If you're looking for a delightful dining experience in Carmel, Shearwater Restaurant is an absolute must-visit! Our recent visit on a Tuesday evening was nothing short of fantastic. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted with warm hospitality and a cozy atmosphere. The highlight of our meal was undoubtedly the homemade bread--light, fluffy, and piping hot, it melted in our mouths and set the tone for the rest of the evening. We started with the calamari, which was especially impressive with its crispy coating--definitely not soggy! The roast beet salad was another standout; it offered generous chunks of fresh beets, perfectly balanced with savory flavors. The artichoke dip was unique, featuring ground artichoke instead of the usual chunks, making each bite rich and smooth. The French onion soup was a delight, loaded with gooey cheese in every spoonful--comfort food at its best. For the main course, the fish and chips stole the show! With three substantial pieces, the fish was flaky and incredibly fresh, proving it was far from the frozen variety you might find elsewhere. We also enjoyed happy hour drinks and food, enhancing our experience even more. The service was impeccable, making us feel well taken care of throughout the evening. As a bonus, we enjoyed an open mic night (a.k.a. karaoke), where talented local musicians entertained the crowd while others sang along. The lively atmosphere created a great crowd and added to the overall enjoyment of our visit. In summary, Shearwater Restaurant offers delicious food, excellent service, and a warm, inviting atmosphere. We can't wait to return for another unforgettable meal! read more

Shearwater Tavern - Calamari - Bars Near Me - Carmel, California

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For a hotel restaurant, Shearwater Tavern is pretty darn good. The menu is simple and doesn't take too many risk which is common for a hotel restaurant. Nothing about the drink or dinner menu was too wild or stood out as unique. Considering there are many interesting dining establishments in the Carmel area, I felt like Shearwater Tavern upheld their standard in a foodie town by sourcing local ingredients and craft beers. The artichoke dip pays tribute to a local crop and was pretty tasty. The serving was generous, so we were grateful to our server for providing some extra sourdough for scooping up the last of the cheesy, warm dip. Oh, and Wednesday's are half off bottles of wine! The restaurant was situated away from the hotel common area to allow for a more intimate dining experience but still close enough to the lobby and rooms for convenience. There were some folks smoking in the parking lot, and the smoke smell was making its way into the dining room. A band was wrapping up for the night as we were being seated, and it seemed like there is regularly live music in the lounge area of the restaurant. The service was friendly, prompt, and food decent. As a guest in the hotel, it was easy to charge the meal to the room. Solid choice for an easy meal if staying at the hotel. I wouldn't necessarily go out of my way to dine at Shearwater Tavern though. read more

I dined at Shearwater Restaurant recently and unfortunately had a disappointing experience. I ordered the prawns, which looked very different from the photos shown on the restaurant's website. More concerning, the texture and taste didn't resemble what I would expect from prawns at all. I brought this up with our waitress, who acknowledged my concern but ultimately explained that the prawns are "seasonal" and left it at that. No alternative, replacement, or adjustment was offered, which was frustrating given the clear mismatch. I ended up leaving greatly dissatisfied and felt that my concern wasn't taken seriously. I had actually planned to return for another reservation but decided to cancel based on this experience. I emailed the manager and never heard back which was even further disappointing Sharing this in hopes that the restaurant improves how it handles situations like this, as good service recovery would have made a big difference. read more

Everything about our dinner was great. All cooked to perfection. Flavors all perfect. Christian was our server and he was so attentive and interesting to speak to. The hanger steak was superb. The Parker rolls are a must! The bread pudding was a great way to cap everything off. So good! Thank you. read more

Delicious food and well priced considering it was connected to an inn. Most inn/hotel restaurants are incredibly over priced. Salmon was perfectly cooked and accompanying sides delicious. The French opinion soup was also very good but it was suppose to be braised beef onion soup. There was hardly any braised beef. Felt like just a few strands. Maybe a got a bad ladle but when the selling point is braised beef, there certainly should have been more. Wait staff was nice but didn't seem to know much about the menu, which stopped me from wanting to order more than just an appetizer for myself. read more

Shearwater Tavern - Bars Near Me - Carmel, California

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This bar is beautiful! Really loved the decor in here. The service was also excellent! Our calamari was delicious. They have a great selection of local beers and cocktails. We got here for happy hour and they had pretty decent prices at that time. Great place to get the night started! read more

Shearwater Tavern - Crispy Calamari. Good! - Bars Near Me - Carmel, California

Omg I can't say enough good things about this restaurant. Honestly I've stayed at this hotel many times but this is the first time I've eaten here, because in the past I've opted to eat in town. And I've been missing out. Every meal I had was fantastic. I ate here twice during my stay. The service was so kind and friendly. Also David at the bar was great to talk to. We had the French Onion Soup, Parker Rolls ( worth it for the butter!), Seabass, Grilled Salmon, and Lobster Ravioli. The standout for me was the Salmon, such a unique mix of flavors. read more

Shearwater Tavern - Lobster Ravioli - Bars Near Me - Carmel, California

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I loved the warm bread with honey butter--the spread is rich and subtly sweet without being over the top, and it's one of those starters you keep reaching for even when you know you should save room for the rest of the meal. Their fish and chips were another highlight: the fish was light, flaky, and crisp without being greasy, so you actually taste the fish rather than just the fry. Their spin on French onion soup, with a bit of beef in the broth, adds extra depth and makes it especially hearty and satisfying. The surprise favorite for me, though, was the chicken wings with their light blue cheese dip; I usually don't like blue cheese, but this version is herby, mild, and nicely balanced, so it complements the wings instead of overpowering them. Between the honey‑butter bread, the flaky fish and chips, the rich French onion soup, and those wings, Shearwater Tavern delivers a cozy, satisfying meal that I'd happily come back for. read more

Shearwater Tavern - Bars Near Me - Carmel, California

I had dinner there last year and had a fantastic dinner. Great service great food! I went to breakfast there today and had another great experience. The food and service was excellent. It also has a great bar and fun cocktails. read more

We happened to come here for Thanksgiving's day. We had no idea what was open or not and so we ended up there. To be fair, for the price you pay I would much rather eat right at the coast. We gave it a shot, it is delightful, but it has nothing on places with better views. We had a good waiter and bartender. They fed us when we need it, and that's all we cared about. read more

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I took my girlfriend to Shearwater Tavern for her birthday dinner and we were very pleased. The ambiance was classic Carmel: cozy, upscale without being pretentious, quiet, welcoming. We decided to feast on several appetizers. Each one was fresh, perfectly seasoned, and delicious. The prices were reasonable for this type of dining experience. Ashley provided excellent service by making suggestions and was flawlessly attentive. My only wish is it wasn't a 3-hour drive to get there. read more

We arrived at about 7:30 am and there were only two other couples on the other side of the restaurant. The host started to seat us on the near side and my husband asked if we could be seated near the fireplace. He replied that that was a table for 4 (there were 2of us) then begrudgingly said "We can get you out of here in a hurry." Nice welcome. No one else arrived while we were there. Our omelets were ok, but the fried potatoes were underdone. The only reason this review wasn't a one star was that the friendly waitress was great. Although, we were staying at the adjacent airBnB, we did not return for another meal. read more

We had a mini escapade in Carmel with my mom and 5yr old daughter. The food here were delicious and it was conveniently located in our hotel! The food were a bit pricey but are all tasty so are the cocktails. We ate here 2 nights! Again? Conveniently located where we stayed so that was a plus! Ambiance was great! Both nights our servers were very friendly and welcoming. Our server on the 2nd night even went above and beyond by giving my daughter a whole big pack of crayons and a doll as a present Our food: The rigatoni was good! The buns were warm and soft, the side of salmon is pricey but tastes good as well. I also had the lavender 75 for my cocktail which was refreshing! On the 2nd night we had the grilled chicken (mom's) and for me i got the sea bass with couscous! Very happy with my choice! Got the artichoke dip and the spritz to start with! Our desserts hit the spot! Creme brulee, horchata ice cream and bread pudding! Definitely planning on coming back to this hotel and the restaurant! read more

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We stayed at the hotel and one of the nights we came for some drinks and dinner. The staff here are super friendly and attentive. We ordered some drinks and appetizers and I was not too hungry but wanted to try the hanger steak and shared with my husband and the staff was nice and asked them to divided the dish for us. The steak was very tender and flavorful and mashed potato was so creamy and soft. read more

Shearwater Tavern - Bars Near Me - Carmel, California

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We enjoyed the ambience of this restaurant. The server was friendly and very helpful. We have had dinner here twice and enjoyed both meals. The first time I had the French onion soup and a salad. Both were yummy. Finished my meal with the bread pudding. The second time my husband had the burger with fries and I had the salmon. Both meals were excellent. We shared a cheesecake for dessert. Tiffany was our server and she was wonderful!! read more

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The star of the show at Shearwater is their happy hour - what great prices for an elevated happy hour menu! My favorite was definitely the calamari - perfectly breaded and tender (not one rubbery piece in sight!). Their breakfast is also impeccable. Had the shortrib eggs Benny on a croissant (innovative!), and that was just insane. The best non-traditional eggs Benedict I've ever had. A must get. Now let's move on to the dinner offerings. I've nearly tried everything on their dinner menu, so I'm fairly confident to say that most items are a hit, although there were a few disappointments. The good: the poutine fries and crab cake. Oh my god, best crab cake west of the Mississippi! And best poutine you will find in the continental United States! And now for the bad: I will admit I was fairly disappointed by the steak and frites (overcooked, despite emphasizing that I wanted it rare). Was slightly disappointed by the burger as well, as it tasted very pedestrian for being priced at nearly $20. Not bad, not good. The halibut was good quality, fresh, and prepared expertly (not overcooked and still a little flaky) - but initially a little bland, easily dressed up by some salt. Still kind of pricey for a not particularly memorable dish. Very nicely done and elegant inside. Shearwater sits inside the Carmel mission inn, so it overlooks the pool, which adds a nice touch. The fireplace is very cozy and welcoming. Moral of the story: come here for breakfast and happy hour! And the appetizers for dinner trump the entrees. read more

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They have the most delicious food and the service is the best Angel, The waitress is the best waitresses I have ever had. This restaurant cleanest and they give beautiful pottery dishes. It's like a 5 star restaurant! If you don't come here for breakfast, you're missing out on a wonderful dining experience! I've had read more

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I just want to let yall know this restaurant is a gem!! We ate a lot of steaks, fish, creme brulee in the past as foodies but oh my goodness the food is sooo good! It really made my friend's birthday. The staff are warm, thoughtful and friendly. How I wish I recall their names. Its worth a try! 5 stars for the food, service and ambiance! I'll definitely come back and wont stop endorsing this lovely of a local restaurant! read more

Shearwater Tavern - Crispy Calamari and Artichoke Dip - Bars Near Me - Carmel, California

i was staying at the attached inn & i got lazy to drive for dinner so i figured hey let's go here...i love the classy vibe. there was live music playing but my girlfriend & i opted to sit where it was quiet. our server was nice & service was great! the food was amazing. the rigatoni was a lil too soupy (i thought it'd be creamier) but flavorwise still enjoyable. the crispy prosciutto that came with the chicken was yummy. for dessert we had the bread pudding with horchata ice cream, paired with an espresso martini. we got 2 beers, a salad, 2 entrees, a dessert & a cocktail. $150. with today's inflation I don't know what's expensive or fairly priced anymore but we enjoyed it. 9/10 read more

Shearwater Tavern - chicken (split) & the rigatoni. her point of view - Bars Near Me - Carmel, California

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This might be the best kept secret in Carmel. The Shearwater Tavern at the Carmel Mission Inn provides a nice atmosphere of a bar and lounge area with a connector restaurant next to it. I stopped in during Car Week and to avoid sitting in traffic and it was great. I hit the "happy hour" with a local lager and then settled on a Shearwater Taver Burger with a side salad. The staff was great and gave me great recommendations on drink and meal selection. I really like the bar area and the lounge area as it was a cozy/comfy are to relax in. I am really surprised that more people do not know about this spot. I think my next mini-event will be here. read more

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Went here with my kids for breakfast, and the waitress was so nice!! She offered my kids varieties of coloring books, and markers and a box of crayons (Shoutout to Angel). She also gave me a bag and told me it was a surprise for my kids. My kids opened it and they were teddy bears! The food was amazing and the place was clean, so we would definitely come again! read more

This place was super cute, but the decor was unfortunately the best thing it had going for it. We got baby arugula salad with prawns, meatballs, and calamari. There wasn't a single thing that I would categorize as above average restaurant food. The calamari portion was generous, but the pieces were a little soft and more soggy than crispy. The prawns tasted a bit overcooked. The meatballs were hearty but somewhat lacking in flavor. The sauce tasted like straight tomato paste. It's a cute place to go, and maybe their larger dishes are better, but the small bites didn't do it for me. read more

I have to say I am beyond impressed. When we where driving to it it looked like but once inside you wouldn't even notice you were where you where. The lady the greeted us wasn't as friendly as the lady that helped us the rest of the time. But honestly the rest of the experience was so great that our initial greeting has no impact on my rating. once they figure out where to sit us the experience only got better. Our server was nothing but PERFECT. She was super friendly, polite, respect full and just the perfect amount of checking on us. We ordered drinks and appetizers and OMG they were all delicious. Everything was perfectly cooked and seasoned. I ordered a salad with prawns and it was delicious.... The icing on the cake was the flan and when you combine ice cream and flan OMG it was heaven. This place was beyond what I expected. I am glad we came here for dinner read more

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This restaurant is located at the Carmel Mission Inn where we stayed at. The ambiance was really nice. It was pretty empty and quiet when we went which was perfect after a long day. The server was really nice and explained everything in detailed. For appetizers we ordered the Parker House Rolls and Crispy Calamari which were recommended by other Yelp reviews. The rolls were crispy on top and super soft and sweet on the inside. The butter was really tasty and I liked the sea salt sprinkled on top. The rolls were $8 and though they were good, I don't know if they were $8 good. But nonetheless a nice roll. The calamari ($19) was the highlight of the night, highly recommend it. Usually, the veggies added to appetizers are more of a garnish and usually aren't cooked and flavorless, but the veggies here (zucchini and peppers and roasted lemons which I know is a fruit) were soooo tasty. They battered them up and fried them and they were delicious. Highly highly recommend this dish. For entrees my friend and I ordered the Grilled Pacific Salmon ($26) and the lobster pappardelle (dinner special for $42) to share. I felt that they were decent but nothing super special. My friend really liked the lobster dish but felt that the salmon was fishy. Our server also kindly helped us further de-shell the lobster after noticing that we had barely touched it. This made the meat super easy to pull out and we appreciate the gesture. For drinks I ordered a delayed flight which was a bit bitter and sour so not as refreshing as I had hoped. Overall, a really solid place and the prices seem pretty standard compared to other places nearby. Though they didn't have the best selection I felt that the flavors were pretty nice. read more

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I eat out all the time and have eaten at Shearwater Tavern a number of times. I have always enjoyed my meal and even raved about it to my friends. Today I asked for pasta as a side dish instead of puréed cauliflower. The chef must be a prima donna because what I got was some cold cooked rigatoni on the side of my plate, a small dish of Parmesan cheese and a small dish with a lump of frozen butter. Unfortunately, I wasn't invited to go back in the kitchen to cook it myself. Chef must not like any changes made to his menu. I have always given this restaurant five stars in the past but today it barely made three. All I can say is don't ask the chef for changes to his menu. read more

We stayed at the Carmel Mission Inn, and having woke up late, we decided to grab a later breakfast at the tavern which is attached to the Inn. The reviews are accurate. Excellent food, very fresh, and beautifully presented in what appeared almost like handmade ceramics. The restaurant has an openness and bright interior which was very inviting. Our server, Raymundo, couldn't have done a better job. We were tended to immediately, food arrived quickly and was cooked perfectly (my wife and I both had a build your own omelet. Ingredients were plentiful and super fresh). I'd highly recommend this restaurant for breakfast or brunch even to those not staying at the Inn, which btw is excellent as well. A+ read more

Shearwater Tavern - Open airy interior where guest don't feel as if they are on top of each other. - Bars Near Me - Carmel, California

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Shearwater Tavern is essentially a hotel restaurant located inside the Carmel Mission Inn, a renovated older hotel with a hip, aesthetic redesign. We had an excellent service experience here, our waitress was really lovely and notably professional, and enjoyed a good burger, just okay grilled artichoke and a just okay pasta dish. The prices are reasonable for the Carmel area. You probably wonder why I'm down at a three to 3.5 stars. We had fairly high expectations given the high Yelp average, thinking this would be more of a destination than it was. What we found was a sleepy atmosphere, a restaurant in an upgraded motel/hotel, away from the main drag location-wise and just a-okay food. A lag for us between Yelp ratings versus our actual experience. read more

We stayed at Carmel Mission Inn for a quick two day getaway. We dined at Shearwater Tavern for dinner (and breakfast!) and loved it. Not only for its convenient location right downstairs but because of its chef-driven menu and stylish decor. The grounds are cozy, quaint and modern. We returned for breakfast with poolside view. The staff were quick and friendly. And the menu was reasonably priced for both meals. I will return. Tip: order dessert to go and sit around the fire pit to enjoy it! read more

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The Shearwater Tavern is a hidden gem near the Crossroads in Carmel Valley and is attached to the Carmel Mission Inn. We stumbled into this gem after watching the beautiful sunset on the beach and we're on the verge of missing most restaurant times. Upon entering, we were impressed by the warm and inviting ambience. We were quickly invited in and given a table of our choice. Our server, Christian was amazing! He was very engaging and knowledgeable about the menu. I had the sea bass and my wife had the rigatoni and they were both incredible. The entire staff were very nice but Christian was outstanding. The dining is very casual but somehow feels upscale without the pretentious vibe. I would definitely be back read more

Shearwater Tavern - Bars Near Me - Carmel, California

Excellent service the waitress was especially attentive and friendly. This restaurant is in the hotel and has some decent options for reasonable prices. They have a good Happy Hour menu and I tried the fried potatoes and had a pint. The tagliatelle pasta with short rib was very good. The grilled salmon with vegetables had a good portion of fish and was perfectly cooked. Simple decor and a good choice for dining. read more

Shearwater Tavern - Salmon with vegetables - Bars Near Me - Carmel, California

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Enjoyed a Tuesday night meal here. Nice setting and was quiet. Laura, our server, was personable, offered menu suggestions. spoke about the recent kitchen/chef/menu changes, and paced the meal nicely. Started with the shisito peppers - a hearty serving of large peppers perfectly roasted and seasoned (we took some home). The baby spinach salad with dried blueberries (a first for us) and hazelnuts was lightly dressed and just right for us to share. HB enjoyed the burger and shoestring fries. I had the cauliflower steak which was good but came with more salad. Next time I will try one of the seafood meals. We finished with the cheesecake with berry compote. read more

William Mason was incredible server tonight he made a normal dinner an incredible gastronomic experience with incredible service

Mom and I stayed at the Carmel mission inn for a little girls trip and drove in from San Diego pretty late. We were starving and way too tired from the long drive to look for a place to eat so decided to take a chance on the hotel restaurant Shearwater Tavern. It was such a great experience! Our server Katelyn was the sweetest. Very chipper and funny and so sweet! Her incredible service really won us over. The cocktails were delicious, in terms of food we got the fried calamari, the house rolls with honey butter and the special which was a prime rib. Everything was scrumptious!!!! The house rolls are a must!! I wish I got more pics but we were so hungry we didn't get a chance. read more

Shearwater Tavern - Prime rib special - Bars Near Me - Carmel, California

We went for dinner last night, lured by reports of the Parker House rolls, and our dinner was really remarkable. We were with another couple, and all four of us agreed that this place is a gem. The drinks were excellent, and the calamari appetizer was hot, crisp, and perfectly cooked. I had the sea bass on couscous, and it was incredibly good. The others had the hanger steak, the roast chicken, and the salmon, and all three dishes got raves. Our server was efficient and warm, and those Parker House rolls were perfection. We're locals, not staying at the hotel, but we're definitely going to put the Tavern in our rotation... More people should know about this place. read more

This place is SO good! Very well priced and everything on the menu tastes fantastic. You wouldn't expect from a hotel restaurant but wow! I read more

Shearwater Tavern - had the Skirt Steak Chimmy-Curry and it's a must try! - Bars Near Me - Carmel, California

I'm a local and business owner near this hotel/restaurant and eat breakfast there often and enjoy it, Tuesday my friend and I went there for dinner! It was a great dining experience! The server Stephanie remembered our drink of chose! Lemon drops! The appetizer calamari was perfect, new bartender that makes great drinks! And we ordered the salmon and the sea bass both were cooked to perfection! Great portion and most importantly tasty! I will be back for dinner soon and will send my clients! Thanks read more

Delicious, quick breakfast. We stayed at the Carmel Mission Inn and this restaurant is connected to the hotel so we decided to grab some breakfast before our drive down the Big Sur. I had the coastal traveler breakfast which consisted of scrambled egg whites, sundried tomatoes, spinach, and came with toast. I ordered a side of bacon with my meal which came with 4 crispy bacon pieces. The butter was a very nice consistency for spreading and the jam tasted fresh and delicious. The coffee beans were roasted in Carmel, as the menu says. My husband ordered the avocado toast which was topped with salmon and a hard boiled egg cut in half and it looked really good. He ate every last bite which generally means, he really enjoyed it! I'm glad we stopped for breakfast. It will carry us through our sightseeing adventures today, for sure! Service was very nice and friendly. I couldn't have asked for a better send off. read more

Shearwater Tavern - The Coastal Traveler breakfast - Bars Near Me - Carmel, California

Thanks to Yelp we discovered a new spot for breakfast in Carmel. How often do you see all reviews with five stars? And I am adding another one! The Shearwater was not busy mid-week, and we were told to sit anywhere we liked. We chose the room overlooking the pool. We were impressed with the pleasant decor and artwork. Attractive pottery cups and dishes. With prompt and friendly service, our coffee cups were soon filled. Carmel Roasters coffee is not my favorite, but I do appreciate it when restaurants use local sources. DH opted for the Classic Breakfast. He had two eggs over easy, two plump links of country sausage (not at all greasy), and grilled multigrain bread. Jam and butter were in cute pottery ramkins. The meal was only $13! In comparison, our usual breakfast spot changes $22 for a similar entree. I ventured out with the Seasonal Local Roasted Vegetables which were topped with two perfectly poached eggs and a side of grilled local bread (AKA toast). Name your favorite vegetable and it was probably in this delicious mixture. My meal came in a small cast iron skillet nestled on a small wooden platter. The Shearwater opened in the summer of 2021. It still looks fresh! I could tell a lot of attention went into setting the stage for a pleasant dining experience. Little touches make a difference: large cloth napkins, attractive salt and pepper shaker, pottery dishes. But it is the menu selection, price (value!), and service that will bring us back on our next visit to Carmel. Having checked the menu, I think DH will want to try dinner here, too. While the menu is not extensive, it offers some interesting choices. The Parker House Rolls sound especially good. The bar menu warrants more exploring. I was pleased to see my favorite Anderson Valley Amber Ale on tap along with beers from Carmel Valley and Monterey. The wine list while not extensive has some reasonable options. However, I was disappointed to see that no wineries from Carmel Valley were represented. I also applaud Shearwater for stating in the menu: "Water Upon request." We need to see more of that in drought-striken California. A near perfect visit to Shearwater Tavern. We hope to return soon! read more

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I'm going to warn you right off that bat if your on a budget stay away! This place is so expensive but trust me it's worth it! The staff was excellent and extremely considerate would totally recommend! Went with friends so fun! read more

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Really tasty and much better than anticipated. My husband and I ate here three times while we stayed at the hotel. There are a few hits and a couple of misses. The bread is to die for, the burger taste like heaven and was cooked perfectly. The calamari is made like tempura, but the sauce makes up for the lack of spices. The chicken on rice was interesting...the chicken was great, the rice was trying to be risotto, but tasted like sweet sticky rice. AVOID THE coffee/espresso. The machine looks expensive, but it tastes like instant coffee. read more

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