Islands Restaurant The Market Place, Irvine — Restaurant in Irvine

Have had a few instances at this location in the past but nothing quite like today. Having lunch with family and notice that after drinking from my glass there is a large what appears to be smeared mustard on the inside of my glass. I immediately lose my appetite and look for a waiter. No one around for almost 10 minutes so I stood up looking around and finally the waiter comes over and I show him, he says the usual “I’m so sorry” and I asked can you take my food and bring me a glass of water as I fell like I’m ready to vomit. 10 minutes goes by again and he walks by our table and my dad says are you going to bring him something to drink? Hector our waiter says, I told the manager. I said I don’t care about the dog & pony show I just want something to wash down this disgusting thing you gave me. Hector says again, I told the manager. So I get up and walk toward the kitchen to get my own drink so that I don’t end up vomiting on the floor and as I get back there the manager Steve says I’m sorry. I said I don’t care about the BS I just want some water why wont someone get me some water??? I told Steve the manager that I asked Hector the waiter please just get me something to drink and he was gone for 10 minutes. Then Hector the waiter says “I was only gone for 1 minute” then he proceeds to walk into the kitchen staring me down as if he wants to fight me. I said to the manager Steve, do you see what he’s doing? This is how you allow your employees to treat people? I finally got my water and I explained to Steve the manager that I am not looking for a freebie just give me the bill and ill pay and be out of here and will never return. Steve brings me the bill and says I took off your meal, I said Gee thanks. Paid my bill and as we started to leave then Steve the manager came to try to rectify the situation by giving me a gift card which I refused to take as I told him, its not about that, I understand mistakes happen but how we were treated and felt a threat from Hector our waiter he should have been fired. Will...

What can one say about an Islands that has not already been said? The atmosphere of this restaurant chain is family-friendly, fun, and super clean. Even the restrooms are kept in impeccable order. The food is always delicious and the staff is very courteous. Plus, as a surfer and skiing advocate, i can't get enough of surf/ ski programming on the TVs. For this review, I would like to focus on the staff, as they are part of what makes every Islands visit exceptional.

I had placed my order on the app, only to have the app crash and lose my order. Now i had very detailed in placing the first order, so that when I had to do it again, I was a little frustrated, to say the least, and missed adding two items the second time around.

Upon arrival at the restaurant, I noticed that upon paying, the price was less than I expected, and this was when I noticed my mistake. The staff quickly took things in hand, modified my order, saying it was no problem, and even added a drink I had not considered until I saw what was provided in my "little's" order.

It did take a few minutes longer to prepare the additional items for our order, but the staff offered us complimentary drinks while we waited and were super friendly, to the point that three different staff members reviewed and check on everything while we waited.

This level of customer service is not really something I feel can be taught. It's something that comes from within a person who ensures they are doing their best job while ensuring the customer is satisfied with the service they are receiving. It's a level of professionalism that you don't find very often in large chain organizations, but this Islands has in spades.

I commend the staff at this location for their performance and skill at making patrons feel both welcome and the focus of attention for their dinning experience. Can't...

Happily they were Not very busy when we came in around 2:45 for Mother's Day lunch. The parking lot was noticeably vacant so I thought this would be a really great time. A party of 3 adults, one 6 year old. The food was spot on Except my Moa chicken breaded sandwich was burned Or they hadn't changed their oil for some time. Overall the service was adequate, noticeably somewhat confused & rushed by All of the attendants -- when our appetizers showed up they did not bring small plates so we ended up using napkins to take serve ourselves individually. I am a STICKLER about this. All it would have required was some experienced thought. TIPS REQUIRE THIS & I feel sometimes that some servers are relying on guilting-tips due to covid times. Whatever a food server leaves out, I can do at home, no tip required. For future reference regardless of where you work, or who you work for; act as if your favorite people are showing up to be entertained, served by you. I always tip 25%+, but did not here. When I tip, its Not because they are needy. Because they are worthy. This is a great location, and I'm hopeful that things are better next time. Typically I go to the Islands every few months out in Irvine off Culver but it's all boarded up. When I inquired a out that closure they said they weren't making enough money. And if this sort of service continues here, in Tustin, I expect the same. People Have Many choices eating out. Step...