experience got off to a rough start. Even with a reservation, we waited over 45 minutes past our scheduled time before being seated, which was outrageous and the primary reason for this review. Once we were finally at our table, the service was attentive and genuinely friendly, and the staff did a great job taking care of us. Everything was well prepared and flavorful. The only thing I'd skip is the strawberry Coke. It sounded better than it tasted and wasn't worth ordering. While the food and service after we were seated were good, waiting that long despite having a reservation put a damper on the entire experience. Unfortunately, it's not somewhere we'll be returning to. read more

Service was great, 5 stars, and food was amazing, from 4 to 5 stars. The Citrus and Beet appetizer was a solid 5! Great combo of flavors. We asked for vegan but last minute decided to have a side of the lavender chevre and that just added another level of deliciousness. It was my favorite dish. The papas appetizer was also wonderful to share, especially the contrasting texture of outside crispness and light whipped melt-in- your-mouth softness of mashed potatoes delight. Unfortunately, the strong flavor dressing from the citrus & beet salad overwhelmed the palate and subdued the flavoring of the papa's. Hence, only 4.5 on the papas. My vegetarian ceviche was good but drenched in too much sauce. It's my least favorite of the whole meal. I tried my friend's vegan Hatch chili sliders and it was delicious. Probably could use some arugula or lettuce. 4.5 on the sliders. All three desserts were awesome. 5 stars for each! All unique in flavor and texture. The coconut rice pudding needed more coconut flavor. I could taste the tartness of the raspberry and oranges. I forgot it's rice pudding because i could barely taste/feel the rice. My friends loved the chocolate polenta cake. It's crumbly texture was imaginative and fun and tasty to eat. The key lime panna cotta was wonderful. I love the lightness of the whipped cream combined with the slight tartness and sweet of the cool panna cotta and strawberries. Delightful! read more

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This was an exceptional dining experience. Although it wasn't my first visit, the quality consistently exceeds expectations. The Green Papaya Salad was flavorful, the Ceviche was exceptionally fresh, and the Baked Halloumi was expertly prepared. The Fried Chicken Sandwich was succulent and well-balanced, while the Lamb Burger was outstanding, with each ingredient distinct in every bite. If you have the opportunity, I highly recommend visiting La Copine--service is always energetic and welcoming. read more

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this place gets really really crowded so get a reservation or be prepared to wait. we came on a cold windy day and had to sit outside so it was freezing (heaters weren't very good). we received excellent service and had a great server! but I thought the food was just ok for the prices. we got the: - sides: fried eggplant, english muffin with date jam - mains: ricotta gnocchi besciamella, steak choron - desserts: beignets, orange creamsicle panna cotta - drinks: lemonade, hot coffee I enjoyed the sides and desserts a lot more than the mains. the gnocchi was a bit too cheesy and soft for me, and the steak a bit too chewy read more

La Copine - fried eggplant - New American Near Me - Yucca Valley, California

A trip to Joshua Tree is not complete without visiting La Copine. La Copine is a roadside restaurant that's open only for dinner this summer. I've been to this restaurant three times now, and I love their rotating menu. I've gotten something different every time, and it's fun to see what their chef has created every time my BF and I come out here to visit. The place itself is small. It has a patio and an indoor area. The staff are always a vibe and have such great energy for the restaurant. TIP - text their number that's listed on the website or their IG page for a reservation. They get busy and fill up fast, and although they accept walk-ins, you could be waiting for a while. There are small business shops in the back and also an outdoor waiting area. read more

La Copine - (Summer 2025) Steak Tartare - hand chopped wagyu beef, capers, shallot, lemon, dijon, olive oil, parsley, quail egg, toast points - New American Near Me - Yucca Valley, California

Came here on a date night, Sunday night. Such a cute little place, and the weather was beautiful outside, so we got a table by the front door. Alejandro was our server, and he was so sweet and very informative. He helped us better understand the menu, and it was very easy to talk to him. The food was absolutely delicious. I didn't know what to expect when coming here, I've heard great things about this place but when I tried the food, I was blown away a few times. We got a homemade gnocchi platter that was so creamy and flavorful. We also bought these little sliders that had roasted chilies on them and let me tell you, they were so juicy and flavorful! And we tried a plate of papa's (potatoes) that were also delicious. The fresh rosemary on top was a nice pop of flavor! And dessert was so surprising! We got this polenta chocolate cake.. I have never heard of that. But this photo honestly doesn't do it justice. Huge punch of chocolate flavor, and the texture is almost like the outer corners of a brownie that everyone wants to eat I would get a whole Nother slice of that to take it home and eat it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream! So good We will definitely be coming back! read more

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They deserve a Michelin star. Everything I tried from appetizers to desserts was simply awesome. The chef incorporates flavors and textures for flavorful and unique menu items. The service was excellent too. My only meh is the wine list. It needs to be upgraded to be on par with the food. I live in Palm Desert and will gladly make the one hour drive many times again in the future read more

Came here before entering Joshua tree national park and it is a must visit for those looking for lunch on their way over! We came as soon as it opened since we heard that this place was popular and busy. Us along with others showed up before opening so there was still a wait so expect a wait time on the longer side. While waiting to be seated you can visit their adorable trailer gift shop behind the restraunt. They have lots of cute handmade items to buy as souvenirs. There's also murals on the walls that are super cute!! The outdoor seating was beautiful and I absolutely enjoyed how peaceful it was to eat out in the sun! The inside was cute aswell but on the noisier side from how busy it is. Servers were very friendly and the overall service was good. What we ordered: -FRIED EGGPLANT TOMATO CHUTNEY (8/10) : so so DELICIOUS!!! It's sweet in the best way possible and so addicting. A great appetizer!it's a bit heavy so it's great for parties of 2-4 to share -EGGS ATLANTIC (7/10) : not bad! The Benedict's were cooked well, the salmon wasn't the freshest but good for being in the middle of the desert. Very filling for a breakfast as well. -GALETTE HAM AND GYURE CHEESE (9/10) :my boyfriend loved this crepe and said it was pretty on par with the crepes in France. Definitely worth getting. Wish they had something this good in la! read more

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La Copine is the destination restaurant of the area. Try and get reservations or else you'll be waiting a while.. The menu is short but expertly crafted. With the exception of the beignets, everything was fantastic and delicious! I particularly enjoyed the chicken katsu sandwich! Meanwhile, anyone who has actually had a beignet will agree that the dense, awful pieces of dough they try to pass as a beignet IS NOT a beignet. Be warned. This was also the most expensive meal we had and we agreed that while it was over all good, it wasn't good value. read more

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Let me add my name to those who rave about this place, no need to highlight dishes because EVERYTHING IS GREAT!! Only drawback is location but worth the drive!!!!! read more

The arrogance of how they take reservations is uncool. I listened to the long winded outgoing message that you get when you call for a reservation. You are instructed to send a text request, because they say "it's fun", and that they want to "connect with their guests".... What's not "fun" is that they don't follow up- I texted at 11am two days prior to the day I wanted to confirm....And there was never any attempt to connect. Save yourself the headache and just book a table at Ash & Vine in Palm Springs- it's charming and the food is MUCH better, and most importantly-it's an enjoyable experience read more

The food is amazing here! We got the tomatoes, figs, curds, and whey as an appetizer and I got the shrimps and grits for my entree. The shrimps and grits was probably one of the best I've ever had. Super flavorful especially with the bouillabaisse broth. The beignets were good as well but I think next time I'd like to try the panna cotta instead. We went on a weekday so luckily did not have to wait too long. They have a patio and an indoor seating area. Definitely will return! read more

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This is one of my all time favorite restaurants that I have to visit anytime I'm in the desert. Everything feels like a poem- if you know what I mean you know. Food comes fast, and the servers are always cool. Weekends get crazy so if you can visit on a weekday that's usually much easier. Last time I had the hash and it was incredible!!! read more

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Great value amazing menu. Such a summery menu - light and refreshing but filling at the same time

Not a trip to the house in the desert without coming here. Here's to all of the ladies that bust their asses giving great service and a memorable experience- Cheers! read more

La Copine - New American Near Me - Yucca Valley, California

La Copine had been on my list of restaurants to try for some time, and I recently had a great lunch there! I arrived midafternoon, and though the restaurant was bustling I was able to snag seating for one. From when I entered throughout my meal, I thought the service was friendly with a casually relaxed vibe. I ordered the crispy papas along with the fried chicken entrée. The texture of the potatoes were generally great (though some of the potatoes were a bit overly charred), and the flavored mayonnaise along with the herbs gave the dish a delicate touch of flavor without making it too heavy. I enjoyed the chicken which had a nice mixture of sweet and savory flavors with the spicy honey, pickled green tomatoes, and and corn remoulade. I was worried that the spicy honey would make the dish too sweet, but I found the chicken dish to be well-balanced. The key lime panna cotta was an excellent way to end the meal! I enjoyed the crunchiness of the almond praline pared with the blueberry compote, and the panna cotta was delightfully tart. I look forward to trying La Copine again! read more

La Copine - Key Lime Panna Cotta - New American Near Me - Yucca Valley, California

We arrived on Sunday at lunchtime as a group of four. Although we were told the wait would be 19 minutes, it ended up being 50 minutes, which is why I'm giving one star less. The waiting area is actually larger than the restaurant itself. As for the food, it was top-notch and the perfect way to end our hiking day! We started with the soup, which came with heavenly bread, we also ordered a few shared salads. For the main course, we had Socarrat / fried rice with wagyu beef, rockfish cake, and shrimp scampi. The food was good, and the portion sizes were reasonable for the price. We ended up with one dessert sharing. Plenty of street parking and off street parking. The waiter served us really friendly and gave great advices. read more

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That was an unbelievable experience! Service is great, food was superb... I had the lamb burger. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The ambience is quite busy and a tiny bit noisier than I like, but it was a happy buzz.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

Over rated. [[HIGHLIGHT]]You get a really charming view of the loud dusty highway with semis and tractor trailers barreling past spitting dust and gravel into your "peaceful" meal[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]. Overpriced. Small drinks. Rude staff. Rude owners always yelling at people. Have supported for years when visiting but they're high on own supply of mediocre California grub. Desert sinking fast. Copper room and kitchen in desert are far superior if you want to spend money. read more

Came here for lunch with my husband; we ordered to share and the Shrimp Roll is a must try - super fresh, flavorful, and light. We complemented it with a salad - it was a bit on the heavier side with the dressing but overall seasoned well, tasty, and generous portion sizes. read more

La Copine - New American Near Me - Yucca Valley, California

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We moved out to the Valley a year ago and have been trying to get over to try La Copine for most of that time...finally, the stars aligned and as luck should have it we made it to their first night of the Summer Dinner 2025...we didn't have reservations, but if it took two hours we were determined! Thankfully 25 mins and two old drinks on the back patio later, we secured what I think are two of the best seats in the house. Sitting at the bar we were able to watch Chef Nikki Hill run the kitchen during a brutally busy dinner rush. Watching Chef Nikki leading her troops in the kitchen like a seasoned General at war with the continued smile, laughs, and attention to artistry. The show was worthy of the wait, but the food...incredible! Beef tartare, mushroom toast, spicy melon gazpacho, ribs with the only potato salad I've ever enjoyed, ricotta gnocchi, coconut rice pudding and chocolate polenta cake...yes we ordered a ton and every bit of it could not have been better. In my experience, poor service only survives when the food is amazing, but that also isn't a problem here, our servers were fast friendly, funny, attentive but not too attentive...the whole experience left us too full of food and whisking had room for the other half of the menu. We without question will return again and again to see what Chef Nikki Hill comes up with next. To the staff and owners of La Copine, well done, if it were a show this would be my standing ovation. Will see you soon. read more

La Copine - Sign - New American Near Me - Yucca Valley, California

[[HIGHLIGHT]]We arrived at 11 when they open and the place was packed.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We didn't have reservations but we were seated in about 20 minutes. The food was very good and served in a timely manner. [[HIGHLIGHT]]It was a bit windy so we ate inside.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We will definitly be back but will get reservations next time read more

Amazing food and great experience all around. Everything we tried here was super tasty leaving you wanting for more even when you're full. Our favorites here are the shrimp & grits, red eye ribs, fried chicken, ricotta & figs, papaya salad, and wagyu sirloin steak skewer. Leave some room for their too die for chocolate beignets and key lime panna cotta. The servers are friendly and the food comes out quickly. They have heater on the outside dining area which is nice on a chilly day in November when we're there. The place is quite popular so reservations are recommended but I've seen people walked in too which is possible if you come a bit early or only have 2 people in your group. read more

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Revisit .. this place was as nice as ever. Long wait on a holiday weekend, but well worth it. I decided to try the butter lettuce and the garlic shrimp ended up with the Keylime piña cotta. Delicious read more

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