This venue stepped in and saved my wife's birthday when high tides forced our other venue to…read morecancel. Every staff member was incredibly nice, welcoming, and invested in making sure my wife felt celebrated. A massive shoutout to the manager, Max. He recognized our situation and handled everything with absolute empathy and class. He elevated the entire experience. The drinks were fantastic, the fire pit provided the perfect atmosphere, and the service was seamless from start to finish. It made it abundantly clear that customer care is their top priority. If you are planning a special occasion and want a team that actually cares, look no further. Max and his entire crew turned what could have been a stressful evening into a high point of our year, and they have earned repeat visits.

The staff at the ranch were absolutely amazing, and every single person we interacted with went…read moreabove and beyond. Max at Harvest was fantastic, as was our server, Scott. Josie at the Farm was also incredible. She was extremely knowledgeable and passionate about her profession, and we learned so much about the ranch's mission of sustainability. That experience made us even more invested in and appreciative of the property. The room and amenities were excellent as well. Everything was very clean, the shower was great, and the overall experience was exactly what you would expect from a property of this caliber. I genuinely hope to return one day and be able to give the ranch a 5-star review, but there is one area I feel deserves some attention: the pool environment, specifically the enforcement of the pool rules with children. I completely understand that the pool can become extremely busy and that staff are understandably focused on serving guests. However, I think there needs to be more responsibility placed on the adults accompanying children, along with more consistent reminders from staff when necessary. The posted rules specifically prohibit ball throwing, diving, horseplay, yelling and screaming, and state that children under 14 should not be left unattended. Unfortunately, during our visit, nearly all of these rules were being disregarded. There were children throwing things, fighting, using foul language, and engaging in loud horseplay. At one point, drinks were even being spilled into the jacuzzi. It ultimately made the pool area feel more like a chaotic family pool than the peaceful, upscale environment the ranch is otherwise known for. Kids will be kids, and I certainly don't fault children for being energetic. My concern is that the ranch is a tucked-away oasis that feels very intentionally designed for adults and relaxation. The pool rules are there for a reason, and I think more consistent enforcement, and perhaps clearer reminders to parents, would go a long way toward preserving that atmosphere for everyone. Overall, we had a wonderful experience, and the staff, property, and sustainability experience were exceptional. With some additional attention to the pool environment, I think the ranch could easily deliver the 5-star experience I hope to experience on our next visit.

Our friends are members, so we got the royal treatment. The club provides towels and chairs, so we…read morearrived empty-handed. We ordered our drinks from the bar and took them outside. The guys did some body surfing while we ladies enjoyed our bevvies. When dinnertime rolled around, we headed to the restaurant and sat at a table downstairs that offered an unobstructed view of the sunset, which was absolutely breathtaking. Jaclyn was our server, and she ensured that everyone had exactly what they needed while keeping our glasses filled at all times. I had their fish tacos, and they were delicious; however, the tortillas were a little tough, so I ate everything but them. All things considered, I will say our late-afternoon jaunt down to the Monarch Beach Bay Club a success! We all look forward to next time!!!

I came to this restaurant for dinner on the evening of June 11 while staying at the resort with my…read morewife. When we arrived, there was a white couple in front of us. The hostess immediately checked their room number and escorted them to a table by the window with a beautiful ocean view. When it was our turn, we were also asked for our room number, but were told that we would have to wait more than 30 minutes. But we looked around and half of the tables are empty. Since there were no other restaurants nearby, we decided to wait. Eventually, another girl hostess took us to a table in a secluded corner, far from the windows and with no ocean view. What was especially disappointing was the attitude of both female employees. Their facial expressions, body language, and overall manner toward us felt dismissive and condescending, especially compared with how warmly they had treated the white couple before us. There were still several empty tables near the windows at that time, which made the situation even more difficult to understand. My wife and I were extremely uncomfortable and honestly considered leaving. We had been enjoying our stay at the resort for several days, but this experience completely changed our mood. We ultimately stayed because we were exhausted after spending the entire day at the beach and did not want to leave the resort to find another restaurant. Unfortunately, we did not enjoy the meal because of how we were treated. Despite everything, we still left a 20% tip. The next day, we happened to see one of the hostesses and one of the servers from our dinner. When they saw us, they gave us a very strange look, which made the whole experience even more uncomfortable. I am not claiming to know exactly why we were treated differently. However, the contrast in treatment was difficult to ignore. I sincerely hope this was not related to the fact that we are Asian, because no guest should ever feel unwelcome or looked down upon because of their race or ethnicity. I would appreciate an honest explanation from management about what happened that evening.

Our room wasn't ready, so we came in for a cocktail and it turned into a few as it took way longer…read morethan expected for our room to be ready. Drinks were really good and service from Jorge was great. Since Bourbon Steak was closed (why, at a resort??), we ended up coming back here for dinner. Nice evening and got a good spot to watch sunset Opted for Hamachi Crudo to start and it was fantastic. Then, we both got their French aonion Smash Burger, one with fries and one salad. The Burger was crazy good! Honestly one of the best I've ever had. Salad was fine, and fries were cold, so they redid them. Wife was happier than I was with second batch, but it was nice of them. Glazed Mushrooms were awaste of my time and money. Zero flavor and lazy side. Wine was good. We went with the suggested Malbec. Overpriced, but good. Service from Esthefani was great.

We had our Breakfast at the Aveo during our recent visit to Waldorf Astoria at Monarch Beach. My…read morewife got the breakfast buffet while I ordered the Chicken Burrito. Breakfast buffet was good with lot of selections but my Chicken Burrito stole the show. It was so good, that she wished she also ordered the burrito instead of the breakfast. The ambience is great with good views of the resort and far away ocean. Service here is always great. Overall , a very good breakfast experience here !

We came here for the first time and definitely will not be the last one!…read moreThe food was so delicious and fresh, the service very friendly and professionally especially Jovani and Estela were amazing and even the owner made sure we were taking care of! The ambiance was lovely and calming with nice music and vibes.

Another disappointing experience with the food. I was invited here as a guest and I was hoping…read moremanagement had taken note of the many reviews mentioning issues with food quality by now. The service was good, and the atmosphere is beautiful, but there is only so much you can sacrifice in food quality for the sake of a beautiful dining experience. In my experience this has been one of the most inconsistent restaurants in Laguna Niguel over the past 10 years I've live here (particularly when it comes to the food). What's frustrating is that I've actually had good meals here twice, which tells me that the kitchen is capable of producing good food when the right people are behind it. Management, listen to your patrons. Guests seem to repeatedly describe the same issue, and whatever you've been doing to address it clearly isn't working. It may be time to take a different approach, Invest in your kitchen, hire a strong chef and a consistent culinary team, and FIX THE FOOD. The restaurant has the atmosphere and potential to be so much better, but beautiful surroundings can't make up for consistently disappointing food.

Came here to celebrate our close friend's birthday with some champagne, and we didn't even make a…read morereservation--just walked in and hoped for the best! Luckily, there was no wait and still plenty of spots available. We decided to sit on the sofa, which was so nicely decorated and made the whole setting feel extra cozy. The three of us clearly came for the champagne , so we ended up ordering two bottles and, honestly, very little food. But hey, it was a birthday celebration! Overall, we had such a great experience and were so happy we stopped by. Definitely a 10/10!

I love all the bartenders at 33 North at the Waldorf in Monarch Beach and it's such a cool hang. I…read morealways enjoy sitting at the bar catching up with Phil and Berto they make everyone feel special. My only complaint about the menu is it's too limited and the new chef at Bourbon made a HORRIBLE decision to discontinue my beloved BRUSSELS SPROUTS which were the HIGHLIGHT of my day. WTH??? Why did one NEW chef decide to get rid of the one item everyone loves and replace it with broccolini with cheese? Is he trying to cut costs or drive customers FAR away? I don't get it at ALL. Can someone at Bourbon steak explain this to us?

Second time here. Waited 20 minutes before a manager finally came over to take an appetizer and…read moredrink order. Waiter had too many tables to handle. Had to ask for water and refills and had to pour our own wine. Sea bass was good but not sure the price is justified. Lamb was not very warm and mostly fat. Was a birthday occasion and was noted when we made the booking but they didn't acknowledge it. Overall the food is good but not worth the $450 tab. Won't be back. Shame since we are local and love to frequent good restaurants.

Took my family for our anniversary dinner. The food and service by Mathew was excellent. Beautiful…read moredecor. Mezze platter looks simple but is fresh and flavorful. Fresh baked pita, delicious marinated olives and dips. Beef tartare was great. Chopped not ground in french style. Steak frites with tender steak and house fries zhoug sauce. Delicious Dry aged duck cooked medium. Flavorful and concentrated from aging. Haricot Vertes crisp tender. True petit size. Tiramisu creamy espresso served tableside. The dry aged porterhouse on the table next to us looked incredible. I highly recommend Ilya. It's a great addition to San Clemente. Valet or street parking.

We walked in spontaneously, no reservations. Lucked out and got a high top table facing the ocean…read more The weather was absolutely perfect today, sunny and breezy. Perfect for a few drinks by the ocean. We even got to see some dolphins in the water! The service was great, the food was ok. The cocktails were a little weak, but I'm not a heavy drinker so I don't mind. It was a quintessential, So Cal day. It felt like everyone was enjoying the day in the sun. Honestly, we couldn't have asked for more. We had a great time.

The Hotel Laguna Restaurant has such great ambiance; there is an indoor space, and an outdoor space…read moreavailable to choose with the dining experience. The service was excellent....however, we must say the food did not equal the rest of the amenity and let the whole experience down. We ordered steak, salad, and drinks. Good to bad; Good; drinks were well presented and tasteful. Good; salad (classic Caesar) was good if not memorable. Bad; Steak was over salted, and did not live up to the potential of this establishment. With so many choices in Laguna Beach available I'd suggest that the best idea is to go to the hotel and enjoy the beach view while having a drink. Then, go to one of the other excellent area restaurants for dinner. I will end by saying the price was fairly reasonable for Laguna Beach, just sad to say that the food was not adequate to the space.

My daughter took me to Studio Mediterranean at Montage Laguna Beach to celebrate my birthday on…read moreSunday night, and we had an amazing time there. She made the reservation one week in advance. We arrived at 5:00 PM, the restaurant's opening time, and were seated after only a 4-minute wait. The restaurant's interior is exactly the style I love, elegant white décor, high ceilings with stylish lanterns, and beautiful windows and doors offering a gorgeous ocean view. They have both indoor and outdoor seating areas, as well as a beautiful bar. The moment you sit down, you immediately feel relaxed and ready to enjoy the experience. The food quality was outstanding! The Seafood Platter ($160/small) was absolutely amazing. It included six oysters, chilled prawns, Hokkaido scallop crudo, kampachi crudo, Maine lobster tail, and king crab. Everything tasted incredibly fresh and delicious. The Charred Octopus ($36) with saganaki sauce, spinach, and parsley cream was a very unique and flavorful dish. The Tableside Horiatiki Salad ($53) was refreshing and beautifully prepared. The Branzino ($62/lb) was absolutely delicious! Since the restaurant specializes in Mediterranean cuisine, I knew I had to try the Branzino, and it did not disappoint. It reminded me of the amazing Branzino I enjoyed during my trip to Greece. The Grilled Colorado Lamb Chops ($84) were surprisingly tender and flavorful. The Lemon Roasted Potatoes ($18) were great. For dessert, we tried the Baklava Ice Cream Sundae ($21), which was a very yummy and the Citrus Textures ($19), which was beautifully presented and delicious. For drinks, I ordered the Ares ($30) made with Siete Leguas Blanco Tequila, blood orange liqueur, hibiscus, citrus, and cherry wood smoke. It was a unique cocktail and a great addition to the meal. I have to say, there were no disappointing dishes and everything we ordered was excellent! The service was also outstanding. Our server Julia was friendly, professional, and very attentive. She gave us great recommendations and even surprised me with a complimentary birthday dessert. Her wonderful service truly made our dining experience even more memorable. Overall, I had a fantastic birthday celebration at Studio Mediterranean Montage Laguna Beach. With incredible food, excellent service, and a breathtaking ocean view, it is a perfect place for a special occasion. The price is on the higher end, but the quality and experience are worth it. I highly recommend it for birthdays, anniversaries, or any celebration. I will definitely come back and recommend it to my friends!

WARNING... if you book a reservation for a special celebration for this restaurant, please have a…read morebackup plan as they cancelled my reservation and probably many others just one week before our reservation even though I booked it months in advance. I was hoping to leave a 5 star review because the view, food and service from our server Julia were all amazing and memorable. But I was disappointed in the management of this fine dining restaurant establishment... I booked a reservation for a party of 8 to celebrate my parents 50th anniversary. I made the reservation a few months ago. But ONE WEEK BEFORE our reservation I got a missed call and voicemail from the restaurant stating that they cancelled our reservation because of a last minute buyout. I was shocked when I got this voicemail because the dinner was only one week away. So I called them back and asked to move my reservation to the next day. I asked what management was going to do for this last minute change and inconvenience and they told me that management said they would "provide enhancements throughout the evening to make up for this". So we showed up to dinner today and I reminded the front desk what had happened and they had no notes about what happened to us. So I asked them to remind the manager what they told me about providing enhancements throughout our dinner. After a memorable meal and amazing service by Julia, we were so full so we were planning on passing on dessert and asked for the check. We got the check and nothing was compensated for by management. So I asked if we can speak to the manager. The manager came and seemed to have no idea about what had happened to us and was not apologetic at all and didn't seem to really care at all about our last minute cancelled reservation. He said he would check to see what happened and came back and said that they were going to give us free dessert... but we were already done with the our meal and had the check in hand. I said we were full and were planning on passing on dessert and asked what they can do for us. And the only thing he offered was free dessert. We asked if they normally offered free desserts for guests celebrating an anniversary and he said he didn't know that we were celebrating an anniversary, but that they would bring an anniversary dessert out along with other free desserts. So we ended up sticking around and eating tons of free desserts even though we told them we were full and were done. At a fine dining establishment, I would have expected more sympathy and attention from the manager from the start, not at the end of our meal after I had to ask to speak to him. Since the restaurant cancelled our reservation a week before our meal, it would have been nice for the manager to come and acknowledge what had happened once we arrived and provide some "enhancements" throughout our dinner as they promised. Instead, he completely lacked sympathy, didn't acknowledge what happened, was not apologetic, didn't even know what had happened to us, didn't even know we were celebrating my parents anniversary, didn't stop by once on his own before I asked to speak to him, didn't compensate anything from our meal after we said we were done and already had our check in hand, but instead brought out desserts that we didn't really want because we were full and were getting ready to leave. Julia is the saving grace of this restaurant and our meal. We still enjoyed our meal and had an amazing time celebrating my parent's anniversary. We didn't let the apathetic management ruin this special day and meal. Below is the voicemail they left us one week before our reservation date. "Good afternoon, Mr. Choi. I'm calling from montage, you're gonna beach dining reservations. This is in regards to your studio Mediterranean reservation for a party of, um, I'm sorry, uh, 5 PM for a party of 8 on Saturday, September 12. At this time, the restaurant does actually have a buyout, so we do have to relocate all reservations for that day. I'm happy to see if there's anything available at the loft restaurant for you for that same evening, or I'm happy to change the reservation to Sunday, September 13th. Um, at 615 PM. If you can please give us a call on 949-715-6420 once again 949-715-6420. This reservation will be canceled again due to the buyout, but happy to relocate you at the loft or studio Mediterranean, but on Sunday. Thank you so much. We look forward to welcoming you and hearing back from you. Goodbye."