19 Restaurant & Lounge — Restaurant in Laguna Woods

I chose this restaurant for my mother's 90th birthday celebration because we've had good food and service in the past, could eat outside on the patio and be together safely (re: covid19), enjoy a nice view, and not overly fatigue my mom. My aunt had recently attended a neighbor's 100th birthday party here, and raved about the chocolate with assorted berries cake the restaurant had made for that occasion. She recommended I call Tony, the manager, to get the same cake for my mother's milestone birthday. I did just that, and asked Tony to make the exact same cake as for the other birthday celebrant whose name I provided. Tony knew who and what I referred to, and affirmed he could make that cake for my mother's birthday. When I asked about the cake cost for 12 people, Tony said it would cost $50. I expressed some surprise about that price, but when Tony explained desserts in restaurants typically cost $9 per person or more, I said fine, it is what it is. A week prior to my mother's birthday celebration, I texted and called Tony to confirm the cake would be made for that date, and to provide what should be written on it. All seemed to be in order. Come the day of the celebration, the server brought out an ordinary 1/4 sheet chocolate cake without any berries. He set it on our table with plates, forks, and a cutting knife, and left us to cut and serve it ourselves. Then I was charged $50 for that cake. When questioned about the cake not being what we discussed, Tony's explanation was berries would have cost an extra $4 per person, and because I had balked at the price, he felt he could only make a plain chocolate cake. No communication in advance about this, and no responsibility taken for not delivering what was discussed at the price discussed. Sure, I had not asked in advance that the restaurant cut and serve the cake for us, but this restaurant made this cake. It didn't even occur to me that they would charge extra to serve a dessert they made! Tony, this was for my mother. For her 90 years on this planet. For having lived through and survived the horrors of a war. For having made significant contributions to many people's lives. Are you happy you cheated her and pulled a fast one on me? I see you clearly. As I told you before, Tony, it's just not that hard to do the right thing. Try...

I have not been motivated to write reviews of dining places lately but feel compelled to warn fellow consumers.

This is my experience visiting the place on September 2, 2021.

The steak served in the Surf and Turf I ordered was atrocious and deserved 0 star. I had asked for the steak to be cooked medium rare. When it was served, I saw the outside of the steak being half black and looking very dry. After I cut it opened, the inside was indeed dry and cooked to be medium well on the well side. The server offered to replace it. Unfortunately, the replacement was no better. I did not ask for another replacement as it was clear whoever was in charge of cooking steaks has no idea how to do it properly. Not only was the steak cooked wrong, the cut was not even Fillet Mignon as claimed on the menu. I took a photo to show how bad the steak was.

Our group of eight ordered potato skin and calamari to share as starters. Both were devoid of flavor.

My wife shared the rack of lamp she ordered which the cook did not mess up on the doneness but the meat was again devoid of flavor.

The place tagged on 20% tips to the bill.

The one star is for the nice view sitting on the patio.

This place is firmly on my DO NOT...

110% great service, great food, great views from rooms we reserved! We had my Grandma's celebration of life here last Friday and there are no words to describe what A SUPER, ABOVE THE EXPECTATION experience we had here! The person in charge of our gathering was Mark. This guy went ABOVE AND BEYOND TO PLEASE US AT EVERY TURN! And as with anything, there were a few issues with us(not with them, we just had to change things last second)..but Mark just smiled and said "no problem" and "sure, not a problem, just let me know what you need"! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS PLACE! And I don't recommend many things...the food was GREAT (even better than we had expected), but it was by far the service provided by MARK (and anyone assisting him) that made this entire event peaceful and smooth from start to finish! More places need people like this gentleman working for them if they want to please their clients/guests! A HUGE THANK YOU TO MARK AND THE 19 RESTAURANT for...