Driftwood Kitchen — Restaurant in Laguna Beach

One word of caution regarding reservations. The Driftwood kitchen will only take a reservation online or over the phone if your party is five guests or less. If you cannot make a reservation I recommend you look for another restaurant in Laguna Beach...there are many, some with rooftop dining and better views of the ocean.

We had a very negative experience at this restaurant one recent Saturday. There were six adults and two children in our party. We tried to make a reservation two weeks in advance for brunch but were told that they only took reservations for 5 guests or less. The young inexperienced hostess we spoke to over the phone told us that it shouldn’t be a problem if we just arrived about 10:30am and they would be able to seat us in a reasonable amount of time. On the day of our get together we arrived at the suggested time and were then told that we’d have a 2-HOUR wait to be seated! We drove over an hour to visit the Driftwood Kitchen specifically based on their reviews and a personal recommendation by another guest in our party. We were very disappointed with the reception we received and how it was handled. Their excuse was that some of their staff may not have the proper training and we were given incorrect information. We were then offered to be seated in the open patio area adjacent to the the bar and in the open sun (no shade or umbrellas at all). Their reservation policy seems completely backwards to me. I would think that a restaurant of this caliber would take (and even require) reservations for larger groups rather than those guest looking for a standard sized table seating 2-4 people. We ended up eating downstairs from the Driftwood Kitchen at the deck bar area and were seated inside near the kitchen & restrooms. Background rock music was very loud and it was a hectic place to eat and visit with friends. The menu options were not the same as the Driftwood even though I think they use the same kitchen. Selections were very limited. Our hopes of a brunch on the patio with views of the ocean this day were not realized.

I’m sure the Driftwood Kitchen is a fine restaurant, but they should reconsider their reservation policy and train their staff better. So, if you are a party of 2-5 people then MAKE A RESERVATION! And, if larger find another restaurant that will be more accommodating. Many in the area have similar (or better) views. Finally, parking is by a primate valet company only with no validation for patronizing the...

I'm very disappointed while writing this review. It takes a lot for me to leave a bad review. I'm very understanding but from the second we got there the person in the front told us they can't find our reservation. That we never booked one. Then started asking if I talked to a woman or man I pulled my call history up showing I called for the reservation in the morning. I also showed the call when were going to be late and everything was fine over the phone. I specifically asked over the phone if they had crab legs as well and was told yes. Then was told that they might not be able to get us in. Took 30 minutes to get a seat outside with reservation. Anyhow we were able to look past this as long the food was good. Turns out that the waiter was horrible. I hate to say this but he took over 15 minutes to come and ask for drinks. Then another 10 minutes to actually bring waters. Then everything we tried to order was gone. No oysters so because they had no oysters they wouldn't serve crab legs although they have them. To me this was crazy. Then I asked for chicken tenders and fries for my almost 3 year old and they say they didn't have them yet the persons kid next to us was served chicken tenders and fries. We ended up ordering the kids pasta and he said he would have them put Mariana sauce and it came with only butter. Then said they don't have marinara. On top of all of this the bartender just shows up with a beer. (my husband is drinking a bloody Mary) and he tells him we didn't order that. Then he comes back with another bloodymary but we didn't order another one. Then when they bring the food a big extra side of fries comes and we didn't order that either. I asked the waiter to check the paper where he wrote our order down and he said he did and that on the order we never ordered a bloody Mary but we did order the fries. I was so confused by the entire situation. It made zero sense and was super frustrating. We almost didn't even eat. However the prime rib eye and the lobster carbonara was pretty good nothing special that we would go back for. There are so many better places in laguna !! this was recommended by a few people but unfortunately I have nothing but unsatisfactory things to say except that the toffee cake and vanilla ice cream are to die for !!! Very unfortunate we were expecting such a good experience here. Will not...

Date of visit: 10-09-2021 Definitely under the top 5 restaurants in Socal. What an amazing place. Structure, decor, location, sunset, views, staff, service and all....one of the best. The food is absolutely Devine. I have visited the best restaurants around the world and Driftwood Kitchen is right up there with them. I can not stop talking about their amazing food. Hayden was our server for the night and he was absolutely amazing. He answered all our questions and was very profesional and knowledgeable. British Columbia Petite Oysters...wow....absolutely delicious. Pasta, absolutely delicious. Filet mignon one of the best I have had in a very long time. Cooked to perfection. I don't even know where to start and end with this amazing restaurant. It's definitely the perfect and complete experience for anyone. I wish I would have had the chance to talk to head Chef Rainer but as we got done he already had left. I got to send my compliments personally to the other 4 chefs in the kitchen and they were very appreciative, humble and obviously the best chefs around. We did not have any room left in our bellies so we had to skip desert. But as we sat outside in the back around the fire to warm up and soak in the amazing atmosphere a waiter came out with a plate. It was desert. And of course we had to try it. Like with all the other dishes we tried and there was no stopping. We finished the whole plate. We were beyond full. I am a very well rounded hobby chef with lots of experience in kitchens and restaurants around the world but eating Driftwood kitchens Devine foods make me scratch my head wondering how they come up and prepare such amazing dishes. It's unreal. It is impossible not to finish any plate they serve. So take my advice....order only what your belly can hold otherwise you will punish yourself because everything they bring out you will try to finish. It's just that good. The bar is also very good. Great selection of drinks and perfect mixtures. Absolutely amazing. For the first time in a very long time I had to take my hat off and bow my head to the amazing staff, atmosphere and especially the food. It does not get much better than that in this price range....wow, wow, wow...to be honest...I would have spent twice what they charged us for food...it's definitely worth it. Please go and check it out...this is an absolute...