A+O Restaurant | Bar — Restaurant in Newport Beach

Now requiring minimum spend for outside tables??

I've been to A+O for many occasions - happy hours, weddings, family visits, brunch, work events. Planning many of these gatherings and have only had small issues until recently. [Disclaimer: Assumption ahead.] The restaurant seems to be making adjustments to restrict access or make the location more exclusive, which is a bummer. Change is good, but I hope there is good reason behind it.

As of today (mid-September 2024), the information for food and beverage minimums is not on their website, so I want to share my experience/new knowledge for other Newport Beach patio-lovers.

About 2 weeks in advance, I made a Thursday-night, fire pit table reservation over the phone for a casual, post-work drinks for ~8 coworkers and myself. Called to confirm the reservation a few times, left some messages, and finally received an open table booking confirmation notification one week out. Day of our visit, their team called to confirm reservation for the evening and wanted to let me know that the fire table has a food and beverage minimum of $500.

Wait, what? Could not believe this was the first time I was being told about the F/B minimum. When I asked if it was new, the woman replied “we’ve always had it.” Dazed and confused Well, I can’t be the only person who has sat at the fire pit tables dozens of times and never heard of this requirement.

Because of our group size, we would probably meet the minimum, but since I was not sure, I asked where else we could be seated. Their team’s response was ‘inside’ - which is nice, but it was going to be the first visit for many of my co-workers and the fire pit + view was a key selling point as to why we were going there in the first place. Also, couches was a better set up for group versus a normal table set-up.

If I had been told in advance, it obviously wouldn’t have been as much of a surprise. Disappointed that their team lacked communication between themselves and with me.

Unsure why A+O chose now to begin (or start enforcing) this fire table requirement. There are a few things that I do not know, such as 1) if it applies to all days of the week, 2) if it depends on group size, and 3) if it applies to other outside tables well. If this is permanent, definitely think it should be stated somewhere online. Hope this review helps my fellow planners until that happens.

In the end, we chose to cancel our A+O reservation and look for other options. Within one phone call, the manager at VIEW Restaurant inside the VEA Hotel reserved a large space on their Lanai patio for us - complete with a fire pit! Both hotels offer 3 hour validation for valet parking with purchase from restaurant.

I’ll still go back to A+O - vibes and drinks are good, but this experience was...

Superb Dining Experience with a Minor Gluten-Free Shortcoming

A+O Restaurant | Bar provided me with an outstanding dining experience that showcased remarkable service, delectable food, and an exceptionally pet-friendly attitude. From the moment I walked in, it was clear that this establishment truly values its patrons and their four-legged friends.

The service was beyond exceptional - the staff's attention to detail and genuine warmth made me feel right at home. One gesture that particularly impressed me was their consideration for my furry companion. They didn't just welcome dogs, they went the extra mile by ensuring a fresh water dish was always available, enhancing the overall experience for both me and my pet.

The highlight of the culinary journey was undoubtedly their recommended burger, which I found to be incredibly flavorful, even without the bun due to my gluten allergy. It's commendable that they cater to dietary restrictions, and the fact that I could enjoy a delicious meal while staying gluten-free was a major plus. Admittedly, some items on the menu were on the pricier side, but the quality of the food largely justified the cost.

While my overall experience was exceptional, there was one minor drawback that prevented me from awarding a perfect rating. A+O Restaurant | Bar, unfortunately, lacks a variety of gluten-free options beyond salads. This limitation was a bit disappointing, especially given the effort they put into accommodating guests with allergies. Adding more diverse gluten-free choices to the menu would undoubtedly elevate the dining experience even further.

In conclusion, A+O Restaurant | Bar is a standout establishment that combines impeccable service, fantastic pet-friendly features, and delectable food. My experience was near-perfect, and I'm particularly appreciative of their effort to cater to my gluten allergy. Though I'm docking one star due to the limited gluten-free options, I wholeheartedly recommend this restaurant to anyone seeking an unforgettable...

We dined at A&O Restaurant and bar on January 23,2022. When I called to make the reservations I let them know we were dining to celebrate a birthday. I walked in with high hopes. The view and food were good. The service however was terrible. Our server was Tia. We were sat down, 20 minutes went by before our server came over. I let her know we had been sitting there for a while. She replied it was a busy night, which I understood, but she made no attempt to improve her service through the nigh. We saw a manager walking around a couple times, he never stopped to ask if we were doing ok (which is typical for them to do). We ordered water and an appetizer. At this point it had been half an hour or more since we sat down and had nothing to drink. I made my way to the bar and ordered two drinks. We were there to celebrate a birthday, I could not let bad service ruin the night. We finally were able to flag down one of the workers that was cleaning the table, he brought us water and was attentive during our stay. We saw Tia about three times that night. She took our order, asked for the check and picked up the check. At no point during the night did she apologize or asked if there was anything she could do to change the night around. I had dined at Balboa Bay Resort before, when the restaurant was "Waterline", the service back then was great. Unfortunately I cannot say the same for A&O...