180blu — Restaurant in Dana Point

Talk about disapppointing. This has been a spot on my list of places to try for some time. So after a long day out hiking we decided it was close enough to come try before heading home and let me just say youd really expect more from a place to dine at a Ritz Carlton. Leaving more to be desired feels like an understatement and I can not even begin to express the depths of our disappointment not only with the overall quality of the food but with the service. The only positive point is the beautiful views but even that is not enough a redeeming quality for us to ever consider returning. Our initial server Tyler was great and I sincerely wish we would have stayed in his section, but we wanted to sit with a bit more of a view. As soon as we sat down I knew it was somewhere we wouldn't sit at and relax or enjoy long, the chairs were hard and uncomfortable. I had shorts on and had to sit on my sweater because the seat was so uncomfortable causing pain to the backs of my legs. We ordered our cocktails and they arrived quickly, they were fine, not particularly exciting. We moved to the balcony edge table and were switched servers. We asked for water and watched the table seated after us recieve their cocktails and we still hadnt gotten a glass of water. My partner had to go up to the bar and ask for water himself because we had waited so long, and after he sat back down and we got our water from Tyler (thank you!) Our waitress brought water for the table next to us shortly after we finally got ours. We placed our orders and someone else brought our food, and we hadnt even taken a bite before our waitress asked if everything was prepared fine and tasted good. The burger was incredibly lack luster, the double patty doesnt make up for the lack of flavor. And shockingly was not even asked how we wanted it prepared. I could get a better burger from in-n-out for less than half the cost. As we ate we listened to our waitress give so much time and attention to the table next to us who she seemed more than happy to be attentive to, and was even offering to provide them with food items not on the menu. I am certain they were provided far better service than we got. No water refills, $130 bill before we tipped. For 2 cocktails and two burgers. Take it from me, save your money an go anywhere else. This is not a place I will be returning, try any other restraurant at...

Please read… I am SO SO DISAPPOINTED! My husband and I have been coming to this place for almost 5 years now! We always bring friends or we come by ourselves to see the sunset and have some good food and wine. Yesterday, we brought family that are visiting from out of the country so they could enjoy the view, the food and the service. Unfortunately, they were not able to do any of that! We were seated at our table at 7pm and ordered a bottle of champagne, a bottle of wine, a bunch of appetizers and 3 rolls of Sushi. They brought everything except for the Sushi, they said it was going to take a little longer as they had a lot of orders. It was now 8:30 and I had to call the manager and tell him that we had ordered sushi almost an hour and a half ago, and only then, they were able to rush everything and brought the sushi. We also had ordered another bottle of champagne by then and had quarter of the bottle of wine left. The server came to the table, and said it was the last call and if we wanted anything else. We said no and she grabbed the bottle of wine and left! My husband went chasing her as we still had 1/4 of the expensive bottle left and she said oh let me see. She brought the bottle back to the table and she was going to pour the wine from it, and my husband realized that the bottle was all spilled around and tells her, you already threw that to the thrash right? She said Oh yeah! Well, I thought it was empty! So my husband told her that there was no way he was going to drink wine from a bottle that was taken from the thrash! So she just offered a glass of a cheap wine because they didn’t have that bottle opened to make up for the amount that she threw away! JUST WOW!!!! I would NEVER expect this service from a restaurant like this! Specially coming from a chain like the Ritz Carlton! I’m honestly impressed and had to share this...

I have not Eaten at this establishment. It is unlikely that I would take my wife here based on the # of balanced reviews that ultimately call into question the quality of the service provided by the wait staff. The canned responses from management, responses that are merely different versions of the same sentiment that never seems to change sealed it for me. Had more interest in the diners experience and less interest in just 'getting something down on paper come through in their responses, I might have questioned harder the reviews I read. Service is 90% of the reason for dining out, as many, my wife and I included, are competent cooks as it is. It's the pampering and unencumbered service that propels us out of the house and into the world of 20% tips for someone else doing the cooking. I can totally relate to the complaints, as of late the 18's - 35 yr 'Me' generation is more concerned with their own evening than with those they're paid to SERVE. Quality restaurants do not tolerate such mediocre service from their staff. I can get a sincere 'Thank you' at my favorite fish taco joint, at a much more...