This was our first time to this amazing restaurant. We arrived to a pleasant staff who sat us in the more quiet Wine Library room. Our waiter was Dimitri and he was the perfect person to explain the menu in detail. He was attentive and made sure our experience was top shelf. The food was prepared to perfection and presented to be very appetizing. We started with the Wedge Salad - delicious! The dinner rolls are melt-in-your-mouth scrumptious. For a main dish I went with the Wagyu Skirt Steak prepared medium rare and it was extremely flavorful. Of course I drenched each bite of this amazing meat in the Bleu Cheese Gratin sauce. As a side, we went with the Mac and cheese and it was everything you would expect from a wonderful chef. The overall experience was a perfect 10 out of 10. Thanks to Dimitri for a great night of gourmet food and hospitality. read more

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Came here for my hubs bday after wanting to go for years. Valet parking for $10 in the back or you can try your luck on street metered parking. Gorgeous decor inside and outdoors with seating in both. It's very pricey but the food matches the price and the servers are great. Jay was our waiter and he was wonderful. You must get the: Lord Stanley wagyu Shelled King Crab legs Beet Ravioli Scallops Risotto read more

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My husband and I chose Selanne to celebrate our anniversary, and our dinner started off wonderfully. The food was excellent, and our waiter, Nigel, was friendly, attentive, and made our evening enjoyable. Unfortunately, our experience took a disappointing turn after we got home. Two days later, we reviewed our credit card statement and discovered that the restaurant had charged us an additional $690 that was not part of our bill. We immediately called the restaurant and were told that a manager would contact us the following day to resolve the issue. We never received that call, so my husband had to follow up himself. Even after explaining that the charge was clearly not ours, we were told we would have to wait while they determined whose bill it actually belonged to. The restaurant made the mistake, yet instead of reversing the incorrect charge immediately, they expected us to wait while they sorted out their own billing error. As a result, we had to put our credit card on hold and spend a large part of our afternoon on the phone trying to resolve an issue that should never have been our responsibility. It's unfortunate because our anniversary dinner was otherwise a great experience. However, the lack of urgency and poor customer service in handling such a significant billing error overshadowed the evening. Because of how this situation was handled, we will not be returning. read more

We postponed our reservation 2 times as my husband cooks steak a lot at home. This was a treat! We ordered the steak and 1/2 lobster meal and it did not disappoint! Sooo decadent and delicious! The tavern is quaint as we were seated on the 2nd floor and lots of activity throughout the restaurant. We will be back for my husband's "un-birthday" or any special occasion soon. read more

Selanne Steak Tavern - Caramel pudding with ice cream - Steakhouses Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

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Nigel was amazing at presenting the menu in an entertaining way full of descriptive adjectives. I wanted to order everything. The steaks no doubt are the best part of the menu but the salad and sides are strong supporting accompaniments. We had the off menu special king crab and it was delicious in a pan of warm butter and already to eat with the shell removed. Large succulent and chunky flavorful crab was great in the butter and to complement the ribeye steak medium rare. The restaurant has a wonderful dining room and bar area. Seats were comfortable and linen table cloth and napkins were pressed and flawless. I really enjoyed the time here and would return. This is my second visit and continues to deliver a consistent positive experience throughout. Thank you Nigel and the assistant waiter. You both did a great job. read more

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This is my third visit to Selanne's, and they haven't disappointed me yet. Every time I go, I leave more impressed. The food is consistently excellent and the service is warm without being over the top. I've honestly never ordered something here and thought, that was just okay. Whether you're into steak, seafood, or even just great vegetable dishes, there's something for everyone. The dark chocolate mousse with chamboard was rich and completely worth it, and the broccoli with tahini was easily one of the best I've had anywhere. As always, an amazing experience! read more

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I made reservations for Christmas Eve to dine with my in-laws and my husband. We found parking at a meter across the street. The meters are free after 7 pm, but you can pay for any time ahead of that with the Laguna Beach parking app. We walked up to check in with the hostess. We were seated upstairs while we waited for my husband's parents to arrive. The room upstairs is cozy and quieter than the main area, which was preferable. Once they arrived, we placed our orders. We opted to share 2 12-oz filet mignons between the 4 of us, giving us 6 oz each. They plated the steaks separately for us which was great. We also ordered the mac & cheese, side of fries, shaved brussels sprouts salad, and broccolini to share. As for drinks, we ordered the margarita on the rocks, sweater weather, & hazy IPA. The food arrived promptly and we also ordered the sticky toffee pudding for dessert. Everything was perfect and delicious. There were no leftovers. We had a great time conversing and catching up. Our server was great and I forgot her name but her candy cane nails were memorable. I had not been to Selanne's before but I can see why it's lauded in the community. If you're looking for a great steakhouse in Orange County, check out Selanne Steak Tavern. read more

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Food was amazing. Service was astounding. Shoutout to our impeccable server, Nigel. Knowledgeable, friendly and humorous. What a great experience. read more

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Nestle in the downtown of Laguna Beach area, this restaurant was packed on a Thursday night. I came here for my husbands work holiday dinner... they are known for their friendly budget spending on dinners and wanted to go fancy. I knew I was in for a treat! Initially, service was spotty but I think she was just super busy and frazzled and it got better as the night went on though. We had a large party too, about 9 people. Started with drinks, got a dirty martini and it was pretty good, not too dirty. Also got 2 bottles of Opus, a Chardonnay and a bottle of Justin. For apps, we the ordered shrimp, beef tartare and oysters. The oysters were fresh and the Wagyu beef tartare was excellent. One of the better tartare. We also got salads- mine was the beet ravioli salad. She didn't do it justice with her description when I asked but this was my highlight of the night. They stuffed goat cheese in a ravioli made from beets and it was so delicious. It was something I never had before and it was so flavorful. If you love beets, this is the best beet salad you'll ever have. I truly enjoyed but! They did drop my beet salad when passing it out but got me a new one right away. For entrees, I got the 12oz filet mignon. Sides were shared and we got the broccoli, baked potato, mashed potato, wild mushrooms, and carrots. The wild mushrooms were good, and the broccoli was way too salty. My filet was good, except I didn't like all the sauces on it, the truffle butter and the bordelaise. It made it extra rich. Too rich that you couldn't eat all of it in one sitting (usually I do). So I took it home and ate as a left over, it was so good as a leftover. We also got some desserts. And then ended the night with some more wine before heading home to SD. Good place for a celebratory dinner. read more

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Ohhhhhhhhhh snap. What a lovely little establishment. Okay, tried it on Valentine's Day for the very first time and had to literally come right back 6 days later. I can confidently declare this is one of my favorite restaurants in Orange County and maybe my new favorite steakhouse, period. Definitely worthy of the Michelin recognition/Bib Gourmand, but to be honest, it deserves at least one star. It's better than a lot of 1-star restaurants I've had across the country and even better than some 2-star ones... yes, I said what I said. It's very common for some unrecognized restaurants to be superior to 1-3 star Michelin restaurants out there, silly geese. Let's not digress. The food, the service, the vibe, and the atmosphere are all excellent. Big shoutout to the host crew; on both occasions they went above and beyond to make our experience warm and memorable. I can't even remember the last time I felt it necessary to give compliments and highlight hostesses, but they deserve it here. Also, want to give a shoutout to our most recent server, Mariano, for his professionalism and hospitality. We were all very impressed with his fine level of service and expertise when it came to the food and wine menu. Here's a list of everything I've had here: Chef's Cut: absolutely unreal. If it were any more rich, marbled, fatty, and decadent, it would turn into a different protein or something. It's quite a unique delicacy--almost the texture or consistency of Michelin-grade otoro at your favorite omakase. 45-day dry-aged bone-in ribeye Regular ribeye Wagyu skirt Mashed potatoes Carrots Baked potato Broccoli Pacific Diver scallops Fancy signature bread Small French fries Toffee pudding The Yukon Gold mashed potatoes may be the best mashed potatoes I've ever had. I'm honestly trying to think or remember if I've ever had better--and I'm a huge mashers/pomme purée buff. My parents, who were visiting from out of town, kept talking to me about how good Selanne's was and how they can't wait to go back soon. Very fun evening. This place is pretty expensive, but it's properly so, as it is one of the greats in Southern California. They know what they're doing! Salud! read more

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The very best expediences are never just food and atmosphere. They include the intangibles when things like weather (heat wave) and the surroundings do not cooperate. That's when great places and great people shine. That happened to us recently at VIII and Andre and the rest of the epic team went well beyond expectations to make the evening amazing and eliminate any thought or memory of what could have taken away from the experience. Amazing food, beautiful atmosphere and simply next level service. Done and done! read more

Love this place! Came here for a business team dinner and this is a great little steakhouse. Not a huge place but they have found a way to get a good amount of seating inside and outside - in different rooms. SERVICE: The team here is very friendly and helpful. Our dinner group was large so they did take a long time to get our drinks and get our dinner started, but we are a friendly bunch so we made the best of it :) FOOD: They did not disappoint on the steaks....they were delicious! We started with shrimp cocktail and crab legs. The ribeyes and filets were FAB!! If you are in the Laguna area. This is a place to try. read more

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4.5 stars Touted as OC's best steakhouse by many, so we had to see for ourselves. We started with the Heated Rivalry cocktail and a glass of Prosecco. For food, we ordered the baby carrots, broccoli, mac & cheese, mushrooms, a 14oz ribeye, and half a dozen Superior Miyagi oysters. Everything was fantastic overall but the mushrooms were way too salty for my taste. That was disappointing since I had the sides as my main, but the quality of the food was still undeniable. Our server, Mariano, was excellent; friendly, attentive, and genuinely helpful throughout the night. The service matched the level you expect from a high end steakhouse, and aside from the overly salty mushrooms, the experience absolutely lived up to the hype. read more

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My 14oz ribeye was excellent. I finished the whole steak, which is rare bc sometimes a ribeye can get too rich and fatty. But it was too good to not eat it all. Apps and sides were good too. Highlight app of the day was the tartare. And the sides, the mushrooms medley is a must. Service was spotty, but I get it, it was so busy. Popular place! Splurge! Cooked perfectly Busy popular place with locals read more

Selanne Steak Tavern - Ribeye - Steakhouses Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

Outstanding. The steaks (a filet mignon and a ribeye) were very good. Perfectly cooked and tender. Where this place exceeds is with the service which welcomes you upon arrival, to our server (Bonney) who was attentive and very well versed in the menu. It is what you would expect from a classy steak place. One of the best dishes was the compressed watermelon salad. Served with peaches and an olive and basil oil dressing. The almonds on top added a great texture variety. A definite go to place for a good dinner. read more

Selanne Steak Tavern - Compressed watermelon salad. - Steakhouses Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

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Finally got to try this steak house and service was exceptional. The steaks were of course worth ordering with my preference leaning towards the Wagyu tomahawk. The fries were really good too along with the broccoli. read more

Selanne Steak Tavern - Birthday butter cake and toffee pudding - Steakhouses Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

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Celebrated my husband's 39th birthday at Selanne Steak Tavern in Laguna Beach last night, and it was an amazing experience from start to finish. We went with a family-style approach so we could try a bit of everything. To start, we ordered the bread service--definitely worth it. The bread was warm and soft, served with a tomato topping and two incredible butters: a rosemary butter with a subtle citrus note and a rich beef tallow. We shared the wedge salad, which was phenomenal--packed with flavor and even had a slight kick that really elevated it. For mains, several of us ordered the skirt steak, which was perfectly cooked and full of flavor. My mother-in-law had the filet and loved it. We paired everything with two bottles of Daou Cabernet, which complemented the meal beautifully. The sides were just as memorable--we ordered two mac & cheeses (so good), a baked potato, honey-glazed carrots (a standout), and mushrooms. Everything was delicious and perfect for sharing. The ambiance and service really made the night. We sat outside under a pergola with beautiful lighting, which created such a cozy and special atmosphere. The staff was attentive, friendly, and made the entire evening feel seamless. Overall, Selanne Steak Tavern is absolutely worth the price for a special occasion. By the end of the night, all of us were already saying we couldn't wait to come back. read more

Selanne Steak Tavern - Birthday dessert - Steakhouses Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

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First of all, I want to say that we love, Selanne and have been here several times. The team tries very hard ... we were warmly welcomed. Our waiter Nigel was great and loved his personality - well done. The chilled asparagus soup was very good. The scallops for me were great! The lobster was good and stuffed with mushrooms in a Thermidorian style ... a nice twist. The manager (never got his name) was very kind and accommodating. Thank you and keep getting better!' read more

Wonderful wonderful wonderful service from Bonnie. Two of our party were late and she was so kind in checking on our table while also not rushing us and allowing them time to arrive. Perfect amount of checking in while also leaving us our space after the full party was there. Made my mother's birthday dinner a great experience read more

A fantastic experience. The atmosphere, menu options and quality of food were all spot on. Our server, Nigel was absolutely fantastic! He could read the room, knew the menu inside and out, and had wine recommendation skills. There were four of us for diner. All of our food was fantastic from the appetizers to the deserts and especially the mains in between. Overall a top dinner experience. read more

Went here for dinner on a Weds. We tried the Wagyu steak tartare and that was excellent. Too excellent we didn't get a chance to take a picture of it. The 8oz filet mignon was good but a little dry, even being cooked medium and with bordelaise sauce and truffle butter. The truffle risotto was good, but we couldn't finish it between the two of us. The broccoli crown was ok. I was little disappointed that the restaurant of this kind didn't serve complimentary bread service. Anyhow, the exterior was nice but didn't get to go inside as we were sat outside at the front under a large tent but was still cozy. The service was excellent and the server was very kind and prompt. read more

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Incredible birthday dinner. Truly one of the best experiences in recent years. The service was outstanding in addition to the dinner and we loved the upstairs area that felt more quiet and intimate. Highly recommend trying the following dishes: -Wedge Salad -Salted Bake Potato -Wagyu Filet -Asparagus Cacio y Pepe -Corn Wow! Wow! All of it. Can't wait to come back. read more

Had such a great dinner at Selanne Steak Tavern ! The atmosphere was elegant but still warm and welcoming, making it perfect for a date night. I ordered the filet mignon and it was cooked perfectly . incredibly tender, flavorful, and honestly one of the best steaks I've had. My boyfriend ordered the New York steak and he loved it as well. Overall the experience was amazing and our server was very attentive and offered a free dessert for our anniversary! read more

Selanne Steak Tavern - Steakhouses Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

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We recently chose Selanne Steak Tavern to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary with another couple because we have always loved the restaurant and expected a memorable evening--and in many ways, it was. The food, ambiance, and overall setting were excellent. Unfortunately, the end of the night left a very disappointing impression. The ladies at our table asked about the crab special and decided to order it based on the server's presentation and recommendation. At no point was the price of the entrée clearly disclosed. When the bill arrived, we were shocked to see each crab entrée was $265, totaling $530 for two dishes! (see picture) Had the pricing been transparently shared, we absolutely would have made a different decision. To make matters worse, the restaurant had run out of Macallan, so we were served Glenlivet instead, yet we were still charged for Macallan on the bill. When I raised the concern, management did remove the incorrect drink charges and provided a partial credit toward the crab entrée, which I appreciate. However, what was most disappointing was being told that the server claimed he had disclosed the crab pricing--which was simply not true. That felt less like hospitality and more like protecting the waiter at the expense of the customer experience. For a special occasion like a 20th anniversary dinner, transparency matters just as much as great food. I still enjoy this restaurant and hope this was an isolated experience, but honesty and clear communication should always come first--especially at this level of dining. read more

Selanne Steak Tavern - The most expensive crab dish ever!!!! - Steakhouses Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

From the greeting to the service to the food, everything is top notch. I visit every time I'm in town and the staff go above and beyond to make sure the experience is special. A shout out to Dolce, Rafael, Filipe, Mariano, and the bar crew. read more

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If I could give this place zero stars, I would. My company recently hosted a private event here and spent over $5,000. What we received in return was some of the worst customer service I've experienced. We were informed that if our staff wanted any additional food, they would have to leave the event, abandon our clients, go inside the restaurant, and place a separate order. While I may not agree with that policy, I can respect that every business has its own rules. What was completely unacceptable was the way I was treated by the manager, Enzo. She spoke to me in an abrasive, dismissive manner and made it clear that customer service was not a priority. To make matters worse, she walked away in the middle of our conversation, saying she needed to deal with someone else, and then proceeded to complain about me to members of the company. How unprofessional can you be? This is exactly what separates great restaurants from mediocre ones. Policies are one thing, but respect, professionalism, and customer service are what guests remember. If you don't appreciate the people spending their hard-earned money in your establishment, perhaps hospitality is the wrong business for you. With so many excellent restaurants competing for customers, it's hard to understand how behavior like this is considered acceptable. read more

Selanne Steak Tavern - Laguna Beach We came here for a family birthday. Laguna Beach is always a great place to wander before dinner, and Selanne Steak Tavern has that semi-formal yet casual vibe--summer shirts and trousers fit right in. I ordered the Lord Stanley Cut (32oz). It's large, good for sharing between 2-3 people. But it was too fatty for my taste. The appetizers and sides were solid. Service inside the dining room was attentive, and they surprised us with a complimentary lemon cake for the birthday, which was a nice touch. But here's where the experience turned. I had reserved outdoor seating to enjoy the air. When we arrived, they placed us inside. I asked the server if the patio was closed. He checked with the host and came back with a simple "No, it's not open." No explanation. Later, I saw plenty of guests seated outdoors, everything running as normal. That didn't sit right. This is a restaurant where a dinner for three easily runs $500-$600, and at that level, I naturally benchmark against places like Mastro's. Mistakes happen, but good steakhouses own them and make amends. Here, they didn't. I'm a simple man. Food was fine, service was fine, but trust matters. And on that, it fell short. Not worth it. #SteakhouseReview #SelanneSteakTavern read more

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Wow this is a nice gem! This is a cute cottage located right next to the main PCH road. They have parking around the backside with their valet. However you can easily find street parking. Street parking is free after 7pm. Located directly across the street from this restaurant is a staircase to a small beach. Super great place to park or just enjoy afterwards. This restaurant has a beautiful outdoor section and indoor section. The outside area doesn't make you feel like you're outside and it's super nice. The service and food is so amazing! I would definitely recommend visiting this beautiful restaurant. read more

Selanne Steak Tavern - Steakhouses Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

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One of the best meals I've ever had at Selanne Steak Tavern in Laguna Beach. We dine out in Laguna Beach pretty regularly, and this was honestly one of the most memorable meals we've had -- fantastic food, great atmosphere, and truly standout service. Our waiter, Rafael, made the night unforgettable. We had been there before for my birthday last year, and he somehow remembered us. Even more impressive, he remembered that I ordered soup that night (and that I had mentioned I never order soup). He also remembered that the last time I was there I ordered a ribeye, medium rare, and that my wife had the salmon. Unless they take incredible notes, he has the most amazing memory ever. Rafael truly is the very best of the best. At one point during dinner I glanced up at the ceiling vent because I was getting a little cold. I didn't say anything. Rafael noticed, reached up, and quietly closed it. That kind of attention to detail is unbelievably rare. The food was phenomenal -- I had a steak, macaroni and cheese, and the caramel crisp dessert. He also brought out a small cake with a candle for my birthday. Literally everything was cooked to perfection and unbelievably tasty. Little moments like that make a place special. Highly recommend Celine Steakhouse -- and if you're lucky enough to have Rafael as your server, you're in great hands. We'll definitely be back. read more

Selanne Steak Tavern - Asparagus soup... delicious! - Steakhouses Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

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One of the best steak dinners I've ever had in my life! I had a friend visiting from out of town and we decided to meet at Selanne Tavern. We ordered the bread service, which was outstanding!! We ordered the prawn appetizer which was succulent and delicious. Our steaks were cooked to perfection - juicy and flavorful! Unfortunately neither of us saved room for dessert. The service by Jay was excellent throughout the entire evening. Selanne's has a cool, relaxed environment with exquisite food. That's the best way I can describe it read more

Selanne Steak Tavern - Patgonian Pink Prawns - Steakhouses Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

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Love to celebrate milestones here. It's the only steakhouse that is consistently good these days. Warmly greeted and had an upstairs table. Ordered martinis, oysters, beet ravioli and bread to start. The beet ravioli is our fav. Oysters v ry fresh. Mains we had king salmon and a split of 11 oz filet mignon. Sides broccolini, Mac and cheese and baked potato. The Mac and cheese is the best. So light and airy. Everything was cooked to perfection. Ended with a birthday dessert. Wonderful service. Perfect evening read more

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This review is for the management and the food, we ordered two appetizers. One was the scallops, and the other was the homemade ravioli. The ravioli were closer to room temperature than warm. The plate was cold, and the scallops were not hot either. we told both of our waiters they said OK we'll tell the chef. Then onto my main course ordered the halibut and I told him I'd like it grilled not pan roasted it came out pan roasted and well done the outside was like shoe leather. The halibut came with risotto and it was literally two bites of risotto. It was almost embarrassing. And for the management, I don't know why they have that guy walking around in a blue plaid suit. He doesn't greet anybody. He doesn't say hi to anybody he doesn't say bye to anybody just so rude standing there. I'll never be back at this place. read more

This was sooo yummy! The steak was delicious and the sides as well. The Mac n cheese was the best I've had in forever. And amazing staff! Miguel our waiter was wonderful read more

Selanne Steak Tavern - Wagyu 8oz Mac n cheese green beans, skirt steak truffle fries - Steakhouses Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

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The ribeye was alright. I've had better seasoned steaks to be honest. It was so juicy, it washed out the steak flavor. Is that a thing? At least that's how I felt. My partner and I ended up liking everything else much more. Scallops - divine. The mushroom risotto - to die for. The ambiance was alright. Super romantic interior. Yelp labels them as upscale/dressy, but somehow there were televisions broadcasting the game everywhere. Maybe times have changed, but fine dining seemed so much.. finer a couple years back. Service would always be on point. Everyone would be dressed in their Sunday best. Here, the service was no better than a regular restaurant, and dress code ran the gamut from full casual sweater and jeans to suit jacket and slacks. Okay place overall. Nothing to write home about. Probably wouldn't make top 10 best steaks I've had this year. Giving it four stars cause it still is a nice place for date night. read more

This year marked a special milestone anniversary and the hubs pulled out all the stops!!! So if you're looking for a good anniversary celebration/date night restaurant, then look no further, because Selanne checked off all the boxes for us ~ uber romantic, quaint cottage, near Laguna Beach, excellent food & dessert and great service. We searched endlessly for a new place to try and wanted somewhere special for our celebration. Upon our Yelp search, we found this gem. The ambiance was super romantic..the pics will show you. When we mentioned at check-in that it was our anniversary, the attendant sweetly seated us in a private back room, away from the hustle & bustle of the bar crowd and noisy main area. It seemed like other people in that room were also celebrating either an anniversary or birthday. When I tell you..the food was TO DIE FOR!!! Everything we ordered was heavenly good, mouth-watering and packed with intense flavor. We started with the Patagonian pink prawns, as an appetizer and it was like a next level shrimp cocktail. The prawns were fresh, huge and sweet ~ coated in that citronette & chili oil. We ate it all up quick and looked forward to our main courses. We each got our own steaks to share and compare..the 14 oz ribeye for me and the 8 oz filet mignon for the mister. Both medium rare of course..cuz who eats it any other way?! Let me tell ya that they literally melted in my mouth..sooo good. It's up there in ranking with Mastros & Capital Grille IMO. We shared some yummy sides to round out our meal ~ wild mushrooms & yellow corn cooked in basil butter and smoked paprika. Both very complimentary sides with our meat, since they helped enhance the flavor palette even more. To close out the memorable night, we HAD to end on a sweet note, so even though we were kindly gifted a deelish chantilly cake for our anni, my sweet tooth just couldn't give up the chance to try the French lemon tart, cuz I LOVE all things lemon. The hubs was like YOLO, so he opt'ed for his fav/go-to crème brûlée. Let me tell you, these desserts were INSANE good. No crumb was left uneaten. All in all, it was a pricey meal (as expected from a fancy place like this), but the quality, service & ambience is one experience you don't wanna miss. It was PRICELESS!!! Our happy palettes & anniversary memories will last a lifetime. Highly recommend and will be back! read more

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I had high hopes going in but came out a little disappointed. Since it's my first time, I thought I'd go safe but ordering the ribeye. Turned out to be a pretty thin cut, small cap section, and pretty tough. Flavor was okay but nothing special. I saw my friend's filet and it looked better. Caesar salad was pretty good but a little on the small portion side. Table was a bit small for two people. Seats were a little low. Crème brûlée was a little different and tasty! read more

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BEWARE OF THIS ESTABLISHMENT! A5 Wagyu Beef- 0 STARS Everything else- 4 stars My husband I came to celebrate my parents birthday. As we arrived, the valet was nice, and was around $10. We had a couple drinks at the bar before our table was ready, and they were pretty good. We were sat in a semi-private area which was a nice surprise. The menu was quite expansive for a steakhouse, so we decided to start off with the compressed watermelon salad and the beet ravioli salad. Both were wonderful dishes, with the watermelon salad bringing a unique and refreshing flavor, while the beet ravioli salad masterfully blended vegetables and cheese. After we had our appetizers, we were told by our waiter that they had a special A5 Wagyu beef meal today. Me and my husband have been to Japan multiple times over the past 20 years, eating at multiple A5 beef restaurants throughout Japan. Knowing that A5 beef is hard to come by in California, we pushed my parents to order the A5 beef special. I ordered the regular wagyu strip steak, while my husband ordered the dry-aged ribeye. For the table, we ordered cream corn, mac and cheese, and mashed potatoes. Once the food arrived, our steaks looked wonderful, but my parents looked oddly light for A5 beef. The sides (especially the mac and cheese) were wonderful, but the portions are on the small side. The wagyu strip steak and dry aged ribeye were well cooked, tender, and flavorful. As we ate our meals, my husband wanted to tried some of my parents A5 beef, but said that something was off. I tried some of the "A5 wagyu beef", and it had the texture of real A5 beef, but little to no beef flavor. The entire 8oz portion of "A5 wagyu beef" was just a giant cut of fat with no meat marbled into it. Charging ~$300 for fat is a rip off, and I bet that many people who haven't had REAL A5 beef would fall for this restaurants tactics. After we notified our waiter of the appalling quality of the "A5 wagyu," they agreed that it was awful, and removed it from our bill. Our waiter tried to bring out some dessert menus, but the "A5 wagyu beef" scam left a sour taste in our mouth. While waiting for our bill to come back, our waiter gave us some sticky toffee pudding, which I will say was amazing. Overall, avoid the Specials. Stick to the tried and true menu items. The "A5 wagyu beef" ruined the whole experience for our family, as the rest of the meal was amazing. read more

This is just a quick update based on some information I forgot 2 of the steaks arrived just barely warm not that hot so they get a downgrade IN short while the staff the french fries and dessert are great the rest of the experience is NOT WORTH THE PRICES BEING CHARGED we will not be back until they price their menu correctly (ESPECIALLY THE WINES) read more

We recently celebrated our 53rd wedding anniversary at Selanne Steak Tavern in Laguna Beach. We had a wonderful meal, the steaks were perfect and tasty. The side dishes: amazing mac and cheese, crab and corn chowder, sauteed scallops, blistered string beans, yellow brentwood corn, wild mushrooms were also equally delicious. We ordered one salt baked potato which was the largest potato we had ever seen filled with whipped butter, creme fraiche foam, bacon and chives. They surprised us with an anniversary dessert of two puffed balls with peach filling and chocolate anniversary tag. Our servers, Nigel and Stephen, were friendly, efficient and attentive, making sure we had everything we needed. It would have been absolutely the best experience except for one thing. When we originally made the reservation, we were told for a party of 12, we would have to reserve a room with a minimum of $2,000. We ended up booking two tables and asked if the tables could be next to or near each other. We ended up with one table outside, downstairs and the other table upstairs in a stifling, hot area. They said they couldn't accommodate our request although we arrived when the restaurant just opened and most tables were empty. I don't think our request to be seated in the same area was outrageous as we were celebrating a very special occasion with the family and several of our grandchildren and we did spend over $1000 for our meals. Your restaurant is sadly not conducive to parties larger than 6 except for reserving a room for a minimum of $2000. I'm sorry, I really wish I could rate this experience a 5 star, but the seating situation forbids a perfect rating. read more

The Ambiance and Service were excellent. We were on an enclosed patio but it was upscale and the temperature was cool and comfortable. The bread which was a paid appetizer was very good. Everyone agreed the bread was the best thing they ate. I think for the prices at the establishment free bread would be nice. We had the ribeye and filets. The steaks were good not fantastic just good but the portions were large. There was no real flavor to them so most of us used the sauce. The steaks were accompanied by an oyster mushroom and an onion. Unfortunately the onion on my plate wasn't cooked through so it was very crunchy and a little unpleasant. I noticed that only one person ate their onion and mushroom at our table of four. We also got the corn, the broccoli and the Caesar salad, the Caesar salad was delicious and enough for all of us to have a little salad before our meals. The broccoli was undercooked to my taste (still very crunchy) and had a sesame sauce that tasted like a Thai peanut sauce. The four of us thought it was ok. The corn was good but not very special. Overall we had a good experience but not quite the level of treat we were hoping for for approximately $100.00/ person without alcohol. read more