Pinafini — Restaurant in Laguna Beach

Food was 3/5, service was 1.5/5

We were seated almost an hour after our reservation time (which we were on time for) and no accommodation was made to apologize for the delay except for vague excuses from the host stand stating that they’ve only been open a week. The situation was not even communicated to our waitress, who herself was very sweet and actively solicited feedback on the food. I’d rate the service from our waitress much higher if the overall tone wasn’t so overshadowed by the inexcusably long wait. With the location, atmosphere, and pricing that this restaurant has, the management should be much more attentive to customer satisfaction - at any similar restaurant we would expect an offer of drinks (maybe even water?!) while we waited or when seated (they have a relatively comprehensive bar and wine list), or perhaps a free appetizer or dessert or something comped on the bill. Here we received nothing. As a new establishment, these kind of gestures would go a long way to building customer retention even with new-restaurant struggles.

Sadly, most of the food was not worth the wait. The babaganoush and fresh pita bread appetizer was the only dish that was truly worth it. The other dishes we tried were edible but not superb. Most everything was only lukewarm. An appetizer titled “borek & spanakopita” was served as four identical phyllo pastry triangles that, if the fillings were different, were so bland as to be impossible to tell apart. The rice served with the kebab entrees was undercooked. My brother said his chicken kebab was overcooked and dry. The capellini pasta was good if you’re ok with spicy, but only came with four shrimp. The hummus was disappointing after how fabulous the babaganoush was, with little flavor beyond chickpea.

Overall, for the mediocre food and disappointing service, we’re not planning to return...

It is not my first time in this place and i genuinely loved it . Left a 5 star review but now I’m honestly heartbroken writing this, because the food at this restaurant was incredible — truly delicious — and the setting was beautiful. We were so excited to introduce the place to my friend from La . But what happened next completely ruined the experience. While I stepped out for 4 minutes to pay for parking and my friend went to the restroom , the staff cleared our table — throwing away our half-full plates, our drinks without even checking if we were done. A staff member even checked and saw my friend in the restroom! When we returned moments later, everything was gone. Instead of apologizing, they blamed us. They blamed us that we needed to let them know when we go to the restroom and why , that was already ridiculous.Then offered us rice or tea , saying that’s all that was left on the table ( which wasn’t true at all ) — as if that somehow made up for the full meals they tossed. We were shocked and asked if they could give us a discount since we didn’t even get to finish our food. They brought us the same hot pots with a tea just added the hot water and that didn’t work out , because it was basically just a boiling water with a little of tea taste .They agreed to take 50% off, which felt fair given the situation. But when I got home and looked at the bill, I realized they charged us full price or we did pay for the tea and water bottle that we didn’t even have a chance to finish because they took everything away.So not only did they take our food, argue with us, and treat us like it was our fault — they also lied about...

I had the pleasure of attending the grand opening of Pinafini today, and I can confidently say it's going to be one of the best dining spots in Laguna Beach! The ambiance is sleek and modern, with a stunning wine wall that immediately catches your eye upon entering.

My amazing husband and I absolutely love Pinafini! The menu features a delightful mix of flavors, showcasing both local and international influences. Each dish we tried was artfully presented and delicious!

Dr. Bill and Bonnie were also raving about their experience, which made the evening even more enjoyable. The staff was incredibly welcoming, making us feel right at home. The highlight of the night was the warm atmosphere filled with laughter and conversation among guests. It’s clear that Pinafini is not just a restaurant but a place where memories will be made.

If you’re looking for a fantastic dining experience in Laguna Beach, make sure to...