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Up until mid-2008, I would have agreed with all of the 4 and 5 star ratings on a restaurant that I have loved for over 30 years. In mid-2008 though a new chef started stamping his ego on the... More
Up until mid-2008, I would have agreed with all of the 4 and 5 star ratings on a restaurant that I have loved for over 30 years. In mid-2008 though a new chef started stamping his ego on the classic menu. The clam chowder - no comparison to the old menu. The sourdough bread...GONE. The Beach House Salad, long a cool crisp favorite, is now a yuppy mess of garden greens (fancy weeds), goat cheese, and mandarin oranges. Too much spice. Too much experimentation. Our Christmas Eve was ruined with indigestion and disappointment that we now have to find a new place for our traditional dinner.
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My wife made a reservation at the Beach House in Laguna for dinner for 2 on my birthday a week and a half before hand. She called the day before the dinner to confirm the reservation, everything... More
My wife made a reservation at the Beach House in Laguna for dinner for 2 on my birthday a week and a half before hand. She called the day before the dinner to confirm the reservation, everything was fine. But when we showed up they did not have are name on the list and were looking at us like we were crazy.
Pros: you can hear the waves crashing on the beach
Cons: you can't hear the person next to you because everyone is packed into the same room
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Right on the ocean in Laguna Beach. I like brunch but its always crowded. Good food, atmosphere and prices are comparable to brunch's everywhere. Staff fast and friendly.
Right on the ocean in Laguna Beach. I like brunch but its always crowded. Good food, atmosphere and prices are comparable to brunch's everywhere. Staff fast and friendly.
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We love going to the Beach House for our girl's birthday get togethers. We always sit on the patio and spend several hours enjoying the food, drinks and the weather !
We love going to the Beach House for our girl's birthday get togethers. We always sit on the patio and spend several hours enjoying the food, drinks and the weather !
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On our most recent visit to this restaurant on July 8th, 2008, we arrived early enough to order from the early bird Sunset Dinner menu. The prices for the items on this menu are approximately half... More
On our most recent visit to this restaurant on July 8th, 2008, we arrived early enough to order from the early bird Sunset Dinner menu. The prices for the items on this menu are approximately half of their counterparts on the regular menu --- I definitely recommend giving the selections on this menu a try as all represented very good values for the high quality preparation that this restaurant offers. Our four selections this evening from this menu were the Sand Dabs, Lobster Tail, Fillet Mignon, and Chicken Marsala --- all were fresh, hot and flavorful.
We sat on the far corner of the outermost desk, just above the beach & surf only 15 feet below -- the view was excellent, although some of us had to wear visors because there is no shelter from the sun in this section of the restaurant.
We particularly enjoyed the service that was provided. All of the restaurant employees that we encountered, from the hostess to the waitress were very friendly. Our waitress was named Mary and we think that her bubbly personality made the dinner even more enjoyable that evening. She happily went that extra mile to assist us with some special needs related to the elderly members of our party. She was also very helpful in explaining menu items and making sure that they were prepared just the way we asked for them to be prepared. She helped us save a few dollars by recommending the ordering of a 'split' bottle of Spanish sparkling wine for only $7 instead of ordering two glasses of white wine for much more.
In sum, we will return to this restaurant the next time we visit Laguna Beach for the value, food quality, the noteworthy view and the exemplary service. I'm rating it as 'highly recommended' for folks visiting Laguna Beach.
Pros: The view, friendly service, great outdoor dining place during summer.
Cons: Outer deck has no awning or shelter, so dress appropriately.
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My husband Jerry and I were given a gift card for Beach House by friends who used to live in Laguna and loved the restaurant but we went with some trepidation because of the mixed reviews about food... More
My husband Jerry and I were given a gift card for Beach House by friends who used to live in Laguna and loved the restaurant but we went with some trepidation because of the mixed reviews about food and service. Apparently the restaurant has cleaned up its act, gotten rid of the "smell" a couple of people mentioned and hired more and more professional servers.
Our experience was so pleasant it felt like our anniversary. It was Thursday between 5:30 and 7:00 when early birds get the cheaper worms. Our waitress, Jewel, couldn't have been more attentive or more personable, even though she was quite busy. She even took pictures for us. There seemed to be plenty of competent and cheerful servers and busboys around.
My poached pear and goat cheese salad (on spring greens with a plethora of nuts and dried cranberries) was superb--and filling. My husband pronounced his clam chowder "very good" and my spoonful of it tasted buttery. He had no complaints about his prime rib (a few ounces smaller than the more expensive one served later in the evening). It was chewy but flavorful, cooked to Jerry's specifications, with no gristle. My salmon was as good as any I've had and so was the sweet sauce. (I've forgotten what it was called.) The veggies were cooked well. The potatoes au gratin we both ordered tasted great, plenty of cheese, but parts of my potatoes were dark gray, for some reason. Good iced tea.
We were so full (and we'd reached the $50 limit on the gift card) we didn't try the desserts but the chocolate lava cake looked yummy.
We were sitting on the deck at an intimate table for two--perfect weather--and got wonderful pictures of the sun setting into gray clouds. We both would definitely go again.
And the bathrooms were clean.
So there.
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A friend recommended The Beach House for it's reasonable prices, great food, and beautiful view. Our party of four was crammed in the middle of the outdoor patio. We ordered our food at 12:45pm;... More
A friend recommended The Beach House for it's reasonable prices, great food, and beautiful view. Our party of four was crammed in the middle of the outdoor patio. We ordered our food at 12:45pm; some sandwiches along with salads and the shrimp bisque as starters. The starters arrived within ten minutes. The house salad was rather paltry for the price, the bisque rich and creamy. Since we were dining with old friends and enjoying the chance to catch up, none of us initially noticed the time passing until our beverages were dry. Our waiter was no where to be found and when he finally came to refill our drinks, I quizzically asked, "Where's our food?" He looked equally puzzled and upon inquiring, explained that a large party upstairs pre-occupied the kitchen and that our meals were beginning to be prepared. The time is now 2:00pm - over ONE HOUR had elapsed since we ordered. The hurriedly prepared food arrived around 2:15pm; a Grilled Chicken Sandwich (ciabatta bread, hardly roasted red pepper, lettuce, etc), Buffalo Burger (too unremarkable for the price), and the Lobster Club (appeared too rich, but my friends seemed satisfied). A waitress commented that they have "a small kitchen." I immediately requested to speak to the manager. The manager did not introduce herself, but rather asked, "What seems to be the problem?" I expressed disappointment about the exceptionally long wait and unacceptable excuse given by the waitress. The manager claimed that our wait was 40 minutes (not according to our watches!) and that our bill would be credited 50%. I asked her to cover our valet expense to which she refused. The apologetic waiter gave us a complimentary slice of chocolate, but that dessert was mistakenly charged to us! After getting our final bill rectified, we left exasperated and very irritated. The view excuses good-not-great food, but the POOR SERVICE was inexcusable!! Dine here if you have low-to-no standards with regard to restaurant service.
Pros: Ocean view
Cons: Slow, Poor, Rude Service
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My husband and I love to go to "Slim's" old beach house for late breakfasts during the week. We park up the road for free and enjoy the beach air and views. We prefer the outdoor seating, even... More
My husband and I love to go to "Slim's" old beach house for late breakfasts during the week. We park up the road for free and enjoy the beach air and views. We prefer the outdoor seating, even though the seagulls once wrestled me for a slice of my whole wheat toast! (I won!)
The menu is wonderful, the little things are excellent, which also are the big things, which means that any person dining at the Beach House will enjoy a superb experience centered around food and the magical beach essence of life.
I highly recommend the omelet, and if you ask nicely, the chef will toss in fresh red and green peppers with fresh onion slices. The coffee is hot and wonderful, with the serving staff being most attentive. I rarely saw the bottom of my white china coffee cup while I was eating out there.
The Beach House has an upstairs bathroom for the ladies as well as one being downstairs, but watch out for the creaky staircase and the mirrors up top! I think I almost ran into the ghost of old Slim last time I was there......but he is a gracious host and floated off with a smile on his face, as if he was tickled pink to have us there as his summer house guests.
I recommend this house to everyone - it's a bit pricey but worth every penny!
Pros: Beautiful, homey type of atmosphere. Like being at a friend's home.
Cons: NONE
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What a perfect beach restaurant, located on the water in Laguna Beach! The people working there and our meals were wonderful. Our party of 4 enjoyed a 5 star experience. The waiter was friendly... More
What a perfect beach restaurant, located on the water in Laguna Beach! The people working there and our meals were wonderful. Our party of 4 enjoyed a 5 star experience. The waiter was friendly and attentive to our needs, and our dishes tasted as great as they looked. I can't believe we haven't been here before. We'll be back! Try it for yourself..
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My Mom, sisters, my daughter and I (7 of us) ate at the Beach House in September 07. The food was fabulous and the waiter was just wonderful. We never had to ask for extra beverages, he was just... More
My Mom, sisters, my daughter and I (7 of us) ate at the Beach House in September 07. The food was fabulous and the waiter was just wonderful. We never had to ask for extra beverages, he was just there when needed. None of us are from the area, we were vacationing and this helped to make our experience wonderful. The view was also gorgeous. I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone.
Pros: The food, view, atmosphere and service were excellent
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