Name: Lantern's Edge
Telephone: (949) 487-7555
Rating: 4.3

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Elizabeth BowmanElizabeth Bowman

Back Again—And Somehow Even Better! After my last visit, I didn’t think this place could possibly get any better—but Lanterns Edge continues to surprise me in the most incredible ways. Here’s a bit of backstory: we originally had a 7:45 reservation at another restaurant because we wanted to explore something new. Big mistake. The customer service was awful—the wait for our cocktails was nearly 30 minutes, and we had to flag down another employee just to get our check because our server seemingly forgot about us. Frustrated, we made a last-minute reservation at Lanterns Edge for the second night in a row—and thank goodness we did. We were running about 10 minutes late, but when we called ahead, Noah, the host, was incredibly reassuring and understanding. After the previous night’s flawless experience, we knew we had to request Jett again—and he did not disappoint. Jett was as kind and attentive as ever, even going so far as to cover the cost of our first round of drinks (an unbelievably thoughtful gesture that we were so grateful for). We kicked things off with the Burrata dip, which was absolutely sensational. The sweetness of the reserve was perfectly balanced by a subtle, spicy savoriness that lingered at the end. We also ordered the rolls, and wow—the jam was phenomenal. Paired with the light, flavorful rosemary butter and the pillowy-soft rolls, it was simply divine. For the main course, we went with the New York Strip (again) and the Ribeye. Both were flawless. The Ribeye, in particular, was outstanding—the butter added richness without overpowering the tenderness of the meat. The carrots were packed with flavor, juicy, and a perfect complement to the steak. To top it off, Jett surprised us with a free side of fries. They were perfectly crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and seasoned to perfection. For dessert, we shared the Blackberry Mousse with Basil Ice Cream—a combination I never would have imagined, but I’m so glad we trusted the chef’s creativity. The mousse was light yet bursting with flavor, with hints of lemon cake and a subtle blackberry kick that snuck up on us. The Basil Ice Cream was unexpectedly delicious—the herbaceous note was present but not overwhelming, pairing beautifully with the mousse. Throughout the night, the entire staff was attentive and caring, consistently checking in to make sure we had everything we needed. Toward the end of our meal, it started to mist lightly—not that we minded—but Jett, ever thoughtful, brought us blankets to keep us warm and even protect my girlfriend’s hair. He also replaced our dimming table light and offered to move the heater closer, though we assured him it wasn’t necessary since the temperature outside was perfect for our warm blooded selves. As we were finishing dessert, we shared with Jett that this was our five-year anniversary dinner, and we truly couldn’t have asked for a more perfect experience. Moved by our gratitude, Jett took down our names and wrote it in a personal book of people that were so sweet to him (which I don't know who wouldnt be nice to him!). A few minutes later, he returned with an unexpected gift—a bottle of Lalo Tequila, signed by Lalo himself, which Jett was gifted by him and he had been saving in his locker for five months, waiting for the right people. His kindness brought me to tears—his generosity and genuine warmth were beyond words. To show our appreciation, we decided to give him another $200 tip—matching the price of our meal—because he genuinely deserved every penny. (The night before, we tipped 60%, but after the unforgettable experience he gave us, we knew we had to go bigger.) My girlfriend and I made a promise that for every anniversary moving forward, we will celebrate at Lanterns Edge—and we’ll be requesting Jett every time (until he leaves, which we hope he never does!) Thank you to everyone at Lanterns Edge for making both nights truly unforgettable. Your kindness, attention to detail, and impeccable service created memories we’ll cherish forever.

Elizabeth BowmanElizabeth Bowman

I'm usually not one to write reviews, but I had to after my experience at this place last night—it was absolutely phenomenal. Our reservation was at 7 PM, and to our surprise, the restaurant was relatively quiet. The ambiance was stunning—you could tell they put a lot of thought and care into the décor. The cocktails were incredible—honestly, to die for. Our server, Jett, gave us some excellent recommendations, and everything he suggested was spot on. If you’re into sweet, creamy cocktails, I highly recommend the Lalo Blue. It was smooth, rich, and perfectly balanced. The Cliff Diver was another standout—it had a bold, citrusy flavor with a subtle smoky finish that was just divine. For starters, we went with the Fig and Brie Flatbread, which Jett suggested. It was light yet packed with flavor—the perfect balance of sweet and savory with just the right amount of crunch. Absolutely delicious. For the main course, we had the New Zealand Lamb Rack and the Wanderer Farms New York Strip. Both were cooked to perfection and bursting with flavor. The lamb was tender, not too fatty, and melted in my mouth, while the New York Strip was juicy and rich—a true steak lover’s dream. Dessert was equally unforgettable. My girlfriend had a decadent chocolate cake with candied orange on top—it was rich but not overwhelming, melting in your mouth with each bite. I had an Ube cake with a chopped nut crust and salted caramel ice cream. The combination of sweetness and saltiness was flawless—absolutely heavenly. The service was beyond exceptional. Every staff member was warm, attentive, and genuinely caring. Multiple employees checked in on us throughout the meal, ensuring we were taken care of without being overbearing. Jett, in particular, was a standout—kind, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate. He shared the backstory of the restaurant and insights about Kristine, the executive chef. He also gave thoughtful recommendations, helping me decide on the perfect meat and side pairings. Speaking of sides—the potatoes were fantastic! Crispy, flavorful, and not greasy at all. Honestly, this restaurant deserves to be featured in articles, on food shows—everywhere. The entire experience, from the food to the service, was flawless. We were so impressed that we left a $200 tip—it was that good. Everyone there deserves a kiss on the cheek and 50% raise! I can’t wait to return!

Mitchell KuiperMitchell Kuiper

My wife and I were staying at the Laguna Cliffs Marriott and decided to dine at the hotel restaurant for a relaxed evening and a nice meal after a long work day. We arrived around 8:30 PM, a little later than planned, and were hoping for a smooth dinner at the beautiful property. After being seated, it took about 10 minutes before we were greeted and able to order drinks and an appetizer. Our drinks arrived roughly 10 minutes later, and at that point, we ordered our entrées. About 20 minutes passed with no updates — the ice in our glasses had already melted — when our server finally stopped by to say our food would be “right out” and asked if we’d like another round of drinks. When he returned a few minutes later with the new drinks, he let us know there had been an issue printing our ticket to the kitchen, and our food had only just started cooking. He kindly offered the drinks on the house, which we appreciated, but our appetizer had never been put in either. Roughly 20 minutes after that, our entrées finally arrived, though unfortunately the food was underwhelming for the price point. We never complained, and the staff did make a good-faith effort to make things right by comping one entrée and a couple of drinks. Still, the long delays, missed order, and inconsistent communication made what should have been a relaxing evening feel frustrating — especially after an already late dinner. The restaurant has a lovely setting and courteous staff, but the service flow and communication need improvement. We hope this feedback helps the team make some adjustments, because the experience didn’t reflect the quality expected from a Marriott property.

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Reviews of Lantern's Edge

4.3

(55)

5.0

36w

Back Again—And Somehow Even Better! After my last visit, I didn’t think this place could possibly get any better—but Lanterns Edge continues to surprise me in the most incredible ways. Here’s a bit of backstory: we originally had a 7:45 reservation at another restaurant because we wanted to explore something new. Big mistake. The customer service was awful—the wait for our cocktails was nearly 30 minutes, and we had to flag down another employee just to get our check because our server seemingly forgot about us. Frustrated, we made a last-minute reservation at Lanterns Edge for the second night in a row—and thank goodness we did. We were running about 10 minutes late, but when we called ahead, Noah, the host, was incredibly reassuring and understanding. After the previous night’s flawless experience, we knew we had to request Jett again—and he did not disappoint. Jett was as kind and attentive as ever, even going so far as to cover the cost of our first round of drinks (an unbelievably thoughtful gesture that we were so grateful for). We kicked things off with the Burrata dip, which was absolutely sensational. The sweetness of the reserve was perfectly balanced by a subtle, spicy savoriness that lingered at the end. We also ordered the rolls, and wow—the jam was phenomenal. Paired with the light, flavorful rosemary butter and the pillowy-soft rolls, it was simply divine. For the main course, we went with the New York Strip (again) and the Ribeye. Both were flawless. The Ribeye, in particular, was outstanding—the butter added richness without overpowering the tenderness of the meat. The carrots were packed with flavor, juicy, and a perfect complement to the steak. To top it off, Jett surprised us with a free side of fries. They were perfectly crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and seasoned to perfection. For dessert, we shared the Blackberry Mousse with Basil Ice Cream—a combination I never would have imagined, but I’m so glad we trusted the chef’s creativity. The mousse was light yet bursting with flavor, with hints of lemon cake and a subtle blackberry kick that snuck up on us. The Basil Ice Cream was unexpectedly delicious—the herbaceous note was present but not overwhelming, pairing beautifully with the mousse. Throughout the night, the entire staff was attentive and caring, consistently checking in to make sure we had everything we needed. Toward the end of our meal, it started to mist lightly—not that we minded—but Jett, ever thoughtful, brought us blankets to keep us warm and even protect my girlfriend’s hair. He also replaced our dimming table light and offered to move the heater closer, though we assured him it wasn’t necessary since the temperature outside was perfect for our warm blooded selves. As we were finishing dessert, we shared with Jett that this was our five-year anniversary dinner, and we truly couldn’t have asked for a more perfect experience. Moved by our gratitude, Jett took down our names and wrote it in a personal book of people that were so sweet to him (which I don't know who wouldnt be nice to him!). A few minutes later, he returned with an unexpected gift—a bottle of Lalo Tequila, signed by Lalo himself, which Jett was gifted by him and he had been saving in his locker for five months, waiting for the right people. His kindness brought me to tears—his generosity and genuine warmth were beyond words. To show our appreciation, we decided to give him another $200 tip—matching the price of our meal—because he genuinely deserved every penny. (The night before, we tipped 60%, but after the unforgettable experience he gave us, we knew we had to go bigger.) My girlfriend and I made a promise that for every anniversary moving forward, we will celebrate at Lanterns Edge—and we’ll be requesting Jett every time (until he leaves, which we hope he never does!) Thank you to everyone at Lanterns Edge for making both nights truly unforgettable. Your kindness, attention to detail, and impeccable service created memories we’ll...