Very good food, dishes are not always knockouts like at The Studio, but rarely disappoint. Service is wonderful as expected at The Montage... Prices are higher then they should be, also expected at The Montage. Wine list is awesome.
(4)
Bryan T.
My VP awarded us with a Dinner there last night. The food was top of the line, excellent presentation, the service was very personal and kind. They even gave me a gift for being the top salesman, a real nice pen set. No one asked them to do it. The views and grounds at the Montage are excellent, what can I say but a great night out.
(5)
SJ Y.
Nice place to just relax and enjoy the view with some good food! Their bread was quite delish to be honest and so were their garlic fries. My brisket sandwich was surprisingly scrumptious as well as the butter pickles! I also had a strawberry sunset(?) which tasted like a strawberry smoothie lol. Solid food, nice service, amazing view, slightly pricey. ps- take a stroll after eating to get rid of the calories while enjoying the scenary!
(4)
Adrian M.
Not inexpensive but the view is beautiful and the service is quite good. The food was good and while not the best ever it's certainly not disappointing. Next time I go there it'll be a few hours before sunset, to take advantage of the grounds and to stroll on the beach.
(4)
Michael L.
I've been to The Studio at Montage before, but not The Loft at Montage. I wasn't sure what to expect, since the restaurant is actually located in the hotel, not like The Studio where it's next to the trail down to the beach. My party sat at the patio, and I must say that the view is still stunning, just not as beautiful as The Studio, of course. Guess you really get what you pay for. You overlook their hotel pool, and their Christmas tree at this time of the year. If you're worried about the chill, they got you covered with the heat lamp. Food was good. Ordered mussels for appetizer and I had scallops for my entree. I enjoyed it, but I know I've had better scallops at another restaurant in Laguna, so I might be biased here. Regardless, I would recommend dining here for a casual date night. Be careful though, as this place can get pricey very quickly.
(4)
Jonathan N.
Oysters. Charcuterie. Drinks. It's gooooood.
(4)
DollyPants J.
It's a trade-off. Great ocean view from the patio. Excellent, but slow paced, service; tailored for people who would like a casual "no place to go afterward" kind of lunch. VERY PROUD. And by that I mean $$twenty something$$ for a grilled cheese and tomato soup lunch. What do you expect? It's The Montage. Down the road is the Ritz Carlton, which offers the same view, less children, good food, and the tab isn't such a grind.
(3)
C. J.
Thoroughly enjoyable experience. Professional, excellent service from the time I dropped the car at the valet to the time we left. Food was excellent across the board. Well executed, perfectly sized portions, nice innovation. Up there with the better restaurants in Los Angeles. Amazing views.
(4)
Janice S.
I took my daughter to The Loft for lunch to celebrate her birthday and we enjoyed the whole experience immensely. I ordered fresh salmon, which was cooked to perfection. My daughter ordered a grilled chicken, with a wonderful and unusual sauce. The bread was excellent. There was a non-gluten cheese bread that we especially liked. It was a lovely warm day, so we sat outside on the patio and enjoyed a magnificent view of the ocean. We both had Chardonnay wine, which was just right. Our server was friendly and attentive. At the end of the meal my daughter was presented with a rich chocolate dessert. We will definitely be going back and also plan to try dinner soon as well.
(5)
Hyesun K.
My bf and i came for lunch here for the OC restaurant dine in week. The food was very good. You can taste the organic-ness in their salad!! You can taste all their ingredients are fresh and flavorful. My boyfriend got a chicken sandwich and i got the udon dish. Chicken sandwich was pretty decent in porportion but i thought the chicken was on a bit drier side. Udon noodles with white mushroom lemongrass cream sauce came in a smaller portion but it was definitely filling. the dessert was great! i really LOVED homemade praline nut icecream!! delish!!!! But of course, one of the reasons ppl come here is because of the VIEW and The view was definitely FIVE stars!!! Very very romantic. The service was really good. My cup never went dry =P The waiter was attentive and nice. They also validate parking ticket so the price overall wasn't too bad IMO. It's really nice to walk around inside and outside of the hotel and walk along the private beach!!
(5)
Neen M.
I LOVE THE MONTAGE RESORT and had a great experience having drinks in their hotel lobby/deck ****BUT**** I think so very differently of the Loft Restaurant!! Came here for lunch once and did not have a reservation. There were only literally like 4 other tables seated and we asked "can we have a seat with a view?" where they replied: "sorry, they are all reserved/taken" So we get seated in the straight up corner toward the furtherest back possible at an ugly ass no view seat. Ate our entire meal (very bland and nothing yelp rave worthy) and stayed for maybe an hour an a half. DO YOU THINK ANY OF THE 15++ WINDOW SEATS WERE TAKEN DURING THE DURATION OF OUR MEAL????? ***NOT ONE*** Horrible customer service and horrible that you could not let one of your ONLY customers for the day have a nice window view. SHAME.
(2)
Sofia L.
A wonderful place for brunch if you enjoy morning sunshine, breezy seaside fragrance and a cordial selection of American breakfast dishes. The tone of the restaurant decoration immediately alleviates your stress from the day before. A gentle mixture of milky white, bright beige and solid darkwood, the place is a combination of style, class, and serenity. A walk in the garden beneath after a flavorful indulgence at the Loft brings about a relaxing completion of the leisure morning.
(5)
Jeannie H.
Solid food but horribly overpriced. I guess I should expect nothing less of The Montage. I've come for both dinner and breakfast. Given there are few choices for breakfast aside from IHOP and or a hole-in-the-wall that is barely a step above somebody's back yard, I think Loft is worthwhile when you're seeking something more civilized. There's lovely outdoor seating and a beautiful ocean view to linger over. However, for dinner, I'd recommend venturing elsewhere since the "view" at night is a moot point. ATMOSPHERE - It's comfortable and pleasant. It's all about the ocean view. SERVICE - Perfectly friendly and attentive. FOOD - The food is truly unremarkable but you don't come here for the food. I had two eggs cooked over proscuitto, which then lay over heirloom tomatoes and truffled brioche. The dish was aggressively salty, the tomatoes raw, but the eggs were rich and flavourful. Given that OC is a culinary wasteland, I think this was a decent meal and the view is priceless.
(4)
Nick D.
You pay in part for the view, add to that the fact that you are inside a schmancy resort, higher than elsewhere prices are expected. Know it, accept it, get over it. Came here for my wife's birthday. I wish we showed up an hour early to walk around the resort and enjoy the view more. I had their steak, a coffee ground encrusted NY strip that is caramelized and topped with blue cheese. It's sweet, it tastes like coffee, its different than any other steak i've had, and it was good. The flavors were not overpowering and the perfectly medium rare steak is worth every dollar ($45) they charge. My wife had something else, i dont remember, it was good. But it wasnt nearly as memorable as the steak. We had a reservation and i was hoping for (but didnt request, my bad) a table on the window, but we were sat in the back area at a booth overlooking a large table of 12 who were obnoxiously loud given the small size of the space. Also they keep the dining area slightly above freezing. Note to self, bring a coat. Next time we will have to try the cheese plate. Its on the dessert menu. Apparently they have a Frommegier (Think Sommelier, but for cheese) who pairs their ridiculous 100+ selection of cheeses with honeys and fruits to your specific likes/dislikes.
(4)
Zhong Z.
I really want to give this place a 4/5 but the terribly mediocre food bump them down. I came for lunch and the food is on the level of a BJs/Cheesecake factory-type place. I came here for dinner years ago so I can't recall how it was but I do think the dinner menu was better. Everything else was great though as this place is definitely in the upper echelon of your "upscale I'm coming here for the view/location even though the food is blah/overpriced" restaurant. Lastly, my date was impressed by their assorted bread plate lol.
(3)
Noelle S.
My husband and I decided to splurge on our Valentine's and went to eat dinner at the loft. We went on the early side so we could be sure to watch the sunset, and it was absolutely fantastic! You cannot beat the views and the atmosphere at The Loft....it was super quiet, we could have a private conversation, and ate outside under the warmth of a heat lamp so we could enjoy the beautiful scenery :) The service was impeccable and the wine was delish! The food was really good - not the best I've ever had, but it was definitely yummy! We shared an appetizer with bread and crackers and various meats and dips, he got a soup with white asparagus and I got the french onion soup, and then for dinner he got the pork dish (which he LOVED) and I got a light pasta dish. I found the prices to be pretty reasonable for a restaurant with such a gorgeous location! We both had an awesome dinner with lots of quality time. We spent 2.5 blissful hours on their patio without even realizing how much time had elapsed.
(4)
Michelle J.
the waiter was extremely friendly and the view was wonderful. but there was nothing special about the food..
(3)
Kristian H.
I would *NOT* recommend the Loft Restaurant inside. Instead, sit _outside_. They crowd you into a room with little light and a very small window. The view from this room is lackluster compared to the view from the balcony. Instead, choose to reserve an _outside_ seat. [Pros] + Great service. + Great for groups. [Cons] - Poor scenic view from the indoor loft restaurant location. - Pricey -- not a great deal for the $$$, unless you are wealthy. $1200 minimum to reserve the indoor room. With taxes/fees/gratuity, this comes out to be ~$1500. - $25 "wine corkage fee", PER BOTTLE, when you bring your own...really? If you bring in four bottles of your own wine, they charge you $100 for seemingly no reason. Perhaps this is useful if you have a $500 bottle of wine, but not if the corkage fee costs more than the bottle. Thanks ... but I will just purchase a new bottle in that case ;) - 22% mandated service charge on $1200 is a fair bit of money, unless you are wealthy of course. - $6 per cup of coffee, but the coffee wasn't very good. - The food was OK, but not great, which is less than I had hoped. - Parking is expensive too :(
(3)
Ellen o.
This is the place to take friends or family from out of town for a fine lunch in a beautiful resort setting. I bring everyone here after a walk along the resort's ocean front path and down the stairway to the cove. The view in the restaurant is beautiful. As to the food -- that is good too. We had the pleasure of seeing the chef de cuisine, Casey Overton, give a cooking demonstration last summer and we were impressed with his commitment to hunting down the best seasonal ingredients. It shows in the dishes. We always come away happy.
(4)
Kelly S.
We came for breakfast the other morning with my in-laws after taking family pictures on the beach all morning. We were starving, cranky and sweaty as it was 90* on the beach, at 10am!!! Service was amazing, they even brought our baby a stuffed animal for no reason! I was disappointed with my omelette (what was supposed to be cheddar cheese had the consistency and tasted exactly like Velveeta - yuck!!) however, the other 3 dishes at our table looked INCREDIBLE!! Everyone loved theirs. They did validate our parking also, so nice to pay only $8 instead of $20 :) Extremely pricey but what do you expect from the Montage?!?
(4)
Nadia M.
Loft is located at the Montage which i love, so I might be a little biased. The views are fantastic whether you are sitting out on the balcony or in the main dining room. We went there for an early lunch. Serene beauty is right in front of you! OUr waiter was very friendly, polite, and attentive. We pretty much listened to his recommendations and did not regret. Tuna salad was great Halibut sandwich was even better:) Oh, and cheese rolls + pretzel bread is really yummy too! Pricey, but nice. You pay for the food, service, and the view:)
(4)
Huntington B.
The view is good but beyond that, the cheese plate and the drinks, the meal was very average. There was not one person in our group that was "wowed" by our meal or the service. Service was very slow. Not relaxed, slow. Both my spouse and I ordered fish and his was dry and mine was mushy. Desserts were reviewed as just ok by the entire group. For a minimum of $100 a person the food and service should be spectacular. It wasn't.
(2)
Darin D.
Took my wife here for her birthday. The food was fantastic, New York steak and lobster tortelloni. The view is gorgeous and the staff were warm and friendly. Take time to walk the grounds of the resort and enjoy a glass of champagne at their fire pit over looking the ocean.
(5)
Lulu R.
The view outside was amazing! The service wad impeccable. Ask to sit in Scott's section. He was polite, courteous and pleasantly happy! The food was delicious. Well garnished and outstanding. What a wonderful experience. I will definitely bring all my dates here. Thank YOU Scott!
(5)
cake k.
The view, staffs, basically the resort in itself are all GREAT.... but the food is really plain horrible ! I regret not believing the reviews that said the food is soooo bad for the prices... You're paying for what's expected to be food of excellence in quality & taste, but what we got was typically awful hotel food... For starters we got the main lobster & grilled artichoke... this "main lobster" was 28$ but it was just 2 plain tiny pieces of crayfish. And the artichoke should've been slow grilled so that it'd come out softer ? I had one of the vegetarian choices for the entree, which was the strazzapreti pasta. I never complain about bland food because I like to able to taste the natural taste in ingredients - like vegetables and such but bland pasta, is bad. Because pasta is always suppose to be complimented by sauces right ? Few drops of this "aged balsamic" & a random piece of parmesan did not work out for me. My bf's short beef rib tortellini was nothing to rant about either. Though the worst part is, the dessert. We asked the server for suggestion between the "heirloom peach" (peach napoleon) or the strawberry pistachio cake and she recommended the pistachio cake. It was awful. Soggy cake in this soggy strawberries & sauce. I think the napoleon would've been real soggy, that's why she told us to go for the cake without hesitation. Our server was really nice, though I had an odd feeling that she knows the food is terrible and she knows we weren't crazy about it so she kept us distracted by talking about the live music (an event was going on down by this open field area) and the resort layouts.... commented on anything but the food. People say you pay for the view... but you can definitely find similar setting if not better setting while not having to pay for horrible food. What made the night better is that we traveled down to the beach which is only about 5mins away from the restaurant.
(2)
T W.
Came here for breakfast. Felt quite ill, wanted to indulge. Actually threw up on the way into a diaper bag. TMI sorry, but just so you know I was throwing up and still wanted to eat this food. Ordered the smoothie (which changes daily) and it was soo good. Really fruity which was just what I wanted to accompany my meal (didn't want a thick smoothie with too many cals). But the most amazing thing was the BLT croissant breakfast sandwich. It was, in short, AMAZING. Ah, my fiance was so envious (he was trying to be healthy with an omelet) but I would not let him have even a bite. Skip the hashbrowns. I think they were six dollars, and they were soggy and gross. They are the reason I am giving this place four stars. I am also giving them kudos for making their own ketchup! Homemade ketchup was a new experience for me and (bonus points) it was delish! I will be coming back...when I have a job and money to indulge in this.
(4)
Susan D.
This is a beautiful location and gorgeous hotel, so we expected more from this restaurant. The staff is excellent but the STAFFING levels were poor. We went out on a Saturday night and sat on their beautiful patio. All of the workers were extremely nice and courteous, bringing water, etc. I called before we went, asking if they could accomodate gluten-free because we eat regularly at the Ritz Carlton and Lucianas and they tend to serve the food simple and fresh which is perfect.. The Loft staff were very nice and the waitress also showed a great deal of concern. We were dining out with a business colleague. Some things we ordered (caesar salad--excellent) and the men got spaghetti with clams. Here was the problem: I ordered steamed clams and a side of vegetables---simple right? The restaurant was heavily understaffed and there was ONE waitress for the entire patio. It took forever to order and to get our food. By the time the food came, my vegetables were cold (heavily sauteed and buttered) and the clams came in a HEAVY scampi butter-type sauce. I should have returned my meal but it took soooo long to get the food, I didn't want to create problems with our visiting business associate. Yes, now I know to specify no heavy butter.....but most fine restaurants already "get that". Given that I had expressed dietary concerns in the first place, they should have been more careful and honestly, when simple food is so heavily buttered and rich, that is a sign of a poor chef. I have ordered steamed clams many times and it always comes out in a thin clam broth.......My husband's food was also heavily sauced too. We were disappointed as the staff were so nice (it isn't the fault of our waitress that management made her be the only one working the patio) and had such good intentions. It was very expensive and wish we could report a better evening.
(2)
Reina S.
I hate to do this to the Montage because I really love it, I mean it's beautiful! We went to the Artistry of Wine they have every Sunday afternoon at The Loft. The service was SLOW. We couldn't get a waitress' attention. I wanted to order food, asked for a menu and proceeded to get ignored for what seemed like 15 mins. We slowed down our drinking so we could have some food ordered and given to us before we finished. The wines were amazing, the meat plate we ordered was great and the cheeses that came with the wine tasting was good too. The Montage is gorge! But I was let down by the service.. I'll give it another shot I am sure, but I will order my food ASAP so I don't have to try to flag down a waitress.
(3)
Lara W.
We called and made a reservation for Sunday lunch with an out of town friend. We were told we had a rsvp for outdoor table, but then upon arrival found out that wasn't guaranteed, and you can guarantee I wasn't very happy. After being seated at a table as far away from a view as possible, we spoke with a manager and were moved outside. From there the experience got better. The service was nice, but very slow. We waited a long time between each course, but thankfully the food was worth the wait. My boyfriend started with the clams, and we also had the hummus flatbread. The clams were delicious and abundant, with many more than a dozen. We all chose sandwiches for lunch, I had pulled pork which was more sweet than spicy and very tasty. The chicken and burger were also very good. Overall I'd say our experience was A-OK, but probably wouldn't make a special trip to come back.
(3)
Brian G.
The LOFT is A-OK in my book. Just as everyone else has mentioned, the view is spectacular. Uninterrupted coastal views up and down. Really breathtaking. The service is very nice and accommodating here. Checking in on you when appropriate, but not excessive or disruptive. The food is what gets the just-OK rating. While delicious for the most part, there were some missteps during our meal, which is unfortunate. Attended with a large group from work for our holiday luncheon. LOFT provided a fixed menu for us to enjoy. I picked the pumpkin soup with duck and pear. A number of others ordered it as well. The presentation is great - they provided all the orders a bowl with the duck and pear placed in the center. Servers then come out with piping hot soup and pour into the bowls. Two different consistency soups came out - mine ended up quite runny and brothy - not what i expected for a pumpkin puree. Oh well. Picked the flank steak with bernaise and truffle sweet potato fries. This was satisfying. And then did "The Montage" chocolate bombe, which was pretty tasty. I can't believe I ate the whole thing. Watch out for a surprise in the center! Thanks for a nice lunch, but I'm sure I wouldn't come here on my own dime.
(3)
Monica J.
Girls night out for mom's retirement dinner with sisters, sister in law, aunts, and mom :) This place is GORGEOUS overlooking the ocean inside the BEAUTIFUL Montage Resort. Bread basket: Breadsticks, Olive Bread, and Pretzel Bread were ALL warm and delicious Our table had: Artichoke and Chicken BBQ flatbread ~ VERY GOOD Coffee Crusted New York Strip Steak ~ GOOD Halibut and Sea Bass ~ GOOD Braised Short Rib Tortellino ~ AMAZING!!! Plum Tart ~ Interesting and good Brown Sugar Cake ~ AMAZING!!! Rombauer Merlot ~ VERY GOOD YES this place is expensive but you pay for quality and excellent service.
(4)
Wolf O. C.
Ok, this place is undeniably a beautiful resort. The view is a 10, but the food was just so - so. The bread is delicious - especially the cheese bread, but the pretzel bread is bland (especially compared to Mastros). I tried the burger, which the server said was named the best burger in Orange County. And at $25, I figured it had to be great. It wasn't. The presentation and size were nice, but it was so salty. It had a giant piece of fatback on it, essentially a big thick piece of dried up overly salty bacon -- yuck. When she told me that there was going to be a nice big piece of bacon, I though yum, but no yum was found. The sweet potato fries that came with the burger were equally boring. There a much better choices for a good burger, and this is not even close to the best burger in Orange County. I recommend coming to the resort for the view and some drinks (very expensive drinks -- $8 for beer -- crazy), then go down the street to any one of the many better and cheaper restaurants down on PCH.
(2)
M P.
Small small portion. I had the crab salad and I could eat another one. It was mixed w. mango and some little green veggies. It was good, but small portion.
(4)
Danny D.
One of the best dining experiences we have ever had, and we have been around the block. Perfect food, and the best service we have had in a very long time. Ask for Jamie, she makes the experience that much better.
(5)
Turbo G.
Amazing ocean view and delicious food. Great presentation and excellent service. Personally love the Foie Gras and the Filet Mignon. We reserved the table at the balcony and the whole dinner was perfect. The atmosphere is like on vacation and the gorgeous view make me don't want to leave. Definitely worth for the price!
(5)
Pam J.
Beautiful surroundings! The service was impeccable from the moment we stepped onto the premises to the time we left!!! The food was yummy, yummy! You gotta try the crab cake sandwich and corn soup---make ya wanna slap somebody!!!!
(5)
jill o.
I have dined all over the world in fine dining establishments, but I have to say I have never had service as good as at The Loft. Our waiter was incredibly gentile, knowledgable, and professional. At least three times suited staff came to the table to thank us - by name - for joining them. We received details about each dish down to the organic farm where the food was harvested. The meals were unbelievably delicious. I cannot say enough good things about this resto, and I will be back the next time I want to impress someone!
(5)
Jim B.
Went for Thanksgiving dinner...just the two of us. While the service was good, almost smothering, the food was so so. For $95 prix fix, I expected something exceptional, but the turkey seemed like processed meat, and the dark meat confit was just turkey parts cooked in own juices. As the evening rolled on, we both started to feel like we had a dollar sign tattooed to our fourheads. Really disappointed. Come on Montage, you have really slipped.
(2)
laura f.
Augh. this pains but i have to do 3.5 instead of 5. this is one of those meals that you have maybe once a year. you know, the all indulgent savor every moment kind of meal that you don't get very often. food was excellent, service was grand. however.... one of the gals at my table found a hair in her bread. server said he had to take it in back to "confirm" it was a hair. okay. upon his return, he said yes, it is a hair, we are so sorry. and that was it. no offer of dessert or coffee, no new basket of bread. i might not be rich and hoity toity, but even if i found a hair at a fast food restaurant they would be more than willing to take it back. meh.
(3)
Kai R.
Review is for lunch. It has been a few years since I've eaten at the Loft. Back then the food was pretty good (albeit expensive, which is expected for a five-star resort). Lunch today was a disappointment in several regards: 1) Service - the service was simply horrible. At a place like this, you expect your beverages to be refreshed often. Simply wasn't the case at all today. The restaurant was not full, so I'm not sure the root cause as to the lapse in service. 2) Kids menu - my daughter had the $12.50 mac 'n cheese and guess what? It was the stuff out of the box! I have no problems paying $12.50 for a kids meal at a place like this, but I expected home-made mac 'n cheese. That is expected and demonstrated at other high-end restaurants & resorts. 3) The food was average and VERY expensive ($27 for a small beef sandwich and onion soup). There are better choices in Laguna (namely Saphire, Rock 'n Fish, and many others)...
(2)
Pamela H.
We love to eat here with our favorite hospitality person @ScottNichols, the best food and attention to detail anywhere on the planet!! This is my place to enjoy a birthday dinner!
(5)
James D.
We had on odd group for finding a restaurant in Laguna Beach. As a party of four, our oldest was in his 70s and our youngest was 20 months. The restaurant was a great fit for all of us. They had a children's menu with some good simple dishes to compliment their standard menu, which was full of world class fare. The menu was especially good because the base dishes included a lot of common foods (sea bass, short rib, etc.), but it was prepared in ways that made it more tasty than a typical place.
(5)
Marc W.
Amazing service and excellent food! And when I left behind an item, they tracked me down from my reservation, called me, and held it until I could return and pick it up. One of the nicest restaurants in Orange County!
(5)
Thu V.
Talk about gorgeous views. The Montage hotel grounds are fabulous and so is the restaurant. We went there for lunch during restaurant week. $20 for a 3-course meal. We started with the arugula salad. Delicious. They layered the peppery arugula with a spicy, crispy pastry flake, with prosciutto to boot. Personally, anything with prosciutto is pretty damn good. You can wrap fish eyeballs in prosciutto and I think it would taste good. *barf* But at least I got the prosciutto ;) For lunch, we had the chicken sandwich. It was one of the best chicken sandwiches I've had in a long time. The chicken was perfectly grilled and juicy still, and smothered with Gouda and chopped onions, red peppers and tomatoes. There was a slight hint of sweetness to the sandwich too. And I LOVE salt / sweet combos. Dessert was the German chocolate cake with a middle layer of coconut and pecan filling. Friggin awesome, I inhaled it and I'm not a choco-freak. The grounds are beautiful. Overlooking the Pacific Ocean over a cliff. What more can you ask for? maybe more prosciutto.
(4)
Kathleen H.
This was our first time at the Montage Resort and we were not quite sure what to expect. The grounds are lovely and so was the Loft Restaurant located in the main resort building. We had just finished golf and were super hungry. We wanted something yummy but simple for lunch. We started with Bloody Marys and quickly looked forward to a "refill". We absolutely enjoyed the warm basket of bread as we waited for our salads, and sandwiches. I absolutely enjoyed the arugla salad. The pine nuts and light dressing was a perfect complement to the peppery argula and salty prociutto. I also had the tomato bisque w/ grilled sandwich. The grilled cheese is delicious w/ the bisque although, on its own, the bisque was a bit salty. My brother ordered the chicken sandwich and it was absolutely delicious. Honey had the pulled pork sandwich w/ a thin sliver of pineapple and cucumber. There were big chunks of juicy and flavorful pork and the ciabatta bread was perfectly grilled (although it might have been better w/ a toasted kaiser for a textural contrast). Service was great. I will definitely come back for lunch again. It was so relaxing and since it was a beautiful sunny day, the restaurant was bright and lovely which made me extra happy!!
(4)
Tarun B.
They tried, they really did, but it just wasn't enough. Brought my mom here for her birthday lunch and I had really high hopes. Everything was pleasant and wonderful, from making the reservation, to the valet service, being seated on the lovely patio with that fantastic view, to the polite servers. Until the food. We started with the crispy heirloom vegetables, which had a cornmeal-buttermilk batter. The batter was great, but had no salt or seasoning at all, which hurt the majority of the vegetables used like potatoes and avocado. The vegetables were fried perfectly (lemon rounds, amazing), but the buttermilk dipping sauce on the side was watery and flavorless as well. Not a great start. For lunch, I tried the Chef's Black Bistro Burger. I hardly tasted any truffle, the portabello was cooked to death, and the side salad was tiny and sad. I felt bad for it, I really did. The meat was well seasoned though, I'll give them that. My mom had the Goat Cheese and English Pea pasta, all of which was so overcooked that it mushed together into an incongruous paste. She asked for it to be taken away and ordered the Fish and Chips instead, which they did bring out quickly, but it suffered the same problem as the vegetables and lacked seasoning of any kind. The fish was fresh and cooked really well, but didn't make up for the lack of flavor. For dessert they gave us a peach meringue tart which we really enjoyed. Their wine list had some excellent choices too, with the New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc being the standout. The servers were really nice about everything and tried their best to make sure we enjoyed the meal, and that's why I'm giving 3 stars instead of two. We also had a large, ballsy seagull sitting next to us that kept stealing bread off my mom's plate, but it actually made the meal more fun. I would recommend going and trying it out, but maybe just sit at the bar so you don't have to spend too much. But seriously, beautiful view!
(3)
Marshel S.
My wife and I heard about this place from a friend, so we decided to give it a try with some friends in from OOT (out-of-town). The service was remarkable, the setting unique, the food was flavorful yet not abrasive, and the wine was enchanting. So I'm no wine expert, but I know a thing or two...and let me tell you the pairing selections were off the charts. For starters, I had a spinach salad with shrimp and a light tomato/citrus based dressing. For pairing, we had a Rombauer Californian wine. The pairing was perfectly harmonious. For the entree, I sided with the shelled seafood soup. The seafood was remarkably fresh, and the accompaniments were exquisite. The paired wine was a Sauvignon Blanc from the Marlborough region of New Zealand. Fabuloso. You cannot blend it any better than this. For dessert, I opted for the fried banana cake with vanilla bean ice cream. We had this with a dessert wine from Ventura County, California. Once again, an explosion of flavors in my mouth--that had to be blessed by a connoisseur with a highly discriminate palate. The Montage is an appropriate setting for a restaurant of this caliber. I will definitely be back for seconds.
(5)
Brian S.
I'm writing this soon after Dan left, he was our go to bartender there and as a local, he helped a lot with making the experience feel less like a big resort. The food has always been great and so has the service. I recommend the bar menu to keep the prices reasonable, and everything I have tried on there has been great. If you like cheese, I also recommend ordering a cheese plate, they do a top shelf job and the cheese monger will come out and tell you about each one. If you want something custom cooked for you this is the kind of place that will do it.
(5)
Brooke A.
My husband and I went to this restaurant on his birthday, and it did not live up to my expectations. Yes, the service was pretty good (although our waiter was a little arrogant). The food was so average. We got spring rolls (I think they were called) for an appetizer, and they were inedible. They were gooey and fishy and gross. They had some kind of sashimi inside that was so slimy. My husband got a halibut sandwhich that was so spicy, and again, fishy. I had their club sandwhich which was pretty good, but we might as well have gone to Cheesecake Factory or something. The view is pretty. I saw Yelp peeps talk about other dishes that sounded great, but their menu had obviously changed by the time I got there and those dishes weren't offered. I was hoping to find a new nice place to go to for special occasions... this one isn't it.
(2)
Maria T.
Went here for OC Happy Hour Week and really enjoyed the offerings and the fantastic view. The service is a bit slow though, so I don't recommend coming if you are in a rush. I thought the service was good--but perhaps a bit stiff. (The best service I've ever had was at Stonehill Tavern at the St. Regis!) My girlfriends and I--in our 20s and 30s--were definitely the youngest patrons there--so expect a low key bar atmosphere where you can converse easily. This would be great for drinks on a first date! The wine offered: Solo Maremma Micante, Sangiovese/Cabernet Blend from Tuscany, Italy was a real delight. The Loft Shandy was also an enjoyable, bubbly concoction. Tried the steamed mussels--SO flavorful! The sea salt and vinegar fries were WONDERFUL... I'd highly recommend them, and the portion was generous enough to share with 2 or 3. The 3 cheese plate--AMAZING. Our Fromager Janice (aka, The Cheese Lady as we lovingly called her) gave us an unforgettable presentation on the 3 artisan cheeses she selected that were at their peak. They were paired with 3 sauces--one a root beer reduction--that made the tasting an experience in and of itself. I can't wait to try that again! Overall, a nice experience that happy hour week made easier on the wallet.
(4)
Casey C.
-1 for the price. If you're looking for something fancy, this is the place! But expect to pay. Great food. Friendly service. Beautiful atmosphere and view. Came here for OC restaurant week and had their prix fixe and wine pairing. Started with their laugh
(4)
Koko M.
I loved the setting and the view, but didn't love the food. The Loft is probably a good place for sipping on cocktails with friends, but it would not be my first choice for lunch. I was there for a company lunch, so I was glad that I didn't have to pay for my meal. I ordered from a pre-fixe menu: Pumpkin soup with duck confit, halibut sandwich, and chocolate mousse dessert. The soup was good, but soup with heavy cream is probably pretty good anywhere. The halibut sandwich was fishy, so I barely touched it. The side of french fries that accompanied the fish sandwich was oily (you know how when the oil temperature is too low and you try to fry stuff... whatever you are frying just soaks up the oil? it was like that... and it smelled like oil... which usually happens when kitchens use day-old oil that has been used to fry other stuff). Chocolate mousse dessert was too sweet. Go for the view and have a drink on the patio, but pass on the food.
(2)
Colin S.
Had an early dinner last week with my brother and his wife and his 3 year old and 4 month old girls. The food was excellent. I had the heirloom tomato appetizer and the halibut for dinner. All dishes had tons of flavor. The waiter was incredibly patient with the kids and even brought the three year old a stuffed animal present for her to play with. The food came quickly and was presented well. The views from our table on the balcony were spectacular. It doesn
(4)
Liz K.
The ocean view is spectacular, the gourmet lunch with wine pairings was perfect, and it was the best desert I have had in a while! Came here for OC restaurant week for lunch, so it was only $20 + $15 with the wine pairings. BARBECUE-BRAISED LAUGHING BIRD SHRIMP (heirloom spinach and garden herbs, winter citrus vinaigrette)- This was a nice fresh appetizer. ORGANIC UDON NOODLES (rotisserie suckling pig and wild mushrooms, lemongrass cream)- Not quite what I expected since I've never had udon as a creamy pasta dish, but it was absolutely savory and filling. GERMAN CHOCOLATE CAKE (coconut jam, chocolate pecan salad, praline nut ice cream)- The design was impressive with the cake on the bottom, tufts of round chocolate mouse on top and a thin crispy layer of dark chocolate on top. If there was a chocolate heaven, I would hope it looked and tasted as rich as this. Our server was excellent. He was friendly, attentive, and made sure everything went smoothly. This place is also perfect for dates: take a walk towards the beach as there are nice paths that go down to the sand. Would definitely come back here!
(5)
Jamie T.
Today was the second time I've been back to The Loft and my experience was not as pleasent as my first visit. My friend and I came here to celebrate our birthday, we went to the beach first then had lunch. The hotesses was very pleasent and so was the waiter, but the I wasn't feeling a good vibe this time around. I ordered a chicken paillate sandwich and my friend ordered the club sandwich; both sanwiches came with friend. The food was delicious and the portions were huge. We actually had to take the other half of our sandwiches to go. When I asked for a couple of boxes, the waiter took our plates away and packed it for us. When they brought it back, it was nicely boxed up and put in a bag and told us that everything was in there. When we got back home and opened the boxes for dinner, our french fries were missing. My friend and I hardly ate our fries, but they took it anyways. On top of that, they packs my sandwich in the same box as my friend when both were different sandwiches. My understanding if there are two plates of food, each one will have it's own individual boxes. Not sure why they will combine the sandwiches in one box and forgot the fries especially the price we paid fto eat there. The Loft @ the Montage: Where are my fries. I really hope I will be able to go back again because it is a nice place to go for the view and the beach, but I just hope my experience will be as good as my first time.
(4)
Carrie E.
While this place is seriously pricey, the meal my husband and I shared here was sheer bliss. We started off with their amazing soup, followed by a coffee encrusted New York strip steak, added a side of asparagus, and finished with delicious desserts. Every item that graced our palate was excellent. Now, let's talk about the ambiance. You're at a gorgeous hotel, sitting inside at a candle lit table with comfy oversized chairs, overlooking the glistening Pacific Ocean... AND did I mention the food is great?! Let's just say we liked this place so much, we've already decided to return for our anniversary... Maybe sooner. PS: I must echo Anthony's sentiment and add that Scott is a great server who made our experience here even better.
(5)
Serena C.
During the first half of my stay at the Montage, I heard nothing but exceptional and rave reviews about Loft Restaurant from my friend and his coworkers. I heard it was pricey but very, very delicious from the complimentary breads down to the desserts. At last came my moment to experience Loft Restaurant firsthand to see what made this place great. I wouldn't say I held exceedingly high expectations from Loft to reward them two stars. On the contrary, one very extremely flawed mistake is what rewards Loft only two stars from me. Let's start with service. Service was absolutely fantastic. Staff at Montage are exceedingly warm, quick, and accommodating. They're quick as bunnies about keeping your wine or water glasses full, bringing tea, etc. So no complaints about service. The complimentary bread is so tasty--especially their pretzel breads and cheese breads. Though my friend was a bigger fan of their breadsticks. Basically, all three breads are amazing and delicious. For appetizers we had the Dungeness Crab with Pomegranate, Mandarin, Fennel Salad. Really delicious! Giant pieces of crab meat. The salad paired well with the salted crab with the exception of the pomegranate since it was extremely sour tasting. After appetizers came the mistake.... everybody... and I'm talking about all 40+ of us got our choice of SALTY cod with SALTY brussel sprouts or SALTY Coffee Crusted New York Strip Steak served with a YES, that's right folks, a SALTY salad. Seriously? A salty salad? Every part of everybody's entree was inedible because it tasted like someone had marinated all the meats and veggies in salt and then added a brick of salt to season and then garnished it with a handful of salt. A few guys and gals at my table tried to see if they could salvage their dinner by cutting off the coffee crusts (which no one could taste, cuz it only tasted like salt) of their steaks and just eat the succulent looking juicy centers to only find an equally salty center. It was just really an unfortunate sight, because the steaks and fish were super fresh and were really prime, quality cuts of meat that were absolutely ruined by the excessive use of salt. So sad to see so much good food wasted. Dessert went smoothly with a very rich and moist chocolate lava cake served with a blissful scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. I devoured every single bite due to its sinful goodness as well as my hunger from lack of a real dinner. I cannot bring myself to award Loft Restaurant more than two stars from the experience I had, even when everything aside from the dinner entree was a success. I can PERHAPS understand 3 or 4 over-salted entrees squeaking past the kitchen, but every single entree to 40+ patrons?? How do you manage to screw that up? Someone should have really tasted those dishes before they went out, especially when good $ was being spent on those meals!! Very, very unfortunate....
(2)
Yuping X.
Wow. Cheese rolls, Kobe brisket sandwich, halibut flatbread, tomatoes in the side salad all perfect. View (despite fog), service exquisite. The butter for the bread was even the perfect softness and temp (hate it when it's all hard and cold. Minor detail, but when they get it right it says a lot). Pricey, but perfection is worth it.
(5)
Ms. M.
I went for the extended OC Restuarnat Week yesterday, and it was pretty much a mixed bag: The Good: The roasted Kobocha squash and potato soup with a confit of baby leeks and gilroy garlic was deliciously creamy and sweet -- perfect comfort food for a rainy day. The Crispy Banana dessert was pretty yummy all around, from the caramelized bananas, to the brown sugar cake, to the toasted marshmallow ice cream, to the sesame ball (think dim sum) with a banana filling. The mediocre: The shellfish cioppino was just okay -- the heirloom tomato broth was decent, but there was no rich seafood flavor; the seafood selection in my bowl was also pretty lackluster with just three tiny mussles, two okay clams, one tiny bay shrimp, and two little pieces of fish; and the few veggies were also overcooked and mushy. The wild arugula salad was also just okay -- there were lots of arugula, two tiny slices of prosciutto, and only one layer of the three crispy phyllo dough pieces was seasoned with toasted sea salt, which made that one piece way too salty and the other pieces totally bland. The Bad: The pork chop and pork belly were completely overcooked and difficult to chew; it was also pretty flavorless. I was also annoyed that they stopped offering the BBQ-braised laughing bird shrimp as an appetizer during the extension of RW -- it was a cheap move to continue charging $40/person for dinner while replacing the shrimp with an arugula salad. The Ugly: My friend found a moldy raspberry in her bowl of lemon-raspberry sorbet. At least they tried to make up for it by bringing her a couple of chocolate truffles, but still -- totally unacceptable for a restaurant that charges as much as the Loft does. All in all, I was sorely disappointed with the Loft, am a little peeved about shelling out $40 for the cheapened version of the RW menu, and do not plan to return to pay full price for another meal.
(2)
Brandi W.
My husband and I went down to La Jolla for a night away and was told I MUST stop off in Laguna to lunch at The Loft. I made reservations online and requested a table by the window since I heard the views were amazing. We hit traffic on the way down and called to let them know we'd be a little late. We arrived in my little Scion Xa among all the other $100K cars, and were treated just as good as the next guy. The hotel is beautiful, the view amazing...we found the restaurant and were greeted by a friendly hostess, who escorted us to our table. It wasn't by the window as I requested...it was on the patio, right by the railing overlooking the gorgeous pool and scenic coast line. So so amazing. Ok, all this and we haven't even gotten to the food yet. Well, the food was good, not great...you are paying for the view and experience. They have a cheese bar, which I was really excited about...but didn't turn out to be anything I hadn't seen, tasted or experienced before. The hubs got the crab salad, I got the chorizo pizza, and we shared the cheese plate. One mimosa had me happy and bubbly..a perfect ending to a great lunch. The damage was about $100.
(5)
Fred S.
An amazing and intimate location. The staff was more attentive than Waldorf-Astorians, and the ambiance was perfect. I know it's hard to give any restaurant like this 5 stars if you frequently dine in Zagat rated environments and exclusive stratospheric facilities, however, for the average Yelper this is a 5-star rating. The trick to going to The Loft is all in your timing; meaning when you go, and your expectations- all elements at this location which are relative. Intellectually, perhaps The Loft is a 4 Star rating due to menu and wine selection. Emotionally, the loft is definitely exceeds 5 stars due to the quality of it's staff and their genuineness to provide above average service. Just like previous reviews stated, always sit outside so you can fully appreciate the experience.
(5)
Ted I.
4 stars If you are looking for a picturesque setting with a phenomenal view during a typical sunny California morning or day, this place is THE place to go to. Make sure you ask for a patio seat if the weather permits. Note - The lunch menu is served at 11:00 am so if you go at 10:45 am, you will have the ability to order off the breakfast AND lunch menu! Am I a effin genius or what? Okay, you're not amused. Let's continue with the review... I am a recovering Eggs Benedict addict and I tried it here for brunch on a late Saturday morning. They have the traditional Eggs Benny with ham and the meatless option with spinach. What makes the Eggs Benny here so unique is that instead of an English muffin, they use a biscuit, which is more firm yet fluffy in texture. I've had better Eggs Benny but it was done pretty well here. The Hollandaise sauce was light and not overbearing. The dish was served with your choice of potatoes and asparagus. $20 buckaroos for that plate. My friend had the Short Rib Ravioli. I was a little underwhelmed by this plate because the short rib did not complement the pasta and potato sauce. There were too many flavors colliding and it confused my taste buds. There were only five ravioli and it was sprinkled with fried cipollinis (bitter onions). This plate was $24 washingtons. In conclusion, I liked one of the two dishes but what sealed the deal for me was the friendly service and the perfect view. You cannot deny the ambiance here because there aren't too many other venues that can rival this spot. For those who don't know, the Montage has another more upscale restaurant called the Studio which I heard is perfection. My friend and his girlfriend went there and tried the five course tasting menu. They only ordered cokes and the bill was close to $900. Coke as in the drink mind you, not the pixie stick powder. So if you go to the Studio, be prepared to spend like a housewife with nothing better to do on a Wednesday afternoon. Lastly, I've heard the Montage Hotel and Spa are superb as well. For massages I think the hourly rates start in the $200's. At those prices William Burke looks like a blue collar day spa!
(4)
Daniel V.
I came here for lunch and everything was perfect! Food, service, environment... Great experience overall. Now, although the food was really good, the category this kind of restaurant is in made me give it 4 stars, because I know there are other places which are better and I'm paying more for something better. If this weren't in the Montage Hotel and the price range was $$, then I would give them 5 stars for sure!
(4)
Gustavus B.
Went there on a recommendation from a friend. The food is really good the service what it should be for the cost. My Wife had the scallops which hit the spot well cooked accented with the right sauce and veggies. I had Alaskan Halibut which was a bit on the dry side. My son had New York Steak that was cooked very well, however the $45.00 cost took away from the actual giving it rave reviews. In all drinks and food was very good but at a cost of 80-90 dollars per person well lets just say it could have been better.
(3)
Matthew S.
A 4 hour dining experience looking out over a garden that gets lost in the ocean. Beautiful at sunset.
(5)
The O.
I planned a "Girls Day Out" for my mother's 75th birthday. She and four of her best friends were treated to exceptional service, great food, and a view that was amazing. The staff at the Loft put up with many special requests on my part (I faxed a letter of requests a week before the reservation) - they made a lamb dish ("cooked perfectly" - per mom) especially for my mom and the dessert presentation was my mom's favorite dessert - Creme brulee with berries. My mom said that they had the perfect waiter - he was there when you wanted him to be there but allowed them to have their privacy when they wanted to gossip about their husbands without intrusion. The Chef personally came out to wish my Mom a happy birthday which meant a lot to my Mom. ("He's so sweet!") Yes the corkage fee is exorbitant but look at that view that you get to enjoy while drinking your favorite wine served by an exceptional staff. The only two things that were a little disappointing was that my mom's party had to wait a half hour to get their car from the valet because a wedding party was coming in and prior to the event, when I had sent my letter to the chef, the letter was never acknowledged so I never knew if they would follow through with my requests. I left a message for the chef and that wasn't acknowledged either. But... he came through and exceeded my expectations of service to my Mom and our guests. I want to thank the Chef and the entire staff at the Loft for making my Mom's Birthday a celebration she will remember for a long long long time!
(5)
R H.
I'm struggling to give it 3.5 stars. We had breakfast here one morning. The food was good, and view was fantastic, but the price hurt the wallet. We sat on the outdoor balcony overlooking the pool and ocean view on a sunny Saturday morning and ordered the 3-gg omelette and belgium waffles, with two glasses of orange juice. The waffles were excellent - light and crispy batter with nuts and bananas topped. The omelette was also good, with hashbrowns that were too buttery for my taste. The killer though, was the price for just breakfast. But I wasn't surprised given the hotel.
(4)
kerry s.
OK so this is a beautiful restaurant. It also takes advantage of its patrons. The prices are ridiculous. I am absolutely blown away at the audacity of the chef and management that they would find it OK to charge $25 for a falalfel or $23 for a dry nasty 3oz halibut sandwich!!! Nothing tasted better than average. So where is your head people? if the food tasted good or was of exceptional quality maybe but this was just wrong on all accounts. party of 4 for lunch one course each and sparkling water and an iced tea was $180. come on!
(1)
Yenvy T.
Came here for dinner. Wow expensive for nothing. I think we paid more for the service than the food. For the price you would think I would remember what I ate. I don't and spent almost $300 for two of us.
(2)
Jennifer C.
Five stars for the view. Five stars for the outdoor oceanside seating. Four stars for the food quality. One star for the price. (That's how I got to the 3 star rating) The food was good, but $20 for a veggie sandwich? $20 for a burger? The food was good, but not worth the price. If you are dining here you are here for the view and status. If you can accept that, you'll love this place. Who wouldn't? If you are going for the view and atmosphere, i suggest hanging out in the lobby and ordering drinks. The environment is more comfortable, and you don't have to pay for overpriced food.
(3)
Jane C.
This restaurant is immaculate as the hotel. and it's by far the most fanciest restaurant i've been to. people are right when they say it's outrageously expensive... I've never experienced such service in my life...but then again, it's probably what you pay for. We got a private room and started out with a citrus manhattan--which was really good. highly recommend it. i got the wild mushroom soup with proscuitto and some kind of aged cheese---the soup was delicious--light and flavorful. i chose the thai marinated sea bass--super fresh and DELICIOUS. i also tried my friend's coffee crusted aged strip steak--also very good. one person from our party got the wild salmon and another got the filet mignon. a good thumbs up from both. we ordered two kinds of wine, (they have a HUGE list of wines--price ranging from the hundreds to thousands). i'm no wine connossieur, but it was GOOD wine. the meal was finished with chocolate bananas, bon bons, with rice icecream. rich, decadent, and absolutely sinful... AND the entire waitstaff was incredibly polite, professional, and well attended. my friend mentioned it was chilly, and they almost brought a blanket until we stopped them. ambiance is wonderful, food is amazing, and view is incredible...it is definitely a place you would come for VERY special occasions..
(5)
V.L. S.
My husband and I love coming here for dinner. We always have excellent service, the food is delicious, and the view is fantastic...a great place to bring your special someone for dinner. Our favorites are the steamed mussels (we like to dip our breads in the sauce), surf & turf, coffee crusted steak, and organic chicken breast. After dinner, we like to relax at the beautiful hotel bar and sip a martini by the fireplace. It's like heaven. It is a bit pricey, but worth every penny.
(5)
Tiffany Y.
Maybe it was just today but the restaurant was noisier than in-n-out. And it wasn't caused by one table. Whoever wrote classy and upscale most also be mistaken. Yes it is inside a fancy hotel but with no dress code, kids who spent the day at the pool are free to room around in board shorts and flip flops. The food is decent but definitely not four stars. You can get much tasier food at a ocean view restaurant for less. Or for the same amount you can get a much larger slection of food. Was disappointed with the very small menu that consisted of sandwiches, salads, appetizers, and four entrees. If I wanted to go to an "upscale resort restaurant" I would expect better than a mediocre burger, halibit sandwich that is slightly better than mcdonalds fish filet (yes their coleslaw and pesto makes it a little better), and a club sandwich with bread so hard it crunches. If you are looking for an ocean view restaurant I suggest you turn elsewhere. And Pelican Hill in Newport has a much nicer view and restaurant too.
(3)
Stella S.
My business colleague and I had a meeting here this week. We were early, so we thought we would grab an early lunch at the Loft Restaurant. The view was amazing, and the food was delicious. We shared the garlic fries, which came with 3 different dipping sauces. For our entrees, I had the seared yellowtail salad and he had the pasta Bolognese. Everything was good. The salad portion was a bit small, but the fries portion was quite generous. Loved the warm bread, too (cheese bread and pretzel bread).
(4)
Joo L.
My family and I took my mom here for mother's day breakfast, and it's the perfect mother's day type restaurant. You're really paying for the nice ambience. I recommend their Belgian Waffles or their Build a Benedict. My dad had his with lobster (I'm allergic), and he really loved it. I had mine with the canadian bacon, and it was really good.
(4)
Chris T.
Their menu has changed. I used to like this place but found my recent experience to be very disappointing. The good: the scenery is gorgeous, great place to walk around and take pictures. The service was good. The bad: at our table, we all shared the chicken, salmon, burger. The food was mediocre and it was extremely overpriced. We of course knew the food would be overpriced but expected it to taste better. Just a note, valet with validation is $8 + tip.
(2)
T H.
Brought my parents and family here to celebrate my dad's retirement and was really impressed. Great food, beautiful view, and attentive service. It's quite pricey, but if you're willing to spend the money it's definitely a worthwhile culinary experience. Highly recommended.
(5)
Steve W.
I was not impressed. Everything we had was incredibly rich so after a few bites I didn't want anymore. Aside from the food, the service was great.
(2)
Kristin M.
Incredible food at an incredible location! The bistro menu is a great bargain and the quality is excellent!
(5)
Rebecca L.
This is a much delayed review. I had dinner here a while back when John Cuevas was the Chef de Cuisine. He came to our table for a meet and greet which was very nice of him. The decor and ambiance is sophicated and casual. The panoramic view of the ocean is simply breathtaking. We ordered a full dozen oysters with osetra caviar. It was beautifully presented. Each half shell was laid on a bed of rock salt mixed with star anise and colored peppercorn. The cocktail sauce and the champagne shallot mignonette was super tasty. We also had the grilled artichoke with tapenade, filet mignon chilli and the grilled rosemary chicken sandwich.. all good casual bistro food. oh how I miss this place
(3)
Jeremy H.
Amazing food and beachfront view. Disappointed with the service. Sit outside for a nice lunch.
(3)
Andrew F.
We went for our one year anniversary. Cheese sampler - The chef comes out and discusses which cheeses you would like and what they go good with before hand. Very cool stuff! The service without a doubt is the best you'll find. The salads were expensive, but each one really serves two. The Cod under "Sea" selections was a very yummy strong dish, well worth the cost. The cheese plate with honey was great for desert. A couple of dishes are over priced so read about what you order before you order it; but its made up for by the amazing ocean views, service and many other little special extras they provide.
(4)
Natasha S.
We dined at the loft with friends back in the winter when they were offering a prix fixe meal for restaurant week. The whole experience was very 'eh' - my meal was OK but nothing outstanding. The best part of the meal was dessert, and frankly I'm not a dessert person. At least we know now - we won't be choosing the Loft for any special occasion meals.
(3)
Jonathan K.
OMG this was place beyond great... The service from beginning to end was beyond all expectations... Drinks and food were unbelievable, with prices to match but well worth the experience. I needed some change to pay and tip the valet and the manager came over and explained that he couldn't give me any cash but he comped my valet parking which was totally unexpected! Definitely coming back huge fan! The view from the terrace and the front lobby were breathtaking!
(5)
Carolyn T.
My daughter, her husband and my granddaughter were in town from Napa and it happened to be my daughter's birthday. On our visits they have taken us to some amazing restaurants, so I wanted this to be a stellar evening. We reserved a table at the Loft and indicated it was a special occasion. Drinks first in the Lounge with the pianist in the background got us off to a good start even though the fog had rolled in at sunset so the only view was one swimmer in the lighted pool below. In the Loft our server was Georgia, who was smooth, friendly and very accommodating. My daughter and hubby had brought their own wine and the sommelier decanted it to their instructions. Delicious! The bread basket was so tasty we had seconds. We finished our lovely and excellent appetizers (six people shared oysters, mussels and prawns) and ordered. Among us we had sea scallops, rack of lamb, rotisserie chicken and New York strip steak and all of it was superb. Though the portions looked small at first, they satisfied all diners. Then the surprise of the evening - Georgia, who served us attentively throughout - brought an oval platter with a beautifully decorated and candled chocolate-enrobed cake with "Happy Birthday Sarah" written in syrup on the plate! All in all, I was ecstatic with the entire evening and my daughter and her family were very impressed. They are both in the wine industry, and had heard of the Montage Resort and The Loft, and I'm sure they took home bragging rights from their experience. Thank you, Georgia and The Loft. (Six people, with drinks before dinner, cost just under $ 600; well worth it for the experience.)
(5)
Steven L.
The Loft Restaurant located inside the Montage Resort in Laguna Beach has the most beautiful view! Their Filet Mignon is soft and tender. It's a great place to take your loved ones! Money has no object when it comes to that special person who you care about!
(5)
Jippity Q.
The Loft. *** Pros: Good service, especially by our waiter, Scott. If it was not for him and his excellent service, I would have left the restaurant disappointed that night. Wine selection was good and broad. Decor and setting were beautiful and comfortable. Cheese selection is the best I have EVER seen at any restaurant (like 100 different kinds at any given time...insane). They gave my dad a complimentary chocolate mousse for his birthday...which was delicious-- and I don't usually like mousse. Food presentation was nice, and the bread came warm and in several different kinds of personal baguettes. The bathroom was spacious and beautiful. The cheese monger seemed very good and well informed in her craft. Cons: Sommelier was a useless idiot. He gave us the most diluted and useless attempt at helping us. Our server gave us far more help with our wines than the sommelier did. Food was not as innovative and good as the online menu read either. The udon with suckling pork belly appetizer was tasty, but the pork was meager and nondescript. Considering one could see a fairly large piglet roasting in the back oven, I was expecting more there. The famous wild mushroom soup was elegant and generously portioned...but nothing amazing by any means. There were a few slivers of Spanish chorizo in it...which flavor-wise made no sense whatsoever. My partner had a roast pork loin with apple pie (neat combination...points for that), but all one could taste was the intense amount of warm spices in the pie...ugh. My parents were not pleased with their fish courses either. My mom's gnocchi were hard and rubbery. I would not say the food is awful...but for the prices and the way the reviews veritably orgasm with praise over the place...I was not thrilled. I would not go back. The food was alright, the prices were a little high for what you got (especially the cheese selection, at $9 a slice!!!). A good place for people who like a good view in a pretty setting, and who have more money than sense. --Anthony
(3)
K. Y.
Not too many reviews here and that's a real shame because The Loft at the Montage is fantastic. First, the location. What better place to set a restaurant inside a beautiful beachfront hotel! The service from the valets to the restaurant was spectacular and maybe also because the weather was so great yesterday... everyone was super friendly. Second, the location WITHIN the hotel. The Loft overlooks the back of the hotel with the pool and the rest of the great Pacific Ocean. Finally, the dining area. There are two outdoor patios and I'd opt for the one further from the door. If you have a big group, try to get the first patio but either works out great. Now the grub. The bread they serve is fantastic and I went into a carb-induced coma just by the bread alone. There's a nice parmesan caked roll with the best butter (or was it margarine) around. I got one of the most popular items on the menu, the halibut flatbread sandwich, and was not disappointed. It was more like a halibut steak garnished by some salad and stacked into a sandwich but I am not complaining. The fish was perfectly cooked and had a nice degree of crunchy coating that you don't get with steamed fish. It's the closest thing I got that lunch to fried food. For appetizers, we got the chorizo. I didn't read the menu so when the dish came out it was a complete surprise. It was a bunch of chorizo spread out under a thick layer of Mexican cheese. Kind of like a pizza without... well any bread. It was served with tortillas and some green sauce that wasn't very spicy. Most of the spice came from the chorizo itself. I'd highly recommend this but go for a lighter main dish because you don't want to miss out on the bread! Overall, a great place and a nice way to spend a lazy day on the coast cruising up and down PCH.
(5)
A. M.
I just got back from The Loft at the Montage and lemme tell you. It was a perfect time. We sat at the bar and Nic came right over and was just so freaking nice. Now, I'm a gin and tonic/vodka tonic kinda girl. Do yourself a favor and have Nic make you a lemon drop. Now I'm sure every other drink he makes is just as good. But this is literally the best lemon drop I've ever had. Since when is booze this refreshing? It was perfect. I now know the difference between a bartender and a mixologist. Make sure to gorder a delicious cheese plate from Lauren (or Laura?!)- she's so sweet, so knowledgable and has great taste. I mean. The truth is it's difficult to have a bad time in such a beautiful place, wtih such a great view. I joked about our experience and the food/drink was as awful and disgusting at the view. I mean. Who likes floor to ceiling windows and a beach view... It really was just perfect. Shannon wasn't our server but was also so sweet and helpful. Love her. The staff is so nice, and lets just be honest here. SO MUCH BETTER THAN THE RITZ. I might have a crush on The Loft and everyone who helped us today.
(5)
Helenhana C.
the montage resort has three dining spots--studio (totally outrageously fancy and expensive therefore out of my league), the loft (still fancy and pricey but somewhat affordable), and mosaic bar and grille (wallet friendly and causal oc style dining). the LOFT is my "THE VERY FAVORITE/BEST RESTAURANT." i heart heart heart and heart everything about this place. the ambiance, the ocean view, the impeccable service, the heavenly food, the extensive wine list, the deadly DESSERT, the grandiose bathroom, the comfortable huge chairs, their full bar...my list goes on and on. by the way, their menu changes a bit seasonally. everything i had here was excellent. my friends didn't really like their chicken but they all enjoyed the sea bass and the trout. i wish and hope that my last meal on earh will be their heirloom tomato soup with sharp cheddar cheese (their cauliflower soup is alright) and 28-day dry aged coffee crusted new york strip with blue cheese and bourbon-caramel sauce. their super so delish desserts should get extras 5-star.
(5)
Maddie L.
It was absolutely amazing! I went for my birthday today and we got and extra little plate of amazing food. Then I got a personalized present and delicious dessert. I had a caesar salad with chicken. Definitely a memorable meal. I have nothing bad to say about it! Also, the service was fantastic and they are so, so nice. I loved it there. Plus, the view is absolutely gorgeous. I'm in love with that place.
(5)
Christine O.
We took our chances and drove down the coast to The Loft at the Montage Resort in Laguna, and it was a Saturday night at 7 pm,By luck, we were able to get a table. The service was professional and informative from the expo to the wine steward. The food was very good, imaginative. Not over the top, but the experience as a whole was excellent. The wine list included a nice selection of half bottles so we were able to try two different wines with dinner, without getting completely sauced. We will return for sure! A nice date night. Private booths are nice.
(4)
Ann L.
The location is fabulous. Montage is one of the nicest resorts in socal from what I've heard/read/seen. I got the filet here and thought it was OKAY - not the best steak out there or anything.
(3)
jaine h.
My fiancee and I went to Loft for our fifth anniversary of dating, and we had a fabulous experience! A gorgeous, classic and rich atmosphere, perfect service and GREAT food! The Duroc Pork Loin was cooked to perfection, and even down to the complimentary bread, it was delicious. Wonderful experience, a great splurge!
(5)
Kristin B.
We enjoyed a lovely birthday dinner here and have been back several times since. The garlic fries are to die for & if you try them, be prepared to come back for the fries alone! The pretzel bread was delicious, the wedge salad & our entrees were great too. Desserts are all incredible! I highly suggest a trip to dine at The Loft.
(5)
Thoko M.
I agree with most of the reviewers on here. You pay for the view and not the food. Even though their service is beyond excellent and the view has yet to be matched; the food is an entirely different story. An over priced menu that painfully strives to be eclectic. It seems they add an ingredient or two to items you can find at most restaurants and then add $10 to the price. Even then it would be okay if you could discern a smidgen of some flavor in the food. Everything from their appetizer to the main course and fries on the side tasted bland. I had a pulled pork sandwich for lunch and I can swear I had more flavor come out of bun than the meat. If your date genuinely feels bad for you picking up a $120 tab for such bland food; then you know you that your taste buds were in order and the food was waaaayy off. Their brunch/breakfast menu might be a different story but I am not yet willing to dare that. It is very very rare that a restaurant pisses me off enough to write a bad review for them. But the food just made me do it...
(2)
Jamie D.
My husband and I had one of our best meals here! If you get a chance to order the coffee rubbed beef, go for it...it will knock your socks off! We had an incredible waiter who brought out all sorts of interesting tasting wines for us to try and an amazing cheese platter that was to die for good. Why go to the Studio, when you have the Loft?
(5)
Liane J.
the best mushroom soup ever!!! 5 star .... awesome
(5)
Omrn B.
I went here for lunch with the fam for my sister's bday and I had a wonderful experience. The view of the ocean from inside the restauarant is beautiful and I really like the over-sized tables that give you plenty of space and make you feel important. I split the burger and the chicken the sandwich with my sister and both were absolutely delicious. They bring a garlic aoli which tastes good with just about anything you spread it on and they also have this homemade ketchup they serve with the fries which tastes more like marinara sauce. The service was perfect. Even though my family did not even look at the menu for the first 30 minutes we were there, the waiter continued to check back every few minutes to see if we were ready and never displayed an ounce of frustration. I ordered a bottle of Chimay beer and after asking the waiter to keep cold he did not hesitate to grab a champagne bucket full of ice. The atmosphere here is very relaxing and pleasant and the dining room is naturally well lit. The assortment of breads they bring to the table are also very tasty. I especially liked this particular one that tasted sort of like a soft pretzel.
(5)
Adan C.
This review applies for valentine's day only since I haven't come here other than Feb 14, be aware that on this day you get a fix menu with only limited items ,and for the dessert menu you only have two choices, the food was horrible and the desserts just as well...I also ordered a caddilac Margarita and it was the worst Margarita I have ever had in my life,,,it's a nice place with a nice ocean view but that's about it , the bill was close to $400 just for me and my wife,,,,you have been warned
(1)
Discerning D.
Hard not to give 5 stars. We self parked for free, toured the amazing property, including the beach and impressive lobby/lounge, then enjoyed exceptional service and a really good meal. Plus there was a decent enough guitar player who was just the right volume. And did I mention the view? That alone qualifies for 4 stars even if you only have a drink.
(5)
Basel Z.
Before getting into anything else, just trust me and go here. I'm not talking about just The Loft, but the Montage Hotel & Resort in general. It's stunning. I wanted to surprise my girlfriend somewhere romantic for the anniversary of our promising (we called it a Promisversary). She had actually been wanting to go here for a while, and I was finally able to make it happen. When you first pull up to park (assuming you'll be doing valet, which is $11), you'll see Lamborghini's, Ferrari's, McLaren's and Aston Martin's. Don't be intimidated. We rolled up in my Nissan Altima. You walk in and the view is just incredible. Overlooking the beautiful Pacific Ocean, this place nails romance right on the head. Breathtaking. One floor below is The Loft Restaurant. I made reservations for 5:00 p.m. but we arrived around 4:30. They seated us early, wished us a Happy Anniversary and sat us out on the patio as I had requested. The view, again, was amazing. This is how I need to start eating my dinner. Our hostess (don't recall the name) was extremely thoughtful throughout. She let us know dinner wouldn't be until 5:00 but that we could look at the Bistro Menu until then in case we wanted to order from there. Good call on her part as we actually ended up ordering the Shrimp Scampi (for her) and Grilled Bistro Steak (for me). The only negative thing I could say about this place is that for the price, the portions are small, but the place is so great that we didn't even mind. You're not just paying for the food here - you're paying for the experience and it's worth every penny. We were brought two complimentary glasses of champagne for our anniversary. Very nice gesture on their part. The bread that comes with the food is very good. They have about four different kinds and each one is great. The Shrimp Scampi (I had a bite) was great. My girlfriend definitely enjoyed it. The Grilled Bistro Steak was cooked medium (chef's recommendation) and was also great with the butter on top. Very tender and juicy. The fries were a perfect compliment. During dinner, we happened to catch a wedding going on down below us. We would love to get married here some day; alas, it's quite expensive. After dinner and asking for the check, our hostess brought us a complimentary piece of cake with "Happy Anniversary" written in chocolate on the plate. Needless to say, on a 1-10 romantic scale, this place is an 11. My girlfriend and I both can't wait to come back here when we're married. Thank you for a making our evening so special. We "Loft" the experience.
(5)
Ben L.
The Loft restaurant is in a beautiful area of Laguna Beach, overlooking the ocean. Only a short walk separates you and the sea. It's on the fourth floor of the Montage resort. If you want to avoid the $11 valet fee, you can search for street parking and pay 25 cents per ten minutes. Street parking is free after 7pm in this area. We had our three kids with us, so valet was a must. Going in through the main entrance after valet, you're already on the fifth floor. We had to go down one level to reach the Loft. Remember to get your parking stub validated. After validation, the fee is $11. It's $36 without! The dining room is classy and overlooks the ocean. The view is beautiful. We asked to be seated on the patio but they didn't have a table big enough for six adults and three kids. The inside table was good and we still had a good view of the ocean. Melissa was our primary server and she did a great job. Michelle also helped us a lot and was very nice. I'm not sure if she was a sommelier, manager, or just another staff member. Service was spot on. Various staff refilled waters, stored flowers for us, and assisted with high chairs and other requests. The bread basket was pretty and featured a variety of bread types. There were crispy, thin large pieces, regular dinner rolls, and a few others as well. I liked the different shapes and sizes. I usually only nibble on the bread in order to save room for the main course. We started with a half dozen pacific coast oysters. I inquired which type they were specifically, and Melissa and Michelle said they are Minter, from Washington. The ladies informed me they have a sweet finish, which I like. They appeared on a bed of ice, with the usual trio of mignonette, cocktail sauce, and horseradish. Lemon was a usual staple as well. The oysters had a soft chew, soft body, low brininess, and a sweet finish as described (although it was only mildly sweet). I tried the first one naked, and the second and third with cocktail sauce and lemon. They were delicious! (I elected to pass on the mignonette, as I have eaten oysters several times recently and have never liked any of the mignonettes.) Next the charcuterie arrived. We chose the large board--artisanal cured meats and pickled vegetables with grilled bread. The meats included salami, sausage, and panchetta. I thought the meats were just okay. It also came with a duck pate, which I spread onto the crispy bread. It was good--subtle and tasty. The kids food came next, and I was happy because it meant my three boys would be occupied (even if only temporarily). My oldest son got the cheeseburger, and my twins got mac n cheese and chicken strips. All three of them had yogurt. The yogurt was classed up a notch by fresh fruit (peaches and rasperries). There was a large gap in waiting time between the appetizers and entrees. My coffee crusted New York strip steak finally made a dazzling entrance. Fourme d'Ambert blue cheese and wild arugula were joined by a bourbon-caramel sauce. The presentation was gorgeous. I requested medium rare and this beautiful piece of meat was cooked exactly to my specifications. It was so perfectly medium rare that I wondered if it was cooked sous vide, although it was probably just seared and placed in a high-heat oven. I'm not a coffee drinker, but the coffee crust was magnificent. The coffee taste was sweet, and mixed together with the bourbon-caramel glaze it was a solid match. The beef was tender and seasoned well. The arugula was soft and filling. The Fourme d'Ambert blue cheese didn't taste strong like other blue cheeses. I scooped it onto the steak and it complimented the meat in stunning fashion. I tried my brother's lamb and it was pedestrian. There wasn't much going on in the flavor department. The portion looked small. I felt bad for him because he almost went with the blackened kurobuta pork ribeye, and he probably would have enjoyed it more. My wife decided on the cook's ranch pork bolognese. It had rustichella pappardelle, torn basil, and aged parmesan. The meat was tender and flavorful, and the pasta was cooked almost al dente, but just a little over. The sauce was good. I tried some desserts and they were okay. Pineapple semifreddo (which they told us means partially frozen) was okay. The Venezuelan dark chocolate caramel pot de creme was not to my liking--the flavors didn't match; there was too much going on. The Loft treated us with excellent service. The food ranged from okay to great. The price tag is hefty. The view is gorgeous. I would definitely return when I have some money in my pocket.
(4)
Jeannie K.
Beautiful dinner on my 30th birthday. I made a request to sit outside for the gorgeous open view and it sure was the focal point. The staff were all very attentive except for some reason that day our waiter seems to lack in service. The man who takes care water refills and other service was a lot more attentive. He was around more than our waiter. Everyone else was. -1 star. Food was great. Breads was beyond great.. loved the variety. Dessert is also great esp when I was given one for my birthday. I'd probably come back.
(4)
Skye C.
I've dined here a couple of times - once for breakfast (best eggs benedict EVER) and once for lunch. Both business meals where we were also working. Highly recommend this restaurant as the food, view, and service are incredible. The prices are high but not horribly high. Sitting outside on the porch at lunch was great - overlooking the ocean and beautiful pool. The chicken piccata salad was amazing (really chicken piccata with a side salad of arugula). My only "issue" is that valet is too expensive ($11 with validation). It ought to be $5. Also, internet is not "free" - $10 for 6 hours. I am there for business and spending a lot of money on a meal - a couple of hours of free internet should be included.
(4)
Gertrude S.
We had breakfast and lunch here a few times. It is a nice casual place with good food and great service. The blueberry crepes were just right. They were light and delicious. You are overlooking the pool and the Pacific.There is a seagull that watches over the diners.
(4)
Myle D.
Awesome view and food. Will definitely come back for the outstanding customer service and great view. Ordered a few drinks and everything was very stiff and delicious. Service was great and I seriously had the best oysters here! Forgot the name but it was small, sweet and oh so buttery! Will come back for the oysters and drinks ;)
(5)
SHAI v.
It was great I loved it great place the chicken piccata amazing. Service was great they got us a table outside in the view was spectacular. I love the food is amazing.
(5)
Santos L.
We experienced excellent service at the Loft. It is a different experience from the Studio, the fine dining option at the Montage. The Loft is light and casual, but dignified, offering amazing views of the ocean and the pool area below. There is a beautiful patio, and tables are set up to take advantage of the amazing views. The wine selection is to die for - with California cult wines and First growths from Bordeaux that will stun any wine enthusiast. Service was quick and professional. What more can you ask for?
(4)
Grace G.
Celebrated my daughter's birthday at The Loft. We went there for breakfast and the food was delish! We had the egg white, spinach and mushroom omellette and the eggs benedict with canadian bacon. We also had green juices! Eric was our server and presented my daughter with a piece of cake at the end of our meal. A sweet ending to a sweet morning!
(5)
Lindsey L.
Though expensive, they have beautiful views and phenomenal food! The service is incredible. I suggest the short rib. Parking is valet and it's $11 with your ticket validated. They left us broke, but happy :-)
(5)
Choo C.
My one and only experience here was disappointing. The hotel and the restaurant are beautiful, the service is top notch, the view from the patio is gorgeous, but the food does not match all the beauty. Asked for the filet mignon to be cooked medium, but got served a well done steak. What a waste.
(3)
Derek S.
Came by for lunch the other day at the Loft, located inside the Montage Laguna Beach. Same day reservations were available via OpenTable. The view of the Pacific Ocean and the Montage Laguna Beach is absolutely breathtaking and definitely the highlight of the meal! Meal started off with complimentary bread basket which was excellent! The cheese bread was fresh and cheesy. The crispy bread was very fresh! Moved on to the Cream of Mushroom Soup which was huge. There were plenty of mushrooms and spinach...this might have been a better idea to share... Soup was very creamy and rich. Skirt steak salad was mediocre. ...didn't seem like 6 oz of skirt steak was included, although the steak was pretty flavorful. The romaine lettuce was pretty weak for the salad...mine had too much lettuce close to the head... Salmon entree was also mediocre. Farmed salmon filet was grilled well and was fresh. The fish, along with the complementary greens and potatoes were too salty... Dessert sampler was also mediocre. Desserts were on the sweeter side and richer side... Service was very good by Joseph, although a tad leisurely. $36 valet parking or $11 validated parking. Street and/or private lot parking available for up to 3 hrs at $1.5/hr. ~$75/person after tax and tip for lunch.
(3)
Murat A.
The ocean view is wonderful. I had breakfast and enjoyed the service a lot. Everything but the price is amazing.
(4)
Owjoo O.
The worse breakfast & service I ever had in a restaurant in OC , I honestly don't know why they give a good rating on yelp I would never recommend this restaurant to anyone that want best food & Quilty service .
(1)
Tara N.
We had both lunch and dinner here and I have had breakfast at an earlier stay and all I can say they take their food seriously! The chess bar is amazing and everything is so fresh and tasty.
(4)
James H.
Today was the way we remember Montage and the Loft (one of our favorite restaurants). The service was quick, the food impeccable and too much! We hope the Loft Team keeps it up and we will be back more frequently!
This restaurant, located on the 4th floor of the Montage Resort Hotel in Laguna Beach, offers a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean and some excellent food which is presented beautifully. It was close to a five-star experience but just missed the mark. The service was what was mainly lacking. Our waitress had the personality of a dead fish. Everyone else did a great job but, having had true 5-star service at other restaurants, the service here was close...but no cigar. To me the difference is being made to feel like a special guest rather than a customer. But on to the food... The bread basket that was brought out after we sat down was spectacular. Each warm piece was deliciously different and there was a variety to choose from. The wine selection was decent and the glass of syrah I chose from the "by the glass" menu was quite good. The salad (Coleman Farms Limestone lettuce with pumpernickel croutons and Yali pears) was okay but I have to admit it was disappointing. The croutons didn't have the rye taste I was expecting. A few more pear slices (it only had 4 thin slices) would have livened it up a bit for me. The coffee crusted New York strip steak was a big time winner. It was perfectly cooked to my specification and was covered in a tasty arugula with a slice of bleu cheese tucked alongside and was sitting in an incredible bourbon carmel sauce. I would have never imagined that a steak and a bourbon carmel sauce would pair together to give my mouth such pleasure. Two desserts were enjoyed. A chocolate mousse cake and also a lava cake with chocolate mousse. Both were a chocolate lover's dream come true and made me completely forget any disappointment I had with the salad. The lava cake had a rich & gooey chocolate center. Fantastic desserts!!! Parking was still $11 even with restaurant validation. This is the sort of place where you overpay for small plates of food that are well prepared and presented in artistic fashion which you get to eat while enjoying a spectacular view of dolphins jumping in the ocean and bikinis in the pool below.
(4)
Carrie L.
3.5 stars. my friend took me here for my birthday, and it was overall a nice experience. service was very good, but the food was somewhat lacking, and unfortunately was rather forgettable. we sat on the patio, which im sure during the daytime or sunset has a gorgeous view.
(3)
Ion G.
Had a great dinner here the first night we stayed at the montage this week. Service was excellent, food was really good and the view was awesome! We shared a cheese and meat plate which was really good, had a great mix of cheeses, meats and sauce parings then I had the beet salad and the wifey had the artichoke soup which was really tasty. For dinner I did the salmon which was cooked perfectly and had a great taste to it with the vegetables which were also a perfect complement to the meal. She had the shrimp and scallops which she really liked and we shared se chocolate cake for desert, all around great meal! Also followed in up with breakfast one of the mornings while staying here at the montage, she had the egg Benedict which was perfectly prepared and I had the Huevos Rancheros! Overall both great meals for a hotel restaurant!
(4)
Lindsay W.
Stayed over at the Montage and had breakfast which was fantastic. California avocado tartine with heirloom tomatoes was delicious and so fresh!
Great food and service and the hotel is just absolutely beautiful. I recommend getting a drink upstairs before coming down for dinner. I had the lamb which was extremely tasty and tender. My only complaint was the noise - for how high-end / expensive it is I would expect it not to be so noisy when we eat.
(4)
Azizi M.
Inside montage hotel Great place Great food Good wine & drinks Beautiful hotel and view friendly staff On par service They have a bar area you could sit at if you have no reservations- the menu is different- limited selection but delicious food. Always looking to my return
(4)
Karmen S.
We really enjoyed the view of the clean ocean. We were seated in a very good table with the good view, even it was at night time, we felt warm too. You definitely enjoy the view, however, the foods still have a big space to get improved. I did not feel the price match the quality of the foods. Over all, it was a very relaxing night.
(3)
Harvey G.
I took my wife to The Loft to celebrate our anniversary.. No champagne was brought to our table as described by another review. The $20 Caesar Salad's salad dressing was mediocre. I ordered the NY steak medium rare and it came medium. The sauce was wonderful but the beef was nothing special. My wife ordered her lamb medium and it came medium well. Her coffee was $8 for the cup. Water and coffee were not promptly refilled. Our server did bring a piece of cake with Happy Anniversary written on the plate. I will not return to this over priced, over rated restaurant!
(2)
Summer C.
I'm a huge fan of the Montage Resort. They have impeccable service and food! I've eaten at all of the restaurants and they are all great. I most recently came to The Loft for a late lunch. It is a BEAUTIFUL location with a wonderful view. The restaurant is very nice as well. CUSTOMER SERVICE: Like I said before - impeccable! They are so great! When we went recently there were only a few other people there besides us since it was an odd time. I went with my mother and one year old. Everyone was so kind, especially to my daughter. Even one of the employees brought her a stuffed animal. To me the Montage is a model in customer service - everyone should look up to them. FOOD: Always so good! Most recently we ordered... French Fries Margherita Pizza Chicken Sandwich Club Sandwich *all were very yummy! Yes it is pricey, but to me it is worth it! You pay for what you get - great customer service, location, surrounding, and food!
(5)
Silia J. H.
The Loft is my gastronomic *HAPPY PLACE*. To-die-for Laguna oceanfront views, staff who are trained to eschew "no" in their vocabulary, a relaxed and spellbindingly gorgeous spot, serving haute cuisine and the best American wine list. Go at sunset. Have a mojito or two while the Laguna sun decides leisurely how spectacularly to depart. Order the coffee-crusted rib-eye with a glass of red wine. Save room for the cheese curator (!) to recommend your dessert course... SIGH. If there is a Heaven, it looks and serves one like The Loft at the Montage. Four stars is because impeccability in all things does not come cheap and, alas, some of the (seasonal menu) items are hit-and-miss. And, for whatever reason, the desserts have nary impressed me with a I-have-to-have-this obsession. Still, absolutely not to be missed. Or, rather, to be indeed missed, even when dining daily therein. The Montage is where we all dream to live in.
(4)
Gabe P.
Oh wow, one of the best experiences ever! The restaurant looks great and the view from the patio is awesome! If you sit inside you are missing on the view, and you are paying the same price, just sayin'! The service is exquisite and the food is some of the best we've had! Started with Charcuterie which was enough for all 3 of us to taste, my favorites were the Duck breast and the Spanish Chorizo. We finished the bread basket and they brought another one, we had too much bread! The Artichoke soup was great, a friend got the Pear soup and that one was too sweet for my taste. We shared the Pork Bolognese and the Beets salad, both were fantastic! Reservation through OpenTable.com the day before, no problem finding open spots around 6 but it gets busy later. Only Valet parking and make sure you validate before you leave The Loft for $11, otherwise it's $36! I liked the restaurant in particular (even the men's bathroom smelled like chocolate!) but going through the hotel itself looks old and dated. so get to the windows fast and enjoy the views!
(5)
Kelly S.
My family and I celebrated my Mom's birthday tonight at the Loft and we had the best time! Scott was our server, and he went above and beyond for us!! Not only did he provide amazing service but he took the time to make conversation and get to know us! Thank you Scott for making my mom's birthday special :)
(5)
Tania S.
The restaurant was very pleasant except for the really loud live music by the bar. We sat by the window overlooking the swimming pool. Since it was dinner time, we didn't get to enjoy the beautiful ocean view but I am sure during the day it looks spectacular! We will have to go back for lunch sometime soon. I ordered the COOKS RANCH PORK BOLOGNESE - House-Made Tagliatelle and Torn Basil, Aged Parmesan. It was delicious! I would've preferred a little less minced pork since the taste was a bit overpowering for my taste.. But the fresh Tagliatelle was perfect and so was the Bolognese sauce! We had four people in our party and the waiter was really attentive throughout the entire evening. He also noticed that everyone drank wine except for myself. I had ordered a virgin cocktail... After dinner, he surprised me with a "Congratulations cake with a pink and a blue candle" He said he assumed I was pregnant since I wasn't drinking with our friends. I'm sure he saw me rubbing my growing belly as well! I was very touched my his thoughtful gesture! What a great way to end dinner!
(4)
Brodie Z.
Super view, tasty bread. One suggestion is telling chef not add too much salt. Chicken was too dry, not recommended.
(3)
Hiep N.
I came here to celebrate my birthday. The service and setting were definitely 5 stars. The food was mediocre and I probably won't come back. The charcuterie board was the best part of the meal. None of us were blown away by our entrees which included, the famous coffee crusted steak, pork bolognese, and sea bass. Considering the prices of the items here you're better of heading to Studio
(3)
Rene V.
I had the coffee-crusted New York Strip. The key is to scrape the caramelized bourbon sauce from the plate. Service was excellent!! Highly recommend!!
(5)
M L.
We went here for OC restaurant week. Made reservations on opentable.com . Lunch was $20 for 2 choices each of appetizers, main dish and dessert. The view is 5-stars, service by Rose is friendly and efficient. We enjoyed the mushroom bisque with the complimentary bread basket. Pork bolognese was a good lunch size, very tasty as well as the chicken curry on wheat bread. My favorite part is the earl grey tea ice cream on top of the chocolate cake. Yummyyyyy. $11 validated parking, $36 valet.
(5)
Lisa W.
The service was overall welcoming and friendly. We loved our lunch there. I gave it four stars because of the limited menu (essential sandwiches and few salad choices). The prices were a tad expensive given the quality of food. It's a more casual dining restaurant with inflated hotel prices. But people come here for the ocean view, which is spectacular. Maybe next time I'll ce here for drinks.
(4)
Sue P.
We have dined at all the restaurants in the Montage, all being wonderful. A few weeks ago we ate on the balcony at The Loft, and it was just perfect. It wasn't very busy, and our server really went above and beyond to make the dinner relaxing. I believe his name was Scott, although my memory could be off. I asked if a certain dish was vegetarian, and he said it was, but then gave me a separate menu that was just vegetarian, and or vegan! Scott then recommended an item that had quinoa and vegetables and boy was I happy he did! It was delicious ! The whole dining experience starting from just pulling into valet is always top notch. The service through out is first class, and the beauty inside and out is breathtaking. We will be back again soon !
(5)
Stephie L.
I was wracking my brains about where to take my boyfriend and REALLY spoil him for his birthday! Then, my friend posted a bunch of pictures on Facebook for this restaurant and I decided this was where I want to be with my love! [+1] I called the hotel and it was easy breezy to make a reservation and let them know it was a special day for my man! I also wanted a time where you could see the blue ocean and stay for the sunset view! I also requested a beach view by the window and the lady said she would try to put in the request. Yay. 5/5 stars for easy reservations! [+1] We walk in and we are greeted well by the lady and..they led us to a beautiful corner table right next to the window.. the view put me easily at ease and I was happy they had paid attention to my request. As for their food.. their cheese ball breads are amazing by the way! I could eat them everyday.. but the best part is still coming up... [+1] We went on to order these delicious clams that were seriously the most amazing clams we've ever had! The portion was also enormous for a clam dish and we were really impressed. We will keep coming for these clams! I decided I didn't care what the other diners thought and drank the soup too... hahah. I had ordered the special which was the beef stroganoff which seemed handmade & the bf ordered a vegetarian dish but requested to have shrimp added which they happily did. [-1] The only goof the waitress made during the night was our requests for the drink recipe. She ended up giving us the cheese ball recipe (cool!) but my bf REALLY wanted the drink recipe.. & seeing how it was his birthday I was semi-sad he didn't get it because he was slightly bummed about it. Ah well! [+1] As for the birthday dessert.. they wrote it out in such beautiful presentation that I was so happy. They did not forget that I was here for my bf's birthday! My bf ate the dessert even though he originally didn't want to order any:) [+1] Afterwards, we went downstairs to listen to their pianist play live music..and the waitress gave my bf an EXTRA pour of an expensive scotch he wanted to try and even gave him a box of 4 chocolates because it was his birthday! Thanks Loft & Montage for making my bf's birthday special!!!:)
(5)
Katharine B.
Loft offers a spectacular view, an intriguing menu and the hope of a wonderful dining experience. My overall rating is a C- due to poor service, particularly given the whopping prices. For a party of 5 we spent $200 a head and this was definitely not a $1000 experience. Sadly, the service sank from the get go. We had changed our reservations from a party of 6 to 5 earlier in the day. When we showed up, this change had not been communicated to the staff and the table had to be reconfigured causing us a wait of 5-7 minutes in the front of the restaurant standing next to the hostess station. No chairs were offered and no one seemed to notice my 85 year old father standing with a cane. After we were seated, our very pleasant waitress took our order and simultaneously two beautiful bread baskets promptly appeared. The bread was absolutely delicious. Shortly our drinks arrived - most of us had cocktails and those too were great. The off putting part of the experience was the inept service around the appetizers which followed. Plates came at slightly different times and were served by an energetic but young set of waiters who struggled a bit to get the plates on the table. Clearing was also poorly done with lots of plate piling, banging of china, and quick snatch and grabs. As you read this, you are probably thinking I am being too critical, but for what you pay at this restaurant (comparable to Michelin ranked restaurants in major cities), the service just didn't match the food. Our dinner arrived after a very long wait and by this time the restaurant was extremely loud and it was difficult to hold a table conversation. Dessert was absolutely spectacular and was a high point of the meal. Plates were beautifully arranged and the food was exceptional. Once the service is as strong as the food, this will be an exceptional restaurant and one that I would gladly return to.
(3)
Kathy C.
Dinner was lovely at The Loft starting with an amazing bread basket. I have to say the Chef here creates a menu that is very unique and there were several dishes I wanted to try. I had a beautiful limestone lettuce salad with yali pears and a hibiscus vinaigrette that was probably the best dressing I've ever had and and my Scottish salmon was cooked to perfection! My daughter had a delicious fairytale pumpkin soup and the seared Maine scallops with blue prawns. My husband enjoyed the caesar salad and the coffee crusted new york strip with blue cheese. Everything was amazing and the service was excellent. We were seated next to the window with a view of the Christmas tree, swimming pool and the pacific ocean. Highly recommend!
(5)
Nina M.
Came in for a early dinner on Mothers Day. It was an absolutely beautiful evening with incredible views. I loved that the servers were so great about letting us enjoy ourselves without any pressure to order. All the service was wonderful. The cocktails were yummy and we absolutely loved our charcuterie and cherry and chocolate cake dessert. One thing I love about the Montage is that it's elegant and classy without the extra snootiness you find at *ahem* the Ritz or St. Regis. Definitely recommended for a relaxing yet delicious dining experience.
(5)
Ryan P.
I ate in the LOFT OK it's the OC and it's Laguna Beach what could be more perfect than lunch at the LOFT RESTAURANT...NOTHING THAT'S WHAT! I've been here in the past and it's one of my fav places to do lunch with girlfriends and just chill-ax. If you can't chill-ax here they you need to probably be on some sort of medication...your Prozac will be right up! The last time I was here was for a surprise lunch for a dear friend that was moving to San Fran. Sniff, sniff! No SF is NOT that far away and I go once a yr to visit but I still don't get to see her as often! THANK the GOOD LAWD for text messaging, email and Skype! You know a good friend when you can cry or each others shoulders and they NOT tire of you or you both can tell it like it is and the other person NOT get defensive and downright mad. So anyway I digress...So I was here with some peeps to enjoy lunch, chill-ax and have some GREAT food! This place NEVER DISAPPOINTS! We arrived a little early to be seated before the guest of honor came. The staff here had NO issues with this request and even put our party at a table where we were NOT seen as she walked in with our decoy person who had to almost hog tie her to come. Geez Louise! They staff is ALWAYS SUPER DUPER FRIENDLY, and NICE! SMILES all the time, NEVER anyone bringing there cray-cray family or boyfriend/ girlfriend or kid issues to work with them and them taking it out on you! ALWAYS A DELIGHTFUL EXPERIENCE! Once everyone arrived we stared off with 2 Artisanal Cheese plates with house made crackers and fruit compotes, Margarita Pizza and a shrimp cocktail with tomato horseradish and lemon. The seafood was FRESH and DELISH along with the SCRUMPTIOUS tasting pizza. It was NICE and HOT like it should be. The cheese plate was also SUPER YUM, YUM YUMMY! And it was more than enough to fill us up and prepare our tum-tums for the main event! As usual my eyes were a little bigger then my belly so I was GRATEFUL on of the ladies wanted to spit the Warm spinach salad which came with roasted pears, pecans and blue cheese, and maple bacon dressing that was drizzled on top and mixed in. OMG! Who was the GENIUS that thought of THAT combo? MY WORD it was DELICIOUS! I almost lost my mind over a FRICKIN SALAD! And YES I had a mini seizure. It was a party in my mouth. If I could have a YUMMY salad like this every day I'd MIGHT consider being a veggie person, but then I would not be able to enjoy and savor that maple BACON dressing soooo forget it! I just changed my mind. We also split the Dry Aged Burger with house made pickles and hook's cheddar and 1000 island and steak fries. It was SLAP YO MOMMA GOOD! Anything that would make you slap the taste out yo own mother's mouth has got to be SLAMMIN! Cooked to perfection as EVERYTHING ALWAYS is! I was full as a tick, we all were so we rested after wards with some cocktails and coffee and let the meal digest before we made a bee line for the DESSERT menu! That took all of 30 minutes cause we are greedy piggy's. They split 2 chocolates cakes and then we all split 3 lemon tarts! I think there was ice cream in there too somewhere but I can't remember! YUMMY! SIMPLY ZZZZ-BEST! SUPER DUPER DELISH! And a perfect way to end out meal! I will of course be back why would anyone NOT come back here that was mentally disturbed! Always a pleasure chowing down here! EXCELLENT JOB as always!
I had lunch here after a work meeting with a friend who lives nearby. I wanted to check out a few dishes as we will be hosting a business lunch in the near future. The view, service and location were terrific. We sat on the patio looking out to the ocean. I especially like their ceiling built in heaters, along with the floor heaters they have available. I was not a huge fan of the bibb salad, although I thought the bibb lettuce was perfect. We also tried the truffle pizza and burger. Both were very good.
(4)
erin c.
Yesterday was my birthday and my boss had given me the day off. Luckily my husband had off as well so we wanted to take advantage and go some where fun and different for a nice birthday lunch. We live in Los Angeles so were thinking of Malibu at first but I wanted to switch it up. I had never been the Montage in Laguna but have always wanted to check it out. I saw some photos and liked the reviews so I made a reservation via Open Table for 2pm. I just let them know it was our first time dining there and that it was my birthday. We had a really nice and easy drive down and when we pulled up I was like WOW. This place is really nice. (Not like I was expecting a shit box but still.) It kinda felt like we were in Hawaii. No line of cars at the Valet when we pulled up. I just told them we were going to lunch and they asked how our day was and I said good! It's my birthday and we've never been here. They couldn't have been nicer and said- well Happy Birthday, valet's on us. NICE! They instructed us where to go and when we walked into the lobby we were like WHOA. Killer view. We went downstairs to the Loft where we were seated at the perfect table outside right next the balcony which I could easy say was in the top 5 best views I've had at a lunch. The sun had just come out, it was sunny yet breezy. It was perfect. Joseph was our server and he was phenomenal. We ordered a couple of drinks and when he brought over and poured my Proseco he said- the celebratory glass is on us. Happy Birthday! F'en awesome. They brought out an assortment of bread right away and there are these little cheese rolls that were to die for. I could have eaten a whole basket. I told him how much we liked them and he brought out a fresh, hot, basket of just cheese rolls right away. We ordered food came out in a timely manner. Not too fast but by no means were we waiting on it. Just the right amount of time. Food was great. When we were finished he brought out a lovely chocolate dessert with Happy Birthday written on the plate and one lit candle. Super sweet of them- again- it was complimentary and it was GOOD. I was SOOO happy we picked the Loft at the Montage for my birthday lunch. It was honestly perfect. When we left we toured around the hotel a bit and can't wait to go back :)
(5)
Adrienne K.
Wow, what a view! My steak sandwich was so delicious! Gourmet and delicate tasting with rich craftsmanship even for a sandwich! The views are remarkable, and I highly suggest you enjoying a meal here for a real OC experience! $$$$
(5)
Kei D.
A few weeks ago we had the best anniversary dinner at the Loft Restaurant The ambiance was perfect! The meal of risotto and halibut were beyond delicious. They made it a very special evening for us.... great service.. definitely a five star experience....
(5)
Brian O.
Amazing place! The views are spectacular but the staff was incredible. The staff was able to assist me on a special surprise. The Loft will hold a special place in my life now. If you're planning a romantic event, the staff is happy to assist in making that reality. No wonder why it was referred by many as a special place in Laguna Beach.
(5)
Kristen W.
My experience at The Loft was absolutely incredible! The soups are seasonal, but the harvest pumpkin soup was incredible. It included wild rice and duck sausage that made it very hearty tasting without too filling. The black truffle risotto was my favorite part of the meal. The truffle flavor was not overwhelming and it was incredibly creamy. All of the staff were incredibly knowledgable about the food and wine and offered great suggestions to be paired with our food. We enjoyed a perfectly selected cheese plate including a seasonal compote that tasted like fall. :) The portions were perfect as well. The service was impeccable and you cannot beat the view (even at night). I cannot wait for another opportunity to go back!
(5)
Tina G.
My husband and I ate her last night for our anniversary, and we thought the food and service were fantastic. We would highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)
S M.
Amazing atmosphere!! And GREAT service. And a breathtaking view. Worth the $$$. A must go.
(5)
Cat Q.
Food poisoning ! I have been to Studio restaurant many times and I thought The loft will provide the same quality of food as the Studio restaurant, but I was so wrong. From the plating to the quality and the quantity of the food, everything is horrible. Me and my friends met up for the B-day lunch. The indoor dining area with a sea view looks nice when the weather is good, the view is grey and boring on a gloomy day. There were too many tables on the outdoor area. There are birds flying/walking inside the restaurant. It's adorable as long as they don't poop on your food. The air inside of the restaurant makes you feel like having an asthma attack. It's too warm inside and there is no fresh air. It's very stuffy, ugh. 5 star for the excellent service. +++Excellent bread basket: The small buttery balls and the crisp rosemary flatbread tasted amazingly good. ---Truffle pizza: The pizza smells lightly of truffle oil. The fennel were lightly seared instead of caramelized. There were only a few pieces of fennel on the pizza. The pizza wasn't overly salted, but it was lean, boring and oily. ---The mahi mahi on the parmesan flatbread: It was actually a giant mahi mahi fish burger. The bread is huge, the greenness of the avocado spice cream looks disgusting on a off-white bread. The fish was dry and the salad was sour. My friend had half of the bread and she start to eat my fries. --+Grilled salmon: The fish was tender and the sauce was boring. The fingerlings potatoes tasted boring as well. Nothing is exciting on this plate, my friend just ate the fish on her plate and she start to dig into my fries as well. ---House made sausage is like a sausage nightmare. It wasn't meaty, juicy, tender or anything. It was just a salty boring sausage. The Sauerkraut wasn't sour, instead it has this disgusting bitterly after taste . The pretzel bun was chewy and the bread will stick on your teeth. The fries wasn't amazing, but at least it's edible. Again, the whole dish is huge. --- Sea salt caramel ice-cream: The sea salt caramel ice cream was overly sweetened, the filet dough was crispy and the caramel cream on the bottom layer was chunky and thick. The plating looks horrible, the ice cream start to melt it down and it was inedible. Caramel ice cream can be very sweet, that's why they should use sea salt to balance the dish, however with the sweetness of the caramel ice cream here at the Loft? Nothing can save this dish and you will land in hospital soon for diabetic. --+ Cappuccino was light, but the cappuccino saved my life by flush down the overly sweetened thick caramel cream. ---Me and my friend were both B-day, however they just brought one B-day dessert out. I am not so sure wether the restaurant is been greedy, but that's just rare. It never happens in other restaurants before. The free raspberry mousse cake was inedible. Me and my friends had one small bite and that was it. Too sweet to eat. "Casey Overton respects and embraces the value of sustainability and its effect on the environment. By working closely with local farmers and purveyors, we offer a tastefully designed menu that promotes personal health and well-being.." quoted from their website. I couldn't see, feel or taste what respect does Casey have for the diners. 5 out of 8 dishes were sandwiches. The sandwiches were huge and chewy, the fish is overcooked and boring, the home made tasteless sausage with a winery bitterly after taste sauerkraut or the inedible overly sweetened desserts. It's just very disrespectful to deliver such careless, uninspiring, unhealthy food to the customers. You have to earn the respect if you want respect. With food like that? Perhaps it's time to hire a new chef. Because this chef probably lost his passion. And yeah...Everything came out after 10 minutes. I suspect the food is unhygienic. If you want to have a detox day, please enjoy the sea view and the unclean food.
(1)
Jenny L.
OMG. The service was beyond impeccable!! My best friend and I came here for brunch for her birthday and we were blown away. Our waiter was so amazing and despite paying $11.50 for valet...everything was worth it for the experience. Of course when you eat at The Loft, expect to spend a hefty amount, but it helps that the view is amazing and so is the food. Best mimosas I've had in a while and the rotisserie chicken chilaquiles were TO DIE FOR. If I'm ever in the OC area again and am looking to splurge for brunch again, this is definitely where I'd end up.
(5)
LC P.
The food was good, but come here for the view. Request a table out of the terrace next to the terrace if possible. I enjoy good food, and one that comes with a view is always a bonus!
(4)
Lindsay R.
Only negative is you cannot see the actual sunset from where the restaurant is. I do highly recommend the artichoke soup. So good!
(4)
Heather C.
Amazing view and outstanding food! Today re special sea bass with a veggie succotash was the best we have had at any fine dining restaurant. So good we are going back tomorrow for my husbands birthday so he can have it again! It's wonderful food, terrific views, and splendid ambiance in a relaxed atmosphere.
(5)
Julie K.
The Loft is located inside the Montage Laguna Beach hotel... pull up to the valet ($11), walk in and descend down the stairs to your left and you'll walk right into the restaurant. I heard wonderful things about this place and a friend recommended that I take my significant other here for his birthday. So, I made reservations for dinner, window seating, at sunset. Upon entering the restaurant, we were greeted warmly and they wished my hubby a Happy Birthday. We were seated at a table by the window (as requested) that had a spectacular view of their grounds and the ocean. The menu isn't very large but it's obvious that the selections of appetizers and mains are chosen carefully. The wine list was absolutely massive, though! We wound up ordering a couple glasses of champagne and wine, a charcuterie platter, Caesar salad, rotisserie chicken, and coffee-crusted NY strip. Everything was presented beautifully and we both thoroughly enjoyed our meals. The server brought out a complimentary birthday dessert w/ a candle for the birthday dude that was a nice touch. Expect fine dining service and prices here. Dinner for the two of us came to just under $250 (including 20% tax and tip). A nice place to splurge for the right man (or woman)!
(5)
Stephanie C.
Amazing service! I went to the Loft with two friends and our server impressed us with how much he knew of the food and all of the ingredients. We sat outdoors (try the Bolognese) and truly had a great experience - with stunning ocean and pool views!
(5)
Leigh P.
Took my daughter there for dinner last night. The hosting staff lacks a little in the personality department. We stood there while they chatted for about 3 minutes before even being acknowledged. Once acknowledged they seated us quickly however the young lady who seated us, never smiled and barely spoke. Our server, on the other hand was amazing. She tended to our table effortlessly it seemed. Knew the menu well and was friendly and very helpful with any questions we had. Then there was the food. Risotto that was amazing. Followed by new york strip for her and short ribs for me. Both meats were cooked to perfection and the flavors were spot on. Great place!
(4)
Gina M.
Great atmosphere and service. However, the food was slightly disappointing especially for the price. The scallops were slightly under cooked. Also, felt that it was a rip-off to have the parking "validated" and then still had to pay $11 to park only being there for a couple of hours. My biggest gripe was paying $100 for a bottle of wine that the Wine Sommelier took away before the bottle was even emtpy!! I just did not feel that the "luxury" was really worth the price - over inflated hotel. The best part was the view and the cheese plate.
(3)
Nile N.
1 star for falsely advertising that they are offering dinner during the OC Restaurant Week (I would leave a 0 star if it were possible). It's only a lunch offering. I had begun driving over when I called to verify some details, and was told it was only a lunch deal when you can clearly pick reservations for between 7:00 - 8:00P and it clearly states '$20 Dinner'. I informed the reservations employee over the phone of the discrepancy and all she said was "oh, yeah that's only for Lunch", when she should have instead offered to honor what was advertised. Shame that such a beautiful hotel has such practices.
(1)
Bessie B.
My husband, Jacek and I were here today to celebrate his birthday. I am so pleased with the service, the food was great and the atmosphere with the ocean view and the weather was absolutely fantastic. The price was reasonable. I live locally in Southern Orange County and this place is great to visit even for a local person like me. Can you imagine if you are from out of the area, you'll definitely fall in love with the area. The staff are very courteous and attentive. I highly recommend this place for anyone that celebrating anything or just to have a local lunch or dinner in a nice atmosphere and great food.
(5)
Dan D.
I wholeheartedly agree with John L's review on 3/3/2013 which states: "The ambiance, service, and view are 5 stars!!! The food....3.5-4 stars." Fellow Yelper Dawn M. and I came here to celebrate our 2nd anniversary. I wanted a peaceful, romantic atmosphere for our special day and couldn't pass up a table overlooking the water. The View (5 Stars) ------------------------- The view is simply breathtaking. Perched on the third floor of The Montage Hotel, The Loft offers a spectacular view of Laguna Beach and the Pacific Ocean. We arrived at 6:00 PM and were fortunate enough to watch the sunset. The view from our table also allowed us to catch a wedding ceremony that was taking place below near the pool. Very cool! The Service (5 Stars) ----------------------------- The service was exemplary from the moment I called to make a reservation to the moment that I left. The staff was friendly and more than willing to accommodate our anniversary. They reserved a corner table for Dawn M. and I on the patio as requested. Our waiter congratulated us immediately after we were seated. He also brought out a complimentary dessert with "Happy Anniversary" scribed in chocolate glaze. The meal service was outstanding- we were checked on frequently, but given privacy as well. The Food (3.5 Stars) ---------------------------- I should preface this section by saying that the food was GOOD. However, I expected a little more out of a $175 (conservative) meal for two. The starter bread was delicious. Both of us really enjoyed the cheesy bread. We shared the Risotto as an appetizer, but did not find it particularly distinguished (at least for $23). It was cooked well, but rather plain. For our main dishes, we ordered the Rotisserie Chicken and John Dory. The chicken was savory and the crispy skin really added a nice touch. The vegetables were tasty, but a bit soggy for my liking. Dawn M. said that the John Dory was "very good", but was also unimpressed with the vegetables. The complimentary chocolate cake was pretty standard (it's the gesture that counts). This was a good meal, but certainly not a $175 meal. Location, location, location...right? If you aren't staying at The Montage, don't forget to have someone validate the valet parking ticket. It's $11 with validation. I might come back to try the lunch menu.
(4)
Kristin M.
We just had the most terrific dinner at the beautiful Loft in Laguna Beach! The food was as beautiful as it was delicious. A true work of art!
(5)
Deborah A.
The Loft at the Montage is middle ground for me. Yes, the location and view of the restaurant is beautiful, grand, so California; but I feel like their food is mediocre and highly priced because of the backdrop and name. Since my last visit, I've had both the grilled cheese and tomato bisque and the Primm's cup. There is nothing too special about the grilled cheese and tomato bisque except that it probably has a slight more flavor and the view that you see while eating it. The coffee crusted new york strip was a bit of a disappointment as it didn't really satisfy my meat craving. It might be that I'm not accustomed to having steak and coffee together, but it was too sweet for my taste buds. The whipped mashed potatoes were alright. I loved the texture and its airy-ness. The rotisserie chicken wasn't that great either. It was more on the dry side and because the base of the dish was in soup, the croutons got too soggy and that made me stop eating it. The hamburger wasn't too phenomenal. Honestly In N out would have satisfied my hamburger craving. I also got the caesar salad and either they forgot to give me the dressing or their version of a caesar salad is the romaine lettuce leaves, croutons, parmesan cheese, and a few anchovies. Although the service and location of the Loft are great, I would much rather venture downtown and explore the different restaurant options before dining here again.
My gf surprised me to an early breakfast for our anniversary and brought me to the loft , and if i may say this place was excellent. i ordered the huevos rancheros they where delicious! probably the best i ever had! my gf had the berry crepes those where also on the top list for crepes. our server was very friendly and attentive def coming back. must say the gf did good :)
(5)
Cat B.
great service. good food. great view. kinda pricey though but then you must already know that when you pull up to the montage. i still like coming here for lunch with my friends because it provides for a relaxing little getaway with some magnificent ocean views, even if only for a few hours. dress code is pretty casual but probably not beach bum casual. expect to spend about $15-$25 avg for lunch entrees.
I came here for breakfast with my mom and everything was absolutely amazing. The moment we walked into the loft we were greeted by the warmest hostesses. They seated us promptly and we had the most amazing view of their pool and of the ocean. The hostess who seated us, Roxana, was so sweet and made sure to remind us that if there was anything we needed to just ask her. Our server, Eric , was amazing and did not mind my moms endless stories. I decided to order the Parma eggs and it was the most perfect combination of ingredients. Everything here is amazing, from the perfect customer service to the delicious food. I will definitely be coming back.
(5)
Leighton L.
This place is good. The coffee rub steak is unreal. You can purchase the seasoning to take home I have heard. The chicken is cooked to perfection as well. I was so impressed with the staff here. We asked our wine server bout wine fridges and within minutes he emailed someone and printed out paperwork for us on recommendations.
(5)
Jackie A.
The Loft never disappoints! We have a beach house in Laguna and stop in often. Food is always great and the customer service is second to none. But my favorite thing about this restaurant is the view, overlooking the beautiful pool and ocean. We sit on the deck every time. Located at the Montage the atmosphere is just at serene. Many times we will sit in the great room after lunch or dinner and have a martini or coffee. The cucumber martini is refreshing and perfect for a hot summer day. Staff is very accommodating. It is on the pricey side but worth every penny. You will walk away wanting to come back.
(5)
Timothy R.
This is simply the best restaurant in Laguna Beach, imho. It has never disappointed. The service is always impeccable. The specials are always mind blowing. The menu is small, but has incredible variety. My wife always orders the Pork based pasta. It is the best pasta that my Sicilian wife has ever tasted. She will NEVER order anything else and just samples what I order. I had the black cod with a bacon slab on top. Yep, fish that you can drink red wine with. It was fantastic. The "duck three ways" from a few months ago is still the favorite meal of my life. Go there. Order any special that is being prepared for the night. You will never be disappointed. Chef Casey is a genius.
I love coming here for brunch. Good food, great customer service & an awesome view!
(5)
Cindy L.
This was an AMAZING birthday dinner! Beautiful beach location, great wait staff, and superb food! The only thing I had a problem with was the birds flying around our table, but what can you expect when you sit outside! hahah Although I don't ordinarily venture outside my comfort zone, I ordered the rabbit and was pleasantly surprised. It was amazing; so flavorful and the seasoning was spot on! It was even better the next day! I would recommend trying something out of your comfort zone when you visit this place, you will not regret it!
(4)
Debbie M.
I came here for my birthday lunch. Reservations were made in advance with commentary about preference on seating since it was a windy day. When we arrived it seemed like the hostess didn't read the commentary on the notes. Luckily we did get a great area with views but I was disappointed with the service. I had expectations for this high caliber type of restaurant and for the high reviews on yelp. Service was lacking and we had to look and call out a few times for service. The food was nothing special except the cheese balls. The views and venue itself is spectacular. If it wasn't for the ambiance I think the score would have been reduced. For a Sunday, I am surprised they didn't offer a Sunday brunch like the Ritz. I felt they didn't make this extra special day any special...just an ordinary day at an ordinary restaurant that happens to be inside the Montage.
(2)
Eunice K.
SERVICE/AMBIANCE: -We came here on mother's day for dinner. The valet lot was packed. It was such a beautiful day the view was absolutely spectacular. The lobby has a small patio that you can step onto to take pictures in front of the huge panoramic view of the ocean. The restaurant has an amazing view as well. We got there and they said the patio was full. =( Service was excellent. FOOD: -PRETZEL BREAD, GLUTEN FREE BRAZILIAN CHEESE BREAD - The pretzel bread was ok, but the cheese bread was so freaking good. And gluten free too! Yumm! -BELGIUM ENDIVE SALAD - Crisp super thinly sliced apples and cheese. They were happy to split this into to plate for me and my mother. -MARY'S FARM ROTISSERIE CHICKEN - The skin on the chicken was SOOO crispy. -ROASTED BLACK COD - Cooked to perfection. Had a nice buttery taste. A little too salty for my taste, however. DESSERT: -CHOCOLATE CAKE w/ PISTACHIO SHAKE, ICE CREAM & TARAGON JELLY - DELICIOUS! A chocolate molten cake with a warm center served w/ fresh made pistachio ice cream that was well complemented by the taragon jelly. The pistachio shake had a great texture.
(4)
Mike P.
Amazing food unbeatable service. This place is the best. For our anniversary we chose this place. Couldn't be happier. There was an incident with our order and they more than made up for it. Patrick was a fabulous server and deserves a raise for all his hard work and impeccable people skills. This will be our go to celebration restaurant for ever.
The view is great, drinks are ok. Could use a bit more alcohol and the food was amazing.
(5)
Christine R.
The resort is certainly very well maintained and service is attentive. The bar, where we had a drink before our meal, is very pleasant, especially when the piano player is in evidence. However, whilst the sea bass my friend ordered was good, it was by no means outstanding. I had the scallops - and reader, they died in vain! The chef had decided to totally obliterate their delicate taste with a glaze of extreme saltiness - soy sauce, if I had to guess. I ended up cutting off the outsides. The accompaniments did not enhance the dish. The cost, as you would expect, was steep, which made the disappointment all the greater.
(3)
N D.
Went there on a Saturday night. The view was spectacular. We went for an early dinner (5:30pm) which was perfect because we sat outside watching the sky change colors over the water. We even got to see whales popping up in the water. The service was exactly what you would expect, polite, prompt and attentive. Ambience and staff were definitely 5 star. Now to the food... We ordered the mussels and clams in Chardonnay butter sauce ($22 I believe), really good. The bread they brought to the table was also amazing, especially when dipping into the sauce. But that's when thing went south. My wife got the veal (around $60) and I got the halibut (around $45). My halibut was cooked well, but pretty bland and not the best cut of fish. My wife ordered the veal and it came back well done even though she ordered it medium. We pointed it out to the waiter and he apologized profusely (as did the manager) and brought out another veal about 10 mins later. The new veal was also overcooked. At this point we were over it, my wife ate about 1/2 of it and threw in the towel, the food was just not very good. Our waiter asked how it was, we let them know our displeasure with the veal and they did the right thing by taking it off the bill. So service and ambience is a 5 and food was a 2. At this price point (this place is definitely $$$$ and not $$$) i want to be wowed and unfortunately the food just didn't cut it. Oh and parking kinda stinks. Even with validation you still have to pony up $11 and it took them about 15 mins to bring up the car.
(3)
Sherri G.
I have never visited the Montage but always hear great things about it. I had a free weekend so my husband and I made plans to spend quality time with my sister and bro-in-law on Saturday. Great service, great view, good food. I can't say great food because I had a spinach salad with shrimp and there wasn't anything extraordinary about it. I will say that we thoroughly enjoyed the cheese plate with pairings and bread basket! $207 later on stuffed bellies, we walked long the cliff and enjoyed the fantastic view. I would definitely come again.
(4)
Mark B.
Excellent food and very friendly staff. 3 stars because I'm very particular on the level of service especially the little things in a resort with such high standards. The food took a little longer to come out which I would understand if it was busy but there was only 5 occupied tables. Put it this way, after waiting for awhile, I had time to take my son to the restroom to go #2 and came back with food not ready. Waited awhile to get our glass refilled with water. I was observing if they would noticed it as they pass by our table several times. We would appreciate a little status update if they noticed that the food hasn't been served yet. Even other chain restaurants do that. However, overall food was excellent especially the grilled albacore sandwich how it was seared and rare in the middle with julienne veggies was genius! A+ to the chef!
We loved the chilaquiles and it was definitely enough to split. Drinks and coffee we're good. The views were wonderful. It was nice to take a walk on the hotel grounds after our meal and take pictures of our breakfast brunch crew. We definitely saw celebrities. There is self parking if you want to avoid the valet.
(5)
Island Lisa B.
Our visit this time went much better. Our server, MacKensie, was very accommodating and truly helpful. There were four of us for breakfast and we had an idyllic morning meal with a nice view and excellent service. Even better was the meal, however. My lobster benedict was superb and the other diners also like their choices. My friend was unhappy about the $11 valet service charge even with validation from the restaurant however, in all other respects it was a nice time and a big improvement over our last experience.
(4)
Cleo M.
WOW! What a complete and utter turnaround from our disappointing experience at a local competitor, Splashes Restaurant (at Surf & Sand Resort) last year! My husband and I got married at Surf & Sand Resort in August, 2011 and love coming out to Laguna to celebrate our anniversary and relive that special day. We went to Splashes Restaurant on our anniversary last year, and left feeling disgruntled and unappreciated (see previous review for details). We decided to try our luck at Loft Restaurant at the Montage to see if they could reverse those feelings. Boy, am I thrilled that we did! We were seated at what felt like the best table in the restaurant - center view on the patio, overlooking the gorgeous panoramic views of the beach. We had a number of Loft staff congratulate us on our anniversary, and welcome us to the restaurant. We dined on delicious oysters, pappardelle pasta with shrimp, and pan seared sea scallops (all of which were fantastic). Our wine glasses never reached the empty mark at a single point during our entire dinner. The icing on the cake (literally) was when we received a complimentary dessert at the end of our meal, accompanied with a "Happy Anniversary" chocolate garnish. Simply put, Loft Restaurant is the epitome of top notch customer service. It is overtly clear that they make an effort of going above and beyond for their customers, and making them feel special (on an occasion like your anniversary, this is exactly what you're looking for). It's the little things that make a huge difference, and they have mastered them all. We will definitely be returning for many more anniversary celebrations to come!
(5)
Cindy B.
Breakfast is pricey but so very worth it! $16 Bloody Mary, perfectly mixed, clearly homemade, and nice and spicy and chunky like I like it. But more impressive was the food. We split the Huevos Ranchos (they even put on separate plates for us). Nice, light, and delicious. The best though, were the Chicken Chilaquilas with fried eggs! Absolutely delicious, unique, and more than worth the $23 for breakfast. They bake their homemade spicy salsa onto the chips before they cook them, and the sliced chiles in the dish added just the right heat. The views of the ocean and pool at awesome and the service was spot on. Everything in this hotel is first class - we will definitely be backk!
(5)
Dani B.
I came here with myself and a friend for Thanksgiving dinner at 8 PM. I called several times ahead to confirm that they had nothing sooner than 8 PM. When I walked in, the entire restaurant had maybe four tables being used, the rest of the restaurant was open. The salad was very good, and the wine for half bottle was decently priced. The prix fixe menu is $95 per person, not too crazy but not fantastic either. The view was nice, and they had space heaters because it was chilly. Unfortunately, the turkey dinner Left a lot to be desired. As another reviewer said, the mashed potatoes were fantastic! I would've been happy with a bowl of those and nothing else. The turkey and the dressing had no taste whatsoever, the beans were almost not edible, and the relish was so tart that I could not eat it. The pears for dessert were not so great either, way too sweet. I may try this again when they do not have a fixed menu, but if I have a repeat experience with very bland food, I will not be back again. I live relatively close so this is a disappointment.
(3)
Tragedy D.
This review is only for the staff: An upscale restaurant that permeates great dining and service. I was only here briefly. The outstanding hostess called the Mosaic restaurant to check on my friends. While waiting to receive confirmation, I asked the second helpful hostess for a napkin. I was given directions to my final destination. As I was about to leave, the 2nd hostess kindly asked if she could throw away my napkin. Wasn't expecting such friendliness. **Thumbs up** These conservatively-dressed hostesses were very helpful. Since I was not able to dine here, I can't give a thorough review of the restaurant. Though I must say the bay windows in the restaurant bring in the warm sun to an inviting dining area. Anywhere you go in the resort the ocean is the main feature in the room (as it should be). I would love to return for a romantic dinner. If the hostesses have impeccable service, I know my dining experience will be extraordinary.
(5)
Caitlin H.
I had the pleasure of dining here for lunch one day. We sat outside on the patio and it was the perfect weather with the best view of the ocean. It was even better since I didn't have to pay! I ordered the truffle pizza for my kids, a hamachi spring roll and endive salad for myself. My kids didn't care for the pizza as much. The spring roll was just meh. Luckily, my endive salad was excellent. The heirloom beets were delicious. The service was also very good.
(4)
Teresa N.
We love Stephen, our waiter. We had prawn salad & salmon entree for lunch. We paired it with a bottle of Cakebread Chardonnay. It was a beautiful day for lunch with great food, great ambience, great service and great view. Lunch total was $200 for 2. Worth every penny.
(5)
G.G S.
Phenomenal. Incredible view. Best burger (dry aged so it's the highest quality) and fries ever. Great service. Oh, and GET THE ICED TEA. It's Earl Grey over ice! The only negative was that we had our two kids and they took forever to bring our high chairs. I didn't detract any stars because the food and iced tea was uncommonly delightful.
(5)
Ellen C.
Really good date spot! My friend and I came here before our reservations to get drinks at the bar (they only service drinks, no appetizers, but they do have nuts and stuff you can nibble on). We ordered their white peach sangria (amazingly delicious), and then headed up to the restaurant. We happened to get a table outside, right under the stars, next to the balcony where you can see the beach. It was super romantic and a perfect night! Shared the charcuterie, and we each had an entree. I ordered fish, she had pasta, and her pasta was amazingly delicious. Would definitely recommend this place, particularly as a date spot!
(5)
John L.
The ambiance, service, and view are 5 stars!!!! The food.... 3.5-4 stars. We sat out of the deck with our party of 11 on a beautiful, sunny, clear day. They started off by giving all the kids a small penguin stuff animal. Never had a restaurant do that before. Our waters and drinks were never less than half full. The kids got a bit restless halfway through the meal and were a little disruptive but we never got a dirty look. Only smiles. We tried quite a few things. The trio of fries were ok but I wouldn't order it if there are people ordering burgers. We had way too many fries. The sauces are excellent though. I really liked the truffle aioli and the cherry chipotle ketchup. The yellowtail roll was decent. 4 stars. Once again it was the dipping sauce that made it special. The cheese place was pretty fantastic. Lot of little things to try with your cheese. Seme really good honey, onions, multiple fruits, jam, marcona almonds, etc. The salads and entrees were were we were a bit disappointed. The endives salad was just ok. 3 stars. Forgot the name of the other salad but it was a bit better. 4 stars. The shrimp burger was reportedly pretty good, didn't try it. The pappardelle in porcini sauce was ok. The pasta was cooked well but the sauce didn't seem to stand out too much. 3.5 stars. The burger was just ok. For $24 it better be really damn good.... 3 stars. The halibut sandwich was decent 4 stars. My kids kosher hot dog was pretty good! The ice cream was pretty good. Nice dark chocolate flavor without too much sweetness. The coffee and vanilla were also pretty good. The service was top-notch! 5 stars. The ambiance and view are hard to match. 5 stars. The food just ok. Usually if the food is not great that's not a good experience for me... but he service and view were so great I'm torn.....
(4)
Mimi L.
ALL 4 stars go to service, view and location. We made reservation the last minute, still had to wait for a patio tableto have better view, I ordered a mimosa while waiting at the bar, then I got impatient, told host girl to just seat us at a table right next to the window, the view was still good. Beautiful Montage hotel in Laguna beach, this restaurant in on site with amazing hotel pool and pacific ocean view. The patio seating is perfect for a romantic and intimate meal. Total lunch bill for 2 with 3 alcohol beverages: $115 Our food: Sea salt, garlic, and vinegar fries with 3 kinds of sauces: Very delicious Pan seared Scottish Salmon: a little dry and flavorless Sauteed Halibut on Parmesan flat bread: flavorless Honestly the food was not so good, flavorless, at $26 a sandwich, $32 an entree salmon, I expected it to be fairly delicious. The complimentary bread basket was so delicious though! :) Mimosa was pretty good, had 2 of those! But we were at a luxury hotel restaurant with beautiful view, the service was over the top, they kept bringing up the drinks and pouring for us, our waiter was extremely nice and attentive. If you plan to impress a date there, patio tables or tables next to the windows only, it's worth the $$$ you pay for the meal. :)
(4)
Ellen A.
We came here for Valentine's day appetizers and to watch the beautiful sunset...what an amazing view! The best. We had a wonderful cheese tray and wine. Love.
(5)
Michelle P.
The staff at the Loft provided an exceptional special occasion breakfast for our family. We were warmly greeted and called by our name. In our reservation we had mentioned it was a special early Christmas celebration. Knowing this, the staff arranged a lovely table on the patio with a breathtaking view for everyone at the table. Before we even arrived the staff pre-arranged the umbrellas so all guests were protected from the morning sun yet still provided with unobstructed views. Our service was excellent. The server helped us choose from the menu with a few recommendations. All of our choices were delicious and had beautiful presentation. We had just the right amount of attention from the server to keep us well taken care of and gratefully our conversation was not inhibited by the service, which can be a delicate balance. We have tried a wide selection of brunches in the Newport Beach and Laguna Beach areas for this annual Christmas celebration with extended family. This was by far the best food, best view and best personalized service that we have found. Skip the overpriced impersonal brunch buffets that other restaurants offer and bring your guests to the Loft to impress them and have an all around great breakfast or brunch experience.
(5)
Chelsea T.
Wow, this place was good. Of course it's expensive, but very good. Between the two nights we were there, my boyfriend and I had the salmon, caprese pizza, caesar salad, and a few drinks. The salmon was perfectly done and so delicious. I was super excited about the caesar salad for some reason though. The pieces of lettuce were perfectly sized and crunchy, I love that! The pizza was amazing as well, and the tomatoes on top tasted super fresh. My boyfriend asked the bartender to surprise him with a whiskey drink, and he loved what he got. I just had a couple martinis. The staff was all super friendly, and very accommodating. I would definitely come back!
They sat us front and center, the perfect window table overlooking the pool, twinkle-lit wedding lawn and dolphins frolicking in the ocean. We arrived an hour before sunset and had a light ocean breeze through the open window while sipping on wine and enjoying the fresh bread basket. Luxuriously casual. Ambiance was very nice. Half dozen Oysters - hubs ate it and loved it. The special for the night was Duck Breast and Confit Ravioli with Swiss Chard. Soooooooo delicious. Clean the plate delicious. Duck breast was so tender, and the confit ravioli...my mouth is watering just thinking about it. And I love Swiss Chard. The Mediterranean Sea Bass was sooooooooooo delicious. Soft, tender, perfectly prepared. I'm not a big fan of beans, but the fava beans were good. There was also another type of bean on the plate that I didn't care for though. They brought us a chocolate espresso type cake that was soooooooo delicious. Paired with a cup of good coffee. Mmmm.... Had a wonderful time at the Montage as always.
(5)
Devin T.
Tasty Food? Yup! Polite and knowledgeable staff? Absolutely (seriously, the staff here are over-the-top awesome)! Phenomenal view? Yes! Comfortable Patio seating in the dead of "winter"? Also, yes (surprisingly)! With all that, why not five stars? $16 cocktails. I don't mind spending $20-$30 for a brunch entree at a nice place with a good view, but the drinks were a little steep. Don't get me wrong, if the drinks had wowed and dazzled me, I wouldn't mind paying as much, but they were just good not great. Even so, I absolutely would recommend this place to a friend (or a complete stranger).
(4)
James K.
The only thing going for this resraurant was the view but then again i could get the same view and atmosphere at the PV resort which doesnt come with the traffic congestion along with crazy valet fees also. The food is just alright although the presentation was good but the taste is forgetable. Service was good but not great especially for what they are charging for entrees. Overall a decent experience but i wont be returning anytime soon for the food alone.
(3)
Cat H.
Amazing. I met Mom here for dinner and feel like I really got a great experience. It was right at sunset, so the warm glow of the sun over the water made for great views. Service was impeccable, of course, and we felt well taken care of. Food wise, I had a lovely pinot noir to start and an arugula salad to die for. The combination of the cheese, pine nuts, apples and the arugula was amazing. I could have literally eaten just that all night and been satisfied. But I also had the sea bass, which was moist and flaky. I'm not so sure about the broth, but the fish was great. All in all, we had a lovely dinner. Between the food, the views, and the impeccable service, I can honestly say I can't wait to come back! And you can bet we will!
(5)
Vivian L.
from the moment we drive onto the property, the service was spot on. all the employees were helpful in directing us to the restaurant, and the service at lunch was great. the halibut on flatbread is their specialty (it's actually a sandwich -- I thought this was going to be like a pizza). the view was great, although a little hazy at first. here's a tip: if you just want to check out the view, you don't have to eat in the restaurant. there's an equally beautiful lounge that overlooks the pool on the north side, where you can just order a drink and enjoy the fresh air and ocean view. there's also beach access from the hotel. take the elevator down to the 1st floor and follow the path to treasure island beach.
We've eaten here a few times for dinner and each visit has been special. We always sit on the balcony and the view is spectacular. The coffee crusted New York strip steak is So Delicious we order it every time. The service is excellent and friendly. I'm giving it 4 stars because once I came for lunch and my sandwich was so dry. It was not what I expected. But definitely come for dinner!
(4)
Lana M.
Great atmosphere and awesome service. However, the food was slightly disappointing. The truffle risotto was way undercooked. The salmon was super salty.
(3)
Jillie S.
Bf and I came here on a Sunday, busy but very accommodating. We reserved a seat at the patio where we can have a good view, and we got it. The waiter was so nice and always asking every 10 minutes if we're okay. They refilled our drinks quickly, replaced our utensils after appetizers, and main course. We ordered Margherita Pizza , Cocktail Shrimp, Dry Aged Burger, Wild Pacific Mahi Mahi on Parmesan Flatbread and some dark chocolate dessert with berry and peanut ( i forgot what it's called!). I can't believe my bf and I was eating there for 2 hours! We didn't feel like we're being rushed although it was a busy day. :)
(5)
Emily D.
I have been here twice and both times had a very wonderful meal and great service. The view is one of the best parts so make sure to ask for a table outside or by the window. The aged NY steak with coffee grounds, sea salt and brown sugar rub served with blue cheese and arugula is amazing. Also the fromagier is very knowledgeable and will put together an amazing cheese plate for you. Yes you read that correctly they have a cheese expert that will help select an amazing cheese plate for you. Each cheese comes paired with items such as honey or compote that really enhance the flavors of the cheese.
(5)
Sue H.
Went there for thanksgiving. 95,00 per person. Our seats were great and fabulous view. The food was traditional which we wanted but it was disappointing! Very bland. Mashed potatoes very good but gravy tasteless. Cranberry relish was the worst ever. It was so tart and would make you cough when you took a bite. Just awful! Plan green beans and again not a hint of any herbs. Waiter took my husbands plate when he was not finished. Waiter said when fork and knife crossed he thought it meant you were finished. FYI when you are finished knife and fork together and to the side. Maybe ask first before you grab the plate! Would not go again no matter what the price! Beautiful setting and mediocre food at best. Maybe Chef Should watch America's Test Kitchen!
(2)
Kristy E.
Dined here a few times while staying at The Montage. Food was really good, but I if I weren't staying at the hotel I wouldn't go out of my way to come here for the food. It's the kind of place where you come for the views, and the fact the food is good is a bonus. I forget all of what we had here, the only picture I can find is of a pizza we munched on for lunch. Seeing nothing sticks out as being bad, I'm assuming it was all good. The views by the way, are incredible!
(4)
David N.
My wife and I enjoyed Easter dinner at 3:00 today at the loft. We began by watching a big ass pick up truck run a red light and get nailed by a cop, that truck was going to Montage! We were a bit early and enjoyed tasty drinks at the main bar off the lobby. If you can't relax here, you can't relax. My wife thought that she was back on a cruise. We had a table on the deck in the shade, perfect. I enjoyed Fennel Soup, Lamb, and Strawberry shortcake. Initially they told me that they ran out of lamb but they went to another kitchen on site to obtain additional lamb, now that is what a proper eating establishment does. My wife had a salad, halibut and a chocolate desert which she said was amazing. She said that fish that I have cooked is better but she enjoyed it. We were fully satisfied and took a walk to look at the ocean. The restrooms were great with wonderful towels what you would expect for a first class establishment. The require valet parking which after validation is $11. I do have issues with spending more than a car payment for dinner and then extra for parking but then again I am thrifty. It took a loooooong time to get our car and the head valet knew it. After he acknowledged it I later complained to the valet cashier and before even discussing it he handed me $11 with an apology. When the head valet brought the car he was very apologetic. I wasn't driving a Maserati like two others who dropped theirs off, but that is no excuse. We will be back!
(4)
Mihail L.
Mediocre hosts compromise great service and good food and awesome views. After this morning's experience, we canceled dinner reservations and would rather go to Studio or Stonehill Tavern.
(2)
Teddy L.
Love the restaurant it was so great risotto great suffle good but not sweet if you want sweet duck cooked perfect steak was not medium rare as requested but has good taste I personally feel it needs a little more sweet to contrast the coffee and it be perfect Katie provide excellent service and everyone is so happy
(4)
Josh J.
The view was very nice. The interior setting was very spacious and romantic. I recommend going there during the day as by night, it is pitch black outside and you won't enjoy the view as much. Food was just okay for the price. I went there with my girlfriend on her birthday and the bill was around $230 for the both of us. We ordered wine, appetizer and entrees (no dessert). The service was just okay because our waiter did not seem too friendly. If this was a 2-star restaurant, it would not have bothered me. He was not rude, but did not seem enthusiastic and friendly. He was however very friendly to the to other group. We were a younger couple so perhaps our age was a factor, who knows. Otherwise, I would recommend for the view and decor which is very romantic.
(3)
Joanna L.
Boyfriend took me here for dinner last night....basic fine dining American cuisine...located inside a nice fancy resort in Laguna Beach......now compare to KAI...in Arizona...which is another really nice resort...this place is pretty packed. And yet again we felt like the youngest couple there....(not to mention Asian) haha But this happens to us all the time....so we are use to it. Anyways the restaurant...is pretty causal...I mean decor and atmosphere suppose to be up-scale and intimate and romantic.....valet....and people greeting you by the door, by the patio door, at your table, outside the resort...just people greeting you where ever you go.....reason I say its "suppose to be intimate and romantic" because it's really not. It's full of people and it gets quite noisy. We sat outside on the patio....my bf hoping for a good view of the beach....it was around 6pm so it was already dark so not much of a good view unfortunately....since that is one of the reasons he took me here. it was also suppose to be a calming experience...since dinner with the sound of the waves and cool night air breeze....but didn't really get that feel. I never really know what to order at these places...I mean American fine dining is really your basic land or sea entrees, salads and soups for starters and some other fancy small dished appetizers......this time when i looked at the entrees I really didn't know what to order because: 1. very limited selection ( I understand this because they are constantly changing menus....) 2. looked at seafood options: salmon, scallops, cod or swordfish are your options for the night....BORING! and besides cod and swordfish are the worse...overpriced because they aren't the greatest fish in the sea....at least offer Halibut...lol) 3. looked at the land options: chicken, pork loin, vintage beef ribs, coffee-rubbed new your steak and veal chop....ehhhh nothing new...not a big fan of any. In the end I went for the Sweet Pea and Ham Risotto and Heirloom Duck Confit Squash Soup.....the soup was delicious but don't let the name trick you...it's really just squash soup with a few bits of duck meat in the center...I mean it's still good but I like how menus always make the food sound so much better than it actually is. My bf ordered the Loft Caesar salad (which is your basic Caesar salad but for $18 and the American Heirloom Duroc Pork Loin....it was just okay...for $39.. I think I have had better. heh. We also tried two non-alcoholic fruity "cocktails"...mine was the Ginger Mint Cooler and his was the Strawberry Sunset.....pretty tasty but felt like it lacked the kick since there was no alcohol....feel a bit bad since I am allergic to alcohol.. therefore cannot drink wine at most of these places... The service was definitely nice...and it's usually is at these places....they could talk all the shit they want in the kitchen about the diners but in the end they have to put on a big smile and serve you. haha....I mean I don't believe that they aren't genuinely nice and friendly but I also understand sometimes being a waitress or waiter is tough.....especially at these places....really don't want a complaining customer. One more thing.....opentable.com site tells you to dress casual elegant.....it's really suppose to be dressy.......since a majority of the men are in suits, or dress shirts with dress pants....and well the ladies always dresses nice. haha Overall it was a nice experience and I always appreciate the places my bf takes me to. =)
(3)
Ken G.
Wow, they really have some incredible food here. I was here for breakfast and lunch and both were amazingly awesome: Roasted Chicken Chilaquilles - what a great way to start the day...freshly fried corn tortillas are smothered in a nice chile sauce, along with good portions of tender, well-seasoned chicken and topped with fried eggs, fresh cheese and avocado cream - so good! They took a fairly ordinary dish and made it pretty amazing. Filet Mignon Chili - Perfect lunch! A nice and hearty stew of filet mignon (no beans!) was filled with some great flavor and wasn't too spicy. The chili arrived with a nice small skillet of awesome cornbread - sweet and with the perfect consistency. The honey butter that arrived with the cornbread was great as well since they actually topped butter with shaved honey - so clever! I really loved this restaurant and would definitely go back. It's very expensive (chilaquilles were $21 and chili was $23) for typical breakfast or lunch pricing, but it's worth the splurge. All this and you get a great view of the Pacific...tough to beat!
(5)
Danny S.
Went here for dinner (while staying at the Montage) on 4/12. Wanted to try Studio, but settle for The Loft. Still had a wonderful time and great food. Ambience: Very nicely decorated restaurant. Although it was not their signature restaurant, it was still very very nice and could have held up as the main restaurant. Service: Like the rest of the resort, fabulous. Everyone from the from the host, to wait staff, to bartender. First class all the way. Just to give you an example, I asked the bartender to make me a cocktail using scotch. He whipped up a nice one and proceeded to write out the recipe for me (without me asking) and had the waiter present it to me in a card and envelope. Who does that? Food: Great! We started with a customized charcuterie with cheese platter. The cheese expert came out and asked us what type of cheese that we liked (apparently they have over 150 different kind of cheeses). He then proceeded to bring out the different cheese and meat and explained them all to us. Great first course. My wife was full and opted for the appetizer Risotto (mushroom with kale) and I had the John Dory (waiter's recommendation). The Risotto was nice and creamy. The John Dory was awesome. My first time having it (usually prefer sea bass) and it was cooked perfectly. We had the Creme brulee and it was a very unique version of it. Came with a curant sorbet. All in all a great meal. Price was on the higher side, but you get what you pay for. Would definitely come back if given the opportunity.
(5)
Sara B.
This place is Ok..nothing special on the food. Way too over priced for what you get.. You're paying more for the view & location.
(2)
OCbanker N.
I take my wife here often and she LOVES it. The food is excellent (risotto, salads, fresh fish) and the service is top notch. Plus, you can spend a nice afternoon WITH THE KIDS outside and pretend to be staying at the Montage lol. The staff is extremely friendly and it's always a great time at the Loft.
(4)
Hannah F.
Had a really great meal here, made extra special by the top-notch service. Sadly, we didn't get to fully enjoy the spectacular view, because we had a late meal and it was already dark. But even in the dark, you can see the moonlight on the water, which is still beautiful! I have to say, the stand out here is their amazing selection of cheeses. Wow. No cheese plate will ever top the one my boyfriend and I shared. They have a fromagier come to the table and specifically select the right cheeses for you based on what you like. And he made the most amazing choices for us! Each cheese comes with a perfect accoutrement. Our gouda came with a lavender caramel- sounds totally strange, but it was so delicious! Everything on this plate was perfection. For the meal, I had a red wine risotto that was really great, and my boyfriend loved the duck that he ordered. At the end of the meal, though, the most wonderful thing happened. I had asked the waiter for the name of one of the cheeses we had, because I loved it so much. He wrote the name on a piece of paper for me, and I was so happy that I could go buy it! A few minutes later, one of the chefs, the wonderful Carrie, came out to our table with a box in her hands. She explained how she heard about how much I liked the cheese, so she brought me a box with a portion to take home! I was almost in tears- free cheese. This is my dream world. That really just made our experience here. I cannot wait till I have the chance to come back! I highly recommend it, but do be prepared to pay for the great food, service, and view!
(5)
Gabriela S.
Unfortunately our second time here this past weekend wasn't as pleasant and definitely mediocre at best. From the service to the food it was a huge change that is unfortunate. The waitress took forever on everything, the steak was over cooked and even the cheese substitution to our requests were not so good.
(3)
Sayaka H.
Great location, awesome view, good service, but the food was just ok... Because the restaurant is inside the Montage, maybe I had higher expectation!? The cheese bread was the only thing I remember that was tasty. I went during lunch time, so I might give another try during dinner.
(3)
Jeff M.
When I was staying at the Montage hotel had lunch at the Loft a couple of times. The food was great... Had their sandwich, but you have a wonderful patio view of their pool and the Ocean. The server was friendly and very helpful. You have the bar in the front with a TV if you need to wait for your table. When I come back to Laguna Beach I'll come back to eat here.
(4)
Melanie F.
I love coming here for lunch. Sitting in the patio with the sun hitting and slight breeze feels so relaxing. The view is breathtaking and takes me away from all my hectic work life. I feel like in an instant, I'm on vacation. The service is great! They are knowledgeable, friendly and make kickass recommendations. The food is great too! Cheese platter - YUMMY! BLT - LOVE! Salted Caramel dessert - to die for! so much caramel, so little time. I am going to try and make this a regular luncheon with my girlfriends.
(5)
Roz S.
Wonderful food. Please bring the OREO cake on the menu!!!
(5)
Mike H.
I have boujie moments, you have boujie moments, we all have boujie moments. This goes along with my review of The Montage in Laguna Beach (The Montage. . . so fancy. . .). I am an East Coast guy. I don't hate the West Coast, but it's just not my place to jive. The Lot & The Montage are probably the only two places that can make me forget my worries and forget where I am. The views are what take the cake, because if you get the right table, you can feel like you're on top of the world and right on the ocean. Service has always been top notch with friendliness and attentiveness but never hovering and lingering. It's like they can read minds. I needed a fork and presto, our waiter was there. When I was "thinking" about the check, he brought it over and quietly placed it down with a smile and walked away. If I had service like that at a place that wasn't so damn expensive, I'd be there every day. I had the braised short ribs and it was heaven on earth. Eat, drink, be merry, and try to take a walk aruond the resort and on the beach afterwards. A time you won't regret.
(5)
Dustin J.
Staff and view 5 stars Food 2 stars U pay for the view.
(3)
Dani S.
Wasn't impressed at all. By far inferior than Studio. My Pucci model girlfriend came to visit me before flying out to Italy for her next fashion show. She made me put on a $15k Pucci dress for dinner, then tasked me to find a place where we can go while struting my stuff in this $15k dress... That just eliminated 99% of all restaurants in OC. Initially wanted to go to Studio but with no reservation we couldn't get in. Service was good, but the food was just very lacking in flavor, presentation and freshness.
(3)
Tina C.
Had lunch here today and thought the service was superb. They sat us at a table by the window with a great view of the beach. We had the chorizo pizza to share for appetizer which I thought it was mediocre. The crust was soft and there was very few pieces of chorizo on it. The complementary bread was excellent though. There were these cheese balls that were amazing. The french dip was mediocre. The beef was over cooked like roast beef but the french onion soup that it came with was exceptionally good. We also had the filet Mignon chili which was excellent, nice size chunks of tender pieces of beef. It also came with fresh baked corn bread which was pretty tasty. It was a very expensive place to have a casual lunch though. Lunch for 2 ppl costs us $130. We each had 2 mimosas($16 per glass), 1 appetizer to share, 1 lunch entree each. The entrees were averaging $24 each. That's like the price of a nice dinner :-(. Next time, I would prefer to come here for dinner instead. Warning valet here is $20 but the restaurant will stamp your card and reduce the price to $8.
(3)
Jaume N.
The food was outstanding, the desserts were amazing and the restaurant has spectacular views. Our experience was made special by our server, Bustos, who was very attend to details.
(5)
R T.
Was taken here for my birthday lunch. Got seated in the patio area above pool with panoramic view of ocean. Eric waited on us and was perfect in every way; drink suggestions, appetizer and entree suggestions as well! Food was over the top delish! I had the French fry trio appetizer and the truffle aioli dip was amazing. Had the chicken piccata dish with capers - great! The only negative was that I was too full to order dessert! Love that place! Hopefully I can stay there next time!
(5)
Anna L.
I have eaten here with my family twice - the experience is always phenomenal. The views from this restaurant (and all of the resort property) are stunning. The dining room itself is incredibly beautiful, with balconies to dine on as well. Every course at the Loft is plated with the most beautiful precision. I hardly ever want to touch my plate (I always take a picture first). We started with a cheese plate upon both visits...but "cheese plate" is an understatement. If you enjoy fine cheeses, the Loft is the place for you - they have over 100 varieties to choose from. Their "cheese master" (named a French word that I do not know) will come to your table to ask questions about your preferences to help you decide. Each cheese is plated with a specific pairing to compliment each cheese. I had lobster ravioli during my most recent visit, and needless to say, it was to die for. Plated beautifully, and incredibly tasty! The Loft does fish oh so well. Our desserts were also to die for. My step-father tried Affogato (hot espresso poured over vanilla ice cream) for the first time here - they brought his ice cream out and poured the espresso right in front of him. It was a wonderful experience! The service here is top. notch. Every waiter and waitress (and cheese masters of course) that I have encountered here has been wonderful. They all seem to be the best of the best in the field. My visit last December, our waiter had every aspect of the menu memorized to a T. He was warm, kind, but not over-the-top friendly. We tipped him very well for being so excellent. Last December during our dinner here we even got to meet a star of the show Glee, which was a pretty nice touch to an excellent meal! He was extremely nice, and even took a photo with my mother and I, and wished her a happy birthday.
(5)
patrick f.
Short review. Had lunch on a Sunday. Limited menu mostly overpriced sandwiches. Good service and great view. When we dine their, it was mostly pre-wedding guest having a meal.
(3)
G W.
Delicious! Service was great. The waiter brought even printed out a wikipedia article when we asked a food question that he could not answer. Would definitely go back.
(5)
Stephanie L.
CHEESE!!!!! The Loft has one of the only fromagiers (sp?) around. Their cheese selection is out of this world. Bread basket is beyond compare, excellent wine and beer selection. We usually only get other foods to complement the cheese as that's our main focus. The lunch chili and cornbread is perfect. Perfect ocean views and excellent service.
(5)
KimAnh N.
I had the absolute best experience today at The Loft!! From the moment we got there, everyone at Montage was so warm and welcoming. I love how you ask them for directions and they practically walk you there. Everything was well worth every penny and I love to fine and dine at places like these! It was a gorgeous day today so sitting outside was perfect! We had a great view of their swimming pool and the ocean front. There's no words that can describe how wonderful their service was. Everyone was so attentive! Our server (patrick) did an excellent job! Yes., Everyone!! Including Oliver (which stopped by to check up on us. How sweet!!) I absolutely love it! It felt like royalty. :-) our drinks were constantly filled and did I mention they changed our silverware 3 times?? Who does that? I didn't even order that much. Ok maybe I did just a little but usually silverwares are only replaced 2 times max! Ahhhh it's the little things like this that matters to me hahaa Definitely coming back!!
(5)
Allison I.
Ask for Claude, he's the best!
(5)
Debi S.
Went there for dinner for Mother's Day (the night before) with my daughter, son in law and Mom. Beyond fantastic - I wish I could give them 10 stars. I have been there before one time just for dessert and it was wonderful. This time was even better. The place itself is beautiful and the ambiance are perfect. We had the charcuterie platter to start with - wonderful! My SIL and I had the halibut done on yummy grits with green beans and little baby corns. Yummy and the halibut cut like butter. The chef sent out his cold pea soup with crab which was so tasty and really pretty. For dinner, my Mom had the scallops which were cooked to perfection and a very generous serving. My dgtr had the foi gras (please excuse my spelling...). For dessert, I had the ice cream which was the best ice cream ever! Almost forgot about the bread. They do these little, round cheese bread things. I swear they dropped out of heaven. And the best thing is that they are gluten free so my dgtr can enjoy them too. Wine: I had a glass of the riesling which was perfect. We also had a dessert wine that was lovely and paired perfectly. Service: if you go there, see if you can request Katie. She is fantastic - knows her stuff, so sweet and great service. In fact, everyone there was extremely nice! Yes, the Loft is very expensive but it is worth the service, the ambiance and the quality of food. It is a wonderful place for special occasions and I can't wait to go back!! Thank you Loft for one of the best Mother's Day dinners ever. Special thanks to Chef Casey!!
(5)
Sarah K.
Loft was by far our favorite place in Laguna The service was awesome and even though it was getting late fur dinner they welcomed us and made us feel like we could have whatever we want The clams are 19 dollars and soooo delicious and healthy I assume the mussels are in the same league Huge portion it's all you need for dinner I highly recommend !! We went to Studio the Montage 5 star the next night and we were not impressed
(5)
Steph H.
One of my girlfriends recommended this place for a special lunch. I'd heard about the Montage Resort, but had never been--seemed like a very chi-chi kind of place. Well, it is, but the good kind that values good service to their customers. Everyone, from the hostess to the water refill lady, were very courteous and friendly, and I really appreciated that. We opted to sit in the outside dining area since the weather was so nice--there's a breathtaking view of the Pacific as well as of the pool area below, and it was really great. While perusing the menu I opted for a glass of mimosa, nicely chilled and refreshing. We decided to get an order of the fritto misto, and assortment of seafood (and inexplicable slices of lemon) deep-fried in a light, delicate batter with red pepper flecks, which added a bit of a kick to things, accompanied by a lemon aioli. It was very, very good, everything cooked to perfection and delicious. We had a hard time deciding on our entrees, but two of us decided on the seared yellowtail salad, one ordered the coconut chicken salad, and the other one ordered the chicken sandwich. Good, but I can't say outstanding--the greens accompanying my fish seemed a bit oversoaked in dressing and the "avocado mousse" wasn't very flavorful, in my opinion. Everyone else seemed OK with their food, but we didn't get really enthusiastic until we got our desserts. I opted for their "Sky High Lemon Passion Tart" and the others shared a chocolate cake. Wow, was that lemon tart good. It was a like a mini lemon meringue pie, but a different variety altogether. The "meringue" on top was browned gorgeously, and the texture was something like melted marshmallow, thicker and tackier, sitting atop two different kinds of lemon filling encased in a pastry shell. Pretty dang good. The chocolate cake looked good, but I'm not a fan of that coconut filling and prefer lemon over chocolate these days, strangely enough. Overall delicious, but the portions seemed very small for the price you pay. That's why this place isn't a 5-star for me--even though the service was awesome and food was good, everything seemed really overpriced. Then again, I don't usually pay $22 for a teeny tiny salad or $6 for a cup of coffee so maybe it's my problem. I mean, when you come to places like this you know you're going to be paying a lot for the ambiance and service, but even so, what ended up being a $60 lunch seemed a bit much. Would I ever come back? Sure, if someone else is buying :) Oh, don't forget to get your valet ticket validated--it turns a $10 valet bill to $5.
(4)
Holly F.
ventured up here for lunch instead of the usual Mosaic for lunch at the Montage... and they did not disappoint. service was spot on, my chicken piccata salad was delicious, and the views are unbeatable. it's a pricy spot for lunch, but it's definitely worth it for the tasty dishes and amazing ambience. and the bread basket is absolutely divine! will return.
(5)
Michael P.
Great breakfast spot. We've stay at the Montage a few times, the first time after fleeing the Surf and Sand for 'upgrading' us to a room whose balcony was surrounded by a loud wedding. Anyway, we always enjoy our breakfast at the loft. We moved back to California and no longer need to stay there, but still visit for the Loft. The Huevos rancheros may be the best I've ever had and the brioche French toast is incredible. The service is alway perfect, prompt, but not in your face or pretentious. The view from the balcony is great. Hmm, after reading the other reviews, now I have to try dinner there.
(5)
Robert V.
The Loft is a solid 4.75 stars. Went here for Valentines Day. Loved the booths. They have these private booths with curtains that you can draw closed for privacy if you want and theyre dimly lit with candles and one small light. Very Romantic. *4.5 stars on the humongo wine list - although the by the glass menu could have used a few additional selections *5 stars for service. Our waitress was extremely knowledgable and gave a few excellent suggestions. *5 stars on the hand crafted drinks from award winning mixologist *4.75 stars on food quality. We started with (not on the menu) a cheese plate that came with 4 different types of cheese, assorted fruit, in house made bread, and fresh honey comb. We allowed the chef to select the cheeses as they have more than 25 in stock. Just ask for it. They actually offer it after the meal. But we are premeal cheese kind of peeps. I know, so uncivilized. They we moved to the chilled fingerling potatoe salad, and finished off with a hand made puff pillowed pasta stuffed with shrimp, served with a garlic infused broth, cabbage, and shantrell mushrooms. I really loved the fact that the menu is full of seasonal items that are regularly swapped on and off for other items. I'm looking forward to returning during the day to take in the phenomenal pacific ocean views.
(5)
Patrick B.
Kind of expensive but great quality and outstanding service. I had a much better experience here than at the lousy place at Surf and Sand. I spent a lot on this trip to Laguna but Montage made me feel like royalty. Very professional staff and delicious food. This place gives the restaurants and hotels in my neck of the woods (Beverly Hills) a run for the money.
(4)
Audra H.
My boyfriend and I made reservations through open table for our second anniversary. The staff was really great about acknowledging our special occasion. They had reserved us a table at the window. The view is beautiful. We were able to see a wedding taking place out past the pool. & of course we could see the ocean :) The bread basket had quite the variety to choose from! My favorite was the pretzel bread! I can't exactly remember what I ordered for dinner, but it was a delicious pasta dish. The meal was simply divine. My favorite part was the dessert. We ordered some type of white chocolate egg and passion fruit ice cream. When our wonderful waitress brought it to us it literally was a huge while chocolate egg with "Happy Anniversary" written in chocolate on the plate. She poured some type of hot syrup on top of the white chocolate egg which melted away to expose a beautiful presentation od passion fruit flowers and ice cream. Very well done.
(4)
Ms. G.
This place is lovely! Great food, beautiful view, and wonderful service! We had a French waiter (I can't remember his name) and he was so nice and even packed up some cookies for my children to take with them. Upscale but not snobby, everyone was very down to Earth and provided a great atmosphere.
(5)
Taylor C.
I went to the Loft with my then girlfriend for their special New Year's Eve menu on 12/31/12. The experience was amazing. I chose the Loft because I had been to Montage beach a few times before, and the views and resort are stunning. Also, this was a particularly important occasion... My plan was to propose to my girlfriend after dinner while we sat on a bench overlooking the beach. I did, and she said yes. :) This is without question the most expensive restaurant I have ever been to. However, the food was so good that when my fiancee and I saw the bill, we simultaneously said, "That's not too bad." Quite a statement considering it was about $400 with tip. A five course meal was served. Just a few highlights: Butter poached scallops with shaved breakfast radish in a champagne mousseline, the risotto topped with guanciale, and a spiny lobster with squid ink capellini and braised celery that was DRENCHED with butter sauce and tons of caviar. Wow! And it's not just the food. The service was perfect. No unnecessary interruptions. All interactions with the server were pleasant and she was there when we needed her. She was knowledgeable about the menu and interactive. The hostess was great as well; she was genuinely happy to let us know that she got us the best seat in the house, and she wasn't exaggerating either. Our seat overlooked the pool and ocean, which was lit up by Christmas lights and a beautiful tree. I want to thank the Montage and Loft for an unforgettable time.
(5)
Steve J.
Spectacular setting at The Montage resort. Big ocean view, exceptional and friendly service, and excellent food. Pricy, but you'll leave feeling it was worth the splurge.
(4)
Blake C.
You get your money worth here for sure! $25 for a meal, well worth it if you are staying here. Great service, great ambiance and great views of the ocean while eating.
(4)
Ham S.
Treat yourself! Impeccable service!! The staff are truly special individuals who really know their stuff. At some high end resorts the service can seem a bit forced, not here, the people are very kind. The food was soooo good. We got several different dishes and shared. That's how I recommend it. I had the pleasure of breakfast and dinner.
(5)
Marcelo S.
Took my wife for our Anniversary and the experience was romantic and delicious. Friendly staff, simple yet warm atmosphere, lovely view of the Pacific. Scallops were outstanding.
(4)
Clari S.
The restaurant is very nice and has a great view. We ordered the risotto, which was great. My hubby ordered the short ribs and I ordered the cooks ranch pork. The meal was fine. The service was great! We are not used to eating (what I consider) rich foods and our tummy's were in pain for hours afterward. This'll be our first and last experience - rather cook at home.
(3)
Jane K.
Came here with my father and mother.. just because. the dining experience was an A+... the service was wonderful and the ambience is really nice... no matter how nice the restaurant is, i'll be honest about the food since that's mainly what i'm paying for...the food, although nicely presented wasn't all that impressive. wasn't as creative as i expected... my entire family ordered seafood.. so maybe that's just not their specialty.
(4)
Frank B.
very good food. had breakfast, lunch and dinner there and liked it all. the lobster eggs Benedict was something to remember. the cheese selection was great also.
(4)
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Address :30801 South Coast Hwy,Montage Laguna Beach
Laguna Beach, CA, 92651
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Valet Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Dressy Ambience : Classy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Aaron J.
Very good food, dishes are not always knockouts like at The Studio, but rarely disappoint. Service is wonderful as expected at The Montage... Prices are higher then they should be, also expected at The Montage. Wine list is awesome.
(4)Bryan T.
My VP awarded us with a Dinner there last night. The food was top of the line, excellent presentation, the service was very personal and kind. They even gave me a gift for being the top salesman, a real nice pen set. No one asked them to do it. The views and grounds at the Montage are excellent, what can I say but a great night out.
(5)SJ Y.
Nice place to just relax and enjoy the view with some good food! Their bread was quite delish to be honest and so were their garlic fries. My brisket sandwich was surprisingly scrumptious as well as the butter pickles! I also had a strawberry sunset(?) which tasted like a strawberry smoothie lol. Solid food, nice service, amazing view, slightly pricey. ps- take a stroll after eating to get rid of the calories while enjoying the scenary!
(4)Adrian M.
Not inexpensive but the view is beautiful and the service is quite good. The food was good and while not the best ever it's certainly not disappointing. Next time I go there it'll be a few hours before sunset, to take advantage of the grounds and to stroll on the beach.
(4)Michael L.
I've been to The Studio at Montage before, but not The Loft at Montage. I wasn't sure what to expect, since the restaurant is actually located in the hotel, not like The Studio where it's next to the trail down to the beach. My party sat at the patio, and I must say that the view is still stunning, just not as beautiful as The Studio, of course. Guess you really get what you pay for. You overlook their hotel pool, and their Christmas tree at this time of the year. If you're worried about the chill, they got you covered with the heat lamp. Food was good. Ordered mussels for appetizer and I had scallops for my entree. I enjoyed it, but I know I've had better scallops at another restaurant in Laguna, so I might be biased here. Regardless, I would recommend dining here for a casual date night. Be careful though, as this place can get pricey very quickly.
(4)Jonathan N.
Oysters. Charcuterie. Drinks. It's gooooood.
(4)DollyPants J.
It's a trade-off. Great ocean view from the patio. Excellent, but slow paced, service; tailored for people who would like a casual "no place to go afterward" kind of lunch. VERY PROUD. And by that I mean $$twenty something$$ for a grilled cheese and tomato soup lunch. What do you expect? It's The Montage. Down the road is the Ritz Carlton, which offers the same view, less children, good food, and the tab isn't such a grind.
(3)C. J.
Thoroughly enjoyable experience. Professional, excellent service from the time I dropped the car at the valet to the time we left. Food was excellent across the board. Well executed, perfectly sized portions, nice innovation. Up there with the better restaurants in Los Angeles. Amazing views.
(4)Janice S.
I took my daughter to The Loft for lunch to celebrate her birthday and we enjoyed the whole experience immensely. I ordered fresh salmon, which was cooked to perfection. My daughter ordered a grilled chicken, with a wonderful and unusual sauce. The bread was excellent. There was a non-gluten cheese bread that we especially liked. It was a lovely warm day, so we sat outside on the patio and enjoyed a magnificent view of the ocean. We both had Chardonnay wine, which was just right. Our server was friendly and attentive. At the end of the meal my daughter was presented with a rich chocolate dessert. We will definitely be going back and also plan to try dinner soon as well.
(5)Hyesun K.
My bf and i came for lunch here for the OC restaurant dine in week. The food was very good. You can taste the organic-ness in their salad!! You can taste all their ingredients are fresh and flavorful. My boyfriend got a chicken sandwich and i got the udon dish. Chicken sandwich was pretty decent in porportion but i thought the chicken was on a bit drier side. Udon noodles with white mushroom lemongrass cream sauce came in a smaller portion but it was definitely filling. the dessert was great! i really LOVED homemade praline nut icecream!! delish!!!! But of course, one of the reasons ppl come here is because of the VIEW and The view was definitely FIVE stars!!! Very very romantic. The service was really good. My cup never went dry =P The waiter was attentive and nice. They also validate parking ticket so the price overall wasn't too bad IMO. It's really nice to walk around inside and outside of the hotel and walk along the private beach!!
(5)Neen M.
I LOVE THE MONTAGE RESORT and had a great experience having drinks in their hotel lobby/deck ****BUT**** I think so very differently of the Loft Restaurant!! Came here for lunch once and did not have a reservation. There were only literally like 4 other tables seated and we asked "can we have a seat with a view?" where they replied: "sorry, they are all reserved/taken" So we get seated in the straight up corner toward the furtherest back possible at an ugly ass no view seat. Ate our entire meal (very bland and nothing yelp rave worthy) and stayed for maybe an hour an a half. DO YOU THINK ANY OF THE 15++ WINDOW SEATS WERE TAKEN DURING THE DURATION OF OUR MEAL????? ***NOT ONE*** Horrible customer service and horrible that you could not let one of your ONLY customers for the day have a nice window view. SHAME.
(2)Sofia L.
A wonderful place for brunch if you enjoy morning sunshine, breezy seaside fragrance and a cordial selection of American breakfast dishes. The tone of the restaurant decoration immediately alleviates your stress from the day before. A gentle mixture of milky white, bright beige and solid darkwood, the place is a combination of style, class, and serenity. A walk in the garden beneath after a flavorful indulgence at the Loft brings about a relaxing completion of the leisure morning.
(5)Jeannie H.
Solid food but horribly overpriced. I guess I should expect nothing less of The Montage. I've come for both dinner and breakfast. Given there are few choices for breakfast aside from IHOP and or a hole-in-the-wall that is barely a step above somebody's back yard, I think Loft is worthwhile when you're seeking something more civilized. There's lovely outdoor seating and a beautiful ocean view to linger over. However, for dinner, I'd recommend venturing elsewhere since the "view" at night is a moot point. ATMOSPHERE - It's comfortable and pleasant. It's all about the ocean view. SERVICE - Perfectly friendly and attentive. FOOD - The food is truly unremarkable but you don't come here for the food. I had two eggs cooked over proscuitto, which then lay over heirloom tomatoes and truffled brioche. The dish was aggressively salty, the tomatoes raw, but the eggs were rich and flavourful. Given that OC is a culinary wasteland, I think this was a decent meal and the view is priceless.
(4)Nick D.
You pay in part for the view, add to that the fact that you are inside a schmancy resort, higher than elsewhere prices are expected. Know it, accept it, get over it. Came here for my wife's birthday. I wish we showed up an hour early to walk around the resort and enjoy the view more. I had their steak, a coffee ground encrusted NY strip that is caramelized and topped with blue cheese. It's sweet, it tastes like coffee, its different than any other steak i've had, and it was good. The flavors were not overpowering and the perfectly medium rare steak is worth every dollar ($45) they charge. My wife had something else, i dont remember, it was good. But it wasnt nearly as memorable as the steak. We had a reservation and i was hoping for (but didnt request, my bad) a table on the window, but we were sat in the back area at a booth overlooking a large table of 12 who were obnoxiously loud given the small size of the space. Also they keep the dining area slightly above freezing. Note to self, bring a coat. Next time we will have to try the cheese plate. Its on the dessert menu. Apparently they have a Frommegier (Think Sommelier, but for cheese) who pairs their ridiculous 100+ selection of cheeses with honeys and fruits to your specific likes/dislikes.
(4)Zhong Z.
I really want to give this place a 4/5 but the terribly mediocre food bump them down. I came for lunch and the food is on the level of a BJs/Cheesecake factory-type place. I came here for dinner years ago so I can't recall how it was but I do think the dinner menu was better. Everything else was great though as this place is definitely in the upper echelon of your "upscale I'm coming here for the view/location even though the food is blah/overpriced" restaurant. Lastly, my date was impressed by their assorted bread plate lol.
(3)Noelle S.
My husband and I decided to splurge on our Valentine's and went to eat dinner at the loft. We went on the early side so we could be sure to watch the sunset, and it was absolutely fantastic! You cannot beat the views and the atmosphere at The Loft....it was super quiet, we could have a private conversation, and ate outside under the warmth of a heat lamp so we could enjoy the beautiful scenery :) The service was impeccable and the wine was delish! The food was really good - not the best I've ever had, but it was definitely yummy! We shared an appetizer with bread and crackers and various meats and dips, he got a soup with white asparagus and I got the french onion soup, and then for dinner he got the pork dish (which he LOVED) and I got a light pasta dish. I found the prices to be pretty reasonable for a restaurant with such a gorgeous location! We both had an awesome dinner with lots of quality time. We spent 2.5 blissful hours on their patio without even realizing how much time had elapsed.
(4)Michelle J.
the waiter was extremely friendly and the view was wonderful. but there was nothing special about the food..
(3)Kristian H.
I would *NOT* recommend the Loft Restaurant inside. Instead, sit _outside_. They crowd you into a room with little light and a very small window. The view from this room is lackluster compared to the view from the balcony. Instead, choose to reserve an _outside_ seat. [Pros] + Great service. + Great for groups. [Cons] - Poor scenic view from the indoor loft restaurant location. - Pricey -- not a great deal for the $$$, unless you are wealthy. $1200 minimum to reserve the indoor room. With taxes/fees/gratuity, this comes out to be ~$1500. - $25 "wine corkage fee", PER BOTTLE, when you bring your own...really? If you bring in four bottles of your own wine, they charge you $100 for seemingly no reason. Perhaps this is useful if you have a $500 bottle of wine, but not if the corkage fee costs more than the bottle. Thanks ... but I will just purchase a new bottle in that case ;) - 22% mandated service charge on $1200 is a fair bit of money, unless you are wealthy of course. - $6 per cup of coffee, but the coffee wasn't very good. - The food was OK, but not great, which is less than I had hoped. - Parking is expensive too :(
(3)Ellen o.
This is the place to take friends or family from out of town for a fine lunch in a beautiful resort setting. I bring everyone here after a walk along the resort's ocean front path and down the stairway to the cove. The view in the restaurant is beautiful. As to the food -- that is good too. We had the pleasure of seeing the chef de cuisine, Casey Overton, give a cooking demonstration last summer and we were impressed with his commitment to hunting down the best seasonal ingredients. It shows in the dishes. We always come away happy.
(4)Kelly S.
We came for breakfast the other morning with my in-laws after taking family pictures on the beach all morning. We were starving, cranky and sweaty as it was 90* on the beach, at 10am!!! Service was amazing, they even brought our baby a stuffed animal for no reason! I was disappointed with my omelette (what was supposed to be cheddar cheese had the consistency and tasted exactly like Velveeta - yuck!!) however, the other 3 dishes at our table looked INCREDIBLE!! Everyone loved theirs. They did validate our parking also, so nice to pay only $8 instead of $20 :) Extremely pricey but what do you expect from the Montage?!?
(4)Nadia M.
Loft is located at the Montage which i love, so I might be a little biased. The views are fantastic whether you are sitting out on the balcony or in the main dining room. We went there for an early lunch. Serene beauty is right in front of you! OUr waiter was very friendly, polite, and attentive. We pretty much listened to his recommendations and did not regret. Tuna salad was great Halibut sandwich was even better:) Oh, and cheese rolls + pretzel bread is really yummy too! Pricey, but nice. You pay for the food, service, and the view:)
(4)Huntington B.
The view is good but beyond that, the cheese plate and the drinks, the meal was very average. There was not one person in our group that was "wowed" by our meal or the service. Service was very slow. Not relaxed, slow. Both my spouse and I ordered fish and his was dry and mine was mushy. Desserts were reviewed as just ok by the entire group. For a minimum of $100 a person the food and service should be spectacular. It wasn't.
(2)Darin D.
Took my wife here for her birthday. The food was fantastic, New York steak and lobster tortelloni. The view is gorgeous and the staff were warm and friendly. Take time to walk the grounds of the resort and enjoy a glass of champagne at their fire pit over looking the ocean.
(5)Lulu R.
The view outside was amazing! The service wad impeccable. Ask to sit in Scott's section. He was polite, courteous and pleasantly happy! The food was delicious. Well garnished and outstanding. What a wonderful experience. I will definitely bring all my dates here. Thank YOU Scott!
(5)cake k.
The view, staffs, basically the resort in itself are all GREAT.... but the food is really plain horrible ! I regret not believing the reviews that said the food is soooo bad for the prices... You're paying for what's expected to be food of excellence in quality & taste, but what we got was typically awful hotel food... For starters we got the main lobster & grilled artichoke... this "main lobster" was 28$ but it was just 2 plain tiny pieces of crayfish. And the artichoke should've been slow grilled so that it'd come out softer ? I had one of the vegetarian choices for the entree, which was the strazzapreti pasta. I never complain about bland food because I like to able to taste the natural taste in ingredients - like vegetables and such but bland pasta, is bad. Because pasta is always suppose to be complimented by sauces right ? Few drops of this "aged balsamic" & a random piece of parmesan did not work out for me. My bf's short beef rib tortellini was nothing to rant about either. Though the worst part is, the dessert. We asked the server for suggestion between the "heirloom peach" (peach napoleon) or the strawberry pistachio cake and she recommended the pistachio cake. It was awful. Soggy cake in this soggy strawberries & sauce. I think the napoleon would've been real soggy, that's why she told us to go for the cake without hesitation. Our server was really nice, though I had an odd feeling that she knows the food is terrible and she knows we weren't crazy about it so she kept us distracted by talking about the live music (an event was going on down by this open field area) and the resort layouts.... commented on anything but the food. People say you pay for the view... but you can definitely find similar setting if not better setting while not having to pay for horrible food. What made the night better is that we traveled down to the beach which is only about 5mins away from the restaurant.
(2)T W.
Came here for breakfast. Felt quite ill, wanted to indulge. Actually threw up on the way into a diaper bag. TMI sorry, but just so you know I was throwing up and still wanted to eat this food. Ordered the smoothie (which changes daily) and it was soo good. Really fruity which was just what I wanted to accompany my meal (didn't want a thick smoothie with too many cals). But the most amazing thing was the BLT croissant breakfast sandwich. It was, in short, AMAZING. Ah, my fiance was so envious (he was trying to be healthy with an omelet) but I would not let him have even a bite. Skip the hashbrowns. I think they were six dollars, and they were soggy and gross. They are the reason I am giving this place four stars. I am also giving them kudos for making their own ketchup! Homemade ketchup was a new experience for me and (bonus points) it was delish! I will be coming back...when I have a job and money to indulge in this.
(4)Susan D.
This is a beautiful location and gorgeous hotel, so we expected more from this restaurant. The staff is excellent but the STAFFING levels were poor. We went out on a Saturday night and sat on their beautiful patio. All of the workers were extremely nice and courteous, bringing water, etc. I called before we went, asking if they could accomodate gluten-free because we eat regularly at the Ritz Carlton and Lucianas and they tend to serve the food simple and fresh which is perfect.. The Loft staff were very nice and the waitress also showed a great deal of concern. We were dining out with a business colleague. Some things we ordered (caesar salad--excellent) and the men got spaghetti with clams. Here was the problem: I ordered steamed clams and a side of vegetables---simple right? The restaurant was heavily understaffed and there was ONE waitress for the entire patio. It took forever to order and to get our food. By the time the food came, my vegetables were cold (heavily sauteed and buttered) and the clams came in a HEAVY scampi butter-type sauce. I should have returned my meal but it took soooo long to get the food, I didn't want to create problems with our visiting business associate. Yes, now I know to specify no heavy butter.....but most fine restaurants already "get that". Given that I had expressed dietary concerns in the first place, they should have been more careful and honestly, when simple food is so heavily buttered and rich, that is a sign of a poor chef. I have ordered steamed clams many times and it always comes out in a thin clam broth.......My husband's food was also heavily sauced too. We were disappointed as the staff were so nice (it isn't the fault of our waitress that management made her be the only one working the patio) and had such good intentions. It was very expensive and wish we could report a better evening.
(2)Reina S.
I hate to do this to the Montage because I really love it, I mean it's beautiful! We went to the Artistry of Wine they have every Sunday afternoon at The Loft. The service was SLOW. We couldn't get a waitress' attention. I wanted to order food, asked for a menu and proceeded to get ignored for what seemed like 15 mins. We slowed down our drinking so we could have some food ordered and given to us before we finished. The wines were amazing, the meat plate we ordered was great and the cheeses that came with the wine tasting was good too. The Montage is gorge! But I was let down by the service.. I'll give it another shot I am sure, but I will order my food ASAP so I don't have to try to flag down a waitress.
(3)Lara W.
We called and made a reservation for Sunday lunch with an out of town friend. We were told we had a rsvp for outdoor table, but then upon arrival found out that wasn't guaranteed, and you can guarantee I wasn't very happy. After being seated at a table as far away from a view as possible, we spoke with a manager and were moved outside. From there the experience got better. The service was nice, but very slow. We waited a long time between each course, but thankfully the food was worth the wait. My boyfriend started with the clams, and we also had the hummus flatbread. The clams were delicious and abundant, with many more than a dozen. We all chose sandwiches for lunch, I had pulled pork which was more sweet than spicy and very tasty. The chicken and burger were also very good. Overall I'd say our experience was A-OK, but probably wouldn't make a special trip to come back.
(3)Brian G.
The LOFT is A-OK in my book. Just as everyone else has mentioned, the view is spectacular. Uninterrupted coastal views up and down. Really breathtaking. The service is very nice and accommodating here. Checking in on you when appropriate, but not excessive or disruptive. The food is what gets the just-OK rating. While delicious for the most part, there were some missteps during our meal, which is unfortunate. Attended with a large group from work for our holiday luncheon. LOFT provided a fixed menu for us to enjoy. I picked the pumpkin soup with duck and pear. A number of others ordered it as well. The presentation is great - they provided all the orders a bowl with the duck and pear placed in the center. Servers then come out with piping hot soup and pour into the bowls. Two different consistency soups came out - mine ended up quite runny and brothy - not what i expected for a pumpkin puree. Oh well. Picked the flank steak with bernaise and truffle sweet potato fries. This was satisfying. And then did "The Montage" chocolate bombe, which was pretty tasty. I can't believe I ate the whole thing. Watch out for a surprise in the center! Thanks for a nice lunch, but I'm sure I wouldn't come here on my own dime.
(3)Monica J.
Girls night out for mom's retirement dinner with sisters, sister in law, aunts, and mom :) This place is GORGEOUS overlooking the ocean inside the BEAUTIFUL Montage Resort. Bread basket: Breadsticks, Olive Bread, and Pretzel Bread were ALL warm and delicious Our table had: Artichoke and Chicken BBQ flatbread ~ VERY GOOD Coffee Crusted New York Strip Steak ~ GOOD Halibut and Sea Bass ~ GOOD Braised Short Rib Tortellino ~ AMAZING!!! Plum Tart ~ Interesting and good Brown Sugar Cake ~ AMAZING!!! Rombauer Merlot ~ VERY GOOD YES this place is expensive but you pay for quality and excellent service.
(4)Wolf O. C.
Ok, this place is undeniably a beautiful resort. The view is a 10, but the food was just so - so. The bread is delicious - especially the cheese bread, but the pretzel bread is bland (especially compared to Mastros). I tried the burger, which the server said was named the best burger in Orange County. And at $25, I figured it had to be great. It wasn't. The presentation and size were nice, but it was so salty. It had a giant piece of fatback on it, essentially a big thick piece of dried up overly salty bacon -- yuck. When she told me that there was going to be a nice big piece of bacon, I though yum, but no yum was found. The sweet potato fries that came with the burger were equally boring. There a much better choices for a good burger, and this is not even close to the best burger in Orange County. I recommend coming to the resort for the view and some drinks (very expensive drinks -- $8 for beer -- crazy), then go down the street to any one of the many better and cheaper restaurants down on PCH.
(2)M P.
Small small portion. I had the crab salad and I could eat another one. It was mixed w. mango and some little green veggies. It was good, but small portion.
(4)Danny D.
One of the best dining experiences we have ever had, and we have been around the block. Perfect food, and the best service we have had in a very long time. Ask for Jamie, she makes the experience that much better.
(5)Turbo G.
Amazing ocean view and delicious food. Great presentation and excellent service. Personally love the Foie Gras and the Filet Mignon. We reserved the table at the balcony and the whole dinner was perfect. The atmosphere is like on vacation and the gorgeous view make me don't want to leave. Definitely worth for the price!
(5)Pam J.
Beautiful surroundings! The service was impeccable from the moment we stepped onto the premises to the time we left!!! The food was yummy, yummy! You gotta try the crab cake sandwich and corn soup---make ya wanna slap somebody!!!!
(5)jill o.
I have dined all over the world in fine dining establishments, but I have to say I have never had service as good as at The Loft. Our waiter was incredibly gentile, knowledgable, and professional. At least three times suited staff came to the table to thank us - by name - for joining them. We received details about each dish down to the organic farm where the food was harvested. The meals were unbelievably delicious. I cannot say enough good things about this resto, and I will be back the next time I want to impress someone!
(5)Jim B.
Went for Thanksgiving dinner...just the two of us. While the service was good, almost smothering, the food was so so. For $95 prix fix, I expected something exceptional, but the turkey seemed like processed meat, and the dark meat confit was just turkey parts cooked in own juices. As the evening rolled on, we both started to feel like we had a dollar sign tattooed to our fourheads. Really disappointed. Come on Montage, you have really slipped.
(2)laura f.
Augh. this pains but i have to do 3.5 instead of 5. this is one of those meals that you have maybe once a year. you know, the all indulgent savor every moment kind of meal that you don't get very often. food was excellent, service was grand. however.... one of the gals at my table found a hair in her bread. server said he had to take it in back to "confirm" it was a hair. okay. upon his return, he said yes, it is a hair, we are so sorry. and that was it. no offer of dessert or coffee, no new basket of bread. i might not be rich and hoity toity, but even if i found a hair at a fast food restaurant they would be more than willing to take it back. meh.
(3)Kai R.
Review is for lunch. It has been a few years since I've eaten at the Loft. Back then the food was pretty good (albeit expensive, which is expected for a five-star resort). Lunch today was a disappointment in several regards: 1) Service - the service was simply horrible. At a place like this, you expect your beverages to be refreshed often. Simply wasn't the case at all today. The restaurant was not full, so I'm not sure the root cause as to the lapse in service. 2) Kids menu - my daughter had the $12.50 mac 'n cheese and guess what? It was the stuff out of the box! I have no problems paying $12.50 for a kids meal at a place like this, but I expected home-made mac 'n cheese. That is expected and demonstrated at other high-end restaurants & resorts. 3) The food was average and VERY expensive ($27 for a small beef sandwich and onion soup). There are better choices in Laguna (namely Saphire, Rock 'n Fish, and many others)...
(2)Pamela H.
We love to eat here with our favorite hospitality person @ScottNichols, the best food and attention to detail anywhere on the planet!! This is my place to enjoy a birthday dinner!
(5)James D.
We had on odd group for finding a restaurant in Laguna Beach. As a party of four, our oldest was in his 70s and our youngest was 20 months. The restaurant was a great fit for all of us. They had a children's menu with some good simple dishes to compliment their standard menu, which was full of world class fare. The menu was especially good because the base dishes included a lot of common foods (sea bass, short rib, etc.), but it was prepared in ways that made it more tasty than a typical place.
(5)Marc W.
Amazing service and excellent food! And when I left behind an item, they tracked me down from my reservation, called me, and held it until I could return and pick it up. One of the nicest restaurants in Orange County!
(5)Thu V.
Talk about gorgeous views. The Montage hotel grounds are fabulous and so is the restaurant. We went there for lunch during restaurant week. $20 for a 3-course meal. We started with the arugula salad. Delicious. They layered the peppery arugula with a spicy, crispy pastry flake, with prosciutto to boot. Personally, anything with prosciutto is pretty damn good. You can wrap fish eyeballs in prosciutto and I think it would taste good. *barf* But at least I got the prosciutto ;) For lunch, we had the chicken sandwich. It was one of the best chicken sandwiches I've had in a long time. The chicken was perfectly grilled and juicy still, and smothered with Gouda and chopped onions, red peppers and tomatoes. There was a slight hint of sweetness to the sandwich too. And I LOVE salt / sweet combos. Dessert was the German chocolate cake with a middle layer of coconut and pecan filling. Friggin awesome, I inhaled it and I'm not a choco-freak. The grounds are beautiful. Overlooking the Pacific Ocean over a cliff. What more can you ask for? maybe more prosciutto.
(4)Kathleen H.
This was our first time at the Montage Resort and we were not quite sure what to expect. The grounds are lovely and so was the Loft Restaurant located in the main resort building. We had just finished golf and were super hungry. We wanted something yummy but simple for lunch. We started with Bloody Marys and quickly looked forward to a "refill". We absolutely enjoyed the warm basket of bread as we waited for our salads, and sandwiches. I absolutely enjoyed the arugla salad. The pine nuts and light dressing was a perfect complement to the peppery argula and salty prociutto. I also had the tomato bisque w/ grilled sandwich. The grilled cheese is delicious w/ the bisque although, on its own, the bisque was a bit salty. My brother ordered the chicken sandwich and it was absolutely delicious. Honey had the pulled pork sandwich w/ a thin sliver of pineapple and cucumber. There were big chunks of juicy and flavorful pork and the ciabatta bread was perfectly grilled (although it might have been better w/ a toasted kaiser for a textural contrast). Service was great. I will definitely come back for lunch again. It was so relaxing and since it was a beautiful sunny day, the restaurant was bright and lovely which made me extra happy!!
(4)Tarun B.
They tried, they really did, but it just wasn't enough. Brought my mom here for her birthday lunch and I had really high hopes. Everything was pleasant and wonderful, from making the reservation, to the valet service, being seated on the lovely patio with that fantastic view, to the polite servers. Until the food. We started with the crispy heirloom vegetables, which had a cornmeal-buttermilk batter. The batter was great, but had no salt or seasoning at all, which hurt the majority of the vegetables used like potatoes and avocado. The vegetables were fried perfectly (lemon rounds, amazing), but the buttermilk dipping sauce on the side was watery and flavorless as well. Not a great start. For lunch, I tried the Chef's Black Bistro Burger. I hardly tasted any truffle, the portabello was cooked to death, and the side salad was tiny and sad. I felt bad for it, I really did. The meat was well seasoned though, I'll give them that. My mom had the Goat Cheese and English Pea pasta, all of which was so overcooked that it mushed together into an incongruous paste. She asked for it to be taken away and ordered the Fish and Chips instead, which they did bring out quickly, but it suffered the same problem as the vegetables and lacked seasoning of any kind. The fish was fresh and cooked really well, but didn't make up for the lack of flavor. For dessert they gave us a peach meringue tart which we really enjoyed. Their wine list had some excellent choices too, with the New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc being the standout. The servers were really nice about everything and tried their best to make sure we enjoyed the meal, and that's why I'm giving 3 stars instead of two. We also had a large, ballsy seagull sitting next to us that kept stealing bread off my mom's plate, but it actually made the meal more fun. I would recommend going and trying it out, but maybe just sit at the bar so you don't have to spend too much. But seriously, beautiful view!
(3)Marshel S.
My wife and I heard about this place from a friend, so we decided to give it a try with some friends in from OOT (out-of-town). The service was remarkable, the setting unique, the food was flavorful yet not abrasive, and the wine was enchanting. So I'm no wine expert, but I know a thing or two...and let me tell you the pairing selections were off the charts. For starters, I had a spinach salad with shrimp and a light tomato/citrus based dressing. For pairing, we had a Rombauer Californian wine. The pairing was perfectly harmonious. For the entree, I sided with the shelled seafood soup. The seafood was remarkably fresh, and the accompaniments were exquisite. The paired wine was a Sauvignon Blanc from the Marlborough region of New Zealand. Fabuloso. You cannot blend it any better than this. For dessert, I opted for the fried banana cake with vanilla bean ice cream. We had this with a dessert wine from Ventura County, California. Once again, an explosion of flavors in my mouth--that had to be blessed by a connoisseur with a highly discriminate palate. The Montage is an appropriate setting for a restaurant of this caliber. I will definitely be back for seconds.
(5)Brian S.
I'm writing this soon after Dan left, he was our go to bartender there and as a local, he helped a lot with making the experience feel less like a big resort. The food has always been great and so has the service. I recommend the bar menu to keep the prices reasonable, and everything I have tried on there has been great. If you like cheese, I also recommend ordering a cheese plate, they do a top shelf job and the cheese monger will come out and tell you about each one. If you want something custom cooked for you this is the kind of place that will do it.
(5)Brooke A.
My husband and I went to this restaurant on his birthday, and it did not live up to my expectations. Yes, the service was pretty good (although our waiter was a little arrogant). The food was so average. We got spring rolls (I think they were called) for an appetizer, and they were inedible. They were gooey and fishy and gross. They had some kind of sashimi inside that was so slimy. My husband got a halibut sandwhich that was so spicy, and again, fishy. I had their club sandwhich which was pretty good, but we might as well have gone to Cheesecake Factory or something. The view is pretty. I saw Yelp peeps talk about other dishes that sounded great, but their menu had obviously changed by the time I got there and those dishes weren't offered. I was hoping to find a new nice place to go to for special occasions... this one isn't it.
(2)Maria T.
Went here for OC Happy Hour Week and really enjoyed the offerings and the fantastic view. The service is a bit slow though, so I don't recommend coming if you are in a rush. I thought the service was good--but perhaps a bit stiff. (The best service I've ever had was at Stonehill Tavern at the St. Regis!) My girlfriends and I--in our 20s and 30s--were definitely the youngest patrons there--so expect a low key bar atmosphere where you can converse easily. This would be great for drinks on a first date! The wine offered: Solo Maremma Micante, Sangiovese/Cabernet Blend from Tuscany, Italy was a real delight. The Loft Shandy was also an enjoyable, bubbly concoction. Tried the steamed mussels--SO flavorful! The sea salt and vinegar fries were WONDERFUL... I'd highly recommend them, and the portion was generous enough to share with 2 or 3. The 3 cheese plate--AMAZING. Our Fromager Janice (aka, The Cheese Lady as we lovingly called her) gave us an unforgettable presentation on the 3 artisan cheeses she selected that were at their peak. They were paired with 3 sauces--one a root beer reduction--that made the tasting an experience in and of itself. I can't wait to try that again! Overall, a nice experience that happy hour week made easier on the wallet.
(4)Casey C.
-1 for the price. If you're looking for something fancy, this is the place! But expect to pay. Great food. Friendly service. Beautiful atmosphere and view. Came here for OC restaurant week and had their prix fixe and wine pairing. Started with their laugh
(4)Koko M.
I loved the setting and the view, but didn't love the food. The Loft is probably a good place for sipping on cocktails with friends, but it would not be my first choice for lunch. I was there for a company lunch, so I was glad that I didn't have to pay for my meal. I ordered from a pre-fixe menu: Pumpkin soup with duck confit, halibut sandwich, and chocolate mousse dessert. The soup was good, but soup with heavy cream is probably pretty good anywhere. The halibut sandwich was fishy, so I barely touched it. The side of french fries that accompanied the fish sandwich was oily (you know how when the oil temperature is too low and you try to fry stuff... whatever you are frying just soaks up the oil? it was like that... and it smelled like oil... which usually happens when kitchens use day-old oil that has been used to fry other stuff). Chocolate mousse dessert was too sweet. Go for the view and have a drink on the patio, but pass on the food.
(2)Colin S.
Had an early dinner last week with my brother and his wife and his 3 year old and 4 month old girls. The food was excellent. I had the heirloom tomato appetizer and the halibut for dinner. All dishes had tons of flavor. The waiter was incredibly patient with the kids and even brought the three year old a stuffed animal present for her to play with. The food came quickly and was presented well. The views from our table on the balcony were spectacular. It doesn
(4)Liz K.
The ocean view is spectacular, the gourmet lunch with wine pairings was perfect, and it was the best desert I have had in a while! Came here for OC restaurant week for lunch, so it was only $20 + $15 with the wine pairings. BARBECUE-BRAISED LAUGHING BIRD SHRIMP (heirloom spinach and garden herbs, winter citrus vinaigrette)- This was a nice fresh appetizer. ORGANIC UDON NOODLES (rotisserie suckling pig and wild mushrooms, lemongrass cream)- Not quite what I expected since I've never had udon as a creamy pasta dish, but it was absolutely savory and filling. GERMAN CHOCOLATE CAKE (coconut jam, chocolate pecan salad, praline nut ice cream)- The design was impressive with the cake on the bottom, tufts of round chocolate mouse on top and a thin crispy layer of dark chocolate on top. If there was a chocolate heaven, I would hope it looked and tasted as rich as this. Our server was excellent. He was friendly, attentive, and made sure everything went smoothly. This place is also perfect for dates: take a walk towards the beach as there are nice paths that go down to the sand. Would definitely come back here!
(5)Jamie T.
Today was the second time I've been back to The Loft and my experience was not as pleasent as my first visit. My friend and I came here to celebrate our birthday, we went to the beach first then had lunch. The hotesses was very pleasent and so was the waiter, but the I wasn't feeling a good vibe this time around. I ordered a chicken paillate sandwich and my friend ordered the club sandwich; both sanwiches came with friend. The food was delicious and the portions were huge. We actually had to take the other half of our sandwiches to go. When I asked for a couple of boxes, the waiter took our plates away and packed it for us. When they brought it back, it was nicely boxed up and put in a bag and told us that everything was in there. When we got back home and opened the boxes for dinner, our french fries were missing. My friend and I hardly ate our fries, but they took it anyways. On top of that, they packs my sandwich in the same box as my friend when both were different sandwiches. My understanding if there are two plates of food, each one will have it's own individual boxes. Not sure why they will combine the sandwiches in one box and forgot the fries especially the price we paid fto eat there. The Loft @ the Montage: Where are my fries. I really hope I will be able to go back again because it is a nice place to go for the view and the beach, but I just hope my experience will be as good as my first time.
(4)Carrie E.
While this place is seriously pricey, the meal my husband and I shared here was sheer bliss. We started off with their amazing soup, followed by a coffee encrusted New York strip steak, added a side of asparagus, and finished with delicious desserts. Every item that graced our palate was excellent. Now, let's talk about the ambiance. You're at a gorgeous hotel, sitting inside at a candle lit table with comfy oversized chairs, overlooking the glistening Pacific Ocean... AND did I mention the food is great?! Let's just say we liked this place so much, we've already decided to return for our anniversary... Maybe sooner. PS: I must echo Anthony's sentiment and add that Scott is a great server who made our experience here even better.
(5)Serena C.
During the first half of my stay at the Montage, I heard nothing but exceptional and rave reviews about Loft Restaurant from my friend and his coworkers. I heard it was pricey but very, very delicious from the complimentary breads down to the desserts. At last came my moment to experience Loft Restaurant firsthand to see what made this place great. I wouldn't say I held exceedingly high expectations from Loft to reward them two stars. On the contrary, one very extremely flawed mistake is what rewards Loft only two stars from me. Let's start with service. Service was absolutely fantastic. Staff at Montage are exceedingly warm, quick, and accommodating. They're quick as bunnies about keeping your wine or water glasses full, bringing tea, etc. So no complaints about service. The complimentary bread is so tasty--especially their pretzel breads and cheese breads. Though my friend was a bigger fan of their breadsticks. Basically, all three breads are amazing and delicious. For appetizers we had the Dungeness Crab with Pomegranate, Mandarin, Fennel Salad. Really delicious! Giant pieces of crab meat. The salad paired well with the salted crab with the exception of the pomegranate since it was extremely sour tasting. After appetizers came the mistake.... everybody... and I'm talking about all 40+ of us got our choice of SALTY cod with SALTY brussel sprouts or SALTY Coffee Crusted New York Strip Steak served with a YES, that's right folks, a SALTY salad. Seriously? A salty salad? Every part of everybody's entree was inedible because it tasted like someone had marinated all the meats and veggies in salt and then added a brick of salt to season and then garnished it with a handful of salt. A few guys and gals at my table tried to see if they could salvage their dinner by cutting off the coffee crusts (which no one could taste, cuz it only tasted like salt) of their steaks and just eat the succulent looking juicy centers to only find an equally salty center. It was just really an unfortunate sight, because the steaks and fish were super fresh and were really prime, quality cuts of meat that were absolutely ruined by the excessive use of salt. So sad to see so much good food wasted. Dessert went smoothly with a very rich and moist chocolate lava cake served with a blissful scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. I devoured every single bite due to its sinful goodness as well as my hunger from lack of a real dinner. I cannot bring myself to award Loft Restaurant more than two stars from the experience I had, even when everything aside from the dinner entree was a success. I can PERHAPS understand 3 or 4 over-salted entrees squeaking past the kitchen, but every single entree to 40+ patrons?? How do you manage to screw that up? Someone should have really tasted those dishes before they went out, especially when good $ was being spent on those meals!! Very, very unfortunate....
(2)Yuping X.
Wow. Cheese rolls, Kobe brisket sandwich, halibut flatbread, tomatoes in the side salad all perfect. View (despite fog), service exquisite. The butter for the bread was even the perfect softness and temp (hate it when it's all hard and cold. Minor detail, but when they get it right it says a lot). Pricey, but perfection is worth it.
(5)Ms. M.
I went for the extended OC Restuarnat Week yesterday, and it was pretty much a mixed bag: The Good: The roasted Kobocha squash and potato soup with a confit of baby leeks and gilroy garlic was deliciously creamy and sweet -- perfect comfort food for a rainy day. The Crispy Banana dessert was pretty yummy all around, from the caramelized bananas, to the brown sugar cake, to the toasted marshmallow ice cream, to the sesame ball (think dim sum) with a banana filling. The mediocre: The shellfish cioppino was just okay -- the heirloom tomato broth was decent, but there was no rich seafood flavor; the seafood selection in my bowl was also pretty lackluster with just three tiny mussles, two okay clams, one tiny bay shrimp, and two little pieces of fish; and the few veggies were also overcooked and mushy. The wild arugula salad was also just okay -- there were lots of arugula, two tiny slices of prosciutto, and only one layer of the three crispy phyllo dough pieces was seasoned with toasted sea salt, which made that one piece way too salty and the other pieces totally bland. The Bad: The pork chop and pork belly were completely overcooked and difficult to chew; it was also pretty flavorless. I was also annoyed that they stopped offering the BBQ-braised laughing bird shrimp as an appetizer during the extension of RW -- it was a cheap move to continue charging $40/person for dinner while replacing the shrimp with an arugula salad. The Ugly: My friend found a moldy raspberry in her bowl of lemon-raspberry sorbet. At least they tried to make up for it by bringing her a couple of chocolate truffles, but still -- totally unacceptable for a restaurant that charges as much as the Loft does. All in all, I was sorely disappointed with the Loft, am a little peeved about shelling out $40 for the cheapened version of the RW menu, and do not plan to return to pay full price for another meal.
(2)Brandi W.
My husband and I went down to La Jolla for a night away and was told I MUST stop off in Laguna to lunch at The Loft. I made reservations online and requested a table by the window since I heard the views were amazing. We hit traffic on the way down and called to let them know we'd be a little late. We arrived in my little Scion Xa among all the other $100K cars, and were treated just as good as the next guy. The hotel is beautiful, the view amazing...we found the restaurant and were greeted by a friendly hostess, who escorted us to our table. It wasn't by the window as I requested...it was on the patio, right by the railing overlooking the gorgeous pool and scenic coast line. So so amazing. Ok, all this and we haven't even gotten to the food yet. Well, the food was good, not great...you are paying for the view and experience. They have a cheese bar, which I was really excited about...but didn't turn out to be anything I hadn't seen, tasted or experienced before. The hubs got the crab salad, I got the chorizo pizza, and we shared the cheese plate. One mimosa had me happy and bubbly..a perfect ending to a great lunch. The damage was about $100.
(5)Fred S.
An amazing and intimate location. The staff was more attentive than Waldorf-Astorians, and the ambiance was perfect. I know it's hard to give any restaurant like this 5 stars if you frequently dine in Zagat rated environments and exclusive stratospheric facilities, however, for the average Yelper this is a 5-star rating. The trick to going to The Loft is all in your timing; meaning when you go, and your expectations- all elements at this location which are relative. Intellectually, perhaps The Loft is a 4 Star rating due to menu and wine selection. Emotionally, the loft is definitely exceeds 5 stars due to the quality of it's staff and their genuineness to provide above average service. Just like previous reviews stated, always sit outside so you can fully appreciate the experience.
(5)Ted I.
4 stars If you are looking for a picturesque setting with a phenomenal view during a typical sunny California morning or day, this place is THE place to go to. Make sure you ask for a patio seat if the weather permits. Note - The lunch menu is served at 11:00 am so if you go at 10:45 am, you will have the ability to order off the breakfast AND lunch menu! Am I a effin genius or what? Okay, you're not amused. Let's continue with the review... I am a recovering Eggs Benedict addict and I tried it here for brunch on a late Saturday morning. They have the traditional Eggs Benny with ham and the meatless option with spinach. What makes the Eggs Benny here so unique is that instead of an English muffin, they use a biscuit, which is more firm yet fluffy in texture. I've had better Eggs Benny but it was done pretty well here. The Hollandaise sauce was light and not overbearing. The dish was served with your choice of potatoes and asparagus. $20 buckaroos for that plate. My friend had the Short Rib Ravioli. I was a little underwhelmed by this plate because the short rib did not complement the pasta and potato sauce. There were too many flavors colliding and it confused my taste buds. There were only five ravioli and it was sprinkled with fried cipollinis (bitter onions). This plate was $24 washingtons. In conclusion, I liked one of the two dishes but what sealed the deal for me was the friendly service and the perfect view. You cannot deny the ambiance here because there aren't too many other venues that can rival this spot. For those who don't know, the Montage has another more upscale restaurant called the Studio which I heard is perfection. My friend and his girlfriend went there and tried the five course tasting menu. They only ordered cokes and the bill was close to $900. Coke as in the drink mind you, not the pixie stick powder. So if you go to the Studio, be prepared to spend like a housewife with nothing better to do on a Wednesday afternoon. Lastly, I've heard the Montage Hotel and Spa are superb as well. For massages I think the hourly rates start in the $200's. At those prices William Burke looks like a blue collar day spa!
(4)Daniel V.
I came here for lunch and everything was perfect! Food, service, environment... Great experience overall. Now, although the food was really good, the category this kind of restaurant is in made me give it 4 stars, because I know there are other places which are better and I'm paying more for something better. If this weren't in the Montage Hotel and the price range was $$, then I would give them 5 stars for sure!
(4)Gustavus B.
Went there on a recommendation from a friend. The food is really good the service what it should be for the cost. My Wife had the scallops which hit the spot well cooked accented with the right sauce and veggies. I had Alaskan Halibut which was a bit on the dry side. My son had New York Steak that was cooked very well, however the $45.00 cost took away from the actual giving it rave reviews. In all drinks and food was very good but at a cost of 80-90 dollars per person well lets just say it could have been better.
(3)Matthew S.
A 4 hour dining experience looking out over a garden that gets lost in the ocean. Beautiful at sunset.
(5)The O.
I planned a "Girls Day Out" for my mother's 75th birthday. She and four of her best friends were treated to exceptional service, great food, and a view that was amazing. The staff at the Loft put up with many special requests on my part (I faxed a letter of requests a week before the reservation) - they made a lamb dish ("cooked perfectly" - per mom) especially for my mom and the dessert presentation was my mom's favorite dessert - Creme brulee with berries. My mom said that they had the perfect waiter - he was there when you wanted him to be there but allowed them to have their privacy when they wanted to gossip about their husbands without intrusion. The Chef personally came out to wish my Mom a happy birthday which meant a lot to my Mom. ("He's so sweet!") Yes the corkage fee is exorbitant but look at that view that you get to enjoy while drinking your favorite wine served by an exceptional staff. The only two things that were a little disappointing was that my mom's party had to wait a half hour to get their car from the valet because a wedding party was coming in and prior to the event, when I had sent my letter to the chef, the letter was never acknowledged so I never knew if they would follow through with my requests. I left a message for the chef and that wasn't acknowledged either. But... he came through and exceeded my expectations of service to my Mom and our guests. I want to thank the Chef and the entire staff at the Loft for making my Mom's Birthday a celebration she will remember for a long long long time!
(5)R H.
I'm struggling to give it 3.5 stars. We had breakfast here one morning. The food was good, and view was fantastic, but the price hurt the wallet. We sat on the outdoor balcony overlooking the pool and ocean view on a sunny Saturday morning and ordered the 3-gg omelette and belgium waffles, with two glasses of orange juice. The waffles were excellent - light and crispy batter with nuts and bananas topped. The omelette was also good, with hashbrowns that were too buttery for my taste. The killer though, was the price for just breakfast. But I wasn't surprised given the hotel.
(4)kerry s.
OK so this is a beautiful restaurant. It also takes advantage of its patrons. The prices are ridiculous. I am absolutely blown away at the audacity of the chef and management that they would find it OK to charge $25 for a falalfel or $23 for a dry nasty 3oz halibut sandwich!!! Nothing tasted better than average. So where is your head people? if the food tasted good or was of exceptional quality maybe but this was just wrong on all accounts. party of 4 for lunch one course each and sparkling water and an iced tea was $180. come on!
(1)Yenvy T.
Came here for dinner. Wow expensive for nothing. I think we paid more for the service than the food. For the price you would think I would remember what I ate. I don't and spent almost $300 for two of us.
(2)Jennifer C.
Five stars for the view. Five stars for the outdoor oceanside seating. Four stars for the food quality. One star for the price. (That's how I got to the 3 star rating) The food was good, but $20 for a veggie sandwich? $20 for a burger? The food was good, but not worth the price. If you are dining here you are here for the view and status. If you can accept that, you'll love this place. Who wouldn't? If you are going for the view and atmosphere, i suggest hanging out in the lobby and ordering drinks. The environment is more comfortable, and you don't have to pay for overpriced food.
(3)Jane C.
This restaurant is immaculate as the hotel. and it's by far the most fanciest restaurant i've been to. people are right when they say it's outrageously expensive... I've never experienced such service in my life...but then again, it's probably what you pay for. We got a private room and started out with a citrus manhattan--which was really good. highly recommend it. i got the wild mushroom soup with proscuitto and some kind of aged cheese---the soup was delicious--light and flavorful. i chose the thai marinated sea bass--super fresh and DELICIOUS. i also tried my friend's coffee crusted aged strip steak--also very good. one person from our party got the wild salmon and another got the filet mignon. a good thumbs up from both. we ordered two kinds of wine, (they have a HUGE list of wines--price ranging from the hundreds to thousands). i'm no wine connossieur, but it was GOOD wine. the meal was finished with chocolate bananas, bon bons, with rice icecream. rich, decadent, and absolutely sinful... AND the entire waitstaff was incredibly polite, professional, and well attended. my friend mentioned it was chilly, and they almost brought a blanket until we stopped them. ambiance is wonderful, food is amazing, and view is incredible...it is definitely a place you would come for VERY special occasions..
(5)V.L. S.
My husband and I love coming here for dinner. We always have excellent service, the food is delicious, and the view is fantastic...a great place to bring your special someone for dinner. Our favorites are the steamed mussels (we like to dip our breads in the sauce), surf & turf, coffee crusted steak, and organic chicken breast. After dinner, we like to relax at the beautiful hotel bar and sip a martini by the fireplace. It's like heaven. It is a bit pricey, but worth every penny.
(5)Tiffany Y.
Maybe it was just today but the restaurant was noisier than in-n-out. And it wasn't caused by one table. Whoever wrote classy and upscale most also be mistaken. Yes it is inside a fancy hotel but with no dress code, kids who spent the day at the pool are free to room around in board shorts and flip flops. The food is decent but definitely not four stars. You can get much tasier food at a ocean view restaurant for less. Or for the same amount you can get a much larger slection of food. Was disappointed with the very small menu that consisted of sandwiches, salads, appetizers, and four entrees. If I wanted to go to an "upscale resort restaurant" I would expect better than a mediocre burger, halibit sandwich that is slightly better than mcdonalds fish filet (yes their coleslaw and pesto makes it a little better), and a club sandwich with bread so hard it crunches. If you are looking for an ocean view restaurant I suggest you turn elsewhere. And Pelican Hill in Newport has a much nicer view and restaurant too.
(3)Stella S.
My business colleague and I had a meeting here this week. We were early, so we thought we would grab an early lunch at the Loft Restaurant. The view was amazing, and the food was delicious. We shared the garlic fries, which came with 3 different dipping sauces. For our entrees, I had the seared yellowtail salad and he had the pasta Bolognese. Everything was good. The salad portion was a bit small, but the fries portion was quite generous. Loved the warm bread, too (cheese bread and pretzel bread).
(4)Joo L.
My family and I took my mom here for mother's day breakfast, and it's the perfect mother's day type restaurant. You're really paying for the nice ambience. I recommend their Belgian Waffles or their Build a Benedict. My dad had his with lobster (I'm allergic), and he really loved it. I had mine with the canadian bacon, and it was really good.
(4)Chris T.
Their menu has changed. I used to like this place but found my recent experience to be very disappointing. The good: the scenery is gorgeous, great place to walk around and take pictures. The service was good. The bad: at our table, we all shared the chicken, salmon, burger. The food was mediocre and it was extremely overpriced. We of course knew the food would be overpriced but expected it to taste better. Just a note, valet with validation is $8 + tip.
(2)T H.
Brought my parents and family here to celebrate my dad's retirement and was really impressed. Great food, beautiful view, and attentive service. It's quite pricey, but if you're willing to spend the money it's definitely a worthwhile culinary experience. Highly recommended.
(5)Steve W.
I was not impressed. Everything we had was incredibly rich so after a few bites I didn't want anymore. Aside from the food, the service was great.
(2)Kristin M.
Incredible food at an incredible location! The bistro menu is a great bargain and the quality is excellent!
(5)Rebecca L.
This is a much delayed review. I had dinner here a while back when John Cuevas was the Chef de Cuisine. He came to our table for a meet and greet which was very nice of him. The decor and ambiance is sophicated and casual. The panoramic view of the ocean is simply breathtaking. We ordered a full dozen oysters with osetra caviar. It was beautifully presented. Each half shell was laid on a bed of rock salt mixed with star anise and colored peppercorn. The cocktail sauce and the champagne shallot mignonette was super tasty. We also had the grilled artichoke with tapenade, filet mignon chilli and the grilled rosemary chicken sandwich.. all good casual bistro food. oh how I miss this place
(3)Jeremy H.
Amazing food and beachfront view. Disappointed with the service. Sit outside for a nice lunch.
(3)Andrew F.
We went for our one year anniversary. Cheese sampler - The chef comes out and discusses which cheeses you would like and what they go good with before hand. Very cool stuff! The service without a doubt is the best you'll find. The salads were expensive, but each one really serves two. The Cod under "Sea" selections was a very yummy strong dish, well worth the cost. The cheese plate with honey was great for desert. A couple of dishes are over priced so read about what you order before you order it; but its made up for by the amazing ocean views, service and many other little special extras they provide.
(4)Natasha S.
We dined at the loft with friends back in the winter when they were offering a prix fixe meal for restaurant week. The whole experience was very 'eh' - my meal was OK but nothing outstanding. The best part of the meal was dessert, and frankly I'm not a dessert person. At least we know now - we won't be choosing the Loft for any special occasion meals.
(3)Jonathan K.
OMG this was place beyond great... The service from beginning to end was beyond all expectations... Drinks and food were unbelievable, with prices to match but well worth the experience. I needed some change to pay and tip the valet and the manager came over and explained that he couldn't give me any cash but he comped my valet parking which was totally unexpected! Definitely coming back huge fan! The view from the terrace and the front lobby were breathtaking!
(5)Carolyn T.
My daughter, her husband and my granddaughter were in town from Napa and it happened to be my daughter's birthday. On our visits they have taken us to some amazing restaurants, so I wanted this to be a stellar evening. We reserved a table at the Loft and indicated it was a special occasion. Drinks first in the Lounge with the pianist in the background got us off to a good start even though the fog had rolled in at sunset so the only view was one swimmer in the lighted pool below. In the Loft our server was Georgia, who was smooth, friendly and very accommodating. My daughter and hubby had brought their own wine and the sommelier decanted it to their instructions. Delicious! The bread basket was so tasty we had seconds. We finished our lovely and excellent appetizers (six people shared oysters, mussels and prawns) and ordered. Among us we had sea scallops, rack of lamb, rotisserie chicken and New York strip steak and all of it was superb. Though the portions looked small at first, they satisfied all diners. Then the surprise of the evening - Georgia, who served us attentively throughout - brought an oval platter with a beautifully decorated and candled chocolate-enrobed cake with "Happy Birthday Sarah" written in syrup on the plate! All in all, I was ecstatic with the entire evening and my daughter and her family were very impressed. They are both in the wine industry, and had heard of the Montage Resort and The Loft, and I'm sure they took home bragging rights from their experience. Thank you, Georgia and The Loft. (Six people, with drinks before dinner, cost just under $ 600; well worth it for the experience.)
(5)Steven L.
The Loft Restaurant located inside the Montage Resort in Laguna Beach has the most beautiful view! Their Filet Mignon is soft and tender. It's a great place to take your loved ones! Money has no object when it comes to that special person who you care about!
(5)Jippity Q.
The Loft. *** Pros: Good service, especially by our waiter, Scott. If it was not for him and his excellent service, I would have left the restaurant disappointed that night. Wine selection was good and broad. Decor and setting were beautiful and comfortable. Cheese selection is the best I have EVER seen at any restaurant (like 100 different kinds at any given time...insane). They gave my dad a complimentary chocolate mousse for his birthday...which was delicious-- and I don't usually like mousse. Food presentation was nice, and the bread came warm and in several different kinds of personal baguettes. The bathroom was spacious and beautiful. The cheese monger seemed very good and well informed in her craft. Cons: Sommelier was a useless idiot. He gave us the most diluted and useless attempt at helping us. Our server gave us far more help with our wines than the sommelier did. Food was not as innovative and good as the online menu read either. The udon with suckling pork belly appetizer was tasty, but the pork was meager and nondescript. Considering one could see a fairly large piglet roasting in the back oven, I was expecting more there. The famous wild mushroom soup was elegant and generously portioned...but nothing amazing by any means. There were a few slivers of Spanish chorizo in it...which flavor-wise made no sense whatsoever. My partner had a roast pork loin with apple pie (neat combination...points for that), but all one could taste was the intense amount of warm spices in the pie...ugh. My parents were not pleased with their fish courses either. My mom's gnocchi were hard and rubbery. I would not say the food is awful...but for the prices and the way the reviews veritably orgasm with praise over the place...I was not thrilled. I would not go back. The food was alright, the prices were a little high for what you got (especially the cheese selection, at $9 a slice!!!). A good place for people who like a good view in a pretty setting, and who have more money than sense. --Anthony
(3)K. Y.
Not too many reviews here and that's a real shame because The Loft at the Montage is fantastic. First, the location. What better place to set a restaurant inside a beautiful beachfront hotel! The service from the valets to the restaurant was spectacular and maybe also because the weather was so great yesterday... everyone was super friendly. Second, the location WITHIN the hotel. The Loft overlooks the back of the hotel with the pool and the rest of the great Pacific Ocean. Finally, the dining area. There are two outdoor patios and I'd opt for the one further from the door. If you have a big group, try to get the first patio but either works out great. Now the grub. The bread they serve is fantastic and I went into a carb-induced coma just by the bread alone. There's a nice parmesan caked roll with the best butter (or was it margarine) around. I got one of the most popular items on the menu, the halibut flatbread sandwich, and was not disappointed. It was more like a halibut steak garnished by some salad and stacked into a sandwich but I am not complaining. The fish was perfectly cooked and had a nice degree of crunchy coating that you don't get with steamed fish. It's the closest thing I got that lunch to fried food. For appetizers, we got the chorizo. I didn't read the menu so when the dish came out it was a complete surprise. It was a bunch of chorizo spread out under a thick layer of Mexican cheese. Kind of like a pizza without... well any bread. It was served with tortillas and some green sauce that wasn't very spicy. Most of the spice came from the chorizo itself. I'd highly recommend this but go for a lighter main dish because you don't want to miss out on the bread! Overall, a great place and a nice way to spend a lazy day on the coast cruising up and down PCH.
(5)A. M.
I just got back from The Loft at the Montage and lemme tell you. It was a perfect time. We sat at the bar and Nic came right over and was just so freaking nice. Now, I'm a gin and tonic/vodka tonic kinda girl. Do yourself a favor and have Nic make you a lemon drop. Now I'm sure every other drink he makes is just as good. But this is literally the best lemon drop I've ever had. Since when is booze this refreshing? It was perfect. I now know the difference between a bartender and a mixologist. Make sure to gorder a delicious cheese plate from Lauren (or Laura?!)- she's so sweet, so knowledgable and has great taste. I mean. The truth is it's difficult to have a bad time in such a beautiful place, wtih such a great view. I joked about our experience and the food/drink was as awful and disgusting at the view. I mean. Who likes floor to ceiling windows and a beach view... It really was just perfect. Shannon wasn't our server but was also so sweet and helpful. Love her. The staff is so nice, and lets just be honest here. SO MUCH BETTER THAN THE RITZ. I might have a crush on The Loft and everyone who helped us today.
(5)Helenhana C.
the montage resort has three dining spots--studio (totally outrageously fancy and expensive therefore out of my league), the loft (still fancy and pricey but somewhat affordable), and mosaic bar and grille (wallet friendly and causal oc style dining). the LOFT is my "THE VERY FAVORITE/BEST RESTAURANT." i heart heart heart and heart everything about this place. the ambiance, the ocean view, the impeccable service, the heavenly food, the extensive wine list, the deadly DESSERT, the grandiose bathroom, the comfortable huge chairs, their full bar...my list goes on and on. by the way, their menu changes a bit seasonally. everything i had here was excellent. my friends didn't really like their chicken but they all enjoyed the sea bass and the trout. i wish and hope that my last meal on earh will be their heirloom tomato soup with sharp cheddar cheese (their cauliflower soup is alright) and 28-day dry aged coffee crusted new york strip with blue cheese and bourbon-caramel sauce. their super so delish desserts should get extras 5-star.
(5)Maddie L.
It was absolutely amazing! I went for my birthday today and we got and extra little plate of amazing food. Then I got a personalized present and delicious dessert. I had a caesar salad with chicken. Definitely a memorable meal. I have nothing bad to say about it! Also, the service was fantastic and they are so, so nice. I loved it there. Plus, the view is absolutely gorgeous. I'm in love with that place.
(5)Christine O.
We took our chances and drove down the coast to The Loft at the Montage Resort in Laguna, and it was a Saturday night at 7 pm,By luck, we were able to get a table. The service was professional and informative from the expo to the wine steward. The food was very good, imaginative. Not over the top, but the experience as a whole was excellent. The wine list included a nice selection of half bottles so we were able to try two different wines with dinner, without getting completely sauced. We will return for sure! A nice date night. Private booths are nice.
(4)Ann L.
The location is fabulous. Montage is one of the nicest resorts in socal from what I've heard/read/seen. I got the filet here and thought it was OKAY - not the best steak out there or anything.
(3)jaine h.
My fiancee and I went to Loft for our fifth anniversary of dating, and we had a fabulous experience! A gorgeous, classic and rich atmosphere, perfect service and GREAT food! The Duroc Pork Loin was cooked to perfection, and even down to the complimentary bread, it was delicious. Wonderful experience, a great splurge!
(5)Kristin B.
We enjoyed a lovely birthday dinner here and have been back several times since. The garlic fries are to die for & if you try them, be prepared to come back for the fries alone! The pretzel bread was delicious, the wedge salad & our entrees were great too. Desserts are all incredible! I highly suggest a trip to dine at The Loft.
(5)Thoko M.
I agree with most of the reviewers on here. You pay for the view and not the food. Even though their service is beyond excellent and the view has yet to be matched; the food is an entirely different story. An over priced menu that painfully strives to be eclectic. It seems they add an ingredient or two to items you can find at most restaurants and then add $10 to the price. Even then it would be okay if you could discern a smidgen of some flavor in the food. Everything from their appetizer to the main course and fries on the side tasted bland. I had a pulled pork sandwich for lunch and I can swear I had more flavor come out of bun than the meat. If your date genuinely feels bad for you picking up a $120 tab for such bland food; then you know you that your taste buds were in order and the food was waaaayy off. Their brunch/breakfast menu might be a different story but I am not yet willing to dare that. It is very very rare that a restaurant pisses me off enough to write a bad review for them. But the food just made me do it...
(2)Jamie D.
My husband and I had one of our best meals here! If you get a chance to order the coffee rubbed beef, go for it...it will knock your socks off! We had an incredible waiter who brought out all sorts of interesting tasting wines for us to try and an amazing cheese platter that was to die for good. Why go to the Studio, when you have the Loft?
(5)Liane J.
the best mushroom soup ever!!! 5 star .... awesome
(5)Omrn B.
I went here for lunch with the fam for my sister's bday and I had a wonderful experience. The view of the ocean from inside the restauarant is beautiful and I really like the over-sized tables that give you plenty of space and make you feel important. I split the burger and the chicken the sandwich with my sister and both were absolutely delicious. They bring a garlic aoli which tastes good with just about anything you spread it on and they also have this homemade ketchup they serve with the fries which tastes more like marinara sauce. The service was perfect. Even though my family did not even look at the menu for the first 30 minutes we were there, the waiter continued to check back every few minutes to see if we were ready and never displayed an ounce of frustration. I ordered a bottle of Chimay beer and after asking the waiter to keep cold he did not hesitate to grab a champagne bucket full of ice. The atmosphere here is very relaxing and pleasant and the dining room is naturally well lit. The assortment of breads they bring to the table are also very tasty. I especially liked this particular one that tasted sort of like a soft pretzel.
(5)Adan C.
This review applies for valentine's day only since I haven't come here other than Feb 14, be aware that on this day you get a fix menu with only limited items ,and for the dessert menu you only have two choices, the food was horrible and the desserts just as well...I also ordered a caddilac Margarita and it was the worst Margarita I have ever had in my life,,,it's a nice place with a nice ocean view but that's about it , the bill was close to $400 just for me and my wife,,,,you have been warned
(1)Discerning D.
Hard not to give 5 stars. We self parked for free, toured the amazing property, including the beach and impressive lobby/lounge, then enjoyed exceptional service and a really good meal. Plus there was a decent enough guitar player who was just the right volume. And did I mention the view? That alone qualifies for 4 stars even if you only have a drink.
(5)Basel Z.
Before getting into anything else, just trust me and go here. I'm not talking about just The Loft, but the Montage Hotel & Resort in general. It's stunning. I wanted to surprise my girlfriend somewhere romantic for the anniversary of our promising (we called it a Promisversary). She had actually been wanting to go here for a while, and I was finally able to make it happen. When you first pull up to park (assuming you'll be doing valet, which is $11), you'll see Lamborghini's, Ferrari's, McLaren's and Aston Martin's. Don't be intimidated. We rolled up in my Nissan Altima. You walk in and the view is just incredible. Overlooking the beautiful Pacific Ocean, this place nails romance right on the head. Breathtaking. One floor below is The Loft Restaurant. I made reservations for 5:00 p.m. but we arrived around 4:30. They seated us early, wished us a Happy Anniversary and sat us out on the patio as I had requested. The view, again, was amazing. This is how I need to start eating my dinner. Our hostess (don't recall the name) was extremely thoughtful throughout. She let us know dinner wouldn't be until 5:00 but that we could look at the Bistro Menu until then in case we wanted to order from there. Good call on her part as we actually ended up ordering the Shrimp Scampi (for her) and Grilled Bistro Steak (for me). The only negative thing I could say about this place is that for the price, the portions are small, but the place is so great that we didn't even mind. You're not just paying for the food here - you're paying for the experience and it's worth every penny. We were brought two complimentary glasses of champagne for our anniversary. Very nice gesture on their part. The bread that comes with the food is very good. They have about four different kinds and each one is great. The Shrimp Scampi (I had a bite) was great. My girlfriend definitely enjoyed it. The Grilled Bistro Steak was cooked medium (chef's recommendation) and was also great with the butter on top. Very tender and juicy. The fries were a perfect compliment. During dinner, we happened to catch a wedding going on down below us. We would love to get married here some day; alas, it's quite expensive. After dinner and asking for the check, our hostess brought us a complimentary piece of cake with "Happy Anniversary" written in chocolate on the plate. Needless to say, on a 1-10 romantic scale, this place is an 11. My girlfriend and I both can't wait to come back here when we're married. Thank you for a making our evening so special. We "Loft" the experience.
(5)Ben L.
The Loft restaurant is in a beautiful area of Laguna Beach, overlooking the ocean. Only a short walk separates you and the sea. It's on the fourth floor of the Montage resort. If you want to avoid the $11 valet fee, you can search for street parking and pay 25 cents per ten minutes. Street parking is free after 7pm in this area. We had our three kids with us, so valet was a must. Going in through the main entrance after valet, you're already on the fifth floor. We had to go down one level to reach the Loft. Remember to get your parking stub validated. After validation, the fee is $11. It's $36 without! The dining room is classy and overlooks the ocean. The view is beautiful. We asked to be seated on the patio but they didn't have a table big enough for six adults and three kids. The inside table was good and we still had a good view of the ocean. Melissa was our primary server and she did a great job. Michelle also helped us a lot and was very nice. I'm not sure if she was a sommelier, manager, or just another staff member. Service was spot on. Various staff refilled waters, stored flowers for us, and assisted with high chairs and other requests. The bread basket was pretty and featured a variety of bread types. There were crispy, thin large pieces, regular dinner rolls, and a few others as well. I liked the different shapes and sizes. I usually only nibble on the bread in order to save room for the main course. We started with a half dozen pacific coast oysters. I inquired which type they were specifically, and Melissa and Michelle said they are Minter, from Washington. The ladies informed me they have a sweet finish, which I like. They appeared on a bed of ice, with the usual trio of mignonette, cocktail sauce, and horseradish. Lemon was a usual staple as well. The oysters had a soft chew, soft body, low brininess, and a sweet finish as described (although it was only mildly sweet). I tried the first one naked, and the second and third with cocktail sauce and lemon. They were delicious! (I elected to pass on the mignonette, as I have eaten oysters several times recently and have never liked any of the mignonettes.) Next the charcuterie arrived. We chose the large board--artisanal cured meats and pickled vegetables with grilled bread. The meats included salami, sausage, and panchetta. I thought the meats were just okay. It also came with a duck pate, which I spread onto the crispy bread. It was good--subtle and tasty. The kids food came next, and I was happy because it meant my three boys would be occupied (even if only temporarily). My oldest son got the cheeseburger, and my twins got mac n cheese and chicken strips. All three of them had yogurt. The yogurt was classed up a notch by fresh fruit (peaches and rasperries). There was a large gap in waiting time between the appetizers and entrees. My coffee crusted New York strip steak finally made a dazzling entrance. Fourme d'Ambert blue cheese and wild arugula were joined by a bourbon-caramel sauce. The presentation was gorgeous. I requested medium rare and this beautiful piece of meat was cooked exactly to my specifications. It was so perfectly medium rare that I wondered if it was cooked sous vide, although it was probably just seared and placed in a high-heat oven. I'm not a coffee drinker, but the coffee crust was magnificent. The coffee taste was sweet, and mixed together with the bourbon-caramel glaze it was a solid match. The beef was tender and seasoned well. The arugula was soft and filling. The Fourme d'Ambert blue cheese didn't taste strong like other blue cheeses. I scooped it onto the steak and it complimented the meat in stunning fashion. I tried my brother's lamb and it was pedestrian. There wasn't much going on in the flavor department. The portion looked small. I felt bad for him because he almost went with the blackened kurobuta pork ribeye, and he probably would have enjoyed it more. My wife decided on the cook's ranch pork bolognese. It had rustichella pappardelle, torn basil, and aged parmesan. The meat was tender and flavorful, and the pasta was cooked almost al dente, but just a little over. The sauce was good. I tried some desserts and they were okay. Pineapple semifreddo (which they told us means partially frozen) was okay. The Venezuelan dark chocolate caramel pot de creme was not to my liking--the flavors didn't match; there was too much going on. The Loft treated us with excellent service. The food ranged from okay to great. The price tag is hefty. The view is gorgeous. I would definitely return when I have some money in my pocket.
(4)Jeannie K.
Beautiful dinner on my 30th birthday. I made a request to sit outside for the gorgeous open view and it sure was the focal point. The staff were all very attentive except for some reason that day our waiter seems to lack in service. The man who takes care water refills and other service was a lot more attentive. He was around more than our waiter. Everyone else was. -1 star. Food was great. Breads was beyond great.. loved the variety. Dessert is also great esp when I was given one for my birthday. I'd probably come back.
(4)Skye C.
I've dined here a couple of times - once for breakfast (best eggs benedict EVER) and once for lunch. Both business meals where we were also working. Highly recommend this restaurant as the food, view, and service are incredible. The prices are high but not horribly high. Sitting outside on the porch at lunch was great - overlooking the ocean and beautiful pool. The chicken piccata salad was amazing (really chicken piccata with a side salad of arugula). My only "issue" is that valet is too expensive ($11 with validation). It ought to be $5. Also, internet is not "free" - $10 for 6 hours. I am there for business and spending a lot of money on a meal - a couple of hours of free internet should be included.
(4)Gertrude S.
We had breakfast and lunch here a few times. It is a nice casual place with good food and great service. The blueberry crepes were just right. They were light and delicious. You are overlooking the pool and the Pacific.There is a seagull that watches over the diners.
(4)Myle D.
Awesome view and food. Will definitely come back for the outstanding customer service and great view. Ordered a few drinks and everything was very stiff and delicious. Service was great and I seriously had the best oysters here! Forgot the name but it was small, sweet and oh so buttery! Will come back for the oysters and drinks ;)
(5)SHAI v.
It was great I loved it great place the chicken piccata amazing. Service was great they got us a table outside in the view was spectacular. I love the food is amazing.
(5)Santos L.
We experienced excellent service at the Loft. It is a different experience from the Studio, the fine dining option at the Montage. The Loft is light and casual, but dignified, offering amazing views of the ocean and the pool area below. There is a beautiful patio, and tables are set up to take advantage of the amazing views. The wine selection is to die for - with California cult wines and First growths from Bordeaux that will stun any wine enthusiast. Service was quick and professional. What more can you ask for?
(4)Grace G.
Celebrated my daughter's birthday at The Loft. We went there for breakfast and the food was delish! We had the egg white, spinach and mushroom omellette and the eggs benedict with canadian bacon. We also had green juices! Eric was our server and presented my daughter with a piece of cake at the end of our meal. A sweet ending to a sweet morning!
(5)Lindsey L.
Though expensive, they have beautiful views and phenomenal food! The service is incredible. I suggest the short rib. Parking is valet and it's $11 with your ticket validated. They left us broke, but happy :-)
(5)Choo C.
My one and only experience here was disappointing. The hotel and the restaurant are beautiful, the service is top notch, the view from the patio is gorgeous, but the food does not match all the beauty. Asked for the filet mignon to be cooked medium, but got served a well done steak. What a waste.
(3)Derek S.
Came by for lunch the other day at the Loft, located inside the Montage Laguna Beach. Same day reservations were available via OpenTable. The view of the Pacific Ocean and the Montage Laguna Beach is absolutely breathtaking and definitely the highlight of the meal! Meal started off with complimentary bread basket which was excellent! The cheese bread was fresh and cheesy. The crispy bread was very fresh! Moved on to the Cream of Mushroom Soup which was huge. There were plenty of mushrooms and spinach...this might have been a better idea to share... Soup was very creamy and rich. Skirt steak salad was mediocre. ...didn't seem like 6 oz of skirt steak was included, although the steak was pretty flavorful. The romaine lettuce was pretty weak for the salad...mine had too much lettuce close to the head... Salmon entree was also mediocre. Farmed salmon filet was grilled well and was fresh. The fish, along with the complementary greens and potatoes were too salty... Dessert sampler was also mediocre. Desserts were on the sweeter side and richer side... Service was very good by Joseph, although a tad leisurely. $36 valet parking or $11 validated parking. Street and/or private lot parking available for up to 3 hrs at $1.5/hr. ~$75/person after tax and tip for lunch.
(3)Murat A.
The ocean view is wonderful. I had breakfast and enjoyed the service a lot. Everything but the price is amazing.
(4)Owjoo O.
The worse breakfast & service I ever had in a restaurant in OC , I honestly don't know why they give a good rating on yelp I would never recommend this restaurant to anyone that want best food & Quilty service .
(1)Tara N.
We had both lunch and dinner here and I have had breakfast at an earlier stay and all I can say they take their food seriously! The chess bar is amazing and everything is so fresh and tasty.
(4)James H.
Today was the way we remember Montage and the Loft (one of our favorite restaurants). The service was quick, the food impeccable and too much! We hope the Loft Team keeps it up and we will be back more frequently!
(5)Charlene L.
I was contacted by The Loft management to please try them again, that my experience there was not the way they usually run things there. At first I felt bad but I really wanted to give it another chance. I'm so glad I did. We had such amazing time. Our sever Rosa immediately greeted us with a smile and and insuring our champagne was being properly chilled. We started with two appetizers - Tuna Tartare and Risotto. Both perfected plated and wonderfully flavored. Caesar salad and a yummy bread basket. We order rosemary chicken and short ribs for our main entrées. Cooked perfectly and large portions. Ended the evening with coffee and Baileys. As we tried to leave we decided to sit down and listen to the live music in the main bar. We enjoy two more glasses of champagne and left feeling we both enjoyed the evening. I would like to thank the management for caring and having us come back in
(5)Timmy S.
This restaurant, located on the 4th floor of the Montage Resort Hotel in Laguna Beach, offers a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean and some excellent food which is presented beautifully. It was close to a five-star experience but just missed the mark. The service was what was mainly lacking. Our waitress had the personality of a dead fish. Everyone else did a great job but, having had true 5-star service at other restaurants, the service here was close...but no cigar. To me the difference is being made to feel like a special guest rather than a customer. But on to the food... The bread basket that was brought out after we sat down was spectacular. Each warm piece was deliciously different and there was a variety to choose from. The wine selection was decent and the glass of syrah I chose from the "by the glass" menu was quite good. The salad (Coleman Farms Limestone lettuce with pumpernickel croutons and Yali pears) was okay but I have to admit it was disappointing. The croutons didn't have the rye taste I was expecting. A few more pear slices (it only had 4 thin slices) would have livened it up a bit for me. The coffee crusted New York strip steak was a big time winner. It was perfectly cooked to my specification and was covered in a tasty arugula with a slice of bleu cheese tucked alongside and was sitting in an incredible bourbon carmel sauce. I would have never imagined that a steak and a bourbon carmel sauce would pair together to give my mouth such pleasure. Two desserts were enjoyed. A chocolate mousse cake and also a lava cake with chocolate mousse. Both were a chocolate lover's dream come true and made me completely forget any disappointment I had with the salad. The lava cake had a rich & gooey chocolate center. Fantastic desserts!!! Parking was still $11 even with restaurant validation. This is the sort of place where you overpay for small plates of food that are well prepared and presented in artistic fashion which you get to eat while enjoying a spectacular view of dolphins jumping in the ocean and bikinis in the pool below.
(4)Carrie L.
3.5 stars. my friend took me here for my birthday, and it was overall a nice experience. service was very good, but the food was somewhat lacking, and unfortunately was rather forgettable. we sat on the patio, which im sure during the daytime or sunset has a gorgeous view.
(3)Ion G.
Had a great dinner here the first night we stayed at the montage this week. Service was excellent, food was really good and the view was awesome! We shared a cheese and meat plate which was really good, had a great mix of cheeses, meats and sauce parings then I had the beet salad and the wifey had the artichoke soup which was really tasty. For dinner I did the salmon which was cooked perfectly and had a great taste to it with the vegetables which were also a perfect complement to the meal. She had the shrimp and scallops which she really liked and we shared se chocolate cake for desert, all around great meal! Also followed in up with breakfast one of the mornings while staying here at the montage, she had the egg Benedict which was perfectly prepared and I had the Huevos Rancheros! Overall both great meals for a hotel restaurant!
(4)Lindsay W.
Stayed over at the Montage and had breakfast which was fantastic. California avocado tartine with heirloom tomatoes was delicious and so fresh!
(5)Emily H.
I am blown away at how great this was. Hands down best meal we have ever had. Dined here on a Monday. Made a reservation the night before for 630pm. We arrived at 615 and were seated immediately. I had put in the res notes that we'd like a seat with a view because we are celebrating our 2 year anniversary. They delivered ! The seat was by the window, right in the middle with a fantastic view. Our server Michelle immediately greeted us with a warm "Happy Anniversary" and took our drink orders. I'll move on to the food. Appetizer : Yellowfin Tuna Tartare with Avocado Mousse. Absolutely splendid. Each got our own beautiful plate. His entrée: Coffee Crusted New York Strip. Fourme d'Ambert Bleu Cheese & Wild Arugula, Bourbon Caramel Sauce. I had a bite cause we always trade bites. I couldn't believe what I was tasting. The absolute best steak I have ever had. Flavors I've never experienced before, let alone in the context of steak. Hubby immediately demanded that I find out how to make the Bourbon caramel. My entrée: Pan Seared Maine Sea Scallops. Cauliflower Mousse, Blue Prawns, Crab Jus. Scallops cooked and seasoned to perfection. Melted in my mouth. Fabulous but nothing compared to the NY Strip. Complimentary Anniversary Dessert: White Cake with Almond Vanilla Frosting & "Happy Anniversary" tastefully written in chocolate drizzle. Before she brought that out we'd decided on the Venezuelan 66% Dark Chocolate & Caramel Pot de Creme with Salted Caramel Ice Cream & topped with a Macallan18 foam. We thought we'd ask what the daily dessert special is and then get the Pot de Creme to share anyways. BUT the special was Pomegranate Creme Brûlée (!!!!!) with Black Currant ice cream & fresh pomegranate(!!). So we got one of each & a decaf coffee to pair. Thank you Loft & Michelle for making our anniversary so special!
(5)Greg W.
Great food and service and the hotel is just absolutely beautiful. I recommend getting a drink upstairs before coming down for dinner. I had the lamb which was extremely tasty and tender. My only complaint was the noise - for how high-end / expensive it is I would expect it not to be so noisy when we eat.
(4)Azizi M.
Inside montage hotel Great place Great food Good wine & drinks Beautiful hotel and view friendly staff On par service They have a bar area you could sit at if you have no reservations- the menu is different- limited selection but delicious food. Always looking to my return
(4)Karmen S.
We really enjoyed the view of the clean ocean. We were seated in a very good table with the good view, even it was at night time, we felt warm too. You definitely enjoy the view, however, the foods still have a big space to get improved. I did not feel the price match the quality of the foods. Over all, it was a very relaxing night.
(3)Harvey G.
I took my wife to The Loft to celebrate our anniversary.. No champagne was brought to our table as described by another review. The $20 Caesar Salad's salad dressing was mediocre. I ordered the NY steak medium rare and it came medium. The sauce was wonderful but the beef was nothing special. My wife ordered her lamb medium and it came medium well. Her coffee was $8 for the cup. Water and coffee were not promptly refilled. Our server did bring a piece of cake with Happy Anniversary written on the plate. I will not return to this over priced, over rated restaurant!
(2)Summer C.
I'm a huge fan of the Montage Resort. They have impeccable service and food! I've eaten at all of the restaurants and they are all great. I most recently came to The Loft for a late lunch. It is a BEAUTIFUL location with a wonderful view. The restaurant is very nice as well. CUSTOMER SERVICE: Like I said before - impeccable! They are so great! When we went recently there were only a few other people there besides us since it was an odd time. I went with my mother and one year old. Everyone was so kind, especially to my daughter. Even one of the employees brought her a stuffed animal. To me the Montage is a model in customer service - everyone should look up to them. FOOD: Always so good! Most recently we ordered... French Fries Margherita Pizza Chicken Sandwich Club Sandwich *all were very yummy! Yes it is pricey, but to me it is worth it! You pay for what you get - great customer service, location, surrounding, and food!
(5)Silia J. H.
The Loft is my gastronomic *HAPPY PLACE*. To-die-for Laguna oceanfront views, staff who are trained to eschew "no" in their vocabulary, a relaxed and spellbindingly gorgeous spot, serving haute cuisine and the best American wine list. Go at sunset. Have a mojito or two while the Laguna sun decides leisurely how spectacularly to depart. Order the coffee-crusted rib-eye with a glass of red wine. Save room for the cheese curator (!) to recommend your dessert course... SIGH. If there is a Heaven, it looks and serves one like The Loft at the Montage. Four stars is because impeccability in all things does not come cheap and, alas, some of the (seasonal menu) items are hit-and-miss. And, for whatever reason, the desserts have nary impressed me with a I-have-to-have-this obsession. Still, absolutely not to be missed. Or, rather, to be indeed missed, even when dining daily therein. The Montage is where we all dream to live in.
(4)Gabe P.
Oh wow, one of the best experiences ever! The restaurant looks great and the view from the patio is awesome! If you sit inside you are missing on the view, and you are paying the same price, just sayin'! The service is exquisite and the food is some of the best we've had! Started with Charcuterie which was enough for all 3 of us to taste, my favorites were the Duck breast and the Spanish Chorizo. We finished the bread basket and they brought another one, we had too much bread! The Artichoke soup was great, a friend got the Pear soup and that one was too sweet for my taste. We shared the Pork Bolognese and the Beets salad, both were fantastic! Reservation through OpenTable.com the day before, no problem finding open spots around 6 but it gets busy later. Only Valet parking and make sure you validate before you leave The Loft for $11, otherwise it's $36! I liked the restaurant in particular (even the men's bathroom smelled like chocolate!) but going through the hotel itself looks old and dated. so get to the windows fast and enjoy the views!
(5)Kelly S.
My family and I celebrated my Mom's birthday tonight at the Loft and we had the best time! Scott was our server, and he went above and beyond for us!! Not only did he provide amazing service but he took the time to make conversation and get to know us! Thank you Scott for making my mom's birthday special :)
(5)Tania S.
The restaurant was very pleasant except for the really loud live music by the bar. We sat by the window overlooking the swimming pool. Since it was dinner time, we didn't get to enjoy the beautiful ocean view but I am sure during the day it looks spectacular! We will have to go back for lunch sometime soon. I ordered the COOKS RANCH PORK BOLOGNESE - House-Made Tagliatelle and Torn Basil, Aged Parmesan. It was delicious! I would've preferred a little less minced pork since the taste was a bit overpowering for my taste.. But the fresh Tagliatelle was perfect and so was the Bolognese sauce! We had four people in our party and the waiter was really attentive throughout the entire evening. He also noticed that everyone drank wine except for myself. I had ordered a virgin cocktail... After dinner, he surprised me with a "Congratulations cake with a pink and a blue candle" He said he assumed I was pregnant since I wasn't drinking with our friends. I'm sure he saw me rubbing my growing belly as well! I was very touched my his thoughtful gesture! What a great way to end dinner!
(4)Brodie Z.
Super view, tasty bread. One suggestion is telling chef not add too much salt. Chicken was too dry, not recommended.
(3)Hiep N.
I came here to celebrate my birthday. The service and setting were definitely 5 stars. The food was mediocre and I probably won't come back. The charcuterie board was the best part of the meal. None of us were blown away by our entrees which included, the famous coffee crusted steak, pork bolognese, and sea bass. Considering the prices of the items here you're better of heading to Studio
(3)Rene V.
I had the coffee-crusted New York Strip. The key is to scrape the caramelized bourbon sauce from the plate. Service was excellent!! Highly recommend!!
(5)M L.
We went here for OC restaurant week. Made reservations on opentable.com . Lunch was $20 for 2 choices each of appetizers, main dish and dessert. The view is 5-stars, service by Rose is friendly and efficient. We enjoyed the mushroom bisque with the complimentary bread basket. Pork bolognese was a good lunch size, very tasty as well as the chicken curry on wheat bread. My favorite part is the earl grey tea ice cream on top of the chocolate cake. Yummyyyyy. $11 validated parking, $36 valet.
(5)Lisa W.
The service was overall welcoming and friendly. We loved our lunch there. I gave it four stars because of the limited menu (essential sandwiches and few salad choices). The prices were a tad expensive given the quality of food. It's a more casual dining restaurant with inflated hotel prices. But people come here for the ocean view, which is spectacular. Maybe next time I'll ce here for drinks.
(4)Sue P.
We have dined at all the restaurants in the Montage, all being wonderful. A few weeks ago we ate on the balcony at The Loft, and it was just perfect. It wasn't very busy, and our server really went above and beyond to make the dinner relaxing. I believe his name was Scott, although my memory could be off. I asked if a certain dish was vegetarian, and he said it was, but then gave me a separate menu that was just vegetarian, and or vegan! Scott then recommended an item that had quinoa and vegetables and boy was I happy he did! It was delicious ! The whole dining experience starting from just pulling into valet is always top notch. The service through out is first class, and the beauty inside and out is breathtaking. We will be back again soon !
(5)Stephie L.
I was wracking my brains about where to take my boyfriend and REALLY spoil him for his birthday! Then, my friend posted a bunch of pictures on Facebook for this restaurant and I decided this was where I want to be with my love! [+1] I called the hotel and it was easy breezy to make a reservation and let them know it was a special day for my man! I also wanted a time where you could see the blue ocean and stay for the sunset view! I also requested a beach view by the window and the lady said she would try to put in the request. Yay. 5/5 stars for easy reservations! [+1] We walk in and we are greeted well by the lady and..they led us to a beautiful corner table right next to the window.. the view put me easily at ease and I was happy they had paid attention to my request. As for their food.. their cheese ball breads are amazing by the way! I could eat them everyday.. but the best part is still coming up... [+1] We went on to order these delicious clams that were seriously the most amazing clams we've ever had! The portion was also enormous for a clam dish and we were really impressed. We will keep coming for these clams! I decided I didn't care what the other diners thought and drank the soup too... hahah. I had ordered the special which was the beef stroganoff which seemed handmade & the bf ordered a vegetarian dish but requested to have shrimp added which they happily did. [-1] The only goof the waitress made during the night was our requests for the drink recipe. She ended up giving us the cheese ball recipe (cool!) but my bf REALLY wanted the drink recipe.. & seeing how it was his birthday I was semi-sad he didn't get it because he was slightly bummed about it. Ah well! [+1] As for the birthday dessert.. they wrote it out in such beautiful presentation that I was so happy. They did not forget that I was here for my bf's birthday! My bf ate the dessert even though he originally didn't want to order any:) [+1] Afterwards, we went downstairs to listen to their pianist play live music..and the waitress gave my bf an EXTRA pour of an expensive scotch he wanted to try and even gave him a box of 4 chocolates because it was his birthday! Thanks Loft & Montage for making my bf's birthday special!!!:)
(5)Katharine B.
Loft offers a spectacular view, an intriguing menu and the hope of a wonderful dining experience. My overall rating is a C- due to poor service, particularly given the whopping prices. For a party of 5 we spent $200 a head and this was definitely not a $1000 experience. Sadly, the service sank from the get go. We had changed our reservations from a party of 6 to 5 earlier in the day. When we showed up, this change had not been communicated to the staff and the table had to be reconfigured causing us a wait of 5-7 minutes in the front of the restaurant standing next to the hostess station. No chairs were offered and no one seemed to notice my 85 year old father standing with a cane. After we were seated, our very pleasant waitress took our order and simultaneously two beautiful bread baskets promptly appeared. The bread was absolutely delicious. Shortly our drinks arrived - most of us had cocktails and those too were great. The off putting part of the experience was the inept service around the appetizers which followed. Plates came at slightly different times and were served by an energetic but young set of waiters who struggled a bit to get the plates on the table. Clearing was also poorly done with lots of plate piling, banging of china, and quick snatch and grabs. As you read this, you are probably thinking I am being too critical, but for what you pay at this restaurant (comparable to Michelin ranked restaurants in major cities), the service just didn't match the food. Our dinner arrived after a very long wait and by this time the restaurant was extremely loud and it was difficult to hold a table conversation. Dessert was absolutely spectacular and was a high point of the meal. Plates were beautifully arranged and the food was exceptional. Once the service is as strong as the food, this will be an exceptional restaurant and one that I would gladly return to.
(3)Kathy C.
Dinner was lovely at The Loft starting with an amazing bread basket. I have to say the Chef here creates a menu that is very unique and there were several dishes I wanted to try. I had a beautiful limestone lettuce salad with yali pears and a hibiscus vinaigrette that was probably the best dressing I've ever had and and my Scottish salmon was cooked to perfection! My daughter had a delicious fairytale pumpkin soup and the seared Maine scallops with blue prawns. My husband enjoyed the caesar salad and the coffee crusted new york strip with blue cheese. Everything was amazing and the service was excellent. We were seated next to the window with a view of the Christmas tree, swimming pool and the pacific ocean. Highly recommend!
(5)Nina M.
Came in for a early dinner on Mothers Day. It was an absolutely beautiful evening with incredible views. I loved that the servers were so great about letting us enjoy ourselves without any pressure to order. All the service was wonderful. The cocktails were yummy and we absolutely loved our charcuterie and cherry and chocolate cake dessert. One thing I love about the Montage is that it's elegant and classy without the extra snootiness you find at *ahem* the Ritz or St. Regis. Definitely recommended for a relaxing yet delicious dining experience.
(5)Ryan P.
I ate in the LOFT OK it's the OC and it's Laguna Beach what could be more perfect than lunch at the LOFT RESTAURANT...NOTHING THAT'S WHAT! I've been here in the past and it's one of my fav places to do lunch with girlfriends and just chill-ax. If you can't chill-ax here they you need to probably be on some sort of medication...your Prozac will be right up! The last time I was here was for a surprise lunch for a dear friend that was moving to San Fran. Sniff, sniff! No SF is NOT that far away and I go once a yr to visit but I still don't get to see her as often! THANK the GOOD LAWD for text messaging, email and Skype! You know a good friend when you can cry or each others shoulders and they NOT tire of you or you both can tell it like it is and the other person NOT get defensive and downright mad. So anyway I digress...So I was here with some peeps to enjoy lunch, chill-ax and have some GREAT food! This place NEVER DISAPPOINTS! We arrived a little early to be seated before the guest of honor came. The staff here had NO issues with this request and even put our party at a table where we were NOT seen as she walked in with our decoy person who had to almost hog tie her to come. Geez Louise! They staff is ALWAYS SUPER DUPER FRIENDLY, and NICE! SMILES all the time, NEVER anyone bringing there cray-cray family or boyfriend/ girlfriend or kid issues to work with them and them taking it out on you! ALWAYS A DELIGHTFUL EXPERIENCE! Once everyone arrived we stared off with 2 Artisanal Cheese plates with house made crackers and fruit compotes, Margarita Pizza and a shrimp cocktail with tomato horseradish and lemon. The seafood was FRESH and DELISH along with the SCRUMPTIOUS tasting pizza. It was NICE and HOT like it should be. The cheese plate was also SUPER YUM, YUM YUMMY! And it was more than enough to fill us up and prepare our tum-tums for the main event! As usual my eyes were a little bigger then my belly so I was GRATEFUL on of the ladies wanted to spit the Warm spinach salad which came with roasted pears, pecans and blue cheese, and maple bacon dressing that was drizzled on top and mixed in. OMG! Who was the GENIUS that thought of THAT combo? MY WORD it was DELICIOUS! I almost lost my mind over a FRICKIN SALAD! And YES I had a mini seizure. It was a party in my mouth. If I could have a YUMMY salad like this every day I'd MIGHT consider being a veggie person, but then I would not be able to enjoy and savor that maple BACON dressing soooo forget it! I just changed my mind. We also split the Dry Aged Burger with house made pickles and hook's cheddar and 1000 island and steak fries. It was SLAP YO MOMMA GOOD! Anything that would make you slap the taste out yo own mother's mouth has got to be SLAMMIN! Cooked to perfection as EVERYTHING ALWAYS is! I was full as a tick, we all were so we rested after wards with some cocktails and coffee and let the meal digest before we made a bee line for the DESSERT menu! That took all of 30 minutes cause we are greedy piggy's. They split 2 chocolates cakes and then we all split 3 lemon tarts! I think there was ice cream in there too somewhere but I can't remember! YUMMY! SIMPLY ZZZZ-BEST! SUPER DUPER DELISH! And a perfect way to end out meal! I will of course be back why would anyone NOT come back here that was mentally disturbed! Always a pleasure chowing down here! EXCELLENT JOB as always!
(5)Kev O.
This was an impromptu visit to the Montage as I was with my friends and we had planned to meet up just for coffee at Coffee Bean in Irvine, and somehow ended up here at the Montage :) Needless to say, the Montage and it's compound with HUGE ocean views are absolutely stunning! It was getting late and I was feeling a bit hungry, but my friends weren't ready for a full dinner. However, I insisted that since we came all this way we may as well enjoy the restaurant and views here. Since one of my friends is a regular at the other more formal restaurant at the resort. However, I wasn't exactly dressed for that, so we ended up in the less formal restaurant called The Loft. Although less formal, there was nothing "casual" about the impeccable decor with outdoor or indoor dining options, and all with stunning views out to the ocean. We were greeted at the entrance by the hostess who was very friendly. Nothing snobbish about their attitude.....just pure class, unpretentious, and welcoming people and atmosphere. We were led to our table which passed a small "sports bar" to our corner table right by the window. I was awed already. The server was friendly, patient, and very helpful in explaining the menu items and specials, and didn't give any strange looks at friends when all they ordered was a Roasted Baby Beet salad....which was small, but very nicely presented.....on two separate plates :) I on the other hand, ordered Mary's Farm Rotisserie Chicken which was served over Collard Greens and Corn Bread Croutons, and Buttermilk Chicken Jus. The chicken was perfectly roasted and combined with all the other ingredients made for an outstandingly delicious meal. I complemented my dinner with a glass of red wine, stunning sunset views, and hmmmmm mmmmm mmmmm......the good life! :) I wasn't really a desert person, but my friends insisted. My friend normally ordered the Crème brûlée at the garden patio dining area, but it seemed it wasn't on the menu at the Loft, but the server said not a problem to order it here. We also ordered a hot molten chocolate cake. Excellent! Oh, I forgot to mention the complimentary bread at the beginning. There were 3 different breads and dang.....they were ALL good! Hot, fresh, and delicious....and addictive! I love this place and will definitely be back.....next time hopefully with a date ;) Unless you're a regular, the Montage may be a bit hard to find on your first visit, so you need to pay attention to the signs as the resort itself is a bit hidden in from the main road. Once you've entered their driveway and driven in a bit, you know you've arrived at the entrance lobby once you see all the Bentleys, Porsches, Ferraris, Mercedes, and BMWs, etc. parked out front :) The hotel's valet guys are quick to your door, and more than happy to take and park your car for you :)
(5)Emily B.
I had lunch here after a work meeting with a friend who lives nearby. I wanted to check out a few dishes as we will be hosting a business lunch in the near future. The view, service and location were terrific. We sat on the patio looking out to the ocean. I especially like their ceiling built in heaters, along with the floor heaters they have available. I was not a huge fan of the bibb salad, although I thought the bibb lettuce was perfect. We also tried the truffle pizza and burger. Both were very good.
(4)erin c.
Yesterday was my birthday and my boss had given me the day off. Luckily my husband had off as well so we wanted to take advantage and go some where fun and different for a nice birthday lunch. We live in Los Angeles so were thinking of Malibu at first but I wanted to switch it up. I had never been the Montage in Laguna but have always wanted to check it out. I saw some photos and liked the reviews so I made a reservation via Open Table for 2pm. I just let them know it was our first time dining there and that it was my birthday. We had a really nice and easy drive down and when we pulled up I was like WOW. This place is really nice. (Not like I was expecting a shit box but still.) It kinda felt like we were in Hawaii. No line of cars at the Valet when we pulled up. I just told them we were going to lunch and they asked how our day was and I said good! It's my birthday and we've never been here. They couldn't have been nicer and said- well Happy Birthday, valet's on us. NICE! They instructed us where to go and when we walked into the lobby we were like WHOA. Killer view. We went downstairs to the Loft where we were seated at the perfect table outside right next the balcony which I could easy say was in the top 5 best views I've had at a lunch. The sun had just come out, it was sunny yet breezy. It was perfect. Joseph was our server and he was phenomenal. We ordered a couple of drinks and when he brought over and poured my Proseco he said- the celebratory glass is on us. Happy Birthday! F'en awesome. They brought out an assortment of bread right away and there are these little cheese rolls that were to die for. I could have eaten a whole basket. I told him how much we liked them and he brought out a fresh, hot, basket of just cheese rolls right away. We ordered food came out in a timely manner. Not too fast but by no means were we waiting on it. Just the right amount of time. Food was great. When we were finished he brought out a lovely chocolate dessert with Happy Birthday written on the plate and one lit candle. Super sweet of them- again- it was complimentary and it was GOOD. I was SOOO happy we picked the Loft at the Montage for my birthday lunch. It was honestly perfect. When we left we toured around the hotel a bit and can't wait to go back :)
(5)Adrienne K.
Wow, what a view! My steak sandwich was so delicious! Gourmet and delicate tasting with rich craftsmanship even for a sandwich! The views are remarkable, and I highly suggest you enjoying a meal here for a real OC experience! $$$$
(5)Kei D.
A few weeks ago we had the best anniversary dinner at the Loft Restaurant The ambiance was perfect! The meal of risotto and halibut were beyond delicious. They made it a very special evening for us.... great service.. definitely a five star experience....
(5)Brian O.
Amazing place! The views are spectacular but the staff was incredible. The staff was able to assist me on a special surprise. The Loft will hold a special place in my life now. If you're planning a romantic event, the staff is happy to assist in making that reality. No wonder why it was referred by many as a special place in Laguna Beach.
(5)Kristen W.
My experience at The Loft was absolutely incredible! The soups are seasonal, but the harvest pumpkin soup was incredible. It included wild rice and duck sausage that made it very hearty tasting without too filling. The black truffle risotto was my favorite part of the meal. The truffle flavor was not overwhelming and it was incredibly creamy. All of the staff were incredibly knowledgable about the food and wine and offered great suggestions to be paired with our food. We enjoyed a perfectly selected cheese plate including a seasonal compote that tasted like fall. :) The portions were perfect as well. The service was impeccable and you cannot beat the view (even at night). I cannot wait for another opportunity to go back!
(5)Tina G.
My husband and I ate her last night for our anniversary, and we thought the food and service were fantastic. We would highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)S M.
Amazing atmosphere!! And GREAT service. And a breathtaking view. Worth the $$$. A must go.
(5)Cat Q.
Food poisoning ! I have been to Studio restaurant many times and I thought The loft will provide the same quality of food as the Studio restaurant, but I was so wrong. From the plating to the quality and the quantity of the food, everything is horrible. Me and my friends met up for the B-day lunch. The indoor dining area with a sea view looks nice when the weather is good, the view is grey and boring on a gloomy day. There were too many tables on the outdoor area. There are birds flying/walking inside the restaurant. It's adorable as long as they don't poop on your food. The air inside of the restaurant makes you feel like having an asthma attack. It's too warm inside and there is no fresh air. It's very stuffy, ugh. 5 star for the excellent service. +++Excellent bread basket: The small buttery balls and the crisp rosemary flatbread tasted amazingly good. ---Truffle pizza: The pizza smells lightly of truffle oil. The fennel were lightly seared instead of caramelized. There were only a few pieces of fennel on the pizza. The pizza wasn't overly salted, but it was lean, boring and oily. ---The mahi mahi on the parmesan flatbread: It was actually a giant mahi mahi fish burger. The bread is huge, the greenness of the avocado spice cream looks disgusting on a off-white bread. The fish was dry and the salad was sour. My friend had half of the bread and she start to eat my fries. --+Grilled salmon: The fish was tender and the sauce was boring. The fingerlings potatoes tasted boring as well. Nothing is exciting on this plate, my friend just ate the fish on her plate and she start to dig into my fries as well. ---House made sausage is like a sausage nightmare. It wasn't meaty, juicy, tender or anything. It was just a salty boring sausage. The Sauerkraut wasn't sour, instead it has this disgusting bitterly after taste . The pretzel bun was chewy and the bread will stick on your teeth. The fries wasn't amazing, but at least it's edible. Again, the whole dish is huge. --- Sea salt caramel ice-cream: The sea salt caramel ice cream was overly sweetened, the filet dough was crispy and the caramel cream on the bottom layer was chunky and thick. The plating looks horrible, the ice cream start to melt it down and it was inedible. Caramel ice cream can be very sweet, that's why they should use sea salt to balance the dish, however with the sweetness of the caramel ice cream here at the Loft? Nothing can save this dish and you will land in hospital soon for diabetic. --+ Cappuccino was light, but the cappuccino saved my life by flush down the overly sweetened thick caramel cream. ---Me and my friend were both B-day, however they just brought one B-day dessert out. I am not so sure wether the restaurant is been greedy, but that's just rare. It never happens in other restaurants before. The free raspberry mousse cake was inedible. Me and my friends had one small bite and that was it. Too sweet to eat. "Casey Overton respects and embraces the value of sustainability and its effect on the environment. By working closely with local farmers and purveyors, we offer a tastefully designed menu that promotes personal health and well-being.." quoted from their website. I couldn't see, feel or taste what respect does Casey have for the diners. 5 out of 8 dishes were sandwiches. The sandwiches were huge and chewy, the fish is overcooked and boring, the home made tasteless sausage with a winery bitterly after taste sauerkraut or the inedible overly sweetened desserts. It's just very disrespectful to deliver such careless, uninspiring, unhealthy food to the customers. You have to earn the respect if you want respect. With food like that? Perhaps it's time to hire a new chef. Because this chef probably lost his passion. And yeah...Everything came out after 10 minutes. I suspect the food is unhygienic. If you want to have a detox day, please enjoy the sea view and the unclean food.
(1)Jenny L.
OMG. The service was beyond impeccable!! My best friend and I came here for brunch for her birthday and we were blown away. Our waiter was so amazing and despite paying $11.50 for valet...everything was worth it for the experience. Of course when you eat at The Loft, expect to spend a hefty amount, but it helps that the view is amazing and so is the food. Best mimosas I've had in a while and the rotisserie chicken chilaquiles were TO DIE FOR. If I'm ever in the OC area again and am looking to splurge for brunch again, this is definitely where I'd end up.
(5)LC P.
The food was good, but come here for the view. Request a table out of the terrace next to the terrace if possible. I enjoy good food, and one that comes with a view is always a bonus!
(4)Lindsay R.
Only negative is you cannot see the actual sunset from where the restaurant is. I do highly recommend the artichoke soup. So good!
(4)Heather C.
Amazing view and outstanding food! Today re special sea bass with a veggie succotash was the best we have had at any fine dining restaurant. So good we are going back tomorrow for my husbands birthday so he can have it again! It's wonderful food, terrific views, and splendid ambiance in a relaxed atmosphere.
(5)Julie K.
The Loft is located inside the Montage Laguna Beach hotel... pull up to the valet ($11), walk in and descend down the stairs to your left and you'll walk right into the restaurant. I heard wonderful things about this place and a friend recommended that I take my significant other here for his birthday. So, I made reservations for dinner, window seating, at sunset. Upon entering the restaurant, we were greeted warmly and they wished my hubby a Happy Birthday. We were seated at a table by the window (as requested) that had a spectacular view of their grounds and the ocean. The menu isn't very large but it's obvious that the selections of appetizers and mains are chosen carefully. The wine list was absolutely massive, though! We wound up ordering a couple glasses of champagne and wine, a charcuterie platter, Caesar salad, rotisserie chicken, and coffee-crusted NY strip. Everything was presented beautifully and we both thoroughly enjoyed our meals. The server brought out a complimentary birthday dessert w/ a candle for the birthday dude that was a nice touch. Expect fine dining service and prices here. Dinner for the two of us came to just under $250 (including 20% tax and tip). A nice place to splurge for the right man (or woman)!
(5)Stephanie C.
Amazing service! I went to the Loft with two friends and our server impressed us with how much he knew of the food and all of the ingredients. We sat outdoors (try the Bolognese) and truly had a great experience - with stunning ocean and pool views!
(5)Leigh P.
Took my daughter there for dinner last night. The hosting staff lacks a little in the personality department. We stood there while they chatted for about 3 minutes before even being acknowledged. Once acknowledged they seated us quickly however the young lady who seated us, never smiled and barely spoke. Our server, on the other hand was amazing. She tended to our table effortlessly it seemed. Knew the menu well and was friendly and very helpful with any questions we had. Then there was the food. Risotto that was amazing. Followed by new york strip for her and short ribs for me. Both meats were cooked to perfection and the flavors were spot on. Great place!
(4)Gina M.
Great atmosphere and service. However, the food was slightly disappointing especially for the price. The scallops were slightly under cooked. Also, felt that it was a rip-off to have the parking "validated" and then still had to pay $11 to park only being there for a couple of hours. My biggest gripe was paying $100 for a bottle of wine that the Wine Sommelier took away before the bottle was even emtpy!! I just did not feel that the "luxury" was really worth the price - over inflated hotel. The best part was the view and the cheese plate.
(3)Nile N.
1 star for falsely advertising that they are offering dinner during the OC Restaurant Week (I would leave a 0 star if it were possible). It's only a lunch offering. I had begun driving over when I called to verify some details, and was told it was only a lunch deal when you can clearly pick reservations for between 7:00 - 8:00P and it clearly states '$20 Dinner'. I informed the reservations employee over the phone of the discrepancy and all she said was "oh, yeah that's only for Lunch", when she should have instead offered to honor what was advertised. Shame that such a beautiful hotel has such practices.
(1)Bessie B.
My husband, Jacek and I were here today to celebrate his birthday. I am so pleased with the service, the food was great and the atmosphere with the ocean view and the weather was absolutely fantastic. The price was reasonable. I live locally in Southern Orange County and this place is great to visit even for a local person like me. Can you imagine if you are from out of the area, you'll definitely fall in love with the area. The staff are very courteous and attentive. I highly recommend this place for anyone that celebrating anything or just to have a local lunch or dinner in a nice atmosphere and great food.
(5)Dan D.
I wholeheartedly agree with John L's review on 3/3/2013 which states: "The ambiance, service, and view are 5 stars!!! The food....3.5-4 stars." Fellow Yelper Dawn M. and I came here to celebrate our 2nd anniversary. I wanted a peaceful, romantic atmosphere for our special day and couldn't pass up a table overlooking the water. The View (5 Stars) ------------------------- The view is simply breathtaking. Perched on the third floor of The Montage Hotel, The Loft offers a spectacular view of Laguna Beach and the Pacific Ocean. We arrived at 6:00 PM and were fortunate enough to watch the sunset. The view from our table also allowed us to catch a wedding ceremony that was taking place below near the pool. Very cool! The Service (5 Stars) ----------------------------- The service was exemplary from the moment I called to make a reservation to the moment that I left. The staff was friendly and more than willing to accommodate our anniversary. They reserved a corner table for Dawn M. and I on the patio as requested. Our waiter congratulated us immediately after we were seated. He also brought out a complimentary dessert with "Happy Anniversary" scribed in chocolate glaze. The meal service was outstanding- we were checked on frequently, but given privacy as well. The Food (3.5 Stars) ---------------------------- I should preface this section by saying that the food was GOOD. However, I expected a little more out of a $175 (conservative) meal for two. The starter bread was delicious. Both of us really enjoyed the cheesy bread. We shared the Risotto as an appetizer, but did not find it particularly distinguished (at least for $23). It was cooked well, but rather plain. For our main dishes, we ordered the Rotisserie Chicken and John Dory. The chicken was savory and the crispy skin really added a nice touch. The vegetables were tasty, but a bit soggy for my liking. Dawn M. said that the John Dory was "very good", but was also unimpressed with the vegetables. The complimentary chocolate cake was pretty standard (it's the gesture that counts). This was a good meal, but certainly not a $175 meal. Location, location, location...right? If you aren't staying at The Montage, don't forget to have someone validate the valet parking ticket. It's $11 with validation. I might come back to try the lunch menu.
(4)Kristin M.
We just had the most terrific dinner at the beautiful Loft in Laguna Beach! The food was as beautiful as it was delicious. A true work of art!
(5)Deborah A.
The Loft at the Montage is middle ground for me. Yes, the location and view of the restaurant is beautiful, grand, so California; but I feel like their food is mediocre and highly priced because of the backdrop and name. Since my last visit, I've had both the grilled cheese and tomato bisque and the Primm's cup. There is nothing too special about the grilled cheese and tomato bisque except that it probably has a slight more flavor and the view that you see while eating it. The coffee crusted new york strip was a bit of a disappointment as it didn't really satisfy my meat craving. It might be that I'm not accustomed to having steak and coffee together, but it was too sweet for my taste buds. The whipped mashed potatoes were alright. I loved the texture and its airy-ness. The rotisserie chicken wasn't that great either. It was more on the dry side and because the base of the dish was in soup, the croutons got too soggy and that made me stop eating it. The hamburger wasn't too phenomenal. Honestly In N out would have satisfied my hamburger craving. I also got the caesar salad and either they forgot to give me the dressing or their version of a caesar salad is the romaine lettuce leaves, croutons, parmesan cheese, and a few anchovies. Although the service and location of the Loft are great, I would much rather venture downtown and explore the different restaurant options before dining here again.
(3)Joel R.
Overrated hotel restaurant. We celebrated a dual birthday party here last night for dinner and received pretty poor service as well as mediocre food. The best part of the meal was the appetizers...the Charcuterie was da bomb. Risotto app was decent however no serving spoon was included with plate. All our entrees were pretty salty...from the chicken rotisserie to my lamb loin. Disappointed a bit in this considering prices paid for an entrée start at $35 to $40s. Kids brownies did not come with any forks. Guess restaurant expects all kids to eat like barbarians? Bottomline, the entrees are overpriced and service needs improvement. Not coming back here for dinner again.
(3)Alfredo G.
My gf surprised me to an early breakfast for our anniversary and brought me to the loft , and if i may say this place was excellent. i ordered the huevos rancheros they where delicious! probably the best i ever had! my gf had the berry crepes those where also on the top list for crepes. our server was very friendly and attentive def coming back. must say the gf did good :)
(5)Cat B.
great service. good food. great view. kinda pricey though but then you must already know that when you pull up to the montage. i still like coming here for lunch with my friends because it provides for a relaxing little getaway with some magnificent ocean views, even if only for a few hours. dress code is pretty casual but probably not beach bum casual. expect to spend about $15-$25 avg for lunch entrees.
(4)Kumi K.
Ambiance: Located on the 4th floor within the hotel. If the weather is warm, do get the table on the balcony. The view is fantastic especially during sunset. A nice romantic date spot for sure. 1 / 1 star Service: Informative, prompt, unobtrusive and efficient. 1 / 1 star Food: The best dish of the night was Sweet Pea Risotto with slow cooked ham hock, preserved lemon and aged parmesan. I loved the flavors. While each ingredients used are not unusual, the flavors of all ingredients together created unique flavors that, strangely, I found comforting. I also ordered a seasonal chilled lobster appetizer. Can't quite remember the name of the dish but it looked like this (upper right photo yelp.com/biz_photos/loft… ). Although the presentation was attractive, I found the flavors a little too delicate especially after having the Sweet Pea Risotto. For entrée, I had Braised Vintage Beef Short Ribs and my date had Lobster Ravioli. The Short Ribs was tender and had rich flavors. I really liked the charred raisins and roasted greens that came on the side. The sweetness from charred raisins and the slight bitterness from roasted greens broke the delicious but monotonous flavor of the Short Ribs. The Lobster Ravioli, while delicious, was kind of boring. For dessert, our server brought complimentary chocolate cake with raspberries (we were celebrating my birthday). I appreciate the thoughtfulness and the pretty presentation BUT... I didn't care so much for it. It wasn't bad. I think it's a matter of preference and the chocolate cake they had wasn't something I preferred. 1.5 / 2 stars Cost Performance: I didn't get to see the final bill but my date mentioned that for the amount he paid, he expected better food. 0 / 1 star Total is 3.5 stars. I'm rounding it off to 4 stars for the beautiful view and great service.
(4)Negin A.
I came here for breakfast with my mom and everything was absolutely amazing. The moment we walked into the loft we were greeted by the warmest hostesses. They seated us promptly and we had the most amazing view of their pool and of the ocean. The hostess who seated us, Roxana, was so sweet and made sure to remind us that if there was anything we needed to just ask her. Our server, Eric , was amazing and did not mind my moms endless stories. I decided to order the Parma eggs and it was the most perfect combination of ingredients. Everything here is amazing, from the perfect customer service to the delicious food. I will definitely be coming back.
(5)Leighton L.
This place is good. The coffee rub steak is unreal. You can purchase the seasoning to take home I have heard. The chicken is cooked to perfection as well. I was so impressed with the staff here. We asked our wine server bout wine fridges and within minutes he emailed someone and printed out paperwork for us on recommendations.
(5)Jackie A.
The Loft never disappoints! We have a beach house in Laguna and stop in often. Food is always great and the customer service is second to none. But my favorite thing about this restaurant is the view, overlooking the beautiful pool and ocean. We sit on the deck every time. Located at the Montage the atmosphere is just at serene. Many times we will sit in the great room after lunch or dinner and have a martini or coffee. The cucumber martini is refreshing and perfect for a hot summer day. Staff is very accommodating. It is on the pricey side but worth every penny. You will walk away wanting to come back.
(5)Timothy R.
This is simply the best restaurant in Laguna Beach, imho. It has never disappointed. The service is always impeccable. The specials are always mind blowing. The menu is small, but has incredible variety. My wife always orders the Pork based pasta. It is the best pasta that my Sicilian wife has ever tasted. She will NEVER order anything else and just samples what I order. I had the black cod with a bacon slab on top. Yep, fish that you can drink red wine with. It was fantastic. The "duck three ways" from a few months ago is still the favorite meal of my life. Go there. Order any special that is being prepared for the night. You will never be disappointed. Chef Casey is a genius.
(5)Tony J.
The beautiful Montage Resort is set on an oceanfront bluff with sweeping panoramas of the Pacific Ocean and striking Craftsman-style architecture. This luxury beach resort commands 30 lushly landscaped acres. With a reservation the four of us had brunch at the Montage "Loft", which is the resort's casual (resort café) dining restaurant. The place was not crowded. Situated on the fourth floor, this restaurant features those stunning panoramic views. I had the "Build a Benedict" with two poached eggs, english muffin, hollandaise, crispy fingerling potatoes and lobster for $25 mated with a $16 spicy bloody mary. Table service here was spectacular, but, the lobster was a bit tough and chewy. I have had better. This café is far from representing the total Montage Resort. I was disappointed. My friend was satisfied with her $21 Huevos Rancheros with fried eggs, tomato salsa, black beans, guacamole, cheddar and cotija cheese on a corn tortilla. The total bill for the 4 of us with gratuity was $128. This place is not cheap so I rated it average. After brunch walking around the Montage grounds was a saving grace.
(3)Christina B.
I love coming here for brunch. Good food, great customer service & an awesome view!
(5)Cindy L.
This was an AMAZING birthday dinner! Beautiful beach location, great wait staff, and superb food! The only thing I had a problem with was the birds flying around our table, but what can you expect when you sit outside! hahah Although I don't ordinarily venture outside my comfort zone, I ordered the rabbit and was pleasantly surprised. It was amazing; so flavorful and the seasoning was spot on! It was even better the next day! I would recommend trying something out of your comfort zone when you visit this place, you will not regret it!
(4)Debbie M.
I came here for my birthday lunch. Reservations were made in advance with commentary about preference on seating since it was a windy day. When we arrived it seemed like the hostess didn't read the commentary on the notes. Luckily we did get a great area with views but I was disappointed with the service. I had expectations for this high caliber type of restaurant and for the high reviews on yelp. Service was lacking and we had to look and call out a few times for service. The food was nothing special except the cheese balls. The views and venue itself is spectacular. If it wasn't for the ambiance I think the score would have been reduced. For a Sunday, I am surprised they didn't offer a Sunday brunch like the Ritz. I felt they didn't make this extra special day any special...just an ordinary day at an ordinary restaurant that happens to be inside the Montage.
(2)Eunice K.
SERVICE/AMBIANCE: -We came here on mother's day for dinner. The valet lot was packed. It was such a beautiful day the view was absolutely spectacular. The lobby has a small patio that you can step onto to take pictures in front of the huge panoramic view of the ocean. The restaurant has an amazing view as well. We got there and they said the patio was full. =( Service was excellent. FOOD: -PRETZEL BREAD, GLUTEN FREE BRAZILIAN CHEESE BREAD - The pretzel bread was ok, but the cheese bread was so freaking good. And gluten free too! Yumm! -BELGIUM ENDIVE SALAD - Crisp super thinly sliced apples and cheese. They were happy to split this into to plate for me and my mother. -MARY'S FARM ROTISSERIE CHICKEN - The skin on the chicken was SOOO crispy. -ROASTED BLACK COD - Cooked to perfection. Had a nice buttery taste. A little too salty for my taste, however. DESSERT: -CHOCOLATE CAKE w/ PISTACHIO SHAKE, ICE CREAM & TARAGON JELLY - DELICIOUS! A chocolate molten cake with a warm center served w/ fresh made pistachio ice cream that was well complemented by the taragon jelly. The pistachio shake had a great texture.
(4)Mike P.
Amazing food unbeatable service. This place is the best. For our anniversary we chose this place. Couldn't be happier. There was an incident with our order and they more than made up for it. Patrick was a fabulous server and deserves a raise for all his hard work and impeccable people skills. This will be our go to celebration restaurant for ever.
(5)Craig L.
When it comes to upscale hotels in South Orange County it's hard to beat The Montage. In addition, when it comes to looking for upscale restaurants in South Orange County, The Loft at The Montage is one of my top picks. Albeit quite expensive, it is worth every penny given the quality of the food, the atmosphere, the service, and the overall energy that the hotel exhibits. My wife and I have dinner at The Loft several times a year celebrating both special occasions and casual lunches. Each time the food and the service exceeds expectations. From the amazing cheese rolls to the wonderful sandwiches, entrées and desserts. I recommend waiting for a table on the outdoor patio either during the day or at night because they do have heaters. If you're looking for understated elegance this is the place. Even though you might be dining with celebrities sitting next to you, you'll still feel comfortable given the fact that the hotel staff embraces you with open arms. We'll be visiting The Loft for Valentines dinner this Saturday in fact.
(5)Alex S.
The view is great, drinks are ok. Could use a bit more alcohol and the food was amazing.
(5)Christine R.
The resort is certainly very well maintained and service is attentive. The bar, where we had a drink before our meal, is very pleasant, especially when the piano player is in evidence. However, whilst the sea bass my friend ordered was good, it was by no means outstanding. I had the scallops - and reader, they died in vain! The chef had decided to totally obliterate their delicate taste with a glaze of extreme saltiness - soy sauce, if I had to guess. I ended up cutting off the outsides. The accompaniments did not enhance the dish. The cost, as you would expect, was steep, which made the disappointment all the greater.
(3)N D.
Went there on a Saturday night. The view was spectacular. We went for an early dinner (5:30pm) which was perfect because we sat outside watching the sky change colors over the water. We even got to see whales popping up in the water. The service was exactly what you would expect, polite, prompt and attentive. Ambience and staff were definitely 5 star. Now to the food... We ordered the mussels and clams in Chardonnay butter sauce ($22 I believe), really good. The bread they brought to the table was also amazing, especially when dipping into the sauce. But that's when thing went south. My wife got the veal (around $60) and I got the halibut (around $45). My halibut was cooked well, but pretty bland and not the best cut of fish. My wife ordered the veal and it came back well done even though she ordered it medium. We pointed it out to the waiter and he apologized profusely (as did the manager) and brought out another veal about 10 mins later. The new veal was also overcooked. At this point we were over it, my wife ate about 1/2 of it and threw in the towel, the food was just not very good. Our waiter asked how it was, we let them know our displeasure with the veal and they did the right thing by taking it off the bill. So service and ambience is a 5 and food was a 2. At this price point (this place is definitely $$$$ and not $$$) i want to be wowed and unfortunately the food just didn't cut it. Oh and parking kinda stinks. Even with validation you still have to pony up $11 and it took them about 15 mins to bring up the car.
(3)Sherri G.
I have never visited the Montage but always hear great things about it. I had a free weekend so my husband and I made plans to spend quality time with my sister and bro-in-law on Saturday. Great service, great view, good food. I can't say great food because I had a spinach salad with shrimp and there wasn't anything extraordinary about it. I will say that we thoroughly enjoyed the cheese plate with pairings and bread basket! $207 later on stuffed bellies, we walked long the cliff and enjoyed the fantastic view. I would definitely come again.
(4)Mark B.
Excellent food and very friendly staff. 3 stars because I'm very particular on the level of service especially the little things in a resort with such high standards. The food took a little longer to come out which I would understand if it was busy but there was only 5 occupied tables. Put it this way, after waiting for awhile, I had time to take my son to the restroom to go #2 and came back with food not ready. Waited awhile to get our glass refilled with water. I was observing if they would noticed it as they pass by our table several times. We would appreciate a little status update if they noticed that the food hasn't been served yet. Even other chain restaurants do that. However, overall food was excellent especially the grilled albacore sandwich how it was seared and rare in the middle with julienne veggies was genius! A+ to the chef!
(3)Blair K.
We came after I proposed to my girlfriend and from the time we walked in to the end of the evening the staff was really friendly and accommodating. I had called for reservations and the hostess asked if we were celebrating a special occasion so I told her, so I guess everyone in the restaurant knew that we were celebrating our engagement, as many of the staff would come up to us and congratulate us. The service that they provided far exceeded our expectations. First they started us off with some champagne, then a manager came by gave us some flowers and congratulated us, I had brought a bottle of Robert Sinskey Pinot opened it and when we finished it, they tried to peel the label off so we could have a little momento, then they brought us a card congratulating us and even had a personal message, then they brought some deserts and wrote congratulations on our deserts, and lastly our server bought us a CD that had a bunch of wedding songs. I can honestly say that no other restaurant has ever come close to giving the type of treatment we received. We started off with a charcuterie plate and oysters. The oyster were amazing and loved the mignonette, and the horse radish. The charcuterie plate was great too, I absolutely loved the sausage that came with it. For our main course I ordered the pork bolognese that had a thinner paparadelle noodle. That was delicious. We also got the braised short ribs. That was so tasty, and tender, the meat just melted right in your mouth. We ended with a creme brûlée, and hazelnut ice cream. Again the deserts were wonderful. Pros: The staff is amazing, everyone is so friendly and accommodating. We sat outside and the view is breathtaking, as it overlooks the ocean, and the sunsetting. Everything we ordered was delicious, and presented beautifully. I liked the menu a lot because there is variety, but at the same time it is simple and easy to read, and not overwhelming with a thousand other dishes. Cons: None Overall: I highly recommend coming here, you will be pleasantly surprised. It is pricey but the overall experience, and memories is easily worth the price. This is the perfect place for a celebration or a nice romantic dinner.
(5)Gwynevere P.
We loved the chilaquiles and it was definitely enough to split. Drinks and coffee we're good. The views were wonderful. It was nice to take a walk on the hotel grounds after our meal and take pictures of our breakfast brunch crew. We definitely saw celebrities. There is self parking if you want to avoid the valet.
(5)Island Lisa B.
Our visit this time went much better. Our server, MacKensie, was very accommodating and truly helpful. There were four of us for breakfast and we had an idyllic morning meal with a nice view and excellent service. Even better was the meal, however. My lobster benedict was superb and the other diners also like their choices. My friend was unhappy about the $11 valet service charge even with validation from the restaurant however, in all other respects it was a nice time and a big improvement over our last experience.
(4)Cleo M.
WOW! What a complete and utter turnaround from our disappointing experience at a local competitor, Splashes Restaurant (at Surf & Sand Resort) last year! My husband and I got married at Surf & Sand Resort in August, 2011 and love coming out to Laguna to celebrate our anniversary and relive that special day. We went to Splashes Restaurant on our anniversary last year, and left feeling disgruntled and unappreciated (see previous review for details). We decided to try our luck at Loft Restaurant at the Montage to see if they could reverse those feelings. Boy, am I thrilled that we did! We were seated at what felt like the best table in the restaurant - center view on the patio, overlooking the gorgeous panoramic views of the beach. We had a number of Loft staff congratulate us on our anniversary, and welcome us to the restaurant. We dined on delicious oysters, pappardelle pasta with shrimp, and pan seared sea scallops (all of which were fantastic). Our wine glasses never reached the empty mark at a single point during our entire dinner. The icing on the cake (literally) was when we received a complimentary dessert at the end of our meal, accompanied with a "Happy Anniversary" chocolate garnish. Simply put, Loft Restaurant is the epitome of top notch customer service. It is overtly clear that they make an effort of going above and beyond for their customers, and making them feel special (on an occasion like your anniversary, this is exactly what you're looking for). It's the little things that make a huge difference, and they have mastered them all. We will definitely be returning for many more anniversary celebrations to come!
(5)Cindy B.
Breakfast is pricey but so very worth it! $16 Bloody Mary, perfectly mixed, clearly homemade, and nice and spicy and chunky like I like it. But more impressive was the food. We split the Huevos Ranchos (they even put on separate plates for us). Nice, light, and delicious. The best though, were the Chicken Chilaquilas with fried eggs! Absolutely delicious, unique, and more than worth the $23 for breakfast. They bake their homemade spicy salsa onto the chips before they cook them, and the sliced chiles in the dish added just the right heat. The views of the ocean and pool at awesome and the service was spot on. Everything in this hotel is first class - we will definitely be backk!
(5)Dani B.
I came here with myself and a friend for Thanksgiving dinner at 8 PM. I called several times ahead to confirm that they had nothing sooner than 8 PM. When I walked in, the entire restaurant had maybe four tables being used, the rest of the restaurant was open. The salad was very good, and the wine for half bottle was decently priced. The prix fixe menu is $95 per person, not too crazy but not fantastic either. The view was nice, and they had space heaters because it was chilly. Unfortunately, the turkey dinner Left a lot to be desired. As another reviewer said, the mashed potatoes were fantastic! I would've been happy with a bowl of those and nothing else. The turkey and the dressing had no taste whatsoever, the beans were almost not edible, and the relish was so tart that I could not eat it. The pears for dessert were not so great either, way too sweet. I may try this again when they do not have a fixed menu, but if I have a repeat experience with very bland food, I will not be back again. I live relatively close so this is a disappointment.
(3)Tragedy D.
This review is only for the staff: An upscale restaurant that permeates great dining and service. I was only here briefly. The outstanding hostess called the Mosaic restaurant to check on my friends. While waiting to receive confirmation, I asked the second helpful hostess for a napkin. I was given directions to my final destination. As I was about to leave, the 2nd hostess kindly asked if she could throw away my napkin. Wasn't expecting such friendliness. **Thumbs up** These conservatively-dressed hostesses were very helpful. Since I was not able to dine here, I can't give a thorough review of the restaurant. Though I must say the bay windows in the restaurant bring in the warm sun to an inviting dining area. Anywhere you go in the resort the ocean is the main feature in the room (as it should be). I would love to return for a romantic dinner. If the hostesses have impeccable service, I know my dining experience will be extraordinary.
(5)Caitlin H.
I had the pleasure of dining here for lunch one day. We sat outside on the patio and it was the perfect weather with the best view of the ocean. It was even better since I didn't have to pay! I ordered the truffle pizza for my kids, a hamachi spring roll and endive salad for myself. My kids didn't care for the pizza as much. The spring roll was just meh. Luckily, my endive salad was excellent. The heirloom beets were delicious. The service was also very good.
(4)Teresa N.
We love Stephen, our waiter. We had prawn salad & salmon entree for lunch. We paired it with a bottle of Cakebread Chardonnay. It was a beautiful day for lunch with great food, great ambience, great service and great view. Lunch total was $200 for 2. Worth every penny.
(5)G.G S.
Phenomenal. Incredible view. Best burger (dry aged so it's the highest quality) and fries ever. Great service. Oh, and GET THE ICED TEA. It's Earl Grey over ice! The only negative was that we had our two kids and they took forever to bring our high chairs. I didn't detract any stars because the food and iced tea was uncommonly delightful.
(5)Ellen C.
Really good date spot! My friend and I came here before our reservations to get drinks at the bar (they only service drinks, no appetizers, but they do have nuts and stuff you can nibble on). We ordered their white peach sangria (amazingly delicious), and then headed up to the restaurant. We happened to get a table outside, right under the stars, next to the balcony where you can see the beach. It was super romantic and a perfect night! Shared the charcuterie, and we each had an entree. I ordered fish, she had pasta, and her pasta was amazingly delicious. Would definitely recommend this place, particularly as a date spot!
(5)John L.
The ambiance, service, and view are 5 stars!!!! The food.... 3.5-4 stars. We sat out of the deck with our party of 11 on a beautiful, sunny, clear day. They started off by giving all the kids a small penguin stuff animal. Never had a restaurant do that before. Our waters and drinks were never less than half full. The kids got a bit restless halfway through the meal and were a little disruptive but we never got a dirty look. Only smiles. We tried quite a few things. The trio of fries were ok but I wouldn't order it if there are people ordering burgers. We had way too many fries. The sauces are excellent though. I really liked the truffle aioli and the cherry chipotle ketchup. The yellowtail roll was decent. 4 stars. Once again it was the dipping sauce that made it special. The cheese place was pretty fantastic. Lot of little things to try with your cheese. Seme really good honey, onions, multiple fruits, jam, marcona almonds, etc. The salads and entrees were were we were a bit disappointed. The endives salad was just ok. 3 stars. Forgot the name of the other salad but it was a bit better. 4 stars. The shrimp burger was reportedly pretty good, didn't try it. The pappardelle in porcini sauce was ok. The pasta was cooked well but the sauce didn't seem to stand out too much. 3.5 stars. The burger was just ok. For $24 it better be really damn good.... 3 stars. The halibut sandwich was decent 4 stars. My kids kosher hot dog was pretty good! The ice cream was pretty good. Nice dark chocolate flavor without too much sweetness. The coffee and vanilla were also pretty good. The service was top-notch! 5 stars. The ambiance and view are hard to match. 5 stars. The food just ok. Usually if the food is not great that's not a good experience for me... but he service and view were so great I'm torn.....
(4)Mimi L.
ALL 4 stars go to service, view and location. We made reservation the last minute, still had to wait for a patio tableto have better view, I ordered a mimosa while waiting at the bar, then I got impatient, told host girl to just seat us at a table right next to the window, the view was still good. Beautiful Montage hotel in Laguna beach, this restaurant in on site with amazing hotel pool and pacific ocean view. The patio seating is perfect for a romantic and intimate meal. Total lunch bill for 2 with 3 alcohol beverages: $115 Our food: Sea salt, garlic, and vinegar fries with 3 kinds of sauces: Very delicious Pan seared Scottish Salmon: a little dry and flavorless Sauteed Halibut on Parmesan flat bread: flavorless Honestly the food was not so good, flavorless, at $26 a sandwich, $32 an entree salmon, I expected it to be fairly delicious. The complimentary bread basket was so delicious though! :) Mimosa was pretty good, had 2 of those! But we were at a luxury hotel restaurant with beautiful view, the service was over the top, they kept bringing up the drinks and pouring for us, our waiter was extremely nice and attentive. If you plan to impress a date there, patio tables or tables next to the windows only, it's worth the $$$ you pay for the meal. :)
(4)Ellen A.
We came here for Valentine's day appetizers and to watch the beautiful sunset...what an amazing view! The best. We had a wonderful cheese tray and wine. Love.
(5)Michelle P.
The staff at the Loft provided an exceptional special occasion breakfast for our family. We were warmly greeted and called by our name. In our reservation we had mentioned it was a special early Christmas celebration. Knowing this, the staff arranged a lovely table on the patio with a breathtaking view for everyone at the table. Before we even arrived the staff pre-arranged the umbrellas so all guests were protected from the morning sun yet still provided with unobstructed views. Our service was excellent. The server helped us choose from the menu with a few recommendations. All of our choices were delicious and had beautiful presentation. We had just the right amount of attention from the server to keep us well taken care of and gratefully our conversation was not inhibited by the service, which can be a delicate balance. We have tried a wide selection of brunches in the Newport Beach and Laguna Beach areas for this annual Christmas celebration with extended family. This was by far the best food, best view and best personalized service that we have found. Skip the overpriced impersonal brunch buffets that other restaurants offer and bring your guests to the Loft to impress them and have an all around great breakfast or brunch experience.
(5)Chelsea T.
Wow, this place was good. Of course it's expensive, but very good. Between the two nights we were there, my boyfriend and I had the salmon, caprese pizza, caesar salad, and a few drinks. The salmon was perfectly done and so delicious. I was super excited about the caesar salad for some reason though. The pieces of lettuce were perfectly sized and crunchy, I love that! The pizza was amazing as well, and the tomatoes on top tasted super fresh. My boyfriend asked the bartender to surprise him with a whiskey drink, and he loved what he got. I just had a couple martinis. The staff was all super friendly, and very accommodating. I would definitely come back!
(5)Kate J.
What a pleasant experience. My fiancé and I went to celebrate both my birthday and our 1 year anniversary. The waiter was very attentive. He was so sweet to bring us two complimentary desserts for our celebrations. Wonderful place for a romantic dinner.
(5)Christine C.
They sat us front and center, the perfect window table overlooking the pool, twinkle-lit wedding lawn and dolphins frolicking in the ocean. We arrived an hour before sunset and had a light ocean breeze through the open window while sipping on wine and enjoying the fresh bread basket. Luxuriously casual. Ambiance was very nice. Half dozen Oysters - hubs ate it and loved it. The special for the night was Duck Breast and Confit Ravioli with Swiss Chard. Soooooooo delicious. Clean the plate delicious. Duck breast was so tender, and the confit ravioli...my mouth is watering just thinking about it. And I love Swiss Chard. The Mediterranean Sea Bass was sooooooooooo delicious. Soft, tender, perfectly prepared. I'm not a big fan of beans, but the fava beans were good. There was also another type of bean on the plate that I didn't care for though. They brought us a chocolate espresso type cake that was soooooooo delicious. Paired with a cup of good coffee. Mmmm.... Had a wonderful time at the Montage as always.
(5)Devin T.
Tasty Food? Yup! Polite and knowledgeable staff? Absolutely (seriously, the staff here are over-the-top awesome)! Phenomenal view? Yes! Comfortable Patio seating in the dead of "winter"? Also, yes (surprisingly)! With all that, why not five stars? $16 cocktails. I don't mind spending $20-$30 for a brunch entree at a nice place with a good view, but the drinks were a little steep. Don't get me wrong, if the drinks had wowed and dazzled me, I wouldn't mind paying as much, but they were just good not great. Even so, I absolutely would recommend this place to a friend (or a complete stranger).
(4)James K.
The only thing going for this resraurant was the view but then again i could get the same view and atmosphere at the PV resort which doesnt come with the traffic congestion along with crazy valet fees also. The food is just alright although the presentation was good but the taste is forgetable. Service was good but not great especially for what they are charging for entrees. Overall a decent experience but i wont be returning anytime soon for the food alone.
(3)Cat H.
Amazing. I met Mom here for dinner and feel like I really got a great experience. It was right at sunset, so the warm glow of the sun over the water made for great views. Service was impeccable, of course, and we felt well taken care of. Food wise, I had a lovely pinot noir to start and an arugula salad to die for. The combination of the cheese, pine nuts, apples and the arugula was amazing. I could have literally eaten just that all night and been satisfied. But I also had the sea bass, which was moist and flaky. I'm not so sure about the broth, but the fish was great. All in all, we had a lovely dinner. Between the food, the views, and the impeccable service, I can honestly say I can't wait to come back! And you can bet we will!
(5)Vivian L.
from the moment we drive onto the property, the service was spot on. all the employees were helpful in directing us to the restaurant, and the service at lunch was great. the halibut on flatbread is their specialty (it's actually a sandwich -- I thought this was going to be like a pizza). the view was great, although a little hazy at first. here's a tip: if you just want to check out the view, you don't have to eat in the restaurant. there's an equally beautiful lounge that overlooks the pool on the north side, where you can just order a drink and enjoy the fresh air and ocean view. there's also beach access from the hotel. take the elevator down to the 1st floor and follow the path to treasure island beach.
(4)Laurie C.
Probably the best filet mignon I've ever had. The chef makes my dinner special. I order a filet with sautéed mushrooms on top, with a port wine sauce. Not on the menu, but he makes for me. It's out of this world! Excellent service too, and you can't beat the views. The best of the best!
(5)K C.
We've eaten here a few times for dinner and each visit has been special. We always sit on the balcony and the view is spectacular. The coffee crusted New York strip steak is So Delicious we order it every time. The service is excellent and friendly. I'm giving it 4 stars because once I came for lunch and my sandwich was so dry. It was not what I expected. But definitely come for dinner!
(4)Lana M.
Great atmosphere and awesome service. However, the food was slightly disappointing. The truffle risotto was way undercooked. The salmon was super salty.
(3)Jillie S.
Bf and I came here on a Sunday, busy but very accommodating. We reserved a seat at the patio where we can have a good view, and we got it. The waiter was so nice and always asking every 10 minutes if we're okay. They refilled our drinks quickly, replaced our utensils after appetizers, and main course. We ordered Margherita Pizza , Cocktail Shrimp, Dry Aged Burger, Wild Pacific Mahi Mahi on Parmesan Flatbread and some dark chocolate dessert with berry and peanut ( i forgot what it's called!). I can't believe my bf and I was eating there for 2 hours! We didn't feel like we're being rushed although it was a busy day. :)
(5)Emily D.
I have been here twice and both times had a very wonderful meal and great service. The view is one of the best parts so make sure to ask for a table outside or by the window. The aged NY steak with coffee grounds, sea salt and brown sugar rub served with blue cheese and arugula is amazing. Also the fromagier is very knowledgeable and will put together an amazing cheese plate for you. Yes you read that correctly they have a cheese expert that will help select an amazing cheese plate for you. Each cheese comes paired with items such as honey or compote that really enhance the flavors of the cheese.
(5)Sue H.
Went there for thanksgiving. 95,00 per person. Our seats were great and fabulous view. The food was traditional which we wanted but it was disappointing! Very bland. Mashed potatoes very good but gravy tasteless. Cranberry relish was the worst ever. It was so tart and would make you cough when you took a bite. Just awful! Plan green beans and again not a hint of any herbs. Waiter took my husbands plate when he was not finished. Waiter said when fork and knife crossed he thought it meant you were finished. FYI when you are finished knife and fork together and to the side. Maybe ask first before you grab the plate! Would not go again no matter what the price! Beautiful setting and mediocre food at best. Maybe Chef Should watch America's Test Kitchen!
(2)Kristy E.
Dined here a few times while staying at The Montage. Food was really good, but I if I weren't staying at the hotel I wouldn't go out of my way to come here for the food. It's the kind of place where you come for the views, and the fact the food is good is a bonus. I forget all of what we had here, the only picture I can find is of a pizza we munched on for lunch. Seeing nothing sticks out as being bad, I'm assuming it was all good. The views by the way, are incredible!
(4)David N.
My wife and I enjoyed Easter dinner at 3:00 today at the loft. We began by watching a big ass pick up truck run a red light and get nailed by a cop, that truck was going to Montage! We were a bit early and enjoyed tasty drinks at the main bar off the lobby. If you can't relax here, you can't relax. My wife thought that she was back on a cruise. We had a table on the deck in the shade, perfect. I enjoyed Fennel Soup, Lamb, and Strawberry shortcake. Initially they told me that they ran out of lamb but they went to another kitchen on site to obtain additional lamb, now that is what a proper eating establishment does. My wife had a salad, halibut and a chocolate desert which she said was amazing. She said that fish that I have cooked is better but she enjoyed it. We were fully satisfied and took a walk to look at the ocean. The restrooms were great with wonderful towels what you would expect for a first class establishment. The require valet parking which after validation is $11. I do have issues with spending more than a car payment for dinner and then extra for parking but then again I am thrifty. It took a loooooong time to get our car and the head valet knew it. After he acknowledged it I later complained to the valet cashier and before even discussing it he handed me $11 with an apology. When the head valet brought the car he was very apologetic. I wasn't driving a Maserati like two others who dropped theirs off, but that is no excuse. We will be back!
(4)Mihail L.
Mediocre hosts compromise great service and good food and awesome views. After this morning's experience, we canceled dinner reservations and would rather go to Studio or Stonehill Tavern.
(2)Teddy L.
Love the restaurant it was so great risotto great suffle good but not sweet if you want sweet duck cooked perfect steak was not medium rare as requested but has good taste I personally feel it needs a little more sweet to contrast the coffee and it be perfect Katie provide excellent service and everyone is so happy
(4)Josh J.
The view was very nice. The interior setting was very spacious and romantic. I recommend going there during the day as by night, it is pitch black outside and you won't enjoy the view as much. Food was just okay for the price. I went there with my girlfriend on her birthday and the bill was around $230 for the both of us. We ordered wine, appetizer and entrees (no dessert). The service was just okay because our waiter did not seem too friendly. If this was a 2-star restaurant, it would not have bothered me. He was not rude, but did not seem enthusiastic and friendly. He was however very friendly to the to other group. We were a younger couple so perhaps our age was a factor, who knows. Otherwise, I would recommend for the view and decor which is very romantic.
(3)Joanna L.
Boyfriend took me here for dinner last night....basic fine dining American cuisine...located inside a nice fancy resort in Laguna Beach......now compare to KAI...in Arizona...which is another really nice resort...this place is pretty packed. And yet again we felt like the youngest couple there....(not to mention Asian) haha But this happens to us all the time....so we are use to it. Anyways the restaurant...is pretty causal...I mean decor and atmosphere suppose to be up-scale and intimate and romantic.....valet....and people greeting you by the door, by the patio door, at your table, outside the resort...just people greeting you where ever you go.....reason I say its "suppose to be intimate and romantic" because it's really not. It's full of people and it gets quite noisy. We sat outside on the patio....my bf hoping for a good view of the beach....it was around 6pm so it was already dark so not much of a good view unfortunately....since that is one of the reasons he took me here. it was also suppose to be a calming experience...since dinner with the sound of the waves and cool night air breeze....but didn't really get that feel. I never really know what to order at these places...I mean American fine dining is really your basic land or sea entrees, salads and soups for starters and some other fancy small dished appetizers......this time when i looked at the entrees I really didn't know what to order because: 1. very limited selection ( I understand this because they are constantly changing menus....) 2. looked at seafood options: salmon, scallops, cod or swordfish are your options for the night....BORING! and besides cod and swordfish are the worse...overpriced because they aren't the greatest fish in the sea....at least offer Halibut...lol) 3. looked at the land options: chicken, pork loin, vintage beef ribs, coffee-rubbed new your steak and veal chop....ehhhh nothing new...not a big fan of any. In the end I went for the Sweet Pea and Ham Risotto and Heirloom Duck Confit Squash Soup.....the soup was delicious but don't let the name trick you...it's really just squash soup with a few bits of duck meat in the center...I mean it's still good but I like how menus always make the food sound so much better than it actually is. My bf ordered the Loft Caesar salad (which is your basic Caesar salad but for $18 and the American Heirloom Duroc Pork Loin....it was just okay...for $39.. I think I have had better. heh. We also tried two non-alcoholic fruity "cocktails"...mine was the Ginger Mint Cooler and his was the Strawberry Sunset.....pretty tasty but felt like it lacked the kick since there was no alcohol....feel a bit bad since I am allergic to alcohol.. therefore cannot drink wine at most of these places... The service was definitely nice...and it's usually is at these places....they could talk all the shit they want in the kitchen about the diners but in the end they have to put on a big smile and serve you. haha....I mean I don't believe that they aren't genuinely nice and friendly but I also understand sometimes being a waitress or waiter is tough.....especially at these places....really don't want a complaining customer. One more thing.....opentable.com site tells you to dress casual elegant.....it's really suppose to be dressy.......since a majority of the men are in suits, or dress shirts with dress pants....and well the ladies always dresses nice. haha Overall it was a nice experience and I always appreciate the places my bf takes me to. =)
(3)Ken G.
Wow, they really have some incredible food here. I was here for breakfast and lunch and both were amazingly awesome: Roasted Chicken Chilaquilles - what a great way to start the day...freshly fried corn tortillas are smothered in a nice chile sauce, along with good portions of tender, well-seasoned chicken and topped with fried eggs, fresh cheese and avocado cream - so good! They took a fairly ordinary dish and made it pretty amazing. Filet Mignon Chili - Perfect lunch! A nice and hearty stew of filet mignon (no beans!) was filled with some great flavor and wasn't too spicy. The chili arrived with a nice small skillet of awesome cornbread - sweet and with the perfect consistency. The honey butter that arrived with the cornbread was great as well since they actually topped butter with shaved honey - so clever! I really loved this restaurant and would definitely go back. It's very expensive (chilaquilles were $21 and chili was $23) for typical breakfast or lunch pricing, but it's worth the splurge. All this and you get a great view of the Pacific...tough to beat!
(5)Danny S.
Went here for dinner (while staying at the Montage) on 4/12. Wanted to try Studio, but settle for The Loft. Still had a wonderful time and great food. Ambience: Very nicely decorated restaurant. Although it was not their signature restaurant, it was still very very nice and could have held up as the main restaurant. Service: Like the rest of the resort, fabulous. Everyone from the from the host, to wait staff, to bartender. First class all the way. Just to give you an example, I asked the bartender to make me a cocktail using scotch. He whipped up a nice one and proceeded to write out the recipe for me (without me asking) and had the waiter present it to me in a card and envelope. Who does that? Food: Great! We started with a customized charcuterie with cheese platter. The cheese expert came out and asked us what type of cheese that we liked (apparently they have over 150 different kind of cheeses). He then proceeded to bring out the different cheese and meat and explained them all to us. Great first course. My wife was full and opted for the appetizer Risotto (mushroom with kale) and I had the John Dory (waiter's recommendation). The Risotto was nice and creamy. The John Dory was awesome. My first time having it (usually prefer sea bass) and it was cooked perfectly. We had the Creme brulee and it was a very unique version of it. Came with a curant sorbet. All in all a great meal. Price was on the higher side, but you get what you pay for. Would definitely come back if given the opportunity.
(5)Sara B.
This place is Ok..nothing special on the food. Way too over priced for what you get.. You're paying more for the view & location.
(2)OCbanker N.
I take my wife here often and she LOVES it. The food is excellent (risotto, salads, fresh fish) and the service is top notch. Plus, you can spend a nice afternoon WITH THE KIDS outside and pretend to be staying at the Montage lol. The staff is extremely friendly and it's always a great time at the Loft.
(4)Hannah F.
Had a really great meal here, made extra special by the top-notch service. Sadly, we didn't get to fully enjoy the spectacular view, because we had a late meal and it was already dark. But even in the dark, you can see the moonlight on the water, which is still beautiful! I have to say, the stand out here is their amazing selection of cheeses. Wow. No cheese plate will ever top the one my boyfriend and I shared. They have a fromagier come to the table and specifically select the right cheeses for you based on what you like. And he made the most amazing choices for us! Each cheese comes with a perfect accoutrement. Our gouda came with a lavender caramel- sounds totally strange, but it was so delicious! Everything on this plate was perfection. For the meal, I had a red wine risotto that was really great, and my boyfriend loved the duck that he ordered. At the end of the meal, though, the most wonderful thing happened. I had asked the waiter for the name of one of the cheeses we had, because I loved it so much. He wrote the name on a piece of paper for me, and I was so happy that I could go buy it! A few minutes later, one of the chefs, the wonderful Carrie, came out to our table with a box in her hands. She explained how she heard about how much I liked the cheese, so she brought me a box with a portion to take home! I was almost in tears- free cheese. This is my dream world. That really just made our experience here. I cannot wait till I have the chance to come back! I highly recommend it, but do be prepared to pay for the great food, service, and view!
(5)Gabriela S.
Unfortunately our second time here this past weekend wasn't as pleasant and definitely mediocre at best. From the service to the food it was a huge change that is unfortunate. The waitress took forever on everything, the steak was over cooked and even the cheese substitution to our requests were not so good.
(3)Sayaka H.
Great location, awesome view, good service, but the food was just ok... Because the restaurant is inside the Montage, maybe I had higher expectation!? The cheese bread was the only thing I remember that was tasty. I went during lunch time, so I might give another try during dinner.
(3)Jeff M.
When I was staying at the Montage hotel had lunch at the Loft a couple of times. The food was great... Had their sandwich, but you have a wonderful patio view of their pool and the Ocean. The server was friendly and very helpful. You have the bar in the front with a TV if you need to wait for your table. When I come back to Laguna Beach I'll come back to eat here.
(4)Melanie F.
I love coming here for lunch. Sitting in the patio with the sun hitting and slight breeze feels so relaxing. The view is breathtaking and takes me away from all my hectic work life. I feel like in an instant, I'm on vacation. The service is great! They are knowledgeable, friendly and make kickass recommendations. The food is great too! Cheese platter - YUMMY! BLT - LOVE! Salted Caramel dessert - to die for! so much caramel, so little time. I am going to try and make this a regular luncheon with my girlfriends.
(5)Roz S.
Wonderful food. Please bring the OREO cake on the menu!!!
(5)Mike H.
I have boujie moments, you have boujie moments, we all have boujie moments. This goes along with my review of The Montage in Laguna Beach (The Montage. . . so fancy. . .). I am an East Coast guy. I don't hate the West Coast, but it's just not my place to jive. The Lot & The Montage are probably the only two places that can make me forget my worries and forget where I am. The views are what take the cake, because if you get the right table, you can feel like you're on top of the world and right on the ocean. Service has always been top notch with friendliness and attentiveness but never hovering and lingering. It's like they can read minds. I needed a fork and presto, our waiter was there. When I was "thinking" about the check, he brought it over and quietly placed it down with a smile and walked away. If I had service like that at a place that wasn't so damn expensive, I'd be there every day. I had the braised short ribs and it was heaven on earth. Eat, drink, be merry, and try to take a walk aruond the resort and on the beach afterwards. A time you won't regret.
(5)Dustin J.
Staff and view 5 stars Food 2 stars U pay for the view.
(3)Dani S.
Wasn't impressed at all. By far inferior than Studio. My Pucci model girlfriend came to visit me before flying out to Italy for her next fashion show. She made me put on a $15k Pucci dress for dinner, then tasked me to find a place where we can go while struting my stuff in this $15k dress... That just eliminated 99% of all restaurants in OC. Initially wanted to go to Studio but with no reservation we couldn't get in. Service was good, but the food was just very lacking in flavor, presentation and freshness.
(3)Tina C.
Had lunch here today and thought the service was superb. They sat us at a table by the window with a great view of the beach. We had the chorizo pizza to share for appetizer which I thought it was mediocre. The crust was soft and there was very few pieces of chorizo on it. The complementary bread was excellent though. There were these cheese balls that were amazing. The french dip was mediocre. The beef was over cooked like roast beef but the french onion soup that it came with was exceptionally good. We also had the filet Mignon chili which was excellent, nice size chunks of tender pieces of beef. It also came with fresh baked corn bread which was pretty tasty. It was a very expensive place to have a casual lunch though. Lunch for 2 ppl costs us $130. We each had 2 mimosas($16 per glass), 1 appetizer to share, 1 lunch entree each. The entrees were averaging $24 each. That's like the price of a nice dinner :-(. Next time, I would prefer to come here for dinner instead. Warning valet here is $20 but the restaurant will stamp your card and reduce the price to $8.
(3)Jaume N.
The food was outstanding, the desserts were amazing and the restaurant has spectacular views. Our experience was made special by our server, Bustos, who was very attend to details.
(5)R T.
Was taken here for my birthday lunch. Got seated in the patio area above pool with panoramic view of ocean. Eric waited on us and was perfect in every way; drink suggestions, appetizer and entree suggestions as well! Food was over the top delish! I had the French fry trio appetizer and the truffle aioli dip was amazing. Had the chicken piccata dish with capers - great! The only negative was that I was too full to order dessert! Love that place! Hopefully I can stay there next time!
(5)Anna L.
I have eaten here with my family twice - the experience is always phenomenal. The views from this restaurant (and all of the resort property) are stunning. The dining room itself is incredibly beautiful, with balconies to dine on as well. Every course at the Loft is plated with the most beautiful precision. I hardly ever want to touch my plate (I always take a picture first). We started with a cheese plate upon both visits...but "cheese plate" is an understatement. If you enjoy fine cheeses, the Loft is the place for you - they have over 100 varieties to choose from. Their "cheese master" (named a French word that I do not know) will come to your table to ask questions about your preferences to help you decide. Each cheese is plated with a specific pairing to compliment each cheese. I had lobster ravioli during my most recent visit, and needless to say, it was to die for. Plated beautifully, and incredibly tasty! The Loft does fish oh so well. Our desserts were also to die for. My step-father tried Affogato (hot espresso poured over vanilla ice cream) for the first time here - they brought his ice cream out and poured the espresso right in front of him. It was a wonderful experience! The service here is top. notch. Every waiter and waitress (and cheese masters of course) that I have encountered here has been wonderful. They all seem to be the best of the best in the field. My visit last December, our waiter had every aspect of the menu memorized to a T. He was warm, kind, but not over-the-top friendly. We tipped him very well for being so excellent. Last December during our dinner here we even got to meet a star of the show Glee, which was a pretty nice touch to an excellent meal! He was extremely nice, and even took a photo with my mother and I, and wished her a happy birthday.
(5)patrick f.
Short review. Had lunch on a Sunday. Limited menu mostly overpriced sandwiches. Good service and great view. When we dine their, it was mostly pre-wedding guest having a meal.
(3)G W.
Delicious! Service was great. The waiter brought even printed out a wikipedia article when we asked a food question that he could not answer. Would definitely go back.
(5)Stephanie L.
CHEESE!!!!! The Loft has one of the only fromagiers (sp?) around. Their cheese selection is out of this world. Bread basket is beyond compare, excellent wine and beer selection. We usually only get other foods to complement the cheese as that's our main focus. The lunch chili and cornbread is perfect. Perfect ocean views and excellent service.
(5)KimAnh N.
I had the absolute best experience today at The Loft!! From the moment we got there, everyone at Montage was so warm and welcoming. I love how you ask them for directions and they practically walk you there. Everything was well worth every penny and I love to fine and dine at places like these! It was a gorgeous day today so sitting outside was perfect! We had a great view of their swimming pool and the ocean front. There's no words that can describe how wonderful their service was. Everyone was so attentive! Our server (patrick) did an excellent job! Yes., Everyone!! Including Oliver (which stopped by to check up on us. How sweet!!) I absolutely love it! It felt like royalty. :-) our drinks were constantly filled and did I mention they changed our silverware 3 times?? Who does that? I didn't even order that much. Ok maybe I did just a little but usually silverwares are only replaced 2 times max! Ahhhh it's the little things like this that matters to me hahaa Definitely coming back!!
(5)Allison I.
Ask for Claude, he's the best!
(5)Debi S.
Went there for dinner for Mother's Day (the night before) with my daughter, son in law and Mom. Beyond fantastic - I wish I could give them 10 stars. I have been there before one time just for dessert and it was wonderful. This time was even better. The place itself is beautiful and the ambiance are perfect. We had the charcuterie platter to start with - wonderful! My SIL and I had the halibut done on yummy grits with green beans and little baby corns. Yummy and the halibut cut like butter. The chef sent out his cold pea soup with crab which was so tasty and really pretty. For dinner, my Mom had the scallops which were cooked to perfection and a very generous serving. My dgtr had the foi gras (please excuse my spelling...). For dessert, I had the ice cream which was the best ice cream ever! Almost forgot about the bread. They do these little, round cheese bread things. I swear they dropped out of heaven. And the best thing is that they are gluten free so my dgtr can enjoy them too. Wine: I had a glass of the riesling which was perfect. We also had a dessert wine that was lovely and paired perfectly. Service: if you go there, see if you can request Katie. She is fantastic - knows her stuff, so sweet and great service. In fact, everyone there was extremely nice! Yes, the Loft is very expensive but it is worth the service, the ambiance and the quality of food. It is a wonderful place for special occasions and I can't wait to go back!! Thank you Loft for one of the best Mother's Day dinners ever. Special thanks to Chef Casey!!
(5)Sarah K.
Loft was by far our favorite place in Laguna The service was awesome and even though it was getting late fur dinner they welcomed us and made us feel like we could have whatever we want The clams are 19 dollars and soooo delicious and healthy I assume the mussels are in the same league Huge portion it's all you need for dinner I highly recommend !! We went to Studio the Montage 5 star the next night and we were not impressed
(5)Steph H.
One of my girlfriends recommended this place for a special lunch. I'd heard about the Montage Resort, but had never been--seemed like a very chi-chi kind of place. Well, it is, but the good kind that values good service to their customers. Everyone, from the hostess to the water refill lady, were very courteous and friendly, and I really appreciated that. We opted to sit in the outside dining area since the weather was so nice--there's a breathtaking view of the Pacific as well as of the pool area below, and it was really great. While perusing the menu I opted for a glass of mimosa, nicely chilled and refreshing. We decided to get an order of the fritto misto, and assortment of seafood (and inexplicable slices of lemon) deep-fried in a light, delicate batter with red pepper flecks, which added a bit of a kick to things, accompanied by a lemon aioli. It was very, very good, everything cooked to perfection and delicious. We had a hard time deciding on our entrees, but two of us decided on the seared yellowtail salad, one ordered the coconut chicken salad, and the other one ordered the chicken sandwich. Good, but I can't say outstanding--the greens accompanying my fish seemed a bit oversoaked in dressing and the "avocado mousse" wasn't very flavorful, in my opinion. Everyone else seemed OK with their food, but we didn't get really enthusiastic until we got our desserts. I opted for their "Sky High Lemon Passion Tart" and the others shared a chocolate cake. Wow, was that lemon tart good. It was a like a mini lemon meringue pie, but a different variety altogether. The "meringue" on top was browned gorgeously, and the texture was something like melted marshmallow, thicker and tackier, sitting atop two different kinds of lemon filling encased in a pastry shell. Pretty dang good. The chocolate cake looked good, but I'm not a fan of that coconut filling and prefer lemon over chocolate these days, strangely enough. Overall delicious, but the portions seemed very small for the price you pay. That's why this place isn't a 5-star for me--even though the service was awesome and food was good, everything seemed really overpriced. Then again, I don't usually pay $22 for a teeny tiny salad or $6 for a cup of coffee so maybe it's my problem. I mean, when you come to places like this you know you're going to be paying a lot for the ambiance and service, but even so, what ended up being a $60 lunch seemed a bit much. Would I ever come back? Sure, if someone else is buying :) Oh, don't forget to get your valet ticket validated--it turns a $10 valet bill to $5.
(4)Holly F.
ventured up here for lunch instead of the usual Mosaic for lunch at the Montage... and they did not disappoint. service was spot on, my chicken piccata salad was delicious, and the views are unbeatable. it's a pricy spot for lunch, but it's definitely worth it for the tasty dishes and amazing ambience. and the bread basket is absolutely divine! will return.
(5)Michael P.
Great breakfast spot. We've stay at the Montage a few times, the first time after fleeing the Surf and Sand for 'upgrading' us to a room whose balcony was surrounded by a loud wedding. Anyway, we always enjoy our breakfast at the loft. We moved back to California and no longer need to stay there, but still visit for the Loft. The Huevos rancheros may be the best I've ever had and the brioche French toast is incredible. The service is alway perfect, prompt, but not in your face or pretentious. The view from the balcony is great. Hmm, after reading the other reviews, now I have to try dinner there.
(5)Robert V.
The Loft is a solid 4.75 stars. Went here for Valentines Day. Loved the booths. They have these private booths with curtains that you can draw closed for privacy if you want and theyre dimly lit with candles and one small light. Very Romantic. *4.5 stars on the humongo wine list - although the by the glass menu could have used a few additional selections *5 stars for service. Our waitress was extremely knowledgable and gave a few excellent suggestions. *5 stars on the hand crafted drinks from award winning mixologist *4.75 stars on food quality. We started with (not on the menu) a cheese plate that came with 4 different types of cheese, assorted fruit, in house made bread, and fresh honey comb. We allowed the chef to select the cheeses as they have more than 25 in stock. Just ask for it. They actually offer it after the meal. But we are premeal cheese kind of peeps. I know, so uncivilized. They we moved to the chilled fingerling potatoe salad, and finished off with a hand made puff pillowed pasta stuffed with shrimp, served with a garlic infused broth, cabbage, and shantrell mushrooms. I really loved the fact that the menu is full of seasonal items that are regularly swapped on and off for other items. I'm looking forward to returning during the day to take in the phenomenal pacific ocean views.
(5)Patrick B.
Kind of expensive but great quality and outstanding service. I had a much better experience here than at the lousy place at Surf and Sand. I spent a lot on this trip to Laguna but Montage made me feel like royalty. Very professional staff and delicious food. This place gives the restaurants and hotels in my neck of the woods (Beverly Hills) a run for the money.
(4)Audra H.
My boyfriend and I made reservations through open table for our second anniversary. The staff was really great about acknowledging our special occasion. They had reserved us a table at the window. The view is beautiful. We were able to see a wedding taking place out past the pool. & of course we could see the ocean :) The bread basket had quite the variety to choose from! My favorite was the pretzel bread! I can't exactly remember what I ordered for dinner, but it was a delicious pasta dish. The meal was simply divine. My favorite part was the dessert. We ordered some type of white chocolate egg and passion fruit ice cream. When our wonderful waitress brought it to us it literally was a huge while chocolate egg with "Happy Anniversary" written in chocolate on the plate. She poured some type of hot syrup on top of the white chocolate egg which melted away to expose a beautiful presentation od passion fruit flowers and ice cream. Very well done.
(4)Ms. G.
This place is lovely! Great food, beautiful view, and wonderful service! We had a French waiter (I can't remember his name) and he was so nice and even packed up some cookies for my children to take with them. Upscale but not snobby, everyone was very down to Earth and provided a great atmosphere.
(5)Taylor C.
I went to the Loft with my then girlfriend for their special New Year's Eve menu on 12/31/12. The experience was amazing. I chose the Loft because I had been to Montage beach a few times before, and the views and resort are stunning. Also, this was a particularly important occasion... My plan was to propose to my girlfriend after dinner while we sat on a bench overlooking the beach. I did, and she said yes. :) This is without question the most expensive restaurant I have ever been to. However, the food was so good that when my fiancee and I saw the bill, we simultaneously said, "That's not too bad." Quite a statement considering it was about $400 with tip. A five course meal was served. Just a few highlights: Butter poached scallops with shaved breakfast radish in a champagne mousseline, the risotto topped with guanciale, and a spiny lobster with squid ink capellini and braised celery that was DRENCHED with butter sauce and tons of caviar. Wow! And it's not just the food. The service was perfect. No unnecessary interruptions. All interactions with the server were pleasant and she was there when we needed her. She was knowledgeable about the menu and interactive. The hostess was great as well; she was genuinely happy to let us know that she got us the best seat in the house, and she wasn't exaggerating either. Our seat overlooked the pool and ocean, which was lit up by Christmas lights and a beautiful tree. I want to thank the Montage and Loft for an unforgettable time.
(5)Steve J.
Spectacular setting at The Montage resort. Big ocean view, exceptional and friendly service, and excellent food. Pricy, but you'll leave feeling it was worth the splurge.
(4)Blake C.
You get your money worth here for sure! $25 for a meal, well worth it if you are staying here. Great service, great ambiance and great views of the ocean while eating.
(4)Ham S.
Treat yourself! Impeccable service!! The staff are truly special individuals who really know their stuff. At some high end resorts the service can seem a bit forced, not here, the people are very kind. The food was soooo good. We got several different dishes and shared. That's how I recommend it. I had the pleasure of breakfast and dinner.
(5)Marcelo S.
Took my wife for our Anniversary and the experience was romantic and delicious. Friendly staff, simple yet warm atmosphere, lovely view of the Pacific. Scallops were outstanding.
(4)Clari S.
The restaurant is very nice and has a great view. We ordered the risotto, which was great. My hubby ordered the short ribs and I ordered the cooks ranch pork. The meal was fine. The service was great! We are not used to eating (what I consider) rich foods and our tummy's were in pain for hours afterward. This'll be our first and last experience - rather cook at home.
(3)Jane K.
Came here with my father and mother.. just because. the dining experience was an A+... the service was wonderful and the ambience is really nice... no matter how nice the restaurant is, i'll be honest about the food since that's mainly what i'm paying for...the food, although nicely presented wasn't all that impressive. wasn't as creative as i expected... my entire family ordered seafood.. so maybe that's just not their specialty.
(4)Frank B.
very good food. had breakfast, lunch and dinner there and liked it all. the lobster eggs Benedict was something to remember. the cheese selection was great also.
(4)