Great fun, good food, beautiful views. The service was superior. Warning VERY expensive!!! I wouldn't go for the drink specials! Brunch is the best time to go because you a great experience for a third of the price. read more

Castaway is 100% worth going to for the view alone. Absolutely gorgeous spot, especially at sunset. The vibe really carries the whole experience. Food was a little mixed for me. The surf and turf deviled eggs were kind of bland, and as someone from the South, I take deviled eggs seriously lol. Steak came out more medium well than medium rare, but still had good flavor. Lobster potatoes and crab cakes were just okay. Biggest surprise of the night was the cornbread. Easily the best thing I had. Overall, I'd still definitely recommend it. Great atmosphere, amazing views, and just a really fun LA dinner spot. read more

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We had a reservation at Castaway Burbank and specifically requested better seating in advance, but despite many empty tables available, we were placed all the way in a corner with one of the worst views in the restaurant. When we politely asked if we could move, the staff refused, yet somehow had no problem trying to upsell us to "premium seating," which looked no different and felt like a money grab. For a restaurant charging premium prices, the food was only average and definitely did not justify the cost. The bigger issue was the customer service. It felt like the focus was on extracting more money rather than creating a good dining experience. A restaurant with great views should know that seating is part of what customers are paying for, especially when reservations and special requests are made ahead of time. Left feeling disappointed, overcharged, and treated like an afterthought. There are plenty of places with better service and better value. I wouldn't recommend this place. read more

Castaway Burbank - Don't go here! -5 stars - Bars Near Me - Burbank, California

Beautiful view of downtown. You can make reservations on OpenTable. Parking is valet. Food is delicious: tomahawk steak, branzino whole fish, Brussels sprouts, the 50/50 mash is a must try with an entree read more

Castaway Burbank - To ATLANTIC LOBSTER TAIL 7oz, - Bars Near Me - Burbank, California

An iconic restaurant that sits on top of the mountain in beautiful Burbank. You come for the views and the food. It's so scenic, that it's really popular for holidays or special occasions. I even had my baby shower here and rented out a ballroom. But onto the food and service. The menu changes periodically, but they are consistent in providing a large variety of dishes to choose from. You can always count on a tender steak, delicious sides, etc. The bar is fabulous as well! The service is 10 out of 10, and again the establishment is so scenic that once you go, you put it on your list for the near future. *valet parking available! read more

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Always great coming to Castaway. Been a customer for many many years. The new remodel and atmosphere is ver nice. Ordered the seafood towers (petite) that tower is enough for 4 people. Cesar salad was really good but the "croutons" did not have any flavor just crisp bread. Forgot our waiters name but he was awesome. Great service great food read more

Castaway Burbank - Seafood Tower petite - Bars Near Me - Burbank, California

Came here for a one week late mothers day brunch with my family. I specifically spent the extra money to be seated in the vista terrace, and let me tell you, if you are planning to visit, this is an absolute must! From my viewpoint, I was able to see most of Burbank, parts of Glendale and the Downtown LA skyline! As for the ambiance, I really like the interior design of the inside, but it was nothing compared to the view outside. The service was just okay. The napkins we got were a bit dirty and I never got any refills on my water. The food was, again, just okay. The seafood tower was good but it smelled incredibly fishy. My guess is the seaweed on the bottom of the oysters and scallops. Other than that, the other foods we got weren't very memorable. Will have to try coming back during their dinner service. read more

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Amazing amazing amazing!! Chose this place because of the views but the food and drinks were so amazing! For food we got the New York strip and caviar frites, both incredible. I can't remember the drinks but they have photos on the menu. The music was also a 10/10. Customer service was amazing as well, thank you to our server Kierra who made it more enjoyable. Also note you do need to valet your car, it's $11 so not too bad read more

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Beautiful views overlooking Burbank and an instant vibe the moment you pull up, valet makes it super easy. We have been coming to Castaway for years. We came during lunch, brunch, and dinner time. Honestly, coming any of these times are amazing **What we ordered:** * Brussels sprouts * Seared salmon with mashed potatoes & capers * Prime hanger steak (8 oz) with fries Everything? Absolutely delicious. Service was top-notch attentive, friendly, and on point the whole time. Honestly, this place is a hidden gem. Can't believe it took me this long to finally write a review, but now the secret's out. Great quality all around. Perfect for a date night or a group brunch/dinner spot. Definitely coming back. read more

Castaway Burbank - PRIME HANGER STEAK 8oz - Bars Near Me - Burbank, California

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What is recommended this restaurant has a good place to enjoy a decent meal with an outstanding view. Yes, the view is quite impressive. If you see yourself outside. I was there was perfect in the 70s and enjoying my food. Was that much more enjoyable. The ambience is definitely there with room to spare for large parties and private functions. The service albeit slow was quite enjoyable and amicable. It's not a go to place for food but more so a go to place for getaway from the city. read more

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We had such a fun time! It was our first visit. The El Mariachi was so fun as well as delicious. The view was spectacular. But, honestly, our server made the entire night. Jonah has an outstanding personality and was so warm and professional. The speed at which the drink came out was unlike anything I've ever experienced. Jonah took our order and it was under 5 min when our drinks appeared. When we ordered a 2nd round, the drinks came while Jonah was still at our table. We had a cheese board that was great. And then we got the miso butterfish and swordfish. They were amazing. I left nothing on the plate. We also had the French onion toast. I would not get this again. My second drink was the Shiso Vain. It was ok, but I wouldn't get that one again either. It was such a great evening. We went all out so it wasn't cheap, but we'll definitely be back! read more

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I've been here numerous times at this point, and twice now with my four-year-old daughter - but today's service absolutely blew me away. Jason is the man. He was so sweet and kind to our entire table, but especially to my daughter, and that meant so much to me as a mom. At the end of our meal, he brought her a little make-your-own-sundae situation, which we've never been offered before, and he made it such a fun experience for her. She had the best time putting sprinkles on her own ice cream and was genuinely having a blast. Jason is so personable and honestly deserves a raise. The views at Castaway are impeccable, and so is the service Jason provided. Every time I come here I already love the atmosphere and scenery, but today's experience really stood out because of him. We'll definitely be back! read more

Venue was lovely and super busy with several events going on but valet parking was quick. We had an early dinner after a show at the Pantages. 5:30 meant the sun was directly shining on the patio so seating was tricky trying to avoid the direct sun so next time we would go a little later as by 6PM it had moved enough. The only other meh was the tables for two on the patio are tiny and we are not larger people; also it was spaced tight to the tables next to it but we did move it out a bit more 9several inches) and made it work. Patio was much less noisy than the inside and music was a bit loud but since we were so close to each other other it worked except the table we were next to were trying to talk louder than the music so we were a part of that conversation. Our server was amazing and was knowledgeable about the food and wine. When our French Soup toast was brought out by a runner who didn't pour the accompanying sauce around it our server was aghast and quickly poured the sauce which made it delicious. The calamari appetizer was crisp and delicious with fried peppers and a hot sauce remoulade. The cheese cornbread is sooo good. Our cocktails were fresh and perfect. The wine list is substantial and not overly priced. We had the whole roasted branzino with a mash and fennel/arugula salad and the Zinfandel braised short rib over a garlic cream corn. Both were delicious and not overly salted. We ended with the Espresso lava cake and it was perfect with the cookies/cream ice cream and chocolate wafer dust. I am not a dessert person but ate my portion and wanted more. All staff were impressive and coordinated. We will definitely go back but maybe not on a busy Saturday evening. The bar is beautiful and easily accessible for a drink with cheese and charcuterie. Those tiny little round bistro tables for two need to go though. read more

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Extremely mid and overpriced. Complimentary Jalapeño Corn Bread was good. $40 for a dry and unseasoned chicken & very salty Mac and cheese and plain tasting "garlic" fries. $45 for a tiny piece of Wagyu with no sides or barely any sauces. They did bring out a small piece of cake for a special occasion which was nice, but the cake itself was just fine. (Funfetti). Even though we had $40 of gift cards, with tip and tax, the meal was still somehow $80 + an unavoidable $11 valet. The service was great, very sweet server, and ambience was okay (though the more inner tables on the balcony definitely didn't have the nice view), but the food really was very not worth the cost, or anything special regardless. read more

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I celebrated my birthday at Castaway, and overall it was a lovely experience with decent food and a gorgeous view. They offer valet for $11. We arrived with a reservation and were seated almost immediately. There is an option to pay an additional fee to select seating, but we opted out. Luckily, we were still placed by the edge of the patio, overlooking the beautiful sunset. As night fell, the patio lights overlooking the distant city skyline, framed by silhouettes of palm trees, created a magical evening dining experience. The atmosphere was sophisticated yet comfortable, with many guests celebrating special occasions, on dates, or enjoying a night out with friends. Our server was exceptionally friendly and attentive. We ordered the calamari, crispy brussel sprouts, and dry-aged angus ribeye with a side of asparagus, pairing with a cocktail and glass of wine. The meal began with a complimentary cornbread, which was already dense and seasoned, so I didn't feel the bread needed the extra flavoring of special butter and salt. While the food was tasty, it leaned on the heavier, greasier side, which left us quite thirsty throughout the meal. That said, the magnificent view and ambiance made up for the mid-tier food. To end the meal, they gave a complimentary slice of cake, which was thoughtful. Overall, this makes a great spot for celebrating a special occasion, especially if you're looking for a spectacular view, though the food itself is rather ordinary. read more

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I came here with my family to celebrate my nieces graduation. In my opinion the food is mediocre and definitely not worth coming here. The food in general was extremely salty. From the calamari appetizer to my Salmon entre. My salmon came with a side of mashed potatoes that resembled baby puréed and green beans that I literally had to spit out because they were too chewy to swallow. Aside from the great service and the spectacular view and I seriously don't know how this establishment has 4 stars. I doubt it's because of the food. I've had much better Salmon at Black Angus. I will not be coming back here any time soon and I don't recommend this restaurant. I'm giving it 2 stars only because we had great service and the woman's restroom wasn't clean. Ridiculous with all the staff I saw around. Also, my husband dry rubbed aged steak and my daughter's New York steak wasn't anything special. Make sure you order it at the right degree of "doneness". read more

Castaway Burbank - Seared Salmon plate - Bars Near Me - Burbank, California

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Fantastic experience and the only downside was the bathroom conditions. Pretty filthy but they had a prom even this night. Our server was fantastic and helped us negotiate our meal. We started with the wagyu salt brick. It was a great way for us to sample this without going full in. Paired with the sprouts and tuna tatare, it was awesome. I went with the short ribs for my main course. Well prepared and the corn base was delicious. Definitely a special night read more

The view and ambience, lighting, seating was absolutely beautiful. Service was spectacular with Mario as our waiter. But, the food... My friend's ribs had a long blonde hair in it. My steak was ordered as medium rare. It came out Pittsburgh first. The second time it came out it was well done. The 3rd time they brought me the hot brick to cook my own lol read more

Castaway Burbank - Bars Near Me - Burbank, California

My cousin and niece are visiting from Sydney so we have been going places together and Castaway was a must. I have been here many times over the years but somehow never wrote a review on it. We came for lunch on a Monday and it wasn't busy. The hostess wasn't welcoming or friendly. It felt like she didn't want to be at work. Her attitude was unpleasant. Anyways let's move on .... Our waiter made up for it cause he was super helpful and attentive and friendly .... The ambiance here is beautiful. The view is breathtaking. On a clear da you can see the whole city and the mountains all around. The food is good. The brussel sprouts were amazing. Sooo good. My niece loved the burger she ordered and my cousin enjoyed her mushroom pappardelle. I ordered the steak and frites. It was ok. Will I order it again ? Probably not. ... overall our lunch was amazing. My guests loved the ambiance and the food. So I'm happy we came here for lunch. ... read more

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I've been to Castaway several times- for a wedding, brunch, and dinner. My very first visit? The views absolutely wowed me. Honestly, the views are the main reason I keep coming back. This used to be my favorite brunch spot. Bottomless mimosas, solid brunch options, unbeatable views. It was a win all around for ya girl. But I recently went for brunch (2/22/26), and the menu has changed. My go-to order has always been the Hangover Hash, Chicken & Waffles, and the French toast. They still have the Hangover Hash and Chicken & Waffles, but the French toast is completely different now. It used to come with cognac-roasted golden apples, Nutella, and cinnamon-spiced maple syrup (chef's kiss). Now it's the "Berry Boujee French Toast" with strawberry & cherry blossom cream and brûléed lemon custard. I ordered the Hangover Hash this last visit and it came out lukewarm. The roasted potatoes were hard and dry. It just wasn't the quality I remembered. What happened, Castaway? New chefs? Because this isn't the same place I used to rave about and recommend as a top-tier brunch spot. They also changed the mimosa flavors. I really miss the lavender activated charcoal, fresh cucumber mint, and pineapple jalapeño mimosas. The current flavors just aren't giving what they used to give. Service was also a little lacking this time. Maybe it was an off day? I'm not sure. Will I come back? I want to because those views are still amazing. But if the food and service continue to feel mediocre, I won't. Also, valet parking only: $11. read more

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Great place! Great Service! Food was delicious and views are amazing. Good place to celebrate a birthday, hang out with friends or simply go on a date. Totally recommend making reservations ahead of time, place gets very busy here. My group had the brisket bowl, chicken protein bowl and the chicken and waffles plate; they were all made very well. Didn't try their mimosas but from the looks of it, seems like their flavors are pretty popular here. read more

Castaway Burbank - FRIED CHICKEN AND WAFFLES - Bars Near Me - Burbank, California

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This is just for BRUNCH. I have been here many times for dinner and it's always amazing but let me tell you, for a tired working mama with little time to herself the brunch was top notch. We started off with the bottomless mimosas and let me tell you- it's worth every penny. They have four different flavors to try and they are all very good. My favorite was the sunrise with watermelon and passion fruit. Next we had the ahi tuna tartar and then I had a steak Benedict. Perfectly cooked steak, Benedict was enough to share, my friend had the power bowl and we shared both. We ended up staying until 4:30pm it was so nice. We did not feel rushed and our server was very attentive. Kept seeing a red tailed hawk swoop near the restaurant which added such a nice touch. Go for the bennies, stay for the mimosas and company! read more

Castaway Burbank - Three different mimosas from the left- the butterfly, sunrise and cloud 9 - Bars Near Me - Burbank, California

Wanted to like you Castaways! Food just fell very short. Ordered tomohawk, dry aged ribeye and pichana steaks and all 3 were dry and worst both the tomahawk and ribeye were tough. Steak knives were put to work! Kids loved the mac and cheese and fries which were the only positives. If you charging what you're charging please make sure you bring an epic steak to the table. read more

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Ladies brunch hit. Bottomless mimosas. Surf and turf deviled eggs. Smoked salmon benedict. Shared laughs. Brunched with inspiring women. Much needed! Our server Kevin kept the mimosas coming and took very good care of our large party! We stayed well beyond brunch. Memorable day for sure! Can't wait to return. Gorgeous views and amazing patio. read more

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We celebrated a birthday here. Such a lovely day. The crowd is so cool. The music is good. The food is fantastic. Great time. A must try is the cinnamon rolls. Absolutely amazing. The crab cake Benedict was great. The mini fingerling potatoes with bell peppers were really flavorful. And of course, the views of the Valley are gorgeous. read more

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I'll be honest -- I was a little skeptical coming here after reading some reviews that said the food was just "okay" and that people had long waits even with reservations. That was NOT our experience at all. We came for an early Valentine's Day date and it was absolutely amazing. From the moment we arrived, everything felt smooth and welcoming. We were seated without any issues, and the staff was so kind and attentive throughout the entire evening. The views alone are worth it -- stunning, romantic, and the perfect backdrop for a date night. But the food? Delicious. Every dish was flavorful and beautifully presented. You can tell care goes into what they serve. Overall, such a special experience. Great atmosphere, great service, great food. We'll definitely be coming back. read more

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My friends and I visited on a Sunday evening and were seated outside. They had heaters on so the cold wasn't an issue at all. It was a busy night but our server did a good job of checking in. For starters, we ordered the Caesar salad (which comes with capers), Brussel sprouts, and calamari. Everything was really good and perfect for sharing. We ended the night with the lava cake which was chocolatey and gooey and served with ice cream. It's a great restaurant to check out for almost any occasion like date night, a celebration, or just hanging out with friends. The view is beautiful especially around sunset. I highly recommend making a reservation! read more

Castaway Burbank - chocolate lava cake - Bars Near Me - Burbank, California

The short ribs are amazing! Tyler was our waiter and it was my birthday. He was great! We had a small quality control issue with one of our dishes, but because Gabby, a manager, handled it so well, I won't go into details. It was such a wonderful evening from start to finish. They even made sure that we had extra heaters because we had our toddler with us. Didn't feel a single breeze and enjoyed such a wonderful breeze, service, and view! Love this place! I will absolutely be back! read more

Castaway Burbank - The view from outside. - Bars Near Me - Burbank, California

If you have the pleasure of dining at Castaways on a clear night with tepid winds and a mild temperature I can see where it will be one of the better dining experiences. After being in LA for many years I just got to eat here for the first time. I know they went through a renovation some time ago but I can see the vision they had in mind. I can also say that they have not gotten all the way where they want to go but they get a star for the attempt. The area outside for dining is fantastic, again weather dependent. For a special occasion, date night, or even just enjoying the views you can love it. 5 stars. The execution on the food is another story. They start off the tale with a cornbread that is actually very good. We ordered calamari and a Caesar salad to start. The calamari was good, nothing out of the norm. The Cesar salad was boring and beyond normal. As uninspired as it looks in the photo. Most people ordered steaks. I had the branzino. The presentation of the fish was a 2 out of 10. The flavor was a solid 7. It was delivered folded over and inside seemed to have some onions which were fine. But I did find more bones inside than expected. Two of the three steaks were cooked correctly. One was off. The person ate it but wasn't thrilled. We didn't get desserts so nothing to say there. I'm not rushing back. But I would give Castaway another shot. read more

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Aw man, I REALLY wish my review was more positive because not only did I enjoy the food at this restaurant along with the service and ambiance, the DineLA eventfulness elevated the entire experience. My friend and I got a three-course meal of the seafood tower, their whole branzino, and a key lime pie on a graham crust. It was $65 before tax and tip, give or take what you buy (I think the tower was $10 extra, so maybe $55 standard). This does not count the cheddar hot honey cornbread--a SPECTACULAR dish with chunky butter and sea salt. What docks my review to 1 star is my violent food poisoning episode that took place 30-45 minutes after my meal. I thought my stomach pains came from possibly the quantity of food and me not being accustomed to multiple courses. Was it the queasiness, dizzy head, and the struggle to breathe that made it abnormal this time? When I arrived home, I basically underwent the textbook food poisoning symptoms of expelling everything (specifically vomiting a ton), extreme fatigue, dehydration, and low energy with a sore throat. The next day, I was bedridden 99% of the time and could barely keep my eyes open for more than an hour. It took everything in me to get out of bed or off the couch and drink water, let alone eat any more food. I wish the incident didn't happen, otherwise this would've been a near-perfect meal! I don't know, maybe I'll come back much, MUCH later to see if this can be redeemed, but this visit will stave me off of raw-ish seafood for almost an eternity as I'm fairly certain what did me dirty was the seafood tower or some kind of cross-contamination. read more

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Was one of the more expensive meals I had. Went here for a work meet up. Service set everything up for us and we got recommended the best steaks and sides. Very intimate and rich space. read more

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Do not come here- Unless you want to leave feeling disrespected & violated :/ if you have a special night planned, definitely think twice before coming here. You will leave feeling terrible. I really wanted to like this place & now I definitely DO NOT RECOMMEND this place The way we were treated here by this server (the guy with the small man bun and glasses) was disgusting- He had his butt in my mothers face when she was trying to eat her meal while he was taking pictures of a different guest, and when I brought it to his attention so he could be respectful of her space while she tried to eat - he paused, then glanced at me with the side of his eye then tells the guests he's taking photos of "you know what, let's go ahead and take some more" (wow!) to be snarky then backs himself back closer to my moms face to the point she had to lean over closer to me. He completely disregarded what I said & on top of that was being a jerk about it...it was as if he took enjoyment off of making us feel uncomfortable. The worst part was he had a terrible odor, he smelled so bad. Like rotten cheese. He Is clearly not very hygienic of a person & so it was off putting while eating. Didn't have much of an appetite after that. Gross. So incredibly rude & disgusting Who wants to eat somewhere being left feeling violated & disrespected. The way he acted was completely disrespectful and beyond shameful of a restaurant to hire staff that treats guests like this. The lack of care is beyond not okay. He needs to be fired. Think about if that was your mother or wife or girlfriend...I would not risk having staff do this to your special someone and avoid it by eating elsewhere. Castaway is just hiring men that treat women like this Avoid this place. There are so many better places you can eat where staff doesn't treat you like this while you're eating. I am appalled. Do better castaway. Also, the entire time we were trying to enjoy a $300+ meal for 2, they kept guiding guests to take pictures in front of us. So for the entirety of our dinner we had people hovering around us....it felt like we couldn't enjoy our dinner. This was super uncomfortable and upsetting. Why would they seat us there or have seating there when obviously whoever sits there is going to be left uncomfortable. Not just once or twice or three times, back to back in its entirety. SMH. This is not okay. All in all, the staff member in the photo who treated us this way completely ruined the special night I had planned and this is upsetting. I honestly just wanted to get out of there after that. Thanks for making this night unpleasant. Honestly feel like crying, our time together was important & him disregarding what we said to be a jerk just feels awful. Also, the steak was unfortunately chewy- definitely not how you want to be describing a steak. read more

Castaway Burbank - Disgusting server who was putting his butt in my mothers face while we were eating & did it even more when I told him to stop - Bars Near Me - Burbank, California

I was disappointed by my experience. When reviewing our bill, we noticed an additional item that we did not order. Our server explained that it belonged to another table, although the rest of the bill was correct except for a bottle wine. I brought this to the manager's attention before leaving. While the issue was acknowledged, the response did not leave me feeling reassured or that the billing mistake was taken seriously. I'm sharing this so other guests review their bills carefully. read more

Castaway Burbank - Bill - Bars Near Me - Burbank, California

I recently dined at Castaway for an anniversary dinner, and overall it turned into a memorable experience though it didn't start that way. We had a 7:00 PM reservation but weren't seated until around 7:30 PM. After being seated, it took another 30 minutes before a server approached our table. I understand there were multiple events happening that evening, but there should be better awareness of newly seated guests. It was a bit frustrating seeing nearby tables receive drinks and appetizers before we were even greeted. Once our server Teddy stepped in, the experience completely turned around. He was incredibly attentive, friendly, and made us feel genuinely taken care of. You could tell he was covering a large section, yet he still delivered excellent service and we really appreciated his effort. The food was absolutely amazing and honestly the highlight of the night. I had the Snake River Farms Wagyu Zabuton, and it was the best Wagyu I've ever had prepared for me. The Cabernet-braised short rib my girlfriend ordered was incredibly tender and literally melted in your mouth. The calamari appetizer was savory and well-seasoned, and the chilled oysters were fresh and delicious. The 50/50 mash and mac and cheese were also great additions to our entrées and complemented everything perfectly. Aside from the slow start, everything else made for a special and memorable anniversary dinner. With better front of house coordination, this would easily be a top tier experience from start to finish. read more

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TLDR: Amazing view and scenery. Expect to pay for parking but don't expect too much for general service and quality of food. - - - - - - My friends recently had their wedding at Castaway, and as a venue, it's amazing for small groups and pictures. The view from the top to the bottom, especially at sunset? Ooh yes! Parking here is gonna cost a bit ($10-15), so my friends and I took UBER and Lyft to/from here. The staff that worked here were friendly, but they unintentionally made an effort to avoid my group while serving small bites time and time again. Ironically fed up, we "spawn camped" that queue almost like a videogame in hopes of not being missed and eventually approached some servers for small bites. For dinner, we had a petite salad. Petite is not an understatement, but it was accurately the most sad pasta I had ever seen, perhaps just a few leaves. On the plus side, the dressing was a good amount. Bread was served with butter, and it was okay. The steak was cooked very well - in the sense that it was a chore to eat. Towards the end of the meal, silverware and glassware were cleaned up. However, the staff also took all the drinks, starting with unfinished champagne despite the night not being anywhere near over. Conveniently, this also lined up with open bar ending. read more

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The place is beautiful, but I ordered the branzino and the espresso martini and both were awful. I didn't even have more than a sip. My husband had the swordfish and he hated his meal as well. Only tasty item was the Brussels sprouts that was a large portion as well. The service was sub par. Won't be going back. read more

Amazing views, vibes, and food. Service was great and attentive. Drinks were strong and so beautiful. 10/10 recommend. read more

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Never disappoints. A continued go-to for locals and visitors alike, casual diners and corporate event seekers, etc., etc. etc. It's easy to see why: that VIEW, great service, smooth operation, tasty dishes, spacious varied seating. Most recent experience was just yesterday, when I brought my visiting parents from Hawaii for an early reservation (4:15pm) so they could experience the transition from sunset to night lights while sampling a variety of dishes we could share. They loved it. All the staff was so nice and did not make us feel rushed once even though it's constantly teeming with guests no matter the hour. Tough to snag seats right on the edge (which most were seeking); I was told they were "paid reservations" - not sure what that means but I would have opted in if I knew. Still, our seats a row over away from the more prominent area were quite nice/fulfilling. We also witnessed an engagement (aww) - yes it's that kind of place, conducive to special moments. I don't remember the complimentary jalapeno cornbread/honey butter combo as a starter from the last time I was there, but it's such a smooth move to have that as a signature starter for all diners. SO delicious, and perked our appetites for the rest. For 3 people we ordered: shrimp cocktail, Surf and Turf deviled eggs, French Onion toast, calamari, mac and cheese, garlic fries, Himalayan Salt Brick, and 2 desserts (key lime pie and lava cake). We were stuffed from that, no dinner needed afterwards. Absolutely worth the visit; also, loved the diverse crowd! Every age, race, demographic. And a lot of happy faces. read more

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First, I want to start by saying this review has nothing to do with our server, Andrew. Andrew, was outstanding and made all of us, especially my sister on her birthday, feel truly special. Excellent service all around. Thank you, Andrew! Unfortunately, the food did not match that experience. We ordered two New York Strip steaks (medium and medium rare), and both came out extremely tough. The outer layers were overcooked to the point where even a steak knife struggled to cut through. There was no tenderness in either steak, and the amount of chewing required was far from what you'd expect at those temperatures. It felt like the steaks were rushed or improperly cooked. In addition to the steaks, the calamari was overly salty, the half chicken was bland and on the dry side, and the mac and cheese was also on the saltier side. We chose not to send them back in order to avoid disrupting the celebration. This wasn't my first time at Castaway. I've been here many times for everything from casual dinners to holiday menus, which made this experience even more disappointing. We spent about $700 (including tip), and while it's not just about the cost, the overall food quality didn't come close to justifying the price. It ultimately put a damper on what was supposed to be a perfect birthday celebration. EDIT: Seems like I was not the only one to have had a negative experience today based on a few other recently posted reviews. Seems like the kitchen did not deliver or did not care. read more

Castaway Burbank - Bars Near Me - Burbank, California

Food: 4/5 Price: 5/5 Service: 4/5 Ambiance: 5/5 Food: the food was great. I got the Wagyu Picanha, perfectly cooked and well seasoned along with 50/50 mash which was also great. I tried the roasted brussel sprouts and the deviled eggs. Both appetizers were also solid. My gripes with the food wasnt about taste, but more about the plate used and the late arrival of my food. The plate itself was quite annoying. It had a divit in the center that made it nearly impossible for me (and several others at my table) to set the knife down without it falling into the garlic puree and making my knife sticky. In regards to the late arrival if my food. I had to sit, watching a table of people eat and finish their foods before mine arrived, which was quite frustrating. Price: 5/5: I was actually shocked the prices were reasonable. My steak was $45, with a $12 side, which is about normal, if not cheaper than many steak houses.I had been here many years ago, and always thought it was quite expensive for what you get, and that youre mostly paying for the view and Ambiance. However this is not the case. The price for quality is a value, and the beautiful views is an added bonus. Service: 4/5 - Service was excellent. Our server was attentive, friendly and took great pics of the group. As I mentioned before, I had had to wait about 10+ minutes for my food to arrive, after everyone at my table had already received their food. By the time my food arrived, the table of 10 other people were finished or nearly finished with their food Ambiance: 5/5 - I had been here maybe 10+ years ago. Im happy to say its nothing like that anymore. The decor is modern and beautiful, the lighting is dim outside and allows the beautiful view of the valley to be highlighted. Overall a good vibe. read more

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