Claes Restaurant
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Phone: (949) 494-1151
- Best of Citysearch:
- Wine List 2006
- Hours:
- Breakfast 7am-10:30am, Lunch 11am-2pm, Sun Brunch 9am-2pm, Dinner Sunday, Tue-Thu 5:30pm-9:30pm, Fri-Sat 5:30pm-10pm, Mondays closed
Message from Claes Restaurant
The cuisine should provide pleasure, the wine happiness!
- Personalized Menu
- Beautiful Ocean View
- Top Wine List
Paid advertisement by Claes Restaurant.
Editorial Review for Claes Restaurant – by Cory Birkett
The Scene
Members of the swanky O.C. elite or out-of-towners looking for a perfect view flock to this Laguna Beach showpiece. Located inside the historic Spanish Mission-style Hotel Laguna, Claes has tasteful, dark, sleek wood and a chic art-deco feel. Dramatic oversized windows offer the feeling of literally being perched above crashing waves. Servers pay attention to every detail, offering perfect entree and wine pairings.
The Food
Executive Chef David Mack's aesthetically pleasing presentations of seafood, pasta and steak reflect a tantalizing meld of foreign influences, most present are French and Pacific Rim. The spicy shrimp cake appetizer served with a zesty cilantro salsa is a tongue-tingling delight. Sesame-crusted seared ahi tuna with gentle curry and ginger accents is light and succulent. For a heartier appetite, the hefty teriyaki-glazed steak served alongside a sumptuous morsel of lobster tempura goes beyond the standard. The warm molten chocolate cake is a rich slice of heaven.
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User Reviews for Claes Restaurant
08/09/2008 Posted by justonegreatmeal
Maybe it's because we were there in high season. But I doubt it: The restaurant was only about two-thirds full. We arrived ten minutes prior to our reserved time. The hostess asked us to wait in the bar, which was fine. She told us that she would get us as soon as the table was ready. FORTY MINUTES later, we were still in the bar. I went back to the hostess, who didn't even remember that she had sent us to the bar. She looked at me nonplussed (i.e. confused). I reminded her that we had checked in 40 minutes ago. Finally, two neurons connected and she mumbled, "Okay, your table is ready". She then had either the audacity, the stupidity or the arrogance to seat us at the WORST table in the restaurant, which again was only about two-thirds full. No apology, no comp'd drinks or appetizer. NADA. The food was average. The wine list was very good. The service was good (a manager in a suit disciplined our waiter literally right in front of us). There are literally dozens of good restaurants in this little beach town. It was the only restaurant we visited during our five night stay that treated us with arrogance. No repeat business from us at Clae's, to be sure.
Pros: Fine ocean view
Cons: Hostess should be fired
02/22/2008 Posted by Topenga
I went there three times. The first time I was not impressed with the service. The second time, I went there for dinner as well (gave them a second chance because of the view), and again, the service was disappointing. The minute I told the waiter that I only drank water, his mood and attitude changed - he was slow and unfriendly. The food was average, bordering on tastless. Somehow my husband talked me into going there for brunch - I must be a glutton for punishment, but even I have my limits. It was overcrowded, which overwhelmed the staff. It took forever to get the food and when it came it was cold and not at all that tasty. What is going on with all these restaurants that have the audacity to charge high prices, but don't bother to justify it with good food and decent service? I say, don't tolerate bad service anymore!
Pros: view
Cons: everything else (food, service)
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