The view is absolutely stunning and the location is beautiful, but unfortunately, the food was very disappointing. It used to be truly delicious before 2023, but things have really changed. The menu itself was quite uninspiring and lacked variety -- nothing really stood out or felt well thought-out. Most of the staff were kind and professional, but our server was not friendly at all. The servers used to be extremely warm and welcoming -- it just didn't feel the same anymore. Sadly, I don't think I'll be coming back. read more

Came here for dinner on a girls trip! You likely have to valet if you're not staying at the hotel. We had reservations but got there early so were able to walk around the patio and other balconies of the hotel while we waited. The food, drinks, and vibes were so lovely. The restaurant itself is right on the main hallway so you can see other guests going by as well. The view is impeccable though it was cloudy when we were there but would be stunning at sunset! The waiters were super knowledgeable and helpful with providing recommendations! read more

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We came here for a birthday brunch, and the experience was extremely unpleasant. We had a 4-course meal, and Minerva was serving us. We didn't understand why our food was taken away while we were still eating. Is this normal? We were halfway through our first course when our plate was replaced with the next one. We felt extremely rushed and unwelcome. It was also very difficult to flag down a server to get any service. It's disheartening to see this level of service at a Ritz-Carlton. Is this the kind of treatment you provide? We didn't get to finish our food, and when we asked for a to-go box, the server looked at us as though it was an odd request. One of the waiters even mentioned that they don't typically receive such requests. This isn't an exclusive golf course requiring a six-figure membership--why does your staff treat paying customers like they don't belong there? read more

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The view here is spectacular. The food is good. The appetizers are great. Everyone enjoyed the appetizers. The price is pretty reasonable considering this is the Ritz. Dean served us for the evening. He's great. Very professional and friendly. I would highly recommend coming here before 6 pm to catch the sunset. read more

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I came here for the Sunday 4-Course $75 Brunch. There was an overcast that day so we didn't get to enjoy the view that I am sure would have been amazing to see while dining. I love how knowledgeable the waiter was. He also was kind enough to take our group pictures and made sure they came out nice. I injured my knee the day before and he was so kind to bring me a pack of ice for me to put on my bruises and swollen knee. As for food, there were hits and misses. For the first course, we had a guacamole and two different salsas with Oaxacan masa crisps. I thought it was ok. I wished it had a little more salt and flavor. I vaguely remember the taste of just avocado and some chili oil. For the second course, I opted for the ahi tuna tartar. This ahi tuna tartar was not what I was expected because it came in a broth, but I am not complaining. This was my favorite of the four courses. As for the third course, I went with chicken and waffle. This was my least favorite dish. My waffles were soggy and not hot and freshly made. It felt like I was eating waffles that have been sitting there for some time before being presented to me. The chicken had that similar chili garlic oil that I had for my first course. I appreciate the organic maple syrup in a tiny bottle that it's served with. I took leftover maple syrup home. With that said, the course did not work. The chicken with the chili garlic oil on top and waffle did not mesh well together. It is upsetting because this is supposed to be the main course. For the fourth course, I got the churros. Churros tasted amazing. Overall, I don't think this is worth $100 dollar (total I paid including tax and tip with tap water as my drink). read more

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Just perfect, from start to finish. The live music from the bar was beautiful the service amazing and the food was delicious. Highly recommend. read more

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This was unquestionably the worst "high end" meal that I've ever experienced. Our misadventure began with the absolutely awful service. Our table placement was poor, despite a reservation requesting a window table (there were at least 2 available window tables when we were seated). Our server was completely inattentive and mostly absent (I had to leave our table and search for him on multiple occasions so that our table could be provided with the "little things" like napkins). We actually wondered if his shift had ended and he went home during our meal. ‍‍‍ Unfortunately things only worsened once our "food" arrived. My wife cut into her steak and was immediately motivated to ask, "Is this thing still mooing?" Apparently "medium" means "a heartbeat might still be detectable" at establishments such as this one. The good news is that her steak featured copious sections of useless fat and offered lower "steak" quality than a fast food hamburger. The additional good news is that our entrees were served so quickly that questions about them being undercooked immediately surfaced. Those hypotheses gained momentum before the meal ended because I found myself in the restroom ridding my body of the overpriced (and deeply disappointing) meal I was in the process of consuming. The only photo I've included in this review is of the napkin that contains the chunk of gristle from my wife's steak that I was simply unable to swallow. Although I've enjoyed many wonderful meals here in the past, this has become a place to strictly avoid when seeking to share a special meal. And that's...Henry's Take. #restaurantstoavoid read more

Raya - Disgusting Grizzle - Seafood Near Me - Dana Point, California

We had a chance to eat at Raya two weekends ago to celebrate our besties's 20th wedding anniversary. It was our first time and was pleased with the food and the ambiance. They were a little short staffed so a little slow but it was okay coz it allowed us to enjoy our food and enjoy the views. I had the salmon (chef's kiss) and my hubs had the seafood enchilada. Please please try the amazing corn and hominy soup as well as the truffle fries. Soooo good. read more

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The service was amazing however we did arrive a little early for our reservation of course we knew we might have to wait to feel so we ended up waiting in the bar area. I just want to add that. It seemed like the bar area had really good food options. The options on the bar menu are not on the actual menu, which is fine but might be nice if they included both. My boyfriend requested a window table and this was done a week in advance. They had advised it shouldn't be a problem to accommodate however, when it was time for our reservation after waiting for about an hour, they told him they did not have a window seat available so they just kind of sat us wherever. We understood and we're so hungry by this point we didn't really care , but I feel like if it's something that was pre-requested and confirmed I feel think it should've been accommodated better. The ambience was nice. The waiter that we had was very nice as well. The food was great. The chicken was really good. That was the dish that I got and my boyfriend got the steak. I have to say it's probably some of the best chicken I've had in a while. I do feel like it was overpriced, but that's just my opinion. It's the Ritz Carlton. I wasn't really expecting anything under $50 but for what it was I feel like it was a bit overpriced. I would definitely recommend this place maybe for like a lunch or an early dinner just because at the time we went it was already getting dark so you didn't really have that ocean view. But overall it was a nice experience. read more

They offer a garden menu for vegetarians! Basically everything that they have vegetarian pulled from their main menu onto one page. Got the Brussels sprouts which were fire!!! So good. Sweet and salty with a crunch. I also got the mole verde as a main which was a little uninspiring and bland. The charred zucchini was super flavorful but there wasn't much of it. Ingredients were super fresh, avocado perfectly right but the flavor was missing a bit. It was very light and a little sour but maybe not enough salt? But the service was really great. Though we made a reservation, we opted to wait an additional half an hour for a window table to open up and I'm so glad we did. The view was stunning! Hubby and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary here and our server even brought out a complimentary dessert for us! read more

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Every thing was like a dream l definitely recommend this place with the best view ,food is very delicious I really recommend tuna tacos

I ordered the Cakebread Sauvignon Blanc and the grilled chicken sandwich. The sandwich was delicious though I would recommend cutting those platano thin and frying them to make them more manageable on the sandwich and apply a bit of crunch. They fell off of my sandwich because the weight was a little too much for it. The wine was delicious as always. The service was spot on; my waiter was friendly and attentive. But the real reason for this place is the VIEW. I've only seen only other better view at a restaurant in my life at the Post Ranch Inn in Big Sur. Simply put, it's incredible. read more

Raya - A better shot of the giant windows showcasing the view. - Seafood Near Me - Dana Point, California

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This restaurant is located near the entrance of the Ritz Carlton in Dana Point. The views are spectacular when the weather is not overcast. The wait staff was very good and knowledgeable about the food. I went for the prix fixe brunch menu. It is $75 for 4 courses. The first course (chips and guacamole) was a shared course with the table. Then you could choose 2 entrees and a dessert. There were 5 options for each entree with a good mix of gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian, etc. I opted for the avocado toast with crab meat, the fried chicken and waffles, and strawberry hibiscus cheesecake. The avocado toast was on a thick slice of whole grain toast that was quite chewy (like it was toasted and sat around for awhile) and the overall topping of avocado slices and crab was fairly bland. Several of us needed to put extra guac and sauce to make the dish more palatable. I was very disappointed in the chicken and waffles. The piece of boneless chicken was very small and it was burnt. You could see the black burnt pieces all over the edges. It came with these mini waffles topped with pickled onions and an apple compote. My other friends got a small bottle of maple syrup with their waffles but I did not. The dessert was relatively tasty and portion size was good. All in all, I was quite disappointed with the experience. I had expected better quality food from a Ritz Carlton as they are a highly respected hotel chain. I had paid $100 for lunch including tax and tip which is not chump change for most people. The hotel had taxed the gratuity as well! I have never seen that before. I will not be returning to dine here. read more

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The view is absolutely magnificent. The food has left me perplexed. We shared the swordfish dip, very nicely presented and I would rate it 7/10. Then we had a Brussels sprouts with small sausages, flavorful and different. Finally some grilled broccolini which arrived cold and undercooked. The service training should be improved. We asked whether the dip came with crackers or bread and we were told they had no crackers or bread, but when the dish arrived it had some very good thin accompaniment (it was not crackers nor bread) and the waiter could have told us. The busser couldn't wait to take our dishes away, even though I still had some few brussel sprouts in my dish I would have liked to enjoy, I told him he could take it plates because I did not want to be asked again. The waiter was very nice and when we told him about the broccolini he took them off the bill. However, the waiter could have passed by to check on us not just to tell us our dishes were being played but after we received our dishes (so we could have received the rightly cooked broccolini! The wine by the glass list could be improved. read more

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omg the bartender names SB made this experience the best ! not just a bartender but a MIXOLOGIST .. at its finest !! no joke. the hospitality was 100/10. music here is also perfect. food good as well. only come here when SB is working lol. love this place though. the staff is great. good drinks also wonderful customers. i come here often. enjoy a nice evening read more

Raya - Seafood Near Me - Dana Point, California

Delicious food and service. We came in with little expectations & left very impressed. Our waiter was very charming & made us feel very special. The food was unique and had tons of flavor. The ocean views were also amazing. We had the branzino and it was so delicious and the flavors were very unique. I would come back for this dish alone. Highly recommend! read more

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The view from this restaurant is divine! We booked a 7:30pm reservation and had a great view. It would've been nice to be seated by the window, but it was still easy enough to walk over for a glance. We took a stroll outside after our meal and enjoyed the sunset more. The food was amazing! Mexican fusion fine-dining. I ate two starters - grilled octopus dish and birria steamed clams and it made for a great portion of food. The clams came with a small loaf of grilled bread. The flavors of everything was delicious and well-pronounced. Birria wasn't too salty and added a great flavor when you ate the clam with a little red onion on top. Then used the clam to drink a bit of the broth. The grilled octopus had a great chew and cool on it. It had small bites of potatoes in the creamy, spice sauce. Lastly, the lobster and crabs enchiladas were cooked perfectly with a but of crisp on the ends and filled with seafood. My gf ate it all in one sitting. We also ordered cucumber margarita and passionfruit mojito. Both felt fresh but well-balanced with alcohol. Great compliment to our food. Overall, really enjoyed our meal here. Worth a bit of a splurge during our Cali vacation. Tip: Park in the parking lot across the hotel entrance and walk over, save some money on Valet. read more

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While the food quality and service were excellent, the atmosphere was more Starbucks than Ritz, especially considering nose bleed pricing. Our bare wooden café table was sticky from not being wiped down thoroughly; either a glass top or better tablecloths would be better. I suppose great view of ocean is compensation in daytime but in the evening, disappointing given casual atmosphere. However, smoked swordfish dip appetizer and seafood enchiladas were delicious. read more

The service and food were top notch. I attended a family birthday for 15 people. We started outside with an ocean view and were greeted by attentive staff offering beverages and appetizers. They kept the water, champagne etc. coming and were polite and quick. Once our dinner reservation was ready we went in to be seated at a full length table with an ocean view thru the windows. The 4 courses were excellent. I can't remember the last time I had a steak that was that good ? Staff was extremely attentive and made us feel comfortable. We even had 2 desserts making it a 5 course meal with the special cake my cousin brought. They cut it for us. We were not rushed. It was a 4 hour meal with all the courses. A perfect night and great memory. I would leave more than 5 stars if I could! read more

Raya is phenomenal, through and through. We chose to celebrate our anniversary here due to its oceanfront setting but the food, service, and overall atmosphere took our dinner to the next level. Protip, make sure to make reservations as the restaurant can get busy. Huge shoutout to Sam and the wait staff for making our experience so enjoyable. The restaurant is inside the Ritz Carlton Laguna which already makes it a luxurious spot. We opted to park across the street in the beach parking lot for $2 for two hours, but I understand there's valet available. As for the food, everything was a 10/10, though I'd probably pass on the Hamachi next time. At its pricepoint, you'd expect a firmer fish but perhaps we just let it sit in the sauce too long. Regardless, the other dishes left us feeling satisfied and filled. Pictured below we have the oysters, wagyu tartare, hamachi, seared salmon, and 7 oz filet. read more

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Wow service was amazing! I loved my salmon with corn puree and my husband got the 7oz prime filet. Both were delicious! We got the churro dessert which was so tasty and the coffee was delicious as well! Connor and Noe made the night!! So courteous and friendly!! Definitely enjoyed our experience a big huge thanks to them!! We had a wonderful weekend! Definitely would return!! read more

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Always great service. View is very special. Food is fantastic. This is the 3rd time we have eaten here and each time has been a wonderful experience. I saw a few reviews complaining and comparing the service and the food. Silly. They have amazing cocktails and a great selection of gluten free options. A+ (again) read more

Had a great dining experience thanks to Dean ! He greeted us with three pink roses, very nice touch to start with ! I recognized Dean instantly as I was on the opening team with him 40 years ago ! Dean helped us decide on our choices, we had the oysters to start then the steak tartare prepared table side ended with the scallops ! We really enjoyed the desserts as well , Thank you so much Dean , good to see you !! Almost forgot to mention the incredible view !! read more

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Our server Gina was so wonderful during our visit and Kevin as well. All the staff were attentive and friendly. We were seated right away after we checked in. I love the view of the ocean from the high ceiling open window. It's breathtaking and makes the whole meal even better! The food was all so delicious! We got the oyster, tuna ceviche, corn soup, salmon and broccoli dish to share. Got a bottle of Ferrari brut champagne with the meal. We will be back again for the view, food and the warm hospitality! read more

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If the restaurant were anywhere else it does not get the full 5 stars. Given the outstanding views and location and 'good' food. It gets my full 5. We were staying there and ended up hosting my family (9 of us) for lunch at RAYA saturday after thanksgiving. Then had another couple over for dinner, so kind of held court there for a bit. The menu is good and there are selection for everyone including my vegan sister and pure carnivorous wife. We killed a few bottles of Grigch Hills Chardonnay and had some nice Veuve champagne. Wine list was in general very good and nice options for drinks in the bar. But really, you come here to gaze at the ocean though restaurant windows and to watch sunset from bar or better the beach down below (they have a shuttle cart if you don;t want do do the 1/4 mile hike ). Service was a bit slow at lunch, but again, i don;t think we cared. Just gave us more time to enjoy hte view. Pricey for sure, but , especially if you are staying there , or even near by, its difficult to find a better location to enjoy a California sunset dinner. read more

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We had a fancy dinner at The Ritz Carlton! The view is to die for and service was on point. We got the mussels, but some of them were gritty, so our server didn't charge us for it.. For main course I had the Shrimp Buddha bowl( which was delicious) and DH had the fish which was cooked to perfection! They brought out a dessert on the house for our special celebration! read more

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Great food, great great view, kids under 2 eat for free, and the service is Ritz level.

If you want a delicious, elegant meal with a gorgeous view, this is where you want to be. Was lucky enough to go right at 5 when they opened so we got the most amazing seat with a huge view of the ocean. The holiday decorations made the seating area so much more fun and festive. The cocktail list wasn't extensive but had a little something for everyone. Started with a Brut Rose and an old fashioned. We had to try the Croquetas. The sound delicious and they definitely delivered on flavors. Then we got the Chipotle White Bean soup that came with these decadent little savory masa dumplings, it was perfect for a cold night. We finished with Roasted Romanesco Cauliflower. It was cooked perfectly and the cashew nut purée mixed with the chimichurri, was absolutely a heavenly combination and I wanted to dip everything in it. Service was outstanding and overall it was a great place to grab a bite and a drink, even if you're not staying at the hotel. read more

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Late review (stayed 11/16-11/18/2022) Husband and I stayed at the Ritz for a few days and dined here for dinner and breakfast. Our dinner server, Mary was wonderful! She really made us feel taken care of when she offered to take a photo of us (the ocean view we had was spectacular) as it was close to sunset. She was truly attentive in every way! The food was amazing too. I ended up ordering a steak entree and my husband ordered a seafood dish and we shared and it was f a b u l o u s The next morning we dined again at Raya for breakfast and that was excellent too. Our server, Alex was great and attentive. I actually took a photo of my breakfast, which was some yummy omelette (California omelette?) but Im not certain of the name. All I know is the food was excellent and i especially liked the orange juice. I know - kinda random to mention the orange juice but I thought it was good; wasn't watered down or cheap tasting. Quality food and people are what you can expect at Raya. So good! read more

Raya - California omelette (? ) - Seafood Near Me - Dana Point, California

We were here for our Anniversary celebrations and there could not be a better way to celebrate the event. We got a seating by the ocean view which was awesome. Our server was very friendly and polite. The food choice although limited had the dishes selection that we wanted. We ordered Salmon, Chicken burger, Ahi Tuna & Salads together with sparking wine and craft beer. The food was very flavourful, presentation and plating was great and quantity was more than enough for both of us. After the lunch we had a short stroll of the property which has breathtaking views. All in all an excellent 5 star dining experience read more

Raya - Seafood Near Me - Dana Point, California

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Eat here and ask for Chris (red hair) to be your server. We were going to stop at Nobu on our way back to LA & I'm so happy we didn't. I might be considered a food snob and I had to leave a review b/c I had such an incredible experience. And while I would say the overall experience at the Ritz here is very Mid, this meal was a saving grace to my weekend. First let's start with Chris, was the best server I've had the pleasure of encountering in years. Exceptionally kind, warm and incredibly knowledgeable of the menu. He made the BEST suggestions, I can keep going. My best advice to the hotel would be to make him the manager of the entire place b/c you guys need help. Next, the food. Omg, chefs kiss, Smoked swordfish dip, hamachi (better than Nobu) , salmon was Phenomenal!!! Octopus it was all fantastic!! A perfect meal. Big thanks to Chris and the Chef! read more

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

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Amazing place in an awesome location. Definitely an OC top 10 which is saying a lot. Dining here is a good excuse to explore the grounds of the ritz which is absolutely stunning around sunset. Service is on point and food is awesome. Definitely recommend the waygu tartare and their swordfish dip. All dishes are thoughtfully prepared and showcases the kitchens passion for providing an awesome dining experience. But restaurant is pricey but the location, food and experience amount to an exceptional value. Don't leave without trying one of their awesome deserts read more

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This review is about Raya's Sunday brunch. They provide prefix menu, $75 per person, which heavily influenced by Mexican cuisine. Items we ordered all were very well prepared. Guacamole was fresh and served with authentic tortillas. That was a very delightful dish. Tuna tatar with soy ginger and Japanese chili was very unique tasting and served with yellow and blue tortillas. Egg Benedict looked very standard. I was asking our server if I can order something off the menu. After checking with kitchen they gladly honored my request and making the best cheeseburger I have had lately. thank you guys. there is a live music during Sunday brunch which provide excellent ambiance. Raya has beautiful Pacific ocean view. during day or sunset it is delightful having a table by the window. service was attentive. I'll be back. read more

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Food: Ok Service: Excellent Ambiance: Nice Tip: If you want a table against the window make an early reservation between 5 and 6ish. Also, there's public parking across the street. Unless you prefer to valet at the hotel. I paid $4 for 3hrs. That was more than enough time to eat, mingle around the hotel grounds and later watch the sunset. read more

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The views are literally to die for. All the dishes we got were beautifully created and tasted perfect. Only the octopus was a little overcooked and rubbery. But we still ate it all bc it tasted so amazing. It is the Ritz, you're paying insane resort fees and valet fees for breathing the air here. Happy overall with the food here . Loved the bartenders here but I've had better cocktails elsewhere for the price. I've never had a $35 old fashion without a clear ice cube! Or at least a large ice cube . We went other places to drink but the views and coming here for the food and experience was everything for us. Our waiter was awesome too and we got an anniversary dessert! read more

Raya - The view !!!! - Seafood Near Me - Dana Point, California

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Fantastic! This restaurant made my stay at the Ritz even better. I ate here twice. Once for dinner and once for lunch. Both times were terrific. Highly recommend daylight eating because the view is amazing. They're really good about trying to accommodate window seating. We came here for our wedding anniversary and were treated so well. They really made it special. I'm obsessed with the aguacaliente seafood dish. I got it both times. So delicious. Also stand outs are the lobster roll for lunch and the crab enchiladas for dinner. Ambiance is chill and quiet and servers and everyone from the host to the other staff are polite and attentive. Truly a wonderful experience. Thank you! read more

We had brunch here while staying at the Ritz. The food was good. My husband ordered the salmon/lox bagel and I ordered chilaquiles. The lox bagel had such a generous amount of salmon and the fixings. I almost wanted to ask for an extra bagel because there was so much left. At $30, I guess it is the most expensive lox bagel I've had, but I didn't feel like it was too overpriced. After all, you are paying for the view as well. I had the chilaquiles, and although I wasn't expecting much, it was delicious. It had great seasoning and the meat was tender and flavorful. The portion is on the small side, but filling enough. Overall, a great option for food and drinks while enjoying the view if you're staying here. Service wasn't friendly but it was efficient. Good coffee too. read more

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Excellent food, amazing ocean views, great service. We had a beautiful dinner before a show and Mary was our server. She didn't rush us (we had plenty of time before our show), but was also attentive. So sweet and couldn't ask for a better server. Thank you, Mary! read more

Raya - Seafood Near Me - Dana Point, California

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Located inside the Ritz-Carlton with an absolutely gorgeous view. The hotel is beautiful and the staff was very friendly. I am disappointed to say the food did not impress and was not worth the price. read more

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

This place offers delicious lunch(11 am- 2 pm), afternoon drink (2 pm -4 pm), and dinner options. You do not need to be a guest of the hotel to enjoy the Raya restaurant. Going to the Ritz is always a good experience. Ask for a table by a window and marvel at the views while you enjoy an impeccable meal. The service is always top-notch - if not every employee, then most. I want to give a huge thank you to Shekinah and Sue especially for making the 'already amazing' experience that much better. Chris was my server and he was very attentive and courteous. His recommendations were spot on. Great cocktail and good presentation food. Overall, The service was perfect, Views were heavenly. Food lacked the Ritz reputation but was still pretty good read more

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