A little sad that it took us nearly 15 years to "sniff in" here again with them about to close their doors for good. The last visit had some flaws, so we did not give them another shot. The interior is very British pub style and charming. The restrooms feature comical art and old skool nostalgia. The COMPLIMENTARY BREAD is good. A rectangular lightly rosemary scented bread was nice with some soft butter added. The sourdough bread was tolerably light on "sour". The wife and I did the PRIME PRIME RIB (12 ounce?) dinners. She did the "medium-rare" and I decided to be a riverboat gambler and try something different, so I chose "end cut". Mine looked more like a ribeye and had more flavor than hers for sure. The con was that thinner edge pieces were going to be "well done". Thankfully a pretty good amount of this steak (65% or so) did not need horseradish sauce and only au jus. The au jus was quite good. My steak was quite flavorful. Meals arrived in 5 minutes or less after ordering. Wow!!! I think they are operating at a high level knowing their doors are closing soon. I probably will do a MEDIUM-RARE with "reverse sear" the next time I have prime rib. That way I get some added flavor but less "gray meat". The CREAMED CORN and CREAMED SPINACH were very tasty. Soft and creamy and not oversalted was the spinach. The corn was thicker textured and delicious. Their HOMEMADE CHEESECAKE with chocolate sauce on the side was great. The sauce was thinner consistency. The cheesecake was more Chicago style (softer) than the NYC they claimed it was. That was a great surprise. You can see the soft layered texture on the sides or after cutting in. The chocolate sauce was interesting and had booze or something added to it for interest. Too bad it is going bye bye as we would return again. STAFF are friendly and provide very good service. I feel badly that their probable long-term tenure is ending in early July. read more

My wife and I had dinner reservations for my birthday last weekend and we weren't disappointed. Firstly, we were met cordially and seated quickly, which left the rest of the evening to enjoy a hearty primerib dinner with grilled mushrooms, onions, and their famous Gullivers corn. Lastly, the Gullivers Restaurant is closing their doors sometime in the next week, so get your reservation and enjoy phenomenal food, excellent service and, of course, the ambiance of this fine restaurant. read more

Gulliver's Restaurant - Large Primerib cooked medium rare with buttered spinach, Gullivers corn, sautéed mushrooms, and grilled onions. - American Near Me - Irvine, California

Tough to replace a place like this. There are many things to say, but when you have many long-term employees, a restaurant builds a momentum of customer service and an environment that new restaurants cannot replicate at any level of investment. In a city that is new and modern in many ways, which is great, it's unfortunate to lose a piece of classic restaurant history such a Gulliver's. read more

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When my husband told me Gulliver's Restaurant was closing for good, I was sad. I have such fond memories coming here over the years with my family. I knew I had to visit one last time before they closed at the end of the month. It was so nostalgic for me because everything seemed the same (decor and great service), except that I went with my husband and kids instead of my parents and sisters. Their prime rib is always delicious and juicy. I like it medium and it's always cooked perfectly medium. read more

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It was sad to hear the news that Gulliver's Restaurant is closing its doors permanently at the end of June after serving the local community for 50+ years! El Torito next door is already out of business and we can thank the landlord for not offering lease renewal to either tenant. Well known for its prime rib and English tavern-style ambiance, you are running out of time if you hope to pay your respects to this fine establishment. Don't forget to book a reservation first! On my most recent visit, I enjoyed the Gulliver's Prime Cut which is their most popular cut according to their menu. It's served with their famous creamed corn, creamed spinach, whipped horseradish, au jus and Yorkshire pudding. The entire experience is reminiscent of Lawry's...just not quite at the same level. Still, it's def one of the best prime rib options in the local area. IMO the food tastes even better reheated the next day! I'm going to try and visit one more time before they close to try something different off their menu. See YOU there? read more

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There's a lot with loads of parking. They have a decent amount of indoor and outdoor waiting seating. Inside is well decorated with it's fun theme. The staff are all really nice and friendly. They offer two types of bread while waiting. Both were warm with a crispy exterior. I got the filet mignon with the herb butter. The steak was great and cooked to medium rare. The herb butter was more herb than butter. The green beans and baked potato were quite flavorful. It might be too much depending on your taste. Definitely worth a chance. read more

Gulliver's Restaurant - Bread - American Near Me - Irvine, California

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Went for the first time in 36 years, since its closing down at the end of the month, and wish I'd gone a few times more in the time between. Was packed at lunch but got seated quickly at the bar. Ordered the large lunch cut prime rib. It came out really quick and was phenomenal with a side of green beans, a tasty potato salad, and delicious au jus and horseradish spread. Then because why not, got the bread pudding, so good. Place feels like a nice time capsule and is pleasant to relax in. Will be a shame losing this part of history. But apparently landlords want to develop the location after 60 years. Grumble. It's pricey, but absolutely worth checking out before it's gone. read more

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Food (Prime Rib) has been the speciality here since 1970. John Wayne used to dine here and we sat at his table one for our anniversary. The best service, bokd cocktails and great food everything. Sadly, they are closing June 30. However, they could reopen somewhere else in the local area. As Mr Spock said, " There are always, possibilitys." We wish them the best of luck for our futures. read more

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Since Gulliver by the John Wayne airport is closing by end of June, we decided we had to go there and have dinner one more time! We ordered the classic cut for our prime ribs with cream of spinach, cream corn, Yorkshire pudding and suated mushrooms. They were so good. Well seasoned and portion were very generous. Our server was the best. At the end of our meal, she came up and thanks us for dining with them before they close in June. She was gracious and sweet! We are so sad that they will be gone at that location. Apparently their lease is up and the landlord wants to tear down all the restaurants on that lot and build something else on it. What a bummer! Love the cozy ambience inside. It's so warm and cozy! We will miss this place! read more

1. The prime ribs were good! It was a good cut for lunch! 2. The spot has a nice dark ambiance! The interior is big! 3. The staff was friendly and attentive! It all came out in about 10 mins! 4. I only saw indoor seating available! There were a lot of tables! There is also bar seating! 5. Parking lot has a lot of space! There is also street parking! Note: They do offer complimentary bread and butter for dine-in! Photo: GULLIVER'S Lunch Cut read more

Gulliver's Restaurant - Gulliver's Lunch Cut (TikTok: @justandyvu) - American Near Me - Irvine, California

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It was my first time at this quaint spot. It's dimly lit inside which adds to the cozy, tavern-style, historic ambiance. They are known for their prime rib! Unfortunately they are closing down on June 30th, was recommended by a friend to come try it out before it closes! Sad to see them go since it would have been a great dinner date night spot. Had a pleasant meal, although service could have been better since we barely got checked on outside and the sunset was blaring in our eyes (something to consider even though there were umbrellas). It was packed inside so it's understandable. Meat could have been more medium rare but again they were really busy so might have been rushed considering they are closing shop soon and serving all at once. Staff were very friendly nonetheless! read more

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+ Scrumptious well-rounded 4-course meal. + Polite, attentive, helpful staff. + My first time ever having horseradish with American dinner. Exotic twist, quite novel and enjoyable. + Absolutely lavish interior decor. Quite the unassuming exterior by juxtaposition. + They have spacious, cozy, decorated rooms for private events. + Ample parking. + Many nice private restrooms. - I just didn't like that the waiters kept trying to take my plate while I clearly was still eating. This was Professor Liebeck's favorite restaurant. read more

Gulliver's Restaurant - Rest in peace, Professor Liebeck. 2026 - American Near Me - Irvine, California

My wife's family loves this place and we normally come for Japanese family dinner with my family and my brother in law. It's an odd choice for a Japanese family but there is nostalgia and history here so we come frequently. It's located near John Wayne airport and reminds me a bit of "airport" food. It has an outdated but charming interior and is dark inside, often I find myself more tired than usual because of how dim it is inside. The good thing is giant American sized portions so you will not leave hungry. GULLIVER'S CLASSIC PRIME RIB DINNER: creamed corn, creamed spinach, whipped horseradish, au jus and Yorkshire pudding. I always get this and I feel like I would like some of the other entree options more. It's an OK piece of prime rib, always cooked medium rare. Sides are OK. CAESAR SALAD:Crisp Romaine lettuce, house made garlic crostini, shaved Parmesan. I appreciate they don't drown this in dressing, it tastes OK with a large portion size. NEW ENGLAND CLAM CHOWDER: Definitely house made, it comes very spares with potato and clams. Tasted OK but I think I can make this better at home. read more

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Been wanting to try for years but we are usually in the area, before they open or after they close, finally in the area when we could make it in for dinner on a Saturday. No wait for a table when we arrived at 5pm, seated right away. Hostess was very friendly and guided us to our table, welcomed us to the restaurant. Our server Tony arrived a few minutes later and took our drink order a London Bridge and asked if we had any questions. When Tony brought our drink back we were ready to order. We started with escargot and puff pastry, they came quickly, Tony warned us the little cups were hot as they just came out of the oven and left us to begin our feast. The escargot was delicious, our next course was the clam chowder, one of the best we have ever had, rich, thick and full of flavor. Tony took our empty bowls a a few minutes passed before our mains arrived, Prime Rib a perfect medium rare and a peppercorn crusted rib eye. Both were delicious. Each was complimented with creamed spinach and creamed corn. The creamed corn was especially delicious. Prime rib came with yourkshire pudding and the ribeye with a twice baked potato. We also ordered the truffle mashed potatoes, silky smooth with a bold truffle flavor. The building is warm and cozy, dark woods and lots of decorations on the walls, reminds me of a country manor house from the 1800s. Overall an excellent evening, food was delicious, staff was very friendly and attentive. Dinner for two with tax and tip was $220. Right in line with other higher end steak houses in the area. Highly recommend for a special evening or just a night out for dinner. read more

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2nd time visiting. Very roomy restaurant with a spacy interior, very "open" with only a couple of walls separating areas for large groups. The staple of Gulliver's is the Prime Rib. The other entree options include salmon, duck, lamb, chicken, fresh catch of the day, and BBQ beef ribs. (I love ribs, so I am going to try that on my next visit!) The basket of bread with 2 very large pats of butter are the first on the table after seating. The menu is very simple and concise, just TWO pages (even the Liquor & Wine menu has more pages). The sides were simply "killer": creamed spinach and creamed corn. No need for mashed potatoes or fries (as a side). The creamed veggies are simply the best and they come with the PR meals. TONY was our server and he was simply SPOT ON. The service from the staff was very attentive. Water glass always full; checking in with the table every now and then; really none-for-want! Overall, the people here are so friendly, happy, and accommodating. My total experience is a 5-Star. The only reason for the 4-Star is the pricing. No need to elaborate, just look at the menu. BUT, I would still recommend Gulliver's if you have never been. It's a unique experience. read more

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Everything was just "fine". I've been making their creamed corn and creamed spinach for over 30 years now (they used to give out the recipes ages ago) and the spinach I make is so much better than what we had tonight. This spinach just was hammered to death, lost its green color, and lacked flavor. The spinach I make is delicious so this was such a disappointment. The corn was accurate to the recipe I've been making and was the best bite of the night. The meat was just okay. My table's cuts seemed all over the place and lacked consistency when some ordered the same thing. The Yorkshire pudding was cold and ate really dry. Apps were okay. Crab cakes had good flavor and the honey mustard sauce and diced red bell peppers were a nice touch. Corkage fee was $30 for the wine we brought. Love the extensive holiday decorations this time of year. As we were finishing, the floor manager was making his rounds and thanked us for coming in. The odd part for me was as we were walking out, he acknowledge our server by placing his hand on her sternum and the other on her upper back and patted her. I could tell it was a "good job" kind of gesture, but it just made me uncomfortable with the placement on her upper chest. I hope she speaks up if this was unwelcomed. read more

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Best get to Gulliver's while you still can! Closing June 30th. Best prime rib around. read more

Gulliver's Restaurant - History - American Near Me - Irvine, California

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Tried calling a few times in the evening with no one picking up. Are they closed already? Going to miss this place. Many years celebrating Christmas at the best decorated restaurant in Orange County. I hope whatever the landlords do with this lot fails spectacularly. Evil bastards. read more

Great food and service, very cool restaurant. Glad I got to stop through before they close. read more

Gulliver's Restaurant - Prime rib - American Near Me - Irvine, California

We LOVE Gulliver's and are so sad they are closing!!! We'll be bringing some friends in soon to enjoy the amazing prime rib one more time! AND of course, we'll be sitting by the cozy fireplace! Cheers to the amazing staff, you will all be missed! read more

Last time I dined at Gulliver's Restaurant was when the historical establishment was in Marina Del Rey in the 80s. We had a change of plans on a planned trip and ended up calling Gulliver's in Irvine to get a reservation for Thanksgiving. Deborah was terrific and secured us a table in the bar area. We arrived and it was packed busy and Oded the manager was doing a fantastic job managing all of the reservations on check-in and getting tables secured for each party. They even were accommodating a few walk-ins which is admirable on such a busy night. Our waiter Dennis was very humble, professional and doing the best that he could with the volume of tables and I know from managing a restaurant back in my college days how holidays such as this can be overwhelming. Nonetheless Dennis did a good job even though the food coming out of the kitchen was quite slow which I expect on such a holiday. We started with drinks and the escargot appetizer as well as fresh bread that Peter brought out. Dennis also brought out water menus and tableware. We ordered the Thanksgiving turkey feast and the food was quite good. The turkey was cooked to perfection and the stuffing, whipped yams and fresh cranberry sauce were good as well. We asked for a to-go container for the left overs as the food portions were quite genervous and Dennis gave our desserts and the creamed corn which we did not originally get in to-go containers. Overall we had a pleasant time and also visited with other guests at nearby tables. The spirit of the evening was thankfulness and we appreciated the staff who worked and could have been home with family on such a joyful holiday. Recommended read more

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Joanna and I ate supper tonight at Gulliver's in Irvine, CA. We drove past it after landing at John Wayne Airport, so we decided to try it. I had a Ceasar salad with a garlic dressing. I love garlic and it was delicious! I never eat prime rib, but I did tonight and I'm glad! It was flavorful and tender. The horseradish was spicy but not overpowering - just right. It came with cream corn and creamed spinach. Both very tasty. Joanna loves filet mignon and they cooked hers medium rare, just like she asked. She was very happy! Our server was helpful and attentive. The restaurant feels like an old English inn and reflects the Gulliver's Travels theme. read more

Gulliver's Restaurant - American Near Me - Irvine, California

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We had a great time here the other day the place was still decorated for Christmas. I forgot our server's name. She was welcoming and friendly. We split the prime rib and it was pretty good. read more

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Went to have the famous prime rib and I asked for the end . It was perfection . Also the ambiance has a lot of history . The staff was attentive and professional . Loved it . read more

Gulliver's Restaurant - Prime rib . The end - American Near Me - Irvine, California

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My daughter and I did our annual mother daughter Christmas dinner at Gullivers this year. We were excited after seeing many videos of this establishment on TikTok with the Christmas decor. Went on a Tuesday with reservations. There were many company Christmas dinners going on that night there. Upon walking in the place had the distinct musty old carpet smell. We sat down and enjoyed all the holiday decor. It was lovely. The waitress came by in one minute and she seems disappointed we didn't know what we wanted yet for drinks. I asked if they had any holiday drinks. They did not. We ordered the shrimp cocktail, house salad, two cocktail and split the Gulliver prime rib. The prime rib was so underwhelming. The taste just seemed off. Then the cream corn was bland. Normally, that would be the first to go, but we only took one bite each. Had a lot of leftovers for home. Although, we enjoyed the lovely Christmas decor we probably will never be going back and will stick to our normal summit house or five crowns. This place fell short in terms of food taste. The shrimp cocktail was the best thing. Their cocktail sauce is pretty good. read more

Gulliver's Restaurant - Shrimp cocktail was the best thing there. The sauce was so good. - American Near Me - Irvine, California

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So I'll just get this outta the way, I paid about $70 total for the Gulliver's Prime Cut. It was my first time having prime rib, so it was an experience for sure. I got it medium rare and thought it was tender. Different parts of the cut had its own flavor and taste, which was a pretty interesting. Some parts were flavored well and other parts kind of resembled eating liver, but I still enjoyed it. I feel like if I had more experience with prime rib, I'd have more to say, but for my first experience, I enjoyed working through it. The sides were good too. I'd say the creamed corn was the best side, and the spinach was a close second for me. I'm not sure what a Yorkshire pudding is, but I'd say that even though I thought it didn't really taste like anything, it complemented everything else, especially the prime rib, well. So overall, I'd say on its own, I wasn't too blown away from the prime rib and I basically drowned it in the au jus, but with everything together including the horseradish, it made for a nice hearty meal. For some reason, mine came with a bone too. The sourdough was really good. It was soft on the inside and wasn't hard to bite through. And our waitress was cool, she seemed busy but made sure to check in from time to time. The place felt super old timey. Overall good first experience. read more

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Everything is fabulous. Welcoming staff, intimate atmosphere; during Christmas season, the whole place is illuminated with decorations and lights. They come down mid January. Tonight we enjoyed cocktails house salad with shrimp , their beef bone entrée, and the most delicious bread pudding with a jack Daniels crème brûlée sauce. Superb. read more

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Our friends took us here the other night for a double date and they have been raving out about the steak's here! We were seated promptly and had made reservations. When we arrived the ambiance hit us with like a Disneyland frontier land settings. Old interior and decor which was cool to see and enjoy as we were having dinner. The waitress was awesome, very attentive and provided us with great hospitality. Sourdough bread was on point, even asked for extra. We all ordered the aged rib eye. I ordered my medium well and I loved that they seared it nicely on the steak. Our friends were disappointed that theirs weren't. So maybe a takeaway is to have some consistency. I mean other than that, steak was really juicy and seasoned and prepared pretty well. I loved my steak. Sides were good, we all shared crab cakes, cream corn, and brussels sprouts. We ended up having a good time there. Either manager or owner was walking by every so often checking in on us to make sure everything was taken care of. Decent spot, good steaks and ok sides. read more

Gulliver's Restaurant - American Near Me - Irvine, California

The head of the night was the filet mignon bruschetta. The food was very well prepared all the way around and it was served quickly. The service was friendly, but she missed the fact that on my second drink not only did I not drink it, but I also pushed it towards the edge of the table which is an indicator of dislike and wanting to drink removed. In the past when I've done this at other restaurants the server will generally ask if the drink was to my liking and if not if they could bring me something in exchange. The decorations around the restaurant were really cool to look at and it told the story of Gulliver's travels. I do feel the restaurant could use an update as well as a deep cleaning, but it was still very hygienic. Lastly the pricing was a bit steep, so this is a fun experience in moderation. read more

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Walking into Gulliver makes you feel like you're a part of a set or entered into a medieval era ready to seat with the royals. The seats and booths are a plentiful. Great for date night, company gatherings and even a quick bite before headed to catch your flight. Hosts sat us right in the center of it all. Amanda, our server told us everything we needed to know about the menu and so attentive to our needs to make our dining experience one to remember. The servings are just as big as you'd think with all the right fixings to accompany the main slab of meat on the plate. Think Lawrys minutes the wait and the parking. read more

Gulliver's Restaurant - American Near Me - Irvine, California

It should not close. It's been one of the best restaurants around for years. And there aren't many of those anymore.

Most tender prime rib in Orange County!!! We've been craving a classic prime rib cut with creamed corn and spinach. We were treated to lovely service and a relaxing meal. Deborah came over and greeted us and made us feel at home. The restaurant decor transports you in time as soon as you enter. We are making this our go to in Irvine for prime rib. Be back soon! read more

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Gulliver's hasn't changed since my first meal here over 40 years ago? This place has an unmistakable presence, upscale, vintage charm, and delicious prime rib of beef. My girl, and I and my best friend of over 50 years have celebrated the "holidays" here many times, it is one of our favorites. The menu hasn't changed. Sometimes you just want something familiar and delicious. I started with a martini, up, with two olives. Then the cream of mushroom soup followed. So creamy and delicious. The rare prime rib was perfect as was the service. We all split the crème brûlée and the trifle for desert We may just do Gulliver's again next Christmas! read more

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Gulliver's is a cozy, old-school spot near the airport, best known for its Prime Rib and warm, homestyle service. The vibe feels straight out of a classic steakhouse, and the bar sends out stiff cocktails The food? Not the absolute best I've ever had, but for the price and value, it holds up well. If you're looking for a spot with ambiance, charm, and a solid prime rib experience, it's definitely worth stopping by at least once. Would I come back? Definitely. read more

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This place is a moment in time standing still in the modern era, and I wouldn't have it any other way. The classical prime rib house ambiance earns a star on its very own! The moment you walk through the door it's a call back to a time when John Wayne might actually be sitting at the bar after a flight home. The food is simple, straight forward, and carries the air of a dish that's been prepared tens of thousands of times before you got to it. The German potato salad is decadent and rich while the side of creamed horse radish gives a necessary punch through the heavy prime rib. Service is fast, direct, and friendly. I would be lying if I said this was my first time but I can truthfully say this place scratches an itch that can't be scratched elsewhere. So grateful to the person who brought me here the first time and excited for the opportunity to bring others here for the same experience. read more

Gulliver's Restaurant - Caesar Salad - American Near Me - Irvine, California

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Christmas Eve dinner was nice but I had no idea the portion was Flintstone size so share with someone! Service is slow so just enjoy the ambiance. We arrived at 6:00, got seated about 10-15 minutes, and it took a while for the waitress to get our drink order. The soup was delicious and it was served in a latte mug. The crab cakes were good and not filled with fillers but a lot of crab meat. However we should've skipped the starters because the holiday potion of the prime rib was huge!! Fred Flintstone would be so proud. We left with enough meat for another meal. Creamed corn was good but I'm not a fan of the creamed spinach but Stephen liked both. Happy to have celebrated Christmas Eve here. I'd go back. Dinner for 2 with one cocktail and no dessert came to $225 with tip included. read more

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4/5 if service improves Gulliver's has a very unique interior and the seating arrangement is interesting to say the least. We had a reservation and did end up waiting a little to be seated. It took us about 20 minutes to get a server to take our order and another 40 minutes for food to actual start coming out. The main entree meat was good, prime ribs was cooked properly and juicy and tender. The Aged ribeye was solid, but nothing special. The creamed corn and bread were excellent. Everything else was alright, creamed spinach and yorkshire pudding were standard (I just dont like them). Everything was average, main problem was our server was unprofessional. We watched him sit down at a customers table casually and converse with them and then complain that they were understaffed and it was the managers fault. We also saw the server act rudely towards some of the assisting wait staff, shouting their names and handing them things instead of delivering them to us directly. We ended up having to call a different server to help us pack food and the original server only came by for the check. Note: This was the Friday before Valentines, so I understand being busy, but being underprepared and having rude/bad service is not acceptable. read more

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I would give it 1 star but the servers were great. The restaurant is cute. It's old English. Dimly lit with lots of little 'oldish' things on shelves and portraits of old English people. So the food... we ordered the spinach artichoke dip and it was good. A little different than most places but good. Lots of spinach! Yum. The reason we went is because my husband was craving prime rib. He found a prime rib place. I ordered medium and he ordered medium rare. Both were way over cooked. He wished he would have ordered rare and to be honest... me too. We had to saw through it and then chewing was forever. It truly was the worst prime rib we've had and we had one on a cruise that looked like a ham steak. So that's saying something if it's the worst for us. Not sure how the other food was. Wish we'd have ordered differently. One of us order a different dish so we could've tried it. read more

Food, service, atmosphere, all superb. My prime rube was excellent, and the creamed corn is to die for. A plus all around.

The food here is delicious, but it feels slimy to me when places don't put their cocktail prices on the main menu. When I asked the server the prices, they didn't even know. They told me that they start at $14. I ordered a negroni and it was $18, but I don't want to have to pay my bill before I find out the price of my drink. Who do they think they are? A hospital?! The pour was generous so from that standpoint I was happy, but I am done with places that don't disclose prices. I've been burned too many times. On the plus side the Christmas decorations are beautiful and well done. read more