Worth for the money, may be worth each penny. They can easily charge for more for this kind of location, i feel like its a hidden gem in this area. There is not too much food variety offering in the menu, but it offers what we need. The wine menu is cut shorted ,so its easy to pick what you like. Whtat we ordered- We ordered the chicken quesadilla for appetizer and it's really tasty and its comes with the same pricing of a fast food restaurant. Here the Southwest Chicken Quesadilla priced at $7.95 and it comes in decent amount. For the main entree ,we chose the sea food nachos ($9.95) and blackened chicken pasta($13.95). The nachos is just as usual, some decent amount of nahos with sea food. I personally opted for the blackened chicken pasta and i am so happy for order that. Its really tasty and classy....lol. This pasta reminds me the "southwest chicken penne" pasta from the "Tavern" buckhead. Both of our entree were really tasty and served in a great amount, so one thing is sure you can't left here with an empty stomach. This is a huge restaurant and i never seen it completely full , so it will guarantees that you will get a seat. This restaurant is located near to Hwy I 85 and next exit to duluth. Good attentive staffs, Nice decor and ambiance (the wooden finish is excellent) ,also feels little classy. Overall ,I will come back here again. Good - lot of parking space, decent food , nice and attentive staffs , nice atmosphere. Bad - didnt find anything so far , maybe they only playing country music...lol
(4)
Liz P.
I had the Blackened Chicken Pasta. Yummy! Couldn't finish it so had to bring the rest home. We arrived 15 minutes before closing and they were so nice! Food arrived promptly and cooked well. Attentive waitress. I ordered the croissants without the honey butter - delicious! I will definitely be back!!
(4)
C B.
Been here a few times. It has its pros and cons: Pros: Good Ambiance Good service Nice bartenders Good people watching Cons: Everything I have eaten here was awful A little pricey, but for the ambiance appropriate if the food was not awful. Go for cocktails in a nice environment (for Gwinnett) but don't order food, especially anything with chicken.
(2)
Sue E.
Waitress brought me my initial order and waited on the other 3 at my table the rest of the time we were there, but ignored me. She brought the 3 of them water and Ice Cream, but ignored me not even speaking or looking at me. I'm a lacto-ova vegetarian. Apparently they don't serve us there.
(1)
Gardy G.
This place sucked. Food was so bland and over priced. Service was that of a McDonald's, never get the order right. Went again to see if they could make up for the first bad experience, nope got worst. Never going again
(1)
Suhana A.
I went to this place for the first time two weeks ago with group of friends. I ordered chicken wrap with mashed potato. The food was okay, nothing special. Nothing unique about the wrap. The others agreed their food is good but no "wow" factor or worthy coming back for. Service was good though.. Atmosphere is casual.
(3)
Elizabeth N.
So I tried the blackened salmon, creamed spinach, and the house salad (I snuck a bite of the herb salmon too.) The blackened didn't really taste spicy, so I'd suggest the herb. Honestly you couldn't really taste a difference lol. I think the herb has more flavor between the two though. Creamed spinach was great; extremely thick n creamy, so it's not the healthiest choice. The house salad was a great size, loaded with extras, and AWESOME! The inside inside is nice for the area. I definitely prefer it over Bahama Breeze and Joe's crab shack. The inside's nicer than Joe's and bigger than both. I'd have to say the salmon is slightly better at Bahama breeze, though.
(3)
Jeremy R.
The food is really good (borderline awesome) but the service is some of the worst I've ever seen. If I would have written this review two months ago, I would have easily given four stars, but service at this location as of late has become an issue. I haven't had anything on the menu that didn't taste good. Some of my favorites are the steaks, ribs, and spinach dip. The marinade they use on their meat here is great. The service used to be good until the last two times I've visited. These past two times its taken over 5 minutes to be greeted by a waitress/waiter and another 5 to get drinks, and then add another 5 to place an order. When stopping by for lunch, this puts customers in a crunch for a short lunch hour. Between watching my waitress chat it up with other folks in the kitchen and the manager glued to her cell phone texting, I'm not sure who is supposed to serve the customers here.
(2)
Sela T.
A mediocre restaurant. Great service. Fast to greet you at the door and servers are very attentive to everyone at the table. I do enjoy the wooden interior of the restaurant. High ceilings, very grandiose. Foodwise: Nothing in particular stands out from the menu. Had spoken to the waitress and asked for her recommendations. She said they were known for their salads since it comes with their famous croissants. Ordered the salmon salad. There was a very nicely sized salmon on top of the salad. The croissant was nice but i really didn't care for the honey glaze on top of it. I think it really could have done without it. Overall, I dont think i'll be back to try any of their other items on the menu, especially if they're known for the salads?!?
(2)
Khuram D.
I'm not sure why this place has so many mixed reviews. I had a fantastic experience here. Although I cannot comment on the food, they have New York Cheesecake brought in from Carnegie's Deli - the best in the world. A must try. My waitress was also super friendly and gave me an extra slice!
(5)
Kofo S.
California Dreaming is one of the few places I will order an entree salad at a restaurant. The California Dreaming Salad is soooo good. It has turkey, ham, bacon, cheese, almonds, eggs...pretty much everything considered unhealthy on a salad. I usually stick to Vinegarette type dressing but the ranch and bacon honey mustard dressing are delicious. Some of my other favorites are the Fried Flounder, BBQ Chicken Nachos and Seafood Nachos. Whenever I have dined here I have always had a pleasant experience. The food is a little pricey but I've never had a bad meal or service so I don't mind.
(5)
J. P.
I was there for lunch earlier today. Ordered the broiled salmon salad and she crab soup. Midway through eating my soup, I found what appeared to be a fruit fly in my soup. I told the waitress she offered me another soup to take home. Most restaurants would offer to remove it from your tab. I am disappointed, especially being a high end restaurant
(2)
Fabia A.
This was our first time visiting this restaurant. We brought our friends we had a party of 7. We walked in a loved the decor the place is really nice. The wait staff didn't greet us or give us a time frame for the wait. We sat down for about 5 minutes and a hostess past us and quietly said this way. We ordered 1 appetizer of wings which were good so we ordered another round. Second round the waitress drops a wing on the ground and said she would replace and when she did she really returned with one wing which probably was the same one she dropped. Any normal place would of brought another round. The food finally came which took forever and a day my sons po boys bread was so hard he said his teeth hurt. He asked for a sauce (like a remolaude) and the waitress looked at him like he was crazy so he said mayo and mustard and ketchup, this sandwich needed some moisture. She brought mayo and mustard not the ketchup. My husband got the pasta Pomadaro which he didn't like it was bland and not good at all, my Cesar salad was just ok the breading on the oysters was a bit over cooked. I also ordered a piña colada which wasn't good either I only took two sips. Our friends said the food was okay. No one finished there foods that's a bad sign! Our waitress wasn't friendly or helpful, my husband asked for suggestions and she hadn't tried anything and was rude about it, she never came back to check on us my son never got ketchup for his fries, and no desert selections were offered. At this price point I expected a better experience. This won't be a regular place for us on to the next where we are treated like they want us there! What a waste.
(2)
Fred L.
We arrived at the restaurant at 6 pm. We told the waitress we had show tickets at 7:30. We ordered by 6:15 and an hour later we still didn't have our food. We had ordered ribs which the restaurant is known for and which obviously were already cooked, they just had to be warmed up. Our waitress was apologetic but the manager didn't show up until we got up to leave. Not Cool. Bad experience
Met some friends for a meal. No complaints here. Food was good, service was good, atmosphere nice. I liked the salad they have with bacon honey mustard dressing. Delicious. My husband got the chicken Parmesan. He said the chicken was very good. The only thing I didn't like is the portions are huge! Some may like that but it's a little overwhelming for me. We will go back.
(4)
Steve A.
Good place suitable for picky eaters. Many options on the menu that catered to standard American food. No real house or ethnic specialties. Had the ribeye. Very thick cut.
(3)
Anne F.
We had really really ENERGETIC service here! I wish I could remember our server's name! I can't find my receipt anywhere. He was a bouncy one! His service really made the experience a good one. The restaurant is in a convenient location, which was good when I was meeting up with a friend for an early dinner. I was a little confused by the menu which had sandwiches around $8 and then stakes closer to $25-30. I had the steak salad and it was pretty good. The steak seasoning left a strange texture in my mouth though. I have a hard time describing it. My friend got the chicken park. She said it wasn't something she would order again. It had a large bar, but didn't seem to have an abundance of unique drinks. It was pretty good, but not a place I will rich back to next time I am in that part of town.
(3)
Tim T.
Service was great, food not so great. Potato soup wasn't fit to eat. Salads were descent. I had the ribs they were pretty good. I don't think my wife and I will go back. Food just wasn't worth what we had to pay.
(3)
Tina D.
This place is a bit of a hidden gem because it's not visible from the main road. I only knew about it from a friend. Fell in love with it as soon as I tasted the prime rib and that's what I always order with thick cut steak fries when I come. Best I've treated so far. Juicy and cooked to perfection. I've been here serval times and I've never had a bad piece of meat. Love the house salad with the honey mustard dressing and croissant also. Pastas are good too but I wish they had a better variety. Most of the pastas are pretty similar as far as ingredients and taste. Atmosphere is nice, servers are nice and prices are great for the amount of food you get. $19 for a 10oz prime rib, side, and house salad, oh yeah!
(4)
Kesh L.
I'm here for Valentine's day dinner at 830pm and the place is packed. Aside from a few shortcomings, I could see myself visiting this restaurant more often. Hubby and I shared the seafood nachos... . They did not have a fish for the "Fish of the day," .... so I opted for a Caesar salad and the she-crab soup, while my husband ordered the baby back ribs. Ribs were ' fall off the bone, tasty, juicy and cooked to perfection. The salad was very good because the lettuce was cold, there a sufficient amount of dressing and cheese, and it was a decent size. The she soup was thick, hot, every spoon was a spoon of crab and soup, rather than soup with a few bits of crab. I also ordered a sparkling wine, it was the only one on the menu, but a good choice for my dinner. I thought the menu was rather limited as far as seafood; perhaps there is a good reason they didn't have a fish for the ' fish of the day, ' but I would still recommend and revisit this spot in the future. I have to add that the bar staff is just amazing! By far, some of the best customer service one could expect on a busy night. Kudos to all of you, including the bar backs.
(4)
Ching H.
I've been passing by this restaurant even before it was under construction but never had the chance to try it. I always said in my mind, next time. Well, today I tried and I'm glad I did. I was amazed by the size of the restaurant. It was huge. I love the open space and high ceiling. It's spacious and doesn't feel claustrophobic. There are mirrors surrounding the restaurant interior which makes the illusion of the size. Interior 5 stars Food: I ordered honey Butter Croissants, they were soft, warm, and drizzled with honey butter. They were delicious. 4 stars BBQ Nachos, good chunks of white meat chicken with crunchy nachos drizzled in melted cheese. They were good, I expected more ingredients like more veggies. But, I'm satisfy with it so no biggie. 3.5 stars She crab soup: my favorite! It was delicious!!! It wasn't hot enough but who cares, it was filling and I can actually taste the crab meats. You can ask to splash with sherry or no. 5 stars Marinated Sirloin: good decent size sirloin, very tasty and lean. It came with a house salad (nice size) and a side. I ordered the mashed potatoes. They were just ok. 3.5 stars Club Sandwich: I think it's self explanatory. 3.5 stars Original Cheesecake: they were creamy with just enough sweetness. Definitely better than other places. 4 stars Service: our waitress is actually the bartender. She was attentive, professional, and outgoing. Excellent service! 4.5 stars Overall, I'll give this restaurant 4 stars! I will definitely bring my family here.
(4)
Ward D.
We used our PRHS football card for the discount, going for the first time in a couple of years. Both our meals were good, service was good, bagguettes were as good as we had heard. Prices were a little high before the discount, but: Much too limited a menu. One cover page, one page of drinks, one page of appetizers and salads, one page of entrees. Window seats are apparently by request only. We forgot to ask. Wife's comment as we left - I wish we had just gone to Carraba's and had real Italian.
(3)
James S.
Went here during a xmas luncheon with my coworkers. .the prices were seasonable..everyone had steak..i had the steak sandwich with fries...the appetizers were very good...
(4)
Patrick M.
Atmosphere was nice and had a great server. I met a friend for lunch and decided on the club sandwich with a side of greasy green beans. The bacon on the sandwich tasted like it had been sitting in its own fat in a pan in the cooler for weeks YUCK!! As a matter of fact... That was the only thing that had any flavor on the sandwich. It was so AWEFUL. As I write this I am at home feeling ill. As for the green beans... Swimming in butter topped with butter soaked caramelized onions. Just a vile, vile lunch. I've had better lunches at the mall. You should be ashamed of yourself!
(2)
Debi H.
Really enjoyed my food although I wasn't impressed with the sticky croissant. Would have preferred it without the stickiness.
(4)
Ryan L.
Not as great as what i expected from the price... the oyster po boy was way too salty, and the food took long even though it was past lunch rush.
(3)
J B.
The bar is perfect for after work or date night drinks. If you aren't afraid to admit you like ranch dressing then you are in for a real treat! Their ranch is AWESOME. Yes. Really. No lie. Plus they put a ridiculous amount of toppings on their self named house salad.
(4)
Shannon G.
Best steak ever!!! (I had the ribeye) My favorite steaks have been Joey D's and McKendricks but this place for a chain is off the chain! The steak was so good I didn't even want or need A1 sauce! Everything was amazing from the ambiance, croissants, salad, baked potato... I craved this place for weeks afterwards because it was so delicious. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
(5)
Valerie T.
Previous visits here were good and the food never disappoints, but tonight the service was attrocious. Server forgot to put in dinner order. 45 minutes later when she finally remembered she could not even bother herself to apologize for the oversight or offer any form of compensation for our inconvenience. To add insult to injury the hostess didn't even bother to say goodnight as we left. Nice ambiance and food, but worst service ever. We will never return!
(1)
Chris A.
The one star is for the servers who were very, very nice (the hostess had some killer boots!). We ate here after a movie and split seafood nachos and chicken fingers. The fingers were extremely greasy (we had to blot with napkins); the salmon in the seafood nachos was very "fishy" and overcooked. Disappointed, I had seen the one up in SC going to/from my Mom's for years, and wanted to try it. Ah well, we tried it!
(1)
Jason F.
Let an Angeleno tell you: this is not California food. For example, when I dream of California, I dream of that emperor of fruits, the almighty avocado. Not a single avocado to be found on the menu. That alone banishes the word "California" from the restaurant. The nachos were fair. We had one order of BBQ chicken nachos and one order of the standard nachos. They used nacho sauce for most of the cheese, which was lame considering the price (not uber-expensive, but not cheap, either), and also lame considering the only places in California that use nacho sauce for their cheese are Taco Bell and the local sports stadiums. There's also many crab and oyster items on the menu, which although they are found on menus on Fisherman's Wharf in San Fran, are more commonly thought of as New English cuisine--not Californian. There's also no other "California" dishes like fresh artichoke or fusion cuisine. The service we had was great. Morgan was attentive, helpful, and friendly. Dunno if I'd go back too soon.
(2)
Neriyah J.
I liked the overall look of the restaurant, the service was poor. Our first time eating there was yesterday-our server (kay)took forever to bring us everything..we had to ask for silverware after our appetizers were brought out, my husband had to ask for a refill of water, it wasn't very busy in the restaurant and she seemed to have just a few tables but she was very inattentive-our food was okay. the wings didn't have flavor but they had a good texture-crab soup was pretty good, and you can't really mess up a salad...the seafood plate was meh..she was very attentive when bringing the check and taking it back tho-i tipped extremely poorly (10%) and that was probably more than she deserved. I wrote down that the service was poor and maybe she will take it to heart. I work hard for my money and appreciate good service-dont spend your hard earned money here if you're looking for good service
(2)
Nicki K.
The breads here are amazing. Been here a few times but over time, it just became okay. The staff is really friendly, it's just the quality of food that has been downgraded.
(3)
Keisha R.
I used to patron all the time during college because it was high quality and affordable. Everything has changed: the quality of food and service has gone down the tubes and in the process they've managed to raise their prices through the roof. Perhaps it's just the locations in Atlanta, because I've never had such poor service and subpar food in other areas where I've patroned this establishment. Won't be returning to the one in Suwanee/Duluth/whatever the hell border it's on near 85.
(1)
Jim L.
The J/J Burger Tour finally made it into this place and it was good. I'll start with the burger. I ordered the BBQ Bacon burger, which was cooked to a very good medium. Grilled just right. It had a good sauce on it, and monterey jack cheese, which is a good change of pace because most places go for cheddar on a bbq burger. I also ordered their bbq chicken nachos, which are pretty well known here. They were really good. I hadn't thought of a combo like this before but it works. They put queso on crispy chips, then cover it with grilled chicken and bbq sauce. I had really good service too, by a girl named Amanda, who reminded me of Ashley Kupets. Figure that one out.
(4)
Bob M.
We went for lunch yesterday. It wasn't very crowded, about three dozen people for lunch. We ordered the onion ring loaf for an appetizer. It was VERY bland and the onions had no flavor at all. I ordered the bacon burger with barbecue sauce. Our server asked how I wanted it cooked and I ordered medium.......I received well done. The tomatoes were fresh and the pickles were good, but that was about it for the burger. My wife ordered the sliced prime rib sandwich with au jus. It was bland and not very good at all. Overall, the food was well below the bare minimum. Our server was horrible. He took our order and then disappeared. At the end of the meal we had to have the hostess go and find him so we could get the check. The manager came by and asked us how the meal was. I was polite, but told her the truth........it was terrible and that all I wanted to do was pay and leave. She apologized and told us the bad meal was on them and we owed nothing. This comped meal is the reason for two stars otherwise it would only deserve one star. Will I go back? Not likely, the experience was below average and not worth repeating. The restaurant is really nice looking inside. If they can bring their food up several levels it would be great.
(2)
Kathy L.
My boyfriend and I came here just to be spontaneous for dinner! I liked the romantic dark feel of the place and it's really spacious for a restaurant compared to the other restaurants in town. I thought the lights on the tree in the center of the restaurant was a nice touch. We ordered the BBQ chicken nachos ($8.75) based on our waitresses recommendation which was a real HIT! I loved it. I was skeptical at first because I've never ventured out of the normal nacho combination but I thought why not? It was delicious and actually filled me and my boyfriend. We also ordered Dreaming Chicken Sandwich ($8.95) because we were trying to eat light but still be full. Which we ended up not eating that night because we were full off of the nachos! We both ate our halves the next day for lunch. My half was 'eh, alright' lol. It also came with option of french fries or another choice of side item; we chose Fettuccine Alfredo. Which was horrible! We could taste the water from boiling the fettuccine and the alfredo sauce was lacking in FLAVOR...how in the world did they make it taste so bland?? I'm amazed that it had NO flavor... I wouldn't recommend it for anything more than BBQ chicken nachos. Not even worth a special occasion visit to this place, there are better places at that price range...
(2)
David H.
My wife and I came here several times and they had always been pretty pleasant experiences with good food and friendly services. Thus when our best friends are getting married, we recommended this place for both the bachelor and bachelorette parties. However to our surprises, when my sister called and made the reservation on 9/27/2014 Saturday, the guy on the phone was very rude and rush, told my sister that we had to arrive between 5:15pm and 5:30pm that day and hung up the phone before my sister could finish her questions. When we arrived at the restaurant at 5:25pm, we were so lucky to meet that guy in the blue shirt with big attitude. First he denied we had a reservation and then he said that he had asked us to arrive by 5pm. Basically he was denying we had a reservation and then accusing us not being there early with his lame attitude. We could understand if the place is busy on the weekend and could take some time to get our seats. But the attitude was definitely not acceptable. That's a shame when other staffs have built up the restaurants reputation but it was ruined by this guy in such a short period of time. Not to mention my friends all had terrible first impressions toward this restaurant, my wife and I will not come back again. And of course 25+ of us all left. We were happy to spend our two thousand dollars and our time at a better place other than here.
(1)
Jason D.
Ate on a Sunday afternoon, around lunch. Were seated at a table that was in an area so dark, we could barely see each other from across the table, no lie. Server was nice, helpful. Food was okay. My steak was the marinated steak, ordered medium, came out well done, crispy on the outside. Side was good. My wife got the marinated chicken, which was good. Service got shaky on the backend, more sparse. On a whole, just a mediocre experience for more money.
(3)
Amy G.
I've been here a handful of times. I didn't have a problem until a recent to-go snafu. The Friday before Christmas, I decided to order my usual soup and salad lunch to-go as a nice little treat before break. I called the order in no problem. I show up to the restaurant about 8 minutes later, 2 earlier than the girl said it would be ready. I walk over to the to-go stand and tell her my order. She heads back to the kitchen. So far, smooth sailing. Five minutes go by. Ten. Fifteen. What the crap is going on? The restaurant is dead and it's a freaking soup/salad lunch. I start looking around, pacing, she's nowhere in sight. Finally, she emerges empty-handed from the kitchen. There better be a good reason for this. "Sooo....the lids for the soup bowls have gone M.I.A," she whispers. "Sooo I'm just going to put it in a cup. Is that ok?" By this time, I'm staring blankly and nodding at her, trying to suppress every urge to make a rude remark. "Ok. Soooo I'm just going to take the bowl the soup is in and pour it into a cup and put a cup lid on it," she says demonstrating everything so I can see. "Ok!" I snap with a closed lip smile. 10 minutes later, she's back up front with my lunch. She rings me up, and I leave. HOLY MOSES. Almost 30 minutes to get a cup of soup and salad TO GO. That's half of my lunch wasted. Luckily no one was in the office, so I was able to eat. Yikes.
(2)
Rox R.
Not sure why this place is called California Dreaming. Nothing is stereotypically California. Anyways... I've been here twice and ordered the same thing each time and been happily satisfied both times. Ordered 2 rack of baby back ribs House Salad with house dressing Mash potatoes Apple walnut dessert Ribs- fell off the bone like sweet bbq candy. Shared with my partner. Could not finish ribs but saved them for leftovers. Salad- lots of goods in the salad- even if you don't like salad, order it JUST for the butter croissant drizzled with honey. It's amazing! Mash potatoes- creamylishous. Apple walnut dessert- nothing to disappoint. Ice cream was large enough to compliment every bite (who ever wants a small dollop of ice cream?! Good for 2.
(4)
Gloria W.
my first time here was this past weekend. i went with 2 kids and their parents and saw that it's pretty kid friendly. i ended up playing tic-tac-toe with the kids while the grown-ups talked. oops. and we played with the mouthwash and the lotion in the bathroom. twice. anyway, i ordered a baked potato soup and the salmon salad. i could barely eat half of the baked potato soup because it was so creamy, thick, and filling. then i didn't finish the salad either.. probably because i ate too much of the yummy croissants. how can i make my own? that's why i'd rate it 3.5 stars but i guess i have to round up. service was good, too. but i don't think i'll come here if i have to pay for my own dinner.
(4)
Scott T.
Most of the food is not that good, but the place is different. Come here for drinks after work. If you do get the food stick to the salads. This place needs a new chef.
(2)
Rashaud B.
So...I had never even heard of the place until a friend told me about it, so we all decided to go one weekend evening. The atmosphere is really nice, laid back, and relaxing and the servers are nice and attentive as well. The food however was slightly overpriced for the quality. I can't speak for the other dishes, however, I ordered the BBQ Chicken and there wasn't anything special about it. I wouldn't be opposed to going back and trying it again, but I would definitely order something different to see if my opinion changes any.
(2)
Tony C.
I recently ate here for a business lunch. My first thought upon entering was what the heck does this place have to do with California. Upon finishing my meal, I now know Californians must really like TGI Fridays because that's essentially what this restaurant is only a bit better. The building was obviously very new and sensibly decorated. Our circle booth comfortably seated six. Top notch facilities. We started with barbeque chicken nachos and fried crab claws. The nachos were well covered with cheese and chicken and the claws were adequately meaty. We were on the clock so I had sweet tea which was also quite good. For the entree, I had the shrimp po-boy. Why is a po-boy on the menu of a supposedly California themed restaurant? I have no idea but I would order it again. My colleagues had chicken pasta, salad and one of the chicken dishes. I didn't hear any complaints so I assume they were happy. In summary, good food, good service and maybe a tad on the pricey side. Perhaps I should dock them one star for having nothing to do with California. Drop by if you happen to be in the neighborhood but I wouldn't make a special trip out there if you can find a Friday's or similar nearby.
(4)
Mike G.
I went to this place for a rehearsal dinner with a very large party and it's safe to say that I will not be returning in the near future unless its for another crappy rehearsal dinner. We had a set menu for the party which included: A house salad with a choice of dressings For the entrees, you were given a choice of one of the following: - A salmon dish - Baby back ribs with a honey BBQ sauce - Fried shrimp with two small steak fillets - Blackened chicken over pasta with Alfredo sauce I ordered the ribs with the sauce on the side and a side of red skin mashed potatoes. The house salad came out first and it was pretty good, the bread that came with the salad was very good and it was definitely fresh. The ribs came out next and they were horrible!! They were dry and overcooked. I think I could have done a better job with an easy bake oven. The mashed potatoes were the best part of the entree but my girlfriend ate them all so I was stuck with the cardboard ribs. Once I finished my spectacular ribs, I tried some of the blackened chicken pasta and it tasted okay, but only after I drenched it with loads of salt and pepper. Overall the place was okay, that is if you enjoy crappy ribs and food that tasted like the kitchen ran out of salt.
(2)
Chris E.
Upon venturing North on yet another rainy day...........we decided on California Dreaming for lunch. Everything was great from the moment we walked in the door to the moment the bartender gave us directions to our next destination. Service was great. We started off with the BBQ Chicken Nachos as an appetizer, and a Chipolte Chicken Wrap was my lunch choice. Their house salad accompanying the wrap was perfect with their warm house honey mustard blend dressing. Perfect lunch spot and will be sure and check it out for dinner next! I see they have $1.95 drinks all day every day!
(5)
Chuck S.
First time here. I had the filet medallions with the fried shrimp. Shrimp was very good but the medallions were dry and over cooked. My date had the ribs. They were fall off the bone and she quite enjoyed them. We finished off the evening with the cheesecake. Very good but would have excellent with strawberry sauce over it. Stephanie was our server and was excellent! Very attentive and our glasses were never empty. Ask for her when you come in!!
(4)
Melissa B.
I've driven past this place maybe 4 billion times and finally stopped in for dinner with family last night. While my hot vegetable salad was good and something I've never seen on any other menu, it's not like it was really that special. Which is fine, it hit the spot for me. My family however, had some different opinions. Two people order the marinated steak and both were disappointed with their overcooked/chewy steak. Everyone just felt ok about what they ordered. Our consensus was that they do salads well, and if you like bacon this is probably a good spot. Bacon shows up pretty frequently on this menu from the dressings to the potatoes. Our service was friendly, yet a little slow. I also felt some of the prices were a little extreme for what you get. Maybe worth one try if you're in the area. I certainly wouldn't make a special trip.
(3)
Sonya S.
This is not representative of California food!!! The name of the restaurant is confusing. Did they pick the name out of a hat while blindfolded? The food is basic and boring. They pride themselves on their 48 hour marinated chicken. It's tasty but my socks didn't come flying off. We've eaten here twice. It's a beautiful building. Spacious. Dimly lit at night. Log cabin look inside and outside. Nice bar. Speaking of which, the Iced Tea was awesome. Ordered it again and it tasted like doctored up pool water. What the heck? Bonus for them that they didn't charge me for the second one. This place is like a friend of a friend that you meet. He looks great. Feels great. Then when they start talking you want to turn around and keep walking. California Dreaming needs to do three things: 1. Majorly revamp their menu. 2. Ensure their drinks are always consistent. 3. Keep their cheesecake from New York's Carnegie Deli on the menu. Oh, I'm from California. This is a disgrace to California.
(2)
Jo Jo C.
Thats all for now...
(3)
Brad S.
Yet another California restaurant that I will not be returning to. Maybe I just don't have California tastes. The service was good, and the place looks nice, but the food was just awful. I had the baby back ribs that were too thin and overcooked. Three of the people in our party had some chicken dish in which the chicken was undercooked. Ugh!
(1)
Rebecca W.
Came here for only the second time ever and while the food was decent, I felt like I could go to any other restaurant and get the same dish just as good for less. The wait staff was friendly and prompt at refilling drinks so that was a plus. The atmosphere was nice, but the place was not busy at all for 8p on a Thursday night. I would give this place another try.
(3)
Adam M.
All the other reviews basically reflect my experience. I came at a very slow time, Sunday for lunch. There were people everywhere yet service was lacking. The salad and crossoint were amazing! Fantastic even. I had the Sunday prime rib and it was cooked exactly to my order medium-medium rare. The meat was completely tasteless though. The Au Jus was practically water, also little to no flavor. I wasn't offered horseradish of any sort, which is a favorite of mine. It really makes me think I'll spend my $22 somewhere else next time. I expected much more from a place with this price level. Spend your money elsewhere.
(2)
Mike M.
California Dreaming is really about salads. Don't get chicken fingers, or salmon, just a salad. I love a big salad, and they don't disappoint. Is it a chain? Yes? Is it way too loud because the ceilings are 1000 ft high? Yes. But it's a damn good salad.
(4)
Vera L.
Today was the first time I went to California Dreaming, as recommended by my best friend BK. She has been here a few times and highly recommended this place. We chose this over Five Guys as I wanted something "healthier" haha. (For some reason, I couldn't choose 3.5 stars eventhough that's probably what I would have rated this place). Atmostphere: nice, very spacious, big booths for couples and for 4+ Service: good, may be busier during dinner hours. Very attentive staff. How to Get Here: a bit tricky as it is off a side road (I used GPS) Food: pretty good, 3.5 stars. For standard "american" fare, it is better than your typical Chili's. I got the shrimp bbq wrap - you get a side of either mashed potatoes, creamed spinach, hand-cut fries, veggies (and maybe one or two more). For a small-to-moderate portion eater, it was a lot for me, but for an average guy it would probably be perfect. I loved my wrap - there wasn't too much dressing on the shrimp but it was still savory, and it was mixed with onions, diced tomatoes, lettuce in a spinach wrap. AND...the shrimp was fresh because the texture was a bit firm/rubbery and not mushy like freezer-burned/not-fresh shrimp tastes like. The redskin mashed potato side was perfect - you don't need extra butter or extra salt unless you like things really salty or really buttery. We also got the basket-o-croissants as an appetizer: SO GOOD. These medium-to-possibly large sized croissants that are dripped over with liquid honey-butter (you can also ask for additional honey butter if you like on the side). They come out piping hot and are not burnt. Drinks: pretty okay, did not try any alcoholic beverages as it was lunch time and I had to drive home. Sweet tea is the house wine of the south, and it was pretty standard there.
(4)
Andrew L.
Now that I "yelp" I find myself looking at everything in a restaurant. I know that this place is very "chain like" and the food is pretty standard fare, but I couldn't really find a true flaw in the whole place. The menu was basic , the lighting was good and low, the music was quiet, and my service was above standard. I ordered the Prime rib which came out the right temp and the mashed potatoes were a nice large helping. My wife had salmon, which was seasoned nicely and cooked the way it should be. Her side of veggies were too basic and could have been stepped up a bit. The house salads that came with out meals was also basic, but good. I really tried to find something wrong, but the place was clean, food was good, and service was above what I expected. Damn you yelp...can't I eat a eat a meal without judging?
(4)
Kyung P.
Just another typical chain restaurant that is comparable to chili's or TGI Friday's. We went as a group of 9 for lunch, and the server had 4 other tables in addition to ours. Food was very average. The house salad and house dressing were the best part of the meal.
(2)
Wendy D.
INCONSISTENT! I eat here often because I like the fried shrimp, but the service is mediocre and food a bit overpriced for the quality. Yesterday, they brought my soup and entree at the same time. When I politely complained about it, I got hit with attitude. When I asked for the manager, she explained why it happened, said they need to change their system, apologized and walked away. Still paid $6 for soup I didn't get to eat. The shrimp is good, but not that good. Snarky mangers are not an asset to any business. I think I'll eat elsewhere.
(1)
Dorothy P.
So on this week's hangout w/ my dad, we ended up at california dreaming for lunch since we were up in that necka the woods. the first thing i was turned off by was the hostesses were having a conversation when we walked in and didn't greet us until their conversation was over. i can only overlook this faux paus by perhaps their very young age and therefore perhaps inexperience in the restaurant/service industry. even though you're probably suppose to order "healthy" stuff at an establishment that has anything california in its name, we decide to order the bacon cheeseburger (in my persistent quest to convert my dad to a burger-lover, which he is not). we order it medium but instead it comes out well--no pink, very dry. the bacon was ok. again i have failed to convert my dad to a burger-lover. the best part about our meal was probably the butter croissants that came w/ our house salad. Ironically, the parent company of this rest. also owns two of my fave rests: the tavern and joey d's...go figure. interior is nice w/ it's wood beams...i came here for good food and service though.
(2)
Alex S.
This is another place i would recommend. California Dreaming is in Duluth Georgia, and they have a regular sized menu. At the beginning they have rolls with your salad, however they can be on the messy side. They have good customer service, and a nice patio seating. Their prices ranges around $7-15 for food, and their wine can cost in the three digits, but does not apply to bottles. You may want to check out this place whenever you can.
(4)
Mary F.
I agree with everyone else. "California Dreaming" insinuates the menu might reflect such Cali-inspired items like fish tacos, ahi tuna burgers, carne-asada burritos, or anything with avacado or bean sprouts. No such luck. However, what we did eat was wonderful. My husband had the ribs, they were fall-off the bone tender and super tasty. The salad and croissant served with dinner were amazing. I had the prime rib, which was pretty decent, but could have been seasoned a little more and though I don't like horseradish, I know it is supposed to be served with prime rib & it was not even offered. The service was mostly good. They place was not packed with people & it was a Friday night. But, our server was slow and took a few trips past our table before realizing we were ready to go. Not to mention that he forgot my drink order. So, most likely we will eat there again, but not because it takes us back to Cali. I recommend visiting at least once to form your own opinion.
(3)
tom b.
mediocre food and service in a blah atmosphere
(2)
Tony C.
I recently ate here for a business lunch. My first thought upon entering was what the heck does this place have to do with California. Upon finishing my meal, I now know Californians must really like TGI Fridays because that's essentially what this restaurant is only a bit better. The building was obviously very new and sensibly decorated. Our circle booth comfortably seated six. Top notch facilities. We started with barbeque chicken nachos and fried crab claws. The nachos were well covered with cheese and chicken and the claws were adequately meaty. We were on the clock so I had sweet tea which was also quite good. For the entree, I had the shrimp po-boy. Why is a po-boy on the menu of a supposedly California themed restaurant? I have no idea but I would order it again. My colleagues had chicken pasta, salad and one of the chicken dishes. I didn't hear any complaints so I assume they were happy. In summary, good food, good service and maybe a tad on the pricey side. Perhaps I should dock them one star for having nothing to do with California. Drop by if you happen to be in the neighborhood but I wouldn't make a special trip out there if you can find a Friday's or similar nearby.
(4)
Mike G.
I went to this place for a rehearsal dinner with a very large party and it's safe to say that I will not be returning in the near future unless its for another crappy rehearsal dinner. We had a set menu for the party which included: A house salad with a choice of dressings For the entrees, you were given a choice of one of the following: - A salmon dish - Baby back ribs with a honey BBQ sauce - Fried shrimp with two small steak fillets - Blackened chicken over pasta with Alfredo sauce I ordered the ribs with the sauce on the side and a side of red skin mashed potatoes. The house salad came out first and it was pretty good, the bread that came with the salad was very good and it was definitely fresh. The ribs came out next and they were horrible!! They were dry and overcooked. I think I could have done a better job with an easy bake oven. The mashed potatoes were the best part of the entree but my girlfriend ate them all so I was stuck with the cardboard ribs. Once I finished my spectacular ribs, I tried some of the blackened chicken pasta and it tasted okay, but only after I drenched it with loads of salt and pepper. Overall the place was okay, that is if you enjoy crappy ribs and food that tasted like the kitchen ran out of salt.
(2)
Chris E.
Upon venturing North on yet another rainy day...........we decided on California Dreaming for lunch. Everything was great from the moment we walked in the door to the moment the bartender gave us directions to our next destination. Service was great. We started off with the BBQ Chicken Nachos as an appetizer, and a Chipolte Chicken Wrap was my lunch choice. Their house salad accompanying the wrap was perfect with their warm house honey mustard blend dressing. Perfect lunch spot and will be sure and check it out for dinner next! I see they have $1.95 drinks all day every day!
(5)
Chris A.
The one star is for the servers who were very, very nice (the hostess had some killer boots!). We ate here after a movie and split seafood nachos and chicken fingers. The fingers were extremely greasy (we had to blot with napkins); the salmon in the seafood nachos was very "fishy" and overcooked. Disappointed, I had seen the one up in SC going to/from my Mom's for years, and wanted to try it. Ah well, we tried it!
(1)
Nicki K.
The breads here are amazing. Been here a few times but over time, it just became okay. The staff is really friendly, it's just the quality of food that has been downgraded.
(3)
Valerie T.
Previous visits here were good and the food never disappoints, but tonight the service was attrocious. Server forgot to put in dinner order. 45 minutes later when she finally remembered she could not even bother herself to apologize for the oversight or offer any form of compensation for our inconvenience. To add insult to injury the hostess didn't even bother to say goodnight as we left. Nice ambiance and food, but worst service ever. We will never return!
(1)
David H.
My wife and I came here several times and they had always been pretty pleasant experiences with good food and friendly services. Thus when our best friends are getting married, we recommended this place for both the bachelor and bachelorette parties. However to our surprises, when my sister called and made the reservation on 9/27/2014 Saturday, the guy on the phone was very rude and rush, told my sister that we had to arrive between 5:15pm and 5:30pm that day and hung up the phone before my sister could finish her questions. When we arrived at the restaurant at 5:25pm, we were so lucky to meet that guy in the blue shirt with big attitude. First he denied we had a reservation and then he said that he had asked us to arrive by 5pm. Basically he was denying we had a reservation and then accusing us not being there early with his lame attitude. We could understand if the place is busy on the weekend and could take some time to get our seats. But the attitude was definitely not acceptable. That's a shame when other staffs have built up the restaurants reputation but it was ruined by this guy in such a short period of time. Not to mention my friends all had terrible first impressions toward this restaurant, my wife and I will not come back again. And of course 25+ of us all left. We were happy to spend our two thousand dollars and our time at a better place other than here.
(1)
Jason D.
Ate on a Sunday afternoon, around lunch. Were seated at a table that was in an area so dark, we could barely see each other from across the table, no lie. Server was nice, helpful. Food was okay. My steak was the marinated steak, ordered medium, came out well done, crispy on the outside. Side was good. My wife got the marinated chicken, which was good. Service got shaky on the backend, more sparse. On a whole, just a mediocre experience for more money.
(3)
Amy G.
I've been here a handful of times. I didn't have a problem until a recent to-go snafu. The Friday before Christmas, I decided to order my usual soup and salad lunch to-go as a nice little treat before break. I called the order in no problem. I show up to the restaurant about 8 minutes later, 2 earlier than the girl said it would be ready. I walk over to the to-go stand and tell her my order. She heads back to the kitchen. So far, smooth sailing. Five minutes go by. Ten. Fifteen. What the crap is going on? The restaurant is dead and it's a freaking soup/salad lunch. I start looking around, pacing, she's nowhere in sight. Finally, she emerges empty-handed from the kitchen. There better be a good reason for this. "Sooo....the lids for the soup bowls have gone M.I.A," she whispers. "Sooo I'm just going to put it in a cup. Is that ok?" By this time, I'm staring blankly and nodding at her, trying to suppress every urge to make a rude remark. "Ok. Soooo I'm just going to take the bowl the soup is in and pour it into a cup and put a cup lid on it," she says demonstrating everything so I can see. "Ok!" I snap with a closed lip smile. 10 minutes later, she's back up front with my lunch. She rings me up, and I leave. HOLY MOSES. Almost 30 minutes to get a cup of soup and salad TO GO. That's half of my lunch wasted. Luckily no one was in the office, so I was able to eat. Yikes.
(2)
Jim L.
The J/J Burger Tour finally made it into this place and it was good. I'll start with the burger. I ordered the BBQ Bacon burger, which was cooked to a very good medium. Grilled just right. It had a good sauce on it, and monterey jack cheese, which is a good change of pace because most places go for cheddar on a bbq burger. I also ordered their bbq chicken nachos, which are pretty well known here. They were really good. I hadn't thought of a combo like this before but it works. They put queso on crispy chips, then cover it with grilled chicken and bbq sauce. I had really good service too, by a girl named Amanda, who reminded me of Ashley Kupets. Figure that one out.
(4)
Rox R.
Not sure why this place is called California Dreaming. Nothing is stereotypically California. Anyways... I've been here twice and ordered the same thing each time and been happily satisfied both times. Ordered 2 rack of baby back ribs House Salad with house dressing Mash potatoes Apple walnut dessert Ribs- fell off the bone like sweet bbq candy. Shared with my partner. Could not finish ribs but saved them for leftovers. Salad- lots of goods in the salad- even if you don't like salad, order it JUST for the butter croissant drizzled with honey. It's amazing! Mash potatoes- creamylishous. Apple walnut dessert- nothing to disappoint. Ice cream was large enough to compliment every bite (who ever wants a small dollop of ice cream?! Good for 2.
(4)
Jason F.
Let an Angeleno tell you: this is not California food. For example, when I dream of California, I dream of that emperor of fruits, the almighty avocado. Not a single avocado to be found on the menu. That alone banishes the word "California" from the restaurant. The nachos were fair. We had one order of BBQ chicken nachos and one order of the standard nachos. They used nacho sauce for most of the cheese, which was lame considering the price (not uber-expensive, but not cheap, either), and also lame considering the only places in California that use nacho sauce for their cheese are Taco Bell and the local sports stadiums. There's also many crab and oyster items on the menu, which although they are found on menus on Fisherman's Wharf in San Fran, are more commonly thought of as New English cuisine--not Californian. There's also no other "California" dishes like fresh artichoke or fusion cuisine. The service we had was great. Morgan was attentive, helpful, and friendly. Dunno if I'd go back too soon.
(2)
Neriyah J.
I liked the overall look of the restaurant, the service was poor. Our first time eating there was yesterday-our server (kay)took forever to bring us everything..we had to ask for silverware after our appetizers were brought out, my husband had to ask for a refill of water, it wasn't very busy in the restaurant and she seemed to have just a few tables but she was very inattentive-our food was okay. the wings didn't have flavor but they had a good texture-crab soup was pretty good, and you can't really mess up a salad...the seafood plate was meh..she was very attentive when bringing the check and taking it back tho-i tipped extremely poorly (10%) and that was probably more than she deserved. I wrote down that the service was poor and maybe she will take it to heart. I work hard for my money and appreciate good service-dont spend your hard earned money here if you're looking for good service
(2)
Keisha R.
I used to patron all the time during college because it was high quality and affordable. Everything has changed: the quality of food and service has gone down the tubes and in the process they've managed to raise their prices through the roof. Perhaps it's just the locations in Atlanta, because I've never had such poor service and subpar food in other areas where I've patroned this establishment. Won't be returning to the one in Suwanee/Duluth/whatever the hell border it's on near 85.
(1)
Gloria W.
my first time here was this past weekend. i went with 2 kids and their parents and saw that it's pretty kid friendly. i ended up playing tic-tac-toe with the kids while the grown-ups talked. oops. and we played with the mouthwash and the lotion in the bathroom. twice. anyway, i ordered a baked potato soup and the salmon salad. i could barely eat half of the baked potato soup because it was so creamy, thick, and filling. then i didn't finish the salad either.. probably because i ate too much of the yummy croissants. how can i make my own? that's why i'd rate it 3.5 stars but i guess i have to round up. service was good, too. but i don't think i'll come here if i have to pay for my own dinner.
(4)
Scott T.
Most of the food is not that good, but the place is different. Come here for drinks after work. If you do get the food stick to the salads. This place needs a new chef.
(2)
Chuck S.
First time here. I had the filet medallions with the fried shrimp. Shrimp was very good but the medallions were dry and over cooked. My date had the ribs. They were fall off the bone and she quite enjoyed them. We finished off the evening with the cheesecake. Very good but would have excellent with strawberry sauce over it. Stephanie was our server and was excellent! Very attentive and our glasses were never empty. Ask for her when you come in!!
(4)
Melissa B.
I've driven past this place maybe 4 billion times and finally stopped in for dinner with family last night. While my hot vegetable salad was good and something I've never seen on any other menu, it's not like it was really that special. Which is fine, it hit the spot for me. My family however, had some different opinions. Two people order the marinated steak and both were disappointed with their overcooked/chewy steak. Everyone just felt ok about what they ordered. Our consensus was that they do salads well, and if you like bacon this is probably a good spot. Bacon shows up pretty frequently on this menu from the dressings to the potatoes. Our service was friendly, yet a little slow. I also felt some of the prices were a little extreme for what you get. Maybe worth one try if you're in the area. I certainly wouldn't make a special trip.
(3)
Heather B.
Went here with my mom a week ago. It was pouring down rain so they were not very busy. I was pleasantly greeted at the door and quickly seated. The waitress was knowledgeable about the menu and very polite... Constantly smiling. Everything looked very clean and I loved the wood with the rustic lighting. My mom and I ordered the house salad with potato soup. ($9.95) Can u say delicious?! It took no more than 10 min and we had our food. The ingredients were very fresh. The homemade croissants drizzled with honey was a great way to end the meal. The only negative that I saw was our waitress was never the same. It changed every time. Almost like they were changing shifts. I think we had 4 different waitresses while we were there. I'm definitely going back. Would be great for a ladies night out event. They have a full bar and great wine list. Love this place!!
(4)
Lori A.
California Dreaming is okay. Not great. Not bad. Just okay. The service was good, but the decor and the food were, well, just okay. I had the house salad, which comes with bacon, egg, and warm bacon dressing. I am glad I ordered the dressing on the side because it would have been overwhelming if it had been dressed. Very heavy salad. My entree was the blackened tilapia (fish of the day) with sauteed spinach on the side. The fish was flaky but prepared with a little too much oil for my tastes. The spinach was, again, just okay. At the end of the meal, I was shocked to see the fairly meager lunch was $20. Had I known the absurdly high before ordering, I would never had selected the "fish of the day." Also, they served my salad and my entree within three minutes of each other. I have a major pet peeve with restaurants that rush courses. The service staff didn't rush us at all, but having two courses of food in front of me is unnecessarily overwhelming. It is important to note that the croissants are amazing. The honey butter glaze and the light, airy dough with the crisp coating was, by far, the best thing about the meal.
(2)
Talitha D.
My date and I went here for dinner on a week night. The inside was absolutely beautiful and the booths were very large and spacey. It definitely had the feeling as a date night spot. The server was bluntly honest on his thoughts of the menu and was pretty cool. I ordered the raspberry lemonade martini... Sounded good but was alright. Then it comes down to the food, I ordered the chicken parmigiana with sauteed spinach and my date ordered the seafood nachos. The chicken was good, but nothing you can't find elsewhere. The spinach was disgusting, it was watery, oily, and bland. I bet all they did was pour some olive oil in a pan and toss it around a bit... No seasoning. Bleh! My date's nachos were a soupy mess, with probably 3 or 4 lumps of seafood in it. He was highly disappointed, since the reason he got it was for some good chunks of seafood, hence the name "seafood nachos". In the end, the only reason for the 3 stars was for the ambience and server. The food is less than memorable, don't waste your time or your money.
(3)
Bob M.
We went for lunch yesterday. It wasn't very crowded, about three dozen people for lunch. We ordered the onion ring loaf for an appetizer. It was VERY bland and the onions had no flavor at all. I ordered the bacon burger with barbecue sauce. Our server asked how I wanted it cooked and I ordered medium.......I received well done. The tomatoes were fresh and the pickles were good, but that was about it for the burger. My wife ordered the sliced prime rib sandwich with au jus. It was bland and not very good at all. Overall, the food was well below the bare minimum. Our server was horrible. He took our order and then disappeared. At the end of the meal we had to have the hostess go and find him so we could get the check. The manager came by and asked us how the meal was. I was polite, but told her the truth........it was terrible and that all I wanted to do was pay and leave. She apologized and told us the bad meal was on them and we owed nothing. This comped meal is the reason for two stars otherwise it would only deserve one star. Will I go back? Not likely, the experience was below average and not worth repeating. The restaurant is really nice looking inside. If they can bring their food up several levels it would be great.
(2)
Kathy L.
My boyfriend and I came here just to be spontaneous for dinner! I liked the romantic dark feel of the place and it's really spacious for a restaurant compared to the other restaurants in town. I thought the lights on the tree in the center of the restaurant was a nice touch. We ordered the BBQ chicken nachos ($8.75) based on our waitresses recommendation which was a real HIT! I loved it. I was skeptical at first because I've never ventured out of the normal nacho combination but I thought why not? It was delicious and actually filled me and my boyfriend. We also ordered Dreaming Chicken Sandwich ($8.95) because we were trying to eat light but still be full. Which we ended up not eating that night because we were full off of the nachos! We both ate our halves the next day for lunch. My half was 'eh, alright' lol. It also came with option of french fries or another choice of side item; we chose Fettuccine Alfredo. Which was horrible! We could taste the water from boiling the fettuccine and the alfredo sauce was lacking in FLAVOR...how in the world did they make it taste so bland?? I'm amazed that it had NO flavor... I wouldn't recommend it for anything more than BBQ chicken nachos. Not even worth a special occasion visit to this place, there are better places at that price range...
(2)
Rashaud B.
So...I had never even heard of the place until a friend told me about it, so we all decided to go one weekend evening. The atmosphere is really nice, laid back, and relaxing and the servers are nice and attentive as well. The food however was slightly overpriced for the quality. I can't speak for the other dishes, however, I ordered the BBQ Chicken and there wasn't anything special about it. I wouldn't be opposed to going back and trying it again, but I would definitely order something different to see if my opinion changes any.
(2)
Sonya S.
This is not representative of California food!!! The name of the restaurant is confusing. Did they pick the name out of a hat while blindfolded? The food is basic and boring. They pride themselves on their 48 hour marinated chicken. It's tasty but my socks didn't come flying off. We've eaten here twice. It's a beautiful building. Spacious. Dimly lit at night. Log cabin look inside and outside. Nice bar. Speaking of which, the Iced Tea was awesome. Ordered it again and it tasted like doctored up pool water. What the heck? Bonus for them that they didn't charge me for the second one. This place is like a friend of a friend that you meet. He looks great. Feels great. Then when they start talking you want to turn around and keep walking. California Dreaming needs to do three things: 1. Majorly revamp their menu. 2. Ensure their drinks are always consistent. 3. Keep their cheesecake from New York's Carnegie Deli on the menu. Oh, I'm from California. This is a disgrace to California.
(2)
Jo Jo C.
Thats all for now...
(3)
Brad S.
Yet another California restaurant that I will not be returning to. Maybe I just don't have California tastes. The service was good, and the place looks nice, but the food was just awful. I had the baby back ribs that were too thin and overcooked. Three of the people in our party had some chicken dish in which the chicken was undercooked. Ugh!
(1)
Rebecca W.
Came here for only the second time ever and while the food was decent, I felt like I could go to any other restaurant and get the same dish just as good for less. The wait staff was friendly and prompt at refilling drinks so that was a plus. The atmosphere was nice, but the place was not busy at all for 8p on a Thursday night. I would give this place another try.
(3)
Vera L.
Today was the first time I went to California Dreaming, as recommended by my best friend BK. She has been here a few times and highly recommended this place. We chose this over Five Guys as I wanted something "healthier" haha. (For some reason, I couldn't choose 3.5 stars eventhough that's probably what I would have rated this place). Atmostphere: nice, very spacious, big booths for couples and for 4+ Service: good, may be busier during dinner hours. Very attentive staff. How to Get Here: a bit tricky as it is off a side road (I used GPS) Food: pretty good, 3.5 stars. For standard "american" fare, it is better than your typical Chili's. I got the shrimp bbq wrap - you get a side of either mashed potatoes, creamed spinach, hand-cut fries, veggies (and maybe one or two more). For a small-to-moderate portion eater, it was a lot for me, but for an average guy it would probably be perfect. I loved my wrap - there wasn't too much dressing on the shrimp but it was still savory, and it was mixed with onions, diced tomatoes, lettuce in a spinach wrap. AND...the shrimp was fresh because the texture was a bit firm/rubbery and not mushy like freezer-burned/not-fresh shrimp tastes like. The redskin mashed potato side was perfect - you don't need extra butter or extra salt unless you like things really salty or really buttery. We also got the basket-o-croissants as an appetizer: SO GOOD. These medium-to-possibly large sized croissants that are dripped over with liquid honey-butter (you can also ask for additional honey butter if you like on the side). They come out piping hot and are not burnt. Drinks: pretty okay, did not try any alcoholic beverages as it was lunch time and I had to drive home. Sweet tea is the house wine of the south, and it was pretty standard there.
(4)
Andrew L.
Now that I "yelp" I find myself looking at everything in a restaurant. I know that this place is very "chain like" and the food is pretty standard fare, but I couldn't really find a true flaw in the whole place. The menu was basic , the lighting was good and low, the music was quiet, and my service was above standard. I ordered the Prime rib which came out the right temp and the mashed potatoes were a nice large helping. My wife had salmon, which was seasoned nicely and cooked the way it should be. Her side of veggies were too basic and could have been stepped up a bit. The house salads that came with out meals was also basic, but good. I really tried to find something wrong, but the place was clean, food was good, and service was above what I expected. Damn you yelp...can't I eat a eat a meal without judging?
(4)
Kyung P.
Just another typical chain restaurant that is comparable to chili's or TGI Friday's. We went as a group of 9 for lunch, and the server had 4 other tables in addition to ours. Food was very average. The house salad and house dressing were the best part of the meal.
(2)
Wendy D.
INCONSISTENT! I eat here often because I like the fried shrimp, but the service is mediocre and food a bit overpriced for the quality. Yesterday, they brought my soup and entree at the same time. When I politely complained about it, I got hit with attitude. When I asked for the manager, she explained why it happened, said they need to change their system, apologized and walked away. Still paid $6 for soup I didn't get to eat. The shrimp is good, but not that good. Snarky mangers are not an asset to any business. I think I'll eat elsewhere.
(1)
Adam M.
All the other reviews basically reflect my experience. I came at a very slow time, Sunday for lunch. There were people everywhere yet service was lacking. The salad and crossoint were amazing! Fantastic even. I had the Sunday prime rib and it was cooked exactly to my order medium-medium rare. The meat was completely tasteless though. The Au Jus was practically water, also little to no flavor. I wasn't offered horseradish of any sort, which is a favorite of mine. It really makes me think I'll spend my $22 somewhere else next time. I expected much more from a place with this price level. Spend your money elsewhere.
(2)
Mike M.
California Dreaming is really about salads. Don't get chicken fingers, or salmon, just a salad. I love a big salad, and they don't disappoint. Is it a chain? Yes? Is it way too loud because the ceilings are 1000 ft high? Yes. But it's a damn good salad.
(4)
Dorothy P.
So on this week's hangout w/ my dad, we ended up at california dreaming for lunch since we were up in that necka the woods. the first thing i was turned off by was the hostesses were having a conversation when we walked in and didn't greet us until their conversation was over. i can only overlook this faux paus by perhaps their very young age and therefore perhaps inexperience in the restaurant/service industry. even though you're probably suppose to order "healthy" stuff at an establishment that has anything california in its name, we decide to order the bacon cheeseburger (in my persistent quest to convert my dad to a burger-lover, which he is not). we order it medium but instead it comes out well--no pink, very dry. the bacon was ok. again i have failed to convert my dad to a burger-lover. the best part about our meal was probably the butter croissants that came w/ our house salad. Ironically, the parent company of this rest. also owns two of my fave rests: the tavern and joey d's...go figure. interior is nice w/ it's wood beams...i came here for good food and service though.
(2)
Alex S.
This is another place i would recommend. California Dreaming is in Duluth Georgia, and they have a regular sized menu. At the beginning they have rolls with your salad, however they can be on the messy side. They have good customer service, and a nice patio seating. Their prices ranges around $7-15 for food, and their wine can cost in the three digits, but does not apply to bottles. You may want to check out this place whenever you can.
(4)
Mary F.
I agree with everyone else. "California Dreaming" insinuates the menu might reflect such Cali-inspired items like fish tacos, ahi tuna burgers, carne-asada burritos, or anything with avacado or bean sprouts. No such luck. However, what we did eat was wonderful. My husband had the ribs, they were fall-off the bone tender and super tasty. The salad and croissant served with dinner were amazing. I had the prime rib, which was pretty decent, but could have been seasoned a little more and though I don't like horseradish, I know it is supposed to be served with prime rib & it was not even offered. The service was mostly good. They place was not packed with people & it was a Friday night. But, our server was slow and took a few trips past our table before realizing we were ready to go. Not to mention that he forgot my drink order. So, most likely we will eat there again, but not because it takes us back to Cali. I recommend visiting at least once to form your own opinion.
(3)
tom b.
mediocre food and service in a blah atmosphere
(2)
Suhana A.
I went to this place for the first time two weeks ago with group of friends. I ordered chicken wrap with mashed potato. The food was okay, nothing special. Nothing unique about the wrap. The others agreed their food is good but no "wow" factor or worthy coming back for. Service was good though.. Atmosphere is casual.
(3)
Berry G.
I had the shrimp pasta. IT WAS SO DRY. Basically a bowl of plain noodles topped with shrimp. I asked for alfredo sauce and it was an improvement, but I was pretty much done with the meal by then. I originally thought that it was dumb to go to a restaurant and pay $12+ for a salad. I SO WISH I had gotten a damn salad!!! Good service; waitress was friendly and patient with our large party. I had a pear cocktail and expected it to be green in a cocktail/martini glass. Silly me. It came in a regular glass and looked like a watered down Coke.
(2)
J. P.
I was there for lunch earlier today. Ordered the broiled salmon salad and she crab soup. Midway through eating my soup, I found what appeared to be a fruit fly in my soup. I told the waitress she offered me another soup to take home. Most restaurants would offer to remove it from your tab. I am disappointed, especially being a high end restaurant
(2)
Elizabeth N.
So I tried the blackened salmon, creamed spinach, and the house salad (I snuck a bite of the herb salmon too.) The blackened didn't really taste spicy, so I'd suggest the herb. Honestly you couldn't really taste a difference lol. I think the herb has more flavor between the two though. Creamed spinach was great; extremely thick n creamy, so it's not the healthiest choice. The house salad was a great size, loaded with extras, and AWESOME! The inside inside is nice for the area. I definitely prefer it over Bahama Breeze and Joe's crab shack. The inside's nicer than Joe's and bigger than both. I'd have to say the salmon is slightly better at Bahama breeze, though.
(3)
Jeremy R.
The food is really good (borderline awesome) but the service is some of the worst I've ever seen. If I would have written this review two months ago, I would have easily given four stars, but service at this location as of late has become an issue. I haven't had anything on the menu that didn't taste good. Some of my favorites are the steaks, ribs, and spinach dip. The marinade they use on their meat here is great. The service used to be good until the last two times I've visited. These past two times its taken over 5 minutes to be greeted by a waitress/waiter and another 5 to get drinks, and then add another 5 to place an order. When stopping by for lunch, this puts customers in a crunch for a short lunch hour. Between watching my waitress chat it up with other folks in the kitchen and the manager glued to her cell phone texting, I'm not sure who is supposed to serve the customers here.
(2)
Sela T.
A mediocre restaurant. Great service. Fast to greet you at the door and servers are very attentive to everyone at the table. I do enjoy the wooden interior of the restaurant. High ceilings, very grandiose. Foodwise: Nothing in particular stands out from the menu. Had spoken to the waitress and asked for her recommendations. She said they were known for their salads since it comes with their famous croissants. Ordered the salmon salad. There was a very nicely sized salmon on top of the salad. The croissant was nice but i really didn't care for the honey glaze on top of it. I think it really could have done without it. Overall, I dont think i'll be back to try any of their other items on the menu, especially if they're known for the salads?!?
(2)
Khuram D.
I'm not sure why this place has so many mixed reviews. I had a fantastic experience here. Although I cannot comment on the food, they have New York Cheesecake brought in from Carnegie's Deli - the best in the world. A must try. My waitress was also super friendly and gave me an extra slice!
(5)
Kofo S.
California Dreaming is one of the few places I will order an entree salad at a restaurant. The California Dreaming Salad is soooo good. It has turkey, ham, bacon, cheese, almonds, eggs...pretty much everything considered unhealthy on a salad. I usually stick to Vinegarette type dressing but the ranch and bacon honey mustard dressing are delicious. Some of my other favorites are the Fried Flounder, BBQ Chicken Nachos and Seafood Nachos. Whenever I have dined here I have always had a pleasant experience. The food is a little pricey but I've never had a bad meal or service so I don't mind.
(5)
Fabia A.
This was our first time visiting this restaurant. We brought our friends we had a party of 7. We walked in a loved the decor the place is really nice. The wait staff didn't greet us or give us a time frame for the wait. We sat down for about 5 minutes and a hostess past us and quietly said this way. We ordered 1 appetizer of wings which were good so we ordered another round. Second round the waitress drops a wing on the ground and said she would replace and when she did she really returned with one wing which probably was the same one she dropped. Any normal place would of brought another round. The food finally came which took forever and a day my sons po boys bread was so hard he said his teeth hurt. He asked for a sauce (like a remolaude) and the waitress looked at him like he was crazy so he said mayo and mustard and ketchup, this sandwich needed some moisture. She brought mayo and mustard not the ketchup. My husband got the pasta Pomadaro which he didn't like it was bland and not good at all, my Cesar salad was just ok the breading on the oysters was a bit over cooked. I also ordered a piña colada which wasn't good either I only took two sips. Our friends said the food was okay. No one finished there foods that's a bad sign! Our waitress wasn't friendly or helpful, my husband asked for suggestions and she hadn't tried anything and was rude about it, she never came back to check on us my son never got ketchup for his fries, and no desert selections were offered. At this price point I expected a better experience. This won't be a regular place for us on to the next where we are treated like they want us there! What a waste.
(2)
Fred L.
We arrived at the restaurant at 6 pm. We told the waitress we had show tickets at 7:30. We ordered by 6:15 and an hour later we still didn't have our food. We had ordered ribs which the restaurant is known for and which obviously were already cooked, they just had to be warmed up. Our waitress was apologetic but the manager didn't show up until we got up to leave. Not Cool. Bad experience
Met some friends for a meal. No complaints here. Food was good, service was good, atmosphere nice. I liked the salad they have with bacon honey mustard dressing. Delicious. My husband got the chicken Parmesan. He said the chicken was very good. The only thing I didn't like is the portions are huge! Some may like that but it's a little overwhelming for me. We will go back.
(4)
Steve A.
Good place suitable for picky eaters. Many options on the menu that catered to standard American food. No real house or ethnic specialties. Had the ribeye. Very thick cut.
(3)
Anne F.
We had really really ENERGETIC service here! I wish I could remember our server's name! I can't find my receipt anywhere. He was a bouncy one! His service really made the experience a good one. The restaurant is in a convenient location, which was good when I was meeting up with a friend for an early dinner. I was a little confused by the menu which had sandwiches around $8 and then stakes closer to $25-30. I had the steak salad and it was pretty good. The steak seasoning left a strange texture in my mouth though. I have a hard time describing it. My friend got the chicken park. She said it wasn't something she would order again. It had a large bar, but didn't seem to have an abundance of unique drinks. It was pretty good, but not a place I will rich back to next time I am in that part of town.
(3)
Tim T.
Service was great, food not so great. Potato soup wasn't fit to eat. Salads were descent. I had the ribs they were pretty good. I don't think my wife and I will go back. Food just wasn't worth what we had to pay.
(3)
Tina D.
This place is a bit of a hidden gem because it's not visible from the main road. I only knew about it from a friend. Fell in love with it as soon as I tasted the prime rib and that's what I always order with thick cut steak fries when I come. Best I've treated so far. Juicy and cooked to perfection. I've been here serval times and I've never had a bad piece of meat. Love the house salad with the honey mustard dressing and croissant also. Pastas are good too but I wish they had a better variety. Most of the pastas are pretty similar as far as ingredients and taste. Atmosphere is nice, servers are nice and prices are great for the amount of food you get. $19 for a 10oz prime rib, side, and house salad, oh yeah!
(4)
Kesh L.
I'm here for Valentine's day dinner at 830pm and the place is packed. Aside from a few shortcomings, I could see myself visiting this restaurant more often. Hubby and I shared the seafood nachos... . They did not have a fish for the "Fish of the day," .... so I opted for a Caesar salad and the she-crab soup, while my husband ordered the baby back ribs. Ribs were ' fall off the bone, tasty, juicy and cooked to perfection. The salad was very good because the lettuce was cold, there a sufficient amount of dressing and cheese, and it was a decent size. The she soup was thick, hot, every spoon was a spoon of crab and soup, rather than soup with a few bits of crab. I also ordered a sparkling wine, it was the only one on the menu, but a good choice for my dinner. I thought the menu was rather limited as far as seafood; perhaps there is a good reason they didn't have a fish for the ' fish of the day, ' but I would still recommend and revisit this spot in the future. I have to add that the bar staff is just amazing! By far, some of the best customer service one could expect on a busy night. Kudos to all of you, including the bar backs.
(4)
Ching H.
I've been passing by this restaurant even before it was under construction but never had the chance to try it. I always said in my mind, next time. Well, today I tried and I'm glad I did. I was amazed by the size of the restaurant. It was huge. I love the open space and high ceiling. It's spacious and doesn't feel claustrophobic. There are mirrors surrounding the restaurant interior which makes the illusion of the size. Interior 5 stars Food: I ordered honey Butter Croissants, they were soft, warm, and drizzled with honey butter. They were delicious. 4 stars BBQ Nachos, good chunks of white meat chicken with crunchy nachos drizzled in melted cheese. They were good, I expected more ingredients like more veggies. But, I'm satisfy with it so no biggie. 3.5 stars She crab soup: my favorite! It was delicious!!! It wasn't hot enough but who cares, it was filling and I can actually taste the crab meats. You can ask to splash with sherry or no. 5 stars Marinated Sirloin: good decent size sirloin, very tasty and lean. It came with a house salad (nice size) and a side. I ordered the mashed potatoes. They were just ok. 3.5 stars Club Sandwich: I think it's self explanatory. 3.5 stars Original Cheesecake: they were creamy with just enough sweetness. Definitely better than other places. 4 stars Service: our waitress is actually the bartender. She was attentive, professional, and outgoing. Excellent service! 4.5 stars Overall, I'll give this restaurant 4 stars! I will definitely bring my family here.
(4)
Ward D.
We used our PRHS football card for the discount, going for the first time in a couple of years. Both our meals were good, service was good, bagguettes were as good as we had heard. Prices were a little high before the discount, but: Much too limited a menu. One cover page, one page of drinks, one page of appetizers and salads, one page of entrees. Window seats are apparently by request only. We forgot to ask. Wife's comment as we left - I wish we had just gone to Carraba's and had real Italian.
(3)
James S.
Went here during a xmas luncheon with my coworkers. .the prices were seasonable..everyone had steak..i had the steak sandwich with fries...the appetizers were very good...
(4)
Patrick M.
Atmosphere was nice and had a great server. I met a friend for lunch and decided on the club sandwich with a side of greasy green beans. The bacon on the sandwich tasted like it had been sitting in its own fat in a pan in the cooler for weeks YUCK!! As a matter of fact... That was the only thing that had any flavor on the sandwich. It was so AWEFUL. As I write this I am at home feeling ill. As for the green beans... Swimming in butter topped with butter soaked caramelized onions. Just a vile, vile lunch. I've had better lunches at the mall. You should be ashamed of yourself!
(2)
Debi H.
Really enjoyed my food although I wasn't impressed with the sticky croissant. Would have preferred it without the stickiness.
(4)
Ryan L.
Not as great as what i expected from the price... the oyster po boy was way too salty, and the food took long even though it was past lunch rush.
(3)
Mebin J.
Worth for the money, may be worth each penny. They can easily charge for more for this kind of location, i feel like its a hidden gem in this area. There is not too much food variety offering in the menu, but it offers what we need. The wine menu is cut shorted ,so its easy to pick what you like. Whtat we ordered- We ordered the chicken quesadilla for appetizer and it's really tasty and its comes with the same pricing of a fast food restaurant. Here the Southwest Chicken Quesadilla priced at $7.95 and it comes in decent amount. For the main entree ,we chose the sea food nachos ($9.95) and blackened chicken pasta($13.95). The nachos is just as usual, some decent amount of nahos with sea food. I personally opted for the blackened chicken pasta and i am so happy for order that. Its really tasty and classy....lol. This pasta reminds me the "southwest chicken penne" pasta from the "Tavern" buckhead. Both of our entree were really tasty and served in a great amount, so one thing is sure you can't left here with an empty stomach. This is a huge restaurant and i never seen it completely full , so it will guarantees that you will get a seat. This restaurant is located near to Hwy I 85 and next exit to duluth. Good attentive staffs, Nice decor and ambiance (the wooden finish is excellent) ,also feels little classy. Overall ,I will come back here again. Good - lot of parking space, decent food , nice and attentive staffs , nice atmosphere. Bad - didnt find anything so far , maybe they only playing country music...lol
(4)
Liz P.
I had the Blackened Chicken Pasta. Yummy! Couldn't finish it so had to bring the rest home. We arrived 15 minutes before closing and they were so nice! Food arrived promptly and cooked well. Attentive waitress. I ordered the croissants without the honey butter - delicious! I will definitely be back!!
(4)
C B.
Been here a few times. It has its pros and cons: Pros: Good Ambiance Good service Nice bartenders Good people watching Cons: Everything I have eaten here was awful A little pricey, but for the ambiance appropriate if the food was not awful. Go for cocktails in a nice environment (for Gwinnett) but don't order food, especially anything with chicken.
(2)
Sue E.
Waitress brought me my initial order and waited on the other 3 at my table the rest of the time we were there, but ignored me. She brought the 3 of them water and Ice Cream, but ignored me not even speaking or looking at me. I'm a lacto-ova vegetarian. Apparently they don't serve us there.
(1)
Gardy G.
This place sucked. Food was so bland and over priced. Service was that of a McDonald's, never get the order right. Went again to see if they could make up for the first bad experience, nope got worst. Never going again
(1)
J B.
The bar is perfect for after work or date night drinks. If you aren't afraid to admit you like ranch dressing then you are in for a real treat! Their ranch is AWESOME. Yes. Really. No lie. Plus they put a ridiculous amount of toppings on their self named house salad.
(4)
Michelle K.
Had a coupon for this place that was given to me at the Taste so found a reason to check this place out. My friend Jon and I went with the intent of checking out their nachos. He calls himself a vegetarian but he eats seafood so we tried the seafood nachos. To our surprise, it was better than what we expected. The chips were hot, they piled on the salmon and shrimp and it served its purpose. Our waitress rocked and I regret not tipping her the well deserved 20%. If we get her again, I'll be sure to make sure that she gets more than 15. I had the California Dreaming salad and a side of the fettucine alfredo pasta. The pasta was mediocre but salad was ginormous and pretty fresh. I like how several kinds of dressings came on the side. If you like bacon, their "house" bacon and honey mustard dressing is awesome. Jon had the fried flounder with mashed potatoes and he scarfed his entree down as if it was his last meal one earth. We were stuffed but had dessert on our mind and tried their apple walnut cobbler with vanilla ice cream dessert. It was what we expected and hit the spot. Honestly, I wouldn't go out of my way to visit this restaurant. I think it's better than your Chili's or TGIF's but it works for the suburbanites. ;) If you're not expecting anything fancy, but food served fresh and hot, then check this place out. The place reminds you of a Houston's, as my friend Jon would put it but you get what you pay for.
(4)
Christina A.
I am usually skeptical of these chain family restaurants, but after one of my friends initiated a gathering here, I was so pleasantly surprised! We ordered the chili and croissants to share as appetizers, and the chili was fine. However, the CROISSANTS are to die for. They are so crisp on the outside and glazed with honey butter -- I ate 3 of them! I ordered the baby back ribs for my entree, and this definitely one of the best I've tried. The meat fell right off the bone and it was perfectly charred along the edges so there was a slight crisp, while the inside was so tender. They also served the bbq sauce on the side, so I was able to control how much I put on the meat. The service was also stellar. Very attentive and even funny.
(4)
Marguerite H.
In Duluth for a conference and wanted a restaurant where everyone in our party could find something they liked on the menu. This place did not disappoint. The She Crab soup and Traditional nachos were amazing. Great service and atmosphere for us to talk and unwind.
(5)
Scott H.
I love this place. I love the atmosphere and I love a few items on the menu. Unfortunately, my better half is not as wild about the place as I am. I mean, she likes it, but she only likes the appetizers and was never able to find an entree that she liked. Thus, we do not make it over to this joint very often. They have bbq chicken nachos that are to die for. I remember the first time I ordered them on the waiter's suggestion I was thinking they could not be that good. Boy was a wrong. They are the bomb! My wife really likes the crab claws but they are pricey for the amount of food you actually get. I usually order the BBQ Chicken Nacho appetiser which we split (by split I mean that I get about 75% of them and the wife only 25%) and the Dreaming Chicken Sandwich. I have had burgers and other things that just left quite a bit to be desired. But I love me some BBQ nachos and Dreaming Chicken Sandwich. The fries are excellent too. If they had a few more appealing things on the menu I am sure we would wind up there more often. When I do go, I love it there. My only advise is that if you order the BBQ Chicken Nachos, and they skimp on the cheese, make the server bring more out. You won't regret it!
(4)
Shannon G.
Best steak ever!!! (I had the ribeye) My favorite steaks have been Joey D's and McKendricks but this place for a chain is off the chain! The steak was so good I didn't even want or need A1 sauce! Everything was amazing from the ambiance, croissants, salad, baked potato... I craved this place for weeks afterwards because it was so delicious. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
(5)
Pam D.
It may be a chain restaurant, but is a refreshing and welcome change to the lunch rotation compared to what else is in this area. The menu isn't anything special: you've got salads (people LOVE the house salad), sandwiches (po boy is a great choice), burgers, and of course, steak. I like getting the baked potato soup ($4.95) for a light and inexpensive lunch. If I need protein, the burgers are cooked to order and a medium is an ACTUAL medium (pink with a touch of red). I recommend the creamed corn as a side if you don't feel like fries. What makes this place great is that the not-so-special food is served in a beautiful atmosphere! Inside it feels like a modern lake cabin. You're surrounded by wood slats and tall ceilings with sky lights. It is perfect for a business lunch; I've been here on more than one occasion to discuss work stuff over a meal. The servers are friendly and professional. They could use some improvements, though, like dealing with large groups that come in fairly frequently. If you're group is 6 or larger, I'd call ahead for a reservation -- yes, for lunch! Also our whole table had a big issue with condiments which are not out on the tables. If you want ketchup, mayo, honey mustard, etc. I recommend you ask for it when you order or it might be a while. They also struggled to keep drinks full. But overall, this is the best restaurant for lunch in the area, it's definitely worth a try.
(4)
Christina A.
I am usually skeptical of these chain family restaurants, but after one of my friends initiated a gathering here, I was so pleasantly surprised! We ordered the chili and croissants to share as appetizers, and the chili was fine. However, the CROISSANTS are to die for. They are so crisp on the outside and glazed with honey butter -- I ate 3 of them! I ordered the baby back ribs for my entree, and this definitely one of the best I've tried. The meat fell right off the bone and it was perfectly charred along the edges so there was a slight crisp, while the inside was so tender. They also served the bbq sauce on the side, so I was able to control how much I put on the meat. The service was also stellar. Very attentive and even funny.
(4)
Marguerite H.
In Duluth for a conference and wanted a restaurant where everyone in our party could find something they liked on the menu. This place did not disappoint. The She Crab soup and Traditional nachos were amazing. Great service and atmosphere for us to talk and unwind.
(5)
Scott H.
I love this place. I love the atmosphere and I love a few items on the menu. Unfortunately, my better half is not as wild about the place as I am. I mean, she likes it, but she only likes the appetizers and was never able to find an entree that she liked. Thus, we do not make it over to this joint very often. They have bbq chicken nachos that are to die for. I remember the first time I ordered them on the waiter's suggestion I was thinking they could not be that good. Boy was a wrong. They are the bomb! My wife really likes the crab claws but they are pricey for the amount of food you actually get. I usually order the BBQ Chicken Nacho appetiser which we split (by split I mean that I get about 75% of them and the wife only 25%) and the Dreaming Chicken Sandwich. I have had burgers and other things that just left quite a bit to be desired. But I love me some BBQ nachos and Dreaming Chicken Sandwich. The fries are excellent too. If they had a few more appealing things on the menu I am sure we would wind up there more often. When I do go, I love it there. My only advise is that if you order the BBQ Chicken Nachos, and they skimp on the cheese, make the server bring more out. You won't regret it!
(4)
Heather B.
Went here with my mom a week ago. It was pouring down rain so they were not very busy. I was pleasantly greeted at the door and quickly seated. The waitress was knowledgeable about the menu and very polite... Constantly smiling. Everything looked very clean and I loved the wood with the rustic lighting. My mom and I ordered the house salad with potato soup. ($9.95) Can u say delicious?! It took no more than 10 min and we had our food. The ingredients were very fresh. The homemade croissants drizzled with honey was a great way to end the meal. The only negative that I saw was our waitress was never the same. It changed every time. Almost like they were changing shifts. I think we had 4 different waitresses while we were there. I'm definitely going back. Would be great for a ladies night out event. They have a full bar and great wine list. Love this place!!
(4)
Lori A.
California Dreaming is okay. Not great. Not bad. Just okay. The service was good, but the decor and the food were, well, just okay. I had the house salad, which comes with bacon, egg, and warm bacon dressing. I am glad I ordered the dressing on the side because it would have been overwhelming if it had been dressed. Very heavy salad. My entree was the blackened tilapia (fish of the day) with sauteed spinach on the side. The fish was flaky but prepared with a little too much oil for my tastes. The spinach was, again, just okay. At the end of the meal, I was shocked to see the fairly meager lunch was $20. Had I known the absurdly high before ordering, I would never had selected the "fish of the day." Also, they served my salad and my entree within three minutes of each other. I have a major pet peeve with restaurants that rush courses. The service staff didn't rush us at all, but having two courses of food in front of me is unnecessarily overwhelming. It is important to note that the croissants are amazing. The honey butter glaze and the light, airy dough with the crisp coating was, by far, the best thing about the meal.
(2)
Talitha D.
My date and I went here for dinner on a week night. The inside was absolutely beautiful and the booths were very large and spacey. It definitely had the feeling as a date night spot. The server was bluntly honest on his thoughts of the menu and was pretty cool. I ordered the raspberry lemonade martini... Sounded good but was alright. Then it comes down to the food, I ordered the chicken parmigiana with sauteed spinach and my date ordered the seafood nachos. The chicken was good, but nothing you can't find elsewhere. The spinach was disgusting, it was watery, oily, and bland. I bet all they did was pour some olive oil in a pan and toss it around a bit... No seasoning. Bleh! My date's nachos were a soupy mess, with probably 3 or 4 lumps of seafood in it. He was highly disappointed, since the reason he got it was for some good chunks of seafood, hence the name "seafood nachos". In the end, the only reason for the 3 stars was for the ambience and server. The food is less than memorable, don't waste your time or your money.
(3)
Michelle K.
Had a coupon for this place that was given to me at the Taste so found a reason to check this place out. My friend Jon and I went with the intent of checking out their nachos. He calls himself a vegetarian but he eats seafood so we tried the seafood nachos. To our surprise, it was better than what we expected. The chips were hot, they piled on the salmon and shrimp and it served its purpose. Our waitress rocked and I regret not tipping her the well deserved 20%. If we get her again, I'll be sure to make sure that she gets more than 15. I had the California Dreaming salad and a side of the fettucine alfredo pasta. The pasta was mediocre but salad was ginormous and pretty fresh. I like how several kinds of dressings came on the side. If you like bacon, their "house" bacon and honey mustard dressing is awesome. Jon had the fried flounder with mashed potatoes and he scarfed his entree down as if it was his last meal one earth. We were stuffed but had dessert on our mind and tried their apple walnut cobbler with vanilla ice cream dessert. It was what we expected and hit the spot. Honestly, I wouldn't go out of my way to visit this restaurant. I think it's better than your Chili's or TGIF's but it works for the suburbanites. ;) If you're not expecting anything fancy, but food served fresh and hot, then check this place out. The place reminds you of a Houston's, as my friend Jon would put it but you get what you pay for.
(4)
Pam D.
It may be a chain restaurant, but is a refreshing and welcome change to the lunch rotation compared to what else is in this area. The menu isn't anything special: you've got salads (people LOVE the house salad), sandwiches (po boy is a great choice), burgers, and of course, steak. I like getting the baked potato soup ($4.95) for a light and inexpensive lunch. If I need protein, the burgers are cooked to order and a medium is an ACTUAL medium (pink with a touch of red). I recommend the creamed corn as a side if you don't feel like fries. What makes this place great is that the not-so-special food is served in a beautiful atmosphere! Inside it feels like a modern lake cabin. You're surrounded by wood slats and tall ceilings with sky lights. It is perfect for a business lunch; I've been here on more than one occasion to discuss work stuff over a meal. The servers are friendly and professional. They could use some improvements, though, like dealing with large groups that come in fairly frequently. If you're group is 6 or larger, I'd call ahead for a reservation -- yes, for lunch! Also our whole table had a big issue with condiments which are not out on the tables. If you want ketchup, mayo, honey mustard, etc. I recommend you ask for it when you order or it might be a while. They also struggled to keep drinks full. But overall, this is the best restaurant for lunch in the area, it's definitely worth a try.
(4)
Berry G.
I had the shrimp pasta. IT WAS SO DRY. Basically a bowl of plain noodles topped with shrimp. I asked for alfredo sauce and it was an improvement, but I was pretty much done with the meal by then. I originally thought that it was dumb to go to a restaurant and pay $12+ for a salad. I SO WISH I had gotten a damn salad!!! Good service; waitress was friendly and patient with our large party. I had a pear cocktail and expected it to be green in a cocktail/martini glass. Silly me. It came in a regular glass and looked like a watered down Coke.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Mebin J.
Worth for the money, may be worth each penny. They can easily charge for more for this kind of location, i feel like its a hidden gem in this area. There is not too much food variety offering in the menu, but it offers what we need. The wine menu is cut shorted ,so its easy to pick what you like. Whtat we ordered- We ordered the chicken quesadilla for appetizer and it's really tasty and its comes with the same pricing of a fast food restaurant. Here the Southwest Chicken Quesadilla priced at $7.95 and it comes in decent amount. For the main entree ,we chose the sea food nachos ($9.95) and blackened chicken pasta($13.95). The nachos is just as usual, some decent amount of nahos with sea food. I personally opted for the blackened chicken pasta and i am so happy for order that. Its really tasty and classy....lol. This pasta reminds me the "southwest chicken penne" pasta from the "Tavern" buckhead. Both of our entree were really tasty and served in a great amount, so one thing is sure you can't left here with an empty stomach. This is a huge restaurant and i never seen it completely full , so it will guarantees that you will get a seat. This restaurant is located near to Hwy I 85 and next exit to duluth. Good attentive staffs, Nice decor and ambiance (the wooden finish is excellent) ,also feels little classy. Overall ,I will come back here again. Good - lot of parking space, decent food , nice and attentive staffs , nice atmosphere. Bad - didnt find anything so far , maybe they only playing country music...lol
(4)Liz P.
I had the Blackened Chicken Pasta. Yummy! Couldn't finish it so had to bring the rest home. We arrived 15 minutes before closing and they were so nice! Food arrived promptly and cooked well. Attentive waitress. I ordered the croissants without the honey butter - delicious! I will definitely be back!!
(4)C B.
Been here a few times. It has its pros and cons: Pros: Good Ambiance Good service Nice bartenders Good people watching Cons: Everything I have eaten here was awful A little pricey, but for the ambiance appropriate if the food was not awful. Go for cocktails in a nice environment (for Gwinnett) but don't order food, especially anything with chicken.
(2)Sue E.
Waitress brought me my initial order and waited on the other 3 at my table the rest of the time we were there, but ignored me. She brought the 3 of them water and Ice Cream, but ignored me not even speaking or looking at me. I'm a lacto-ova vegetarian. Apparently they don't serve us there.
(1)Gardy G.
This place sucked. Food was so bland and over priced. Service was that of a McDonald's, never get the order right. Went again to see if they could make up for the first bad experience, nope got worst. Never going again
(1)Suhana A.
I went to this place for the first time two weeks ago with group of friends. I ordered chicken wrap with mashed potato. The food was okay, nothing special. Nothing unique about the wrap. The others agreed their food is good but no "wow" factor or worthy coming back for. Service was good though.. Atmosphere is casual.
(3)Elizabeth N.
So I tried the blackened salmon, creamed spinach, and the house salad (I snuck a bite of the herb salmon too.) The blackened didn't really taste spicy, so I'd suggest the herb. Honestly you couldn't really taste a difference lol. I think the herb has more flavor between the two though. Creamed spinach was great; extremely thick n creamy, so it's not the healthiest choice. The house salad was a great size, loaded with extras, and AWESOME! The inside inside is nice for the area. I definitely prefer it over Bahama Breeze and Joe's crab shack. The inside's nicer than Joe's and bigger than both. I'd have to say the salmon is slightly better at Bahama breeze, though.
(3)Jeremy R.
The food is really good (borderline awesome) but the service is some of the worst I've ever seen. If I would have written this review two months ago, I would have easily given four stars, but service at this location as of late has become an issue. I haven't had anything on the menu that didn't taste good. Some of my favorites are the steaks, ribs, and spinach dip. The marinade they use on their meat here is great. The service used to be good until the last two times I've visited. These past two times its taken over 5 minutes to be greeted by a waitress/waiter and another 5 to get drinks, and then add another 5 to place an order. When stopping by for lunch, this puts customers in a crunch for a short lunch hour. Between watching my waitress chat it up with other folks in the kitchen and the manager glued to her cell phone texting, I'm not sure who is supposed to serve the customers here.
(2)Sela T.
A mediocre restaurant. Great service. Fast to greet you at the door and servers are very attentive to everyone at the table. I do enjoy the wooden interior of the restaurant. High ceilings, very grandiose. Foodwise: Nothing in particular stands out from the menu. Had spoken to the waitress and asked for her recommendations. She said they were known for their salads since it comes with their famous croissants. Ordered the salmon salad. There was a very nicely sized salmon on top of the salad. The croissant was nice but i really didn't care for the honey glaze on top of it. I think it really could have done without it. Overall, I dont think i'll be back to try any of their other items on the menu, especially if they're known for the salads?!?
(2)Khuram D.
I'm not sure why this place has so many mixed reviews. I had a fantastic experience here. Although I cannot comment on the food, they have New York Cheesecake brought in from Carnegie's Deli - the best in the world. A must try. My waitress was also super friendly and gave me an extra slice!
(5)Kofo S.
California Dreaming is one of the few places I will order an entree salad at a restaurant. The California Dreaming Salad is soooo good. It has turkey, ham, bacon, cheese, almonds, eggs...pretty much everything considered unhealthy on a salad. I usually stick to Vinegarette type dressing but the ranch and bacon honey mustard dressing are delicious. Some of my other favorites are the Fried Flounder, BBQ Chicken Nachos and Seafood Nachos. Whenever I have dined here I have always had a pleasant experience. The food is a little pricey but I've never had a bad meal or service so I don't mind.
(5)J. P.
I was there for lunch earlier today. Ordered the broiled salmon salad and she crab soup. Midway through eating my soup, I found what appeared to be a fruit fly in my soup. I told the waitress she offered me another soup to take home. Most restaurants would offer to remove it from your tab. I am disappointed, especially being a high end restaurant
(2)Fabia A.
This was our first time visiting this restaurant. We brought our friends we had a party of 7. We walked in a loved the decor the place is really nice. The wait staff didn't greet us or give us a time frame for the wait. We sat down for about 5 minutes and a hostess past us and quietly said this way. We ordered 1 appetizer of wings which were good so we ordered another round. Second round the waitress drops a wing on the ground and said she would replace and when she did she really returned with one wing which probably was the same one she dropped. Any normal place would of brought another round. The food finally came which took forever and a day my sons po boys bread was so hard he said his teeth hurt. He asked for a sauce (like a remolaude) and the waitress looked at him like he was crazy so he said mayo and mustard and ketchup, this sandwich needed some moisture. She brought mayo and mustard not the ketchup. My husband got the pasta Pomadaro which he didn't like it was bland and not good at all, my Cesar salad was just ok the breading on the oysters was a bit over cooked. I also ordered a piña colada which wasn't good either I only took two sips. Our friends said the food was okay. No one finished there foods that's a bad sign! Our waitress wasn't friendly or helpful, my husband asked for suggestions and she hadn't tried anything and was rude about it, she never came back to check on us my son never got ketchup for his fries, and no desert selections were offered. At this price point I expected a better experience. This won't be a regular place for us on to the next where we are treated like they want us there! What a waste.
(2)Fred L.
We arrived at the restaurant at 6 pm. We told the waitress we had show tickets at 7:30. We ordered by 6:15 and an hour later we still didn't have our food. We had ordered ribs which the restaurant is known for and which obviously were already cooked, they just had to be warmed up. Our waitress was apologetic but the manager didn't show up until we got up to leave. Not Cool. Bad experience
(1)Korey W.
Very boring food. the steak sandwich I got was a piece of meat on bread. Nothing more, no flavor just a piece of meat that only took up half the roll. The suggested topping for the sandwich was ketchup. I got the sautéed spinach as a side and all that is was spinach that had seen heat and put on a plate. No imagine or flavor to anything I won't be back
(2)Jessica S.
Met some friends for a meal. No complaints here. Food was good, service was good, atmosphere nice. I liked the salad they have with bacon honey mustard dressing. Delicious. My husband got the chicken Parmesan. He said the chicken was very good. The only thing I didn't like is the portions are huge! Some may like that but it's a little overwhelming for me. We will go back.
(4)Steve A.
Good place suitable for picky eaters. Many options on the menu that catered to standard American food. No real house or ethnic specialties. Had the ribeye. Very thick cut.
(3)Anne F.
We had really really ENERGETIC service here! I wish I could remember our server's name! I can't find my receipt anywhere. He was a bouncy one! His service really made the experience a good one. The restaurant is in a convenient location, which was good when I was meeting up with a friend for an early dinner. I was a little confused by the menu which had sandwiches around $8 and then stakes closer to $25-30. I had the steak salad and it was pretty good. The steak seasoning left a strange texture in my mouth though. I have a hard time describing it. My friend got the chicken park. She said it wasn't something she would order again. It had a large bar, but didn't seem to have an abundance of unique drinks. It was pretty good, but not a place I will rich back to next time I am in that part of town.
(3)Tim T.
Service was great, food not so great. Potato soup wasn't fit to eat. Salads were descent. I had the ribs they were pretty good. I don't think my wife and I will go back. Food just wasn't worth what we had to pay.
(3)Tina D.
This place is a bit of a hidden gem because it's not visible from the main road. I only knew about it from a friend. Fell in love with it as soon as I tasted the prime rib and that's what I always order with thick cut steak fries when I come. Best I've treated so far. Juicy and cooked to perfection. I've been here serval times and I've never had a bad piece of meat. Love the house salad with the honey mustard dressing and croissant also. Pastas are good too but I wish they had a better variety. Most of the pastas are pretty similar as far as ingredients and taste. Atmosphere is nice, servers are nice and prices are great for the amount of food you get. $19 for a 10oz prime rib, side, and house salad, oh yeah!
(4)Kesh L.
I'm here for Valentine's day dinner at 830pm and the place is packed. Aside from a few shortcomings, I could see myself visiting this restaurant more often. Hubby and I shared the seafood nachos... . They did not have a fish for the "Fish of the day," .... so I opted for a Caesar salad and the she-crab soup, while my husband ordered the baby back ribs. Ribs were ' fall off the bone, tasty, juicy and cooked to perfection. The salad was very good because the lettuce was cold, there a sufficient amount of dressing and cheese, and it was a decent size. The she soup was thick, hot, every spoon was a spoon of crab and soup, rather than soup with a few bits of crab. I also ordered a sparkling wine, it was the only one on the menu, but a good choice for my dinner. I thought the menu was rather limited as far as seafood; perhaps there is a good reason they didn't have a fish for the ' fish of the day, ' but I would still recommend and revisit this spot in the future. I have to add that the bar staff is just amazing! By far, some of the best customer service one could expect on a busy night. Kudos to all of you, including the bar backs.
(4)Ching H.
I've been passing by this restaurant even before it was under construction but never had the chance to try it. I always said in my mind, next time. Well, today I tried and I'm glad I did. I was amazed by the size of the restaurant. It was huge. I love the open space and high ceiling. It's spacious and doesn't feel claustrophobic. There are mirrors surrounding the restaurant interior which makes the illusion of the size. Interior 5 stars Food: I ordered honey Butter Croissants, they were soft, warm, and drizzled with honey butter. They were delicious. 4 stars BBQ Nachos, good chunks of white meat chicken with crunchy nachos drizzled in melted cheese. They were good, I expected more ingredients like more veggies. But, I'm satisfy with it so no biggie. 3.5 stars She crab soup: my favorite! It was delicious!!! It wasn't hot enough but who cares, it was filling and I can actually taste the crab meats. You can ask to splash with sherry or no. 5 stars Marinated Sirloin: good decent size sirloin, very tasty and lean. It came with a house salad (nice size) and a side. I ordered the mashed potatoes. They were just ok. 3.5 stars Club Sandwich: I think it's self explanatory. 3.5 stars Original Cheesecake: they were creamy with just enough sweetness. Definitely better than other places. 4 stars Service: our waitress is actually the bartender. She was attentive, professional, and outgoing. Excellent service! 4.5 stars Overall, I'll give this restaurant 4 stars! I will definitely bring my family here.
(4)Ward D.
We used our PRHS football card for the discount, going for the first time in a couple of years. Both our meals were good, service was good, bagguettes were as good as we had heard. Prices were a little high before the discount, but: Much too limited a menu. One cover page, one page of drinks, one page of appetizers and salads, one page of entrees. Window seats are apparently by request only. We forgot to ask. Wife's comment as we left - I wish we had just gone to Carraba's and had real Italian.
(3)James S.
Went here during a xmas luncheon with my coworkers. .the prices were seasonable..everyone had steak..i had the steak sandwich with fries...the appetizers were very good...
(4)Patrick M.
Atmosphere was nice and had a great server. I met a friend for lunch and decided on the club sandwich with a side of greasy green beans. The bacon on the sandwich tasted like it had been sitting in its own fat in a pan in the cooler for weeks YUCK!! As a matter of fact... That was the only thing that had any flavor on the sandwich. It was so AWEFUL. As I write this I am at home feeling ill. As for the green beans... Swimming in butter topped with butter soaked caramelized onions. Just a vile, vile lunch. I've had better lunches at the mall. You should be ashamed of yourself!
(2)Debi H.
Really enjoyed my food although I wasn't impressed with the sticky croissant. Would have preferred it without the stickiness.
(4)Ryan L.
Not as great as what i expected from the price... the oyster po boy was way too salty, and the food took long even though it was past lunch rush.
(3)J B.
The bar is perfect for after work or date night drinks. If you aren't afraid to admit you like ranch dressing then you are in for a real treat! Their ranch is AWESOME. Yes. Really. No lie. Plus they put a ridiculous amount of toppings on their self named house salad.
(4)Shannon G.
Best steak ever!!! (I had the ribeye) My favorite steaks have been Joey D's and McKendricks but this place for a chain is off the chain! The steak was so good I didn't even want or need A1 sauce! Everything was amazing from the ambiance, croissants, salad, baked potato... I craved this place for weeks afterwards because it was so delicious. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
(5)Valerie T.
Previous visits here were good and the food never disappoints, but tonight the service was attrocious. Server forgot to put in dinner order. 45 minutes later when she finally remembered she could not even bother herself to apologize for the oversight or offer any form of compensation for our inconvenience. To add insult to injury the hostess didn't even bother to say goodnight as we left. Nice ambiance and food, but worst service ever. We will never return!
(1)Chris A.
The one star is for the servers who were very, very nice (the hostess had some killer boots!). We ate here after a movie and split seafood nachos and chicken fingers. The fingers were extremely greasy (we had to blot with napkins); the salmon in the seafood nachos was very "fishy" and overcooked. Disappointed, I had seen the one up in SC going to/from my Mom's for years, and wanted to try it. Ah well, we tried it!
(1)Jason F.
Let an Angeleno tell you: this is not California food. For example, when I dream of California, I dream of that emperor of fruits, the almighty avocado. Not a single avocado to be found on the menu. That alone banishes the word "California" from the restaurant. The nachos were fair. We had one order of BBQ chicken nachos and one order of the standard nachos. They used nacho sauce for most of the cheese, which was lame considering the price (not uber-expensive, but not cheap, either), and also lame considering the only places in California that use nacho sauce for their cheese are Taco Bell and the local sports stadiums. There's also many crab and oyster items on the menu, which although they are found on menus on Fisherman's Wharf in San Fran, are more commonly thought of as New English cuisine--not Californian. There's also no other "California" dishes like fresh artichoke or fusion cuisine. The service we had was great. Morgan was attentive, helpful, and friendly. Dunno if I'd go back too soon.
(2)Neriyah J.
I liked the overall look of the restaurant, the service was poor. Our first time eating there was yesterday-our server (kay)took forever to bring us everything..we had to ask for silverware after our appetizers were brought out, my husband had to ask for a refill of water, it wasn't very busy in the restaurant and she seemed to have just a few tables but she was very inattentive-our food was okay. the wings didn't have flavor but they had a good texture-crab soup was pretty good, and you can't really mess up a salad...the seafood plate was meh..she was very attentive when bringing the check and taking it back tho-i tipped extremely poorly (10%) and that was probably more than she deserved. I wrote down that the service was poor and maybe she will take it to heart. I work hard for my money and appreciate good service-dont spend your hard earned money here if you're looking for good service
(2)Nicki K.
The breads here are amazing. Been here a few times but over time, it just became okay. The staff is really friendly, it's just the quality of food that has been downgraded.
(3)Keisha R.
I used to patron all the time during college because it was high quality and affordable. Everything has changed: the quality of food and service has gone down the tubes and in the process they've managed to raise their prices through the roof. Perhaps it's just the locations in Atlanta, because I've never had such poor service and subpar food in other areas where I've patroned this establishment. Won't be returning to the one in Suwanee/Duluth/whatever the hell border it's on near 85.
(1)Jim L.
The J/J Burger Tour finally made it into this place and it was good. I'll start with the burger. I ordered the BBQ Bacon burger, which was cooked to a very good medium. Grilled just right. It had a good sauce on it, and monterey jack cheese, which is a good change of pace because most places go for cheddar on a bbq burger. I also ordered their bbq chicken nachos, which are pretty well known here. They were really good. I hadn't thought of a combo like this before but it works. They put queso on crispy chips, then cover it with grilled chicken and bbq sauce. I had really good service too, by a girl named Amanda, who reminded me of Ashley Kupets. Figure that one out.
(4)Bob M.
We went for lunch yesterday. It wasn't very crowded, about three dozen people for lunch. We ordered the onion ring loaf for an appetizer. It was VERY bland and the onions had no flavor at all. I ordered the bacon burger with barbecue sauce. Our server asked how I wanted it cooked and I ordered medium.......I received well done. The tomatoes were fresh and the pickles were good, but that was about it for the burger. My wife ordered the sliced prime rib sandwich with au jus. It was bland and not very good at all. Overall, the food was well below the bare minimum. Our server was horrible. He took our order and then disappeared. At the end of the meal we had to have the hostess go and find him so we could get the check. The manager came by and asked us how the meal was. I was polite, but told her the truth........it was terrible and that all I wanted to do was pay and leave. She apologized and told us the bad meal was on them and we owed nothing. This comped meal is the reason for two stars otherwise it would only deserve one star. Will I go back? Not likely, the experience was below average and not worth repeating. The restaurant is really nice looking inside. If they can bring their food up several levels it would be great.
(2)Kathy L.
My boyfriend and I came here just to be spontaneous for dinner! I liked the romantic dark feel of the place and it's really spacious for a restaurant compared to the other restaurants in town. I thought the lights on the tree in the center of the restaurant was a nice touch. We ordered the BBQ chicken nachos ($8.75) based on our waitresses recommendation which was a real HIT! I loved it. I was skeptical at first because I've never ventured out of the normal nacho combination but I thought why not? It was delicious and actually filled me and my boyfriend. We also ordered Dreaming Chicken Sandwich ($8.95) because we were trying to eat light but still be full. Which we ended up not eating that night because we were full off of the nachos! We both ate our halves the next day for lunch. My half was 'eh, alright' lol. It also came with option of french fries or another choice of side item; we chose Fettuccine Alfredo. Which was horrible! We could taste the water from boiling the fettuccine and the alfredo sauce was lacking in FLAVOR...how in the world did they make it taste so bland?? I'm amazed that it had NO flavor... I wouldn't recommend it for anything more than BBQ chicken nachos. Not even worth a special occasion visit to this place, there are better places at that price range...
(2)David H.
My wife and I came here several times and they had always been pretty pleasant experiences with good food and friendly services. Thus when our best friends are getting married, we recommended this place for both the bachelor and bachelorette parties. However to our surprises, when my sister called and made the reservation on 9/27/2014 Saturday, the guy on the phone was very rude and rush, told my sister that we had to arrive between 5:15pm and 5:30pm that day and hung up the phone before my sister could finish her questions. When we arrived at the restaurant at 5:25pm, we were so lucky to meet that guy in the blue shirt with big attitude. First he denied we had a reservation and then he said that he had asked us to arrive by 5pm. Basically he was denying we had a reservation and then accusing us not being there early with his lame attitude. We could understand if the place is busy on the weekend and could take some time to get our seats. But the attitude was definitely not acceptable. That's a shame when other staffs have built up the restaurants reputation but it was ruined by this guy in such a short period of time. Not to mention my friends all had terrible first impressions toward this restaurant, my wife and I will not come back again. And of course 25+ of us all left. We were happy to spend our two thousand dollars and our time at a better place other than here.
(1)Jason D.
Ate on a Sunday afternoon, around lunch. Were seated at a table that was in an area so dark, we could barely see each other from across the table, no lie. Server was nice, helpful. Food was okay. My steak was the marinated steak, ordered medium, came out well done, crispy on the outside. Side was good. My wife got the marinated chicken, which was good. Service got shaky on the backend, more sparse. On a whole, just a mediocre experience for more money.
(3)Amy G.
I've been here a handful of times. I didn't have a problem until a recent to-go snafu. The Friday before Christmas, I decided to order my usual soup and salad lunch to-go as a nice little treat before break. I called the order in no problem. I show up to the restaurant about 8 minutes later, 2 earlier than the girl said it would be ready. I walk over to the to-go stand and tell her my order. She heads back to the kitchen. So far, smooth sailing. Five minutes go by. Ten. Fifteen. What the crap is going on? The restaurant is dead and it's a freaking soup/salad lunch. I start looking around, pacing, she's nowhere in sight. Finally, she emerges empty-handed from the kitchen. There better be a good reason for this. "Sooo....the lids for the soup bowls have gone M.I.A," she whispers. "Sooo I'm just going to put it in a cup. Is that ok?" By this time, I'm staring blankly and nodding at her, trying to suppress every urge to make a rude remark. "Ok. Soooo I'm just going to take the bowl the soup is in and pour it into a cup and put a cup lid on it," she says demonstrating everything so I can see. "Ok!" I snap with a closed lip smile. 10 minutes later, she's back up front with my lunch. She rings me up, and I leave. HOLY MOSES. Almost 30 minutes to get a cup of soup and salad TO GO. That's half of my lunch wasted. Luckily no one was in the office, so I was able to eat. Yikes.
(2)Rox R.
Not sure why this place is called California Dreaming. Nothing is stereotypically California. Anyways... I've been here twice and ordered the same thing each time and been happily satisfied both times. Ordered 2 rack of baby back ribs House Salad with house dressing Mash potatoes Apple walnut dessert Ribs- fell off the bone like sweet bbq candy. Shared with my partner. Could not finish ribs but saved them for leftovers. Salad- lots of goods in the salad- even if you don't like salad, order it JUST for the butter croissant drizzled with honey. It's amazing! Mash potatoes- creamylishous. Apple walnut dessert- nothing to disappoint. Ice cream was large enough to compliment every bite (who ever wants a small dollop of ice cream?! Good for 2.
(4)Gloria W.
my first time here was this past weekend. i went with 2 kids and their parents and saw that it's pretty kid friendly. i ended up playing tic-tac-toe with the kids while the grown-ups talked. oops. and we played with the mouthwash and the lotion in the bathroom. twice. anyway, i ordered a baked potato soup and the salmon salad. i could barely eat half of the baked potato soup because it was so creamy, thick, and filling. then i didn't finish the salad either.. probably because i ate too much of the yummy croissants. how can i make my own? that's why i'd rate it 3.5 stars but i guess i have to round up. service was good, too. but i don't think i'll come here if i have to pay for my own dinner.
(4)Scott T.
Most of the food is not that good, but the place is different. Come here for drinks after work. If you do get the food stick to the salads. This place needs a new chef.
(2)Rashaud B.
So...I had never even heard of the place until a friend told me about it, so we all decided to go one weekend evening. The atmosphere is really nice, laid back, and relaxing and the servers are nice and attentive as well. The food however was slightly overpriced for the quality. I can't speak for the other dishes, however, I ordered the BBQ Chicken and there wasn't anything special about it. I wouldn't be opposed to going back and trying it again, but I would definitely order something different to see if my opinion changes any.
(2)Tony C.
I recently ate here for a business lunch. My first thought upon entering was what the heck does this place have to do with California. Upon finishing my meal, I now know Californians must really like TGI Fridays because that's essentially what this restaurant is only a bit better. The building was obviously very new and sensibly decorated. Our circle booth comfortably seated six. Top notch facilities. We started with barbeque chicken nachos and fried crab claws. The nachos were well covered with cheese and chicken and the claws were adequately meaty. We were on the clock so I had sweet tea which was also quite good. For the entree, I had the shrimp po-boy. Why is a po-boy on the menu of a supposedly California themed restaurant? I have no idea but I would order it again. My colleagues had chicken pasta, salad and one of the chicken dishes. I didn't hear any complaints so I assume they were happy. In summary, good food, good service and maybe a tad on the pricey side. Perhaps I should dock them one star for having nothing to do with California. Drop by if you happen to be in the neighborhood but I wouldn't make a special trip out there if you can find a Friday's or similar nearby.
(4)Mike G.
I went to this place for a rehearsal dinner with a very large party and it's safe to say that I will not be returning in the near future unless its for another crappy rehearsal dinner. We had a set menu for the party which included: A house salad with a choice of dressings For the entrees, you were given a choice of one of the following: - A salmon dish - Baby back ribs with a honey BBQ sauce - Fried shrimp with two small steak fillets - Blackened chicken over pasta with Alfredo sauce I ordered the ribs with the sauce on the side and a side of red skin mashed potatoes. The house salad came out first and it was pretty good, the bread that came with the salad was very good and it was definitely fresh. The ribs came out next and they were horrible!! They were dry and overcooked. I think I could have done a better job with an easy bake oven. The mashed potatoes were the best part of the entree but my girlfriend ate them all so I was stuck with the cardboard ribs. Once I finished my spectacular ribs, I tried some of the blackened chicken pasta and it tasted okay, but only after I drenched it with loads of salt and pepper. Overall the place was okay, that is if you enjoy crappy ribs and food that tasted like the kitchen ran out of salt.
(2)Chris E.
Upon venturing North on yet another rainy day...........we decided on California Dreaming for lunch. Everything was great from the moment we walked in the door to the moment the bartender gave us directions to our next destination. Service was great. We started off with the BBQ Chicken Nachos as an appetizer, and a Chipolte Chicken Wrap was my lunch choice. Their house salad accompanying the wrap was perfect with their warm house honey mustard blend dressing. Perfect lunch spot and will be sure and check it out for dinner next! I see they have $1.95 drinks all day every day!
(5)Chuck S.
First time here. I had the filet medallions with the fried shrimp. Shrimp was very good but the medallions were dry and over cooked. My date had the ribs. They were fall off the bone and she quite enjoyed them. We finished off the evening with the cheesecake. Very good but would have excellent with strawberry sauce over it. Stephanie was our server and was excellent! Very attentive and our glasses were never empty. Ask for her when you come in!!
(4)Melissa B.
I've driven past this place maybe 4 billion times and finally stopped in for dinner with family last night. While my hot vegetable salad was good and something I've never seen on any other menu, it's not like it was really that special. Which is fine, it hit the spot for me. My family however, had some different opinions. Two people order the marinated steak and both were disappointed with their overcooked/chewy steak. Everyone just felt ok about what they ordered. Our consensus was that they do salads well, and if you like bacon this is probably a good spot. Bacon shows up pretty frequently on this menu from the dressings to the potatoes. Our service was friendly, yet a little slow. I also felt some of the prices were a little extreme for what you get. Maybe worth one try if you're in the area. I certainly wouldn't make a special trip.
(3)Sonya S.
This is not representative of California food!!! The name of the restaurant is confusing. Did they pick the name out of a hat while blindfolded? The food is basic and boring. They pride themselves on their 48 hour marinated chicken. It's tasty but my socks didn't come flying off. We've eaten here twice. It's a beautiful building. Spacious. Dimly lit at night. Log cabin look inside and outside. Nice bar. Speaking of which, the Iced Tea was awesome. Ordered it again and it tasted like doctored up pool water. What the heck? Bonus for them that they didn't charge me for the second one. This place is like a friend of a friend that you meet. He looks great. Feels great. Then when they start talking you want to turn around and keep walking. California Dreaming needs to do three things: 1. Majorly revamp their menu. 2. Ensure their drinks are always consistent. 3. Keep their cheesecake from New York's Carnegie Deli on the menu. Oh, I'm from California. This is a disgrace to California.
(2)Jo Jo C.
Thats all for now...
(3)Brad S.
Yet another California restaurant that I will not be returning to. Maybe I just don't have California tastes. The service was good, and the place looks nice, but the food was just awful. I had the baby back ribs that were too thin and overcooked. Three of the people in our party had some chicken dish in which the chicken was undercooked. Ugh!
(1)Rebecca W.
Came here for only the second time ever and while the food was decent, I felt like I could go to any other restaurant and get the same dish just as good for less. The wait staff was friendly and prompt at refilling drinks so that was a plus. The atmosphere was nice, but the place was not busy at all for 8p on a Thursday night. I would give this place another try.
(3)Adam M.
All the other reviews basically reflect my experience. I came at a very slow time, Sunday for lunch. There were people everywhere yet service was lacking. The salad and crossoint were amazing! Fantastic even. I had the Sunday prime rib and it was cooked exactly to my order medium-medium rare. The meat was completely tasteless though. The Au Jus was practically water, also little to no flavor. I wasn't offered horseradish of any sort, which is a favorite of mine. It really makes me think I'll spend my $22 somewhere else next time. I expected much more from a place with this price level. Spend your money elsewhere.
(2)Mike M.
California Dreaming is really about salads. Don't get chicken fingers, or salmon, just a salad. I love a big salad, and they don't disappoint. Is it a chain? Yes? Is it way too loud because the ceilings are 1000 ft high? Yes. But it's a damn good salad.
(4)Vera L.
Today was the first time I went to California Dreaming, as recommended by my best friend BK. She has been here a few times and highly recommended this place. We chose this over Five Guys as I wanted something "healthier" haha. (For some reason, I couldn't choose 3.5 stars eventhough that's probably what I would have rated this place). Atmostphere: nice, very spacious, big booths for couples and for 4+ Service: good, may be busier during dinner hours. Very attentive staff. How to Get Here: a bit tricky as it is off a side road (I used GPS) Food: pretty good, 3.5 stars. For standard "american" fare, it is better than your typical Chili's. I got the shrimp bbq wrap - you get a side of either mashed potatoes, creamed spinach, hand-cut fries, veggies (and maybe one or two more). For a small-to-moderate portion eater, it was a lot for me, but for an average guy it would probably be perfect. I loved my wrap - there wasn't too much dressing on the shrimp but it was still savory, and it was mixed with onions, diced tomatoes, lettuce in a spinach wrap. AND...the shrimp was fresh because the texture was a bit firm/rubbery and not mushy like freezer-burned/not-fresh shrimp tastes like. The redskin mashed potato side was perfect - you don't need extra butter or extra salt unless you like things really salty or really buttery. We also got the basket-o-croissants as an appetizer: SO GOOD. These medium-to-possibly large sized croissants that are dripped over with liquid honey-butter (you can also ask for additional honey butter if you like on the side). They come out piping hot and are not burnt. Drinks: pretty okay, did not try any alcoholic beverages as it was lunch time and I had to drive home. Sweet tea is the house wine of the south, and it was pretty standard there.
(4)Andrew L.
Now that I "yelp" I find myself looking at everything in a restaurant. I know that this place is very "chain like" and the food is pretty standard fare, but I couldn't really find a true flaw in the whole place. The menu was basic , the lighting was good and low, the music was quiet, and my service was above standard. I ordered the Prime rib which came out the right temp and the mashed potatoes were a nice large helping. My wife had salmon, which was seasoned nicely and cooked the way it should be. Her side of veggies were too basic and could have been stepped up a bit. The house salads that came with out meals was also basic, but good. I really tried to find something wrong, but the place was clean, food was good, and service was above what I expected. Damn you yelp...can't I eat a eat a meal without judging?
(4)Kyung P.
Just another typical chain restaurant that is comparable to chili's or TGI Friday's. We went as a group of 9 for lunch, and the server had 4 other tables in addition to ours. Food was very average. The house salad and house dressing were the best part of the meal.
(2)Wendy D.
INCONSISTENT! I eat here often because I like the fried shrimp, but the service is mediocre and food a bit overpriced for the quality. Yesterday, they brought my soup and entree at the same time. When I politely complained about it, I got hit with attitude. When I asked for the manager, she explained why it happened, said they need to change their system, apologized and walked away. Still paid $6 for soup I didn't get to eat. The shrimp is good, but not that good. Snarky mangers are not an asset to any business. I think I'll eat elsewhere.
(1)Dorothy P.
So on this week's hangout w/ my dad, we ended up at california dreaming for lunch since we were up in that necka the woods. the first thing i was turned off by was the hostesses were having a conversation when we walked in and didn't greet us until their conversation was over. i can only overlook this faux paus by perhaps their very young age and therefore perhaps inexperience in the restaurant/service industry. even though you're probably suppose to order "healthy" stuff at an establishment that has anything california in its name, we decide to order the bacon cheeseburger (in my persistent quest to convert my dad to a burger-lover, which he is not). we order it medium but instead it comes out well--no pink, very dry. the bacon was ok. again i have failed to convert my dad to a burger-lover. the best part about our meal was probably the butter croissants that came w/ our house salad. Ironically, the parent company of this rest. also owns two of my fave rests: the tavern and joey d's...go figure. interior is nice w/ it's wood beams...i came here for good food and service though.
(2)Alex S.
This is another place i would recommend. California Dreaming is in Duluth Georgia, and they have a regular sized menu. At the beginning they have rolls with your salad, however they can be on the messy side. They have good customer service, and a nice patio seating. Their prices ranges around $7-15 for food, and their wine can cost in the three digits, but does not apply to bottles. You may want to check out this place whenever you can.
(4)Mary F.
I agree with everyone else. "California Dreaming" insinuates the menu might reflect such Cali-inspired items like fish tacos, ahi tuna burgers, carne-asada burritos, or anything with avacado or bean sprouts. No such luck. However, what we did eat was wonderful. My husband had the ribs, they were fall-off the bone tender and super tasty. The salad and croissant served with dinner were amazing. I had the prime rib, which was pretty decent, but could have been seasoned a little more and though I don't like horseradish, I know it is supposed to be served with prime rib & it was not even offered. The service was mostly good. They place was not packed with people & it was a Friday night. But, our server was slow and took a few trips past our table before realizing we were ready to go. Not to mention that he forgot my drink order. So, most likely we will eat there again, but not because it takes us back to Cali. I recommend visiting at least once to form your own opinion.
(3)tom b.
mediocre food and service in a blah atmosphere
(2)Tony C.
I recently ate here for a business lunch. My first thought upon entering was what the heck does this place have to do with California. Upon finishing my meal, I now know Californians must really like TGI Fridays because that's essentially what this restaurant is only a bit better. The building was obviously very new and sensibly decorated. Our circle booth comfortably seated six. Top notch facilities. We started with barbeque chicken nachos and fried crab claws. The nachos were well covered with cheese and chicken and the claws were adequately meaty. We were on the clock so I had sweet tea which was also quite good. For the entree, I had the shrimp po-boy. Why is a po-boy on the menu of a supposedly California themed restaurant? I have no idea but I would order it again. My colleagues had chicken pasta, salad and one of the chicken dishes. I didn't hear any complaints so I assume they were happy. In summary, good food, good service and maybe a tad on the pricey side. Perhaps I should dock them one star for having nothing to do with California. Drop by if you happen to be in the neighborhood but I wouldn't make a special trip out there if you can find a Friday's or similar nearby.
(4)Mike G.
I went to this place for a rehearsal dinner with a very large party and it's safe to say that I will not be returning in the near future unless its for another crappy rehearsal dinner. We had a set menu for the party which included: A house salad with a choice of dressings For the entrees, you were given a choice of one of the following: - A salmon dish - Baby back ribs with a honey BBQ sauce - Fried shrimp with two small steak fillets - Blackened chicken over pasta with Alfredo sauce I ordered the ribs with the sauce on the side and a side of red skin mashed potatoes. The house salad came out first and it was pretty good, the bread that came with the salad was very good and it was definitely fresh. The ribs came out next and they were horrible!! They were dry and overcooked. I think I could have done a better job with an easy bake oven. The mashed potatoes were the best part of the entree but my girlfriend ate them all so I was stuck with the cardboard ribs. Once I finished my spectacular ribs, I tried some of the blackened chicken pasta and it tasted okay, but only after I drenched it with loads of salt and pepper. Overall the place was okay, that is if you enjoy crappy ribs and food that tasted like the kitchen ran out of salt.
(2)Chris E.
Upon venturing North on yet another rainy day...........we decided on California Dreaming for lunch. Everything was great from the moment we walked in the door to the moment the bartender gave us directions to our next destination. Service was great. We started off with the BBQ Chicken Nachos as an appetizer, and a Chipolte Chicken Wrap was my lunch choice. Their house salad accompanying the wrap was perfect with their warm house honey mustard blend dressing. Perfect lunch spot and will be sure and check it out for dinner next! I see they have $1.95 drinks all day every day!
(5)Chris A.
The one star is for the servers who were very, very nice (the hostess had some killer boots!). We ate here after a movie and split seafood nachos and chicken fingers. The fingers were extremely greasy (we had to blot with napkins); the salmon in the seafood nachos was very "fishy" and overcooked. Disappointed, I had seen the one up in SC going to/from my Mom's for years, and wanted to try it. Ah well, we tried it!
(1)Nicki K.
The breads here are amazing. Been here a few times but over time, it just became okay. The staff is really friendly, it's just the quality of food that has been downgraded.
(3)Valerie T.
Previous visits here were good and the food never disappoints, but tonight the service was attrocious. Server forgot to put in dinner order. 45 minutes later when she finally remembered she could not even bother herself to apologize for the oversight or offer any form of compensation for our inconvenience. To add insult to injury the hostess didn't even bother to say goodnight as we left. Nice ambiance and food, but worst service ever. We will never return!
(1)David H.
My wife and I came here several times and they had always been pretty pleasant experiences with good food and friendly services. Thus when our best friends are getting married, we recommended this place for both the bachelor and bachelorette parties. However to our surprises, when my sister called and made the reservation on 9/27/2014 Saturday, the guy on the phone was very rude and rush, told my sister that we had to arrive between 5:15pm and 5:30pm that day and hung up the phone before my sister could finish her questions. When we arrived at the restaurant at 5:25pm, we were so lucky to meet that guy in the blue shirt with big attitude. First he denied we had a reservation and then he said that he had asked us to arrive by 5pm. Basically he was denying we had a reservation and then accusing us not being there early with his lame attitude. We could understand if the place is busy on the weekend and could take some time to get our seats. But the attitude was definitely not acceptable. That's a shame when other staffs have built up the restaurants reputation but it was ruined by this guy in such a short period of time. Not to mention my friends all had terrible first impressions toward this restaurant, my wife and I will not come back again. And of course 25+ of us all left. We were happy to spend our two thousand dollars and our time at a better place other than here.
(1)Jason D.
Ate on a Sunday afternoon, around lunch. Were seated at a table that was in an area so dark, we could barely see each other from across the table, no lie. Server was nice, helpful. Food was okay. My steak was the marinated steak, ordered medium, came out well done, crispy on the outside. Side was good. My wife got the marinated chicken, which was good. Service got shaky on the backend, more sparse. On a whole, just a mediocre experience for more money.
(3)Amy G.
I've been here a handful of times. I didn't have a problem until a recent to-go snafu. The Friday before Christmas, I decided to order my usual soup and salad lunch to-go as a nice little treat before break. I called the order in no problem. I show up to the restaurant about 8 minutes later, 2 earlier than the girl said it would be ready. I walk over to the to-go stand and tell her my order. She heads back to the kitchen. So far, smooth sailing. Five minutes go by. Ten. Fifteen. What the crap is going on? The restaurant is dead and it's a freaking soup/salad lunch. I start looking around, pacing, she's nowhere in sight. Finally, she emerges empty-handed from the kitchen. There better be a good reason for this. "Sooo....the lids for the soup bowls have gone M.I.A," she whispers. "Sooo I'm just going to put it in a cup. Is that ok?" By this time, I'm staring blankly and nodding at her, trying to suppress every urge to make a rude remark. "Ok. Soooo I'm just going to take the bowl the soup is in and pour it into a cup and put a cup lid on it," she says demonstrating everything so I can see. "Ok!" I snap with a closed lip smile. 10 minutes later, she's back up front with my lunch. She rings me up, and I leave. HOLY MOSES. Almost 30 minutes to get a cup of soup and salad TO GO. That's half of my lunch wasted. Luckily no one was in the office, so I was able to eat. Yikes.
(2)Jim L.
The J/J Burger Tour finally made it into this place and it was good. I'll start with the burger. I ordered the BBQ Bacon burger, which was cooked to a very good medium. Grilled just right. It had a good sauce on it, and monterey jack cheese, which is a good change of pace because most places go for cheddar on a bbq burger. I also ordered their bbq chicken nachos, which are pretty well known here. They were really good. I hadn't thought of a combo like this before but it works. They put queso on crispy chips, then cover it with grilled chicken and bbq sauce. I had really good service too, by a girl named Amanda, who reminded me of Ashley Kupets. Figure that one out.
(4)Rox R.
Not sure why this place is called California Dreaming. Nothing is stereotypically California. Anyways... I've been here twice and ordered the same thing each time and been happily satisfied both times. Ordered 2 rack of baby back ribs House Salad with house dressing Mash potatoes Apple walnut dessert Ribs- fell off the bone like sweet bbq candy. Shared with my partner. Could not finish ribs but saved them for leftovers. Salad- lots of goods in the salad- even if you don't like salad, order it JUST for the butter croissant drizzled with honey. It's amazing! Mash potatoes- creamylishous. Apple walnut dessert- nothing to disappoint. Ice cream was large enough to compliment every bite (who ever wants a small dollop of ice cream?! Good for 2.
(4)Jason F.
Let an Angeleno tell you: this is not California food. For example, when I dream of California, I dream of that emperor of fruits, the almighty avocado. Not a single avocado to be found on the menu. That alone banishes the word "California" from the restaurant. The nachos were fair. We had one order of BBQ chicken nachos and one order of the standard nachos. They used nacho sauce for most of the cheese, which was lame considering the price (not uber-expensive, but not cheap, either), and also lame considering the only places in California that use nacho sauce for their cheese are Taco Bell and the local sports stadiums. There's also many crab and oyster items on the menu, which although they are found on menus on Fisherman's Wharf in San Fran, are more commonly thought of as New English cuisine--not Californian. There's also no other "California" dishes like fresh artichoke or fusion cuisine. The service we had was great. Morgan was attentive, helpful, and friendly. Dunno if I'd go back too soon.
(2)Neriyah J.
I liked the overall look of the restaurant, the service was poor. Our first time eating there was yesterday-our server (kay)took forever to bring us everything..we had to ask for silverware after our appetizers were brought out, my husband had to ask for a refill of water, it wasn't very busy in the restaurant and she seemed to have just a few tables but she was very inattentive-our food was okay. the wings didn't have flavor but they had a good texture-crab soup was pretty good, and you can't really mess up a salad...the seafood plate was meh..she was very attentive when bringing the check and taking it back tho-i tipped extremely poorly (10%) and that was probably more than she deserved. I wrote down that the service was poor and maybe she will take it to heart. I work hard for my money and appreciate good service-dont spend your hard earned money here if you're looking for good service
(2)Keisha R.
I used to patron all the time during college because it was high quality and affordable. Everything has changed: the quality of food and service has gone down the tubes and in the process they've managed to raise their prices through the roof. Perhaps it's just the locations in Atlanta, because I've never had such poor service and subpar food in other areas where I've patroned this establishment. Won't be returning to the one in Suwanee/Duluth/whatever the hell border it's on near 85.
(1)Gloria W.
my first time here was this past weekend. i went with 2 kids and their parents and saw that it's pretty kid friendly. i ended up playing tic-tac-toe with the kids while the grown-ups talked. oops. and we played with the mouthwash and the lotion in the bathroom. twice. anyway, i ordered a baked potato soup and the salmon salad. i could barely eat half of the baked potato soup because it was so creamy, thick, and filling. then i didn't finish the salad either.. probably because i ate too much of the yummy croissants. how can i make my own? that's why i'd rate it 3.5 stars but i guess i have to round up. service was good, too. but i don't think i'll come here if i have to pay for my own dinner.
(4)Scott T.
Most of the food is not that good, but the place is different. Come here for drinks after work. If you do get the food stick to the salads. This place needs a new chef.
(2)Chuck S.
First time here. I had the filet medallions with the fried shrimp. Shrimp was very good but the medallions were dry and over cooked. My date had the ribs. They were fall off the bone and she quite enjoyed them. We finished off the evening with the cheesecake. Very good but would have excellent with strawberry sauce over it. Stephanie was our server and was excellent! Very attentive and our glasses were never empty. Ask for her when you come in!!
(4)Melissa B.
I've driven past this place maybe 4 billion times and finally stopped in for dinner with family last night. While my hot vegetable salad was good and something I've never seen on any other menu, it's not like it was really that special. Which is fine, it hit the spot for me. My family however, had some different opinions. Two people order the marinated steak and both were disappointed with their overcooked/chewy steak. Everyone just felt ok about what they ordered. Our consensus was that they do salads well, and if you like bacon this is probably a good spot. Bacon shows up pretty frequently on this menu from the dressings to the potatoes. Our service was friendly, yet a little slow. I also felt some of the prices were a little extreme for what you get. Maybe worth one try if you're in the area. I certainly wouldn't make a special trip.
(3)Heather B.
Went here with my mom a week ago. It was pouring down rain so they were not very busy. I was pleasantly greeted at the door and quickly seated. The waitress was knowledgeable about the menu and very polite... Constantly smiling. Everything looked very clean and I loved the wood with the rustic lighting. My mom and I ordered the house salad with potato soup. ($9.95) Can u say delicious?! It took no more than 10 min and we had our food. The ingredients were very fresh. The homemade croissants drizzled with honey was a great way to end the meal. The only negative that I saw was our waitress was never the same. It changed every time. Almost like they were changing shifts. I think we had 4 different waitresses while we were there. I'm definitely going back. Would be great for a ladies night out event. They have a full bar and great wine list. Love this place!!
(4)Lori A.
California Dreaming is okay. Not great. Not bad. Just okay. The service was good, but the decor and the food were, well, just okay. I had the house salad, which comes with bacon, egg, and warm bacon dressing. I am glad I ordered the dressing on the side because it would have been overwhelming if it had been dressed. Very heavy salad. My entree was the blackened tilapia (fish of the day) with sauteed spinach on the side. The fish was flaky but prepared with a little too much oil for my tastes. The spinach was, again, just okay. At the end of the meal, I was shocked to see the fairly meager lunch was $20. Had I known the absurdly high before ordering, I would never had selected the "fish of the day." Also, they served my salad and my entree within three minutes of each other. I have a major pet peeve with restaurants that rush courses. The service staff didn't rush us at all, but having two courses of food in front of me is unnecessarily overwhelming. It is important to note that the croissants are amazing. The honey butter glaze and the light, airy dough with the crisp coating was, by far, the best thing about the meal.
(2)Talitha D.
My date and I went here for dinner on a week night. The inside was absolutely beautiful and the booths were very large and spacey. It definitely had the feeling as a date night spot. The server was bluntly honest on his thoughts of the menu and was pretty cool. I ordered the raspberry lemonade martini... Sounded good but was alright. Then it comes down to the food, I ordered the chicken parmigiana with sauteed spinach and my date ordered the seafood nachos. The chicken was good, but nothing you can't find elsewhere. The spinach was disgusting, it was watery, oily, and bland. I bet all they did was pour some olive oil in a pan and toss it around a bit... No seasoning. Bleh! My date's nachos were a soupy mess, with probably 3 or 4 lumps of seafood in it. He was highly disappointed, since the reason he got it was for some good chunks of seafood, hence the name "seafood nachos". In the end, the only reason for the 3 stars was for the ambience and server. The food is less than memorable, don't waste your time or your money.
(3)Bob M.
We went for lunch yesterday. It wasn't very crowded, about three dozen people for lunch. We ordered the onion ring loaf for an appetizer. It was VERY bland and the onions had no flavor at all. I ordered the bacon burger with barbecue sauce. Our server asked how I wanted it cooked and I ordered medium.......I received well done. The tomatoes were fresh and the pickles were good, but that was about it for the burger. My wife ordered the sliced prime rib sandwich with au jus. It was bland and not very good at all. Overall, the food was well below the bare minimum. Our server was horrible. He took our order and then disappeared. At the end of the meal we had to have the hostess go and find him so we could get the check. The manager came by and asked us how the meal was. I was polite, but told her the truth........it was terrible and that all I wanted to do was pay and leave. She apologized and told us the bad meal was on them and we owed nothing. This comped meal is the reason for two stars otherwise it would only deserve one star. Will I go back? Not likely, the experience was below average and not worth repeating. The restaurant is really nice looking inside. If they can bring their food up several levels it would be great.
(2)Kathy L.
My boyfriend and I came here just to be spontaneous for dinner! I liked the romantic dark feel of the place and it's really spacious for a restaurant compared to the other restaurants in town. I thought the lights on the tree in the center of the restaurant was a nice touch. We ordered the BBQ chicken nachos ($8.75) based on our waitresses recommendation which was a real HIT! I loved it. I was skeptical at first because I've never ventured out of the normal nacho combination but I thought why not? It was delicious and actually filled me and my boyfriend. We also ordered Dreaming Chicken Sandwich ($8.95) because we were trying to eat light but still be full. Which we ended up not eating that night because we were full off of the nachos! We both ate our halves the next day for lunch. My half was 'eh, alright' lol. It also came with option of french fries or another choice of side item; we chose Fettuccine Alfredo. Which was horrible! We could taste the water from boiling the fettuccine and the alfredo sauce was lacking in FLAVOR...how in the world did they make it taste so bland?? I'm amazed that it had NO flavor... I wouldn't recommend it for anything more than BBQ chicken nachos. Not even worth a special occasion visit to this place, there are better places at that price range...
(2)Rashaud B.
So...I had never even heard of the place until a friend told me about it, so we all decided to go one weekend evening. The atmosphere is really nice, laid back, and relaxing and the servers are nice and attentive as well. The food however was slightly overpriced for the quality. I can't speak for the other dishes, however, I ordered the BBQ Chicken and there wasn't anything special about it. I wouldn't be opposed to going back and trying it again, but I would definitely order something different to see if my opinion changes any.
(2)Sonya S.
This is not representative of California food!!! The name of the restaurant is confusing. Did they pick the name out of a hat while blindfolded? The food is basic and boring. They pride themselves on their 48 hour marinated chicken. It's tasty but my socks didn't come flying off. We've eaten here twice. It's a beautiful building. Spacious. Dimly lit at night. Log cabin look inside and outside. Nice bar. Speaking of which, the Iced Tea was awesome. Ordered it again and it tasted like doctored up pool water. What the heck? Bonus for them that they didn't charge me for the second one. This place is like a friend of a friend that you meet. He looks great. Feels great. Then when they start talking you want to turn around and keep walking. California Dreaming needs to do three things: 1. Majorly revamp their menu. 2. Ensure their drinks are always consistent. 3. Keep their cheesecake from New York's Carnegie Deli on the menu. Oh, I'm from California. This is a disgrace to California.
(2)Jo Jo C.
Thats all for now...
(3)Brad S.
Yet another California restaurant that I will not be returning to. Maybe I just don't have California tastes. The service was good, and the place looks nice, but the food was just awful. I had the baby back ribs that were too thin and overcooked. Three of the people in our party had some chicken dish in which the chicken was undercooked. Ugh!
(1)Rebecca W.
Came here for only the second time ever and while the food was decent, I felt like I could go to any other restaurant and get the same dish just as good for less. The wait staff was friendly and prompt at refilling drinks so that was a plus. The atmosphere was nice, but the place was not busy at all for 8p on a Thursday night. I would give this place another try.
(3)Vera L.
Today was the first time I went to California Dreaming, as recommended by my best friend BK. She has been here a few times and highly recommended this place. We chose this over Five Guys as I wanted something "healthier" haha. (For some reason, I couldn't choose 3.5 stars eventhough that's probably what I would have rated this place). Atmostphere: nice, very spacious, big booths for couples and for 4+ Service: good, may be busier during dinner hours. Very attentive staff. How to Get Here: a bit tricky as it is off a side road (I used GPS) Food: pretty good, 3.5 stars. For standard "american" fare, it is better than your typical Chili's. I got the shrimp bbq wrap - you get a side of either mashed potatoes, creamed spinach, hand-cut fries, veggies (and maybe one or two more). For a small-to-moderate portion eater, it was a lot for me, but for an average guy it would probably be perfect. I loved my wrap - there wasn't too much dressing on the shrimp but it was still savory, and it was mixed with onions, diced tomatoes, lettuce in a spinach wrap. AND...the shrimp was fresh because the texture was a bit firm/rubbery and not mushy like freezer-burned/not-fresh shrimp tastes like. The redskin mashed potato side was perfect - you don't need extra butter or extra salt unless you like things really salty or really buttery. We also got the basket-o-croissants as an appetizer: SO GOOD. These medium-to-possibly large sized croissants that are dripped over with liquid honey-butter (you can also ask for additional honey butter if you like on the side). They come out piping hot and are not burnt. Drinks: pretty okay, did not try any alcoholic beverages as it was lunch time and I had to drive home. Sweet tea is the house wine of the south, and it was pretty standard there.
(4)Andrew L.
Now that I "yelp" I find myself looking at everything in a restaurant. I know that this place is very "chain like" and the food is pretty standard fare, but I couldn't really find a true flaw in the whole place. The menu was basic , the lighting was good and low, the music was quiet, and my service was above standard. I ordered the Prime rib which came out the right temp and the mashed potatoes were a nice large helping. My wife had salmon, which was seasoned nicely and cooked the way it should be. Her side of veggies were too basic and could have been stepped up a bit. The house salads that came with out meals was also basic, but good. I really tried to find something wrong, but the place was clean, food was good, and service was above what I expected. Damn you yelp...can't I eat a eat a meal without judging?
(4)Kyung P.
Just another typical chain restaurant that is comparable to chili's or TGI Friday's. We went as a group of 9 for lunch, and the server had 4 other tables in addition to ours. Food was very average. The house salad and house dressing were the best part of the meal.
(2)Wendy D.
INCONSISTENT! I eat here often because I like the fried shrimp, but the service is mediocre and food a bit overpriced for the quality. Yesterday, they brought my soup and entree at the same time. When I politely complained about it, I got hit with attitude. When I asked for the manager, she explained why it happened, said they need to change their system, apologized and walked away. Still paid $6 for soup I didn't get to eat. The shrimp is good, but not that good. Snarky mangers are not an asset to any business. I think I'll eat elsewhere.
(1)Adam M.
All the other reviews basically reflect my experience. I came at a very slow time, Sunday for lunch. There were people everywhere yet service was lacking. The salad and crossoint were amazing! Fantastic even. I had the Sunday prime rib and it was cooked exactly to my order medium-medium rare. The meat was completely tasteless though. The Au Jus was practically water, also little to no flavor. I wasn't offered horseradish of any sort, which is a favorite of mine. It really makes me think I'll spend my $22 somewhere else next time. I expected much more from a place with this price level. Spend your money elsewhere.
(2)Mike M.
California Dreaming is really about salads. Don't get chicken fingers, or salmon, just a salad. I love a big salad, and they don't disappoint. Is it a chain? Yes? Is it way too loud because the ceilings are 1000 ft high? Yes. But it's a damn good salad.
(4)Dorothy P.
So on this week's hangout w/ my dad, we ended up at california dreaming for lunch since we were up in that necka the woods. the first thing i was turned off by was the hostesses were having a conversation when we walked in and didn't greet us until their conversation was over. i can only overlook this faux paus by perhaps their very young age and therefore perhaps inexperience in the restaurant/service industry. even though you're probably suppose to order "healthy" stuff at an establishment that has anything california in its name, we decide to order the bacon cheeseburger (in my persistent quest to convert my dad to a burger-lover, which he is not). we order it medium but instead it comes out well--no pink, very dry. the bacon was ok. again i have failed to convert my dad to a burger-lover. the best part about our meal was probably the butter croissants that came w/ our house salad. Ironically, the parent company of this rest. also owns two of my fave rests: the tavern and joey d's...go figure. interior is nice w/ it's wood beams...i came here for good food and service though.
(2)Alex S.
This is another place i would recommend. California Dreaming is in Duluth Georgia, and they have a regular sized menu. At the beginning they have rolls with your salad, however they can be on the messy side. They have good customer service, and a nice patio seating. Their prices ranges around $7-15 for food, and their wine can cost in the three digits, but does not apply to bottles. You may want to check out this place whenever you can.
(4)Mary F.
I agree with everyone else. "California Dreaming" insinuates the menu might reflect such Cali-inspired items like fish tacos, ahi tuna burgers, carne-asada burritos, or anything with avacado or bean sprouts. No such luck. However, what we did eat was wonderful. My husband had the ribs, they were fall-off the bone tender and super tasty. The salad and croissant served with dinner were amazing. I had the prime rib, which was pretty decent, but could have been seasoned a little more and though I don't like horseradish, I know it is supposed to be served with prime rib & it was not even offered. The service was mostly good. They place was not packed with people & it was a Friday night. But, our server was slow and took a few trips past our table before realizing we were ready to go. Not to mention that he forgot my drink order. So, most likely we will eat there again, but not because it takes us back to Cali. I recommend visiting at least once to form your own opinion.
(3)tom b.
mediocre food and service in a blah atmosphere
(2)Suhana A.
I went to this place for the first time two weeks ago with group of friends. I ordered chicken wrap with mashed potato. The food was okay, nothing special. Nothing unique about the wrap. The others agreed their food is good but no "wow" factor or worthy coming back for. Service was good though.. Atmosphere is casual.
(3)Berry G.
I had the shrimp pasta. IT WAS SO DRY. Basically a bowl of plain noodles topped with shrimp. I asked for alfredo sauce and it was an improvement, but I was pretty much done with the meal by then. I originally thought that it was dumb to go to a restaurant and pay $12+ for a salad. I SO WISH I had gotten a damn salad!!! Good service; waitress was friendly and patient with our large party. I had a pear cocktail and expected it to be green in a cocktail/martini glass. Silly me. It came in a regular glass and looked like a watered down Coke.
(2)J. P.
I was there for lunch earlier today. Ordered the broiled salmon salad and she crab soup. Midway through eating my soup, I found what appeared to be a fruit fly in my soup. I told the waitress she offered me another soup to take home. Most restaurants would offer to remove it from your tab. I am disappointed, especially being a high end restaurant
(2)Elizabeth N.
So I tried the blackened salmon, creamed spinach, and the house salad (I snuck a bite of the herb salmon too.) The blackened didn't really taste spicy, so I'd suggest the herb. Honestly you couldn't really taste a difference lol. I think the herb has more flavor between the two though. Creamed spinach was great; extremely thick n creamy, so it's not the healthiest choice. The house salad was a great size, loaded with extras, and AWESOME! The inside inside is nice for the area. I definitely prefer it over Bahama Breeze and Joe's crab shack. The inside's nicer than Joe's and bigger than both. I'd have to say the salmon is slightly better at Bahama breeze, though.
(3)Jeremy R.
The food is really good (borderline awesome) but the service is some of the worst I've ever seen. If I would have written this review two months ago, I would have easily given four stars, but service at this location as of late has become an issue. I haven't had anything on the menu that didn't taste good. Some of my favorites are the steaks, ribs, and spinach dip. The marinade they use on their meat here is great. The service used to be good until the last two times I've visited. These past two times its taken over 5 minutes to be greeted by a waitress/waiter and another 5 to get drinks, and then add another 5 to place an order. When stopping by for lunch, this puts customers in a crunch for a short lunch hour. Between watching my waitress chat it up with other folks in the kitchen and the manager glued to her cell phone texting, I'm not sure who is supposed to serve the customers here.
(2)Sela T.
A mediocre restaurant. Great service. Fast to greet you at the door and servers are very attentive to everyone at the table. I do enjoy the wooden interior of the restaurant. High ceilings, very grandiose. Foodwise: Nothing in particular stands out from the menu. Had spoken to the waitress and asked for her recommendations. She said they were known for their salads since it comes with their famous croissants. Ordered the salmon salad. There was a very nicely sized salmon on top of the salad. The croissant was nice but i really didn't care for the honey glaze on top of it. I think it really could have done without it. Overall, I dont think i'll be back to try any of their other items on the menu, especially if they're known for the salads?!?
(2)Khuram D.
I'm not sure why this place has so many mixed reviews. I had a fantastic experience here. Although I cannot comment on the food, they have New York Cheesecake brought in from Carnegie's Deli - the best in the world. A must try. My waitress was also super friendly and gave me an extra slice!
(5)Kofo S.
California Dreaming is one of the few places I will order an entree salad at a restaurant. The California Dreaming Salad is soooo good. It has turkey, ham, bacon, cheese, almonds, eggs...pretty much everything considered unhealthy on a salad. I usually stick to Vinegarette type dressing but the ranch and bacon honey mustard dressing are delicious. Some of my other favorites are the Fried Flounder, BBQ Chicken Nachos and Seafood Nachos. Whenever I have dined here I have always had a pleasant experience. The food is a little pricey but I've never had a bad meal or service so I don't mind.
(5)Fabia A.
This was our first time visiting this restaurant. We brought our friends we had a party of 7. We walked in a loved the decor the place is really nice. The wait staff didn't greet us or give us a time frame for the wait. We sat down for about 5 minutes and a hostess past us and quietly said this way. We ordered 1 appetizer of wings which were good so we ordered another round. Second round the waitress drops a wing on the ground and said she would replace and when she did she really returned with one wing which probably was the same one she dropped. Any normal place would of brought another round. The food finally came which took forever and a day my sons po boys bread was so hard he said his teeth hurt. He asked for a sauce (like a remolaude) and the waitress looked at him like he was crazy so he said mayo and mustard and ketchup, this sandwich needed some moisture. She brought mayo and mustard not the ketchup. My husband got the pasta Pomadaro which he didn't like it was bland and not good at all, my Cesar salad was just ok the breading on the oysters was a bit over cooked. I also ordered a piña colada which wasn't good either I only took two sips. Our friends said the food was okay. No one finished there foods that's a bad sign! Our waitress wasn't friendly or helpful, my husband asked for suggestions and she hadn't tried anything and was rude about it, she never came back to check on us my son never got ketchup for his fries, and no desert selections were offered. At this price point I expected a better experience. This won't be a regular place for us on to the next where we are treated like they want us there! What a waste.
(2)Fred L.
We arrived at the restaurant at 6 pm. We told the waitress we had show tickets at 7:30. We ordered by 6:15 and an hour later we still didn't have our food. We had ordered ribs which the restaurant is known for and which obviously were already cooked, they just had to be warmed up. Our waitress was apologetic but the manager didn't show up until we got up to leave. Not Cool. Bad experience
(1)Korey W.
Very boring food. the steak sandwich I got was a piece of meat on bread. Nothing more, no flavor just a piece of meat that only took up half the roll. The suggested topping for the sandwich was ketchup. I got the sautéed spinach as a side and all that is was spinach that had seen heat and put on a plate. No imagine or flavor to anything I won't be back
(2)Jessica S.
Met some friends for a meal. No complaints here. Food was good, service was good, atmosphere nice. I liked the salad they have with bacon honey mustard dressing. Delicious. My husband got the chicken Parmesan. He said the chicken was very good. The only thing I didn't like is the portions are huge! Some may like that but it's a little overwhelming for me. We will go back.
(4)Steve A.
Good place suitable for picky eaters. Many options on the menu that catered to standard American food. No real house or ethnic specialties. Had the ribeye. Very thick cut.
(3)Anne F.
We had really really ENERGETIC service here! I wish I could remember our server's name! I can't find my receipt anywhere. He was a bouncy one! His service really made the experience a good one. The restaurant is in a convenient location, which was good when I was meeting up with a friend for an early dinner. I was a little confused by the menu which had sandwiches around $8 and then stakes closer to $25-30. I had the steak salad and it was pretty good. The steak seasoning left a strange texture in my mouth though. I have a hard time describing it. My friend got the chicken park. She said it wasn't something she would order again. It had a large bar, but didn't seem to have an abundance of unique drinks. It was pretty good, but not a place I will rich back to next time I am in that part of town.
(3)Tim T.
Service was great, food not so great. Potato soup wasn't fit to eat. Salads were descent. I had the ribs they were pretty good. I don't think my wife and I will go back. Food just wasn't worth what we had to pay.
(3)Tina D.
This place is a bit of a hidden gem because it's not visible from the main road. I only knew about it from a friend. Fell in love with it as soon as I tasted the prime rib and that's what I always order with thick cut steak fries when I come. Best I've treated so far. Juicy and cooked to perfection. I've been here serval times and I've never had a bad piece of meat. Love the house salad with the honey mustard dressing and croissant also. Pastas are good too but I wish they had a better variety. Most of the pastas are pretty similar as far as ingredients and taste. Atmosphere is nice, servers are nice and prices are great for the amount of food you get. $19 for a 10oz prime rib, side, and house salad, oh yeah!
(4)Kesh L.
I'm here for Valentine's day dinner at 830pm and the place is packed. Aside from a few shortcomings, I could see myself visiting this restaurant more often. Hubby and I shared the seafood nachos... . They did not have a fish for the "Fish of the day," .... so I opted for a Caesar salad and the she-crab soup, while my husband ordered the baby back ribs. Ribs were ' fall off the bone, tasty, juicy and cooked to perfection. The salad was very good because the lettuce was cold, there a sufficient amount of dressing and cheese, and it was a decent size. The she soup was thick, hot, every spoon was a spoon of crab and soup, rather than soup with a few bits of crab. I also ordered a sparkling wine, it was the only one on the menu, but a good choice for my dinner. I thought the menu was rather limited as far as seafood; perhaps there is a good reason they didn't have a fish for the ' fish of the day, ' but I would still recommend and revisit this spot in the future. I have to add that the bar staff is just amazing! By far, some of the best customer service one could expect on a busy night. Kudos to all of you, including the bar backs.
(4)Ching H.
I've been passing by this restaurant even before it was under construction but never had the chance to try it. I always said in my mind, next time. Well, today I tried and I'm glad I did. I was amazed by the size of the restaurant. It was huge. I love the open space and high ceiling. It's spacious and doesn't feel claustrophobic. There are mirrors surrounding the restaurant interior which makes the illusion of the size. Interior 5 stars Food: I ordered honey Butter Croissants, they were soft, warm, and drizzled with honey butter. They were delicious. 4 stars BBQ Nachos, good chunks of white meat chicken with crunchy nachos drizzled in melted cheese. They were good, I expected more ingredients like more veggies. But, I'm satisfy with it so no biggie. 3.5 stars She crab soup: my favorite! It was delicious!!! It wasn't hot enough but who cares, it was filling and I can actually taste the crab meats. You can ask to splash with sherry or no. 5 stars Marinated Sirloin: good decent size sirloin, very tasty and lean. It came with a house salad (nice size) and a side. I ordered the mashed potatoes. They were just ok. 3.5 stars Club Sandwich: I think it's self explanatory. 3.5 stars Original Cheesecake: they were creamy with just enough sweetness. Definitely better than other places. 4 stars Service: our waitress is actually the bartender. She was attentive, professional, and outgoing. Excellent service! 4.5 stars Overall, I'll give this restaurant 4 stars! I will definitely bring my family here.
(4)Ward D.
We used our PRHS football card for the discount, going for the first time in a couple of years. Both our meals were good, service was good, bagguettes were as good as we had heard. Prices were a little high before the discount, but: Much too limited a menu. One cover page, one page of drinks, one page of appetizers and salads, one page of entrees. Window seats are apparently by request only. We forgot to ask. Wife's comment as we left - I wish we had just gone to Carraba's and had real Italian.
(3)James S.
Went here during a xmas luncheon with my coworkers. .the prices were seasonable..everyone had steak..i had the steak sandwich with fries...the appetizers were very good...
(4)Patrick M.
Atmosphere was nice and had a great server. I met a friend for lunch and decided on the club sandwich with a side of greasy green beans. The bacon on the sandwich tasted like it had been sitting in its own fat in a pan in the cooler for weeks YUCK!! As a matter of fact... That was the only thing that had any flavor on the sandwich. It was so AWEFUL. As I write this I am at home feeling ill. As for the green beans... Swimming in butter topped with butter soaked caramelized onions. Just a vile, vile lunch. I've had better lunches at the mall. You should be ashamed of yourself!
(2)Debi H.
Really enjoyed my food although I wasn't impressed with the sticky croissant. Would have preferred it without the stickiness.
(4)Ryan L.
Not as great as what i expected from the price... the oyster po boy was way too salty, and the food took long even though it was past lunch rush.
(3)Mebin J.
Worth for the money, may be worth each penny. They can easily charge for more for this kind of location, i feel like its a hidden gem in this area. There is not too much food variety offering in the menu, but it offers what we need. The wine menu is cut shorted ,so its easy to pick what you like. Whtat we ordered- We ordered the chicken quesadilla for appetizer and it's really tasty and its comes with the same pricing of a fast food restaurant. Here the Southwest Chicken Quesadilla priced at $7.95 and it comes in decent amount. For the main entree ,we chose the sea food nachos ($9.95) and blackened chicken pasta($13.95). The nachos is just as usual, some decent amount of nahos with sea food. I personally opted for the blackened chicken pasta and i am so happy for order that. Its really tasty and classy....lol. This pasta reminds me the "southwest chicken penne" pasta from the "Tavern" buckhead. Both of our entree were really tasty and served in a great amount, so one thing is sure you can't left here with an empty stomach. This is a huge restaurant and i never seen it completely full , so it will guarantees that you will get a seat. This restaurant is located near to Hwy I 85 and next exit to duluth. Good attentive staffs, Nice decor and ambiance (the wooden finish is excellent) ,also feels little classy. Overall ,I will come back here again. Good - lot of parking space, decent food , nice and attentive staffs , nice atmosphere. Bad - didnt find anything so far , maybe they only playing country music...lol
(4)Liz P.
I had the Blackened Chicken Pasta. Yummy! Couldn't finish it so had to bring the rest home. We arrived 15 minutes before closing and they were so nice! Food arrived promptly and cooked well. Attentive waitress. I ordered the croissants without the honey butter - delicious! I will definitely be back!!
(4)C B.
Been here a few times. It has its pros and cons: Pros: Good Ambiance Good service Nice bartenders Good people watching Cons: Everything I have eaten here was awful A little pricey, but for the ambiance appropriate if the food was not awful. Go for cocktails in a nice environment (for Gwinnett) but don't order food, especially anything with chicken.
(2)Sue E.
Waitress brought me my initial order and waited on the other 3 at my table the rest of the time we were there, but ignored me. She brought the 3 of them water and Ice Cream, but ignored me not even speaking or looking at me. I'm a lacto-ova vegetarian. Apparently they don't serve us there.
(1)Gardy G.
This place sucked. Food was so bland and over priced. Service was that of a McDonald's, never get the order right. Went again to see if they could make up for the first bad experience, nope got worst. Never going again
(1)J B.
The bar is perfect for after work or date night drinks. If you aren't afraid to admit you like ranch dressing then you are in for a real treat! Their ranch is AWESOME. Yes. Really. No lie. Plus they put a ridiculous amount of toppings on their self named house salad.
(4)Michelle K.
Had a coupon for this place that was given to me at the Taste so found a reason to check this place out. My friend Jon and I went with the intent of checking out their nachos. He calls himself a vegetarian but he eats seafood so we tried the seafood nachos. To our surprise, it was better than what we expected. The chips were hot, they piled on the salmon and shrimp and it served its purpose. Our waitress rocked and I regret not tipping her the well deserved 20%. If we get her again, I'll be sure to make sure that she gets more than 15. I had the California Dreaming salad and a side of the fettucine alfredo pasta. The pasta was mediocre but salad was ginormous and pretty fresh. I like how several kinds of dressings came on the side. If you like bacon, their "house" bacon and honey mustard dressing is awesome. Jon had the fried flounder with mashed potatoes and he scarfed his entree down as if it was his last meal one earth. We were stuffed but had dessert on our mind and tried their apple walnut cobbler with vanilla ice cream dessert. It was what we expected and hit the spot. Honestly, I wouldn't go out of my way to visit this restaurant. I think it's better than your Chili's or TGIF's but it works for the suburbanites. ;) If you're not expecting anything fancy, but food served fresh and hot, then check this place out. The place reminds you of a Houston's, as my friend Jon would put it but you get what you pay for.
(4)Christina A.
I am usually skeptical of these chain family restaurants, but after one of my friends initiated a gathering here, I was so pleasantly surprised! We ordered the chili and croissants to share as appetizers, and the chili was fine. However, the CROISSANTS are to die for. They are so crisp on the outside and glazed with honey butter -- I ate 3 of them! I ordered the baby back ribs for my entree, and this definitely one of the best I've tried. The meat fell right off the bone and it was perfectly charred along the edges so there was a slight crisp, while the inside was so tender. They also served the bbq sauce on the side, so I was able to control how much I put on the meat. The service was also stellar. Very attentive and even funny.
(4)Marguerite H.
In Duluth for a conference and wanted a restaurant where everyone in our party could find something they liked on the menu. This place did not disappoint. The She Crab soup and Traditional nachos were amazing. Great service and atmosphere for us to talk and unwind.
(5)Scott H.
I love this place. I love the atmosphere and I love a few items on the menu. Unfortunately, my better half is not as wild about the place as I am. I mean, she likes it, but she only likes the appetizers and was never able to find an entree that she liked. Thus, we do not make it over to this joint very often. They have bbq chicken nachos that are to die for. I remember the first time I ordered them on the waiter's suggestion I was thinking they could not be that good. Boy was a wrong. They are the bomb! My wife really likes the crab claws but they are pricey for the amount of food you actually get. I usually order the BBQ Chicken Nacho appetiser which we split (by split I mean that I get about 75% of them and the wife only 25%) and the Dreaming Chicken Sandwich. I have had burgers and other things that just left quite a bit to be desired. But I love me some BBQ nachos and Dreaming Chicken Sandwich. The fries are excellent too. If they had a few more appealing things on the menu I am sure we would wind up there more often. When I do go, I love it there. My only advise is that if you order the BBQ Chicken Nachos, and they skimp on the cheese, make the server bring more out. You won't regret it!
(4)Shannon G.
Best steak ever!!! (I had the ribeye) My favorite steaks have been Joey D's and McKendricks but this place for a chain is off the chain! The steak was so good I didn't even want or need A1 sauce! Everything was amazing from the ambiance, croissants, salad, baked potato... I craved this place for weeks afterwards because it was so delicious. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
(5)Pam D.
It may be a chain restaurant, but is a refreshing and welcome change to the lunch rotation compared to what else is in this area. The menu isn't anything special: you've got salads (people LOVE the house salad), sandwiches (po boy is a great choice), burgers, and of course, steak. I like getting the baked potato soup ($4.95) for a light and inexpensive lunch. If I need protein, the burgers are cooked to order and a medium is an ACTUAL medium (pink with a touch of red). I recommend the creamed corn as a side if you don't feel like fries. What makes this place great is that the not-so-special food is served in a beautiful atmosphere! Inside it feels like a modern lake cabin. You're surrounded by wood slats and tall ceilings with sky lights. It is perfect for a business lunch; I've been here on more than one occasion to discuss work stuff over a meal. The servers are friendly and professional. They could use some improvements, though, like dealing with large groups that come in fairly frequently. If you're group is 6 or larger, I'd call ahead for a reservation -- yes, for lunch! Also our whole table had a big issue with condiments which are not out on the tables. If you want ketchup, mayo, honey mustard, etc. I recommend you ask for it when you order or it might be a while. They also struggled to keep drinks full. But overall, this is the best restaurant for lunch in the area, it's definitely worth a try.
(4)Christina A.
I am usually skeptical of these chain family restaurants, but after one of my friends initiated a gathering here, I was so pleasantly surprised! We ordered the chili and croissants to share as appetizers, and the chili was fine. However, the CROISSANTS are to die for. They are so crisp on the outside and glazed with honey butter -- I ate 3 of them! I ordered the baby back ribs for my entree, and this definitely one of the best I've tried. The meat fell right off the bone and it was perfectly charred along the edges so there was a slight crisp, while the inside was so tender. They also served the bbq sauce on the side, so I was able to control how much I put on the meat. The service was also stellar. Very attentive and even funny.
(4)Marguerite H.
In Duluth for a conference and wanted a restaurant where everyone in our party could find something they liked on the menu. This place did not disappoint. The She Crab soup and Traditional nachos were amazing. Great service and atmosphere for us to talk and unwind.
(5)Scott H.
I love this place. I love the atmosphere and I love a few items on the menu. Unfortunately, my better half is not as wild about the place as I am. I mean, she likes it, but she only likes the appetizers and was never able to find an entree that she liked. Thus, we do not make it over to this joint very often. They have bbq chicken nachos that are to die for. I remember the first time I ordered them on the waiter's suggestion I was thinking they could not be that good. Boy was a wrong. They are the bomb! My wife really likes the crab claws but they are pricey for the amount of food you actually get. I usually order the BBQ Chicken Nacho appetiser which we split (by split I mean that I get about 75% of them and the wife only 25%) and the Dreaming Chicken Sandwich. I have had burgers and other things that just left quite a bit to be desired. But I love me some BBQ nachos and Dreaming Chicken Sandwich. The fries are excellent too. If they had a few more appealing things on the menu I am sure we would wind up there more often. When I do go, I love it there. My only advise is that if you order the BBQ Chicken Nachos, and they skimp on the cheese, make the server bring more out. You won't regret it!
(4)Heather B.
Went here with my mom a week ago. It was pouring down rain so they were not very busy. I was pleasantly greeted at the door and quickly seated. The waitress was knowledgeable about the menu and very polite... Constantly smiling. Everything looked very clean and I loved the wood with the rustic lighting. My mom and I ordered the house salad with potato soup. ($9.95) Can u say delicious?! It took no more than 10 min and we had our food. The ingredients were very fresh. The homemade croissants drizzled with honey was a great way to end the meal. The only negative that I saw was our waitress was never the same. It changed every time. Almost like they were changing shifts. I think we had 4 different waitresses while we were there. I'm definitely going back. Would be great for a ladies night out event. They have a full bar and great wine list. Love this place!!
(4)Lori A.
California Dreaming is okay. Not great. Not bad. Just okay. The service was good, but the decor and the food were, well, just okay. I had the house salad, which comes with bacon, egg, and warm bacon dressing. I am glad I ordered the dressing on the side because it would have been overwhelming if it had been dressed. Very heavy salad. My entree was the blackened tilapia (fish of the day) with sauteed spinach on the side. The fish was flaky but prepared with a little too much oil for my tastes. The spinach was, again, just okay. At the end of the meal, I was shocked to see the fairly meager lunch was $20. Had I known the absurdly high before ordering, I would never had selected the "fish of the day." Also, they served my salad and my entree within three minutes of each other. I have a major pet peeve with restaurants that rush courses. The service staff didn't rush us at all, but having two courses of food in front of me is unnecessarily overwhelming. It is important to note that the croissants are amazing. The honey butter glaze and the light, airy dough with the crisp coating was, by far, the best thing about the meal.
(2)Talitha D.
My date and I went here for dinner on a week night. The inside was absolutely beautiful and the booths were very large and spacey. It definitely had the feeling as a date night spot. The server was bluntly honest on his thoughts of the menu and was pretty cool. I ordered the raspberry lemonade martini... Sounded good but was alright. Then it comes down to the food, I ordered the chicken parmigiana with sauteed spinach and my date ordered the seafood nachos. The chicken was good, but nothing you can't find elsewhere. The spinach was disgusting, it was watery, oily, and bland. I bet all they did was pour some olive oil in a pan and toss it around a bit... No seasoning. Bleh! My date's nachos were a soupy mess, with probably 3 or 4 lumps of seafood in it. He was highly disappointed, since the reason he got it was for some good chunks of seafood, hence the name "seafood nachos". In the end, the only reason for the 3 stars was for the ambience and server. The food is less than memorable, don't waste your time or your money.
(3)Michelle K.
Had a coupon for this place that was given to me at the Taste so found a reason to check this place out. My friend Jon and I went with the intent of checking out their nachos. He calls himself a vegetarian but he eats seafood so we tried the seafood nachos. To our surprise, it was better than what we expected. The chips were hot, they piled on the salmon and shrimp and it served its purpose. Our waitress rocked and I regret not tipping her the well deserved 20%. If we get her again, I'll be sure to make sure that she gets more than 15. I had the California Dreaming salad and a side of the fettucine alfredo pasta. The pasta was mediocre but salad was ginormous and pretty fresh. I like how several kinds of dressings came on the side. If you like bacon, their "house" bacon and honey mustard dressing is awesome. Jon had the fried flounder with mashed potatoes and he scarfed his entree down as if it was his last meal one earth. We were stuffed but had dessert on our mind and tried their apple walnut cobbler with vanilla ice cream dessert. It was what we expected and hit the spot. Honestly, I wouldn't go out of my way to visit this restaurant. I think it's better than your Chili's or TGIF's but it works for the suburbanites. ;) If you're not expecting anything fancy, but food served fresh and hot, then check this place out. The place reminds you of a Houston's, as my friend Jon would put it but you get what you pay for.
(4)Pam D.
It may be a chain restaurant, but is a refreshing and welcome change to the lunch rotation compared to what else is in this area. The menu isn't anything special: you've got salads (people LOVE the house salad), sandwiches (po boy is a great choice), burgers, and of course, steak. I like getting the baked potato soup ($4.95) for a light and inexpensive lunch. If I need protein, the burgers are cooked to order and a medium is an ACTUAL medium (pink with a touch of red). I recommend the creamed corn as a side if you don't feel like fries. What makes this place great is that the not-so-special food is served in a beautiful atmosphere! Inside it feels like a modern lake cabin. You're surrounded by wood slats and tall ceilings with sky lights. It is perfect for a business lunch; I've been here on more than one occasion to discuss work stuff over a meal. The servers are friendly and professional. They could use some improvements, though, like dealing with large groups that come in fairly frequently. If you're group is 6 or larger, I'd call ahead for a reservation -- yes, for lunch! Also our whole table had a big issue with condiments which are not out on the tables. If you want ketchup, mayo, honey mustard, etc. I recommend you ask for it when you order or it might be a while. They also struggled to keep drinks full. But overall, this is the best restaurant for lunch in the area, it's definitely worth a try.
(4)Berry G.
I had the shrimp pasta. IT WAS SO DRY. Basically a bowl of plain noodles topped with shrimp. I asked for alfredo sauce and it was an improvement, but I was pretty much done with the meal by then. I originally thought that it was dumb to go to a restaurant and pay $12+ for a salad. I SO WISH I had gotten a damn salad!!! Good service; waitress was friendly and patient with our large party. I had a pear cocktail and expected it to be green in a cocktail/martini glass. Silly me. It came in a regular glass and looked like a watered down Coke.
(2)