The Cliff Restaurant — Restaurant in Laguna Beach

WARNING: LONG REVIEW Honestly, I think I would rather jump off of a cliff than to eat here again.

Let's start off with the good first: The View. If you are looking for a restaurant with an outstanding view, this restaurant takes the cake. It's the best part about the experience there. This is the only reason this review isn't a one star.

Unfortunately, this is where things go south. We made a reservation on Yelp two hours prior to arriving, and after arriving we still had to wait extended period of time (45 minutes or so). This wasn't so bad because they have shops you can look around in and pass time, but this doesn't justify the extended wait after setting a reservation.

Next, the food and price: To make things short, the steak I ordered was $38, and that was one of the most overcooked, unseasoned steak I've ever had. The "cheese nachos" (Pictured) were $10 and they were just tortilla chips with shredded cheese melted on top; I could've made better ones at home. They also offered us guacamole or sour cream, which we chose guacamole, but failed to inform us that there would be an $8 upcharge. (Pictured) The whole dining experience was horrendous, between the time waiting to order and to receive our food, to the taste and quality.

Lastly, Service: I'm normally pretty generous on tipping, but our waitess (I won't say names, but her name start with an F), didn't deserve any bit of the tip we gave her. Let me explain, during the service no one at the table received refills from her and she did not even bring the food out, all she simply did was take our food order and give us the check. After having her split the check into two separate checks she noticed we were paying card and informed us that we could pay at the table right then. After she took my card, she had the audacity to ask if I was going to tip 18, 20, or 22%. I was very much put on the spot, uncomfortable, awkward and speechless. I feel like tipping is a courtesy and not a requirement, and after having to pay her $14 or 18% extra in a tip for doing nothing, that put the nail in the coffin.

If you want to spend outrageous money for mediocre food and a decent view, this is the restaurant for you!

Not trying to be a "Karen" but I wouldn't want anyone to spend their hard earned money here. Save yourself the time and heartache and eat...

Our recent visit to "The Cliff Restaurant" left us rather disheartened due to an unfortunate encounter with the host. With a reservation in hand, we were hopeful for a pleasant dining experience, but what followed was far from it.

Despite our reservation, we were asked to wait an additional 30 minutes. Being understanding customers, we settled in at the bar. After an hour, we approached the host to inquire about our table, only to be met with an unwelcoming attitude.

The host curtly informed us that we would have to wait another 15-20 minutes. Seeking clarity on the situation, my girlfriend politely asked if there was a certainty to the wait time. Regrettably, his response was laced with impatience, leaving us puzzled.

In an attempt to address the matter diplomatically, I asked the host to consider a more courteous approach, especially given my girlfriend's polite inquiry. His response was far from professional, reminding us that I was not his mentor in matters of manners.

With the situation escalating, we requested to speak with the manager. While the host reluctantly agreed, the manager failed to make an appearance, casting further disappointment on the experience. To our surprise, the host's parting words were, "People like you come and go, and it won't affect us."

Even his colleagues appeared taken aback by this comment, indicating that his behavior was an anomaly. Despite the host's attitude, we chose to take the high road, allowing another host to seat us promptly.

As we reflect on our experience, we can't help but feel that "The Cliff Restaurant" overlooks the importance of treating customers respectfully. While crowded venues can be challenging to manage, it's crucial to prioritize the comfort of guests.

It's worth noting that every establishment encounters various types of customers. While we maintained patience, it's plausible that "The Cliff Restaurant" may eventually encounter individuals who aren't as forgiving. Perhaps on that day, they will reap what they sow.

While our intention isn't to deter potential guests, we feel it's important to share our experience candidly. We encourage others to make informed decisions when choosing a dining venue. As for us, we won't be returning to "The Cliff Restaurant," and we hope that improvements are made to ensure a more positive...

I was invited to dinner with family and decided to make the drive from Riverside. We tried to call the restaurant an hour in advance and was told that we were put on a list, as they did not take reservations. We walked over from where everyone is staying and checked in and was told that we were 22 on the list at 6pm. There is a sign on the hostess table that there is a 2 hours wait, but we thought we would have about an hour being that we called in advance and was placed on the wait list.

We went into the bar and ordered drinks, however we ended up taking our drinks outside. There were bees everywhere and I am allergic, so it gave me a bit of anxiety and just didn't want to be in there. We had our drinks on a bench near the hostess in hope that by the time we finished our drinks, talked a little and enjoyed some of the entertainment, we would be called.

An hour passed and we checked in and was told that we were now 14 on the list. We started to check other restaurants in the area to see if we would be able to eat sooner, but everything at this point seemed to have a long wait; so we decided to stay. We were finally seated a little after 8pm. Put in our drink order and waited some more.

It took about 20 min for the drinks to come to the table and for us to put in our food order. Another half hour before the food came to the table. One in our party said their soup was cold (Lobster Bisque) and the Ahi Tuna wasn't what they were expecting. The rest seemed to be okay and at least warm. After the long wait and more waiting, we opted out of desert and just wanted to get going.

I let my family members know that there are many better places in the area, as they are staying through the week, but advised not to come back here during their stay. If you do plan on coming here, call 2 hours in advance or add your name to the list via Yelp, so that you aren't sitting around waiting 2 hours or more. When they text you, they said you have 10 min to check in. So when your 4 on the list, that might be a good time to head over and get a drink.

If you are looking for something with good food and drinks - Royal Hawaiian, The Deck on Laguna Beach or Driftwood Kitchen. I don't think I will be recommending this place...