Our first time here for my husband's bday and all in all we did enjoy the experience. Service was great! They were attentive but not too attentive. Valet is 6 dollars not too bad. The food/drinks- We got the American wagyu Zabuton, bone merrow, crab and shrimp linguine, sea salt cast iron bread, truffle fries, the whiskey flight with various whiskeys, the rebel cocktail, sesame bread pudding and the bday dessert with lavender ice cream and strawberry cake. They ran out of the scallion bao so we couldn't try it. The steak we got medium rare and it was slightly overcooked and not super tender I would say I won't miss that dish. Pasta had a healthy amount of crab and shrimp and was good. The fries, steak, bread were SUPER salty. Overall the pasta was the best. Bone marrow had bread crumbs/panko in it and it was soggy, it was by far the worst of what we ordered. The homemade lavender ice cream was SO good! I would say that was my favorite item there. Wish they had that in the main menu I would order that again. All in all we may go back to try other items but can't say for sure I would crave anything in particular. Sesame bread pudding was good but way too sweet. They have a similar black sesame mochi cake at izakaya osen but the one at izakaya was better. Whiskey flight was fun and my cocktail-vodka, lychee, moscato etc was good. The corking fee here is 30 dollars though. Ambiance was fine. Dimly lit but could still see inside. But the seating looks small. read more

We grabbed dinner here for our anniversary the other night and it was delicious! The restaurant itself is small and intimate. The service was really great. Everyone was so nice and helpful. We ordered the whiskey flight as they have a really great and unique selection. We opted for the scallops crudo and endive salad to start. Neither my boyfriend and I really like scallops usually, but these were so good and so beautifully presented. The endive salad was also very tasty and refreshing. I really liked the chicken, but my boyfriend wasn't a fan. And we both demolished the fries. They were so so good. They gave us this perfect little dessert to end our meal too. We had a really great experience here and would recommend it! read more

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wagyu steak was fire!! probably the best steak i've ever tasted, would most definitely come back

I went here recently for a holiday party, so this review comes with the caveat that this was not normal circumstances. The location is a bit tricky to find, hidden inside a building in an office complex at the Newport Beach/Irvine border. Your first entry is at the whisky bar, which also has an outdoor patio. The audio in here was terrible-of course, it was packed with people, but shouting level was nearly needed to have a conversation. Hard surfaces all around make it poor for a romantic spot. Once you go around the wall of the bar, you are in the dining area. Everything was beautifully decorated, but I am really curious how they turn this place back into a restaurant. It was a few large rooms which can be separated by sliding floor to ceiling glass doors. It was just a giant room with a lot of round tables set up. Again, audio was very poor in this place and I can't imagine it's a place to have a romantic dinner. If there is one thing that seriously needs improving to up the ambiance, I would spend money on the audio experience. I had the chilean sea bass for my main course. The starter salad was very good, with fresh mixed greens and berries. The sea bass was a very small portion, with a very strange sweet sauce. I understand how challenging it is to serve nearly 200 people, so I can forgive that mine was not hot but lukewarm. I noticed the steaks served to other guests were very rare. Again, i understand what a challenge this can be. Finally, dessert was something like a floating island-very ethereal and light and not at all filling, which was nice-it was not too much food, but I would have liked a little more substance all around. Service was generally good and attentive. Given my experience here, it's hard to say I would want to visit it as a normal restaurant. But then, I didn't visit it during a normal restaurant experience. read more

I went to Twenty Eight around 5:30pm on a Tuesday. I had called earlier to make a reservation with specific requirements for a high table. The restaurant was able to accommodate a last minute reservation as well as seat us at a high table per my request. Twenty Eight was a hip and trendy restaurant that was located in a business area. My coworker noted the impressive display of whiskeys on their shelves. Another plus was that they validated parking. I ordered a couple of cocktails including the "Double Fortune" and "Enter the Herby Six Flavors." The Double Fortune was quite unique. I'm a huge fan of creamy egg white drinks, but the flavors of the sesame oil, whisky, and citrus did not meld well, in my opinion. Is Enter the Herby Six Flavors a Wu Tang reference? Made me think of Enter the 36 Chambers, so if it is a Wu reference I find that awfully clever! Now this drink was fire. It was a refreshing gin drink with chia seeds, basil, and grapefruit. We managed to get a few rounds of cocktails and a couple of appetizers ordered. Due to a large party, however, it took forever to get our drinks. The saving grace was our waitress, Madison, who was very attentive and transparent. We would've stuck around for their appealing dinner menu, but our experience of the wait was not worth enduring further. read more

Was here for a conference, so I can't speak in the restaurant experience. Regardless, the servers were very respectful of the space and attentive, so they did not disturb the conference and still were timely and helpful. The spicy salmon crudo was flavorful and fresh with a slight kick. Was my favorite appetizer of the night. The DiStefano burrata was creamy and fresh as well. My main was the sea bass in a lemon butter jus and it was rich and tender, perfectly cooked. The roasted potatoes on the side were fantastic as well. The drink selection was small with only a few reds and white wines available, but the servers were very attentive to the glasses that needed refilling. The dessert option was chocolate cake with cream and it was a great end to the meal service. read more

The food was absolutely DELICIOUS. The service was amazing. All of the flavors and seasonings were just right. Sitting outside next to the fire pit was really nice too. Very cozy and relaxing. I'm looking forward to going again read more

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My husband and I decided to try this spot out because it's a whiskey bar. The restaurant is kind of hidden away. Its very clean and the staff is attentive. We showed up with a reservation when it opened up. I had my baby with me and they were very accommodating. The food was delicious my husband had a Filet mignon and I had the chicken plate (can't recall the name) , they were both very yummy. As sides my husband ordered the mac and cheese and brussel sprouts. The portion size is definitely shareable. The bartender was our waiter and was on it. He was very knowledgeable and when I asked him to surprise me with a drink, he never failed to impress us. Overall a pleasant experience. read more

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Located in a Google business center, this restaurant seems to get a lot of customers who work around the building. The ambience inside was spacious but really lacked any character and style. It felt cold and odd, like eating in an open office or business room. Food overall was delicious. We had short ribs and salmon for entrees and grilled octopus with a tomato sauce as appetizer. Everything was flavorful and quality was good. Cocktail drinks were good too. Unfortunately, portions were small with not much additional sides on the plate. I get that it's an expensive $$$ restaurant, but they could be more generous with the sides. The overall portion of the food is not worth the high price. Service was friendly and quick. It wasn't very packed so staff comes around often to check on us. read more

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Food was delicious. Cooked to perfection. The service is spot on and attentive. A nice modern feel .

Wonderful service Great tasting food Loved the music vibes And the ambiance is very intimate Great selection of whiskey and wine Corkage fee wasn't over kill read more

Im sitting at another restaurant right now in Newport Beach and was about to write a review on the lacking service but instead Im writing a review about Twenty Eight that has always given great service the many times we've been there. I feel like good warm service is easy to accomplish and yet seems missing at a lot of places lately. Food choices here are good. We usually get one of the steaks with a salad and a side. The whiskey selection is very lengthy and overall ambience is great. Highly recommend for a date night or special occasion. read more

The food was really really good. The lamb chops were incredible and the steaks were really juicy. The sides are also really good like the Mac and cheese read more

Twenty Eight - Steakhouses Near Me - Irvine, California

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I had a party here and this is one of the best steak houses in Irvine. Avoid the big name traps. Their mixed drinks are tops and the service is top tier and it's not boring. Their spin on meat and side dishes are original and it's not just meat drowned in butter. In my humble opinion the Australian beef is the best thing on their menu as far as beef goes. Salads are really good too. Not drowned in dressing veggies are fresh and bouncy. Great ambience but not sleepy or boring like Mastros. read more

Twenty Eight - Tomahawk - Steakhouses Near Me - Irvine, California

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Had an amazing first time experience here! Surprisingly, the place was not very busy at all, which can be a little concerning but it was kind of early so we didn't think too much into it. It is a very chic and modern atmosphere inside. I felt very special, being my birthday and all, our server was the sweetest. She helped me decide on a cocktail and it was perfect! (Check out the pictures) Started with the charcuterie board, probably didn't have to but I wanted to try it all. Great selection to pick from. The octopus didn't wow me, I have tried it at so many different places, is not fair to compare. But it was very fresh and well cooked. But the pork buns and the Mac and cheese were a success. The dough of those buns was perfectly flaky and sweet. And the m&c was literally melted in my mouth. I will definitely love to come back and try even more items from their menu. read more

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I was craving a steak, so I thought I'd try Twenty Eight. Unfortunately the food was okay, and not so great. That's a quick little rhyme i put together to sum up my thoughts on Twenty Eight. I felt like treating myself to a nice first steak for the new year and have had an eye on this restaurant for a few years. Of course I have to give some leniency since I ordered takeout but I can still give my thoughts on the flavor. I ordered the American Wagyu Ribeye which costs $120 for 16 oz. The odd thing was that they recommended that I had it cooked medium when you would think medium rare would be best. I went with the chef recommendation and it was cooked well. The meat was tender, juicy, and everything you want in a good steak. The thing is that there was nothing special about it and tasted like any steak you would find at a good butcher shop. I know that this is American Wagyu and not Japanese Wagyu, but if I'm paying over $100, I would expect it to be extra well marbled. The steak was also over seasoned and within the first few bites I had to reach for my water. It didn't taste like it was basted with garlic or herbs and I could only detect salt and pepper. In contrast to the over salted steak, the Crab Tajarin was severely under seasoned. Besides the fried soft shell crab on the side, I would not know it was a crab pasta. The menu description indicates blue crab meat and pictures show a couple crab claws but that was missing on my dish. The pasta just tasted like a truffle cream pasta and I was searching for any crab meat mixed in. Super disappointing when you expect one thing but it's something different. $34 for one portion of pasta with one soft shell crab and no crab elsewhere is a robbery. This is in no way a crab pasta and if it were named Truffle Cream Tajarin, it would be a more accurate description. The woman on the phone ended up selling me on adding the 28 Steak Sauce for $5 that was really not worth it. On its own it's not bad, but the flavor of the sauce completely overpowers the steak. I barely touched the sauce because it would have made the steak even more salty so it was a waste. Maybe the whole experience would be better dining in, but if the flavor of the food isn't enough to impress me, it's not worth trying again. The total came out to over $170 for one steak and a relatively small portion of pasta. I don't feel like I got my moneys worth and that is never a good feeling read more

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This place is a hidden gem! The lobster Mac and cheese was so insanely good the best I've ever had. My brother got the steak and it was juicy and cooked perfectly. The service was GREAT. Elizabeth was a great server to my family and was so kind! The vibe of the restaurant is so beautiful too. Outside is the best, right by the fireplace lol. Side note: they validate your parking! Overall such a great dinner and so happy I found this place, definitely will be back read more

Nice ambience and friendly staff. 10/10 for whiskey tasting. Complimentary dessert for our wedding anniversary.

By far one of the best quality restaurant in OC. We have been here a couple times now and it always blows our taste buds. The food has the best quality and the best taste. Every dish we have ordered has been exceptional this place never disappoints. Service is excellent, they are very attentive and friendly. The ambience is very mellow and romantic, very private. Definitely recommend this place for a wonderful night out. read more

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This spot needs a higher overall rating on Yelp. We couldn't find a thing wrong with it. The service was exceptional -- our hostess greeted us cheerfully and acknowledged all the requests from our reservation (It wasn't busy so it probably wasn't needed, but would suggest for a party of four or more so you get preferred seating as it is a small place). Our waitress, Alessandra, was a class act and very kind. She was very knowledgeable and gave us the rundown on the type of food the restaurant served, which was very appreciated. Every worker we encountered here was lovely and courteous, and they made a point to bring out new silverware with each plate/course, which was a small detail I appreciated since a lot of restaurants make you ask for new silverware and aren't as attentive. The food was phenomenal. We had the scallion pao bread with the chili butter, which I still dream about at night. It's the type of melt in your mouth, perfectly soft and warmed up bread you would eat your weight in if you could. For entrees, we had the New York Strip steak. I added garlic butter and mac and cheese. Everything tasted high quality and was seasoned to perfection. Nothing too salty, nothing too bland. We could not stop raving about how delicious the food was as we ate! The drinks were fabulous, albeit a tad on the pricier side, but worth it if you are celebrating something or just want to enjoy a classy dinner. If you are a wine lover, they have a large selection and you are bound to find something you love. I'm big on a good bourbon or whiskey myself, and ordered an old fashioned, which was perfect. I also ordered a more lighthearted "dessert" drink, the Floating in Manila, which was a mango, chili, and graham cracker coated concoction that was the perfect boozy sweet treat to wrap dinner. I will have to try their dessert someday as the warm chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream had me drooling, but the portions are so fair here that I was content and full. Parking is not an issue as they will validate your parking in the structure if you bring your ticket with you. This place is tucked between the Google and Equinox building, which is the explanation for how empty it can feel. Don't let the lack of a crowd fool you however, I had a great experience here and I think with time it can only get better. read more

I'm actually so surprised at how empty this place was on a Saturday evening. We made reservations for our anniversary and everyone was so friendly and attentive. The food was incredible. The drinks were delicious and so aesthetic. This place should have a line out the door! read more

Twenty Eight - Steakhouses Near Me - Irvine, California

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I came here to meet a long lost friend I haven't seen in over 10 years. The staffs were extremely accommodating even with no reservations and even took care of us when we wanted to be reseated in an area that was a bit more quiet. Our intentions were to just go for drinks and maybe have a couple of appetizers. But since the vibe was so comfortable here I decided to go ahead and order the chateaubriand. Needless to say I had no regrets. The tenderloin had a really good quality beefy flavor that really didn't need the creamy mushroom sauce, but it paired well. I recommend having the sauce on the side and not on the steak. My friend noticed there were no blood on the dish even it was served already sliced. This is when you know the chefs preps & cooks w professional knowledge & experience at this level of attention to detail. Not to forget to mention the beef tenderness was so "melt in your mouth", who needs teeth to enjoy this dish?! The salmon appetizer was a spread that is mayo-based that was served with corn chips. It was quite delicious garnished well with some greens on top. The second appetizer dish we tried was the Spanish grilled octopus. The flavor was nice and nothing was overpowering so it was well balanced. It was accommodated with a creamy sauce. The octopus itself was not chewy and quite tender. The drinks were high end great quality, attention to detail as well. As you can notice, even the ice disappears in the drink because it's crystal clear. You know there's a professional mixologist when the creativity is top notch & perfection in demand. This was my first time here & it will not be the last. read more

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Top tier experience for sure! The staff is very attentive, the drinks were well crafted and the food was exquisite. They asked us what we were celebrating and gave us complimentary dessert. We will be back for sure. Thank you Liz read more

Twenty Eight - New York steak medium well, lamb chops well done, fried rice, green beans, bread and scallion butter. - Steakhouses Near Me - Irvine, California

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What a cute restaurant! Hidden within commercial buildings, is this chic gem. (Note you can park in the structure and they validate). First off, the staff was very friendly and professional for the most part and the indoor and outdoor dining options provide equally as quaint a vibe. Foods tried: Spanish Octopus - octopus cooked to perfection the sauces and accompanying veggies really made this dish! It's a definite must try! I kinda wished I would have ordered a second one bc it was that good! Roasted mushrooms and endives salad - this was an ok starter. I was hoping for a blend of mushrooms but it's just button mushrooms at the bottom. It is tasty, but a blend of mushrooms would probably enhance the flavor profile. Fried brussel sprouts - a definite mush try! The brussel sprouts were fried to perfection and the toppings paired really well. Another definite must try! Cesar salad - it was a tad over dressed, but a good staple dish to have. Filet - decided to try the filet based on reviews. They overcooked it so and as much as I didn't want to, I had to send it back. It was a tad awkward as I was asked to cut the filet in half to prove it was over cooked - especially given it's not a very large cut of meat. Very little to no pink in the middle either. Second round, came out much better. So if you want your filet medium, perhaps asking for medium rare is the way to go? Ny Steak - my friend got this and though it was ok. Shrimp and crab linguine - another friend got this and devoured it. He said it was really good - needless to say. Coffee - it's French press and really good. After dinner and drinks a nice way to relax after a nice dinner. Tea - I was told it was green tea, but it must've been some unique blend as it was not very good. I'd avoid the tea. All in all it was a fun night minus my filet being over cooked. A fun vibe restaurant to check out with friends or a special someone. read more

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Super delicious food; cozy atmosphere; excellent service from our server, Rolando! I'd been wanting to try this place for a while, and I'm so glad I finally did. Yum! read more

Great hidden gem. The food was phenomenal, the cocktails superb and service outstanding. Although we had reservations for a table indoors we opted for a cozy table outdoors. It was a lovely, serene evening just perfect for a chill night out. Highly recommend is the Bangkok Blanc Negroni and the Somm's Old Fashion cocktail. If hungry the Scallop Crudo to share is delicious and the Wagyu Hanger and their Petit Lamb Chop are lovely. We will definitely be back. read more

Twenty Eight - A must try, the Scallop Crudo. - Steakhouses Near Me - Irvine, California

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Possibly some of the best food and service in Irvine. It's off the beaten trail, so you need to make a point of going, but believe me you *need* to make a point of going. It's in the Google office area, so feels a little unusual on first visit. Parking is free in the structure so that's not an excuse to not go, plus they have valet so go ahead and wear those fancy (but uncomfortable) shoes and step out of the car right at the door. We went as a group of four, and the menu is interesting and well executed. Very high standards. They had a great drinks menu also and a couple of us we able to ask for non alcoholic versions. If you are a real foodie, then you will appreciate this place. It feels a little undiscovered right now with a number of seats available on a weekend evening, but if you know dining then you will recognize the standard. Irvine needs more places like this. Go now and support and experience the talent. read more

Visited early on a Friday evening now that everything is relaxing a little with the pandemic. We got a nice spot in the patio, and were able to enjoy a nice leisurely dinner. Our server Kevin was great. He was able to answer our questions and give us suggestions and details to help us decide on our selections. For drinks we got the Central Park, which was like a "woodsy" Manhattan. It had a little smoke to it. I had the Do the Hokey Toki which was lighter and "citrusy". Both were good choices . For starters we had the Spicy Salmon Crudo and the Spanish Octopus. Both were delicious and a good size for two to have some of each. For dinner, I had the HERITAGE PORK SHOULDER which had the pork shoulder sliced with char siu glaze. The fried buns reminded me of homemade donut dough. Little crispy on the outside and soft and pillowy Inside. Definitely a good choice We also had the Faroe island salmon with a lemon paprika sauce. That was very flavor as well. Solid choice there too. For sides we got the Parmesan fries and the Mac and cheese. Both were all I had hoped they would be. Fries were crispy and full of Parmesan flavor. The Mac and cheese was creamy and cheesy. Lots of food but everything was so good. read more

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First impression small dining area oversized bar. Wes a friendly greeting. The waiter took our order and did not write it down resulting in forgetting part of our order. The food was mediocre nothing out of this world. The only thing out of this world was the price , we will never return to this establishment. Oh I forget. Not only do they charge for bread they charge you for butter unreal. read more

I held my best friends surprise 40th here and they took care of our party with great service. Food was amazing and the private room was perfect ! Thank you Twenty Eight read more

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Amazing drinks, and great steaks cooked to perfection. The wagyu hanger steak is a must try cooked over oak charcoal it has a Smokey flavor that pairs great with the pork chops and apple sauce cocktail(fat washed bourbon) read more

Twenty Eight - Pork chops and applesauce, cocktail fat washed whistle pig six year - Steakhouses Near Me - Irvine, California

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Came here last minute for some steaks. They were able to accommodate us on a Friday night with no wait at all. Perfect place for date night. Drinks: Whiskey Gone Banana: Delicious. Never knew bananas would pair with Rye that well. Food: Heritage Pork Shoulder: this appetizer could be a meal on its own. Pork was juicy and pineapples were perfect. Highly recommend. American Wagyu Ribeye: this can be definitely shared after finish the pork shoulder. Perfectly cooked to a medium rare. No sauces are needed. However, we did try 28 steak sauce and brown butter and herb, but ended up eating majority of the steak without the sauces. Potato Purée: wasn't outstanding. Normal mash potatoes, can do without. Parking: parking structure available with validation. Ticket got demagnetized and they were able to accommodate with a new ticket to replace the parking ticket. read more

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The food is delicious, love the salad, filet mignon was excellent. Servers were super friendly and worked hard, will definitely come back!

Friendly service, tasty food, good vibes! Came here for celebrating birthday with my friends. read more

Twenty Eight - Complimentary bday dessert - Steakhouses Near Me - Irvine, California

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The food was amazing. The server & the staffs are amazingly good. The ambiance was awesome. I highly recommend

Our first time going here for a friends birthday. Wasn't sure what to expect since I found this place on Yelp. But the customer service was above my expectations. The girls who waited on us was very pleasant and friendly. Food was great. We had a really enjoyable time at Twenty Eight in Irvine. Will def be back for special occasions in the near future. read more

Came here for my dads birthday and we were all so impressed! The food was absolutely delicious and the workers were all super kind and attentive. The chicken and waffles were my personal favorite. This delicious meal consists of a fried chicken thigh that is SUPER flavorful, juicy, and crunchy all at the same time. The waffle is a cheddar crusted scallion waffle, incorporated with togarashi seasoning and pancake syrup. Come through for brunch or dinner with sit-down dining, take-out, or curbside pick-up! Honestly, making a reservation is highly recommended if you're going to dine in :) Price for the chicken & waffle: $15 read more

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I've been wanting to try twenty eight for sometime and was able to during valentine weekend. It's a hidden restaurant that offers dinners and I believe does events. It made rsvp through yelp and didn't have any issues rescheduling for a later time. Parking is offered in the structure and the host stands does free validation. It's located next to the google and equinox buildings. I never knew about this location until coming here. Upon entering, you'll notice tables set up outside and a nice bar area once you enter thru the main doors. We were sat in a corner area that was private and nice. It wasn't busy as I expected. Our server was great and offered recommendations. We started off with drinks, I got the pork chops and apple sauce cocktail. It was came out in a nice Smokey presentation and tasted good. My gf tried the whiskey gone bananas and it wasn't as good as mine. For starters, we went with the avocado & lil gem salad. My gf was very happy with that. We decided on crab tajarin, that came with a soft shell crab and balanced well with noodles. Next was the prime New York strip with a side of brown butter and herb sauce. It went well with the steak. We got the mac & cheese and I would say, don't order that!It wasn't cheesy and wasn't worth 16 dollars. Overall, nice experience for a special dinner or event and it's not tough to get a table. read more

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The food was amazing and the service was great Our server Liz was so helpful, kind, and attentive!! will definitely go back there again! read more

10/10 recommend for small parties/events! Liz helped me schedule my event and choose the area best suited for what I was looking for. She was EXTREMELY responsive and made it so easy to book the space and choose my menu items. Day of event our main server, also named Liz, was so attentive and extremely kind. The area was kept very clean, I don't remember ever seeing an empty glass or dirty plate. Food was also delicious and drinks were very good. Will definitely be back! read more

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