Brunch review: Overall I would give it a 4.5 stars. I had a great experience for brunch at Raya. Food was a prix fixe menu and everything we ate was tasty. The starter guacamole was really good too. We had the steak/eggs, lobster roll, seafood campechana, potato cakes, cheesecake and chocolate torte. The steak was really good and cooked to a perfect medium rare per my request. The lobster roll wasn't our fave though and for the upcharge, I was expecting it to be better. The desserts were great also. All the portions were the right amount to not be overstuffed so you still have energy to go about your day and enjoy the Dana point weather. The view is beautiful! read more

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What an incredible view you have here from this restaurant. It was Super Bowl Sunday so the restaurant was not full which actually made it quite nice. The waiters were incredible attentive. What a wonderful ambiance this place carries. We tried many dishes: Swordfish Dip- Absolutely delicious order it Octopus maya-delicious order it Fig salad- okay, maybe try the Cesar Kids chicken tenders- kid liked it Achiote Salmon- delicious order it Seafood enchiladas- delicious order it Peach parfait-pretty good Raya cream brûlée -pretty good Kids brownie sundae- kid liked it Absolutely worth a dine in here. read more

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Since we had checked into the Ritz-Carlton that day, we didn't want to really go anywhere off property. Plus we had a credit to use, so we just went downstairs to Raya after making a last minute reservation. Don't think we needed it with how many tables were available. First things first, the ambience here is pretty nice. The restaurant is located in a space next to windows overlooking the ocean. By the time we got here, it was pretty much dusk so we didn't see much. But we passed by it plenty of times during the day and it was a pretty majestic view. Aside from that, the ceilings were high and the tables were spaced out pretty well so it made for a very comfortable feeling. Menu isn't the biggest, but what we ordered was pretty good and much better than expectations. Ordered a Caesar Salad to start, which was actually really good. They brought out full leaves of romaine lettuce which was topped by heaps of cheese and actual anchovies (which is always a plus). Next up was the Tableside Wagyu Beef Tartare. I was confused as to the tableside aspect of it until they actually pulled up with a full cart to actually make the tartare in front of us. And the beef tartare was great! Really chunky with great flavor. Last main dish was the Brazino Zarandeado, which was deboned and cooked really well. Also ordered some truffle fries, because when you have an opportunity to get truffle fries you have to. Service here is great, no complaints at all. Overall, I had a good experience here. Price is obviously very marked up because it's in the RItz-Carlton. But also fairly comparable to prices that I see at L.A. restaurants. read more

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What an enjoyable night we had here for our 30 years wedding anniversary dinner! When we arrived, we were greeted with a big smile from the hostess, then handed 2 glasses of champagne while we were waiting for an ocean view table. The foods we ordered were so delicious and fresh, service was beyond our expectations. Great atmosphere with ocean views from all tables. We will return for any special occasions for sure! read more

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Overall we had a great experience with Dean who was knowledgeable and attentive. We were really hoping for the weather to be nice since the view out the windows would have been amazing. We were mostly satisfied with the food except the Hamachi Tiradito which tasted a bit metallic(?). The presentation was nice and I suppose the Yuzu sauce could mask the metallic taste, but we hope the fish was fresh and stored properly. The seafood enchiladas were quite good. I purposefully kept the remaining yuzu sauce from the hamachi to try on the enchiladas and it turned out to be a great combo. The portions of seafood in the enchiladas also seemed quite generous since I was able to taste the lobster and crab. The scallop and pork belly dish, to us, seemed like a Chinese/Cantonese dish with the seasoning and flavors. The scallop was tender as expected and there wasn't any grittiness. The dessert, which Dean described similar to a tiramisu, was delicious. I wish there were more of the toppings though. The crunchiness and the slightly cool and sweet toppings were really what made this taste amazing. After we ran out of the toppings it just became a normal cake. read more

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Beautiful restaurant inside the Ritz with a friendly, hospitable hostess. We asked to be seated in front of the windows and that is where we were sat. Our server had excellent timing and was able to provide feedback on any dish we asked about. No pics of food because I was watching the view (and my date). I had the Burrata and grilled avocado appetizers. The grilled avocado is slightly salted and filled with a tomato, corn and onion pico/relish. Both appetizers were well seasoned and fresh. I truly enjoyed them. My husband had the cod and said it was good - he's not a Yelper so that's as much feedback as I could get. Lol. read more

Raya - View from table - Seafood Near Me - Dana Point, California

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We have been coming here for years, the baptism reception of our child was even held here years ago. We stayed at the resort over the holidays. Of course we had to eat here at least 2x. For Breakfast & Dinner. For breakfast we both had a burrito, which was great. They've changed their menu over the years, I was saddened that they removed our favorite lobster tacos and Creme Caramel from their menu. I recall that we would even order from their menu each time we went to 180Bleau because the lobster tacos were so good! Anyways, this time around, we ordered Cheese Rolls and Guacamole for appetizers. Cheese rolls were really good, the guacamole was good too but the large chips/flat bread for dipping were kinda burnt. For our main course, we ordered sea scallops and seafood enchiladas. They were both very good! I asked to remove the pork belly from my dish and instead just have purely scallops and I'm glad I chose that route. The scallops were perfectly seasoned and seared. The creamed corn side was also amazing. It was a perfect combination. The desserts we tried their Peaches & Cream, Churros and another one I can't remember. The peaches and cream dessert was okay, the peaches were not sweet which took away from the experience. The churros were straight forward. Our friend had the other dessert, which I think he enjoyed but for the life of me, I can't remember what it was. The service at Raya is always top notch. Ambiance-unbeatable all the time, whether at breakfast or dinner (sunset is the best time to come) the ocean view always adds to the experience. We always will make it a point to visit Raya! read more

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Beautiful restaurant within the Ritz with an amazing view. So glad we came here for a late lunch. Really wanted to sit by the window and after about 5mins wait for so, we were seated at a nice table against the window. The view is just breathtaking. We ordered a bunch of items to share with a few cocktails as my friends and I wanted to catch up. We were not rushed at all and allowed us to enjoy a beautiful spread of food. Our waiter and the staff were so attentive and provided top notch service to our table and the other around us. I will definitely come back. Note: paid valet parking only at the Ritz or you can park across the street and walk about 5mins in. It's $2 for 2 hours. Enough time to enjoy a nice lunch. read more

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You always have the best service the best View it is absolutely amazing to have breakfast or brunch a lunch or a dinner at Raya, they always aim to please.. and they never ever disappoint.. dog friendly I believe in the hotel possibly not the restaurant. I'm not sure and they do validate part of your ticket which is wonderful. read more

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The Raya is located on the main leave in the Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel. This is the main restaurant for the hotel & it did not disappoint. We came here for dinner on Saturday night. Reservations may not be necessary but are HIGHLY recommended. The area is beautiful. The entire restaurant area is lined with floor to ceiling window arches that overlook the ocean. It's perfect for dining with an ocean view but not being outside. We started our meal with caviar service where they gave us all the fixings. It's a large enough portion for 4-6 people to share. It's great for a first time caviar experience because you get all the different variations to try at once. As a main I got the chipotle miso cod. It was cooked perfectly and came on a bed of mushrooms and greens. Our server raved about the mashed potatoes so we got a side to share among the table. They were silky, smooth, and perfectly salted. We finished the meal with churros and a cappuccino. It was the perfect night cap after a long day. read more

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The views are absolutely incredible. This review is mostly about the food and service though. Though everyone there is as helpful as possible, they are incredibly understaffed so the one waitress or two aren't able to handle all the tables. The broccolini tasted burnt, the mushrooms were too salty, the scallops and pork belly were good but not enough to be filling. The ahi tuna tacos were not inspiring. My favorite dish was probably the Enchiladas - I'd come back for that! Overall, the cost was not worth it for most of the items. We're paying for the view though! read more

Raya - Scallops and pork belly - Seafood Near Me - Dana Point, California

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Everything was as expected. Great views, service and food were delicious! Celebrated my sister's birthday and she loved it. read more

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My GF treated me to a birthday lunch . 10/10 customer service all around , from the valet parking attendants, our waiter and the employees in the gift shop were spectacular. My salmon plate were divine, cooked perfectly moist, together with the red sauce was delicious. After lunch we decided to wander a bit to walk off what we consumed. The beach was the highlight of our day. read more

Raya - Seafood Near Me - Dana Point, California

Unforgettable experience dinging at Raya. Before we were even seated the hostess went above and beyond. Our table with a view was breathtaking upon arrival. I was quite impressed with the menu. We decided to share the beet hummus and Brussel sprouts to start. For the entree we split the shrimp dish which was 4 jumbo shrimp, two each, it was the perfect amount of food for 2 of us dining for lunch. Every dish felt thoughtfully crafted, it was almost too beautiful to eat. We were satisfied with all 3 choice and do not skip on the churros for dessert. They were to die for. The service was just as impressive. The staff was attentive, warm, and professional without ever feeling intrusive. They made us feel genuinely welcomed and ensured every detail of our experience was perfect. And the views... simply breathtaking. Dining while overlooking the ocean on a beautiful sunny day. It was an incredible experience from start to finish. We'll absolutely be back! read more

Raya - Churros - Seafood Near Me - Dana Point, California

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Breathtaking ocean view restaurant located at the Ritz Carlton in Laguna Niguel. Love the fact that they have a lot of gluten-free options. I went here for brunch and the food was absolutely delicious! Will definitely make a point to be back for dinner to try their dinner menu. Our server was professional and was very knowledgeable of celiac which definitely put my mind at ease. Highly recommend and can't wait to try their other menu items! read more

OK, so the food is pricey and it's mediocre to be honest but the ambience is where it's at. You got a huge beach view and the staff is really nice and they're really accommodating and they're fun if you know how to speak Spanish.... I had this long-term issue not being able to tip and using their stupid ATM which charges $4.50 to get a 20 I talked to the front desk. They didn't really know what to say and they try. I talked to the restaurant staff. They did their best and then I talked to the bellman that guy is good people (Troy); he helped me discuss with Josh at the valet desk how to do it on the tap and that saved me a lot of stress that I had for years using that stupid grandma ATM that should be belong in the museum not a hotel of that Caliber they should really take that thing and throw it in the ocean. read more

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The kids made reservations for us Mom's to come here for Mother's Day, this place definitely has a WOW factor, first impression walking up to this establishment was pure luxurious!! The food & service was top tier, and ocean view was spectacular!!! Will definitely come again!! read more

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I often go to Raya and recently returned with my family for a dinner. The experience was, as always, nothing short of exemplary. The restaurant had an elegant interior and ambiance. We were seated by a window with a rather stunning view of the coastline. Our server that evening was quite attentive, friendly, and helpful. The service throughout the night was excellent. For appetizers, I ordered the Oysters De La Baja, which was beautifully plated, the dish itself being exceptionally oceanic and silky. For the main course, I ordered the Achiote Salmon alongside the Truffle Fries as a side. The salmon dish was perfectly cooked, with a velvety texture and rich flavor. The Truffle Fries were golden and crisp. The truffle powder and aioli perfectly complimented the fries. Overall, the food was excellently prepared and served. Ultimately, Raya delivered an exquisite dining experience. I will definitely be returning, especially for the elegant coastal views as well as the beyond stunning food and service. Raya is especially great for celebratory occasions. If you're considering dining at this establishment, I'd recommend making reservations for the same time as sunset, as well as requesting ocean-view seating. read more

Raya - Oysters De La Baja - Seafood Near Me - Dana Point, California

Food was incredible and the portion sizes and service were amazing as well. Really loved everything we ate and drank and enjoyed, and would definitely return. Joel and Rahul provided great service. This would have been a five star experience but we realized after we left we never received any of our starter courses as part of the brunch menu! It was a bit of a struggle to get this taken care of in a timely manner but Monica helped us in the end to make sure everything was all right (thank you so much Monica!!). read more

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PROS: PERFECT! I had my bday dinner here. I had around 9 people. At first, it was a struggle to have them just put two tables together for a larger party but they did it and I was soooo happy. They view is stunning. It may not be close to window, but we talked and socialized more and took pictures along the way. FOOD: I ordered the chicken jidori without potato's and it was amazing. If you are the type to watch what you eat and need protein, I highly recommend it. It was sooo good. I also added 1 serving of chicken extra for me just in case because it was my only meal for the day. The chef did such a wonderful job. DRINK: Mocktail between sprite and Berry. It was perfect! THANK YOU ELIZABETH FOR EVERYTHING AND THE ENTIRE STAFF! I will be back for more dinners! Hehe! CONS: Nothing! Everyone was accommodating and sweet! read more

Raya - Pulled Jidori Chicken Salad without potato's and added 1 serving of chicken. - Seafood Near Me - Dana Point, California

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I came here with my family yesterday and was pleasantly surprised by the ambiance and views from our table. Our waiter was very attentive, and the food was pretty good! I'd say that some of their food tends to be a bit more salty like the swordfish dip and the tuna tacos, but overall it was still very enjoyable. We also ended up getting the skirt steak with chimichurri, which I would recommend! It was very flavorful and cooked to a perfect medium rare. That order did end up taking almost 40-50 minutes though to come, so our waiter graciously took it off the bill for us. Overall, I would recommend this restaurant and would come back again! read more

Raya - Left: Blackened Tuna Tacos Top right: Swordfish Dip Bottom right: Seafood Cocktail - Seafood Near Me - Dana Point, California

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Dinner at Raya is something special. A unique take (Latin flare) on regular foods makes this a stand out top choice. We really enjoyed our servers, Dean, Abigail and Patik. Save your appetite because there are a lot of wonderful options. Save room for dessert! read more

The ambiance is awesome! Best view of rhe beach and loved watching the surfers as we ate a delicious meal - chicken sandwhich with plantains! so yummy with trustle fries and sweet potatoe fries! Our server was spectacular! He knew the menu very well and was very delightful! He said he has been working there for 14 years! I believe our server name is Joel!! read more

Raya - Chicken with platain sandwhich sweet potatoe and trustle fries! - Seafood Near Me - Dana Point, California

Came here for an anniversary dinner and chose our reservation time before sunset so we can watch it as we had our food served to us! It was perfect and beautiful. The food was amazing , I cannot find one complaint I would have because it was a great experience coming here. The fries were so good and the bread almost like a muffin type with the goat cheese and honey my mouth is watering just thinking about it again. The scallops and pork belly was a great combo & that miso cod was cooked so soft it melted in my mouth. And when we were done eating they came with a complimentary cake for our anniversary. Also not drinking at the moment so we got some mocktails that were yummy and pretty still. The views alone here are worth the drive but the service we had was really good. We weren't sure about one table and they let us see where we wanted to sit before we ordered. They put rose petals on our table and took pictures for us. read more

Raya - Truffle fries - Seafood Near Me - Dana Point, California

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Service was the best, everyone on staff was attentive and a pleasure to interact with. Ambience was lovely. The food was mostly good but not worth $75 and oddly coffee is not included as part of the brunch so that cost extra: -Tlayudas: The guac was good and I really liked the crisps -Crab Avocado Toast: This is just the guac on bread but with some crab. It was a bit meagerly but tasted fine, nothing special. -Chicken & Waffles: This was hugely disappointing, way too much of some sort of peppered oil in the chicken and the waffles were thoroughly soggy drenched. -Strawberry hibiscus cheesecake: This was good but a bit too sweet for my preference. I would have given 4 stars except I discovered they taxed the service gratuity charge. I would've never noticed except I needed to calculate the break-out for my friends to reimburse me their portions and realized the total wasn't adding up. I don't have a problem with automatic gratuity but was shocked to discover the gratuity is taxed. I expected better from the Ritz. read more

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We arrived on a quiet, overcast Saturday and asked for a table for six with an ocean view -- a simple request since nearly every table faces the ocean. After waiting for them to "set up" a table, we were taken to the only one with a wall blocking the view and set for only five people. We reminded the hostess that we had requested an ocean view and asked if they could put two tables together. She said they couldn't on the lower level and wouldn't on the upper level, even though plenty of tables were clearly available. I asked to speak with the manager. After waiting quite a while, I approached her myself -- she was busy taking reservations while three other hostesses stood by doing nothing. The manager also refused to make any exception. What a disappointing and frustrating experience! We were there for a conference and wasted our time waiting for service that never came. The manager, in particular, needs better training , you don't chase customers away on a quiet day! read more

Our Server Ana and Pinak were absolutely amazing!! The food was absolutely delicious, served beautifully and very fresh. The Ambiance was just great. 10/10 experience but I will say what made it great was our service, so huge thank you to Ana and Pinak!! read more

I dont even know where to begin. It was definitely a Ritz Carlton Dining experience. Everything was top notch! I can't say one bad thing about the food. Salmon and Cod were cooked to perfection. Beef tartare was probably the best i had ever eaten. Wish we would have saved room for dessert. Service was impeccable. Everyone was very knowledgeable, informed, kind, and attentive. Food was out very quickly! Ambiance is that of a movie. It was the most romantic restaurant i have ever eaten at. The view is breathtaking. Although the shade had to be down because it was so bright read more

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It was our first time at Raya and any Ritz-Carlton hotel-- it's a gorgeous place! Placed right above Dana Point Beach. Valet I believe was $15-30 but we opted for the beach parking lot across the street which is not too far of a walk at all, maybe 2 blocks. It was $1/hr and you pay ahead of time. Was not too crowded around 11:30am on a Sunday, although by the time we left around 2pm, the parking lot was quite packed. It was easy to find Raya, just straight into the left once you enter the hotel. You can't miss the gorgeous bay windows overlooking the beach. We showed up early but they are quite timely, seating us right out our reservation time, we got lucky and got windows right by the view. They had a special singer who was serenading the room with his guitar, he was great! We opted for the $75 4 course meal as well as the second seafood tower which included 4 scallops, 6 cocktail shrimp, 6 raw oysters, 6 rock crab claws and 4 oyster shooters. I think the course meal which included 1 shared starter then 1 appetizer per person, 1 entree, and 1 dessert was well worth the price. The guacamole was delicious, large portion, and fresh. We ordered the French toast and lobster roll. French toast was really good! But it has more of a bread pudding texture than a fluffy French toast texture but the taste was great and just the right sweetness. The lobster roll was okay! The French fries were crispy and seasoned well, but the lobster roll we felt was difficult to taste much lobster although there was a good portion perhaps there was more mayo that we couldn't taste it too well, I liked the fluffiness of the bread though! For dessert we ordered the strawberry cheesecake and the churro dessert, churros were warm and fluffy and perfect with the ice cream. The cheesecake was solid and I appreciated the fresh strawberries. I honestly think the 4 course meal is worth it and filling enough! We were overstuffed with the seafood tower included for us two people. Seafood towers are always a little pricier. The cocktail shrimp was one of my favorites as they were plump and went well with the mayo(?) sauce they had! Rock crab always has a harder time eating as it doesn't fall off the bone but it was still good. Oysters were small but tasty and fresh. Scallops were good, they had some texture to them from the sauce. The oyster shooters I think a lot of people can appreciate if they like the taste of mezcal, not too sure what alcohol they used but pretty sure it was our Smokey tequila friend. I tasted more of the tequila than anything but it was still fun to get a little brunch tipsy. Overall it was a wonderful experience and the staff including Javier were very attentive. My partner's ice tea was always full! Thank you Raya for a wonderful experience! read more

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Came here for our post-engagement dinner with family. Since we had more than 10 people, we had to work with the restaurant to build a "set menu" in order to reserve a table. When we coordinated with the restaurant via email, they had let us know that they would put our names and the date on top of our set menus, but when we got there, that detail was missing. It was nice because the servers/manager rushed to get that fixed for us, but we didn't receive the updated menus until halfway through the meal. Overall, we were blown away by the sunset view (we had a 7pm reservation which was the perfect time to see the sun set), but the food was just mediocre. Favorites from the set menu were the Caesar salad and beet root hummus. Let downs were the seafood enchilada which was just too heavy and coated with sauce, and the steak was also a bit dry. Throughout the meal, I felt like our servers weren't super attentive (had to wave people down to refill our waters on multiple occasion) and there was an awkward instance where two of our servers got into a heated argument to the side which just felt really unprofessional and ruined the ambiance. However, it was a nice touch at the end when our main server brought out a "congratulations" dessert on the house. Overall, felt a little let down by the food and service, especially for the price you're paying, but the views were great. read more

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Amazing food, views and dining experience at Raya. I went to celebrate my birthday and had such a great night. We ordered a few starters (including seared tuna tacos, and oysters), and I chose the Octopus small plate as my main. I was skeptical about the sauce they put on 1/2 the oysters as I'm such a fan of the traditional mignonette - but wow was it delicious!!! It was like a berry froth of some sort and oh my was it good! Can't wait to go back! read more

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Amazing restaurant with spectacular views! We came to eat here for brunch, lunch, and dinner during our stay and every meal was impeccable quality and service! Pricey of course, but you get what you pay for. I still think about the branzino and their pork belly for dinner! Their menu is substantial so you never have to order the same thing twice if you're staying at the resort and they have plenty of seating- especially by the windows! read more

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Excellent service from every person we encountered. The presentation of our meals were beautiful, but really average in taste. My chicken was surprisingly dry. The views are stunning as we ate at sunset. read more

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Second time here at Raya. Such a phenomenal and exceptional experience from the moment we walked in to the time we finished our meal. Everyone here knows how to provide and treat customers with superior service. On top of that, the food is excellent and the view is just breathtaking. The service from Taylor and the whole staff was 10/10. Food was equally exceptional: Smoked Swordfish Dip - hubs requested a toast for him in addition to the chips, and Taylor gladly provided this. Raya Burger - excellent. That sauce was uber delicious. Sweet Potato Fries - very generous portion with sea salt sprinkled on top. We requested the house-made habanero honey mustard and Taylor also threw in a truffle aioli. Both very good. Look forward to coming back to watch the sunset one of these days. read more

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Staff is amazing, view is incredible, we are celebrating my mom's birthday, the food is little too salty but overall is great! read more

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Mila is absolutely best! My skin quality has changed drastically since I started seeing her a few years ago. She is a true professional, her attention to details and care for me (and Im sure each client of hers feels it) really make me feel that she cares about health of my skin in a long run. read more

Raya - Seafood Near Me - Dana Point, California

My wife and I have come here numerous times over the years and have always had a great experience. Jen is the waitress we request and she is energetic, friendly and attentive to our needs! We appreciate top notch service and will be back to visit Jen and Raya again. read more

Overpriced of course it's the Ritz so to be expected. 2 glasses of wine $45. Never again.

Had such a great experience at Raya at the Ritz-Carlton in Dana Point! From the second we walked in, the hostesses at the stand were so sweet and welcoming, which really set the tone for the night. Our server was amazing - super friendly and made excellent wine recommendations that paired perfectly with our food. You could tell they really knew the menu and cared about making sure we had the best experience. Between the beautiful atmosphere, delicious food, and genuinely great service, this spot definitely exceeded expectations. read more

真正能夠擊垮你的，從來不是別人的非議，而是你對自己的懷疑，有些路，走著走著就通了，有些夜，熬著熬著就亮了，你所經過的任何挫折，只會讓你更強大～ 來放八月初就去過的餐廳，有些地方，太久以前吃，沒有寫出來，真的食物都快忘記了，這一家超級美麗的海景餐廳Raya, 兩年前也寫過一次，望著無盡的海景，就會讓人覺得在這裡吃飯是物超所值的，先小小的抱怨一下，當天我們是有訂位子，帶位的先生還是把靠窗邊的位置給了沒訂位的白人，所以我們只好先到隔壁的酒吧，點酒喝，大概再過半個小時才有靠窗的位置，不過這家我來過三四次了，每一次菜單都會變換，每次都很好吃，在 Ritz Carlton 酒店裡， 價格自然不會太低，多放幾張美美的風景給大家欣賞 ， 可是服務生明顯的種族歧視的問題， 讓客人感受不佳, 是為什麼我只給三顆星的緣故，環境， 食物仍是可圈可點的 read more

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