Flights & Irons Urban Kitchen — Restaurant in San Clemente

My wife and I frequent flights and irons. We’ve had almost everything off the menu.

Everytime we have been in which is more than 10, the waiter and waitresses have been surprisingly kind, the chefs are really consistent. The food is really tasty and doesn’t make you feel unhealthy. There is a bar with wine and whatever we don’t drink but it’s a nice classy place. The inside of the building is nice. It’s more of a southern vibe.

When we order pick up on weekdays it’s done in about 15min weekends it’s about 20-25 min and I’ve gone in a little earlier and got my stuff before that time. They’ve always been very prompt I feel comfortable with the prices for how nice the establishment is and how delicious the food is. I typically eat double portions or two entres at other places. I leave this place feeling satisfied and not over stuffed on one entre.

Our favorite dinners there Chili with cornbread (the cornbread is like home made and has actually corn in it. It’s hands down the best cornbread I’ve ever had and I’m from Oklahoma. The chili is so delicious. It’s not soupy I eat it with a fork because it’s so hardy. The salmon is really good, I usually get the salmon. My wife usually gets the bbq chicken salad. I’ve even got the tuna ( I hate tuna) but I actually didn’t mind it. I’m still not a fan of tuna but it was a good dish and I hate tuna. But like I said the guys in the back did a good job and it made me like the place even more.

I would go on dates here, take a small group of friends, I’ve seen old business partners meet there. It’s that kinda place. Some people wear button up shirts and nice pants. I don’t dress that nice but it’s not in common for people to come in looking good.

It might be wheel chair access there is a fairly narrow walk way to the door. If it isn’t there can’t be more than 1 or two steps off the parking lot to...

We came to Flights & Irons Urban Kitchen expecting a great evening, and most of it was—the food and our server were both excellent. But our entire experience was completely ruined by an incredibly unprofessional and rude host named Nikki.

When we first arrived, Nikki told us the estimated wait time was 20 minutes. I asked if we needed to leave a name or phone number—she clearly said no, just come back in 20 minutes. So we left briefly (we had two pregnant women and a baby in our party) and came back after 25–30 minutes. Nikki then refused to seat us, said she already gave away the table, and told us to go to another restaurant, adding that she couldn’t give us any new estimate.

This was shocking. There were several empty tables and no one waiting. When I asked why there was no grace period (as is common in nearly all California restaurants), she had no explanation and was extremely dismissive. After my insistence, she reluctantly gave us a table.

Worse, when she brought out a sizzling hot plate of mashed potatoes, the iron plate slid off and hit the table, and she immediately said, “Shit!” — loudly and right in front of my 3-year-old child. This is completely unacceptable behavior, and I have never seen this level of unprofessionalism from a host in any restaurant, especially one that serves families.

Nikki’s behavior was not only unprofessional but also deeply disrespectful to customers. If management cares at all about guest experience, they seriously need to retrain or replace this employee. One bad apple shouldn’t be allowed to damage the reputation of an otherwise...

It’s disappointing to write this review, but I think management should be aware just how bad the bar service is right now.

To give credit where it is due, the restaurant’s food is good, the nearby bar/speakeasy they just opened is nice, but the bartender inside Flights and Irons has such bad energy. My wife and I went there a few months ago and weren’t sure if she was having a bad day or hated us, but the negative energy she gave off was bad enough that we stopped sitting at the bar since then. We probably would have spent a lot more money going there, if not for our experience.

We recently took a chance and the bartender, who used to seem quite nice and happy, was once again in sour spirits. Not sure if something is going on in her life, but she comes across cold and rude. We are local homeowners and don’t need to spend our money at Flights & Irons. We could go to other bars or restaurants. We want to continue to support the establishment, but how uncomfortable the bartender made us is making returning questionable. She doesn’t talk or try to be friendly and goes back to looking miserable whenever not talked to. Not sure if she’s just unhappy in life or with the job, but management needs to encourage a better, happier environment. Our neighbor had the same experience there. Really hope this improves, as we’d like to sit at the bar and enjoy ourselves without worrying about the bartender’s negative attitude. Also, last time when the guy next to us asked for more food, she seemed like she didn’t want to be bothered. I bet a trial with a happier bartender would bring in...