Anyone been to the Ritz Restaurant in Newport lately?

[josephnl]

When Hans Prager was alive and running the Ritz, this was a really classy operation with wonderful food, service and ambiance. I've not been there in years, and have heard nothing about it recently. Has anyone been there recently, and how is it under its current management.

[josephnl]

Sorry for any confusion, but I tried to be as clear as I could. I am asking about the Ritz Restaurant in Fashion Island, Newport Beach...and NOT the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Restaurant in Laguna Niguel!

[50sGuy]

I'd move on from the Ritz. Try A Restaurant for a cozy club feeling and good food.

[New Trial]

The rooms are still gorgeous but the food and service have fallen off post-Prager. The food is decent (many of the items remain from the old menu), just no longer stellar. Well, the cheese toast is still great! The waiter I had during my most recent lunch there was clueless and forgetful. Sadly it is no longer the star of the Fashion Island area.

[sbritchky]

I've eaten at many Ritz-Carltons around the country although, for some reason, not at the one in Laguna Niguel. Everywhere the food has been very good, and at some it is truly excellent (the old Huntington Ritz, now the Langham, in Pasadena, Nob Hill in San Francisco, Buckhead in Atlanta, and Tysons Corner near Washington, DC, to mention a few prominent examples). I'm surprised at these negative reviews, so I'll have to stop by and a get a first-hand picture.

[jkao1817]

Same with us. The old Ritz in Pasadena is excellent. Tyson's was good but Maestro's is no longer, but the brunch is still awesome. The SF one is always good. The one in Cancun was okay. The one in cayman was great!!!!

[EclecticEater]

Still a great place for drinks but a time ago my wife and I had dinner there. I returned my meal, cooked too dry, and we weren't happy with it. Prices were high and not comensurate with the food. Love the view, drinks and maybe a drink accompanient, but forget the meal, unless it's changed lately.

[cls]

The view?
Have I been to a different Ritz?

[New Trial]

Some of the other posters appear to have presumed OP meant the Ritz-Carlton down in Laguna rather than the Ritz Restaurant at Fashion Island.

[sbritchky]

Lookit, New Trial, the headline said "Ritz Restaurant in Newport," not "Ritz-Carlton Hotel" in Laguna Niguel, so obviously the OP meant Pacific Dining Car in Santa Monica! ;-)

Sorry, I'm part of the group whose fingers are faster than their eyes, but I still plan to try the Laguna Niguel Ritz, because I've recently been wondering if it's a decent alternative to Stonehill Tavern, when necessary. You've also convinced me to stop by the Ritz Restaurant at Fashion Island, which I avoid because of my fashion sense, but cheese toast? That sounds wonderfully unfashionable.

[jkao1817]

The Ritz Carlton Restaurant is not worth the trip. Other than for the view. We were there about 2 months ago and the food was not worth it. Even the brunch was not good.

[torta basilica]

It's just depressing and Marriott worthy. Sitting in the middle of what used to be a decent bar & now just a walk-way to the rooms with dining tables & screaming kids on either side - depressing. But the Eno Bar with a group of people... the cheese could be better, but still fun!

[MaxCaviar]

yeah, i was referring to the restaurants at the Hotel in Dana Point. sorry.

[EclecticEater]

Right on, I was flashing on the Ritz Hotel and their magnificent 100' drop over the beach to the Pacific view.

[MaxCaviar]

I only started eating there beginning in 2002. I actually think they've improved the food across the board. The new bar area on the main floor is very nice and I often just get drinks and appetizers with that nice ocean view.

[kproq323]

Went there for mothers day. Food went way downhill. Would not suggest it.

[torta basilica]

Although good restaurants should be consistently good, no matter when, I try to make it a rule not to judge restaurants on holidays - esp. Mother's Day, Valentine's Day, Easter, etc.