We dined at Side Door last evening and it was a disappointment. We arrived at 4:30 for our 4:30 reservation and the door was locked. When we entered numerous staff seemed disoriented and unknowing what to do with guests who entered with us. Finally we were seated. Our server struggled with our beer order, she did not seem to know what a pale ale is and offered us a light beer. Women's restroom sink does not drain properly and men's restroom smells like old sewer pipes. Charcuterie station smells and employee working that station was NOT wearing gloves. Fish & chips (our personal favorite) was very pale in color suggesting oil not hot enough or not cooked long enough. Employees look un-groomed in sloppy jeans and unkept hair. You need a manager on the floor at all times! We love this tiny gem of a restaurant! read more

This place is a staple for my friends and I. It's best to come late at night when it's all dark. It's the most interesting atmosphere of any place I can think of in South OC. Young hipsters, more seasoned CDM residents. The one constant is service that makes you feel like a regular, even if you're a first timer. We'll always go for a plate of charcuterie and a pint (or two, or three) of old speckled hen. I would steer away from the wine, unless you want to spent a fortune. read more

SideDoor - Old speckled hen - British Near Me - Corona del Mar, California

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We were a walk in party of 7, so we were so thankful that they could accommodate us (Because we know space is limited). Our appetizers were delicious and everyone loved their food (especially the salads and oysters Rockefeller ). I will say I wish the prime dip had more meat, it was mainly bread. However, I'd still try it again. read more

Umm, best filet in Newport Beach, Orange County, Southern California. Hands down! But, wait, prime rib chili fries for your naughty temptations. And plenty of whiskey! Attentive, courteous staff. And, lots of character! If you are a Tam O' Shanter fan, you'll feel right at home. A classic! read more

SideDoor is a cozy, convivial atmosphere with a focus on seasonal small plates, cheese, charcuterie, and a great selection spirits. Feels like an English gastropub mixed with Southern California style, it truly the "side door" of Five Crowns. The menu is constantly often, aiming to satisfy a range of unique flavors that pairs well with there wines, craft beers, and cocktails. Ideal for sharing, its warm ambiance and variety make it a local favorite for casual dining and socializing. read more

We originally intended to eat at Five Crowns, but were shocked to hear the wait would be over 3 hours! Fortunately, we were directed to SideDoor, where the hostess was happy to seat us immediately. The ambiance is definitely livelier and more casual than Five Crowns, but you can order the same menu items and more! Food was just as good; we got the prime ribs, which were juicy and flavorful, and the sides (creamed corn, mashed potatoes, Yorkshire pudding) were all dangasti What really stood out to us was the service; Christina was extremely friendly and attentive, and you could tell that she really cared to do a great job! She went above and beyond for every one of her tables, chasing after a customer to reunite them with their forgotten box of cookies, as well as personally volunteering to help a couple make a reservation for later in the month. Christina was easily the best server I've had in a long time! read more

I was a bit disappointed in my most recent visit. We ordered a charcuterie board, which had some uninspiring cheese flavors. Just sort of there, in my opnion. Kris was very sweet & a great server, so it was not her fault. Chili cheese fries & french onion press was very tasty. We also got the prime rib sandwhich, that the bread was a little too crusty for me. We shared everything (except drinks). It was a decent crowd as well. read more

Cool spot! Love the ambience, good food, quick service, totally a return spot. Fun entrance on the side. Was definitely not sure if it was open or not; the sound proofing was pretty excellent. Love the overall feel of the place. The booths, loveseats, bar area... all of it. The food is delicious and we got a wide variety of it. Total winner was the prime rib sandwich. My goodness was that awesome! Shishito peppers seemed to be out of step with the other menu items but we got them and they were excellent so who cares! Mac wasn't my speed but was made well and I'm sure a lot of people would enjoy it. Fish and chips looked good and my friend said he liked them. They have Pliny the Elder on tap! What?? Rock on. There was even a guided tour to the ladies room! How awesome is that?! Kidding.. sort of. The layout is funky but I got to see the adjoining restaurant and the conservatory feeling dining area so also cool. Overall: will return and looking forward to it! read more

My bf took me to SIDEDOOR and I loved the atmosphere. Food was good. We got the grilled octopus, fish and chips, with some wine. Octopus was kinda gummy and not as tender as Ive had at other places. Service was okay. I felt like the server tended to other customers more. Majority of the demographics was older and Caucasian. We were the only Asians. I felt like we were kinda discriminated because we were Asian, the server talked to others and provided better service than to us. They were also pretty slow. It was a Saturday night too so there were a lot of people but also a lot of servers. I felt like it was not very diverse in all aspects. None of the workers were of other ethnicities, mostly blonde hair, light brunette and fair skin. Do they only hire Caucasians or something ? Food was good, but I don't think I'll be coming back to support this restaurant. They do not represent diversity! read more

We dined here again and this time had Christina as our server. She was so sweet & kind! This time we took pictures. The food as usual was impeccable. Had to get the shishitos again. Went casual and just shared a prime rib sandwich and the spicy chicken sandwich. Be cautious of those fresh jalapeños in there! But overall a fantastic evening!! read more

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Out of all the decades I've been coming to Five Crowns, I've never sat down and experienced Sidedoor, until tonight. First off, Bernardo our server, did a phenomenal job taking care of us. The food, I had my usual from Five Crowns...California cut prime rib, Pride of the crowns salad, Dark chocolate soufflé. I enjoyed it very much. My boyfriend, however, had the prime rib chili cheese fries, the prime rib sandwich, and vanilla ice cream. He devoured everything with positive enthusiasm. The food is always consistent, as well as the great service here. We arrived here at 5pm, which is the best time to go, not crazy packed at that time, but when we left, that's another story. The atmosphere was a classy casual vibe. My experience is always great whenever I come to Five Crowns, but Sidedoor was awesome. In fact, I'd prefer Sidedoor over the main dining room of Five Crowns. But one thing remains....it's still pricey. Love this old English pub vibe. If you've never been, go to Sidedoor. The ultimate experience. Reservations is a must. Book on OpenTable. Have fun! read more

If you haven't been to SideDoor in Corona Del Mar yet, you don't know what you're missing! SideDoor is a fantastic English-style gastropub that feels just like a warm, cozy neighborhood pub. They are known for their outstanding cheese & charcuterie plates, prime rib sandwiches and a diverse list of craft beers & cocktails. We arrived early for dinner and were seated right away, however by the time we left, it was crowded! They have a separate area where a designated cook assembles the cheese & charcuterie plates (see my photo). We got a table near the fireplace and it truly felt like you're having dinner at a friends house. We weren't too hungry, so we just ordered a beer and we both got the prime rib sandwich, which comes with au jus, horseradish & chips. For whatever reason, our server got my beer order wrong, however she let me keep the first beer and also brought me the one I initially ordered, which was A-okay with me! The prime rib sandwich is one of the items they are most known for and it did not disappoint. They are part of the Lawry's Restaurant family, so you can expect excellent prime rib in between perfect bread. It comes with the usual accompaniments - au jus & horseradish, as well as chips. I wish we were hungry enough to order a cheese & charcuterie plate, but we'll just have to look forward to it next time. Despite the beer mishap, the service was fast & friendly. They are located inside the Five Crowns Restaurant and they share the same kitchen space. They have valet parking across the street, or you can find street parking if you're willing to walk a little. I will be back. Mark my words. read more

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This was a joke. We called to make a reservation for 5Crowns and were told they were full but SideDoor is the attached gastropub with more choices and we could order from the 5Crowns menu. The only other choices were a cheese plate and prime rib sandwich. The food was subpar, and the only filet choice was with crabmeat and bernaise and it was a chewy 10oz filet for $76! The servers wore tshirts. The whole experience was awful. read more

Great food. Cocktails are tasty. Service is amazing, grownup ambience great for a date night. read more

SideDoor - Bar - British Near Me - Corona del Mar, California

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Ambiance is everything and this bar /restaurant has it in spades. Great place to stop on a night out.

Just had the AMAZING short rib and pasta dish at SideDoor. My partner got the king Henry cut and you can't go wrong. The inn-like vibe was so cozy. Patty was our waitress and she was so knowledgeable of the menu, had great suggestions and was so earnest. She took great care of us. Definitely come here! read more

Cannot say enough good things about this place- food was outstanding, drinks excellent and the service was attentive without being overbearing. Highly recommend. We were a party of 9 and well taken care of- valet across the street is awesome. read more

Wonderful food in a warm, comfortable setting. Highly recommend the fireplace seating, and earlier diners are rewarded with the menu from the adjacent 5 Crowns restaurant. read more

Love love love this spot. Actually becoming like a second home! Not sure if that's a good thing considering I stay at the bar. But hey! Every dish we have ordered is always so good. The drinks are always amazing! The bartenders are always really nice. So all in all you guys get a 5 stars from me. We have met some really good people in here. The atmosphere definitely matches the food and the service! Cheers guys! read more

Came in on a Saturday night and had a blast. Everyone in our party got something different from the menu and everything was delicious! Their mojitos were amazing! Fell in love with this restaurant. Will definitely be back soon. Our server was amazing as well. Also, you must try their sundae it's fantastic! read more

Nice place with character!!! Never had cockles before ... and where have i been ?!? lol. It was AMAZing! Prime rib dip is so good that we ordered another. Service was great! Must try read more

I attended a St. Patrick's Day event at Side Door in Corona Del Mar. So much fun! They had an Irish leprechaun playing piano, singing, and telling jokes and stories. He was so talented. It was a lovely evening with an authentic Irish feel. We had a flight of Tullamore Dew to top off our Irish evening. Side Door is always a nice place to go, but this was special! read more

I have been going to Five Crowns with my family for years but I have only been to Sidedoor a handful of times (5 or so). I love the menu and the ambiance is very cute (classy British pub). It seems to remain mostly first come first serve with seating. Love their prime rib sandwich! Always friendly servers too. Slightly more casual than Five Crowns but their menus significantly overlap. Highly recommend coming with coworkers, friends or family. Parking is valet or street parking. read more

Everything here is great! But if I only had three words..... Chili Cheese Fries!!!!!! read more

Before getting married, I'd heard my bf describe SideDoor and its charm. Not that I wouldn't like the adjacent white-linen Five Crowns, but my husband knows I'm keen on cozy pubs and their sense of community -- regardless of being a regular. This past December we made plans to see the boat parade on Balboa Bay, and this was a pre-parade treat especially with the holiday decor. The lighting is a bit dim, so upon entry, it feels like stepping into a fire-lit public house although I never saw if a fireplace is present. We didn't have reservations, so getting a table was difficult. Fortunately we were sufficiently early to get seats at the bar, where the full menu is served. On a Sat evening, both bartenders, host and wait staff were plenty busy. Although most of the workforce is young, they exhibited a good work ethic and acknowledge guests as they came in -- as busy as the pub was getting. The seasoned manager provided insightful tips, lessening stress building from the busyness or guest requests. Glad to have seasonal craft brews on draught as well as creamy mac & cheese with Yorkshire pudding! Most of all, we had a convivial conversation with our neighbor -- exchanging small talk and stories about his and our lives. I sure hope that he brings the missus next time, so she can enjoy the grandkids' soccer game and the boat parade. read more

I have been to this restaurant many times and love the food and atmosphere. I am writing this review to compliment the bartender, Andrew. He was doing a great job as a single bartender when I was there and he had a great attitude and provided excellent service. There was a very troublesome patron at the bar who was complaining and impossible to make happy and he handled it with grace and did not let them get under his skin. Will be coming back again. read more

Great food and ambiance. Our server coached us on our charcuterie selections. We then split a prime rib entree which is very worth the $8 share charge. You both get plenty of food. Only negative is all the help wear black masks. That's no fun. read more

Amazing food. Great service. Perfect ambiance. Definitely recommend the pork shank. Melt in your mouth, bursting with flavor, expertly prepared. read more

I love Side Door. I love the vibe and how homey it feels, I love the food, and I love the service! My absolute favorite place to come on a gloomy day. Absolutely get a cheese board-- the 5 cheese one is way more bang for your buck. Avocado mash is amazing. The chili cheese fries (and just chili) are amazing!! Brussel sprouts aren't my favorite, but they're good. Prime rib dip is great. Great beer and wine list, love that you can make your own flights and have a little bit of everything. Most importantly, my favorite thing about Side Door is that you can order from the Five Crowns menu! I always get the salmon. Absolutely recommend, one of my favorite places! read more

Great vibe. Super charming and romantic but also for someone who wants to just have a beer/scotch and relax at the bar. Mid week, when it's quieter, is the best. Hopefully you can sit near the fireplace. The furniture is all olf Birttish pub style, antique wood. Great food and great drink list. I had a prime rib sandwhich and few amaros. read more

What a lovely treat! With all the beautiful sunshine and coastal views nearby, who would think that a dark English pub would work? Well, it does. Very nice curated cocktails, draft beer (of course) and nice wine selection keeps the regulars returning for more. I had the Five Crown salad which was lovely and light, so I had plenty of appetite to help make sure not any of those amazing fries on my companion's plate went to waste. Oh, and that decadent spinach side, too. read more

I didn't know it was part of Five Crowns until we entered and had a seat! The menu was a bit different and unlike the menu of any gastropub...it was a combination of dinner-type food and sides and also charcuterie. Either way, we soon ordered prime rib chili cheese fries, french onion panino, sausages, and drinks. My last samurai drink was perfectly made minus the weakness...I hardly felt anything from drinking it very early on in my meal. That made me hesitant to order another drink, because it's a bit costly at $14. The food was all excellent, especially the prime rib chili cheese fries. There wasn't much chili or prime rib, but the fries alone were worth nibbling on. The panino was extremely savory and came in 4 pieces. The sausages were also great. For dessert, we got the expresso cheesecake. When it came out, it looked normal enough, but tasted entirely of lemon. Turns out they gave us the cheesecake from Five Crowns instead, so they brought out the proper expresso cheesecake, which appropriately tasted dark and had a dense texture. The expresso flavor was fantastic and lovely. Make sure you get the dessert you ordered and don't be afraid to ask them about it if something seems off! We also had great service-thanks for the food recommendations and prompt service! read more

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A cute little spot in CDM connected to Five Crowns. Minus 1 star just for the valet only paid parking or having to deal with the street parking in that area. Ventured here on a Tuesday to try the new fondue night, it was amazing. I love to eat and felt it was a good portion size for one person as a meal replacer. If you wanted to utilize it as an appetizer you could stretch it to 2-3 people. Ours came with a naan type flat bread, cauliflower, brussels and green beans. To end the meal we had to go with the buttercake, a small serving in a ramekin but great flavor. I plan to come back and try some of the cheese takeover nights and additional menu items. I do have to add that with the special nights some of the wait staff is not entirely versed so you may be asking pointless questions. read more

Gastropubs has been around for centuries. It originated from British and the conc. Just think of it as a combination of a French bistro and British pub. It's practically an upscale restaurant/bar. I tried making reservations here for my birthday but they were completely booked so I had no other choice then to come as walk-ins. When my friends and I arrived, we had to wait for 45 minutes to get a table. We went to the bar and got a couple drinks while we waited. Once we got seated, our server came by and introduced himself. He took our beverage order first and came back later to take our entrees. I ordered the roast beef dip sandwich because that's what our server had recommended. The food came out about 15 minutes later and we all dug in. The roast beef itself was juicy and savory. The baguette bread was soft and warm. The Au jus wasn't anything special. It just tasted like an ordinary beef broth. The potato chips were crisp and good. I thought it was going to get a spectacular meal due to the service and ambiance of the restaurant but it just sub par. My overall birthday experience was ok. Their service was fantastic but the meal was unsatisfactory. I'd give them a second chance if the day ever was bestowed upon me. read more

SideDoor - British Near Me - Corona del Mar, California

It might be named the SideDoor, but don't be fooled. It's TopDrawer! Our server, Trisha, was delightful. The three cheese plate was a beautiful starter. Their Old Fashioned is spot on. We all enjoyed the prime rib sandwich. Tough call between the fries and chips. Both are done very well. They make their own chips which makes it a challenge to say one is better than the other. The acoustics make it easy to engage everyone in conversation. Wish they were open for lunch! Cheers!!! read more

Great pub-like atmosphere and the staff is always friendly and attentive. Surprisingly, the food this time was just barely average. Two of us had the prime rib sandwich and both were pretty skimpy and the chips lacked flavor and salt. Our wives had fish and chips which tasted fine but seemed skimpy too. Fries were great as usual. We are hoping this was just a bad night and not a trend. read more

Yes, this is part of FiveCrowns and is accessible thru the....Side Door. This is the bar area of Five Crowns and is an absolutely fantastic pub area to hang out, be cozy and enjoy some great food drink and hopefully company. Yes, on prime days and evenings this area fills up fast and you will most likely be spending some time fairly close to a fellow patron, but for me that is part of the charm of this place. My family and I came in on a recent holiday rainy evening and it was great to have a stool next to the fireplace. Figured I would look over and see Ebenezer Scrooge reading a book...but..I did see some amazing carolers coming thru in old time garb. The drink selection is fantastic, with a selection of local and not so local beers ready to go, full bar and some great seasonal cocktails. The menu was top notch pub with a great meat and cheese board station and some comfort foods you don't see often like roast duck and bread pudding..but the prime rib was a star for me. I left a bit fatter but very happy. Cheers! read more

Oh wow this was so unexpectedly bad service. We made reservation for table for two and was escorted to bar table by host with attitude. Later came back apologizing but still with strange attitude. Heard good things about them but today was not our day. Host was worse than Denny's at 4am. And that very host told us to mention the seating issue to waitress. "Maybe ask for some deals or something". Well, we didn't know that we needed deals on celebration dinner. We would probably tip them extremely generously if experience was good. Sad to see good restaurant allows poor service. Hope owner sees this posting. read more

What a lovely meal! We all ordered the French dip with sides and it was just splendid. The meat was tender and well seasoned, the chips and fries perfectly crispy! And we just cannot stop raving about our waiter, Bernardo. He was kind, attentive, and knew the menu inside and out. We will be coming back soon! read more

SideDoor - French dip - British Near Me - Corona del Mar, California

One of the absolute best restaurant experiences I've had in years. Beautiful, quaint, comfortable/cozy decor. Stellar, attentive service. And to top it off: off-the-charts food. With a menu that changes every few days, our group tried multiple options - one of the highlights being the chicken pot pie. As someone who eats vegetarian most of the time, their organic options inspired me to try this and it was beyond incredible. Not too creamy, fresh vegetables, and a perfect homemade crust. We also had two kids in our group and our waiter overheard them asking their mom if they could get grilled cheese sandwiches (not a menu item). He happily told them they could have whatever they wanted and proceeded to bring two of the most gorgeous grilled cheese sandwiches and heaps of fresh, homemade french fries I've ever seen. I secretly wondered if we had stumbled upon that restaurant from "Defending Your Life" - they were that perfect. In any case, I wish I lived closer to Corona Del Mar (don't we all?), but every time I get nearby, I'll be heading back to SideDoor. Highly recommend. read more

SideDoor - Chicken pot pie - British Near Me - Corona del Mar, California