Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Vaca

    3.9 (2k reviews)
    Closed 5:00 pm - 9:00 PM
    Updated 2 months ago

    Vaca Photos

    Business Info

    VACA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Trendy
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Vaca

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Ohmar G.

    Any proper Spanish paella Valenciana should be suggested to be ordered when you are seated so that it can have a proper 35-45 mins it requires to develop a "socarrat" or crispy rice crust bottom. This would be the prized piece of the rice that the guest of honor normally gets first taste of. We got ours within 15 mins of ordering. No socarrat for the premium price tag of $60 while half of the shrimp were underdone. No thank you.

    Lola G.

    Vaca is a Spanish tapas style restaurant with great meat and cocktails. Some of my meal highlights was the bikini sandwich and the night's special, which was a perfectly cut piece of steak. I was disappointed in the patatas bravas, however, which I felt lacked much flavor. The cocktails were exceptional. I enjoyed a classic dirty martini, their specialty vaca tonic (A+ cocktail), and had their non-alcoholic drink called Starry Night (very delicious, but not worth $16). The setting is quite breath-taking, with the restaurant decorated with elaborate cuts of meat and wine bottles. The lighting is very warm-toned and elegant. Overall, we had a delicious meal and cocktails before heading to the Segerstrom (just a quick walk away). The service was excellent and the meal great, but I think the whole experience was heavily overpriced for what you get.

    Dessert
    Ryan T.

    Drinks, food and service were amazing. Second time coming to Vaca. We sat outside in their back patio. We started with four of the tapas and also had a flank steak. You'll want to order a few things and share with your group. It was also my birthday and they came out with a surprise dessert.

    Lisa K.

    Had a friend in town so we decided to check out Vaca. I had heard great things so really wanted to love this place, but it was a bit short of my expectations given the prices. First off, my friends had sat at the bar for a good 20 min before the bartender finally acknowledged them and took our drink order. Even then she was not very nice and totally made other patrons orders who had sat down after us before even trying to deliver our drinks to us. Once the drinks were delivered, they were pretty much slammed onto the bar counter rather than being delivered with care. Yikes. I had asked for a bar napkin because the rim was sticky and she completely ignored me. So rude. Our reservation on a Friday night with a show happening at Segerstrom was at 7:45pm which means the show crowd should have already left by this point. We easily didn't get seated until 8:15-8:20pm for a 7:45pm reservation because our table was lingering. Seems like poor table management on the restaurant's part to be that far behind schedule. Once we sat down, we did our best to order right away as we were starving and was pretty sure it would take awhile for the food to come out. Our server greeted us within a few min of sitting down and since we were ready to order by the time she showed up, we ordered everything from appetizers to full meal. Started with the croquetas and gambas. Both were good but honestly I've had better. The sauce for the gambas felt like the ratio of the sherry was a bit much and not enough spice. Ended up with the Paella Valenciana which was okay, but the flavors felt kind of bland and the scallops and shrimp inside seemed like they could have been cooked more thoroughly. I believe we got the 12oz New York Steak to share, and it felt the meat itself was super tender but lacked a bit of flavor for my liking. We wanted the broccolini but they ran out so ended up with the Brussel sprouts instead which were very good. Overall the ambiance inside the restaurant is a bit tight and chaotic for my liking. I definitely like the bar area better than the tables which were very close together, so may have to try dining at the bar next time.

    Yosmar J.

    This is the third time coming here and I've loved it every time. The service is usually amazing, food doesn't take 30-40 minutes, and drinks come usually fairly quickly. This time around the service was not great, drinks too forger, and the waiter seemed too busy with other tables. Forgetting our orders and forgetting we were there. We were also celebrating something special and the waiter didn't bother to acknowledge it despite the hostess's asking if we were celebrating something special. This time around our experience was okay, definitely not the vaca we know. I do however recommend their chicken croquettas

    Menu
    Sam S.

    Outstanding Spanish food in a beautiful, contemporary setting. Right next to the Segestrom Center, this restaurant has both indoor and outdoor seating. Service is friendly and efficient and the food was excellent. We had a reservation but we still had a 15 minute wait, as they were swamped on a Saturday evening. However it became quieter after 7:30 pm. Their corkage ($40) is steep, but they have a decent wine selection and great cocktails. We ordered a bottle of Tempranillo ($60), which was very good. Menu is expansive. We had 4-5 tapas and a paella. The Pan con Tomato, the meatballs, the chicken croquettes and the Patatas Bravas were excellent. The Valencia paella was to die for. Definitely consider going here or to their sister location in LA. Great for date night. Parking in the lot across the street is validated, otherwise valet parking is $12.

    Basque cheesecake
    Olivia H.

    Vaca is a solid restaurant for a date night or a pre-show dinner. We went on a Monday for dinner and discovered that they have a special discounted menu on Monday nights. It was decently priced and the food was good. Our favorite dish was surprisingly the bikini sandwich. We randomly ordered it and it actually tasted great! Overall, decent Spanish food with good service and a nice atmosphere.

    Seafood paella
    Christina C.

    This is easily one of the premier destinations for authentic paella in the United States. I highly recommend the seafood paella, though the Spanish octopus and seared scallops are equally exceptional. Whatever you do, do not skip the Basque cheesecake; it is truly the finest I have ever had. The patio offers a remarkably cozy and romantic atmosphere, perfect for a special evening. While the service is attentive and professional, please keep in mind that the paella is prepared to order and requires a bit of patience--it is well worth the wait.

    Panapuri
    Cody L.

    Cute date night spot right next to the Segerstrom Center for the Arts. The vibe is moody and intimate, with Spanish-inspired decor, several bar seats, indoor seating, and a nice patio. One of the best Spanish spots in Orange County if you're into tapas (though I'm not a huge fan of their paella). Service was a bit slow probably due to being understaffed or a busy night but our server was friendly and attentive. Scallop Pana Puri: 9/10 - Light, refreshing, and a great palate cleanser between tapas. Carne Cruda: 10/10 - Imagine beef tartare but with spiced lamb. My favorite dish of the night-perfect balance of textures and flavors. Honestly, I'd order one just for myself. Cannot rave about this enough Oxtail: 8.5/10 - Tender pieces that fell off the bone and a generous portion size. Flavor leaned more Italian-style wine braise than Spanish, but still delicious. Fried Artichokes: 8/10 - Deep-fried and paired nicely with the sauce, though I wish they were a bit crispier. Denver Steak: 9/10 - Cooked perfectly, loved the chimichurri and A1-style sauce on the side, and the pickled onions were a great complement.

    Basque Cheesecake
    Phil C.

    I highly recommend trying out Vaca for Spanish tapas and more! Great spot for celebrating a special occasion or treating yourself. The staff were accommodating, kind, and attentive. The interior was inviting, with moody lighting and fantastic decor. Dining here is a premium experience, and the prices reflect that, but it was so worth the treat. We checked in for our dinner reservations and were seated promptly at a large table on the patio, with warmers and a view of the giant Christmas tree outside. The drink menu offers crafted drinks, Spanish wines, zero-proof cocktails, and more! I had the Georgia on My Mind that had a zero-proof whiskey base--very satisfying. We ordered a bunch of tapas (small plates), a couple of entrees, and sides to share among our table. Some tapa items were so good that I wanted a plate all to myself. A few menu highlights we enjoyed. - Gambas Al Ajillo (sauteed shrimp) - Rabo de Toro (oxtail) was very tender and flavorful. - Carpaccio was so good! I wish I had one order to myself. - Croqueta de Paella was so tasty. - Jamón Serrano Fermin with three cheeses was presented as a charcuterie board with the famous jamón. - Paella Valencia is a seafood paella that we all enjoyed. - Prime Ribeye was delicious, and most of the cut was cooked perfectly (medium rare), yet a few spots were more raw and chewy--still a good choice if you like steak. - Patatas Bravas was delightful with crispy potatoes and a savory sauce - Churros con Chocolates is a classic dessert. - Basque Cheesecake was the perfect ending. Overall, we had a blast, and most of what we ordered was excellent. We also saw Chef Amar Santana (chef/owner) talking with a few guests, but we didn't get a chance to chat with him this time. It was still a treat to see he's around. Other notes: - Valet parking is available for $12 - Self-parking is available nearby in a structure or a lot across the street

    Annie E.

    The best of the best! Great service! Delicious yummy tasty food! Cozy ambience atmosphere! My family love love it! Best Mother's Day celebration ever! Definitely will refer to family and friends. Thank you Chef Amar

    Paella
    Nao I.

    Vaca is an amazing place to celebrate birthdays /anniversaries or just an overall great date spot! We got the bikini sandwich, which was warm and gooey. It kind of reminded me of the paninis my mom would make growing up. (So not sure if it's worth the $16) The pork belly was so tender and flavorful, we were just picking at the sauce at the end just to get a little more. We snacked on the iberico jamon and goat cheese which came with some crackers, jam, and pickles! The paella was a great way to finish the meal with its flavorful and crispy rice. We've tried a lot of tapas in Spain but Vaca seems to serve a lot of fancy and complex tapas along with some simple bites. Service was amazing and this is definitely a pricier spot for celebrations!

    Seafood paella
    Marissa M.

    I was so excited to try this restaurant as my dad has gone before and thought it was great, but felt that the food really missed the mark on how classic Barcelona/spanish style food tastes. The dishes I enjoyed were the patatas bravas and the salad. The potatoes were crispy and the sauces suited it well. I also liked the crispy onions on the salad. However the chicken balls/croquettes were incredibly dry and needed a dipping sauce to pair with as we all felt like they just tasted of dry chicken. The paella was a miss for me. Having lived in Barcelona for a period of time I think the comparison may be unfair, but the paella was very dry and quite small/shallow for the price. We got the seafood paella and while it was beautiful, the seafood and rice were dry and it took nearly an hour to come out which was too long as they never mentioned to us how long the wait would be so we sat around waiting with no food or drinks. The servers were nice and it's a beautiful restaurant but the price point is really high for the quality of food we got. I def would say we expected exceptional food for how expensive it was and don't feel we got that.

    Shrimp

    See all

    4 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Amazing tapas and paella. Great customer service and ambience fr any occasion. Before or after a concert or play visit this place.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Los S.
    0
    25
    17

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ryan S.
    6
    220
    158

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Katie Y.
    334
    174
    294

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Matt M.
    0
    55
    22

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2
    Photo of Alan C.
    0
    21
    50

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Joe S.
    16
    5
    0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 4
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Dave H.
    30
    63
    146

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Rey and Juan were absolutely incredible. Wow. I would recommend this place to ANYONE in California. Make the drive!!! It's worth it :)

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Alyssa V.
    91
    20
    19

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Alisha M.
    31
    101
    183

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Grace S.
    1
    37
    150

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    10 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 3
    Photo of Pryo H.
    45
    720
    5672

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Great place great food great music. Ari was super attentive for our engagement. Def recommend this place.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of An P.
    115
    164
    241

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 2 of 51

    Vaca Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Vaca

    We plan to eat at Vaca, get the parking validated by Vaca, then go to watch a show at Sergstrom. Do I need to pay for parking since the parking ticket is validated much earlier than the exit time?

    Yes, Vaca restaurant in Costa Mesa validates parking in the nearby parking structure. Guests can either use valet parking or self-park in the structure. If self-parking, you'll need to bring your parking ticket to the restaurant for validation.… Read more

    Do they take reservations for small groups?

    Yes they do- however they've been victims of reservation swatting lately so best to call to make a reservation

    Does Vaca offer a Thanksgiving menu, dine in and/or takeout, and what is included?

    I doubt that. But, it's April. There's a lot of time for things to change lol

    Is there any kind of "kids menu"?

    No it doesn't look like it

    How many people do you need to get a paella? Could a person eat one all by himself?

    2. 3 if you order other tapas. 1 is doable if you're a big eater or you are willing to take leftovers.

    Hi, do you offer outside seating?

    There are a few tables placed outside. Yes.

    What meat is in the Spanish platter?

    Best parking if seeing a play at seger storm after diner?

    Absolutely yes! That's what we always do. Park at Vaca, eat there, go to theater, then pickup car afterwards.

    Hi, is the menu different if you sit at the bar?

    I don't believe so. I think they only use the one paper folded menu.

    Does the Lunch menu offer tapas as well or is that only for dinner?

    We went for lunch and decided to do only the tapas.. You can mix and match

    What is the corkage fee for a magnum?

    Their corkage fee is listed in FAQ...$30 for one bottle and need to contact them for additional bottles.

    Which seating area is better: indoor or outdoor? If outdoor, by the front or the back?

    If it's just two, I'd sit at the bar. Otherwise a table in the back. Outside lacks the vibe.

    Is there a corkage fee?

    yes but I forgot how much

    Do they offer any vegan options?

    They offer Falafel which has no meat.

    Can I bring an ice cream cake for the birthday dinner?

    No!

    Is lunch menu back yet?

    Yes.

    Is there a dress code?

    It's like fun-upscale but basically just shoes shirt and pants. :)

    What fully vegan options are there?

    There's a paella there with noodles and veggies.

    During this covid season, are they open for lunch? I heard they had lunch specials, are there any right now?

    Should I bother eating here if I can't eat dairy? Food looks great but it looks like most items have cheese

    This place is a meat eater's paradise. Especially if you like Spanish cured meats i.e. Jambon. All things Spanish are available here especially a wide array of Spanish cheeses, but dairy would be a small part of what you could order here. This place… Read more

    View All 30 Questions

    You might also consider

    Fat Of The Land

    Fat Of The Land

    4.8
    (418 reviews)
    4.2 mi
    $$$
    Family-owned & operated
    Free parking

    Fat of the Land was such a nice treat…read more I went here with two other people to celebrate a birthday dinner. Making reservations is recommended since the restaurant is small but making it wasn't too difficult. We were impressed by how cute it was. It had a dark European vibe which we loved. It's definitely intimate and great for small groups, not so much larger ones. We brought in our own wine to enjoy with a corkage free. We got seated right away and our nice waiter gave us great recommendations and answered our many questions. We ended up ordering a lot between all three of us but that's just how we roll. We started with their bread & ham butter, pork pate, and burrata. The pork pate didn't come with bread so we were glad our waiter recommended it. The pate was really good and was different. It was on the dense side but still spreadable and full of flavor. The burrata had peaches, cherries and pinenuts. It was different but in a good way and we also ate that with the bread. It was more bland and nice with the pate. For dinner we got their steak tartare, mushrooms, chicken, and pork. The steak tartare was on the saltier side which I didn't mind. It was actually a large portion and sat on some toast. The mushrooms were a hit. They were braised with an onsen egg on top to mix. The pork was exceptional. It was flavorful, tender, and cooked to perfection. I highly recommend it for protein. My least favorite dish was the chicken, which was actually super tender and cooked just right. I just didn't like the sauce taste and I am not a fan of beans. We ended the night with some basque cheesecake which was not too sweet and delicious. What an incredible meal. The pricing we thought was good for the quality and what you get. Some of the portions were smaller but good for us. The pork did have a 40 minute wait to make which our waiter told us. Service was amazing and the food came out as it was made. The restaurant is small so reservations is recommended. They have limited parking and there is also street parking around.

    My favorite spot in Santa Ana Food: Always fresh and…read moreoutstanding Service: friendly and attentive Ambiance: romantic, relaxing Will come back again and again!

    Photos
    Fat Of The Land
    Fat Of The Land
    Fat Of The Land

    See all

    Bella Cuba

    Bella Cuba

    4.2
    (1.9k reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    I've been going to Bella Cuba since I've lived in the OC the area for the past few years and…read morediscovered a love for their Cuban food. The high level and consistency of service and amazing food I had every time going to Bella Cuba is truly unique. Regardless if its just a simple lunch break, birthday dinner with friends, or anniversaries; I've spent a lot of time at this restaurant and have never had a bad time. So much so, that when it came time to figure out a caterer for my wedding Bella Cuba was my first phone call. Nick and his father Antonio were upfront with me about having never catered a wedding (we had 150 guests!) before even though they've catered other large events. I was convinced with their food and level of service that they would do an great job, and once the day came they did not disappoint. We got a little bit of everything: salad, garlic bread, beans, rice, garlic shrimp, pollo asado, and the oxtail! Nick coordinated with us every step of the way for months prior to our wedding. He even stayed for the whole wedding to make sure the food was served properly! One of the big takeaways from our wedding from all our guests and vendors was that they've never had better food at a wedding, and I think that's a testament to Nick and the whole staff's work ethic and attention to detail to their level of service and great quality of food and ingredients. My only wish is that my wife and I had more leftovers for ourselves, but the look on our guests faces when they got to take home the extra ox tail was worth it. Now, whenever my wife and I go back to the restaurant we're reminded about our fun wedding, and the food and service is always just as great. My wife highly recommends the oxtail. Being a vegan myself I always go with one of the vegetarian specials (They're vegan!) as I love the beans and yucca. I can't recommend this restaurant enough, 10 out of 10 for everything, you won't be disappointed!

    HOW THEY FIX MISTAKES AND MADE THINGS RIGHT…read more I eat here from time to time and the food is excellent as well as the customer service which is second to none. I ordered the garlic chicken to go. However, when I got to work I realized they accidently have me two boxes of rice and and beans. I gave them a call, told them about it, and it was no big deal. I totally understand the lunch rush and all the boxes look the same. We're all human. This isn't the zombie apocalypse. I'll survive . That being said it was it was really how well they handled the situation. I returned there after work and we had a good laugh about it. Not only did they gave me the full correct order but also realized I like that lemony flavor of Cuba, but they also have a me a really nice dinner to go for me evening. And yes the lemony pork was absolutely delicious. There was no hesitation, no dispute, just all smiles acne appreciation from both of us. So to sum it up it really wasn't the mistake. It was HOW THEY MAKE YOU FEEL and how they take care of you as a customer. a now loyal custom for years to come.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    6. Pollo Asado - with grilled onions.
    6. Pollo Asado - with grilled onions.
    Ox tail with yellow rice. You get 3 pieces of oxtail.

    See all

    Ox tail with yellow rice. You get 3 pieces of oxtail.
    Antonello Ristorante

    Antonello Ristorante

    4.3
    (987 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$$

    We were in a group of 7. We made reservations a few hours prior and were ecstatic they were able to…read moreaccommodate our large group. Restaurant was very cozy and romantic. Entrance/host lobby area is a little snug. We were sat at a large round table. They had kids menus for my girls. We ordered Pellegrino and a bottle of wine. Table bread and a delicious pesto butter was given to the table. I'm not a pesto gal, but boy, I'll tell ya. That butter was delectable. We ordered a caprese salad and a beef carpaccio to start. The caprese was really nice and refreshing. Served with arugula on top. They also added I think fried crispy capers on top omg. So good. The carpaccio was. DELICIOUS! Thinly sliced beef, fresh parmigiana, topped with arugula and capers. Probably one of the best I've had. For entrees, my girls both ordered the hello kitty pasta with bolognese sauce, husband ordered fettuccini bolognese, brothers ordered porcini risotto, linguini vongole, and mamas lasagna. I ordered rigatoni with vodka sauce. Everyone enjoyed their dinners. They brought out the giant cheese block for my brother's risotto!! My pasta with vodka sauce was very good. I could've sworn on the description that it was served table side, but it wasn't =0(. Dessert was something else. We shared the cheesecake and tiramisu. Top notch. Service was immaculate. Our server was present without being too overbearing. Our waters were filled and wine glasses stayed full. Very accommodating to our children. Definitely recommend for any occasion.

    I made a reservation at Antonello to celebrate my Dad's birthday. I am in awe of the hospitality…read moreand would highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for an event space. I made the reservation a couple weeks out, I mentioned we had an infant with us and they recommended booking one of the rooms they had. The catalog they provided showed really great room options and we chose one that was private with beautiful paintings around us. We ordered the lamb chops, the special cheese block pasta, calamari, etc. Honestly, everything was so good there wasn't anything I wouldn't recommend. I would suggest adding a protein to the famous cheese block though. We also ordered one of every dessert and were very happy with everything. The food came out timely, the room was cozy and great photo op opportunity, and the servers were so attendant. Overall, would come back again for an event.

    Photos
    Grilled Salmon with Calabrese sauce
    Grilled Salmon with Calabrese sauce
    Antonello Salad
    Antonello Salad
    Antonello Salad

    See all

    Antonello Salad
    Playbook Sports Bar

    Playbook Sports Bar

    4.4
    (830 reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$

    i love this place. we come here every weekend to watch sports. Nat and all the hosts are super nice…read moreand attentive.

    We have often come to this location to watch our favorite games and have usually had a good…read moreexperience. This past Wednesday, however, our visit was disappointing. When we arrived, we were helped by a very kind server named Vivi. She was attentive and even changed the channel so we could watch the baseball game we came for. When her shift ended, we closed our tab with her and waited to open a new one with Katie, who was starting her shift. Unfortunately, once Katie began her shift, the music and the television channels were changed, even though we were clearly there to watch the baseball game. In hindsight, that may have been a sign that the experience would not go well. It took approximately 23 minutes for her to come and take our order I asked for a michelada and a ginger ale. This was extremely disappointing service. I would understand a delay if the place had been busy, but as you can see, the establishment was fairly empty at the time. Because of this, there was no clear reason for such a long wait. Overall, this was the worst service we have experienced here, which was surprising given our previous positive visits. That said, I would also like to highlight one of the servers who consistently provides excellent service. If possible, I would recommend visiting Thursday through Sunday when Naidelyn is working. She is always attentive to customers, provides great service, and greets everyone with a smile.

    Photos
    Playbook Sports Bar
    Playbook Sports Bar
    Playbook Sports Bar

    See all

    Hook & Anchor

    Hook & Anchor

    4.5
    (2.4k reviews)
    4.3 mi
    $$

    Finally was able to try this place. Kept driving by it when we have water polo tournaments in…read moreNewport. Outdoor seating is nice, especially when the weather is sunny and it's not too hot. Inside is spacious. Loved the Aqua colored glass chandelier. They have a great cocktail menu! I wish I had time to enjoy a drink because they looked good when I saw a waiter delivering drinks to other tables. Our server, Abbie, was gracious and friendly. She was attentive to us and to all her other tables. Never skipped a beat on what part of the meal her customers were at (ordering, mid-meal, refills, dessert, paying, etc.) We ordered: A bowl of clam chowder - creamy and flavorful. Good amount of clams. A side salad - my hubby and I couldn't agree on dressing so Abbie brought both for us on the side. 3-piece fish and chips - crispy fish batter, not too thick. It's mahi-mahi so it's meatier than the typical cod. Fries were perfectly cooked and seasoned. Doused all of this goodness with their malt vinegar. We recommended this place to the other water polo families. Hopefully they stopped by too. I will definitely return! Thank you.

    My friends and I were craving lobster roll, so we decided to pick Hook and Anchor since it has been…read moreon our bucket list to try! We got the lobster mac & cheese, fish & chips, and 4oz lobster roll. The Mac & Cheese was good, but I didn't like the choice of the noodle. The pasta was a bit undercooked, but the lobster was good. The batter for the fish and chips is so good, but the fish was a bit dry. I would def come back for the lobster roll. Lobster was fresh and the brioche bun was buttery! The lobster roll was def the high light! The ambiance was nice! Def a cute date spot for couple to go on a night out. Service was a bit slow for how empty the restaurant was.

    Photos
    The Dolphin beckons
    The Dolphin beckons
    Lobster roll - small kine
    Lobster roll - small kine
    Bloody Mary

    See all

    Bloody Mary

    Vaca - tapasmallplates - Updated July 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...