A's as always have he best ambiance and phenomenal service. All their dishes are excellent especially their meat and fish. They have a really good chicken as well, I believe it's skinless pan fried chicken. I stopped here today and realized they have half off wine on Tuesday. I will start coming here on Tuesday then:-) You don't have to valet, there are always parking at the back or at the next building:-)
(5)
Glenn H.
Tried the happy hour and it was awesome! Great ambiance, food, drinks and service!! Staci and Ben are terrific and will attract us back! Note to mgmt: Not a good idea to provide a great experience inside only to have some valet clown challenge me for where I parked at 4:00pm. After he tried to school me about "everything is valet parking" I turned around and walked away. I would drop this guy like a hot rock. #badforbusiness
(5)
Glenn G.
Since discovering this place a couple of years ago, I've been back maybe half a dozen times, and each was unquestionably worthy of a five star rating - service, food, and ambiance were all exceptional! Corkage is a somewhat below-average $20 per bottle. "A" is normally dark and romantic - so dark in fact that it's almost impossible to see! I've been known to use my phone light on occasion to read the menu and the check. However, the third time I came in, the place was brighter than Arianna Huffington's lovechild by Stephen Hawking! I was momentarily concerned that the place had changed hands, but then my eyes adjusted I realized that the unusual brightness was caused by Christmas lighting. All the servers I've had at "A" (Brian, Staci, and Yuta) have been exceptional. On that third visit, our server was Staci. Not only has she got decades of experience as part of the "A" Team, Staci is friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive. Her food recommendations are always spot on! With her expert guidance, here's what we ordered: - Crispy Calamari (sweet and spicy glaze, ginger, green onion, garlic) yelp.com/biz_photos/a-re… Staci's comment was: "Ff you haven't had this version you haven't really had Calamari yet". The dish was nicely seasoned and beautifully cooked. Unlike many other versions I've had, this one completely lacked any rubbery texture. - Corn Bread yelp.com/biz_photos/a-re… A's is maybe the best damn corn bread I've ever tried! It's wonderfully buttery, fluffy, and flavorful. - "Bacon, Egg, and Grits" (Niman ranch pork belly, Anson mills grits, fried egg, maple gastrique) yelp.com/biz_photos/a-re… A symphony of flavors! The taste of the bacon, grits, and egg blend together into a deliciously euphonious dish that shouldn't be missed. - Bone Marrow (Giardiniera, whipped tallow, grilled ciabatta, pickled onions) yelp.com/biz_photos/a-re… Im a huge fan of bone marrow, and the "A" Team's rendition is one of my top three (the other two being Three Seventy Common and Pizzeria Mozza). Served with ciabatta bread that's flown in from Tribeca, if this stuff doesn't get your blood pumping, nothing will ;-) - Niman Ranch Pork Tenderloin (spaetzle stroganoff, Portobello, garlic, parsley, roasted Brussels, pickled mustard seeds) yelp.com/biz_photos/a-re… Staci very highly recommended this dish, and I could immediately see why! It was obvious that the pig had died happy, and had been celebrated most effectively by the Chef. - Bistro Fries (hand cut and twice fried, with truffle aioli and thyme) yelp.com/biz_photos/a-re… These Bad Boys are excellent and always piping hot! Last time out they were not quite crisp enough for my liking, but still highly addictive. "A" is a great date destination, as well as wonderful all-around dining establishment. It's a sure thing for exceptional food, romantic ambiance, and outstanding service. Five stars all the way!!
Stunning, stunning, stunning in every way. Just loved it and will eat here as often as I can.
(5)
Danielle H.
Excellent food, service & ambiance! Social Hour 3-6 1/2 off bar apps and select drinks. Best dam mussels in Newport, you will need extra bread to soak up the buttery sauce. Unfortunately, they were sold out last time after I raved about them to our group the entire way here - bummer. The spicy tuna app was recommended by our server to replace the mussels and although I was not as "wow'd" as I was from the mussels, it was a table favorite. Steph N. ordered the mushroom soup. She loves soup and said she enjoyed this one but I thought it was pretty bland and needed salt. Ribeye steak has a bold smokey flavor that melts in your mouth...juicy, tender and the best entree I've tried here yet. Friday special was chicken pot pie. I'm not a huge chicken fan but my boyfriend talked me into splitting this and the ribeye, which I'm happy we split both b/c the ribeye was the bestest. The pot pie filling wasn't spectacular but the puff pastry was flaky, fluffy and addicting. Not something I would order again but glad I tried it. Duck dish is really good, crunchy caramelized skin on the outside with tender juicy meat inside. Tried the halibut before, which was tasty but not as good as the meat entrees. Truffle fries are even a delight. I would prefer to sit in the bar area but on weekend nights its always jam packed and the scene can sometimes be overwhelming. My pal Jeremy L. is spot on how he describes the d/b scene and chatter. If you miss happy hour, I suggest making a reservation for a dinner table so you can enjoy the big comfy booths in the back area. It's dark, quiet and intimate but fun for a date or large group. Called last Friday and got a reservation same day for a party of 6 and we had a great dining experience. Drinks are pricey but stiff, so ya get ya monies worth.
(4)
Tony W.
The food was pretty decent here. Ribeye was cooked perfectly, carnitas was flavorful, salmon was average, halibut was slightly dry. The charcuterie plate was very good though. I'm a little disappointed in the limited menu selection. I anticipated being able to order a more diverse selection of food. This is the reason why I rate this place 3 stars instead of 4. The ambience is dark and loud, so not a good place for a first date since you have to shout across the table. The Manhattan was delicious and crowd seems to be on the slightly younger side.
Awesome atmosphere as my friends came here for a birthday celebration. Our waiter was so entertaining and attentive. We may have ordered more than we could actually finish because he made everything sound so good. Among the 5 of us, we shared the porterhouse, wagyu beef, bone-in ribeye, scallops and a bunch of appetizers. Definitely a fun place to grab drinks and food with friends.
(5)
Fiona M.
A Restaurant: Oldest operating reataurant in Orange County since 1926. Great food, great accoutrement, and Steven...
First time and I'm blown away! Saturday night with my husband and family at A's steak house was an amazing experience. Started with this funny and very attentive waiter Steven. The chef himself (Jon Blackford ) came to introduce himself at our table and suggested & sent out three appetizers pork short ribs, calamari steak, and veal meatballs. Appetizers presentation was top notch, and the tastes were just as good as they look .... AMAZING! we orders for dinner : steak, Halibut, and I orders the Mary's Organic Chicken with morel mushrooms. Again presentation and flavors with FIVE STARS. This restaurant will be in our "going out" rotation for date night I will be back! Jon Blackford is a great chef I can see that he will be going far in his career and I will plan to follow him and his food. Both Steven (waiter) and Jon (chef) made our experience at A's Steak House FIVE STARS in my book.
(5)
Christine S.
I took my boyfriend here for his birthday. When we were dropped off by our Uber driver, it seemed quiet outside. We weren't even sure if the place was open. We made our way to the entrance. It was very festive inside! Our drinks were great. The bartender wasn't greedy with the alcohol content. Our artichoke leaves, steak & lobster were phenomenal. The cute, free birthday dessert that was brought to our table with a lit candle was very sweet. Would love to come here again!
Bustling dinner place with great food. Expect to shout when you dine as its pretty loud in here. The ribeye and carnitas entrees are great choices for carnivores. For apps I would get the brussel sprouts and their cheese charcuterie platter.
(4)
Mitch S.
Truly surprised by the atmosphere and food. Oh my we have never had shrimp and grits and it was zesty and beautiful. The butter leaf wedge was unique. The Japanese steak at & 15.00 per ounce was melt in your mouth. Calamari steak appetizer was off the hook. Simply perfect meal. When we visit again we shall return.
(5)
Aaron E.
A Restaurant delivers if you are looking for an upscale traditional American menu with a few surprises. The somewhat anaseptic and unfortunate moniker has puzzled me since the restaurant was renamed in the wake of The Arches demise. I can only imagine they hoped it would show up first on a Google or White Page search, but I digress... The interior of the establishment is quite masculine and dark. Very dark. Think Le Cave dark. The menu is old school American fare such as steaks, seafood and even some waterfowl. Our kind and well informed server gave us the low down on the specials and the service seemed up to the task all evening. What may have been my favorite taste of the night came surprisingly as an appetizer. A Restaurant makes a killer Steak Tartare! Thinly sliced (raw) beef is is mixed with capers, black truffle, romano cheese, course ground mustard and arugula. They top the mound of steak with a quail egg as a binder, which really puts a rich sapor into this dish. Served with more ground mustard and ground black olives this is perhaps the best Tartare in Orange County. They also make an honest Ribeye, but I prefer very thick steaks in comparison to the cut I received. That said, the quality was there and the temperature was spot on as well. A pat of garlic butter was perched on top to the steak, a very welcome addition. The bistro fries and onion rings both made the grade however I found the macaroni and cheese side dish to be unremarkable. I spied a Five Spice Duck Breast that will be seriously considered upon my return. I thoroughly enjoyed my meal at A Restaurant and although I think a bit more imagination could have gone into its name, I will be certain to return for another meal or drinks.
(4)
Vicki N.
Weekends are pretty tight so we sat at the bar and it was great. We both got the rib eye--it had been recommended. Wonderful. Don't eat red meat often and this was a treat. So back to the veggies now.
(4)
Julie S.
Great overall experience! It was our first time at A Restaurant, and it did not disappoint. Excellent service! Ask for Stacy. She really took it to another level. From cocktails, to appetizers, to salads, to entrees, to dessert, everything was amazing! All this amongst classic, old school steakhouse decor, complete with dim lighting and red vinyl booths. We loved it all, and will most certainly be back.
(5)
Karen K.
This is where we go when we want to celebrate a special occasion or take out of town guests for a quality steak dinner. It is dimly lit with red booths, white linen table cloths, a large, elegant bar, and impeccable service. You can bring your own wine. It's kinda fun to peek at old wealthy Newport Beach men dining with hot young blondes. The menu is limited and pricey because everything is an "add on", but still worth it. The last time I was there, three of us shared a $175 tomahawk ribeye steak, and still took some home. I always looks forward to coming here, and have never been disappointed.
(5)
Elle G.
THIS REVIEW IS JUST FOR NEW YEARS EVE!!! Because I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE A's regular menu. We go to A every other week'ish and eat lunch at the market almost weekly, so I feel I have a real right to express my disappointment with the NYE menu, and the evening as a whole. You had two options for seating - we chose the 9 o'clock hour because they said there was a "band" and with the first seating you'd have to leave after your meal. Our expectations for a fun night with a band surrounded by NYE fun and food was extremely high. I tried a few times to find out the menu before our cut off to cancel timeframe, but no one could tell me, not even two days prior...I should have cancelled, because in my gut I knew that the kitchen would be probably making something a little left of their wheelhouse. I was hoping that the menu wouldn't skew too much from their regular menu, but it did. When we sat down and looked at the five course menu, I was very disappointed, and more so that it seemed and it was verified when they told us they were all small plates. Everytime I go to A I leave stuffed, and fully satisfied. Waiting until 9pm to eat was already a huge stretch for everyone as it is, now you will feed us like birds and coupled with drinks--NO GOOD! After about 40 minutes of sitting and waiting for the first course, the charcuterie board finally showed up. I have ordered many times their charcuterie boards, this one seemed to be presented with items they normally wouldn't sell on their regular menu. As well as there wasn't enough bread to compliment the size of our party and therefore I gave up my portion to the others. They never asked if we wanted any more bread to finish our board. Our server seemed totally stressed out and not present. The water guys (not sure their title) are the bomb, they are always there to help and we never had a glass of water empty, but our cocktails were empty! The server did not explain the menu properly, as far as main course options as we came to find out, but the menu that was presented wasn't that clear either. Course 2 and 3 were very underwhelming, and not much to write home about. They again were far reaching and not satisfying at all! Two hours into the meal, we still have no band playing, and it seems like an eternity until our main course reached our table. Finally!!!! FOOD! I have no complaints about the taste of my main course, wagyu beef...I just could of eaten three more portions. I had a taste of the fish, that was good, not great. I heard the pork was good, but I didn't taste it. By the time they are clearing our plate for dinner, the band starts, champagne glasses start to align the table for the free "Champagne Toast", and we look at the time and we have like 15 minutes until midnight...what? I've been waiting for these small plates, for 3 hours? Pineapple upside down DRY cake comes out. I think it is awful. I am jaded though, because my grandmother was a professional baker, and no one has ever beat her special recipes. The table didn't seem to mind the cake, but remember we are full of booze by now...I think! We ended the night with a quick countdown at our table, STILL and by the time we moved into the bar, the band played like 4 songs and then we got kicked out. VERY ANTICLIMACTIC NIGHT! The moral to my story is...regular menu YES! Special Occasions NO WAY JOSE! I'll be throwing my own NYE party for 2016!
(2)
Dana G.
Updating my review as I have been coming here much less for the happy hour (since it changed from 3-7 to 3-6) but have had some pretty dope dinner experiences lately. As I said, sadly the happy hours have been shortened. Which blows. But the deals are still amaze so it you can skate out of work early check it out. Half off the bar menu. Including wines, CHEESE PLATE (probably best if not one of the best in the Newport area), artichoke hearts, flatbread, etc. And I dig the wine list for shizzle. Did an an f-ing amazing job at my PhD graduation dinner. I think we had like 18 people for dinner and they put us in this little side area adjacent to the bar with a thick red curtain we could shut off for privacy or open up after dinner for the bar scene. Great service although my parents were convinced they stalled the dinner to run up the tab since everyone in group kept ordering 15 dollar drinks. Whatever. All the boozing just enhanced the festivities as far as I was concerned. Might have felt different I suppose had it been myself rather than dear old dad picking up the bar tab. I digress. Either way, all my out of town guests were super impressed and we had a great freaking time. Ambiance is a throw back to an old school supper club. Really cool inside, like mobsters hang out here even though it's your classic Newport crowd and can of course get a little d-bagish in the bar area. Of importance - you need to put your name in for a table in the bar, so don't think you can just waltz into some sort of open seating slash first-come-first-serve-scenario. I haven't had a disappointing meal here yet, which makes As one of my favorite establishments. I dig the scallops so much and have also had good salmon among other entrees. The muscles are yummy. Chef is good at accommodating dietary requests (my sister is Palo and basically allergic to everything you can think of). I don't eat meat but apparently the steaks are quite good. The salads are very creative and change regularly. DO NOT SKIP THE CHEESE PLATE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD! They know how to select great accompaniments in addition to having excellent cheeses. Deserts are bomb too.
This restaurant was amazing. The rib eye steak I ordered melted in my mouth literally. It was so tender and juicy. The only downfall was that the sides come separately for a separate price. This restaurant has valet parking which is great. Overall a great experience with great food!
(4)
Helen D.
Very romantic. Didn't look that way from the outside but the ambience inside was lovely. The grilled octopus appetizer was very tasty and reasonably tender. I ordered the organic chicken and my friend had a steak. We shared and both dishes were fabulous. Very nice place. Valet parking only.
(5)
Kiki H.
Good meal at A Restaurant. I had a bite of the calamari starter, which tasted just like Panda Express orange chicken, but in the best way possible. It had an addictive smell and taste! I had the old school salad which was really good but I wished the pear had a little more flavor or was more roasted tasting. For my entree I had the salmon, which was excellent, and tried various sides like the spinach, mushrooms, and Mac and cheese. My favorite was the spinach and mushrooms! The besssssst part of the meal was the fluffernutter sundae, with the Girl Scout do-si-do gelato and it was spectacular! If you like peanut butter, you will love this sundae!! The gelato was rich and creamy amazing and the whole thing was just the stand out part of my meal. Very addictive and I'd come back just for this! Service was excellent, good wine list, and interesting cocktails to choose from.
(4)
Jessica B.
Overall a really good experience. The food was wonderful and it is a nice evening for a date for a group of people to go to dinner. Good selection of wine. The staff was very helpful in providing recommendations for food and wine paring.
(4)
Joshua And Laura M.
A's deserves a 5 star rating! My only complaint is that we haven't been dining here all along! The food is incredible. You can tell that every ingredient used is the very best. The steak was to die for. We have dined at every highend steakhouse in Newport and A's simply has the best steak in town. Definitely don't leave without ordering a dessert. We had the pear cheesecake. I normally do not even like cheesecake but this unique version was absolutely incredible. I really can't think of anything they could do better when it comes to their food. We also had great service from our server Ben and loved the hometown casual vibe we got from the other guests. We will definitely be back again and again.
(5)
Amanda R.
WOW !!! My friend recommended this restaurant because sunday is industry night (1/2 off food to people in the industry). So my sister and I came in- first off the sagehound and feeling good Louis are insanely good !!! The meatball appetizer might be the best thing I've ever tasted. Also loved the cauliflower and spicy tuna. Priscilla is a sweet angel waitress (in the bar area) with great recommendations!
(5)
Karen H.
I just paid $15 for the WORST old fashioned I've ever had. With places right down the road like Social and Pi Society, who can execute a perfect cocktail every time, there's really no need to waste your money on the mediocre drinks at A's. I find it offensive that they raised their prices so that they are one of the most expensive restaurants in the area, however the quality has gone way, way down.
(2)
MiYun C.
Late Renaissance Cabaret Dining I'm blind I thought. Did I just walk into hell? Cause it is hella' dark up in HEEYA! Then suddenly the crackling blaze of the hearth afforded me context and much needed liberty for the menacing darkness. Enclosed by carnally crimson semi-circular banquettes and candlelight, this place is a modern day utopian baby maker. To start the crab and Corn Soup was creamy, but light and slightly sweet. Because food agrees with me, the bone marrow served with ciabatta flown in from Tribeca was REDONK. Unctuous and wildly delicious. The 12 oz. prime, block-cut New York Strip served with roasted garlic was charred and exceptionally seasoned and prepared. Double fried bistro fries served with ketchup and herbed aioli were crispy and most agreeable. Spring garlic and wine sausage served with herbed spaetzle, charred cabbage and mustard emulsion. The house-made wine sausage is all kinds of special. Me wants to marry Chef. To close, the Caraïbe chocolate tart with crème yvett, blueberry compote, blueberry sorbet, cacao nibs and violas was utterly delightful in presentation and in flavor. The Caribbean chocolate tart was dense yet yielding and perfectly sweet. And, Brian...Play on Playa!!!
(5)
Grace B.
Let me preface my stars and say that though the food was enjoyable it was not memorable. For some that have felt it ranks alongside Mastro's (one of my favorite experiences ever), I did not get that impression whatsoever. Mastro's is classy, a group of 20 rambunctious men talking about their testicles at a bachelor party dinner is not classy, which is the table I just so happened to sit next to. Service seemed up to protocol, but the woman who served us had nothing extra to give, in the sense of giving me an impression like she was genuinely happy to serve us. I like a little bit of personality to my servers, but service here felt dry and routine. This even started with the cold hostesses at the front who never even gave us a smile. Not a way I would prefer to start my evening. First impressions are key. The food was delicious, but the menu isn't that extensive. You do have your choice of steak options, or lamb, chicken, halibut, scallops, salmon etc. but I've pretty much given you the bulk of the entree menu. My friend and I started off with the grilled artichoke. It was very good, but messy. I did not mind but if you're on a first date it might be hard to eat that without juices running down your hand and mouth. For the main entree my friend and I ordered the scallops and pork tenderloin. I preferred the pork tenderloin, and she preferred the scallops. They were both good. I do give them credit for their sustainable and ethical meat options. Ended the night with a strawberry rhubarb crisp with a side of homemade vanilla ice cream. It was a pipping hot dessert that came in a cast iron skillet. I liked the rustic presentation, it was also really good. Overall food was 5 stars, everything else was lackluster. I guess I went in with a different expectation that night that A restaurant couldn't fulfill.
(3)
Joseph G.
Had the fish and chips w/ the corn bread. Best of both and I grew up in southern Missouri where cornbread and catfish are a pretty staple item.
(5)
Teriyaki S.
If I could give more than 5 stars I would! This place is phenomenal! We've only been there twice but both times have been so far beyond amazing! The first time I took my boyfriend there for his birthday in October. I love the ambiance of the restaurant. It feels like somewhere the Rat Pack would have gone, low lighting, cozy red tuffed booths... The waiter on our first visit was very knowledgeable and fun. The menu changes with the seasons and the chef does specials each day or week, I can't remember which. The chef specials are not the ones like in some restaurants where they are pushing things that are going bad. These are amazing inventions he is inspired to create. We had a couple of appetizers: Spicy Yellowfin tuna and Grilled artichoke. Both of these were amazing. So Yummy! Then we had the best piece of Salmon that we have ever had in our whole lives. Our next trip we took 3 of our friends with us and we all had such an amazing experience. Our waitress had incredible recommendations. Two of us left our entrees up to her to pick and we both were thoroughly pleased. We ordered duck pate, brussels sprout leaves, and the yellowfin tuna again. The duck pate was the best my friend had, had stateside (he is an avid traveler everywhere). All the appetizers were a hit with everyone. I forgot to mention the cocktails we all had: Top shelf margarita, lemon drop, old fashioned and lots of wine....all super satisfying. We also all had salads: caesar, watermelon/burratta and the butterleaf wedge all really great. Yes, if you are thinking at this time that our bill was outrageous, you are correct! Ha ha ha, but so worth it! I don't now if I can remember all the entrees but here goes: Salmon, bone in ribeye, filet, lamb chops, and there was one more that I wish I could remember. Either way we were all blown away by each entree, we are all god friends and shared family style. Then DESSERT! OMG! Flueffernutter Sundae!!!!!!! BEST DESSERT WE HAVE EVER EVER HAD! By the way, we eat out all the time - we are super duper Foodies! I say this to qualify our review. We probably eat at 1-2 restaurants a week. I only review the restaurants that stand out to us. So here is a description of this dessert: do-si-do gelato, liquid marshmellow, peanut butter crumble, crunchy honeycomb! Each bit offers so much incredible flavor, its worth the splurge. I would run 6 miles for this dessert no problem! There were 5 of us and it was about $100 a person I think but not bad considering we ordered everything you could want and more. I wish I could remember the name of our waitress but I had 3 cocktails and for me that is 2 too many, ha ha ha. She was great though. I recommend this restaurant to anyone that wants to have an amazing experience and would like to impress their company. I want to add one more thing. This place should definitely have a 5 star or at least a 4.5 star rating (the reason for the 4.5 star is because there is always going to be a few that are never satisfied and like to ruin everyone else's experiences)
(5)
Damon L.
This place is fantastic. Started off with the spicy yellowtail sushi as well as the artichoke. Both were fantastic. After devouring those I had a wedge salad. The piece of bacon that is draped over the top of that salad is the best piece of bacon I have ever had. Often wedge salads are too mature and not very leafy. That is not the case with this wedge. Finally I enjoyed the block cut New York steak which was tender, flavorful and juicy. The wait staff was perfect as well you could barely drink down 1/2 your drink before a refill came along. You won't be disappointed by A restaurant.
(5)
Melissa G.
Make sure you get a reservation. Go to dinner around 8 to avoid eating when the jersey shore of the west is "lounging" aka yelling loudly at the bar. You don't notice until you try to leave, but still, strange. Service was amazing. The wine by the glass list was extensive, so that's grand. A group of six, ordered a some appetizers to share. The calamari was really tasty but the tuna tar tar was just out of this world. The meat/cheese plate choices were great but for the price really not worth it. The smallest portions ever. I'm not usually one to complain about this, but it was a little ridiculous how much they were charging for how much you got. Beet and Goat cheese salad was yummy, nothing special. Scallops were good too, nothing special as well. Everyone in my group seemed to love their dishes ranging from the filet, veal shank, and burger to the halibut and a lobster Cobb salad. Winner of the night was the fluffernutter Dessert, by far.
(4)
Jack W.
Truly my favorite place in Newport Beach. The former location of The Arches Restaurant, Newport's oldest restaurant, it has old-school charm that the other, trendy Newport locations lack. The dark, seductive interior, red leather booths, fireplace, delicious cuisine and casual-cool service keeps me coming back. The menu is standard American fare, but the execution of the dishes is superb - small, not Claim Jumper-sized portions packed with flavor and love!! If you are looking for an alternative to the trendy, see-and-be-seen places, go to A Restaurant to enjoy a wonderful evening out.
(5)
Patty ..
Went Friday after work to check out the HH, when we 1st arrived 2 tall gorgeous guys in the parking lot [what a score finally!], walked into the bar shocked at how dark very dark it is. Scene is a mix of the older to young crowd and all walks of couples that will provide some good laughs. Cocktails made perfectly and my coworker was impressed with the wine selection. Wish the appetizer menu had more of a selection yet all very good. Steak Tartare [mustard, black truffle, romano & quail egg], white truffle salumi, Brillat-Savarin French triple crème cheese, brussel sprout leaves [capers, shallots, lemon, butter & crouton] & Spring Garlic & Wine Sausage [minus the spaetzle, charred cabbage & mustard emulsion]. Appts & Drinks 50% off during HH
This restaurant knows what it is, and what it does best. When we dined, they were in the middle of a menu transition from spring to summer, but things were solid and delicious. One note: we were seated in the back corner of the dining room, and while when seated, it seemed like we were tucked in possibly a forgotten corner, it ended up being the best location in the entire restaurant as the bar are became very loud. I think after a certain point, everyone in there was pretty much just shouting to be heard over the rest of the din in there--it was crazy! We actually hadn't noticed it from where we were seated, but as we exited through the bar it was pretty crazy: full to capacity for sure. All the paneling in the venue definitely keeps the sound bright, instead of deadening it with a more absorbent material. A has a limited menu, which I find really refreshing. Things are fresh, in-season, and well-executed. We started by splitting the lobster cobb salad, which was great. It did feel a little odd dining in a place that felt as cozy as a winter chalet as summer begins officially, but if you can wrap your mind around it, the food is worth a visit.
(3)
Jess J.
I love this restaurant, and it's swanky vibe. It's a great place to go for drinks after work or out for a nice dinner. Then food is fantastic, I love their tuna tar tar and the drinks are strong. Always a plus for me! The only thing I don't love is they recently changed their happy hour. I used to go here at least once a week after work with friends. Now it's more like once a month. Still a great place to have fun though.
(4)
Mandi S.
We come often - good drinks and typical Newport Beech scene - pretty good people watching. Who is going home with who? Food is good, although inconsistent because the chef serves what is fresh. The fish and chips (when they have them) is great.
(4)
Paul S.
We wet to happy hour expecting a value proposition. Were we surprised. We ordered two appetizers and two drinks and the bill was $48.00. The food was very good but the portions were extremely small. We went on a Thursday night and found the bar virtually empty at 5:00. Perhaps others have discovered that there is no value proposition here.
(3)
Jessica W.
A's is a great steakhouse. It has a sexy, cool dark vibe. It is the perfect place to come for a celebration or a special occasion. It is a great alternative to the classic steakhouses ( Fleming's, Morton's etc.). The food is always delicious and the menu has creative touches. They have great cocktails and a solid wine list. I love this place and cannot wait to have a reason to go back!
(4)
Whitney And Ed C.
This is one of the best restaurants in Newport Beach. I am so picky about filet and theirs is one of the only filets I really enjoy and is good. It is surprising because it is kind of an old dark restaurant. I also love the artichoke and the salty pear cocktail. This restaurant grew to be one of my favorites. The water staff is all nice especially this wine expert. Definitely one of a Newport's best!
(5)
Jeremy L.
Disclaimer - This is only for the Social Hour (M-F 3-6pm). I have lived in Newport since 2008 and I have driven past this place numerous times but had never been inside until recently. Something about the outside appearance just made it seem like a place I wouldn't like. Almost like it would be too fancy for what I wanted it to be. About 2 weeks ago my buddy suggested we meet there for "Social Hour" (apparently too fancy of a place to call it Happy Hour). Since it is right by my place, I agreed. The atmosphere is very dark and comfortable, but can get very busy. There is a u-shaped bar that will seat approximately 16 people, some circular tables, and some booths that make up the bar area. The chairs are comfortable and the bar has hooks for you ladies' purses. As for being fancy, you will see a lot of guys coming in wearing their suits from the work day, but I'm a hat and jeans type of guy and I've never felt out of place. The bar staff is excellent (hey Jen!). They make good, honest recommendations from the bar menu and none of them disappoint. The A Burger is top notch. The brussel sprouts are also very good. They do seem to use an Outback-esque temperature rating on the meat, so order one up from what you usually do if you're afraid of red meat (if you normally get medium I'd go medium-well). The meat seems to be of great quality so I'm not afraid to have it a little on the rare side which is how my medium burgers seem to always come out. They have a really great craft brew selection that I somehow missed on my first visit. Each beer is served in the correct glassware so that's a bonus. They also pour very generous size wine glasses, so enjoy that if you go that route. The only thing I'm taking off a star for is for the mid 40s douchebags that come in here and can't stop talking about their yacht, cars, hating their wife, making derogatory comments about the females around the place, etc. If it wasn't for them the Social Hour would be a solid 5 stars. I'll continue to visit, but only when I'm with enough people to drown out the douchebag chatter. Couldn't imagine sitting alone and eating.
(4)
Q D.
Rib Eye Steak Medium Rare with the Truffle Aoili is to die for! Great Monday Funday watching the game at the bar, great local spot!
(5)
A W.
If I could I would give it 4.5 stars. We had the steak tartare which was amazing (5 stars), the short rib has always been a favorite of mine, we were only disappointed with the salmon because although it tasted really good, it was too small in quantity. For $26, it should be a generous amount. Overall, you can't go wrong with this place.
(4)
Lucky S.
I have been here three-four times with my boyfriend, DELICIOUS! great wine list. just recently had the port medallion. it was so yummy every bite was ooh-ahh. old school steak house environment, dark and comfy. great service. my new favorite restaurant.
(5)
Veronica C.
Well, that was surprisingly good! Cozy, dark, with a fireplace and good food. It's old but still very enjoyable. Service was awesome, too. We will definitely go back.
(4)
Minh T.
Not sure why reviews for this place are so high!! Thrillist had named this place as a top OC restaurant which is what piqued my interest to come at all. I have to strongly disagree though :( My bf and I came here Monday of Labor Day to celebrate our anniversary with a nice dinner. First off, the parking lot is empty yet they still make you valet for $5. That already had us starting off on the wrong foot. Next the motif and atmosphere of the restaurant is really off. They try to have a old-school feel with red leather booths, wooding everywhere, and dim lights, but then the bar with a huge TV playing the football game is on and the main focal point of the place. What my bf and I ordered for the evening: - Grilled artichokes: came with two halves and some citrus aioli. Really overpriced for what you get! - Heirloom tomato and burrata salad: we didn't like this at all and sent it back. The burrata doesn't seem to be made in house so it's not as fresh as I would expect for burrata. It was just cold chunks of cheese instead of the beautiful soft creaminess I know burrata to have. Also, it lacked flavor. - Scallops entree: they didn't have sunchoke that night and so put it over a bed of regular mashed potatoes...FAIL! It's served with wild mushrooms and shallots. The mushrooms were so salty that I had to leave most of them behind. - Pork Osso Bucco: the only good dish of the evening. However, it's not that great a dish, it didn't wow me or blow me away. It was only good by comparison to everything else we ordered. It's a pork shank cooked low and slow in wine and I think maybe some cream because the sauce was creamyish. This was also served over mashed potatoes, so I was very upset at the potato overload we got. We didn't get dessert because we just wanted to leave this place after so many disappointments. There are way better restaurants in OC to spend this type of cash on. I would say you can get a meal of the same caliber at a chain restaurant for way less money. The only positive thing about this place is the service. Our waitress was very attentive and caring.
(1)
Samantha H.
Great place to go to after work to have a happy hour with friends or co workers. Thursday and Friday nights are the best. Great place to meet friends or new ones:) The service is awesome and the food.
(5)
Discerning T.
We tried this restaurant based on recommendations from friends......... Although we liked the old school atmosphere, the food was very bland and not that good. On a positive note, the staff was nice and the service was good but at the end of the day if the food is not good all the nice people won't make us come back for bad food. A's get an F!
(2)
John D.
Great restaurant! Food and service are always good, my wife and I love to go on Friday nights for their chicken pot pie specials
(5)
Kate R.
Another excellent place with that old school charm. Have a great memory that sticks out in my mind from A's. Think of it every time I drive down to the water.
(5)
Julian D.
Great service! Great food! Fun atmosphere! They really go all out to make this place a fun experience for all the patrons. However, the fact that a former girlfriend took me to this place to break up with me really prohibits me from giving it any more than one star. I know that managers of restaurants have to constantly observe yelp because as annoying as it is, it is very important to business. I know any low rating possibly affects their job and their livelihood. I know that the manager may very well see this review and grow angry about the fact that their average rating is being dragged down due to circumstances completely outside of their control. They might think this is unfair. That at the very least there should be some discussion and that if I could only see their point of view I might change my mind. Well, I thought that at the time too. The truth is I'm sorry, but this is my decision.
(1)
Sonya T.
I really like this restaurant and wish it was bigger. Dark and cozy. Super crowded after work. Suits for miles in here. I had the salty pear martini, I can do without the salt next time. Partner in crime had wine and it was a better choice for our food order. We ordered the pate plate, cheese plate and the carpaccio. All were very good and hit the spot for me. I had major cravings and was totally satiated. Dessert: banana bread pudding. Total comfort food. Solid food at a kind of seductive place. We likes!
(4)
Andy N.
Wow. I loved this place! Old school atmosphere with great service, impressive wine/cocktail choices and fantastic food. The New York "cube" steak might be the best steak I've ever had. Worth the $$$ if you want to go big!
(5)
Amanda B.
All I have to say is ask for Stacy! Had the best experience eating here for the first time and she couldn't have been nicer! Not to mention our food was amazing! Steak with mushrooms and my boyfriend for the jumbo scallops! We will definitely be returning and insisting Stacy be our server!!!!
(5)
Crissi H.
Love this place....cocktails are tastie and the fish is delicious. Warm environment and a Cozy touch...def a good try
(4)
Tracy F.
A Restaurant USED to have the best happy hour in town. By "Best" I mean quality of food and prices. Their happy hour used to be 50% off of their bar menu and glasses of wine, now it's just $3.00 off (of on average of $20.00) glass of wine . . . so happy hour means $17.00 glass of wine and $12.00 appetizer . . . I'm NOT SO HAPPY! For this price you can go to the many other restaurants that are in the area for less money, same quality of food and better ambiance. I won't be going to A Restaurant until they bring back their old Happy Hour!!!
(2)
CHAUSTER S.
most of the dishes r w/cheese. the duck leg was too salty. worst than salty potatoe chips. loaded sugar and butter desserts.beet salad was tasteless. great staff and relax environment. expensive n small food portion. smokers please take a long long long bath before u go out n ruin people appetite
(3)
Hayley H.
While in my opinion no restaurant can trump Mastro's, A's comes close. The ambiance is similar with very dark interiors, cozy booths and that classy, upscale atmosphere. Appetizers were good but on the smaller size if you are planning on sharing. I tried the burrata salad and there was not much burrata to be found. The cheese plate, however, was great as you are able to choose 3 different cheese and/or meats that are accompanied by bread, honey and pickles. For my entree I had filet with peppercorn sauce and split sides of button mushrooms, asparagus and mac and cheese. The filet was perfectly cooked but the peppercorn sauce lacked flavor and just made me crave a real peppercorn sauce a la Mastro's. The mac and cheese was good but the other sides were pretty standard...just vegetables sauteed in oil and garlic. Service was good, although our waiter was WAY too talkative and not very good at reading the energy of the table. I was celebrating a birthday with my dad and just wanted a quiet dinner to catch up and enjoy the evening. What we got instead was an overly enthusiastic waiter who told us his entire life story and who basically yelled at you whenever he talked to you. Don't get me wrong, I like a friendly waiter, but I don't really want to hear about his childhood, his French heritage or his parents. All I want is to eat my meat and taters in peace! Amen!
(4)
Monique K.
Best good best service ever great place
(5)
Kelly C.
Fun place, the dining area looks kind of like a mob restaurant straight out of the Sopranos. The braised ribs here are excuisite. Our server was incredibly well versed with the menu as well as full of great suggestions. I would like to try the brussel sprouts next time! :) Also, Derrek the bartender is amazing, thanks for making my night! Wonderful bar selection as well. Xoxox
(4)
Tamara M.
Definitely one of the best filet mignon steaks I've had in SoCal. On par with Mastro's quality. Both of our steaks were cooked medium rare to perfection and seasoned very well. They have 5 or 6 different sauces you can order with your steak, but in my opinion if a steak is seasoned properly it won't need sauce, so I never order it. We sat in the bar area. It is super dark and dimly lit and has an old Mad Men style vibe. The service we received was excellent. Our waitress was very attentive and the manager even was walking around to tables to make sure everything was going well. We went in for an early dinner on a Saturday, so it wasn't very crowded. I think we may go back to check out the happy hour sometime during the week so we can see it when it's a bit of a scene. I hear it's great people watching!
(5)
Elizabeth W.
Can't get enough of the Salty Pear Martini. The social hour is definitely one of the best in town, with half off apps, cocktails and wine. Where else can you find a glass of Freemark Abbey for under $15!?!?!? I find myself craving the Ginger Calamari, always nice and crisp, and the Spicy Yellowfin over the crispy eggplant is unbelievably good. I've never had a complaint about their food, the only reason I am only giving 3 stars is because service is lacking. Especially during social hour in the bar. But I still go back, would recommend finding a seat at the bar if you can.
(3)
Paul L.
The first thing you notice upon entering A Restaurant, especially on a weekend night, is that it has a very loud bar scene. Crowding the lounge are your typical Newport Beach types -- older men and women on the prowl for their younger counterparts. The impression one gets is that this is not a fine dining establishment. My two experiences here were like night and day. The first time was ruined by a large group celebrating a birthday. They were loud and very obnoxious. Combined with the spillover noise from the lounge, we might as well have been in a club. When I spoke to Carin Campbell, one of the managers, she told me that it was an event for one of the partners. She apologized and handed me her card. As for the food, I really enjoyed the Jumbo Lump Crab and the Ricotta Gnocchi but was underwhelmed by the Spicy Yellowfin Tuna and the Calamari. The second time I came here I contacted Carin first. When we arrived, we were seated at the best table, a booth farthest away from the lounge, although still within earshot. And they assigned to us Santiago, their best and most experienced server. We started our dinner with the delightful Hearts of Palm salad. Served with tomatoes, avocado, cucumber, and a tamarind vinaigrette, it was a unique and refreshing dish to wake up our tastebuds. The Chicken Pot Pie is probably the best version of this classic comfort dish I have ever had. The chucks of free-range chicken were succulent, the carrots and potatoes were perfectly cooked, and the gravy was neither too watery nor pasty; it was creamy and heartwarmingly delicious. But the best part, of course, was the flakey puff pastry crust, which was absolutely to die for! The Prime Short Rib is also highly recommended. Served on a bed of polenta with chanterelles and cipollini onions, it was rich and tender and completely overindulgent. Towards the end of our meal, Carin stopped by our table to see how we were doing this time around. She also picked up the tab, which I was very appreciative of. So while I am tempted to combine the scores of my two experiences, I really have to give A Restaurant credit for going out of its way to right its wrongs. I'm still not crazy about the noise and the scene, but one thing is for sure: this is a fine dining establishment. Corkage is $15.
(4)
Kimberly N.
OUTSTANDING FOOD!! I went on a Friday night so the pot pie is all the rage on Fridays (until they run out!) We had the soup, 2 pot pies, the A's burger and the flat iron steak. HOLY deliciousness!!! Everything was so tasty. I am actually a local and I was impressed! Drawbacks were the service and it is SUPER loud in there. The acoustics are off and it was so crowded no one could hear each other even at the dinner table.
(4)
Jon D.
Well, certainly an old school place. Dark wood and red leather and dark lighting. They only do valet parking which is just weird. The place was not busy when we arrive at 5:30 on a Saturday night but the few people that were there were really loud and could be heard in the dinning areas. The waitress was nice and helpful. She explained the menu and helped with our selection. We both ordered the "A" burger we had heard so much about and it was terrific! We also had the molten chocolate cake for dessert which was also very good. The over-all vibe is too dressy for us. Lots of suits and party dresses, which is fine if your into that type of thing. overall for 2 burgers,2 sodas, and one dessert around $52.00, other menu items were much more expensive, like $48 for a ribeye steak seemed a little high even for Newport. Probably wouldn't go again unless maybe for lunch.
(3)
Robert S.
This is a classic old style steakhouse. Very dark circa 1970. I had the wagyu which was about $80.00. It was cooked perfectly but over salted. It wasn't the most marbled wagyu I've had but it was good. Not great. I'd rather have the bone in filet at Mastros for $30 less. Never the less I would come back I enjoyed my meal at the service was great.
(4)
Kim W.
We just had dinner. The steak is so tender and delicious you can cut it with a butter knife, they just give you a steak knife for show. Plus they have us complementary champaign because we told them we were celebrating or the host thought we were cool.
(5)
Antony A.
Without question the single best restaurant and lounge in Newport if not OC and even SoCal. Amazing food couple with terrific ambiance means I dine there at least two to three times a week. Can't recommend it highly enough!
(5)
Ken S.
My wife & I dined here a week or so ago & were pleasantly surprised at how good it is. Even though we dine out often in the Newport area, somehow we never made it to the "A". I ordered the steak with chimichurri sause & bistro fries, It was delicious. My wife had the halibut & said that it was the best she's EVER had (& she almost always orders it if it's on the menu).. Everything was perfect, the charcuterie, the impeccable service, the wine & desserts. This will be one of our favorite "go to" restaurants from now on.
(5)
Jimmy N.
Great place to be seen or to see.. crowd was very Housewives of OC (they actually do mention that they go here on the show) and young Cougar Hunters... haha it was quite interesting. We had dinner here and though it was kinda loud for where the tables were located, everything else was great. The service was excellent and food was fantastic, and atmosphere was fun and cozy at the same time. Why not 5 stars though? If you look at my history, I need something to make it 5 stars.... and this was missing it somehow and I couldn't quite put my finger on it. I guess I'll have to come back to find out what that was. ;)
(4)
Cat H.
A's is one of those quaint places that appears to have been decorated to cater to a dying socialite. Food wise, they've got modern and inventive dishes. Service wise, staff is friendly and efficient. The bartenders also have beaucoup personality. However, the crowd is like a bad Disney nature special: When Cougars Attack. I have never seen such crowds of older women desperately flinging themselves at every male who walks through the door. It was highly amusing for me as I came in with 3 attractive guys and another girl. I had a front row seat to this spectacle and laughed my butt off. If you're feeling down, I promise this will perk you up. Overall, it's A- ok.
(3)
Angel H.
What can you say about a restaurant like this... good food, good drinks, good happy hour. I like sitting at the bar for a casual glass of wine and the salmon salad probably a little better than sitting at a table for dinner... I liked our waiter but he did talk an awful lot and it made conversation at the table a little hard to keep up with. But, it is good for big groups and I can't see how anyone can be disappointed here.
(4)
Tanya B.
My husband took me here for my birthday last night. This reminds me very much of cozy bistro style restaurants in New York City. This is a nice change from the expected Orange County style restaurants. This place is perfect for either dressed up or dressed down night and very warm, friendly interior. We sat in a booth in the back room by the fire which was great as we had some privacy. We started off with the meat and cheese plate which was phenomenal. We went with the server's recommendations. The meat and cheese portions are good size and they bring out great accompaniments like gourmet mustard, small piece of honeycomb, olive tapenade and fig spread...delicious! For the main dish, I ordered the salmon which was wonderful. The crispy outside was a nice touch and the vegetables that came with it were sauteed in a delicous sauce. The filet was wonderful as well--perfectly cooked. Since it comes a la carte, you can choose from several of the different sides. The brussell sprouts were nice. For dessert we had the butterscotch creme--fantastic! Probably not a low calorie meal overall, but absolutely worth it! This is one place where you eat the food and appreciate it. In lieu of wine, we tried the cocktails. Ruby red martiini is great--not too sweet. Service here was wonderful. Overall, a great place and I will definitely be back! I have yet to try the market cafe!
(5)
Christine L.
My local go-to spot for a classic dinner. What do order? Start with a slightly dirty vodka martini with blue cheese stuffed olives The caesar salad (no one else has lettuce so crisp, cold and good. they really do a classic caesar correctly.) Nosh on their delicious bread and butter if you're not watching your carbs. Then order a glass of cabernet. For your entree, order the bone-in dry aged RIB-EYE (it's enough to share for two, so is the salad) And a side of creamed spinach (has bacon on top, to die for. not too creamy.) Finish with dessert (they are all good.) Sleep well. Go to the gym the next day.
(4)
Jerry D.
WOW! I'm shocked it took so long to get here! The Ribeye was one of the best I've ever had. The cauliflower steak and mac n cheese were both fantastic. It was pricey but not as much as I expected. Steve, our server was knowledgeable, attentive and quick witted. Great experience and highly recomended..
Drinks are good and so is the food. Their happy hour is the best! Ambience is nice for dinner too
(4)
michaela p.
My husband decided to try A Restaurant a few nights ago and were in for a very pleasant surprise. We had been to A Restaurant and The Arches many years ago and weren't overly impressed but are really glad we gave it another go. What can I say but WOW! Everything was delicious from the hand crafted cocktails to the hamachi ceviche to the fresh wild-caught halibut to the--and here comes the big surprise for me--cauliflower steak! It is almost impossible to find a great restaurant that has a great atmosphere, cocktails and vegan food. There is something for everyone's tastes at A Restaurant. They have steaks, they have fresh wild fish and they have a vegan entree. Kudos to the owner who added some diversity to their menu, kudos to the chef who prepared a delicious appetizers, salad and dinner, kudos to the wine director who was our server, Mr. Steven Ackad and kudos to the bartender who prepared one of the most delicious and refreshing cocktails I have tasted in some time. This is a restaurant that will please everyone's taste buds!
(5)
Rich G.
******************************Happy Hour******************************** So update on Happy hour menu and service. The good news is that the bar menu is solid, the bad news is that they are very busy at times with large groups and they fail to tell you that until after you have valeted and realize there is no room at the bar or adjoining booths. The place does have a cozy and warm atmosphere and the bar and wait staff are always friendly and work hard. Good news is that all of the bar menu is 50% off as are bunch of great wines and well drinks and they are full size poritons. Their burger is awesome, as is the Calamari, steak tartar, Caesar, and Oysters. You can a dozen oysters at happy hour for $18! Anyhow parking can be a pain and the bar area is small but the crowd is upscale and lively. A great weekday or Friday night spot for a happy hour or late evening drink.
(4)
Isabel T.
Came in one Friday night for dinner with another couple. Had a reservation and was seated immediately. Well after making our way through the obnoxious crowd in the bar area. Excuse me simply does not work with these folks. Need a little elbow in the ribs to get them to move. They sat the four of us in a booth really meant for two which was almost comical because all around us parties of two were sitting in much larger booths than ours. The noise is really obnoxiously loud. I like a vibrant scene...vibrant this was not. Screeching women wishing the Botox made them look the age they were acting. Our waiter Marius was a doll. So much so that I desperately wanted to tell him you can do better than this place. I ordered the white bean soup which came out in a massive plate with an itty bitty divot that was mean to be a bowl. I counted 8 beans. Total. What the frack?! I also had the grilled artichoke. Excellent. I had the hearts of palm salad. Delicious. The spouse got the Friday night special of chicken pot pie. He loved it. Not a pot pie girl so I didn't have a bite. The men folk seemed to enjoy their dinners but I wouldn't be in a hurry to return. Not my scene... But maybe it's yours.
(3)
Karen J.
Friday night dinner reservation for 7:30, we were seated right away & I was surprised, as the place was still packed from Happy Hour. I will agree that the noise level here is really off the charts and even when the place thinned out a little, it didn't go down. There were 4 of us seated in a large booth. We were immediately greeted by Mr. Personality! Super friendly & helpful throughout our long night. We had some apps, the artichoke, grilled & the dipping sauce amazing. We tried the famous mushroom flatbread & it lived up to the many reviews here. The salty pear cocktail was delish & had a nice kick, the Cosmo as well. A good white wine completed our drink order. even tho the bar was still swamped, our drinks came very fast. Our order: The Caesar salad with real anchovies, great! The blue cheese wedge was disappointing to me, as it was such a small mound & mind you these salads were $12 & $14. I was expecting a real wedge... not even. Two of us got the grilled salmon, it was served on a bed of "grits" sooo salty! We later told our waiter & he said it was due to the added blue cheese. Obviously he had heard it before. Does the chef taste anything first? The salmon was good but nothing you couldn't have gotten at Claim Jumper. The petite filet was really petite, but was cooked correctly. The table accolades were awarded to the short ribs. Friend was really raving about them, and the order of Mac & Cheese was creamy and delish. We tried their ice cream, which we heard they make themselves, it was obviously homemade, yum. Their dessert menu is lacking.. I wish they had crème brulee. By the time we were ready to leave, waiters had hooked together 3 tables, where people from the bar came to "have dinner??" Ladies were tipping up whole bottles of champagne & it was a lap dance, love fest. Perfect time for us to exit. Thank God our valet parking was prompt, despite the sea of taxi cabs fending for their incoherent fares. So ended a loud, wild & crazy night for some freaky Friday fun seekers & a few of us trying to enjoy dinner at a classy old time Newport establishment.(not) If I ever go back, it will be on a lazy week night.
(4)
Kayla F.
Although I cannot comment on the food just yet, I must say I had one of the best dirty martinis I have had in a long time, it was pretty perfect! I already had dinner plans but I cannot wait to come try the food. Great atmosphere, great bartenders. My only complaint was the parking was terrible, unless you want to valet.
(4)
Dolores G.
Pros - complimentary warm sourdough bread, great wine selection, yummy smelly cheese and charcuterie, sexy clientele, strong cocktails. Some of my favorite items on the menu include the hearts of palm salad, spicy tuna appetizer, double block cut NY strip, and house made ice cream (salted caramel is the best!). Cons - They really need to work on their Mac&cheese and cauliflower gratin. Very disappointing.
(4)
Kathleen S.
Went for dinner with some friends I went to law school with. I wasn't excited when this resturant was chosen as I had never been a fan of the dark old school interior, but I had not been in years and after looking at the menu I was ready to give it ago! I may have just chosen wrong, becuase looking at the menu again, I see a bunch of stuff I would want to try, but I just went with the A burger. It was so dry, bland and bad I took two bites and didn't have anymore. A total miss for me.
(1)
Carrie C.
Perhaps more, 2.5 stars, Yelp really needs to start letting us use .5 stars! :) Was brought here yesterday for Valentines day, my BF found this place on the internet, saw the Yelp reviews and made reservations for this place. I like the name of the restaurant, but dislike restaurants that force you to do valet. :P We walk into the restaurant and our reservations was at 830, we were about 15 minutes early. They said they won't be seating us until closer to our reservations. Huh. The place was not busy at all, but ok. I was surprised since it was valentine's day, I thought every place would be packed. The bar was definitely packed. Maybe it was because the Lakers game was on, or the drinks are delicious, or the singles are mingling..who knows. We sat down and our waiter came. He wasn't the most hospitable waiter...which for a classy restaurant, is not the best customer service. Not the most attentive. This place reminded me of a log cabin. wood panel walls, dark, old, like a place where old people hangs out...I looked around and it was all white peoples, my BF fit in, I did not haha..but we were in Newport Beach. I ordered the crispy pork belly appetizer, which came in four small pieces. It was barely warm and after putting it in my mouth, (it came out pretty quick) I can tell that it wasn't cooked on order. It was a tasty dish but the pork belly was NOT crispy, it was chewy and the skin had a weird consistency, kind of stale, and stuck in my teeth. Horrible. I had to work hard to get it out of my teeth. Not very romantical. My BF got the green field salad, the vinaigrette was good but I thought the grilled onions on the salad was weird..I coudn't tell what it was since it was so dark.. I got the NY steak because the waiter said they're know for their steaks..it was not a typical NY, it was against the grain so the cut looked more like a filet. It was pretty tender and nicely charred. I enjoyed my steak, but Mastro's and Ruth's Chris still beats them all! :D It also came with a side and I picked mac and cheese. I think I make a way better mac and cheese. Not very cheesy and not very flavorful, it wasn't until my BF put salt and pepper on it that it was like, ok, this is a bit more edible. Isn't that the basics of cooking? seasoning your food? even I know that. :P Dessert..well, or lack of...the dessert menu was not that extensive, there was a meyer lemon pie, a ice cream sundae (how original :P) and ice cream. that's it! How disappointing because since the dinner wasn't the greatest, nothing like a great dessert to pick it back up. Not likely. We settled for the meyer lemon meringue pie. It stated that it came with vanilla bean ice cream, but it ended up being like marscapone..eh. The filling was decent but the crust, oh the crust, the best part of any pie, was a bit hard, not flakey and light. Like it was baked 3 days ago or it was frozen and thawed, it was just weird. They probably didn't bake it themselves. Who knows. Can't believe this is supposedly one of the top restaurants in Orange Country. At least I had a great person to share this less than mediocre experience with haha. never again!
(2)
Kirsten S.
I came here with a group of 8 for my birthday and it was fantastic time from start to finish!! The ambiance is swanky and inviting, the cocktails were perfectly balanced, the apps yummy, our meals excellent and our server Brian was outstanding! They use only the best ingredients and it shows. I will be back as often as possible!
(5)
Erin H.
Their tuna appetizer on tempura eggplant is a must-have! Every time I'm here, I've received superior service. It's a bonus to know I invariably run into a friend. Their cocktails are excellent. They have an old school hand press for fresh squeezed juice that makes all the difference.
(5)
Mark C.
I've been here about 10 times, and I am consistently happy with the food and the service. I recently brought a larger party in for New Year's Eve. New Years is one of those holidays like Valentine's Day where most restaurants charge twice as much, and deliver half the value. While A did have a prix fixe menu that night, it was half the price of Mastro's offering for the evening. The food was not just good, it was excellent. From a phenomenal ahi appetizer to an amazing dumpling soup, everything was just as good as you'd expect on a normal night...despite the fact that the place was packed. I had the "vintage" prime rib, and it was easily one of the best prime ribs I've had. I also managed to get a bite of the filet and the lobster, and both were also very good. The atmosphere, as usual, was great-- good music, fun people, and solid service. My favorites for a regular night: They have a $30 special with a salad, filet, and dessert, which is a great deal. You can sub out a different dessert for a couple bucks, which is nice. Try the pumpkin pie if they still have it. If you like cheese, their cheese plate is great with generous servings, and some very good selections-- the 10 year aged cheddar is the best. Highly recommended.
(5)
Alexandra K.
I've been wanting to come here since they opened and NB restaurant week gave me that extra umph to go check things out...plus my pops thought the name "A Restaurant" was pretty hysterical. Great deal for lunch, 3 courses for $20. Huge amount of food for lunchtime and their regular lunch menu is very reasonably priced, so I was almost tempted to order off the regular menu, but I came here for a purpose and I was ready to fill my belly! Started off with their caesar which was very tasty with house-made croutons. I happen to love capers so I was delighted to find out they would be gracing my salad with their presence, but for all caper-haters, these were dried or baked, so they cracked open and their taste was very subtle...they just added a little yummy briny-ness. For our main course my pops got the burger and I got the corned beef sandwich. Burger was delicious, but I still prefer Fleming's. The corned beef sandwich was by far superior and the sauerkraut and swiss transformed it into an ooey-gooey heaven. Fries that accompanied both sandwiches were so good that my pops ate all of them...and there were a TON! We each got one of their offerings for the dessert, he opted for the butterscotch pudding, whereas I went for the Meyer lemon meringue pie. Both were equally yummy in their own right, so I couldn't say which one was better...I'll just say the lemon meringue since I ordered it :) All in all, had a great experience, but service was a bit slow, so if you're looking for a quick lunch spot, I would head elsewhere. (By slow I mean about a 90 minute lunch).
(4)
A H.
This is hands down a hidden gem in Orange County! Came here on several occasions now and have never been disappointed! I can't say enough about the food, the service, and the cocktails! The happy hour in itself is amazing everything on their menu goes half-price including their amazing martinis - the favorite being the salty pear and for an appetizer their spciy tuna is out of this world! Even if you decide to have a nice meal there this is your place. From meatloaf to pot-pie all the comfort foods you've every loved made to perfection. The ambience is also nice with dim lighting and the bar area has this cool psychedlic red lighting. It's a local's secret but everyone must try it!!
(5)
Tundrah T.
I am honestly a bit torn on this place. I really, really wanted to love it, mostly because I love A Market so much. But, I was let down--maybe I should have gone in with lesser expectations. Decor - Loved. Sexy, retro, dark leather and wood and reds and candles. My kind of joint. Food - Somewhat disappointing. Nothing was bad, but nothing really stood out as being completely amazing. And, at these prices, I wanted to be wowed. We had the Wedge (way overdressed), pot roast (average) and the Filet (average, with amazing sauce and fries). The Mac and Cheese was also average (good taste but runny consistency--why can NO ONE make a decent Mac and Cheese!?!?). The sauces and accoutrements far outperformed the main parts of the meal. Kind of odd. Service - Meh. Again, neither here nor there. Server was okay. He was accommodating (and overheard him saying he had also worked for Arches for a bazillion years) and obviously knew the drill, but he disappeared for long stretches of time and just didn't really seem to care. While over at the next table, some VIP guests were sat and we had to listen to the owner/manager(?) foaming over whoever they were and reading them the menu line by line. (At one point I heard him describe a dish as "exploding in your mouth." Whoa guy. TMI.) Would have been nice to have something/someone in the middle waiting on us. On the other side of the coin, our valet was adorable and very sweet (and/or maybe just very smart--he complimented me on my old car). Also, I made reservations as part of Newport Beach Restaurant Week. I dunno how it works up here, but down in SD you actually have a menu made for that week with fixed prices. I had to ask about the RW menu--I was told it was just the Prix Fixed option already on the menu and it was $30. It was very, very limited and kinda bummed me out. So... I will honestly go back because I do want to like this place so badly. It may be a while though as our dinner ran us well over $100. We are so not ready for the Newport Beach lifestyle...
(3)
Brooke B.
I really loved the ambiance and food here!!! What a cool spot this is. My friends and I have went here a few times now --- and LOVED it each time. It's smallish, but has a great vibe. The people that work here are great and friendly. Gees -- it's starting to sound like I work there, which I don't :) A really nice date spot, and just as nice of a place for girls night out :) I loved the food here as well :) yummy.
(5)
F H.
amazing restaurant, fast service. I would recommend the mash potatoes as a side and then the sweet corn soup, along with the sweet corn as a side. The wedge salad was decent but the best thing overall was the filet. Definitely a go to place in newport
(5)
Tim S.
"A" gets an a on my report card! I have been there several times and they keep getting better. If you are a pate fan I suggest the Chicken Liver terrine as an appetizer, it can't be topped. Great Steaks, Great Drinks, Great Fun Check out the A Market next door, for a retro soda.
(5)
Jennifer R.
Soooooo good!!! Everything is delicious.
(5)
Tim H.
I think 3.5 stars is really the feeling I had after leaving here... Came in really late on a Sat night (11pm) still wanting dinner. They were very kind and really polite and I didn't feel rushed by sitting down at 11:00 and still not having decided by 11:15. Service wasn't super prompt but we are never ready to order super prompt so that was fine for us. The decor was cool. I remembered it as a super old 1950's steakhouse that didn't appeal to anyone unless you were 65 or over. The new decor is current yet classic. Big bar, nice lounge area and on the other side was the dining area. We ate in the lounge area. My g/f had the Halibut served with heirloom tomatoes, fennel, pea sprouts in some kind of broth. It was very fresh tasting but not dynamic. A bit boring in her words. Flavor was o.k. but not anything blowing away the taste buds. It was late and we weren't starving so she didn't order any sides. I ordered off the $30.00 gran prix menu. It included a bleu cheese wedge salad with bacon, petite filet and butterscotch pudding. The salad was delicious. The lettuce was crisp, bacon was prepared perfect (wish there 2 whole slices instead of one) but was a nice fresh salad. The steak was a petite filet done medium/medium rare and it was cooked as specified. Came with fries, again good but nothing out of the ordinary. I think I make better ones at home...The steak was good, again wasn't blown away. It was served topped with some kind of herb butter which was fine...I wouldn't go out of my way to eat it again...but again wasn't bad either. The butterscotch pudding was actually the best part of the meal. It was a butterscotch pudding with a layer of caramel, salted peanuts and a shortbread cookie. I would've never ordered it on my own but it came with the tasting menu and it was actually delicious. Good news about a good dessert is that you kinda walk out of the place feeling better at the moment then you do after replaying it the day after. That's what I did and I wouldn't go out of my way to recommend it but if it was 10:30 pm and I wanted a decent meal, I'd probably go back. For my meal, my g/f's meal, a beer and an iced tea came to about $70.00 bucks. Not bad...I suppose...
(3)
William A.
2-15-2012 Nice atmosphere and welcoming staff, very small intimate restaurant but inviting. We had their Steak salade and Wild Salmon salade, both offered a lot and tasted very good. Would definitely recommend reservations for evening dining due to size of restaurant. A few tables but mostly booths are available for seating. We were there for lunch (1:30) and it was virtually empty.
(3)
Jessica C.
Came here late night for some drinks. We learned that John Wayne used to frequent this restaurant and sat in the booth next to the fireplace. Very lively- a great place to end your night!
(4)
L A.
Great for happy hour during the week. Half priced appetizers and drinks til 7PM, which is later than most places. It is small in the bar area so it can be tricky to find a table or seat at the bar. Also great on Tuesday nights when they have half priced wine in the bar area all night. I come here about once a month for happy hour and have never been disappointed.
(5)
Caitlin N.
I used to be a HUGE fan of A, especially when it reopened under "A" rather than "The Arches". They had great food and their steaks were always delicious! The waiters were helpful and a lot of fun! My only complaint was that it was a bit dark. The last time I went, however, my experience was the total opposite. They mixed up my order, and I - being allergic to dairy - was given a steak with butter. They sent it back and the waiter said he had to "steal" it from another patron, so that I could get my meal before, because they were running out of Rib-Eyes. I expected much more from the steak that I had waited so long for -and used to love. But this time, it was dry and over-seasoned and over-cooked. Our waiter this time was over-bearing with the compliments and pet names - it seemed like he just wanted a tip. Not genuine at all. It's sad to see a restaurant go downhill. Maybe I'll try it again soon, and see if anything has changed.
(2)
Kenneth L.
I came in here unexpectedly on a Wednesday afternoon looking for a place to grab a meal while waiting for a work meeting in Newport Beach. This place turned out to be an undiscovered gem, with phenomenal service, food, and atmosphere. The bar was warm and inviting, and although I did not drink on this visit, I will certainly be back to take full advantage of their extensive wine and liquor selections. I did have their burger with blue cheese, caramelized onions, and bacon and it was tremendous. It came with a nice portion of seasoned bistro fries and the portions were generous. The fireplace, old pictures of Newport Beach from years past along with old-school jazz playing in the background made this place very cozy yet cool. Add to that the wonderful and friendly service from the valet, hostess, and bartender and it was a supremely pleasant surprise. I will be back for sure!
(5)
Maria M.
Amazing food and atmosphere. I love the calamari appetizer and the desserts are wonderful. They also have a great happy hour. Great place for a romantic meal or to socialize at the bar.
(5)
Jackie W.
Great customer service. I understand the need for overpricing due to its area. I came here for lunch, but I can imagine parking and waiting would be a nightmare during dinner hours. Swanky interior and lovely ambiance. I had the A burger and liked it. I would come again to try out their steaks :D
(3)
Amber B.
I am not one for schmoozing and swank, but I really love this place. Quick review - -1 star for being crowded and a little too OC trendy for me. HOWEVER, the drinks, food, and service keep this place high on my go-to list of favorites. happy hour ends at 7 and everything in the bar area is half off (which basically makes the pricing just about spot on for me) everything has it's own spin, so you aren't just getting a run-of-the-mill burger or drink. all the cocktails have unique twists and i haven't been let down. the same gal seems to be the head of happy hour because she has served us every time we come in - always right on time, never misses a beat, and makes sure to check in right before 7 so we can get any last minute orders in before the hour is up! the atmosphere is dark and cozy, so it's the perfect place for a date or just to unwind. i like feeling tucked into a booth and never having to worry about what's going on around me except for the company i am with.
(4)
Meredith P.
A Restaurant, I am pleasantly surprised! My not-really-a-date suggested we try this place out. I'll be honest, it was my last choice on our list that also included Zimzala, Asado, and some oldie-but-goodies including Bandera (random selection, I know.) But he seemed set on trying A, so we went. Valet only, but that's a good thing, because there wouldn't be anyplace to park anyway. I'm an atmosphere girl, so atmosphere stuff first. Host staff at the door was very friendly, no pretenses at all, and took us without a rezzie right away to a nice table in the right side of the restaurant. Man, this place is bigger than it looks. Behind the bar area further back there is a very large dining room. We were taken to the smaller of the two dining rooms to a nice little table. Nice settings, nice stemware, candles, I'm a fan. I mean, seriously, it's cool. The bar area is dark and reddish and feels a little old school in a GOOD way. THEN, the dining areas keep the good of that, and add a fine-dining flair. No compromises here! And just one more note on that, it doesn't seem like there's a bad table in the house, just by looking around. Booths are all of course cozy, but the tables are great too (I am NOT table person) but there wasn't a single table here that looked like that shipwrecked-uncomfortable-out-in-the-open feel. Kudos for however they accomplished that. Service was professional like you'd expect in a fine dining establishment, but coooool. Perfectly attentive, but laid back and not stuffy. Nice! Our server, wish I remembered his name, was awesome. He laid it all out for us right away that he'd tell it like it is about any question we had. So he dissed some dishes, praised others, etc -- I like that. Now the eats! Not-a-date and I ordered some boring drinks (Grey Goose soda, etc) so nothing to report there, other than the fact that they messed up his first order (vodka rocks, plus a can of red bull ... it came mixed.) Other Yelpers here seem to have had bad bar experiences. As a side note we popped to the bar after dinner and left after five minutes of being ignored. So A Restaurant, you'd be almost perfect if you could fix that up. We both had a tiny nibble on the sourdough, which was incredible. Took all of me not to eat more of it. We also tried the grilled artichoke -- very tasty, a little greasy. We ordered to share the Scottish Salmon and the Roasted Chicken. Both excellent. The chicken was downright succulent, the meat itself. It came with mashed potatoes (fail, but I tried a bite, pretty good) and the steamed garden veggies (cute tiny little carrots and some summer squashes, boring and unsubstantial, but looked cute with the chicken). Salmon was delectable and came on a bed of kind of creamedish mushrooms with corn, maybe? I ate the mushrooms out. Man, how does a girl get some veggies around here? I felt like I needed a side of like... broccoli. No such luck. So I left a little unsatisfied. But the dishes overall were great. My suggestion is to add a big ol' pile of green stuff to each one :) Finally, we asked our super honest server what the best dessert was: "Butterscotch pudding. It's not even a question." His certainty about this issue was super convincing, and wowwww was he right. This is to die for. So creamy and smooth, perfect portion... must try. Not-a-date even said it was better than his recently kind-of-ex-girlfriend's-mom's pots-de-creme. Uh, am I supposed to be impressed? *snarky* One tip, the menu on the website is not current, but is quite similar to what we saw, so it gives a good idea of the selection. A Restaurant, your name sucks, but I dig you. A great contemporary american-style menu, interesting cocktails, solid wine offering, delicious plates, very professional yet cool service, plus the aforementioned ambiance factors make this place a real winner.
(4)
Mico C.
Chop the rches off and see what's left: "A." First course: calamari, octopus, oysters, charcuterie- duck salami, salumi tartufo, shepherd cheese/ brillat- savarin, spinach gratin, maple glazed bacon; Second Course: Red King salmon $24, strogonoff, lamb rack, ribeye, Bone-in filet $50; Glass: single malt- macallan, glenmorangie, cognac, Saphire Collins, delirium tremens, watermelon skip; 3rd Course: butterscotch pudding and Valrhona cocoa. Dim sexy apple brick conversation. For lunch, "A" Market next door serves Roast & Fowl sandwiches washed down with natural cream sodas. January tastes good already!
(4)
Food Lover A.
Come during their happy hour. Everything on the bar menu is half off. That means you can get the burger for half off :) Burger is very yummy. I've had a few different cuts of steak and I loved them all. I love that the meat is very flavorful. I feel like all their food is very flavorful.. LOVE IT!! But it is very loud in the restaurant.
(5)
Greg F.
Old school, swank & comfortable. Drinks are poured strong and food is good...really good. Menu mostly made up of updated classics.
(4)
Jojo D.
not my favorite place but decent food expensive and if i am going to go 50-100 per person i prefer a mastros or pelican type place they do have a good lunch special though
(4)
Dave p.
Last few visits have gone smoother at this fine restaurant. For one lunch, I ordered a hamburger, one of the better ones I've had--artisan bread for a bun, what tastes like ground rib eye (rather than chuck or sirloin), thick cut bacon, yeah! They tell you how it's presented on the menu, but no problem switching out the arugula and the 1000 Island dressing with mayo; you won't hurt the chef's feelings like some other eateries I know. They have kept the vibe of this place (ghosts of John Wayne at the bar) but have freshened it for the next millennium. I originally mentioned opening pains in the October review. Here were the specifics: --Missing parking valet when you want to leave. (Turns out he was also helping out at the adjoining liquor store that night for some reason.) --On another visit, more missing valets. We noticed the pile of Range Rover, G-Wagen and Hummer keys on the valet podium, all for the taking. --When you cook with onions or shallots, please remove all outer skins. --Let us put the salt on our foods. The steak was too salty once. Later visits have been much better. Always, always, always make reservations at dinner, as this place has been staying busy as we all like to come back for more with our friends!
(4)
Michael G.
We went to A's on a Saturday night with 2 other couples. Wine list is good, but prices are comparable to a Vegas casino, so we opted for Martinis. For appetizers, we got the Oysters. Best plate of the evening! I had Ahi, which was as bland as Ahi can get. My wife had a fillet medium rare that came ultra well done. My friend had some type of halibut concoction that made no sense at all. The service was horrific! The server had to be tracked down every time we wanted a drink or anything else. It was the worst $400 we spent at a restaurant this year.
(2)
Karen M.
had a real amazing dinner...smoked salmon and tomato tart appetizer....stroganoff and john dory main entree, and awesome sundae for dessert. Excellent service, thanks Sal... and just an overall great experience. worth every penny and would definitely go back next time I visit so cal...yummy
(4)
Noel A.
A is for Ambience! Not certain as to why this place doesn't have four stars as we had one of the best meals we've ever had here. I had the special which was Skate Fish. I had no clue what a skate fish was until I Goolged it the next day. Skate Fish = Sting Ray! Yes, the angelic looking winged creature of the sea. Who knew you were so delicious!? Like butter. Doubt I would have ordered it if I knew it was my pals that I have seen whilst snorkeling. Oh well, it was delicious. We also had the mussels, frites, lamb, sweet corn and ice cream for dessert. A Lamb is very cute animal too and the first time I had it, my parents wouldn't tell me what it was until after I tried it. After I said, "Yum that was good, NOW can you tell me what kind of meat was that?" I was told that it was indeed Lamb and I had just petted one at the zoo. I spit it out and cried and refused to eat the rest of the meal. The entire family, extended family too, laughed and laughed. Duped at 8. Parents were cruel in the 70s. I was a vegetarian from 8 years to about 8.2 years when I broke down and had a Happy Meal...But I digress. Anyways, A is expensive so be sure to go with people you like a lot! And I thank my parents for making me try everything otherwise I would not have had this yummy Skate Fish.
(4)
Mark M.
Visited the A restaurant on a Friday night around 9. We had reservations but were asked to wait for about 10 minutes. The bar was extremely busy with your typical newport-folk...couples in their 30's and 40's and your fair share of cougs and trouts. I would be considered on the far younger end of these age groups and I presume, because of this, we were sat in the bar area. I hate the fluff of sentences so let me break it down in bullet points for you... -service was sub-par...our waitress livened up after we ordered our second round of drinks. -we had to track down the bus boys to get bread and water, which came minutes before we got our meal so we were in a rush to enjoy both (bread is amazing, however). -the burger is good size and very gourmet (i prefer crow bar's instead). -caesar salad is amazing... one of the best i've tried -drinks are stiff -bar looks and is cool...music is good...i will return for drinks only next time... -as stated above, VERY unimaginative business name... c'mon, really? after the arches opened up TWO locations not even a mile away, there is now a third?? -i have heard they want 'everyone' from newport to feel welcome there, however this is hardly the case. we felt unwelcome not only because of the service, but also from the crowd that packs this place.
(3)
Chris C.
I love the crab cakes at this spot..and the Lamb was amazing
(4)
Khalid N.
Classy middle age hangout. Cool vibe around happy hour Great service. Pricey, but the happy hour was reasonable. Good wine selection. Spicy tuna and crab cake were awesome. Artichoke and calamari were good too.
(4)
S T.
Great place. I started with some cheese, and ordered the rib eye for my main. One of the best steaks that I've had. The Sommelier was extremely enthusiastic. I requested he make some suggestions for a red to go with my steak, he brought ten bottles of wine to the table, and gave me a two minute lecture on each. I learned something, and enjoyed an amazing Spanish red with me meal.
(5)
Tanya D.
Reading the Yelp reviews after the fact clued me in that A Restaurant was voted best burger in OC. Having had some enchiladas earlier in the day, I wanted to opt for some lighter fare and I really should have given in when I was eyeing the burger and, right before I ordered, I saw the delicious monstrosity being served at a nearby table. Rundown of A Restaurant: at 8:30 on a Saturday night this place is BOISTEROUS. I'd say that this place actually looks cool and has some good vibes, the food is delicious but it is indefatigably Newport. If that's your thing, that's great; I just don't see myself coming back for food unless it's a quieter night or if I'm here with a group so we can be the obnoxious drunks. Enough ranting. We started off with the assorted meat board or platter. Good selection, great for a pre-dinner nosh that isn't an intimidating appetizer. This was followed by the hearts of palm salad and the salmon. Both were delicious. The salad was both light and filling and the salmon was flavorful and prepared so it had an earthy flavor instead of a fishy one. But alas, it was noisy, kind of cheesy and although they are aces at refilling your drink, the attention we received was a little slow.
(3)
Jennifer M.
WHY IT'S GREAT: Chef Jon Blackford's unexpected pairings--Spicy Yellowfin Tuna with Crispy Eggplant and Chili Aioli; Short Rib Grilled Cheese with Swiss, Cheddar on Brioche--make dining at this sophisticated hot spot a refined adventure. The dining room hosts an unpretentious atmosphere with over the top accommodating service. WHAT TO ORDER: Prime Short Rib; Flatbread with Portabello, Taleggio, Arugula, Truffle and Parmigiano; Butterscotch Pudding with Dark caramel, Salt Roasted Peanuts Whipped Cream and a Butterscotch Shortbread Cookie INSIDER TIP: Formerly named The Arches, you can still view the menu from the 1920's next to the hostess stand.
(5)
Shane S.
Great steaks, appetizers and cocktails. The bone-in filet, the ribeye.. wow. A little bummed they don't have marrow anymore. A little pricy but we keep coming back.
(4)
Michael S.
Poor wait service in the dining room, but the bar was good. Overpriced wine by the glass however, some at $25 a glass that are $30 retail bottles. The beet salad and tuna with eggplant appetizer was nice, but the NY Steak was terrible, and a scam. Might actually file a complaint with the county for fraud. They are trying to pass off top sirloin "baseball cut" steak as New York strip. The waitress recommended this as a top dish and said it was a special cut that is served, cut as a cube shape. Ordered it medium rare, was served medium (actually well done on all edges, and pink in the only the middle). Steak was tough and hard to cut. This was absolutely top sirloin, not a New York steak, for $44!!!!! waitress pulled out a flashlight to examine my complaint and suggested that although the outer parts were overcooked the middle was ok. She took it back and the manager came over, did not apologize at all, and wanted to debate that the steak cooked correctly. $9 for 2 tiny, teaspoon size balls of peanut butter ice cream, with marshmallow fluff and crushed peanuts.Never coming back. Stick to Mastro's, Fleming's, or Ruths Chris. You will get a better steak for the same price.
(1)
Sarah W.
I've dined at A Restaurant on several occasions -- both for business dinners and for social gatherings -- since their reopening, and am consistently overwhelmed by their performance! Excellent wine selection. All the appetizers and entrees my guests and I have ordered have been fabulous. Highly recommend the block steak and the scallops. The brussel sprout appetizer and the ahi are exceptional treats! Oh, and try their homemade ice cream, too! The salty caramel was incredible! Thanks for another wonderful evening!
(5)
Aaron L.
A Restaurant is yet another one of those places where the unadvertised happy hour (3pm - 7pm (M-F..?)) pricing (50% off) is right about what you should be spending. For example, the crab cake (1) with herb salad, is a delicious option at $18 face value on the menu; but really is just about right at the HH 50% off price of $9. The foo foo cocktails range from about $12 to $14 (yes, also $6 - $7 HH pricing). Many have interesting fresh muddled or chopped unique produce combos; like the refreshing cucumber-cilantro margarita. The Effin A martini includes one of my favorite cocktail ingredients: bleu cheese olives! One of the really nice perks was that our shared (between two people) burger/fries plate was split for us (without request), yielding two 1/2 burger plates; each with full fries servings (without split charge)! Very cool. The spicy tuna on crispy eggplant was probably my favorite item ($15 regular price), as it was rich, tasty, and had a nice texture. The total bill (at 50% off, and including tip) was around $80 for two. Unfortunately, there are a few items that are simply no longer offered/available (the delicious-sounding mango jalapeno martini, for example), yet haven't been removed from the menu. I heard our waitress apologize for this and various items to the tables surrounding ours. The website menu also has not been updated by removing these items, and the pricing is inconsistent with the in-restaurant printed menu. A Restaurant: Please contact your local web designer *wink wink* about website updates! This is important.
(3)
Vincent N.
Best pieces of advice for new-goers APPETIZERS: Get the CALAMARI it's topped with a sauce that you will not get anywhere else and is absolutely incredible. If you are feeling adventurous get the OCTOPUS it's new on the menu, and looks interesting when you get it, but man oh man is it delicious. It's a bit spicy for people that don't like spicy things but it is an awesome appetizer that everyone will enjoy. If you order a salad I recommend splitting it with someone, the CAESAR is awesome. ENTREES: YOU WILL NEVER GO WRONG WITH A STEAK. The place specializes in steak and the burger is also amazing. Secondly it's in Southern California, any fish you get is awesome. DESSERT: The best ice cream in the house is the SALTY CARAMEL even though the name sounds weird you won't be disappointed, but coming from someone who has attended multiple times I recommend getting one scoop of salty Carmel mixed with a scoop of Vanilla. The mix makes the caramel a bit less intense. Also, if you are a cheesecake lover, get the cheesecake it won't disappoint. DRINKS: I don't know much about wine so I'll stick to the beer. The menu has recently changed and is now offering a numerous Belgian beers, honestly they aren't my favorite, but at least it's not just Coors and Bud. If you are looking to drink a more IPA style beer like me, a Sierra Nevada or Stone Brewery style, go with the "hop devil" it's an American IPA that tastes similar to a Sierra Nevada pale ale. There is also a stout called "Yeti" that is a thicker caffeinated beer that I would recommend when winter rolls around. The last beer for IPA lovers is the iron fist "Uprising". It's a 12% Belgian triple IPA. The fact that it's Belgian makes it taste lighter than a normal IPA and it was actually very satisfying (of course I had a couple beers before I tried it). If you are planning on driving home I would split it with a friend. "Uprising" is only available in a 750mL bottle (1 pint), but definitely seems a bit larger. Overall awesome restaurant, but get some more American IPA's
(5)
Joe F.
Wow, nice surprise. We live in Newport and (with all the restaurant choices) forgot how fun A's is. Food and service exceeded our expectations. We'll be back.
(5)
Kimberly T.
Came here on a Friday night for dinner and drinks with my best friend. Food was okay drinks could be better. Service, well hostess was nice but we had to wait for a table at 900, ate at the bar, bartender sucked never once came back if we wanted another drink. The crowd was a mixture of the housewives of OC wannabe's, Pelican hill golfers and college boys. Overall I had fun only if the service was a little better I would give another star and come back to order from their dinner menu.
(3)
Lindsay R.
I love this place for a date or a small group gathering. The food (tuna appetizer is amazing) and drinks are good and their happy hour is the best deal in town.
(5)
Lindsay N.
This used to be my favorite restaurant! I would come up from San Diego just to go, but I have to say, a few nights ago changed my mind. I was celebrating getting a new job with my parents and we ordered the spicy yellow tail tuna, which was amazing as always, however we ordered the steak frites and specifically asked for Bearnaise sauce with the steak and when it came, no bearnaise. When we asked, the waitress said that the cook stopped making the Bearnaise 3 days before we were there. They brought us some other sauces, which one tasted like ketchup and the other tasted like olive oil. I was very disappointed because I think when you go to a "steak" restaurant and pay the prices that A expects of its customers, you should be able to get any kind of sauce you want, it wasn't like we were asking for A1. I was wondering if the chef was able to make it 3 days before, why he couldn't just make it again for guests who were requesting it. If I would have known they didn't have it, I would have ordered something else entirely. Really loved this place, but I think I'll go elsewhere for dinner now and maybe just stick to drinks at A. :(
(2)
Lewis R.
Great food ! Great vibe ! Cool bartender ! This place had amazing food , one of the best places around , and a great place for a date :)
(5)
Audra R.
Gosh, perfect place for a Newport dinner date. The place is jamming with people and life. Good music, see and be seen without being lame. I haven't felt so Caucasian in a long time lol. The service is old school proficient. The drinks are stiff, and you never have to worry about a refill, they take good care of you. Steak was a-OK. The halibut was to die for! I am a sucker for a good homemade gnocchi, and with the fish it was such a nice tasty accompaniment. The spicy yellow tail app was a mirror of red pearl/25 degrees spicy tuna on eggplant. Both are delicious! Def be back when I feel like kicking up my heels with some romance on the side ;)
(4)
Bob M.
We had a very enjoyable evening at the new Arches...we remember Arches fondly before it became the new A. It felt warm and cozy, dark until your eyes adjusted, then it was perfectly lighter--lots of energy, great service and great food. Wonderful server, who advised us on the menu, friendly and attentive. Cheeses and wine were delicious. We enjoyed ourselves, and can't wait to come back for that famous Salty Pear Martini. Bob M.
(4)
Donna D.
Since the hubby and I got up and walked out of this place on Friday lunch - I really don't even want to give this place a one star. I swear, everything I ordered I was told "Sorry, that isn't ready yet. It will probably be another 15 - 20 minutes. NO, we are out of bread". Holy crap, you only have 4 sandwiches on the menu and the Mac and Cheese is the appetizer. You were open for over 40 minutes, would it have hurt you to be prepared and ready for patrons when you opened? For the price of the food, I expected more. You let me down! What a disappointment.
(1)
Matt B.
Have only been once, but my wife and I got the pre-fixe menu dinner and it was delicious. And the atmosphere is pretty cool. Similar vibe to La Cave.
(4)
Christina P.
A mixed group of us wanted a warm and fun place for dinner over the weekend and somehow landed on A. It ended up being a great choice despite some rough beginnings. The bar area was just starting to come to life when we came in at about 8 or so. The hostess asked if we had reservations and went to look for a table for us when we said no, which I thought was strange since a huge portion of the restaurant had completely open booths. My dining companion requested a table at the bar as she wanted to order from the bar menu. They informed us that there was an open table that they were just cleaning for us, but kept us waiting at the front for a good15 minutes or so. When it was finally time for us to sit, we found that we weren't in the bar area after all but in the restaurant. They told us that although we had requested it, there weren't tables at the bar (there were, we saw them), but that most of the bar menu items were also on the regular menu. We slid into the big booth upholstered in the old-school dark red leather. I appreciate that they kept the dark wood and some of the details from when it was The Arches, which I understand was a really traditional kind of good-old-boy joint. It's much more modernized now but still has that nice dark feel. We had a very sweet and friendly waiter who had a bit of trouble paying attention to us at the beginning. It took quite a while to get our drinks and initial food orders in, but once that got started he seemed to hit his stride and was pretty attentive. The bussers were absolutely great about filling our waters, which is always nice in my book. As soon as I glanced at the menu, I knew I had to take advantage of the prix fixe deal: a wedge salad, choice of petit filet, Scottish salmon or roast chicken and butterscotch pudding for only $30! However, I wasn't really starving so I chose to split mine with someone. The waiter was totally fine with that and said that though they won't split plates in the kitchen he was happy to bring us an extra plate, which was fine with us. The wedge salad was beautiful and artfully constructed, with an amazing bleu cheese dressing. The steak was one of the best I've had in a long time, perfectly medium rare, with delicious crispy fries next to it. And the butterscotch pudding was out of this world, topped with crunchy salted peanuts and sticky caramel. Absolutely wonderful! A great deal for $30 if you ask me, as most of the other entrees alone were over $20. I also had a cucumber cooler, a gin, cucumber, yuzu and basil cocktail that was served in a huge glass and very strong. I had about half and was feeling nice and toasty for the night. They also have things like martinis and old fashioneds.. basically a place for you to feel like Don Draper for the night. The waiter was more than fine with us splitting our check among the party and I left happy with the service and even happier with the food. It's not cheap here, and it feels a bit sceney at the end of the night, but that steak will keep me coming back!
(4)
Aman S.
Don't go here if you're not white. You will be bombarded by racist comments and dirty looks from all the drunk 40 somethings. The management is great but the clientele is the bottom of the wealthy Orange County barrel.
(1)
Shira O.
Very posh and romantic. Good prices and nice spot for dates or group dinners. Our server was really on point. It was really loud in there like crazy loud, but it was packed to the gills. Cheese plate was yummy, hearts of palm salad is sooo good and the fish entree was light and fresh with amazing mashed potatoes i just wanted to swim in them they were so good!
(4)
Kara D.
Pros: I HEART A's!!! Food is awesome...cool hipster vibe. Totally worthy of the Rat Pack, but it's a mixed crowd and there's something for everyone as far as people "types" go. It's dark inside, red leather and rich wood type of interior. They also have the best happy hour in Newport...maybe in OC (Dare I say!). Excellent selection of wines by the glass- half off at happy hour! It's always packed, yet the bartenders are pretty quick and great at acknowledging you. I love the Orlando Bloom bartender and tend to overtip him. I wonder if he notices... ;-) Cons: Parking- you need to valet. It's cheap though. Cab is best if you live close. Get there early Thursday-Saturday. Bar gets really packed.
(5)
Niko B.
I am going to keep this one brief because I am already fighting the over-crowding of my favorite place. This is the best of the best when it comes to happy hour! The food and drink specials coupled with the incredible bar staff, just cannot be matched! Here is the difference maker...although the happy hour is incredible, don't sleep on the regular menu. The chef is progressive, which is unfortunately rare for our area, and the menu changes fairly regularly. I won't go into all of my favorite meals, because of the many many times I have dined there, I have only been dissapointed on a couple of occassions. Management staff rocks too! Thank you A...you are A cut above!!! Niko
(5)
Robert M.
I have to laugh at my friend David, who sent me a message saying "you want me to meet at A Restaurant... which one?" Came here for happy hour. This is old school Newport Beach, and it looks like it. Busy crowd, and the waitress was in a bad mood that didn't seem to end until happy hour ended at 7. The burger was awesome - just perfection. Order it with Cheddar like my friend Rob does if you're not a bleu cheese fan. It came out super fast, also, in just a minute or two. Had the Salty Pear and it was a delicious twist on a pear martini. The Prisoner Zinfandel wine is an amazing wine also, and a great deal at the price by the glass here. Park next door for free and skip the valet if you like. Pretty good for "a restaurant"... and who's on first?
(4)
OC R.
The rotund bouncer kimo is on a total power trip. Made 3 guys --the kind that pay for their own drinks, hint hint -- wait in line while he felt special hugging all the bottle rats on the way out. (Hey bro, they don't care about you; you're just a door man who never made it in (junior) college football). Left this artificial line after 1 minute, never to return. That's where this review ends.
(1)
Georgia W.
The happiest happy hour in Newport Beach. 4 hours of amazing food and bevies all half price. No wonder this place gets crowded. No flash, no sparkle. What you WILL find is Dim lights & deep cozy chairs. A's is like a good friend...somewhat predictable, they know what you like and you are always comfortable when they are in your presence. Do yourself a favor and order: Spicy Yellow Fin Tuna & "A Burger". Add some spirits (mule...get a mule!) and your belly will *thank* you. Attentive service. She split our dish without even asking...very thoughtful. Wait! A server that thinks, makes suggestions and is super fun? How dare! If I lived in Newport, you might consistently find me sitting fireside with a French 75. I HEART A's.
(5)
Robert G.
This is becoming one of my favorite places! Our social group is growing and we are having more and more people show up to our events so its hard to find places that can accommodate us. The manager gave us our own room just off from the bar. We had a server who is normally not there in Tuesdays, I can't remember her name but I think she normally works Wednesdays. She was great!!!! The service and food is always consistent. The best burger is town if you haven't tried it. And they have a killer happy hour on Tuesdays, 1/2 wine!!!
(5)
Vikki L.
Excellent service from our sever Brian. Beautiful accents on the martini's and delicious recommendations. Loved the scallops
(5)
Jolene T.
Crazy awesome happy hour! I had never been here before and it was amazing! She ordered the calamari which is to die for! There were some other appetizers but the calamari was the best I've ever had and definitely trumped everything else! To top off the great food they even had cucumbers for my gin & soda! Most places down here don't have that and I was so excited! I thought it would be way louder and way more expensive than it was. I was completely pleasantly surprised. Probably my new favorite place for snacks!
(5)
Richard D.
Best halibut I've had in a long time. A favorite of ours for happy hour, but dinner was 1st rate. Surpasses the old Arches, which stood as a foodie landmark for years
(4)
T W.
Ok...so from the outside this didn't look like my type of place but since they were voted one of the best burgers in the OC last year I've been wanting to check it out. Came here tonight actually, in search of the burger, obviously. Four dollar valet (way better than Pizzeria Mozza down the street~8). Decor is cute, we were sat right away in one of their cozy booths. Got the burger. Really good but the bleu cheese overpowered all of the other tastes of the burger-ie bun, thousand island, carmelized onions, arugula....All I could taste was BLEU, meat and bacon. Next time I'm going to ask for cheddar. If we come back. Service was good, we waited a little for drinks but that was because there was a big table of "special requests" next to us. Burgers came out promptly. *We weren't that hungry so we didn't get apps but if you are, definitely get some! There is no bread. :)
(4)
Sam A.
I was there for dinner with my wife on a Friday night, the bar was so crowded and noisy, the dinning room was so dark, I cant read the menu. $30 a plate to eat at a bar?? I don't think so. I recommend the bar for singles, but I don't recommend the restaurant at all. Very expensive for a dark bar room The dinning room lies between the bar and the restrooms, not only it was noisy, but with a lot of bathroom traffic passing by. It was very uncomfortable specially for the price. $19 for a glass of house wine? Fine Dinning prices at a singles bar, Definitely not for me. Very limited menu.
(1)
Christie C.
Great steaks and burgers. Service is very good. Couldn't move after I eat there though.
(4)
Erik W.
Came here for lunch during Newport Beach's Restaurant Week. Disappointment!!!!! After deciding on a place to eat via email, a group of us decided to go with A Restaurant based on the Restaurant Week's website that mentioned a $15 prix fixe menu that had two starter options, three main entree items and two dessert choices. Perfect! However, once we were seated, included with the regular menu was the Restaurant Week menu, but with a new price of $20 and missing several items. Interesting, I guess we had no choice, as we were told that the website was not up to date and was basically not administered by them. Funny, but Restaurant Week is all but one week out of 52. Perhaps management wasn't paying too much attention to detail. The meals came out okay, but nothing to write home about. First course options were a Caesar salad and a beef short rib soup. Both were decent. Second was a chicken cobb salad and A Burger with fries. The salad here was fine with about 8oz of meat. What really sucked was the A Burger. This thing was about the size of a McDonald's basic hamburger. But since they had a brioche buttered bun and some caramelized onions, we're supposed to think this is a gourmet burger. Meh! The fries were decent, but it's just fried potatoes. Dessert actually stole the show with a lemon meringue pie. This thing did rock! To cap off the disappointment, the waitresses there weren't very intelligent nor personable. The attention to detail was lacking and it just didn't compel our table to realize any value for the high prices. When this place used to be the Arches, at least you got your money's worth in service and an actual Maitre D'. Looking back at my meal and how much I paid, and really how much more I would have paid if it hadn't been Restaurant Week...I have to admit that I won't be frequenting this place any time soon. And they were supposed to take advantage of this promotional week by bringing in and capturing new clientele. Failed opportunity I suppose.
Came for happy hour and ordered mushroom flatbread, a burger, yellow fin tuna, and Berkshire pork. For drinks, we had the salty pear. Overall the food was okay. The burger was a disappontment, even though it was cooked as ordered, the buns were a bit hard and was dry. The blue cheese was a spread and paired well with the Carmelized onions, but I would not get it again. The best items were the yellow fin tuna and mushroom flatbread. The yellow fin was chopped and flavorful and paired with the crispy eggplant was incredible! I don't even like eggplant and thought this was amazing! The flatbread is very crispy with generous shavings of Parmesan and drizzles of truffle oil.
(3)
Jeff K.
What a delightful dinner. Granted, my company improved my perception, but the atmosphere was very conducive to a great eating experience. The appetizers were nicely presented and were excellent. But the real treat was the slab of beef! Wow, too much to eat at one sitting, but the taste was fabulous. My company also selected a beef cut and she also enjoyed hers. The house wine was up to the task and the service was super, very attentive and always available. I'm from Morro Bay and I must say, I enjoyed the "trendy Newport Beach" described elsewhere. And it made for a romantic evening. That said, we ate quite early, about 5:15, and were served very quickly, but not rushed out! I highly recommend this place for a very special night out!
(5)
Chris C.
Good atmosphere, decent food, poor service, and prices that are way out of kilter. Good if you have money to burn and are in the area. If not, then go somewhere else like La Cave. Atmosphere - Walking into A, you get the sense that this is what a steakhouse should look like. Dimly lit with leather booths, it feels new and worn at the same time without looking like it's trying too hard to be hip. The problem is that much of it is downhill after that. Remember, that this is on the inland side of PCH, so you will not have any type of ocean view - not a make or break, but something you should be aware of. Bar - The bar has an enormous flat screen right above it that can be viewed from the main restaurant. No, this is not a good thing especially when a bunch of annoying sports fans are yelling at the TV all night. I come to a steakhouse to grub, talk to my friends, and drink some wine. If I wanted a huge TV to yell at, I'd go to a sports bar. Service - We had a reservation for a group of us on a night that wasn't that busy. Despite that, we were given a table that was too small and the waiter brought chairs over to make it work for our group. We objected, and after another round of this, we were finally given a nice, long booth where everyone fit. After that the service got better, and we had no problems ordering or receiving our food. Food - Good, but unmemorable steak. Points for including a slice of bone with marrow in it. Not my kind of thing, but a classy touch. The sauces they offer are completely unnecessary, and the sides weren't memorable either. They do offer some nice charcuterie and cheeses as apps, which were quite tasty. Prices - While not Mastro's expensive, the offerings at A's are far from cheap. You start with the fact that you have to valet even when the parking lot is not that busy, and the prices escalate from there. Virtually everything we ordered seemed overpriced.
(2)
Christi P.
Seriously one of my fav restaurants in the area. Second to Mastros. Attentive service, but not annoyingly so. Amazing food. The steaks are amazing, great sides, really can't go wrong here. Favorite thing is their desserts- especially their ice cream. YUM!!!
(5)
Miss C.
Great Happy Hour, excellent service and their Salty Pear Martini is to-die-for!!
(5)
Michael X.
A short but sweet review of A Restaurant: I very much like the atmosphere here, and I love their burger even more. One of the best burgers in Newport without a doubt.
(4)
Juliana S.
I like this place alot! Cute and chic at the same time! Great food and atmosphere. Definitely a must go- to!
(4)
T C.
Happy Hour on Tuesday's! Spicy Tuna, glass of Roth, and the naughty bar tender on Tuesdays. Woo hoo Jenn! In da house! The Yellowtail appitizer is out of this world! Wow!
(4)
Linda C.
Shady crowd. Lots of coke heads. I felt like I feel back in the 80's.
(1)
Heidi I.
We made a dinner reservation for 10 people (8 adults, 2 kids) on Christmas Eve. My in-laws just sold their house and we decided to all do dinner out instead this year. Fixed menu for the evening: Starter of King Crab Leg - no complaints Soup or Salad - 3 of us had the Roasted Chestnut soup, and it was pretty good, but I could literally taste the flour they used to thicken the soup. It had great flavors, but that floury consistency was not the best. But it did taste good. THe salads were insane. It was a roasted Pear and blue cheese salad, and it was a chunk of blue cheese. Like the size I use on an appetizer platter. Huge piece of cheese, salad looked good, I think everyone was happy. Dinner Choices of Beef Wellington, Duck Risotto, or Swordfish (I think). All the adults but 3 of us had the Wellington and raved about it. I tasted my husbands and thought it a tad salty. The Duck Risotto was ok. My duck was great, the risotto was weird. Parts of it were good, then all of a sudden halfway through the meal it had weird crunchy bites, and was gross. My brother in law had the same thing and his was fine though. They probably made my dish from 2 pans, maybe ran out of risotto and rushed some more out, and it was undercooked. So it was mixed in with the cooked risotto. Oh well. Dessert course was a berry parfait or something, I had a few bites and was over it, I was too full and had moved on to after dinner drinks anyway. My father in law subbed chocolate cake, I think a few of us wished we had. It looked great. Josh was our server and he was great. It was a big table on Xmas Eve, 2 kids, and the rest of the crowd was not thrilled with my neice. My nephew fell asleep in about 10 minutes, but she was having fun, she's 6, and it's not a kid-friendly place. Even with the holiday in full-swing. Some people thatough she was cute (in her fur coat) and some were annoyed. But Josh was very helpful, ordered the kids whaetver they wanted (cinnamon carrots, pasta with butter and parmesan only, plain burger, etc.) kept her Shirley Temple full, and was great with them. I am not saying that my neice was being a brat, she was on good behaviour, but it's not a kid place. I doubt we will do dinner out again for Xmas eve, but it was necessary this year with my in-laws having just moved. I bet that on a non-holiday things are different, and have been in for drinks before and can attest that the bar is good. For a first dinner there I was not totally impressed, but just because my risotto turned out to be so gross at the end. P.S. $3 valet, before tip. No where else to park, and it was not complimentary when we were there.
(4)
Scott B.
Can't beat the food or atmosphere at the bar! A glass of wine, sports on the big screen, and cruise thru parts of the menu for a fantastic dinner!
(5)
Heather T.
We had a very sudden change of plans and dropped in here for dinner. It was Saturday night at about 5:45 and they were able to accommodate us last minute. It definitely started to get busy later. This was our first time here after passing it oh, about a million times through the years. The decor is vintage style, with a dark interior and red booths and candelight. I loved it! Our waiter was Steven, who was also the sommelier and was awesome! The food was great; aged beef, farm fresh, seasonal ingredients, fantastic. The presentation for the corn chowder with lobster was great. We'll definitely eat here again soon!
(4)
Frifri F.
The waiters and bartenders need an education in cocktails and bar etiquette. My friend asked for a merlot recommendation. Without informing my friend, our waitress brought her an $18 glass of wine. We only found out it was $18 after looking it up on the menu. I asked for a Negroni. The waitress presumably gave the order to the bartender. She brought back the Negroni in a martini glass, and it was mostly Campari. Negronis are meant to be served in a whiskey style short glass over ice. So if it doesn't come in a beer bottle, don't order a drink at this place. They don't know what they're doing, and if they do, it'll cost you at least $18. I ordered the beef stroganoff. I didn't mind that the beef chunks were completely pink and raw. What I did mind is that the meat tasted like absolutely nothing. It was so undercooked and unseasoned, the meat had absorbed no flavor whatsoever. So I didn't eat most of the meat, as there was no point in eating it. The pasta seems to be a singular very long noodle. The mushrooms and mushroom sauce were good. My husband ordered a French dip. He said it was fine. But really, how could anyone screw up a French dip? My husband said his sandwich was edible, which was an upgrade to my stroganoff. We had the vanilla ice cream and hot chocolate sundae for dessert. It was extremely rich and decadent. We also sampled the butterscotch pudding our friends ordered. The desserts were hands down the best portion of the meal. But they were so thick and rich that we were overwhelmed, and waddled away in a food coma. I guess I would recommend coming for the desserts. But don't come expecting great food or a decent cocktail.
(2)
K W.
BRING BACK THE PATE!!! I use to come here just for pate, cheese, and wine after work with a couple girlfriends. They no longer serve the pate :( Happy hour is great here. Fun atmosphere and good food. Sometimes hard to find a table or you have to wait for one to be seated but its well worth it. They have great specials, too.
(4)
Adriana C.
3.5 stars...Dinner with the girls. Quickly seated. Drinks good. Service was a bit lacking. I think our server forgot about at times, but made it up with a free sundae in the end. Short Ribs were delicious and tender, petite filet was good...could have been better if it was served warmer. It was a bit of a wait for the food. Noise level very high...so don't expect anything quiet and romantic.
(3)
Cassie P.
Last night we scored a last minute table thanks to Barry the manager. It was right near the bar in "the other room" and was perfect for watching all the people coming in and out and sitting at the bar. Lots of Newport locals at the bar so don't be surprised when you run into a bunch of people there (i.e. dress nicely). There is no such thing as dining "incognito". The food was good but not fabulous like last time. The service from Lindsey was sweet.
(4)
Richele S.
I've eaten here a number of times and always have a tremendous meal. The ambiance is excellent, staff always helpful. the salty pear martini makes me swoon as does the desserts via Shelly Register. We bring out of town guests here for the great vibe and food. One of my favorite spots in OC
(5)
Brenda S.
Haven't been here for a long time. Boy has it changed. Not the decor so much as the patrons. The place still looks like a restaurant you might find in New York City.I remember mostly older people, but now it looks like a thirty something hang out at the bar. Very noisy, especially if you sit in the front room near the bar. Waiters very attentive, pouring water, wine etc. $15 corkage fee, which is great, since we've started to bring our own wine to most restaurants now. Appetizers were great spicy tuna on something like a potato pancake. Artichoke very good. Arugula salad with butternut squash was different and all the ingredients were very fresh. The swordfish was cooked perfectly with rice and squash. The sauce on the side was thick and tasty. My husbands osso bucco was a little fatty. The hamburger was impressive but had one of those mega rolls made for a giant but only $14. The portions of the entrees were just right for me but may seen small to some people. Couldn't decide whether to do a 3 or 4 star I wish they had 1/2 stars. Probably wouldn't go back although the food was very good, because the atmosphere was so noisy and hard to talk. Also, so many other places to explore that aren't in my backyard. If you live in Newport or Costa Mesa this could be one of your go to places.
(3)
Christine N.
I love everything about A's. The ambiance and atmosphere, the crowd, food, everything. It's just the perfect touch of everything. I had the lamb shank here! It was okay, but the drinks were deliciously amazing. Gotta try the short rib grill cheese next time! It was rated one of the top 100 OC dishes on OC weekly.
(5)
Heather T.
Reminds me of an Elks Lodge .. decor and all the old men, but hey, it was a Wed night. Good drinks, good food, surprised to see steak tartare although I've had way better. I didn't pay for any of it so I don't know if it was overpriced but it was def dark and musty. Charcuterie is not made in house so buying meats and putting it on a plate is not impressive, same thing goes for cheese. They were out of flat bread which was annoying. Burger was good. So all in all - food was mediorcre, drinks were good although I only had one of their cocktails then switched to wine. Would I come back? Probably not.
(2)
Randall C.
I went here last night to meet some friends for a few drinks! Definite hot spot for those of you singles looking to mingle [not a young crowd 25+ (cougar town)]! I ate the hearts of palm salad (bomb!) and the carpaccio; both these dishes were terrific! The salad had a perfect balance of vinegar and aioli to make the flavors of the veggies come together harmoniously and the carpaccio was partnered with a horseradish which added a nice kick! I would come here again and recommend it to all you yelpers for drinks or dinner! Expect to pay roughly 20-40$ P.S. also a nice spot to take that special someone to spend some mula!
(4)
Dr. Samira S.
yummy and orginal
(5)
Jack F.
I'm proud to announce that "A Restaurant" has opened for business in Newport Beach, CA. [1] Photos & Menu: arestaurantnb.com It's located where "The Arches Restaurant" was located since 1926. For those of you familiar with The Arches, you may notice that the external building looks virtually identical today save a new coat of paint, but the interior has been freshened & updated. Let me start this off by saying that I've never been terribly impressed by the prospect of valet parking until we pulled into the rear area of this restaurant. Waiting to take possession of our transportation were five very attractive, young female valet attendants. Frankly, we were stunned that these young women weren't out at a club, doing a reality television show, or a modeling gig anywhere rather than parking cars. After swapping the keys, we entered the building and had a deju vu experience as the hostess station was "manned" by another five very attractive young women. I looked at Norah as we shook our heads in wonder. [2] Beverages - Ketel One vodka martini x2 ($11.00) - Ketel One Cosmopolitan ($11.00) - "Violet Ray" Mojito ($12.00) - Trevor Jones Chardonnay ($10.00) - Director's Cut Chardonnay x2 ($10.00) - Sonoma Cuvee Pinot Noir ($13.00) - Baileyana Pinot Noir ($18.00) - Brandy Alexander ($9.00) - Coffee ($3.00) Foods - Foie Gras charcuterie ($9.00) - Lamb chop & Osso Bucco ($34.00) - Sea Scallops ($32.00) - Tomato Tart appetizer ($11.00) - Black & white sundae ($8.00) - Ice cream scoop ($3.50) Positives: - Really good food - Very good service - Competent, relaxed, & attractive staff of both sexes.[3] - Vibrant & somewhat loud environment [4] - Vibrant & happening bar area with a large plasma television Negatives: - None Additional comments: - If you're into having your wine-of-choice at the ready, you can rent a wine locker for $4K holding some 20 bottles which will be served without corkage. Of this fee, $1K will be donated to the John Wayne Cancer Center. - Dinner cost: $218.19, plus a sizable tip for a satisfying first visit. Footnotes: [1] A unimaginative business name, if you ask me. [2] Later we mused that the local bars must have a poor man-to-woman ratio. We soon found out that the bar area became very popular with younger, affluent-looking males. [3] That's what some at my table thought, at least. [4] Drink 2 martinis and you'll be part of the noise, I assure you.
(4)
Candice C.
This place sucks. Don't go. Stay away PLEASE! I am just kidding. I LOVE A. The locals LOVE A. Sitting in the bar is the best thats where all the action is. Christie is amazing, she waits tables in the bar. She knows what you want before you do! One of the managers Steve is THE MAN! He knows his wine, he will get you the best bottle for your $$. The food supper tasty. If your lame stay away, I don't want this place to get to crowded, its small. Great place for social butterflies like me! If its sunny out go to Cannery on the water. Nice view great happy hour.
(5)
Beth J.
Had a reservation but were running about 20 mins late - called and they adjusted with no issue. Food was good, service was decent. Nothing overwhelmingly good or bad. I would go back again after checking out some other local places.
(3)
Cheryl P.
This restaurant is top notch. The service, employees, management are bar none, the best I have ever seen. The scallops were out of this world! I highly recommend giving it a try. Very busy. Lots of fun! Special thanks to Kirk!
(5)
Jackie P.
Had some girlfriends in the area and wanted to try a decent place for happy hour with some good drinks and food. This place has been on my radar and they have happy hour M-F, 4-7. Selected food and all drinks 50% off! We came in around 5:45, dropped the car off to the valet, and onto the food roundup: - Artichoke: 2 halves steamed with an aoili dipping sauce, lots of tender heart action in the middle and very meaty. - Crab cake: Pretty large, covered in panko, lots of shredded crab meat, and very little filler. Little side of greens, tasty. - Spicy tuna: Cubed raw tuna on top of sliced zucchini tempura. Tuna was fresh, not too much flavor, liked the textural contrast with the crispy tempura on the base. - Charcuterie/cheese plate: We had 3 selection of meats - wagyu, chorizo, and prosciutto. All were tasty and seemed freshly sliced. For the 3 cheeses we got the smoked cheddar, humbolt fog (goat), and a soft brie like cheese - yum! Smoked cheddar was different and this all came with cornichons, mustard, pickled kumquats, and toast points. - A burger with fries: Pretty large, gourmet type burger on a brioche bun. The ingredients are very rich and savory with blue cheese, carmelized onion, bacon, and arugula. The fries were light and crispy, of the McDonald's size. Eating this by yourself will definitely fill you up. - Drinks: We had an assortment from their list including the Salty Pear, Violet Ray Mojito (aka fresh blackberries), Grapefruit martini, and Cranberry/Pomegranate martini to name a few. Everything was really tasty and they go beyond your usual standard liquors. Didn't seem too strong at first, but they hit you at the end. Lowdown: Decent place for happy hour, you've got more gourmet-style eats and all alcohol is 50% off! Also very friendly and efficient staff, our server Ben was awesome and helped us make some of the charcuterie and drink choices. They were proactive in offering to cut our burgers in half and empty plates were whisked away quickly. Crowd is a bit older, but we still had fun and the decor is more of a dark, old school swankiness. Solid 4!
(4)
Jaime T.
This is a great Newport Beach institution. A+ food, A+ service and A+ atmosphere make this a five star experience. The decor is kinda like Kelly's in Naples (Long Beach) and they have the same type of blue hairs intermingling with the younger folk and hipster. I love watching all the different types mingle and interact. The bar is long and big and they have all kinds of delights to tempt you. Unfortunately for me, I'm doing a 20 day cleanse, so I could not be tempted by tempura battered shrimp, and their delicious hot sourdough breads and mac n cheese. Nope, last night I had garlic roasted chicken ($23) which was succulent and falling off the bone and a butterleaf salad ($12) and veggies ($6). It may sound boring but the flavors were like a dance in my mouth. Mr. L had their fresh roasted trout ($32) with cauliflower puree and it was tender, sweet and mild. Very good. The steaks are really good and my friends enjoyed their onion rings and mac n cheese and creamed corn gratin. 15 more days, Jaime, 15 more days....
(5)
Chase A.
The place is really old school swanky, it was super dark, with big leather booths polished wooden tables and red lighting. Total Rat Pack Atmosphere. Hands down best service you will find anywhere, the only way you could top service like this would be if you had someone personally spoon feeding you your food. 2 examples alone of the amazing service: 1. My water was not once even close to being half way empty before someone came running over to fill it right back to the top. One time I even took one sip of water and someone was right there to fill it up again. 2. The waiter forgot about my Fiancee's one drink order and then remembered it without us even telling him and he came back with her drink and he told us that since it took him so long to remember the drink he told me he would buy me a drink of my choice for free. And yes the food is orgasmic! They know their stuff! My Compliments to the Chef for my multiple orgasms! If you wanted to feel and be treated like Frank Sinatra. This is your place! Like old blues eyes says "Nothing But The Best Is Good Enough For Me" and guess what. A Restaurant feels that way about you!
(5)
Josh S.
This place just keeps getting louder and somehow seems to attract the underbelly of Newport. They used to serve a great block cut NY steak but it tasted more like a chewy flank steak this past time. Definitely not work the $$$. The quality has gone way down and I will not be coming back anytime soon.
(2)
Dan F.
Simply awesome. Unpretentious, and great food. The decor reminds you of a steak house that Mafia bosses might have had some serious meetings, but the menu is quite eclectic. We started out with two appetizers, the fried calamari and the meatballs. The calamari comes tossed in a sweet sauce that is excellent. The dish also had the perfect mix of rings and tentacle pieces. The meatballs were delicious, not much else to say there. I then had the French Onion soup, which is like none I've ever tasted before. The waitress says they caramelize the onions for a few hours, making the soup incredibly sweet. It doesn't have the "onion-y" taste like regular french onion soup. Definitely worth trying. I was there with two friends. The entrees we ordered were: The halibut with beet sauce, Beef Strauganoff, and the scallops. All were excellent and prepared very well. The beef strauganoff really stands out, with its tender chunks of beef and oversized noodles. If you're in the area, check this place out. Dinner for 3 with 2 drinks each was around 200 bucks.
(5)
Stephanie M.
My boyfriend and I went there on a saturday night after researching restaurants on-line. A Restaurant had exceeded our expectations... when we are back in Newport, we will definitely dine there again. They had a fairly busy bar area with seemed a cool middle aged crowd. I read that they have a happy hour with some great deals and may try that next visit. We had dinner and it was fantastic; from the food to the ambiance. It was a dark lit dinner room with old school red leather back booths. The service was outstanding. We had the 3 cheese place, Butter lettuce wedge, corn soup, crab cakes, steak and butterscotch pudding. It was all very tasty.
(5)
Jennifer V.
1/2 off happy hour! Although I came here for dinner...I'll have to take advantage of the 1/2 drinks and appetizers. I came here with a couple co-workers and they both decided to have the filet. To be different I went with the Salmon...I like a little variety. Besides they said they'd share their entree with me. The Salmon was actually really good. It was cooked in a bed of mushrooms and sausages. We were all satisfied. The service was excellent - granted it was 6:30 on a Monday. Corkage fee was $10 - not bad. The Mac & Cheese was a little different - had blue cheese incorporated in the recipe. I'm not a huge fan of the blue so i wasn't stoked on it. But very nice attempt to differentiate it from your typical Krafts M&C. Big ups. I'll be going back again. And this time I'll order the filet.
(4)
L E.
Hands down the best martini's in town. I love their salty pear martini... combined with their ahi/ eggplant appetizer- delicious. All the food is good, great salad options and steaks... can get a bit pricey. The atmosphere is dark and loud but still accommodating for a large group. The cafe next door is open for breakfast and lunch is has a great selection of goodies.
(4)
Lauren L.
I love this place! I went with the gal pals and we ordered a variety of items to share. - french onion soup - grilled artichoke - wedge salad - yellowtail and of course I had to order my signature drink (dirty shirley) if you haven't tried it...you need to! It was packed so we sat at the bar with the nicest bartenders. You have a mix of all people there. The parking is limited so valet is the only option. It's a nice place to go before hitting the bars.
(5)
Julia O.
My rating is actually 3.5.. Came here for a friend's birthday this past weekend. It was nice b/c we had a party of 8 and was able to sit down right away. I ordered the Chicken Club (felt like a sandwich for some reason). The club was good, but it wasn't awesome. I think it needed more flavor or something. I had a bite of my friend's short ribs and potato pancake thing -- that was really good. The service was good, until the end of the night. We were collecting money from everyone and the waiter kept coming back a couple times when we weren't ready. When we were ready, our waiter decides to count the cash in front of us before taking care of our bill. That's rude. I've never had a waiter feel the need to tally up our bill in front of us. We actually tipped him more than 20% too. Had we known he was going to do that, maybe we would have rethought that tip. But other than that, he was a good waiter.
(3)
Omar M.
Food is somewhat overpriced; except its half off during happy hour till 7PM! Definitely go then.
(4)
Christine C.
Stepping into this swanky restaurant makes me feel like smoking a cigar and sipping on an Old Fashioned while sitting back on the comfortable, plush leather chairs. I've been here a couple of times for their great happy hour (3-7pm) and love the gourmet food at the happy hour prices. I just wish the bar area was larger as it can get pretty crowded and people fight for seats. There is seating at the bar, 3 tables, and 3 booths. It wouldn't hurt to try to make a reservation. A few favorites on the bar menu: Burger, Spicy Yellowtail w/ Fried Eggplant, Terrine, Artichoke, and the Cheese Plate where you can choose your own cheeses. As for the burger, I usually split this with my husband and they split the burger on two plates, plus we get our own fries in a cute small bucket. Love the burger because it's so juicy and very flavorful with the blue cheese, arugula, and bacon. The mixed drinks are good also, especially the watermelon martini using fresh watermelon. Mixed drinks: 50% off. Beers: $3. Service is impeccable and unpretentious! Christina is so sweet and she looks out for all your needs. If someone were to ask for one of the better happy hour places in the OC, A Restaurant definitely tops the list! [There's valet parking, but we always found street parking that's free after 6pm].
(4)
Justin W.
I've only been once, but I had a great experience. We went to happy hour. Roughly 4pm-7pm. Everything is 50% off in the bar. Amazing! We had the House Burger with Gorgonzola cheese, which was excellent, some calamari dishes, which were also excellent, and a tall glass of Stone IPA. I did order a BayBreeze (Vodka, Grapefruit, and Cranberry), but was poorly made and very weak, but I forgive them for such great prices. The ambience is unique. Mostly wood materials, with a lot of low-dim red lighting. The booths are large, there are many different spaces to the restaurant, so it's fun to navigate. I think I walked about paying about $15 for an incredibly large meal, feeling stuffed. Definitely returning as soon as possible!
(5)
Maria T.
Went here for drinks only. Now I know why I've never heard of this place being recomended by ANYONE even though it is literally at the intersection of Newport Blvd and PCH. Maybe it was only that night, but this placed smelled BAD. Drinks were WAY overpriced, like $13 for a cocktail. I had a margarita tasting cocktail (I can't remember the name... maybe a Paloma?) but it was one of the worst drinks I've had in my life. I was NOT feeling A Restaurant. The vibe was all retro dive with red lights and leather chairs, but the restrooms were all refined class with stone and silver fixtures. I don't get it and I will not be returning.
(2)
Teddy C.
'Woohoo! As good as it gets' is RIGHT! Went there for Mothers' Day AND Fathers' Day and had a superbly FANTASTIC time. Not only was the warm, cozy atmosphere welcoming and the staff cheerful and friendly, the waitress was on her toes friendly, knowledgeable and helpful, and the wine, appetizers, dinner and dessert were mouth-watering! There was NOTHING to dislike! This place is for EVERYONE! See you there!
(5)
J C.
Mandatory valet. However, it was complimentary, and the guy didn't expect a tip. Nice! The ambiance is pretty cool. All booths, and it's pretty spread out, and dark. Pretty romantic, and we noticed some frisky stuff going on. The sourdough bread was OK. The butter came cold, hard, and was flavorless. Tried the burger.. it was pretty good. On par with 25 degrees. The fries were OK. The best part was dessert. The banana cream pie was to die for. It was the best banana cream pie I've ever had. The cream was delicious..very sweet, and smooth..like whipped cream. It was made in house by the pastry chef. I also tried the salted caramel ice cream. It was good, but not as good as Charlie Palmer's Ice Cream. Overall the highlight of the meal was dessert, and although the dessert menu isn't too expansive, what we tried was worth it. The server even suggested coming in just for dessert if we want in the future. The burgers are half off during happy hour from 3-6 M-F. The service was excellent.
(4)
John O.
A's is "A-OK", hehe, get it ... Ummm, on to my review. First of all, if you don't have an expensive car you will feel like you just drove in from Riverside when you pull up to the Valet. Thank God I drove the X5 because all I saw was a sea of Aston Martins, Bentley's, Porches, etc... When I walked into the understated, supper club looking place I saw tons of short guys hanging with blond bimbos at the bar. Be sure to dress nice because I felt like I was being inventoried when my friend and I walked in. Now lets get to the food. On one occasion I started off with the Butter leaf wedge -- tasty but I ended up with more lettuce than dressing. On another occasion I had the spicy yellow-fin tuna that was almost too spicy for me. One entree I really liked was the Monday night special, Beef Stroganoff which you don't find often. On another occasion I had the Veal Pot Roast which wasn't to my liking. One of the sides I tried was the Macaroni and Cheese which was made with some very strong cheese and even though I LOVE my Mac and Cheese I didn't finish this one. I had a good dirty martin and I get the feeling this place is more of a bar hangout than restaurant ... or maybe it's just me.
(3)
Caitlin P.
This is one of those places that makes a mean martini and serves steak that is close to nirvana. I was feeling virtuous when we went there and ordered the halibut, it was really good, but I should have gotten steak. My husband's was so amazing, I ate as much as i could before I got in trouble (3 bites). Ha! Every bite was followed by a "oh my God!" I would definitely recommend this place. Also the people watching here is pretty superb as the bar seems to be a happening place.
(4)
Katy A.
We had a reso to sit in the restaurant but the bar looked more fun so we sat there and had a great time! The grapefruit martini wasn't the best, lacked flavor and alcohol but he poured a strong gin martini for my husband. We shared a chop salad that was tasty but for $14 seemed ridiculously priced. We also split the bone in rib eye but after cutting out the bone and more fat than should be, wasn't much to share. Next time will get a filet, no fat to trim. The fries were really good. Overall it's a great place for a date night but will probably order other items next time.
(5)
Jessica D.
I love this place. Hearts of Palm salad is to die for! Great wine selection too.
(5)
Mike W.
This was Mother's Day and Prie Fix menu was very limited. Had I called before making the reservation I would have chosen to take my wife and Mother-in-law and son somewhere else. The menu consisted of a small yogurt dish with granola, 3 breakfast entree choices and a burger, finished with 3 small donuts; priced at $32 pp. The food was reasonably good but not enough to justify the price, plus $19 for a small glass of "Prisoner." Total bill for the 4 was $185 and if this indicative to what I would spend off the normal menu, I'm afraid we won't be going there again. The disappointment was enhanced because we were excited to see what the place was like after having many good meals when it was The Arches, a dining icon for 30 years. All in all, very disappointing experience, but an expensive one.
(2)
Tash F.
I have loved this place for years for a good martini and some people watching, but after a few more meals here I am on the fence with their food. Five stars for a dark cozy bar to get an adult beverage and not be bounced around like you are at Sharkeez, but three star that the food could just be a little better. Maybe it is what I am ordering for dinner - grilled skirt steak a bit chewy, filet was adequate, roasted chicken tastiest of all items. I do like the A Market for a pastry or breakfast sandwich.
(4)
Carrie C.
Hipster-swank with a fabulous staff and a kick-a happy hour. The burger is really fantastic, as is the Friday night Pot Pie (how about adding it to the regular menu, I mean who doesn't love a pot pie?) The staff is super-friendly and fun and the ambience is swank and dredged in history. Overall a fun spot for a special occasion dinner or swank-a-lific happy hour.
(5)
Kathryn M.
I'm giving 4 stars for FOOD QUALITY ALONE! I'd give it 5 for food but the interior to me was not current. There seem to be several restaurants in the Newport Beach area with interiors like this - which I just don't get. But I didn't live here in the 80's so maybe that's the thing. But very heavy dark walls with HUGE overstuffed dark red banquette seating. If you're going for a dark lounge with an 80's throwback feel - then this is your place! Other than that the food was spot on! Good meat and veggie dinner place!
(4)
Cera C.
Great romantic spot,amazing food,good service,definitely 5 stars from me!one of my favourite restaurants!
(5)
Elisabeth D.
I love A Restaurant. My family and I dined at this restaurant the other night and let me tell you our experience was outstanding. Our server Brian was fantastic, he guided us in the right direction with wine and food pairings and each one of our meals were awesome! Prime rib, jidori chicken, burger and beef stroganoff were out of this world. There chocolate sundae is reason enough to go back. I have to say this was one of the best dining experiences I've had in a long time. Fantastic food and service this was a treat!
(5)
Alicia T.
Four of us went to A for dinner a couple of weeks ago. We showed up a few minutes early for a 6:30 reservation and were told to have a seat at the bar and that we would be seated 'soon'. Nearly 2 hours later we were finally seated. The girls at the hostess stand gave us a whole series of random, contradictory stories explaining why the wait was so long. First they blamed the customers that were there before us who wouldn't leave, then they blamed the 'new girl' who had over booked the reservations, then they said something about a problem in the kitchen. Whatever the real problem was, the staff handled it in a such a completely amateurish, unprofessional way. Even as we were being seated the hostess promised that the manager would be over to our table, but no manager ever appeared. The the good news is that the cocktails were really good. I was trying really hard not to drink on an empty stomach, but I did taste the Blackberry Mojito and the Salty Pear - both were really flavorful, unique and delicious. Our server, Sal was awesome - completely professional. He explained the menu and made excellent suggestions. He told us that A was all about great steaks so as one of our entrees we tried a bone-in rib eye that was served with 3 sauces - fabulous! And we tried the Kansas City, which was equally wonderful. We also had the scallops and the spinach lasagna - both were really good. The interior is really cool - it still feels like The Arches. The bar area is pretty spacious (although it was packed with people by the time we were finally seated), and the dining room has tons of big cozy booths. We were there on a Saturday night and there were a lot of cosmetically enhanced, self important Newport Beach types standing around staring at one another. I'm really into that scene at all. With the exception of the fabulous service provided by Sal, the overall experience of dining at A was underwhelming. The food was good, but you can get a better steak elsewhere in Orange County at a restaurant that might actually appreciate your business. We spent over $500 on dinner and left feeling annoyed. The market next door is a completely different story. They serve the best coffee in town. The cupcakes put Sprinkles to shame and the service is friendly and helpful. Plus it's absolutely darling inside. Check out the market, but skip the restaurant.
(2)
Shanit K.
Great food. Very social atmosphere! Everything is good. My favorite is the hearts of palm salad.
(4)
Kenny H.
Stopped in for dinner driving through, Fantastic meal! Hope I get to go back!
(5)
SMP M.
Food was great, service was good and the atmosphere was fun. We will go back for sure
(4)
John J.
Celebrated a friends wedding here on a Friday night. We had the small room to the right of the bar, which provided us with a great people watching experience. There are definately some kooks there. However, the food and service is excellent! Our waiter, Sal, was there at all times and made sure are glasses were always full. He also provided us with great recommendations. We had a NY steak, excellently grilled, mushrooms, potato puree, meatballs and oysters. The oysters were small and mediocre, but everything else was excellent. We'll add A to our list of places we will take friends from Japan to.
(4)
Tom P.
Amazing food, great happy hour and a good atmosphere. Menu changed since last time i was there, which is slightly disappointing, but it remains on of my favorite restaurants.
(4)
Krista H.
I have been to both the original Arches and the new, revamped "A". The food here is so good and I am starting to like this place way more than the original. Last night I had the Daily Pre-Fixe menu and it was perfect. The portions are a little smaller which is so nice if your not looking to be wheeled out of the place. It came with the yummy Blue Cheese wedge salad, your choice of entree which mine was the Petite Fillet 6oz. cooked to rare + perfection and the "must-have" butterscotch pudding with salted peanuts. Ah-maz-ing!!!! It being a Monday we ordered Martinis for Martini Monday. A must have, the Salty Pear. I would come here just for this drink and on Monday's they are only $5. Great ambiance, solid service with lots of knowledge and recommendations. Eat here!
(5)
Shana S.
I was a loyal Arches fan and a hold-out until last Sunday. After going to FOUR places looking to get seated just to get a bite to eat and striking out four times we thought "what the heck?". So....we ended up at The A last Sunday. There were people in there watching the Laker game but we easily got a seat at the bar. Service was super friendly. Sunday's they have the 'Family Style" special; order two entrees and each gets a soup or salad, a side and desert to share. We had the corn chowder, which I swear the corn was picked fresh like seconds before serving. Also, a butter lettuce wedge salad which was soooo fantastic. We actually ordered 3 entrees because we were so hungry....Scallops (pass on those) the Beef Stroganoff which was beyond excellent. I was bummed because I don't like noodles but these were thick and hearty and somehow the sauce just clung to them. And finally, the Pot Roast, served in it's own little Le Crueset pot with mushrooms, fingerling potatoes and carrots. OMG!! It was like candy meat! So tender, flavorful and delicious. Can't wait to have that again. For our side we had the creamed spinach which was phenomenal. Fresh spinach with just the right amount of cheese...super flavor! For desert we didn't get a choice. Just a fresh berry tart. Which, in my opinion, is not desert because it does not include chocolate......until I tasted it. Needless to say, my boyfriend was allowed one bite and I ate the rest. Delicious!! All in all, our service was fantastic and the bill was totally reasonable considering all the food and beverage we consumed. The bartender also told us about a special they have on Tuesdays. ANY bottle of wine 50% off. That means you can order the wine that you are always just a little too cheap to get. Can't wait to check it out. Great overall dining experience. Can't wait to go back! Park a block away on the street if you are too cheap or too impatient to pay for valet.
(4)
Heidi O.
When they first opened, I wasn't a big fan. Months later, it seems all the little problems have been fixed. Awesome service, consistently great food, and a great vibe to have dinner with friends in. It's pretty noisey, which I don't mind at all, but some might be put off by that. I recommend trying the burger and fries, the spicy tuna sashimi on grilled eggplant, and the beet salad is great too. I hear the chicken is fantastic, but I haven't tried it. Great wine list and desserts as well. My only complaint is that I wish the menu had a bit more of a selection.
(4)
chris c.
i went to A restaurant the pther night after promising my girlfrien I would take her there. Heard good things about it, so gotta give it a try. On a Thursday night at about 9 we get there and the lounge is full. Cool, this place is kinda Swanky- Loungy as I had no idea of what it was going to be like or no expectations about anything. So we sit down in a booth and I am stoked cause I like booths and the notice that all the seats are booths. Cool. The service was a bit slow when the room was ony 25% full, but no worries. Get a Duval for myself and a Jalapeno mango Martini for the Lady. Mine was great, and hers was awsome. Look over the menu and it looks really good. Out come the Ahi on eggplant- creative, but just not excuted right. A little spongy instead of crispy, but not bad. Crabcake was great and the Globe artichoke. The Artichoke was a C-. It was a little soggy from being boiled, and globe Artichokes just don't have much meat. Oh well, I'm not offended cause I knew it when I ordered it. The Heirloom & watermelon was great. Polished it(both of us of course) We then split the Halibut. It was very good. I personally like the rustic prep with good ingreidents. YOu can tell there is a little care in the purchasing. The desert was the peach upsidown cake. Good, but not GREAT to end the meal. My G.F. and I ate the peach , but left the cake that was under it . Maybe a little sauce to counter balence the cake? Ahhh what the hell do I know anyway. I would go back for sure Theire drink list is creative and enticing. ( had the cucumber margerita too was really good) Menu looks good
(4)
Adam U.
Very solid spot for both a nice dinner with friends or a place to hang out and grab a few cocktails and apps. Interesting and fun bar scene, definitely a older, single crowd north of their 30s, but still getting it going nicely. Service is excellent as well, nice people focused on making sure you have a good time no matter what side of the restaurant you're on. Food is also excellent, plenty to choose from for all tastes and a solid wine list. Easy valet parking as well gives this place the final 5 star treatment for me.
(5)
Collette L.
Met up with some friends for happy hour here which is the typical M-F/5pm-7pm/50% off bar menu deal. Great food! We ordered a few burgers, calamari that was tossed in a sweet chili sauce, grilled artichoke and spicy tuna served on top of crispy eggplant. All of it was really good but I was disappointed that the steak tartare and crab cake are no longer on the menu (as I had seen in pictures on Yelp). The atmosphere is definitely old school swanky...dark, red leather, exposed wood beam ceilings. The majority of the crowd were older business men surrounding the bar. Fortunately it wasn't too packed and we snagged a nice little bar table. My friends ordered a few glasses of wine, martinis and beers (I stuck with water. After all, bikini season is right around the corner!) and our bill was still less than $50. This was my first time here so I haven't enjoyed dinner here but my cousin lives a hop, skip and jump away from A's and she frequents the restaurant often with her husband and they love the place!
(4)
Mena R.
I'm giving the place 4 stars. Burger is one of the best gourmet burgers i have ever had! Had the cold soup once, not a fan. The place has great east coast loungy-vibe type atmosphere.
(4)
Laurie L.
(This is not a dining review, because I was there for a cocktail party) The service was terrific, the lemon drop was fantastic, the appetizers were delicious, and the staff were very friendly and accommodating, even though it was prime time Friday night and we had some special requests. The manager and our servers made it a very successful surprise birthday party as well. Next time I'm in southern California I want to go back!
(4)
Siera K.
I must have driven by A Restaurant a hundred times but somehow never noticed it. A friend recommended this former John Wayne hang-out for dinner and I'm ecstatic they did. Inside had a very cool retro vibe with large cushy leather booths-as others have said on here unpretentious but still upscale. Service was on-the-spot; I don't think our water glasses were ever half empty. The food was delicious - flatbread with truffle oil and arugula: to die for. And chicken liver terrine: scary sounding but oh so good! We also split two entrees: the mussels and the scallops - both of which were heavenly. Then to top it off: salted caramel ice cream and the butterscotch pudding. By the time dessert arrived, I swore I had no more room for food... One bite and I changed my tune! I don't even like butterscotch but WOW - I'm a fan now!
(5)
Tom S.
Okay. This place is an awesome spot to have drinks and chill out at night. Cool ambiance, dark lighting with soft red lights inside. However, I heard they have the best happy hour in town. So I tried it the other week. I got the burger that was supposed to be the best burger in OC. Not so much. Don't get the blue cheese on it like they suggest. Maybe it is better with cheddar but still is just a good burger not a great one. My wife got the capaccio dish and was basically an uncooked burger patty on a plate. Disgusting. We sent it back and they comped that meal.
(3)
Irene W.
I must applaud A's for their commitment to attempting to bring back that awesome OLD-skool balboa, tony-but with flip flops on, vibe that was so missing in newport beach. sure, there are still some that show up in the Javier's get up (and look ridiculous!!) but A's is all about great food, great conversation (not how much money you're making on flipping you're crystal cove mansion,) and not looking over your shoulder about who's walking in next. at first glance, Tim and Liza Goodell have created almost a parisian bistro-like menu with an enormous blackboard dedicated to their chartucerie and cheese plate offerings. there's the famous and fabulous chicken liver terrine starter with preserved kumquats, salted roast beef salads, oysters, and a pork belly appetizer which seems to change often. but i'd say most of my friends think of the steaks as the big seller at A's: the flat-iron, the kansas city, porterhouse. i always order the fish and have never been disappointed. last time i visited i had a mind-blowing miso cod that i wouldn't even share with hunky hubby it was so good. the creamed corn is always a must for a side (bring some insulin.) i know the black and white sundae is a big hit with people (it's the size of a chrysler,) but i'm partial to the rose-strawberry ice cream. maybe because i like all things pink, but this is an especially wonderful combination. another thing NOT to be missed is the cocktail menu!!!! it is imperative to try some of the signature A cocktails. The cucumber cooler with Hendricks Gin tastes like a wonderful afternoon at the spa. Be careful with those they go down very quickly.
(4)
Bongiorno M.
Five stars reader because when one sits in the John Wayne booth, sips exemplary wine, opens with stuffed marrow bones (fabulous) and finishes with a note a worthy steak, who can argue ;) The evening just aligned....
(5)
David S.
I thought this place was excellent. It has a really great old smoking room vibe to it for dining, so if you like that, this is the place. The service was attentive and the food was amazing! We had the pork belly appetizer which was phenomenal, we plan on having it as our entree next time we are there. My scallop entree was amazing and my partner had the John Dory, which was good, but everything else was better. We also got a side of the mac n' cheese, made with bleu cheese, which was good, but so rich you could only eat a few bites, but very interesting. Would definetely recommend this place.
(4)
suzanne T.
Came here for the first time on a Sat night. I have been to A Market and love it. Not knowing quite what to expect I was surprized by how big it is. We sat a a booth in the bar area and shared some apps which were all really good ( flatbread, tuna and salad) Cocktail list is good as well as their wine list. We enjoyed the atmosphere as well as people watching. Looking foward to coming back during happy hour and to grab drinks on anyother night during the week.
(5)
John D.
So we were in Newport partying all week for fourth of july vacation. We heard they re-did this place and decided to check it out. Wasn't too impressed. Same ole, same ole. Place was super busy, but I don't know, something just wasn't right. Food was so-so, service below par (but chic was hot so i guess thats ok than). Only stayed for an hour that we decided to hit our old stomping grounds (Camelot, somehow is now Blanca). And we ended up at Sharky's with some skanked out Coke heads. God I love Newport!!
(2)
Alex P.
Don't miss the pate or the fois gras if it's on the menu. The chef presents it with candied quince that makes the whole dish just SING!
(5)
arpi s.
great happy hour menu
(5)
Mark M.
Very good lunch experience, Ben the server was excellent, the french onion soup was fantastic and so was the flat iron steak. My Mom had the crab cake and loved it, lots of crab and very light panko crust. Sour dough bread was fresh. My only complaint was the "forced" valet parking. Though it was free I always fell I need to tip a minimum of $5. Pricey but the quality was excellent!
(4)
Dawn S.
Love the Fireside margarita and salmon entree. ALL desserts are to die for. Great ambiance- many booths, which makes it cozy. Valet only. Pricey, but consistently great food. Fun spot.
(5)
misha n.
I went to the soft opening of the restaurant and was thrilled to return on Monday night for dinner. The Yellowfin tuna appetizer was my favorite and my Filet Mignon was cooked perfectly (with yummy bleu cheese butter sauce). The side dishes aren't to be missed- especially the mac& cheese, spinach gratin, corn gratin, and french fries. The caramel custard to end the night was sublime. I will definitely be back!!!!!! Now open for brunch too.
(5)
Jessica H.
After driving by the "Coming Soon" sign every day on PCH for what seemed like forever, A Restaurant at the site of the former Arches opened in May. After hearing rumors about the place for months - it's run by Tim and Liza Goodell, who also opened (and closed) some of OC's best restaurants (Aubergine, Troquet, The Lodge Red Pearl Kitchen), I was really curious about A. On the night we went in, the restaurant was completely packed, but for a place that had just opened, it seemed fairly well organized. One of the potential problems when you arrive is parking, which is valet only, and run by a company called Valet Girls that has attractive women park your car. Seems like a novel idea, but my friend saw one of them hit another car, so she decided to park on the street. The drinks from the bar - we ordered a martini and a glass of Gruet rose sparkling wine - were great and really generous. If you go, absolutely get the the yellowfin tuna starter. The pieces of tuna are coated in a spicy aioli and piled on top of a bite-sized crunchy tempura piece of eggplant. SO good. The crab cake was really good too, but if you just get one, get the tuna. A far as entrees go, the lamb osso buco was my favorite, followed by the ribeye steak with a side of sweet corn gratin. Oh, heavens, send me to paradise now! And for dessert, definitely try the caramel custard. Couldn't stop eating it. Service was really good as well. P.S. The A Market is coming soon. Stay tuned!
(5)
Lyndsay S.
I really liked this place. For someone who has lived here her whole life...I had never been to the original before thy redid it. I liked the vibe and the dark and stormy atmosphere. Service was great and food was excellent. I did brunch there though. So maybe brunch was good and the rest isn't all that good. I can't imagine that though. Bottomless champagne! Who can complain!? Valet parking is your only option, but it's complimentary. Just tip the guy.
(4)
willie b.
This place is pretty good. It is a bit too dark in here. I had the french onion soup and the John Dory. The french onion soup was pretty good but it was a little bit on the sweet side. The john dory was terrific.
(4)
B H.
The swankiest, coziest, and moodiest. ;) High quality food and experience. It's a small bar area and fills up quickly so ask the valet guys what their take is before giving up your keys. It's a special treat.
(5)
GRACE L.
FOOD: The food was ok. Some things on the menu are delicious, and there were some things that I did not care for. The wine selection is ok, the cocktails do not taste that good. For starters, we ordered the Spicy Yellowfin Tuna, the Octopus, and the Roasted Bacon. Everyone had commented on the Spicy Yellowfin Tuna and it was really good. Highly recommended. The Octopus and the Roasted Bacon, I could have skipped. The octopus was a little too sweet in my opinion, and the roasted bacon wasn't roasted enough. Maybe it is because I've already had the best roasted bacon at FATTY CRABS in New York. I would have liked the roasted bacon to be a little more crispy, but it is a good alternative to go to NY to eat it. If you are in NY though, you HAVE to go to FATTY CRABS!! For salads, we ordered the Butterleaf Wedge, Buratta, Roasted Pears & Heirloom Tomato. The salads in general were very good! But Buratta was the best! The fried egg on top of asparagus with some buratta and balsamic glaze hits the spot! The Butterleaf Wedge was just like a regular salad, but with thick roasted bacon pieces. The Heirloom Tomato salad was a mix of heirloom tomatoes and 2 kinds of watermelon. It was a perfectly refreshing salad for a hot summer day. the Roasted Pears salad was good also, but there is a HUGE chunk of blue cheese that comes with it. If you are a blue cheese lover, this is the salad for you. Because the overall food was pretty good, I was excited to get my Yellowfin Tuna Steak & Fries entree. Sadly, I was pretty disappointed by the Tuna Steak and the pepper au jous that comes with it. It was a good thing I was almost full already when it came out. The sweet corn gratin is pretty good. For dessert, we ended with Banana Creme Pie. It was really good! I highly recommend the new item. It's not your traditional "pie" thought. It is like a mini banana creme pie. Either way, it was really good. SERVICE: The service was great. Our waiter was very soft spoken though and at times it was difficult to understand what he was saying. We thought he looked a little out of place at that restaurant, but we figured he was probably one of the best waiters they had in there. He was very eloquent and was honest in telling us which dishes he liked and which ones he would not recommend. Overall service was an A! DECOR: The decor is not much different than what the previous restaurant had done. The new owners kept the ambiance, but spiced it up to keep the regulars and attract newcomers. The inside reminds me of an old Italian restaurant, where you would expect one of the mafia members to be in the corner drinking and watching. It is pretty dim inside, and the red booths/accents make it look more like the Godfather. LOCATION: On PCH. Pretty easy to get to, a great location. Only thing that sucks is that it is only valet parking. For $5 per car for valet, I would carpool if you are going to go. I would go back again for salads and dessert. I thought it was quite expensive (almost $700 for 6 of us), but it is worth going back for salads and dessert. The Burger, although none of us ordered it, looked very good!
(3)
Rob R.
Just got back from A Restaurant, and they should change the name to F. The two reasons why I gave them 1 star is because (A) there was no option for 0 stars and (B) the bartender made some stiff drinks. Kudos to the bartender for at least giving us a buzz for $200. I should start by saying the crab cake appetizer was great. Only 1 decent sized crab cake was $17, but it was really tasty so the evening actually started out great. But that's where it went south. My wife ordered their 3 course meal--side salad, 6oz filet mignon, french fries, and butterscotch pudding. I ordered french onion soup and the scallops entre. Salad was small. Onion soup had a unique flavor, but I can't say that was a good thing. Both were average at best. Filet and french fries were flavorful but really cold. Scallops were also cold and undercooked. I'm praying I didn't get food poisoning. We also ordered the mac & cheese, and it looked and tasted like something out of a TV dinner. The pudding tasted like sugar-free bugspray. My wife also ordered the rootbeer vodka float desert, and she really enjoyed it. Our favorite restaurant is Mastro's Steakhouse near South Coast so I guess our expectations are set too high, but we always drive by A and say we're going to try it. Big mistake tonight! I also want to add that the service was really good--very attentive waiter but unfortunately we won't be back unless we're just stopping in for a cocktail. I also have to say I don't mind paying $$$ for a great meal, but this place failed on almost every level. Lastly, I have to say that I'm shocked at the reviews I'm seeing on Yelp for this place. We couldn't disagree more.
(1)
zachary i.
horrible service and OK food, went for lunch at 12:30 left at 2:30 and never received my food. ordered a salad and a french dip over an hour later I only had received my salad , when I asked the bartender about our food she stated they do course service! (with a poor attitude) over an hour to have a salad and sandwich is pathetic, no matter how you clam you serve. bottom line OK food and poor attitude wont get my dough!
Been here twice! Once for happy hour and once for dinner. Both times were great! Happy hour- a lot of great deals. It's a shame it ends by 6, but if you can get here before 6 you won't be disappointed! They had great cocktails and a good wine list. We made a charcuterie plate and it was really good! They had a lot of really nice meat and cheese selections. Dinner was also great. The service was also great. Our server was friendly and attentive and gave us great suggestions. I had the kale salad and we shared Brussels sprouts. Yummm. Will definitely be coming back.
(5)
Marina D.
Excellent service but the food is not good. I had chicken which tasted like fish and was fatty. My husband ordered fish and chips. The fish was heavy because the batter was incorrect. It should have been light & crispy. Disappointed. Totally overpriced!
(1)
Nicholas P.
Food and drinks are phenomenal! Christine and sommelier Steven are the best! Both quiet dining and a lively bar scene are available. I'd highly recommend this local favorite.
(5)
Sachin G.
When I pulled into the A's parking lot I had high hopes for old fashioned american cuisine. The disobedient started with the valet. When I pulled in I accidentally parked my car not realizing its valet only. When the attendant came over he was rude about asking me to go back in line and turned and walked away while I apologized for the misunderstanding. Wow. Inside the menu looked terrible and of the 7 people there we all ordered off menu because nothing looked appetizing. My fears were confirmed when the food arrived. I didn't bother finishing my meal. Normally I wouldn't write a negative review if it weren't for the tasteless policy that ended the night. When I returned to the valet I was asked to pay double the rate($10) to leave my car in the lot overnight while I took a Uber home. Yes, charge a baseless, unadvertised fee for responsible behavior. How low class can a restaurant be?
(2)
Abd Al Alim T.
Food was excellent, low lit and great for parties. I really like the wine director being on the floor and helping us get the best wine for the buck.
(5)
Susan N.
Good food, a little expensive but the food is tasty & quality gourmet. The prime location jacks the prices up. Wait during lunch is too long. But again, the food is good and it's worth trying. I go often
So last week I had a doctors appointment in Newport and my wife said she'd like to ride along; which when translated from the female mind meant, "lets go out to dinner after your appointment". I finished my doctors visit around 4:15 so we decided since it was early to just drop by A's for some appetizers. We sat in the bar area which has those cozy red booths which we love and were greeted by a nice young lady (I believe her name was Lindsay) who was expecting a baby in the next month or so and she introduced herself as our server. She was very knowledgeable and after talking with us few moments i asked her if they had anything special going on, which she replied by asking if I liked octopus and if so to try the octopus salad. It was one of if not the best salad I've had. I was expecting paper thin slices of octopus, but instead they were little finger sized tentacles cooked to perfection that almost melted in your mouth. They were served with baby potatoes, hearts of palm, i believe also some arugula, and a citrus vinaigrette dressing. Again all I can say is wonderful. My wife switches back and forth when we go to A's, between the baby beets and herb salad or the butter leaf wedge with the Point Reyes blue cheese and this time order the butter leaf which was excellent as always. We finished our salads and I our waitress magically appeared (she was excellent in her timing...not bothersome yet always seeming to be available when we needed her) and we both decided to order there "A" burger. I know that's not what most people would order when you go to A's, but for an early meal when you're not in the mood for a full steak or seafood dinner you can't go wrong. It's the best burger you can find. Served with blue cheese, bacon, and arugula on a brioche bun that's light as a feather, perfectly cooked, excellent beef, and french fries that are made fresh and so tasty you can't stop eating them even when you're full. But I'm getting ahead of myself, I had noticed they had a grilled Globe artichoke which we both love so we decided to split one. Again I can only say excellent. Grilled and seasoned perfectly and so tender you could eat the whole leaf.. i was so stuffed i didn't think i could eat another drop, but while I was visiting the restroom my wife ordered us the Baked Hot Chocolate dessert to split. I was only going to have a little taste, but one bite led to another and presto....gone. Another great meal at A's and along with the great food I want to again compliment the waitress for her perfect combination of attentiveness without being a busy body pain in the neck by asking if she could get us something every two seconds.. An A++ on all counts for A Restuaurant
(5)
Tammy G.
I have only had drinks here, so this is a review only on having cockails. I love the atmosphere. The beautiful red underlit bar, and the fireplace offer a warmth to the room. The drinks are well maintained by attentive staff. An eclectic clientele keeps it interesting. I have driven by for years, and somehow, there was no curb appeal for me. Now that I have been, as well as friends who recommended it - several times, I know this will become a place I stop in to relax fro time to time. When I do have dinner, I will update.
Just finished dinner last night. Got the bill. We ordered a Porterhouse for two cost $89. Won't talk about the quality of the meat but the chef had the nerve to add a $3.00 charge for splitting an order for two. When I spoke with the manager, he told me that he's only been here a month, had told the owners about this but there is nothing he can do. We informed him that he has lost a local patron because of his inability to do anything or explain it properly. Imagine, ordering a dinner for two and then getting a split charge. But, having experienced their other restaurants and the arrogance that surrounds the Goodalls, I'm sure they will do nothing about it.
(2)
Annie C.
It was super crowded, but once we got to our table it felt like I was in Paris- with deep red leather booths, dark wooden ceilings and a fireplace. This is a great spot for date night for any foodies in Orange County. We split the scallops and they were to die for! We had a total of 3 cocktails and each were combined with ingredients we had to look up later. The service is impeccable! I could barely get a sip of water without my glass being refilled. Lovely atmosphere, staff, and highly innovative menu! I'll be back!
(4)
Danielle D.
5 stars for food and service at A Restaurant. This is a high quality place and pricey but the atmosphere is very relaxed and I love the old-school ambiance. The steaks and fish are cooked perfectly and the cocktails are great too. The servers spoil you rotten with A+ service so don't hesitate to bring someone you are trying to impress here. Forget the franchise steakhouses like Flemings or Ruths Criss- come here if you really want to have an unforgettable dinner for clients or a date.
(5)
Ken L.
Just had my close friend Caitlyn's 30th birthday there last night. Her boyfriend Jeff booked the exclusive room located behind the restaurant with its own entrance, giant flat screen TV, & sound system. Food and service were top notch! We had the choice of Halibut, New York steak, or chicken. I had the delicious Halibut & got to eat some of their well known New York thick cut steak. It's a classy warm sophisticated experience & highly recommend going whether you've never been or it's been awhile!
(5)
314159 ..
Good espresso drinks. Great for quick sandwiches & salads. Good place for meetups. Like the pastries. Easy access location (once you figure out where it is).
(4)
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Address :3334 W Coast Hwy
Newport Beach, CA, 92663
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Valet Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : No Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Classy Noise Level : Loud Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Afi S.
A's as always have he best ambiance and phenomenal service. All their dishes are excellent especially their meat and fish. They have a really good chicken as well, I believe it's skinless pan fried chicken. I stopped here today and realized they have half off wine on Tuesday. I will start coming here on Tuesday then:-) You don't have to valet, there are always parking at the back or at the next building:-)
(5)Glenn H.
Tried the happy hour and it was awesome! Great ambiance, food, drinks and service!! Staci and Ben are terrific and will attract us back! Note to mgmt: Not a good idea to provide a great experience inside only to have some valet clown challenge me for where I parked at 4:00pm. After he tried to school me about "everything is valet parking" I turned around and walked away. I would drop this guy like a hot rock. #badforbusiness
(5)Glenn G.
Since discovering this place a couple of years ago, I've been back maybe half a dozen times, and each was unquestionably worthy of a five star rating - service, food, and ambiance were all exceptional! Corkage is a somewhat below-average $20 per bottle. "A" is normally dark and romantic - so dark in fact that it's almost impossible to see! I've been known to use my phone light on occasion to read the menu and the check. However, the third time I came in, the place was brighter than Arianna Huffington's lovechild by Stephen Hawking! I was momentarily concerned that the place had changed hands, but then my eyes adjusted I realized that the unusual brightness was caused by Christmas lighting. All the servers I've had at "A" (Brian, Staci, and Yuta) have been exceptional. On that third visit, our server was Staci. Not only has she got decades of experience as part of the "A" Team, Staci is friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive. Her food recommendations are always spot on! With her expert guidance, here's what we ordered: - Crispy Calamari (sweet and spicy glaze, ginger, green onion, garlic) yelp.com/biz_photos/a-re… Staci's comment was: "Ff you haven't had this version you haven't really had Calamari yet". The dish was nicely seasoned and beautifully cooked. Unlike many other versions I've had, this one completely lacked any rubbery texture. - Corn Bread yelp.com/biz_photos/a-re… A's is maybe the best damn corn bread I've ever tried! It's wonderfully buttery, fluffy, and flavorful. - "Bacon, Egg, and Grits" (Niman ranch pork belly, Anson mills grits, fried egg, maple gastrique) yelp.com/biz_photos/a-re… A symphony of flavors! The taste of the bacon, grits, and egg blend together into a deliciously euphonious dish that shouldn't be missed. - Bone Marrow (Giardiniera, whipped tallow, grilled ciabatta, pickled onions) yelp.com/biz_photos/a-re… Im a huge fan of bone marrow, and the "A" Team's rendition is one of my top three (the other two being Three Seventy Common and Pizzeria Mozza). Served with ciabatta bread that's flown in from Tribeca, if this stuff doesn't get your blood pumping, nothing will ;-) - Niman Ranch Pork Tenderloin (spaetzle stroganoff, Portobello, garlic, parsley, roasted Brussels, pickled mustard seeds) yelp.com/biz_photos/a-re… Staci very highly recommended this dish, and I could immediately see why! It was obvious that the pig had died happy, and had been celebrated most effectively by the Chef. - Bistro Fries (hand cut and twice fried, with truffle aioli and thyme) yelp.com/biz_photos/a-re… These Bad Boys are excellent and always piping hot! Last time out they were not quite crisp enough for my liking, but still highly addictive. "A" is a great date destination, as well as wonderful all-around dining establishment. It's a sure thing for exceptional food, romantic ambiance, and outstanding service. Five stars all the way!!
(5)Josh P.
Delishousness... Short Rib and scallops done well. Beautiful charcuterie plate with foie gras and duck pâté. Our server was sweet lady that took care of us in a comfortable laid back environment. We went backstage and met the chef who is a great guy as well. Typical french burner set up, sous vide, shotgun formation on the line. Go to this restaurant with good friends or an appreciative date and you can't loose!
(5)Ted M.
Stunning, stunning, stunning in every way. Just loved it and will eat here as often as I can.
(5)Danielle H.
Excellent food, service & ambiance! Social Hour 3-6 1/2 off bar apps and select drinks. Best dam mussels in Newport, you will need extra bread to soak up the buttery sauce. Unfortunately, they were sold out last time after I raved about them to our group the entire way here - bummer. The spicy tuna app was recommended by our server to replace the mussels and although I was not as "wow'd" as I was from the mussels, it was a table favorite. Steph N. ordered the mushroom soup. She loves soup and said she enjoyed this one but I thought it was pretty bland and needed salt. Ribeye steak has a bold smokey flavor that melts in your mouth...juicy, tender and the best entree I've tried here yet. Friday special was chicken pot pie. I'm not a huge chicken fan but my boyfriend talked me into splitting this and the ribeye, which I'm happy we split both b/c the ribeye was the bestest. The pot pie filling wasn't spectacular but the puff pastry was flaky, fluffy and addicting. Not something I would order again but glad I tried it. Duck dish is really good, crunchy caramelized skin on the outside with tender juicy meat inside. Tried the halibut before, which was tasty but not as good as the meat entrees. Truffle fries are even a delight. I would prefer to sit in the bar area but on weekend nights its always jam packed and the scene can sometimes be overwhelming. My pal Jeremy L. is spot on how he describes the d/b scene and chatter. If you miss happy hour, I suggest making a reservation for a dinner table so you can enjoy the big comfy booths in the back area. It's dark, quiet and intimate but fun for a date or large group. Called last Friday and got a reservation same day for a party of 6 and we had a great dining experience. Drinks are pricey but stiff, so ya get ya monies worth.
(4)Tony W.
The food was pretty decent here. Ribeye was cooked perfectly, carnitas was flavorful, salmon was average, halibut was slightly dry. The charcuterie plate was very good though. I'm a little disappointed in the limited menu selection. I anticipated being able to order a more diverse selection of food. This is the reason why I rate this place 3 stars instead of 4. The ambience is dark and loud, so not a good place for a first date since you have to shout across the table. The Manhattan was delicious and crowd seems to be on the slightly younger side.
(3)Erin L.
Can't even begin to start with what this place has to offer. Our waiter was so nice and want to wish him the best of luck because he has 11month old twins ! Really friendly and had great service ! Sorry, can't remember his name. We ordered a bottle of wine and also a bottle of prosecco and he was on top of always making sure our glasses were filled, thank you ! For apps... We had the Eggplant tuna tartare and the truffle/arugula flatbread. 1 word for these items; AWESOME! The tartare was set on top of a round fried (I think) piece of eggplant. I've had tuna tartare served with rice, but this was served eggplant. The eggplant complimented the tartare and was a very unique and excellent combination to say the least. The flatbread was very good too ! Next up... was the wedge salad and beet salad. I'm not in to beets, but this wedge salad was really good! And the bacon !! Oh myyyyy !! This piece of bacon was probably the most delicious piece of bacon I've ever had ! It was infused with a sweet maple syrup. For main dishes, we had the scallops, striped bass, roasted Rosemary chicken, filet mignon and another chicken dish. The chicken dishes were mediocre but the fish, scallops and filet were on point and simply just amazing ! The desserts ended the night perfectly. We had the chocolate soufflé and also the pear dessert and ended with a double espresso
(5)Stephanie Y.
Awesome atmosphere as my friends came here for a birthday celebration. Our waiter was so entertaining and attentive. We may have ordered more than we could actually finish because he made everything sound so good. Among the 5 of us, we shared the porterhouse, wagyu beef, bone-in ribeye, scallops and a bunch of appetizers. Definitely a fun place to grab drinks and food with friends.
(5)Fiona M.
A Restaurant: Oldest operating reataurant in Orange County since 1926. Great food, great accoutrement, and Steven...
(5)Simone W.
We were greeted by friendly staff and promptly seated. Service is a little slow but our server was knowledgeable and helpful. The atmosphere was noisy (bar scene in front of dining room) and like taking a step back in time with red pleather booths, which added to the clubby ambience. Speaking of the bar, the drinks were very good. We ordered short ribs, scallops and rib eye, which were all delicious. Beware though, none of the entrees come with sides, so be sure to order them. They brought a soufflé for our special occasion birthday, which was also delicious. The location is convenient, but with all the construction it was difficult to get in and out; fortunately, they offer valet service. If you are not familiar with this corner, it would be worth the time to check it out during the day so you'll know where you're going at night. The food, service and drinks were consistently good and the prices are reasonable. We would definitely return and recommend A Restaurant.
(4)Yo A.
First time and I'm blown away! Saturday night with my husband and family at A's steak house was an amazing experience. Started with this funny and very attentive waiter Steven. The chef himself (Jon Blackford ) came to introduce himself at our table and suggested & sent out three appetizers pork short ribs, calamari steak, and veal meatballs. Appetizers presentation was top notch, and the tastes were just as good as they look .... AMAZING! we orders for dinner : steak, Halibut, and I orders the Mary's Organic Chicken with morel mushrooms. Again presentation and flavors with FIVE STARS. This restaurant will be in our "going out" rotation for date night I will be back! Jon Blackford is a great chef I can see that he will be going far in his career and I will plan to follow him and his food. Both Steven (waiter) and Jon (chef) made our experience at A's Steak House FIVE STARS in my book.
(5)Christine S.
I took my boyfriend here for his birthday. When we were dropped off by our Uber driver, it seemed quiet outside. We weren't even sure if the place was open. We made our way to the entrance. It was very festive inside! Our drinks were great. The bartender wasn't greedy with the alcohol content. Our artichoke leaves, steak & lobster were phenomenal. The cute, free birthday dessert that was brought to our table with a lit candle was very sweet. Would love to come here again!
(5)Ashley G.
My boyfriend took me here for our first date two years ago and I took him back this past weekend for his birthday to recreate the amazing experience of our first visit. A Restaurant did not disappoint as the food and service were even better than we remembered. Our server was incredibly attentive, never let our glasses get empty, and constantly made sure we had everything we needed. My boyfriend and I shared both the appetizer and entree and highly recommend all of it. We started with the Lobster Bisque, which was easily the top three I've ever had, and ordered the Tomahawk cut steak (75% of which he ate because it's 44 OUNCES!), puréed potatoes, and mac n cheese for our main course. My boyfriend is super critical of steak and he has officially stated that this was the best steak he's ever had, so that alone says it all. We were too full for dessert, but our server was kind enough to bring out a complimentary cupcake with a candle on top for my guy's birthday. Our night would have been amazing as is, but that sweet gesture was the perfect way to wrap up a great night. We highly recommend A Restaurant for anyone interested in treating themselves to a fantastic meal...which should be anyone that took the time to read this review. Enjoy!
(5)Joel R.
Bustling dinner place with great food. Expect to shout when you dine as its pretty loud in here. The ribeye and carnitas entrees are great choices for carnivores. For apps I would get the brussel sprouts and their cheese charcuterie platter.
(4)Mitch S.
Truly surprised by the atmosphere and food. Oh my we have never had shrimp and grits and it was zesty and beautiful. The butter leaf wedge was unique. The Japanese steak at & 15.00 per ounce was melt in your mouth. Calamari steak appetizer was off the hook. Simply perfect meal. When we visit again we shall return.
(5)Aaron E.
A Restaurant delivers if you are looking for an upscale traditional American menu with a few surprises. The somewhat anaseptic and unfortunate moniker has puzzled me since the restaurant was renamed in the wake of The Arches demise. I can only imagine they hoped it would show up first on a Google or White Page search, but I digress... The interior of the establishment is quite masculine and dark. Very dark. Think Le Cave dark. The menu is old school American fare such as steaks, seafood and even some waterfowl. Our kind and well informed server gave us the low down on the specials and the service seemed up to the task all evening. What may have been my favorite taste of the night came surprisingly as an appetizer. A Restaurant makes a killer Steak Tartare! Thinly sliced (raw) beef is is mixed with capers, black truffle, romano cheese, course ground mustard and arugula. They top the mound of steak with a quail egg as a binder, which really puts a rich sapor into this dish. Served with more ground mustard and ground black olives this is perhaps the best Tartare in Orange County. They also make an honest Ribeye, but I prefer very thick steaks in comparison to the cut I received. That said, the quality was there and the temperature was spot on as well. A pat of garlic butter was perched on top to the steak, a very welcome addition. The bistro fries and onion rings both made the grade however I found the macaroni and cheese side dish to be unremarkable. I spied a Five Spice Duck Breast that will be seriously considered upon my return. I thoroughly enjoyed my meal at A Restaurant and although I think a bit more imagination could have gone into its name, I will be certain to return for another meal or drinks.
(4)Vicki N.
Weekends are pretty tight so we sat at the bar and it was great. We both got the rib eye--it had been recommended. Wonderful. Don't eat red meat often and this was a treat. So back to the veggies now.
(4)Julie S.
Great overall experience! It was our first time at A Restaurant, and it did not disappoint. Excellent service! Ask for Stacy. She really took it to another level. From cocktails, to appetizers, to salads, to entrees, to dessert, everything was amazing! All this amongst classic, old school steakhouse decor, complete with dim lighting and red vinyl booths. We loved it all, and will most certainly be back.
(5)Karen K.
This is where we go when we want to celebrate a special occasion or take out of town guests for a quality steak dinner. It is dimly lit with red booths, white linen table cloths, a large, elegant bar, and impeccable service. You can bring your own wine. It's kinda fun to peek at old wealthy Newport Beach men dining with hot young blondes. The menu is limited and pricey because everything is an "add on", but still worth it. The last time I was there, three of us shared a $175 tomahawk ribeye steak, and still took some home. I always looks forward to coming here, and have never been disappointed.
(5)Elle G.
THIS REVIEW IS JUST FOR NEW YEARS EVE!!! Because I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE A's regular menu. We go to A every other week'ish and eat lunch at the market almost weekly, so I feel I have a real right to express my disappointment with the NYE menu, and the evening as a whole. You had two options for seating - we chose the 9 o'clock hour because they said there was a "band" and with the first seating you'd have to leave after your meal. Our expectations for a fun night with a band surrounded by NYE fun and food was extremely high. I tried a few times to find out the menu before our cut off to cancel timeframe, but no one could tell me, not even two days prior...I should have cancelled, because in my gut I knew that the kitchen would be probably making something a little left of their wheelhouse. I was hoping that the menu wouldn't skew too much from their regular menu, but it did. When we sat down and looked at the five course menu, I was very disappointed, and more so that it seemed and it was verified when they told us they were all small plates. Everytime I go to A I leave stuffed, and fully satisfied. Waiting until 9pm to eat was already a huge stretch for everyone as it is, now you will feed us like birds and coupled with drinks--NO GOOD! After about 40 minutes of sitting and waiting for the first course, the charcuterie board finally showed up. I have ordered many times their charcuterie boards, this one seemed to be presented with items they normally wouldn't sell on their regular menu. As well as there wasn't enough bread to compliment the size of our party and therefore I gave up my portion to the others. They never asked if we wanted any more bread to finish our board. Our server seemed totally stressed out and not present. The water guys (not sure their title) are the bomb, they are always there to help and we never had a glass of water empty, but our cocktails were empty! The server did not explain the menu properly, as far as main course options as we came to find out, but the menu that was presented wasn't that clear either. Course 2 and 3 were very underwhelming, and not much to write home about. They again were far reaching and not satisfying at all! Two hours into the meal, we still have no band playing, and it seems like an eternity until our main course reached our table. Finally!!!! FOOD! I have no complaints about the taste of my main course, wagyu beef...I just could of eaten three more portions. I had a taste of the fish, that was good, not great. I heard the pork was good, but I didn't taste it. By the time they are clearing our plate for dinner, the band starts, champagne glasses start to align the table for the free "Champagne Toast", and we look at the time and we have like 15 minutes until midnight...what? I've been waiting for these small plates, for 3 hours? Pineapple upside down DRY cake comes out. I think it is awful. I am jaded though, because my grandmother was a professional baker, and no one has ever beat her special recipes. The table didn't seem to mind the cake, but remember we are full of booze by now...I think! We ended the night with a quick countdown at our table, STILL and by the time we moved into the bar, the band played like 4 songs and then we got kicked out. VERY ANTICLIMACTIC NIGHT! The moral to my story is...regular menu YES! Special Occasions NO WAY JOSE! I'll be throwing my own NYE party for 2016!
(2)Dana G.
Updating my review as I have been coming here much less for the happy hour (since it changed from 3-7 to 3-6) but have had some pretty dope dinner experiences lately. As I said, sadly the happy hours have been shortened. Which blows. But the deals are still amaze so it you can skate out of work early check it out. Half off the bar menu. Including wines, CHEESE PLATE (probably best if not one of the best in the Newport area), artichoke hearts, flatbread, etc. And I dig the wine list for shizzle. Did an an f-ing amazing job at my PhD graduation dinner. I think we had like 18 people for dinner and they put us in this little side area adjacent to the bar with a thick red curtain we could shut off for privacy or open up after dinner for the bar scene. Great service although my parents were convinced they stalled the dinner to run up the tab since everyone in group kept ordering 15 dollar drinks. Whatever. All the boozing just enhanced the festivities as far as I was concerned. Might have felt different I suppose had it been myself rather than dear old dad picking up the bar tab. I digress. Either way, all my out of town guests were super impressed and we had a great freaking time. Ambiance is a throw back to an old school supper club. Really cool inside, like mobsters hang out here even though it's your classic Newport crowd and can of course get a little d-bagish in the bar area. Of importance - you need to put your name in for a table in the bar, so don't think you can just waltz into some sort of open seating slash first-come-first-serve-scenario. I haven't had a disappointing meal here yet, which makes As one of my favorite establishments. I dig the scallops so much and have also had good salmon among other entrees. The muscles are yummy. Chef is good at accommodating dietary requests (my sister is Palo and basically allergic to everything you can think of). I don't eat meat but apparently the steaks are quite good. The salads are very creative and change regularly. DO NOT SKIP THE CHEESE PLATE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD! They know how to select great accompaniments in addition to having excellent cheeses. Deserts are bomb too.
(5)Peachy M.
I'm crazy about charcuterie and cheese right now. So many options! A Restaurant narrows it down to a tight selection of the best. Be like Salvador Dali and pick Camembert as your first choice. Build your board to your personal taste and pair with a glass of rosé.
(4)Carla L.
This restaurant was amazing. The rib eye steak I ordered melted in my mouth literally. It was so tender and juicy. The only downfall was that the sides come separately for a separate price. This restaurant has valet parking which is great. Overall a great experience with great food!
(4)Helen D.
Very romantic. Didn't look that way from the outside but the ambience inside was lovely. The grilled octopus appetizer was very tasty and reasonably tender. I ordered the organic chicken and my friend had a steak. We shared and both dishes were fabulous. Very nice place. Valet parking only.
(5)Kiki H.
Good meal at A Restaurant. I had a bite of the calamari starter, which tasted just like Panda Express orange chicken, but in the best way possible. It had an addictive smell and taste! I had the old school salad which was really good but I wished the pear had a little more flavor or was more roasted tasting. For my entree I had the salmon, which was excellent, and tried various sides like the spinach, mushrooms, and Mac and cheese. My favorite was the spinach and mushrooms! The besssssst part of the meal was the fluffernutter sundae, with the Girl Scout do-si-do gelato and it was spectacular! If you like peanut butter, you will love this sundae!! The gelato was rich and creamy amazing and the whole thing was just the stand out part of my meal. Very addictive and I'd come back just for this! Service was excellent, good wine list, and interesting cocktails to choose from.
(4)Jessica B.
Overall a really good experience. The food was wonderful and it is a nice evening for a date for a group of people to go to dinner. Good selection of wine. The staff was very helpful in providing recommendations for food and wine paring.
(4)Joshua And Laura M.
A's deserves a 5 star rating! My only complaint is that we haven't been dining here all along! The food is incredible. You can tell that every ingredient used is the very best. The steak was to die for. We have dined at every highend steakhouse in Newport and A's simply has the best steak in town. Definitely don't leave without ordering a dessert. We had the pear cheesecake. I normally do not even like cheesecake but this unique version was absolutely incredible. I really can't think of anything they could do better when it comes to their food. We also had great service from our server Ben and loved the hometown casual vibe we got from the other guests. We will definitely be back again and again.
(5)Amanda R.
WOW !!! My friend recommended this restaurant because sunday is industry night (1/2 off food to people in the industry). So my sister and I came in- first off the sagehound and feeling good Louis are insanely good !!! The meatball appetizer might be the best thing I've ever tasted. Also loved the cauliflower and spicy tuna. Priscilla is a sweet angel waitress (in the bar area) with great recommendations!
(5)Karen H.
I just paid $15 for the WORST old fashioned I've ever had. With places right down the road like Social and Pi Society, who can execute a perfect cocktail every time, there's really no need to waste your money on the mediocre drinks at A's. I find it offensive that they raised their prices so that they are one of the most expensive restaurants in the area, however the quality has gone way, way down.
(2)MiYun C.
Late Renaissance Cabaret Dining I'm blind I thought. Did I just walk into hell? Cause it is hella' dark up in HEEYA! Then suddenly the crackling blaze of the hearth afforded me context and much needed liberty for the menacing darkness. Enclosed by carnally crimson semi-circular banquettes and candlelight, this place is a modern day utopian baby maker. To start the crab and Corn Soup was creamy, but light and slightly sweet. Because food agrees with me, the bone marrow served with ciabatta flown in from Tribeca was REDONK. Unctuous and wildly delicious. The 12 oz. prime, block-cut New York Strip served with roasted garlic was charred and exceptionally seasoned and prepared. Double fried bistro fries served with ketchup and herbed aioli were crispy and most agreeable. Spring garlic and wine sausage served with herbed spaetzle, charred cabbage and mustard emulsion. The house-made wine sausage is all kinds of special. Me wants to marry Chef. To close, the Caraïbe chocolate tart with crème yvett, blueberry compote, blueberry sorbet, cacao nibs and violas was utterly delightful in presentation and in flavor. The Caribbean chocolate tart was dense yet yielding and perfectly sweet. And, Brian...Play on Playa!!!
(5)Grace B.
Let me preface my stars and say that though the food was enjoyable it was not memorable. For some that have felt it ranks alongside Mastro's (one of my favorite experiences ever), I did not get that impression whatsoever. Mastro's is classy, a group of 20 rambunctious men talking about their testicles at a bachelor party dinner is not classy, which is the table I just so happened to sit next to. Service seemed up to protocol, but the woman who served us had nothing extra to give, in the sense of giving me an impression like she was genuinely happy to serve us. I like a little bit of personality to my servers, but service here felt dry and routine. This even started with the cold hostesses at the front who never even gave us a smile. Not a way I would prefer to start my evening. First impressions are key. The food was delicious, but the menu isn't that extensive. You do have your choice of steak options, or lamb, chicken, halibut, scallops, salmon etc. but I've pretty much given you the bulk of the entree menu. My friend and I started off with the grilled artichoke. It was very good, but messy. I did not mind but if you're on a first date it might be hard to eat that without juices running down your hand and mouth. For the main entree my friend and I ordered the scallops and pork tenderloin. I preferred the pork tenderloin, and she preferred the scallops. They were both good. I do give them credit for their sustainable and ethical meat options. Ended the night with a strawberry rhubarb crisp with a side of homemade vanilla ice cream. It was a pipping hot dessert that came in a cast iron skillet. I liked the rustic presentation, it was also really good. Overall food was 5 stars, everything else was lackluster. I guess I went in with a different expectation that night that A restaurant couldn't fulfill.
(3)Joseph G.
Had the fish and chips w/ the corn bread. Best of both and I grew up in southern Missouri where cornbread and catfish are a pretty staple item.
(5)Teriyaki S.
If I could give more than 5 stars I would! This place is phenomenal! We've only been there twice but both times have been so far beyond amazing! The first time I took my boyfriend there for his birthday in October. I love the ambiance of the restaurant. It feels like somewhere the Rat Pack would have gone, low lighting, cozy red tuffed booths... The waiter on our first visit was very knowledgeable and fun. The menu changes with the seasons and the chef does specials each day or week, I can't remember which. The chef specials are not the ones like in some restaurants where they are pushing things that are going bad. These are amazing inventions he is inspired to create. We had a couple of appetizers: Spicy Yellowfin tuna and Grilled artichoke. Both of these were amazing. So Yummy! Then we had the best piece of Salmon that we have ever had in our whole lives. Our next trip we took 3 of our friends with us and we all had such an amazing experience. Our waitress had incredible recommendations. Two of us left our entrees up to her to pick and we both were thoroughly pleased. We ordered duck pate, brussels sprout leaves, and the yellowfin tuna again. The duck pate was the best my friend had, had stateside (he is an avid traveler everywhere). All the appetizers were a hit with everyone. I forgot to mention the cocktails we all had: Top shelf margarita, lemon drop, old fashioned and lots of wine....all super satisfying. We also all had salads: caesar, watermelon/burratta and the butterleaf wedge all really great. Yes, if you are thinking at this time that our bill was outrageous, you are correct! Ha ha ha, but so worth it! I don't now if I can remember all the entrees but here goes: Salmon, bone in ribeye, filet, lamb chops, and there was one more that I wish I could remember. Either way we were all blown away by each entree, we are all god friends and shared family style. Then DESSERT! OMG! Flueffernutter Sundae!!!!!!! BEST DESSERT WE HAVE EVER EVER HAD! By the way, we eat out all the time - we are super duper Foodies! I say this to qualify our review. We probably eat at 1-2 restaurants a week. I only review the restaurants that stand out to us. So here is a description of this dessert: do-si-do gelato, liquid marshmellow, peanut butter crumble, crunchy honeycomb! Each bit offers so much incredible flavor, its worth the splurge. I would run 6 miles for this dessert no problem! There were 5 of us and it was about $100 a person I think but not bad considering we ordered everything you could want and more. I wish I could remember the name of our waitress but I had 3 cocktails and for me that is 2 too many, ha ha ha. She was great though. I recommend this restaurant to anyone that wants to have an amazing experience and would like to impress their company. I want to add one more thing. This place should definitely have a 5 star or at least a 4.5 star rating (the reason for the 4.5 star is because there is always going to be a few that are never satisfied and like to ruin everyone else's experiences)
(5)Damon L.
This place is fantastic. Started off with the spicy yellowtail sushi as well as the artichoke. Both were fantastic. After devouring those I had a wedge salad. The piece of bacon that is draped over the top of that salad is the best piece of bacon I have ever had. Often wedge salads are too mature and not very leafy. That is not the case with this wedge. Finally I enjoyed the block cut New York steak which was tender, flavorful and juicy. The wait staff was perfect as well you could barely drink down 1/2 your drink before a refill came along. You won't be disappointed by A restaurant.
(5)Melissa G.
Make sure you get a reservation. Go to dinner around 8 to avoid eating when the jersey shore of the west is "lounging" aka yelling loudly at the bar. You don't notice until you try to leave, but still, strange. Service was amazing. The wine by the glass list was extensive, so that's grand. A group of six, ordered a some appetizers to share. The calamari was really tasty but the tuna tar tar was just out of this world. The meat/cheese plate choices were great but for the price really not worth it. The smallest portions ever. I'm not usually one to complain about this, but it was a little ridiculous how much they were charging for how much you got. Beet and Goat cheese salad was yummy, nothing special. Scallops were good too, nothing special as well. Everyone in my group seemed to love their dishes ranging from the filet, veal shank, and burger to the halibut and a lobster Cobb salad. Winner of the night was the fluffernutter Dessert, by far.
(4)Jack W.
Truly my favorite place in Newport Beach. The former location of The Arches Restaurant, Newport's oldest restaurant, it has old-school charm that the other, trendy Newport locations lack. The dark, seductive interior, red leather booths, fireplace, delicious cuisine and casual-cool service keeps me coming back. The menu is standard American fare, but the execution of the dishes is superb - small, not Claim Jumper-sized portions packed with flavor and love!! If you are looking for an alternative to the trendy, see-and-be-seen places, go to A Restaurant to enjoy a wonderful evening out.
(5)Patty ..
Went Friday after work to check out the HH, when we 1st arrived 2 tall gorgeous guys in the parking lot [what a score finally!], walked into the bar shocked at how dark very dark it is. Scene is a mix of the older to young crowd and all walks of couples that will provide some good laughs. Cocktails made perfectly and my coworker was impressed with the wine selection. Wish the appetizer menu had more of a selection yet all very good. Steak Tartare [mustard, black truffle, romano & quail egg], white truffle salumi, Brillat-Savarin French triple crème cheese, brussel sprout leaves [capers, shallots, lemon, butter & crouton] & Spring Garlic & Wine Sausage [minus the spaetzle, charred cabbage & mustard emulsion]. Appts & Drinks 50% off during HH
(4)Alexandra F.
I come here almost every Sunday for industry night. The food is delicious as well as the drinks. We love Ben!! Also a shout out to the rest of the bar staff. The rib eye is my absolute go to, with a side of mac and cheese. I have tried the scallops, which I am also a fan of. The soup, the artichoke, the mussels, crime brûlée. I honestly have zero complaints.
(5)B L.
This restaurant knows what it is, and what it does best. When we dined, they were in the middle of a menu transition from spring to summer, but things were solid and delicious. One note: we were seated in the back corner of the dining room, and while when seated, it seemed like we were tucked in possibly a forgotten corner, it ended up being the best location in the entire restaurant as the bar are became very loud. I think after a certain point, everyone in there was pretty much just shouting to be heard over the rest of the din in there--it was crazy! We actually hadn't noticed it from where we were seated, but as we exited through the bar it was pretty crazy: full to capacity for sure. All the paneling in the venue definitely keeps the sound bright, instead of deadening it with a more absorbent material. A has a limited menu, which I find really refreshing. Things are fresh, in-season, and well-executed. We started by splitting the lobster cobb salad, which was great. It did feel a little odd dining in a place that felt as cozy as a winter chalet as summer begins officially, but if you can wrap your mind around it, the food is worth a visit.
(3)Jess J.
I love this restaurant, and it's swanky vibe. It's a great place to go for drinks after work or out for a nice dinner. Then food is fantastic, I love their tuna tar tar and the drinks are strong. Always a plus for me! The only thing I don't love is they recently changed their happy hour. I used to go here at least once a week after work with friends. Now it's more like once a month. Still a great place to have fun though.
(4)Mandi S.
We come often - good drinks and typical Newport Beech scene - pretty good people watching. Who is going home with who? Food is good, although inconsistent because the chef serves what is fresh. The fish and chips (when they have them) is great.
(4)Paul S.
We wet to happy hour expecting a value proposition. Were we surprised. We ordered two appetizers and two drinks and the bill was $48.00. The food was very good but the portions were extremely small. We went on a Thursday night and found the bar virtually empty at 5:00. Perhaps others have discovered that there is no value proposition here.
(3)Jessica W.
A's is a great steakhouse. It has a sexy, cool dark vibe. It is the perfect place to come for a celebration or a special occasion. It is a great alternative to the classic steakhouses ( Fleming's, Morton's etc.). The food is always delicious and the menu has creative touches. They have great cocktails and a solid wine list. I love this place and cannot wait to have a reason to go back!
(4)Whitney And Ed C.
This is one of the best restaurants in Newport Beach. I am so picky about filet and theirs is one of the only filets I really enjoy and is good. It is surprising because it is kind of an old dark restaurant. I also love the artichoke and the salty pear cocktail. This restaurant grew to be one of my favorites. The water staff is all nice especially this wine expert. Definitely one of a Newport's best!
(5)Jeremy L.
Disclaimer - This is only for the Social Hour (M-F 3-6pm). I have lived in Newport since 2008 and I have driven past this place numerous times but had never been inside until recently. Something about the outside appearance just made it seem like a place I wouldn't like. Almost like it would be too fancy for what I wanted it to be. About 2 weeks ago my buddy suggested we meet there for "Social Hour" (apparently too fancy of a place to call it Happy Hour). Since it is right by my place, I agreed. The atmosphere is very dark and comfortable, but can get very busy. There is a u-shaped bar that will seat approximately 16 people, some circular tables, and some booths that make up the bar area. The chairs are comfortable and the bar has hooks for you ladies' purses. As for being fancy, you will see a lot of guys coming in wearing their suits from the work day, but I'm a hat and jeans type of guy and I've never felt out of place. The bar staff is excellent (hey Jen!). They make good, honest recommendations from the bar menu and none of them disappoint. The A Burger is top notch. The brussel sprouts are also very good. They do seem to use an Outback-esque temperature rating on the meat, so order one up from what you usually do if you're afraid of red meat (if you normally get medium I'd go medium-well). The meat seems to be of great quality so I'm not afraid to have it a little on the rare side which is how my medium burgers seem to always come out. They have a really great craft brew selection that I somehow missed on my first visit. Each beer is served in the correct glassware so that's a bonus. They also pour very generous size wine glasses, so enjoy that if you go that route. The only thing I'm taking off a star for is for the mid 40s douchebags that come in here and can't stop talking about their yacht, cars, hating their wife, making derogatory comments about the females around the place, etc. If it wasn't for them the Social Hour would be a solid 5 stars. I'll continue to visit, but only when I'm with enough people to drown out the douchebag chatter. Couldn't imagine sitting alone and eating.
(4)Q D.
Rib Eye Steak Medium Rare with the Truffle Aoili is to die for! Great Monday Funday watching the game at the bar, great local spot!
(5)A W.
If I could I would give it 4.5 stars. We had the steak tartare which was amazing (5 stars), the short rib has always been a favorite of mine, we were only disappointed with the salmon because although it tasted really good, it was too small in quantity. For $26, it should be a generous amount. Overall, you can't go wrong with this place.
(4)Lucky S.
I have been here three-four times with my boyfriend, DELICIOUS! great wine list. just recently had the port medallion. it was so yummy every bite was ooh-ahh. old school steak house environment, dark and comfy. great service. my new favorite restaurant.
(5)Veronica C.
Well, that was surprisingly good! Cozy, dark, with a fireplace and good food. It's old but still very enjoyable. Service was awesome, too. We will definitely go back.
(4)Minh T.
Not sure why reviews for this place are so high!! Thrillist had named this place as a top OC restaurant which is what piqued my interest to come at all. I have to strongly disagree though :( My bf and I came here Monday of Labor Day to celebrate our anniversary with a nice dinner. First off, the parking lot is empty yet they still make you valet for $5. That already had us starting off on the wrong foot. Next the motif and atmosphere of the restaurant is really off. They try to have a old-school feel with red leather booths, wooding everywhere, and dim lights, but then the bar with a huge TV playing the football game is on and the main focal point of the place. What my bf and I ordered for the evening: - Grilled artichokes: came with two halves and some citrus aioli. Really overpriced for what you get! - Heirloom tomato and burrata salad: we didn't like this at all and sent it back. The burrata doesn't seem to be made in house so it's not as fresh as I would expect for burrata. It was just cold chunks of cheese instead of the beautiful soft creaminess I know burrata to have. Also, it lacked flavor. - Scallops entree: they didn't have sunchoke that night and so put it over a bed of regular mashed potatoes...FAIL! It's served with wild mushrooms and shallots. The mushrooms were so salty that I had to leave most of them behind. - Pork Osso Bucco: the only good dish of the evening. However, it's not that great a dish, it didn't wow me or blow me away. It was only good by comparison to everything else we ordered. It's a pork shank cooked low and slow in wine and I think maybe some cream because the sauce was creamyish. This was also served over mashed potatoes, so I was very upset at the potato overload we got. We didn't get dessert because we just wanted to leave this place after so many disappointments. There are way better restaurants in OC to spend this type of cash on. I would say you can get a meal of the same caliber at a chain restaurant for way less money. The only positive thing about this place is the service. Our waitress was very attentive and caring.
(1)Samantha H.
Great place to go to after work to have a happy hour with friends or co workers. Thursday and Friday nights are the best. Great place to meet friends or new ones:) The service is awesome and the food.
(5)Discerning T.
We tried this restaurant based on recommendations from friends......... Although we liked the old school atmosphere, the food was very bland and not that good. On a positive note, the staff was nice and the service was good but at the end of the day if the food is not good all the nice people won't make us come back for bad food. A's get an F!
(2)John D.
Great restaurant! Food and service are always good, my wife and I love to go on Friday nights for their chicken pot pie specials
(5)Kate R.
Another excellent place with that old school charm. Have a great memory that sticks out in my mind from A's. Think of it every time I drive down to the water.
(5)Julian D.
Great service! Great food! Fun atmosphere! They really go all out to make this place a fun experience for all the patrons. However, the fact that a former girlfriend took me to this place to break up with me really prohibits me from giving it any more than one star. I know that managers of restaurants have to constantly observe yelp because as annoying as it is, it is very important to business. I know any low rating possibly affects their job and their livelihood. I know that the manager may very well see this review and grow angry about the fact that their average rating is being dragged down due to circumstances completely outside of their control. They might think this is unfair. That at the very least there should be some discussion and that if I could only see their point of view I might change my mind. Well, I thought that at the time too. The truth is I'm sorry, but this is my decision.
(1)Sonya T.
I really like this restaurant and wish it was bigger. Dark and cozy. Super crowded after work. Suits for miles in here. I had the salty pear martini, I can do without the salt next time. Partner in crime had wine and it was a better choice for our food order. We ordered the pate plate, cheese plate and the carpaccio. All were very good and hit the spot for me. I had major cravings and was totally satiated. Dessert: banana bread pudding. Total comfort food. Solid food at a kind of seductive place. We likes!
(4)Andy N.
Wow. I loved this place! Old school atmosphere with great service, impressive wine/cocktail choices and fantastic food. The New York "cube" steak might be the best steak I've ever had. Worth the $$$ if you want to go big!
(5)Amanda B.
All I have to say is ask for Stacy! Had the best experience eating here for the first time and she couldn't have been nicer! Not to mention our food was amazing! Steak with mushrooms and my boyfriend for the jumbo scallops! We will definitely be returning and insisting Stacy be our server!!!!
(5)Crissi H.
Love this place....cocktails are tastie and the fish is delicious. Warm environment and a Cozy touch...def a good try
(4)Tracy F.
A Restaurant USED to have the best happy hour in town. By "Best" I mean quality of food and prices. Their happy hour used to be 50% off of their bar menu and glasses of wine, now it's just $3.00 off (of on average of $20.00) glass of wine . . . so happy hour means $17.00 glass of wine and $12.00 appetizer . . . I'm NOT SO HAPPY! For this price you can go to the many other restaurants that are in the area for less money, same quality of food and better ambiance. I won't be going to A Restaurant until they bring back their old Happy Hour!!!
(2)CHAUSTER S.
most of the dishes r w/cheese. the duck leg was too salty. worst than salty potatoe chips. loaded sugar and butter desserts.beet salad was tasteless. great staff and relax environment. expensive n small food portion. smokers please take a long long long bath before u go out n ruin people appetite
(3)Hayley H.
While in my opinion no restaurant can trump Mastro's, A's comes close. The ambiance is similar with very dark interiors, cozy booths and that classy, upscale atmosphere. Appetizers were good but on the smaller size if you are planning on sharing. I tried the burrata salad and there was not much burrata to be found. The cheese plate, however, was great as you are able to choose 3 different cheese and/or meats that are accompanied by bread, honey and pickles. For my entree I had filet with peppercorn sauce and split sides of button mushrooms, asparagus and mac and cheese. The filet was perfectly cooked but the peppercorn sauce lacked flavor and just made me crave a real peppercorn sauce a la Mastro's. The mac and cheese was good but the other sides were pretty standard...just vegetables sauteed in oil and garlic. Service was good, although our waiter was WAY too talkative and not very good at reading the energy of the table. I was celebrating a birthday with my dad and just wanted a quiet dinner to catch up and enjoy the evening. What we got instead was an overly enthusiastic waiter who told us his entire life story and who basically yelled at you whenever he talked to you. Don't get me wrong, I like a friendly waiter, but I don't really want to hear about his childhood, his French heritage or his parents. All I want is to eat my meat and taters in peace! Amen!
(4)Monique K.
Best good best service ever great place
(5)Kelly C.
Fun place, the dining area looks kind of like a mob restaurant straight out of the Sopranos. The braised ribs here are excuisite. Our server was incredibly well versed with the menu as well as full of great suggestions. I would like to try the brussel sprouts next time! :) Also, Derrek the bartender is amazing, thanks for making my night! Wonderful bar selection as well. Xoxox
(4)Tamara M.
Definitely one of the best filet mignon steaks I've had in SoCal. On par with Mastro's quality. Both of our steaks were cooked medium rare to perfection and seasoned very well. They have 5 or 6 different sauces you can order with your steak, but in my opinion if a steak is seasoned properly it won't need sauce, so I never order it. We sat in the bar area. It is super dark and dimly lit and has an old Mad Men style vibe. The service we received was excellent. Our waitress was very attentive and the manager even was walking around to tables to make sure everything was going well. We went in for an early dinner on a Saturday, so it wasn't very crowded. I think we may go back to check out the happy hour sometime during the week so we can see it when it's a bit of a scene. I hear it's great people watching!
(5)Elizabeth W.
Can't get enough of the Salty Pear Martini. The social hour is definitely one of the best in town, with half off apps, cocktails and wine. Where else can you find a glass of Freemark Abbey for under $15!?!?!? I find myself craving the Ginger Calamari, always nice and crisp, and the Spicy Yellowfin over the crispy eggplant is unbelievably good. I've never had a complaint about their food, the only reason I am only giving 3 stars is because service is lacking. Especially during social hour in the bar. But I still go back, would recommend finding a seat at the bar if you can.
(3)Paul L.
The first thing you notice upon entering A Restaurant, especially on a weekend night, is that it has a very loud bar scene. Crowding the lounge are your typical Newport Beach types -- older men and women on the prowl for their younger counterparts. The impression one gets is that this is not a fine dining establishment. My two experiences here were like night and day. The first time was ruined by a large group celebrating a birthday. They were loud and very obnoxious. Combined with the spillover noise from the lounge, we might as well have been in a club. When I spoke to Carin Campbell, one of the managers, she told me that it was an event for one of the partners. She apologized and handed me her card. As for the food, I really enjoyed the Jumbo Lump Crab and the Ricotta Gnocchi but was underwhelmed by the Spicy Yellowfin Tuna and the Calamari. The second time I came here I contacted Carin first. When we arrived, we were seated at the best table, a booth farthest away from the lounge, although still within earshot. And they assigned to us Santiago, their best and most experienced server. We started our dinner with the delightful Hearts of Palm salad. Served with tomatoes, avocado, cucumber, and a tamarind vinaigrette, it was a unique and refreshing dish to wake up our tastebuds. The Chicken Pot Pie is probably the best version of this classic comfort dish I have ever had. The chucks of free-range chicken were succulent, the carrots and potatoes were perfectly cooked, and the gravy was neither too watery nor pasty; it was creamy and heartwarmingly delicious. But the best part, of course, was the flakey puff pastry crust, which was absolutely to die for! The Prime Short Rib is also highly recommended. Served on a bed of polenta with chanterelles and cipollini onions, it was rich and tender and completely overindulgent. Towards the end of our meal, Carin stopped by our table to see how we were doing this time around. She also picked up the tab, which I was very appreciative of. So while I am tempted to combine the scores of my two experiences, I really have to give A Restaurant credit for going out of its way to right its wrongs. I'm still not crazy about the noise and the scene, but one thing is for sure: this is a fine dining establishment. Corkage is $15.
(4)Kimberly N.
OUTSTANDING FOOD!! I went on a Friday night so the pot pie is all the rage on Fridays (until they run out!) We had the soup, 2 pot pies, the A's burger and the flat iron steak. HOLY deliciousness!!! Everything was so tasty. I am actually a local and I was impressed! Drawbacks were the service and it is SUPER loud in there. The acoustics are off and it was so crowded no one could hear each other even at the dinner table.
(4)Jon D.
Well, certainly an old school place. Dark wood and red leather and dark lighting. They only do valet parking which is just weird. The place was not busy when we arrive at 5:30 on a Saturday night but the few people that were there were really loud and could be heard in the dinning areas. The waitress was nice and helpful. She explained the menu and helped with our selection. We both ordered the "A" burger we had heard so much about and it was terrific! We also had the molten chocolate cake for dessert which was also very good. The over-all vibe is too dressy for us. Lots of suits and party dresses, which is fine if your into that type of thing. overall for 2 burgers,2 sodas, and one dessert around $52.00, other menu items were much more expensive, like $48 for a ribeye steak seemed a little high even for Newport. Probably wouldn't go again unless maybe for lunch.
(3)Robert S.
This is a classic old style steakhouse. Very dark circa 1970. I had the wagyu which was about $80.00. It was cooked perfectly but over salted. It wasn't the most marbled wagyu I've had but it was good. Not great. I'd rather have the bone in filet at Mastros for $30 less. Never the less I would come back I enjoyed my meal at the service was great.
(4)Kim W.
We just had dinner. The steak is so tender and delicious you can cut it with a butter knife, they just give you a steak knife for show. Plus they have us complementary champaign because we told them we were celebrating or the host thought we were cool.
(5)Antony A.
Without question the single best restaurant and lounge in Newport if not OC and even SoCal. Amazing food couple with terrific ambiance means I dine there at least two to three times a week. Can't recommend it highly enough!
(5)Ken S.
My wife & I dined here a week or so ago & were pleasantly surprised at how good it is. Even though we dine out often in the Newport area, somehow we never made it to the "A". I ordered the steak with chimichurri sause & bistro fries, It was delicious. My wife had the halibut & said that it was the best she's EVER had (& she almost always orders it if it's on the menu).. Everything was perfect, the charcuterie, the impeccable service, the wine & desserts. This will be one of our favorite "go to" restaurants from now on.
(5)Jimmy N.
Great place to be seen or to see.. crowd was very Housewives of OC (they actually do mention that they go here on the show) and young Cougar Hunters... haha it was quite interesting. We had dinner here and though it was kinda loud for where the tables were located, everything else was great. The service was excellent and food was fantastic, and atmosphere was fun and cozy at the same time. Why not 5 stars though? If you look at my history, I need something to make it 5 stars.... and this was missing it somehow and I couldn't quite put my finger on it. I guess I'll have to come back to find out what that was. ;)
(4)Cat H.
A's is one of those quaint places that appears to have been decorated to cater to a dying socialite. Food wise, they've got modern and inventive dishes. Service wise, staff is friendly and efficient. The bartenders also have beaucoup personality. However, the crowd is like a bad Disney nature special: When Cougars Attack. I have never seen such crowds of older women desperately flinging themselves at every male who walks through the door. It was highly amusing for me as I came in with 3 attractive guys and another girl. I had a front row seat to this spectacle and laughed my butt off. If you're feeling down, I promise this will perk you up. Overall, it's A- ok.
(3)Angel H.
What can you say about a restaurant like this... good food, good drinks, good happy hour. I like sitting at the bar for a casual glass of wine and the salmon salad probably a little better than sitting at a table for dinner... I liked our waiter but he did talk an awful lot and it made conversation at the table a little hard to keep up with. But, it is good for big groups and I can't see how anyone can be disappointed here.
(4)Tanya B.
My husband took me here for my birthday last night. This reminds me very much of cozy bistro style restaurants in New York City. This is a nice change from the expected Orange County style restaurants. This place is perfect for either dressed up or dressed down night and very warm, friendly interior. We sat in a booth in the back room by the fire which was great as we had some privacy. We started off with the meat and cheese plate which was phenomenal. We went with the server's recommendations. The meat and cheese portions are good size and they bring out great accompaniments like gourmet mustard, small piece of honeycomb, olive tapenade and fig spread...delicious! For the main dish, I ordered the salmon which was wonderful. The crispy outside was a nice touch and the vegetables that came with it were sauteed in a delicous sauce. The filet was wonderful as well--perfectly cooked. Since it comes a la carte, you can choose from several of the different sides. The brussell sprouts were nice. For dessert we had the butterscotch creme--fantastic! Probably not a low calorie meal overall, but absolutely worth it! This is one place where you eat the food and appreciate it. In lieu of wine, we tried the cocktails. Ruby red martiini is great--not too sweet. Service here was wonderful. Overall, a great place and I will definitely be back! I have yet to try the market cafe!
(5)Christine L.
My local go-to spot for a classic dinner. What do order? Start with a slightly dirty vodka martini with blue cheese stuffed olives The caesar salad (no one else has lettuce so crisp, cold and good. they really do a classic caesar correctly.) Nosh on their delicious bread and butter if you're not watching your carbs. Then order a glass of cabernet. For your entree, order the bone-in dry aged RIB-EYE (it's enough to share for two, so is the salad) And a side of creamed spinach (has bacon on top, to die for. not too creamy.) Finish with dessert (they are all good.) Sleep well. Go to the gym the next day.
(4)Jerry D.
WOW! I'm shocked it took so long to get here! The Ribeye was one of the best I've ever had. The cauliflower steak and mac n cheese were both fantastic. It was pricey but not as much as I expected. Steve, our server was knowledgeable, attentive and quick witted. Great experience and highly recomended..
(5)Jenny W.
Was hoping for "2nd to Mastros" like so many reviews say, but it's more like 10th. Got the charcuterie, can't really go wrong there, and the calamari. Calamari was good, with the sticky, sweet, slightly spicy sauce on top. After that, we got the filet and the duck. Husband enjoyed his duck enough, but the filet was just very average. The béarnaise I ordered with the filet was wretched. Just horrible. Tasted like pure vinegar. I was so disappointed. Dessert: the cobbler was nothing special, the salted caramel ice cream was delicious though, they make it themselves. I'd say the worst item of the night was the side of mac and cheese we ordered. It was basically Kraft blue box with cheddar on top and broiled. We'll keep going back to Mastros. Great people watching though. And spotted Bridget Moynahan and McG (he is a partial owner of this restaurant) 2 tables over, that was exciting.
(2)Clarissa V.
Drinks are good and so is the food. Their happy hour is the best! Ambience is nice for dinner too
(4)michaela p.
My husband decided to try A Restaurant a few nights ago and were in for a very pleasant surprise. We had been to A Restaurant and The Arches many years ago and weren't overly impressed but are really glad we gave it another go. What can I say but WOW! Everything was delicious from the hand crafted cocktails to the hamachi ceviche to the fresh wild-caught halibut to the--and here comes the big surprise for me--cauliflower steak! It is almost impossible to find a great restaurant that has a great atmosphere, cocktails and vegan food. There is something for everyone's tastes at A Restaurant. They have steaks, they have fresh wild fish and they have a vegan entree. Kudos to the owner who added some diversity to their menu, kudos to the chef who prepared a delicious appetizers, salad and dinner, kudos to the wine director who was our server, Mr. Steven Ackad and kudos to the bartender who prepared one of the most delicious and refreshing cocktails I have tasted in some time. This is a restaurant that will please everyone's taste buds!
(5)Rich G.
******************************Happy Hour******************************** So update on Happy hour menu and service. The good news is that the bar menu is solid, the bad news is that they are very busy at times with large groups and they fail to tell you that until after you have valeted and realize there is no room at the bar or adjoining booths. The place does have a cozy and warm atmosphere and the bar and wait staff are always friendly and work hard. Good news is that all of the bar menu is 50% off as are bunch of great wines and well drinks and they are full size poritons. Their burger is awesome, as is the Calamari, steak tartar, Caesar, and Oysters. You can a dozen oysters at happy hour for $18! Anyhow parking can be a pain and the bar area is small but the crowd is upscale and lively. A great weekday or Friday night spot for a happy hour or late evening drink.
(4)Isabel T.
Came in one Friday night for dinner with another couple. Had a reservation and was seated immediately. Well after making our way through the obnoxious crowd in the bar area. Excuse me simply does not work with these folks. Need a little elbow in the ribs to get them to move. They sat the four of us in a booth really meant for two which was almost comical because all around us parties of two were sitting in much larger booths than ours. The noise is really obnoxiously loud. I like a vibrant scene...vibrant this was not. Screeching women wishing the Botox made them look the age they were acting. Our waiter Marius was a doll. So much so that I desperately wanted to tell him you can do better than this place. I ordered the white bean soup which came out in a massive plate with an itty bitty divot that was mean to be a bowl. I counted 8 beans. Total. What the frack?! I also had the grilled artichoke. Excellent. I had the hearts of palm salad. Delicious. The spouse got the Friday night special of chicken pot pie. He loved it. Not a pot pie girl so I didn't have a bite. The men folk seemed to enjoy their dinners but I wouldn't be in a hurry to return. Not my scene... But maybe it's yours.
(3)Karen J.
Friday night dinner reservation for 7:30, we were seated right away & I was surprised, as the place was still packed from Happy Hour. I will agree that the noise level here is really off the charts and even when the place thinned out a little, it didn't go down. There were 4 of us seated in a large booth. We were immediately greeted by Mr. Personality! Super friendly & helpful throughout our long night. We had some apps, the artichoke, grilled & the dipping sauce amazing. We tried the famous mushroom flatbread & it lived up to the many reviews here. The salty pear cocktail was delish & had a nice kick, the Cosmo as well. A good white wine completed our drink order. even tho the bar was still swamped, our drinks came very fast. Our order: The Caesar salad with real anchovies, great! The blue cheese wedge was disappointing to me, as it was such a small mound & mind you these salads were $12 & $14. I was expecting a real wedge... not even. Two of us got the grilled salmon, it was served on a bed of "grits" sooo salty! We later told our waiter & he said it was due to the added blue cheese. Obviously he had heard it before. Does the chef taste anything first? The salmon was good but nothing you couldn't have gotten at Claim Jumper. The petite filet was really petite, but was cooked correctly. The table accolades were awarded to the short ribs. Friend was really raving about them, and the order of Mac & Cheese was creamy and delish. We tried their ice cream, which we heard they make themselves, it was obviously homemade, yum. Their dessert menu is lacking.. I wish they had crème brulee. By the time we were ready to leave, waiters had hooked together 3 tables, where people from the bar came to "have dinner??" Ladies were tipping up whole bottles of champagne & it was a lap dance, love fest. Perfect time for us to exit. Thank God our valet parking was prompt, despite the sea of taxi cabs fending for their incoherent fares. So ended a loud, wild & crazy night for some freaky Friday fun seekers & a few of us trying to enjoy dinner at a classy old time Newport establishment.(not) If I ever go back, it will be on a lazy week night.
(4)Kayla F.
Although I cannot comment on the food just yet, I must say I had one of the best dirty martinis I have had in a long time, it was pretty perfect! I already had dinner plans but I cannot wait to come try the food. Great atmosphere, great bartenders. My only complaint was the parking was terrible, unless you want to valet.
(4)Dolores G.
Pros - complimentary warm sourdough bread, great wine selection, yummy smelly cheese and charcuterie, sexy clientele, strong cocktails. Some of my favorite items on the menu include the hearts of palm salad, spicy tuna appetizer, double block cut NY strip, and house made ice cream (salted caramel is the best!). Cons - They really need to work on their Mac&cheese and cauliflower gratin. Very disappointing.
(4)Kathleen S.
Went for dinner with some friends I went to law school with. I wasn't excited when this resturant was chosen as I had never been a fan of the dark old school interior, but I had not been in years and after looking at the menu I was ready to give it ago! I may have just chosen wrong, becuase looking at the menu again, I see a bunch of stuff I would want to try, but I just went with the A burger. It was so dry, bland and bad I took two bites and didn't have anymore. A total miss for me.
(1)Carrie C.
Perhaps more, 2.5 stars, Yelp really needs to start letting us use .5 stars! :) Was brought here yesterday for Valentines day, my BF found this place on the internet, saw the Yelp reviews and made reservations for this place. I like the name of the restaurant, but dislike restaurants that force you to do valet. :P We walk into the restaurant and our reservations was at 830, we were about 15 minutes early. They said they won't be seating us until closer to our reservations. Huh. The place was not busy at all, but ok. I was surprised since it was valentine's day, I thought every place would be packed. The bar was definitely packed. Maybe it was because the Lakers game was on, or the drinks are delicious, or the singles are mingling..who knows. We sat down and our waiter came. He wasn't the most hospitable waiter...which for a classy restaurant, is not the best customer service. Not the most attentive. This place reminded me of a log cabin. wood panel walls, dark, old, like a place where old people hangs out...I looked around and it was all white peoples, my BF fit in, I did not haha..but we were in Newport Beach. I ordered the crispy pork belly appetizer, which came in four small pieces. It was barely warm and after putting it in my mouth, (it came out pretty quick) I can tell that it wasn't cooked on order. It was a tasty dish but the pork belly was NOT crispy, it was chewy and the skin had a weird consistency, kind of stale, and stuck in my teeth. Horrible. I had to work hard to get it out of my teeth. Not very romantical. My BF got the green field salad, the vinaigrette was good but I thought the grilled onions on the salad was weird..I coudn't tell what it was since it was so dark.. I got the NY steak because the waiter said they're know for their steaks..it was not a typical NY, it was against the grain so the cut looked more like a filet. It was pretty tender and nicely charred. I enjoyed my steak, but Mastro's and Ruth's Chris still beats them all! :D It also came with a side and I picked mac and cheese. I think I make a way better mac and cheese. Not very cheesy and not very flavorful, it wasn't until my BF put salt and pepper on it that it was like, ok, this is a bit more edible. Isn't that the basics of cooking? seasoning your food? even I know that. :P Dessert..well, or lack of...the dessert menu was not that extensive, there was a meyer lemon pie, a ice cream sundae (how original :P) and ice cream. that's it! How disappointing because since the dinner wasn't the greatest, nothing like a great dessert to pick it back up. Not likely. We settled for the meyer lemon meringue pie. It stated that it came with vanilla bean ice cream, but it ended up being like marscapone..eh. The filling was decent but the crust, oh the crust, the best part of any pie, was a bit hard, not flakey and light. Like it was baked 3 days ago or it was frozen and thawed, it was just weird. They probably didn't bake it themselves. Who knows. Can't believe this is supposedly one of the top restaurants in Orange Country. At least I had a great person to share this less than mediocre experience with haha. never again!
(2)Kirsten S.
I came here with a group of 8 for my birthday and it was fantastic time from start to finish!! The ambiance is swanky and inviting, the cocktails were perfectly balanced, the apps yummy, our meals excellent and our server Brian was outstanding! They use only the best ingredients and it shows. I will be back as often as possible!
(5)Erin H.
Their tuna appetizer on tempura eggplant is a must-have! Every time I'm here, I've received superior service. It's a bonus to know I invariably run into a friend. Their cocktails are excellent. They have an old school hand press for fresh squeezed juice that makes all the difference.
(5)Mark C.
I've been here about 10 times, and I am consistently happy with the food and the service. I recently brought a larger party in for New Year's Eve. New Years is one of those holidays like Valentine's Day where most restaurants charge twice as much, and deliver half the value. While A did have a prix fixe menu that night, it was half the price of Mastro's offering for the evening. The food was not just good, it was excellent. From a phenomenal ahi appetizer to an amazing dumpling soup, everything was just as good as you'd expect on a normal night...despite the fact that the place was packed. I had the "vintage" prime rib, and it was easily one of the best prime ribs I've had. I also managed to get a bite of the filet and the lobster, and both were also very good. The atmosphere, as usual, was great-- good music, fun people, and solid service. My favorites for a regular night: They have a $30 special with a salad, filet, and dessert, which is a great deal. You can sub out a different dessert for a couple bucks, which is nice. Try the pumpkin pie if they still have it. If you like cheese, their cheese plate is great with generous servings, and some very good selections-- the 10 year aged cheddar is the best. Highly recommended.
(5)Alexandra K.
I've been wanting to come here since they opened and NB restaurant week gave me that extra umph to go check things out...plus my pops thought the name "A Restaurant" was pretty hysterical. Great deal for lunch, 3 courses for $20. Huge amount of food for lunchtime and their regular lunch menu is very reasonably priced, so I was almost tempted to order off the regular menu, but I came here for a purpose and I was ready to fill my belly! Started off with their caesar which was very tasty with house-made croutons. I happen to love capers so I was delighted to find out they would be gracing my salad with their presence, but for all caper-haters, these were dried or baked, so they cracked open and their taste was very subtle...they just added a little yummy briny-ness. For our main course my pops got the burger and I got the corned beef sandwich. Burger was delicious, but I still prefer Fleming's. The corned beef sandwich was by far superior and the sauerkraut and swiss transformed it into an ooey-gooey heaven. Fries that accompanied both sandwiches were so good that my pops ate all of them...and there were a TON! We each got one of their offerings for the dessert, he opted for the butterscotch pudding, whereas I went for the Meyer lemon meringue pie. Both were equally yummy in their own right, so I couldn't say which one was better...I'll just say the lemon meringue since I ordered it :) All in all, had a great experience, but service was a bit slow, so if you're looking for a quick lunch spot, I would head elsewhere. (By slow I mean about a 90 minute lunch).
(4)A H.
This is hands down a hidden gem in Orange County! Came here on several occasions now and have never been disappointed! I can't say enough about the food, the service, and the cocktails! The happy hour in itself is amazing everything on their menu goes half-price including their amazing martinis - the favorite being the salty pear and for an appetizer their spciy tuna is out of this world! Even if you decide to have a nice meal there this is your place. From meatloaf to pot-pie all the comfort foods you've every loved made to perfection. The ambience is also nice with dim lighting and the bar area has this cool psychedlic red lighting. It's a local's secret but everyone must try it!!
(5)Tundrah T.
I am honestly a bit torn on this place. I really, really wanted to love it, mostly because I love A Market so much. But, I was let down--maybe I should have gone in with lesser expectations. Decor - Loved. Sexy, retro, dark leather and wood and reds and candles. My kind of joint. Food - Somewhat disappointing. Nothing was bad, but nothing really stood out as being completely amazing. And, at these prices, I wanted to be wowed. We had the Wedge (way overdressed), pot roast (average) and the Filet (average, with amazing sauce and fries). The Mac and Cheese was also average (good taste but runny consistency--why can NO ONE make a decent Mac and Cheese!?!?). The sauces and accoutrements far outperformed the main parts of the meal. Kind of odd. Service - Meh. Again, neither here nor there. Server was okay. He was accommodating (and overheard him saying he had also worked for Arches for a bazillion years) and obviously knew the drill, but he disappeared for long stretches of time and just didn't really seem to care. While over at the next table, some VIP guests were sat and we had to listen to the owner/manager(?) foaming over whoever they were and reading them the menu line by line. (At one point I heard him describe a dish as "exploding in your mouth." Whoa guy. TMI.) Would have been nice to have something/someone in the middle waiting on us. On the other side of the coin, our valet was adorable and very sweet (and/or maybe just very smart--he complimented me on my old car). Also, I made reservations as part of Newport Beach Restaurant Week. I dunno how it works up here, but down in SD you actually have a menu made for that week with fixed prices. I had to ask about the RW menu--I was told it was just the Prix Fixed option already on the menu and it was $30. It was very, very limited and kinda bummed me out. So... I will honestly go back because I do want to like this place so badly. It may be a while though as our dinner ran us well over $100. We are so not ready for the Newport Beach lifestyle...
(3)Brooke B.
I really loved the ambiance and food here!!! What a cool spot this is. My friends and I have went here a few times now --- and LOVED it each time. It's smallish, but has a great vibe. The people that work here are great and friendly. Gees -- it's starting to sound like I work there, which I don't :) A really nice date spot, and just as nice of a place for girls night out :) I loved the food here as well :) yummy.
(5)F H.
amazing restaurant, fast service. I would recommend the mash potatoes as a side and then the sweet corn soup, along with the sweet corn as a side. The wedge salad was decent but the best thing overall was the filet. Definitely a go to place in newport
(5)Tim S.
"A" gets an a on my report card! I have been there several times and they keep getting better. If you are a pate fan I suggest the Chicken Liver terrine as an appetizer, it can't be topped. Great Steaks, Great Drinks, Great Fun Check out the A Market next door, for a retro soda.
(5)Jennifer R.
Soooooo good!!! Everything is delicious.
(5)Tim H.
I think 3.5 stars is really the feeling I had after leaving here... Came in really late on a Sat night (11pm) still wanting dinner. They were very kind and really polite and I didn't feel rushed by sitting down at 11:00 and still not having decided by 11:15. Service wasn't super prompt but we are never ready to order super prompt so that was fine for us. The decor was cool. I remembered it as a super old 1950's steakhouse that didn't appeal to anyone unless you were 65 or over. The new decor is current yet classic. Big bar, nice lounge area and on the other side was the dining area. We ate in the lounge area. My g/f had the Halibut served with heirloom tomatoes, fennel, pea sprouts in some kind of broth. It was very fresh tasting but not dynamic. A bit boring in her words. Flavor was o.k. but not anything blowing away the taste buds. It was late and we weren't starving so she didn't order any sides. I ordered off the $30.00 gran prix menu. It included a bleu cheese wedge salad with bacon, petite filet and butterscotch pudding. The salad was delicious. The lettuce was crisp, bacon was prepared perfect (wish there 2 whole slices instead of one) but was a nice fresh salad. The steak was a petite filet done medium/medium rare and it was cooked as specified. Came with fries, again good but nothing out of the ordinary. I think I make better ones at home...The steak was good, again wasn't blown away. It was served topped with some kind of herb butter which was fine...I wouldn't go out of my way to eat it again...but again wasn't bad either. The butterscotch pudding was actually the best part of the meal. It was a butterscotch pudding with a layer of caramel, salted peanuts and a shortbread cookie. I would've never ordered it on my own but it came with the tasting menu and it was actually delicious. Good news about a good dessert is that you kinda walk out of the place feeling better at the moment then you do after replaying it the day after. That's what I did and I wouldn't go out of my way to recommend it but if it was 10:30 pm and I wanted a decent meal, I'd probably go back. For my meal, my g/f's meal, a beer and an iced tea came to about $70.00 bucks. Not bad...I suppose...
(3)William A.
2-15-2012 Nice atmosphere and welcoming staff, very small intimate restaurant but inviting. We had their Steak salade and Wild Salmon salade, both offered a lot and tasted very good. Would definitely recommend reservations for evening dining due to size of restaurant. A few tables but mostly booths are available for seating. We were there for lunch (1:30) and it was virtually empty.
(3)Jessica C.
Came here late night for some drinks. We learned that John Wayne used to frequent this restaurant and sat in the booth next to the fireplace. Very lively- a great place to end your night!
(4)L A.
Great for happy hour during the week. Half priced appetizers and drinks til 7PM, which is later than most places. It is small in the bar area so it can be tricky to find a table or seat at the bar. Also great on Tuesday nights when they have half priced wine in the bar area all night. I come here about once a month for happy hour and have never been disappointed.
(5)Caitlin N.
I used to be a HUGE fan of A, especially when it reopened under "A" rather than "The Arches". They had great food and their steaks were always delicious! The waiters were helpful and a lot of fun! My only complaint was that it was a bit dark. The last time I went, however, my experience was the total opposite. They mixed up my order, and I - being allergic to dairy - was given a steak with butter. They sent it back and the waiter said he had to "steal" it from another patron, so that I could get my meal before, because they were running out of Rib-Eyes. I expected much more from the steak that I had waited so long for -and used to love. But this time, it was dry and over-seasoned and over-cooked. Our waiter this time was over-bearing with the compliments and pet names - it seemed like he just wanted a tip. Not genuine at all. It's sad to see a restaurant go downhill. Maybe I'll try it again soon, and see if anything has changed.
(2)Kenneth L.
I came in here unexpectedly on a Wednesday afternoon looking for a place to grab a meal while waiting for a work meeting in Newport Beach. This place turned out to be an undiscovered gem, with phenomenal service, food, and atmosphere. The bar was warm and inviting, and although I did not drink on this visit, I will certainly be back to take full advantage of their extensive wine and liquor selections. I did have their burger with blue cheese, caramelized onions, and bacon and it was tremendous. It came with a nice portion of seasoned bistro fries and the portions were generous. The fireplace, old pictures of Newport Beach from years past along with old-school jazz playing in the background made this place very cozy yet cool. Add to that the wonderful and friendly service from the valet, hostess, and bartender and it was a supremely pleasant surprise. I will be back for sure!
(5)Maria M.
Amazing food and atmosphere. I love the calamari appetizer and the desserts are wonderful. They also have a great happy hour. Great place for a romantic meal or to socialize at the bar.
(5)Jackie W.
Great customer service. I understand the need for overpricing due to its area. I came here for lunch, but I can imagine parking and waiting would be a nightmare during dinner hours. Swanky interior and lovely ambiance. I had the A burger and liked it. I would come again to try out their steaks :D
(3)Amber B.
I am not one for schmoozing and swank, but I really love this place. Quick review - -1 star for being crowded and a little too OC trendy for me. HOWEVER, the drinks, food, and service keep this place high on my go-to list of favorites. happy hour ends at 7 and everything in the bar area is half off (which basically makes the pricing just about spot on for me) everything has it's own spin, so you aren't just getting a run-of-the-mill burger or drink. all the cocktails have unique twists and i haven't been let down. the same gal seems to be the head of happy hour because she has served us every time we come in - always right on time, never misses a beat, and makes sure to check in right before 7 so we can get any last minute orders in before the hour is up! the atmosphere is dark and cozy, so it's the perfect place for a date or just to unwind. i like feeling tucked into a booth and never having to worry about what's going on around me except for the company i am with.
(4)Meredith P.
A Restaurant, I am pleasantly surprised! My not-really-a-date suggested we try this place out. I'll be honest, it was my last choice on our list that also included Zimzala, Asado, and some oldie-but-goodies including Bandera (random selection, I know.) But he seemed set on trying A, so we went. Valet only, but that's a good thing, because there wouldn't be anyplace to park anyway. I'm an atmosphere girl, so atmosphere stuff first. Host staff at the door was very friendly, no pretenses at all, and took us without a rezzie right away to a nice table in the right side of the restaurant. Man, this place is bigger than it looks. Behind the bar area further back there is a very large dining room. We were taken to the smaller of the two dining rooms to a nice little table. Nice settings, nice stemware, candles, I'm a fan. I mean, seriously, it's cool. The bar area is dark and reddish and feels a little old school in a GOOD way. THEN, the dining areas keep the good of that, and add a fine-dining flair. No compromises here! And just one more note on that, it doesn't seem like there's a bad table in the house, just by looking around. Booths are all of course cozy, but the tables are great too (I am NOT table person) but there wasn't a single table here that looked like that shipwrecked-uncomfortable-out-in-the-open feel. Kudos for however they accomplished that. Service was professional like you'd expect in a fine dining establishment, but coooool. Perfectly attentive, but laid back and not stuffy. Nice! Our server, wish I remembered his name, was awesome. He laid it all out for us right away that he'd tell it like it is about any question we had. So he dissed some dishes, praised others, etc -- I like that. Now the eats! Not-a-date and I ordered some boring drinks (Grey Goose soda, etc) so nothing to report there, other than the fact that they messed up his first order (vodka rocks, plus a can of red bull ... it came mixed.) Other Yelpers here seem to have had bad bar experiences. As a side note we popped to the bar after dinner and left after five minutes of being ignored. So A Restaurant, you'd be almost perfect if you could fix that up. We both had a tiny nibble on the sourdough, which was incredible. Took all of me not to eat more of it. We also tried the grilled artichoke -- very tasty, a little greasy. We ordered to share the Scottish Salmon and the Roasted Chicken. Both excellent. The chicken was downright succulent, the meat itself. It came with mashed potatoes (fail, but I tried a bite, pretty good) and the steamed garden veggies (cute tiny little carrots and some summer squashes, boring and unsubstantial, but looked cute with the chicken). Salmon was delectable and came on a bed of kind of creamedish mushrooms with corn, maybe? I ate the mushrooms out. Man, how does a girl get some veggies around here? I felt like I needed a side of like... broccoli. No such luck. So I left a little unsatisfied. But the dishes overall were great. My suggestion is to add a big ol' pile of green stuff to each one :) Finally, we asked our super honest server what the best dessert was: "Butterscotch pudding. It's not even a question." His certainty about this issue was super convincing, and wowwww was he right. This is to die for. So creamy and smooth, perfect portion... must try. Not-a-date even said it was better than his recently kind-of-ex-girlfriend's-mom's pots-de-creme. Uh, am I supposed to be impressed? *snarky* One tip, the menu on the website is not current, but is quite similar to what we saw, so it gives a good idea of the selection. A Restaurant, your name sucks, but I dig you. A great contemporary american-style menu, interesting cocktails, solid wine offering, delicious plates, very professional yet cool service, plus the aforementioned ambiance factors make this place a real winner.
(4)Mico C.
Chop the rches off and see what's left: "A." First course: calamari, octopus, oysters, charcuterie- duck salami, salumi tartufo, shepherd cheese/ brillat- savarin, spinach gratin, maple glazed bacon; Second Course: Red King salmon $24, strogonoff, lamb rack, ribeye, Bone-in filet $50; Glass: single malt- macallan, glenmorangie, cognac, Saphire Collins, delirium tremens, watermelon skip; 3rd Course: butterscotch pudding and Valrhona cocoa. Dim sexy apple brick conversation. For lunch, "A" Market next door serves Roast & Fowl sandwiches washed down with natural cream sodas. January tastes good already!
(4)Food Lover A.
Come during their happy hour. Everything on the bar menu is half off. That means you can get the burger for half off :) Burger is very yummy. I've had a few different cuts of steak and I loved them all. I love that the meat is very flavorful. I feel like all their food is very flavorful.. LOVE IT!! But it is very loud in the restaurant.
(5)Greg F.
Old school, swank & comfortable. Drinks are poured strong and food is good...really good. Menu mostly made up of updated classics.
(4)Jojo D.
not my favorite place but decent food expensive and if i am going to go 50-100 per person i prefer a mastros or pelican type place they do have a good lunch special though
(4)Dave p.
Last few visits have gone smoother at this fine restaurant. For one lunch, I ordered a hamburger, one of the better ones I've had--artisan bread for a bun, what tastes like ground rib eye (rather than chuck or sirloin), thick cut bacon, yeah! They tell you how it's presented on the menu, but no problem switching out the arugula and the 1000 Island dressing with mayo; you won't hurt the chef's feelings like some other eateries I know. They have kept the vibe of this place (ghosts of John Wayne at the bar) but have freshened it for the next millennium. I originally mentioned opening pains in the October review. Here were the specifics: --Missing parking valet when you want to leave. (Turns out he was also helping out at the adjoining liquor store that night for some reason.) --On another visit, more missing valets. We noticed the pile of Range Rover, G-Wagen and Hummer keys on the valet podium, all for the taking. --When you cook with onions or shallots, please remove all outer skins. --Let us put the salt on our foods. The steak was too salty once. Later visits have been much better. Always, always, always make reservations at dinner, as this place has been staying busy as we all like to come back for more with our friends!
(4)Michael G.
We went to A's on a Saturday night with 2 other couples. Wine list is good, but prices are comparable to a Vegas casino, so we opted for Martinis. For appetizers, we got the Oysters. Best plate of the evening! I had Ahi, which was as bland as Ahi can get. My wife had a fillet medium rare that came ultra well done. My friend had some type of halibut concoction that made no sense at all. The service was horrific! The server had to be tracked down every time we wanted a drink or anything else. It was the worst $400 we spent at a restaurant this year.
(2)Karen M.
had a real amazing dinner...smoked salmon and tomato tart appetizer....stroganoff and john dory main entree, and awesome sundae for dessert. Excellent service, thanks Sal... and just an overall great experience. worth every penny and would definitely go back next time I visit so cal...yummy
(4)Noel A.
A is for Ambience! Not certain as to why this place doesn't have four stars as we had one of the best meals we've ever had here. I had the special which was Skate Fish. I had no clue what a skate fish was until I Goolged it the next day. Skate Fish = Sting Ray! Yes, the angelic looking winged creature of the sea. Who knew you were so delicious!? Like butter. Doubt I would have ordered it if I knew it was my pals that I have seen whilst snorkeling. Oh well, it was delicious. We also had the mussels, frites, lamb, sweet corn and ice cream for dessert. A Lamb is very cute animal too and the first time I had it, my parents wouldn't tell me what it was until after I tried it. After I said, "Yum that was good, NOW can you tell me what kind of meat was that?" I was told that it was indeed Lamb and I had just petted one at the zoo. I spit it out and cried and refused to eat the rest of the meal. The entire family, extended family too, laughed and laughed. Duped at 8. Parents were cruel in the 70s. I was a vegetarian from 8 years to about 8.2 years when I broke down and had a Happy Meal...But I digress. Anyways, A is expensive so be sure to go with people you like a lot! And I thank my parents for making me try everything otherwise I would not have had this yummy Skate Fish.
(4)Mark M.
Visited the A restaurant on a Friday night around 9. We had reservations but were asked to wait for about 10 minutes. The bar was extremely busy with your typical newport-folk...couples in their 30's and 40's and your fair share of cougs and trouts. I would be considered on the far younger end of these age groups and I presume, because of this, we were sat in the bar area. I hate the fluff of sentences so let me break it down in bullet points for you... -service was sub-par...our waitress livened up after we ordered our second round of drinks. -we had to track down the bus boys to get bread and water, which came minutes before we got our meal so we were in a rush to enjoy both (bread is amazing, however). -the burger is good size and very gourmet (i prefer crow bar's instead). -caesar salad is amazing... one of the best i've tried -drinks are stiff -bar looks and is cool...music is good...i will return for drinks only next time... -as stated above, VERY unimaginative business name... c'mon, really? after the arches opened up TWO locations not even a mile away, there is now a third?? -i have heard they want 'everyone' from newport to feel welcome there, however this is hardly the case. we felt unwelcome not only because of the service, but also from the crowd that packs this place.
(3)Chris C.
I love the crab cakes at this spot..and the Lamb was amazing
(4)Khalid N.
Classy middle age hangout. Cool vibe around happy hour Great service. Pricey, but the happy hour was reasonable. Good wine selection. Spicy tuna and crab cake were awesome. Artichoke and calamari were good too.
(4)S T.
Great place. I started with some cheese, and ordered the rib eye for my main. One of the best steaks that I've had. The Sommelier was extremely enthusiastic. I requested he make some suggestions for a red to go with my steak, he brought ten bottles of wine to the table, and gave me a two minute lecture on each. I learned something, and enjoyed an amazing Spanish red with me meal.
(5)Tanya D.
Reading the Yelp reviews after the fact clued me in that A Restaurant was voted best burger in OC. Having had some enchiladas earlier in the day, I wanted to opt for some lighter fare and I really should have given in when I was eyeing the burger and, right before I ordered, I saw the delicious monstrosity being served at a nearby table. Rundown of A Restaurant: at 8:30 on a Saturday night this place is BOISTEROUS. I'd say that this place actually looks cool and has some good vibes, the food is delicious but it is indefatigably Newport. If that's your thing, that's great; I just don't see myself coming back for food unless it's a quieter night or if I'm here with a group so we can be the obnoxious drunks. Enough ranting. We started off with the assorted meat board or platter. Good selection, great for a pre-dinner nosh that isn't an intimidating appetizer. This was followed by the hearts of palm salad and the salmon. Both were delicious. The salad was both light and filling and the salmon was flavorful and prepared so it had an earthy flavor instead of a fishy one. But alas, it was noisy, kind of cheesy and although they are aces at refilling your drink, the attention we received was a little slow.
(3)Jennifer M.
WHY IT'S GREAT: Chef Jon Blackford's unexpected pairings--Spicy Yellowfin Tuna with Crispy Eggplant and Chili Aioli; Short Rib Grilled Cheese with Swiss, Cheddar on Brioche--make dining at this sophisticated hot spot a refined adventure. The dining room hosts an unpretentious atmosphere with over the top accommodating service. WHAT TO ORDER: Prime Short Rib; Flatbread with Portabello, Taleggio, Arugula, Truffle and Parmigiano; Butterscotch Pudding with Dark caramel, Salt Roasted Peanuts Whipped Cream and a Butterscotch Shortbread Cookie INSIDER TIP: Formerly named The Arches, you can still view the menu from the 1920's next to the hostess stand.
(5)Shane S.
Great steaks, appetizers and cocktails. The bone-in filet, the ribeye.. wow. A little bummed they don't have marrow anymore. A little pricy but we keep coming back.
(4)Michael S.
Poor wait service in the dining room, but the bar was good. Overpriced wine by the glass however, some at $25 a glass that are $30 retail bottles. The beet salad and tuna with eggplant appetizer was nice, but the NY Steak was terrible, and a scam. Might actually file a complaint with the county for fraud. They are trying to pass off top sirloin "baseball cut" steak as New York strip. The waitress recommended this as a top dish and said it was a special cut that is served, cut as a cube shape. Ordered it medium rare, was served medium (actually well done on all edges, and pink in the only the middle). Steak was tough and hard to cut. This was absolutely top sirloin, not a New York steak, for $44!!!!! waitress pulled out a flashlight to examine my complaint and suggested that although the outer parts were overcooked the middle was ok. She took it back and the manager came over, did not apologize at all, and wanted to debate that the steak cooked correctly. $9 for 2 tiny, teaspoon size balls of peanut butter ice cream, with marshmallow fluff and crushed peanuts.Never coming back. Stick to Mastro's, Fleming's, or Ruths Chris. You will get a better steak for the same price.
(1)Sarah W.
I've dined at A Restaurant on several occasions -- both for business dinners and for social gatherings -- since their reopening, and am consistently overwhelmed by their performance! Excellent wine selection. All the appetizers and entrees my guests and I have ordered have been fabulous. Highly recommend the block steak and the scallops. The brussel sprout appetizer and the ahi are exceptional treats! Oh, and try their homemade ice cream, too! The salty caramel was incredible! Thanks for another wonderful evening!
(5)Aaron L.
A Restaurant is yet another one of those places where the unadvertised happy hour (3pm - 7pm (M-F..?)) pricing (50% off) is right about what you should be spending. For example, the crab cake (1) with herb salad, is a delicious option at $18 face value on the menu; but really is just about right at the HH 50% off price of $9. The foo foo cocktails range from about $12 to $14 (yes, also $6 - $7 HH pricing). Many have interesting fresh muddled or chopped unique produce combos; like the refreshing cucumber-cilantro margarita. The Effin A martini includes one of my favorite cocktail ingredients: bleu cheese olives! One of the really nice perks was that our shared (between two people) burger/fries plate was split for us (without request), yielding two 1/2 burger plates; each with full fries servings (without split charge)! Very cool. The spicy tuna on crispy eggplant was probably my favorite item ($15 regular price), as it was rich, tasty, and had a nice texture. The total bill (at 50% off, and including tip) was around $80 for two. Unfortunately, there are a few items that are simply no longer offered/available (the delicious-sounding mango jalapeno martini, for example), yet haven't been removed from the menu. I heard our waitress apologize for this and various items to the tables surrounding ours. The website menu also has not been updated by removing these items, and the pricing is inconsistent with the in-restaurant printed menu. A Restaurant: Please contact your local web designer *wink wink* about website updates! This is important.
(3)Vincent N.
Best pieces of advice for new-goers APPETIZERS: Get the CALAMARI it's topped with a sauce that you will not get anywhere else and is absolutely incredible. If you are feeling adventurous get the OCTOPUS it's new on the menu, and looks interesting when you get it, but man oh man is it delicious. It's a bit spicy for people that don't like spicy things but it is an awesome appetizer that everyone will enjoy. If you order a salad I recommend splitting it with someone, the CAESAR is awesome. ENTREES: YOU WILL NEVER GO WRONG WITH A STEAK. The place specializes in steak and the burger is also amazing. Secondly it's in Southern California, any fish you get is awesome. DESSERT: The best ice cream in the house is the SALTY CARAMEL even though the name sounds weird you won't be disappointed, but coming from someone who has attended multiple times I recommend getting one scoop of salty Carmel mixed with a scoop of Vanilla. The mix makes the caramel a bit less intense. Also, if you are a cheesecake lover, get the cheesecake it won't disappoint. DRINKS: I don't know much about wine so I'll stick to the beer. The menu has recently changed and is now offering a numerous Belgian beers, honestly they aren't my favorite, but at least it's not just Coors and Bud. If you are looking to drink a more IPA style beer like me, a Sierra Nevada or Stone Brewery style, go with the "hop devil" it's an American IPA that tastes similar to a Sierra Nevada pale ale. There is also a stout called "Yeti" that is a thicker caffeinated beer that I would recommend when winter rolls around. The last beer for IPA lovers is the iron fist "Uprising". It's a 12% Belgian triple IPA. The fact that it's Belgian makes it taste lighter than a normal IPA and it was actually very satisfying (of course I had a couple beers before I tried it). If you are planning on driving home I would split it with a friend. "Uprising" is only available in a 750mL bottle (1 pint), but definitely seems a bit larger. Overall awesome restaurant, but get some more American IPA's
(5)Joe F.
Wow, nice surprise. We live in Newport and (with all the restaurant choices) forgot how fun A's is. Food and service exceeded our expectations. We'll be back.
(5)Kimberly T.
Came here on a Friday night for dinner and drinks with my best friend. Food was okay drinks could be better. Service, well hostess was nice but we had to wait for a table at 900, ate at the bar, bartender sucked never once came back if we wanted another drink. The crowd was a mixture of the housewives of OC wannabe's, Pelican hill golfers and college boys. Overall I had fun only if the service was a little better I would give another star and come back to order from their dinner menu.
(3)Lindsay R.
I love this place for a date or a small group gathering. The food (tuna appetizer is amazing) and drinks are good and their happy hour is the best deal in town.
(5)Lindsay N.
This used to be my favorite restaurant! I would come up from San Diego just to go, but I have to say, a few nights ago changed my mind. I was celebrating getting a new job with my parents and we ordered the spicy yellow tail tuna, which was amazing as always, however we ordered the steak frites and specifically asked for Bearnaise sauce with the steak and when it came, no bearnaise. When we asked, the waitress said that the cook stopped making the Bearnaise 3 days before we were there. They brought us some other sauces, which one tasted like ketchup and the other tasted like olive oil. I was very disappointed because I think when you go to a "steak" restaurant and pay the prices that A expects of its customers, you should be able to get any kind of sauce you want, it wasn't like we were asking for A1. I was wondering if the chef was able to make it 3 days before, why he couldn't just make it again for guests who were requesting it. If I would have known they didn't have it, I would have ordered something else entirely. Really loved this place, but I think I'll go elsewhere for dinner now and maybe just stick to drinks at A. :(
(2)Lewis R.
Great food ! Great vibe ! Cool bartender ! This place had amazing food , one of the best places around , and a great place for a date :)
(5)Audra R.
Gosh, perfect place for a Newport dinner date. The place is jamming with people and life. Good music, see and be seen without being lame. I haven't felt so Caucasian in a long time lol. The service is old school proficient. The drinks are stiff, and you never have to worry about a refill, they take good care of you. Steak was a-OK. The halibut was to die for! I am a sucker for a good homemade gnocchi, and with the fish it was such a nice tasty accompaniment. The spicy yellow tail app was a mirror of red pearl/25 degrees spicy tuna on eggplant. Both are delicious! Def be back when I feel like kicking up my heels with some romance on the side ;)
(4)Bob M.
We had a very enjoyable evening at the new Arches...we remember Arches fondly before it became the new A. It felt warm and cozy, dark until your eyes adjusted, then it was perfectly lighter--lots of energy, great service and great food. Wonderful server, who advised us on the menu, friendly and attentive. Cheeses and wine were delicious. We enjoyed ourselves, and can't wait to come back for that famous Salty Pear Martini. Bob M.
(4)Donna D.
Since the hubby and I got up and walked out of this place on Friday lunch - I really don't even want to give this place a one star. I swear, everything I ordered I was told "Sorry, that isn't ready yet. It will probably be another 15 - 20 minutes. NO, we are out of bread". Holy crap, you only have 4 sandwiches on the menu and the Mac and Cheese is the appetizer. You were open for over 40 minutes, would it have hurt you to be prepared and ready for patrons when you opened? For the price of the food, I expected more. You let me down! What a disappointment.
(1)Matt B.
Have only been once, but my wife and I got the pre-fixe menu dinner and it was delicious. And the atmosphere is pretty cool. Similar vibe to La Cave.
(4)Christina P.
A mixed group of us wanted a warm and fun place for dinner over the weekend and somehow landed on A. It ended up being a great choice despite some rough beginnings. The bar area was just starting to come to life when we came in at about 8 or so. The hostess asked if we had reservations and went to look for a table for us when we said no, which I thought was strange since a huge portion of the restaurant had completely open booths. My dining companion requested a table at the bar as she wanted to order from the bar menu. They informed us that there was an open table that they were just cleaning for us, but kept us waiting at the front for a good15 minutes or so. When it was finally time for us to sit, we found that we weren't in the bar area after all but in the restaurant. They told us that although we had requested it, there weren't tables at the bar (there were, we saw them), but that most of the bar menu items were also on the regular menu. We slid into the big booth upholstered in the old-school dark red leather. I appreciate that they kept the dark wood and some of the details from when it was The Arches, which I understand was a really traditional kind of good-old-boy joint. It's much more modernized now but still has that nice dark feel. We had a very sweet and friendly waiter who had a bit of trouble paying attention to us at the beginning. It took quite a while to get our drinks and initial food orders in, but once that got started he seemed to hit his stride and was pretty attentive. The bussers were absolutely great about filling our waters, which is always nice in my book. As soon as I glanced at the menu, I knew I had to take advantage of the prix fixe deal: a wedge salad, choice of petit filet, Scottish salmon or roast chicken and butterscotch pudding for only $30! However, I wasn't really starving so I chose to split mine with someone. The waiter was totally fine with that and said that though they won't split plates in the kitchen he was happy to bring us an extra plate, which was fine with us. The wedge salad was beautiful and artfully constructed, with an amazing bleu cheese dressing. The steak was one of the best I've had in a long time, perfectly medium rare, with delicious crispy fries next to it. And the butterscotch pudding was out of this world, topped with crunchy salted peanuts and sticky caramel. Absolutely wonderful! A great deal for $30 if you ask me, as most of the other entrees alone were over $20. I also had a cucumber cooler, a gin, cucumber, yuzu and basil cocktail that was served in a huge glass and very strong. I had about half and was feeling nice and toasty for the night. They also have things like martinis and old fashioneds.. basically a place for you to feel like Don Draper for the night. The waiter was more than fine with us splitting our check among the party and I left happy with the service and even happier with the food. It's not cheap here, and it feels a bit sceney at the end of the night, but that steak will keep me coming back!
(4)Aman S.
Don't go here if you're not white. You will be bombarded by racist comments and dirty looks from all the drunk 40 somethings. The management is great but the clientele is the bottom of the wealthy Orange County barrel.
(1)Shira O.
Very posh and romantic. Good prices and nice spot for dates or group dinners. Our server was really on point. It was really loud in there like crazy loud, but it was packed to the gills. Cheese plate was yummy, hearts of palm salad is sooo good and the fish entree was light and fresh with amazing mashed potatoes i just wanted to swim in them they were so good!
(4)Kara D.
Pros: I HEART A's!!! Food is awesome...cool hipster vibe. Totally worthy of the Rat Pack, but it's a mixed crowd and there's something for everyone as far as people "types" go. It's dark inside, red leather and rich wood type of interior. They also have the best happy hour in Newport...maybe in OC (Dare I say!). Excellent selection of wines by the glass- half off at happy hour! It's always packed, yet the bartenders are pretty quick and great at acknowledging you. I love the Orlando Bloom bartender and tend to overtip him. I wonder if he notices... ;-) Cons: Parking- you need to valet. It's cheap though. Cab is best if you live close. Get there early Thursday-Saturday. Bar gets really packed.
(5)Niko B.
I am going to keep this one brief because I am already fighting the over-crowding of my favorite place. This is the best of the best when it comes to happy hour! The food and drink specials coupled with the incredible bar staff, just cannot be matched! Here is the difference maker...although the happy hour is incredible, don't sleep on the regular menu. The chef is progressive, which is unfortunately rare for our area, and the menu changes fairly regularly. I won't go into all of my favorite meals, because of the many many times I have dined there, I have only been dissapointed on a couple of occassions. Management staff rocks too! Thank you A...you are A cut above!!! Niko
(5)Robert M.
I have to laugh at my friend David, who sent me a message saying "you want me to meet at A Restaurant... which one?" Came here for happy hour. This is old school Newport Beach, and it looks like it. Busy crowd, and the waitress was in a bad mood that didn't seem to end until happy hour ended at 7. The burger was awesome - just perfection. Order it with Cheddar like my friend Rob does if you're not a bleu cheese fan. It came out super fast, also, in just a minute or two. Had the Salty Pear and it was a delicious twist on a pear martini. The Prisoner Zinfandel wine is an amazing wine also, and a great deal at the price by the glass here. Park next door for free and skip the valet if you like. Pretty good for "a restaurant"... and who's on first?
(4)OC R.
The rotund bouncer kimo is on a total power trip. Made 3 guys --the kind that pay for their own drinks, hint hint -- wait in line while he felt special hugging all the bottle rats on the way out. (Hey bro, they don't care about you; you're just a door man who never made it in (junior) college football). Left this artificial line after 1 minute, never to return. That's where this review ends.
(1)Georgia W.
The happiest happy hour in Newport Beach. 4 hours of amazing food and bevies all half price. No wonder this place gets crowded. No flash, no sparkle. What you WILL find is Dim lights & deep cozy chairs. A's is like a good friend...somewhat predictable, they know what you like and you are always comfortable when they are in your presence. Do yourself a favor and order: Spicy Yellow Fin Tuna & "A Burger". Add some spirits (mule...get a mule!) and your belly will *thank* you. Attentive service. She split our dish without even asking...very thoughtful. Wait! A server that thinks, makes suggestions and is super fun? How dare! If I lived in Newport, you might consistently find me sitting fireside with a French 75. I HEART A's.
(5)Robert G.
This is becoming one of my favorite places! Our social group is growing and we are having more and more people show up to our events so its hard to find places that can accommodate us. The manager gave us our own room just off from the bar. We had a server who is normally not there in Tuesdays, I can't remember her name but I think she normally works Wednesdays. She was great!!!! The service and food is always consistent. The best burger is town if you haven't tried it. And they have a killer happy hour on Tuesdays, 1/2 wine!!!
(5)Vikki L.
Excellent service from our sever Brian. Beautiful accents on the martini's and delicious recommendations. Loved the scallops
(5)Jolene T.
Crazy awesome happy hour! I had never been here before and it was amazing! She ordered the calamari which is to die for! There were some other appetizers but the calamari was the best I've ever had and definitely trumped everything else! To top off the great food they even had cucumbers for my gin & soda! Most places down here don't have that and I was so excited! I thought it would be way louder and way more expensive than it was. I was completely pleasantly surprised. Probably my new favorite place for snacks!
(5)Richard D.
Best halibut I've had in a long time. A favorite of ours for happy hour, but dinner was 1st rate. Surpasses the old Arches, which stood as a foodie landmark for years
(4)T W.
Ok...so from the outside this didn't look like my type of place but since they were voted one of the best burgers in the OC last year I've been wanting to check it out. Came here tonight actually, in search of the burger, obviously. Four dollar valet (way better than Pizzeria Mozza down the street~8). Decor is cute, we were sat right away in one of their cozy booths. Got the burger. Really good but the bleu cheese overpowered all of the other tastes of the burger-ie bun, thousand island, carmelized onions, arugula....All I could taste was BLEU, meat and bacon. Next time I'm going to ask for cheddar. If we come back. Service was good, we waited a little for drinks but that was because there was a big table of "special requests" next to us. Burgers came out promptly. *We weren't that hungry so we didn't get apps but if you are, definitely get some! There is no bread. :)
(4)Sam A.
I was there for dinner with my wife on a Friday night, the bar was so crowded and noisy, the dinning room was so dark, I cant read the menu. $30 a plate to eat at a bar?? I don't think so. I recommend the bar for singles, but I don't recommend the restaurant at all. Very expensive for a dark bar room The dinning room lies between the bar and the restrooms, not only it was noisy, but with a lot of bathroom traffic passing by. It was very uncomfortable specially for the price. $19 for a glass of house wine? Fine Dinning prices at a singles bar, Definitely not for me. Very limited menu.
(1)Christie C.
Great steaks and burgers. Service is very good. Couldn't move after I eat there though.
(4)Erik W.
Came here for lunch during Newport Beach's Restaurant Week. Disappointment!!!!! After deciding on a place to eat via email, a group of us decided to go with A Restaurant based on the Restaurant Week's website that mentioned a $15 prix fixe menu that had two starter options, three main entree items and two dessert choices. Perfect! However, once we were seated, included with the regular menu was the Restaurant Week menu, but with a new price of $20 and missing several items. Interesting, I guess we had no choice, as we were told that the website was not up to date and was basically not administered by them. Funny, but Restaurant Week is all but one week out of 52. Perhaps management wasn't paying too much attention to detail. The meals came out okay, but nothing to write home about. First course options were a Caesar salad and a beef short rib soup. Both were decent. Second was a chicken cobb salad and A Burger with fries. The salad here was fine with about 8oz of meat. What really sucked was the A Burger. This thing was about the size of a McDonald's basic hamburger. But since they had a brioche buttered bun and some caramelized onions, we're supposed to think this is a gourmet burger. Meh! The fries were decent, but it's just fried potatoes. Dessert actually stole the show with a lemon meringue pie. This thing did rock! To cap off the disappointment, the waitresses there weren't very intelligent nor personable. The attention to detail was lacking and it just didn't compel our table to realize any value for the high prices. When this place used to be the Arches, at least you got your money's worth in service and an actual Maitre D'. Looking back at my meal and how much I paid, and really how much more I would have paid if it hadn't been Restaurant Week...I have to admit that I won't be frequenting this place any time soon. And they were supposed to take advantage of this promotional week by bringing in and capturing new clientele. Failed opportunity I suppose.
(2)Donald S.
Clever name!...Why not add an adjective? Frankly, A Restaurant is deserving of any number of them..."Good"..."Terrific"..."Cool"..."Great"..."ÂGroovy". I guess that last one dates me a little bit. Oh well, I like A Restaurant anyway...even if they need some additional noun modification. A's motif is a little retro...but then again, I think I'm a little retro, too! The crowd seems to be anything but retro, though (and the joint was indeed packed and jumpin' on a lovely Friday evening)...everybody at A seems to like it too (as did the Beautiful Carin and I). We walked in for our first visit to A last Friday evening and we were transported back in time...red lights in the bar, red/brown leather for the semi-circular booths, dark wood everywhere and new/old school menu items, to boot! "A" reminded us of some of the great old style places we have enjoyed in so many cities over the years...Ringside in Portland, Durant's in Phoenix, even Tadich's in SFO! Maybe that should be the name..."A Great Atmosphere Restaurant"...but that doesn't really capture it, either...you're going to need to address the food and service...both very good! We lived it up, late '60's style, sampling a bunch from the broad and generally well-executed menu, including: * A good bar, making a nice selection of Marti's, Cosmo's, Manhattan's and Old Fashioned's...nothing like booze to make the evening come to life! * Beef Stroganoff...good, but in need of a little more hooch to perk it up a bit (the more cognac, the better the Stroganoff). * Chicken Liver Tureen...this Poor Man's Foie Gras was also pretty tasty, although you can't really be a "Poor Man" and have a nice dinner at A...while the food isn't overpriced by any means, they don't give this stuff away, either (however, it appears that you may be able to be a "poor but lovely young lady" and have a nice dinner at A...there seemed to be a lot of guys my age taking their "nieces" to dinner the other night). * Caesar Salad...another old school menu item...made the way a Caesar should be...raw eggs, anchovy paste, house made croutons...Yeah, Baby! And when I asked for extra anchovies for my Caesar, they didn't just bring out a few wimpy little canned anchovy fillets...they brought a dish of a half dozen whole pickled anchovies...chock full of salty and fishy goodness! * Flat Iron Steak, Crispy Trout and Fish and Chips...all reasonably well done...in the case of the steak, actually "well done" when "blood rare" was specified...but the waitress and manager took care of it quickly and with no fuss...and they gave the table butterscotch pudding for dessert (just because we were so nice about it...and because we are pretty!) * Lastly, a word about the Calamari appetizer...that word is "General Tso". Apparently, the good General wasn't content to soak breaded chicken nuggets in his sauce, he dropped by A and drizzled some on the Calamari appy, as well...I'm not saying it doesn't work, it does (it also opens up so many new realms for General Tso to conquer...General Tso's Prime Rib...General Tso's Ham and Cheese Sandwich...General Tso's Angel Food Cake...I'm interested to see what the General takes over next). The service was very good the entire evening (and we did do the leisurely 4 hour dinner...Marti's, appetizers, salads, entrée's and dessert and coffee)...welcoming and attentive, but unobtrusive, just the same. From the personable valet, to the lovely hostesses (who made sure that we were seated promptly on our arrival for our 7:00 pm reservation) to the wait staff and managers (who dropped by occasionally to make sure everything was going well and took care of the over-cooked steak quickly), A Restaurant made sure that our evening was pleasantly decadent. We had such a nice a time that I seriously considered buying a wine locker at A, for about 30 seconds (they have 72 private wine lockers, for you keep your Gallo Crackling Rose or MD 20/20 at the ready). A couple of things deterred me from making the purchase...I don't really have any wine that I like well enough want to keep on hand at A, plus they cost around $4,000 (although they do donate a grand of that to a charity...Nice Touch!) If they had Scotch Whiskey lockers, we would be negotiating. We finished up around 11:00 pm (although the party inside showed no signs of slowing down) and we strolled out to the parking lot to retrieve our car from the sea of Bentley's, Roller's, Ferrari's and other motorized manhood extender's (I don't need one of those...I already have the girl)...hundreds of dollars lighter, yet several pounds heavier. As we eased out onto the PCH to head for home, Carin said, "That was really a nice evening!" and came up with a new name for "A"..."A Really Fun Restaurant?" I already trademarked it...maybe I can trade the rights for a wine locker!
(4)Namia N.
Came for happy hour and ordered mushroom flatbread, a burger, yellow fin tuna, and Berkshire pork. For drinks, we had the salty pear. Overall the food was okay. The burger was a disappontment, even though it was cooked as ordered, the buns were a bit hard and was dry. The blue cheese was a spread and paired well with the Carmelized onions, but I would not get it again. The best items were the yellow fin tuna and mushroom flatbread. The yellow fin was chopped and flavorful and paired with the crispy eggplant was incredible! I don't even like eggplant and thought this was amazing! The flatbread is very crispy with generous shavings of Parmesan and drizzles of truffle oil.
(3)Jeff K.
What a delightful dinner. Granted, my company improved my perception, but the atmosphere was very conducive to a great eating experience. The appetizers were nicely presented and were excellent. But the real treat was the slab of beef! Wow, too much to eat at one sitting, but the taste was fabulous. My company also selected a beef cut and she also enjoyed hers. The house wine was up to the task and the service was super, very attentive and always available. I'm from Morro Bay and I must say, I enjoyed the "trendy Newport Beach" described elsewhere. And it made for a romantic evening. That said, we ate quite early, about 5:15, and were served very quickly, but not rushed out! I highly recommend this place for a very special night out!
(5)Chris C.
Good atmosphere, decent food, poor service, and prices that are way out of kilter. Good if you have money to burn and are in the area. If not, then go somewhere else like La Cave. Atmosphere - Walking into A, you get the sense that this is what a steakhouse should look like. Dimly lit with leather booths, it feels new and worn at the same time without looking like it's trying too hard to be hip. The problem is that much of it is downhill after that. Remember, that this is on the inland side of PCH, so you will not have any type of ocean view - not a make or break, but something you should be aware of. Bar - The bar has an enormous flat screen right above it that can be viewed from the main restaurant. No, this is not a good thing especially when a bunch of annoying sports fans are yelling at the TV all night. I come to a steakhouse to grub, talk to my friends, and drink some wine. If I wanted a huge TV to yell at, I'd go to a sports bar. Service - We had a reservation for a group of us on a night that wasn't that busy. Despite that, we were given a table that was too small and the waiter brought chairs over to make it work for our group. We objected, and after another round of this, we were finally given a nice, long booth where everyone fit. After that the service got better, and we had no problems ordering or receiving our food. Food - Good, but unmemorable steak. Points for including a slice of bone with marrow in it. Not my kind of thing, but a classy touch. The sauces they offer are completely unnecessary, and the sides weren't memorable either. They do offer some nice charcuterie and cheeses as apps, which were quite tasty. Prices - While not Mastro's expensive, the offerings at A's are far from cheap. You start with the fact that you have to valet even when the parking lot is not that busy, and the prices escalate from there. Virtually everything we ordered seemed overpriced.
(2)Christi P.
Seriously one of my fav restaurants in the area. Second to Mastros. Attentive service, but not annoyingly so. Amazing food. The steaks are amazing, great sides, really can't go wrong here. Favorite thing is their desserts- especially their ice cream. YUM!!!
(5)Miss C.
Great Happy Hour, excellent service and their Salty Pear Martini is to-die-for!!
(5)Michael X.
A short but sweet review of A Restaurant: I very much like the atmosphere here, and I love their burger even more. One of the best burgers in Newport without a doubt.
(4)Juliana S.
I like this place alot! Cute and chic at the same time! Great food and atmosphere. Definitely a must go- to!
(4)T C.
Happy Hour on Tuesday's! Spicy Tuna, glass of Roth, and the naughty bar tender on Tuesdays. Woo hoo Jenn! In da house! The Yellowtail appitizer is out of this world! Wow!
(4)Linda C.
Shady crowd. Lots of coke heads. I felt like I feel back in the 80's.
(1)Heidi I.
We made a dinner reservation for 10 people (8 adults, 2 kids) on Christmas Eve. My in-laws just sold their house and we decided to all do dinner out instead this year. Fixed menu for the evening: Starter of King Crab Leg - no complaints Soup or Salad - 3 of us had the Roasted Chestnut soup, and it was pretty good, but I could literally taste the flour they used to thicken the soup. It had great flavors, but that floury consistency was not the best. But it did taste good. THe salads were insane. It was a roasted Pear and blue cheese salad, and it was a chunk of blue cheese. Like the size I use on an appetizer platter. Huge piece of cheese, salad looked good, I think everyone was happy. Dinner Choices of Beef Wellington, Duck Risotto, or Swordfish (I think). All the adults but 3 of us had the Wellington and raved about it. I tasted my husbands and thought it a tad salty. The Duck Risotto was ok. My duck was great, the risotto was weird. Parts of it were good, then all of a sudden halfway through the meal it had weird crunchy bites, and was gross. My brother in law had the same thing and his was fine though. They probably made my dish from 2 pans, maybe ran out of risotto and rushed some more out, and it was undercooked. So it was mixed in with the cooked risotto. Oh well. Dessert course was a berry parfait or something, I had a few bites and was over it, I was too full and had moved on to after dinner drinks anyway. My father in law subbed chocolate cake, I think a few of us wished we had. It looked great. Josh was our server and he was great. It was a big table on Xmas Eve, 2 kids, and the rest of the crowd was not thrilled with my neice. My nephew fell asleep in about 10 minutes, but she was having fun, she's 6, and it's not a kid-friendly place. Even with the holiday in full-swing. Some people thatough she was cute (in her fur coat) and some were annoyed. But Josh was very helpful, ordered the kids whaetver they wanted (cinnamon carrots, pasta with butter and parmesan only, plain burger, etc.) kept her Shirley Temple full, and was great with them. I am not saying that my neice was being a brat, she was on good behaviour, but it's not a kid place. I doubt we will do dinner out again for Xmas eve, but it was necessary this year with my in-laws having just moved. I bet that on a non-holiday things are different, and have been in for drinks before and can attest that the bar is good. For a first dinner there I was not totally impressed, but just because my risotto turned out to be so gross at the end. P.S. $3 valet, before tip. No where else to park, and it was not complimentary when we were there.
(4)Scott B.
Can't beat the food or atmosphere at the bar! A glass of wine, sports on the big screen, and cruise thru parts of the menu for a fantastic dinner!
(5)Heather T.
We had a very sudden change of plans and dropped in here for dinner. It was Saturday night at about 5:45 and they were able to accommodate us last minute. It definitely started to get busy later. This was our first time here after passing it oh, about a million times through the years. The decor is vintage style, with a dark interior and red booths and candelight. I loved it! Our waiter was Steven, who was also the sommelier and was awesome! The food was great; aged beef, farm fresh, seasonal ingredients, fantastic. The presentation for the corn chowder with lobster was great. We'll definitely eat here again soon!
(4)Frifri F.
The waiters and bartenders need an education in cocktails and bar etiquette. My friend asked for a merlot recommendation. Without informing my friend, our waitress brought her an $18 glass of wine. We only found out it was $18 after looking it up on the menu. I asked for a Negroni. The waitress presumably gave the order to the bartender. She brought back the Negroni in a martini glass, and it was mostly Campari. Negronis are meant to be served in a whiskey style short glass over ice. So if it doesn't come in a beer bottle, don't order a drink at this place. They don't know what they're doing, and if they do, it'll cost you at least $18. I ordered the beef stroganoff. I didn't mind that the beef chunks were completely pink and raw. What I did mind is that the meat tasted like absolutely nothing. It was so undercooked and unseasoned, the meat had absorbed no flavor whatsoever. So I didn't eat most of the meat, as there was no point in eating it. The pasta seems to be a singular very long noodle. The mushrooms and mushroom sauce were good. My husband ordered a French dip. He said it was fine. But really, how could anyone screw up a French dip? My husband said his sandwich was edible, which was an upgrade to my stroganoff. We had the vanilla ice cream and hot chocolate sundae for dessert. It was extremely rich and decadent. We also sampled the butterscotch pudding our friends ordered. The desserts were hands down the best portion of the meal. But they were so thick and rich that we were overwhelmed, and waddled away in a food coma. I guess I would recommend coming for the desserts. But don't come expecting great food or a decent cocktail.
(2)K W.
BRING BACK THE PATE!!! I use to come here just for pate, cheese, and wine after work with a couple girlfriends. They no longer serve the pate :( Happy hour is great here. Fun atmosphere and good food. Sometimes hard to find a table or you have to wait for one to be seated but its well worth it. They have great specials, too.
(4)Adriana C.
3.5 stars...Dinner with the girls. Quickly seated. Drinks good. Service was a bit lacking. I think our server forgot about at times, but made it up with a free sundae in the end. Short Ribs were delicious and tender, petite filet was good...could have been better if it was served warmer. It was a bit of a wait for the food. Noise level very high...so don't expect anything quiet and romantic.
(3)Cassie P.
Last night we scored a last minute table thanks to Barry the manager. It was right near the bar in "the other room" and was perfect for watching all the people coming in and out and sitting at the bar. Lots of Newport locals at the bar so don't be surprised when you run into a bunch of people there (i.e. dress nicely). There is no such thing as dining "incognito". The food was good but not fabulous like last time. The service from Lindsey was sweet.
(4)Richele S.
I've eaten here a number of times and always have a tremendous meal. The ambiance is excellent, staff always helpful. the salty pear martini makes me swoon as does the desserts via Shelly Register. We bring out of town guests here for the great vibe and food. One of my favorite spots in OC
(5)Brenda S.
Haven't been here for a long time. Boy has it changed. Not the decor so much as the patrons. The place still looks like a restaurant you might find in New York City.I remember mostly older people, but now it looks like a thirty something hang out at the bar. Very noisy, especially if you sit in the front room near the bar. Waiters very attentive, pouring water, wine etc. $15 corkage fee, which is great, since we've started to bring our own wine to most restaurants now. Appetizers were great spicy tuna on something like a potato pancake. Artichoke very good. Arugula salad with butternut squash was different and all the ingredients were very fresh. The swordfish was cooked perfectly with rice and squash. The sauce on the side was thick and tasty. My husbands osso bucco was a little fatty. The hamburger was impressive but had one of those mega rolls made for a giant but only $14. The portions of the entrees were just right for me but may seen small to some people. Couldn't decide whether to do a 3 or 4 star I wish they had 1/2 stars. Probably wouldn't go back although the food was very good, because the atmosphere was so noisy and hard to talk. Also, so many other places to explore that aren't in my backyard. If you live in Newport or Costa Mesa this could be one of your go to places.
(3)Christine N.
I love everything about A's. The ambiance and atmosphere, the crowd, food, everything. It's just the perfect touch of everything. I had the lamb shank here! It was okay, but the drinks were deliciously amazing. Gotta try the short rib grill cheese next time! It was rated one of the top 100 OC dishes on OC weekly.
(5)Heather T.
Reminds me of an Elks Lodge .. decor and all the old men, but hey, it was a Wed night. Good drinks, good food, surprised to see steak tartare although I've had way better. I didn't pay for any of it so I don't know if it was overpriced but it was def dark and musty. Charcuterie is not made in house so buying meats and putting it on a plate is not impressive, same thing goes for cheese. They were out of flat bread which was annoying. Burger was good. So all in all - food was mediorcre, drinks were good although I only had one of their cocktails then switched to wine. Would I come back? Probably not.
(2)Randall C.
I went here last night to meet some friends for a few drinks! Definite hot spot for those of you singles looking to mingle [not a young crowd 25+ (cougar town)]! I ate the hearts of palm salad (bomb!) and the carpaccio; both these dishes were terrific! The salad had a perfect balance of vinegar and aioli to make the flavors of the veggies come together harmoniously and the carpaccio was partnered with a horseradish which added a nice kick! I would come here again and recommend it to all you yelpers for drinks or dinner! Expect to pay roughly 20-40$ P.S. also a nice spot to take that special someone to spend some mula!
(4)Dr. Samira S.
yummy and orginal
(5)Jack F.
I'm proud to announce that "A Restaurant" has opened for business in Newport Beach, CA. [1] Photos & Menu: arestaurantnb.com It's located where "The Arches Restaurant" was located since 1926. For those of you familiar with The Arches, you may notice that the external building looks virtually identical today save a new coat of paint, but the interior has been freshened & updated. Let me start this off by saying that I've never been terribly impressed by the prospect of valet parking until we pulled into the rear area of this restaurant. Waiting to take possession of our transportation were five very attractive, young female valet attendants. Frankly, we were stunned that these young women weren't out at a club, doing a reality television show, or a modeling gig anywhere rather than parking cars. After swapping the keys, we entered the building and had a deju vu experience as the hostess station was "manned" by another five very attractive young women. I looked at Norah as we shook our heads in wonder. [2] Beverages - Ketel One vodka martini x2 ($11.00) - Ketel One Cosmopolitan ($11.00) - "Violet Ray" Mojito ($12.00) - Trevor Jones Chardonnay ($10.00) - Director's Cut Chardonnay x2 ($10.00) - Sonoma Cuvee Pinot Noir ($13.00) - Baileyana Pinot Noir ($18.00) - Brandy Alexander ($9.00) - Coffee ($3.00) Foods - Foie Gras charcuterie ($9.00) - Lamb chop & Osso Bucco ($34.00) - Sea Scallops ($32.00) - Tomato Tart appetizer ($11.00) - Black & white sundae ($8.00) - Ice cream scoop ($3.50) Positives: - Really good food - Very good service - Competent, relaxed, & attractive staff of both sexes.[3] - Vibrant & somewhat loud environment [4] - Vibrant & happening bar area with a large plasma television Negatives: - None Additional comments: - If you're into having your wine-of-choice at the ready, you can rent a wine locker for $4K holding some 20 bottles which will be served without corkage. Of this fee, $1K will be donated to the John Wayne Cancer Center. - Dinner cost: $218.19, plus a sizable tip for a satisfying first visit. Footnotes: [1] A unimaginative business name, if you ask me. [2] Later we mused that the local bars must have a poor man-to-woman ratio. We soon found out that the bar area became very popular with younger, affluent-looking males. [3] That's what some at my table thought, at least. [4] Drink 2 martinis and you'll be part of the noise, I assure you.
(4)Candice C.
This place sucks. Don't go. Stay away PLEASE! I am just kidding. I LOVE A. The locals LOVE A. Sitting in the bar is the best thats where all the action is. Christie is amazing, she waits tables in the bar. She knows what you want before you do! One of the managers Steve is THE MAN! He knows his wine, he will get you the best bottle for your $$. The food supper tasty. If your lame stay away, I don't want this place to get to crowded, its small. Great place for social butterflies like me! If its sunny out go to Cannery on the water. Nice view great happy hour.
(5)Beth J.
Had a reservation but were running about 20 mins late - called and they adjusted with no issue. Food was good, service was decent. Nothing overwhelmingly good or bad. I would go back again after checking out some other local places.
(3)Cheryl P.
This restaurant is top notch. The service, employees, management are bar none, the best I have ever seen. The scallops were out of this world! I highly recommend giving it a try. Very busy. Lots of fun! Special thanks to Kirk!
(5)Jackie P.
Had some girlfriends in the area and wanted to try a decent place for happy hour with some good drinks and food. This place has been on my radar and they have happy hour M-F, 4-7. Selected food and all drinks 50% off! We came in around 5:45, dropped the car off to the valet, and onto the food roundup: - Artichoke: 2 halves steamed with an aoili dipping sauce, lots of tender heart action in the middle and very meaty. - Crab cake: Pretty large, covered in panko, lots of shredded crab meat, and very little filler. Little side of greens, tasty. - Spicy tuna: Cubed raw tuna on top of sliced zucchini tempura. Tuna was fresh, not too much flavor, liked the textural contrast with the crispy tempura on the base. - Charcuterie/cheese plate: We had 3 selection of meats - wagyu, chorizo, and prosciutto. All were tasty and seemed freshly sliced. For the 3 cheeses we got the smoked cheddar, humbolt fog (goat), and a soft brie like cheese - yum! Smoked cheddar was different and this all came with cornichons, mustard, pickled kumquats, and toast points. - A burger with fries: Pretty large, gourmet type burger on a brioche bun. The ingredients are very rich and savory with blue cheese, carmelized onion, bacon, and arugula. The fries were light and crispy, of the McDonald's size. Eating this by yourself will definitely fill you up. - Drinks: We had an assortment from their list including the Salty Pear, Violet Ray Mojito (aka fresh blackberries), Grapefruit martini, and Cranberry/Pomegranate martini to name a few. Everything was really tasty and they go beyond your usual standard liquors. Didn't seem too strong at first, but they hit you at the end. Lowdown: Decent place for happy hour, you've got more gourmet-style eats and all alcohol is 50% off! Also very friendly and efficient staff, our server Ben was awesome and helped us make some of the charcuterie and drink choices. They were proactive in offering to cut our burgers in half and empty plates were whisked away quickly. Crowd is a bit older, but we still had fun and the decor is more of a dark, old school swankiness. Solid 4!
(4)Jaime T.
This is a great Newport Beach institution. A+ food, A+ service and A+ atmosphere make this a five star experience. The decor is kinda like Kelly's in Naples (Long Beach) and they have the same type of blue hairs intermingling with the younger folk and hipster. I love watching all the different types mingle and interact. The bar is long and big and they have all kinds of delights to tempt you. Unfortunately for me, I'm doing a 20 day cleanse, so I could not be tempted by tempura battered shrimp, and their delicious hot sourdough breads and mac n cheese. Nope, last night I had garlic roasted chicken ($23) which was succulent and falling off the bone and a butterleaf salad ($12) and veggies ($6). It may sound boring but the flavors were like a dance in my mouth. Mr. L had their fresh roasted trout ($32) with cauliflower puree and it was tender, sweet and mild. Very good. The steaks are really good and my friends enjoyed their onion rings and mac n cheese and creamed corn gratin. 15 more days, Jaime, 15 more days....
(5)Chase A.
The place is really old school swanky, it was super dark, with big leather booths polished wooden tables and red lighting. Total Rat Pack Atmosphere. Hands down best service you will find anywhere, the only way you could top service like this would be if you had someone personally spoon feeding you your food. 2 examples alone of the amazing service: 1. My water was not once even close to being half way empty before someone came running over to fill it right back to the top. One time I even took one sip of water and someone was right there to fill it up again. 2. The waiter forgot about my Fiancee's one drink order and then remembered it without us even telling him and he came back with her drink and he told us that since it took him so long to remember the drink he told me he would buy me a drink of my choice for free. And yes the food is orgasmic! They know their stuff! My Compliments to the Chef for my multiple orgasms! If you wanted to feel and be treated like Frank Sinatra. This is your place! Like old blues eyes says "Nothing But The Best Is Good Enough For Me" and guess what. A Restaurant feels that way about you!
(5)Josh S.
This place just keeps getting louder and somehow seems to attract the underbelly of Newport. They used to serve a great block cut NY steak but it tasted more like a chewy flank steak this past time. Definitely not work the $$$. The quality has gone way down and I will not be coming back anytime soon.
(2)Dan F.
Simply awesome. Unpretentious, and great food. The decor reminds you of a steak house that Mafia bosses might have had some serious meetings, but the menu is quite eclectic. We started out with two appetizers, the fried calamari and the meatballs. The calamari comes tossed in a sweet sauce that is excellent. The dish also had the perfect mix of rings and tentacle pieces. The meatballs were delicious, not much else to say there. I then had the French Onion soup, which is like none I've ever tasted before. The waitress says they caramelize the onions for a few hours, making the soup incredibly sweet. It doesn't have the "onion-y" taste like regular french onion soup. Definitely worth trying. I was there with two friends. The entrees we ordered were: The halibut with beet sauce, Beef Strauganoff, and the scallops. All were excellent and prepared very well. The beef strauganoff really stands out, with its tender chunks of beef and oversized noodles. If you're in the area, check this place out. Dinner for 3 with 2 drinks each was around 200 bucks.
(5)Stephanie M.
My boyfriend and I went there on a saturday night after researching restaurants on-line. A Restaurant had exceeded our expectations... when we are back in Newport, we will definitely dine there again. They had a fairly busy bar area with seemed a cool middle aged crowd. I read that they have a happy hour with some great deals and may try that next visit. We had dinner and it was fantastic; from the food to the ambiance. It was a dark lit dinner room with old school red leather back booths. The service was outstanding. We had the 3 cheese place, Butter lettuce wedge, corn soup, crab cakes, steak and butterscotch pudding. It was all very tasty.
(5)Jennifer V.
1/2 off happy hour! Although I came here for dinner...I'll have to take advantage of the 1/2 drinks and appetizers. I came here with a couple co-workers and they both decided to have the filet. To be different I went with the Salmon...I like a little variety. Besides they said they'd share their entree with me. The Salmon was actually really good. It was cooked in a bed of mushrooms and sausages. We were all satisfied. The service was excellent - granted it was 6:30 on a Monday. Corkage fee was $10 - not bad. The Mac & Cheese was a little different - had blue cheese incorporated in the recipe. I'm not a huge fan of the blue so i wasn't stoked on it. But very nice attempt to differentiate it from your typical Krafts M&C. Big ups. I'll be going back again. And this time I'll order the filet.
(4)L E.
Hands down the best martini's in town. I love their salty pear martini... combined with their ahi/ eggplant appetizer- delicious. All the food is good, great salad options and steaks... can get a bit pricey. The atmosphere is dark and loud but still accommodating for a large group. The cafe next door is open for breakfast and lunch is has a great selection of goodies.
(4)Lauren L.
I love this place! I went with the gal pals and we ordered a variety of items to share. - french onion soup - grilled artichoke - wedge salad - yellowtail and of course I had to order my signature drink (dirty shirley) if you haven't tried it...you need to! It was packed so we sat at the bar with the nicest bartenders. You have a mix of all people there. The parking is limited so valet is the only option. It's a nice place to go before hitting the bars.
(5)Julia O.
My rating is actually 3.5.. Came here for a friend's birthday this past weekend. It was nice b/c we had a party of 8 and was able to sit down right away. I ordered the Chicken Club (felt like a sandwich for some reason). The club was good, but it wasn't awesome. I think it needed more flavor or something. I had a bite of my friend's short ribs and potato pancake thing -- that was really good. The service was good, until the end of the night. We were collecting money from everyone and the waiter kept coming back a couple times when we weren't ready. When we were ready, our waiter decides to count the cash in front of us before taking care of our bill. That's rude. I've never had a waiter feel the need to tally up our bill in front of us. We actually tipped him more than 20% too. Had we known he was going to do that, maybe we would have rethought that tip. But other than that, he was a good waiter.
(3)Omar M.
Food is somewhat overpriced; except its half off during happy hour till 7PM! Definitely go then.
(4)Christine C.
Stepping into this swanky restaurant makes me feel like smoking a cigar and sipping on an Old Fashioned while sitting back on the comfortable, plush leather chairs. I've been here a couple of times for their great happy hour (3-7pm) and love the gourmet food at the happy hour prices. I just wish the bar area was larger as it can get pretty crowded and people fight for seats. There is seating at the bar, 3 tables, and 3 booths. It wouldn't hurt to try to make a reservation. A few favorites on the bar menu: Burger, Spicy Yellowtail w/ Fried Eggplant, Terrine, Artichoke, and the Cheese Plate where you can choose your own cheeses. As for the burger, I usually split this with my husband and they split the burger on two plates, plus we get our own fries in a cute small bucket. Love the burger because it's so juicy and very flavorful with the blue cheese, arugula, and bacon. The mixed drinks are good also, especially the watermelon martini using fresh watermelon. Mixed drinks: 50% off. Beers: $3. Service is impeccable and unpretentious! Christina is so sweet and she looks out for all your needs. If someone were to ask for one of the better happy hour places in the OC, A Restaurant definitely tops the list! [There's valet parking, but we always found street parking that's free after 6pm].
(4)Justin W.
I've only been once, but I had a great experience. We went to happy hour. Roughly 4pm-7pm. Everything is 50% off in the bar. Amazing! We had the House Burger with Gorgonzola cheese, which was excellent, some calamari dishes, which were also excellent, and a tall glass of Stone IPA. I did order a BayBreeze (Vodka, Grapefruit, and Cranberry), but was poorly made and very weak, but I forgive them for such great prices. The ambience is unique. Mostly wood materials, with a lot of low-dim red lighting. The booths are large, there are many different spaces to the restaurant, so it's fun to navigate. I think I walked about paying about $15 for an incredibly large meal, feeling stuffed. Definitely returning as soon as possible!
(5)Maria T.
Went here for drinks only. Now I know why I've never heard of this place being recomended by ANYONE even though it is literally at the intersection of Newport Blvd and PCH. Maybe it was only that night, but this placed smelled BAD. Drinks were WAY overpriced, like $13 for a cocktail. I had a margarita tasting cocktail (I can't remember the name... maybe a Paloma?) but it was one of the worst drinks I've had in my life. I was NOT feeling A Restaurant. The vibe was all retro dive with red lights and leather chairs, but the restrooms were all refined class with stone and silver fixtures. I don't get it and I will not be returning.
(2)Teddy C.
'Woohoo! As good as it gets' is RIGHT! Went there for Mothers' Day AND Fathers' Day and had a superbly FANTASTIC time. Not only was the warm, cozy atmosphere welcoming and the staff cheerful and friendly, the waitress was on her toes friendly, knowledgeable and helpful, and the wine, appetizers, dinner and dessert were mouth-watering! There was NOTHING to dislike! This place is for EVERYONE! See you there!
(5)J C.
Mandatory valet. However, it was complimentary, and the guy didn't expect a tip. Nice! The ambiance is pretty cool. All booths, and it's pretty spread out, and dark. Pretty romantic, and we noticed some frisky stuff going on. The sourdough bread was OK. The butter came cold, hard, and was flavorless. Tried the burger.. it was pretty good. On par with 25 degrees. The fries were OK. The best part was dessert. The banana cream pie was to die for. It was the best banana cream pie I've ever had. The cream was delicious..very sweet, and smooth..like whipped cream. It was made in house by the pastry chef. I also tried the salted caramel ice cream. It was good, but not as good as Charlie Palmer's Ice Cream. Overall the highlight of the meal was dessert, and although the dessert menu isn't too expansive, what we tried was worth it. The server even suggested coming in just for dessert if we want in the future. The burgers are half off during happy hour from 3-6 M-F. The service was excellent.
(4)John O.
A's is "A-OK", hehe, get it ... Ummm, on to my review. First of all, if you don't have an expensive car you will feel like you just drove in from Riverside when you pull up to the Valet. Thank God I drove the X5 because all I saw was a sea of Aston Martins, Bentley's, Porches, etc... When I walked into the understated, supper club looking place I saw tons of short guys hanging with blond bimbos at the bar. Be sure to dress nice because I felt like I was being inventoried when my friend and I walked in. Now lets get to the food. On one occasion I started off with the Butter leaf wedge -- tasty but I ended up with more lettuce than dressing. On another occasion I had the spicy yellow-fin tuna that was almost too spicy for me. One entree I really liked was the Monday night special, Beef Stroganoff which you don't find often. On another occasion I had the Veal Pot Roast which wasn't to my liking. One of the sides I tried was the Macaroni and Cheese which was made with some very strong cheese and even though I LOVE my Mac and Cheese I didn't finish this one. I had a good dirty martin and I get the feeling this place is more of a bar hangout than restaurant ... or maybe it's just me.
(3)Caitlin P.
This is one of those places that makes a mean martini and serves steak that is close to nirvana. I was feeling virtuous when we went there and ordered the halibut, it was really good, but I should have gotten steak. My husband's was so amazing, I ate as much as i could before I got in trouble (3 bites). Ha! Every bite was followed by a "oh my God!" I would definitely recommend this place. Also the people watching here is pretty superb as the bar seems to be a happening place.
(4)Katy A.
We had a reso to sit in the restaurant but the bar looked more fun so we sat there and had a great time! The grapefruit martini wasn't the best, lacked flavor and alcohol but he poured a strong gin martini for my husband. We shared a chop salad that was tasty but for $14 seemed ridiculously priced. We also split the bone in rib eye but after cutting out the bone and more fat than should be, wasn't much to share. Next time will get a filet, no fat to trim. The fries were really good. Overall it's a great place for a date night but will probably order other items next time.
(5)Jessica D.
I love this place. Hearts of Palm salad is to die for! Great wine selection too.
(5)Mike W.
This was Mother's Day and Prie Fix menu was very limited. Had I called before making the reservation I would have chosen to take my wife and Mother-in-law and son somewhere else. The menu consisted of a small yogurt dish with granola, 3 breakfast entree choices and a burger, finished with 3 small donuts; priced at $32 pp. The food was reasonably good but not enough to justify the price, plus $19 for a small glass of "Prisoner." Total bill for the 4 was $185 and if this indicative to what I would spend off the normal menu, I'm afraid we won't be going there again. The disappointment was enhanced because we were excited to see what the place was like after having many good meals when it was The Arches, a dining icon for 30 years. All in all, very disappointing experience, but an expensive one.
(2)Tash F.
I have loved this place for years for a good martini and some people watching, but after a few more meals here I am on the fence with their food. Five stars for a dark cozy bar to get an adult beverage and not be bounced around like you are at Sharkeez, but three star that the food could just be a little better. Maybe it is what I am ordering for dinner - grilled skirt steak a bit chewy, filet was adequate, roasted chicken tastiest of all items. I do like the A Market for a pastry or breakfast sandwich.
(4)Carrie C.
Hipster-swank with a fabulous staff and a kick-a happy hour. The burger is really fantastic, as is the Friday night Pot Pie (how about adding it to the regular menu, I mean who doesn't love a pot pie?) The staff is super-friendly and fun and the ambience is swank and dredged in history. Overall a fun spot for a special occasion dinner or swank-a-lific happy hour.
(5)Kathryn M.
I'm giving 4 stars for FOOD QUALITY ALONE! I'd give it 5 for food but the interior to me was not current. There seem to be several restaurants in the Newport Beach area with interiors like this - which I just don't get. But I didn't live here in the 80's so maybe that's the thing. But very heavy dark walls with HUGE overstuffed dark red banquette seating. If you're going for a dark lounge with an 80's throwback feel - then this is your place! Other than that the food was spot on! Good meat and veggie dinner place!
(4)Cera C.
Great romantic spot,amazing food,good service,definitely 5 stars from me!one of my favourite restaurants!
(5)Elisabeth D.
I love A Restaurant. My family and I dined at this restaurant the other night and let me tell you our experience was outstanding. Our server Brian was fantastic, he guided us in the right direction with wine and food pairings and each one of our meals were awesome! Prime rib, jidori chicken, burger and beef stroganoff were out of this world. There chocolate sundae is reason enough to go back. I have to say this was one of the best dining experiences I've had in a long time. Fantastic food and service this was a treat!
(5)Alicia T.
Four of us went to A for dinner a couple of weeks ago. We showed up a few minutes early for a 6:30 reservation and were told to have a seat at the bar and that we would be seated 'soon'. Nearly 2 hours later we were finally seated. The girls at the hostess stand gave us a whole series of random, contradictory stories explaining why the wait was so long. First they blamed the customers that were there before us who wouldn't leave, then they blamed the 'new girl' who had over booked the reservations, then they said something about a problem in the kitchen. Whatever the real problem was, the staff handled it in a such a completely amateurish, unprofessional way. Even as we were being seated the hostess promised that the manager would be over to our table, but no manager ever appeared. The the good news is that the cocktails were really good. I was trying really hard not to drink on an empty stomach, but I did taste the Blackberry Mojito and the Salty Pear - both were really flavorful, unique and delicious. Our server, Sal was awesome - completely professional. He explained the menu and made excellent suggestions. He told us that A was all about great steaks so as one of our entrees we tried a bone-in rib eye that was served with 3 sauces - fabulous! And we tried the Kansas City, which was equally wonderful. We also had the scallops and the spinach lasagna - both were really good. The interior is really cool - it still feels like The Arches. The bar area is pretty spacious (although it was packed with people by the time we were finally seated), and the dining room has tons of big cozy booths. We were there on a Saturday night and there were a lot of cosmetically enhanced, self important Newport Beach types standing around staring at one another. I'm really into that scene at all. With the exception of the fabulous service provided by Sal, the overall experience of dining at A was underwhelming. The food was good, but you can get a better steak elsewhere in Orange County at a restaurant that might actually appreciate your business. We spent over $500 on dinner and left feeling annoyed. The market next door is a completely different story. They serve the best coffee in town. The cupcakes put Sprinkles to shame and the service is friendly and helpful. Plus it's absolutely darling inside. Check out the market, but skip the restaurant.
(2)Shanit K.
Great food. Very social atmosphere! Everything is good. My favorite is the hearts of palm salad.
(4)Kenny H.
Stopped in for dinner driving through, Fantastic meal! Hope I get to go back!
(5)SMP M.
Food was great, service was good and the atmosphere was fun. We will go back for sure
(4)John J.
Celebrated a friends wedding here on a Friday night. We had the small room to the right of the bar, which provided us with a great people watching experience. There are definately some kooks there. However, the food and service is excellent! Our waiter, Sal, was there at all times and made sure are glasses were always full. He also provided us with great recommendations. We had a NY steak, excellently grilled, mushrooms, potato puree, meatballs and oysters. The oysters were small and mediocre, but everything else was excellent. We'll add A to our list of places we will take friends from Japan to.
(4)Tom P.
Amazing food, great happy hour and a good atmosphere. Menu changed since last time i was there, which is slightly disappointing, but it remains on of my favorite restaurants.
(4)Krista H.
I have been to both the original Arches and the new, revamped "A". The food here is so good and I am starting to like this place way more than the original. Last night I had the Daily Pre-Fixe menu and it was perfect. The portions are a little smaller which is so nice if your not looking to be wheeled out of the place. It came with the yummy Blue Cheese wedge salad, your choice of entree which mine was the Petite Fillet 6oz. cooked to rare + perfection and the "must-have" butterscotch pudding with salted peanuts. Ah-maz-ing!!!! It being a Monday we ordered Martinis for Martini Monday. A must have, the Salty Pear. I would come here just for this drink and on Monday's they are only $5. Great ambiance, solid service with lots of knowledge and recommendations. Eat here!
(5)Shana S.
I was a loyal Arches fan and a hold-out until last Sunday. After going to FOUR places looking to get seated just to get a bite to eat and striking out four times we thought "what the heck?". So....we ended up at The A last Sunday. There were people in there watching the Laker game but we easily got a seat at the bar. Service was super friendly. Sunday's they have the 'Family Style" special; order two entrees and each gets a soup or salad, a side and desert to share. We had the corn chowder, which I swear the corn was picked fresh like seconds before serving. Also, a butter lettuce wedge salad which was soooo fantastic. We actually ordered 3 entrees because we were so hungry....Scallops (pass on those) the Beef Stroganoff which was beyond excellent. I was bummed because I don't like noodles but these were thick and hearty and somehow the sauce just clung to them. And finally, the Pot Roast, served in it's own little Le Crueset pot with mushrooms, fingerling potatoes and carrots. OMG!! It was like candy meat! So tender, flavorful and delicious. Can't wait to have that again. For our side we had the creamed spinach which was phenomenal. Fresh spinach with just the right amount of cheese...super flavor! For desert we didn't get a choice. Just a fresh berry tart. Which, in my opinion, is not desert because it does not include chocolate......until I tasted it. Needless to say, my boyfriend was allowed one bite and I ate the rest. Delicious!! All in all, our service was fantastic and the bill was totally reasonable considering all the food and beverage we consumed. The bartender also told us about a special they have on Tuesdays. ANY bottle of wine 50% off. That means you can order the wine that you are always just a little too cheap to get. Can't wait to check it out. Great overall dining experience. Can't wait to go back! Park a block away on the street if you are too cheap or too impatient to pay for valet.
(4)Heidi O.
When they first opened, I wasn't a big fan. Months later, it seems all the little problems have been fixed. Awesome service, consistently great food, and a great vibe to have dinner with friends in. It's pretty noisey, which I don't mind at all, but some might be put off by that. I recommend trying the burger and fries, the spicy tuna sashimi on grilled eggplant, and the beet salad is great too. I hear the chicken is fantastic, but I haven't tried it. Great wine list and desserts as well. My only complaint is that I wish the menu had a bit more of a selection.
(4)chris c.
i went to A restaurant the pther night after promising my girlfrien I would take her there. Heard good things about it, so gotta give it a try. On a Thursday night at about 9 we get there and the lounge is full. Cool, this place is kinda Swanky- Loungy as I had no idea of what it was going to be like or no expectations about anything. So we sit down in a booth and I am stoked cause I like booths and the notice that all the seats are booths. Cool. The service was a bit slow when the room was ony 25% full, but no worries. Get a Duval for myself and a Jalapeno mango Martini for the Lady. Mine was great, and hers was awsome. Look over the menu and it looks really good. Out come the Ahi on eggplant- creative, but just not excuted right. A little spongy instead of crispy, but not bad. Crabcake was great and the Globe artichoke. The Artichoke was a C-. It was a little soggy from being boiled, and globe Artichokes just don't have much meat. Oh well, I'm not offended cause I knew it when I ordered it. The Heirloom & watermelon was great. Polished it(both of us of course) We then split the Halibut. It was very good. I personally like the rustic prep with good ingreidents. YOu can tell there is a little care in the purchasing. The desert was the peach upsidown cake. Good, but not GREAT to end the meal. My G.F. and I ate the peach , but left the cake that was under it . Maybe a little sauce to counter balence the cake? Ahhh what the hell do I know anyway. I would go back for sure Theire drink list is creative and enticing. ( had the cucumber margerita too was really good) Menu looks good
(4)Adam U.
Very solid spot for both a nice dinner with friends or a place to hang out and grab a few cocktails and apps. Interesting and fun bar scene, definitely a older, single crowd north of their 30s, but still getting it going nicely. Service is excellent as well, nice people focused on making sure you have a good time no matter what side of the restaurant you're on. Food is also excellent, plenty to choose from for all tastes and a solid wine list. Easy valet parking as well gives this place the final 5 star treatment for me.
(5)Collette L.
Met up with some friends for happy hour here which is the typical M-F/5pm-7pm/50% off bar menu deal. Great food! We ordered a few burgers, calamari that was tossed in a sweet chili sauce, grilled artichoke and spicy tuna served on top of crispy eggplant. All of it was really good but I was disappointed that the steak tartare and crab cake are no longer on the menu (as I had seen in pictures on Yelp). The atmosphere is definitely old school swanky...dark, red leather, exposed wood beam ceilings. The majority of the crowd were older business men surrounding the bar. Fortunately it wasn't too packed and we snagged a nice little bar table. My friends ordered a few glasses of wine, martinis and beers (I stuck with water. After all, bikini season is right around the corner!) and our bill was still less than $50. This was my first time here so I haven't enjoyed dinner here but my cousin lives a hop, skip and jump away from A's and she frequents the restaurant often with her husband and they love the place!
(4)Mena R.
I'm giving the place 4 stars. Burger is one of the best gourmet burgers i have ever had! Had the cold soup once, not a fan. The place has great east coast loungy-vibe type atmosphere.
(4)Laurie L.
(This is not a dining review, because I was there for a cocktail party) The service was terrific, the lemon drop was fantastic, the appetizers were delicious, and the staff were very friendly and accommodating, even though it was prime time Friday night and we had some special requests. The manager and our servers made it a very successful surprise birthday party as well. Next time I'm in southern California I want to go back!
(4)Siera K.
I must have driven by A Restaurant a hundred times but somehow never noticed it. A friend recommended this former John Wayne hang-out for dinner and I'm ecstatic they did. Inside had a very cool retro vibe with large cushy leather booths-as others have said on here unpretentious but still upscale. Service was on-the-spot; I don't think our water glasses were ever half empty. The food was delicious - flatbread with truffle oil and arugula: to die for. And chicken liver terrine: scary sounding but oh so good! We also split two entrees: the mussels and the scallops - both of which were heavenly. Then to top it off: salted caramel ice cream and the butterscotch pudding. By the time dessert arrived, I swore I had no more room for food... One bite and I changed my tune! I don't even like butterscotch but WOW - I'm a fan now!
(5)Tom S.
Okay. This place is an awesome spot to have drinks and chill out at night. Cool ambiance, dark lighting with soft red lights inside. However, I heard they have the best happy hour in town. So I tried it the other week. I got the burger that was supposed to be the best burger in OC. Not so much. Don't get the blue cheese on it like they suggest. Maybe it is better with cheddar but still is just a good burger not a great one. My wife got the capaccio dish and was basically an uncooked burger patty on a plate. Disgusting. We sent it back and they comped that meal.
(3)Irene W.
I must applaud A's for their commitment to attempting to bring back that awesome OLD-skool balboa, tony-but with flip flops on, vibe that was so missing in newport beach. sure, there are still some that show up in the Javier's get up (and look ridiculous!!) but A's is all about great food, great conversation (not how much money you're making on flipping you're crystal cove mansion,) and not looking over your shoulder about who's walking in next. at first glance, Tim and Liza Goodell have created almost a parisian bistro-like menu with an enormous blackboard dedicated to their chartucerie and cheese plate offerings. there's the famous and fabulous chicken liver terrine starter with preserved kumquats, salted roast beef salads, oysters, and a pork belly appetizer which seems to change often. but i'd say most of my friends think of the steaks as the big seller at A's: the flat-iron, the kansas city, porterhouse. i always order the fish and have never been disappointed. last time i visited i had a mind-blowing miso cod that i wouldn't even share with hunky hubby it was so good. the creamed corn is always a must for a side (bring some insulin.) i know the black and white sundae is a big hit with people (it's the size of a chrysler,) but i'm partial to the rose-strawberry ice cream. maybe because i like all things pink, but this is an especially wonderful combination. another thing NOT to be missed is the cocktail menu!!!! it is imperative to try some of the signature A cocktails. The cucumber cooler with Hendricks Gin tastes like a wonderful afternoon at the spa. Be careful with those they go down very quickly.
(4)Bongiorno M.
Five stars reader because when one sits in the John Wayne booth, sips exemplary wine, opens with stuffed marrow bones (fabulous) and finishes with a note a worthy steak, who can argue ;) The evening just aligned....
(5)David S.
I thought this place was excellent. It has a really great old smoking room vibe to it for dining, so if you like that, this is the place. The service was attentive and the food was amazing! We had the pork belly appetizer which was phenomenal, we plan on having it as our entree next time we are there. My scallop entree was amazing and my partner had the John Dory, which was good, but everything else was better. We also got a side of the mac n' cheese, made with bleu cheese, which was good, but so rich you could only eat a few bites, but very interesting. Would definetely recommend this place.
(4)suzanne T.
Came here for the first time on a Sat night. I have been to A Market and love it. Not knowing quite what to expect I was surprized by how big it is. We sat a a booth in the bar area and shared some apps which were all really good ( flatbread, tuna and salad) Cocktail list is good as well as their wine list. We enjoyed the atmosphere as well as people watching. Looking foward to coming back during happy hour and to grab drinks on anyother night during the week.
(5)John D.
So we were in Newport partying all week for fourth of july vacation. We heard they re-did this place and decided to check it out. Wasn't too impressed. Same ole, same ole. Place was super busy, but I don't know, something just wasn't right. Food was so-so, service below par (but chic was hot so i guess thats ok than). Only stayed for an hour that we decided to hit our old stomping grounds (Camelot, somehow is now Blanca). And we ended up at Sharky's with some skanked out Coke heads. God I love Newport!!
(2)Alex P.
Don't miss the pate or the fois gras if it's on the menu. The chef presents it with candied quince that makes the whole dish just SING!
(5)arpi s.
great happy hour menu
(5)Mark M.
Very good lunch experience, Ben the server was excellent, the french onion soup was fantastic and so was the flat iron steak. My Mom had the crab cake and loved it, lots of crab and very light panko crust. Sour dough bread was fresh. My only complaint was the "forced" valet parking. Though it was free I always fell I need to tip a minimum of $5. Pricey but the quality was excellent!
(4)Dawn S.
Love the Fireside margarita and salmon entree. ALL desserts are to die for. Great ambiance- many booths, which makes it cozy. Valet only. Pricey, but consistently great food. Fun spot.
(5)misha n.
I went to the soft opening of the restaurant and was thrilled to return on Monday night for dinner. The Yellowfin tuna appetizer was my favorite and my Filet Mignon was cooked perfectly (with yummy bleu cheese butter sauce). The side dishes aren't to be missed- especially the mac& cheese, spinach gratin, corn gratin, and french fries. The caramel custard to end the night was sublime. I will definitely be back!!!!!! Now open for brunch too.
(5)Jessica H.
After driving by the "Coming Soon" sign every day on PCH for what seemed like forever, A Restaurant at the site of the former Arches opened in May. After hearing rumors about the place for months - it's run by Tim and Liza Goodell, who also opened (and closed) some of OC's best restaurants (Aubergine, Troquet, The Lodge Red Pearl Kitchen), I was really curious about A. On the night we went in, the restaurant was completely packed, but for a place that had just opened, it seemed fairly well organized. One of the potential problems when you arrive is parking, which is valet only, and run by a company called Valet Girls that has attractive women park your car. Seems like a novel idea, but my friend saw one of them hit another car, so she decided to park on the street. The drinks from the bar - we ordered a martini and a glass of Gruet rose sparkling wine - were great and really generous. If you go, absolutely get the the yellowfin tuna starter. The pieces of tuna are coated in a spicy aioli and piled on top of a bite-sized crunchy tempura piece of eggplant. SO good. The crab cake was really good too, but if you just get one, get the tuna. A far as entrees go, the lamb osso buco was my favorite, followed by the ribeye steak with a side of sweet corn gratin. Oh, heavens, send me to paradise now! And for dessert, definitely try the caramel custard. Couldn't stop eating it. Service was really good as well. P.S. The A Market is coming soon. Stay tuned!
(5)Lyndsay S.
I really liked this place. For someone who has lived here her whole life...I had never been to the original before thy redid it. I liked the vibe and the dark and stormy atmosphere. Service was great and food was excellent. I did brunch there though. So maybe brunch was good and the rest isn't all that good. I can't imagine that though. Bottomless champagne! Who can complain!? Valet parking is your only option, but it's complimentary. Just tip the guy.
(4)willie b.
This place is pretty good. It is a bit too dark in here. I had the french onion soup and the John Dory. The french onion soup was pretty good but it was a little bit on the sweet side. The john dory was terrific.
(4)B H.
The swankiest, coziest, and moodiest. ;) High quality food and experience. It's a small bar area and fills up quickly so ask the valet guys what their take is before giving up your keys. It's a special treat.
(5)GRACE L.
FOOD: The food was ok. Some things on the menu are delicious, and there were some things that I did not care for. The wine selection is ok, the cocktails do not taste that good. For starters, we ordered the Spicy Yellowfin Tuna, the Octopus, and the Roasted Bacon. Everyone had commented on the Spicy Yellowfin Tuna and it was really good. Highly recommended. The Octopus and the Roasted Bacon, I could have skipped. The octopus was a little too sweet in my opinion, and the roasted bacon wasn't roasted enough. Maybe it is because I've already had the best roasted bacon at FATTY CRABS in New York. I would have liked the roasted bacon to be a little more crispy, but it is a good alternative to go to NY to eat it. If you are in NY though, you HAVE to go to FATTY CRABS!! For salads, we ordered the Butterleaf Wedge, Buratta, Roasted Pears & Heirloom Tomato. The salads in general were very good! But Buratta was the best! The fried egg on top of asparagus with some buratta and balsamic glaze hits the spot! The Butterleaf Wedge was just like a regular salad, but with thick roasted bacon pieces. The Heirloom Tomato salad was a mix of heirloom tomatoes and 2 kinds of watermelon. It was a perfectly refreshing salad for a hot summer day. the Roasted Pears salad was good also, but there is a HUGE chunk of blue cheese that comes with it. If you are a blue cheese lover, this is the salad for you. Because the overall food was pretty good, I was excited to get my Yellowfin Tuna Steak & Fries entree. Sadly, I was pretty disappointed by the Tuna Steak and the pepper au jous that comes with it. It was a good thing I was almost full already when it came out. The sweet corn gratin is pretty good. For dessert, we ended with Banana Creme Pie. It was really good! I highly recommend the new item. It's not your traditional "pie" thought. It is like a mini banana creme pie. Either way, it was really good. SERVICE: The service was great. Our waiter was very soft spoken though and at times it was difficult to understand what he was saying. We thought he looked a little out of place at that restaurant, but we figured he was probably one of the best waiters they had in there. He was very eloquent and was honest in telling us which dishes he liked and which ones he would not recommend. Overall service was an A! DECOR: The decor is not much different than what the previous restaurant had done. The new owners kept the ambiance, but spiced it up to keep the regulars and attract newcomers. The inside reminds me of an old Italian restaurant, where you would expect one of the mafia members to be in the corner drinking and watching. It is pretty dim inside, and the red booths/accents make it look more like the Godfather. LOCATION: On PCH. Pretty easy to get to, a great location. Only thing that sucks is that it is only valet parking. For $5 per car for valet, I would carpool if you are going to go. I would go back again for salads and dessert. I thought it was quite expensive (almost $700 for 6 of us), but it is worth going back for salads and dessert. The Burger, although none of us ordered it, looked very good!
(3)Rob R.
Just got back from A Restaurant, and they should change the name to F. The two reasons why I gave them 1 star is because (A) there was no option for 0 stars and (B) the bartender made some stiff drinks. Kudos to the bartender for at least giving us a buzz for $200. I should start by saying the crab cake appetizer was great. Only 1 decent sized crab cake was $17, but it was really tasty so the evening actually started out great. But that's where it went south. My wife ordered their 3 course meal--side salad, 6oz filet mignon, french fries, and butterscotch pudding. I ordered french onion soup and the scallops entre. Salad was small. Onion soup had a unique flavor, but I can't say that was a good thing. Both were average at best. Filet and french fries were flavorful but really cold. Scallops were also cold and undercooked. I'm praying I didn't get food poisoning. We also ordered the mac & cheese, and it looked and tasted like something out of a TV dinner. The pudding tasted like sugar-free bugspray. My wife also ordered the rootbeer vodka float desert, and she really enjoyed it. Our favorite restaurant is Mastro's Steakhouse near South Coast so I guess our expectations are set too high, but we always drive by A and say we're going to try it. Big mistake tonight! I also want to add that the service was really good--very attentive waiter but unfortunately we won't be back unless we're just stopping in for a cocktail. I also have to say I don't mind paying $$$ for a great meal, but this place failed on almost every level. Lastly, I have to say that I'm shocked at the reviews I'm seeing on Yelp for this place. We couldn't disagree more.
(1)zachary i.
horrible service and OK food, went for lunch at 12:30 left at 2:30 and never received my food. ordered a salad and a french dip over an hour later I only had received my salad , when I asked the bartender about our food she stated they do course service! (with a poor attitude) over an hour to have a salad and sandwich is pathetic, no matter how you clam you serve. bottom line OK food and poor attitude wont get my dough!
(1)Ryan C.
I like how the menu and plating changes. The ingredients reflect what I would want out of a menu. This place is really great for people who are willing to pay for good quality food. Probably a couple notches under bayside in my book but still great. The bar is pretty epic also. I went here with my girlfriend the other night. It was a bit of a celebratory dinner so I decide why not go somewhere nice. We ordered the calamari and it was the best calamari I have had in awhile, it has an Asian twist with a ginger/sweet/spicy glaze. No dipping sauce needed and it has a little crunch. For the main course I ordered the bay scallops and she ordered the salmon with artichokes and rice. The scallops were great, cooked well, lots of different flavors going on but it was served on a purée with a sauce. It needed a bit more texture for me. Still great. The salmon was good but not cooked evenly because the filet wasn't the same thickness all the way through, it had a nice crust on it though and the artichokes were delicious. I washed it all down with a couple cold beers. Not a bad meal and the service was great. I would like it better if the steaks they had on the menu weren't a la carte, but the sides aren't too pricy I suppose. I'll be back to this place for beers really soon no doubt.
(4)Elle B.
Been here twice! Once for happy hour and once for dinner. Both times were great! Happy hour- a lot of great deals. It's a shame it ends by 6, but if you can get here before 6 you won't be disappointed! They had great cocktails and a good wine list. We made a charcuterie plate and it was really good! They had a lot of really nice meat and cheese selections. Dinner was also great. The service was also great. Our server was friendly and attentive and gave us great suggestions. I had the kale salad and we shared Brussels sprouts. Yummm. Will definitely be coming back.
(5)Marina D.
Excellent service but the food is not good. I had chicken which tasted like fish and was fatty. My husband ordered fish and chips. The fish was heavy because the batter was incorrect. It should have been light & crispy. Disappointed. Totally overpriced!
(1)Nicholas P.
Food and drinks are phenomenal! Christine and sommelier Steven are the best! Both quiet dining and a lively bar scene are available. I'd highly recommend this local favorite.
(5)Sachin G.
When I pulled into the A's parking lot I had high hopes for old fashioned american cuisine. The disobedient started with the valet. When I pulled in I accidentally parked my car not realizing its valet only. When the attendant came over he was rude about asking me to go back in line and turned and walked away while I apologized for the misunderstanding. Wow. Inside the menu looked terrible and of the 7 people there we all ordered off menu because nothing looked appetizing. My fears were confirmed when the food arrived. I didn't bother finishing my meal. Normally I wouldn't write a negative review if it weren't for the tasteless policy that ended the night. When I returned to the valet I was asked to pay double the rate($10) to leave my car in the lot overnight while I took a Uber home. Yes, charge a baseless, unadvertised fee for responsible behavior. How low class can a restaurant be?
(2)Abd Al Alim T.
Food was excellent, low lit and great for parties. I really like the wine director being on the floor and helping us get the best wine for the buck.
(5)Susan N.
Good food, a little expensive but the food is tasty & quality gourmet. The prime location jacks the prices up. Wait during lunch is too long. But again, the food is good and it's worth trying. I go often
(4)Josh C.
Great food, great drinks, and a cool atmosphere. I got the filet with a side of the potato purée...it was really good. Pricey, but a nice place to bring a date.
(4)Paul T.
So last week I had a doctors appointment in Newport and my wife said she'd like to ride along; which when translated from the female mind meant, "lets go out to dinner after your appointment". I finished my doctors visit around 4:15 so we decided since it was early to just drop by A's for some appetizers. We sat in the bar area which has those cozy red booths which we love and were greeted by a nice young lady (I believe her name was Lindsay) who was expecting a baby in the next month or so and she introduced herself as our server. She was very knowledgeable and after talking with us few moments i asked her if they had anything special going on, which she replied by asking if I liked octopus and if so to try the octopus salad. It was one of if not the best salad I've had. I was expecting paper thin slices of octopus, but instead they were little finger sized tentacles cooked to perfection that almost melted in your mouth. They were served with baby potatoes, hearts of palm, i believe also some arugula, and a citrus vinaigrette dressing. Again all I can say is wonderful. My wife switches back and forth when we go to A's, between the baby beets and herb salad or the butter leaf wedge with the Point Reyes blue cheese and this time order the butter leaf which was excellent as always. We finished our salads and I our waitress magically appeared (she was excellent in her timing...not bothersome yet always seeming to be available when we needed her) and we both decided to order there "A" burger. I know that's not what most people would order when you go to A's, but for an early meal when you're not in the mood for a full steak or seafood dinner you can't go wrong. It's the best burger you can find. Served with blue cheese, bacon, and arugula on a brioche bun that's light as a feather, perfectly cooked, excellent beef, and french fries that are made fresh and so tasty you can't stop eating them even when you're full. But I'm getting ahead of myself, I had noticed they had a grilled Globe artichoke which we both love so we decided to split one. Again I can only say excellent. Grilled and seasoned perfectly and so tender you could eat the whole leaf.. i was so stuffed i didn't think i could eat another drop, but while I was visiting the restroom my wife ordered us the Baked Hot Chocolate dessert to split. I was only going to have a little taste, but one bite led to another and presto....gone. Another great meal at A's and along with the great food I want to again compliment the waitress for her perfect combination of attentiveness without being a busy body pain in the neck by asking if she could get us something every two seconds.. An A++ on all counts for A Restuaurant
(5)Tammy G.
I have only had drinks here, so this is a review only on having cockails. I love the atmosphere. The beautiful red underlit bar, and the fireplace offer a warmth to the room. The drinks are well maintained by attentive staff. An eclectic clientele keeps it interesting. I have driven by for years, and somehow, there was no curb appeal for me. Now that I have been, as well as friends who recommended it - several times, I know this will become a place I stop in to relax fro time to time. When I do have dinner, I will update.
(4)Anne W.
Having been in the restaurant business prior to my current profession, I am careful to give very constructive criticism, as well as praise. Four of us dined there Friday night, July 11. The Valet Girls were prompt, attentive and friendly. The drinks were generous, once the bartender got the mixtures right. The waitress was extraordinarily informative, friendly and gave the perfect amount of attention to our table, suggesting appetizers and entreés she believed we'd enjoy. She could see that we were a group of professionals and experienced fine diners. No the good and bad: The spicy tuna on eggplant appetizer was delightful -- delicate flowers of shaved tuna, perfectly seasoned, atop crispy eggplant nests. Delightful. However, the pot roast, one of their signature dishes was very disappointing and did not live up to it's great presentation in a Le Crueset-like Dutch oven. However, the meat was more fat than beef, a tiny lump of it swimming in the greasiest gravy I've ever encountered. It was like they plopped the meat into a vat of rendered fat. The potatoes -- simple slabs of standard white potatoes, were infused with the grease, and the carrots were limp and unappetizing. Advertised as trendy fingerlings, these potatoes did not even remotely resemble the slim fingerlings at all. The hamburger was good. For some unknown reason, they served wine-by-the glass in standard rocks glasses, but diners who ordered bottles, were rewarded with stemmed goblets. We also had to beg for bread and butter, the waitress informing us that it is served by request only -- as when they simply place it at the table, many people did not eat it, and the bread and butter had to be tossed out. Hey, light bulb idea here -- how about inquiring if the party wants bread and butter? Also, they still are asking that tired old question -- Would you like bottled water? It's passé, tap is the new bottled, and they should realize this. The banana cream pie was wonderful, as was the chocolate cake. This place is extremely loud -- when they remodeled from the former legendary Arches, they may have fixed the plumbing, but they did nothing to enhance the acoustics. Don't even attempt to have a conversation. This is not improved later in the evening, as the raucous crowed that fills the bar cackles and screams to be heard above each other. The crowd is so thick at the bar, because apparently this is the new pick-up place at the beach. The fire marshall should check this out, because the bar crowd was so thick, that a group of young women vying for the attention of an attractive man, refused to part so that other patrons could get to the restrooms. After finally using the restroom, we again valiantly attempted to exit the restaurant, we had again to brave the mosh-pit to get to the exit. This is very unruly and not a good parting impression.
(3)Robert B.
Just finished dinner last night. Got the bill. We ordered a Porterhouse for two cost $89. Won't talk about the quality of the meat but the chef had the nerve to add a $3.00 charge for splitting an order for two. When I spoke with the manager, he told me that he's only been here a month, had told the owners about this but there is nothing he can do. We informed him that he has lost a local patron because of his inability to do anything or explain it properly. Imagine, ordering a dinner for two and then getting a split charge. But, having experienced their other restaurants and the arrogance that surrounds the Goodalls, I'm sure they will do nothing about it.
(2)Annie C.
It was super crowded, but once we got to our table it felt like I was in Paris- with deep red leather booths, dark wooden ceilings and a fireplace. This is a great spot for date night for any foodies in Orange County. We split the scallops and they were to die for! We had a total of 3 cocktails and each were combined with ingredients we had to look up later. The service is impeccable! I could barely get a sip of water without my glass being refilled. Lovely atmosphere, staff, and highly innovative menu! I'll be back!
(4)Danielle D.
5 stars for food and service at A Restaurant. This is a high quality place and pricey but the atmosphere is very relaxed and I love the old-school ambiance. The steaks and fish are cooked perfectly and the cocktails are great too. The servers spoil you rotten with A+ service so don't hesitate to bring someone you are trying to impress here. Forget the franchise steakhouses like Flemings or Ruths Criss- come here if you really want to have an unforgettable dinner for clients or a date.
(5)Ken L.
Just had my close friend Caitlyn's 30th birthday there last night. Her boyfriend Jeff booked the exclusive room located behind the restaurant with its own entrance, giant flat screen TV, & sound system. Food and service were top notch! We had the choice of Halibut, New York steak, or chicken. I had the delicious Halibut & got to eat some of their well known New York thick cut steak. It's a classy warm sophisticated experience & highly recommend going whether you've never been or it's been awhile!
(5)314159 ..
Good espresso drinks. Great for quick sandwiches & salads. Good place for meetups. Like the pastries. Easy access location (once you figure out where it is).
(4)