For a classically cool and retro dining experience, this place can't be beat. The other era vibe begins the moment you step into the restaurant. The hostess greeted my wife and me very warmly and took us to our table. We sat on red leather chairs polished to a shimmering shine and admired the polished wooden tables. Red leather banquettes lined the walls of the restaurant, a fireplace had a roaring fire, and stylish, almost noirish black and white photos hung along the polished wooden walls and beneath a polished wooden ceiling. On one wall was the neon-lit word, "Believe." I took that to mean "believe" that you've just been transported to another era. This 100-year-old restaurant definitely imparts a certain magic. Our very friendly waiter got my wife and me started on a Caesar salad and divided it into two plates for us --- a nice gesture, which we didn't request. A lot of Caesar salads in a lot of restaurants are a miss --- this one was a home run. Fresh, crunchy lettuce, crunchy croutons, slivers of tangy parmesan cheese, and light, just right Caesar dressing with hints of anchovy. A great start to the meal. For our mains, I ordered the chicken pot pie --- a classic dish only served on Mondays and Fridays. The perfectly constructed crust covered the dish and then some. Peas, carrots, celery, chicken gravy mixed with juicy chicken made this the best chicken pot pie I've had in years. Just wonderful --- and I'm still thinking about it. My wife ordered Mary's Chicken, roasted herb chicken with roasted herb squash, raisins, sauteed rupini, toasted pine nuts with chili flakes and chicken jus. All of the flavors of all of these fresh ingredients converged just right. It was a great and filling dish --- and so filling we took some home. We had ice cream and berries (raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries) for dessert. The right amount of sweetness and indulgence. The restaurant was packed with happy diners. It had a celebratory buzz about it. A meal here transports you with classic American cuisine and a classic '60s decor to another era. read more

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Beautiful restaurant, great ambiance, great service, very attentive,great food especially Mary's chicken and chicken pot pie. Will definitely return again. read more

Love their Crystal Cove location. Going back next week. Wish they were closer to me. Great service, food, & drinks ! read more

A Restaurant is far and above one of the best restaurants I have ever been to. They also have the best steak I've ever tasted in my life. This was only my second trip to A Restaurant, but the food was just as good as I remembered. I ordered the 16oz boneless ribeye and it was just perfect. It's extremely simple but comes with roasted garlic and compound butter that is to die for. Others at the table ordered the filet, hangar steak and lobster. Everyone enjoyed their dinner. I also started with the Creamy Sweet Corn Soup with Lobster. If this soup is on the menu, do not neglect it! As a lover of all things corn, this soup was delicious. They bring the bowl to you almost empty- only filled with lobster, cream and garnish and pour the soup right in front of you. The corn soup is so fresh and the lobster is tender. For sides, we ordered the creamed spinach, potato puree, mac & cheese, and the Mexican street corn. I'd advise against the spinach and mac & cheese - the spinach is very blended and kinda soupy and the mac was a bit grainy - just not worth it in my opinion. Definitely go for the Mexican street corn! A note on the ambiance - the restaurant is dark (hence the absence of pictures) and it can be a smudge loud, so keep that in mind. That said, pictures are not needed! Just go! You won't regret it. The service was outstanding. Brian and Dustin were exceptional. They were very attentive and made the experience that much better. They also overheard we were celebrating a birthday and provided a birthday dessert and card signed by the staff. I cannot recommend A Restaurant enough if you are visiting Newport Beach. I'm not local but it is a restaurant I will need to visit at least once a year for the foreseeable future! read more

Great steaks, expensive but very good! Staff is very informed and in the ball. Will be back read more

My experience at A Restaurant was 10/10 from start to finish! I wanted to try to make reservations for my husbands birthday on a Thursday evening and online all reservations were booked out. I called to see what the wait time might be and the hostess was able to get me a reservation, same day, for 7:30pm! Once we arrived, the valet staff were incredible friendly and it was lovely to not worry about parking on busy PCH. We were given a beautiful booth and the overall vibe of the restaurant is stunning. It's moody lighting, fireplace going, stunning bar, all so visually aesthetic which we love!! Our waiter was Steven A. and he was absolutely unreal. Excellent vibes, recommendations, and overall made our experience even better than we had hoped! We started with the meatballs and caesar salad and oh mama. Then we each got a steak, filet for me and ribeye for my husband, and the herbed butter and roasted garlic cloves to top them with were unreal. As we were leaving we were acknowledged by another 5 employees thanking us for coming in and we couldn't believe how friendly everyone was. Yes, it's a pricier establishment but we both agreed that the food, service, and experience made it a place we'd happily continue to give our money to. It's a MUST visit! read more

I loved visiting with my girlfriend. Upon entering, the restaurant felt very spacious, yet cozy. The service was very quick and friendly. We got an assortment of cocktails, appetizers, and entrees--all were amazing. Would recommend! read more

Excellent food, service and ambiance. Highly recommend. Of course, dessert and cocktails are the added touch.

The food was great! The service was super! The noise was crazy! It was so loud and noisy, people were screaming and yelling just to be heard. I usually do not mind noise but this was over the top. I could hardly wait to leave. This place is way too expensive for that experience. read more

We've been trying to get into A for a while and it did not disappoint! The service was spot on, the steaks, sides, salad were incredible! Already planning our next trip. read more

A Restaurant - Guava cheesecake - New American Near Me - Newport Beach, California

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This place ruined my birthday. Specified it on my reservation and even got carded so the waitress clearly saw my birthdate. Tried to flag down the older blonde waitress to order dessert and was ignored. Not to mention 9 dollar valet required and a very odd crowd at the bar read more

A Restaurant - Martini - New American Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Had dinner last week, bread was good, steak was kind of over cooked. Love their salad.

I died when my boyfriend mentioned that this restaurant had a reputation for hosting cougars after telling him about my gals' night out because it definitely had the vibes but nonetheless the food was decent! The price point matched Newport and the surrounding restaurants, namely Maestro's and Javier's (that was our first choice but it was crowded AF). Greatly enjoyed the spicy yellowfin tuna (hit a nice spot!), wagyu beef with pasta (satiating), and rhubarb pie (tasty!). The booth area we sat in felt private and was located right next to the DJ who ended up playing switching from house to more old school r&b as the night progressed. I wouldn't say the food was necessarily the most memorable but this place was definitely a godsend at 9pm when all other nearby restaurants were either closed and/or extremely crowded. Either way, I'd still recommend getting a reservation regardless! read more

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DO NOT GO......Overrated...Terrible food and presentation....the "bone in" ribeye had no taste, sent it back!! By the way the "bone" is also being re-used plate to plate as a bait and switch for a more expensive cost. The lobster was cold, not fresh and also not fully cooked...also the lobster shell it was in is also being re-used plate to plate...LOL. The restaurant was loud and full of chaos. There are many other issues that I will not waste my time, but the "employee benefit" line item fee on the bill was laughable, to say the least..and the "manager" never came to the table. The "A" stands for AWFUL!! You have been warned.... read more

I recently dined here and unfortunately had a mixed experience. I do want to start by saying the manager was extremely kind and accommodating. When we brought up our concerns, they took the time to listen and worked toward finding a solution, which we really appreciated. However, our server, Caesar, was very rude and condescending throughout our visit. We ordered two spicy tuna rolls, but only one was brought out. The manager brought out only (1) for us when we complained When we mentioned it, the response we received felt dismissive rather than helpful. Later, when the bill arrived, we noticed we were charged for two spicy tuna rolls. I also ordered a soup that thankfully was not charged, but the situation overall felt careless and unorganized. When I tried to clarify the charges, Caesar responded in a way that felt defensive and unprofessional. He barely checked on our table regularly, nor did he personally bring out most of the food, yet spoke as if the service had been exceptional. At one point, he was laughing while we were trying to address our concerns, which made the experience even more frustrating. We truly appreciate the manager stepping in and attempting to resolve the situation, but the service we received from our server did not meet expectations. I will not be back to this location. read more

This has always been a classic establishment and reliable! Kim has always been phenomenal! The hanger steak is always tender, delicious, juicy and on point! Rib eye was good. Mac n cheese hits the spot. The Calamari was a bit too sweet and not a traditional version. You definitely need a reservation because the place is always packed! Great live ambiance! read more

A Restaurant - Banana split - New American Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Recently celebrated my best friends birthday at A Restaurant and had a wonderful experience. We had a large party of 8 and they let us sit at the table despite the birthday girl being late. We chose the restaurant because of the ambiance and old timey vibes; they didn't have any issues with us decorating our table for the celebration. It can get a little loud as the night rolls on, but in a fun way. The food was fantastic! We started with the meatballs, fried calamari, and the hamachi crudo. The meatballs only come with 3 so we wish we had ordered more. Fried calamari had a spicy kick to it; we all enjoyed! And the hamachi crudo was gone because I could even snag a picture! For entrees we all had steaks or fish. Everyone enjoyed their meals. My filet was perfectly cooked; and the roasted garlic they serve with steaks is my literal favorite thing ever. We ordered five sides to share; the Mac N cheese was the biggest hit. We did have enough sides for left overs too. For drinks we started with espresso martinis and margs, then moved to wine. We ordered a few bottles of wine for the table; I'm still dreaming of the bottle of Pinot Noir our server Cesar suggested. We had a custom made cake brought out and it was a gorgeous presentation. Only thing I would change is snagging a picture before the candle wax dripped. Our server Cesar was amazing. He took great care of the entire party and never made us feel rushed. We are thankful for Cesar and his attentiveness. The parking gets a little crazy. We all just valet; mar your life easier and do the same!The valet takes Apple Pay too, which was nice. 10/10 can't wait to go back read more

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A's has a great vibe overall--stylish, polished, and definitely elevated compared to most neighborhood spots. The atmosphere feels upscale and inviting, though the TV presence slightly distracts from what otherwise could be a more refined dining experience. They're known for their Monday chicken pot pie, which we were excited to try, but it ended up being underwhelming. It was fine, just nothing memorable--especially when compared to Erewhon's pot pie, which honestly has more flavor and depth. That said, the meatballs and sauce were excellent and easily the standout of the meal--rich, well-seasoned, and clearly done with care. Aside from that, the food was good but not exceptional. Overall, A's is a nice spot with strong potential: great ambiance, a few standout dishes, but some signature items don't quite live up to the hype. Worth visiting, just manage expectations on the pot pie. read more

My husband and I went to celebrate our anniversary. We sat across from the manager who was not on duty but there to enjoy his evening. I understand that. However his party was overwhelming. The staff was trying to over accommodate his party and in doing so left many others around feeling ignored. My steak was over cooked and no one ever asked how it was. There is a lot to like about the restaurant but his party got in the way of our enjoyment. read more

Old School comfort and great food! The wait staff is excellent. The steaks and sides were so delicious and perfectly cooked. The kitchen was a little slow, but it was at the prime dinner hour so forgivable. A little pricey... but the perfect dinner. read more

A Restaurant - Don't forget the wine - New American Near Me - Newport Beach, California

We came here hoping to enjoy a quick cocktail before continuing with the rest of our evening. We asked the valet if it would be okay to check out the bar area, and they directed us toward the entrance. As my boyfriend walked up, a man sitting on the wall near the doorway--who was somewhat blocking the entrance--asked him what he wanted. My boyfriend politely replied that we were just looking for two seats at the bar. Without hesitation, the staff member, Keemo, rudely responded that there was "nothing in there for him." We were completely taken aback by the interaction. We frequent The A in Long Beach and have always had wonderful experiences, which is why this was so surprising and disappointing. We weren't asking for anything unreasonable--we simply wanted to see if there was space at the bar or at least have the opportunity to put our names on a waitlist. Instead, we were dismissed before we were even allowed to step inside. The way we were treated felt unwelcoming and disrespectful, and it left a very negative impression. It's unfortunate that one interaction with a staff member overshadowed what we expected to be an enjoyable visit. read more

Food is always delicious. I love their wagyu. Also their cocktails are 5 star. The scene is fun. It gets loud but it's a lively ambiance that is nice to go out and be around a group of good people at your favorite table or booth and have a great meal. Service can get a little slow sometimes but the quality of service is 5 star. read more

First of all, Derek is phenomenal. The service in this place is more than whatever should be amazing. The appetizers great The steak it was really good, but just OK I'm spoiled. I'm from Montana. I eat the best meat in the world with the steak here for the dollar figure should've been a touch better. The ambience really full of locals, great energy great people read more

Steaks were great! All cooked to order. My Hanger steak was flavorful. 3 at our table had boneless ribeye and very happy with flavor and tenderness. 4 stars because it was extremely loud, due to a party that had been going since noon, even though we came at 5 pm. Service was very good. If we wanted something, it was done. But will be back. read more

A Restaurant - Hanger Steak - New American Near Me - Newport Beach, California

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Lovely birthday meal at A's! The drinks are STRONG, every dish is packed with flavor, and service is amazing! The team all signed a birthday card for me which was very sweet. Love coming here for a night out. Only downside is it can get very loud inside so just be aware. read more

A Restaurant - Birthday dessert - New American Near Me - Newport Beach, California

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I went for Happy Hour , I just wouldn't go back, the food quality seems very Sysco ish. Service was ok but you have other options around there that have better quality food read more

A Restaurant - Fall salad , it's was hard to eat - New American Near Me - Newport Beach, California

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Had higher hopes for this place based on the reviews. service was 10/10 but food lacked flavor. We had the chicken pot pie and ribeye medium both were lacking flavor and salt. Place is a vibe, very dim, and LOUD. If you wanna go somewhere nice, intimate, be able to have a conversation, I would go elsewhere. Probably good for a stop for drinks and fresh sourdough bread. read more

Good service, very nice atmosphere and decor. Music with a real DJ! Good vibe. Valet parking only ($15.) Good size filet and New York steak. Good flavor. My Halibut was okay. The Caesar's salad was just ok. Some kind of tiny crumbs maybe fat solidify grease? Drinks were also ok. Bill came out to be $100 ea. it's one of those one time experience. read more

I don't typically write reviews unless something stands out--this did, for the wrong reason. After waiting about an hour on a Saturday night, we accepted seats at the bar and ordered drinks. As we were about to order dinner (full meal, wine, the works), we were interrupted and asked to move down a few seats to accommodate another group. I declined politely--we were seated at the corner, mid-conversation, and already settled in. The alternative seats were directly next to the service area where staff pick up drinks--objectively a worse experience. The request immediately became an ultimatum: move, or leave. When I asked why, we were told the other group had been waiting longer. I then asked why they hadn't been given our seats in the first place. There was no clear answer. I asked to speak with a manager, who backed the decision. We were not causing a scene--we simply declined to give up our seats after waiting and beginning our experience. So we left. This wasn't about a seat. It was about being treated as expendable once you're already in the door. There are too many good restaurants nearby to accept that kind of treatment. Strong food doesn't compensate for poor judgment in how guests are handled. read more

One of my very favorites time after time. Top notch service, excellent food and such a cool and relaxing vibe. The pot pie on Friday nights is delicious and the hottest food you will ever have! The steaks are perfect and the sides are amazing. Mac and cheese is super creamy and yummy. Asparagus is great as well. Always a fan of A Restaurant! read more

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I was there right at 5pm and was able to grab a seat at the bar. I got a salad and fries--both delicious! They don't allow protein (ie chicken) on their salads so I opted out. The server said the kitchen only wants you to order the Mary's chicken entree and put the chicken on yourself. I've never heard of that before, but rolled with it and went without the protein. The ambiance was friendly and everyone at the bar seemed to be LOVING their meals. I can't wait to go back! read more

Came in for a quick drink and enjoyed our experience. If you love a salty/sweet drink, I would highly recommend the Salty Pear! Would not be my first choice for a drink, but I can see how others would love it. This restaurant has a very dark and intimate vibe, perfect for a date! read more

A Restaurant - salty pear - New American Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Ok, here it is.... My kind of place! Dark, classic, and full of character. The owner makes sure everything is just right, and the food was flawless, not a single bad bite. The atmosphere was lively and welcoming, with Stephen (sp) standing out as a true pro. He brought the whole room together, giving every guest the same attention as if they were seated at one table. Service was top-notch across the board. From the servers to the bus staff, everyone worked seamlessly and professionally. An exceptional experience from start to finish, I can't wait to go back! read more

Went here with a few gfs for a birthday dinner. Overall I enjoyed my dining experience. We had reservations and had to wait a little bit before we were seated. Once we were seated we got a chance to browse the menu. We decided on a few items, Hamachi crudo, Spicy Yellowfin Tuna, Jumbo Diver Scallops, chicken pot pie, roasted beets and tomatoes. Hamachi crudo was my favorite out of everything ordered. I also enjoyed the spicy yellowfin tuna. Everything was pretty good but I'd have to say the pot pie was highly recommended by the waitress but I'd have to say it fell short for me. It was just ok. Had the Maple bacon old fashion and it's also worth a try. Nice atmosphere for a date or just to hang out with some friends and grab a bite to eat or some drinks. Parking is ample, valet is also available. read more

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Amazing environment. Perfect combination of classic and traditional. Spectacular attention, If you look to have the best service! read more

It's rare (no pun intended) to find a place that consistently nails a perfect medium rare every single time, but this spot always delivers. You can tell they take pride in both the quality of the cut and the precision of the cook. The meal always starts off on a high note with their complimentary bread and butter. The butter comes topped with a little parchment paper stamped with a cursive "A," which is such a small but classy touch. For sides, the wedge salad is solid and refreshing, but the real standouts are the mac and cheese and the whipped potatoes. The mac and cheese is rich, creamy, and easily one of the best I've had, while the potatoes pair perfectly with the steak. Service is always top notch, but I have to give a special shoutout to Cesar, who was incredibly attentive. He checked in often without ever hovering and recommended a fantastic starter, the Brussels sprout leaves, which turned out to be a hit. Whether you're coming for a date night or just want a guaranteed good steak dinner, this place never disappoints. It's one of those rare restaurants where consistency meets quality, and that's what keeps me coming back. read more

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Dined in one of the booths across from the bar on 12/28 830pm. Love the ambiance. We waited a while before our server came to greet us. I feel like especially with the main walkway along these booths to the kitchen it's important for guests to be greeted as we see it as sitting there meanwhile several employees walk by. Finally someone came to give us water and we asked if we can get a drink order in and he said we have to wait for our server. The tartar and meatball appetizers were better than our entrees. I had the scallops and risotto entree which was underwhelming in flavor. Once the server came by service was good. read more

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The staff was amazing and the food was amazing but it was way too loud for me. If you Mike loud restaurants that charge you way to much for the "Newport experience then go here. I do have to say the service was exert. But for the price I would expect no less. I will not be going back to this restaurant. read more

I have never experienced such disrespect at a restaurant, especially one that claims to be a high-end establishment. I often dine out in Newport Beach, and my recent visit to A Restaurant was extremely disappointing. I went with two of my friends and we sat at the bar, ordered drinks and food, and were simply enjoying our evening. Without any courtesy or professionalism, the bouncer approached me and said, "You have three seats, now you have two because your chair is reserved," while placing a reserved sign in front of me. There was no hello, no polite request, not even an apology--just an uncalled-for rude and hostile attitude. I told him that I had just ordered a drink and would gladly move if asked respectfully. Instead, he became even more impolite. I was shocked that a restaurant of this caliber would allow its staff to treat paying customers in this way. When I raised the issue with the manager, no one apologized or showed any effort to make things right. To make matters worse, after we moved, random people sat in the very same seats that were supposedly "reserved." It was not only disrespectful but also incredibly unprofessional and dishonest. A restaurant's reputation depends on hospitality and respect for its guests. Sadly, A Restaurant failed on both counts. I will not be returning and cannot recommend this place to anyone looking for a quality dining experience in Newport Beach. Hospitality at its Worst - Rude Staff, No Apologies read more

Came here the other night and had a fantastic dinner with amazing food and service. Even though we didn't have a reservation we were able to get seated quickly. Started with the Octopus and let me say I'm not a huge calamari or octopus lover but this one was on point and another level. Super crispy, and the sauce that came with it was superb! Highly recommend this app. I then got the boneless Ribeye and loved every bite of it. Perfect marbling and flavor. If you don't like this steak you're a dufus seriously. A Ribeye is supposed to be fatty and have good marbling. That's why it tastes so great. My lady friend got the Filet and she said it was one of the best she's ever had. She devoured it. We also got a Cesar which I loved as well as a side of Mac N Cheese and Carrots. Both were phenomenal side dishes. No complaints on them. Finished the night off with a slice of the 3 chocolate cake. Omg. So good. Amazing dinner and service. Our server was on point the entire time. He was super friendly, humorous and helpful the entire night. Highly recommend coming to A's! read more

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