Cadillac margaritas are the best! Not exactly what you'd expect from a seafood restaurant, but not too sweet or sour, just right. Having the margaritas did NOT bias my sensory evaluation of the seafood tower, half and half clam chowder (haven't tried it? Not gonna lie, your inner fat kid will thank you and it will quite possibly change your life) Fresh, cooked well, generous portions. Also, their key lime pie is darn near perfection with a well made graham cracker crust (personally, a pies make or break for me is the crust). Chris was the bartender and he was awesome. Excellent service, good food, and great company. Servers there really try to make you feel like you're kicking back and chilling in a laid back familiar place. Love the decor, modern, clean lines, with an emphasis on the sea-it is after all a seafood restaurant.
(4)
Phil C.
A must try, if you're a fan of seafood. A good variety on the menu to choose from. There's a seafood/oyster bar, grilled fish dishes and specialty dishes. Appetizers all sounded tasty. A good wine and cocktail menu. This was my first visit here for dinner and it didn't really disappoint. Started off with the baked dungeness carb and artichoke dip. Which I found to be tasty but tortilla chips made it a little boring. Try the dip with the bread instead of the chips. Much better. Then an order of oyster shots before the main meal. It had bit too much cocktail sauce for my taste but it still hit the spot. For my main dish, I ordered the grilled barrabundi seabass with spinach and mixed rice for the sides. Over all the dish was very good. The seabass was light and cooked perfectly. Just added a squeeze of lemon and a little salt to the fish and spinach. The mixed rice had good texture and flavor. The atmosphere of the joint is modern and hip.The happy hour section/bar area looked fun. The service staff was very friendly and attentive. Prices are a little on the high side, but it wasn't a big downer. All in all... I'll be back again.
(4)
Mary K.
I was really looking forward to trying this place out, but what a disappointment! Food was very bland. I asked for some linguini to be added to my order (which she recommended) and she forgot to tell the kitchen. When my food came out and she finally came around 10mins later to check on us, I told her "did u tell the kitchen to add the pasta?" She's like "oh no I forgot, u want me to tell them now?" Uh no obviously it's too late. Neither of us finished our plates even half way and frankly she didn't even care. Only good thing was the edamame. Would not recommend this place to anyone! Not coming up, mediocre service and bland food
(2)
Dan H.
Uh boy, here we go again. My boss loves this place as it is very close to the office, and the bar is big and empty (now I know why) even at happy hour. 8 of us went again last Wednesday night for drinks and dinner and to watch the Angel game. This time we at least had a more capable btender, well after my boss gave him a short and somewhat pleasant lecture. He basically told him he was going to spend $400.00 or so and was hoping to tip him accordingly. We not only got better service from then on he also enlisted someone else (manager?) to keep tabs on us as well. Thanks! That and the steam clams were the positives, well and my wine glass being constantly filled x3. And the guy was pretty funny, a real pro. The bad? This was the worst piece of $24 salmon that I could ever imagine. I have had much better salmon at Zubies Chicken Coop in Newport for $10 less. I was there with the work group, wasn't paying, and we were having a great time and I didn't want to be "that guy" sending stuff back and bringing the party down. So I ate every dry overly fishy tasting bite. And I love salmon, but this was waaay too strong tasting. Reminded me of the Sock Eye salmon out of a can. Hey, I even like that too on a Triscuit, but its only a couple of bucks, not $24. The piece was so small at least I didn't have to suffer through many bites. I filled up on the very tasty mashed potatoes. I would not be surprised to see this place shuttered in the not too distant future, unless their other locations are making enough profit to keep this place afloat. The 2 times we have been here it is barely 1/8 full in the dining room and 1/4 full in the bar. With food quality and portions this disappointing I'm surprised they are still open. And if they are still open in September I'm sure the boss will drag us there again for his monthly visit.
(2)
Rob C.
Excellent seafood great service. Very knowledgeable.
(5)
Luke W.
Humm. Bluewater really missed the mark in my book. The staff was okay, ambiance was great...I think it was simply was the food. We had a large lunch for a board or directors meeting (20+ people). Staff great everyone and directly everyone well! We had a buffet style appetizer (calamari w/ cocktail sauce), it must have came out early, very soggy, and there were no utensils. Ordering went well considering the number of people. However, staff did have some trouble figuring out whom ordered what when the food was being presented, it was a bit of a guessing game (which is always the case with such a big table). I ordered fish & chips...hard to screw up...however. It was pretty bad. I worked my way through it. I steered my fork away from nasty looking parts of the fish. I hate giving negative reviews, but I really found myself not enjoying the dish. I can't speak for everyone else, but I wouldn't not order fish & chips at this place again. Immediately after leaving, my stomach was upset and I am pretty sure it was the fish & chips, however it could have been the calamari that was sitting around. Either way, I wouldn't be excited to go back to this place.
(2)
Tesha R.
Yesterday was my first time at the Bluewater grill and my first impressions were good. I was greeted promptly walking through the door and seated shortly after. The decor is just okay and the atmosphere is casual and inviting. I tried the crab jalapeño dip for an appetizer and overall I would say it was good. There was plenty of fresh crab and jalapeño flavor, but there was a lot of cheese melted on top for my taste. For dinner, I ordered the prawn linguini pasta and my friend had the lobster tail with garlic mashed potatoes. My pasta was delicious and the prawns cooked perfectly. My friends lobster was cooked perfectly as well, but her overall dish came out lukewarm and the vegetables were bland. Dessert was the chocolate lava cake and I have nothing bad to say about it, the cake was moist and did not disappoint. Overall, the restaurant was just okay. If the restaurant primarily does seafood, then I expect the seafood to be phenomenal and for the price you are paying. I think this place would be perfect for mid day cocktails at happy hour with an appetizer, but for a good seafood dinner, I will personally pass.
(3)
James N.
Went to the Bluewater Grill Tustin tonight and it was really good. we had the clam chowder (both kinds) and they were really good. then we had the sea bob-bons (tiny scallops with wasabi and something else.) Super good and the Oysters, mmmmm... for the main course, I had the pan fried scallops and they were good, but the Bayside restaurant has better scallops. All in all the food was very good and service was fast and efficient. overt all a great place at the District.
(4)
Jamie W.
Friends of ours absolutely rave about this place, so a couple weeks back when headed to the District for a movie, we decided to finally give it a shot. Overall? Underwhelmed. Considering how much my friends have enjoyed this place in the past, one of three things could be going on... An off night? Declining food and service from when they went? Or maybe I should just be questioning my friend's taste in restaurants. Hmmm.... As we had places to be, we opted to share several appetizers as opposed to ordering entrees. We had: Oysters. Fanny Bay, 1/2 dozen. Overall, not a real fresh flavor. Though I wouldn't say they were "un-fresh", they tasted just slightly past their prime. I wouldn't want to order them again. Calamari. Meh... okay but a bit greasy. Not overly chewy, but definitely nothing special. Crab dip... Awful. Horrible. Very "canned" crab taste and a little sour smelling. The chips were so stale I thought I might crack a tooth. Ahi Poke. Actually the only decent thing we had. Good amount of heat, nice presentation. Our Mai Tais were a-ok. Service was barely passable - friendly but hella' slow... Cost: pricey for what it was. I would not try this place again. Bad night or not, I was just unimpressed.
(2)
Cat H.
While shopping with my boyfriend, he surprised me by saying his mother was on her way to have lunch with us. I wasn't sure what she'd like, but luckily she wanted to go someplace that featured fish. I could worry less about my food choices with so many healthy fish options. The restaurant was relatively empty except for a group yelling at the tv at the bar. We literally had most of the place to ourselves. It was nice to be able to chat and get to know one another. Our waiter was also quite attentive. After a round of tea and lemonade, we ordered some blackened mahi mahi fish tacos and a crab club. The fish tacos were just ok, to be honest. I thought it was a lot of cabbage, but much less fish in the taco. I poured on the included salsa to give it some added flavor but I didn't catch any spice. I didn't try the crab but my bf picked at it more than he ate it. We all agreed our food was ok, but not great. They definitely needed something. I'm thinking the tacos would've been better with less cabbage, some cotija cheese and some fresh salsa on top. The grilled veggies I got with it were the best item on the plate I think. Maybe I'll try something new if I find myself there again.
(3)
Javier A.
This is our third weekend that we come to this restaurant and every single time there was this couple that ruined our dinner experience and of all others in the bar area. They seemed to know every single server and bartender, they are loud but the most annoying part is that they disclosed information about the people that they had served. Regardless, the food and decor are among the best! Just be more professional and allow diners to enjoy their time.
(2)
Sumner B.
I'd say just your average 3 star restaurant overall.
(3)
Steven S.
atmosphere in Newport is less inviting when the boats run their motors. Nevertheless, the food has always been excellent.
(4)
ed c.
when i noticed they prepare clams with the whole belly's i was very excited, being from the east coast these clams are my favorites but needless to say i wasn't very impressed the service was very slow and the clam were way too crispy and overcooked. i may give them one more try but i'm not holding my breath.
(3)
Calvin M.
Went here for OC restaurant week. We started off with the Lobster Bique and the Manhattan Clam Chowder. Both were good, though the Lobster Bisque stood out more. The flavor and aroma of the Lobster Bisque was enjoyable. I do recommend. For the entres, we did the Mahi Mahi and the Cedar Wood Salmon. Both were good but not awesome. The holandaise sauce on the Mahi Mahi did do it for me though. The Cedar block Salmon was good but not something I'd come back for. We were too full to get anything other than vanilla bean ice cream for desert. The ice cream tasted old. There were chucks of frozen ice in it. Other than that, the ambiance was pleasant and the service was nice and friendly. Nothing Special.
(3)
Trung D.
Awesome place. First time here for restaurant week. Got the salmon, friend got the mahi mahi. Bothe excelent and good portion, i like it when i get a good amount :) Not much on desert menu though. Plan to go elsewhere for desert if you go here.
(4)
Tom B.
I must be easy to please. It seems like I give 4 stars to everything. Oh well. I've been putting off going here as The District, in general, gives me nightmares. No joke. The parking lot is transformed into an apocalyptic world where SUVs morph into terrifying dragons and soccer mom's mutate into, well... they're bad enough on their own. That, and... I figured it's probably going to be as crappy as the other restaurants nearby. I ended up going since my friend wanted to eat here. Turns out... I liked it. Definitely more upscale than the Newport Beach location, but it's still fairly casual. We ordered the Oysters Rockefeller and crab cakes for an appetizer. I loved the crab cakes, but she thought there was too much breading (which I like). The oysters were decent. Nothing spectacular. We split the snow crab and mahi mahi. She thought the snow crab was the best ever and I took a trip to Flavortown with the mahi mahi. Ok, Guy Fieri... get out of my review!!! Is he gone? Good. The fish was excellent - served with buttery mashed potatoes. Had a glass of the Hess Chardonnay and that's when it happened. The waitress glared at me, a giant dragon crashed through the window and all the servers flashed their fangs, saying "Welcome to Flavortown, mortal child. Once The District has you, it never lets go." Ok... that didn't really happen. It would have been on the news and people would have been like, "Bro... did you hear about that crazy-ass dragon thing in Tustin last night?" and you'd be like, "Um... HELLO, Fieri! Do I look like I live in a damn cave?" So... no dragons. No scary waitresses. No Food Network stars, either. Just a nice dinner. Good food. Worth checking out. Oh... skip the chocolate lava cake for dessert, though. It failed to impress the belly. My next review... 4 stars for pork fat. Wait, no... 5 stars! Stay tuned.
(4)
Emi K.
We are not the type of couple to turn down an incredible deal ("First Seating Menu at Bluewater Grill for $19.95 is an incredible deal). My boyfriend and I ate here for the first time on Saturday, April 9. Two Words: Effing Fantastic. The First Seating Menu comprised of a three-course meal is as follows: FIRST COURSE: Hot, Fresh Sourdough Bread; a cup of New England or Manhattan Clam Chowder Soup, Caesar or Garden Salad. SECOND COURSE: Fresh Fish of the Day, Fillet of Tilapia, Beer Battered Fish and Chips, Tenderloin of Beef, or Wild Prawn Linguine. THIRD COURSE: House Wine or Dessert of the Day or Hot Fudge Sundae. For our first course, David E. and I both ordered the New England Clam Chowder Soup which was light, creamy and contained an abundance of fresh clams. Simply put, the clam chowder was the best I've ever had in my life. Souplantation, who? For his second course, David E. ordered the Fresh Fish of the Day which happened to be Catfish. I sampled a bite of his blackened Catfish and my tastebuds nearly did somersaults - it was that good. I ordered the Fish and Chips for my second course and found it satisfying to my palette. I prefer deep fried Cod over Tilapia (which I was served) when it comes to Fish and Chips, but I enjoyed Bluewater Grill's most popular dish (as claimed by our server). The coleslaw tasted fresh, crunchy and tangy to our delight. The fries were hot and crispy and came with ketchup and honey mustard sauces on the side. To conclude our meal, we passed up the vino in favor of sweet, sugary goodness. David E. and I shared between us Key Lime Pie and Hot Fudge Sundae. Yum to the O. The service was superb. Our server was wonderfully friendly (without being phony) and attentive (without being clingy). We can't wait to come back here!
(5)
M N.
A friend and I went here for restaurant week. Cant go wrong with the pre fixe menu. Best one in Newport in my opinion. Ambiance was nice, more of a homey feel. Definitely a nice change to my usual. First Course- Lobster Bisque was AMAZING! I've had it at many other places, but this had to have been the best. Great with the sourdough bread they give you to start with. San Francisco Cioppino had decent amount of shrimps, fish, mussels, clams, and scallops. Wish they had just a bit more scallops- being a fan. Simply grilled Salmon- nicely cooked, came with mash potatoes and vegetables. tasty & healthy. Dessert was our break it or make it with decision of trying the restaurant week pre-fixe menu. The manager was kind enough to allow us to upgrade our desserts :) I had the chocolate lava cake- Loved it. Was in the chocolate mood and it surely satisfied my craving My friend had the creme brulee which she enjoyed as well. What made our experience such a good one was our waiter John Paul who had given us great recommendations and was fun/ personable. Would have to go back and try their clam chowder!
(5)
Jerome T.
My first time here and I must say, I enjoyed everything about it. Service was attentive and friendly, the food was awesome. Ordered the maryland crab cakes and fried calamari for appetizers. The crab cakes were very tasty, a little small compared to the crab cakes that I've had in Maryland but the flavor made up for it. The fried calamari was good too, big portion. Honestly, I'm not a huge fan of calamari, but my friend ordered it and it was one of the better ones that I've tried. Came out crispy and tender with 2 dipping sauces. Good stuff... Main course, I had the Cedar Plank Roast Salmon. Cooked just right, not dry at all but not raw either. The glaze was excellent, just the right amount of flavor to compliment the salmon. Came with mashed potatoes and veggies. Would definitely come here again!
(5)
Sidney S.
I must be feeling generous today. 4 stars for a Houston's of Seafood wannabe? Well, I enjoyed the crab and artichoke dip, the skewers my dinnermate ordered were flavorful, my mahi-mahi was cooked perfectly and I really liked the fresh veggies and rice cranberry that came with hit. Services was efficient....they let us linger at the table while we played backgammon...and no corkage on the wine I brought! I paired my meal with, yep you guessed it, another Pinot this time an excellent St. Innocent 2008 Shea Vineyard from Oregon. We were out the door with tip for just $60.00 for two. Parking was ample at the District...yes, it probably was closer to a 3.5 star experience than a four...but I'm feeling charitabe today :)
(4)
Alice C.
Calling all cougars - this is your spot! Great place for happy hour too. Get the steamer clams and fresh oysters. Yum! Don't eat too much of their fresh bread or you'll be stuffed before your entree.
(5)
Abbe W.
I was invited to a birthday party for 1-year-old girl. The appetizers are really good especially the salad with crab and avocado. However when it comes to main course, the fish dishes were a little blackened. It never knew how much I like the fish just raw. I like their wild rice mix. Pretty interesting. The wedge salad is a little better than Savannah's chop house's version. Overall, I really like their appetizer and salad but main dish was just OK. Kinda dried. Service was excellent hence an extra star.
(4)
Michael Q.
Chris was our waiter. But he was also the bartender. He was the comedian, the friend, and the food expert. He alone provided 4 stars to our experience. We chose ALOT of food, all small bites so that we could enjoy more of a variety. We had the steamed mussels and clams from the appetizer menu. Oh-My-Gawd. Succulent, cooked to perfection (not rubbery at all), and with a broth made by angels. Soaked in the fresh sourdough bread (second loaf..It's THAT good). Beautiful lobster bisque, with smoky flavor and pieces of lobster in every bite. Unique flavor and great texture. Wife had clam chowder. This was creamy, full of clams, and delicious. Last, we had the roasted artichoke with both a pesto and garlic aioli. Great side! Charred perfectly, lots of flavor and cooked just right. The garlic aioli was fresh and the better compliment but the pesto was also good, and very different. We ended with the crab and avocado salad, and all you need know is that this place DOESN'T SKIMP. There were tons of crab, flaked and pieces, with lots of avocado as well. It was brightened by a lemon vinaigrette, which was light enough to let the natural flavors of the greens and the seafood come through, yet tangy enough to add the right amount of zing. We had a great time. The service was excellent, the food was wonderful, and all the NCAA football games were on, so it was a triple plus. Their menu is extensive. We look forward to trying the entrees. Very soon.
(5)
Kathy H.
Tuesday night is "stuffed lobster" night at our Blue Water Tustin so we brought my 81 year old mother, who is in a wheelchair, for dinner. We were not really aware of all of the diners in lobster bibs, including several loud groups of "ladies night out" and company parties...but we ordered our usual delicious seafood entrees (the blackened sea bass was awesome!) The service was great and I usually split a fish dish with mom but she told the waiter "I'LL HAVE THE LOBSTER", which cracked me up. She ate what we thought was the whole thing - it was stuffed to the gills with shrimp and had huge claws to crack open. At the end of the meal, the waiter cleared mom's plate. A few minutes later the manager comes back with a "to go" box and showed us a huge amount of lobster that mom left in the tail! We just assumed she ate it all! How nice was that? Mom had her leftover lobster as a second meal for lunch today. Great service, great food and our first two bottles of wine HAD NO CORKAGE FEE! Thanks.
(5)
Arnold W.
*This review is based strictly on the OC Happy Hour Week!* I must say, this was probably the best place for HH at The District. My friend and I came here for lunch, the bartender was quite attentive, well bucket drinks were $4! what a deal...we split clams, calamari, fish taco, and seafood lettuce wrap, and guinness. Everything was really good! Fish tacos was a little dry. The sauce with the lettuce wrap was excellent, not sure what it was, but I could eat that with everything!! Clams were fresh enough considering it's at The District. All this for $32! Not too bad! We went to Chaparosa Grill afterwards. Too bad they ran out of food Thursday night, I almost gave them a 0 star!! I'll probably come back to check it out for reals next time!
(4)
Kim L.
I came here with my bf last week. We ordered a half dozen or raw oysters to start with. Yum! For our entrees I ordered the lemon pepper mahi mahi which I would give four stars. I believe the fish was coated in panko crumbs. It had a beautiful crust. The fish was served over a bed of mashed potatoes & sauteed spinach. My bf ordered the cedar plank salmon with citrus segments served with grilled veggies and rice. The salmon was divine. It was like butter. It just melted in your mouth. I loved his dish so much that we switched. However the cook completely messed up on the rice/grain side. It was completely under done. Too hard to eat. I couldn't eat it. Our waitress offered us another side so we went with the mashed potatoes. If u come here u must order the cedar plank salmon. It's totally worth it. I'll b back again. Both dishes were approximately $20 something.
(4)
Truth T.
This is my favorite restaurant in Orange County. The best warm crusty bread (delivered to the table before you even order!), incredibly delicious fresh fish (I almost always order the blackened talapia with mashed potatoes and coleslaw), and excellent service. For a more fun, casual atmosphere, sit in the bar area at one of the big comfy booths.
(5)
P M.
I went here with my boyfriend and it was my first time here. I had Cajun Salmon with rice. The food was great and so was the waitress. You know you have a good waitress when she always refilling your drinks and never lets it go down.
(5)
Warren C.
Seafood is always expensive at American places, so that's expected. The portion sizes were small like an European restaurant, so that was unexpected. Anyways, if I see a picture of a swordfish, I pretty much have to order it. I liked it, but it sure wasn't worth the $27 for the little bit that I had. A couple of my friends didn't like their gumbo, and I think it's pretty hard to screw up on that. Oysters were good, but our server didn't really know how to articulate about which ones were supposedly the best. I think I should've gone to JT Schmid's instead.
(3)
Courtney C.
Had Mother's Day lunch here with about 7 others. I picked this place because I remember eating here a few years back. Order the Lobster Bisque to start and it was great. I liked that it wasn't too salty. But it was still tasty. For my entree I got the Ahi Salad. It was light and refreshing. My mom ordered the Soy Miso Salmon. It was perfect...on the second try. The first one was completely under cooked. We had to wait another 20 minutes to get a new one, but they were very apologetic and took it off our bill. Would definitely order it again. But dessert was a complete let down. We ordered the Creme Brulee, Bananas Fosters and Key Lime Pie. The Creme Brulee was more like a bread pudding texture that grossed me out. The Bananas Fosters was not bad, but nothing special. The Key Lime Pie tasted more like a Lemon Pie and wasn't even green. It was a light yellow color. Overall I was really disappointed with the dessert. I wouldn't recommend getting dessert, but the food is great (reason for a 3 star).
(3)
Leah D.
I was expecting a nice experience here - menu looks good, interior looks good, a little corporate but hey, we're in Tustin, so what else is there? The food was only OK. It came in two waves several minutes apart - one for me, my mom, and my sister-in-law, and then a few minutes later for my husband, brother, nieces, and nephew. The Crab BLTA would have been OK but it sat there so long waiting to be taken out that the bread was soggy. The fried fish platter my husband got was also mushy on the bottom, crunchy on the top but again, left to sit in its own juices for many minutes before being taken out. Maybe the food would be better if the wait staff got it out on time. The waiters we had were uneven at best and abandoned us for many minutes at a time. And then to have the food be so underwhelming after that kind of wait and prices a touch on the high side to boot was just too much to bear. I don't hate you, Bluewater Grill, but I'm never coming back. Pro tip: King's Fish House does the same fare with superior selection and way better ambiance, service, and flavors. I don't work for KFH, just been enough times to know Bluewater Grill could do so, so much better.
(2)
Hirari N.
I'm in love with the crab benedict and calamari here. Quite a classy seafood version of Bj's, though of course not all seafood. Strawberry lemonade is also a must have. I didn't experience any service problems here and the food is great. Not that this matters to the common people but I don't think it does a good job when it comes to hosting events. They served us really good meatballs and mini crab cakes (that were not heated so they became cold), giant shrimps, and then a giant plate of veggie pieces and cheese. No free drinks. Couldn't hurt to add a little more.
(4)
Joshua P.
This place, like a lot others have said, is very nice and inviting on the inside. They give you complimentary bread, which was ok, but the butter they give you is hard. How are you supposed to spread hard butter on bread? I ordered the crab BLTA for lunch and my dad ordered the baked salmon on ciabatta. My bread on the sandwich was toasted yet very hard and not fun to bite into. My dad tried to eat the bread on his sandwich but couldn't. His knife was struggling to cut through it. After the meal our business associate reached for the bread plate and had killed a bug that was crawling across it. Then my dad looked into his empty glass and his straw had a bug crawling on it. Note the entire place is indoors. We told our server about this and she said "sorry about that" and walked away. I do not recommend this place, the food was nowhere near worth the prices they are charging! The service was just ok, in fact, when I asked for a side of ranch for my fries the guy that brought out our food gave me an annoyed look... Not going back.
(1)
Jean L.
Happy hour review only - older crowd ...which makes the bartender treat you like a kid if you look younger than 30, not exactly the feelign you want to have when you want to have a good time - sit at the bar ...you'll get your food much faster - slightly more expensive drinks than I would like to have for Happy hour - $6 and under food ...it is a slightly nicer establishment, than say..Ra/Auld Dubliner next door, so the food is a little more refined. Translates into smaller portions. - you'll probably end up spending more money here for happy hour than you would a the adjacent establishments.
(3)
Sam L.
This place was great. The seafood was primo. We started off with some oysters on a half shell: Pickering Pearl Petite and the Hammersley both out of WA. Extremely fresh and very good. I had the "San Francisco Cioppino": dungeness crab, scallops, shrimp, clams, mussels and fish in a spicy marinara sauce topped with romano cheese. I asked them to add linguine and they graciously obliged. So much fresh seafood in this one and so tasty. This was excellent. My date ordered the cedar (or was it pine?) plank Salmon (sweet soy based sauce). It was also very good served with fresh veggies and a brown rice side that was grainy, different -very earthy and organic. Very good. Great service great experience. Good place for a date. Check it out.
(5)
Johnny P.
Came here on a Saturday evening, surprisingly wasn't crowded. Got seated right away. decor was nice w/ dim light setting. Service was prompt and very friendly. Although there were times when we couldn't find him when we needed something, but other waiters were friendly enough to help. The food! - I tried the Paella...and I was disappointed. No where near the what I was expecting. And I've had some great Paella. The entree was plainly dry... - Miso Tilapia: not bad...fish was cooked perfectly, and miso added some flavor to the entree - Salmon special of the day: The salmon was cooked ok, little dry and the glaze sauce they had was a little sweeter for my tasting. Almost like a sweet teriyaki sauce. The bonus: They have a Yelp 1st timer - check-in special $1 on your first drink. The staff was very friendly, even the manager came by our table to check in on us which was very nice and a bonus in my book. Overall the place is okay, price a little high for what you get in my opinion. If you're bringing a date...hope you got more "game" than you think...cause the food won't be what you 'll be talking about...
(3)
Julie V.
Okay. This is the first time I've EVER considered giving a restaurant below 3 stars. I'm going to give them 3 stars, but mainly b/c the decor is nice. I came here hungry...ordered my food, was disappointed with 2 entrees & soup and then went to Lucille's to be satisfied by a second dinner. My friend ordered the blackened swordfish with their salsa ($25?)...came with some grilled vegetables and brown rice. Presentation was decent, but taste was poor. It came out somewhat hot, and the fish was fresh, but poorly seasoned and the vegetables were burnt beyond edible with taste buds. My friend also ordered a coke, but they gave him diet--which isn't a huge problem, but they didn't bother telling us they switched it...until we checked (a bit inconsiderate). I ordered a cup of the Manhattan Clam Chowder ($5) and Prawn Salad ($15). The prawn was very rubbery and wayyy overcooked. It was burnt and was not only difficult to chew on due to the rubber like texture, but also difficult to enjoy due to the degree at which it was burnt. I liked the clam chowder--it was my first time trying manhattan clam chowder and I liked the chunks of clam in it--my friend didn't like it so much b/c of the tomatoes in it...he's tried manhattan clam chowder before and he claims they didn't do a good job on it... Thank goodness I had a $25 Dealperk I had purchased for $9 or else, I would have been VERY upset with the price. Definitely not worth the money for the food. It's nice decor, but beyond this superficial layer...there's not much. Waiter is sluggish with refills and check even after requests. Hostess informs& recommends us to order rockefeller oysters...so we excitedly order it...only to find out from the waiter, they dont have that day! AHH! Everyone working should be informed of what is available--or at least what isn't, so they don't recommend it & disappoint the guests! +1 Star: Nice hostess and pretty place with nice decor +1 Star: Quiet and seafood seems fresh +1 Star: Because I feel bad giving this place 2 stars since it's better -1 Star: Food poorly cooked--bad chef! -1 Star: Servers SLOW & inconsiderate!
(3)
Steve L.
Very nice lunch here, but EXTREMELY pricey. $50 !! It was lunch so just 2 sodas with 2 lunches. I gave it only 3 because of the price, otherwise would of been a perfect place
(3)
Rod R.
First visit, completely satisfied. Nice atmosphere, attentive server, tasty seafood, prices not cheap but normal for OC. Early evening dinner, not crowded at all. The seafood was perfectly cooked to order. We had the salmon and mahi mahi dinner plates along with sourdough bread. Will return.
(4)
Susanne T.
I don't know why this place seems so crowded at times except perhaps for happy hour prices. My husband and I went here for Fathers day and the fish was fresh but my trout was dry and tasteless, somewhat overcooked. My husbands' snapper was very overcooked and dry. He liked the manhattan clam chowder soup which was very good. The bread was crusty sourdough which was very good. I did not want carbs as sides and ordered sauteed spinach and sauteed squash. The squash was tasty but the spinach was once again tasteless and very oily. I have had better trout at Red Lobster when out of town than here. I think the prices are too high for the quality of the food served. If the chef cannot cook the fish correctly in a seafood restaurant, I would not return.
(3)
Sammy B.
Heard great things about this from my buddy and decided to come down to see what all the hub-bub was about. ARRIVAL: 2 stars I arrived on time with my other friends. They checked in earlier with our reservation, and the host said when the rest of our group came, we would get seated. So when the rest of our group arrived, the host said it'll be a 5 minute wait. No biggie, right? Unfortunately, we actually ended up waiting 35 minutes to get a table. I know they were busy, but seeing all these walk-ins get a table before us was infuriating. FOOD: 3 stars My friend gawked about the New England Clam Chowder and the lobster. While I wouldn't be able to afford the lobster, I did decide to get the chowder. He was absolutely right. The chowder was amazing. It was creamy, but not milky. It had a generous portion of clams and was seasoned exceptionally well. Great balance all around and it made me very eager to try my main dish. I ordered the shrimp linguine pasta with basil and roasted tomatoes. It sounds great, right? Sadly, with all those flavorful ingredients mentioned, it never achieved such a flavor palate. The linguine was flavorless, with no actual sauce or juices to flavor it. It was similar to eating moist cardboard, and just as disappointing. The only time any flavor arose was when I ate the shrimp. The shrimp was flavorful and clearly had all the flavors that came from the basil and tomatoes. So, where the hell did it go for the linguine?! I was incredibly disappointed, and I couldn't even finish the dish because of how boring it was. For dessert, I had the Brioche Bread Pudding with Golden Raisins and Bourbon Sauce. Again, sounds great right? It wasn't. It was absolutely awful. The bread pudding was dry and lukewarm. The bourbon sauce they infused into the bread pudding was completely and utterly overpowering. Nothing else could be tasted but the bourbon. Three bites and I couldn't take anymore. Honestly, the only reason I gave the food 3 stars was because of how exceptional the New England Clam Chowder was. Otherwise, this would probably fall to a 1 or 2. SERVICE: 3 stars While the wait to get seated was long, the service was lacking. We had one server help us at the beginning, but then she magically changed to another server 10 minutes later. She took our orders and it took almost 20 minutes to get our starters. That sounds kind of strange for just salad and soups. I mean, soup is made in large batches and salad doesn't have to be cooked. The spacing in service just added to a crummy dining experience. CONCLUSION: This place is very trendy. Located at The District in Tustin, it flashes with suave looks, cool atmosphere, and lots of clientele. But just like a shallow celebrity, what's inside offsets everything on the facade. Maybe it was an off day, or maybe they're just not that great. I'm willing to give them another chance. But they better do better.
(3)
C L.
Food = 2 Service = 4 Ambience = 3 Noise = 3 I went to this restaurant with high expectations. It seemed like a high-end restaurant. The prices were probably average or a little on the high side for seafood. We had a table of seven so we had a variety of food represented. I ordered the New England Clam Chowder. It wasn't anything special. I wouldn't order it again, if I came back. For my entree it was the Grilled Mahi Mahi with sides of mashed potatoes and vegetables. I thought the fish was a little dry or overcooked. My friend across from me ordered the Paella even though the waitress said they were going to take it off the menu soon. Now we know why. It seemed like it was mostly rice and not very much seafood. My friend had it taken back and had the chef add more seafood into the dish. My other friend ordered their salad with goat cheese, beets, etc. When she received her plate, it looked like it was over-dressed and probably soaking in the dressing. She had to ask the waiter to take that dish back as well. Two dishes taken back at one table. That's already two strikes! The redeeming factor was the birthday dessert that they gave to our special guest. It was Ice cream served with a chocolate lava cake (?), with a garnish of whipped cream on the side. I wasn't sure what kind of cake it was but it was delicious.
(3)
Lunch B.
excellent happy hour and we were a fairly large group and the service was excellent!
(5)
Angela M.
Oysters on the half shell were fresh and flavorful. We questioned the appearance of a small one, and the server replaced it immediately. Chipotle Red Fish was spicy but not overpowering. Scallops were tender and delicately grilled. Best part was the Pacific Classic cocktail. Smooth and subtle. Yummy!
(4)
Qui C.
***Happy Hour Review Only*** I like this place! The decor is nice: rich, dark oaks with random hangings of fish. Has a classy feel without being snobbish. Not too loud so you can hold a conversation without screaming. To top it all off, relatively empty for happy hour so no worries about seating. Although the service was kind of slow, our waitress wasn't as fast as I'd like. Prices are typical: $4-6 per plate with $4 drafts and wells. Big flat screens for the sports, perfect. Burger sliders - Good fries and decent size burger. The fries were extra crispy, the way I like them. They also have a special flavor (something in the oil). Burger was cooked medium, served with spinach. However, I couldn't really taste the bleu cheese. Good caramel onions. 4 stars Grilled fish tacos - 3 fish tacos for $4, good deal. Big chunk of fish in every taco, however tacos were dry. Need to serve a salsa on the side or give tartar sauce with this dish. Fish was under seasoned. 2 stars. Nice place but food was not memorable. Also, shame on you for being a bar without orange slices (for my Hef).
(3)
Kelly T.
I was hoping for a nice Father's Day lunch...unfortunately, that was not our experience. We were seated in the back of the restaurant and felt like our waitress forgot about us. The hostess seemed to check in with us more than our waitress because he kept waving our hands trying to get the attention of someone for simple things like more ketchup and drink refills. My sister had to get to work after the lunch, so we ended up having to hunt down our waitress to pay the bill. We would have been more understanding if the restaurant was full but that was not the case. The food was way too expensive for what it was....the paella was dry, the crab blta was bland, the tilapia sauce was too sweet. The best part of the meal was the banana fosters dessert, lobster bisque and the bread came out warm.
(1)
CHAUSTER S.
if you want good seafood, this place is the best. the oyster was juicy and natural sweet. we have 15 oyster shot glass for 2 persons.the halibut, trout, and salmon was tender and moist with great flavor. the crab salad has real crab meat unlike other restaurant use fake crab meat..service was great. they offer fresh hot bread. we sat at the bar and it was a good size with plenty of tv to watch sports. THE ONLY SAD THING WAS NO HEALTHY DESSERT DISHES.
(4)
Allison S.
The only reason we came here tonight was because everywhere else was packed because of the Laker game. I still figured we might a well give it a chance. Happy hour time!!! The decor of the restaurant is really nice and upscale, and the service was great. But unfortunately the food wasn't good, so that's why it's a mere one star. The only dish I would order again would be the garlic fries, and in hindsight, I don't really recollect the garlic. I guess they were just something to munch on for the game. We also ordered their shrimp ceviche lettuce wrap-- too bland, artichoke dip-- just poorly executed and somehow didn't taste right, and their salt and pepper shrimp-- lacking in flavor and spice. The only saving grace was the Hef? I doubt I'll be coming back to the restaurant (or even Happy Hour at all), and I think Yelpers would be better off trying some of the other restaurants around the area.
(1)
Roger B.
Good food. I had the Yam Crusted Alaskan Halibut. Very good. I recommend this place.
(4)
Darren E.
For Seafood in Tustin or Newport this is the only place to go. We eat at Bluewater probably twice a month or more. Everyone that comes to visit us goes to Bluewater with us. Great food at a great price and very casual. We love this place. We have eaten numerous times at both locations and the food is just as good at either location.
(5)
James S.
First time at the Bluewater Grill. For appetizer we had the seafood tower, everything was fresh from the king crab legs to the oyster. Also ordered the steamed mussels which was decent. For main course I had the black cod for dinner and was tasty. No corkage fees for the 1st 2 bottles of wine, what? That's just super awesome. The service was quick and attentive. Will be back for sure.
(4)
Kalee T.
This review is for their OC restaurant week menu, and their service. 3 courses for $30- Seems like a great deal, right? We tried the boston and new england clam chowder, which were both pretty good. The lobster bisque was good according to my boyfriend. oh and the complimentary bread is okay but pretty dry. Next course: the lemon pepper mahi mahi was AMAZING. I would give it 10 stars! I thought the holandaise sauce would be too much but it was absolutely perfect on top of the fish. The pasta was supposed to have a cream sauce but it was runny and watery. The gumbo was HORRENDOUS. All 5 of us hated it. It wasn't even gumbo-it was rice with a disgusting sour, expired-tasting sauce over it. We didn't even touch it after having the first bite. They had a dish that was a bunch of seafood in a tomato sauce, which was divine and totally worth the $30 by itself. For dessert: The cheesecake was a tiny little piece, but it was pretty decent. The bread pudding was bitter, dry and underwhelming. I would have to say it was the worst bread pudding I've ever had. SERVICE: I could deal with the food being just alright (beside the seafood and the mahi mahi), but our waitress was forgetful and slow. She was blond with big glasses, I don't even care to know her name. I understand she had other tables to serve, but I asked for a bowl to share the soup, and she never brought it. We ordered two appetizers which also never came out. When I asked her where our appetizers were, she said, and i quote "appetizers? you mean the soup?" I looked at her and said, "no. we ordered calamari and crab cakes." and she said "....oh my gosh, they never brought it out? I thought I called for it." Are you kidding? I'm almost POSITIVE she never even put in the order since when I asked, she reacted like she had never heard the word appetizer before. And then instead of offering anything to make up for the mistake, she just said she'd cancel the order since they never made the food. Oh and I forgot to mention it was my brother's birthday too. Thank you bluewater grill for the bad dining experience. We will never return.
(3)
Alma P.
Thought I'd already reviewed BWG but apparently not so here I go! ;-) I've been here more times than I can count and have *never* been disappointed! Most recently I was there with a group of 12 girlfriends for their New England Lobster and Clambake dinner which was a FAB deal for $26.95! Every month they have some sort of deal for that great price. It was steal -- for this price you got a bowl of buttery clams, potatoes, corn and 1.5 lb lobster AND a glass of wine to boot! The service was really great too even with the 12 of us - no complaints at all! They also have a pretty great HH w/great deals on appetizers and drinks. The bar has a nice vibe to it and draws a nice upscale crowd of locals. Also, if you're ever looking for a great place for a party they have this awesome little covered side patio that's perfect for big groups. I've been to a few of their other locations and think by far, this is the best one.
(4)
Brad G.
Good food, good value, good service, good specials, terrible parking/traffic flow
(4)
Karen W.
Their Cioppino ( yelp.com/biz_photos/9iju… ) is so ridiculously delicious that I must give them 5 stars. Besides that, service was good, and the 1.5 cocktails I had were too. If you sit at the bar, watch for the weird crack on the tables that I for one set my drink on, spilling it. Bad design, although I was admittedly tipsy. Or don't drink and just come for the Cioppino, served with warm garlic bread! yelp.com/biz_photos/9iju…
(5)
Jeff C.
The restaurant is an elegant and large space, there was little charm in the decor and therefore felt cold. The wait staff was personable and friendly, but at least on this night she had two many tables and therefore our service was annoyingly slow. The oysters were fresh, the clam chowder was classic, but not unique, but the lobster bisque lacked seasoning and acid and therefore tasted flat. We moved onto our salads, but the shrimp in my wife's salad was way over cooked which made them rubbery. Some of the entrees looked unique and interesting, but since the food we already had was just ok, we decided to skip ordering entrees. We just finished the bottle of wine we brought and enjoy one of the reasons we came, no corkage fee. Based on the other reviews, happy hour seems like the best choice.
(2)
Steph H.
Great Quality and atmosphere. The ambiance was quiet and relaxed; good spot to chat and hear each other... We tried this place during the OC restaurant week and it was an excellent choice. The lobster bisque and manhattan clam showder were so flavorful. The mahi mahi soo tasty and seared perfectly. The roasted salmon was really good as well. So happy to find this spot near home...We'll definitely be back.
(5)
Jillian D.
Location alone constitutes a one-star loss for this review. Once you're inside, this is a great for a casual business lunch. Menu seems to have been well thought-out, offering good quality favorites along with some inventive alternatives. Not just seafood - even meat lovers will find something to love. Dishes - including daily specials - are great quality, and they offer a full bar. Servers seem to be knowledgeable, efficient and respectful. Here's a free tip, though - skip the after-meal cup of coffee.
(3)
Maria F.
Had family in town and thought of this place... Food was VERY good. :) Especially the crabcake appetizer. The service was ok... They were slammed.. But the bathrooms were UNACCEPTABLY gross. C'mon people send someone in at least once a night to wipe it down... Would go back but try not to drink anything..
(3)
Sofie D.
The best mahi mahi I ever had was at Mama's Fish House in Maui. The worst mahi mahi I ever had was at Bluewater Grill. First of all, let me start by saying that we had a great dining experience in the beginning - calamari, bread, and clam chowder. Then it went downhill. Everyone's entrees were SO disappointing. I personally had their mahi mahi with some lemon sauce, and it was horribly over-salted and overcooked. And the scalloped potato side dish was under-seasoned. The crust of the mahi mahi tasted like Progresso Italian bread crumbs, straight out of the cannister - unimpressive. When a restaurant doesn't know how to properly season their food, I'm disappointed. I may come back for appetizers & drinks but won't eat dinner here again. I had a similar experience here about a year ago - appetizers were good but my main entree - the cioppino - tasted very fishy & salty. All the main entrees I've tried here (cedar plank salmon & NY steak too) were a miss. I think that's enough tries. They need to get the main entree right.
(2)
Audrey N.
I love this place here and also the one in Newport. They have wonderful seafood here! Must try Oyster Shots, Prawn Cocktail, Calamari Fritti, Baked Dungeness Crab & Artichoke Dip, Beer Battered Fish & Chips, Alaskan King Crab Legs (1.25lb), Grill Halibut, Grilled Salmon, San Francisco Cioppino, Farfalle Monterrey Shrimp, Seared Ahi Tuna Caesar Salad, and Scallops & Porcini Mushrooms in a Cream Sauce. Happy Hour is 3:30pm-6:30pm Mon-Friday. Must try for happy hour: Burger Slider with Fries & Melted Gruyere & Blue Cheese, Calamari Burger Slider with Fries, A Pair of Oyster Shooters, A Pair of Grilled Fish Tacos with Crema Blanca, Calamari Fritti with Cocktail Sauce. Ceviche Lettuce Wraps. Crab & Artichoke Dip, and Tenderloin Tease with Horseradish Sauce. One bad thing about this place. It may look nice and clean, but while you're sitting at the table eating, you see these little tiny fruit flies flying around. GROSS!
(4)
Bree G.
Love it here. :D They have great salads and great salmon! Servers are always friendly and offer suggestions if you want to know what to order. Also, the lava cake is SO amazing. It's chocolatey, warm and has ice cream :) YUMMM :D
(5)
Brian K.
This place has amazing service and great quality of food! We ordered the crab & artichoke jalapaneo dip, with the Caesar salad, and the fresh Ahi tuna from Fiji!!! It was great! This is a nice place to relax with your date! Dont forget to check-in for a great deal on drinks!
(4)
Mercy C.
I've been here twice for lunch. Service has always been good. Oysters on a halfshell- GOOD Fish and chips- Flaky fish, crispy crust. Me and hubster both liked it. But coleslaw was really mediocre. Lobster Bisque - More bitter than I was used to. I would not get it again. Garden Salad - Pretty typical... and for some reason the italian dressing had no flavor. I would go back just for more oysters and maybe the fish and chips.
(3)
Aaron M.
Went to the Bluewater Grill with my family expecting to have a good experience. The good news is that the food was excellent. My ahi was done just the way I like it and my parents salmon and steak were perfect, the chocolate cake was delicious! My reservation was also handled perfectly and the table was waiting for me in a quiet area just as requested. Unfortunately, the service left much to be desired. The restaurant was really not that busy for a Sunday night so I never would have expected having such a hard time getting our order placed, getting the food served and getting the attention that any patron deserves. Wish the full experience would have better.
(2)
Andy N.
There's something fishy about this place..I didn't go here by choice. Went here for a birthday dinner. The service was horrible especially with the place being empty that evening. We came with a group of 9 and got zero help. A dinner that should've been no longer than 90mintues became 180 minutes. Not only was the service bad but the food was junk.. My gf got the tilapia and I got the fish and chips. The tilapia was just okay. For the price it was a rip off to me. My fish kept falling out of my batter. That is not a good sign. The tartar sauce also needed more of a flavor kick. I will never ever come back here again. The only good reviews I see are for the happy hour.
(1)
Vanessa F.
We were a party of 8 on a Wednesday night, here to try the OC Restaurant Week menu. It was a pretty decent offering: first course choices of New England or Manhattan Clam chowder, lobster bisque, or various salads; second courses consisting of roughy, tilapia, fish and chips, tenderloin of beef, grilled chicken and prawn linguini; and third course of either glass of wine, bread pudding or vanilla ice cream - all for $20. We noticed that the menu at the restaurant was a little different than the one online, and our waiter said it was because there were various locations and so each one offered something different. My friends were disappointed the hot fudge sundae was not on the menu. A couple of my friends had arrived early and so they visited the bar and exclaimed that they were happy there was Grey Goose Pear. Apparently, a difficult thing to come across at times. When we arrived they sat the four of us right away, even though the other half of our party wasn't there, which was a pleasant surprise. They brought us some delicious sourdough bread and butter. It was soft on the inside and the crust was crunchy, not super-hard like some places serve it. When the rest of our party arrived they took our order. I ordered the New England Clam Chowder, the linguini with prawns, and the bread pudding for dessert. Other dishes that were ordered, and which I sampled, were the roughy, tilapia, chicken and beef tenderloin. My friend ordered us a round of appetizers consisting of coconut shrimp and crab cakes. I tried a crab cake and liked it, but it wasn't the best crab cake I ever had. I didn't get a chance to try the coconut shrimp, but it was all gone, so I'm guessing everyone else thought it was good. Everyone ordered the New England clam chowder and it seemed to be the consensus that it was really good! My husband said he could taste a little grit in his, and wasn't so sure if it might be sand. I kidded with him that it showed how fresh it was, but I don't think he thought it was very amusing. A few minutes later our entrees came. My linguini came with about four shrimp, and although the portion was good, it was a little plain. This was pretty much what everyone else thought of their food - good size portion, but just a little plain. The tenderloin, chicken and tilapia were cooked well, but lacking flavor. I think the best dish I tried was the roughy, because it was nicely crusted and had lots of flavor, and the fish was really moist. Most of us had to get to go boxes. The bread pudding was superb, and although I was full, I would have appreciated a larger slice. I stole some of my husband's vanilla ice cream to compliment it, and it did. I wouldn't usually order a bread pudding, but I couldn't drink wine and I didn't want just a bowl of vanilla ice cream, so I was happy with what I received although would have appreciated more dessert choices. I think the ice cream was a good palette cleanser for everyone. I really, really, really like the decor of this restaurant. It is very contemporary and they use brown in a lot of different textures. I want to decorate my bathroom like the bathroom at Bluewater Grill. Our server, Brian, was pretty good. He seemed really down to earth and honest and he accommodated us with everything we needed. They have a pretty good wine list and the menu is extensive enough that if you come here with a large party you can please everyone's tastes. I don't know if I would come here again though unless someone else was hosting a dinner, but it's a pretty decent seafood restaurant and if I do come back I'm sure I'll find something more to like.
(3)
Archibald P.
Came here for a corporate cocktail party and dinner. Started out on the patio, which was fully-reserved for our group and for dinner, we had the entire raised back-room of the restaurant reserved, which was great. Service, both outside and in was impeccable and they definitely chose the right team. I can't remember a time when my wine glass was not full. Outside Apps: Had the medium-sized shrimp cocktail (yum!), crab cakes (meh), and the fried calimari (so-so)... server took my order for drinks and I chose the FIRESTONE IPA -- great beer... have never had anything save for their Double Barrel and Pale Ales... the IPA was a great way to lay out the beginning of this dinner. Rolled on inside where tons of red and white wines lined the tables for our large group, and service again was on-point. While the menu was prepared, you could tell that careful thought was given to pairings as far as both choices and starters were concerned -- making sure to give us a ton of different options from Manhattan and NE (yum!) clam chowders, large (delicious) dinner salads (wedge or vinaigrette), and of course more booze to compliment it all. The servers came by often and even brought the rest of the uneaten apps from outside to our various tables, making sure nothing was wasted (nice move). For the main entree, we had a choice of the following, paired with savory veggies and mashed potatoes: 1. Australian Lobster Tail 2. Atlantic King Crab Legs 3. Atlantic King Salmon 4. Fijian Ahi 5. Pacific Harpooned Swordfish 6. Free Range Chicken Breast 7. 14oz NY Steak (it was huge on the plate) I had the swordfish and had it blackened/cajun... it was pretty damn savory if I say so myself. The NY Steaks that came out (which I wouldn't take over some of the other choices) actually surprised me, they were huge and looked super-juicy. Not your run-of-the-mill Ralph's grocer steak. For dessert there was Key Lime Pie, and blah blah blah... I had more wine and smoked a Graycliff cigar on the patio, so I didn't pay much attention to dessert. All in all, a true success for the corporate cocktail function and large dinner -- loved the service, the food, the pairings, the wines (and I'm not even a wine guy), as well as the ambiance. I'd like to return and see how the one-on-one service is, but as far as work functions go, I'd be excited to return. I've had corporate dinners in Newport at Fashion Island and waterfront restaurants that would have trouble comparing to this level of service and great food/drink. I'd break off 5-stars, only I know it was a work-function and a HUGE group, so you'd expect this... still, gotta hand it to 'em... $1 drink coupon for checking in via Yelp app :)
(4)
Shawn T.
Super yummy! I had a generous glass of wine with a lovely and light tilapia - they put the caper/butter sauce on the side so you're in control of your sauces. I loved that. And the side of veggies was terrific. My fiance had the fishermans platter meal - fried fried fried -- and it was all pretty good. Basically, you can eat healthy here or not-so healthy. Our dessert was a warm lava cake. I had to walk an extra couple of miles the next day, but it was worth it. One caveat -- you need to bring actual money here to pay. The couple in the booth behind us had a wallet full of credit cards and none of them had enough to pay their bill. Sadly, I think our waiter just let them go .... we considered making a joke to the waiter when it came time to pay, but decided against it. I wish we had.
(4)
Ivana Y.
Went back here on a Saturday late-night because some out of town friends were here to visit and specifically requested seafood. I was a little apprehensive in trying Bluewater Grill during non-happy hour hours but I will say now that Bluewater Grill did not disappoint. Even at 10:20 pm, the staff was accommodating for a party of 10. Unlike the Thursday martini night, the restaurant was properly lit and there was no cleared-out dance floor in sight. But at the very least, the atmosphere was very clean and professional. The Oysters Rockefeller were tasty but the cheese was slightly on heavy and sharp side. The addition of the spinach and tomato salad on the bottom seemed a little bit like an afterthought, but served its purpose in providing the illusion of healthiness in the midst of all that cholesterol. I shared the SF Cioppino and Cedar Plank Salmon entrees. The SF Cioppino was plentiful in its variety of seafood,.but the richness of the tomato stew/broth became a little one-note after a few bites. I think I would have preferred a bouillabaisse on the menu. But truly, the Cedar Plank Salmon was very, very delicious. It may have been that the saltier Cioppino left me craving for the sweeter and more subtle flavors of the salmon (that was served with citrus and a stonefruit salsa) but I felt that everything on the plate worked. I absolutely adored the sides served with the salmon--grilled vegetables, and this unique mixed rice that had dried cranberries for some tartness, and slivers of almonds for crunch and nuttiness. The rest of the party enjoyed their dishes as well. Once again, I was satisfied with my experience here.
(4)
Lynn L.
We went for the oyster fest and loved it! Pricey but food is fresh and delicious. Service was outstanding ! I have to visit the place again to see how other dishes fare out. So far, other than the oysters, we had the trout and salmon, both really, really good!
This is how a restaurant should be. You make a reservation,you show up on time(actually 5 mins early) and your table is waiting for you at 7:30PM on a Friday night. The rest of the place is packed but your 4 top is waiting. The staff is pleasant free from the usual front of the house snobbiness, no over perfumed or scented staff to be seen or smelt. The service is prompt pleasant and the wait staff know the menu inside and out. Drinks were wonderful, and a great pour. The Ipswich (Boston Mss) fried clams were the best ever Shrimp skewers were moist with a great glaze. A great time was had by all. Great job in keeping up a consistant product.
(5)
Kristen C.
Came here for happy hour, food was pretty good and they have a good happy hour selection. Some of the happy hour portions are smaller than expected but still good ! I recommend the happy hour !
(3)
Doreen B.
You say goodbye, and I say Hello... Oh wait, you didn't do either..... Nobody to greet us at the host stand, though the server (that seemed to be the only one hustling in the place) came to us, as soon as she saw us trying to figure out who to ask for our Reserved dual Birthday Celebration table. Sat us down and gave us our menus, though even though we stated we were here for OC Restaurant Week when we first saw her, she didn't point out that menu. Our mistake, because one other restaurant I went to this week said, that was last week...(no memo from your boss that you extended it?) She Did recommend other stuff on the menu, and after we ordered and she placed said order in, she said, oh wait, here are the Prix Fixe Menus, inside of the bar menu.. mmm nice. Never mind, as our taste buds were set on the calamari that everyone recommended, and seemed to be eating when we walked in. They weren't kidding about that calamari. It was like the hand selected each piece and fried it without daring to bat an eye - perfection! For our entrees, my BFF had the Fish and Chips, I had the Prawn Scampi over linguine. The Fish according to her description was more batter than fish, but fried perfectly. However, I hate disproportionate food ratios!!! Whether or not a batter is perfectly crisp, doesn't make up for the lack of fish. My Prawns were large and cooked perfectly. The garlic flavor on the noodles was delicious. The only complaint was that I don't think the noodles were drained completely when tossed with the Prawns. The noodles were so slippery and wet that I had to cut up my noodles really small and eat it from a spoon. Just like the baby :) Overall, good food effort, great decor. Maybe not so great organization on the front end though. For a partitioned dining area that included 5 groups of diners on each side, why was the front end manager chit chatting with the other tables while only one server was on the floor? And when saying goodbye to 2 sets of diners before us (dressed in OC Cougar uniform and all), she gave us a smirk and then walk away. Hmmm no goodbye at all? OK - Happy Birthday to us...which I included on our reservation that I wanted a surprise dessert for my friend. *sigh*
(2)
Liv E.
I recommend late night happy hour here! Starts at 9PM Mon-Thurs It's been a while since I've been here. Came here to enjoy late night happy hour with friends before the midnight showing of the last Harry Potter. I've been trying to make it a habit to do my Yelp check-ins and to my surprise Yelp had a $1 well drinks, beer and house wine special. As soon as I saw that I was at 5 stars! I love Yelp!! My gf and I ordered 2 vodka tonics while we waited for our other friends and let me tell you for a $1 this was the best dollar I could have spent it was STIFF and it basically was my only drink of the night lol, I'm a total lightweight. We ordered the white clam chowder as recommended by the bartender and it was good, really good actually with large chunks of clams, I love when you get to enjoy those meaty pieces. And I loved dipping the house bread into that also! It was thick and hearty, I was stuffed after a CUP! Try it, get it, order it if you like clam chowder! We also ordered some food from the happy hour menu calamri fritti and steamed clams. They were both tasty. I had to chow down the clams fast since we we found out our movie was being seated early and it was tasty but didn't get to enjoy it and dip their house sourdough bread in the broth but I hope my other friend enjoyed it since I had to pass on the indulgence. I tasted the calamari it was lightly breaded, not the best I ever had, but it was good. I packed it to go for my gf who was saving seats at the theater. Oh yea tried a friend's garlic fries... yummy! I gotta order that next time! I will be back for this late night happy hour. I really enjoyed the short time we were there. And after this yelp surprise I will be checking in all the time and everywhere! It's like Christmas! Ha
(5)
David M.
This is based upon using a Living Social coupon. Others using Groupon etc., may take caution as well. My wife had purchased two Living Social coupons at Bluewater. One was used in July and we went there today planning to use the other. After we ordered our meal the manager approached us and informed us that both coupons had already been used. One in July and one on February 1st. We clearly did not use one on February 1st. They also were unable produce proof that we had used the coupon on February 1st, neither could Living Social. This points to a serious flaw in the process. To the credit of Living Social they credited us for the second coupon.
(1)
Les L.
Came early to take advantage of the HH deals. I don't really love beer but they won't permit you to order non-alcoholic drinks. I started with the crab artichoke dip, fried calamari and the oyster shooters (2). It was all typical bar food and absolutely fine and boring. Because I had loaded up on bread (came out hot from oven, I like) and the HH nibbles, I was less hungry so I ordered a bowl of clam chowder (fine) and the oysters on the half shell. Not the kumamotos but the ones "grown specifically for bluewater grill!". Half of them were distinctly rank. No good. Shall not return.
(2)
Jonathan Y.
Last night I spent 100 bucks for 2 pieces of decent swordfish, crabcake, and wine for two people. (Not at Bluewater. somewhere else) I was feeling quite jilted today, and my vengeful foodieness inside me practically demanded that I treat myself somewhat better for lunch. I felt like I was going on a quest, and I ended up going with a friend to Bluewater Grill at the District for their happy hour. I sat down, looked at the menu, and very deliberately and enthusiastically started ordering left and right. Alright, deep breath guys. For 23 bucks...we got Crab and artichoke dip - Mmm like spinach dip on crack. Spinach dip usually comes with spinach and artichokes, someone just had a genius idea to take out the spinach and replace it with CRAB. Next step, replace artichoke with BACON. Mmm...Crab and Bacon dip. 4 Oyster shooters - I'm not the biggest oyster fan in the world, but these were pretty good AND CHEAP and filled with lovely, horseradishy, seafood sauce that shoots up your nose. Shrimp Creviche Lettuce Wraps - There were two pieces of lettuce, generously piled with shrimp in some kinda sauce. I don't know what it was but it was red and yummy. Both lettuce wraps had one slice of avocado on it and for some reason that got me really excited and happy. Add that weird, slightly sweet dipping sauce thing on the side it was a great time! Fish Tacos - Very eh. next. Go to Lola's instead for fish tacos. Calamari Fritti - It was less than 5 bucks for a "small" dish that still had a generous amount. Perfect. Now with the 70 something dollars I WOULD have left from last night's dinner I can go to Trader Joes and get enough wine to last me a week.
(4)
Bob M.
Tonight was the 4th time I've been here. We came out to celebrate another year that I've been on this year. One thing you can count on this place is quality and consistency. I don't believe I've had anything disappointing here. Tonight, again since I was celebrating, I had the fisherman's platter. The thing is, I've been craving a fried seafood platter live you can find in the South. Unfortunately, this isn't it. That is not to say that the food isn't great (it is!!) It's just a southern thing. On the bright side, the food is great. I'd come here for the sourdough bread alone. Nice, crunchy crust with a pillowy center and nice bite. The platter had juicy battered fish (but not oily), and panko breaded butterflied shrimp and scallops. All very fresh and tasty. My father had the fried calamari steak, my mom the pan seared sand dabs and my sister the clam chowder and crab cocktail. It was a lazy, cozy Monday night, so the service was great. Our server was attentive, but not overbearing. A very nice experience.
(4)
Christopher B.
I was expecting this place to be a stuffy but it wasn't bad. The Champion's League soccer game was on the flatscreens so that was a very pleasant surprise. I ordered the mahi sliders for lunch. They were juicy and both had nice fillets of fish on them (versus a bunch of unidentifiable small chunks of fish). For lunch, to me, the price was too steep for two tiny sliders and fries but I guess that is to be expected at a place like this.
(3)
frankie w.
Probably one of the most bland seafood dishes I've ever had. We went in with a big party so I understand the wait is going to take awhile. But seriously though how does a restaurant mess up on an alfredo pasta dish? It was so bland that pepper couldn't even save it.
(1)
Sara H.
I used to live near the Bluewater on the peninsula and LOVED that location so I'm comparing this experience to that place. I wasn't very impressed with the Tustin location. Service wasn't very good and it wasn't busy at all. But the biggest issue was the size of my fish. I got the Sea Bass and the piece of fish was SOOO small. I get the same meal at the other location and the piece of fish was always super big. 5 stars for the Wedge salad though! It was amazing and super big portion so it made up for my tiny piece of fish cuz I was full from my yummy salad. :) My opinion take a drive down to the Peninsula and go to the original location. The ambiance being outside on the water is worth the drive down there. And if I'm spending $25 for a piece of Sea Bass I'd like a normal portion, not the kids size.
(3)
Ali H.
The restaurant is pretty roomy so wait times to get seated is not bad, plus it is in Tustin District so you can walk around the open air mall if you have to wait. Food is great and priced reasonably. I like their clam chowder which comes with fresh loaf of sourdough bread. They also have a room (well more like a covered patio) that you can use for bigger parties. One of my friends had his 70th birthday party there and it was just perfect.
(4)
Thi V.
First off, let me say that our past experiences from the Bluewater Grill location in Newport Beach have always been outstanding, so we were QUITE disappointed in how we were treated this time at the Tustin Location. I made a reservation the week before for 6:30 pm for dinner with my hubby to celebrate our 9 year anniversary. We had been looking forward to this outing all week, since we don't get a chance to go out to dinner just us, since we have a 4 year old. The hostess on the phone guaranteed that there should be no problem if we are a couple of minutes late, and that they would keep our table no matter what. We arrived 5 minutes late due to traffic. When my husband approached the hostess stand, he was told that it would be 15 min wait for our table, and were asked to step aside and have a seat in the waiting area. We said no problem. Three (3) parties of the SAME size that came walking in were seated before we were. After seeing this, my husband approached the hostess again, and she just scoffed at him, and said hold on, and walked off. The guy who was seating people came up to find out if we needed a table. My husband tells him we had at reservation at 6:30 (it was now 6:50) and notice 3 parties were seated before us. The guy tells us that the "other girl" didn't tell him we had a reservation and is very rude to us, and eventually says that we have another 30 min to wait since, "we are currently extremely busy at the moment...you know how happy hour gets." Like that is supposed to make us feel better? The original girl comes up to us to tell us that she has a booth for us, and they are just wiping it down. She starts to walk us to the booth, only to find out that "someone took her booth and is sitting people there without her knowledge." Thing is she leads us to 2 other "open" booths, and in every situation, they were all taken. What was most upsetting....was the fact that all "open" booths the servers were there already taking orders....so how could they have been "swooped" up with such swiftness? Anyway, after such bad treatment, we ended up leaving and finding another place to eat. We will never return nor would we EVER suggest this place to any of our friends. I'm not even sure if we would even go back to the Newport Beach location now if this is how the business is run. Totally threw a wrench into what was supposed to be a fun & celebatory evening.
(1)
Lydia D.
Happy hour sliders are deelish and come with a small order of fries. Good if you want something light. Happy hour drinks are ok but nothing really stands out.
(3)
Jay B.
I came here during Happy Hour Week with a bunch of friends I think the happy hour prices are very decent. $4 micros, $5 guiness, and the other drinks are fairly priced for hh. Remember you're eating out, so it's hard to find $1 or $2 beers at a place, esp one that has the ambiance of Bluewater. HH food is also pretty good; the shrimp, burger slider, oyster shooters(a pair), calamari slider, calimari - all $5 and under. The service is great; our server(Stephanie) was very friendly and accommodating. We had a big party (10) and we snagged a small table at first; she helped us move to an area with tables that would accommodate our group as soon as it's previous occupants left. The bar area itself is on the smaller side, so be prepared to wait if you come during hh rush.
(4)
Chantel M.
Food and atmosphere just ok. Expected more, won't return-plenty of better places to go.
(2)
Vincci L.
I got a Groupon for Bluewater Grill and since I was around the area, I decided to try it out with the fiance. First of all, the plaza where it is located is beautiful, and I happily shopped for hours (I'm a Michaels and Whole Foods type of girl) before my reservation time. We were seated promptly at 7pm and were greeted by awesome waiter Jason (hi Jason! You said you'd be waiting for this...) We noticed the $1 drink special for Yelpers (woot woot!), and the manager came out and gleefully accepted it. No fuss, no hassle (unlike some other restaurants that make you jump through hoops...) I ordered my beloved grilled artichoke and fish and chips, and they were both delicious. Okay, of course I might be a bit biased (but if it wasn't delicious, it was at least very very decent) b/c of Jason's attentiveness, but service makes up for at least half of the overall experience, no? After we devoured the food, we let Jason know about the groupon, and even though they don't usually allow groupon and drink special in a single sitting, they let it slide because... I use Yelp? I know, they LOVE us! They really love us (that includes you, fellow Yelpers)! So the next time you decide to go, remember to announce that you're a Yelper loud and proud! One thing to note: the inside of the restaurant has horrible reception. Or it could just be AT&T. Or that Siri chose not to talk to me. Fail.
I came here for the first time during OC beer week, so prices were much cheaper and there was a menu with selective items. In general their menu is on the pricier side (but its seafood so what can you expect?) and I heard that their portions tend to run small? Anyways, I loved what I got it was fulfilling and I definitely got enough food! I had a tilapia dish: grilled tilapia fish with mashed potatoes and grilled veggies paired with a Stella. Service was good and attentive, it was very empty that day (on a Saturday afternoon) and the restaurant is pretty large.
(3)
Ryer F.
Fave date night place with my husband. Great service, food and ambiance.
(5)
Joa K.
came here for happy hour last night. not bad, not great. it's just a regular ol' happy hour kind of place. no frills no fuss. many TV screens. the mojito wasn't bad. we got the fish tacos, burger slider, artichoke dip, calamari, and i think that's it? complimentary sourdough bread came out too. nothing was particularly memorable. the fish taco and burger was dry but i did enjoy the artichoke dip and calamari. my friend Jami had a groupon thing so our whole meal was only $0.82 plus a $5 tip! great! i'm not sure i'd come back here.....maybe their dinner menu is worth a shot. *shrug*
(3)
Jon N.
This was the second stop for my co-worker's going away thing. The Happy Hour train's second (and last) stop was at Bluewater Grill. Nothin' like a human train of pasty white IT workers getting their drink on. yeahhhhh.... I thought the service was excellent. The drinks were flowing towards the end of happy hour at 7:30pm. Imagine a bunch of nerds having a conversation. Now imagine them DRUNK or buzzed. I think at one point we were talking about how traveling to distant stars/galaxies was possible only if we were able to somehow fold space. ONLY IF. Keep staring down your empty pint, bucko. The waiters kept bringing us water although we stopped ordering real items long ago. It was very nice of them to put up to us. Reading the other reviews here on Yelp about this place it makes me curious about their Thur. night event. Gigity gigity.
(4)
Daniel B.
I went here for my brother's b-day. It was a Tuesday around 6:30ish, and the place was less than half full. Walking in, the place is clean and has nice decor, but I'm all about the food. Here is the breakdown: Oysters Rockefeller: Good. They went heavy on the cheese which to me is always a good thing. Can't really go wrong with oysters Rockefeller, one of my favorite dishes. Swordfish: Edible, but not very enjoyable, and I really like swordfish! It had no flavor and the texture was whatever. The waiter actually recommended it to us because it was "speared" or something. My brother's swordfish was partially undercooked on one side too, which is just wrong. I could honestly grill a better swordfish at home, no joke. Total disappointment. Sides: If it matters, my sides were steamed broccoli and some kind of wild rice. The broccoli was healthy and fresh, and the rice was bland, but filling. Overall, the meal was pretty lame, and the high pricing point they have doesn't make it any better. If you are looking for a tasty, satisfying meal then unfortunately I would not recommend this place.
(2)
Greg T.
- What's the garnish for the oysters? COCKtail sauce - What's the garnish for the crab meat appetizer served on shredded lettuce!?!? COCKtail sauce - Well, I'm sure the shrimp is served with COCKtail sauce too, and it's this exact reason why I stay away f
(2)
Marc L.
It's definitely not a poor restaurant, but as someone who frequents Asian restaurants, I can't help but be a little disappointed in the portions. What I've always thought was amusing about American seafood restaurants was how they throw out parts of the fish you'd NEVER think of tossing in a Chinese restaurant- then again, maybe they do something with it, but just don't serve it along with the rest of the dish? In any case, American seafood restaurants are all about INDIVIDUAL PORTIONS. I mean, that's great and all, and the amount is "just" right, but I just feel like I'd be getting more bang for my buck at a Chinese restaurant (where you get a whole fish that you'd share over the table) or a Japanese restaurant (where you could at least order more and not feel like a pig). Taste-wise, everything is fresh and well-prepared. I thoroughly enjoyed my sanddabs (in fact, I actually did wish there was more), and my parents were satisfied with the swordfish and sashimi combo they each ordered. To finish, we ordered an interesting dessert- a "flameless" bananas foster, made with breaded banana slices, with caramel drizzled over vanilla ice cream. A nice, pleasant end to a nice, pleasant meal... But I was hungry again two hours later.
(3)
Jen R B.
I went here a couple of times. One was for happy hour for drinks and appetizers. I had sat at the bar. They have this funny empty crack along the length of the bar though and when i moved my glass....it tipped into the crack and spilled my wine. booo.... :( The waiter was awesome though and poured me another on the house! Yay!!! I thought the clam chowder soup was excellent! The second time I went here was for dinner. I had the shrimp skewers dinner and my date had the seabass. My dinner was OK... nothing memorable about the meal. It was just plain, I thought. They didn't ask my date how they wanted it prepared though and it came out kinda dry. He had me try it and I agreed. It tasted different from when I last had seabass. This tasted on the dry overcooked side. We ordered a couple of appetizers that were ok but after the end of the meal, he finished my plate for me. He was still hungry even after we were done with the appetizers and the meals. The decor was nice though and they had a live musician playing in the bar area.
(3)
Anne Q. T.
The last set of friends we took to Blue Water Grill for dinner really like this location. They raved about the food especially the Sand Dabs and salmon. My standing favorite item is always the cippiono which at BWG mounts up to a good mix of seafood. Nice ambience for business lunches/ dinners. Service attentive. As this is so close to our office, we need to get back here more often.
(4)
Dana S.
Happy hour with triny weeny! That was the only shining light of the night. We got there at 5pm when there was barely anyone there. A bartender saw me and another guy waiting at the bar, and walked AWAY to the other side and start chatting with a patron. I walked over there only to find out they don't have specialty drinks as part of happy hour, only well drinks like cranberry-vodka, and jack and coke. Boring! I get champagne for $1 with a check-in deal, then wrangle a passing busboy to get a waitress. where's the service in this place?! Erin, our waitress, comes over and we ask her if there are any drink specials (maybe the bartender was just being difficult). She says "yeah, we have a wonderful cranberry mojito..." and names some others. Triny gets the mojito and we order some food. From there, service SEEMS good. She comes to check on us and the food is AMAZING. She asks if I want another glass of champagne and I say yes. When onto my third it dawns on me it may not be part of happy hour, "is the champagne part of happy hour," I ask, "oh, no, sorry" she says. Great :-/ "Well are the mojitos part of happy hour?" "No sorry. Oh wait, I guess because they have club soda they would be," she replies. "Okay, I'll have one of those." What waitress doesn't know that people in the bar during happy hour want happy hour deals?! She was just bumping up her bill. At the end of the night she comes up and says "sorry, but I THOUGHT the Mojitos were part of happy hour but they're not. I can take a FEW DOLLARS off the bill. Sorry about that." Great. In the end, we paid $8 each for Mojitos and champagne, and guess what??? She DOES take 4 whole dollars off, BUT I didn't notice until this morning there is a CHARGE of $4 for Bar rum. WHAT THE HELL IS THAT? She charges us full price for Mojitos, then sneaks in a charge of $4 for bar rum, to make it looks like she takes off $4, which was piddly to start with? So disappointing. So, classy ambiance, good food, bad service, sneaky waitress, and a $50 bill at the end of the night for HAPPY HOUR. Happy hour bills are usually like $30-$35 for 2 people. The nice ambiance and good food don't even elicit another star, because I feel so taken advantage of. So pissed, I won't be back.
(1)
Nancy O.
This review is for the Vegetarian options and Dessert: Came here for a coworker's birthday and thought to myself that they probably would have a limited vegetarian selection -being that it is a seafood restaurant. To my delight, our waitress was kind enough to introduce to us a separate vegetarian menu -yeah!! for about $12, there was a choice of pasta primavera, grilled veggie sandwich, grilled cheese, salad, etc. So, if you're vegetarian and stuck in this place -there are options. I got the grilled veggies sandwich with an orzo side Greek salad that was very fresh and tasty. Then came the dessert. The dessert truly does deserve 4-5 stars. We got the banana foster tower to share. It was a hit! It had a slice of banana chocolate chip loaf on the bottom, followed by vanilla bean ice cream, then fried bananas, more ice cream and bananas, dusted with cinnamon and drizzles with a sweet sauce -Very delicious. The dessert is definitely a reason to return.
(3)
KimAnh N.
I had the best service last night! The server we had was so friendly and attentive that I gave her 30% tip. Everyone was nice and the food was great! We were there for happy hour at the bar ares and will definitely come back again soon! Oh, if you haven't tried their scallop sashimi then you are missing out! It's a must try!!!
(5)
Meg T.
Went here for lunch during OC week. My bf had the burger and said it was pretty good. However I got the fish tacos and it was meh. The clam chowder is pretty good, but I don't think it could make up for the fish tacos. I won't be returning.
(2)
Diane G.
Blue Water Grill in Tustin is as good as it gets. My BFF & I have been on a quest to find the best Bloody Mary in the county so Sunday 6/1/14 we hit a couple places starting with our favorite restaurant Blue Water Grill. We are 100% pleased with everything about this place: the decor & ambiance, the lovely patio dining area, the staff, the food (the swordfish is to die for) & their sourdough bread reminds me of the best in San Francisco. Our bartender, Dave, presented us with the most fabulous Bloody Marys we've ever tasted! He asked if we want them spicy & we do - extra horseradish & tabasco did the trick. He garnished our drinks with a tall stalk of celery & a skewer with a lime wedge, a crispy piece of bacon, a sweet cocktail onion, & a huge Spanish olive stuffed with bleu cheese. Wish I knew how to post the picture we took. BTW, their artichokes are fab & we're addicted to their shrimp cocktails with giant prawns. We thought my homemade Bloody Marys couldn't be beat. We were wrong! At the 2nd place we went Sunday, the bartender had previously bragged about his Bloody Marys so we gave him a try. After one sip we gagged & walked out. From the best to the worst in one day. We'll keep up our quest, but I can't imagine how we'll find anything to top Dave's drink. When you go in, ask Dave about some of his personal drink creations. He served the lady near us a raspberry lemon drop martini that she was raving over. Really...ya just gotta try this place out.
(5)
Lucas C.
This was a most disappointing experience. This is restaurant that, in my book had quite a bit going for it . It held a high review from Yelp* and was recommended by a friend. What could possibly go wrong. I am beginning to think that there is some massive grade inflation going on in Orange County. Completely average experiences are seamingly getting four and five star ratings simply because the restaurant did their job. Lets raise the level of expectation or, at minimum grade accurately. 3 stars is not a bad rating it is simply average. The place did what it was supposed to do. Sorry. I am now off my soap box. Appetizer: Calamari Fritti my wife often order this dish when it is available. The bluewater grill's offering was less than stellar. I found the breading to be chewy and heavy and the dipping sauce flavorless. For my main I ordered the Halibut, Alaska tempura and yam crusted with sweet chili glaze and glass noodle salad. This was honestly one of the most beautiful pieces of fish i have ever seen. Large succulent and mouth watering in appearance. The first bite ended my love affair. The sweet chili glaze was not used as a glaze but rather a soup. There was so much sauce it was comical. The problem here was that the sweet chili totally overwhelmed everything. It was the only thing that you could taste. I have rarely sent anything back to a kitchen and I was heartbroken at the thought of this gorgeous fish going to waste. Truthfully i was angry that someone could have abused such a dish by overzealously pouring so much sauce on it. When my waiter came to check on us i asked him if this amount of "glaze" was normal. He said it look like a bit much and then walked away to check on something else. I tried powering through it but it was inedible. I was upset that the food was wasted. Having only consumed a quarter of my meal the waiter did, insultingly, offer us a free dessert which we politely declined in order to catch the film that was starting soon. I paid full price for my meal. People make mistakes. Sometimes you pour a bit to much sauce on the fish, sometimes you lack the insight to see that your guest is unhappy, sometimes you do a poor job of service recovery but when it all happens at the same time its difficult to forgive. This is an easy place to pass up.
(2)
Steve E.
Our family of four went for dinner. Service was excellent, with good recommendations from our waitress. For appetizers, we had the calamari and oysters on the half shell. The calamari was done just right - crispy but not oily/greasy. For my entree, I had the sea scallops, once again cooked just right, served with a yummy spinach/mushroom mixture. My wife had the paella, which was only average. My sons had mahi-mahi and swordfish which they really enjoyed. A pleasant, tasty dinner that didn't break the bank. I recommend the Bluewater Grill.
(4)
Lee N.
We had a great time here at Bluewater Grill. We order the Seafood Platter as an appetizer and shared their "seasonal" dishes. The food was great and the service was outstanding. A dinner for 4 came out to $160, including tax and tip. Would definitely recommend!
(5)
Toby W.
Great food and a really nice place. They need a ribeye on the menu though.
(5)
Cat Q.
After you had dinner there, the second day, you will not remember what you had that night. Service is friendly and good. Location is nice and easy to get a parking lot. A forgettable place to be.
(2)
Jenilee E.
My first time going here was yesterday w/ my boyfriend for lunch. We figured, we were hungry and we like seafood, so why not try this out. The decor was nice and it seemed really slow the time we came in with only a few tables sat. We were greeted by what I assumed to be a manager. He was very nice and got us started and made some recommendations. We started with the Crabmeat cocktail. My boyfriend ordered the fish (Mahi?) sliders and I ordered the Fish & Chips which the server recommended. The crab cocktail was just ok. Not the best I've ever had. My boyfriend said the Sliders were good but tiny since you got 2 sliders each on a Hawaiian Roll. My fish and chips were just alright . My issue with them was within my first bite there were two fishbones that I picked out of my mouth. Being Filipino, I'm use to bones in my fish, but I know a few ppl that would raise hell. That was kind of a turn off bc that was the first time I've ever had bones in my fish and chips and within my first bite which prompted me to chew more cautiously for the rest of the meal. Also, both of our orders of fries were cold when we got them. Drink service-wise. When my boyfriend ordered his 2nd beer, the pint glass was busted. There was a big chip missing from the top and a crack down the glass. Weird to think that the Bartender missed that. We told our server who ordered a new one. She then took my Coke and forgot that she was going to refill it, so I sat there for awhile without it. She looked over at our table & I guess my bf saw her surprise when she remembered that she forgot to bring it back. I'm not one to make a scene or complain, I have a lot of patience. Maybe since there were multiple things that came up during the same meal made me give this place only 2 stars, I don't know. I just wasn't that impressed. Would I come back here? Probably not, maybe if friends of mine wanted to go there but won't make the extra effort. Maybe happy hour is better since I saw a few reviews on here about it. But as the 2-Stars state = "Meh, I've experienced better."
(2)
Ann C.
SWORDFISH EXPERTS The waiter Brian knew his fish and was telling us that they harpooned their own swordfish and brought it in fresh. He told us one swordfish is good for both restaurants (tustin & newport loc) for a few days. When asked what happens if the fisherman has a bad day and doesn't catch anything? He replies, "no, our guys are really good they always catch their swordfish!" Ok, it was funny at the time but it doesn't sound very funny now LOL Anyways here's my review for the food: Lemon Mahi Mahi: it's lightly breaded and topped with thousand islandy sauce. Comes w/ side of sauteed spinach. Tasty. If you like fish but don't like it too "seafood-y" then this is a winner. Miso grilled Talapia: very sweet and comes w/ string beans. Nothing wow-ed me here. Charbroiled Chilean Seabass: I guess you get what you paid for because this sucker was $29 but worth every penny! Succulent, melt in your mouth buttery texture. The roasted veggies were also delicious. I would order this again in a heartbeat. *ka-thump* Creme Brulee: top wasn't very crunchy and the custard was too thick. Banana Foster: delicious vanilla ice cream with battered and lightly fried bananas. It wasn't as heavy as I imagined- great to share!
(4)
Kim C.
Great for happy hour. The menu prices range from $4 to $7 for a nice selection of menu items. The calamari with cocktail sauce was lightly breaded & tasty and the crab & artichoke dip served with tortilla chips was also good. Well drinks are $4. Nice ambiance and good service. Definitely worth going back for.
(4)
Chris W.
Good menu options and nice venue and staff. The Boston clam chowder is always creamy and rich.
(4)
Dru C.
First off, I love all types of seafood. And I'd like think I have a pretty firm grasp of what good seafood should taste like. So when I first laid eyes on the San Francisco Cioppino (see picture) that I ordered today, I had just about died and gone to seafood heaven. What I first noticed was the actual seafood to soup ratio was about 2 to 1. At other places I've tried, including in SF, it's actually other way around or even worse. So when I dug in to my bowl, it was a mouthful of crab, shrimp, fish, and quite a few clams and mussels. About the only thing missing was a big hunking piece of lobster, and that would've been the extra cherry on top. My wife gave a thumbs up on her Seafood Louie Salad and on the cups of clam chowder we had as appetizers. You definitely pay more for the nice decor and atmosphere.
(4)
H A.
My first time here. I loved the atmosphere. The Cajun Salmon was grilled just the way I liked it. The sides were good too, but I preferred the mashed potatoes over the rice. I recommend this place. Try it out for an intimate dinner. You will like it.
(4)
David v.
Came here on a Saturday night for some dinner (and partially to celebrate my birthday which was like weeks ago). The decor is decent. It has a steakhouse type vibe to it except with fish related accents everywhere. We got seated and ordered some drinks. A few of the people in the party ordered some mixed drinks and a couple said it was a little too sweet for their taste. One got sent back it was that sweet. I naturally ordered some Stella since they had it on tap. Hard to mess that up, but it did happen to me at another place just last week. For my meal, I ordered the New England Clambake and for $26.95, it is definitely worth it. The lobster and clams were pretty good. Definitely not the best I has had, but pretty good for a seafood place in OC. The butter makes everything worth it... so good and yet so bad. Bluewater Grill is a decent seafood joint. The Clambake was good , the service at times was lacking, the drinks were below average, and the experience was just meh. With the exception of the Clambake, everything else on the menu seemed overpriced for what you get. Bluewater Grill comes in right in the middle. 3 star.
(3)
Gigi M.
Cool, lively, loved the look and feel of the place. The food and service were good. We ate: Hammersley, WA; half a dozen oysters on a half shell - tasty but could've been bigger! Moderately sized oysters. Barramundi Seabass, Australia - Good Mahi, Mahi - Good Beer Battered Fish & Chips - OK Overall good seafood place, there wasn't anything that tasted extraordinary. However, one of the sides was very good; it was a salad of some sort.
(4)
Kay D.
Happy hour seems to be where it's at. Unfortunately, I missed happy hour by about 10 minutes. I came here on a Thursday evening with my lady friend, and we were looking just to have a drink or two at the bar and then be on our way. We were pleased to see that the bar was super spacious and very classy. We are classy ladies and we need our bars to reflect our classiness. Classy! Our bartender was super friendly and accommodating. I had the mojito, my friend had a green mai tai. My mojito was perfect...and STRONG. After one drink, I was feeling done for the evening. We decided to try one more drink from their specials menu...El Diablo. The description inspired thoughts of key lime pie...with alcohol. Neither one of us wanted an entire drink more, so we asked to split it and the bartender made us each half a drink in a smaller glass. Hooray! It turns out that the El Diablo is disgusting, and neither one of us could finish it. The bartender felt bad, but we assured him that it was the recipe and not his skills. Some creepster ended up paying for our drink anyway, so it was no loss to us. I thoroughly enjoyed their bar atmosphere, and will most likely be back! Keepin' it classy.
(4)
Addison S.
My girlfriend and I had a terrific meal at Bluewater last night. The pasta had some of the largest scallops I could imagine and a flavor that makes we want to return. We decided to go to Bluewater over the other restaurants in The District due to the $1 drink Check-In on Yelp. Thank You Yelp for helping make our decision easy and thank you Bluewater Grill for the great meal.
(4)
Justin B.
Pros: Fresh seafood, nice decor Cons: Not knowing who your server is Last week, I noticed Bluewater Grill opened at the District so I figured I'd take my parents here for dinner. The decor inside the restaurant is pretty nice. I noticed that most of the people here were wearing regular street clothes, so it doesn't seem like there's a dress code. When we were seated, it seemed like we didn't have a "designated" server. For the first couple minutes, we had different people taking our orders for drinks, appetizers, and our meals. Although that was somewhat annoying, we really didn't have to wait that long for someone to help us. Anyway, we ended up ordering the following: APPETIZERS: Dozen oysters - I think they were kunamotos and hammersleys. Personally, I don't have a very delicate tongue for tasting the difference between oysters. Regardless, they were delicious. Crab cakes - Mostly crab. Some places cheat you on the crab cakes because they put bread in the mix. Not here. Very good. Calamari - Lightly breaded. Also, very good. MAIN COURSES: Salmon - Grilled to perfection. Sometimes people under cook or overcook salmon. This was just right. It was served with mixed vegetables and sauteed spinach. I liked it a lot. I don't remember what my parents, my brother, and my girlfriend ended up getting, but I don't think they had any complaints. Overall, if you like seafood, I think you definitely should check this place out. For our oysters, 2 appetizers, 5 entrees, the bill was around $180.00. Anyway, since its in the District, I would recommend this place for a dinner and a movie.
(4)
Wayne L.
They have a decent happy hour and dinner menu. I compare them similar to King's Fish House or Tap's. I've been here for lunch a few times and they're pretty good as well. The steamers are a good appetizer. This location is great for business meetings.
(3)
Tina S.
I was so disappointed. My birthday dinner on Friday night was horrible. The waitstaff was super pissed because everything was coming out wrong or confused. The smoked albacore and salmon appetizer was so dry it was like wood, and the paella was inedible -- the whole thing was way too salty and the rice was cooked elsewhere and dumped into the paella pan right before they served it -- like you would'nt know?!?!? There was so much service craziness, like a water brought a dish and seafood fork for my husband's oysters when he was already finished, then it got cleared away unused but them when the paella came the same waiter scolded us because it had been cleared from the table ("I know I brought one already!!"). Whatever. When we were done with entrees the normal waiter said "You don't want desert, right?" We did. I ordered the creme brulee to share (there were three of us and we got two forks -- not that big of a deal but just added insult to injury) and she actually brought the check before the desert came! The whole time we were sitting by the waiter's computer stand and listening to them complain and fight. There have been so many great things said about this restaurant I wanted to like it. In fact I gave it more than one star because I will go back and give it another chance. It looks like this was an anomaly but I felt compelled to write about it. Waah.
(2)
Tammy N.
Worse manager ever that works there. We have been there a few times and had good service and good food. We came here on June for dinner. We ordered kids meal and adult entrees. Kids meal comes with drinks, the drinks never came for the kids, we had to ask the server for them when our dinner arrived. What was most appalling was that our dinner arrived and still no kids meal, we asked and they said they will go check. We waited for a few minutes and still nothing, we asked the server, he went back and that's when they started to make it! When it came out, it was wrong. I asked the manager over, he was such a jerk. He said 'what do you want me to do about it'! What a jerk. The poor server, he was not very good but at least he was nice. I gave him a hard time. I think he finally went and talked to the manager and they took the kids meal off the bill. Had that jerk of a manager just apologized at the beginning, it would have been so much easier. The fact that he just had an attitude, that was a problem for me. No wonder, this place was not busy at all on a weekend evening. I've been to BJ's before and once the waitress delivered our meal and she noticed the kids meal was not out, she immediately got her manager who came to apologize and immediately took the meal off our bill. She kept apologizing, she came bay later to check on us and apologized again. Now, that is great customer service. Bluewater Grill cost so much more, I expect better service.
(1)
Cuong V.
Not much to rave about here. Fish was fresh, but I just got the Fish and Chips. How fresh does it have to be for them to deep fry it and taste good? I still think it is over-priced.
(3)
Mike G.
I have a few friends that really like this restaurant but I'm not sure I see the allure. The food is pretty good, but I personally think that it's a little pricey for what it is. I've heard that they have a pretty good happy hour though, but I have never experienced that first-hand. I may come back, but there are a lot of other restaurants at The District though.....
(3)
Sue B.
Came here on a Friday night for a quick dinner with another couple. We were escorted to our table, dirty, food all over the place, wasn't cleaned off yet.. The server quickly told us to hold on (while still standing there)... and no one came! Why are you telling me to stand next to a dirty table, get me a new one! BF was pissed already... After a long week of work, we'd just like to unwind with a quite pleasant dinner.. Well, we're never coming here again! Okay, So now we're all sitting down.. Ambiance is dark.. booths are nice and big.. we're eating our cold, overcooked fish with cold rice pilaf.. bland as heck.. and then BAMM!!! Loud crunk-ass hip-hop music from the 90's start playing.. We have to scream over the music to even talk to each other. And if that's not bad enough, 30 feet to the right, towards the main entrance.. There's a jazz band that's playing also! This restaurant tries to be too much all at once.. To be fancy, to be intimate, to be hip, and to be a club!!! FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL... Never again.. I hope your restaurant goes under.. I will NEVER come here again.. And hopefully this review saves someone else from eating bland, cold, overpriced food.. Served by slow incongruous waiters who have no clue what that heck is going on.. *Go to Market Broiler.. One in FV one in Orange.. Fresh fish, daily specials, quite environment and knowledgeable wait staff*
(1)
Chris S.
Bomb calimari. We did the swordfish tacos and some kind of shrimp salad. I didn't think the salad was that good but the tacos were great. Server was nice and attentive.Will go back for dinner service..
(4)
Carolyn K.
We were recommended here by a valet at Grand Californian Hotel in Disneyland. We wanted seafood, fresh, not fried. The preparation of their fresh fish was excellent. I like when the menu tells you exactly what is fresh and where it comes from. The oysters were good, the cocktails tasty. Service was not great, but easily overlooked when eating well-prepared swordfish in a restaurant where children are prevalent. No cappucino machine, just regular coffee.
(4)
Erin O.
The food was ok. The waiter was attentive. The prices were high for some of the items on the menu...but I guess that is the way they roll in Orange County.
(3)
Mondo Z.
The location is very nice, located in the fairly new District shopping area in the Tustin/Irvine border. The restaurant is also very polished as well, nice lighting, full bar, etc. However, we both ordered fish plates, i ordered halibut and my date ordered the fish special they offered that day ( i forget what it was). The service was great, but the food was lacking any real taste. Both of our dishes seemed to have just been boiled with no seasoning or salt. Very much bummed with the outcome. It was my first time and my last. Really expected much more from a fish grill restaurant. :/
(2)
Adam F.
OC Restaurant Week OC Restaurant Week is back!!! For those that aren't familiar, OC Restaurant Week is the opportunity to have great food at great restaurants at great prices. Tons of restaurants from all over Orange County put together their best courses at a low price in order to participate in what is arguable the largest organized cuisine feast in California. Now, I don't get to go out that often as an unemployed Californian, but once-a-year opportunities like this can't be passed. After all, going out is good for your health! The Story Yesterday, my gf was kind enough to take me out to Bluewater Grill Seafood Restaurant which is one of many food joints participating in OC Restaurant Week. Located in the Tustin District, Bluewater Grill is more of an upscale business lunch or romantic dinner spot. Bluewater Grill's website may make it look laid back, but the only lunch eaters I saw on my outing were dressed up in suits and business dresses. The Food The "prix fixe" menus, as OC Restaurant Week calls them, had three courses at Bluewater Grill. Each course had several choices. For starters, I had a delicious New England Clam Chowder. Now I know it was high quality because their were just a few potato blocks and tons (and I do mean tons) of clams pieces. For the entree, I had the fish and chips. Normally you'd expect it to be really heavy, but the fried fish here has nothing but light and crisp. My gf got the panko crusted red snapper which I have to say was better than mine. Third course is normally dessert, but I had a white wine pairing with my lunch as my third course. My gf, on the other hand, had their deliciously sweet bread pudding. Considering that our three course lunch was only $15.00 each, I think I might go back! The Staff: Very friendly staff. Funny, that my waitress has a picture up on the yelp slide show here. Anyway, she's super nice and polite. Their very helpful, food came fast, and the check was processed timely. :)
(5)
Richard C.
We spent the evening with friends going through the appetizer menu. Our server was friendly and attentive. The manager checked on us and explained a couple of the menu items. The artichoke and crab dip is as good as others have said. The ceviche lettuce wraps are really great and the grilled artichokes are so good we orders them twice. Will be back agin And soon I hope. Their happy hour is a bargain.
(5)
Ocean B.
Recently had a delicious lunch salad at Bluewater Grill: A mound of fresh crab meat on arugula with sliced avocado, and tomato garnish. Ask for the dressing on the side, and enjoy the excellent crab with just a squeeze of fresh lemon. They also do a decent beer-battered fish and chips.
(4)
Del C.
I gotta say - we've been here a few times and it's just OK in my book. The Cedar Plank Salmon is good, but I have to say that their grill fish is not that great. I've gotten different grill fish there [halibut and sea bass] and they overcook the damn thing every time. Dry and tough. I had to send it back one time and it still sucked. And the rice pilaf they serve with the Cedar Plank Salmon...why does it have to be cold? Why can't they give have a different kind of rice pilaf so I can get it warm? I think this place was better when it was near South Coast Plaza. Man, I sound bitter. I think I kinda am.
(3)
Darren T.
Maybe I'm took picky. Maybe I'm too harsh. Maybe I should've just rounded up. This is a 3.5 star to me. The food was good. Nothing original, but it filled me up and I was happy about it. So why isn't this a 4 or a 5? I don't know. It just did not have the wow factor. It was nothing impressive. Not much to write about. But I will try to extend my review a bit more. I came here for OC restaurant week. Took a long lunch to drive over here (The District) and enjoy a nice meal. $15 for three courses. Well, it was two courses for me because I wanted a glass of wine. (Gotta get boozed up before going back to work right?) My friends ordered for me because I came a bit late. They got me the clam chowder and roughy. The chowder was really good. The roughy was good too. Nothing special though. Came with a side of tartar sauce and plated with some potatoes and steamed veggies. Again, nothing special. Was gonna jump over to JT Schmid's next door to get more boozed up but Don didn't want to. Oh well. Anyway, nothing amazing about this place, I would probably come back again to try other things. Anyway, gotta get off Yelp, manager's been looking over my shoulder!
(3)
O G.
I'd give them an "A" for effort, but a "C-" for execution. Went for the fixed price New Year's Eve dinner (early in the evening before they were super busy), and the menu selections were great. Unfortunately, they forgot our appetizer until right before our dessert (so, shrimp cocktail right before key lime pie is not a great combo). I had the lobster tail, and it was so overcooked that it took a steak knive to cut, and the edges were actually so dry they were brown -- what a waste of a great piece of seafood. I sent it back, and they were quite nice about reducing the bill. I also had the spinach, which looked beautiful but had no seasoning whatsoever. And the squash were grossly overcooked and watery. Likewise, the ceasar dressing is heavy on the vinegar, but otherwise has no flavor. Lobster bisque was bland, as well. The key lime pie may have been adequate, but it was served with a raspberry sauce that was overpowering. They clearly have some creativity in their menu, and the quality of the raw ingredients seems to be quite good, but someone in the kitchen needs cooking lessons. And, they need to get the details under control, like serving the meal with the correct order and timing. Within earshot of our table, two other tables were getting items removed from their bills, so it seems our experience wasn't that unique.
(2)
Hazel F.
Came here for a lunch meeting twice now! Not bad, just a little expensive and there is nothing in the menu that would make me come back for more. The only reason that I'd come back is if I get invited to another lunch meeting again. Seriously! I would much rather go to another seafood restaurant near the coast rather than pay premium seafood without the view!
(2)
Paul H.
Had dinner there tonight, just before the dinner rush. The hostess was exceptional in getting us the seating we desired - acted like a true professional! The server was equally great and made our dinner experience every bit as good (and better) than other very well-liked fish restaurants. The shrimp (prawn) cocktail was awesome, as was the cocktail sauce. The dinner was impeccably prepared and served hot. I'm so glad we saw this place, as we now have a new favorite fish restaurant!!! If you don't like the prices, look around. They are every bit competitive with every other fish place in Orange and Los Angeles Counties. Bluewater Grill ROCKS!
(5)
Maria H.
I wanted to take my parents out to celebrate their March birthdays, and decided to take them to Bluewater Grill after glancing through the list of restaurants on the OC Restaurant Week page. I've dined at the Newport Beach location a few times, and have been pretty satisfied with the food/ambiance so I assumed the Tustin restaurant would offer a similar experience. Boy was I WRONG as last night turned out to be one of the worst dining experiences ever. Upon entering the restaurant, we were informed that they are "running late" so they would not be able to seat us for another 20 minutes despite of my reservation. When we started glancing around, it was pretty apparent that the restaurant staff were struggling to control the flow on the floor. The hostess came up to us twice attempting to bring us to our table only to find out that someone else was already sitting there, or the table was simply not ready. 20+ min after my reserved time, we were finally seated. The waitress came to take our order, and we were ready to have a good meal after the initial chaos. That unfortunately will not happen as the night just went on a downward spiral. She brought our clam chowders (2 New England and 1 Manhattan), and they were pretty forgettable, but we were starving so we just scarfed the soup down. 15 min went by, 20 min went by, a server marched toward our table with food that was clearly not ours. We pointed him to the other direction where he found the rightful owner. 25 min went by, and our waitress came back to tell us that our food is finally getting plated. We were already semi-annoyed at that time, but we just kept our mouths shut until another server rushed over a bowl of "gumbo" that my dad ordered. I put gumbo in quotes because that plate looked NOTHING like a gumbo. It honestly looked more like a plate of shrimp fried rice that is wet. Where were the other two orders? Well, they would not come for another 10 min. 3 of us dug into the "gumbo" since it was the only food available, and all 3 of us simultaneous made this face the moment we it touched our mouths. The food was not only cold, but the shrimps were half cooked! Our waitress was nowhere to be found, and when she came back she just had this perplex look on her face. She took back the gumbo, and did not give us an explanation about the food nor the status of our other two entrees. At last, all of our orders came out 35 mins after we had finished the soup. The "gumbo" still looked like wet shrimp fired rice, except it's now hot. It's insane that they would normally charge people over $20 for that plate of crap. My talipia and my mom's salmon were pretty ordinary, they did not taste horrible, but they surely didn't taste great. Like I said before, it was supposed to be a birthday celebration, so I was not going to leave the night without getting some compensation after such a horrible experience. Our waitress so graciously offered to provide desserts "on the house", and my response to her was "Hmm the desserts are already included in the prix fixe." So she went to talk to her manage, and finally took the gumbo off the bill. But I can't end this review without mentioning the "free" desserts. I seriously dropped my jaw when she brought back the 2 tiny plates of desserts. The bread pudding and ice-cream resembled desserts you would find at a school cafeteria. I know the menu says bread pudding, but that mushy crap was probably the worst tasting thing of the night. Needless to say, we will not be visiting Bluewater Grill ever again.
(1)
Jennifer N.
This review is long over due. I came here for OC Restaurant Week, which was at the end of February. I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who doesn't like the set up of the District. My mom and I lucky found close parking to the restaurant, and we enter looking for my sister who was waiting for us to arrive. We browsed the menu to make our selections. For restaurant week, it's a prix fixe menu, so obviously you will choose the most expensive items because you're paying $30 for a set meal. My mom and I wanted the lobster bisque but they were sold out and mind you this is at 7:30pm the peak time for dinner and it was a Wednesday! So we went to the New England Calm Chowder, which was good, but a little too much parsley for my taste. My sister had the garden salad, so you can't mess that up. My mom got the teriyaki salmon, which was a nice portion, but I felt it a little salty because it was drenched in the teriyaki sauce. My sister had the mahi mahi, which I didn't try but she took it home and eat it the next day for lunch. This usually means it was okay and not super gross, because if it was, she would still pack the leftovers and leave it in the fridge until someone else eats it or throws it away because it went bad. I had the SF style cioppino. It was okay, broth was nice and spicy, the clams, fish, and shrimp cooked well. The mussels on the other hand were not very good. One of the mussels looked like it had a barnacle on it, to my understanding I don't think it was suppose to be there if they were cleaned well. The meal ended with dessert with the choice of bread pudding or a sundae. My mom and I had the bread pudding, which was again okay, I was expecting a different look because it taste more like a cake than bread pudding. The sundae, which my sister ordered, again there is no way to mess that up. The service was good (this is why they got an extra star). They do get very descriptive in the beginning when explaining the specials, but it's good that the servers are well versed on the specials and the menu (something I learned from watching Restaurant Impossible with Robert Irvine). I don't know if I would come again, because one: this place is in the District, and two: I've been to better place near the coast. But on the positive, if you check in with yelp, your first drink is $1.
(3)
Michele R.
After walking around the mall and admiring all the many places to eat, we chose Bluewater. The Golden Talapia was super fresh and cooked perfectly! We were very impressed with everything and would highly recommend!
(5)
Suzanne K.
Food: boring! If you want a killer ahi salad, try Houstons for around the same price. The salad was prepared at BWG as if they just don't care. What a mess, and seriously boring. Also, spotted pieces of an ingredient I instructed to leave out because of an allergy. Unforgivable. They also cannot compete with Raw's ahi dishes, just next door, which are creative and delicious. BWG needs to get their game on! It IS a fish restaurant, right?? Service: Okay. But, I never had a drink refill. Bad ingredient in salad was regarded as an inconvenience, and I could see she was just hoping I wasn't going to push the issue. I didn't. Couldn't be bothered. Just wanted to leave and wished I could start lunch over somewhere else. Return to try again?: No. Too much competition right next door, in all directions at The District, with better food and service in the same price range.
(2)
Rico N.
This place was pretty good. I took the wife here for her birthday. She loves seafood. We both had cajun grilled fish. It was fantastic. The appetizers were good too. The wife had an oyster shooter for the first time. Also on Monday's they have 50% off bottles so we were able to get a nice reisling with dinner. That's the wife's favorite wine. She loves her whites. We had desert, but I was so stuffed by the end of the meal I could barely walk. It is on the pricey side since it is a seafood grill, but it was for a special occasion. I'd go back. Our server was the best.
(3)
Roxi M.
I dined here for OCRW with a friend of mine. We were both really excited to eat here, because we were intrigued by their Restaurant Week menu. And that's about it. Nothing about the lunch experience left me craving for more. Let me begin by saying we went on a Saturday afternoon and the place was empty. That should have been a HUGE sign screaming *TURN THE OTHER WAY AND NEVER LOOK BACK**!! But we didn't, to my dismay. I would have saved $10 and happily spent $5 at Johnny Rocket's down the way for some chili cheese fries. Yes, this place was that bad. They served sourdough bread, which was just fine, and I had a caesar salad to start, which wasn't bad. The drinks were served a bit oddly to us though. I believe it was the manager, but some very tall dangly fellow approached and towered over our table with a drink in each hand. He looked at both of us and then said, "SPRITE!?". I looked at him, kind of confused by his demeanor and said "That's me". He plopped both drinks down in front of the appropriate patron and walked away. If you're not sure what a plop is, just trust your instinct, it is what it sounds. Anyway, I finished my salad, and waited. I waited, waited, then waited some more. Then, I finally got my order: Fish and Chips. Boy, what a mistake. I don't know what it was about the fish! It was over fried and burnt and tasted like pure canola oil. It was disgusting. It didn't help much that our waitress (who easily can compete in women's heavyweight wrestling) was entirely unpleasant and inattentive. My friend (who didn't like her meal much either) and I finished up and waited a whole 10 minutes for our dessert. Our plates weren't even collected until a minute before dessert was ready. And they weren't even collected by our waitress, mind you. Must have forgotten how to do her job. Anyway, for an entire nine minutes, we both had our plates pushed over to the edge of the table (hoping the waitress would see). For an empty restaurant, I doubt scooping some vanilla ice cream in a dish can take up all of ten minutes. Service was bad, I wouldn't come back to this place just based on the service, even IF the food was decent. Thankfully, the food was worse and I wholeheartedly regret not eating from JT Shmidt's OCRW's menu across the way.
(1)
Patty L.
I hosted a cocktail party as the Blue Water Grill last evening. Over 35 people attended. From my very first phone call and discussion with the manager, I received enthusiastic cooperation and even suggestions on how to make the event more pleasurable. We had a dedicated waitress who was attentive and the manager checked on us several times to be sure everything was going well. The bartenders were fast and efficient. The appetizers were delicious, the cocktails a great price. The atmosphere warm. I can't say enough about the manager and staff.
(5)
Courtney H.
chris the bartender is awesome! only been there twice and he remembered our names and drink orders! check in on yelp and your drink is only $1!
(5)
Sara B.
My girlfriend and I decided to go on a Friday night since the restaurant was featured in OC Restaurant week. We were seated very promptly which was great. We ordered off the Prix Fixe menu and I ordered the clam chowder soup and grilled salmon. The clam chowder was good. The salmon was OK.. could have used more seasoning or something.. was just kind of bland. My friend ordered the chicken and she said it was mediocre. We finished our entrees and waited for our dessert to arrive. 20 minutes later, the waiter brought our dessert. The bread pudding was cold and did not taste good. We didn't even finish the bread pudding. We will not go back.. sorry to say the waiter service on a Friday night was just not worth the $30 we paid for each meal.
(3)
D S.
I have been a big fan of Blue Water Grill over the years until I had dinner with my wife and some friends Saturday night. My wife order the soft shell crab. Being from Maryland, she is a big fan of crab, but this was the worst she has ever tasted. I had the steak which was full of fat and really tought to eat. Our friends had the sand dabs which seemed to be okay. They also ordered the Paella, which left a lot to be desired. Overall, the meal left a lot to be desired. Blue Water Grill always is a good value, but I would rather have them raise prices a bit to ensure the quality is up to par with other seafood restaurants. It is sad to say, but this will probably be our last trip to Blue Water Grill!
(2)
Barb R.
I should have known there is something wrong with the place. EMPTY on a Saturday night. Not sure what has happened here but the food was just blah. Cesar salad had no flavor, garlic toast no garlic. Another in my party had to ask for another dressing as the one w/ her salad was bland as well. Server was snotty and clealry and obviously annoyed that we only wanted appy size portions and no alcohol. Won't go back
(2)
Kim M.
The mahi mahi was delicous! Nice atmosphere and our waitress Megan was amazing which made us definitely want to come back.
(5)
Michelle A.
Considering the fact that Bluewater Grill at the District is a totally re-vamped version of the other 2 locations of this restaurant, they are taking things above and beyond by starting up a late night scene every thurs night from 9:00-12:30am! $3,$4,and $5 dollar drink/happy hour specials, DJ, Random Tustin/Irvine people that are way classier than the Auld Dubliner Crowd.. hellll yessss FMI: yelp.com/events/tustin-a… This week's is gonna be awesome. I hope to see all of you there!!
(5)
Wontonies Y.
Went to this restaurant to celebrate our wedding anniversary. I like the decor of this place. It's pretty hip and trendy. The food was good and the server was nice besides forgetting to bring us parmesan after he walked away. Love the atmosphere there, definitely a nice restaurant that I would want to go back again.
(4)
Jackie H.
This was my first visit to Bluewater at the district in Irvine. They had live music playing which was great but I can see how it could've been a little loud for some. I decided to try the Idaho trout simply grilled with a side of mashed potato. It was delicious and I finished all of the fish. Our server was great, promptly asking us how we were doing etc I would definitely make a return visit.
(5)
Mike N.
We came here for the OC Restaurant Week special, $20 per person for a 3 course meal. It was a great deal even though I never have three courses, usually just an appetizer and entree. But this was too good of a deal to not try. I've been to the Newport beach location a few times, walking into THIS Bluewater Grill location was like walking into a whole different place. you know how you know you're in a McDonald's no matter where you are. Well this place is NOT the place I go to in Newport Beach, not just because it doesn't have an ocean/bay view, but because it doesn't look like a shack. The decor is nice and modern, in some ways, I guess this places looks like what they charge. Newport location not so much (I guess you get a view there). Here's my opinion of the food, which by the way did not match the menu they had on the OC restaurant week site at all. *Bread - Warm, fluffy, fresh *Salad - She ate it, said it was good. *Clam Chowder - Nice and refreshing, a little on the bland side. add salt *Crab Cakes (not from the "special menu") - It was good, make sure you meat it with the sauce and a bit of the slaw mixed in together. It was good, but not Cannery ( yelp.com/biz/the-cannery… ) or Wildfish Grille ( yelp.com/biz/wildfish-se… ) good *White Roughy - Pan fried with Panko breading, this was the special of the day, it was really good, great crispy crust, and moist on the inside. It was a thick cut of fresh flaky fish too! The mashed potatoes was very creamy. *Shrimp Linguine - Was planning on getting the beef tenderloin, but they were "sold out", this was very bland, and they cooked it with WAY too much butter. The shrimp was okay but lacked any flavor. Damn them for not having the beef! *Fudge Sundae - it was good, but still it's only Ice Cream *Creme Brulee - This tasted good, but should not be called a creme brulee because it lacked the texture and consistency of one, the custard was too thick and hard, if you want a good one check out this tiny hole in the wall place in Tustin, Flavio's is surprisingly good yelp.com/biz/flavios-ita…
(3)
Tammy T.
I've been here twice. The dishes here lack seasoning. Rice not cooked fully. I would hesitate to come back..
(3)
Michelle T.
I've had the Bluewater grill for both their restaurant menu and their happy hour. Restaurant: the service is always friendly, but the food pricier. However, most seafood restaurants tend to charge more. The actual seafood is not bad- but I think there are other places for cheaper and fresher fish (i.e. santa monica seafood in costa mesa or california fish grill in irvine). I do enjoy their ciopinno, but since I can make it on my own, I'm not a fan of paying about $25 for a bowl. Happy hour: I DO love Bluewater's happy hour. We came in one night thinking HH was over, (it was around 8) and they extended it because the HH was giving them more business. I happily accepted! I've tried alot of things on their HH menu, but I would suggest: 1) oyster shooters (ask for cocktail sauce on the side, because sometimes they pile that stuff on) 2) steamed clams (ask for their free sourdough bread to sop up all the yummy goodness!) 3) calamari I would NOT suggest their spinach dip or fish tacos or lettuce wraps/ceviche. Restaurant prices ranges from $12-30, and HH prices range from $2-6. In conclusion, I would probably only come back here for HH and not the restaurant. Also, there is a Bluewater Grill in Newport that, in my opinion, has better quality fish and a better view. You may think about going there instead!
(3)
Kat L.
I came here for the start of Happy Hour Week! I was doing this to test it out for other Yelpers and either warn them or point out a hot spot. Sadly to say, this is a warning! =*( I did a rapid post on my site for the full menu & pics, and now I am doing a quick review for Yelp to let people know if this is a good deal for Happy Hour Week. It really isn't anything out of the ordinary because they offer this menu Mon-Fri regularly for Happy Hour. Almost all of the menu items were either bland or just bad IMHO. The both of us couldn't even stuff it down. I made the mistake of ordering almost everything to try out. I was kicking myself hard for being so greedy. The portions are proportionate to the price almost except the Tenderloin Teaser. That was the only dish I really liked. They actually give a bunch of beef chunks for $5. The worst dish for me was the Shrimp Ceviche if you can even call it that. There wasn't any flavor and the Iceberg washed it out even more. The fish tacos were bland too. At least you get 2 tacos but I would rather have Wahoo's. Overall it was just a big let down and sadly my Aunt filled up on all this bad food before we went to SGV. She missed out on all the good food we had up there. We should have just skipped over this place and gone for good food in SGV instead. So I have come on here to warn all. Hope it helps.
(2)
Robert M.
I've been here for dinners, happy hour, and special events. Bluewater seems to do everything well. The restaurant is beautifully decorated in rich woods and glass that make this feel like a much fancier restaurant. Their fresh seafood, especially their shellfish (a specialty) is always perfect. Their happy hour is an especially great deal, with many items for under $5.00, including $3 beers and $4 bucket drinks. Service has always been good. I am not sure why, but the bartenders, servers, even the front desk personnel, have not been super friendly. They are professional, but all seem stressed, instead of happy to have you in their establishment. Prices are high, which is another negative, but if you're ordering the oysters and champagne, you probably are expecting to pay premium pricing for the experience.
(4)
Diwata P.
I came here for OCRW with my girl friend, Jill B.. It's a nice little place, reminiscent of a Market Broiler. For $20, we both got a Manhattan Clam Chowder (and this was really good with lots of clams .... mmmm), an entree, and dessert. The Chef's special, which was a breaded and pan-fried orange roughy served with mashed potatoes and a zucchini/italian squash medley, was surprisingly good, but the mashed potatoes, lacked seasoning. The other entree we ordered was the Capellini Pomodoro and Shrimp. Like the mashed potatoes, it lacked seasoning, but at least the shrimp was cooked well. Desserts were ok. If I'm ever in the area again, I'd come back for the clam chowder.
(3)
Ali G.
Our table ordered the cedar plank salmon, the pappardelle, and calamari. The cedar plank salmon was pretty good, but plated awkwardly with the plank. Next, the pappardelle was ok and generously portioned, but I would have appreciated some fresh parmesan. Lastly, the best thing was the calamari and warm bread. Our server was nice, but I don't think we will be returning.
(3)
Fancie L.
I went here with my friend for happy hour before church. Good prices decent crowd. They seem to often have groups with name tags socializing outside under the heat lamps. Comfy booths inside. It is an olderish business crowd, but hey I am an olderish business type. I think we had fish tacos 2 for $4 and their specialty garlic fries $4. Uh careful it's a lot of garlic. I think I had garlic cravings for 4 days after (I think I burped a little taste in my mouth and thought hmm garlic sounds good) Ryan our waiter/ "I am also a manager" is a cutie. He said he didn't mind my garlic breathe. but is it kissable, ryan? The house Merlot and Cab were actually drinkable. I am not really a drinker so I am picky. We plan to visit Ryan again. I want him to be saved... I 'll save you cutie pie ;)
(4)
Michael L.
Great beer battered fish and chips never had them and they were amazing plus the coleslaw had a little squeeze of orange juice great idea!!
(4)
Grace C.
Okay so the newbie 21 year old wanted to come here for her birthday dinner. She just loves showing the ID off and all with a big grin! The good: Seeing my youngster having a grand time on her birthday Stiff drinks-Grey Goose with soda extra limes Calamari nicely breaded and tasty Yam encrusted Halibut-yummy but not my meal Good company to share a meal with! Lava cake-I was like a damn crack addict with this dessert Service-good but not outstanding The bad Pan seared scallops-my dish overpowered by fennel. Some jackass talking so loud that he wanted all of Tustin to hear his business! All in all, we had a pretty decent time sans loud mouth!
(3)
Will C.
After being completely denied access to happy hour at both Ra Sushi and JT Shmidt's, we turned to the only place without a packed crowd on Friday night, Bluewater Grill. Yes, by the first sentence of this review you can already tell that we were here as a last resort. The crowd here is definitely laid back, not drunken rowdy like Ra nor snootish like JT. We sat on the quiet patio relishing the thought that happy hour rates applied throughout the restaurant and not just the bar. The patio area brought memories of being in Hawaii for some reason, it certainly could not have been the climate because I was freezing in the 50 degree weather. Oh the heat lamps do nothing, especially when they're attached to the ceiling oh 20 feet in the air, heat rises... dude. Perhaps it was the patio furniture, plant decor and the marvelous view of the valet area, where I could admire my $150,000 Mercedes CLK63 AMG Black Series that just I purchased using my pyramid scheme profits. So their alcohol on tap is limited, I couldn't get blue moon or hoegarrden, I settled for the Hef. The only domestic beer they carry is Coors Light, I get the feeling they're not very fond of domestics. The slider hamburger is juicy and delicious, although a bit dry. It consists of a patty, the buns, raw spinach, melted cheese and what I believe is feta cheese. The fries that come with it are crispy and thick. I also had their fish taco which is very similar to that served at Wahoo's, although Bluewater's fish has a bit more flavor and has this white sauce that's a good addition. I'm a fan of most white sauces. (Get your head out of the gutter dammit). I can't recommend their happy hour cocktails, they taste downright weird.
(3)
Jone H.
Trendy decor, plenty of parking, cool hang-out. Unfortunately, the engineers who designed the layout at "The District" must have skipped a lot of classes. What genius would put the major thoroughfare entering into the plaza in competition with pedestrians coming to and fro from the parking lot to the stores? The traffic is so horrendous that most times they have to hire a rental-cop to direct incoming and out-going traffic. Want to come here during the Christmas holidays? Forget it. Who wants to play a real live game of 'Frogger' while juggling all those packages? It's much easier to drive around the perimeter of this plaza to find parking and then walk around. The shortest distance between two points DEFINITELY is not a straight line at the "District." Thankfully, the restaurant is near parking, so if you know where to go, it's not that bad. Now on to the restaurant. I've been here several times, and the service is not that great. I think they must purposely understaff. The wait staff is always hustling and bustling around, just never at my table. Hmmm... The food is just ok, nothing to write home about. I was here one time when the waiter brought my plate and warned me because my plate was hot. Well thank goodness something was, because my food was warm. (As a matter of fact, I got a little sick that night.) I went back again today for Orange County Restaurant Week. The amount of food that we got was great for the price. My chowder tasted good, but gritty, and my food was oily. Not unlike other average restaurants, but because of location and decor, I expected more? I do enjoy their raw oysters, and this is the only place that I know of that even has raw clams on occasion. All in all, I would come again for happy hour or if a friend wanted to, but there's something here that I can't put into words, that's keeping me from giving it that fourth star.
(3)
Deepa S.
Bland food, slow and apathetic service
(1)
Patrick Y.
This is one of the places where I would go for the appetizers and drinks whether it's happy hour or not happy hour. Their drinks are great, appetizers are really good, but the entrees have a lot to be desired. On the drinks, my drinks are great. But if you get a girlie drink and like alcohol make sure you get the right bartender. The appetizers are really superb. Everything from Oyster shooters to their sliders. The entrees are so-so which is strange. You would think they would be better than the appetizers, but it was the other way around. Friends of mine actually confirmed this from having entrees there 3 different times and always some problem with the food. However, the appetizers have great every time we've been there. So for that and the atmosphere, it's a fun place to hang out. I e time to go to this place is during happy hour. Appetizers are great and drinks are great.
(3)
Alex H.
I cannot believe I've never been to one of these before... I can only review the happy hour at this time- went on a slow Monday and ordered oyster shooters, raw clams and salt and pepper shrimp (risky choices for a NEW seafood place on a MONDAY, I know..)- * even in a spicy shooter I could tell the oysters were FRESH! :) * ditto raw clams: FRESH * salt and pepper shrimp COULD have been the best I've ever had but... TOO salty! ...but GREAT flavor... (damn, so close to AWESOME...) * good wines by the glass and good prices (happy hour menu is a STEAL!) * nice banquettes in the bar area * BONUS: It's in the way cool DISTRICT (close to my work...) - will def go again, eat more, drink more and report more-
(4)
Calvin W.
Good but not great seafood. I didn't come here for happy hour so this is for a full on review. I've been here twice. Once was with my girlfriend for our anniversary, so we ordered appetizers and two entrees to share. Another time was with a friend so I only ordered their fish. Both times I didn't think there was anything outstanding about the food, but it was still good. I would probably come here again if I wanted fresh seafood locally, but if I wanted better seafood I would probably go to Scott's or Arches
(3)
Pierce T.
Came here for happy hour and sat at the bar. The bartender was very nice and chatted with us for a little. We ordered the fish tacos, calamari, oyster shooters, and sliders. We also checked in on yelp for the dollar beer. The service was great but the food was alright. It is definitely a spot worth checking out if you have not been here.
(4)
Cat M.
We came here for Happy Hour week and have heard so many great things about this restaurant from some coworkers. We ordered just about every single appetizer available on the Happy Hour week menu including some cocktails. I have to say...I LOVE the crab dip and the clams (which was in a buttery garlic broth)! I could prob eat 5 bowls of the clams but there was just too much to eat!!! The restaurant was pretty much dead. We weren't greeted when we walked in but we went straight to the bar and there was absolutely nobody there. The manager came out and greeted us. Quickly took our order and made our drinks for us right away. He was kind of rushing through things since it seemed like he had a very small staff on a Saturday afternoon. After about 15 minutes, all of the appetizers started to plate our side of the bar. There were three of us and we probably got enough appetizers for about 6 people. I ate at least two bites of everything!!! The Executive Chef came over and greeted us and asked us how everything tasted...which was absolutely delicious! They even have the salt & pepper shrimp that is just about the same as the ones from the Chinese restaurants. The Executive Chef was very nice and he seemed very sincere. I am a huge fan of any restaurant when I get to personally talk to the Executive Chef or Owner. I think it leaves a lasting impression. Even though we ate 'bar food' it was definitely tasty and we are coming back here again for some more clams!!!
(5)
Wendy A.
We were there for happy hour and ordered almost everything from their HH menu. Loved the prices of their drinks and the food. Friendly service and the food didn't take too long to serve. I liked the TVs at the bar area because we could watch the game. The garlic fries were good and the chicken wings decent. The slider was fine. The beef tenderloin should be renamed as tasteless "tougheloin". My other friends also agree that the short rib tacos and calamari were bland. The calamari looked good but it was just chewy and tasteless. The sauce was all we were tasting. Fish taco: Meh...not much taste either. And the oyster shooter: Knock knock anything in there? i didn't believe the oyster could be that small so I poured everything out just to see if there was more but nope. And folks I usually do not like food salty but the selections i just mentioned were less than just pedestrian. If you want to spend good times with your friends, fill up your stomach and not end up with a big tab, i do recommend here. Don't come here for good food!
(2)
Hamid P.
Great and tasty seafood. We loved it. Highly recommended. Will visit again
(5)
Jon O.
I came here for an oyster tasting, which came with 4 pacific northwest oyster varieties and 2 east coast varieties (2 of each to make a dozen)with some wines to pair with them. In addition to that , we had a seafod tower to share that had more oysters, some raw scallops served sushi style, I guess, with some ponzu I think it was and tobiko and shiso (quite tasty), chilled King crab legs, and jumbo shrimp. All in all a pretty decent seafood experience. service was friendly and efficient. I'd definitely do the oyster tasting again! Pretty nice setting as well, once I focused my attention away from oysters and looked around, however briefly.....
(4)
Stephanie H.
Why must you dissapoint me Bluewater Grill??? I was so excited to try out this well known seafood joint, since my experience 6 years ago in NYC was amazing. As soon as I saw Cioppino on the menu, I knew I had to order this. My mouth immediately started to water. I should have known that when there are only 4 occupied tables on a Sunday night, there must be something wrong with the food. As soon as they placed the Cioppino infront of me... i was already disappointed. Why would you take the crab out of the shell??? On to the sauce, it was way too chunky, no hint of spices or wine. I have to admit that the posted photo of the SF Cioppino looks A LOT better than what I got, and thats not saying much. Any who, the best part of the dish were the scallops, I only found two, but they were delish. Would I ever order it again, heck no. MAYBE i'll come again for Happy Hour and MAYBE i'll try the Newport location.... MAYBE. Pros: -Decor -Red Snapper (ordered by my mom, she said it was "not bad") -Sea Bass (my brother-in-law liked it) -Bow Tie Pasta with Shrimp, Basil, & Tomatoes (this was actually delish!) -Service was OK, they came by a few times and fixed the orders they got wrong without a fuss. Cons: -Grilled Ahi Salad (why would you put Ahi Tuna on what tasted like a Greek Salad????) -Halibut (dry dry dry) -Are those frozen vegetables on the side? -SF Cioppino (*thumbs down*) Don't waste your money, go to California Fish Grill if you want some cheap, FRESH, well cooked fishies!
(2)
Phil V.
I've been passing my this place since it opened. We finally ventured in during OC Happy Hour Week. The appetizers are great. I highly suggest the crispy calamari and the crab and artichoke dip. The ambiance is pretty cool. Its very dark and has that "cool" vibe. A few days later we returned with the family for dinner. The service in the dining room was good as a whole. The staff all were ready willing and able to help with our request for more water and bread as we waited for our soups and salads and then our entrees. The food was pretty good. We had the special - sweet potato tempura battered halibut, the grilled barramundi sea bass, and the seared scallops. The first two were good. the scallops had a lemon sauce that was too sour for my taste. The presentation was very well executed, the entrees looked good. The server also neglected to bring my beverage. So I settled for water. All in all, the experience was ok. The food was pretty good, but pricey. The service was pretty good, it had its highs and lows. Would I go back? Probably for the bar.
(3)
Tien P.
Bland food. Not much seasoning or flavor. Overpriced. Can't even recall much service. Only reason I gave it 2 stars instead of 1 was cuz both times I went, I had a good time with my group---nothin to do with tha service or food. Oh..and on my birthday there was a bomb ice-cream cake with walnuts, chocolate, and I think caramel (and I'm not even a chocolate or caramel person).
(2)
Peggy C.
Update on 8/25/09: I came here on Sunday night, and the food was much better for some reason (maybe they just made these dishes than the ones we'd had before), even though it was 45 mins from closing time. I had the cioppino, which was on the salty side (boo), but all of the seafood in it was surprisingly tender. I think that's difficult to pull off, since, if they make this in advance, the seafood (scallops, fish, shrimps, etc) will get overcooked and chewy. I also had the grilled prawn salad, which had a bright, citrus (I think) dressing. My friends had the barramundi and mahi mahi, which they really liked. The oyster shooter came in a martini glass and so much sauce that you'd have enough left over after you "shoot it" (hard to shoot something in a martini glass instead of a shot glass) that you could dip your bread in it. I didn't try my friends' food, but they really liked it. Original review on 8/11/09: For the ambiance and price, I expected something a little bit better. It was my first time there today, and had the fried clams with a side of mashed potatoes (instead of fries) and sauteed vegetables (zucchini, broccoli, etc). Nearly all of the clams were sandy, which was annoying; the breading wasn't as crispy as I expected but rather, soft in some parts. The mashed potatoes were good--well-seasoned, buttery and chunky, and the veggies were crisp, albeit a bit bland. They could have used more salt. My companion's red snapper was also a little bland, but good otherwise.The Manhattan clam chowder had crispy (vs mushy) veggies, but I thought their flavors--red and green bell peppers, onions--were too strong and overpowered the clam flavor. The best part of the meal, the part about which I have zero complaints, was the bread. It was crusty on the outside, soft and warm on the inside, and accompanied by a small ramekin of perfectly softened butter.
(4)
Evelyn B.
I came here with my friend for the happy hour menu. I always enjoy going to upscale restaurants for the happy hours because it gives me a good idea of the quality of their food at a reasonable price. We came with only 15 minutes or so to spare, and rushed our orders. We were charged at full prices, but the bartender was nice enough to change all that when we asked her about it. We ordered a seared ahi tuna salad, crab & artichoke dip, and salt & pepper shrimp. Everything was delicious, and consisted of decent portions. I see a lot of bad reviews here, but I must have been really lucky with my orders. The salad was delicious, salt & pepper shrimp was also very tasty, but I think the crab & artichoke dip really made an impression. I would go back just for this.
(4)
Andrew W.
The fish prepared "bronzed" was spicy and tender in the inside. Yummy. Banana foster dessert was really good.
(4)
Scott M.
Service was a little slow for a Wednesday evening. Red Snapper was fresh and tasted good (the "bronze" style is very good, a little garlic and spicy) Vegies were ok, a little over cooked. The lime cilantro coleslaw was on point for sure. Not as good as the Newport location or at least for what I ordered.
(3)
Aaron D.
The food is delicious. The ambiance is excellent. The Happy Hour menu is awesome. The Calamari appetizer is very pleasant. Its not overly greasy. It seems that it is dusted with some spice and a bit of salt. The crab cakes are crunchy and delicious and seem like they have a lot of crab meat in them. The fried coconut shrimp are also wonderful. They are crunchy and just the right amount of sweet and tangy. The New England Clam chowder is creamy and delicious. It did not seem to have all the potatoes I expect in a NE style clam chowder but it had plenty of clams and was excellent. I would recommend the Barramundi Sea bass which was amazing. It was not decadent or overdone. It had complex flavor but seemed simple at the same time. I have also had the Alaskan King Salmon and it flaky and delicious. I am a big fan of this place, but - its quite expensive and very noisy. And all the times I have been there it seems that people are close enough to the patio openings smoking that cigarette smoke wafts through while your eating. So in conclusion - go and eat, its very tasty and somewhat romantic. But, don't plan to be able to hear everything your party says because of the noise. And, plan on throwing down some coin. I assume a place like this will struggle in this economy.
(4)
Tamara M.
Loved the manhattan clam chowder. Halibut was also very good. Husband got the tilapia and really liked it. Prices moderate for this type of restaurant, area and cuisine. We'll definitely go back.
(4)
Gabby H.
Yes, appearances can be deceiving, Yelpers! That sums it up for me. Bluewater Grill is visually appealing, that is for sure. It's very different then the one in Newport, at least looks-wise. So I had another work lunch (yay for drug reps and spending accounts!) and Bluewater Grill was the much hyped locale. The drug rep was practically foaming at the mouth as she described the wonders we would encounter there. Alright. I started with the lobster bisque, which was okay. It was tasted of cream with a splash of sherry. I like both of those, but it was not very lobster-y. I ordered the halibut special for my entree. It was tempura and yam crusted, with sweet chili sauce, and a noodle salad. I liked the dish, but I wasn't too impressed. The flavor of the sauce was overpowering and the tempura was heavy. I'm not afraid of fried food (hello!) but it tasted like asian fish and chips. Minus the chips. I also wasn't a fan of the noodle salad. It just wasn't what I was expecting. I wish I had switched out the salad for something else. We also ordered a few desserts for the table. The pastry chef brought the desserts out himself and charmed us with stories of how he created each one. It was really cute. But my key lime pie was just okay. I wanted more zest, more punch. Service was also kind of spotty. Our party of 6 was at a table. One side of the table got excellent service, as they were on the side of the aisle that was easier for the server to get to. Yeah. No joke. I was on the wrong side, so my iced tea sat empty quite a few times. I give Bluewater Water 3 stars for now...the potential is there! I'm an optimist.
(3)
linda n.
My bf took me here last week to show me around the district. My first choice was the winery restaurant across from this place but after viewing the menu we changed our minds and felt like seafood so we hopped over to Bluewater Grill. We started out with a baked artichoke and crab spinach dip which turned out awesome! I love every last bite! The chips were tri colored corn chips which were freshly fried to order! I would have given this place more stars if we didn't opt for the happy hour special- a 3-course meal for only $20? Why not right? Well, that's where we went wrong....The clam chowder was delish while my Filet of Beef came out just under 2 stars. Didn't even get a chance to try the creme brule so we took it togo. After I took it home it didn't look appealing anymore, so we ended up tossing it. Sucks for us. Oh well, I would come back just to see what else they have to offer. Next time I'll try the seafood platter and update this review. Shoulda stuck with the seafood platter.
(3)
Sadie N.
I was excited to try this place, looked very nice while they were getting ready to open it but sadly it turned out not to be a great dining experience. Went to lunch right before Christmas, the service was fine but the fish and chips my friend ordered was way too greasy, I got the sole and it was almost tasteless......I got home and wrote the manager an e-mail sharing my experience and never got a reply from Mr Rock. Kind of an arrogant way to do business in such a competetive environment. I will go elsewhere in the future
(2)
Tin N.
Me and some friends went here for Happy Hour just the other day. I haven't been in OC, or California for that matter in a while so I was a little surprised to see The District shopping center as it is very near my house. I walked into the place and I immediately liked it a lot. They had a nice dining area and a good bar area. I got there a bit late but my friends already had several plates. I tried some of the things and everything was pretty solid and a good value during happy hour. In terms of service it did take a while for the waitress to come over and bring me my beer, so it doesn't get any bonuses for that, but it was Happy Hour where most service are sub par anyway. Tip: Beers for $3 not too shabby!
(4)
Retired B.
Came for Sunday lunch and it was dead empty. I ordered the ahi poke appetizer which was good and the grilled prawn (more like shrimp) salad. That wasn't bad as well. Service was surprisingly good and prices were reasonable.
(4)
D T.
Down and Dirty review: Clam Chowder - Very good w alot of clams. Get half new england and half manhattan... the new manhattan :) Blackened grouper was awesome. On a spicy side but exactly how I like it. My halibut pan seared with a Lemon Caper Beurre Blanc sauce was pretty good too, but i really dig the blackened sauce. Overall, I think its a great deal during OC Rest week but the regular menu is not pricey either. I would definitely go back for happy hour.
(4)
Maria B.
Came here for an early dinner and although I read many reviews about poor service here, that wasn't the case for us. Our waiter was very attentive. I had the potato encrusted halibut and I thought it was very good (soft and fresh). My husband had the grilled sea bass and he said that was good too. There was also a nice bar area for appetizers/happy hour.
(3)
Karen F.
Food is always real fresh but nothing spectacular in terms of taste. A really comfortable spot to have dinner with friends or just drinks. Service is always friendly though not necessarily prompt.
(4)
Margaret D.
The Dish To Try: Scallops Sashimi VERY VERY fresh and very very good. Nice decor, comfortable seating, good service. I never sat in the restaurant area - my usual seat is the bar area. The sourdough bread is delicious! And the mixed cocktails are well made. My favorite bartender is Brittany. You must visit her!
(5)
Julie L.
The ambiance of this restaurant is very relaxing. I would say it's very similar to McCormick and Schmicks restaurant where they provide seafood entrees. I had the plank salmon with vegetables which was just okay tasting, and we also had the ahi tuna tower. The ahi tuna tasted old, and had no kick to it whatsoever. We also ordered oyster shots which I regret adding the vodka in! Overall the meal was not satisfying but it did get the 2 of us extremely full. We shared the meal and it came out to be about $60. I would probably not go back here because it was just not impressive.
(3)
Brent G.
Read my review about Bluewater Grill in Newport Beach. Same company, same great taste. The difference with this Tustin location versus the Newport Beach location is that this one doesn't offer that warf/dock side appeal. However the Tustin location is brand new, trendy/modern looking, and pretty hip. It has a happening bar scene and good happy hour specials. It's located at the District in Tustin, which is a cool semi-outdoor shopping center with a lot of attractions, shops, and activities. Bluewater Grill is one of the best small restaurant-chains in Orange County. I recommend it to everyone.
(5)
Mico C.
Captivating portrait of John Wayne grasping a Marlin swordfish right over the bar just plain won me over. The fish on your plate is a work of art. It's edible too. An edible work of art! Bear with me, Becka, I ain't too good at this reviewing restaurants thing. Luscious, succulent, firm full bodied, moist, tittilating... fish!- do i have your attention yet? Yeah. That'll do for now... They also operate with an open kitchen so you see the chefs sizzle and craackle your entree. Can't decide if this quaint or a pain in the a#$. But hey what's good enough for John Wayne is good enough for me. Adjacent to ancient Tustin Airfield hangar off Jamboree and loads of woolly mammoth retail shops. Bluewater classics: panko calamari steak, ipswich littleneck clams, Maine lobster, Alaskan king crab, Australian lobster tail, Missisipi Catfish, Baramundi seabass, Broadbill swordfish, Fijian ahi, Dungeness crab, albacore, mussels.
(3)
Lynh N.
The calamari was not good. I've had better at many places. It wad just plain and boring. Sauce was plain too. Order their fish ceviche lettuce wraps. The lime was too overpowering. It would have been fine if I was just eating one. But there were four and by the second one I was over it. The fish in the ceviche was good though.
(2)
Raymond S.
Sorry folks, but I found my experience at the Bluewater Grill didn't quite live up to my expectations as compared to the other folks on here who gave it much higher reviews. I had my birthday dinner gathering held here and since I like trying new restaurants and seafood is among one of my favorites to eat, the Bluewater Grill seemed appropriate to house 15 of my closest friends for a night of fine dining. Sad to say but I regret making the decision to come here... Let's start with the Pros first then. The place is very nice and lavish inside, and certainly has a high-end appeal to it that some seafood restaurants in the area lack. Location is great, featured in a prime location at The District easily spotted by the parking lot. Service was excellent with our server being very friendly and was more than helpful enough to provide quick service and recommendations. Food wise, the list of menu items were abundant and there were more than a couple that struck my fancy, if a bit on the pricey side. So many choices, what to pick?! Well, our server started shooting out recommendations that made items like the calamari appetizer sound godly. The way he explained things, he could have spoken all in hyperboles. "You won't regret choosing the calamari. It's THE best I've ever tried". Well we did regret ordering the calamari as it was HARDLY "thee best" we've ever tried. The squid tasted very chewy/gummy and lacked that certain "crunch" that we were expecting in good calamari. It just tasted very soggy to us and most of us were very disappointed. Ordering up the entrees, I, unfortunately, took the server's advise to pick the halibut special which came with "soba noodles". His description of how great the dish made me stupid enough to order it over the seared ahi tuna I originally wanted to order. Sigh... The fish came out with what looked and tasted like Americanized Chinese sweet and sour sauce. WTH?! The fish itself wasn't bad and fresh, but I felt the sauce completely drowned out my pallet from the taste of the fish. The "soba noodles"? It was Vietnamese vermicelli! noodles! Even worse, the noodles were served cold and in this disgusting vinegarette sauce. What a letdown! I only ate 2 bites of the noodles before folding. As for everyone else? No one came away impressed with the food - "Decent" and "Sucks" was the verdict from the majority of my friends. Especially considering how expensive the meals are and how little you get. It just wasn't worth it... You can have better food going to Fish Grille down the street for 1/2 the cost! I've learned my lesson and not to totally trust server's recommendations, especially when the majority of us are Asian and grew up eating seafood.
(2)
Barbara C.
The service is SO slow. We sat in the bar. They were not busy. Our waitress was old and bitchy and could not remember anything. Fortunately, the food (grilled artichoke and crab/shrimp louie salad and grilled mahi-mahi) were very good. But it was not worth the wait. Note to self: NEVER go here again!!!!!
(2)
Doug C.
Blue Water Grill is in a nice spot, kind of a hidden gem at The District in Tustin. The place is a very nice restaurant with comfortable chairs at the bar and booths. They have a beautiful Patio area. The food is absolutely high in quality, the Burger Sliders are one my favorites. The Crab dip with Artichoke is great and the fish including Sashimi is fresh and large in portion. I have yet to have a bad experience there yet. If you do go, they have small beer selection, but the best in quality with Guinness on tab. I am a fan of this place, good food, fresh fish, good portions. Thumbs up!
(4)
flo c.
We came back here again and I've reached several conclusions. Note that I came back for the HH so I still haven't a clue about lunch or dinner. This place is VERY inconsistent because my experiences here are like night and day (which makes it one 5-star and one 3-star, averaging to 4 stars, which I think is fair.) 1) They've gotten a larger HH crowd now and so at 5:30 p.m. on a Wednesday, there was no room in the bar to accomodate our party of 8. They put us out on the pretty patio which leads me to... 2) The service outside on the patio is SO slow, especially compared to our first trip here. We ordered way more food the first time too so overall, it just didn't make sense for the longer wait. They have food runners too so it's not like it's only the waitress covering the table. SOOO slow. Make sure you speak up too if you want additional dishes after your first order because they may not get it. 3) The calamari, while well-seasoned and fairly well-battered, was way huge. They were definitely not bite-sized pieces and the tentacle pieces were like as big as a child's fist and needed a fork and knife. That's way too big for calamari fritti. 4) I tried the calamari slider this time and while the calamari for this one is a steak-ish piece that's lightly bread-crumbed and fried, the bun was way too poofy for the slider. I think it was a brioche-y bun, and I ended up deconstructing the thing and just eating the inside. The bun works better with hamburger sliders because the meat is a bit wetter and juicier, which moistens the bun. Cute, but not compatible. Everything else still tastes really good, like the steamer clams and the deep blue martini. They just have to work on the service elsewhere in the restaurant and learn to make calamari bite-sized every time.
(3)
Minda w.
Pretty good deal for Restaurant Week. $20 dinners. Ends today! Crab cakes - not bad but not good. i like my crab cakes with crab chunks but this one was too stringy/doughy. Manhattan chowder - pretty yummy here! reminds me of vegetable soup with clams. let it cool a little because it was steaming hot! New England Clam Chowder - good but a bit too milky/creamy Wild Prawn Linguine - Need to work on the presentation. Prawns were small and looked dry. tastes good though. very winey. Blackened Snapper with Apple Beurre Blanc - spicy/sweet combination. Lava Cake - chocolatey goodness but only in small quantities or it gets too sweet. share between 2-3 people. atmosphere is very lively and relaxed. seems like it would be a great happy hour place to go to. just had my leftovers. pretty good! give this place a try, you might just like it =P
(3)
Collette L.
Came for happy hour. Good appetizers to choose from and my favorite was the Korean BBQ street tacos. Yummm.... The bartender was super nice and chill. Will definitely venture back for dinner in the dining room.
(4)
Sharon S.
My Husband & I went to Blue Water in Tustin and had a wonderful meal and the best waiter (I believe his name was Brian) very helpful & attentive. I had the lobster & it was perfect my husband had the fresh swordfish and said it was one of the best he's had. The drinks came promptly and all in all it was a very nice quiet meal after a long week.
This is a nice place. It's nicely decorated. I'm not a seafood person and usually order the free range chicken which is quite moist and tasty. My wife usually order a fish dish and mostly it's fairly good. They give warm bread and butter for starters. It's a good place to go with friends.
(4)
Alicia S.
Went here last night for the first time for dinner. Place is nicely appointed but couldn't help to notice the food that had splattered on the framed picture above our booth that has obviously been there for some time. There was also an inch of dust where the top of the booth seat meets the wall, it was apparent they only dust as far as their arm can reach without entering the booth. Had the crab/artichoke dip as an appetizer. Just OK with a hint of kick. Nothing special. I had the grilled baramundi which was so so and covered in sauce, presentation left a lot to be desired. Husband had the grilled scallops over spinach and mushrooms. Once again the dish was drowning in sauce and the presentation left a lot to be desired. Scallops were extremely small. Bread was excellent. Mojito was probably one of the worst I have had. Lots of liquor, but little flavor! We won't be back!
(2)
Coco L.
We really enjoyed everything we ordered here. For starters I had clam chowder and hubby had lobster bisque. We also ordered a pot is steamed clams with garlic. We then each had a lobster roll.... Yum! Everything was flavorful and fresh and the service was excellent. We will be back!
(4)
Wayne K.
The food is greatly over priced. $22.95 for a plate of jambalaya. The service is OK, maybe kind of slow. The bartender was pleasant. Nice looking interior.
(2)
Tiffany G.
Tucked away from the craziness, right on the water... Watch the sun go down and have some of the best clam chowder ever!
(4)
Andrew H.
It was a pretty good experience for me. The food was tasty and the wait to get the food out was not too long. The bread that they gave us were freshly baked. I got the Swordfish on Cajun sauce and it was not bad at all. It was delicious. Our server, Ryan, always came back to check on us to make sure that we enjoyed our food. Overall, I would recommend people to come to this place. The only part that I disliked about this place is that it is kind of loud and it is hard to hear when you are talking to someone.
(4)
Suzn L.
This review is for the happy hour menu. Nice touch that we were allow to sit at the booth. The beef sticks were so good. I don't remember much about the other dishes but I will come back for the Medallion cut beef loin sticks.
(3)
Debbie M.
This was my first disappointing dinner at BG. I had the scallop & shrimp skewer with mixed rice. The seafood was blah, like it hadn't been seasoned. The rice had raisins in it ... maybe it's just me but I don't want fruit in my rice. The bright spot was the server; she was so nice and totally together.
(2)
Pattie L.
Let me begin by saying that I have eaten at this restaurant several times since they opened and have always enjoyed the food and service. However, last night was not enjoyable! Our waitress, I think her name was either Ashley or Amanda, was fantastic! I had ordered one of my favorite dishes, Cedar plank salmon, and was more than disappointed! First the salmon was very thin, it tasted of raw wood, and where was the sweet glaze that was there before? I dont know what happened! The cedar didnt even look as if it had been placed on heat! My son ordered the same thing knowing that it was one of my favorites and im sure thought I had no taste in food! We let the waitress know about it and she had the Manager come. My husband started to explain what was wrong and the Manager began to defend the food! This made my husband mad and he did curse! The Managers response was to say, "Nice use of the english language!" My son now got mad and said he did not appreciate his snide remark nor his laughing. The situation was escalating! I quickly explained what was wrong with the fish and the manager did remove it from our bill. However, I did ask him to check if they had changed the way they were doing their cedar plank salmon and he said he would check and let me know. He never came back! This was my grandmothers 89th birthday and I was so disappointed when I left! I normally do not write reviews but felt this experience deserved one!
(2)
Perry K.
This is one of those "if you want to seal the deal on a date" type of place! That's even if you want a girl like that? Or a nice place to take your wife/long term girlfriend for an anniversary or special day. I don't mind paying for good food, however, I don't always have the cash to do it. So if you have the cash, this is the place. I am only speaking for the really fresh Ahi and bread I had! It was good especially the sauce, but just my meal alone with a glass of tap water, $22 + tip around $26. Mind you this was lunch and not dinner!
(4)
K O.
Yeay for yelp! $1 first drink yelp promo rocks! U got to checkin first and show ur phone. Honestly, that's why we came here over all our other options! The fresh oysters were yummy! Oyster shooters are great too! The king crab prepared with the pepper and garlic (kinda too sweet) was flavorful, might be better w/o sauce if you like salty. And the house chardonnay was smooth, with no cheap wine headaches! Yeay. The waitress was nice, as well as the manager. I've been here a few times before to dine and happy and finally decided to rate it! Def will be back again! Happy hour in the bar area is fun and great deals!
(4)
L Z.
We went during Happy Hour on a Friday. This experience would have been close to 5 stars but I was really disappointed with their calamari. Their happy hour calamari had 15 pieces of calamari and was only lightly fried. We had the steamed clams (appetizer), calamari (appetizer), two different oysters and steamed muscles along with 3 drinks a piece. The total was around 100. The drinks were good and everything we ordered was fresh and came out immediately. This was our first time here but I would definitely try it again.
(4)
Anonymous Y.
I'm really amazed at how good the reviews are for this place considering how bad of an experience it was for me. I don't think I've ever felt more uncomfortable in a restaurant but it was honestly either the timing or the day or the people or SOMETHING because it was pretty terrible. I came here (about a year ago...) because I had a coupon to use at the District before it expired (and I can't say this influenced the the staff's service because I didn't present it until after the following events) so I decided to take my boyfriend there for lunch before we drove back to school. So the place looked pretty nice. The restaurant itself was great. It was clean, quiet, and pretty nice for a college student to eat at to be honest. And we got seated at the booths right next to the kitchen. BUT OUR WAITER. Dear lord our waiter. First of all, he repeated our orders (which from what I remember was a main dish with two sides we chose from a list) to us THREE times before finally getting it right and going back to the kitchen. And while we are quietly chatting away, we can CLEARLY hear the waiter arguing with the cook! Saying, "F*cking speak english I can't f*cking understand you!". As if that isn't awkward enough, the cook made some comments in spanish to his coworker and our waiter says, "I know you're f*cking talking about me so why don't you say it to my face?!". Okay, bro, this is not a fraternity. And then the manager, after 10 minutes of us literally staring at them both and watching them argue back and forth, finally comes out and doesn't even pull them aside! When we were clearly sitting right there! She just asks them both to explain what happened, and our waiter just repeats the exact thing, swear words and all, to his boss. And she does not say anything and just tells them to get over it and walks away. First of all, you're a manager, you need to MANAGE your staff. I've worked in food service, manufacturing, sales and a lab and in NO WAY is it EVER acceptable to speak to your superior in any sort of tone that hints at disrespect. It demeans your position as a supervisor and a boss. Enough of venting, our waiter comes back with our food...only to get both of our sides wrong...I believe I got broccoli and spinach and my boyfriend ordered potatoes and something else on the not-so-healthy side. He ended up getting spinach and eggplant or some crap which was not even close to what he ordered. And I ended up getting broccoli and eggplant or something which I didn't care about but I had to say something considering the waiter couldn't get it right even after repeating our orders to us three times. So he begrudgingly walked back to the kitchen and we heard him say, "they don't want this they want something else" to the cook. Uh, bro we can HEAR YOU. Needless to say we politely paid and tipped him an amount that I only saw to be fair. $1. I hope this KID, who was not much older than me, got fired for his disrespectful attitude towards not only his coworkers but to his customers. What an ungrateful little turd. He was lucky to even have a job, regardless of how mediocre he thought it was. Other than that, the food was mediocre and not worth the price. I hope you have a better experience than me.
(1)
J W.
I love this place. I've had multiple great experiences here. They have no corkage so that is always a extra star in my book. I really love their Lemon Pepper Mahi-Mahi - cooked perfectly. They also have a really great happy hour too with lots of choices & sometimes have live music too. Service is friendly and fast. You can't go wrong here.
(5)
Weston P.
We made reservations last Sat nt for six at 7:30 p.m. but was unnecessary. Lots of empty tables then. It was comfortable and airy sitting outside, unlike indoors which felt kinda stuffy. We brought two bottles of wine since they had a free corkage for first two bottles. Good to know! Fried calamari tasted great as well as the New England clam chowder, but would have liked more clams and less potato. For main course, I got the swordfish with mashed potatoes and seasonal veges. Fish was cooked perfectly, and the potatoes were very creamy and sinful. We couldn't say enough about their homemade bread, too. Too stuffed to eat dessert! Service was pretty good, but maybe being outside on patio, it seemed a bit sluggish. Overall, we had a great dining experience there and would definitely return.
(4)
Luu H.
Perfect when you have a seafood craving (but they serve other types of protein too--btw, for a good side, mashed potatoes are incredible). Everything I've tried here is good and they also have a very friendly staff. Don't be shy to spend a little more than you usually would. You'll more than likely get something amazing.
(4)
Noelle W.
The location is great, the food is delicious and the wine list includes Benton Lane Pinot Noir which makes it A-OK with me. LIke the Newport location, the best thing on the menu is the fresh fish. My meat eating other half ate the pork chop once and didn't speak to me through the entire meal- it's not personal, it's pork. I have one gripe which took the last star away. I'm more a restaurant bar fly and less a table kinda gal. There is a great bar area with booths and TVs and a big, beautiful granite bar. Sounds perfect, right? Well, to my total disbelief, the bar itself has a wood collar at the end that is over an inch away from the granite. Really? An open space on a bar that is designed for eating? Admittedly, I'm a clutz and will evenutally spill something (most likely with sauce on it) down the hole and onto my legs. I guess I'll have to stick to the booths. Thank goodness they have my favorite wine.
(4)
Selena H.
Dined here for OC Restaurant week's lunch menu which is why this place was surprisingly packed for a lunch time. Ordered the Manhattan clam chowder which was a bit more tangy than I prefer but it wasn't too bad. Then had the ahi fish taco and a swordfish taco (coworker and I traded so that we would get to try one of each). The swordfish taco was much better, I think because of the texture of the swordfish. Overall, the meal was ok, but much more expensive than I prefer for lunch. I have been here for happy hour and that is highly recommended, especially their mussel steamer pots. Drinks can be strong if you specify the order, otherwise, can be a bit weak.
(3)
Yvette P.
I love the happy hour food in this place. A great selection with some healthy and some more lux choices. The house wines are nice. Service has always been friendly and good. Also had sand dabs for dinner the last time I went. I have to say, they cook their fish nicely! It is standard fish restaurant faire, but fresh and well done.
(4)
Nikki N.
Was happy to see a nice veggie menu here...
(4)
Laura J.
I give this place a 3.5 only because I have only tried one dish from here. I came here for my birthday dinner with my dad and sister. The restaurant is pretty big and the decor reminds me of a harbor (there is a location right on the newport harbor I believe) We ordered the crab artichoke dip. It was delicious. A little on the spicy side because of the jalapenos, but the dip had a nice crust on top from being baked. The chips were a perfect crispy-ness (blue, red, and white corn chips) $9.95 My sister and I each ordered the special tempura battered alaskan halibut served with glass noodles. It kind of has an asian flare to the dish. The sauce was very tastey, a little on the spicy side if you can handle it. $27 My dad ordered the fish and chips, he said it was good. There were at least 4 or 5 large beer battered fish, coleslaw, and fries. $15 I definitely would want to return to try some of their other stuff. Their cold five grain salad sounded good. Cleanliness: Good Service: Average, a bit on the slow side, the appetizer came out quick, but the main dishes took a while Price: Appropriate for quality of food Ambience: Good
(4)
Jose S.
the happy hour
(4)
Minh P.
I felt blue at Bluewater Grill. This place really bummed me out. I was excited to come here since it was the last day of OC restaurant week and this was the last restaurant I was going to try. Walking in I was pretty impressed. Nice clean modern decor and the place had a nice feel to it. That all ended once we sat down. The Service: Our waitress came by and asked us what we wanted to drink and we told her we were ready to order. Hey we checked the menu online so we already knew what we wanted. She said she can only take our drink order right now and would have to come back to take our order since there was another table that came in before us. I was thinking huh how inefficient. She could have still taken our order but put in the other order in before ours so she wouldn't have to come back. I've never been ready to order and was told that my order is not ready to be taken. I should have taken that as a sign that things were going to be bad. She finally came back to take our order and we wanted the ahi tuna tacos as the entree off of the OC restaurant week menu. She told us that the ahi tuna was not on the menu but the swordfish tacos were on there instead. We were highly disappointed since the ahi tuna tacos was on the menu online. She said it was a mistake and it was not offered on the OCRW menu but it's on the regular menu. This was not acceptable, the only reason why we even came here was because it was featured on the menu online. She just brushed us off, kind of like too bad so sad. I was extremely upset at this point because this was going to be my last restaurant for OC restaurant week and I could have gone to any of the many other restaurants but chose this one because we really like ahi tuna. We wanted to speak to a Manager. We felt it was false advertising and misleading especially because it is the last day and they had all week to fix the "mistake" that was in print. It wasn't like they ran out of the ahi tuna tacos they just didn't want to offer it. She said she was going to get the manager for us but then turned around and took an order from another table. Aa-hem...we were first how about you take care of our order first before you take another order as you pointed this out to us earlier. We waited for awhile and our waitress came back to our table with a fake smile and said sorry but we are just not offering that. I was thinking well yeah we went through this already that's why we want to speak to the manager. We were ready to just get up and leave after this. The manager finally came by and we told him our situation. He said that different locations of Bluewater grill offer different menus. That's fine but the menu we were looking at had this location and address on it. He said that he's not going to argue with us. What????? Since when was stating facts turning into an argument? I wasn't yelling and I'm not arguing that different locations may offer different things. The fact is the ahi tacos were listed for this location and that's the reason we came. He did end up giving us the ahi tuna tacos which is the only reason this place is getting 2 stars instead of one. He also ended up taking our order and serving us but he got one of our orders wrong. To top it all off they never even collected our menus. When our food came he ended up putting it on top of our menus. Not cool for a manager to do that and not classy at all for a nice looking place to use their menus as coasters. It took awhile before our food came too and it was pretty empty so it's not like they didn't have time to collect our menus. The Food: Clam Chowder- Surprisingly good with lots of clams. Ahi Tuna Tacos-Was okay, it may have been even good but they made us feel so bad about this that it left a bad taste in my mouth. I think part of the enjoyment of food is also in the service which was extremely bad. Fish and chips-Okay, the fries and in house tartar sauce were good. Bread pudding-nice square slice that was not too soggy or sweet. I think I enjoyed this the most. Overall a nice looking place and the food is not bad. PLEASE work on your SERVICE. I'm not the only one that feels this way. Several other yelpers on here that are giving you low ratings agree that the service needs a make over. Long wait times to get service and bad customer service really ruins the whole dinning experience. I think that's part of the reason why this place is empty. Please be nice to your OC restaurant weekers, for some it's the only reason we are trying out your restaurant. Unfortunately according to the other OCRW reviewers like myself we were very unhappy with the service and probably will not be coming back. Also please straighten out your online menu into separate locations to reflect what you really will be offering. The menu is posted online over a week before restaurant week even begins so if it's not right then fix it before restaurant week starts.
(2)
James S.
Located in the beautifully designed District at Tustin, Bluewater Grill serves up average tasting fare. I hate to say it, but is along the lines of an upscale Red Lobster. Don't get me wrong, I grew up eating at Red Lobster and remember family dinner nights as a kid at the local Red Lobster. Bluewater's Tustin decor is very modern, with an open floorplan. The staff is great, from the hostesses to the servers. The food is not bad, its just ok. Its nothing spectacular, and is quite honestly expected of a multiple location "chain" type of restaurant. We ordered the mussels and oysters from the Shellfish/raw bar. They were both small oysters/mussels. So small they seem to get lost in your mouth. The calamari is average, too much batter if you ask me. I had the fisherman's plate, which comes with fish and chips, scallops, and shrimp....Again, too much batter on everything. I eventually started to peel off the batter to get to the goods. The bananas foster was good. Again, too much batter on the bananas though. Its not a great place for fine dining, perhaps a happy hour outing maybe. Bon Appetit...
(3)
Danielle C.
I went to this place over the weekend for a friend's birthday. She wanted to come here for Happy Hour Week, and we ended up collectively ordering at least one of everything on the menu. The service was great. They let us order from the Happy Hour Week menu even though we weren't seated at the bar. They were also good about checking in on us to make sure we had everything we needed and that the food was alright. If you're a fan of clams and calamari, this is the place for you. The steamed clams came in a white wine, butter sauce that was absolutely delicious. Even after finishing the clams, we used bread to soak up the remaining sauce because we couldn't bare to let it go to waste. As for the calamari, whether it was in burger form or a dish served with marinara sauce, all around tasty. Haha...I'm salivating just reflecting back on it.
(4)
Caroline B.
Whoever said that appearances can be deceiving hit it right on the nail with this place. It looks nice and upscale, but the food is pretty mediocre. While quite a one star, there was really nothing that I would have to go back for. The service was very nice and attentive, but the food was just not very good. My dad and I both ordered the lobster bisque. He a bowl, me a cup. When it arrived it not only did not look like any lobster bisque I had ever seen, but the 2 looked exactly the same in size. So for $2 more you really get nothing more. It also didn't taste creamy and rich like lobster bisque should, but really just was like a manhattan chowder base that had lobster in it. My brothers bowl of new england clam chowder was much better. I also had the scallop sashimi which was decent, you get 6 for $11.50, but they were nothing compared to the scallop sahsimi at Garlic Joes. I doubt I will go back. There was nothing on the menu that I can't get anywhere else. And I think anywhere else probably makes it better.
(2)
avery o.
Been here twice, never been disappointed. Loved the dishes we ordered last time so much that I can't wait to get back here again. Nice restaurant- but not 4 star style. You can come on the dressy side, or more casual...
(4)
Jeremy D.
I think Bluewater could be a 4, but they need some tune-ups. We started with a smoked fish appetizer. The fish was good but the toasted bread was hard as a rock. Be prepared for dental work if you try the bread. However, the sourdough bread and butter made up for the other stuff. I also had a cup of New England clam chowder. Disappointing... Way too much potato and way too little clam. I didn't finish the cup. For the main course, I had some sort of grilled sea bass special. That Sea Bass was like butter!! Absolutely perfect! Not a bad thing to say about it. It was a bit more pricey (at $27) than the other fish offerings, but I'd spend that again in a minute for the way the fish tasted. The service was unremarkable, especially since it was a slow Tuesday night. The server was obviously not interested in a solid tip.
(3)
Justin W.
Tried this place on a whim after seeing their happy hour specials online... I took my wife here for Mothers Day and we had an AMAZING time from start to finish... We started at the bar for happy hour, my wife was/is pregnant so she wasn't drinking but I ordered a beer and we got a buncha discounted apps. The salt and pepper shrimp were DELICIOUS they were a complete pain to deshell due to being hot buttery etc but once you got the shell off it was one of the best shrimp/prawns Ive ever had in my life... Then we moved to the main dinning room after closing out our bar tab and started off with a Calm chowder it was one of the best New England Chowders Ive ever had wow... Then for Dinner I got the Mahi and my wife got the Chilean Sea Bass bronzed which was blackened and covered in like a garlic sauce wow.... Their wild rice mix is amazing it has like sweet salty and savory its awesome and I want more!! The service was outstanding in the dinning room and 4 outta stars at the bar (felt a bit ignored when I wanted to pay my tab at the bar) But our food was definitely 5 outta 5 stars I can't wait to go back. Our experience was amazing and I tell all my friends about this gem.
(5)
Jimmy L.
My customer in town wanted to eat sea food, so we decided to try this place at the District in Tustin. When we sat down, we had the waitress prepared a set of samplers to go around. What was surprising to me out of all the sampler was the fried shrimp. It taste just like the traditional Chinese fried shrimp with some pepper and salt. The shrimp was good. The crab cake was not impressive. The calamari wasn't bad. But again, nothing memorable for me except the shrimp. For the entree, I ordered the hailbut. I guess I am still trying to get use to the Californian fish grilling dish. The fish was okay with good texture, but that's about it. The lobster bisque was okay, I recall the taste still a bit up to today.
(3)
Alex C.
I will never come here again. After coming here many times with friends, my wife & i decided to stop by for lunch today. After we were seated we waited at least 15 minutes for some one to notice that we were there and offer us drinks. That's the last time the waitress came by our table. Other guests arrived and were seated next to my wife and I, our "waitress" brought them drinks and took their order. 20 had gone by since our drinks were served and our waitress never returned to our table. We got up and left and vowed never to return again.
(1)
David F.
While I've had lunch and eaten here during work association meetings and had great experiences, I was completely turned off with our poor experience today. We chose BWG for our combo Fathers Day/2 birthdays celebration. Our server was energetic, friendly and efficient when we first arrived but halfway into the meal he disappeared never to return. Our meals were very slow to arrive. The food quality was ok but the coleslaw on the 3 plates that had it was wilty and bland. We had to ask for the check since the server never came back. No one picked it up once we put our CC with it, so my wife took it up only to be sent back to the table by someone (who should of taken care of it). She got up again and was helped by of all people, the guy bussing tables. Afterward, I asked for the manager and he was pretty much worthless. After hearing my complaints, he proceeds to tell me why everything was wrong like I'm supposed to feel sorry for him. I wasn't looking for a comp but maybe should have found him before my CC was run. He said that I should have talked to him sooner as he could have done something for me--like that matters? I stiffed the server his tip, too, which is something I never do. BTW, I found him later--he had switched to tending bar. We will never go back as we'll spend our dining dollars elsewhere.
(2)
Catherine D.
My husband and I are big fans of Bluewater Grill. We have visited many of there other locations in Southern California and we always have an excellent meal. The Tustin location is very attractive with nice indoor and outdoor seating. We were part of a large party and had very good service. The waiter was attentive to our needs and also was very understanding of the toddler at the table. I usually order one of the fresh fish dishes and as usual it was delicious. For a consistent good seafood meal I highly recommend Bluewater Grill.
(5)
Erica A.
We went here tonight for my husband's birthday. We were impressed with the King Crab Legs, Lobster Tail and Rib Eye. The mashed potatoes were great as well. We had our very picky children with us and the kids menu was good and the staff was exceptional!!
(5)
Stephanie S.
I came here with a friend for OC Restaurant Week and was extremely disappointed. $15 for a starter, entree, and dessert? I thought I was going to get a great meal for a great deal, but when the meal was over, I realized it was $15 down the drain. The Breakdown: Meal- I ordered the New England Clam Chowder, the Angus Burger, and the Bread Pudding for dessert. The Clam Chowder was deceptively good and the reason for the 2 stars that this restaurant did earn. The soup was creamy, piping hot, and had the perfect potato to clam ratio. At this point, I figured the rest of the meal would not disappoint. My burger arrived with a giant, thick slice of red onion, a hand-sized piece of lettuce, two slices of tomato, and a vertically sliced pickle all skewered together with a toothpick. The red onions were much too thick and overpowering and my burger turned soggy after 2 minutes from the wet vegetables. The only thing I ended up finishing was the patty, which was decent. The burger came with fries, which were fine, and cole slaw, which was terribly watery and left a bad taste in my mouth. The texture of the bread pudding was a little off, but it was remedied when we smothered the vanilla ice cream my friend ordered all over it. Service- The service was the worst part of my experience. Our server was extremely inattentive. Each time my friend and I finished a course, we would end up sitting there, staring at each other, waiting for our server to check up on us. Each time, she would walk by without a second glance until she decided she was free enough to help us. It felt like our time spent there was 15% eating and 85% waiting. All in all, this was the most disappointed I have ever been with a meal and with the service from a restaurant. I will not be going back.
(2)
Debbie R.
The siblings and I took Mom to Bluewater Grill (Tustin) for Mother's Day. None of us had ever been here aside from my sister, who had been to the now closed Costa Mesa location. We had reservations and were promptly seated upon our arrival. Our server, Jake, was fantastic. He explained how the restaurant prints the menu daily, listing options dependent on availability of the freshest seafood. He was brutally honest with his recommendations. Since I just got braces a few days before, I could barely chew. I ordered a cup of the Classic Lobster Bisque (yum), and Grilled Swordfish. We all shared a Steamer Combo Pot of Mussels and Clams, as well as Calamari Fritti. The calamari was good, but I've had better. The mussels and clams were great. Jake recommended saving the leftover juices so that we could sop it up with our bread. Nice recommendation. My mom ordered a swordfish special, which she liked, and my sister had salmon. My brothers each had the Halibut special (Tempura and Yam crusted with sweet chili glaze and glass noodle salad), which they thought was fantastic. I think their plates were pretty clean. As for my swordfish, it was good, but I should have asked for them to cook it medium rare - I think it would have been easier for me to chew. Nobody wanted dessert except for me, but we still ended up ordering two desserts. Jake brought us one we didn't order. No problem, he brought us the correct dessert and let us keep the other at no charge. We had the Bananas Foster, Molten Chocolate Cake w/ ice cream, and the incorrect dessert (I forgot the exact name, it was like a peanut butter ice cream pie). All the desserts were sooo good. Overall, a great experience. It was busy, but Jake was always there to make sure everything was okay. The Executive Chef, Brian Hirsty, even came around to our table to ask how our meal went. Jake was awesome, if you go there, ask for him.
(4)
Gar T.
I have been a "real" regular at this restaurant since 2004, but at that time it was located near South coast Plaza, having moved to its present location just a little over two years ago. It is such a pleasure to go to Bluewater Grill that I do so at least twice a month, but have been known to do so once a week. I have become what some would term a regular, but each time there is the possibility of a new food adventure. I am a big fan of their raw oysters on the half shell and a dozen Hammersley sit with me just right as an appetizer. Often I follow this up with either a steamer pot of mussels and clams or just clams. I must say I prefer just the clams, simply because I love clams. I'm not a glutton so much more than this on a visit and I've had too much. Occasionally I have have one of their cooked specialties and recently that has been either steamed snow crab legs or stuffed lobster. Both were equally appetizing and worth mention here.
(5)
Megan H.
Yet another great lunch at Bluewater!!!! Service fabulous, food amazing and I even got my car washed by the valet service while I ate! Can't get much better!!!!
(5)
Kathleen C.
I have only been here during their happy hours so I can't say anything for the full on lunch and dinner menus. Their happy hour food is SOOOO good. I always go with my friends and we get the shrimp ceviche in the lettuce wrap.. YUM it comes with this sweet sesame sauce YUMYUM. We also get the crab artichoke dip which is served bubbling HOT! It just melts in your mouth. We also get the fish taco with the griled fish. The fish is actually a big portion, considering its happy hour. Overall, I always have a really good experience here and I recomend this place to anyone.
(5)
Bryant H.
Place: Saturday night at Bluewater was deserted but looked great. Food: Excellent. Everything came out hot, delicious, and just as ordered. This is the only reason for 3 stars. Service: Our server was noticeably trying to rush us. She gave us 5 minutes to scarf down our food before giving us the check. I wanted some extra bread to soak up some pasta sauce and it was "unavailable". The kitchen doesn't close THAT early (10:30). If you work in a restaurant where the hours go to 11:00, expect to keep that kitchen open until 11:00, not 10:30. That is some bad management.
(3)
Geoff O.
Good was good, over priced one one in Newport Beach is much better
(3)
Silja J.
Food was expensive, good variety, good service, WAY too noisy! If I went again I would sit outside.
(2)
Bill R.
Eaten here a couple of times. Nice menu, great bread. Had seafood salad and the clam soup. Food was tasty, portions are medium size. Would come back.
(4)
Kathryn F.
We've been a few times. Yummy bread. Good oysters. Cedar Plank salmon is good (would be better if wild). The Lemon Mahi was amazing the first time we had it and good the second. I will definitely go back.
(4)
Eric W.
This is my new favorite place to go to at the District. I just like the feel of it, not to mention that the food is very good and the crowd here isn't as loud as at other spots. The space seems so open and the decor of black and white photos and art involving Japanese net floats is all pleasant yet not overpowering. Somehow I ate dinner here on Thursday and Friday last week, so I got to experience a lot. They have a pretty good happy hour menu with food and drink specials. If you make it there, you have to try the Tenderloin Tease, which is bits of beer tenderloin in a rich tomato sauce with red onion and tomato, and a creamy horseradish dipping sauce. Yikes it is good. The shrimp ceviche is also good if you like that flavor. I have been eating at the location in Newport for ages and I really like the vast menu. You can eat very healthy here if you choose...or you can shave a day or two off of your life... For something like $17 the skewers of shrimp and scallops (one of each netting you about 6 medium sized shrimp and 3 medium sized scallops) is tasty yet light. That is one of my favorites. The Cioppino is on the other end of the spectrum with a nice tomato based broth and a ton of fish, crab, shellfish, and shrimp. The Cioppino is also a tad bit messier, but worth it. And of course they have fish and chips. The fish is a nice firm cod and the portion is huge. I give this place 4 stars. You lose 3/4 a star for us not getting a server on Friday night for about 10 minutes, although the fill-in was good. And you lose another 1/4 star for your New England clam chowder being a little thinner than it should have been, even though I'm sure everything will be great once this place gets past its new restaurant jitters.
(4)
Ken O.
On a budget, my wife and I enjoyed an appetizer and soup/salad for dinner. The Ahi poke was fresh and served in a tower with some fried won tons (which we removed before devouring the fish). Both New England and Manhattan soups were excellent and the Wedge salad was crisp, not drenched in dressing and total bill was not overly expensive. We'll be back.
(4)
Josh B.
Decent all around. This location lacks the harbor-side vibe of the Newport Beach location, and it's much larger as well. The smoked albacore is good off the starters. Most of the fish dishes are decent, although the menu is a bit heavy and I wouldn't say any one preparation really sticks out in my mind as outstanding. We've gone a few times, although for the money there is definitely better fish out there. I do prefer the Newport Beach location, which again has the harbor-side location and a much more locals/family atmosphere going for it.
(3)
Ultraspec u.
The salmon plank dish is honestly the best plank fish dish i've ever had. The large scallops dish is on the more complex side with lots of flavor. Raw oysters are good and the more expensive exhibit fruity melon flavor. If you're on a date, make sure to ask for a table in the middle or rear, otherwise you will be stuck with the happy hour crow.
(4)
robert f.
I've never been but I will definetly go again. This place knows how to do seafood. The menu has many varieties of seafood and the prices are very fair. The service was very good. We went on a Sunday evening and it was fairly busy. Lots of families. I have no complaints and would highly recommend the Bluewater Grill.
(4)
Amanda C.
This place sucks. I can't believe how many okay reviews they got. Maybe it was just a bad experience that day? I'm scared to give it a second chance. It's expensive for what you get. My bf ordered ahi tuna with a hummus sauce. The sauce had a consistency of water and tasted like nothing. Seriously wtf happened to the hummus? It didn't go together, it just wasn't a good combination. I don't think they know how to pair their foods correctly. Their trying to be exotic and new and it's just not happening. And then came my plate, OMG. I ordered their Tempura and Yam crusted with sweet chili glaze and glass noodle salad. (Sounds good huh? Sounds...) The glass noodle salad is just exactly how it states, I don't know why I expected more than just flash boiled noodles with some cilantro, thats it!!! no sauce no nothing. Dry bland sticky noodles. The fish was cooked okay but it was a very small piece. The sweet chili glaze I PROMISE I PROMISE I PROMISE you, is the one straight up out of the bottle you buy at any grocery store. So disappointed I didn't eat :( The waitress came over to see why were not eating, I asked her if the chili sauce was home made and she reassured me it was. But she looks and acts fake. Fake friendliness, fake smile, fake chili sauce. I know I sound a little fixated on the sauce but what else was their to spruce up my plate? it's the only little thing I had and it sucked. We did have raw scallops before our meal, and those were good. That's why I gave it the extra star. Don't be fooled by the atmosphere, it gives you the impression maybe it's like a cool seafood style cheesecake factory. :( never again.
(2)
Justin B.
We have been here twice now and it is overpriced for what you get. Both times someone at the table had to send something back for being to fishy. It has a great location and looks great but spent to much for what it is. We did not go but I here the Happy Hour is good and I can say the drinks are great...
(2)
San N.
We ate here on New Year's eve at 7:30pm. Place was busy but there was no wait. Manager was very nice about making a last minute reservation. Service though was horrendous. Our server was rude and very short with us. Restrooms were not stocked and dirty. Food: 1. Baked Dungeness Crab & Artichoke Dip - Not as good as last time. Tasted like something out of a can. 2. Ahi Tuna dish- I'm not sure whether it was an appetizer, salad or entree. Pretty big portion. Dark greens, sticky rice, topped with ahi. Flavor was great but the fish wasn't fresh. 3. Halibut, Alaska - Overly battered but fresh. Ask for the chili glaze on the side since it is a bit sweet. I couldn't taste any yams in the batter. Glass noodles were refreshing and light. 4. Mahi Mahi Bronzed - Fantastic. Not too buttery or rich. Great portion and cooked just right.
(4)
Marita L.
So we've been coming to Bluewater's Thursday night happy hour for a month now... I guess that makes us regulars! The cheap appetizers, cheap beer and well drinks, and great atmosphere keep us coming back. DJ quality varies though - the first week we came was the best, the last couple weren't as good, but this week was better. And it's good that the DJ is inside again, instead of on the patio. Overall, it's a great happy hour, and a fun place to hang out with friends. I'm already looking forward to next Thursday night!
(4)
Maria T.
Quite possibly, the worst dining experience I have had in 2009. Why oh WHY did I end my OC Restaurant Week spree here? Food = Awful. Service=Even worse than the food. Ambience= Good, but not good enough to make up for the crappy service and food. I have never had a more rude server in my entire life. First, he lectured us about arriving at different times and how it made it difficult for him to know when to announce what the fish of the day special was. (Seriously dude? 6/7 of us were there within 10 minutes of our reservation time. 1 person was in traffic. Sorry to get your panties in a bunch!) Best part of the meal was the bread. And maybe the clam chowder. And by "best" I mean that it was average. The entrees were just horrible. First, there was a huge, long, curly black hair on top of one order of tilapia... it was so long we could see the hair from across the table as the server was bringing it to us. As much as I love Bob Marley, I do NOT want to see his hair in my food. Gnarly. The fish and chips--their supposed "specialty"-- looked great, and tasted NOT great. We agreed that it seemed like the batter lacked seasoning. I kept attempting to take another bite waiting for it to taste better. I added malt vinegar, tartar sauce, ketchup, and no improvement. The fries tasted fresh from a freezer bag. The coleslaw was also lackluster in the flavor department. (For better fish and chips, I'd recommend H Salt or Hof's Hut) My friend described his meal as "Fries were soggy and my fish was overcooked." The Blackened Snapper was so poorly seasoned and so overly spicy that it was inedible. The tilapia, on the other hand, just lacked seasoning. The vegetables were totally bland. And now for the kicker. All evening long we were looking forward to dessert. We saw some cool apple dessert get delivered to another table and decided that it looked amazing and we needed to try it. Our delightful server came up to our table to take our order and began announcing in a long unapologetic speech how it was the end of restaurant week and because of that, they had run out of everything except chocolate cake and cheesecake. Forget the fact that we had waited all night anticipating getting the apple thingy. We sat there in bewilderment. Could he NOT have told us that earlier? Could he have at least warned us that 4 of the dessert offerings were not available? After a pregnant pause while he read our disappointment, he then proceeded to say impatiently, "Listen, you might want to order it now because if I wait 5 minutes who knows what else might be gone. Or, you just don't have to get dessert if you don't want it". Well, after treatment like that, we couldn't stand the idea of eating another item from here. Bluewater Grill... I will shudder at the very mention of your name. I may need therapy to recover from this experience.
(1)
David V.
Good seafood here, particularly the fresh items. I had the red snapper, and it was tasty and well-prepared. Prices were reasonable and service was good. Decor in the restaurant is rather generic, but that's a small quibble. We'll definitely go back.
(4)
Cristine D.
Tempted to give this place a ONE star, but I will average it out based on my previous visits as well. I've been here about 5-7 times, typically during lunch either before or after the lunch crowd. Usually we get decent service and good tasting food. My recent visit was not the case. FOOD: I ordered the salmon dinner because after specifically asking the server if it was farm raised or wild, she said it was wild and that the only fish on their menu that was farm raised was their catfish. I took her word for it and when I received my salmon, it was clear it was not. Real wild Alaskan salmon tends to have a more pink/red tone than the one I had recently. It tasted fine (maybe a little bland-but not fishy). However, I am a little irritated that someone who works there and should know what is on the menu told me the wrong information. I should have known since restaurants typically clearly state it on the menu and are proud of it when their salmon is "WILD." The five grain rice that I have enjoyed in the past wasn't as good this time. The almonds tasted as if they were old and the overall texture was on the grainy side. SERVICE: Was HORRIBLE! We were sat sometime around 7:45ish and didn't pay the bill until about 9:30ish. And not because we were busy chatting, but because we were just waiting for our food and service. We asked for extra onions on our salad, and not only did it come without onions, but it took about 15 minutes to arrive. (It's lettuce...no heating needed!) Then when reminded about the onions, it took another 5 minutes to arrive. The main course didn't arrive until about 8:40. Typically once the food arrives, the server comes back after a few minutes to check up on everything. She took about 10 minutes before she checked in. She only came to refill our drinks once and the second time, we had to hound a bus boy because we couldn't reach her. I was only about half done with my food and clearly hovering over it and she wanted to take it away from me. As she was reaching for my plate, I had to tell her I was still working on it. Obviously the tip reflected the service. Would I return again? Probably. But I don't know that my mouth would water thinking about this place. It's seemingly fresh fish that's not too overly priced, but this particular experience was a bad one.
(2)
James N.
I came here for lunch because I had received a gift certificate as part of a boat rental. Although I was a concerned about some of the negative reviews the restaurant had received, I was impressed with the quality of my fish and the fact that the menu had local offerings. One of my lunch companions was less impressed with the quantity of scallops in her pasta with shrimp and scallops, but it seemed appropriate to me for the price. The staff was courteous and highly attentive--not just our waiter but the host and other staff as well. The bread was tasty and the simple atmosphere was pleasant. If you like good quality fish simply prepared, this is a good place for you.
(3)
Jay T.
I love their calimari and scallops!!!
(5)
Jeffery D.
FIrst if you want the best Maine style Clam Chowder and Lobster Roll outside of New England GO HERE!!!! They use the real Maine Hotdog rolls ( I know I'm from Maine)!!! I go here and order Chowder to go monthly and it is great. As for sitting and eating I go there almost every time the wife and I go to the movies and I have never been disappointed. The Mussels are always cleaned very well. (Something that is usually hard to come by).
(5)
Gene S.
Came here with high expectations and came away disappointed. The restaurant is in the newish "District " plaza and is conveniently located right next to the parking lot by JT Schmidts (spelling?). I went for a late lunch on a tuesday and the place was a ghost town. We opted to sit on the patio since it was sunny out. Decor wise, the restaurant is nice. They have a nice big bar with flat screens and a lot of big fish on the walls. The patio has a firepit, booths lining the back and tables spread out in the middle. The service was good, nothing to rave about, just good. The food was mediocre. I had shrimp linguine that was super buttery and bland. A ton of salt and pepper and it was still bland. My mom had the seabass that was also underseasoned, and my brother had a ahi burger that tasted like propane. The highlight of the meal was the shrimp ceviche lettuce wraps. It was decent but they dont serve with tortilla chips or hot sauce. It's sad when the highlight of the meal is decent. Anyways long story short: nice place, mediocre food. I would give it 2.5 stars but i round up. Go for the happy hour. They pour a good pint and have games on.
(3)
Esther P.
I came here for Happy Hour Week so I don't know how the real menu is. However, from my experience, it just seems mediocre. The service wasn't bad, and the decor was interesting (look up for the little fish hanging from the ceiling!), but the food wasn't amazing to me. We ordered calamari sliders, regular sliders, grilled fish tacos, tomato bisque, some tenderloin steak thing, and drinks. The calamari sliders were okay, and while the they themselves were reminiscent of chewier McD's fish filets, the prices were not. Something about the taste seemed kind of odd, the kind where you can't really put your finger on, as if they used too much of x and not enough of y. There's better out there.
(3)
Brent P.
5 of us went to the Bluewater Grill for dinner last weekend and it was not what I thought it would be. First of all I would say the wait staff was pleasent and took our order in a timely manner, actualy maybe a little too timely as they were asking for our drink order just a as our buts hit the seat. I started with the Oysters Rockefeller and it was covered in soo much cheese you could hardley tell there was an oyster in there. My girlfriend and I ordered the salmon, which was good but all the sides were charred black and flavorless. i don't know if it was an off night for them but the food was not very good at all.
(2)
Cyndi L.
Came for lunch today. Food was good, but server was not attentive. I ordered the san dabs after he explained how they were prepared. The runner brought out sea bass instead. The runner offered to take it back but I decided to keep it so I could eat with the hubby. To my surprise I was charged for the Seabass Instead of san dabs and the sea bas was $15 more than the san dabs. Not too cool.
(3)
Stephanie R.
Had dinner her last night, actually a trio of appetizers as we weren't that hungry. The generous bucket of steamers were good, especially the broth to dip the warm bread into! The coconut shrimp were MARVELOUS-lightly fried with plenty of shredded coconut and tasty mango salsa to dip them in! The sashimi plate was a mixed bag. While the ahi and salmon were fresh, the hamachi tasted a little fishy-certainly not the best fish.
(3)
Jennifer L.
So it's OC Restaurant Week and I've heard good things about Bluewater Grill in Newport so we decided to come here for lunch. Tustin was closer to where we were so it worked out well. Bf and I both did the $20 lunch deal that Restaurant Week had going on. The first course was a really really good clam chowder. At first, my bf was just going to do an entree, but he had a taste of mine and decided to go with the $20 menu. It was gooood! Came out hot, w/ lots of tasty clams. For the main entree, I got the ahi fish tacos w/ fries and cole slaw and my bf got the fish of the day, which was a blackened red snapper w/ some apple beurre blanc served with mashed potatoes and steamed veggies. Mine was just alright. The first one was good, but then I was pretty full so I decided to just pick at the fish in the second taco but that one was really big, a little tough, and too fishy. The fries were alright and the cole slaw was kinda bland. Overall, I've had much better fish tacos. My bf's however was quite yummy. The blackened part was this dry rub that made the fish a tad spicy. The potatoes and veggies were good too. Last but not least, we both got sundaes for our dessert. Here's how the sundaes were. One small scoop of vanilla (bean?) ice cream, some whipped cream (out of a can), and a drizzle of chocolate syrup. I mean the ice cream itself was alright, but who calls that a sundae?! There wasn't even a cherry on top! I would have given the place a 3 based on my meal, but my bf's meal showed potential for the place in general. Our waitress was nice and they were attentive and friendly there. Oh, and they have really good bread and butter in the beginning (I absolutely heart bread and butter.) I'd go back... just not for the tacos.
(4)
E T.
I really liked the decor and ambiance of this place. Nice, without being too nice. i wouldn't feel bad about walking in in jeans and a t-shirt, and I wouldn't feel out of place walking in a little dressed up. Crowd is low key. Sat at the bar for dinner, which I think was our mistake. Only two ppl were manning the entire bar, so it made for super slow service. Hubby and I ordered artichoke spinach dip, a small ceasar salad, and a burger. Dip came out fairly quickly. I was planning on having the salad as my entree, but I think the waitstaff thought we were sharing it as an appetizer. So after maybe 15 mins or so of just appetizer, the bartender apologized for the long wait for the salad and said he would take it off the bill. Nice! But then we probably waited an hour or so (from the time we ordered to the time it came out) for the burger to come out. What was weird is that the bartender never said anything about how long the burger was taking. And then when we asked about it, he was like whatevers. I would definitely go again to try some other stuff. But I would opt for a regular table over the bar.
(3)
Sherry M.
This restaurant is wonderful. I go there several times a month. My favorite is the salt and pepper shrimp, it just burst with flavor. Other items I've tried oysters, oyster Rockefeller (delicious), seafood platter all have been fabulous.
(5)
Stephen B.
"How's everything tasting?" "The tasting is fine; the service is terrible." That was the exchange with our waitress after my wife and I ducked into Bluewater which, by the way, features the most uncomfortable chairs of any restaurant in which I've ever dined. No matter. The booths are fine if you can get one. We only ordered soup and salad but the meal came without dressing for my wife and the wrong dressing on mine. That, in and of itself, is easily fixed had our waitress bothered to check in. But she didn't. After a while the manager noticed our stranded looks and handled it. Some time after delivery of the missing dressing and new salad, and after we had finished most of the meal, our waitress came by with the ever-annoying, superfluous (and grammatically incorrect) inquiry, "How's everything tasting?" Had she been more interested in making sure we had what we needed when we needed it, and less interested in the taste of our meal, she might have resolved issue. Advice to restaurant managers: train your wait-staff to simply ask if anything more is needed after the meal is delivered...the taste of my food is only one aspect of my dining experience and not a service issue.
(2)
Judy H.
Did not have to wait forever for a party of seven. Food was good and service was spot on.
(3)
Leanne M.
We came here on a friday night and were happy to find it not so busy. Turns out, not only was the standard Irvine/Tustin crowd missing, so was the quality of the food. Our oysters where full of pieces of shell. Italian dressing (especially since they flaunt all of their dressings as made in house) should taste like something other than oil. Maybe there should be more seafood in a cioppino. The only yay I can give was for the bread and butter. mmm butter... I'll only come back for their martini happy hour. Half price martinis?!?! how could i say no!!??
(2)
Scott K.
pros: i suppose the ambience can be considered classy and ideal for a dinner date. cons: $16 for fish and chips comparable in taste to those i can get at jack in the crack. the bartender who rushed us so much to order food and drinks, it seemed as if she was hard up for money and desperately needed the tip. regardless of her reasons, it was very annoying. conclusion: rather than bringing a date here or suggesting this place among friends or family, save face and yelp for a better alternative.
(2)
Tim H.
Came to the District to try to out Ra's happy hour, but damn that place gets f*&%in packed. Somehow ended up at Bluewater Grill for happy hour. Drinks were pretty decent for $5 for margarita's, some bitch martini, and somehting else. Food is pretty diverse ranging from oyster shooters to calamari sliders. The sourdough bread that they give you at the beginning is ridiculously good too. Only downsides to my experience was service (probably just crappy during happy hour) and the guy that sat down next to me. Seriously reminds me of Danny Devito in It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. This guy sits down with two 40-50 year old ladies and himself at a table meant for two. He keeps on blabbering about some random shit and about half way through he tires himself out and straight up knocks out for a good 5-10 minutes. I think next time I'd rather go to happy hour somewhere else.
(3)
phil w.
I enjoyed the fish here. They make their entrees to a pretty nice standard. My pop's sea bass (blackened, then wined and buttered) was spectacular and, to me, was the star of the evening. The sides with the entrees are very normal. You can tell they didn't go to lengths to specialize the sides, but they definitely aren't disastrous. Very chain-like. The rest of the food is solid, with a shout out to the fisherman's platter -" fish and chips, but also with battered shrimp and scallops to boot. Prices are fair and our waitress was really nice. After everything else however, it is a chain in a strip mall. So you know what to expect in terms of crowd and charm (perhaps a lack thereof). Good thing for me is that as a socal visitor, it's a decently fresh spot for me this time around.
(3)
Monica M.
stopped here after work with a friend. we had a salad and a few items from the happy hour menu. steamed clams,calamari,artichoke dip,oyster shooters, The kim chi tacos were very very very good. did i say very good? with a salad and a couple drinks. We were stuffed when we left. This is another place I'll be going back to. The service was very good. Water was never less than 3/4 full. We never needed anything they would bring it just as we were about to ask for it.
(5)
Jenny L.
This review is for happy hour and my two cents (and stars): don't come here for happy hour. It's pricey and maybe it was because of St. Patty's Day, the service wasn't very good and everything we ordered was cold. We were so hungry that we ate our hamburger but we did ask for another seafood dip. The best part was the complimentary bread, the tacos and the host who allowed us to order the happy hour specials even after 6:30PM.
(2)
Jenny D.
My friend and I were at the district and she was craving fish. The sushi place was too packed for happy hour so we decided to try Bluewater Grill. We made the right choice. It wasn't packed. It was nice and quiet. The service was pleasant. The happy hour prices were great and the food was delicious. They had a special happy hour menu that contained some of their appetizers in smaller portions. I decided to try the fish tacos and the steamed clams. Being that I'm from the Pacific NW, I've never seen clams so small; however, they were an appetizer and they did give me a good ladle full. They were cleaned well and served with butter. Yum! The fish tacos were small taquito sized corn tortillas. There were two on a plate. The garnish was cabbage and sour cream. I don't know what they cooked this fish in, but it was delicious. I had a well cosmopolitan and I was good to go. My friend decided on an entree of tillapia, mashed potatoes, and sauteed spinach. I tasted her fish and it was delish! The happy hour prices were great. The food ranged from 4-5 dollars and the drinks were 4. I couldn't suggest a better place. It's right across from JT Schmidt's. I'd say skip the grease and noise and come here for lunch/dinner.
(4)
JJ S.
I've been wanting to try the Newport Bluewater for quite a while, but seems like I've been ending up at the District a lot lately, so no wonder I got to try this one first. Met another couple here for HH on Friday night. SERVICE: Ebony did a great job and is adorable, friendly and attentive. We also appreciated the fact that the Chef came out to deliver our oyster shooters, was super nice, and stayed to talk with us a bit. ATMOSPHERE: We originally sat in the way back, which made me feel a bit too much like we were sitting in the way back. So we moved into the central dining room which felt much more open with the surrounding windows, and had a great view of the kitchen area. The seating is comfortable, and the decor is pleasing. Too bad their patio is so small, as it looks really nice out there, but good luck getting a table. DRINK: Never heard of the house Cab, and I still can't remember it, but it was decent and didn't give me a headache. A good deal at $4. FOOD: Here's where we went to town. First off, the basket of warm BREAD is a nice touch, and perfect to get something in my stomach while waiting for the first round of appetizers. The GRILLED FISH TACOS were so fresh tasting, but could've been served on larger tortillas instead of tiny double tortillas, as they were totally overflowing. SHRIMP CEVICHE LETTUCE WRAPS were good but messy, and to make them even messier, served with a soy-based sauce. The FRIED CALIMARI was so tender and yummy. The CRAB ARTICHOKE DIP was excellent and nicely portioned, but served with those weird orange, purple and yellow tortilla chips, which never taste good to me for some reason. The STEAMER CLAMS were many but small, and the sauce was too watery - not as good as the clams I make at home. But, by far, my favoritest were the OYSTER SHOOTERS. Yes, another round of oyster shooters, please! I could've easily schwigged a dozen of those... 4-1/2 stars (on the verge of 5.) Look out Bluewater, we're coming back. And, your sister in Newport, too. (p.s. Everyone makes a big deal about the 100th review. I wasn't even planning on noticing mine, but ooops I did, and I'm kinda glad the place was such a good good.)
(4)
Tom V.
Everything about our dinner at BWG tonight was fantastic. Let's begin with the parking... Free lot, with plenty of parking (even on a Saturday night). The restaurant is beautiful, and romantically lit... reminded me of a Fleming's Steakhouse. Very clean. Neat. Organized. Greeting by the hostess of BWG... great.. No reservation @ 7:30 pm on Sat. night, and she sat us immediately, at a nice table. We were greeted by the manager as well. Immediately acknowledged by our server (Matt). Drinks arrived, the menu had so many options. The food came out right away, and was DELICIOUS! Perfectly prepared, a decent serving size (although for the high price, it could be a little bit more filling), and tasty. Very healthily prepared. The server (Matt) was perfect. He was attentive to ALL of his tables simultaneously, yet made us feel like we were his only and main priority. He didn't hover, or interrupt, as some servers will frequently do. He really made the night for us! Great personality, while we could tell he was being himself. He was to the point, and quick. VERY EFFICIENT. The restrooms however.... could use some tidying up. Not too messy, but just could use some attention. The toilets need to be scrubbed. (I notice these things). I highly recommend this BWG location @ The District.
(5)
Jane R.
The best thing is their free corkage all the time! I hope this never changes.
(4)
Kristina G.
i went here b/c they were giving out free drinks courtesy of angelic. i got a cosmo and it was good, a tad bit strong but thats what a martini is right? i also ordered a couple appetizers with my friends. the calamari was good, lightly breaded and not tough at all. it was served with a classic marinara sauce. and the crab and artichoke dip was d-lish! it was topped with cheese, yum-o! with the tri-color tortilla chips. i was very satisfied with the two appetizers and a drink. my roommate got the slider and it looked good. it was a good size with fries. oh ya and it was happy hour so all the food we got was under $5! happy hour ends at 6:30. they have lots of other options for happy hour, as well as a couple of alcoholic drinks.
(4)
Jackie O.
Ok you have to love seafood and not mind the smell because the second you step into Bluewater you are surrounded by the sensual aroma of sealife. I love how the kitchen is wide open to the guests. Very nicely setup and the hostesses are so pleasant. Pretty accurate of wait time, but usually not long of a wait. You can bring your own wine, I've never done that yet, but I'm sure there is a fee. The atmosphere is really intimate to me, a good place for a date. Even though I've only gone with my girlfriends, I wouldn't mind being taken there on a date. Food selection isn't large, but everything is very exquisite. I love their crab artichoke dip, its got a little spicy tang to it. Awesome drinks, prices are decent, I wouldn't say expensive, but you can't eat there everyday as a college student. Their salads are really big and good, from what I hear. I don't eat salads or any types of vegetables, I'm allergic. HAHA Service is awesome, I've always gotten guys and they are always good looking and so sweet. Ask them for their opinion in food and they always have good suggestions. Plus a good way to start a convo! Super relaxed and chill, not loud or booming with music. I would have to say their mojitos are BOMB! I am a mojito type of girl and I always end up getting at least four before I'm out of there. If you haven't noticed from a lot of my reviews so far, I like to go hangout at the District with friends and family. Its a great place to grab food, relax out on the couches and chairs, or to just drink and have a good time. usually really dead because everyone goes to the Block or Spectrum and the District just the same, less people. I LOVE IT! 7/22/09 REDO! Still excellent of course! Tried their Ciopinno AMAZINGGG!! I hope I spelled that right, but it's a huge plate and the first time I got it. I couldn't even finish like a quarter of it. There's mussels, clams, crabs, shrimp in this deep red close to a soupy marinara tasting sauce. They give you bread to dip in the sauce, my mouth waters just thinking about this dish. I think this has to be my all time favorite so far. I split the dish with a girlfriend and they actually halfed the meal into two dishes for us. Which was perfect! So I found out there's no corkage [spell check] fee for up to two bottles of wine. They actually accomodate big parties which will be cool for my roomate/lovers birthday shindig coming up! She'll love it all!! Ok running out of time but more to come!
(4)
Rosie H.
Don't eat here! It is way overpriced for the portion that you get. On top of that the taste is average. People who sat at the next table were also surprised at what they got.
(1)
Alex K.
This is a review by a friend: 1st time, 3 stars: ok, preset menu: salad good, pasta ok, ice cream sundae very nice :P 2nd time, 4 stars: happy hour, very nice lots of good food for cheap, minus star for strange lettuce wraps 3rd time, 5 stars: happy hour with friends, pretty good, drinks were good too 4th time, 2 stars: i went to bluewater grill today for Happy Hour. Sadly, it was not good =( I think there was a different chef or something. The burger sliders werent served on buns, it was on like, toast! And overcooked toast. It like splintered into powder in the especially crunchy parts. ok, it wasnt totally toast, it was a mini ciabatta bread thingy, but it was so mini that when it was sliced in half it looked like toast. That made it worst than toast, because at least toast doesnt fall apart into powder. The bun is the 2nd best part of that thing, next to the beef patty, but the bun they usually have i like a lot because its all grilled to perfection and spongy on the inside. The clams were overcooked, kinda rubbery. The tenderloin tease my sister liked it, but i didnt; i thought it would be like, mini pieces of steak, but its like stir fried chunks of beef with red peppers and onions, i could make that myself, it's called fajitas
(3)
Trina K.
We came here for dinner on a Sunday. The service was great and the food was decent. I ordered off their early bird $19.95 menu (you find it on the first page of the cocktail menu) that included choice of chowder or salad, entree, and dessert. I had the New England clam chowder (excellent), fish of the day-tilapia served with mashed pototoes and sauteed spinach (okay and portion big enough for lunch the next day), and creme brulee (blah--texture was not how it should be). Everyone else seemed to enjoy their entrees which included: swordfish, halibut, and cioppino. Overall, an enjoyable dinner, but maybe get dessert somewhere else.
(4)
Angel P.
usually avoid going to the District, but it was a good half point for 2 of us when we decided to meet for a quick happy hour. 2 glasses each of pinot noir & calamari fritti. wine was ok. food was a-ok. service was a-ok. ambiance was a-ok. happy hour prices are ok. outdoor seating was a plus. i prefer their Newport Beach location...
(3)
Bailey K.
I have been a fan of Bluewater ever since it was across from South Coast Plaza, there is just something about it that I love. The staff is great and friendly, especially Chris Rock the GM and the food is excellent. It may not be perfect, all the time... but when it is perfect it is soooo worth it. Holla!
(5)
Leslie A.
I was at Bluewater today for a fabulous lunch (Seafood Louie salad) with girlfriends. Happy St Paddys day to all! The service was fantastic and the food was great. I've been to Bluewater countless times for lunch, dinner, happy hour, and late night drinks at the bar. With friends, family and on date night with my husband, I've always a great time and love the atmosphere. Thank you Bluewater!
(5)
Chris L.
Solid seafood but overpriced. The portions arent huge and you'll probably pay around 20$ per entree. It's a real nice looking restaurant though and it's close to the movie theater.
(3)
Terry W.
Good food. Extremely loud. Would not return.
(2)
Edward T.
We ate here for the first, and last time tonight. I had the grilled salmon, and started with the lobster bisque. The bisque was overly cheesy and salty with very little lobster flavor. The salmon was waaay overcooked, and they did not season it at all. My wife had the Tempura and Yam crusted Halibut. Her fish was also overcooked, though not quite as badly as my salmon. The chili sauce they put on it was disgusting. Very sweet and salty, and the fish was literally swimming in a pool of it. The breading, instead of being light and flaky like tempura was hard and crusty, though a bit soggy on the bottom where it soaked in the pool of sauce.
(1)
jessica c.
the calamari was fine. the oysters were tiny. the fish and chips were average. and the appetizer plate was whatever. the food was average but the service left an awful taste in my mouth. our server came around and she was fine. nice enough, but my water was empty for almost the entire dinner, and she only came by to fill it when she came to give us the check. umm, yeah i'm not going to give you my usual 20% tip when you only come around to refill my water at the END of the meal with the check and a smile. that's not cutting it, honey. THE KICKER......... i walked in at around 8 or 9 on a sunday evening with two other girlfriends to a very empty restaurant, with two seated tables. and the hotess was MIA. to the right of the hostess podium was the oyster bar where 4/5 cooks and 1 server stood staring at us, while we waited for a good 5+ minutes just standing there staring back. no one greeted us, no one said, "oh, the hostess will be right with you." and no one went to get the hostess. ummm, RUDE? then when the hostess decided to grace us with her presence, she grabbed the menus and said, "3?" not even a HELLO, and still didn't bother to apologize or recognize the fact that we had waited for no apparent reason. she even acted like we were an annoyance for even being there. if the restaurant was crazy packed, and they were all running around being busy, i would have understood. but if the restaurant is completely empty, save for 5 people, i think it's ridiculous that we were blatantly ignored and made to wait. on top of all that, the hostess seemed pretty alive when the night manager or whoever the cheesy guy in the suit was FLIRTING, grabbing, smoozing with her at the oyster bar. seriously? don't make me throw up my overpriced-average-pre-frozen seafood. save it for after hours, when your patrons aren't trying to eat.
(1)
Scott J.
Good food at a fair price. Service was good.
(3)
mel m.
came here recently for my boyfriend's birthday. we looked at the menu before heading in and it sounded really good, and it looked really nice. it turned out to be mediocre. i got the fisherman's platter (i think that's what it was called). it was supposed to come with battered fish sticks, prawns, and scallops with sides of fries and coleslaw. i hate coleslaw and wasn't in the mood for fries so they let me substitute veggies and mashed potatoes no problem, so that was cool. and probably a really good thing, since that was the only part of the meal i really enjoyed. the veggies were actually delicious. and i'm not a huge veggie fan. fresh sliced squash cooked perfectly in this amazing sauce, i wish i could figure out just what the seasoning or sauce they used was. and nice creamy mashed potatoes with real potato chunks. it's sad that this place is basically a seafood restaurant and the seafood was the least exciting part of the meal. the fish sticks were bland and flavorless. the scallops were great, once i finally found them in in the deep fried breading. don't get me wrong. i like deep fried things. if my waist line and blood pressure would agree, i think i'd live off deep fried things. but these prawns would have been better off by themselves unbreaded. or wrapped in bacon. and then the prawns. as soon as they brought the plate out i was ready to dig right into the prawns. they looked huge. turns out, it was all breading there too. i literally had to dig the prawn out and there was about as much meat as you get with those little tiny cocktail shrimps. really? all that work getting rid of the oil soaked, no seasoning breading for that?! lame. i tasted my boyfriends cioppino. that was pretty good. but i think the one i make at home is better.
(3)
Rafael C.
pretty good, but the raw oysters are puny. service is good.
(3)
Quackie C.
Swung by here to meet up with some friends. Pretty nice place. I had the shrimp ceviche, which I ended up liking a lot. Everyone else seemed to enjoy their food, too.
(4)
Russ T.
Here's a review from an easy to please business traveler's point of view. I usually visit local haunts based on brief research like these and other reviews, and generally avoid kitschy theme and modern pedestrian malls. However, the local fare seemed thin in the area and I took a chance on Bluewater Grill just the same. I arrived shortly before happy hour ended and ordered a cocktail and the Calamari Fritti. It was tender and tasty like it should be, even with a little cocktail sauce on the side. The drinks at the bar were well made, no skimping on the pour. The Sea Bass was tasty although a bit too black (not blackened) by the grill flame. Sides (two with the meal) were uninspiring and limited. Mashed, Fries, Rice, Zucchini (blech)/Squash and Coleslaw. Two cocktails, a happy hour side and a fresh fish main course was $52 with tip (big tipper here). $2 over my daily corporate limit. What one would expect although most dishes seem to lack creativity and flair. However, given the area's sparsity of dining venues, Bluewater is a winner.
(4)
teri k.
Been a fan of Bluewater Grill for years and have been to the newport and south coast location many times. Main reason I go there is for the Ahi fish tacos, which i order blackened seared rare. Location and restaurant are really nice but food has taken a step back. First, the prices of the fish tacos has gone up from I think 10.00 to 12.50. Second, the french fries were stale and tasted like they had sat around and been refried again? Third, had to send my glass of white wine back because the glass was dirty with old red wine? Fourth, the spinach was barely cooked and was really bitter. Fith, the certain cuts of the Ahi had ligaments in them that were unchewable. The last time I had the tacos I had a similar experience and was hoping it was just an isolated experience but it happened again. Service was good as usual but unfortunately, the server has no control over the quality of the food. Sorry to say, I will not be going back.
(2)
Tony J.
A great, upscale seafood inspired restaurant with happy hour! I ate here with a coworker and spent over $133 on food! Yes it's on the pricey side but the atmosphere is sexy and the food delicious. I ordered a half dozen raw oysters if which they had the kinds available : Canada, California, Washington. The smaller oysters seem to be the sweetest and less chewy. I would def. Come here again.
(5)
Jenny D.
I was in the 'hood one weekend and have been wanting to try this place out! We just needed a snack at the time so we had Lobster Bisque, the Wedge Salad and Ceviche Lettuce Wraps. The Lobster Bisque was MmmMmm Good! I love me some bisque!! I was never really a fan of bleu cheese until lately. I'm not sure what happened. My taste buds have been changing lately! So now I am totally obsessed with Wedge Salads! Theyre so basic but SO good! I absolutely love ceviche as well so I couldn't pass up trying these out. Decent amount of seafood plus avocado all up in there as well! I love to squeeze a lot of lime rather than use the ponzu sauce it comes with. Nom nom nom! I would definitely like to come back here and try something off the dinner menu.
(5)
Gary G.
Bluewater Grill is a Tustin oasis -- my happy place where I can be myself and am welcomed and treated like family. Ryan, Bill, Amanda, Rick, Craig -- the entire team is top-notch. It may sound cliche, but they make Bluewater truly feel like home. As for the food, my favorites include: Tuna melt for lunch; garlic fries and tacos for happy hour; and salmon or swordfish for dinner. But honestly you can't go wrong with anything on the menu. If you haven't gone, then go -- and once you go, you'll never want to leave.
(5)
Laura W.
Went in earlier this evening with a party of four. We were promptly seated and given a patio table, exactly what we wanted. Our server showed up quite promptly, and conducted himself very well during the whole meal. (Forgot his name, but very cute face and smile) he allowed us to use two yelp check-ins for the $1 drinks, although I went with older ppl and didn't wanna drink, I'm def getting the $1 house wine myself next time. The ceviche lettuce wrap was good, but the sauce was a little watery, given that ceviche already produces some juice on its own. I like the concept but maybe drain the ceviche a little better? Was a little messy to eat. The avocado didn't play a huge part in the flavor. The oyster shooters were tasty. I'm not a big oyster person but I enjoyed the interesting combination of flavors. The entree I got was very well cooked- Miso glazed black cod. I always liked the texture of this fish and the miso glaze was delicious. The bed of green rice was a little hard for me. But overall, I enjoyed my meal. Definitely would come back for the happy hour.
(5)
Michael H.
Just went there for lunch and had their Cajun Chicken Sandwich with fries. The service was so friendly and attentive. I was able to make it in/out under an hour. The quality was so good and the chicken was moist and tender. Great location near the valet. I would definitely recommend. Also saw they have a Happy Hour. I must come after work one day. The Cucumber Mint Mojito looks delicious!
(5)
Michelle M.
Great service, one of my fav happy hours! Good deal on beverages if you check in, only $1! Meredith is an awesome server :) if you sit in the bar you should request her!
After taking advantage of every bit of sunlight we could get on a Saturday afternoon at the beach, we were pressed for time to get dinner in before a 10 PM showtime at the AMC theaters in the District at Tustin. We chose Bluewater Grill because it was convenient to the theaters, we had been there before, and they had availability that night. We were seated immediately and greeted by our server Greg who's service left plenty to be desired, especially having only one other table aside from us. He forgot my glass of wine to be delivered with the rest of the beverages and when it arrived without apology, the glass was sweating. There was failure to prebus our table throughout the meal. Only on our request, were refills given. And he took a break after our food was delivered and did not return until the plates were finished and neatly stacked at the edge of the table for him. I'm all about the laid back So Cal vibe too, but to repeatedly call me "boss" when you are performing shoddily in this classier restaurant is not appropriate. The food was opposite the service. Everything was delicious without complaints. We ordered calamari fritti, 6 phantom creek oysters, 6 hood canal oysters, seared scallops, seafood louie salad, and the swordfish special, which the swordfish had arrived on a recent shipment. The fish was blackened and served over brown rice with corn and avocado. The fish and the oysters were the winners of the night. We did not have time for dessert but made it in time for the movie. I'm still a fan of Bluewater Grill and would return with our fingers crossed that we receive service at the same level as the food.
(4)
Sunny J.
Delicious food, we love to schedule our family dinner here. Everyone finds something they love. Can't beat getting a $1 glass of wine when checking in on yelp either. Recommendations: --Table bread, Amazing!!!! Seafood Louie Salad: Lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, egg, avocado with Louie dressing, red rock crab and bay shrimp....get the tarragon pesto vinaigrette instead of the Louie, it's so delicious and flavorful. -Any fish entree is amazing, we like to pair it with vegetables, scalloped potatoes, and Mediterranean Herb Charmoula,
(4)
Shelley H.
Beautiful restaurant. Friendly and professional service. Great view of the open kitchen. Reasonable prices. Really large Martini's and sodas. Family friendly. Large salads. Fresh hot bread and butter. Beautiful kids meals. Lovely fish and chips. So fresh and crunchy. Seared scallops nice. Extra veg not for me. Worth trying out.
(4)
Tiffany L.
I LOVE this place! Their ceviche lettuce wraps are the bomb diggity. I've always had really great service from the moment I walk into the door until I leave. I am NEVER one to request a server, but I do at this place. Ryan W. and Kristal have always gone above and beyond for me when I am there. I'm a picky eater and both of them have been really great with accommodating my dietary constraints. Ashley is also really great. A cute little smiley thing. I just love this place. The prices aren't bad and all the food is really good. The happy hour is the business! Give this place a go! You won't be sorry!
(5)
Devyn C.
Great house wine only $5 a glass during happy hour (I'm a cab girl). Make sure you sit in Meredith's section, she's great!
(5)
Karen K.
We have been there twice. I'm wasn't much of a fish eater, and they started me out with a mild fish. It was delicious! They are always very friendly and have their own recommendations which I find very helpful! We can't wait to go back!
(5)
Eric S.
The oysters were really fresh , comparable to walrus and the carpenter in Seattle. Got a nice $1 draft for first yelp check-in which I wisely used on a ballast point calico Amber ale. Also , saw a waiter walking around aimlessly with a lemon drop martini , told him to bring it back if he couldn't find the owner , SCORE !!!!!!! :) the lemon mahi mahi was really good , and the harpooned swordfish. Kids enjoyed the fisherman's platter and I enjoyed the left overs ;)
(5)
David H.
Ashley is the BEST SERVER on the Planet!!! The "A" in Ashley is for Awesome!! She not only has a smile that can light up the restaurant, but she is always going the extra mile to make us feel at home. She is super fast & really Loves what she does! #TeamAshley
(5)
Irene J.
MEGAN is a wonderful server! If you want a great home-Like and comfortable and wonderful experience come and ask to be seated in Megan's section! Had the Cod but they are known for their swordfish! The green rice that comes with their Cod but ask for the miso sauce on the side :D
(5)
Susan S.
Was pleasantly surprised at how great this restaurant was. The nice dim lit setting, the comfy seating, and the friendly waitstaff. Would definitely choose this place over the more popular and crowded chains (e.g. Cheesecake Factory). The Calamari appetizer was great. Perfectly crispy and light. And I almost always love any fresh oyster (Oyster Shot). However, the "San Francisco Cioppino" didn't quite hit the mark. I'm probably picky because I'm from the Bay Area but it didn't have the right kick. It was still pretty decent though. One note, the hostess wasn't super friendly which was weird, since the restaurant was empty. You'd think she was more welcoming to bring in more customers.
(4)
Sally E.
My mom really wanted seafood that wasn't going to totally put a dent in our wallets, and after much digging, (seriously, this is a difficult request), the family and I found ourselves at Bluewater Grill for the first time. The ambiance itself seemed really nice. Lots of families and big tables, comfy seating, a fun Italian server. The bread basket that we started with was delicious. Clearly fresh out of the oven - soft on the inside with a perfectly crumbly crust. But the rest of the food was just so..mediocre. It might have been what I ordered? It was hard to tell. I started with the lobster bisque, which had a distinctly fishy taste. I couldn't tell if it was the broth or the lobster itself, but it was overall not very fresh. My mom's Manhattan clam chowder was much better in terms of flavor. For the main, I ordered the swordfish with fries and seasonal vegetables. The swordfish was small, slightly expensive, and rubbery and dry. The seasoning it came with overpowered rather than complimented, and I had to force myself to finish the small piece. Seasonal veggies were a little too bland for me, and I was saddened to say that the fries were the best part. I did take bites from my mom's cioppino and my dad and sister's fisherman's platter. The cioppino was generous with a hearty marinara flavor that I liked. My dad and sister essentially ordered a dish of fried seafood with fries - which I personally think is very difficult to mess up - so naturally, they were delicious. Honestly though, at the end of the day, I'd rather go to California Fish Grill. Where it lacks in ambiance it makes up for in price, freshness and flavor, and I'll take that over Bluewater anytime.
(2)
Scott T.
Hit or miss on the service. Waitresses are not that attentive. Twice I was here and Fish came out almost raw. Make sure you ask for well done. Owners say they cook medium rare, but not always the case. Great spinach and slaw though!
(2)
Kristy A.
Went with my friend Michael to see a movie and decided to come here for lunch. He ordered the Cajun Chicken Sandwich and I ordered the Seafood Louie Salad. It was phenomenal. The seafood was fresh and the dressing was perfectly seasoned. Veggies were crisp and the sourdough bread that's complimentary is some of the best bread I've ever had. Service was great as well. Definitely a fun spot to go to before or after the movies.
(5)
Marlene L.
Nicole was the most sweetest server ever. My first time ever here and she took great care of us and made sure the food was to our liking! Green rice was a great tasty side dish!!!
(5)
Abban L.
The lobster bisque was pure salt + cream, with chunks of colder lobster. No integration, whatsoever. The Lobster roll's presentation was promising, and the bread was a nice sweet toasted brioche bread, but the lobster was the seafood equivalent of rubbery chicken. No tenderness and little flavor as it was so overdone. Service was efficient and professional. The food is not worth a return trip.
(2)
Aaron E.
Bluewater Grill offer a respectable plate of ocean fresh seafood at reasonable prices in a atmosphere that could be described as the glory of suburbia. Bluewater Grill is probably the next step up in terms of class after the Red Lobster. The environs are more classy, the patrons a bit more snobby, they even have an Executive Chef but the menu still offers a course what comes with a plastic bib. The outside seating makes for great people watching, so be sure to ask for it, if available. The service is passable, if not slow. Their seafood is best when left simple. I have noticed that if I take a "less is more" approach I tend to net better results and to that end I would recommend the Miso Glazed Black Cod, Chipotle Blackened Redfish and Shrimp and Scallop Skewers choices. The Cioppino, Pappardelle and Bluewater Burger all get a resounding "Hell NO". The meat itself is quite fresh and delicious, so I think it is when the kitchen hyper-extends itself that bad things start to happen. Seafood doesn't require much to taste wonderful, a bit of salt, pepper and a wood fire will create heavenly ocean borne cuisine. Another area of concern is the lack of traffic flow here. This place was D-E-A-D at 7pm on a Friday night, not a good sign for a place with a colossal bar! The JT Schmid's across the corridor was completely packed and their food is largely an abomination. I would be very worried if I had any stake in the restaurant. If you find yourself at the horribly designed Tustin Legacy District and have the urge for Seafood, Bluewater Grillwill certain fit the bill. That said, I would not make a special trip for it.
(3)
Paul M.
Had oysters and ponzu scallops. Both on point. The ponzu slightly sweet as an FYI. fairly priced bubbly of Roederer great value to go with very fresh seafood.
(5)
Daryl H.
Free sourdough bread is excellent. I Ordered the oysters for appetizer. Oysters were good but rather small for $13 for 6 of them. I ordered the San francisco cipino $19. Not as good as original SF Cipono seafood soup but good. Wife got the swordfish, she liked it but I tried a bite But thought it was a bit dry and not worth $28 at lunch time.
(4)
Diane N.
This place is cool has awesome food always no to expensive for what you get come by and have a good meal
(4)
Monique R.
Generally speaking I"m not a huge fan of seafood but bluewater totally changed that! My first time at Bluewater on Wednesday and I loved it! The food was great! The service was awesome. My server Greg went above and beyond to make sure we had a good experience and I will definitely be returning for my birthdayyyy! I'd recommend to anyone that loves seafood!
(5)
John F.
It appears that the Bluewater Grill in Tustin's The District has revamped their food and menu. The new Fish and Chips, with in-house "homemade" potato chips (fries also avail) was a crisp, fresh, white fish. Gone was the usual restaurant supply house soggy breading. The coleslaw was also very tasty too. And the Ipswich Fried Clams were the best I've eaten since I was a child on vacation at Old Orchard Beach in Maine. The prices were fair and appropriate; service attentive, friendly and fun. I'm going back.
Came here for lunch. Love the decor and ambiance. Ordered beef tenderloin brochettes as an appetizer and they were tender and delicious. We both had salads as our entree. We both ordered wee salads: I had the red rock crab and avocado salad and my husbands had the wedge salad and added shrimp to it. Both were well sized and they were plenty big for us both. Definitely will be back!
(4)
Karen B.
I love the Newport Beach location so I decided to take a co-worker here for lunch this week for her birthday. The hostess was very welcoming and had a beautiful smile and our server Ryan was spot on. Instantly drinks were out and warm hot bread was served. My friend loved her salad but I was disappointed with the portions for mine. I eat small portions as it is and although my favorite at Bluewater is the Louie salad I ordered the smaller crab and avocado salad with a price point of $10.50 I believe. The dressing was light and delicious but it is as if they grabbed a "pinch" of crab and put it on the salad with 4 of the tiniest slices of avocado. I had 1 bite of the crab and it was gone. I felt very disappointed. I did not want to spoil the celebration by mentioning anything to the waiter but it was and especially because I felt I spent money for little substance to my meal. The upside, Ryan brought a complimentary bowl of ice-cream with whipped cream and chocolate syrup on it with candle for my co-worker. Very nice. I hope next time I come I have something else with a better review.
(3)
Ursula G.
Came here for happy hour on Tuesday because the Winery was completely packed with no spots at the bar. Their happy hour goes until 6:30, which is convenient for those who get off work later. Some of the HH in this area tend to end at 6, and that extra 30 min makes a huge difference. Service was GREAT, especially after stopping by a couple of other places, one in which the server seemed to be bothered that we inquired about happy hour, this was a nice surprise. The people at the host stand, maybe a host and a manager, and our server were all very inviting. They have wines, well drinks and beers at a discount, and a number of small plates at around $4, $5, or $6. The ambience is nice with lots of open area seating around the bar, and side tables. It was a good experience all in all, but we didn't eat anything that totally wow-ed us. We ordered the oyster shooters, and they accidentally brought 4 (2 orders) instead of one order of 1. No big deal, and they were so nice we didn't care. However, for a seafood place these oysters were tiny, less than half the size of the 1.5/2 ounce shot glass, which was filled with cocktail sauce. It was way too much sauce and not enough oyster. The fish tacos were good quality and size, with nice pieces of avocado. The crab artichoke dip is on the smaller size, but pretty flavorful, with delicious melted cheese. Their bread was our favorite, warm and fresh, we were not expecting bread at our table for just happy hour. So good! Good place to people watch, and great service and ambiance, just nothing sticks out as a MUST HAVE from their happy hour.
(3)
Bryan F.
I'm going to keep this short and sweet, this place is amazing! The food, drinks and service! Nicole was great and very knowledgeable about everything! This place is a must!
(5)
Danielle Y.
Came here for lunch today after only being here for dinner before. Lunch menu is limited but still had some good selections. I got the grilled salmon ciabatta sandwich. It was okay, the piece of salmon was really thin considering the size and thickness of the ciabatta bread. It came with a couple of cherry tomatoes, arugula, and some sort of citrus aioli dressing on the arugula. The dressing didn't really complement the sandwich well, I added some Balsamic vinegar that I had leftover from The garden salad I ordered. My boyfriend got the seafood paella which was good, I'm glad he didn't finish so I was able to satisfy my tummy with his leftovers since my sandwich didn't cut it. It's a much better dinner restaurant IMO. The server was polite, but nothing special. 3 stars because neither the food not the service really knocked my socks off.
(3)
Sayaka N.
Came here for happy hour while waiting for a movie :) service was a little slow but understandable since the bartop was fairly busy. Got the calamari, dip, oyster shooters, and garlic fries from the happy hour menu. Everything was pretty good. Oyster shooters had a bit too much cocktail sauce.
(4)
Kathy G.
My husband and I visited Blue Water Grill for the first time this past Saturday. We were going to another restaurant, but the wait was too long. It was about 8pm and there were very few people dining there. This is never a good sign unless it's fairly new and nobody knows about it yet. We stayed anyway because we were very hungry which generally makes food taste even better. Not this time! Our appetizer was amazing! It was Charred and spicy Edamame. It was really good! I ordered the Clam Bake. The server said it was great. My husband opted for grilled swordfish. There were 4 tiny, dried up clams in a ramekin on a plate with a small over cooked lobster tail, 2 mushy, flavorless corn on the cob and some ok cole slaw. A mere $32. My husband's meal was not great, but edible! I would come back for the Edamame and bread. The rest of the food is not good and certainly not worth the price! The service was good, though she was not right in her reccommdations!
This review is only for the bar food / appetizer. I sampled the fish tacos, slider w/fries, and crab cakes. The fish tacos were just okay. 3 nicely spiced fish tacos served on corn tortillas with all of the trimmings. They were a tad overcooked. $4 at happy hour. The slider was a single delicious mini-burger, served with a small side of fries. The fries were greasy and had an "off" taste, as though the oil they were cooked in was old or had been cooking something else with a strong taste (fish perhaps?). $4 at happy hour. The crab cakes (2 for $12.75) seemed like 50/50 breading and crab. Too much filler for my taste. I came in for the salt-and-pepper shrimp as seen on the Yelp menu (under the happy hour menu section), however it was not served at this location. Bartender told me it was a mistake. Bar service was professional and efficient. Overall, I was not impressed with the bar food. I'll likely try them one more time for table service, and will update this review after that.
(2)
B M.
This place is a must try if you are into seafood, they have this shrimp dish which you can eat the shrimp with its shell, I know it sound gross but wait until you try it, love the food, my only issue was, my doesn't eat pork and we hade to return her dish 3 times because they didn't take out the sausage form the plate, even after all of that from How good it was my wife did insisted on having it done the right way, we are definitely going back for that good tasty food.
(4)
Alyssa L.
The manager David and server amanda were awesome! The food is always Delish and fresh! we used the $1 drink offer super cool! Thank you for making a memorable night for me and my family :) xo
(5)
Debbie C.
Bluewater Grill is my go to place for the best HH. Ashley does a fantastic job of making the dining experience top notch!
(5)
Asa N.
Flavor: Food was alright, just what you would expect from an American-ized restaurant. Nothing was bad, but nothing was exceptionally awesome either. Location: The restaurant was actually pretty empty when my family and I came to eat here. I personally like it when it's quiet and not busy, but quiet and empty might be bad for someone else's first impression. Uh Oh: We ordered one of the seafood dishes (I don't remember which one) and we found a bug. *ew* The manager was super friendly, nice, helpful, and took the dish off the bill. But in the midst of her over-niceness efforts to help us feel better, she said something like "Yea, I don't know why that's there. I mean sometimes that happens but we make sure to check all the dishes before they go out." O_o vat? It happens..more than once, guys.. hmmmmmmm
(3)
Lana L.
I'm really glad we finally tried out the Blue water grill. The service was excellent, the atmosphere is nice, and I would definitely go back. My husband had the chipotle swordfish which was great. I had the Louie salad which was great, and pretty large. I also enjoyed the pomegranate martini. My sister really enjoyed her king salmon, and everyone loved the scalloped potatoes. The only thing I didn't care for was the lobster bisque. I wouldnt recommend it, but overall the food was still amazing. It's a little pricey, but not bad for quality seafood. I would recommend this restaurant for anyone in the mood for seafood.
(4)
Casey T.
Today I went in and had the Mahi Mahi which was suggested to me by my server and I loved it. My server Nicole was amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She went so far above and beyond my expectations, it was my first time dining here and she was so polite and helpful. She patiently helped me go over the menu and offered excellent suggestions. I couldn't have enjoyed my service or meal more!! I will definitely be back! Thank you for the awesome food and service Nicole!
(5)
Jacelyn C.
Tried this place for dinner. Good food and service. Had the cioppino. It was good and not salty. Hubby had the linguine with jumbo shrimp. Definitely a place for seafood lovers.
(4)
Redondo B.
We came in super hungry and were seated promptly. I got Nicole as my waitress and she was excellent! She was very nice and answered all of our questions. The lobster bisque and prawn linguini were absolutely delicious. We definitely will be returning in the near future.
(5)
Andie S.
The fish here is outstanding! We had the Cajun red snapper... spicy and delicious! Our server Nicole was super friendly and helpful. I love this place.
(4)
Eric L.
The happy hour food was generally dismal. We're talking about tiny fish tacos, tasteless ceviche, and awful KBBQ tacos. The only redeeming dish was the steamers, served in delicious broth. If you check in on yelp, you can score a $1 first drink.
(2)
Risya L.
The stars just keep rolling in with this place. Always a good experience. This time we decided to sit at the bar for their happy hour. Which btw, is from 3:30-6:30 which is nice because JT's is only until 6. Chris and Rick, were really good! Very friendly, I about died after having the Strawberry Smash!! GREAT DRINK!! Don't ever take it off lol. We decided to have your calamari and wings. The calamari was cold when we received it, but right away they went ahead and got us a fresh hot one. Not too thrilled with the fried red peppers, seems sort of a waste if you ask me. Kind of soggy and seemed to just be there to take up space on the plate. The wings with Thai Chili sauce, was amazing. So crunchy and yummy, not too saucy which was awesome. We also decided to split the MAHI MAHI plate. This is why you lost a star, first the calamari, but second because this dish, we had been t'm told three times, it should be on the way, and after almost 30-40 minutes, did we finally receive our plate...After Rick went to the cooking counter requesting it I assume...Not sure what happened. But when he came back with our plates, they were kind enough to split it for us, the portions were amazing for a split plate. The scalloped potatoes a little salty, but DELICIOUS, and the fresh grilled spinach was so good. The fish was so fresh, and tender, and the crusting on it was PERFECT! May I add, I'm NOT a fish person, but figured I would give it a try. Happy I did, because we really enjoyed it. The bar was deffinetly popping...A little more geared towards the older crowd it seems then I expected. But we still enjoy ourselves. Oh, again, the fresh hot bread that comes out, was soooo good! Also, make sure you check in using YELP you save a dollar off your first beer or drink.
(4)
Nhung N.
I've been to this restaurant twice, once in catalina and once at this location. when I came to this location it was for cocktail week last year. The drinks I had were pretty good. Not strong enough in my opinion but tasty and fruity. I also ordered the calamari as a snack. These were the best part but that was expected because they are known for seafood dishes, I think. Anyway if it were not cocktail week I don't think I would ever come back unless there were deals because the prices are a little steep considering the options.
(3)
Lili T.
The food is so good that sometimes I wish I worked there for an employee discount. The clam chowder is delicious; I could eat it everyday.. The staff is always very friendly. I like the two metal crabs at the front of the restaurant. I would highly recommend my favorite dishes: swordfish special or yam crusted halibut. Also, keep an eye out for their clambake (it's seasonal, so don't miss it). So good.. Holy crap
(5)
Vince M.
Went here for happy hour great service, killer appetizers the Pom Pom sashimi scallops are really really good, I don't normally gush like this! Great job all around! VM
(5)
Amanda W.
Really good happy hour - the bar tenders that helped us were Chris and Macy. Both very attentive and nice!!! Had great suggestions from the menu. We tried both clam chowders and were very impressed. Great taste and great quality. Definitely a place we will come back to.
(5)
Jackie N.
My boyfriend and I decided to try something a little healthier for our dinner outing so we decided seafood and somewhere we both haven't went to yet. We came here on a Friday night and was seated right away. The decor itself it very classy. Our waitress was fun and helpful. Oyster shooters: we got an Islander and a Michelana(?). Freaking disgusting. I only ordered this because I heard oysters shooters were awesome. No thank you! Salmon with Cajun seasoning sided with Scalloped Potatoes and Sauteed Spinach: For the price they were asking on the salmon, it didn't wow me and the freshness was decent. The spice of cajun on the salmon was pretty good. I felt like they could have done something better with the spinach to add a little flavor. Scalloped potatoes were pretty liquidy, not creamy. I don't know if I would come here by choice because the food was bleh!
(2)
Kailey S.
Fantastic check in offer! I figured i should get seafood at this place but the chicken just sounded too good to pass up. It was sooooo good. Moist and tender. the scalloped potatoes were amazing. Nothing special about the clam chowder. We also got the crab and artichoke appetizer and it had hardly any crab in it. Meals were a on the pricey side.
(4)
Evan R.
A bit pricey but the food is good and the fish is fresh. Try going on less busy weeknights.
(4)
Amir K.
We went in late night. Almost closing time. Everyone closes so early in the area. I worked in the industry for years so unless I got a good vibe, I wasn't going to stay. We were welcomed with smiles, taken care on a timely fashion, not rushed at all, and had 4 courses and left with other tables there eating. We will return. Thanks
(4)
Nadeen H.
I went today for happy hour and food wasn't good at all i ordered tai chicken wings they were so dry no taste at all , burger slider wasn't good meat was very greasy , garlic fries were ok . I wouldn't go back for happy hour agin .
(2)
Cassandra H.
The scallop appetizer is amazing, along with the clam chowder ... Service was very good. The main which was the New York steak and a lobster tail was very disappointing. We would come back here for the appetizers.
(2)
Amy V.
check in on yelp and get your first alcoholic drink for $1 (it'll tell you what you can get when you check in) pretty cool deal!! lol decided to come here to eat before going to the movies highlights: - free wifi "eatatbluewatergrill" don't know if they change it or not - if you eat here, you can buy movie tickets for $8 crab & artichoke dip $10 - pretty good. really creamy. beer battered fish and chips $17 - I also liked this dish. fries were good and the batter was crunchy NY steak with scallops potatoes and spinach $30 - everything tasted normal. loveeee the scallops potatoes though! omg so good! must get as a side
Went here for happy hour. I think the menu is good for happy hour. Calamari for $5. Crunchy and delicious. slider with fries was good. Had clam with garlic butter. Just plain good. Will definitely come back for full menu.
(4)
Sheri T.
Not living near Tustin, I've started frequenting the District more since my daughter opened s boutique. A month ago we visited for the first time this restaurant and the meal & service were exceptional. Why can't restaurants be consistent?? We visited again last night and boy what a disappointment. The place was busy. My guess is the kitchen was overwhelmed because of all the big parties of corporate employees. It must have put a stress on the kitchen. For $27.50 I had piece of cedar planked salmon 5 x 5 that was covered in glaze so thick it took away from the fish that was over done & tough. My 2 each asparagus & broccolettes were so tough & tasteless and unfortunately my roasted potatoes showed up as scalloped & creamy potatoes, not a preference. The wine was good as well as my cup of lobster bisque. Over priced & under performed & I will never ever let them sit me next to a large corporate party again. We may give this place one more try & if the experience is the same, adiós...
(2)
Gabe P.
I don't always pay $30 for lunch, but when I do it's at Bluewater grill! First time here and was absolutely impressed with this place, passed by a few times but never came in. The first thing that strikes you - it's huge! They have seating at the bar plus lot of booths and tables inside and (almost) outside. So I went for the full experience and got the Blackened tuna special of the day which was some $25, and ice tea. They have other options for under $15 too, I'll try one next time I guess. I guess this is where all the big wigs from the offices in the area come for lunch, because the place was almost packed at 12! The food was great, the kind of well thought small portions that won't put you to sleep after lunch. They just give you the right amount of energy so you can take care of things at your high-pay job (or you couldn't afford to eat here!). Definitely want to try this place for dinner and drinks soon.
(4)
Dee R.
Great service!! Cioppino is on point!! Bread that comes with is perfect!! I had the bronzed swordfish. I like it a lot but if you are not into spicy food, this may not be perfect for you. Scalloped potatoes and veggies were also flavorful! I must say if you don't like it seasoned- you may elect not to order the bronzed swordfish! The ambiance is super! Perfect for maybe a date or a special day. Bill our server was top/ notch. Yes, apparently they have happy hour too! The manager, Ryan, was touching tables. I hope I got his name right. I'm not sure where the negative reviews are coming from. I feel we have some snobs on this list amongst real review. This place is for the grown and sexy and maybe not be ideal for young selfie crowds. If you catch my drift.
(5)
Michael S.
Having been here about a million times, why haven't I wrote a review? Sorry, my bad. I did ding one star for their fake happy hour. The HH menu portions are exactly half of regular appetizer menu so we don't bother with HH anymore and just go to the quieter main dining room. The reason we keep coming back: Free corkage for up to two bottles. Consistently fantastic food and service. Overall reasonable menu prices. We have yet had a lackluster server here. Whether at the bar or in the regular dining room, the service have always been stellar. The latest stellar service: my wallet fell out of back pocket. One of the workers ran out after me to give me the wallet. I could almost hug him.
(4)
Ralph C.
A friend introduced me to this place a few months ago and thought it was a nice place. I live in Long Beach but found myself close by and my wife loves seafood. We stopped by on a Friday night around 530pm and got seated right away. It was warm inside so we moved to the outside patio. There was a nice breeze and a fireplace that my wife loved too. Storme was our server and came to the table right away and got our drinks. She kept my iced tea glass from getting empty all night, so that makes me happy. She was nice as well, checking back several times during our meal. Since we sat outside our server pointed out that we qualified for the bar happy hour. My wife got the Korean taco appetizer - she loved it and got one to go for lunch the next day. The menu was typical for a a nice seafood place. The food was fresh and they have a nice kids menu. The ahi poke was AWESOME, but not a fan of the fried calamari. I would definitely recommend this place and go again if I was in the neighborhood.
(4)
Jackie W.
I'm actually afraid to write this review for fear of attracting to crowds to this happy hour. Before diving into a movie at the nearby AMC, my friend and I decided to grab some food and libations. Having never been to Bluewater Grill before, we wandered on in. The classy, dark wood-adorned bar was pretty empty. I did my usual check in on Yelp to happily discover they had $1 for your first alcoholic drink (during HH only). Ordered a chardonnay immediately! They have a great selection of drinks on happy hour (including champagne which is a super rare find) and a nice food menu with tiered pricing for a variety of different small plates ($4 - $7). I ordered the Garlic Fries which were amazing (and made sure I had some gum left in my purse so my poor friend didn't have to smell my breath throughout the entire movie). Our server was really friendly and efficient, especially considering she was the only one taking care of the entire bar area. I'm definitely going to remember this place the next time I'm in the area and craving a good HH experience!
(4)
Hilda P.
I work down the street and have been to the district many times. I've walked by this place several times and finally decided to try it last night. I enjoy trying new places and they had good reviews on here so I said why not!? I'm so glad my fiancee and I came, it was restaurant week so we got the $30 deal. The deal included a soup or salad, an entree and dessert. My fiancee had the manhattan clam chowder and the steak so that had already paid for itself. Our server was Maria and she was wonderful! She took the time to explain the menu since we had never been here before. She was so sweet and attentive. I really enjoyed my lobster bisque, rich and creamy just how I like. The linguine with prawns was also very good. We love seafood so I'm sure we will be coming back for more. Maybe we will drop in for happy hour since many are raving about it.
(4)
Brenda L.
We were here for my son's 10th birthday. The food was great. Our waitress Nicole was great and amazing. We will definitely come back again.
(5)
Shiva A.
Overpriced average food, service was atrocious, will not be back. Ordered the "best" entrees from the menu and they left much to be desired. Small portions too. No thanks.
(2)
Darlene J.
Really good! Very surprised how good the food was. We had no reservation & you really need one especially on the weekends! They really don't have enough room to wait for a table! But the wait was well worth it!
(4)
Julie K.
Have you ever dated someone that was really nice but too vanilla? You couldn't think of anything bad to say about them, but they were kind of bland and just... meh? This is kind of how I feel about Bluewater Grill. Decided to come here for a casual anniversary dinner and it seemed nice enough without being too fussy. We were seated in a comfortable booth and a bread basket was brought out right away (more on the bread later). Our server greeted us not too long after that... We ordered the calamari fritti, crab cakes, crab and avocado salad, Cedar plank salmon, and the chocolate lava cake for dessert. The appetizers were pretty good. Calamari was lightly battered and fried and served with a creamy tartar-like sauce and a sweet chili sauce. I didn't care much for the sweet chili sauce. The crab cakes were really flavorful and had lots of crab. Good apps... my crab and avocado salad was served w/ a lemon-y vinaigrette on the side. It was a huge lump of crab meat meat on top of arugula and slices of avocado and cherry tomatoes. This was kind of... boring. I don't know if a better dressing might've perked up the salad but it just didn't come together for me. My husband's salmon was "okay" he said (I don't eat salmon) but the accompanying potatoes were pretty delish. Even the chocolate lava cake had a funny after taste to it. I ate more of the ice cream and whipped cream that came alongside it. The highlight of the meal was probably the bread basket! Great crusty exterior, warm and soft on the inside served w/ butter at the perfect, spreadable temperature. Service was great. Bussers cleared plates right away and our server came around at the right times and was pleasant. I even liked the atmosphere - the bar/patio area was lively as it was Happy Hour when we were dining. I would come back to check that out. But the food just left a lot to be desired. While it wasn't bad by any means, it simply wasn't memorable. I think this is one of those places that really depends on the person's preference and personal experience.
(3)
Carlos O.
My favorite spot for happy hr at the district, always have enjoyed their food and service. All seafood has always been fresh tasting, and location is always clean! Bar are staff have always been friendly....thanks for the great service!
(5)
Joe D.
First visit on Friday around 6:30, crowd appeared over 50. Had cioppino, martini and key lime pie. Excellent service reasonable price. Good atmosphere. Appears only valet parking close by but only $3. One of the best cioppino I have had. I will be back!
(5)
Patrick M.
From the french fries to the cioppino, I am highly disappointed in the quality and taste of what they serve here. The only thing that tasted okay was the oysters, but that doesn't require any skill aside from shucking.... I would ask for a refund if I could, but if they don't even care about their food, i highly doubt they care about what their customers think.
(2)
Tom M.
No reason to eat here, seafood is just as good/bad as any other random place. Prices are high and portions are modest. Two dishes that stick out most in my mind: 1) Shrimp Pasta was pretty tasty 2) The lobster bisque was obviously horrible and there was very little lobster included (served in a cup, that they advertise as a bowl) Conclusion: There is a reason why it's never packed, there is never a wait at the peak of lunch time. Unless it is the closest seafood for a few miles, do not eat here.
(2)
Larry L.
I used to come here for happy hour, service was really good, and menu same, after coming 2-3 years noticed menu never changed and then they increased prices, so stop coming. So today i decided to give it a try again, so tey changed the menu for HH and is decent. Got the fish tacos and not much flavor for my taste...
(3)
Samuel G.
Great food Great service Great ambiance Pricey but more than worth it
(5)
Alexis B.
I am not big on ordering fish for lunch but i came here for a work lunch and knew that I should order fish from such a place. I got a salmon plate with two sides: rice and scalloped potatoes. The salmon was good - not amazing but pretty solid - i would recommend it. The rice was good but forgettable but the scalloped potatoes were delicious! Great texture and just the right amount of cheese. Service was also solid. I enjoyed my experience and would recommend it to anyone who is looking for some good seafood.
(4)
Maya C.
Good seafood. Started with a bowl of New England clam chowder. It was full of clams unlike other places that out more potatoes than clams. Ordered the clam and mussel steam pot in white wine sauce and a side of fries to have with it. The dish was good. Held back on dipping their fresh bread in the sauce, but I'm sure it would have been great, if I had done it. I tried my co-worker's bronzed swordfish and it was yummy. It was moist and the rub had a nice kick. The service was pretty good and the place was not too busy or loud at the time we went tonight.
(4)
Suzy J.
I really want to like this place but it has gone downhill. The food is so gross -crab cakes= so salty -Tuna melt= felt greasy -Fish tacos'= pretty good -Steak and veggies= SO Salty, I actually didn't eat -Crab salad= fishy and very salty not sure if they just want you to be dehydrated so you can order more beer?
(2)
Tricia H.
Great service, however my food or should I say my entree was just so so. I had the shrimp and scallop with pappardelle and unfortunately the sauce was watered down and I was totally unsatisfied, the manager took it off of the bill so I did not end up paying for it but it soured my experience. however, i will tell you that the seared ahi appetizer was phenomenal. My husband was please with his clams and the other persons in the party loved their food. I will chalk this up as just a bad experience because I did not have a problem in the past with their food. Being that I went to celebrate my anniversary I think it just put a damper on my evening. I will go back at a later date so that they can redeem themselves.
(4)
Susan H.
Oysters on the half shell were perfection. Our server Bill was very knowledgable about the menu and spoke highly of the Chef. Host staff is always happy to see you. We will be back
(5)
Jennifer C.
Nice atmosphere, located in the District Mall at Tustin. No waiting on a Friday night around 6:30 pm We tried a couple dishes here: BAKED CRAB & JALAPENO DIP ($9.75) - comes with fresh tortilla chips. I barely tasted any crab or jalapeno. Definitely doesn't use lump crab meat for this one. Disappointing. SEARED SEA SCALLOPS ($23.50) Pan seared eastern scallops, shallots, baby spinach, oyster mushrooms and sherry buerre blanc - GOOD, but too heavily sauced in the sherry buerre blanc. Scallops cooked well and spinach too (not mushy at all, still vibrantly green). The oyster mushroom were a nice side dish as well. MAINE LOBSTER TAIL 9 oz. ($32.95) Cooked PERFECTLY, with a side of drawn butter and half a lemon. Also comes with your choice of 2 sides. This was the BEST dish i ate here. Absolutely delicious. TOTAL COST: 2 martinis, 1 glass of pinot grigio, 1 crab & jalapeno dip appetizer, 1 scallop entree, 1 lobster tail entree = $98 pre tax
(3)
Elaine T.
Fun ambiance and very spacious seating. Menu was very well organized with more than enough fish choices including the daily fish specials (fresh, frozen, farm-raised, etc.). Ordered the Lemon-Garlic Mahi Mahi. This dish was exceptionally flavorful. Was pan seared with augratin potatoes, cheese and spices. Good service and waitress was friendly and knowledgeable. Prices are a bit on the high-side for this type of restaurant.
(4)
Jeff L.
If you check in on yelp, your first drink is $1. I got the Champagne because when do you ever see this on happy hour ? Since he ran out half way through pouring my glass, he opened another bottle but since it was different Champagne actually poured me a full additional glass. I will commend the bartender for his service.
(4)
Alex L.
Happy hour Monday thru Saturday 330-630. We came here for happy Hour on a Saturday while waiting for our movie at the district. The service was great at the bar. The happy hour menu was very limited but you can definitely find some good stuff on the menu. The happy hour drinks were limited variety but pretty decent size. Try the lettuce wrap cerviche. Check in to yelp. Trust me, it's worth it.
(4)
Michelle T.
My mother and I decided to check out Bluewater Grill not too long ago. First and foremost, the Yelpers were spot on when they mentioned that whoever developed the layout for the parking lot and shops completely missed the mark when it came to deciding how the parking lot should have been configured! The parking lot is super confusing and I can see how you'd end up becoming frustrated. Nevertheless, I was determined to find the best seafood restaurant in Orange County. This was not it! The service at Bluewater Grill is top notch but the food is bland. I was dying for flavor but it never happened. It's not terrible but I was disappointed with my food. It's beautifully displayed on your plate but it reminds me of people that we meet in life. Sometimes they have a gorgeous exterior but their interior is horrible and you lose all respect and attraction to them. My food was gorgeous to look at but when I delved into the interior, the love affair was over! I didn't hate my dish but I didn't love it. My quest continues for the best seafood in OC!
(3)
Joseph S.
Mediocre. The dark cool feeling when you walk in is extremely inviting, especially on a warm day. After eating here a number of times, it's just ok. I really wanted to like this restaurant, but the food is just ok. None of the dishes I have tried were memorable. I do admit that they have some if the best complimentary bread around though! I will not be back to eat, but would like to give happy hour a try!
(3)
momforj g.
I wasn't impressed by my recent visit at Bluewater grill at all, though it used to be my favorite to go place in the district. First of all, the server is extremely impatient, I was in the middle of ordering, and he just left saying, I think you need a few more minutes. I asked the server how the snapper was on today's menu, he asked me : have you ever had snapper before? That's really insulting, though I I thought he was trying to help me choose the entry. He needs communication training. The food arrived, the chowder was cold, the snapper was overcooked, the pasta was tasteless, the sea scallops and shrimps are extremely dry....... Thumbs down from my family..... there are many choices for good seafood in OC.
(1)
Kevin M.
Why did we wait so long to visit? My wife and I stopped in for a Saturday lunch prior to some shopping at The District. Not many people put and about so we were seated very quickly. Our server Craig, and the manager Ryan, took great care of us making menu and beverage suggestions. We started with the Crab & Artichoke Dip. Hot and yummy with some cheese on top paring perfectly with the fresh flour tortilla chips. My wife is not a seafood fan but really enjoyed the dish! My wife ordered the Planko Breaded Shrimp. The shrimp were huge, freshly breaded, and delicious! I know because I sneaked one off my wife's plate! My Lobster Roll was superb! As good or better than I remember when I lived in Portland Maine! Succulent with just enough dressing to hold it together on a fresh grilled Brioche roll! Mmmm! We are really looking forward to our visit!
(4)
Lina P.
Not exactly worth the price. My friends and I decided to try this place durinng their regular non-happy hours. The service was very good in that our waitress was extremely helpful. My guy friend used the $1 first drink deal from yelp on his hefeweizen beer while my girl friend and i both ordered cocktails, a strawberry splash and a captain's mai tai. These drinks were unexpectedly REALLY strong. My drink tasted like a glass full of rum with a tiny bit of pineapple juice. My guy friend had to finish it off for me by the end while i finished off my friend's lighter strawberry splash. We wanted oysters and asked our waitress about the oyster shots but she recommended the oyster shooters which we didn't know about. These were absolutely delicious at around $4 each. It's a small drink with a really fresh raw oyster at the bottom. I got the michelada and my friends got the island shooters and we all loved ours. The entrees, however, were kind of plain and blah and was not worth the price I paid for it. I had gotten the fried clams for $23.50 with scallopped potatoes and coleslaw. The fried batter was kind of soggy and the clams were too chewy not in a good way. The sides were good though but I shouldn't have paid more than $15 for this. Overall, this place has really good oysters but everything else was not that great.
(3)
Steve M.
It is no wonder why this restaurant is successful. After a very disappointing visit, the management was very quick to contact me in response to my customer survey card left with our server. As a result, my family and I decided to try the restaurant one more time. All I can say is that all our meals were prepared perfectly! My wife and daughter had one of the daily specials (chipolte swordfish) while I had the cioppino. Our server (Ever) was on point the entire time, even recommending a reasonably priced bottle of wine that was not on the menu. At the end of our meal, my family and I realized that whatever could have wrong during our last visit did. It was an aberration. We will be back!
(5)
Pillin L.
I went back! Why? I really don't know. But this time, for their HH. Awful. Me and the boyfriend tried their calamari, fish tacos, kalbi tacos, crab and artichoke dip and the thai wings. I give those all the thumbs down. Maybe the fish tacos were the best but even they fell a little short. Calamari weren't even edible. We didn't even touch it. Have they heard of salt? It's what you use to make your food taste good! HH appears to be a good deal. You think, ohh they have to do their seafood well, they're a seafood restaurant! Welp, sadly no... Please brain, remind yourself how bad this place is!! $60 later--- we left and walked over to JT Schmids. Whomppppp to the whomp!
(1)
Ash P.
This place is located at the Tustin District shopping center. The parking is close, and there's never a wait! I decided to take my mom here today for lunch and decided to write a review since this place is one of our favorites. We were seated immediately in a bar area booth and was served by the bartender. One of the wait staff guys took our drink order right away and brought us warm bread. We ordered a pitcher of white sangria - so refreshing! For an app, we ordered oysters on the half shell. They were fresh and tasty. For lunch, we ordered the Lobster Roll with fries and the Crab BLTA with homemade chips. OMG... both were so delish!! Usually we never finish our plates and we both finished our plates clean!! The service was also great, our drinks were never empty and we didn't have to wait to get service. I would recommend this place to everyone!
(5)
Jenny H.
We sat down at 7:30, left at 9:29. Service is the slowest experience I had at a restaurant. I ordered the New York steak (Tustin restaurant week) requesting a medium rare, the steak came out as "well done." The dessert I ordered was a sundae - literally it was just a scoop of vanilla ice cream with little chocolate syrup on top. This could have easily been purchased at costco for lower the cost. Only good part was the lobster bisque....but that's it. But it was pretty salty. It was better with tabasco in it.
(2)
Sydney T.
I have been here numerous times and every time I have had Great food and service. Crab cakes are amazing!!!! I also recommend you try the Lemon Pepper Mahi Mahi.
(5)
Jennifer W.
Bluewater Grill has always been one of my favorite restaurants in Orange County for their clam chowder and oysters. Since I love the food here, I decided to hold my son's baptism reception for a party of approx 55-60 people. The food was delicious! It included entrees such as Crab BLT, Mahi mahi fish tacos, and Panko crusted shrimp. Aside from the food, we received excellent customer service! It was a pleasure working with David, Ryan, and the team. They were friendly, organized, and professional. Our guests enjoyed both the ambiance and the food. Thank you Bluewater grill staff for making our son's baptism memorable. I highly recommend Bluewater Grill for date nights, special occasions, and parties.
(5)
Robert S.
Ladies and Gentlemen: the Halibut; crusted and plain( grilled) are the best tasting in the area! just ask Maryjo our waitress! She made my Fathers day lunch suggestion! and it was Fabulous! grilled with 2 sides, I ordered cold slaw/green rice(awesome?, ask Maryjo)) with melted butter! the crusted Halibut very tasty and very large! a must if you like Halibut!
This place is great. Had Nicole as a server and she was awesome! Gotta try the oysters!
(4)
Hannah Y.
Bluewater Grill has possibly one of the best calamaris by far! I'm usually here for Happy Hour, and they have some fantastic items on the menu - for an excellent cost! And best of all, the calamari is on the list, yay! In this case I often get two orders of calamari, that is how much I love their variation compared to other places that serve it. It is something within the light batter that makes it so light + crispy. The other evening I also had a plate of scallops & shrimp skewers with chips + light vegetables on the side. The shrimp were actually pretty big & not frozen, and the scallops tasted fresh. I was actually on a date here so I do not recall focusing too much on my meal, but the several times I've frequented Bluewater had they never disappointed me. Happy Hour is between 3-6 like most restaurants, I highly recommend visiting here on a day you're in the Tustin District x
(4)
Oscar R.
Came to this spot with a date for happy hour. The bartender Chris was very nice and kind. He made some delish Margaritas. Will definitely be back for happy hour.
(4)
Neluta G.
Good seafood place for lunch, I had the Monk fish, tuna tower and many other dishes. They do replace potatoes for extra steamed veggies and that is nice. The salmon salad is also tasty. The happy hour menu is not bad either. Overall a good seafood place.
(3)
Tragedy D.
"Celebrate somewhere new and experience something." I made reservations and it wasn't needed. Intimate, clean setting with plenty of available tables for couples or groups. The hostesses were welcoming. A very limited selection: mainly seafood. If only they would expand their dishes, many more people would be flocking here. It's Orange County and even more so: Tustin/Irvine area! Does anyone remember what happened to The Fish Market restaurant at the Irvine Spectrum? It didn't last long because it was mainly seafood. Most of this area and its surrounding are very healthy. How about more salads or something vegetarian? Look at your clientele: either hamburger or salad eaters. The server was nervous and her appearance needed help. After the 3rd time checking on us for our choices, she finally helped explain the menu because it was our first experience. The glazed salmon was served with asparagus and mashed potatoes. Calamari steak paired with French fries and cole slaw. All the food was fresh from the kitchen and my slightly burnt tongue can attest. Every bite was a mix of honey and heaven melting in my mouth. Some of the vegetables were burnt and/or dried out. They were very attentive on clearing our empty plates which I like. Our server kept refilling our drinks; another plus. Still had enough room for dessert and here comes the mud pie. Topped our meals! Though I was tempted to order an alcoholic drink since that's all that's mentioned on the menu (back and front), I had to ask the server what non-alcoholic beverages they offered. Overall the restaurant could use a little clean up on staff's presentation/appearance. Seafood is awesome but the quality of the sides should match. I also had the chance to use the restroom; they are way past overdue on a full scrub of the toilets.
(3)
Rhondi S.
The service was attentive, although at 7:00 on a Sunday, the place was only 25% full. Sis had their signature miso black cod, moist tender and delish. I shared the Ciopinno, good tasty broth, lots of celery, good assortment of fish, scallops, shrimp, mussels. Chowders and salads are good, kid friendly. husband wasn't too thrilled with his chicken, slightly bland, not moist....guess you come here for the seafood.
(3)
Martic R.
Nice restaurant with a intimate feeling. Came here for an early dinner and there was not a lot of people so the appetizers came out very quickly. I specially liked the oyster shot though I wish it was served in a regular shot glass instead of a Martini glass (hard to have as a shot) I also tried the crab cakes and calamari both good.
(3)
Chi L.
Went there for dinner on Tuesday night, very quiet. My husband order Walleye fish, I order the Louise Seafood salad, the sauce taste very very good. This is the first time I went to this restaurant, and the waitress is really really nice and efficient. Will definitely go back when I am in that area..
(4)
Paul N.
Probably our favorite all around go-to restaurant in OC! Always great, attentive service, amazing happy hour, creative specials
(5)
Michael R.
I would like to say how much I enjoy Bill and Amanda McMahon who are bartenders at the Bluewater Grill. I like each of them tremendously. They are, in fact, more like good friends than servers. Each is tremendously personable and skilled at what they do. Somehow, the drinks they make are always better than those I enjoy at other places. I highly recommend visiting this fabulous restaurant and seeing Bill and Amanda. Professor Michael Fremont Redfield
(5)
Dave F.
3.5 stars This is a very good lunch spot and a bit hidden in a shopping center where JT Schmidt's jumps out. In fact, I'd been here multiple times and never saw the Bluewater Grill. They take reservations which weren't needed and the service was very good. The food is better than average and this is a good casual spot. Reasonable pricing and free parking at The District make this a spot worth checking out for a casual lunch or Happy Hour.
Lobster bisque is one of the best I have eaten. The service was very good. Nice clean place I would eat there again
(4)
Kip H.
I would go back there for the customer service alone. I had the new England clam chowder and it very good. Perfect consistity, not to thick or to thin. I also had the warm lobster roll. Tons of lobster meat! And the bun was toasted nicely! I will recommend this place to friends.
(4)
Jessica K.
Went for happy hour which was enjoyable. The Thai Chili Chicken Wings were the best of what we tried including the Garlic Fries (good!), Grilled Fish Tacos (nothing special), Grilled Artichoke (our 2nd favorite), and Ceviche Lettuce Wraps (messy and just OK). Our server didn't have much to say but got the job done.
(3)
Rich G.
Review for Happy Hour only which at Bluewater is from 3:30 - 6:30, M to F. Recently they had a late night HH too, if I recall correctly so not sure if that is seasonal or they just abandoned it all together. If you are braving the chaos that is the District parking lot then Bluewater is as good as any place in the District for HH. They have a nice mix of reasonably priced small sized portions, almost Tapas style so sharing is a good call. The also have $4, $5 and $6 drink specials. Items for $4 Burger Slider with Fries & Melted Gruyere & Blue Cheese ( yep) Two Oyster Shooters ( prefer mine on the half shell but..) Two Grilled Fish Tacos with Crema Blanca ( pretty tasty) Items for $5 Calamari Fritti with Cocktail Sauce ( hard to screw this up) Ceviche Lettuce Wraps Salt & Pepper Shrimp ( overly seasoned) Items for $6 Mini Steamer Pot ( clams in broth, yes but a bit heavy on the garlic) Crab & Artichoke Dip ( too rich and creamy for my taste) Tenderloin Tease with Horseradish Sauce ( meh) The bar area is clean, spacious and well staffed by a nice and knowledgeable crew . This location is very convenient if you are catching an early movie at the local AMC just a short walk around the corner. A mellow, upscale place with no scene to speak of but pleasant none the less.
(3)
Em-Jay P.
Food is good. Pricey so only somewhere hubby and I go occasionally. I'm not a big eater so I find most dishes are a bit too much food for me. I love the chopped salad with grilled shrimp, my go-to dish. Sometimes I get the shrimp and scallop skewers blackened. I do wish I had more choices though that were on the smaller, lighter side for us small eaters. Wine selection okay. Don't really love anything I've tried but my hubby is happy with his choice. I'm more of a beer drinker but the selection is definitely lacking. Nothing amber at all or anything on the malty side. Too many hoppy, bitter choices. Usually don't have any trouble getting a table when just walking in on a Friday night. Good service most of time. Some waiters are better and more attentive than others.
(4)
Joshua G.
My first time here. We started with the artichoke heart and it was cold. I ordered the surf and turf and my turf was raw :/ Ryan was our server and he did a great job which is why I didn't give 1 star. Overall an average place to eat.
(2)
Sean S.
I've been here only once and have tried to forget it, but it was such a bad experience, it requires a write-up. The restaurant itself is actually very nice. Large and modern with a clean design. The service was also fairly good and did not have to wait for long periods of time. The problem was the food. I made the mistake of ordering the IPSWICH Fried Littleneck Clams. First off, the clams tasted bad. So bad that I could not finish them. The next day, I became sick as a dog and it took a few days to recover from it. I don't believe that this is a typical experience (hopefully), but after getting sick there, I cannot go back or recommend it obviously. Edit 10/8: So I was so impressed with Jim the owner's response to my review and the fact that I was undecided where to go for lunch today, that I decided to go back and give them a second chance. Life is about second chances and I know I've appreciated this when it's been extended to me. The restaurant was almost empty at around 2pm and I had 4 different staff members interact with me, the hostess, bartender, manager and someone from the kitchen. Now I assume that this was because they wanted something to do and would not expect this had the place been busy, but still... that's 4 staffers on one customer. Obviously, service was very good. I had the grilled prawns with butter and the shrimp were perfectly cooked and fresh. Simple and delicious. I think what can be ascertained, is that our feedback is being read and responded to by some of the businesses on Yelp and for the Blue Water Grill, they seem to take our feedback to heart and look for ways to correct and improve themselves. For this, I commend them.
My father and 5 of his friends went to dinner at Bluewater Grill based on my recommendation. 4 of the 6 people in that party got ill overnight after eating there. 2 of them were extremely sick for a couple of days. This is one isolated incident out of many times of visiting this restaurant. I called the restaurant the next day and the manager was nice and eager to get to the bottom of the issue. Furthermore, David followed and is issuing a voucher for a future visit. Ordinarily we wouldn't want to revisit after such an experience however as previously stated...this seems to have been an isolated incident.
(3)
Brian S.
Great food and service. I had the fried shrimp and found it to be great. Large butterflied shrimp that tasted fresh. Will be returning soon.
(5)
Kathy C.
Was very disappointed in the service- the restaurant wasn't very busy yet it took forever to get our food & drink refills. The food was bland.
(1)
C T.
I only come here on Mondays to watch MNF. Food is ok, the steamed clams and fresh bread and butter are delicious! What really gets us coming is the awesome service we get from the bartender, Chris. He is very friendly, personable, and always has a smile. Thanks for being a wonderful bartender!
(4)
Ryan W.
the food is worth 6 stars..the service even better. The happy hour is the best in town!! Thanks Bluewater, for bringing Tustin/Santa Ana/Irvine exactly what we needed!
(5)
paul p.
Went here for dinner. All servers just standing around talking amongst themselves. Didn't get any service even when we asked for a waiter. Walked out. Will never return. The place had zero customers at the time.
(1)
Aaron M.
The worst fish I've ever had in my life...for a seafood restaurant it was very disappointing! There is better fish in hospital cafeterias...dry...tasteless...and FARM raised fish? Very disappointing!!!
(1)
Kayla A.
Service was bad. We had to grab someone's attention the whole way through dinner for water, refills and to order. The food wasn't too great either. Don't order the Caesar salad unless you feel like eating sardines.....yuck.
(2)
Blaine H.
Had the Fish & Chips and Fried Shrimp entrees. Both were cooked in Panko breeding - crisp but very bland. Dessert was Keyless pie - big disappointment. Weak Key Lime flavor and garnished with raspberry compote & Mandarin oranges! Somebody must think it's the same as Cheesecake -WRONG! Key Lime doesn't need extra tangy flavored. But then, maybe they were trying to disguise the weak Key Lime flavor in the first place? Anyway, service was lackluster - had to ask for water, then for straws, then for refills, etc. Disappointing for its reputation. Second time now less than sterling experience.
(3)
Adrienne K.
You know what? This place isn't very good. My damn mahi was as dense as a rock and the service wasn't very upbeat. Great location, nice dining room. Delicious bread. But way too over priced for the quality of "fresh"
(2)
Michelle H.
Came here on a Sunday evening to have dinner with the in-laws. I made a reservation in advance, however, it definitely was NOT needed as there were very few people in the restaurant. Even with so few people, the ambiance was GREAT. Bluewater grill really creates a restaurant with a lounge like feel. I loved that the lights were dark without being too dark. The table we were seated at had SUPER comfy seats and I was really happy with the all around visual experience. Our server was a nice older gal, but she had a hard time hearing our orders/substitutions (my new family has allergies, what can i say?). First off, she was stingy when it came to water/iced tea. Secondly, three of the five dishes we ordered came out incorrect (i.e. incorrect substitutions or the wrong dish all together). After a mix up with my entree, I was waiting for the correct dish to come out while my family's food was sitting and getting soggy. It took about 20 minutes to correct the error, so I had the fam start eating without me.... :( The appetizers were actually really good though. I shared the Maryland crab cakes with my MIL and they were really tasty. Large chunks of crab included and the remoulade sauce on the side is AMAZING. My hubby and FIL shared the beef skewers which looked great, but came in a very small portion (I would not suggest sharing b/c the portion is SO small). For my entree, I had the Fisherman's platter. The shrimp/beer battered fish are very tasty. They have a light fluffy batter that's well-seasoned; however, it would have been nice if they were crispier. The scallops were very lifeless - bland even... All in all, ambiance is great and food is average to good, but service is spotty. Pros: -Sourdough bread baskets at tables... YUM. -GREAT AMBIANCE (Kind of romantical) Cons: -Pricey -Service was eh... -Kitchen is not good with substitutions -Fish is not as tasty as some of Bluewater's counterparts (i.e. Cannery, Bear Flag, etc.)
(3)
Patrick W.
Bill was hands down the best server in the district. Made my trip from Canada amazing. His food recommendations were spot on. Glad we chose this spot. Highly recommend the blackened swordfish & the cioppino!!!!! Delicious! Oh & the Castle Rock pinto noir is fab!:)
(5)
Jenn P.
We were shopping for Halloween costumes in the area, and walked by this spot around lunch time. I had seen the sign a few times, but assumed it was more of a fast food type place and not sit down. When actually poking my head inside I discovered I had been wrong and decided to give it a shot. It was not very busy for a Sunday afternoon, so we had our choice of seating. We opted for the bar area so my bf could watch the game. (Go figure) I was super excited when I saw that they had lobster bisque, so I decided to start with this. It was excellent, not too salty and the large chunks of lobster were great. As an entree I settled on the arugula crab salad, and my boyfriend went with the pacific snapper. The salad, although listed as an appetizer, was huge.There were large chunks of crab, and a plentiful amount of avocado, and the zesty lemon vinaigrette paired nicely with the salad. Although I did not try my boyfriends, he said the fish was very good. Our waiter, I believe his name was Chris, but I may be incorrect, was excellent. He was attentive and knowledgable, and made some great suggestions. He also had us cracking up with his jokes. Overall i really enjoyed eating here, and look forward to trying more menu items in the future. Also, if you check in on yelp, your first drink of choice is only a dollar.
(5)
Tina J.
We had appetizers for dinner since we werent that hungry. The grilled artichoke was amazing . Crab cakes were good. Calamari was good. Wedge salad was great. Used the $1 drink coupon which was nice . Service was great and was very attentive. Price was kind of high but very good quality food.
(5)
Patty ..
Was conflicted where to have dinner in the District area and I should had stuck with my original plan Aloha BBQ but no I decided to have fish and went to Bluewater Grill. Ordered a glass of Pinot Grigos, bread and the Red Snapper [grilled] with the sauteed Spinach and Dill Rice. The bread was awesome, wine a decent and the Red Snapper was PURE RUBBER the worse piece of fish I have ever eaten, the Dill Rice was strange, bland tasting and there wasn't a shred of dill to it. The only thing worthy was the sauteed spinach. What a huge disappointment...instead of suggesting I come back in for a another go at it why not reach out to me and credit my account. You do not deserve to be a fish place.
(1)
Audrey H.
Food and service is always consistent. Great happy hour!! Chris rocks! Peligroso!And Maria, let's not forget beautiful Maria!!
(3)
David D.
I've been here twice now, first time was with my wife and another time was with a friend. The first visit was alright, food was good but service was sub par. Our waitress didn't really seem to care about us and probably thought we weren't going to tip her well or something. The food was pretty good but the lack of service made me uninterested in returning, that is until a friend asked me to meet him there. The 2nd visit was by far a waaaay better experience. This time I sat at the bar and two guys were serving my friend and I, these guys made us feel like rockstars. I think their names were Byron and Rick, they were very attentive, predicted my needs, and even entertained us for awhile. Thanks to their recommendation, it was my first time trying a red clam chowder, Manhattan style I think its called? Amazing! I'm so used to creamy clam chowder that this was a nice change from the norm. All in all, food was as great as I remembered, but it was the outstanding service that made this experience stand out. Because of those two at the bar, I plan to come back again soon, so if you're trying it for the first time, I'd say go to the bar and ask for Byron or Rick, they know how to take care of their guests. Had it not been for the poor first experience, I would've gone 5 stars all the way
(4)
Keith A.
Great place for some good fish. Crab cakes were delicious. My wife got the cedar planked salmon and I got the fresh grilled swordfish. Both were great. Love this little piece of Avalon(well Newport) here in Tustin. Best of all was the service, Bill was great. Very attentive and friendly.
(5)
Kimquyen L.
This review is for the Happy Hour (Mon-Fri 3:30-6:30PM) great HH deal ;) For Happy Hour, you have to eat @ the bar (a great place to people watch & chat with random people & maybe even get some #s, if that's your cup of tea then you'd love it =) The bartenders there are extremely nice & friendly (thank you David for such great service) Happy hour has a separate menu which you can choose from & also some of the house wines, beers & mix drinks are also included so just ask the bartenders they'll let you know. =) The ambiance here @ this restaurant is very chill & relax...I love the warmth & the nice decor here too..nice place for date night ;) The calamari was yummy..lightly breaded, no OD on the bread here ;) crunchy & nice ratio of squid to bread mixture.. =) Baked Crab & artichoke dip was also very yummy..good portions here ;) The fish tacos was very bland & didn't have any other flavor to it other than the tons of turmeric that who ever was making it was trying to mask the blandness with. That person obviously did not know what they were doing.. =( Oyster shooters were so fresh & yummy! Completely worth getting if you love oysters =) Tenderloin tease was also yummy (my friend told me it was, sorry I didn't taste it myself) Garlic fries was crunchy & yummy it went great with the calamari burger slider ;) Overall, it was a great experience & great deal (I had the $9 Deal Perk for $25 worth of food) =) This place is definitely worth a try! =) I'll be back 2 try the other stuff on the HH menu!! =)
(5)
Annette F.
Came for Boss's Bday Lunch, was my first time, we sat on the covered patio, it was nice, there was a breeze that kept us cool, our server (can't remember her name) was really nice, kept our drinks full and was very knowledgeable on the the menu and various preparations of the fish they offered. I ordered the Mahi Mahi sliders and wasn't much impressed, the spice was there as indicated on the menu, however the fish wasn't too tasty, like I almost couldn't taste it, I just knew it was there because I could see it. The sliders come on mini Hawaiian buns and the bottom was super soggy when I got them so I pretty much had to eat them with a knife and fork. Everyone else enjoyed their meals, the Beet Citrus salad was ordered and loved, looked good, but I'm not a fan of beets. The veggies looked great too! I definitely want to go back to try something else, different.
(4)
Mel T.
Pretty good.. from what I remember, this is a past-duex10 review. I cant even remember what we had... sword fish tacos.. mini burgers... calamari... garlic fries... i think thats about it. It was a friday afternoon. The crowd was.. a little... older. Probably because it was the afternoon, and theyre all retired. It was their hang out spot for bloody marys. But over all, the service was good and food was delicious, no complaints. :) and it was the Happy Hour menu we ordered from, so surprisingly the food was delicious for half the price!
(4)
Elizabeth H.
5 stars for the service. When Cucina Enoteca cancelled my reservation the day of because of a "40 person private party" (rather dismissively I might add), I scrambled for a replacement. I am so glad to have given my business to Bluewater Grill instead. The hostess on the phone went through the trouble of describing the outdoor patio to me in order to spark my memory, as I couldn't remember if this was the same place I went to for Restaurant Week. After sorting that out, I proceeded to leave an incredibly complicated reservation detailing the particular location I'd like to be outside and the particular table arrangement (mainly to accommodate a larger member of my party). With less than two hours before the reservation, this was easily done and executed perfectly. Christa was world class. Her brand of service was above and beyond that of many higher priced establishments. Aside from knowing from which sides to serve and clear, she was knowledgable on wine pairings, never interrupted table conversation, and refreshed sauces, drinks, utensils, chips, etc without request or delay. For the midrange price of Bluewater Grill, I did not expect such attentive and five-star service. Christa later offered to bring out complimentary celebratory desserts for two people in my party who had birthdays that week, but they declined because they're "on diets." Soon after, we left. And it wasn't until we were walking out that I noticed Bluewater had actually closed for the night. Yet I'm confident they would have let us stay for another hour or more; that's how accommodating their service is. About the food, I counted four empty plates. All seafood dishes. I was told the mahi mahi was "a sensation," the sand dabs were "heavenly," and the ahi tuna was "the best I've had in over 20 years" (by someone who's spent 3/4 of their life on the coast of Japan). The steak was devoured by the boyfriend, who said it was expertly cooked, though it was so large even he had to take some home. The burger was also a popular choice. I'm not much for cooked fish myself, and thought my side of potatoes was a bit subpar (too salty and lacked fluff). Similarly, I found all the appetizers to be underwhelming (though pretty impressed with how far one dish of artichoke dip can go in a large group). Out of all the wines I tried, I was most impressed by their Paso Robles blend and their Malbec. The cocktails are also very heavy here -- I actually had one member of the table ask to have her cranberry-vodka watered down, haha. Bluewater Grill has a monthly menu, allowing for change and variety that is often avoided at most mid-range restaurants. A party of 12 with appetizers and wine and mixers didn't break $500 with tip. Truly an incredible deal.
(5)
Thai P.
The District deserves a better fish place than this. It's the same kind of bland seafood you would get at California Fish Grill, but for double the price.
(2)
Terry B.
This place is amazing, the service was awesome and the food was excellent! If you go to the bar ask for Chris, he is the best ever!
(5)
Rick H.
Absolutely the best seafood I've had in the central county. Honestly, I don't think you could find anything better in Newport Beach. We started with the lobster bisque and smoked salmon sampler, both delicious. That and the perfectly baked, delightfully crusty bread would have been enough, but we are gluttons. Best paella I've ever had. I can't even imagine it being any better in Spain, I kid you not. Loaded with mussels, clams, and saffron. The decor is warm and classy without being stuffy, the service is professional and friendly, and the beer and wine lists are excellent.
(5)
KAREN B.
Update: After my negative posting, the manager made it up to us. He treated me and my family to a wonderful meal. He really cares about his patrons and business, and it shows. He's the type of manager that every restaurant should have. Our service this time was exceptional. We tried the New York steak, salmon and mahi mahi - both with bronze sauce. Incredibly tasty! Thanks, Mr. Manager, for turning our impression around! We'll be back. :)
(4)
Johanna H.
Best Easter dinner ever. I'd have to come back six or seven times before I'll have tried everything on the menu I want to try. The fried calamari was good, not super-special but better than the norm. I had the crab and avocado salad, which was loaded with delicious sweet crab, and the lobster bisque, which I could easily drink by the quart. My husband had the blackened swordfish and it was mouthwatering. Service was prompt and friendly (but not cloyingly friendly like some chain-type places, if you know what I mean), and my Arnold Palmer was refilled approximately a zillion times without my ever having to ask. I am so looking forward to coming back!
(4)
Garrett W.
Review is for the Happy Hour: Went on an early Tuesday night during Happy Hour (between 330 - 630PM). Ordered happy hour dishes and they provide complimentary bread and butter (which is always a plus). Ordered crab and artichoke dip, grilled fish tacos, korean bbq shortrib with kimchi tacos and garlic fries. Overall everything was just okay. The grilled fish tacos were pretty plain, the garlic fries were good, but nothing special, the shortrib in the shortrib tacos was really dry. Everything seemed like it lacked flavor. On a brighter note, the service was decent.
(3)
Jennifer H.
Great atmosphere! Great happy hour! Always good and fresh food! I love this place!
(5)
Caryn M.
My cousin and I had been searching for a place to have a Remembrance luncheon service for my aunt, and we only had a few days to make it happen. We decided to have lunch here first to sample the food, and discovered not only did they have amazing crab cakes but the service was incredible too....a rarity in this day and age! Ryan, one of the managers there, was not only sympathetic to our needs, but also very accomodating with allowing us to take over the back half of the restaurant for our group and patiently explained the menu options for us. He also told us they could turn off the restaurant sound system in that portion of the building and allow us to set up our own CD player for my aunts favorite music, which we really appreciated. The day we arrived Jennifer was the manager on duty, and not only had the table set up perfectly for our group of 20, but had also printed out custom menus for our guests which were laid out nicely at each table setting. (There was one tiny thing that was forgotten, which was that we wanted to have a long table against the back wall set up for our photos, candles and other memorablia, but when I reminded them they had it taken care of in minutes!) Heather, our server, even ran to the back several times to try to find something heavy to lean our aunts picture on when it kept falling down, which again, we appreciated so much! She was also very good with making sure everyone had beverages as the crowd was milling about. Once the guests were seated and we started our very informal service, they were very gracious with letting us take as much time as we needed, setting out the appetizers (prawns and crab cakes, which were delicious) when we asked them to, and then not starting to take lunch orders until we were nearly finished. Once everyone had specifed their salad (or soup, which was two different kinds of clam chowder) and entree, the food came out in a reasonable time...and our guests must have enjoyed their lunches as I noticed most plates were empty once they cleared them. (We were able to offer our guests a choice 5 different entrees, and we liked that they could be so flexible in that regard.) Again, we were unhurried with finishing our lunch, and the the service was courteous and very appropriate for our occasion. All in all a great experience! A big thank you to the staff at Bluewater Grill for making a sad day for us just a little easier. It was great to be able to just show up and know that everything was being taken care of.
(5)
Mauro N.
This review is of their happy hour. So a few Fridays ago we came in for happy hour, decent prices, decent selection, nice atmposphere but spoiled a bit by a large group of "mature" customers there as a group who spread their way out into our booth, a couple of them even thought it might be fun to sit and chat with us. Umm, no ! Well, we went back again this Friday as we were in the area, and the same group was there so we sat a bit farther away, and even thogh they weren't bothering there was no one sitting in the booths near them as they has spread out and put their stuff in them. No big deal for us, and maybe they spend a lot of money so the management doesn't say anything, but we won't be back if this is an every Friday occurrence, Friday evening isn't exactly "quiet drink" time, but at least we'd like to think that if we have a table or booth we won't have uninvited guests, nice and well meaning as they may be.
(3)
Belle L.
this review is solely for bluewater's Happy Hour.... I love coming here for happy hour! this has been the go-to spot when we all need a drink and some good eats that are on the cheap=). happy hour is from 3:30-6:30M-F and they also have a late night happy hour from 9pm-close though I've yet to try the late night one... seating is in the bar area and is open seating...so, first come first served! we usually get here around 5::30 and are able to score on booth seating. they've got seats at the bar, some booths, and bar stool table seating. so hopefully you don't have to fight too hard. the only time i've seen it crazy crowded is during the OC Happy Hour Week. dishes range from $4-$6 and draft beers/house wine/well drinks are $4. not too bad right? well the good part is, you get MORE than what you pay for, at least in my opinion! if you're super hungry, then your best bet is to get the burger slider or calamari burger..hehe because they come with a side of fries. or be piggies like us and get both! between the hubby and i we usually split about 4 items...the 2 burgers, calamari, and either the fish tacos or oyster shooters. the garlic fries are yum too! crushed garlic bits in every bite! the shrimp ceviche lettuce wraps are good, but they can get really messy..so not on my must order list. friends love the salt and pepper shrimp - pretty much what you would get at a chinese restaruant. the clams are good too, but i'm always hungry at HH and that's not enough for this little piggy=P. so, if you're in the neighborhood and are feening for a good happy hour venue...bluewater is where you wanna go!
(4)
Trina D.
I love the decor in this location of Bluewater Grill. The food is fantastic, but on Friday night I was only there for drinks. We sat at the bar. We ordered drinks. I had a Mojito with vodka instead of rum and my roommate Ayla E. had the Captain's Mai Tai. After a while, we needed something to munch on, so we asked the bartender for some bread. Out the bread comes, piping hot from the oven with butter on the side. Yum! The bread was a nice complement to our drinks. Definitely a nice end to our shopping adventure. If you are interested in the food, I recommend the smoked albacore and salmon platter. The smoked fish literally tastes like ham. It's chunky and served with capers and crostini. It's really good. Their menu does change from time to time but the food is great.
(4)
Steve M.
2 words: Holy, and Schmoly. Being from the valley, saw this place's ad in hotel guide, and good thing. One of the best dinners ever had. It Cost me $115 with tip Bread and butter=hot fresh sourdough, yes please may I have another? 2 clam chowders=best I ever had truly delish macadamian crusted mahi=fantastic with roasted potatoes and 3 tempura zucchini, awesome. Best dish, it was a special of day. Scallops with wild mushrooms and spinach---scallops were good, but too much spinach and while the mushrooms had some great taste with garlic, waayy too much salt. 12-pc oysters mix: good, for farm raised though for sure. Too bad. Service friendly but a bit forgetful. Amazing that places serving crap are so packed and this place was wide open around 8p,. On a friday. Thanks!
(5)
Ian K.
I came in here for lunch today because of I have heard decent things about this place. I decided to try the prefixed lunch special for Restaurant Week. It wasn't a bad deal - $20 for a 2 course meal and a drink. By the way, there is a Yelp Check-in for $1 off any beer or house wine. I ordered the Lobster Bisque & Tilapia which came with 2 sides. Let's start off with the bisque; it was very well made & delicious. However, I made a poor choice with the Tilapia. It was whatever. I am a sucker for seafood but wasn't satisfying at all. Luckily the chef was generous with the sides of scallop potatoes and veggies. The main reason I am giving 3 stars is because of the service. The hostess, waitress, and busser were very professional. I was checked on throughout my entire meal and they removed the plates, when I was finished. I may come back, but will definitely stay away from the Tilapia.
(3)
Gayle G.
Had lunch here today. The fish and chips was very good but the coleslaw was a little bland. Good service and atmosphere. Would go back again.
(3)
Mike E.
My wife, daughter and I just enjoyed the Oyster Roundup. Tonight they served three types of oysters prepared three different ways and our mouths were "popping" with flavors! The meal was paired with a really good Firestone beer and also two different wines, one was a Pinot which was was delicious and the other was a Riesling called Kung Fu Girl which I thought was really good and perfect with the meal. The service was awesome tonight, I think the they have stepped it up with the service and our waiter was a pro who made the meal that much better tonight! I really recommend the Bluewater Grill :-) my mouth is still "popping" with flavor while I am writing this review!
(5)
Sirinda S.
I'm trying to make a dent in my Yelp review drafts and as a result, this review is based on a meal I had at Bluewater Grill in April 2012. The menu looks great, but I found the actual dining experience to be just mediocre. The service was really slow and not particularly attentive, even though we were only one of a few diners there in the early evening. The servers didn't tell us about the happy hour specials, and it took a long time to place an order. And we were sitting in a pretty visible booth near bar. The food was average at best. I had the shrimp and scallop skewer and the seafood was overdone, tough, and a bit rubbery. The sauteed zucchini and squash were really bland. Luckily the coleslaw was flavorful without being too heavy or creamy. The fried calamari was tasty but the breading fell off in big chunks. My husband had the sandabs- which he liked but the portion size was really small. I was hoping the key lime pie would help redeem the meal somewhat and while it was good, it was nothing special. With so many food options around, I don't think I'll be giving Bluewater Grill a second chance.
(3)
Caroline W.
The most enjoyable parts of Bluewater Grill is the excellent service and the killer Yelp check-in offer. $1 wine? Count me in. Unfortunately, the food was a major disappointment. The pan-seared scallops ($23.50) were pretty overcooked and lacked flavor in general...given the price of the entree, I will probably never come back here, unless someone else pays. I also tried the San Francisco Style Cioppino ($23.75), and again, all the seafood was cooked past its prime. Also, I'm not sure what was so San Francisco about the dish?
(2)
Johnny B.
I dine at Bluewater (The District) fairly regularly - about 1-2 times per month for client lunches. I always get a cut of fish - usually the halibut or swordfish. I come here regularly because it never disappoints. I rate it just below 4 stars because it is a little pricey for lunch ($25+ for nicer fish) and they often leave out my request for two helpings of spinach in lieu of a second side choice. They do a nice side of spinach. I really love the "bronze" finish they offer for their cuts of fish. It is kind of a cross between a butter garlic and blackened. They don't always offer it so be sure to ask for it at least once. A 3+ for me.
(3)
Bonnie Y.
my first experience was pretty good... loved their wines... oysters (both raw and the baked ones were really good)... the fish was fresh... service was awesome. went there again yesterday for the restaurant week... i think overall it's a pretty good deal. but we were seated by the table right next to the restroom and there were these little fruit flies constantly around us and our food!!! the whole time we were waving them away and tried to make sure that they don't get close to our food... it was... not a pleasant experience. i probably will not go back again unless i could be sure i won't be seated near the fruit flies area? the happy hour seems like a pretty good deal.
(3)
Annbriel B.
So, my bf and I came here for Valentines Day dinner the other night and we were both very happy overall. The bad: 1-I felt like our server was kind of bitchy. I asked if bread was served prior to the meal cause if it was I wasn't gunna order a bunch of carbs for my sides. She acted like that was possibly the stupidest question ever asked. Then when she brought the bread there was no butter. I stopped her to ask if the bread came with butter and she acted like this was going to be a huge challenge. She soon brought a small amount of butter and said,"that's all the butter I could scrounge up." My bf was like,"is there a butter shortage or something?" She sarcastically smiled and said ,"Yeah." later she brought more butter. Every single time we spoke to her about anything it went down similarly. If it wasn't for her attitude she would have been a fine server. 2- the rice pilaf was bland. The Good: 1- the STEAMED SNOW CRAB LEGS were the BEST snow crab legs I've EVER had. Hands down. Nuff said. 2- the mixed veggies were not what I expected but ended up being really delicious. 3- the BREAD! Nom. 4- we checked in and got our first drink for $1 :) Win! Despite our servers bad tude, we had a great time and a great meal. I'll be back :)
(4)
Oscar F.
Not a fan. The fish I ordered (tilapia) was bland. It took over one hour to get two plates of food. Larger parties were served, ate, and left before us. Mind you that these larger parties got to the restaurant after us. Bad food and slow service. Not worth the money. You're better off eating a burger from Five Guys.
(1)
Edwin C.
** this review is for their happy hour stuff, cannot comment on the rest of the restaurant ** I love the Happy Hour for two reasons: 1) there's a Happy Hour time from 3:30p-6p 2) there's ANOTHER Happy Hour time from 9p-close HOW AWESOME IS THAT??? I think this is a recent thing (how recent? That's subjective) The food is ok. I've been there for both times of the happy hour. I'd say that the atmosphere/decor/ambiance of the bar area is very inviting. I kind of like the evening happy hour better because it's quieter, games are on TV, and not as busy. Foods to try: - Garlic fries ($4) are decently good, especially if you want a simple item to nibble on - Ceviche lettuce wraps ($5).... NOTE, these come with 3 pieces. They're pre-made and plated this way - Grilled Fish Tacos ($4) .... delightful. No Wahoo's, but what is right? - Burger slider ($4)..... nice little sized burger that's not going to make you feel guilty for having a burger Next time I want to try the Korean BBQ tacos and the Baked Crab & Artichoke dip
(4)
Renee C.
Not the best wine selection, oyster shooters were pretty good but a little too much cocktail sauce. Fried calamari was ok but I expected more from a seafood place. Blue cheese c sliders were good. Oysters Rockefeller tasted like spinach artichoke dip with a handful of melted cheese. The oyster was hidden somewhere under all the cheese but I couldn't even taste it because there was just so much cheese. What a waste of oysters. Probably wont return.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Accepts Bitcoin : No Good For : Dinner Parking : Valet, Street, Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Classy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Valerie Nicole A.
Not too shabby is all I can say! :)
(4)Viviana P.
oysters taste very "oceany."
(4)Thane A.
Cadillac margaritas are the best! Not exactly what you'd expect from a seafood restaurant, but not too sweet or sour, just right. Having the margaritas did NOT bias my sensory evaluation of the seafood tower, half and half clam chowder (haven't tried it? Not gonna lie, your inner fat kid will thank you and it will quite possibly change your life) Fresh, cooked well, generous portions. Also, their key lime pie is darn near perfection with a well made graham cracker crust (personally, a pies make or break for me is the crust). Chris was the bartender and he was awesome. Excellent service, good food, and great company. Servers there really try to make you feel like you're kicking back and chilling in a laid back familiar place. Love the decor, modern, clean lines, with an emphasis on the sea-it is after all a seafood restaurant.
(4)Phil C.
A must try, if you're a fan of seafood. A good variety on the menu to choose from. There's a seafood/oyster bar, grilled fish dishes and specialty dishes. Appetizers all sounded tasty. A good wine and cocktail menu. This was my first visit here for dinner and it didn't really disappoint. Started off with the baked dungeness carb and artichoke dip. Which I found to be tasty but tortilla chips made it a little boring. Try the dip with the bread instead of the chips. Much better. Then an order of oyster shots before the main meal. It had bit too much cocktail sauce for my taste but it still hit the spot. For my main dish, I ordered the grilled barrabundi seabass with spinach and mixed rice for the sides. Over all the dish was very good. The seabass was light and cooked perfectly. Just added a squeeze of lemon and a little salt to the fish and spinach. The mixed rice had good texture and flavor. The atmosphere of the joint is modern and hip.The happy hour section/bar area looked fun. The service staff was very friendly and attentive. Prices are a little on the high side, but it wasn't a big downer. All in all... I'll be back again.
(4)Mary K.
I was really looking forward to trying this place out, but what a disappointment! Food was very bland. I asked for some linguini to be added to my order (which she recommended) and she forgot to tell the kitchen. When my food came out and she finally came around 10mins later to check on us, I told her "did u tell the kitchen to add the pasta?" She's like "oh no I forgot, u want me to tell them now?" Uh no obviously it's too late. Neither of us finished our plates even half way and frankly she didn't even care. Only good thing was the edamame. Would not recommend this place to anyone! Not coming up, mediocre service and bland food
(2)Dan H.
Uh boy, here we go again. My boss loves this place as it is very close to the office, and the bar is big and empty (now I know why) even at happy hour. 8 of us went again last Wednesday night for drinks and dinner and to watch the Angel game. This time we at least had a more capable btender, well after my boss gave him a short and somewhat pleasant lecture. He basically told him he was going to spend $400.00 or so and was hoping to tip him accordingly. We not only got better service from then on he also enlisted someone else (manager?) to keep tabs on us as well. Thanks! That and the steam clams were the positives, well and my wine glass being constantly filled x3. And the guy was pretty funny, a real pro. The bad? This was the worst piece of $24 salmon that I could ever imagine. I have had much better salmon at Zubies Chicken Coop in Newport for $10 less. I was there with the work group, wasn't paying, and we were having a great time and I didn't want to be "that guy" sending stuff back and bringing the party down. So I ate every dry overly fishy tasting bite. And I love salmon, but this was waaay too strong tasting. Reminded me of the Sock Eye salmon out of a can. Hey, I even like that too on a Triscuit, but its only a couple of bucks, not $24. The piece was so small at least I didn't have to suffer through many bites. I filled up on the very tasty mashed potatoes. I would not be surprised to see this place shuttered in the not too distant future, unless their other locations are making enough profit to keep this place afloat. The 2 times we have been here it is barely 1/8 full in the dining room and 1/4 full in the bar. With food quality and portions this disappointing I'm surprised they are still open. And if they are still open in September I'm sure the boss will drag us there again for his monthly visit.
(2)Rob C.
Excellent seafood great service. Very knowledgeable.
(5)Luke W.
Humm. Bluewater really missed the mark in my book. The staff was okay, ambiance was great...I think it was simply was the food. We had a large lunch for a board or directors meeting (20+ people). Staff great everyone and directly everyone well! We had a buffet style appetizer (calamari w/ cocktail sauce), it must have came out early, very soggy, and there were no utensils. Ordering went well considering the number of people. However, staff did have some trouble figuring out whom ordered what when the food was being presented, it was a bit of a guessing game (which is always the case with such a big table). I ordered fish & chips...hard to screw up...however. It was pretty bad. I worked my way through it. I steered my fork away from nasty looking parts of the fish. I hate giving negative reviews, but I really found myself not enjoying the dish. I can't speak for everyone else, but I wouldn't not order fish & chips at this place again. Immediately after leaving, my stomach was upset and I am pretty sure it was the fish & chips, however it could have been the calamari that was sitting around. Either way, I wouldn't be excited to go back to this place.
(2)Tesha R.
Yesterday was my first time at the Bluewater grill and my first impressions were good. I was greeted promptly walking through the door and seated shortly after. The decor is just okay and the atmosphere is casual and inviting. I tried the crab jalapeño dip for an appetizer and overall I would say it was good. There was plenty of fresh crab and jalapeño flavor, but there was a lot of cheese melted on top for my taste. For dinner, I ordered the prawn linguini pasta and my friend had the lobster tail with garlic mashed potatoes. My pasta was delicious and the prawns cooked perfectly. My friends lobster was cooked perfectly as well, but her overall dish came out lukewarm and the vegetables were bland. Dessert was the chocolate lava cake and I have nothing bad to say about it, the cake was moist and did not disappoint. Overall, the restaurant was just okay. If the restaurant primarily does seafood, then I expect the seafood to be phenomenal and for the price you are paying. I think this place would be perfect for mid day cocktails at happy hour with an appetizer, but for a good seafood dinner, I will personally pass.
(3)James N.
Went to the Bluewater Grill Tustin tonight and it was really good. we had the clam chowder (both kinds) and they were really good. then we had the sea bob-bons (tiny scallops with wasabi and something else.) Super good and the Oysters, mmmmm... for the main course, I had the pan fried scallops and they were good, but the Bayside restaurant has better scallops. All in all the food was very good and service was fast and efficient. overt all a great place at the District.
(4)Jamie W.
Friends of ours absolutely rave about this place, so a couple weeks back when headed to the District for a movie, we decided to finally give it a shot. Overall? Underwhelmed. Considering how much my friends have enjoyed this place in the past, one of three things could be going on... An off night? Declining food and service from when they went? Or maybe I should just be questioning my friend's taste in restaurants. Hmmm.... As we had places to be, we opted to share several appetizers as opposed to ordering entrees. We had: Oysters. Fanny Bay, 1/2 dozen. Overall, not a real fresh flavor. Though I wouldn't say they were "un-fresh", they tasted just slightly past their prime. I wouldn't want to order them again. Calamari. Meh... okay but a bit greasy. Not overly chewy, but definitely nothing special. Crab dip... Awful. Horrible. Very "canned" crab taste and a little sour smelling. The chips were so stale I thought I might crack a tooth. Ahi Poke. Actually the only decent thing we had. Good amount of heat, nice presentation. Our Mai Tais were a-ok. Service was barely passable - friendly but hella' slow... Cost: pricey for what it was. I would not try this place again. Bad night or not, I was just unimpressed.
(2)Cat H.
While shopping with my boyfriend, he surprised me by saying his mother was on her way to have lunch with us. I wasn't sure what she'd like, but luckily she wanted to go someplace that featured fish. I could worry less about my food choices with so many healthy fish options. The restaurant was relatively empty except for a group yelling at the tv at the bar. We literally had most of the place to ourselves. It was nice to be able to chat and get to know one another. Our waiter was also quite attentive. After a round of tea and lemonade, we ordered some blackened mahi mahi fish tacos and a crab club. The fish tacos were just ok, to be honest. I thought it was a lot of cabbage, but much less fish in the taco. I poured on the included salsa to give it some added flavor but I didn't catch any spice. I didn't try the crab but my bf picked at it more than he ate it. We all agreed our food was ok, but not great. They definitely needed something. I'm thinking the tacos would've been better with less cabbage, some cotija cheese and some fresh salsa on top. The grilled veggies I got with it were the best item on the plate I think. Maybe I'll try something new if I find myself there again.
(3)Javier A.
This is our third weekend that we come to this restaurant and every single time there was this couple that ruined our dinner experience and of all others in the bar area. They seemed to know every single server and bartender, they are loud but the most annoying part is that they disclosed information about the people that they had served. Regardless, the food and decor are among the best! Just be more professional and allow diners to enjoy their time.
(2)Sumner B.
I'd say just your average 3 star restaurant overall.
(3)Steven S.
atmosphere in Newport is less inviting when the boats run their motors. Nevertheless, the food has always been excellent.
(4)ed c.
when i noticed they prepare clams with the whole belly's i was very excited, being from the east coast these clams are my favorites but needless to say i wasn't very impressed the service was very slow and the clam were way too crispy and overcooked. i may give them one more try but i'm not holding my breath.
(3)Calvin M.
Went here for OC restaurant week. We started off with the Lobster Bique and the Manhattan Clam Chowder. Both were good, though the Lobster Bisque stood out more. The flavor and aroma of the Lobster Bisque was enjoyable. I do recommend. For the entres, we did the Mahi Mahi and the Cedar Wood Salmon. Both were good but not awesome. The holandaise sauce on the Mahi Mahi did do it for me though. The Cedar block Salmon was good but not something I'd come back for. We were too full to get anything other than vanilla bean ice cream for desert. The ice cream tasted old. There were chucks of frozen ice in it. Other than that, the ambiance was pleasant and the service was nice and friendly. Nothing Special.
(3)Trung D.
Awesome place. First time here for restaurant week. Got the salmon, friend got the mahi mahi. Bothe excelent and good portion, i like it when i get a good amount :) Not much on desert menu though. Plan to go elsewhere for desert if you go here.
(4)Tom B.
I must be easy to please. It seems like I give 4 stars to everything. Oh well. I've been putting off going here as The District, in general, gives me nightmares. No joke. The parking lot is transformed into an apocalyptic world where SUVs morph into terrifying dragons and soccer mom's mutate into, well... they're bad enough on their own. That, and... I figured it's probably going to be as crappy as the other restaurants nearby. I ended up going since my friend wanted to eat here. Turns out... I liked it. Definitely more upscale than the Newport Beach location, but it's still fairly casual. We ordered the Oysters Rockefeller and crab cakes for an appetizer. I loved the crab cakes, but she thought there was too much breading (which I like). The oysters were decent. Nothing spectacular. We split the snow crab and mahi mahi. She thought the snow crab was the best ever and I took a trip to Flavortown with the mahi mahi. Ok, Guy Fieri... get out of my review!!! Is he gone? Good. The fish was excellent - served with buttery mashed potatoes. Had a glass of the Hess Chardonnay and that's when it happened. The waitress glared at me, a giant dragon crashed through the window and all the servers flashed their fangs, saying "Welcome to Flavortown, mortal child. Once The District has you, it never lets go." Ok... that didn't really happen. It would have been on the news and people would have been like, "Bro... did you hear about that crazy-ass dragon thing in Tustin last night?" and you'd be like, "Um... HELLO, Fieri! Do I look like I live in a damn cave?" So... no dragons. No scary waitresses. No Food Network stars, either. Just a nice dinner. Good food. Worth checking out. Oh... skip the chocolate lava cake for dessert, though. It failed to impress the belly. My next review... 4 stars for pork fat. Wait, no... 5 stars! Stay tuned.
(4)Emi K.
We are not the type of couple to turn down an incredible deal ("First Seating Menu at Bluewater Grill for $19.95 is an incredible deal). My boyfriend and I ate here for the first time on Saturday, April 9. Two Words: Effing Fantastic. The First Seating Menu comprised of a three-course meal is as follows: FIRST COURSE: Hot, Fresh Sourdough Bread; a cup of New England or Manhattan Clam Chowder Soup, Caesar or Garden Salad. SECOND COURSE: Fresh Fish of the Day, Fillet of Tilapia, Beer Battered Fish and Chips, Tenderloin of Beef, or Wild Prawn Linguine. THIRD COURSE: House Wine or Dessert of the Day or Hot Fudge Sundae. For our first course, David E. and I both ordered the New England Clam Chowder Soup which was light, creamy and contained an abundance of fresh clams. Simply put, the clam chowder was the best I've ever had in my life. Souplantation, who? For his second course, David E. ordered the Fresh Fish of the Day which happened to be Catfish. I sampled a bite of his blackened Catfish and my tastebuds nearly did somersaults - it was that good. I ordered the Fish and Chips for my second course and found it satisfying to my palette. I prefer deep fried Cod over Tilapia (which I was served) when it comes to Fish and Chips, but I enjoyed Bluewater Grill's most popular dish (as claimed by our server). The coleslaw tasted fresh, crunchy and tangy to our delight. The fries were hot and crispy and came with ketchup and honey mustard sauces on the side. To conclude our meal, we passed up the vino in favor of sweet, sugary goodness. David E. and I shared between us Key Lime Pie and Hot Fudge Sundae. Yum to the O. The service was superb. Our server was wonderfully friendly (without being phony) and attentive (without being clingy). We can't wait to come back here!
(5)M N.
A friend and I went here for restaurant week. Cant go wrong with the pre fixe menu. Best one in Newport in my opinion. Ambiance was nice, more of a homey feel. Definitely a nice change to my usual. First Course- Lobster Bisque was AMAZING! I've had it at many other places, but this had to have been the best. Great with the sourdough bread they give you to start with. San Francisco Cioppino had decent amount of shrimps, fish, mussels, clams, and scallops. Wish they had just a bit more scallops- being a fan. Simply grilled Salmon- nicely cooked, came with mash potatoes and vegetables. tasty & healthy. Dessert was our break it or make it with decision of trying the restaurant week pre-fixe menu. The manager was kind enough to allow us to upgrade our desserts :) I had the chocolate lava cake- Loved it. Was in the chocolate mood and it surely satisfied my craving My friend had the creme brulee which she enjoyed as well. What made our experience such a good one was our waiter John Paul who had given us great recommendations and was fun/ personable. Would have to go back and try their clam chowder!
(5)Jerome T.
My first time here and I must say, I enjoyed everything about it. Service was attentive and friendly, the food was awesome. Ordered the maryland crab cakes and fried calamari for appetizers. The crab cakes were very tasty, a little small compared to the crab cakes that I've had in Maryland but the flavor made up for it. The fried calamari was good too, big portion. Honestly, I'm not a huge fan of calamari, but my friend ordered it and it was one of the better ones that I've tried. Came out crispy and tender with 2 dipping sauces. Good stuff... Main course, I had the Cedar Plank Roast Salmon. Cooked just right, not dry at all but not raw either. The glaze was excellent, just the right amount of flavor to compliment the salmon. Came with mashed potatoes and veggies. Would definitely come here again!
(5)Sidney S.
I must be feeling generous today. 4 stars for a Houston's of Seafood wannabe? Well, I enjoyed the crab and artichoke dip, the skewers my dinnermate ordered were flavorful, my mahi-mahi was cooked perfectly and I really liked the fresh veggies and rice cranberry that came with hit. Services was efficient....they let us linger at the table while we played backgammon...and no corkage on the wine I brought! I paired my meal with, yep you guessed it, another Pinot this time an excellent St. Innocent 2008 Shea Vineyard from Oregon. We were out the door with tip for just $60.00 for two. Parking was ample at the District...yes, it probably was closer to a 3.5 star experience than a four...but I'm feeling charitabe today :)
(4)Alice C.
Calling all cougars - this is your spot! Great place for happy hour too. Get the steamer clams and fresh oysters. Yum! Don't eat too much of their fresh bread or you'll be stuffed before your entree.
(5)Abbe W.
I was invited to a birthday party for 1-year-old girl. The appetizers are really good especially the salad with crab and avocado. However when it comes to main course, the fish dishes were a little blackened. It never knew how much I like the fish just raw. I like their wild rice mix. Pretty interesting. The wedge salad is a little better than Savannah's chop house's version. Overall, I really like their appetizer and salad but main dish was just OK. Kinda dried. Service was excellent hence an extra star.
(4)Michael Q.
Chris was our waiter. But he was also the bartender. He was the comedian, the friend, and the food expert. He alone provided 4 stars to our experience. We chose ALOT of food, all small bites so that we could enjoy more of a variety. We had the steamed mussels and clams from the appetizer menu. Oh-My-Gawd. Succulent, cooked to perfection (not rubbery at all), and with a broth made by angels. Soaked in the fresh sourdough bread (second loaf..It's THAT good). Beautiful lobster bisque, with smoky flavor and pieces of lobster in every bite. Unique flavor and great texture. Wife had clam chowder. This was creamy, full of clams, and delicious. Last, we had the roasted artichoke with both a pesto and garlic aioli. Great side! Charred perfectly, lots of flavor and cooked just right. The garlic aioli was fresh and the better compliment but the pesto was also good, and very different. We ended with the crab and avocado salad, and all you need know is that this place DOESN'T SKIMP. There were tons of crab, flaked and pieces, with lots of avocado as well. It was brightened by a lemon vinaigrette, which was light enough to let the natural flavors of the greens and the seafood come through, yet tangy enough to add the right amount of zing. We had a great time. The service was excellent, the food was wonderful, and all the NCAA football games were on, so it was a triple plus. Their menu is extensive. We look forward to trying the entrees. Very soon.
(5)Kathy H.
Tuesday night is "stuffed lobster" night at our Blue Water Tustin so we brought my 81 year old mother, who is in a wheelchair, for dinner. We were not really aware of all of the diners in lobster bibs, including several loud groups of "ladies night out" and company parties...but we ordered our usual delicious seafood entrees (the blackened sea bass was awesome!) The service was great and I usually split a fish dish with mom but she told the waiter "I'LL HAVE THE LOBSTER", which cracked me up. She ate what we thought was the whole thing - it was stuffed to the gills with shrimp and had huge claws to crack open. At the end of the meal, the waiter cleared mom's plate. A few minutes later the manager comes back with a "to go" box and showed us a huge amount of lobster that mom left in the tail! We just assumed she ate it all! How nice was that? Mom had her leftover lobster as a second meal for lunch today. Great service, great food and our first two bottles of wine HAD NO CORKAGE FEE! Thanks.
(5)Arnold W.
*This review is based strictly on the OC Happy Hour Week!* I must say, this was probably the best place for HH at The District. My friend and I came here for lunch, the bartender was quite attentive, well bucket drinks were $4! what a deal...we split clams, calamari, fish taco, and seafood lettuce wrap, and guinness. Everything was really good! Fish tacos was a little dry. The sauce with the lettuce wrap was excellent, not sure what it was, but I could eat that with everything!! Clams were fresh enough considering it's at The District. All this for $32! Not too bad! We went to Chaparosa Grill afterwards. Too bad they ran out of food Thursday night, I almost gave them a 0 star!! I'll probably come back to check it out for reals next time!
(4)Kim L.
I came here with my bf last week. We ordered a half dozen or raw oysters to start with. Yum! For our entrees I ordered the lemon pepper mahi mahi which I would give four stars. I believe the fish was coated in panko crumbs. It had a beautiful crust. The fish was served over a bed of mashed potatoes & sauteed spinach. My bf ordered the cedar plank salmon with citrus segments served with grilled veggies and rice. The salmon was divine. It was like butter. It just melted in your mouth. I loved his dish so much that we switched. However the cook completely messed up on the rice/grain side. It was completely under done. Too hard to eat. I couldn't eat it. Our waitress offered us another side so we went with the mashed potatoes. If u come here u must order the cedar plank salmon. It's totally worth it. I'll b back again. Both dishes were approximately $20 something.
(4)Truth T.
This is my favorite restaurant in Orange County. The best warm crusty bread (delivered to the table before you even order!), incredibly delicious fresh fish (I almost always order the blackened talapia with mashed potatoes and coleslaw), and excellent service. For a more fun, casual atmosphere, sit in the bar area at one of the big comfy booths.
(5)P M.
I went here with my boyfriend and it was my first time here. I had Cajun Salmon with rice. The food was great and so was the waitress. You know you have a good waitress when she always refilling your drinks and never lets it go down.
(5)Warren C.
Seafood is always expensive at American places, so that's expected. The portion sizes were small like an European restaurant, so that was unexpected. Anyways, if I see a picture of a swordfish, I pretty much have to order it. I liked it, but it sure wasn't worth the $27 for the little bit that I had. A couple of my friends didn't like their gumbo, and I think it's pretty hard to screw up on that. Oysters were good, but our server didn't really know how to articulate about which ones were supposedly the best. I think I should've gone to JT Schmid's instead.
(3)Courtney C.
Had Mother's Day lunch here with about 7 others. I picked this place because I remember eating here a few years back. Order the Lobster Bisque to start and it was great. I liked that it wasn't too salty. But it was still tasty. For my entree I got the Ahi Salad. It was light and refreshing. My mom ordered the Soy Miso Salmon. It was perfect...on the second try. The first one was completely under cooked. We had to wait another 20 minutes to get a new one, but they were very apologetic and took it off our bill. Would definitely order it again. But dessert was a complete let down. We ordered the Creme Brulee, Bananas Fosters and Key Lime Pie. The Creme Brulee was more like a bread pudding texture that grossed me out. The Bananas Fosters was not bad, but nothing special. The Key Lime Pie tasted more like a Lemon Pie and wasn't even green. It was a light yellow color. Overall I was really disappointed with the dessert. I wouldn't recommend getting dessert, but the food is great (reason for a 3 star).
(3)Leah D.
I was expecting a nice experience here - menu looks good, interior looks good, a little corporate but hey, we're in Tustin, so what else is there? The food was only OK. It came in two waves several minutes apart - one for me, my mom, and my sister-in-law, and then a few minutes later for my husband, brother, nieces, and nephew. The Crab BLTA would have been OK but it sat there so long waiting to be taken out that the bread was soggy. The fried fish platter my husband got was also mushy on the bottom, crunchy on the top but again, left to sit in its own juices for many minutes before being taken out. Maybe the food would be better if the wait staff got it out on time. The waiters we had were uneven at best and abandoned us for many minutes at a time. And then to have the food be so underwhelming after that kind of wait and prices a touch on the high side to boot was just too much to bear. I don't hate you, Bluewater Grill, but I'm never coming back. Pro tip: King's Fish House does the same fare with superior selection and way better ambiance, service, and flavors. I don't work for KFH, just been enough times to know Bluewater Grill could do so, so much better.
(2)Hirari N.
I'm in love with the crab benedict and calamari here. Quite a classy seafood version of Bj's, though of course not all seafood. Strawberry lemonade is also a must have. I didn't experience any service problems here and the food is great. Not that this matters to the common people but I don't think it does a good job when it comes to hosting events. They served us really good meatballs and mini crab cakes (that were not heated so they became cold), giant shrimps, and then a giant plate of veggie pieces and cheese. No free drinks. Couldn't hurt to add a little more.
(4)Joshua P.
This place, like a lot others have said, is very nice and inviting on the inside. They give you complimentary bread, which was ok, but the butter they give you is hard. How are you supposed to spread hard butter on bread? I ordered the crab BLTA for lunch and my dad ordered the baked salmon on ciabatta. My bread on the sandwich was toasted yet very hard and not fun to bite into. My dad tried to eat the bread on his sandwich but couldn't. His knife was struggling to cut through it. After the meal our business associate reached for the bread plate and had killed a bug that was crawling across it. Then my dad looked into his empty glass and his straw had a bug crawling on it. Note the entire place is indoors. We told our server about this and she said "sorry about that" and walked away. I do not recommend this place, the food was nowhere near worth the prices they are charging! The service was just ok, in fact, when I asked for a side of ranch for my fries the guy that brought out our food gave me an annoyed look... Not going back.
(1)Jean L.
Happy hour review only - older crowd ...which makes the bartender treat you like a kid if you look younger than 30, not exactly the feelign you want to have when you want to have a good time - sit at the bar ...you'll get your food much faster - slightly more expensive drinks than I would like to have for Happy hour - $6 and under food ...it is a slightly nicer establishment, than say..Ra/Auld Dubliner next door, so the food is a little more refined. Translates into smaller portions. - you'll probably end up spending more money here for happy hour than you would a the adjacent establishments.
(3)Sam L.
This place was great. The seafood was primo. We started off with some oysters on a half shell: Pickering Pearl Petite and the Hammersley both out of WA. Extremely fresh and very good. I had the "San Francisco Cioppino": dungeness crab, scallops, shrimp, clams, mussels and fish in a spicy marinara sauce topped with romano cheese. I asked them to add linguine and they graciously obliged. So much fresh seafood in this one and so tasty. This was excellent. My date ordered the cedar (or was it pine?) plank Salmon (sweet soy based sauce). It was also very good served with fresh veggies and a brown rice side that was grainy, different -very earthy and organic. Very good. Great service great experience. Good place for a date. Check it out.
(5)Johnny P.
Came here on a Saturday evening, surprisingly wasn't crowded. Got seated right away. decor was nice w/ dim light setting. Service was prompt and very friendly. Although there were times when we couldn't find him when we needed something, but other waiters were friendly enough to help. The food! - I tried the Paella...and I was disappointed. No where near the what I was expecting. And I've had some great Paella. The entree was plainly dry... - Miso Tilapia: not bad...fish was cooked perfectly, and miso added some flavor to the entree - Salmon special of the day: The salmon was cooked ok, little dry and the glaze sauce they had was a little sweeter for my tasting. Almost like a sweet teriyaki sauce. The bonus: They have a Yelp 1st timer - check-in special $1 on your first drink. The staff was very friendly, even the manager came by our table to check in on us which was very nice and a bonus in my book. Overall the place is okay, price a little high for what you get in my opinion. If you're bringing a date...hope you got more "game" than you think...cause the food won't be what you 'll be talking about...
(3)Julie V.
Okay. This is the first time I've EVER considered giving a restaurant below 3 stars. I'm going to give them 3 stars, but mainly b/c the decor is nice. I came here hungry...ordered my food, was disappointed with 2 entrees & soup and then went to Lucille's to be satisfied by a second dinner. My friend ordered the blackened swordfish with their salsa ($25?)...came with some grilled vegetables and brown rice. Presentation was decent, but taste was poor. It came out somewhat hot, and the fish was fresh, but poorly seasoned and the vegetables were burnt beyond edible with taste buds. My friend also ordered a coke, but they gave him diet--which isn't a huge problem, but they didn't bother telling us they switched it...until we checked (a bit inconsiderate). I ordered a cup of the Manhattan Clam Chowder ($5) and Prawn Salad ($15). The prawn was very rubbery and wayyy overcooked. It was burnt and was not only difficult to chew on due to the rubber like texture, but also difficult to enjoy due to the degree at which it was burnt. I liked the clam chowder--it was my first time trying manhattan clam chowder and I liked the chunks of clam in it--my friend didn't like it so much b/c of the tomatoes in it...he's tried manhattan clam chowder before and he claims they didn't do a good job on it... Thank goodness I had a $25 Dealperk I had purchased for $9 or else, I would have been VERY upset with the price. Definitely not worth the money for the food. It's nice decor, but beyond this superficial layer...there's not much. Waiter is sluggish with refills and check even after requests. Hostess informs& recommends us to order rockefeller oysters...so we excitedly order it...only to find out from the waiter, they dont have that day! AHH! Everyone working should be informed of what is available--or at least what isn't, so they don't recommend it & disappoint the guests! +1 Star: Nice hostess and pretty place with nice decor +1 Star: Quiet and seafood seems fresh +1 Star: Because I feel bad giving this place 2 stars since it's better -1 Star: Food poorly cooked--bad chef! -1 Star: Servers SLOW & inconsiderate!
(3)Steve L.
Very nice lunch here, but EXTREMELY pricey. $50 !! It was lunch so just 2 sodas with 2 lunches. I gave it only 3 because of the price, otherwise would of been a perfect place
(3)Rod R.
First visit, completely satisfied. Nice atmosphere, attentive server, tasty seafood, prices not cheap but normal for OC. Early evening dinner, not crowded at all. The seafood was perfectly cooked to order. We had the salmon and mahi mahi dinner plates along with sourdough bread. Will return.
(4)Susanne T.
I don't know why this place seems so crowded at times except perhaps for happy hour prices. My husband and I went here for Fathers day and the fish was fresh but my trout was dry and tasteless, somewhat overcooked. My husbands' snapper was very overcooked and dry. He liked the manhattan clam chowder soup which was very good. The bread was crusty sourdough which was very good. I did not want carbs as sides and ordered sauteed spinach and sauteed squash. The squash was tasty but the spinach was once again tasteless and very oily. I have had better trout at Red Lobster when out of town than here. I think the prices are too high for the quality of the food served. If the chef cannot cook the fish correctly in a seafood restaurant, I would not return.
(3)Sammy B.
Heard great things about this from my buddy and decided to come down to see what all the hub-bub was about. ARRIVAL: 2 stars I arrived on time with my other friends. They checked in earlier with our reservation, and the host said when the rest of our group came, we would get seated. So when the rest of our group arrived, the host said it'll be a 5 minute wait. No biggie, right? Unfortunately, we actually ended up waiting 35 minutes to get a table. I know they were busy, but seeing all these walk-ins get a table before us was infuriating. FOOD: 3 stars My friend gawked about the New England Clam Chowder and the lobster. While I wouldn't be able to afford the lobster, I did decide to get the chowder. He was absolutely right. The chowder was amazing. It was creamy, but not milky. It had a generous portion of clams and was seasoned exceptionally well. Great balance all around and it made me very eager to try my main dish. I ordered the shrimp linguine pasta with basil and roasted tomatoes. It sounds great, right? Sadly, with all those flavorful ingredients mentioned, it never achieved such a flavor palate. The linguine was flavorless, with no actual sauce or juices to flavor it. It was similar to eating moist cardboard, and just as disappointing. The only time any flavor arose was when I ate the shrimp. The shrimp was flavorful and clearly had all the flavors that came from the basil and tomatoes. So, where the hell did it go for the linguine?! I was incredibly disappointed, and I couldn't even finish the dish because of how boring it was. For dessert, I had the Brioche Bread Pudding with Golden Raisins and Bourbon Sauce. Again, sounds great right? It wasn't. It was absolutely awful. The bread pudding was dry and lukewarm. The bourbon sauce they infused into the bread pudding was completely and utterly overpowering. Nothing else could be tasted but the bourbon. Three bites and I couldn't take anymore. Honestly, the only reason I gave the food 3 stars was because of how exceptional the New England Clam Chowder was. Otherwise, this would probably fall to a 1 or 2. SERVICE: 3 stars While the wait to get seated was long, the service was lacking. We had one server help us at the beginning, but then she magically changed to another server 10 minutes later. She took our orders and it took almost 20 minutes to get our starters. That sounds kind of strange for just salad and soups. I mean, soup is made in large batches and salad doesn't have to be cooked. The spacing in service just added to a crummy dining experience. CONCLUSION: This place is very trendy. Located at The District in Tustin, it flashes with suave looks, cool atmosphere, and lots of clientele. But just like a shallow celebrity, what's inside offsets everything on the facade. Maybe it was an off day, or maybe they're just not that great. I'm willing to give them another chance. But they better do better.
(3)C L.
Food = 2 Service = 4 Ambience = 3 Noise = 3 I went to this restaurant with high expectations. It seemed like a high-end restaurant. The prices were probably average or a little on the high side for seafood. We had a table of seven so we had a variety of food represented. I ordered the New England Clam Chowder. It wasn't anything special. I wouldn't order it again, if I came back. For my entree it was the Grilled Mahi Mahi with sides of mashed potatoes and vegetables. I thought the fish was a little dry or overcooked. My friend across from me ordered the Paella even though the waitress said they were going to take it off the menu soon. Now we know why. It seemed like it was mostly rice and not very much seafood. My friend had it taken back and had the chef add more seafood into the dish. My other friend ordered their salad with goat cheese, beets, etc. When she received her plate, it looked like it was over-dressed and probably soaking in the dressing. She had to ask the waiter to take that dish back as well. Two dishes taken back at one table. That's already two strikes! The redeeming factor was the birthday dessert that they gave to our special guest. It was Ice cream served with a chocolate lava cake (?), with a garnish of whipped cream on the side. I wasn't sure what kind of cake it was but it was delicious.
(3)Lunch B.
excellent happy hour and we were a fairly large group and the service was excellent!
(5)Angela M.
Oysters on the half shell were fresh and flavorful. We questioned the appearance of a small one, and the server replaced it immediately. Chipotle Red Fish was spicy but not overpowering. Scallops were tender and delicately grilled. Best part was the Pacific Classic cocktail. Smooth and subtle. Yummy!
(4)Qui C.
***Happy Hour Review Only*** I like this place! The decor is nice: rich, dark oaks with random hangings of fish. Has a classy feel without being snobbish. Not too loud so you can hold a conversation without screaming. To top it all off, relatively empty for happy hour so no worries about seating. Although the service was kind of slow, our waitress wasn't as fast as I'd like. Prices are typical: $4-6 per plate with $4 drafts and wells. Big flat screens for the sports, perfect. Burger sliders - Good fries and decent size burger. The fries were extra crispy, the way I like them. They also have a special flavor (something in the oil). Burger was cooked medium, served with spinach. However, I couldn't really taste the bleu cheese. Good caramel onions. 4 stars Grilled fish tacos - 3 fish tacos for $4, good deal. Big chunk of fish in every taco, however tacos were dry. Need to serve a salsa on the side or give tartar sauce with this dish. Fish was under seasoned. 2 stars. Nice place but food was not memorable. Also, shame on you for being a bar without orange slices (for my Hef).
(3)Kelly T.
I was hoping for a nice Father's Day lunch...unfortunately, that was not our experience. We were seated in the back of the restaurant and felt like our waitress forgot about us. The hostess seemed to check in with us more than our waitress because he kept waving our hands trying to get the attention of someone for simple things like more ketchup and drink refills. My sister had to get to work after the lunch, so we ended up having to hunt down our waitress to pay the bill. We would have been more understanding if the restaurant was full but that was not the case. The food was way too expensive for what it was....the paella was dry, the crab blta was bland, the tilapia sauce was too sweet. The best part of the meal was the banana fosters dessert, lobster bisque and the bread came out warm.
(1)CHAUSTER S.
if you want good seafood, this place is the best. the oyster was juicy and natural sweet. we have 15 oyster shot glass for 2 persons.the halibut, trout, and salmon was tender and moist with great flavor. the crab salad has real crab meat unlike other restaurant use fake crab meat..service was great. they offer fresh hot bread. we sat at the bar and it was a good size with plenty of tv to watch sports. THE ONLY SAD THING WAS NO HEALTHY DESSERT DISHES.
(4)Allison S.
The only reason we came here tonight was because everywhere else was packed because of the Laker game. I still figured we might a well give it a chance. Happy hour time!!! The decor of the restaurant is really nice and upscale, and the service was great. But unfortunately the food wasn't good, so that's why it's a mere one star. The only dish I would order again would be the garlic fries, and in hindsight, I don't really recollect the garlic. I guess they were just something to munch on for the game. We also ordered their shrimp ceviche lettuce wrap-- too bland, artichoke dip-- just poorly executed and somehow didn't taste right, and their salt and pepper shrimp-- lacking in flavor and spice. The only saving grace was the Hef? I doubt I'll be coming back to the restaurant (or even Happy Hour at all), and I think Yelpers would be better off trying some of the other restaurants around the area.
(1)Roger B.
Good food. I had the Yam Crusted Alaskan Halibut. Very good. I recommend this place.
(4)Darren E.
For Seafood in Tustin or Newport this is the only place to go. We eat at Bluewater probably twice a month or more. Everyone that comes to visit us goes to Bluewater with us. Great food at a great price and very casual. We love this place. We have eaten numerous times at both locations and the food is just as good at either location.
(5)James S.
First time at the Bluewater Grill. For appetizer we had the seafood tower, everything was fresh from the king crab legs to the oyster. Also ordered the steamed mussels which was decent. For main course I had the black cod for dinner and was tasty. No corkage fees for the 1st 2 bottles of wine, what? That's just super awesome. The service was quick and attentive. Will be back for sure.
(4)Kalee T.
This review is for their OC restaurant week menu, and their service. 3 courses for $30- Seems like a great deal, right? We tried the boston and new england clam chowder, which were both pretty good. The lobster bisque was good according to my boyfriend. oh and the complimentary bread is okay but pretty dry. Next course: the lemon pepper mahi mahi was AMAZING. I would give it 10 stars! I thought the holandaise sauce would be too much but it was absolutely perfect on top of the fish. The pasta was supposed to have a cream sauce but it was runny and watery. The gumbo was HORRENDOUS. All 5 of us hated it. It wasn't even gumbo-it was rice with a disgusting sour, expired-tasting sauce over it. We didn't even touch it after having the first bite. They had a dish that was a bunch of seafood in a tomato sauce, which was divine and totally worth the $30 by itself. For dessert: The cheesecake was a tiny little piece, but it was pretty decent. The bread pudding was bitter, dry and underwhelming. I would have to say it was the worst bread pudding I've ever had. SERVICE: I could deal with the food being just alright (beside the seafood and the mahi mahi), but our waitress was forgetful and slow. She was blond with big glasses, I don't even care to know her name. I understand she had other tables to serve, but I asked for a bowl to share the soup, and she never brought it. We ordered two appetizers which also never came out. When I asked her where our appetizers were, she said, and i quote "appetizers? you mean the soup?" I looked at her and said, "no. we ordered calamari and crab cakes." and she said "....oh my gosh, they never brought it out? I thought I called for it." Are you kidding? I'm almost POSITIVE she never even put in the order since when I asked, she reacted like she had never heard the word appetizer before. And then instead of offering anything to make up for the mistake, she just said she'd cancel the order since they never made the food. Oh and I forgot to mention it was my brother's birthday too. Thank you bluewater grill for the bad dining experience. We will never return.
(3)Alma P.
Thought I'd already reviewed BWG but apparently not so here I go! ;-) I've been here more times than I can count and have *never* been disappointed! Most recently I was there with a group of 12 girlfriends for their New England Lobster and Clambake dinner which was a FAB deal for $26.95! Every month they have some sort of deal for that great price. It was steal -- for this price you got a bowl of buttery clams, potatoes, corn and 1.5 lb lobster AND a glass of wine to boot! The service was really great too even with the 12 of us - no complaints at all! They also have a pretty great HH w/great deals on appetizers and drinks. The bar has a nice vibe to it and draws a nice upscale crowd of locals. Also, if you're ever looking for a great place for a party they have this awesome little covered side patio that's perfect for big groups. I've been to a few of their other locations and think by far, this is the best one.
(4)Brad G.
Good food, good value, good service, good specials, terrible parking/traffic flow
(4)Karen W.
Their Cioppino ( yelp.com/biz_photos/9iju… ) is so ridiculously delicious that I must give them 5 stars. Besides that, service was good, and the 1.5 cocktails I had were too. If you sit at the bar, watch for the weird crack on the tables that I for one set my drink on, spilling it. Bad design, although I was admittedly tipsy. Or don't drink and just come for the Cioppino, served with warm garlic bread! yelp.com/biz_photos/9iju…
(5)Jeff C.
The restaurant is an elegant and large space, there was little charm in the decor and therefore felt cold. The wait staff was personable and friendly, but at least on this night she had two many tables and therefore our service was annoyingly slow. The oysters were fresh, the clam chowder was classic, but not unique, but the lobster bisque lacked seasoning and acid and therefore tasted flat. We moved onto our salads, but the shrimp in my wife's salad was way over cooked which made them rubbery. Some of the entrees looked unique and interesting, but since the food we already had was just ok, we decided to skip ordering entrees. We just finished the bottle of wine we brought and enjoy one of the reasons we came, no corkage fee. Based on the other reviews, happy hour seems like the best choice.
(2)Steph H.
Great Quality and atmosphere. The ambiance was quiet and relaxed; good spot to chat and hear each other... We tried this place during the OC restaurant week and it was an excellent choice. The lobster bisque and manhattan clam showder were so flavorful. The mahi mahi soo tasty and seared perfectly. The roasted salmon was really good as well. So happy to find this spot near home...We'll definitely be back.
(5)Jillian D.
Location alone constitutes a one-star loss for this review. Once you're inside, this is a great for a casual business lunch. Menu seems to have been well thought-out, offering good quality favorites along with some inventive alternatives. Not just seafood - even meat lovers will find something to love. Dishes - including daily specials - are great quality, and they offer a full bar. Servers seem to be knowledgeable, efficient and respectful. Here's a free tip, though - skip the after-meal cup of coffee.
(3)Maria F.
Had family in town and thought of this place... Food was VERY good. :) Especially the crabcake appetizer. The service was ok... They were slammed.. But the bathrooms were UNACCEPTABLY gross. C'mon people send someone in at least once a night to wipe it down... Would go back but try not to drink anything..
(3)Sofie D.
The best mahi mahi I ever had was at Mama's Fish House in Maui. The worst mahi mahi I ever had was at Bluewater Grill. First of all, let me start by saying that we had a great dining experience in the beginning - calamari, bread, and clam chowder. Then it went downhill. Everyone's entrees were SO disappointing. I personally had their mahi mahi with some lemon sauce, and it was horribly over-salted and overcooked. And the scalloped potato side dish was under-seasoned. The crust of the mahi mahi tasted like Progresso Italian bread crumbs, straight out of the cannister - unimpressive. When a restaurant doesn't know how to properly season their food, I'm disappointed. I may come back for appetizers & drinks but won't eat dinner here again. I had a similar experience here about a year ago - appetizers were good but my main entree - the cioppino - tasted very fishy & salty. All the main entrees I've tried here (cedar plank salmon & NY steak too) were a miss. I think that's enough tries. They need to get the main entree right.
(2)Audrey N.
I love this place here and also the one in Newport. They have wonderful seafood here! Must try Oyster Shots, Prawn Cocktail, Calamari Fritti, Baked Dungeness Crab & Artichoke Dip, Beer Battered Fish & Chips, Alaskan King Crab Legs (1.25lb), Grill Halibut, Grilled Salmon, San Francisco Cioppino, Farfalle Monterrey Shrimp, Seared Ahi Tuna Caesar Salad, and Scallops & Porcini Mushrooms in a Cream Sauce. Happy Hour is 3:30pm-6:30pm Mon-Friday. Must try for happy hour: Burger Slider with Fries & Melted Gruyere & Blue Cheese, Calamari Burger Slider with Fries, A Pair of Oyster Shooters, A Pair of Grilled Fish Tacos with Crema Blanca, Calamari Fritti with Cocktail Sauce. Ceviche Lettuce Wraps. Crab & Artichoke Dip, and Tenderloin Tease with Horseradish Sauce. One bad thing about this place. It may look nice and clean, but while you're sitting at the table eating, you see these little tiny fruit flies flying around. GROSS!
(4)Bree G.
Love it here. :D They have great salads and great salmon! Servers are always friendly and offer suggestions if you want to know what to order. Also, the lava cake is SO amazing. It's chocolatey, warm and has ice cream :) YUMMM :D
(5)Brian K.
This place has amazing service and great quality of food! We ordered the crab & artichoke jalapaneo dip, with the Caesar salad, and the fresh Ahi tuna from Fiji!!! It was great! This is a nice place to relax with your date! Dont forget to check-in for a great deal on drinks!
(4)Mercy C.
I've been here twice for lunch. Service has always been good. Oysters on a halfshell- GOOD Fish and chips- Flaky fish, crispy crust. Me and hubster both liked it. But coleslaw was really mediocre. Lobster Bisque - More bitter than I was used to. I would not get it again. Garden Salad - Pretty typical... and for some reason the italian dressing had no flavor. I would go back just for more oysters and maybe the fish and chips.
(3)Aaron M.
Went to the Bluewater Grill with my family expecting to have a good experience. The good news is that the food was excellent. My ahi was done just the way I like it and my parents salmon and steak were perfect, the chocolate cake was delicious! My reservation was also handled perfectly and the table was waiting for me in a quiet area just as requested. Unfortunately, the service left much to be desired. The restaurant was really not that busy for a Sunday night so I never would have expected having such a hard time getting our order placed, getting the food served and getting the attention that any patron deserves. Wish the full experience would have better.
(2)Andy N.
There's something fishy about this place..I didn't go here by choice. Went here for a birthday dinner. The service was horrible especially with the place being empty that evening. We came with a group of 9 and got zero help. A dinner that should've been no longer than 90mintues became 180 minutes. Not only was the service bad but the food was junk.. My gf got the tilapia and I got the fish and chips. The tilapia was just okay. For the price it was a rip off to me. My fish kept falling out of my batter. That is not a good sign. The tartar sauce also needed more of a flavor kick. I will never ever come back here again. The only good reviews I see are for the happy hour.
(1)Vanessa F.
We were a party of 8 on a Wednesday night, here to try the OC Restaurant Week menu. It was a pretty decent offering: first course choices of New England or Manhattan Clam chowder, lobster bisque, or various salads; second courses consisting of roughy, tilapia, fish and chips, tenderloin of beef, grilled chicken and prawn linguini; and third course of either glass of wine, bread pudding or vanilla ice cream - all for $20. We noticed that the menu at the restaurant was a little different than the one online, and our waiter said it was because there were various locations and so each one offered something different. My friends were disappointed the hot fudge sundae was not on the menu. A couple of my friends had arrived early and so they visited the bar and exclaimed that they were happy there was Grey Goose Pear. Apparently, a difficult thing to come across at times. When we arrived they sat the four of us right away, even though the other half of our party wasn't there, which was a pleasant surprise. They brought us some delicious sourdough bread and butter. It was soft on the inside and the crust was crunchy, not super-hard like some places serve it. When the rest of our party arrived they took our order. I ordered the New England Clam Chowder, the linguini with prawns, and the bread pudding for dessert. Other dishes that were ordered, and which I sampled, were the roughy, tilapia, chicken and beef tenderloin. My friend ordered us a round of appetizers consisting of coconut shrimp and crab cakes. I tried a crab cake and liked it, but it wasn't the best crab cake I ever had. I didn't get a chance to try the coconut shrimp, but it was all gone, so I'm guessing everyone else thought it was good. Everyone ordered the New England clam chowder and it seemed to be the consensus that it was really good! My husband said he could taste a little grit in his, and wasn't so sure if it might be sand. I kidded with him that it showed how fresh it was, but I don't think he thought it was very amusing. A few minutes later our entrees came. My linguini came with about four shrimp, and although the portion was good, it was a little plain. This was pretty much what everyone else thought of their food - good size portion, but just a little plain. The tenderloin, chicken and tilapia were cooked well, but lacking flavor. I think the best dish I tried was the roughy, because it was nicely crusted and had lots of flavor, and the fish was really moist. Most of us had to get to go boxes. The bread pudding was superb, and although I was full, I would have appreciated a larger slice. I stole some of my husband's vanilla ice cream to compliment it, and it did. I wouldn't usually order a bread pudding, but I couldn't drink wine and I didn't want just a bowl of vanilla ice cream, so I was happy with what I received although would have appreciated more dessert choices. I think the ice cream was a good palette cleanser for everyone. I really, really, really like the decor of this restaurant. It is very contemporary and they use brown in a lot of different textures. I want to decorate my bathroom like the bathroom at Bluewater Grill. Our server, Brian, was pretty good. He seemed really down to earth and honest and he accommodated us with everything we needed. They have a pretty good wine list and the menu is extensive enough that if you come here with a large party you can please everyone's tastes. I don't know if I would come here again though unless someone else was hosting a dinner, but it's a pretty decent seafood restaurant and if I do come back I'm sure I'll find something more to like.
(3)Archibald P.
Came here for a corporate cocktail party and dinner. Started out on the patio, which was fully-reserved for our group and for dinner, we had the entire raised back-room of the restaurant reserved, which was great. Service, both outside and in was impeccable and they definitely chose the right team. I can't remember a time when my wine glass was not full. Outside Apps: Had the medium-sized shrimp cocktail (yum!), crab cakes (meh), and the fried calimari (so-so)... server took my order for drinks and I chose the FIRESTONE IPA -- great beer... have never had anything save for their Double Barrel and Pale Ales... the IPA was a great way to lay out the beginning of this dinner. Rolled on inside where tons of red and white wines lined the tables for our large group, and service again was on-point. While the menu was prepared, you could tell that careful thought was given to pairings as far as both choices and starters were concerned -- making sure to give us a ton of different options from Manhattan and NE (yum!) clam chowders, large (delicious) dinner salads (wedge or vinaigrette), and of course more booze to compliment it all. The servers came by often and even brought the rest of the uneaten apps from outside to our various tables, making sure nothing was wasted (nice move). For the main entree, we had a choice of the following, paired with savory veggies and mashed potatoes: 1. Australian Lobster Tail 2. Atlantic King Crab Legs 3. Atlantic King Salmon 4. Fijian Ahi 5. Pacific Harpooned Swordfish 6. Free Range Chicken Breast 7. 14oz NY Steak (it was huge on the plate) I had the swordfish and had it blackened/cajun... it was pretty damn savory if I say so myself. The NY Steaks that came out (which I wouldn't take over some of the other choices) actually surprised me, they were huge and looked super-juicy. Not your run-of-the-mill Ralph's grocer steak. For dessert there was Key Lime Pie, and blah blah blah... I had more wine and smoked a Graycliff cigar on the patio, so I didn't pay much attention to dessert. All in all, a true success for the corporate cocktail function and large dinner -- loved the service, the food, the pairings, the wines (and I'm not even a wine guy), as well as the ambiance. I'd like to return and see how the one-on-one service is, but as far as work functions go, I'd be excited to return. I've had corporate dinners in Newport at Fashion Island and waterfront restaurants that would have trouble comparing to this level of service and great food/drink. I'd break off 5-stars, only I know it was a work-function and a HUGE group, so you'd expect this... still, gotta hand it to 'em... $1 drink coupon for checking in via Yelp app :)
(4)Shawn T.
Super yummy! I had a generous glass of wine with a lovely and light tilapia - they put the caper/butter sauce on the side so you're in control of your sauces. I loved that. And the side of veggies was terrific. My fiance had the fishermans platter meal - fried fried fried -- and it was all pretty good. Basically, you can eat healthy here or not-so healthy. Our dessert was a warm lava cake. I had to walk an extra couple of miles the next day, but it was worth it. One caveat -- you need to bring actual money here to pay. The couple in the booth behind us had a wallet full of credit cards and none of them had enough to pay their bill. Sadly, I think our waiter just let them go .... we considered making a joke to the waiter when it came time to pay, but decided against it. I wish we had.
(4)Ivana Y.
Went back here on a Saturday late-night because some out of town friends were here to visit and specifically requested seafood. I was a little apprehensive in trying Bluewater Grill during non-happy hour hours but I will say now that Bluewater Grill did not disappoint. Even at 10:20 pm, the staff was accommodating for a party of 10. Unlike the Thursday martini night, the restaurant was properly lit and there was no cleared-out dance floor in sight. But at the very least, the atmosphere was very clean and professional. The Oysters Rockefeller were tasty but the cheese was slightly on heavy and sharp side. The addition of the spinach and tomato salad on the bottom seemed a little bit like an afterthought, but served its purpose in providing the illusion of healthiness in the midst of all that cholesterol. I shared the SF Cioppino and Cedar Plank Salmon entrees. The SF Cioppino was plentiful in its variety of seafood,.but the richness of the tomato stew/broth became a little one-note after a few bites. I think I would have preferred a bouillabaisse on the menu. But truly, the Cedar Plank Salmon was very, very delicious. It may have been that the saltier Cioppino left me craving for the sweeter and more subtle flavors of the salmon (that was served with citrus and a stonefruit salsa) but I felt that everything on the plate worked. I absolutely adored the sides served with the salmon--grilled vegetables, and this unique mixed rice that had dried cranberries for some tartness, and slivers of almonds for crunch and nuttiness. The rest of the party enjoyed their dishes as well. Once again, I was satisfied with my experience here.
(4)Lynn L.
We went for the oyster fest and loved it! Pricey but food is fresh and delicious. Service was outstanding ! I have to visit the place again to see how other dishes fare out. So far, other than the oysters, we had the trout and salmon, both really, really good!
(4)Marek T.
The salmon cedar plank is still amazing. Their happy hour items are good too, but this entrée blows me away every time. By checking in with yelp you get your first regular drink for a dollar, so hard to lose.
(4)Mark D.
This is how a restaurant should be. You make a reservation,you show up on time(actually 5 mins early) and your table is waiting for you at 7:30PM on a Friday night. The rest of the place is packed but your 4 top is waiting. The staff is pleasant free from the usual front of the house snobbiness, no over perfumed or scented staff to be seen or smelt. The service is prompt pleasant and the wait staff know the menu inside and out. Drinks were wonderful, and a great pour. The Ipswich (Boston Mss) fried clams were the best ever Shrimp skewers were moist with a great glaze. A great time was had by all. Great job in keeping up a consistant product.
(5)Kristen C.
Came here for happy hour, food was pretty good and they have a good happy hour selection. Some of the happy hour portions are smaller than expected but still good ! I recommend the happy hour !
(3)Doreen B.
You say goodbye, and I say Hello... Oh wait, you didn't do either..... Nobody to greet us at the host stand, though the server (that seemed to be the only one hustling in the place) came to us, as soon as she saw us trying to figure out who to ask for our Reserved dual Birthday Celebration table. Sat us down and gave us our menus, though even though we stated we were here for OC Restaurant Week when we first saw her, she didn't point out that menu. Our mistake, because one other restaurant I went to this week said, that was last week...(no memo from your boss that you extended it?) She Did recommend other stuff on the menu, and after we ordered and she placed said order in, she said, oh wait, here are the Prix Fixe Menus, inside of the bar menu.. mmm nice. Never mind, as our taste buds were set on the calamari that everyone recommended, and seemed to be eating when we walked in. They weren't kidding about that calamari. It was like the hand selected each piece and fried it without daring to bat an eye - perfection! For our entrees, my BFF had the Fish and Chips, I had the Prawn Scampi over linguine. The Fish according to her description was more batter than fish, but fried perfectly. However, I hate disproportionate food ratios!!! Whether or not a batter is perfectly crisp, doesn't make up for the lack of fish. My Prawns were large and cooked perfectly. The garlic flavor on the noodles was delicious. The only complaint was that I don't think the noodles were drained completely when tossed with the Prawns. The noodles were so slippery and wet that I had to cut up my noodles really small and eat it from a spoon. Just like the baby :) Overall, good food effort, great decor. Maybe not so great organization on the front end though. For a partitioned dining area that included 5 groups of diners on each side, why was the front end manager chit chatting with the other tables while only one server was on the floor? And when saying goodbye to 2 sets of diners before us (dressed in OC Cougar uniform and all), she gave us a smirk and then walk away. Hmmm no goodbye at all? OK - Happy Birthday to us...which I included on our reservation that I wanted a surprise dessert for my friend. *sigh*
(2)Liv E.
I recommend late night happy hour here! Starts at 9PM Mon-Thurs It's been a while since I've been here. Came here to enjoy late night happy hour with friends before the midnight showing of the last Harry Potter. I've been trying to make it a habit to do my Yelp check-ins and to my surprise Yelp had a $1 well drinks, beer and house wine special. As soon as I saw that I was at 5 stars! I love Yelp!! My gf and I ordered 2 vodka tonics while we waited for our other friends and let me tell you for a $1 this was the best dollar I could have spent it was STIFF and it basically was my only drink of the night lol, I'm a total lightweight. We ordered the white clam chowder as recommended by the bartender and it was good, really good actually with large chunks of clams, I love when you get to enjoy those meaty pieces. And I loved dipping the house bread into that also! It was thick and hearty, I was stuffed after a CUP! Try it, get it, order it if you like clam chowder! We also ordered some food from the happy hour menu calamri fritti and steamed clams. They were both tasty. I had to chow down the clams fast since we we found out our movie was being seated early and it was tasty but didn't get to enjoy it and dip their house sourdough bread in the broth but I hope my other friend enjoyed it since I had to pass on the indulgence. I tasted the calamari it was lightly breaded, not the best I ever had, but it was good. I packed it to go for my gf who was saving seats at the theater. Oh yea tried a friend's garlic fries... yummy! I gotta order that next time! I will be back for this late night happy hour. I really enjoyed the short time we were there. And after this yelp surprise I will be checking in all the time and everywhere! It's like Christmas! Ha
(5)David M.
This is based upon using a Living Social coupon. Others using Groupon etc., may take caution as well. My wife had purchased two Living Social coupons at Bluewater. One was used in July and we went there today planning to use the other. After we ordered our meal the manager approached us and informed us that both coupons had already been used. One in July and one on February 1st. We clearly did not use one on February 1st. They also were unable produce proof that we had used the coupon on February 1st, neither could Living Social. This points to a serious flaw in the process. To the credit of Living Social they credited us for the second coupon.
(1)Les L.
Came early to take advantage of the HH deals. I don't really love beer but they won't permit you to order non-alcoholic drinks. I started with the crab artichoke dip, fried calamari and the oyster shooters (2). It was all typical bar food and absolutely fine and boring. Because I had loaded up on bread (came out hot from oven, I like) and the HH nibbles, I was less hungry so I ordered a bowl of clam chowder (fine) and the oysters on the half shell. Not the kumamotos but the ones "grown specifically for bluewater grill!". Half of them were distinctly rank. No good. Shall not return.
(2)Jonathan Y.
Last night I spent 100 bucks for 2 pieces of decent swordfish, crabcake, and wine for two people. (Not at Bluewater. somewhere else) I was feeling quite jilted today, and my vengeful foodieness inside me practically demanded that I treat myself somewhat better for lunch. I felt like I was going on a quest, and I ended up going with a friend to Bluewater Grill at the District for their happy hour. I sat down, looked at the menu, and very deliberately and enthusiastically started ordering left and right. Alright, deep breath guys. For 23 bucks...we got Crab and artichoke dip - Mmm like spinach dip on crack. Spinach dip usually comes with spinach and artichokes, someone just had a genius idea to take out the spinach and replace it with CRAB. Next step, replace artichoke with BACON. Mmm...Crab and Bacon dip. 4 Oyster shooters - I'm not the biggest oyster fan in the world, but these were pretty good AND CHEAP and filled with lovely, horseradishy, seafood sauce that shoots up your nose. Shrimp Creviche Lettuce Wraps - There were two pieces of lettuce, generously piled with shrimp in some kinda sauce. I don't know what it was but it was red and yummy. Both lettuce wraps had one slice of avocado on it and for some reason that got me really excited and happy. Add that weird, slightly sweet dipping sauce thing on the side it was a great time! Fish Tacos - Very eh. next. Go to Lola's instead for fish tacos. Calamari Fritti - It was less than 5 bucks for a "small" dish that still had a generous amount. Perfect. Now with the 70 something dollars I WOULD have left from last night's dinner I can go to Trader Joes and get enough wine to last me a week.
(4)Bob M.
Tonight was the 4th time I've been here. We came out to celebrate another year that I've been on this year. One thing you can count on this place is quality and consistency. I don't believe I've had anything disappointing here. Tonight, again since I was celebrating, I had the fisherman's platter. The thing is, I've been craving a fried seafood platter live you can find in the South. Unfortunately, this isn't it. That is not to say that the food isn't great (it is!!) It's just a southern thing. On the bright side, the food is great. I'd come here for the sourdough bread alone. Nice, crunchy crust with a pillowy center and nice bite. The platter had juicy battered fish (but not oily), and panko breaded butterflied shrimp and scallops. All very fresh and tasty. My father had the fried calamari steak, my mom the pan seared sand dabs and my sister the clam chowder and crab cocktail. It was a lazy, cozy Monday night, so the service was great. Our server was attentive, but not overbearing. A very nice experience.
(4)Christopher B.
I was expecting this place to be a stuffy but it wasn't bad. The Champion's League soccer game was on the flatscreens so that was a very pleasant surprise. I ordered the mahi sliders for lunch. They were juicy and both had nice fillets of fish on them (versus a bunch of unidentifiable small chunks of fish). For lunch, to me, the price was too steep for two tiny sliders and fries but I guess that is to be expected at a place like this.
(3)frankie w.
Probably one of the most bland seafood dishes I've ever had. We went in with a big party so I understand the wait is going to take awhile. But seriously though how does a restaurant mess up on an alfredo pasta dish? It was so bland that pepper couldn't even save it.
(1)Sara H.
I used to live near the Bluewater on the peninsula and LOVED that location so I'm comparing this experience to that place. I wasn't very impressed with the Tustin location. Service wasn't very good and it wasn't busy at all. But the biggest issue was the size of my fish. I got the Sea Bass and the piece of fish was SOOO small. I get the same meal at the other location and the piece of fish was always super big. 5 stars for the Wedge salad though! It was amazing and super big portion so it made up for my tiny piece of fish cuz I was full from my yummy salad. :) My opinion take a drive down to the Peninsula and go to the original location. The ambiance being outside on the water is worth the drive down there. And if I'm spending $25 for a piece of Sea Bass I'd like a normal portion, not the kids size.
(3)Ali H.
The restaurant is pretty roomy so wait times to get seated is not bad, plus it is in Tustin District so you can walk around the open air mall if you have to wait. Food is great and priced reasonably. I like their clam chowder which comes with fresh loaf of sourdough bread. They also have a room (well more like a covered patio) that you can use for bigger parties. One of my friends had his 70th birthday party there and it was just perfect.
(4)Thi V.
First off, let me say that our past experiences from the Bluewater Grill location in Newport Beach have always been outstanding, so we were QUITE disappointed in how we were treated this time at the Tustin Location. I made a reservation the week before for 6:30 pm for dinner with my hubby to celebrate our 9 year anniversary. We had been looking forward to this outing all week, since we don't get a chance to go out to dinner just us, since we have a 4 year old. The hostess on the phone guaranteed that there should be no problem if we are a couple of minutes late, and that they would keep our table no matter what. We arrived 5 minutes late due to traffic. When my husband approached the hostess stand, he was told that it would be 15 min wait for our table, and were asked to step aside and have a seat in the waiting area. We said no problem. Three (3) parties of the SAME size that came walking in were seated before we were. After seeing this, my husband approached the hostess again, and she just scoffed at him, and said hold on, and walked off. The guy who was seating people came up to find out if we needed a table. My husband tells him we had at reservation at 6:30 (it was now 6:50) and notice 3 parties were seated before us. The guy tells us that the "other girl" didn't tell him we had a reservation and is very rude to us, and eventually says that we have another 30 min to wait since, "we are currently extremely busy at the moment...you know how happy hour gets." Like that is supposed to make us feel better? The original girl comes up to us to tell us that she has a booth for us, and they are just wiping it down. She starts to walk us to the booth, only to find out that "someone took her booth and is sitting people there without her knowledge." Thing is she leads us to 2 other "open" booths, and in every situation, they were all taken. What was most upsetting....was the fact that all "open" booths the servers were there already taking orders....so how could they have been "swooped" up with such swiftness? Anyway, after such bad treatment, we ended up leaving and finding another place to eat. We will never return nor would we EVER suggest this place to any of our friends. I'm not even sure if we would even go back to the Newport Beach location now if this is how the business is run. Totally threw a wrench into what was supposed to be a fun & celebatory evening.
(1)Lydia D.
Happy hour sliders are deelish and come with a small order of fries. Good if you want something light. Happy hour drinks are ok but nothing really stands out.
(3)Jay B.
I came here during Happy Hour Week with a bunch of friends I think the happy hour prices are very decent. $4 micros, $5 guiness, and the other drinks are fairly priced for hh. Remember you're eating out, so it's hard to find $1 or $2 beers at a place, esp one that has the ambiance of Bluewater. HH food is also pretty good; the shrimp, burger slider, oyster shooters(a pair), calamari slider, calimari - all $5 and under. The service is great; our server(Stephanie) was very friendly and accommodating. We had a big party (10) and we snagged a small table at first; she helped us move to an area with tables that would accommodate our group as soon as it's previous occupants left. The bar area itself is on the smaller side, so be prepared to wait if you come during hh rush.
(4)Chantel M.
Food and atmosphere just ok. Expected more, won't return-plenty of better places to go.
(2)Vincci L.
I got a Groupon for Bluewater Grill and since I was around the area, I decided to try it out with the fiance. First of all, the plaza where it is located is beautiful, and I happily shopped for hours (I'm a Michaels and Whole Foods type of girl) before my reservation time. We were seated promptly at 7pm and were greeted by awesome waiter Jason (hi Jason! You said you'd be waiting for this...) We noticed the $1 drink special for Yelpers (woot woot!), and the manager came out and gleefully accepted it. No fuss, no hassle (unlike some other restaurants that make you jump through hoops...) I ordered my beloved grilled artichoke and fish and chips, and they were both delicious. Okay, of course I might be a bit biased (but if it wasn't delicious, it was at least very very decent) b/c of Jason's attentiveness, but service makes up for at least half of the overall experience, no? After we devoured the food, we let Jason know about the groupon, and even though they don't usually allow groupon and drink special in a single sitting, they let it slide because... I use Yelp? I know, they LOVE us! They really love us (that includes you, fellow Yelpers)! So the next time you decide to go, remember to announce that you're a Yelper loud and proud! One thing to note: the inside of the restaurant has horrible reception. Or it could just be AT&T. Or that Siri chose not to talk to me. Fail.
(4)DON M.
Went to dinner (Thurs.) rather early and were immediately seated. Service throughout was professional, attentive, but never intrusive. We started with a bowl of steamers. Lots of small clams (many had left their shells and were found on the bottom - is that good or bad?). Quite yummy and it called for a reorder of bread for sopping up the liquid. My son had the crusted talapia and said it was very good. I really enjoyed my pan-sautéed walleye (pike). The portion was generous and it's very mild (as advised by our waitress). This would be an alternate choice for those who say they don't care for fish (like many halibut eaters I have known). This restaurant is a "go-to" place for us.
(4)Grace T.
I came here for the first time during OC beer week, so prices were much cheaper and there was a menu with selective items. In general their menu is on the pricier side (but its seafood so what can you expect?) and I heard that their portions tend to run small? Anyways, I loved what I got it was fulfilling and I definitely got enough food! I had a tilapia dish: grilled tilapia fish with mashed potatoes and grilled veggies paired with a Stella. Service was good and attentive, it was very empty that day (on a Saturday afternoon) and the restaurant is pretty large.
(3)Ryer F.
Fave date night place with my husband. Great service, food and ambiance.
(5)Joa K.
came here for happy hour last night. not bad, not great. it's just a regular ol' happy hour kind of place. no frills no fuss. many TV screens. the mojito wasn't bad. we got the fish tacos, burger slider, artichoke dip, calamari, and i think that's it? complimentary sourdough bread came out too. nothing was particularly memorable. the fish taco and burger was dry but i did enjoy the artichoke dip and calamari. my friend Jami had a groupon thing so our whole meal was only $0.82 plus a $5 tip! great! i'm not sure i'd come back here.....maybe their dinner menu is worth a shot. *shrug*
(3)Jon N.
This was the second stop for my co-worker's going away thing. The Happy Hour train's second (and last) stop was at Bluewater Grill. Nothin' like a human train of pasty white IT workers getting their drink on. yeahhhhh.... I thought the service was excellent. The drinks were flowing towards the end of happy hour at 7:30pm. Imagine a bunch of nerds having a conversation. Now imagine them DRUNK or buzzed. I think at one point we were talking about how traveling to distant stars/galaxies was possible only if we were able to somehow fold space. ONLY IF. Keep staring down your empty pint, bucko. The waiters kept bringing us water although we stopped ordering real items long ago. It was very nice of them to put up to us. Reading the other reviews here on Yelp about this place it makes me curious about their Thur. night event. Gigity gigity.
(4)Daniel B.
I went here for my brother's b-day. It was a Tuesday around 6:30ish, and the place was less than half full. Walking in, the place is clean and has nice decor, but I'm all about the food. Here is the breakdown: Oysters Rockefeller: Good. They went heavy on the cheese which to me is always a good thing. Can't really go wrong with oysters Rockefeller, one of my favorite dishes. Swordfish: Edible, but not very enjoyable, and I really like swordfish! It had no flavor and the texture was whatever. The waiter actually recommended it to us because it was "speared" or something. My brother's swordfish was partially undercooked on one side too, which is just wrong. I could honestly grill a better swordfish at home, no joke. Total disappointment. Sides: If it matters, my sides were steamed broccoli and some kind of wild rice. The broccoli was healthy and fresh, and the rice was bland, but filling. Overall, the meal was pretty lame, and the high pricing point they have doesn't make it any better. If you are looking for a tasty, satisfying meal then unfortunately I would not recommend this place.
(2)Greg T.
- What's the garnish for the oysters? COCKtail sauce - What's the garnish for the crab meat appetizer served on shredded lettuce!?!? COCKtail sauce - Well, I'm sure the shrimp is served with COCKtail sauce too, and it's this exact reason why I stay away f
(2)Marc L.
It's definitely not a poor restaurant, but as someone who frequents Asian restaurants, I can't help but be a little disappointed in the portions. What I've always thought was amusing about American seafood restaurants was how they throw out parts of the fish you'd NEVER think of tossing in a Chinese restaurant- then again, maybe they do something with it, but just don't serve it along with the rest of the dish? In any case, American seafood restaurants are all about INDIVIDUAL PORTIONS. I mean, that's great and all, and the amount is "just" right, but I just feel like I'd be getting more bang for my buck at a Chinese restaurant (where you get a whole fish that you'd share over the table) or a Japanese restaurant (where you could at least order more and not feel like a pig). Taste-wise, everything is fresh and well-prepared. I thoroughly enjoyed my sanddabs (in fact, I actually did wish there was more), and my parents were satisfied with the swordfish and sashimi combo they each ordered. To finish, we ordered an interesting dessert- a "flameless" bananas foster, made with breaded banana slices, with caramel drizzled over vanilla ice cream. A nice, pleasant end to a nice, pleasant meal... But I was hungry again two hours later.
(3)Jen R B.
I went here a couple of times. One was for happy hour for drinks and appetizers. I had sat at the bar. They have this funny empty crack along the length of the bar though and when i moved my glass....it tipped into the crack and spilled my wine. booo.... :( The waiter was awesome though and poured me another on the house! Yay!!! I thought the clam chowder soup was excellent! The second time I went here was for dinner. I had the shrimp skewers dinner and my date had the seabass. My dinner was OK... nothing memorable about the meal. It was just plain, I thought. They didn't ask my date how they wanted it prepared though and it came out kinda dry. He had me try it and I agreed. It tasted different from when I last had seabass. This tasted on the dry overcooked side. We ordered a couple of appetizers that were ok but after the end of the meal, he finished my plate for me. He was still hungry even after we were done with the appetizers and the meals. The decor was nice though and they had a live musician playing in the bar area.
(3)Anne Q. T.
The last set of friends we took to Blue Water Grill for dinner really like this location. They raved about the food especially the Sand Dabs and salmon. My standing favorite item is always the cippiono which at BWG mounts up to a good mix of seafood. Nice ambience for business lunches/ dinners. Service attentive. As this is so close to our office, we need to get back here more often.
(4)Dana S.
Happy hour with triny weeny! That was the only shining light of the night. We got there at 5pm when there was barely anyone there. A bartender saw me and another guy waiting at the bar, and walked AWAY to the other side and start chatting with a patron. I walked over there only to find out they don't have specialty drinks as part of happy hour, only well drinks like cranberry-vodka, and jack and coke. Boring! I get champagne for $1 with a check-in deal, then wrangle a passing busboy to get a waitress. where's the service in this place?! Erin, our waitress, comes over and we ask her if there are any drink specials (maybe the bartender was just being difficult). She says "yeah, we have a wonderful cranberry mojito..." and names some others. Triny gets the mojito and we order some food. From there, service SEEMS good. She comes to check on us and the food is AMAZING. She asks if I want another glass of champagne and I say yes. When onto my third it dawns on me it may not be part of happy hour, "is the champagne part of happy hour," I ask, "oh, no, sorry" she says. Great :-/ "Well are the mojitos part of happy hour?" "No sorry. Oh wait, I guess because they have club soda they would be," she replies. "Okay, I'll have one of those." What waitress doesn't know that people in the bar during happy hour want happy hour deals?! She was just bumping up her bill. At the end of the night she comes up and says "sorry, but I THOUGHT the Mojitos were part of happy hour but they're not. I can take a FEW DOLLARS off the bill. Sorry about that." Great. In the end, we paid $8 each for Mojitos and champagne, and guess what??? She DOES take 4 whole dollars off, BUT I didn't notice until this morning there is a CHARGE of $4 for Bar rum. WHAT THE HELL IS THAT? She charges us full price for Mojitos, then sneaks in a charge of $4 for bar rum, to make it looks like she takes off $4, which was piddly to start with? So disappointing. So, classy ambiance, good food, bad service, sneaky waitress, and a $50 bill at the end of the night for HAPPY HOUR. Happy hour bills are usually like $30-$35 for 2 people. The nice ambiance and good food don't even elicit another star, because I feel so taken advantage of. So pissed, I won't be back.
(1)Nancy O.
This review is for the Vegetarian options and Dessert: Came here for a coworker's birthday and thought to myself that they probably would have a limited vegetarian selection -being that it is a seafood restaurant. To my delight, our waitress was kind enough to introduce to us a separate vegetarian menu -yeah!! for about $12, there was a choice of pasta primavera, grilled veggie sandwich, grilled cheese, salad, etc. So, if you're vegetarian and stuck in this place -there are options. I got the grilled veggies sandwich with an orzo side Greek salad that was very fresh and tasty. Then came the dessert. The dessert truly does deserve 4-5 stars. We got the banana foster tower to share. It was a hit! It had a slice of banana chocolate chip loaf on the bottom, followed by vanilla bean ice cream, then fried bananas, more ice cream and bananas, dusted with cinnamon and drizzles with a sweet sauce -Very delicious. The dessert is definitely a reason to return.
(3)KimAnh N.
I had the best service last night! The server we had was so friendly and attentive that I gave her 30% tip. Everyone was nice and the food was great! We were there for happy hour at the bar ares and will definitely come back again soon! Oh, if you haven't tried their scallop sashimi then you are missing out! It's a must try!!!
(5)Meg T.
Went here for lunch during OC week. My bf had the burger and said it was pretty good. However I got the fish tacos and it was meh. The clam chowder is pretty good, but I don't think it could make up for the fish tacos. I won't be returning.
(2)Diane G.
Blue Water Grill in Tustin is as good as it gets. My BFF & I have been on a quest to find the best Bloody Mary in the county so Sunday 6/1/14 we hit a couple places starting with our favorite restaurant Blue Water Grill. We are 100% pleased with everything about this place: the decor & ambiance, the lovely patio dining area, the staff, the food (the swordfish is to die for) & their sourdough bread reminds me of the best in San Francisco. Our bartender, Dave, presented us with the most fabulous Bloody Marys we've ever tasted! He asked if we want them spicy & we do - extra horseradish & tabasco did the trick. He garnished our drinks with a tall stalk of celery & a skewer with a lime wedge, a crispy piece of bacon, a sweet cocktail onion, & a huge Spanish olive stuffed with bleu cheese. Wish I knew how to post the picture we took. BTW, their artichokes are fab & we're addicted to their shrimp cocktails with giant prawns. We thought my homemade Bloody Marys couldn't be beat. We were wrong! At the 2nd place we went Sunday, the bartender had previously bragged about his Bloody Marys so we gave him a try. After one sip we gagged & walked out. From the best to the worst in one day. We'll keep up our quest, but I can't imagine how we'll find anything to top Dave's drink. When you go in, ask Dave about some of his personal drink creations. He served the lady near us a raspberry lemon drop martini that she was raving over. Really...ya just gotta try this place out.
(5)Lucas C.
This was a most disappointing experience. This is restaurant that, in my book had quite a bit going for it . It held a high review from Yelp* and was recommended by a friend. What could possibly go wrong. I am beginning to think that there is some massive grade inflation going on in Orange County. Completely average experiences are seamingly getting four and five star ratings simply because the restaurant did their job. Lets raise the level of expectation or, at minimum grade accurately. 3 stars is not a bad rating it is simply average. The place did what it was supposed to do. Sorry. I am now off my soap box. Appetizer: Calamari Fritti my wife often order this dish when it is available. The bluewater grill's offering was less than stellar. I found the breading to be chewy and heavy and the dipping sauce flavorless. For my main I ordered the Halibut, Alaska tempura and yam crusted with sweet chili glaze and glass noodle salad. This was honestly one of the most beautiful pieces of fish i have ever seen. Large succulent and mouth watering in appearance. The first bite ended my love affair. The sweet chili glaze was not used as a glaze but rather a soup. There was so much sauce it was comical. The problem here was that the sweet chili totally overwhelmed everything. It was the only thing that you could taste. I have rarely sent anything back to a kitchen and I was heartbroken at the thought of this gorgeous fish going to waste. Truthfully i was angry that someone could have abused such a dish by overzealously pouring so much sauce on it. When my waiter came to check on us i asked him if this amount of "glaze" was normal. He said it look like a bit much and then walked away to check on something else. I tried powering through it but it was inedible. I was upset that the food was wasted. Having only consumed a quarter of my meal the waiter did, insultingly, offer us a free dessert which we politely declined in order to catch the film that was starting soon. I paid full price for my meal. People make mistakes. Sometimes you pour a bit to much sauce on the fish, sometimes you lack the insight to see that your guest is unhappy, sometimes you do a poor job of service recovery but when it all happens at the same time its difficult to forgive. This is an easy place to pass up.
(2)Steve E.
Our family of four went for dinner. Service was excellent, with good recommendations from our waitress. For appetizers, we had the calamari and oysters on the half shell. The calamari was done just right - crispy but not oily/greasy. For my entree, I had the sea scallops, once again cooked just right, served with a yummy spinach/mushroom mixture. My wife had the paella, which was only average. My sons had mahi-mahi and swordfish which they really enjoyed. A pleasant, tasty dinner that didn't break the bank. I recommend the Bluewater Grill.
(4)Lee N.
We had a great time here at Bluewater Grill. We order the Seafood Platter as an appetizer and shared their "seasonal" dishes. The food was great and the service was outstanding. A dinner for 4 came out to $160, including tax and tip. Would definitely recommend!
(5)Toby W.
Great food and a really nice place. They need a ribeye on the menu though.
(5)Cat Q.
After you had dinner there, the second day, you will not remember what you had that night. Service is friendly and good. Location is nice and easy to get a parking lot. A forgettable place to be.
(2)Jenilee E.
My first time going here was yesterday w/ my boyfriend for lunch. We figured, we were hungry and we like seafood, so why not try this out. The decor was nice and it seemed really slow the time we came in with only a few tables sat. We were greeted by what I assumed to be a manager. He was very nice and got us started and made some recommendations. We started with the Crabmeat cocktail. My boyfriend ordered the fish (Mahi?) sliders and I ordered the Fish & Chips which the server recommended. The crab cocktail was just ok. Not the best I've ever had. My boyfriend said the Sliders were good but tiny since you got 2 sliders each on a Hawaiian Roll. My fish and chips were just alright . My issue with them was within my first bite there were two fishbones that I picked out of my mouth. Being Filipino, I'm use to bones in my fish, but I know a few ppl that would raise hell. That was kind of a turn off bc that was the first time I've ever had bones in my fish and chips and within my first bite which prompted me to chew more cautiously for the rest of the meal. Also, both of our orders of fries were cold when we got them. Drink service-wise. When my boyfriend ordered his 2nd beer, the pint glass was busted. There was a big chip missing from the top and a crack down the glass. Weird to think that the Bartender missed that. We told our server who ordered a new one. She then took my Coke and forgot that she was going to refill it, so I sat there for awhile without it. She looked over at our table & I guess my bf saw her surprise when she remembered that she forgot to bring it back. I'm not one to make a scene or complain, I have a lot of patience. Maybe since there were multiple things that came up during the same meal made me give this place only 2 stars, I don't know. I just wasn't that impressed. Would I come back here? Probably not, maybe if friends of mine wanted to go there but won't make the extra effort. Maybe happy hour is better since I saw a few reviews on here about it. But as the 2-Stars state = "Meh, I've experienced better."
(2)Ann C.
SWORDFISH EXPERTS The waiter Brian knew his fish and was telling us that they harpooned their own swordfish and brought it in fresh. He told us one swordfish is good for both restaurants (tustin & newport loc) for a few days. When asked what happens if the fisherman has a bad day and doesn't catch anything? He replies, "no, our guys are really good they always catch their swordfish!" Ok, it was funny at the time but it doesn't sound very funny now LOL Anyways here's my review for the food: Lemon Mahi Mahi: it's lightly breaded and topped with thousand islandy sauce. Comes w/ side of sauteed spinach. Tasty. If you like fish but don't like it too "seafood-y" then this is a winner. Miso grilled Talapia: very sweet and comes w/ string beans. Nothing wow-ed me here. Charbroiled Chilean Seabass: I guess you get what you paid for because this sucker was $29 but worth every penny! Succulent, melt in your mouth buttery texture. The roasted veggies were also delicious. I would order this again in a heartbeat. *ka-thump* Creme Brulee: top wasn't very crunchy and the custard was too thick. Banana Foster: delicious vanilla ice cream with battered and lightly fried bananas. It wasn't as heavy as I imagined- great to share!
(4)Kim C.
Great for happy hour. The menu prices range from $4 to $7 for a nice selection of menu items. The calamari with cocktail sauce was lightly breaded & tasty and the crab & artichoke dip served with tortilla chips was also good. Well drinks are $4. Nice ambiance and good service. Definitely worth going back for.
(4)Chris W.
Good menu options and nice venue and staff. The Boston clam chowder is always creamy and rich.
(4)Dru C.
First off, I love all types of seafood. And I'd like think I have a pretty firm grasp of what good seafood should taste like. So when I first laid eyes on the San Francisco Cioppino (see picture) that I ordered today, I had just about died and gone to seafood heaven. What I first noticed was the actual seafood to soup ratio was about 2 to 1. At other places I've tried, including in SF, it's actually other way around or even worse. So when I dug in to my bowl, it was a mouthful of crab, shrimp, fish, and quite a few clams and mussels. About the only thing missing was a big hunking piece of lobster, and that would've been the extra cherry on top. My wife gave a thumbs up on her Seafood Louie Salad and on the cups of clam chowder we had as appetizers. You definitely pay more for the nice decor and atmosphere.
(4)H A.
My first time here. I loved the atmosphere. The Cajun Salmon was grilled just the way I liked it. The sides were good too, but I preferred the mashed potatoes over the rice. I recommend this place. Try it out for an intimate dinner. You will like it.
(4)David v.
Came here on a Saturday night for some dinner (and partially to celebrate my birthday which was like weeks ago). The decor is decent. It has a steakhouse type vibe to it except with fish related accents everywhere. We got seated and ordered some drinks. A few of the people in the party ordered some mixed drinks and a couple said it was a little too sweet for their taste. One got sent back it was that sweet. I naturally ordered some Stella since they had it on tap. Hard to mess that up, but it did happen to me at another place just last week. For my meal, I ordered the New England Clambake and for $26.95, it is definitely worth it. The lobster and clams were pretty good. Definitely not the best I has had, but pretty good for a seafood place in OC. The butter makes everything worth it... so good and yet so bad. Bluewater Grill is a decent seafood joint. The Clambake was good , the service at times was lacking, the drinks were below average, and the experience was just meh. With the exception of the Clambake, everything else on the menu seemed overpriced for what you get. Bluewater Grill comes in right in the middle. 3 star.
(3)Gigi M.
Cool, lively, loved the look and feel of the place. The food and service were good. We ate: Hammersley, WA; half a dozen oysters on a half shell - tasty but could've been bigger! Moderately sized oysters. Barramundi Seabass, Australia - Good Mahi, Mahi - Good Beer Battered Fish & Chips - OK Overall good seafood place, there wasn't anything that tasted extraordinary. However, one of the sides was very good; it was a salad of some sort.
(4)Kay D.
Happy hour seems to be where it's at. Unfortunately, I missed happy hour by about 10 minutes. I came here on a Thursday evening with my lady friend, and we were looking just to have a drink or two at the bar and then be on our way. We were pleased to see that the bar was super spacious and very classy. We are classy ladies and we need our bars to reflect our classiness. Classy! Our bartender was super friendly and accommodating. I had the mojito, my friend had a green mai tai. My mojito was perfect...and STRONG. After one drink, I was feeling done for the evening. We decided to try one more drink from their specials menu...El Diablo. The description inspired thoughts of key lime pie...with alcohol. Neither one of us wanted an entire drink more, so we asked to split it and the bartender made us each half a drink in a smaller glass. Hooray! It turns out that the El Diablo is disgusting, and neither one of us could finish it. The bartender felt bad, but we assured him that it was the recipe and not his skills. Some creepster ended up paying for our drink anyway, so it was no loss to us. I thoroughly enjoyed their bar atmosphere, and will most likely be back! Keepin' it classy.
(4)Addison S.
My girlfriend and I had a terrific meal at Bluewater last night. The pasta had some of the largest scallops I could imagine and a flavor that makes we want to return. We decided to go to Bluewater over the other restaurants in The District due to the $1 drink Check-In on Yelp. Thank You Yelp for helping make our decision easy and thank you Bluewater Grill for the great meal.
(4)Justin B.
Pros: Fresh seafood, nice decor Cons: Not knowing who your server is Last week, I noticed Bluewater Grill opened at the District so I figured I'd take my parents here for dinner. The decor inside the restaurant is pretty nice. I noticed that most of the people here were wearing regular street clothes, so it doesn't seem like there's a dress code. When we were seated, it seemed like we didn't have a "designated" server. For the first couple minutes, we had different people taking our orders for drinks, appetizers, and our meals. Although that was somewhat annoying, we really didn't have to wait that long for someone to help us. Anyway, we ended up ordering the following: APPETIZERS: Dozen oysters - I think they were kunamotos and hammersleys. Personally, I don't have a very delicate tongue for tasting the difference between oysters. Regardless, they were delicious. Crab cakes - Mostly crab. Some places cheat you on the crab cakes because they put bread in the mix. Not here. Very good. Calamari - Lightly breaded. Also, very good. MAIN COURSES: Salmon - Grilled to perfection. Sometimes people under cook or overcook salmon. This was just right. It was served with mixed vegetables and sauteed spinach. I liked it a lot. I don't remember what my parents, my brother, and my girlfriend ended up getting, but I don't think they had any complaints. Overall, if you like seafood, I think you definitely should check this place out. For our oysters, 2 appetizers, 5 entrees, the bill was around $180.00. Anyway, since its in the District, I would recommend this place for a dinner and a movie.
(4)Wayne L.
They have a decent happy hour and dinner menu. I compare them similar to King's Fish House or Tap's. I've been here for lunch a few times and they're pretty good as well. The steamers are a good appetizer. This location is great for business meetings.
(3)Tina S.
I was so disappointed. My birthday dinner on Friday night was horrible. The waitstaff was super pissed because everything was coming out wrong or confused. The smoked albacore and salmon appetizer was so dry it was like wood, and the paella was inedible -- the whole thing was way too salty and the rice was cooked elsewhere and dumped into the paella pan right before they served it -- like you would'nt know?!?!? There was so much service craziness, like a water brought a dish and seafood fork for my husband's oysters when he was already finished, then it got cleared away unused but them when the paella came the same waiter scolded us because it had been cleared from the table ("I know I brought one already!!"). Whatever. When we were done with entrees the normal waiter said "You don't want desert, right?" We did. I ordered the creme brulee to share (there were three of us and we got two forks -- not that big of a deal but just added insult to injury) and she actually brought the check before the desert came! The whole time we were sitting by the waiter's computer stand and listening to them complain and fight. There have been so many great things said about this restaurant I wanted to like it. In fact I gave it more than one star because I will go back and give it another chance. It looks like this was an anomaly but I felt compelled to write about it. Waah.
(2)Tammy N.
Worse manager ever that works there. We have been there a few times and had good service and good food. We came here on June for dinner. We ordered kids meal and adult entrees. Kids meal comes with drinks, the drinks never came for the kids, we had to ask the server for them when our dinner arrived. What was most appalling was that our dinner arrived and still no kids meal, we asked and they said they will go check. We waited for a few minutes and still nothing, we asked the server, he went back and that's when they started to make it! When it came out, it was wrong. I asked the manager over, he was such a jerk. He said 'what do you want me to do about it'! What a jerk. The poor server, he was not very good but at least he was nice. I gave him a hard time. I think he finally went and talked to the manager and they took the kids meal off the bill. Had that jerk of a manager just apologized at the beginning, it would have been so much easier. The fact that he just had an attitude, that was a problem for me. No wonder, this place was not busy at all on a weekend evening. I've been to BJ's before and once the waitress delivered our meal and she noticed the kids meal was not out, she immediately got her manager who came to apologize and immediately took the meal off our bill. She kept apologizing, she came bay later to check on us and apologized again. Now, that is great customer service. Bluewater Grill cost so much more, I expect better service.
(1)Cuong V.
Not much to rave about here. Fish was fresh, but I just got the Fish and Chips. How fresh does it have to be for them to deep fry it and taste good? I still think it is over-priced.
(3)Mike G.
I have a few friends that really like this restaurant but I'm not sure I see the allure. The food is pretty good, but I personally think that it's a little pricey for what it is. I've heard that they have a pretty good happy hour though, but I have never experienced that first-hand. I may come back, but there are a lot of other restaurants at The District though.....
(3)Sue B.
Came here on a Friday night for a quick dinner with another couple. We were escorted to our table, dirty, food all over the place, wasn't cleaned off yet.. The server quickly told us to hold on (while still standing there)... and no one came! Why are you telling me to stand next to a dirty table, get me a new one! BF was pissed already... After a long week of work, we'd just like to unwind with a quite pleasant dinner.. Well, we're never coming here again! Okay, So now we're all sitting down.. Ambiance is dark.. booths are nice and big.. we're eating our cold, overcooked fish with cold rice pilaf.. bland as heck.. and then BAMM!!! Loud crunk-ass hip-hop music from the 90's start playing.. We have to scream over the music to even talk to each other. And if that's not bad enough, 30 feet to the right, towards the main entrance.. There's a jazz band that's playing also! This restaurant tries to be too much all at once.. To be fancy, to be intimate, to be hip, and to be a club!!! FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL... Never again.. I hope your restaurant goes under.. I will NEVER come here again.. And hopefully this review saves someone else from eating bland, cold, overpriced food.. Served by slow incongruous waiters who have no clue what that heck is going on.. *Go to Market Broiler.. One in FV one in Orange.. Fresh fish, daily specials, quite environment and knowledgeable wait staff*
(1)Chris S.
Bomb calimari. We did the swordfish tacos and some kind of shrimp salad. I didn't think the salad was that good but the tacos were great. Server was nice and attentive.Will go back for dinner service..
(4)Carolyn K.
We were recommended here by a valet at Grand Californian Hotel in Disneyland. We wanted seafood, fresh, not fried. The preparation of their fresh fish was excellent. I like when the menu tells you exactly what is fresh and where it comes from. The oysters were good, the cocktails tasty. Service was not great, but easily overlooked when eating well-prepared swordfish in a restaurant where children are prevalent. No cappucino machine, just regular coffee.
(4)Erin O.
The food was ok. The waiter was attentive. The prices were high for some of the items on the menu...but I guess that is the way they roll in Orange County.
(3)Mondo Z.
The location is very nice, located in the fairly new District shopping area in the Tustin/Irvine border. The restaurant is also very polished as well, nice lighting, full bar, etc. However, we both ordered fish plates, i ordered halibut and my date ordered the fish special they offered that day ( i forget what it was). The service was great, but the food was lacking any real taste. Both of our dishes seemed to have just been boiled with no seasoning or salt. Very much bummed with the outcome. It was my first time and my last. Really expected much more from a fish grill restaurant. :/
(2)Adam F.
OC Restaurant Week OC Restaurant Week is back!!! For those that aren't familiar, OC Restaurant Week is the opportunity to have great food at great restaurants at great prices. Tons of restaurants from all over Orange County put together their best courses at a low price in order to participate in what is arguable the largest organized cuisine feast in California. Now, I don't get to go out that often as an unemployed Californian, but once-a-year opportunities like this can't be passed. After all, going out is good for your health! The Story Yesterday, my gf was kind enough to take me out to Bluewater Grill Seafood Restaurant which is one of many food joints participating in OC Restaurant Week. Located in the Tustin District, Bluewater Grill is more of an upscale business lunch or romantic dinner spot. Bluewater Grill's website may make it look laid back, but the only lunch eaters I saw on my outing were dressed up in suits and business dresses. The Food The "prix fixe" menus, as OC Restaurant Week calls them, had three courses at Bluewater Grill. Each course had several choices. For starters, I had a delicious New England Clam Chowder. Now I know it was high quality because their were just a few potato blocks and tons (and I do mean tons) of clams pieces. For the entree, I had the fish and chips. Normally you'd expect it to be really heavy, but the fried fish here has nothing but light and crisp. My gf got the panko crusted red snapper which I have to say was better than mine. Third course is normally dessert, but I had a white wine pairing with my lunch as my third course. My gf, on the other hand, had their deliciously sweet bread pudding. Considering that our three course lunch was only $15.00 each, I think I might go back! The Staff: Very friendly staff. Funny, that my waitress has a picture up on the yelp slide show here. Anyway, she's super nice and polite. Their very helpful, food came fast, and the check was processed timely. :)
(5)Richard C.
We spent the evening with friends going through the appetizer menu. Our server was friendly and attentive. The manager checked on us and explained a couple of the menu items. The artichoke and crab dip is as good as others have said. The ceviche lettuce wraps are really great and the grilled artichokes are so good we orders them twice. Will be back agin And soon I hope. Their happy hour is a bargain.
(5)Ocean B.
Recently had a delicious lunch salad at Bluewater Grill: A mound of fresh crab meat on arugula with sliced avocado, and tomato garnish. Ask for the dressing on the side, and enjoy the excellent crab with just a squeeze of fresh lemon. They also do a decent beer-battered fish and chips.
(4)Del C.
I gotta say - we've been here a few times and it's just OK in my book. The Cedar Plank Salmon is good, but I have to say that their grill fish is not that great. I've gotten different grill fish there [halibut and sea bass] and they overcook the damn thing every time. Dry and tough. I had to send it back one time and it still sucked. And the rice pilaf they serve with the Cedar Plank Salmon...why does it have to be cold? Why can't they give have a different kind of rice pilaf so I can get it warm? I think this place was better when it was near South Coast Plaza. Man, I sound bitter. I think I kinda am.
(3)Darren T.
Maybe I'm took picky. Maybe I'm too harsh. Maybe I should've just rounded up. This is a 3.5 star to me. The food was good. Nothing original, but it filled me up and I was happy about it. So why isn't this a 4 or a 5? I don't know. It just did not have the wow factor. It was nothing impressive. Not much to write about. But I will try to extend my review a bit more. I came here for OC restaurant week. Took a long lunch to drive over here (The District) and enjoy a nice meal. $15 for three courses. Well, it was two courses for me because I wanted a glass of wine. (Gotta get boozed up before going back to work right?) My friends ordered for me because I came a bit late. They got me the clam chowder and roughy. The chowder was really good. The roughy was good too. Nothing special though. Came with a side of tartar sauce and plated with some potatoes and steamed veggies. Again, nothing special. Was gonna jump over to JT Schmid's next door to get more boozed up but Don didn't want to. Oh well. Anyway, nothing amazing about this place, I would probably come back again to try other things. Anyway, gotta get off Yelp, manager's been looking over my shoulder!
(3)O G.
I'd give them an "A" for effort, but a "C-" for execution. Went for the fixed price New Year's Eve dinner (early in the evening before they were super busy), and the menu selections were great. Unfortunately, they forgot our appetizer until right before our dessert (so, shrimp cocktail right before key lime pie is not a great combo). I had the lobster tail, and it was so overcooked that it took a steak knive to cut, and the edges were actually so dry they were brown -- what a waste of a great piece of seafood. I sent it back, and they were quite nice about reducing the bill. I also had the spinach, which looked beautiful but had no seasoning whatsoever. And the squash were grossly overcooked and watery. Likewise, the ceasar dressing is heavy on the vinegar, but otherwise has no flavor. Lobster bisque was bland, as well. The key lime pie may have been adequate, but it was served with a raspberry sauce that was overpowering. They clearly have some creativity in their menu, and the quality of the raw ingredients seems to be quite good, but someone in the kitchen needs cooking lessons. And, they need to get the details under control, like serving the meal with the correct order and timing. Within earshot of our table, two other tables were getting items removed from their bills, so it seems our experience wasn't that unique.
(2)Hazel F.
Came here for a lunch meeting twice now! Not bad, just a little expensive and there is nothing in the menu that would make me come back for more. The only reason that I'd come back is if I get invited to another lunch meeting again. Seriously! I would much rather go to another seafood restaurant near the coast rather than pay premium seafood without the view!
(2)Paul H.
Had dinner there tonight, just before the dinner rush. The hostess was exceptional in getting us the seating we desired - acted like a true professional! The server was equally great and made our dinner experience every bit as good (and better) than other very well-liked fish restaurants. The shrimp (prawn) cocktail was awesome, as was the cocktail sauce. The dinner was impeccably prepared and served hot. I'm so glad we saw this place, as we now have a new favorite fish restaurant!!! If you don't like the prices, look around. They are every bit competitive with every other fish place in Orange and Los Angeles Counties. Bluewater Grill ROCKS!
(5)Maria H.
I wanted to take my parents out to celebrate their March birthdays, and decided to take them to Bluewater Grill after glancing through the list of restaurants on the OC Restaurant Week page. I've dined at the Newport Beach location a few times, and have been pretty satisfied with the food/ambiance so I assumed the Tustin restaurant would offer a similar experience. Boy was I WRONG as last night turned out to be one of the worst dining experiences ever. Upon entering the restaurant, we were informed that they are "running late" so they would not be able to seat us for another 20 minutes despite of my reservation. When we started glancing around, it was pretty apparent that the restaurant staff were struggling to control the flow on the floor. The hostess came up to us twice attempting to bring us to our table only to find out that someone else was already sitting there, or the table was simply not ready. 20+ min after my reserved time, we were finally seated. The waitress came to take our order, and we were ready to have a good meal after the initial chaos. That unfortunately will not happen as the night just went on a downward spiral. She brought our clam chowders (2 New England and 1 Manhattan), and they were pretty forgettable, but we were starving so we just scarfed the soup down. 15 min went by, 20 min went by, a server marched toward our table with food that was clearly not ours. We pointed him to the other direction where he found the rightful owner. 25 min went by, and our waitress came back to tell us that our food is finally getting plated. We were already semi-annoyed at that time, but we just kept our mouths shut until another server rushed over a bowl of "gumbo" that my dad ordered. I put gumbo in quotes because that plate looked NOTHING like a gumbo. It honestly looked more like a plate of shrimp fried rice that is wet. Where were the other two orders? Well, they would not come for another 10 min. 3 of us dug into the "gumbo" since it was the only food available, and all 3 of us simultaneous made this face the moment we it touched our mouths. The food was not only cold, but the shrimps were half cooked! Our waitress was nowhere to be found, and when she came back she just had this perplex look on her face. She took back the gumbo, and did not give us an explanation about the food nor the status of our other two entrees. At last, all of our orders came out 35 mins after we had finished the soup. The "gumbo" still looked like wet shrimp fired rice, except it's now hot. It's insane that they would normally charge people over $20 for that plate of crap. My talipia and my mom's salmon were pretty ordinary, they did not taste horrible, but they surely didn't taste great. Like I said before, it was supposed to be a birthday celebration, so I was not going to leave the night without getting some compensation after such a horrible experience. Our waitress so graciously offered to provide desserts "on the house", and my response to her was "Hmm the desserts are already included in the prix fixe." So she went to talk to her manage, and finally took the gumbo off the bill. But I can't end this review without mentioning the "free" desserts. I seriously dropped my jaw when she brought back the 2 tiny plates of desserts. The bread pudding and ice-cream resembled desserts you would find at a school cafeteria. I know the menu says bread pudding, but that mushy crap was probably the worst tasting thing of the night. Needless to say, we will not be visiting Bluewater Grill ever again.
(1)Jennifer N.
This review is long over due. I came here for OC Restaurant Week, which was at the end of February. I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who doesn't like the set up of the District. My mom and I lucky found close parking to the restaurant, and we enter looking for my sister who was waiting for us to arrive. We browsed the menu to make our selections. For restaurant week, it's a prix fixe menu, so obviously you will choose the most expensive items because you're paying $30 for a set meal. My mom and I wanted the lobster bisque but they were sold out and mind you this is at 7:30pm the peak time for dinner and it was a Wednesday! So we went to the New England Calm Chowder, which was good, but a little too much parsley for my taste. My sister had the garden salad, so you can't mess that up. My mom got the teriyaki salmon, which was a nice portion, but I felt it a little salty because it was drenched in the teriyaki sauce. My sister had the mahi mahi, which I didn't try but she took it home and eat it the next day for lunch. This usually means it was okay and not super gross, because if it was, she would still pack the leftovers and leave it in the fridge until someone else eats it or throws it away because it went bad. I had the SF style cioppino. It was okay, broth was nice and spicy, the clams, fish, and shrimp cooked well. The mussels on the other hand were not very good. One of the mussels looked like it had a barnacle on it, to my understanding I don't think it was suppose to be there if they were cleaned well. The meal ended with dessert with the choice of bread pudding or a sundae. My mom and I had the bread pudding, which was again okay, I was expecting a different look because it taste more like a cake than bread pudding. The sundae, which my sister ordered, again there is no way to mess that up. The service was good (this is why they got an extra star). They do get very descriptive in the beginning when explaining the specials, but it's good that the servers are well versed on the specials and the menu (something I learned from watching Restaurant Impossible with Robert Irvine). I don't know if I would come again, because one: this place is in the District, and two: I've been to better place near the coast. But on the positive, if you check in with yelp, your first drink is $1.
(3)Michele R.
After walking around the mall and admiring all the many places to eat, we chose Bluewater. The Golden Talapia was super fresh and cooked perfectly! We were very impressed with everything and would highly recommend!
(5)Suzanne K.
Food: boring! If you want a killer ahi salad, try Houstons for around the same price. The salad was prepared at BWG as if they just don't care. What a mess, and seriously boring. Also, spotted pieces of an ingredient I instructed to leave out because of an allergy. Unforgivable. They also cannot compete with Raw's ahi dishes, just next door, which are creative and delicious. BWG needs to get their game on! It IS a fish restaurant, right?? Service: Okay. But, I never had a drink refill. Bad ingredient in salad was regarded as an inconvenience, and I could see she was just hoping I wasn't going to push the issue. I didn't. Couldn't be bothered. Just wanted to leave and wished I could start lunch over somewhere else. Return to try again?: No. Too much competition right next door, in all directions at The District, with better food and service in the same price range.
(2)Rico N.
This place was pretty good. I took the wife here for her birthday. She loves seafood. We both had cajun grilled fish. It was fantastic. The appetizers were good too. The wife had an oyster shooter for the first time. Also on Monday's they have 50% off bottles so we were able to get a nice reisling with dinner. That's the wife's favorite wine. She loves her whites. We had desert, but I was so stuffed by the end of the meal I could barely walk. It is on the pricey side since it is a seafood grill, but it was for a special occasion. I'd go back. Our server was the best.
(3)Roxi M.
I dined here for OCRW with a friend of mine. We were both really excited to eat here, because we were intrigued by their Restaurant Week menu. And that's about it. Nothing about the lunch experience left me craving for more. Let me begin by saying we went on a Saturday afternoon and the place was empty. That should have been a HUGE sign screaming *TURN THE OTHER WAY AND NEVER LOOK BACK**!! But we didn't, to my dismay. I would have saved $10 and happily spent $5 at Johnny Rocket's down the way for some chili cheese fries. Yes, this place was that bad. They served sourdough bread, which was just fine, and I had a caesar salad to start, which wasn't bad. The drinks were served a bit oddly to us though. I believe it was the manager, but some very tall dangly fellow approached and towered over our table with a drink in each hand. He looked at both of us and then said, "SPRITE!?". I looked at him, kind of confused by his demeanor and said "That's me". He plopped both drinks down in front of the appropriate patron and walked away. If you're not sure what a plop is, just trust your instinct, it is what it sounds. Anyway, I finished my salad, and waited. I waited, waited, then waited some more. Then, I finally got my order: Fish and Chips. Boy, what a mistake. I don't know what it was about the fish! It was over fried and burnt and tasted like pure canola oil. It was disgusting. It didn't help much that our waitress (who easily can compete in women's heavyweight wrestling) was entirely unpleasant and inattentive. My friend (who didn't like her meal much either) and I finished up and waited a whole 10 minutes for our dessert. Our plates weren't even collected until a minute before dessert was ready. And they weren't even collected by our waitress, mind you. Must have forgotten how to do her job. Anyway, for an entire nine minutes, we both had our plates pushed over to the edge of the table (hoping the waitress would see). For an empty restaurant, I doubt scooping some vanilla ice cream in a dish can take up all of ten minutes. Service was bad, I wouldn't come back to this place just based on the service, even IF the food was decent. Thankfully, the food was worse and I wholeheartedly regret not eating from JT Shmidt's OCRW's menu across the way.
(1)Patty L.
I hosted a cocktail party as the Blue Water Grill last evening. Over 35 people attended. From my very first phone call and discussion with the manager, I received enthusiastic cooperation and even suggestions on how to make the event more pleasurable. We had a dedicated waitress who was attentive and the manager checked on us several times to be sure everything was going well. The bartenders were fast and efficient. The appetizers were delicious, the cocktails a great price. The atmosphere warm. I can't say enough about the manager and staff.
(5)Courtney H.
chris the bartender is awesome! only been there twice and he remembered our names and drink orders! check in on yelp and your drink is only $1!
(5)Sara B.
My girlfriend and I decided to go on a Friday night since the restaurant was featured in OC Restaurant week. We were seated very promptly which was great. We ordered off the Prix Fixe menu and I ordered the clam chowder soup and grilled salmon. The clam chowder was good. The salmon was OK.. could have used more seasoning or something.. was just kind of bland. My friend ordered the chicken and she said it was mediocre. We finished our entrees and waited for our dessert to arrive. 20 minutes later, the waiter brought our dessert. The bread pudding was cold and did not taste good. We didn't even finish the bread pudding. We will not go back.. sorry to say the waiter service on a Friday night was just not worth the $30 we paid for each meal.
(3)D S.
I have been a big fan of Blue Water Grill over the years until I had dinner with my wife and some friends Saturday night. My wife order the soft shell crab. Being from Maryland, she is a big fan of crab, but this was the worst she has ever tasted. I had the steak which was full of fat and really tought to eat. Our friends had the sand dabs which seemed to be okay. They also ordered the Paella, which left a lot to be desired. Overall, the meal left a lot to be desired. Blue Water Grill always is a good value, but I would rather have them raise prices a bit to ensure the quality is up to par with other seafood restaurants. It is sad to say, but this will probably be our last trip to Blue Water Grill!
(2)Barb R.
I should have known there is something wrong with the place. EMPTY on a Saturday night. Not sure what has happened here but the food was just blah. Cesar salad had no flavor, garlic toast no garlic. Another in my party had to ask for another dressing as the one w/ her salad was bland as well. Server was snotty and clealry and obviously annoyed that we only wanted appy size portions and no alcohol. Won't go back
(2)Kim M.
The mahi mahi was delicous! Nice atmosphere and our waitress Megan was amazing which made us definitely want to come back.
(5)Michelle A.
Considering the fact that Bluewater Grill at the District is a totally re-vamped version of the other 2 locations of this restaurant, they are taking things above and beyond by starting up a late night scene every thurs night from 9:00-12:30am! $3,$4,and $5 dollar drink/happy hour specials, DJ, Random Tustin/Irvine people that are way classier than the Auld Dubliner Crowd.. hellll yessss FMI: yelp.com/events/tustin-a… This week's is gonna be awesome. I hope to see all of you there!!
(5)Wontonies Y.
Went to this restaurant to celebrate our wedding anniversary. I like the decor of this place. It's pretty hip and trendy. The food was good and the server was nice besides forgetting to bring us parmesan after he walked away. Love the atmosphere there, definitely a nice restaurant that I would want to go back again.
(4)Jackie H.
This was my first visit to Bluewater at the district in Irvine. They had live music playing which was great but I can see how it could've been a little loud for some. I decided to try the Idaho trout simply grilled with a side of mashed potato. It was delicious and I finished all of the fish. Our server was great, promptly asking us how we were doing etc I would definitely make a return visit.
(5)Mike N.
We came here for the OC Restaurant Week special, $20 per person for a 3 course meal. It was a great deal even though I never have three courses, usually just an appetizer and entree. But this was too good of a deal to not try. I've been to the Newport beach location a few times, walking into THIS Bluewater Grill location was like walking into a whole different place. you know how you know you're in a McDonald's no matter where you are. Well this place is NOT the place I go to in Newport Beach, not just because it doesn't have an ocean/bay view, but because it doesn't look like a shack. The decor is nice and modern, in some ways, I guess this places looks like what they charge. Newport location not so much (I guess you get a view there). Here's my opinion of the food, which by the way did not match the menu they had on the OC restaurant week site at all. *Bread - Warm, fluffy, fresh *Salad - She ate it, said it was good. *Clam Chowder - Nice and refreshing, a little on the bland side. add salt *Crab Cakes (not from the "special menu") - It was good, make sure you meat it with the sauce and a bit of the slaw mixed in together. It was good, but not Cannery ( yelp.com/biz/the-cannery… ) or Wildfish Grille ( yelp.com/biz/wildfish-se… ) good *White Roughy - Pan fried with Panko breading, this was the special of the day, it was really good, great crispy crust, and moist on the inside. It was a thick cut of fresh flaky fish too! The mashed potatoes was very creamy. *Shrimp Linguine - Was planning on getting the beef tenderloin, but they were "sold out", this was very bland, and they cooked it with WAY too much butter. The shrimp was okay but lacked any flavor. Damn them for not having the beef! *Fudge Sundae - it was good, but still it's only Ice Cream *Creme Brulee - This tasted good, but should not be called a creme brulee because it lacked the texture and consistency of one, the custard was too thick and hard, if you want a good one check out this tiny hole in the wall place in Tustin, Flavio's is surprisingly good yelp.com/biz/flavios-ita…
(3)Tammy T.
I've been here twice. The dishes here lack seasoning. Rice not cooked fully. I would hesitate to come back..
(3)Michelle T.
I've had the Bluewater grill for both their restaurant menu and their happy hour. Restaurant: the service is always friendly, but the food pricier. However, most seafood restaurants tend to charge more. The actual seafood is not bad- but I think there are other places for cheaper and fresher fish (i.e. santa monica seafood in costa mesa or california fish grill in irvine). I do enjoy their ciopinno, but since I can make it on my own, I'm not a fan of paying about $25 for a bowl. Happy hour: I DO love Bluewater's happy hour. We came in one night thinking HH was over, (it was around 8) and they extended it because the HH was giving them more business. I happily accepted! I've tried alot of things on their HH menu, but I would suggest: 1) oyster shooters (ask for cocktail sauce on the side, because sometimes they pile that stuff on) 2) steamed clams (ask for their free sourdough bread to sop up all the yummy goodness!) 3) calamari I would NOT suggest their spinach dip or fish tacos or lettuce wraps/ceviche. Restaurant prices ranges from $12-30, and HH prices range from $2-6. In conclusion, I would probably only come back here for HH and not the restaurant. Also, there is a Bluewater Grill in Newport that, in my opinion, has better quality fish and a better view. You may think about going there instead!
(3)Kat L.
I came here for the start of Happy Hour Week! I was doing this to test it out for other Yelpers and either warn them or point out a hot spot. Sadly to say, this is a warning! =*( I did a rapid post on my site for the full menu & pics, and now I am doing a quick review for Yelp to let people know if this is a good deal for Happy Hour Week. It really isn't anything out of the ordinary because they offer this menu Mon-Fri regularly for Happy Hour. Almost all of the menu items were either bland or just bad IMHO. The both of us couldn't even stuff it down. I made the mistake of ordering almost everything to try out. I was kicking myself hard for being so greedy. The portions are proportionate to the price almost except the Tenderloin Teaser. That was the only dish I really liked. They actually give a bunch of beef chunks for $5. The worst dish for me was the Shrimp Ceviche if you can even call it that. There wasn't any flavor and the Iceberg washed it out even more. The fish tacos were bland too. At least you get 2 tacos but I would rather have Wahoo's. Overall it was just a big let down and sadly my Aunt filled up on all this bad food before we went to SGV. She missed out on all the good food we had up there. We should have just skipped over this place and gone for good food in SGV instead. So I have come on here to warn all. Hope it helps.
(2)Robert M.
I've been here for dinners, happy hour, and special events. Bluewater seems to do everything well. The restaurant is beautifully decorated in rich woods and glass that make this feel like a much fancier restaurant. Their fresh seafood, especially their shellfish (a specialty) is always perfect. Their happy hour is an especially great deal, with many items for under $5.00, including $3 beers and $4 bucket drinks. Service has always been good. I am not sure why, but the bartenders, servers, even the front desk personnel, have not been super friendly. They are professional, but all seem stressed, instead of happy to have you in their establishment. Prices are high, which is another negative, but if you're ordering the oysters and champagne, you probably are expecting to pay premium pricing for the experience.
(4)Diwata P.
I came here for OCRW with my girl friend, Jill B.. It's a nice little place, reminiscent of a Market Broiler. For $20, we both got a Manhattan Clam Chowder (and this was really good with lots of clams .... mmmm), an entree, and dessert. The Chef's special, which was a breaded and pan-fried orange roughy served with mashed potatoes and a zucchini/italian squash medley, was surprisingly good, but the mashed potatoes, lacked seasoning. The other entree we ordered was the Capellini Pomodoro and Shrimp. Like the mashed potatoes, it lacked seasoning, but at least the shrimp was cooked well. Desserts were ok. If I'm ever in the area again, I'd come back for the clam chowder.
(3)Ali G.
Our table ordered the cedar plank salmon, the pappardelle, and calamari. The cedar plank salmon was pretty good, but plated awkwardly with the plank. Next, the pappardelle was ok and generously portioned, but I would have appreciated some fresh parmesan. Lastly, the best thing was the calamari and warm bread. Our server was nice, but I don't think we will be returning.
(3)Fancie L.
I went here with my friend for happy hour before church. Good prices decent crowd. They seem to often have groups with name tags socializing outside under the heat lamps. Comfy booths inside. It is an olderish business crowd, but hey I am an olderish business type. I think we had fish tacos 2 for $4 and their specialty garlic fries $4. Uh careful it's a lot of garlic. I think I had garlic cravings for 4 days after (I think I burped a little taste in my mouth and thought hmm garlic sounds good) Ryan our waiter/ "I am also a manager" is a cutie. He said he didn't mind my garlic breathe. but is it kissable, ryan? The house Merlot and Cab were actually drinkable. I am not really a drinker so I am picky. We plan to visit Ryan again. I want him to be saved... I 'll save you cutie pie ;)
(4)Michael L.
Great beer battered fish and chips never had them and they were amazing plus the coleslaw had a little squeeze of orange juice great idea!!
(4)Grace C.
Okay so the newbie 21 year old wanted to come here for her birthday dinner. She just loves showing the ID off and all with a big grin! The good: Seeing my youngster having a grand time on her birthday Stiff drinks-Grey Goose with soda extra limes Calamari nicely breaded and tasty Yam encrusted Halibut-yummy but not my meal Good company to share a meal with! Lava cake-I was like a damn crack addict with this dessert Service-good but not outstanding The bad Pan seared scallops-my dish overpowered by fennel. Some jackass talking so loud that he wanted all of Tustin to hear his business! All in all, we had a pretty decent time sans loud mouth!
(3)Will C.
After being completely denied access to happy hour at both Ra Sushi and JT Shmidt's, we turned to the only place without a packed crowd on Friday night, Bluewater Grill. Yes, by the first sentence of this review you can already tell that we were here as a last resort. The crowd here is definitely laid back, not drunken rowdy like Ra nor snootish like JT. We sat on the quiet patio relishing the thought that happy hour rates applied throughout the restaurant and not just the bar. The patio area brought memories of being in Hawaii for some reason, it certainly could not have been the climate because I was freezing in the 50 degree weather. Oh the heat lamps do nothing, especially when they're attached to the ceiling oh 20 feet in the air, heat rises... dude. Perhaps it was the patio furniture, plant decor and the marvelous view of the valet area, where I could admire my $150,000 Mercedes CLK63 AMG Black Series that just I purchased using my pyramid scheme profits. So their alcohol on tap is limited, I couldn't get blue moon or hoegarrden, I settled for the Hef. The only domestic beer they carry is Coors Light, I get the feeling they're not very fond of domestics. The slider hamburger is juicy and delicious, although a bit dry. It consists of a patty, the buns, raw spinach, melted cheese and what I believe is feta cheese. The fries that come with it are crispy and thick. I also had their fish taco which is very similar to that served at Wahoo's, although Bluewater's fish has a bit more flavor and has this white sauce that's a good addition. I'm a fan of most white sauces. (Get your head out of the gutter dammit). I can't recommend their happy hour cocktails, they taste downright weird.
(3)Jone H.
Trendy decor, plenty of parking, cool hang-out. Unfortunately, the engineers who designed the layout at "The District" must have skipped a lot of classes. What genius would put the major thoroughfare entering into the plaza in competition with pedestrians coming to and fro from the parking lot to the stores? The traffic is so horrendous that most times they have to hire a rental-cop to direct incoming and out-going traffic. Want to come here during the Christmas holidays? Forget it. Who wants to play a real live game of 'Frogger' while juggling all those packages? It's much easier to drive around the perimeter of this plaza to find parking and then walk around. The shortest distance between two points DEFINITELY is not a straight line at the "District." Thankfully, the restaurant is near parking, so if you know where to go, it's not that bad. Now on to the restaurant. I've been here several times, and the service is not that great. I think they must purposely understaff. The wait staff is always hustling and bustling around, just never at my table. Hmmm... The food is just ok, nothing to write home about. I was here one time when the waiter brought my plate and warned me because my plate was hot. Well thank goodness something was, because my food was warm. (As a matter of fact, I got a little sick that night.) I went back again today for Orange County Restaurant Week. The amount of food that we got was great for the price. My chowder tasted good, but gritty, and my food was oily. Not unlike other average restaurants, but because of location and decor, I expected more? I do enjoy their raw oysters, and this is the only place that I know of that even has raw clams on occasion. All in all, I would come again for happy hour or if a friend wanted to, but there's something here that I can't put into words, that's keeping me from giving it that fourth star.
(3)Deepa S.
Bland food, slow and apathetic service
(1)Patrick Y.
This is one of the places where I would go for the appetizers and drinks whether it's happy hour or not happy hour. Their drinks are great, appetizers are really good, but the entrees have a lot to be desired. On the drinks, my drinks are great. But if you get a girlie drink and like alcohol make sure you get the right bartender. The appetizers are really superb. Everything from Oyster shooters to their sliders. The entrees are so-so which is strange. You would think they would be better than the appetizers, but it was the other way around. Friends of mine actually confirmed this from having entrees there 3 different times and always some problem with the food. However, the appetizers have great every time we've been there. So for that and the atmosphere, it's a fun place to hang out. I e time to go to this place is during happy hour. Appetizers are great and drinks are great.
(3)Alex H.
I cannot believe I've never been to one of these before... I can only review the happy hour at this time- went on a slow Monday and ordered oyster shooters, raw clams and salt and pepper shrimp (risky choices for a NEW seafood place on a MONDAY, I know..)- * even in a spicy shooter I could tell the oysters were FRESH! :) * ditto raw clams: FRESH * salt and pepper shrimp COULD have been the best I've ever had but... TOO salty! ...but GREAT flavor... (damn, so close to AWESOME...) * good wines by the glass and good prices (happy hour menu is a STEAL!) * nice banquettes in the bar area * BONUS: It's in the way cool DISTRICT (close to my work...) - will def go again, eat more, drink more and report more-
(4)Calvin W.
Good but not great seafood. I didn't come here for happy hour so this is for a full on review. I've been here twice. Once was with my girlfriend for our anniversary, so we ordered appetizers and two entrees to share. Another time was with a friend so I only ordered their fish. Both times I didn't think there was anything outstanding about the food, but it was still good. I would probably come here again if I wanted fresh seafood locally, but if I wanted better seafood I would probably go to Scott's or Arches
(3)Pierce T.
Came here for happy hour and sat at the bar. The bartender was very nice and chatted with us for a little. We ordered the fish tacos, calamari, oyster shooters, and sliders. We also checked in on yelp for the dollar beer. The service was great but the food was alright. It is definitely a spot worth checking out if you have not been here.
(4)Cat M.
We came here for Happy Hour week and have heard so many great things about this restaurant from some coworkers. We ordered just about every single appetizer available on the Happy Hour week menu including some cocktails. I have to say...I LOVE the crab dip and the clams (which was in a buttery garlic broth)! I could prob eat 5 bowls of the clams but there was just too much to eat!!! The restaurant was pretty much dead. We weren't greeted when we walked in but we went straight to the bar and there was absolutely nobody there. The manager came out and greeted us. Quickly took our order and made our drinks for us right away. He was kind of rushing through things since it seemed like he had a very small staff on a Saturday afternoon. After about 15 minutes, all of the appetizers started to plate our side of the bar. There were three of us and we probably got enough appetizers for about 6 people. I ate at least two bites of everything!!! The Executive Chef came over and greeted us and asked us how everything tasted...which was absolutely delicious! They even have the salt & pepper shrimp that is just about the same as the ones from the Chinese restaurants. The Executive Chef was very nice and he seemed very sincere. I am a huge fan of any restaurant when I get to personally talk to the Executive Chef or Owner. I think it leaves a lasting impression. Even though we ate 'bar food' it was definitely tasty and we are coming back here again for some more clams!!!
(5)Wendy A.
We were there for happy hour and ordered almost everything from their HH menu. Loved the prices of their drinks and the food. Friendly service and the food didn't take too long to serve. I liked the TVs at the bar area because we could watch the game. The garlic fries were good and the chicken wings decent. The slider was fine. The beef tenderloin should be renamed as tasteless "tougheloin". My other friends also agree that the short rib tacos and calamari were bland. The calamari looked good but it was just chewy and tasteless. The sauce was all we were tasting. Fish taco: Meh...not much taste either. And the oyster shooter: Knock knock anything in there? i didn't believe the oyster could be that small so I poured everything out just to see if there was more but nope. And folks I usually do not like food salty but the selections i just mentioned were less than just pedestrian. If you want to spend good times with your friends, fill up your stomach and not end up with a big tab, i do recommend here. Don't come here for good food!
(2)Hamid P.
Great and tasty seafood. We loved it. Highly recommended. Will visit again
(5)Jon O.
I came here for an oyster tasting, which came with 4 pacific northwest oyster varieties and 2 east coast varieties (2 of each to make a dozen)with some wines to pair with them. In addition to that , we had a seafod tower to share that had more oysters, some raw scallops served sushi style, I guess, with some ponzu I think it was and tobiko and shiso (quite tasty), chilled King crab legs, and jumbo shrimp. All in all a pretty decent seafood experience. service was friendly and efficient. I'd definitely do the oyster tasting again! Pretty nice setting as well, once I focused my attention away from oysters and looked around, however briefly.....
(4)Stephanie H.
Why must you dissapoint me Bluewater Grill??? I was so excited to try out this well known seafood joint, since my experience 6 years ago in NYC was amazing. As soon as I saw Cioppino on the menu, I knew I had to order this. My mouth immediately started to water. I should have known that when there are only 4 occupied tables on a Sunday night, there must be something wrong with the food. As soon as they placed the Cioppino infront of me... i was already disappointed. Why would you take the crab out of the shell??? On to the sauce, it was way too chunky, no hint of spices or wine. I have to admit that the posted photo of the SF Cioppino looks A LOT better than what I got, and thats not saying much. Any who, the best part of the dish were the scallops, I only found two, but they were delish. Would I ever order it again, heck no. MAYBE i'll come again for Happy Hour and MAYBE i'll try the Newport location.... MAYBE. Pros: -Decor -Red Snapper (ordered by my mom, she said it was "not bad") -Sea Bass (my brother-in-law liked it) -Bow Tie Pasta with Shrimp, Basil, & Tomatoes (this was actually delish!) -Service was OK, they came by a few times and fixed the orders they got wrong without a fuss. Cons: -Grilled Ahi Salad (why would you put Ahi Tuna on what tasted like a Greek Salad????) -Halibut (dry dry dry) -Are those frozen vegetables on the side? -SF Cioppino (*thumbs down*) Don't waste your money, go to California Fish Grill if you want some cheap, FRESH, well cooked fishies!
(2)Phil V.
I've been passing my this place since it opened. We finally ventured in during OC Happy Hour Week. The appetizers are great. I highly suggest the crispy calamari and the crab and artichoke dip. The ambiance is pretty cool. Its very dark and has that "cool" vibe. A few days later we returned with the family for dinner. The service in the dining room was good as a whole. The staff all were ready willing and able to help with our request for more water and bread as we waited for our soups and salads and then our entrees. The food was pretty good. We had the special - sweet potato tempura battered halibut, the grilled barramundi sea bass, and the seared scallops. The first two were good. the scallops had a lemon sauce that was too sour for my taste. The presentation was very well executed, the entrees looked good. The server also neglected to bring my beverage. So I settled for water. All in all, the experience was ok. The food was pretty good, but pricey. The service was pretty good, it had its highs and lows. Would I go back? Probably for the bar.
(3)Tien P.
Bland food. Not much seasoning or flavor. Overpriced. Can't even recall much service. Only reason I gave it 2 stars instead of 1 was cuz both times I went, I had a good time with my group---nothin to do with tha service or food. Oh..and on my birthday there was a bomb ice-cream cake with walnuts, chocolate, and I think caramel (and I'm not even a chocolate or caramel person).
(2)Peggy C.
Update on 8/25/09: I came here on Sunday night, and the food was much better for some reason (maybe they just made these dishes than the ones we'd had before), even though it was 45 mins from closing time. I had the cioppino, which was on the salty side (boo), but all of the seafood in it was surprisingly tender. I think that's difficult to pull off, since, if they make this in advance, the seafood (scallops, fish, shrimps, etc) will get overcooked and chewy. I also had the grilled prawn salad, which had a bright, citrus (I think) dressing. My friends had the barramundi and mahi mahi, which they really liked. The oyster shooter came in a martini glass and so much sauce that you'd have enough left over after you "shoot it" (hard to shoot something in a martini glass instead of a shot glass) that you could dip your bread in it. I didn't try my friends' food, but they really liked it. Original review on 8/11/09: For the ambiance and price, I expected something a little bit better. It was my first time there today, and had the fried clams with a side of mashed potatoes (instead of fries) and sauteed vegetables (zucchini, broccoli, etc). Nearly all of the clams were sandy, which was annoying; the breading wasn't as crispy as I expected but rather, soft in some parts. The mashed potatoes were good--well-seasoned, buttery and chunky, and the veggies were crisp, albeit a bit bland. They could have used more salt. My companion's red snapper was also a little bland, but good otherwise.The Manhattan clam chowder had crispy (vs mushy) veggies, but I thought their flavors--red and green bell peppers, onions--were too strong and overpowered the clam flavor. The best part of the meal, the part about which I have zero complaints, was the bread. It was crusty on the outside, soft and warm on the inside, and accompanied by a small ramekin of perfectly softened butter.
(4)Evelyn B.
I came here with my friend for the happy hour menu. I always enjoy going to upscale restaurants for the happy hours because it gives me a good idea of the quality of their food at a reasonable price. We came with only 15 minutes or so to spare, and rushed our orders. We were charged at full prices, but the bartender was nice enough to change all that when we asked her about it. We ordered a seared ahi tuna salad, crab & artichoke dip, and salt & pepper shrimp. Everything was delicious, and consisted of decent portions. I see a lot of bad reviews here, but I must have been really lucky with my orders. The salad was delicious, salt & pepper shrimp was also very tasty, but I think the crab & artichoke dip really made an impression. I would go back just for this.
(4)Andrew W.
The fish prepared "bronzed" was spicy and tender in the inside. Yummy. Banana foster dessert was really good.
(4)Scott M.
Service was a little slow for a Wednesday evening. Red Snapper was fresh and tasted good (the "bronze" style is very good, a little garlic and spicy) Vegies were ok, a little over cooked. The lime cilantro coleslaw was on point for sure. Not as good as the Newport location or at least for what I ordered.
(3)Aaron D.
The food is delicious. The ambiance is excellent. The Happy Hour menu is awesome. The Calamari appetizer is very pleasant. Its not overly greasy. It seems that it is dusted with some spice and a bit of salt. The crab cakes are crunchy and delicious and seem like they have a lot of crab meat in them. The fried coconut shrimp are also wonderful. They are crunchy and just the right amount of sweet and tangy. The New England Clam chowder is creamy and delicious. It did not seem to have all the potatoes I expect in a NE style clam chowder but it had plenty of clams and was excellent. I would recommend the Barramundi Sea bass which was amazing. It was not decadent or overdone. It had complex flavor but seemed simple at the same time. I have also had the Alaskan King Salmon and it flaky and delicious. I am a big fan of this place, but - its quite expensive and very noisy. And all the times I have been there it seems that people are close enough to the patio openings smoking that cigarette smoke wafts through while your eating. So in conclusion - go and eat, its very tasty and somewhat romantic. But, don't plan to be able to hear everything your party says because of the noise. And, plan on throwing down some coin. I assume a place like this will struggle in this economy.
(4)Tamara M.
Loved the manhattan clam chowder. Halibut was also very good. Husband got the tilapia and really liked it. Prices moderate for this type of restaurant, area and cuisine. We'll definitely go back.
(4)Gabby H.
Yes, appearances can be deceiving, Yelpers! That sums it up for me. Bluewater Grill is visually appealing, that is for sure. It's very different then the one in Newport, at least looks-wise. So I had another work lunch (yay for drug reps and spending accounts!) and Bluewater Grill was the much hyped locale. The drug rep was practically foaming at the mouth as she described the wonders we would encounter there. Alright. I started with the lobster bisque, which was okay. It was tasted of cream with a splash of sherry. I like both of those, but it was not very lobster-y. I ordered the halibut special for my entree. It was tempura and yam crusted, with sweet chili sauce, and a noodle salad. I liked the dish, but I wasn't too impressed. The flavor of the sauce was overpowering and the tempura was heavy. I'm not afraid of fried food (hello!) but it tasted like asian fish and chips. Minus the chips. I also wasn't a fan of the noodle salad. It just wasn't what I was expecting. I wish I had switched out the salad for something else. We also ordered a few desserts for the table. The pastry chef brought the desserts out himself and charmed us with stories of how he created each one. It was really cute. But my key lime pie was just okay. I wanted more zest, more punch. Service was also kind of spotty. Our party of 6 was at a table. One side of the table got excellent service, as they were on the side of the aisle that was easier for the server to get to. Yeah. No joke. I was on the wrong side, so my iced tea sat empty quite a few times. I give Bluewater Water 3 stars for now...the potential is there! I'm an optimist.
(3)linda n.
My bf took me here last week to show me around the district. My first choice was the winery restaurant across from this place but after viewing the menu we changed our minds and felt like seafood so we hopped over to Bluewater Grill. We started out with a baked artichoke and crab spinach dip which turned out awesome! I love every last bite! The chips were tri colored corn chips which were freshly fried to order! I would have given this place more stars if we didn't opt for the happy hour special- a 3-course meal for only $20? Why not right? Well, that's where we went wrong....The clam chowder was delish while my Filet of Beef came out just under 2 stars. Didn't even get a chance to try the creme brule so we took it togo. After I took it home it didn't look appealing anymore, so we ended up tossing it. Sucks for us. Oh well, I would come back just to see what else they have to offer. Next time I'll try the seafood platter and update this review. Shoulda stuck with the seafood platter.
(3)Sadie N.
I was excited to try this place, looked very nice while they were getting ready to open it but sadly it turned out not to be a great dining experience. Went to lunch right before Christmas, the service was fine but the fish and chips my friend ordered was way too greasy, I got the sole and it was almost tasteless......I got home and wrote the manager an e-mail sharing my experience and never got a reply from Mr Rock. Kind of an arrogant way to do business in such a competetive environment. I will go elsewhere in the future
(2)Tin N.
Me and some friends went here for Happy Hour just the other day. I haven't been in OC, or California for that matter in a while so I was a little surprised to see The District shopping center as it is very near my house. I walked into the place and I immediately liked it a lot. They had a nice dining area and a good bar area. I got there a bit late but my friends already had several plates. I tried some of the things and everything was pretty solid and a good value during happy hour. In terms of service it did take a while for the waitress to come over and bring me my beer, so it doesn't get any bonuses for that, but it was Happy Hour where most service are sub par anyway. Tip: Beers for $3 not too shabby!
(4)Retired B.
Came for Sunday lunch and it was dead empty. I ordered the ahi poke appetizer which was good and the grilled prawn (more like shrimp) salad. That wasn't bad as well. Service was surprisingly good and prices were reasonable.
(4)D T.
Down and Dirty review: Clam Chowder - Very good w alot of clams. Get half new england and half manhattan... the new manhattan :) Blackened grouper was awesome. On a spicy side but exactly how I like it. My halibut pan seared with a Lemon Caper Beurre Blanc sauce was pretty good too, but i really dig the blackened sauce. Overall, I think its a great deal during OC Rest week but the regular menu is not pricey either. I would definitely go back for happy hour.
(4)Maria B.
Came here for an early dinner and although I read many reviews about poor service here, that wasn't the case for us. Our waiter was very attentive. I had the potato encrusted halibut and I thought it was very good (soft and fresh). My husband had the grilled sea bass and he said that was good too. There was also a nice bar area for appetizers/happy hour.
(3)Karen F.
Food is always real fresh but nothing spectacular in terms of taste. A really comfortable spot to have dinner with friends or just drinks. Service is always friendly though not necessarily prompt.
(4)Margaret D.
The Dish To Try: Scallops Sashimi VERY VERY fresh and very very good. Nice decor, comfortable seating, good service. I never sat in the restaurant area - my usual seat is the bar area. The sourdough bread is delicious! And the mixed cocktails are well made. My favorite bartender is Brittany. You must visit her!
(5)Julie L.
The ambiance of this restaurant is very relaxing. I would say it's very similar to McCormick and Schmicks restaurant where they provide seafood entrees. I had the plank salmon with vegetables which was just okay tasting, and we also had the ahi tuna tower. The ahi tuna tasted old, and had no kick to it whatsoever. We also ordered oyster shots which I regret adding the vodka in! Overall the meal was not satisfying but it did get the 2 of us extremely full. We shared the meal and it came out to be about $60. I would probably not go back here because it was just not impressive.
(3)Brent G.
Read my review about Bluewater Grill in Newport Beach. Same company, same great taste. The difference with this Tustin location versus the Newport Beach location is that this one doesn't offer that warf/dock side appeal. However the Tustin location is brand new, trendy/modern looking, and pretty hip. It has a happening bar scene and good happy hour specials. It's located at the District in Tustin, which is a cool semi-outdoor shopping center with a lot of attractions, shops, and activities. Bluewater Grill is one of the best small restaurant-chains in Orange County. I recommend it to everyone.
(5)Mico C.
Captivating portrait of John Wayne grasping a Marlin swordfish right over the bar just plain won me over. The fish on your plate is a work of art. It's edible too. An edible work of art! Bear with me, Becka, I ain't too good at this reviewing restaurants thing. Luscious, succulent, firm full bodied, moist, tittilating... fish!- do i have your attention yet? Yeah. That'll do for now... They also operate with an open kitchen so you see the chefs sizzle and craackle your entree. Can't decide if this quaint or a pain in the a#$. But hey what's good enough for John Wayne is good enough for me. Adjacent to ancient Tustin Airfield hangar off Jamboree and loads of woolly mammoth retail shops. Bluewater classics: panko calamari steak, ipswich littleneck clams, Maine lobster, Alaskan king crab, Australian lobster tail, Missisipi Catfish, Baramundi seabass, Broadbill swordfish, Fijian ahi, Dungeness crab, albacore, mussels.
(3)Lynh N.
The calamari was not good. I've had better at many places. It wad just plain and boring. Sauce was plain too. Order their fish ceviche lettuce wraps. The lime was too overpowering. It would have been fine if I was just eating one. But there were four and by the second one I was over it. The fish in the ceviche was good though.
(2)Raymond S.
Sorry folks, but I found my experience at the Bluewater Grill didn't quite live up to my expectations as compared to the other folks on here who gave it much higher reviews. I had my birthday dinner gathering held here and since I like trying new restaurants and seafood is among one of my favorites to eat, the Bluewater Grill seemed appropriate to house 15 of my closest friends for a night of fine dining. Sad to say but I regret making the decision to come here... Let's start with the Pros first then. The place is very nice and lavish inside, and certainly has a high-end appeal to it that some seafood restaurants in the area lack. Location is great, featured in a prime location at The District easily spotted by the parking lot. Service was excellent with our server being very friendly and was more than helpful enough to provide quick service and recommendations. Food wise, the list of menu items were abundant and there were more than a couple that struck my fancy, if a bit on the pricey side. So many choices, what to pick?! Well, our server started shooting out recommendations that made items like the calamari appetizer sound godly. The way he explained things, he could have spoken all in hyperboles. "You won't regret choosing the calamari. It's THE best I've ever tried". Well we did regret ordering the calamari as it was HARDLY "thee best" we've ever tried. The squid tasted very chewy/gummy and lacked that certain "crunch" that we were expecting in good calamari. It just tasted very soggy to us and most of us were very disappointed. Ordering up the entrees, I, unfortunately, took the server's advise to pick the halibut special which came with "soba noodles". His description of how great the dish made me stupid enough to order it over the seared ahi tuna I originally wanted to order. Sigh... The fish came out with what looked and tasted like Americanized Chinese sweet and sour sauce. WTH?! The fish itself wasn't bad and fresh, but I felt the sauce completely drowned out my pallet from the taste of the fish. The "soba noodles"? It was Vietnamese vermicelli! noodles! Even worse, the noodles were served cold and in this disgusting vinegarette sauce. What a letdown! I only ate 2 bites of the noodles before folding. As for everyone else? No one came away impressed with the food - "Decent" and "Sucks" was the verdict from the majority of my friends. Especially considering how expensive the meals are and how little you get. It just wasn't worth it... You can have better food going to Fish Grille down the street for 1/2 the cost! I've learned my lesson and not to totally trust server's recommendations, especially when the majority of us are Asian and grew up eating seafood.
(2)Barbara C.
The service is SO slow. We sat in the bar. They were not busy. Our waitress was old and bitchy and could not remember anything. Fortunately, the food (grilled artichoke and crab/shrimp louie salad and grilled mahi-mahi) were very good. But it was not worth the wait. Note to self: NEVER go here again!!!!!
(2)Doug C.
Blue Water Grill is in a nice spot, kind of a hidden gem at The District in Tustin. The place is a very nice restaurant with comfortable chairs at the bar and booths. They have a beautiful Patio area. The food is absolutely high in quality, the Burger Sliders are one my favorites. The Crab dip with Artichoke is great and the fish including Sashimi is fresh and large in portion. I have yet to have a bad experience there yet. If you do go, they have small beer selection, but the best in quality with Guinness on tab. I am a fan of this place, good food, fresh fish, good portions. Thumbs up!
(4)flo c.
We came back here again and I've reached several conclusions. Note that I came back for the HH so I still haven't a clue about lunch or dinner. This place is VERY inconsistent because my experiences here are like night and day (which makes it one 5-star and one 3-star, averaging to 4 stars, which I think is fair.) 1) They've gotten a larger HH crowd now and so at 5:30 p.m. on a Wednesday, there was no room in the bar to accomodate our party of 8. They put us out on the pretty patio which leads me to... 2) The service outside on the patio is SO slow, especially compared to our first trip here. We ordered way more food the first time too so overall, it just didn't make sense for the longer wait. They have food runners too so it's not like it's only the waitress covering the table. SOOO slow. Make sure you speak up too if you want additional dishes after your first order because they may not get it. 3) The calamari, while well-seasoned and fairly well-battered, was way huge. They were definitely not bite-sized pieces and the tentacle pieces were like as big as a child's fist and needed a fork and knife. That's way too big for calamari fritti. 4) I tried the calamari slider this time and while the calamari for this one is a steak-ish piece that's lightly bread-crumbed and fried, the bun was way too poofy for the slider. I think it was a brioche-y bun, and I ended up deconstructing the thing and just eating the inside. The bun works better with hamburger sliders because the meat is a bit wetter and juicier, which moistens the bun. Cute, but not compatible. Everything else still tastes really good, like the steamer clams and the deep blue martini. They just have to work on the service elsewhere in the restaurant and learn to make calamari bite-sized every time.
(3)Minda w.
Pretty good deal for Restaurant Week. $20 dinners. Ends today! Crab cakes - not bad but not good. i like my crab cakes with crab chunks but this one was too stringy/doughy. Manhattan chowder - pretty yummy here! reminds me of vegetable soup with clams. let it cool a little because it was steaming hot! New England Clam Chowder - good but a bit too milky/creamy Wild Prawn Linguine - Need to work on the presentation. Prawns were small and looked dry. tastes good though. very winey. Blackened Snapper with Apple Beurre Blanc - spicy/sweet combination. Lava Cake - chocolatey goodness but only in small quantities or it gets too sweet. share between 2-3 people. atmosphere is very lively and relaxed. seems like it would be a great happy hour place to go to. just had my leftovers. pretty good! give this place a try, you might just like it =P
(3)Collette L.
Came for happy hour. Good appetizers to choose from and my favorite was the Korean BBQ street tacos. Yummm.... The bartender was super nice and chill. Will definitely venture back for dinner in the dining room.
(4)Sharon S.
My Husband & I went to Blue Water in Tustin and had a wonderful meal and the best waiter (I believe his name was Brian) very helpful & attentive. I had the lobster & it was perfect my husband had the fresh swordfish and said it was one of the best he's had. The drinks came promptly and all in all it was a very nice quiet meal after a long week.
(5)Miles H.
Seafood restaurants can be hit or miss, frequently a miss, but every so often the gods of the deep smile on you, and you find a real gem. Enter Bluewater Grill; "a seafood restaurant, not just a restaurant that serves seafood" - in the words of the head chef, and it's an important distinction to make. At this restaurant, in the wee hours of the morning, the daily delivery of fish arrives, and the chefs taste everything. If something isn't up to their exacting standards, they send it back! This kind of integrity is what will make or break an eating establishment, and it definitely "made" Bluewater Grill. The interior is a contemporary marriage of dark woods and subtle nautical themes: No life preservers or fishing nets on the wall here. The lighting is low and has a modern, soft glow. The décor is rich but tastefully restrained, with black and white photographs of fisherman and their catches, sea-blue tile mosaics, elegant glass line floats hanging from lamps, and a strikingly colorful photograph of a clam from the South Pacific. You're going to like sitting in this restaurant. And people do like being here. Bluewater Grill is popular for mixers, private parties, and corporate events. There are special tastings on the second Tuesday of every month that may feature oysters, high-quality beef, or on the day we went, a clambake. During our visit, there was a lively group who had reserved the patio to view a slideshow of wedding pictures. It's clear that Bluewater has embraced the community, and discerning diners have returned the favor. The important part is the food. We had ponzu scallops, an Ahi poki tower, the cedar plank salmon, and the seared Ahi. Now, Dave and I both eat a lot of fish, being sushi fanatics. This meal was incredible. The seafood here was on another level. The ponzu scallops were delicate and tangy, chilled in clamshells with a little squeeze of lemon. The poki tasted great, with tuna that wasn't over-seasoned; it's an old trick at sushi places to give you older fish that's heavily spicy to mask the flavor, but this tuna was perfectly fresh. Dave's seard Ahi was also delicious and minimally seasoned to allow the fish to speak for itself. My cedar plank salmon was light and moist, with that smoky flavor just locked right into the meat. The head chef shared with us that a lot of cedar planks for sale don't have the fragrant, distinctive qualities that really impart great flavor, so Bluewater has cedar planks specially made just for them. And you can taste it. On top of all this, there's also a great happy hour from 3:30-6:30, where you can get $4 drinks, and high-end appetizers like shrimp ceviche lettuce wraps and a tenderloin tease with horseradish. Also, being adjacent to an AMC theater, you can get movie tickets for $7.95! I'll be coming back very soon, and all it will take is one meal here to make you feel the same. Watch the video review: youtube.com/screamintv#p…
(4)Alain T.
This is a nice place. It's nicely decorated. I'm not a seafood person and usually order the free range chicken which is quite moist and tasty. My wife usually order a fish dish and mostly it's fairly good. They give warm bread and butter for starters. It's a good place to go with friends.
(4)Alicia S.
Went here last night for the first time for dinner. Place is nicely appointed but couldn't help to notice the food that had splattered on the framed picture above our booth that has obviously been there for some time. There was also an inch of dust where the top of the booth seat meets the wall, it was apparent they only dust as far as their arm can reach without entering the booth. Had the crab/artichoke dip as an appetizer. Just OK with a hint of kick. Nothing special. I had the grilled baramundi which was so so and covered in sauce, presentation left a lot to be desired. Husband had the grilled scallops over spinach and mushrooms. Once again the dish was drowning in sauce and the presentation left a lot to be desired. Scallops were extremely small. Bread was excellent. Mojito was probably one of the worst I have had. Lots of liquor, but little flavor! We won't be back!
(2)Coco L.
We really enjoyed everything we ordered here. For starters I had clam chowder and hubby had lobster bisque. We also ordered a pot is steamed clams with garlic. We then each had a lobster roll.... Yum! Everything was flavorful and fresh and the service was excellent. We will be back!
(4)Wayne K.
The food is greatly over priced. $22.95 for a plate of jambalaya. The service is OK, maybe kind of slow. The bartender was pleasant. Nice looking interior.
(2)Tiffany G.
Tucked away from the craziness, right on the water... Watch the sun go down and have some of the best clam chowder ever!
(4)Andrew H.
It was a pretty good experience for me. The food was tasty and the wait to get the food out was not too long. The bread that they gave us were freshly baked. I got the Swordfish on Cajun sauce and it was not bad at all. It was delicious. Our server, Ryan, always came back to check on us to make sure that we enjoyed our food. Overall, I would recommend people to come to this place. The only part that I disliked about this place is that it is kind of loud and it is hard to hear when you are talking to someone.
(4)Suzn L.
This review is for the happy hour menu. Nice touch that we were allow to sit at the booth. The beef sticks were so good. I don't remember much about the other dishes but I will come back for the Medallion cut beef loin sticks.
(3)Debbie M.
This was my first disappointing dinner at BG. I had the scallop & shrimp skewer with mixed rice. The seafood was blah, like it hadn't been seasoned. The rice had raisins in it ... maybe it's just me but I don't want fruit in my rice. The bright spot was the server; she was so nice and totally together.
(2)Pattie L.
Let me begin by saying that I have eaten at this restaurant several times since they opened and have always enjoyed the food and service. However, last night was not enjoyable! Our waitress, I think her name was either Ashley or Amanda, was fantastic! I had ordered one of my favorite dishes, Cedar plank salmon, and was more than disappointed! First the salmon was very thin, it tasted of raw wood, and where was the sweet glaze that was there before? I dont know what happened! The cedar didnt even look as if it had been placed on heat! My son ordered the same thing knowing that it was one of my favorites and im sure thought I had no taste in food! We let the waitress know about it and she had the Manager come. My husband started to explain what was wrong and the Manager began to defend the food! This made my husband mad and he did curse! The Managers response was to say, "Nice use of the english language!" My son now got mad and said he did not appreciate his snide remark nor his laughing. The situation was escalating! I quickly explained what was wrong with the fish and the manager did remove it from our bill. However, I did ask him to check if they had changed the way they were doing their cedar plank salmon and he said he would check and let me know. He never came back! This was my grandmothers 89th birthday and I was so disappointed when I left! I normally do not write reviews but felt this experience deserved one!
(2)Perry K.
This is one of those "if you want to seal the deal on a date" type of place! That's even if you want a girl like that? Or a nice place to take your wife/long term girlfriend for an anniversary or special day. I don't mind paying for good food, however, I don't always have the cash to do it. So if you have the cash, this is the place. I am only speaking for the really fresh Ahi and bread I had! It was good especially the sauce, but just my meal alone with a glass of tap water, $22 + tip around $26. Mind you this was lunch and not dinner!
(4)K O.
Yeay for yelp! $1 first drink yelp promo rocks! U got to checkin first and show ur phone. Honestly, that's why we came here over all our other options! The fresh oysters were yummy! Oyster shooters are great too! The king crab prepared with the pepper and garlic (kinda too sweet) was flavorful, might be better w/o sauce if you like salty. And the house chardonnay was smooth, with no cheap wine headaches! Yeay. The waitress was nice, as well as the manager. I've been here a few times before to dine and happy and finally decided to rate it! Def will be back again! Happy hour in the bar area is fun and great deals!
(4)L Z.
We went during Happy Hour on a Friday. This experience would have been close to 5 stars but I was really disappointed with their calamari. Their happy hour calamari had 15 pieces of calamari and was only lightly fried. We had the steamed clams (appetizer), calamari (appetizer), two different oysters and steamed muscles along with 3 drinks a piece. The total was around 100. The drinks were good and everything we ordered was fresh and came out immediately. This was our first time here but I would definitely try it again.
(4)Anonymous Y.
I'm really amazed at how good the reviews are for this place considering how bad of an experience it was for me. I don't think I've ever felt more uncomfortable in a restaurant but it was honestly either the timing or the day or the people or SOMETHING because it was pretty terrible. I came here (about a year ago...) because I had a coupon to use at the District before it expired (and I can't say this influenced the the staff's service because I didn't present it until after the following events) so I decided to take my boyfriend there for lunch before we drove back to school. So the place looked pretty nice. The restaurant itself was great. It was clean, quiet, and pretty nice for a college student to eat at to be honest. And we got seated at the booths right next to the kitchen. BUT OUR WAITER. Dear lord our waiter. First of all, he repeated our orders (which from what I remember was a main dish with two sides we chose from a list) to us THREE times before finally getting it right and going back to the kitchen. And while we are quietly chatting away, we can CLEARLY hear the waiter arguing with the cook! Saying, "F*cking speak english I can't f*cking understand you!". As if that isn't awkward enough, the cook made some comments in spanish to his coworker and our waiter says, "I know you're f*cking talking about me so why don't you say it to my face?!". Okay, bro, this is not a fraternity. And then the manager, after 10 minutes of us literally staring at them both and watching them argue back and forth, finally comes out and doesn't even pull them aside! When we were clearly sitting right there! She just asks them both to explain what happened, and our waiter just repeats the exact thing, swear words and all, to his boss. And she does not say anything and just tells them to get over it and walks away. First of all, you're a manager, you need to MANAGE your staff. I've worked in food service, manufacturing, sales and a lab and in NO WAY is it EVER acceptable to speak to your superior in any sort of tone that hints at disrespect. It demeans your position as a supervisor and a boss. Enough of venting, our waiter comes back with our food...only to get both of our sides wrong...I believe I got broccoli and spinach and my boyfriend ordered potatoes and something else on the not-so-healthy side. He ended up getting spinach and eggplant or some crap which was not even close to what he ordered. And I ended up getting broccoli and eggplant or something which I didn't care about but I had to say something considering the waiter couldn't get it right even after repeating our orders to us three times. So he begrudgingly walked back to the kitchen and we heard him say, "they don't want this they want something else" to the cook. Uh, bro we can HEAR YOU. Needless to say we politely paid and tipped him an amount that I only saw to be fair. $1. I hope this KID, who was not much older than me, got fired for his disrespectful attitude towards not only his coworkers but to his customers. What an ungrateful little turd. He was lucky to even have a job, regardless of how mediocre he thought it was. Other than that, the food was mediocre and not worth the price. I hope you have a better experience than me.
(1)J W.
I love this place. I've had multiple great experiences here. They have no corkage so that is always a extra star in my book. I really love their Lemon Pepper Mahi-Mahi - cooked perfectly. They also have a really great happy hour too with lots of choices & sometimes have live music too. Service is friendly and fast. You can't go wrong here.
(5)Weston P.
We made reservations last Sat nt for six at 7:30 p.m. but was unnecessary. Lots of empty tables then. It was comfortable and airy sitting outside, unlike indoors which felt kinda stuffy. We brought two bottles of wine since they had a free corkage for first two bottles. Good to know! Fried calamari tasted great as well as the New England clam chowder, but would have liked more clams and less potato. For main course, I got the swordfish with mashed potatoes and seasonal veges. Fish was cooked perfectly, and the potatoes were very creamy and sinful. We couldn't say enough about their homemade bread, too. Too stuffed to eat dessert! Service was pretty good, but maybe being outside on patio, it seemed a bit sluggish. Overall, we had a great dining experience there and would definitely return.
(4)Luu H.
Perfect when you have a seafood craving (but they serve other types of protein too--btw, for a good side, mashed potatoes are incredible). Everything I've tried here is good and they also have a very friendly staff. Don't be shy to spend a little more than you usually would. You'll more than likely get something amazing.
(4)Noelle W.
The location is great, the food is delicious and the wine list includes Benton Lane Pinot Noir which makes it A-OK with me. LIke the Newport location, the best thing on the menu is the fresh fish. My meat eating other half ate the pork chop once and didn't speak to me through the entire meal- it's not personal, it's pork. I have one gripe which took the last star away. I'm more a restaurant bar fly and less a table kinda gal. There is a great bar area with booths and TVs and a big, beautiful granite bar. Sounds perfect, right? Well, to my total disbelief, the bar itself has a wood collar at the end that is over an inch away from the granite. Really? An open space on a bar that is designed for eating? Admittedly, I'm a clutz and will evenutally spill something (most likely with sauce on it) down the hole and onto my legs. I guess I'll have to stick to the booths. Thank goodness they have my favorite wine.
(4)Selena H.
Dined here for OC Restaurant week's lunch menu which is why this place was surprisingly packed for a lunch time. Ordered the Manhattan clam chowder which was a bit more tangy than I prefer but it wasn't too bad. Then had the ahi fish taco and a swordfish taco (coworker and I traded so that we would get to try one of each). The swordfish taco was much better, I think because of the texture of the swordfish. Overall, the meal was ok, but much more expensive than I prefer for lunch. I have been here for happy hour and that is highly recommended, especially their mussel steamer pots. Drinks can be strong if you specify the order, otherwise, can be a bit weak.
(3)Yvette P.
I love the happy hour food in this place. A great selection with some healthy and some more lux choices. The house wines are nice. Service has always been friendly and good. Also had sand dabs for dinner the last time I went. I have to say, they cook their fish nicely! It is standard fish restaurant faire, but fresh and well done.
(4)Nikki N.
Was happy to see a nice veggie menu here...
(4)Laura J.
I give this place a 3.5 only because I have only tried one dish from here. I came here for my birthday dinner with my dad and sister. The restaurant is pretty big and the decor reminds me of a harbor (there is a location right on the newport harbor I believe) We ordered the crab artichoke dip. It was delicious. A little on the spicy side because of the jalapenos, but the dip had a nice crust on top from being baked. The chips were a perfect crispy-ness (blue, red, and white corn chips) $9.95 My sister and I each ordered the special tempura battered alaskan halibut served with glass noodles. It kind of has an asian flare to the dish. The sauce was very tastey, a little on the spicy side if you can handle it. $27 My dad ordered the fish and chips, he said it was good. There were at least 4 or 5 large beer battered fish, coleslaw, and fries. $15 I definitely would want to return to try some of their other stuff. Their cold five grain salad sounded good. Cleanliness: Good Service: Average, a bit on the slow side, the appetizer came out quick, but the main dishes took a while Price: Appropriate for quality of food Ambience: Good
(4)Jose S.
the happy hour
(4)Minh P.
I felt blue at Bluewater Grill. This place really bummed me out. I was excited to come here since it was the last day of OC restaurant week and this was the last restaurant I was going to try. Walking in I was pretty impressed. Nice clean modern decor and the place had a nice feel to it. That all ended once we sat down. The Service: Our waitress came by and asked us what we wanted to drink and we told her we were ready to order. Hey we checked the menu online so we already knew what we wanted. She said she can only take our drink order right now and would have to come back to take our order since there was another table that came in before us. I was thinking huh how inefficient. She could have still taken our order but put in the other order in before ours so she wouldn't have to come back. I've never been ready to order and was told that my order is not ready to be taken. I should have taken that as a sign that things were going to be bad. She finally came back to take our order and we wanted the ahi tuna tacos as the entree off of the OC restaurant week menu. She told us that the ahi tuna was not on the menu but the swordfish tacos were on there instead. We were highly disappointed since the ahi tuna tacos was on the menu online. She said it was a mistake and it was not offered on the OCRW menu but it's on the regular menu. This was not acceptable, the only reason why we even came here was because it was featured on the menu online. She just brushed us off, kind of like too bad so sad. I was extremely upset at this point because this was going to be my last restaurant for OC restaurant week and I could have gone to any of the many other restaurants but chose this one because we really like ahi tuna. We wanted to speak to a Manager. We felt it was false advertising and misleading especially because it is the last day and they had all week to fix the "mistake" that was in print. It wasn't like they ran out of the ahi tuna tacos they just didn't want to offer it. She said she was going to get the manager for us but then turned around and took an order from another table. Aa-hem...we were first how about you take care of our order first before you take another order as you pointed this out to us earlier. We waited for awhile and our waitress came back to our table with a fake smile and said sorry but we are just not offering that. I was thinking well yeah we went through this already that's why we want to speak to the manager. We were ready to just get up and leave after this. The manager finally came by and we told him our situation. He said that different locations of Bluewater grill offer different menus. That's fine but the menu we were looking at had this location and address on it. He said that he's not going to argue with us. What????? Since when was stating facts turning into an argument? I wasn't yelling and I'm not arguing that different locations may offer different things. The fact is the ahi tacos were listed for this location and that's the reason we came. He did end up giving us the ahi tuna tacos which is the only reason this place is getting 2 stars instead of one. He also ended up taking our order and serving us but he got one of our orders wrong. To top it all off they never even collected our menus. When our food came he ended up putting it on top of our menus. Not cool for a manager to do that and not classy at all for a nice looking place to use their menus as coasters. It took awhile before our food came too and it was pretty empty so it's not like they didn't have time to collect our menus. The Food: Clam Chowder- Surprisingly good with lots of clams. Ahi Tuna Tacos-Was okay, it may have been even good but they made us feel so bad about this that it left a bad taste in my mouth. I think part of the enjoyment of food is also in the service which was extremely bad. Fish and chips-Okay, the fries and in house tartar sauce were good. Bread pudding-nice square slice that was not too soggy or sweet. I think I enjoyed this the most. Overall a nice looking place and the food is not bad. PLEASE work on your SERVICE. I'm not the only one that feels this way. Several other yelpers on here that are giving you low ratings agree that the service needs a make over. Long wait times to get service and bad customer service really ruins the whole dinning experience. I think that's part of the reason why this place is empty. Please be nice to your OC restaurant weekers, for some it's the only reason we are trying out your restaurant. Unfortunately according to the other OCRW reviewers like myself we were very unhappy with the service and probably will not be coming back. Also please straighten out your online menu into separate locations to reflect what you really will be offering. The menu is posted online over a week before restaurant week even begins so if it's not right then fix it before restaurant week starts.
(2)James S.
Located in the beautifully designed District at Tustin, Bluewater Grill serves up average tasting fare. I hate to say it, but is along the lines of an upscale Red Lobster. Don't get me wrong, I grew up eating at Red Lobster and remember family dinner nights as a kid at the local Red Lobster. Bluewater's Tustin decor is very modern, with an open floorplan. The staff is great, from the hostesses to the servers. The food is not bad, its just ok. Its nothing spectacular, and is quite honestly expected of a multiple location "chain" type of restaurant. We ordered the mussels and oysters from the Shellfish/raw bar. They were both small oysters/mussels. So small they seem to get lost in your mouth. The calamari is average, too much batter if you ask me. I had the fisherman's plate, which comes with fish and chips, scallops, and shrimp....Again, too much batter on everything. I eventually started to peel off the batter to get to the goods. The bananas foster was good. Again, too much batter on the bananas though. Its not a great place for fine dining, perhaps a happy hour outing maybe. Bon Appetit...
(3)Danielle C.
I went to this place over the weekend for a friend's birthday. She wanted to come here for Happy Hour Week, and we ended up collectively ordering at least one of everything on the menu. The service was great. They let us order from the Happy Hour Week menu even though we weren't seated at the bar. They were also good about checking in on us to make sure we had everything we needed and that the food was alright. If you're a fan of clams and calamari, this is the place for you. The steamed clams came in a white wine, butter sauce that was absolutely delicious. Even after finishing the clams, we used bread to soak up the remaining sauce because we couldn't bare to let it go to waste. As for the calamari, whether it was in burger form or a dish served with marinara sauce, all around tasty. Haha...I'm salivating just reflecting back on it.
(4)Caroline B.
Whoever said that appearances can be deceiving hit it right on the nail with this place. It looks nice and upscale, but the food is pretty mediocre. While quite a one star, there was really nothing that I would have to go back for. The service was very nice and attentive, but the food was just not very good. My dad and I both ordered the lobster bisque. He a bowl, me a cup. When it arrived it not only did not look like any lobster bisque I had ever seen, but the 2 looked exactly the same in size. So for $2 more you really get nothing more. It also didn't taste creamy and rich like lobster bisque should, but really just was like a manhattan chowder base that had lobster in it. My brothers bowl of new england clam chowder was much better. I also had the scallop sashimi which was decent, you get 6 for $11.50, but they were nothing compared to the scallop sahsimi at Garlic Joes. I doubt I will go back. There was nothing on the menu that I can't get anywhere else. And I think anywhere else probably makes it better.
(2)avery o.
Been here twice, never been disappointed. Loved the dishes we ordered last time so much that I can't wait to get back here again. Nice restaurant- but not 4 star style. You can come on the dressy side, or more casual...
(4)Jeremy D.
I think Bluewater could be a 4, but they need some tune-ups. We started with a smoked fish appetizer. The fish was good but the toasted bread was hard as a rock. Be prepared for dental work if you try the bread. However, the sourdough bread and butter made up for the other stuff. I also had a cup of New England clam chowder. Disappointing... Way too much potato and way too little clam. I didn't finish the cup. For the main course, I had some sort of grilled sea bass special. That Sea Bass was like butter!! Absolutely perfect! Not a bad thing to say about it. It was a bit more pricey (at $27) than the other fish offerings, but I'd spend that again in a minute for the way the fish tasted. The service was unremarkable, especially since it was a slow Tuesday night. The server was obviously not interested in a solid tip.
(3)Justin W.
Tried this place on a whim after seeing their happy hour specials online... I took my wife here for Mothers Day and we had an AMAZING time from start to finish... We started at the bar for happy hour, my wife was/is pregnant so she wasn't drinking but I ordered a beer and we got a buncha discounted apps. The salt and pepper shrimp were DELICIOUS they were a complete pain to deshell due to being hot buttery etc but once you got the shell off it was one of the best shrimp/prawns Ive ever had in my life... Then we moved to the main dinning room after closing out our bar tab and started off with a Calm chowder it was one of the best New England Chowders Ive ever had wow... Then for Dinner I got the Mahi and my wife got the Chilean Sea Bass bronzed which was blackened and covered in like a garlic sauce wow.... Their wild rice mix is amazing it has like sweet salty and savory its awesome and I want more!! The service was outstanding in the dinning room and 4 outta stars at the bar (felt a bit ignored when I wanted to pay my tab at the bar) But our food was definitely 5 outta 5 stars I can't wait to go back. Our experience was amazing and I tell all my friends about this gem.
(5)Jimmy L.
My customer in town wanted to eat sea food, so we decided to try this place at the District in Tustin. When we sat down, we had the waitress prepared a set of samplers to go around. What was surprising to me out of all the sampler was the fried shrimp. It taste just like the traditional Chinese fried shrimp with some pepper and salt. The shrimp was good. The crab cake was not impressive. The calamari wasn't bad. But again, nothing memorable for me except the shrimp. For the entree, I ordered the hailbut. I guess I am still trying to get use to the Californian fish grilling dish. The fish was okay with good texture, but that's about it. The lobster bisque was okay, I recall the taste still a bit up to today.
(3)Alex C.
I will never come here again. After coming here many times with friends, my wife & i decided to stop by for lunch today. After we were seated we waited at least 15 minutes for some one to notice that we were there and offer us drinks. That's the last time the waitress came by our table. Other guests arrived and were seated next to my wife and I, our "waitress" brought them drinks and took their order. 20 had gone by since our drinks were served and our waitress never returned to our table. We got up and left and vowed never to return again.
(1)David F.
While I've had lunch and eaten here during work association meetings and had great experiences, I was completely turned off with our poor experience today. We chose BWG for our combo Fathers Day/2 birthdays celebration. Our server was energetic, friendly and efficient when we first arrived but halfway into the meal he disappeared never to return. Our meals were very slow to arrive. The food quality was ok but the coleslaw on the 3 plates that had it was wilty and bland. We had to ask for the check since the server never came back. No one picked it up once we put our CC with it, so my wife took it up only to be sent back to the table by someone (who should of taken care of it). She got up again and was helped by of all people, the guy bussing tables. Afterward, I asked for the manager and he was pretty much worthless. After hearing my complaints, he proceeds to tell me why everything was wrong like I'm supposed to feel sorry for him. I wasn't looking for a comp but maybe should have found him before my CC was run. He said that I should have talked to him sooner as he could have done something for me--like that matters? I stiffed the server his tip, too, which is something I never do. BTW, I found him later--he had switched to tending bar. We will never go back as we'll spend our dining dollars elsewhere.
(2)Catherine D.
My husband and I are big fans of Bluewater Grill. We have visited many of there other locations in Southern California and we always have an excellent meal. The Tustin location is very attractive with nice indoor and outdoor seating. We were part of a large party and had very good service. The waiter was attentive to our needs and also was very understanding of the toddler at the table. I usually order one of the fresh fish dishes and as usual it was delicious. For a consistent good seafood meal I highly recommend Bluewater Grill.
(5)Erica A.
We went here tonight for my husband's birthday. We were impressed with the King Crab Legs, Lobster Tail and Rib Eye. The mashed potatoes were great as well. We had our very picky children with us and the kids menu was good and the staff was exceptional!!
(5)Stephanie S.
I came here with a friend for OC Restaurant Week and was extremely disappointed. $15 for a starter, entree, and dessert? I thought I was going to get a great meal for a great deal, but when the meal was over, I realized it was $15 down the drain. The Breakdown: Meal- I ordered the New England Clam Chowder, the Angus Burger, and the Bread Pudding for dessert. The Clam Chowder was deceptively good and the reason for the 2 stars that this restaurant did earn. The soup was creamy, piping hot, and had the perfect potato to clam ratio. At this point, I figured the rest of the meal would not disappoint. My burger arrived with a giant, thick slice of red onion, a hand-sized piece of lettuce, two slices of tomato, and a vertically sliced pickle all skewered together with a toothpick. The red onions were much too thick and overpowering and my burger turned soggy after 2 minutes from the wet vegetables. The only thing I ended up finishing was the patty, which was decent. The burger came with fries, which were fine, and cole slaw, which was terribly watery and left a bad taste in my mouth. The texture of the bread pudding was a little off, but it was remedied when we smothered the vanilla ice cream my friend ordered all over it. Service- The service was the worst part of my experience. Our server was extremely inattentive. Each time my friend and I finished a course, we would end up sitting there, staring at each other, waiting for our server to check up on us. Each time, she would walk by without a second glance until she decided she was free enough to help us. It felt like our time spent there was 15% eating and 85% waiting. All in all, this was the most disappointed I have ever been with a meal and with the service from a restaurant. I will not be going back.
(2)Debbie R.
The siblings and I took Mom to Bluewater Grill (Tustin) for Mother's Day. None of us had ever been here aside from my sister, who had been to the now closed Costa Mesa location. We had reservations and were promptly seated upon our arrival. Our server, Jake, was fantastic. He explained how the restaurant prints the menu daily, listing options dependent on availability of the freshest seafood. He was brutally honest with his recommendations. Since I just got braces a few days before, I could barely chew. I ordered a cup of the Classic Lobster Bisque (yum), and Grilled Swordfish. We all shared a Steamer Combo Pot of Mussels and Clams, as well as Calamari Fritti. The calamari was good, but I've had better. The mussels and clams were great. Jake recommended saving the leftover juices so that we could sop it up with our bread. Nice recommendation. My mom ordered a swordfish special, which she liked, and my sister had salmon. My brothers each had the Halibut special (Tempura and Yam crusted with sweet chili glaze and glass noodle salad), which they thought was fantastic. I think their plates were pretty clean. As for my swordfish, it was good, but I should have asked for them to cook it medium rare - I think it would have been easier for me to chew. Nobody wanted dessert except for me, but we still ended up ordering two desserts. Jake brought us one we didn't order. No problem, he brought us the correct dessert and let us keep the other at no charge. We had the Bananas Foster, Molten Chocolate Cake w/ ice cream, and the incorrect dessert (I forgot the exact name, it was like a peanut butter ice cream pie). All the desserts were sooo good. Overall, a great experience. It was busy, but Jake was always there to make sure everything was okay. The Executive Chef, Brian Hirsty, even came around to our table to ask how our meal went. Jake was awesome, if you go there, ask for him.
(4)Gar T.
I have been a "real" regular at this restaurant since 2004, but at that time it was located near South coast Plaza, having moved to its present location just a little over two years ago. It is such a pleasure to go to Bluewater Grill that I do so at least twice a month, but have been known to do so once a week. I have become what some would term a regular, but each time there is the possibility of a new food adventure. I am a big fan of their raw oysters on the half shell and a dozen Hammersley sit with me just right as an appetizer. Often I follow this up with either a steamer pot of mussels and clams or just clams. I must say I prefer just the clams, simply because I love clams. I'm not a glutton so much more than this on a visit and I've had too much. Occasionally I have have one of their cooked specialties and recently that has been either steamed snow crab legs or stuffed lobster. Both were equally appetizing and worth mention here.
(5)Megan H.
Yet another great lunch at Bluewater!!!! Service fabulous, food amazing and I even got my car washed by the valet service while I ate! Can't get much better!!!!
(5)Kathleen C.
I have only been here during their happy hours so I can't say anything for the full on lunch and dinner menus. Their happy hour food is SOOOO good. I always go with my friends and we get the shrimp ceviche in the lettuce wrap.. YUM it comes with this sweet sesame sauce YUMYUM. We also get the crab artichoke dip which is served bubbling HOT! It just melts in your mouth. We also get the fish taco with the griled fish. The fish is actually a big portion, considering its happy hour. Overall, I always have a really good experience here and I recomend this place to anyone.
(5)Bryant H.
Place: Saturday night at Bluewater was deserted but looked great. Food: Excellent. Everything came out hot, delicious, and just as ordered. This is the only reason for 3 stars. Service: Our server was noticeably trying to rush us. She gave us 5 minutes to scarf down our food before giving us the check. I wanted some extra bread to soak up some pasta sauce and it was "unavailable". The kitchen doesn't close THAT early (10:30). If you work in a restaurant where the hours go to 11:00, expect to keep that kitchen open until 11:00, not 10:30. That is some bad management.
(3)Geoff O.
Good was good, over priced one one in Newport Beach is much better
(3)Silja J.
Food was expensive, good variety, good service, WAY too noisy! If I went again I would sit outside.
(2)Bill R.
Eaten here a couple of times. Nice menu, great bread. Had seafood salad and the clam soup. Food was tasty, portions are medium size. Would come back.
(4)Kathryn F.
We've been a few times. Yummy bread. Good oysters. Cedar Plank salmon is good (would be better if wild). The Lemon Mahi was amazing the first time we had it and good the second. I will definitely go back.
(4)Eric W.
This is my new favorite place to go to at the District. I just like the feel of it, not to mention that the food is very good and the crowd here isn't as loud as at other spots. The space seems so open and the decor of black and white photos and art involving Japanese net floats is all pleasant yet not overpowering. Somehow I ate dinner here on Thursday and Friday last week, so I got to experience a lot. They have a pretty good happy hour menu with food and drink specials. If you make it there, you have to try the Tenderloin Tease, which is bits of beer tenderloin in a rich tomato sauce with red onion and tomato, and a creamy horseradish dipping sauce. Yikes it is good. The shrimp ceviche is also good if you like that flavor. I have been eating at the location in Newport for ages and I really like the vast menu. You can eat very healthy here if you choose...or you can shave a day or two off of your life... For something like $17 the skewers of shrimp and scallops (one of each netting you about 6 medium sized shrimp and 3 medium sized scallops) is tasty yet light. That is one of my favorites. The Cioppino is on the other end of the spectrum with a nice tomato based broth and a ton of fish, crab, shellfish, and shrimp. The Cioppino is also a tad bit messier, but worth it. And of course they have fish and chips. The fish is a nice firm cod and the portion is huge. I give this place 4 stars. You lose 3/4 a star for us not getting a server on Friday night for about 10 minutes, although the fill-in was good. And you lose another 1/4 star for your New England clam chowder being a little thinner than it should have been, even though I'm sure everything will be great once this place gets past its new restaurant jitters.
(4)Ken O.
On a budget, my wife and I enjoyed an appetizer and soup/salad for dinner. The Ahi poke was fresh and served in a tower with some fried won tons (which we removed before devouring the fish). Both New England and Manhattan soups were excellent and the Wedge salad was crisp, not drenched in dressing and total bill was not overly expensive. We'll be back.
(4)Josh B.
Decent all around. This location lacks the harbor-side vibe of the Newport Beach location, and it's much larger as well. The smoked albacore is good off the starters. Most of the fish dishes are decent, although the menu is a bit heavy and I wouldn't say any one preparation really sticks out in my mind as outstanding. We've gone a few times, although for the money there is definitely better fish out there. I do prefer the Newport Beach location, which again has the harbor-side location and a much more locals/family atmosphere going for it.
(3)Ultraspec u.
The salmon plank dish is honestly the best plank fish dish i've ever had. The large scallops dish is on the more complex side with lots of flavor. Raw oysters are good and the more expensive exhibit fruity melon flavor. If you're on a date, make sure to ask for a table in the middle or rear, otherwise you will be stuck with the happy hour crow.
(4)robert f.
I've never been but I will definetly go again. This place knows how to do seafood. The menu has many varieties of seafood and the prices are very fair. The service was very good. We went on a Sunday evening and it was fairly busy. Lots of families. I have no complaints and would highly recommend the Bluewater Grill.
(4)Amanda C.
This place sucks. I can't believe how many okay reviews they got. Maybe it was just a bad experience that day? I'm scared to give it a second chance. It's expensive for what you get. My bf ordered ahi tuna with a hummus sauce. The sauce had a consistency of water and tasted like nothing. Seriously wtf happened to the hummus? It didn't go together, it just wasn't a good combination. I don't think they know how to pair their foods correctly. Their trying to be exotic and new and it's just not happening. And then came my plate, OMG. I ordered their Tempura and Yam crusted with sweet chili glaze and glass noodle salad. (Sounds good huh? Sounds...) The glass noodle salad is just exactly how it states, I don't know why I expected more than just flash boiled noodles with some cilantro, thats it!!! no sauce no nothing. Dry bland sticky noodles. The fish was cooked okay but it was a very small piece. The sweet chili glaze I PROMISE I PROMISE I PROMISE you, is the one straight up out of the bottle you buy at any grocery store. So disappointed I didn't eat :( The waitress came over to see why were not eating, I asked her if the chili sauce was home made and she reassured me it was. But she looks and acts fake. Fake friendliness, fake smile, fake chili sauce. I know I sound a little fixated on the sauce but what else was their to spruce up my plate? it's the only little thing I had and it sucked. We did have raw scallops before our meal, and those were good. That's why I gave it the extra star. Don't be fooled by the atmosphere, it gives you the impression maybe it's like a cool seafood style cheesecake factory. :( never again.
(2)Justin B.
We have been here twice now and it is overpriced for what you get. Both times someone at the table had to send something back for being to fishy. It has a great location and looks great but spent to much for what it is. We did not go but I here the Happy Hour is good and I can say the drinks are great...
(2)San N.
We ate here on New Year's eve at 7:30pm. Place was busy but there was no wait. Manager was very nice about making a last minute reservation. Service though was horrendous. Our server was rude and very short with us. Restrooms were not stocked and dirty. Food: 1. Baked Dungeness Crab & Artichoke Dip - Not as good as last time. Tasted like something out of a can. 2. Ahi Tuna dish- I'm not sure whether it was an appetizer, salad or entree. Pretty big portion. Dark greens, sticky rice, topped with ahi. Flavor was great but the fish wasn't fresh. 3. Halibut, Alaska - Overly battered but fresh. Ask for the chili glaze on the side since it is a bit sweet. I couldn't taste any yams in the batter. Glass noodles were refreshing and light. 4. Mahi Mahi Bronzed - Fantastic. Not too buttery or rich. Great portion and cooked just right.
(4)Marita L.
So we've been coming to Bluewater's Thursday night happy hour for a month now... I guess that makes us regulars! The cheap appetizers, cheap beer and well drinks, and great atmosphere keep us coming back. DJ quality varies though - the first week we came was the best, the last couple weren't as good, but this week was better. And it's good that the DJ is inside again, instead of on the patio. Overall, it's a great happy hour, and a fun place to hang out with friends. I'm already looking forward to next Thursday night!
(4)Maria T.
Quite possibly, the worst dining experience I have had in 2009. Why oh WHY did I end my OC Restaurant Week spree here? Food = Awful. Service=Even worse than the food. Ambience= Good, but not good enough to make up for the crappy service and food. I have never had a more rude server in my entire life. First, he lectured us about arriving at different times and how it made it difficult for him to know when to announce what the fish of the day special was. (Seriously dude? 6/7 of us were there within 10 minutes of our reservation time. 1 person was in traffic. Sorry to get your panties in a bunch!) Best part of the meal was the bread. And maybe the clam chowder. And by "best" I mean that it was average. The entrees were just horrible. First, there was a huge, long, curly black hair on top of one order of tilapia... it was so long we could see the hair from across the table as the server was bringing it to us. As much as I love Bob Marley, I do NOT want to see his hair in my food. Gnarly. The fish and chips--their supposed "specialty"-- looked great, and tasted NOT great. We agreed that it seemed like the batter lacked seasoning. I kept attempting to take another bite waiting for it to taste better. I added malt vinegar, tartar sauce, ketchup, and no improvement. The fries tasted fresh from a freezer bag. The coleslaw was also lackluster in the flavor department. (For better fish and chips, I'd recommend H Salt or Hof's Hut) My friend described his meal as "Fries were soggy and my fish was overcooked." The Blackened Snapper was so poorly seasoned and so overly spicy that it was inedible. The tilapia, on the other hand, just lacked seasoning. The vegetables were totally bland. And now for the kicker. All evening long we were looking forward to dessert. We saw some cool apple dessert get delivered to another table and decided that it looked amazing and we needed to try it. Our delightful server came up to our table to take our order and began announcing in a long unapologetic speech how it was the end of restaurant week and because of that, they had run out of everything except chocolate cake and cheesecake. Forget the fact that we had waited all night anticipating getting the apple thingy. We sat there in bewilderment. Could he NOT have told us that earlier? Could he have at least warned us that 4 of the dessert offerings were not available? After a pregnant pause while he read our disappointment, he then proceeded to say impatiently, "Listen, you might want to order it now because if I wait 5 minutes who knows what else might be gone. Or, you just don't have to get dessert if you don't want it". Well, after treatment like that, we couldn't stand the idea of eating another item from here. Bluewater Grill... I will shudder at the very mention of your name. I may need therapy to recover from this experience.
(1)David V.
Good seafood here, particularly the fresh items. I had the red snapper, and it was tasty and well-prepared. Prices were reasonable and service was good. Decor in the restaurant is rather generic, but that's a small quibble. We'll definitely go back.
(4)Cristine D.
Tempted to give this place a ONE star, but I will average it out based on my previous visits as well. I've been here about 5-7 times, typically during lunch either before or after the lunch crowd. Usually we get decent service and good tasting food. My recent visit was not the case. FOOD: I ordered the salmon dinner because after specifically asking the server if it was farm raised or wild, she said it was wild and that the only fish on their menu that was farm raised was their catfish. I took her word for it and when I received my salmon, it was clear it was not. Real wild Alaskan salmon tends to have a more pink/red tone than the one I had recently. It tasted fine (maybe a little bland-but not fishy). However, I am a little irritated that someone who works there and should know what is on the menu told me the wrong information. I should have known since restaurants typically clearly state it on the menu and are proud of it when their salmon is "WILD." The five grain rice that I have enjoyed in the past wasn't as good this time. The almonds tasted as if they were old and the overall texture was on the grainy side. SERVICE: Was HORRIBLE! We were sat sometime around 7:45ish and didn't pay the bill until about 9:30ish. And not because we were busy chatting, but because we were just waiting for our food and service. We asked for extra onions on our salad, and not only did it come without onions, but it took about 15 minutes to arrive. (It's lettuce...no heating needed!) Then when reminded about the onions, it took another 5 minutes to arrive. The main course didn't arrive until about 8:40. Typically once the food arrives, the server comes back after a few minutes to check up on everything. She took about 10 minutes before she checked in. She only came to refill our drinks once and the second time, we had to hound a bus boy because we couldn't reach her. I was only about half done with my food and clearly hovering over it and she wanted to take it away from me. As she was reaching for my plate, I had to tell her I was still working on it. Obviously the tip reflected the service. Would I return again? Probably. But I don't know that my mouth would water thinking about this place. It's seemingly fresh fish that's not too overly priced, but this particular experience was a bad one.
(2)James N.
I came here for lunch because I had received a gift certificate as part of a boat rental. Although I was a concerned about some of the negative reviews the restaurant had received, I was impressed with the quality of my fish and the fact that the menu had local offerings. One of my lunch companions was less impressed with the quantity of scallops in her pasta with shrimp and scallops, but it seemed appropriate to me for the price. The staff was courteous and highly attentive--not just our waiter but the host and other staff as well. The bread was tasty and the simple atmosphere was pleasant. If you like good quality fish simply prepared, this is a good place for you.
(3)Jay T.
I love their calimari and scallops!!!
(5)Jeffery D.
FIrst if you want the best Maine style Clam Chowder and Lobster Roll outside of New England GO HERE!!!! They use the real Maine Hotdog rolls ( I know I'm from Maine)!!! I go here and order Chowder to go monthly and it is great. As for sitting and eating I go there almost every time the wife and I go to the movies and I have never been disappointed. The Mussels are always cleaned very well. (Something that is usually hard to come by).
(5)Gene S.
Came here with high expectations and came away disappointed. The restaurant is in the newish "District " plaza and is conveniently located right next to the parking lot by JT Schmidts (spelling?). I went for a late lunch on a tuesday and the place was a ghost town. We opted to sit on the patio since it was sunny out. Decor wise, the restaurant is nice. They have a nice big bar with flat screens and a lot of big fish on the walls. The patio has a firepit, booths lining the back and tables spread out in the middle. The service was good, nothing to rave about, just good. The food was mediocre. I had shrimp linguine that was super buttery and bland. A ton of salt and pepper and it was still bland. My mom had the seabass that was also underseasoned, and my brother had a ahi burger that tasted like propane. The highlight of the meal was the shrimp ceviche lettuce wraps. It was decent but they dont serve with tortilla chips or hot sauce. It's sad when the highlight of the meal is decent. Anyways long story short: nice place, mediocre food. I would give it 2.5 stars but i round up. Go for the happy hour. They pour a good pint and have games on.
(3)Esther P.
I came here for Happy Hour Week so I don't know how the real menu is. However, from my experience, it just seems mediocre. The service wasn't bad, and the decor was interesting (look up for the little fish hanging from the ceiling!), but the food wasn't amazing to me. We ordered calamari sliders, regular sliders, grilled fish tacos, tomato bisque, some tenderloin steak thing, and drinks. The calamari sliders were okay, and while the they themselves were reminiscent of chewier McD's fish filets, the prices were not. Something about the taste seemed kind of odd, the kind where you can't really put your finger on, as if they used too much of x and not enough of y. There's better out there.
(3)Brent P.
5 of us went to the Bluewater Grill for dinner last weekend and it was not what I thought it would be. First of all I would say the wait staff was pleasent and took our order in a timely manner, actualy maybe a little too timely as they were asking for our drink order just a as our buts hit the seat. I started with the Oysters Rockefeller and it was covered in soo much cheese you could hardley tell there was an oyster in there. My girlfriend and I ordered the salmon, which was good but all the sides were charred black and flavorless. i don't know if it was an off night for them but the food was not very good at all.
(2)Cyndi L.
Came for lunch today. Food was good, but server was not attentive. I ordered the san dabs after he explained how they were prepared. The runner brought out sea bass instead. The runner offered to take it back but I decided to keep it so I could eat with the hubby. To my surprise I was charged for the Seabass Instead of san dabs and the sea bas was $15 more than the san dabs. Not too cool.
(3)Stephanie R.
Had dinner her last night, actually a trio of appetizers as we weren't that hungry. The generous bucket of steamers were good, especially the broth to dip the warm bread into! The coconut shrimp were MARVELOUS-lightly fried with plenty of shredded coconut and tasty mango salsa to dip them in! The sashimi plate was a mixed bag. While the ahi and salmon were fresh, the hamachi tasted a little fishy-certainly not the best fish.
(3)Jennifer L.
So it's OC Restaurant Week and I've heard good things about Bluewater Grill in Newport so we decided to come here for lunch. Tustin was closer to where we were so it worked out well. Bf and I both did the $20 lunch deal that Restaurant Week had going on. The first course was a really really good clam chowder. At first, my bf was just going to do an entree, but he had a taste of mine and decided to go with the $20 menu. It was gooood! Came out hot, w/ lots of tasty clams. For the main entree, I got the ahi fish tacos w/ fries and cole slaw and my bf got the fish of the day, which was a blackened red snapper w/ some apple beurre blanc served with mashed potatoes and steamed veggies. Mine was just alright. The first one was good, but then I was pretty full so I decided to just pick at the fish in the second taco but that one was really big, a little tough, and too fishy. The fries were alright and the cole slaw was kinda bland. Overall, I've had much better fish tacos. My bf's however was quite yummy. The blackened part was this dry rub that made the fish a tad spicy. The potatoes and veggies were good too. Last but not least, we both got sundaes for our dessert. Here's how the sundaes were. One small scoop of vanilla (bean?) ice cream, some whipped cream (out of a can), and a drizzle of chocolate syrup. I mean the ice cream itself was alright, but who calls that a sundae?! There wasn't even a cherry on top! I would have given the place a 3 based on my meal, but my bf's meal showed potential for the place in general. Our waitress was nice and they were attentive and friendly there. Oh, and they have really good bread and butter in the beginning (I absolutely heart bread and butter.) I'd go back... just not for the tacos.
(4)E T.
I really liked the decor and ambiance of this place. Nice, without being too nice. i wouldn't feel bad about walking in in jeans and a t-shirt, and I wouldn't feel out of place walking in a little dressed up. Crowd is low key. Sat at the bar for dinner, which I think was our mistake. Only two ppl were manning the entire bar, so it made for super slow service. Hubby and I ordered artichoke spinach dip, a small ceasar salad, and a burger. Dip came out fairly quickly. I was planning on having the salad as my entree, but I think the waitstaff thought we were sharing it as an appetizer. So after maybe 15 mins or so of just appetizer, the bartender apologized for the long wait for the salad and said he would take it off the bill. Nice! But then we probably waited an hour or so (from the time we ordered to the time it came out) for the burger to come out. What was weird is that the bartender never said anything about how long the burger was taking. And then when we asked about it, he was like whatevers. I would definitely go again to try some other stuff. But I would opt for a regular table over the bar.
(3)Sherry M.
This restaurant is wonderful. I go there several times a month. My favorite is the salt and pepper shrimp, it just burst with flavor. Other items I've tried oysters, oyster Rockefeller (delicious), seafood platter all have been fabulous.
(5)Stephen B.
"How's everything tasting?" "The tasting is fine; the service is terrible." That was the exchange with our waitress after my wife and I ducked into Bluewater which, by the way, features the most uncomfortable chairs of any restaurant in which I've ever dined. No matter. The booths are fine if you can get one. We only ordered soup and salad but the meal came without dressing for my wife and the wrong dressing on mine. That, in and of itself, is easily fixed had our waitress bothered to check in. But she didn't. After a while the manager noticed our stranded looks and handled it. Some time after delivery of the missing dressing and new salad, and after we had finished most of the meal, our waitress came by with the ever-annoying, superfluous (and grammatically incorrect) inquiry, "How's everything tasting?" Had she been more interested in making sure we had what we needed when we needed it, and less interested in the taste of our meal, she might have resolved issue. Advice to restaurant managers: train your wait-staff to simply ask if anything more is needed after the meal is delivered...the taste of my food is only one aspect of my dining experience and not a service issue.
(2)Judy H.
Did not have to wait forever for a party of seven. Food was good and service was spot on.
(3)Leanne M.
We came here on a friday night and were happy to find it not so busy. Turns out, not only was the standard Irvine/Tustin crowd missing, so was the quality of the food. Our oysters where full of pieces of shell. Italian dressing (especially since they flaunt all of their dressings as made in house) should taste like something other than oil. Maybe there should be more seafood in a cioppino. The only yay I can give was for the bread and butter. mmm butter... I'll only come back for their martini happy hour. Half price martinis?!?! how could i say no!!??
(2)Scott K.
pros: i suppose the ambience can be considered classy and ideal for a dinner date. cons: $16 for fish and chips comparable in taste to those i can get at jack in the crack. the bartender who rushed us so much to order food and drinks, it seemed as if she was hard up for money and desperately needed the tip. regardless of her reasons, it was very annoying. conclusion: rather than bringing a date here or suggesting this place among friends or family, save face and yelp for a better alternative.
(2)Tim H.
Came to the District to try to out Ra's happy hour, but damn that place gets f*&%in packed. Somehow ended up at Bluewater Grill for happy hour. Drinks were pretty decent for $5 for margarita's, some bitch martini, and somehting else. Food is pretty diverse ranging from oyster shooters to calamari sliders. The sourdough bread that they give you at the beginning is ridiculously good too. Only downsides to my experience was service (probably just crappy during happy hour) and the guy that sat down next to me. Seriously reminds me of Danny Devito in It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. This guy sits down with two 40-50 year old ladies and himself at a table meant for two. He keeps on blabbering about some random shit and about half way through he tires himself out and straight up knocks out for a good 5-10 minutes. I think next time I'd rather go to happy hour somewhere else.
(3)phil w.
I enjoyed the fish here. They make their entrees to a pretty nice standard. My pop's sea bass (blackened, then wined and buttered) was spectacular and, to me, was the star of the evening. The sides with the entrees are very normal. You can tell they didn't go to lengths to specialize the sides, but they definitely aren't disastrous. Very chain-like. The rest of the food is solid, with a shout out to the fisherman's platter -" fish and chips, but also with battered shrimp and scallops to boot. Prices are fair and our waitress was really nice. After everything else however, it is a chain in a strip mall. So you know what to expect in terms of crowd and charm (perhaps a lack thereof). Good thing for me is that as a socal visitor, it's a decently fresh spot for me this time around.
(3)Monica M.
stopped here after work with a friend. we had a salad and a few items from the happy hour menu. steamed clams,calamari,artichoke dip,oyster shooters, The kim chi tacos were very very very good. did i say very good? with a salad and a couple drinks. We were stuffed when we left. This is another place I'll be going back to. The service was very good. Water was never less than 3/4 full. We never needed anything they would bring it just as we were about to ask for it.
(5)Jenny L.
This review is for happy hour and my two cents (and stars): don't come here for happy hour. It's pricey and maybe it was because of St. Patty's Day, the service wasn't very good and everything we ordered was cold. We were so hungry that we ate our hamburger but we did ask for another seafood dip. The best part was the complimentary bread, the tacos and the host who allowed us to order the happy hour specials even after 6:30PM.
(2)Jenny D.
My friend and I were at the district and she was craving fish. The sushi place was too packed for happy hour so we decided to try Bluewater Grill. We made the right choice. It wasn't packed. It was nice and quiet. The service was pleasant. The happy hour prices were great and the food was delicious. They had a special happy hour menu that contained some of their appetizers in smaller portions. I decided to try the fish tacos and the steamed clams. Being that I'm from the Pacific NW, I've never seen clams so small; however, they were an appetizer and they did give me a good ladle full. They were cleaned well and served with butter. Yum! The fish tacos were small taquito sized corn tortillas. There were two on a plate. The garnish was cabbage and sour cream. I don't know what they cooked this fish in, but it was delicious. I had a well cosmopolitan and I was good to go. My friend decided on an entree of tillapia, mashed potatoes, and sauteed spinach. I tasted her fish and it was delish! The happy hour prices were great. The food ranged from 4-5 dollars and the drinks were 4. I couldn't suggest a better place. It's right across from JT Schmidt's. I'd say skip the grease and noise and come here for lunch/dinner.
(4)JJ S.
I've been wanting to try the Newport Bluewater for quite a while, but seems like I've been ending up at the District a lot lately, so no wonder I got to try this one first. Met another couple here for HH on Friday night. SERVICE: Ebony did a great job and is adorable, friendly and attentive. We also appreciated the fact that the Chef came out to deliver our oyster shooters, was super nice, and stayed to talk with us a bit. ATMOSPHERE: We originally sat in the way back, which made me feel a bit too much like we were sitting in the way back. So we moved into the central dining room which felt much more open with the surrounding windows, and had a great view of the kitchen area. The seating is comfortable, and the decor is pleasing. Too bad their patio is so small, as it looks really nice out there, but good luck getting a table. DRINK: Never heard of the house Cab, and I still can't remember it, but it was decent and didn't give me a headache. A good deal at $4. FOOD: Here's where we went to town. First off, the basket of warm BREAD is a nice touch, and perfect to get something in my stomach while waiting for the first round of appetizers. The GRILLED FISH TACOS were so fresh tasting, but could've been served on larger tortillas instead of tiny double tortillas, as they were totally overflowing. SHRIMP CEVICHE LETTUCE WRAPS were good but messy, and to make them even messier, served with a soy-based sauce. The FRIED CALIMARI was so tender and yummy. The CRAB ARTICHOKE DIP was excellent and nicely portioned, but served with those weird orange, purple and yellow tortilla chips, which never taste good to me for some reason. The STEAMER CLAMS were many but small, and the sauce was too watery - not as good as the clams I make at home. But, by far, my favoritest were the OYSTER SHOOTERS. Yes, another round of oyster shooters, please! I could've easily schwigged a dozen of those... 4-1/2 stars (on the verge of 5.) Look out Bluewater, we're coming back. And, your sister in Newport, too. (p.s. Everyone makes a big deal about the 100th review. I wasn't even planning on noticing mine, but ooops I did, and I'm kinda glad the place was such a good good.)
(4)Tom V.
Everything about our dinner at BWG tonight was fantastic. Let's begin with the parking... Free lot, with plenty of parking (even on a Saturday night). The restaurant is beautiful, and romantically lit... reminded me of a Fleming's Steakhouse. Very clean. Neat. Organized. Greeting by the hostess of BWG... great.. No reservation @ 7:30 pm on Sat. night, and she sat us immediately, at a nice table. We were greeted by the manager as well. Immediately acknowledged by our server (Matt). Drinks arrived, the menu had so many options. The food came out right away, and was DELICIOUS! Perfectly prepared, a decent serving size (although for the high price, it could be a little bit more filling), and tasty. Very healthily prepared. The server (Matt) was perfect. He was attentive to ALL of his tables simultaneously, yet made us feel like we were his only and main priority. He didn't hover, or interrupt, as some servers will frequently do. He really made the night for us! Great personality, while we could tell he was being himself. He was to the point, and quick. VERY EFFICIENT. The restrooms however.... could use some tidying up. Not too messy, but just could use some attention. The toilets need to be scrubbed. (I notice these things). I highly recommend this BWG location @ The District.
(5)Jane R.
The best thing is their free corkage all the time! I hope this never changes.
(4)Kristina G.
i went here b/c they were giving out free drinks courtesy of angelic. i got a cosmo and it was good, a tad bit strong but thats what a martini is right? i also ordered a couple appetizers with my friends. the calamari was good, lightly breaded and not tough at all. it was served with a classic marinara sauce. and the crab and artichoke dip was d-lish! it was topped with cheese, yum-o! with the tri-color tortilla chips. i was very satisfied with the two appetizers and a drink. my roommate got the slider and it looked good. it was a good size with fries. oh ya and it was happy hour so all the food we got was under $5! happy hour ends at 6:30. they have lots of other options for happy hour, as well as a couple of alcoholic drinks.
(4)Jackie O.
Ok you have to love seafood and not mind the smell because the second you step into Bluewater you are surrounded by the sensual aroma of sealife. I love how the kitchen is wide open to the guests. Very nicely setup and the hostesses are so pleasant. Pretty accurate of wait time, but usually not long of a wait. You can bring your own wine, I've never done that yet, but I'm sure there is a fee. The atmosphere is really intimate to me, a good place for a date. Even though I've only gone with my girlfriends, I wouldn't mind being taken there on a date. Food selection isn't large, but everything is very exquisite. I love their crab artichoke dip, its got a little spicy tang to it. Awesome drinks, prices are decent, I wouldn't say expensive, but you can't eat there everyday as a college student. Their salads are really big and good, from what I hear. I don't eat salads or any types of vegetables, I'm allergic. HAHA Service is awesome, I've always gotten guys and they are always good looking and so sweet. Ask them for their opinion in food and they always have good suggestions. Plus a good way to start a convo! Super relaxed and chill, not loud or booming with music. I would have to say their mojitos are BOMB! I am a mojito type of girl and I always end up getting at least four before I'm out of there. If you haven't noticed from a lot of my reviews so far, I like to go hangout at the District with friends and family. Its a great place to grab food, relax out on the couches and chairs, or to just drink and have a good time. usually really dead because everyone goes to the Block or Spectrum and the District just the same, less people. I LOVE IT! 7/22/09 REDO! Still excellent of course! Tried their Ciopinno AMAZINGGG!! I hope I spelled that right, but it's a huge plate and the first time I got it. I couldn't even finish like a quarter of it. There's mussels, clams, crabs, shrimp in this deep red close to a soupy marinara tasting sauce. They give you bread to dip in the sauce, my mouth waters just thinking about this dish. I think this has to be my all time favorite so far. I split the dish with a girlfriend and they actually halfed the meal into two dishes for us. Which was perfect! So I found out there's no corkage [spell check] fee for up to two bottles of wine. They actually accomodate big parties which will be cool for my roomate/lovers birthday shindig coming up! She'll love it all!! Ok running out of time but more to come!
(4)Rosie H.
Don't eat here! It is way overpriced for the portion that you get. On top of that the taste is average. People who sat at the next table were also surprised at what they got.
(1)Alex K.
This is a review by a friend: 1st time, 3 stars: ok, preset menu: salad good, pasta ok, ice cream sundae very nice :P 2nd time, 4 stars: happy hour, very nice lots of good food for cheap, minus star for strange lettuce wraps 3rd time, 5 stars: happy hour with friends, pretty good, drinks were good too 4th time, 2 stars: i went to bluewater grill today for Happy Hour. Sadly, it was not good =( I think there was a different chef or something. The burger sliders werent served on buns, it was on like, toast! And overcooked toast. It like splintered into powder in the especially crunchy parts. ok, it wasnt totally toast, it was a mini ciabatta bread thingy, but it was so mini that when it was sliced in half it looked like toast. That made it worst than toast, because at least toast doesnt fall apart into powder. The bun is the 2nd best part of that thing, next to the beef patty, but the bun they usually have i like a lot because its all grilled to perfection and spongy on the inside. The clams were overcooked, kinda rubbery. The tenderloin tease my sister liked it, but i didnt; i thought it would be like, mini pieces of steak, but its like stir fried chunks of beef with red peppers and onions, i could make that myself, it's called fajitas
(3)Trina K.
We came here for dinner on a Sunday. The service was great and the food was decent. I ordered off their early bird $19.95 menu (you find it on the first page of the cocktail menu) that included choice of chowder or salad, entree, and dessert. I had the New England clam chowder (excellent), fish of the day-tilapia served with mashed pototoes and sauteed spinach (okay and portion big enough for lunch the next day), and creme brulee (blah--texture was not how it should be). Everyone else seemed to enjoy their entrees which included: swordfish, halibut, and cioppino. Overall, an enjoyable dinner, but maybe get dessert somewhere else.
(4)Angel P.
usually avoid going to the District, but it was a good half point for 2 of us when we decided to meet for a quick happy hour. 2 glasses each of pinot noir & calamari fritti. wine was ok. food was a-ok. service was a-ok. ambiance was a-ok. happy hour prices are ok. outdoor seating was a plus. i prefer their Newport Beach location...
(3)Bailey K.
I have been a fan of Bluewater ever since it was across from South Coast Plaza, there is just something about it that I love. The staff is great and friendly, especially Chris Rock the GM and the food is excellent. It may not be perfect, all the time... but when it is perfect it is soooo worth it. Holla!
(5)Leslie A.
I was at Bluewater today for a fabulous lunch (Seafood Louie salad) with girlfriends. Happy St Paddys day to all! The service was fantastic and the food was great. I've been to Bluewater countless times for lunch, dinner, happy hour, and late night drinks at the bar. With friends, family and on date night with my husband, I've always a great time and love the atmosphere. Thank you Bluewater!
(5)Chris L.
Solid seafood but overpriced. The portions arent huge and you'll probably pay around 20$ per entree. It's a real nice looking restaurant though and it's close to the movie theater.
(3)Terry W.
Good food. Extremely loud. Would not return.
(2)Edward T.
We ate here for the first, and last time tonight. I had the grilled salmon, and started with the lobster bisque. The bisque was overly cheesy and salty with very little lobster flavor. The salmon was waaay overcooked, and they did not season it at all. My wife had the Tempura and Yam crusted Halibut. Her fish was also overcooked, though not quite as badly as my salmon. The chili sauce they put on it was disgusting. Very sweet and salty, and the fish was literally swimming in a pool of it. The breading, instead of being light and flaky like tempura was hard and crusty, though a bit soggy on the bottom where it soaked in the pool of sauce.
(1)jessica c.
the calamari was fine. the oysters were tiny. the fish and chips were average. and the appetizer plate was whatever. the food was average but the service left an awful taste in my mouth. our server came around and she was fine. nice enough, but my water was empty for almost the entire dinner, and she only came by to fill it when she came to give us the check. umm, yeah i'm not going to give you my usual 20% tip when you only come around to refill my water at the END of the meal with the check and a smile. that's not cutting it, honey. THE KICKER......... i walked in at around 8 or 9 on a sunday evening with two other girlfriends to a very empty restaurant, with two seated tables. and the hotess was MIA. to the right of the hostess podium was the oyster bar where 4/5 cooks and 1 server stood staring at us, while we waited for a good 5+ minutes just standing there staring back. no one greeted us, no one said, "oh, the hostess will be right with you." and no one went to get the hostess. ummm, RUDE? then when the hostess decided to grace us with her presence, she grabbed the menus and said, "3?" not even a HELLO, and still didn't bother to apologize or recognize the fact that we had waited for no apparent reason. she even acted like we were an annoyance for even being there. if the restaurant was crazy packed, and they were all running around being busy, i would have understood. but if the restaurant is completely empty, save for 5 people, i think it's ridiculous that we were blatantly ignored and made to wait. on top of all that, the hostess seemed pretty alive when the night manager or whoever the cheesy guy in the suit was FLIRTING, grabbing, smoozing with her at the oyster bar. seriously? don't make me throw up my overpriced-average-pre-frozen seafood. save it for after hours, when your patrons aren't trying to eat.
(1)Scott J.
Good food at a fair price. Service was good.
(3)mel m.
came here recently for my boyfriend's birthday. we looked at the menu before heading in and it sounded really good, and it looked really nice. it turned out to be mediocre. i got the fisherman's platter (i think that's what it was called). it was supposed to come with battered fish sticks, prawns, and scallops with sides of fries and coleslaw. i hate coleslaw and wasn't in the mood for fries so they let me substitute veggies and mashed potatoes no problem, so that was cool. and probably a really good thing, since that was the only part of the meal i really enjoyed. the veggies were actually delicious. and i'm not a huge veggie fan. fresh sliced squash cooked perfectly in this amazing sauce, i wish i could figure out just what the seasoning or sauce they used was. and nice creamy mashed potatoes with real potato chunks. it's sad that this place is basically a seafood restaurant and the seafood was the least exciting part of the meal. the fish sticks were bland and flavorless. the scallops were great, once i finally found them in in the deep fried breading. don't get me wrong. i like deep fried things. if my waist line and blood pressure would agree, i think i'd live off deep fried things. but these prawns would have been better off by themselves unbreaded. or wrapped in bacon. and then the prawns. as soon as they brought the plate out i was ready to dig right into the prawns. they looked huge. turns out, it was all breading there too. i literally had to dig the prawn out and there was about as much meat as you get with those little tiny cocktail shrimps. really? all that work getting rid of the oil soaked, no seasoning breading for that?! lame. i tasted my boyfriends cioppino. that was pretty good. but i think the one i make at home is better.
(3)Rafael C.
pretty good, but the raw oysters are puny. service is good.
(3)Quackie C.
Swung by here to meet up with some friends. Pretty nice place. I had the shrimp ceviche, which I ended up liking a lot. Everyone else seemed to enjoy their food, too.
(4)Russ T.
Here's a review from an easy to please business traveler's point of view. I usually visit local haunts based on brief research like these and other reviews, and generally avoid kitschy theme and modern pedestrian malls. However, the local fare seemed thin in the area and I took a chance on Bluewater Grill just the same. I arrived shortly before happy hour ended and ordered a cocktail and the Calamari Fritti. It was tender and tasty like it should be, even with a little cocktail sauce on the side. The drinks at the bar were well made, no skimping on the pour. The Sea Bass was tasty although a bit too black (not blackened) by the grill flame. Sides (two with the meal) were uninspiring and limited. Mashed, Fries, Rice, Zucchini (blech)/Squash and Coleslaw. Two cocktails, a happy hour side and a fresh fish main course was $52 with tip (big tipper here). $2 over my daily corporate limit. What one would expect although most dishes seem to lack creativity and flair. However, given the area's sparsity of dining venues, Bluewater is a winner.
(4)teri k.
Been a fan of Bluewater Grill for years and have been to the newport and south coast location many times. Main reason I go there is for the Ahi fish tacos, which i order blackened seared rare. Location and restaurant are really nice but food has taken a step back. First, the prices of the fish tacos has gone up from I think 10.00 to 12.50. Second, the french fries were stale and tasted like they had sat around and been refried again? Third, had to send my glass of white wine back because the glass was dirty with old red wine? Fourth, the spinach was barely cooked and was really bitter. Fith, the certain cuts of the Ahi had ligaments in them that were unchewable. The last time I had the tacos I had a similar experience and was hoping it was just an isolated experience but it happened again. Service was good as usual but unfortunately, the server has no control over the quality of the food. Sorry to say, I will not be going back.
(2)Tony J.
A great, upscale seafood inspired restaurant with happy hour! I ate here with a coworker and spent over $133 on food! Yes it's on the pricey side but the atmosphere is sexy and the food delicious. I ordered a half dozen raw oysters if which they had the kinds available : Canada, California, Washington. The smaller oysters seem to be the sweetest and less chewy. I would def. Come here again.
(5)Jenny D.
I was in the 'hood one weekend and have been wanting to try this place out! We just needed a snack at the time so we had Lobster Bisque, the Wedge Salad and Ceviche Lettuce Wraps. The Lobster Bisque was MmmMmm Good! I love me some bisque!! I was never really a fan of bleu cheese until lately. I'm not sure what happened. My taste buds have been changing lately! So now I am totally obsessed with Wedge Salads! Theyre so basic but SO good! I absolutely love ceviche as well so I couldn't pass up trying these out. Decent amount of seafood plus avocado all up in there as well! I love to squeeze a lot of lime rather than use the ponzu sauce it comes with. Nom nom nom! I would definitely like to come back here and try something off the dinner menu.
(5)Gary G.
Bluewater Grill is a Tustin oasis -- my happy place where I can be myself and am welcomed and treated like family. Ryan, Bill, Amanda, Rick, Craig -- the entire team is top-notch. It may sound cliche, but they make Bluewater truly feel like home. As for the food, my favorites include: Tuna melt for lunch; garlic fries and tacos for happy hour; and salmon or swordfish for dinner. But honestly you can't go wrong with anything on the menu. If you haven't gone, then go -- and once you go, you'll never want to leave.
(5)Laura W.
Went in earlier this evening with a party of four. We were promptly seated and given a patio table, exactly what we wanted. Our server showed up quite promptly, and conducted himself very well during the whole meal. (Forgot his name, but very cute face and smile) he allowed us to use two yelp check-ins for the $1 drinks, although I went with older ppl and didn't wanna drink, I'm def getting the $1 house wine myself next time. The ceviche lettuce wrap was good, but the sauce was a little watery, given that ceviche already produces some juice on its own. I like the concept but maybe drain the ceviche a little better? Was a little messy to eat. The avocado didn't play a huge part in the flavor. The oyster shooters were tasty. I'm not a big oyster person but I enjoyed the interesting combination of flavors. The entree I got was very well cooked- Miso glazed black cod. I always liked the texture of this fish and the miso glaze was delicious. The bed of green rice was a little hard for me. But overall, I enjoyed my meal. Definitely would come back for the happy hour.
(5)Michael H.
Just went there for lunch and had their Cajun Chicken Sandwich with fries. The service was so friendly and attentive. I was able to make it in/out under an hour. The quality was so good and the chicken was moist and tender. Great location near the valet. I would definitely recommend. Also saw they have a Happy Hour. I must come after work one day. The Cucumber Mint Mojito looks delicious!
(5)Michelle M.
Great service, one of my fav happy hours! Good deal on beverages if you check in, only $1! Meredith is an awesome server :) if you sit in the bar you should request her!
(5)Elle C.
We weren't impressed when we'd come here a few years ago during what I believe was Restaurant Week; we vividly recall that the service was not friendly and the food was unimpressive. I returned for a couple of Happy Hours since; again, wasn't impressed with the Happy Hour food offerings; the well drinks were the best part: good and reasonably-priced. During our recent dinner visit, we appreciated the mood, and attractive, upscale interior décor -- only wish we'd been seated in a more spacious booth. The service was very pleasant, professional, and comfortably attentive. The complimentary warm sourdough bread was great; surprisingly, only 2 pats of butter arrived for 4 people; however, more bread and butter were nicely provided upon request. Both the Manhattan and New England clam chowders were deliciously hot and flavorful, as was our fish entrees (salmon and ahi). Big plus... no corkage fee! Given our recent positive experience (both in food and service), and no corkage fee, Bluewater Grill is a place we would like to return!
(4)Arthur M.
After taking advantage of every bit of sunlight we could get on a Saturday afternoon at the beach, we were pressed for time to get dinner in before a 10 PM showtime at the AMC theaters in the District at Tustin. We chose Bluewater Grill because it was convenient to the theaters, we had been there before, and they had availability that night. We were seated immediately and greeted by our server Greg who's service left plenty to be desired, especially having only one other table aside from us. He forgot my glass of wine to be delivered with the rest of the beverages and when it arrived without apology, the glass was sweating. There was failure to prebus our table throughout the meal. Only on our request, were refills given. And he took a break after our food was delivered and did not return until the plates were finished and neatly stacked at the edge of the table for him. I'm all about the laid back So Cal vibe too, but to repeatedly call me "boss" when you are performing shoddily in this classier restaurant is not appropriate. The food was opposite the service. Everything was delicious without complaints. We ordered calamari fritti, 6 phantom creek oysters, 6 hood canal oysters, seared scallops, seafood louie salad, and the swordfish special, which the swordfish had arrived on a recent shipment. The fish was blackened and served over brown rice with corn and avocado. The fish and the oysters were the winners of the night. We did not have time for dessert but made it in time for the movie. I'm still a fan of Bluewater Grill and would return with our fingers crossed that we receive service at the same level as the food.
(4)Sunny J.
Delicious food, we love to schedule our family dinner here. Everyone finds something they love. Can't beat getting a $1 glass of wine when checking in on yelp either. Recommendations: --Table bread, Amazing!!!! Seafood Louie Salad: Lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, egg, avocado with Louie dressing, red rock crab and bay shrimp....get the tarragon pesto vinaigrette instead of the Louie, it's so delicious and flavorful. -Any fish entree is amazing, we like to pair it with vegetables, scalloped potatoes, and Mediterranean Herb Charmoula,
(4)Shelley H.
Beautiful restaurant. Friendly and professional service. Great view of the open kitchen. Reasonable prices. Really large Martini's and sodas. Family friendly. Large salads. Fresh hot bread and butter. Beautiful kids meals. Lovely fish and chips. So fresh and crunchy. Seared scallops nice. Extra veg not for me. Worth trying out.
(4)Tiffany L.
I LOVE this place! Their ceviche lettuce wraps are the bomb diggity. I've always had really great service from the moment I walk into the door until I leave. I am NEVER one to request a server, but I do at this place. Ryan W. and Kristal have always gone above and beyond for me when I am there. I'm a picky eater and both of them have been really great with accommodating my dietary constraints. Ashley is also really great. A cute little smiley thing. I just love this place. The prices aren't bad and all the food is really good. The happy hour is the business! Give this place a go! You won't be sorry!
(5)Devyn C.
Great house wine only $5 a glass during happy hour (I'm a cab girl). Make sure you sit in Meredith's section, she's great!
(5)Karen K.
We have been there twice. I'm wasn't much of a fish eater, and they started me out with a mild fish. It was delicious! They are always very friendly and have their own recommendations which I find very helpful! We can't wait to go back!
(5)Eric S.
The oysters were really fresh , comparable to walrus and the carpenter in Seattle. Got a nice $1 draft for first yelp check-in which I wisely used on a ballast point calico Amber ale. Also , saw a waiter walking around aimlessly with a lemon drop martini , told him to bring it back if he couldn't find the owner , SCORE !!!!!!! :) the lemon mahi mahi was really good , and the harpooned swordfish. Kids enjoyed the fisherman's platter and I enjoyed the left overs ;)
(5)David H.
Ashley is the BEST SERVER on the Planet!!! The "A" in Ashley is for Awesome!! She not only has a smile that can light up the restaurant, but she is always going the extra mile to make us feel at home. She is super fast & really Loves what she does! #TeamAshley
(5)Irene J.
MEGAN is a wonderful server! If you want a great home-Like and comfortable and wonderful experience come and ask to be seated in Megan's section! Had the Cod but they are known for their swordfish! The green rice that comes with their Cod but ask for the miso sauce on the side :D
(5)Susan S.
Was pleasantly surprised at how great this restaurant was. The nice dim lit setting, the comfy seating, and the friendly waitstaff. Would definitely choose this place over the more popular and crowded chains (e.g. Cheesecake Factory). The Calamari appetizer was great. Perfectly crispy and light. And I almost always love any fresh oyster (Oyster Shot). However, the "San Francisco Cioppino" didn't quite hit the mark. I'm probably picky because I'm from the Bay Area but it didn't have the right kick. It was still pretty decent though. One note, the hostess wasn't super friendly which was weird, since the restaurant was empty. You'd think she was more welcoming to bring in more customers.
(4)Sally E.
My mom really wanted seafood that wasn't going to totally put a dent in our wallets, and after much digging, (seriously, this is a difficult request), the family and I found ourselves at Bluewater Grill for the first time. The ambiance itself seemed really nice. Lots of families and big tables, comfy seating, a fun Italian server. The bread basket that we started with was delicious. Clearly fresh out of the oven - soft on the inside with a perfectly crumbly crust. But the rest of the food was just so..mediocre. It might have been what I ordered? It was hard to tell. I started with the lobster bisque, which had a distinctly fishy taste. I couldn't tell if it was the broth or the lobster itself, but it was overall not very fresh. My mom's Manhattan clam chowder was much better in terms of flavor. For the main, I ordered the swordfish with fries and seasonal vegetables. The swordfish was small, slightly expensive, and rubbery and dry. The seasoning it came with overpowered rather than complimented, and I had to force myself to finish the small piece. Seasonal veggies were a little too bland for me, and I was saddened to say that the fries were the best part. I did take bites from my mom's cioppino and my dad and sister's fisherman's platter. The cioppino was generous with a hearty marinara flavor that I liked. My dad and sister essentially ordered a dish of fried seafood with fries - which I personally think is very difficult to mess up - so naturally, they were delicious. Honestly though, at the end of the day, I'd rather go to California Fish Grill. Where it lacks in ambiance it makes up for in price, freshness and flavor, and I'll take that over Bluewater anytime.
(2)Scott T.
Hit or miss on the service. Waitresses are not that attentive. Twice I was here and Fish came out almost raw. Make sure you ask for well done. Owners say they cook medium rare, but not always the case. Great spinach and slaw though!
(2)Kristy A.
Went with my friend Michael to see a movie and decided to come here for lunch. He ordered the Cajun Chicken Sandwich and I ordered the Seafood Louie Salad. It was phenomenal. The seafood was fresh and the dressing was perfectly seasoned. Veggies were crisp and the sourdough bread that's complimentary is some of the best bread I've ever had. Service was great as well. Definitely a fun spot to go to before or after the movies.
(5)Marlene L.
Nicole was the most sweetest server ever. My first time ever here and she took great care of us and made sure the food was to our liking! Green rice was a great tasty side dish!!!
(5)Abban L.
The lobster bisque was pure salt + cream, with chunks of colder lobster. No integration, whatsoever. The Lobster roll's presentation was promising, and the bread was a nice sweet toasted brioche bread, but the lobster was the seafood equivalent of rubbery chicken. No tenderness and little flavor as it was so overdone. Service was efficient and professional. The food is not worth a return trip.
(2)Aaron E.
Bluewater Grill offer a respectable plate of ocean fresh seafood at reasonable prices in a atmosphere that could be described as the glory of suburbia. Bluewater Grill is probably the next step up in terms of class after the Red Lobster. The environs are more classy, the patrons a bit more snobby, they even have an Executive Chef but the menu still offers a course what comes with a plastic bib. The outside seating makes for great people watching, so be sure to ask for it, if available. The service is passable, if not slow. Their seafood is best when left simple. I have noticed that if I take a "less is more" approach I tend to net better results and to that end I would recommend the Miso Glazed Black Cod, Chipotle Blackened Redfish and Shrimp and Scallop Skewers choices. The Cioppino, Pappardelle and Bluewater Burger all get a resounding "Hell NO". The meat itself is quite fresh and delicious, so I think it is when the kitchen hyper-extends itself that bad things start to happen. Seafood doesn't require much to taste wonderful, a bit of salt, pepper and a wood fire will create heavenly ocean borne cuisine. Another area of concern is the lack of traffic flow here. This place was D-E-A-D at 7pm on a Friday night, not a good sign for a place with a colossal bar! The JT Schmid's across the corridor was completely packed and their food is largely an abomination. I would be very worried if I had any stake in the restaurant. If you find yourself at the horribly designed Tustin Legacy District and have the urge for Seafood, Bluewater Grillwill certain fit the bill. That said, I would not make a special trip for it.
(3)Paul M.
Had oysters and ponzu scallops. Both on point. The ponzu slightly sweet as an FYI. fairly priced bubbly of Roederer great value to go with very fresh seafood.
(5)Daryl H.
Free sourdough bread is excellent. I Ordered the oysters for appetizer. Oysters were good but rather small for $13 for 6 of them. I ordered the San francisco cipino $19. Not as good as original SF Cipono seafood soup but good. Wife got the swordfish, she liked it but I tried a bite But thought it was a bit dry and not worth $28 at lunch time.
(4)Diane N.
This place is cool has awesome food always no to expensive for what you get come by and have a good meal
(4)Monique R.
Generally speaking I"m not a huge fan of seafood but bluewater totally changed that! My first time at Bluewater on Wednesday and I loved it! The food was great! The service was awesome. My server Greg went above and beyond to make sure we had a good experience and I will definitely be returning for my birthdayyyy! I'd recommend to anyone that loves seafood!
(5)John F.
It appears that the Bluewater Grill in Tustin's The District has revamped their food and menu. The new Fish and Chips, with in-house "homemade" potato chips (fries also avail) was a crisp, fresh, white fish. Gone was the usual restaurant supply house soggy breading. The coleslaw was also very tasty too. And the Ipswich Fried Clams were the best I've eaten since I was a child on vacation at Old Orchard Beach in Maine. The prices were fair and appropriate; service attentive, friendly and fun. I'm going back.
(5)Sophia H.
DELICIOUS WARM BREAD FOR THE TABLE. Honestly, I'm not much for writing reviews, but this place is somewhere I frequent often and I feel the need to give back to the place that treats me so well! Needless to say, I love the bread. LOVE. First, it's free and it is absolutely amazing. It comes out warm and doughy with a stash of butter in a ramekin. It's endless and I know most people don't enjoy the crust, but it's my favorite part! So crunchy haha.. Anyhoo, tonight was probably my 5th time there for the happy hour, I always meet great friendly people working there-- tonight was a beautiful girl named Macy and this sweet friendly guy named Byron? They were a treat and I was happy for their help! They made sure I always had enough bread to eat and enough drink to drink :-). The previous times, I think I've met one of the managers.. And he's super friendly and cool too. You feel like VIP getting to meet the people who work and take pride in their restaurant. You can tell there are a lot of regulars, so that speaks to the quality of their service and food. What I usually order is a glass or two of wine-- $5/glass HH. I enjoy their house cab and Pinot Grigio. I've had their Moscow mule, mojito, also some raspberry one that's absolutely delicious. The bartender also took the time to sugar my rim! Haha what a treat! You cannot go wrong with their ceviche lettuce tacos $5 and garlic fries $5, I really do need to branch out to their menu but I'm half broke all the time living on a happy hour wine budget :-). They have a full restaurant menu and I'm hoping to try the creme brûlée next haha! Tonight I also tried their calamari $5 and artichoke $5. The artichoke was bomb.com . It's roasted and comes with this roasted lemon and awesome side sauce. I wish I could cook like this. Their HH menu is very broad and it's a good time to try a lot of their specialties. Maybe one of these days I'll come here like a normal person in normal hours and try their famous choppiano? Some kind of awesome looking seafood stew. If you're looking for a nice, upscale, romantic restaurant with a homey feel and social atmosphere, you can't go wrong here. I like to take people here for the ambiance. It's just warm, classy, and comfortable. The bar is oval in shape and there's tvs for the important laker/clipper/Angels games so... It's great. I have a appreciation for bars that are circular and encompass the bartender. They also have the restaurant section where you sit for a table and it looks like it's always busy with a lot of groups of important people! Very white cloth napkin fancy :-) I just would have to say that it does cater to an mature crowd, maybe 30/35+ but if you're like me, and like talking to all types of people's and enjoying great food, this is your spot. I'm 25 and personally enjoy talking with different ppl and especially love tasty food on a sweet budget :-) plus, they generously pour heavy and if you don't like it, you don't drink it! Bartenders are working with a full bar and are very willing to please and help you take the edge off. :-) ***disclaimer, everything on the HH menu is ~$6 or less. I think most of what I ordered was $5, specialty drinks I think were more.
(5)Vicki E.
Came here for lunch. Love the decor and ambiance. Ordered beef tenderloin brochettes as an appetizer and they were tender and delicious. We both had salads as our entree. We both ordered wee salads: I had the red rock crab and avocado salad and my husbands had the wedge salad and added shrimp to it. Both were well sized and they were plenty big for us both. Definitely will be back!
(4)Karen B.
I love the Newport Beach location so I decided to take a co-worker here for lunch this week for her birthday. The hostess was very welcoming and had a beautiful smile and our server Ryan was spot on. Instantly drinks were out and warm hot bread was served. My friend loved her salad but I was disappointed with the portions for mine. I eat small portions as it is and although my favorite at Bluewater is the Louie salad I ordered the smaller crab and avocado salad with a price point of $10.50 I believe. The dressing was light and delicious but it is as if they grabbed a "pinch" of crab and put it on the salad with 4 of the tiniest slices of avocado. I had 1 bite of the crab and it was gone. I felt very disappointed. I did not want to spoil the celebration by mentioning anything to the waiter but it was and especially because I felt I spent money for little substance to my meal. The upside, Ryan brought a complimentary bowl of ice-cream with whipped cream and chocolate syrup on it with candle for my co-worker. Very nice. I hope next time I come I have something else with a better review.
(3)Ursula G.
Came here for happy hour on Tuesday because the Winery was completely packed with no spots at the bar. Their happy hour goes until 6:30, which is convenient for those who get off work later. Some of the HH in this area tend to end at 6, and that extra 30 min makes a huge difference. Service was GREAT, especially after stopping by a couple of other places, one in which the server seemed to be bothered that we inquired about happy hour, this was a nice surprise. The people at the host stand, maybe a host and a manager, and our server were all very inviting. They have wines, well drinks and beers at a discount, and a number of small plates at around $4, $5, or $6. The ambience is nice with lots of open area seating around the bar, and side tables. It was a good experience all in all, but we didn't eat anything that totally wow-ed us. We ordered the oyster shooters, and they accidentally brought 4 (2 orders) instead of one order of 1. No big deal, and they were so nice we didn't care. However, for a seafood place these oysters were tiny, less than half the size of the 1.5/2 ounce shot glass, which was filled with cocktail sauce. It was way too much sauce and not enough oyster. The fish tacos were good quality and size, with nice pieces of avocado. The crab artichoke dip is on the smaller size, but pretty flavorful, with delicious melted cheese. Their bread was our favorite, warm and fresh, we were not expecting bread at our table for just happy hour. So good! Good place to people watch, and great service and ambiance, just nothing sticks out as a MUST HAVE from their happy hour.
(3)Bryan F.
I'm going to keep this short and sweet, this place is amazing! The food, drinks and service! Nicole was great and very knowledgeable about everything! This place is a must!
(5)Danielle Y.
Came here for lunch today after only being here for dinner before. Lunch menu is limited but still had some good selections. I got the grilled salmon ciabatta sandwich. It was okay, the piece of salmon was really thin considering the size and thickness of the ciabatta bread. It came with a couple of cherry tomatoes, arugula, and some sort of citrus aioli dressing on the arugula. The dressing didn't really complement the sandwich well, I added some Balsamic vinegar that I had leftover from The garden salad I ordered. My boyfriend got the seafood paella which was good, I'm glad he didn't finish so I was able to satisfy my tummy with his leftovers since my sandwich didn't cut it. It's a much better dinner restaurant IMO. The server was polite, but nothing special. 3 stars because neither the food not the service really knocked my socks off.
(3)Sayaka N.
Came here for happy hour while waiting for a movie :) service was a little slow but understandable since the bartop was fairly busy. Got the calamari, dip, oyster shooters, and garlic fries from the happy hour menu. Everything was pretty good. Oyster shooters had a bit too much cocktail sauce.
(4)Kathy G.
My husband and I visited Blue Water Grill for the first time this past Saturday. We were going to another restaurant, but the wait was too long. It was about 8pm and there were very few people dining there. This is never a good sign unless it's fairly new and nobody knows about it yet. We stayed anyway because we were very hungry which generally makes food taste even better. Not this time! Our appetizer was amazing! It was Charred and spicy Edamame. It was really good! I ordered the Clam Bake. The server said it was great. My husband opted for grilled swordfish. There were 4 tiny, dried up clams in a ramekin on a plate with a small over cooked lobster tail, 2 mushy, flavorless corn on the cob and some ok cole slaw. A mere $32. My husband's meal was not great, but edible! I would come back for the Edamame and bread. The rest of the food is not good and certainly not worth the price! The service was good, though she was not right in her reccommdations!
(2)Kent D.
Came here for a lent lunch date and I wasn't really sure what to expect. Walking into the dimly lit dining space, I recalled that garden variety corporate inspired Cheesecake Factory meets Mastros vibe. It was clean sleek contemporary and full of bustling energy. The manager stopped by our table to present the specials with us and proceeded to discuss the menu items, while taking our appetizer orders in the process. He told us our server would arrive momentarily but it took awhile for her to arrive (about 10+ minutes), which was puzzling considering it wasn't that busy. That being said, our appetizers were served and she still hadn't stopped by to take our orders so we ended up flagging her down. She was friendly enough and took our orders in a snap. The appetizers were delicious! We ordered the ceviche lettuce wraps and lobster bisque and both did not disappoint. The bisque was creamy fragrant and had an enticing lobster aroma. Each velvety spoonful was flavorful and richly decadent. Served with a crisp Parmesan crostini to dip, this cup of soup more than satisfied my hunger pangs for a tasty and substantial soup. The ceviche wraps were no "also ran" in my book, all three lettuce cups were generously packed with loads of fresh chunk white fish and seared tuna. Served with buttery avocado and a supporting cast of red onions chilis cilantro lemon juice and tomato chunks, it was mouthwatering bite after bite. Our entrees came out soon after and I was equally impressed with the quality of the fish and the preparation. I had the sautéed sand dabs and my dining guest enjoyed the blackened salmon. Flavors were all married very well and I never got a "fishy" taste in any of my seafood plates. The sand dabs were light, flakey, and prepared well. The blackened salmon was dusted just right where I felt I wasn't coughing up seasoning. In fact, It was perfectly seasoned. The portions were just right in my opinion, as well. The sides of sautéed spinach and dill rice were terrific! For those that complained about the portions, for crying out loud, it's lunch people! If you want to slip into a food induced coma with portions that will require you to be hauled out on a wheel barrow, try eating at a buffet instead. For me, it's not about quantity but rather quality, which is hard to come by these days. For dessert, I ordered the key lime pie. It was good enough but it lacked that lip puckering effect you should get when you bite into one of these tart pies. Overall, I had a great lunch, I was satiated yet not weighed down and all the food was well prepared and served at a great pace. Service could have been a bit more attentive in the beginning by our server but she made up for it later on. I must admit that the restaurant can be on the pricier side, which probably explains the vehement complaints from my fellow Yelpers. With that in mind, take it all with a grain of salt. I felt the quality and portions were right on the money and IMO you get what you pay for. Happy Eats!
(4)Keith G.
This review is only for the bar food / appetizer. I sampled the fish tacos, slider w/fries, and crab cakes. The fish tacos were just okay. 3 nicely spiced fish tacos served on corn tortillas with all of the trimmings. They were a tad overcooked. $4 at happy hour. The slider was a single delicious mini-burger, served with a small side of fries. The fries were greasy and had an "off" taste, as though the oil they were cooked in was old or had been cooking something else with a strong taste (fish perhaps?). $4 at happy hour. The crab cakes (2 for $12.75) seemed like 50/50 breading and crab. Too much filler for my taste. I came in for the salt-and-pepper shrimp as seen on the Yelp menu (under the happy hour menu section), however it was not served at this location. Bartender told me it was a mistake. Bar service was professional and efficient. Overall, I was not impressed with the bar food. I'll likely try them one more time for table service, and will update this review after that.
(2)B M.
This place is a must try if you are into seafood, they have this shrimp dish which you can eat the shrimp with its shell, I know it sound gross but wait until you try it, love the food, my only issue was, my doesn't eat pork and we hade to return her dish 3 times because they didn't take out the sausage form the plate, even after all of that from How good it was my wife did insisted on having it done the right way, we are definitely going back for that good tasty food.
(4)Alyssa L.
The manager David and server amanda were awesome! The food is always Delish and fresh! we used the $1 drink offer super cool! Thank you for making a memorable night for me and my family :) xo
(5)Debbie C.
Bluewater Grill is my go to place for the best HH. Ashley does a fantastic job of making the dining experience top notch!
(5)Asa N.
Flavor: Food was alright, just what you would expect from an American-ized restaurant. Nothing was bad, but nothing was exceptionally awesome either. Location: The restaurant was actually pretty empty when my family and I came to eat here. I personally like it when it's quiet and not busy, but quiet and empty might be bad for someone else's first impression. Uh Oh: We ordered one of the seafood dishes (I don't remember which one) and we found a bug. *ew* The manager was super friendly, nice, helpful, and took the dish off the bill. But in the midst of her over-niceness efforts to help us feel better, she said something like "Yea, I don't know why that's there. I mean sometimes that happens but we make sure to check all the dishes before they go out." O_o vat? It happens..more than once, guys.. hmmmmmmm
(3)Lana L.
I'm really glad we finally tried out the Blue water grill. The service was excellent, the atmosphere is nice, and I would definitely go back. My husband had the chipotle swordfish which was great. I had the Louie salad which was great, and pretty large. I also enjoyed the pomegranate martini. My sister really enjoyed her king salmon, and everyone loved the scalloped potatoes. The only thing I didn't care for was the lobster bisque. I wouldnt recommend it, but overall the food was still amazing. It's a little pricey, but not bad for quality seafood. I would recommend this restaurant for anyone in the mood for seafood.
(4)Casey T.
Today I went in and had the Mahi Mahi which was suggested to me by my server and I loved it. My server Nicole was amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She went so far above and beyond my expectations, it was my first time dining here and she was so polite and helpful. She patiently helped me go over the menu and offered excellent suggestions. I couldn't have enjoyed my service or meal more!! I will definitely be back! Thank you for the awesome food and service Nicole!
(5)Jacelyn C.
Tried this place for dinner. Good food and service. Had the cioppino. It was good and not salty. Hubby had the linguine with jumbo shrimp. Definitely a place for seafood lovers.
(4)Redondo B.
We came in super hungry and were seated promptly. I got Nicole as my waitress and she was excellent! She was very nice and answered all of our questions. The lobster bisque and prawn linguini were absolutely delicious. We definitely will be returning in the near future.
(5)Andie S.
The fish here is outstanding! We had the Cajun red snapper... spicy and delicious! Our server Nicole was super friendly and helpful. I love this place.
(4)Eric L.
The happy hour food was generally dismal. We're talking about tiny fish tacos, tasteless ceviche, and awful KBBQ tacos. The only redeeming dish was the steamers, served in delicious broth. If you check in on yelp, you can score a $1 first drink.
(2)Risya L.
The stars just keep rolling in with this place. Always a good experience. This time we decided to sit at the bar for their happy hour. Which btw, is from 3:30-6:30 which is nice because JT's is only until 6. Chris and Rick, were really good! Very friendly, I about died after having the Strawberry Smash!! GREAT DRINK!! Don't ever take it off lol. We decided to have your calamari and wings. The calamari was cold when we received it, but right away they went ahead and got us a fresh hot one. Not too thrilled with the fried red peppers, seems sort of a waste if you ask me. Kind of soggy and seemed to just be there to take up space on the plate. The wings with Thai Chili sauce, was amazing. So crunchy and yummy, not too saucy which was awesome. We also decided to split the MAHI MAHI plate. This is why you lost a star, first the calamari, but second because this dish, we had been t'm told three times, it should be on the way, and after almost 30-40 minutes, did we finally receive our plate...After Rick went to the cooking counter requesting it I assume...Not sure what happened. But when he came back with our plates, they were kind enough to split it for us, the portions were amazing for a split plate. The scalloped potatoes a little salty, but DELICIOUS, and the fresh grilled spinach was so good. The fish was so fresh, and tender, and the crusting on it was PERFECT! May I add, I'm NOT a fish person, but figured I would give it a try. Happy I did, because we really enjoyed it. The bar was deffinetly popping...A little more geared towards the older crowd it seems then I expected. But we still enjoy ourselves. Oh, again, the fresh hot bread that comes out, was soooo good! Also, make sure you check in using YELP you save a dollar off your first beer or drink.
(4)Nhung N.
I've been to this restaurant twice, once in catalina and once at this location. when I came to this location it was for cocktail week last year. The drinks I had were pretty good. Not strong enough in my opinion but tasty and fruity. I also ordered the calamari as a snack. These were the best part but that was expected because they are known for seafood dishes, I think. Anyway if it were not cocktail week I don't think I would ever come back unless there were deals because the prices are a little steep considering the options.
(3)Lili T.
The food is so good that sometimes I wish I worked there for an employee discount. The clam chowder is delicious; I could eat it everyday.. The staff is always very friendly. I like the two metal crabs at the front of the restaurant. I would highly recommend my favorite dishes: swordfish special or yam crusted halibut. Also, keep an eye out for their clambake (it's seasonal, so don't miss it). So good.. Holy crap
(5)Vince M.
Went here for happy hour great service, killer appetizers the Pom Pom sashimi scallops are really really good, I don't normally gush like this! Great job all around! VM
(5)Amanda W.
Really good happy hour - the bar tenders that helped us were Chris and Macy. Both very attentive and nice!!! Had great suggestions from the menu. We tried both clam chowders and were very impressed. Great taste and great quality. Definitely a place we will come back to.
(5)Jackie N.
My boyfriend and I decided to try something a little healthier for our dinner outing so we decided seafood and somewhere we both haven't went to yet. We came here on a Friday night and was seated right away. The decor itself it very classy. Our waitress was fun and helpful. Oyster shooters: we got an Islander and a Michelana(?). Freaking disgusting. I only ordered this because I heard oysters shooters were awesome. No thank you! Salmon with Cajun seasoning sided with Scalloped Potatoes and Sauteed Spinach: For the price they were asking on the salmon, it didn't wow me and the freshness was decent. The spice of cajun on the salmon was pretty good. I felt like they could have done something better with the spinach to add a little flavor. Scalloped potatoes were pretty liquidy, not creamy. I don't know if I would come here by choice because the food was bleh!
(2)Kailey S.
Fantastic check in offer! I figured i should get seafood at this place but the chicken just sounded too good to pass up. It was sooooo good. Moist and tender. the scalloped potatoes were amazing. Nothing special about the clam chowder. We also got the crab and artichoke appetizer and it had hardly any crab in it. Meals were a on the pricey side.
(4)Evan R.
A bit pricey but the food is good and the fish is fresh. Try going on less busy weeknights.
(4)Amir K.
We went in late night. Almost closing time. Everyone closes so early in the area. I worked in the industry for years so unless I got a good vibe, I wasn't going to stay. We were welcomed with smiles, taken care on a timely fashion, not rushed at all, and had 4 courses and left with other tables there eating. We will return. Thanks
(4)Nadeen H.
I went today for happy hour and food wasn't good at all i ordered tai chicken wings they were so dry no taste at all , burger slider wasn't good meat was very greasy , garlic fries were ok . I wouldn't go back for happy hour agin .
(2)Cassandra H.
The scallop appetizer is amazing, along with the clam chowder ... Service was very good. The main which was the New York steak and a lobster tail was very disappointing. We would come back here for the appetizers.
(2)Amy V.
check in on yelp and get your first alcoholic drink for $1 (it'll tell you what you can get when you check in) pretty cool deal!! lol decided to come here to eat before going to the movies highlights: - free wifi "eatatbluewatergrill" don't know if they change it or not - if you eat here, you can buy movie tickets for $8 crab & artichoke dip $10 - pretty good. really creamy. beer battered fish and chips $17 - I also liked this dish. fries were good and the batter was crunchy NY steak with scallops potatoes and spinach $30 - everything tasted normal. loveeee the scallops potatoes though! omg so good! must get as a side
(4)Liubys H.
Ugh. Such a disappointing experience! One star for service--overall I would've given the place NO stars but Yelp believes in being generous... My boyfriend and I decided to grab dinner before catching a flick, and decided on Bluewater because we were in the mood for seafood. The ambience was certainly nice (save for some lame décor hanging from the ceiling) and the service was all right, but the only thing I genuinely enjoyed was the bottomless bread and butter. If I'm coming to a restaurant and the only thing I enjoy is your bread, well, Houston, we have a major problem. We eventually both chose the paella, and the decision proved to be the wrong one. While the portion was certainly good (you ARE paying 25 bucks after all!), the paella was overcooked, burnt in the wrong way and didn't smell very appetizing. I was hungry enough to scarf down about half, but my poor boyfriend smelled it once, took a bite, and couldn't stomach it. The chicken was tough and the seafood tasteless; it was low in salt and seasoning and no amount of saffron could save the poor dish. My boyfriend replaced it with a fried seafood sampler that was decidedly better, but the damage had been done. 60 bucks later and a bad taste in our mouths, we left the restaurant and we'll never look back. Bluewater Grill, you better swerve.
(1)Calvary D.
Went here for happy hour. I think the menu is good for happy hour. Calamari for $5. Crunchy and delicious. slider with fries was good. Had clam with garlic butter. Just plain good. Will definitely come back for full menu.
(4)Sheri T.
Not living near Tustin, I've started frequenting the District more since my daughter opened s boutique. A month ago we visited for the first time this restaurant and the meal & service were exceptional. Why can't restaurants be consistent?? We visited again last night and boy what a disappointment. The place was busy. My guess is the kitchen was overwhelmed because of all the big parties of corporate employees. It must have put a stress on the kitchen. For $27.50 I had piece of cedar planked salmon 5 x 5 that was covered in glaze so thick it took away from the fish that was over done & tough. My 2 each asparagus & broccolettes were so tough & tasteless and unfortunately my roasted potatoes showed up as scalloped & creamy potatoes, not a preference. The wine was good as well as my cup of lobster bisque. Over priced & under performed & I will never ever let them sit me next to a large corporate party again. We may give this place one more try & if the experience is the same, adiós...
(2)Gabe P.
I don't always pay $30 for lunch, but when I do it's at Bluewater grill! First time here and was absolutely impressed with this place, passed by a few times but never came in. The first thing that strikes you - it's huge! They have seating at the bar plus lot of booths and tables inside and (almost) outside. So I went for the full experience and got the Blackened tuna special of the day which was some $25, and ice tea. They have other options for under $15 too, I'll try one next time I guess. I guess this is where all the big wigs from the offices in the area come for lunch, because the place was almost packed at 12! The food was great, the kind of well thought small portions that won't put you to sleep after lunch. They just give you the right amount of energy so you can take care of things at your high-pay job (or you couldn't afford to eat here!). Definitely want to try this place for dinner and drinks soon.
(4)Dee R.
Great service!! Cioppino is on point!! Bread that comes with is perfect!! I had the bronzed swordfish. I like it a lot but if you are not into spicy food, this may not be perfect for you. Scalloped potatoes and veggies were also flavorful! I must say if you don't like it seasoned- you may elect not to order the bronzed swordfish! The ambiance is super! Perfect for maybe a date or a special day. Bill our server was top/ notch. Yes, apparently they have happy hour too! The manager, Ryan, was touching tables. I hope I got his name right. I'm not sure where the negative reviews are coming from. I feel we have some snobs on this list amongst real review. This place is for the grown and sexy and maybe not be ideal for young selfie crowds. If you catch my drift.
(5)Michael S.
Having been here about a million times, why haven't I wrote a review? Sorry, my bad. I did ding one star for their fake happy hour. The HH menu portions are exactly half of regular appetizer menu so we don't bother with HH anymore and just go to the quieter main dining room. The reason we keep coming back: Free corkage for up to two bottles. Consistently fantastic food and service. Overall reasonable menu prices. We have yet had a lackluster server here. Whether at the bar or in the regular dining room, the service have always been stellar. The latest stellar service: my wallet fell out of back pocket. One of the workers ran out after me to give me the wallet. I could almost hug him.
(4)Ralph C.
A friend introduced me to this place a few months ago and thought it was a nice place. I live in Long Beach but found myself close by and my wife loves seafood. We stopped by on a Friday night around 530pm and got seated right away. It was warm inside so we moved to the outside patio. There was a nice breeze and a fireplace that my wife loved too. Storme was our server and came to the table right away and got our drinks. She kept my iced tea glass from getting empty all night, so that makes me happy. She was nice as well, checking back several times during our meal. Since we sat outside our server pointed out that we qualified for the bar happy hour. My wife got the Korean taco appetizer - she loved it and got one to go for lunch the next day. The menu was typical for a a nice seafood place. The food was fresh and they have a nice kids menu. The ahi poke was AWESOME, but not a fan of the fried calamari. I would definitely recommend this place and go again if I was in the neighborhood.
(4)Jackie W.
I'm actually afraid to write this review for fear of attracting to crowds to this happy hour. Before diving into a movie at the nearby AMC, my friend and I decided to grab some food and libations. Having never been to Bluewater Grill before, we wandered on in. The classy, dark wood-adorned bar was pretty empty. I did my usual check in on Yelp to happily discover they had $1 for your first alcoholic drink (during HH only). Ordered a chardonnay immediately! They have a great selection of drinks on happy hour (including champagne which is a super rare find) and a nice food menu with tiered pricing for a variety of different small plates ($4 - $7). I ordered the Garlic Fries which were amazing (and made sure I had some gum left in my purse so my poor friend didn't have to smell my breath throughout the entire movie). Our server was really friendly and efficient, especially considering she was the only one taking care of the entire bar area. I'm definitely going to remember this place the next time I'm in the area and craving a good HH experience!
(4)Hilda P.
I work down the street and have been to the district many times. I've walked by this place several times and finally decided to try it last night. I enjoy trying new places and they had good reviews on here so I said why not!? I'm so glad my fiancee and I came, it was restaurant week so we got the $30 deal. The deal included a soup or salad, an entree and dessert. My fiancee had the manhattan clam chowder and the steak so that had already paid for itself. Our server was Maria and she was wonderful! She took the time to explain the menu since we had never been here before. She was so sweet and attentive. I really enjoyed my lobster bisque, rich and creamy just how I like. The linguine with prawns was also very good. We love seafood so I'm sure we will be coming back for more. Maybe we will drop in for happy hour since many are raving about it.
(4)Brenda L.
We were here for my son's 10th birthday. The food was great. Our waitress Nicole was great and amazing. We will definitely come back again.
(5)Shiva A.
Overpriced average food, service was atrocious, will not be back. Ordered the "best" entrees from the menu and they left much to be desired. Small portions too. No thanks.
(2)Darlene J.
Really good! Very surprised how good the food was. We had no reservation & you really need one especially on the weekends! They really don't have enough room to wait for a table! But the wait was well worth it!
(4)Julie K.
Have you ever dated someone that was really nice but too vanilla? You couldn't think of anything bad to say about them, but they were kind of bland and just... meh? This is kind of how I feel about Bluewater Grill. Decided to come here for a casual anniversary dinner and it seemed nice enough without being too fussy. We were seated in a comfortable booth and a bread basket was brought out right away (more on the bread later). Our server greeted us not too long after that... We ordered the calamari fritti, crab cakes, crab and avocado salad, Cedar plank salmon, and the chocolate lava cake for dessert. The appetizers were pretty good. Calamari was lightly battered and fried and served with a creamy tartar-like sauce and a sweet chili sauce. I didn't care much for the sweet chili sauce. The crab cakes were really flavorful and had lots of crab. Good apps... my crab and avocado salad was served w/ a lemon-y vinaigrette on the side. It was a huge lump of crab meat meat on top of arugula and slices of avocado and cherry tomatoes. This was kind of... boring. I don't know if a better dressing might've perked up the salad but it just didn't come together for me. My husband's salmon was "okay" he said (I don't eat salmon) but the accompanying potatoes were pretty delish. Even the chocolate lava cake had a funny after taste to it. I ate more of the ice cream and whipped cream that came alongside it. The highlight of the meal was probably the bread basket! Great crusty exterior, warm and soft on the inside served w/ butter at the perfect, spreadable temperature. Service was great. Bussers cleared plates right away and our server came around at the right times and was pleasant. I even liked the atmosphere - the bar/patio area was lively as it was Happy Hour when we were dining. I would come back to check that out. But the food just left a lot to be desired. While it wasn't bad by any means, it simply wasn't memorable. I think this is one of those places that really depends on the person's preference and personal experience.
(3)Carlos O.
My favorite spot for happy hr at the district, always have enjoyed their food and service. All seafood has always been fresh tasting, and location is always clean! Bar are staff have always been friendly....thanks for the great service!
(5)Joe D.
First visit on Friday around 6:30, crowd appeared over 50. Had cioppino, martini and key lime pie. Excellent service reasonable price. Good atmosphere. Appears only valet parking close by but only $3. One of the best cioppino I have had. I will be back!
(5)Patrick M.
From the french fries to the cioppino, I am highly disappointed in the quality and taste of what they serve here. The only thing that tasted okay was the oysters, but that doesn't require any skill aside from shucking.... I would ask for a refund if I could, but if they don't even care about their food, i highly doubt they care about what their customers think.
(2)Tom M.
No reason to eat here, seafood is just as good/bad as any other random place. Prices are high and portions are modest. Two dishes that stick out most in my mind: 1) Shrimp Pasta was pretty tasty 2) The lobster bisque was obviously horrible and there was very little lobster included (served in a cup, that they advertise as a bowl) Conclusion: There is a reason why it's never packed, there is never a wait at the peak of lunch time. Unless it is the closest seafood for a few miles, do not eat here.
(2)Larry L.
I used to come here for happy hour, service was really good, and menu same, after coming 2-3 years noticed menu never changed and then they increased prices, so stop coming. So today i decided to give it a try again, so tey changed the menu for HH and is decent. Got the fish tacos and not much flavor for my taste...
(3)Samuel G.
Great food Great service Great ambiance Pricey but more than worth it
(5)Alexis B.
I am not big on ordering fish for lunch but i came here for a work lunch and knew that I should order fish from such a place. I got a salmon plate with two sides: rice and scalloped potatoes. The salmon was good - not amazing but pretty solid - i would recommend it. The rice was good but forgettable but the scalloped potatoes were delicious! Great texture and just the right amount of cheese. Service was also solid. I enjoyed my experience and would recommend it to anyone who is looking for some good seafood.
(4)Maya C.
Good seafood. Started with a bowl of New England clam chowder. It was full of clams unlike other places that out more potatoes than clams. Ordered the clam and mussel steam pot in white wine sauce and a side of fries to have with it. The dish was good. Held back on dipping their fresh bread in the sauce, but I'm sure it would have been great, if I had done it. I tried my co-worker's bronzed swordfish and it was yummy. It was moist and the rub had a nice kick. The service was pretty good and the place was not too busy or loud at the time we went tonight.
(4)Suzy J.
I really want to like this place but it has gone downhill. The food is so gross -crab cakes= so salty -Tuna melt= felt greasy -Fish tacos'= pretty good -Steak and veggies= SO Salty, I actually didn't eat -Crab salad= fishy and very salty not sure if they just want you to be dehydrated so you can order more beer?
(2)Tricia H.
Great service, however my food or should I say my entree was just so so. I had the shrimp and scallop with pappardelle and unfortunately the sauce was watered down and I was totally unsatisfied, the manager took it off of the bill so I did not end up paying for it but it soured my experience. however, i will tell you that the seared ahi appetizer was phenomenal. My husband was please with his clams and the other persons in the party loved their food. I will chalk this up as just a bad experience because I did not have a problem in the past with their food. Being that I went to celebrate my anniversary I think it just put a damper on my evening. I will go back at a later date so that they can redeem themselves.
(4)Susan H.
Oysters on the half shell were perfection. Our server Bill was very knowledgable about the menu and spoke highly of the Chef. Host staff is always happy to see you. We will be back
(5)Jennifer C.
Nice atmosphere, located in the District Mall at Tustin. No waiting on a Friday night around 6:30 pm We tried a couple dishes here: BAKED CRAB & JALAPENO DIP ($9.75) - comes with fresh tortilla chips. I barely tasted any crab or jalapeno. Definitely doesn't use lump crab meat for this one. Disappointing. SEARED SEA SCALLOPS ($23.50) Pan seared eastern scallops, shallots, baby spinach, oyster mushrooms and sherry buerre blanc - GOOD, but too heavily sauced in the sherry buerre blanc. Scallops cooked well and spinach too (not mushy at all, still vibrantly green). The oyster mushroom were a nice side dish as well. MAINE LOBSTER TAIL 9 oz. ($32.95) Cooked PERFECTLY, with a side of drawn butter and half a lemon. Also comes with your choice of 2 sides. This was the BEST dish i ate here. Absolutely delicious. TOTAL COST: 2 martinis, 1 glass of pinot grigio, 1 crab & jalapeno dip appetizer, 1 scallop entree, 1 lobster tail entree = $98 pre tax
(3)Elaine T.
Fun ambiance and very spacious seating. Menu was very well organized with more than enough fish choices including the daily fish specials (fresh, frozen, farm-raised, etc.). Ordered the Lemon-Garlic Mahi Mahi. This dish was exceptionally flavorful. Was pan seared with augratin potatoes, cheese and spices. Good service and waitress was friendly and knowledgeable. Prices are a bit on the high-side for this type of restaurant.
(4)Jeff L.
If you check in on yelp, your first drink is $1. I got the Champagne because when do you ever see this on happy hour ? Since he ran out half way through pouring my glass, he opened another bottle but since it was different Champagne actually poured me a full additional glass. I will commend the bartender for his service.
(4)Alex L.
Happy hour Monday thru Saturday 330-630. We came here for happy Hour on a Saturday while waiting for our movie at the district. The service was great at the bar. The happy hour menu was very limited but you can definitely find some good stuff on the menu. The happy hour drinks were limited variety but pretty decent size. Try the lettuce wrap cerviche. Check in to yelp. Trust me, it's worth it.
(4)Michelle T.
My mother and I decided to check out Bluewater Grill not too long ago. First and foremost, the Yelpers were spot on when they mentioned that whoever developed the layout for the parking lot and shops completely missed the mark when it came to deciding how the parking lot should have been configured! The parking lot is super confusing and I can see how you'd end up becoming frustrated. Nevertheless, I was determined to find the best seafood restaurant in Orange County. This was not it! The service at Bluewater Grill is top notch but the food is bland. I was dying for flavor but it never happened. It's not terrible but I was disappointed with my food. It's beautifully displayed on your plate but it reminds me of people that we meet in life. Sometimes they have a gorgeous exterior but their interior is horrible and you lose all respect and attraction to them. My food was gorgeous to look at but when I delved into the interior, the love affair was over! I didn't hate my dish but I didn't love it. My quest continues for the best seafood in OC!
(3)Joseph S.
Mediocre. The dark cool feeling when you walk in is extremely inviting, especially on a warm day. After eating here a number of times, it's just ok. I really wanted to like this restaurant, but the food is just ok. None of the dishes I have tried were memorable. I do admit that they have some if the best complimentary bread around though! I will not be back to eat, but would like to give happy hour a try!
(3)momforj g.
I wasn't impressed by my recent visit at Bluewater grill at all, though it used to be my favorite to go place in the district. First of all, the server is extremely impatient, I was in the middle of ordering, and he just left saying, I think you need a few more minutes. I asked the server how the snapper was on today's menu, he asked me : have you ever had snapper before? That's really insulting, though I I thought he was trying to help me choose the entry. He needs communication training. The food arrived, the chowder was cold, the snapper was overcooked, the pasta was tasteless, the sea scallops and shrimps are extremely dry....... Thumbs down from my family..... there are many choices for good seafood in OC.
(1)Kevin M.
Why did we wait so long to visit? My wife and I stopped in for a Saturday lunch prior to some shopping at The District. Not many people put and about so we were seated very quickly. Our server Craig, and the manager Ryan, took great care of us making menu and beverage suggestions. We started with the Crab & Artichoke Dip. Hot and yummy with some cheese on top paring perfectly with the fresh flour tortilla chips. My wife is not a seafood fan but really enjoyed the dish! My wife ordered the Planko Breaded Shrimp. The shrimp were huge, freshly breaded, and delicious! I know because I sneaked one off my wife's plate! My Lobster Roll was superb! As good or better than I remember when I lived in Portland Maine! Succulent with just enough dressing to hold it together on a fresh grilled Brioche roll! Mmmm! We are really looking forward to our visit!
(4)Lina P.
Not exactly worth the price. My friends and I decided to try this place durinng their regular non-happy hours. The service was very good in that our waitress was extremely helpful. My guy friend used the $1 first drink deal from yelp on his hefeweizen beer while my girl friend and i both ordered cocktails, a strawberry splash and a captain's mai tai. These drinks were unexpectedly REALLY strong. My drink tasted like a glass full of rum with a tiny bit of pineapple juice. My guy friend had to finish it off for me by the end while i finished off my friend's lighter strawberry splash. We wanted oysters and asked our waitress about the oyster shots but she recommended the oyster shooters which we didn't know about. These were absolutely delicious at around $4 each. It's a small drink with a really fresh raw oyster at the bottom. I got the michelada and my friends got the island shooters and we all loved ours. The entrees, however, were kind of plain and blah and was not worth the price I paid for it. I had gotten the fried clams for $23.50 with scallopped potatoes and coleslaw. The fried batter was kind of soggy and the clams were too chewy not in a good way. The sides were good though but I shouldn't have paid more than $15 for this. Overall, this place has really good oysters but everything else was not that great.
(3)Steve M.
It is no wonder why this restaurant is successful. After a very disappointing visit, the management was very quick to contact me in response to my customer survey card left with our server. As a result, my family and I decided to try the restaurant one more time. All I can say is that all our meals were prepared perfectly! My wife and daughter had one of the daily specials (chipolte swordfish) while I had the cioppino. Our server (Ever) was on point the entire time, even recommending a reasonably priced bottle of wine that was not on the menu. At the end of our meal, my family and I realized that whatever could have wrong during our last visit did. It was an aberration. We will be back!
(5)Pillin L.
I went back! Why? I really don't know. But this time, for their HH. Awful. Me and the boyfriend tried their calamari, fish tacos, kalbi tacos, crab and artichoke dip and the thai wings. I give those all the thumbs down. Maybe the fish tacos were the best but even they fell a little short. Calamari weren't even edible. We didn't even touch it. Have they heard of salt? It's what you use to make your food taste good! HH appears to be a good deal. You think, ohh they have to do their seafood well, they're a seafood restaurant! Welp, sadly no... Please brain, remind yourself how bad this place is!! $60 later--- we left and walked over to JT Schmids. Whomppppp to the whomp!
(1)Ash P.
This place is located at the Tustin District shopping center. The parking is close, and there's never a wait! I decided to take my mom here today for lunch and decided to write a review since this place is one of our favorites. We were seated immediately in a bar area booth and was served by the bartender. One of the wait staff guys took our drink order right away and brought us warm bread. We ordered a pitcher of white sangria - so refreshing! For an app, we ordered oysters on the half shell. They were fresh and tasty. For lunch, we ordered the Lobster Roll with fries and the Crab BLTA with homemade chips. OMG... both were so delish!! Usually we never finish our plates and we both finished our plates clean!! The service was also great, our drinks were never empty and we didn't have to wait to get service. I would recommend this place to everyone!
(5)Jenny H.
We sat down at 7:30, left at 9:29. Service is the slowest experience I had at a restaurant. I ordered the New York steak (Tustin restaurant week) requesting a medium rare, the steak came out as "well done." The dessert I ordered was a sundae - literally it was just a scoop of vanilla ice cream with little chocolate syrup on top. This could have easily been purchased at costco for lower the cost. Only good part was the lobster bisque....but that's it. But it was pretty salty. It was better with tabasco in it.
(2)Sydney T.
I have been here numerous times and every time I have had Great food and service. Crab cakes are amazing!!!! I also recommend you try the Lemon Pepper Mahi Mahi.
(5)Jennifer W.
Bluewater Grill has always been one of my favorite restaurants in Orange County for their clam chowder and oysters. Since I love the food here, I decided to hold my son's baptism reception for a party of approx 55-60 people. The food was delicious! It included entrees such as Crab BLT, Mahi mahi fish tacos, and Panko crusted shrimp. Aside from the food, we received excellent customer service! It was a pleasure working with David, Ryan, and the team. They were friendly, organized, and professional. Our guests enjoyed both the ambiance and the food. Thank you Bluewater grill staff for making our son's baptism memorable. I highly recommend Bluewater Grill for date nights, special occasions, and parties.
(5)Robert S.
Ladies and Gentlemen: the Halibut; crusted and plain( grilled) are the best tasting in the area! just ask Maryjo our waitress! She made my Fathers day lunch suggestion! and it was Fabulous! grilled with 2 sides, I ordered cold slaw/green rice(awesome?, ask Maryjo)) with melted butter! the crusted Halibut very tasty and very large! a must if you like Halibut!
(5)Gabe R.
Trying to find a last minute spot for Father's Day, I stumbled across this place in hopes to enjoy a nice seafood dinner with my Father in law. The first thing I noticed was that the place felt like the AC was on it's last leg,which was rough considering how warm it was outside. Our waitress,"Storm", was great, unfortunately that was it. I had the fisherman's combo platter. It had 2 medium sized fish nuggets that tried to pass as "pieces".Cold,mushy "green rice" that was pretty tasteless, and sautéed spinach that just tasted like "wet spinach". After asking for some extra lemon for my plate,the waiter kept bringing me ONE small piece at a time, so I had to ask for extra lemon 3 times in order to get 3 pieces! The manager offered no apologies for the cold tasteless side dishes, and the whole place,and service in general seemed a little "stuffy". My Father in law had the Red Snapper which was very fishy and didn't taste fresh at all. Overall, I would never recommend this joint to anyone. The food was sub-par, and way overpriced!
(2)Jordan D.
This place is great. Had Nicole as a server and she was awesome! Gotta try the oysters!
(4)Hannah Y.
Bluewater Grill has possibly one of the best calamaris by far! I'm usually here for Happy Hour, and they have some fantastic items on the menu - for an excellent cost! And best of all, the calamari is on the list, yay! In this case I often get two orders of calamari, that is how much I love their variation compared to other places that serve it. It is something within the light batter that makes it so light + crispy. The other evening I also had a plate of scallops & shrimp skewers with chips + light vegetables on the side. The shrimp were actually pretty big & not frozen, and the scallops tasted fresh. I was actually on a date here so I do not recall focusing too much on my meal, but the several times I've frequented Bluewater had they never disappointed me. Happy Hour is between 3-6 like most restaurants, I highly recommend visiting here on a day you're in the Tustin District x
(4)Oscar R.
Came to this spot with a date for happy hour. The bartender Chris was very nice and kind. He made some delish Margaritas. Will definitely be back for happy hour.
(4)Neluta G.
Good seafood place for lunch, I had the Monk fish, tuna tower and many other dishes. They do replace potatoes for extra steamed veggies and that is nice. The salmon salad is also tasty. The happy hour menu is not bad either. Overall a good seafood place.
(3)Tragedy D.
"Celebrate somewhere new and experience something." I made reservations and it wasn't needed. Intimate, clean setting with plenty of available tables for couples or groups. The hostesses were welcoming. A very limited selection: mainly seafood. If only they would expand their dishes, many more people would be flocking here. It's Orange County and even more so: Tustin/Irvine area! Does anyone remember what happened to The Fish Market restaurant at the Irvine Spectrum? It didn't last long because it was mainly seafood. Most of this area and its surrounding are very healthy. How about more salads or something vegetarian? Look at your clientele: either hamburger or salad eaters. The server was nervous and her appearance needed help. After the 3rd time checking on us for our choices, she finally helped explain the menu because it was our first experience. The glazed salmon was served with asparagus and mashed potatoes. Calamari steak paired with French fries and cole slaw. All the food was fresh from the kitchen and my slightly burnt tongue can attest. Every bite was a mix of honey and heaven melting in my mouth. Some of the vegetables were burnt and/or dried out. They were very attentive on clearing our empty plates which I like. Our server kept refilling our drinks; another plus. Still had enough room for dessert and here comes the mud pie. Topped our meals! Though I was tempted to order an alcoholic drink since that's all that's mentioned on the menu (back and front), I had to ask the server what non-alcoholic beverages they offered. Overall the restaurant could use a little clean up on staff's presentation/appearance. Seafood is awesome but the quality of the sides should match. I also had the chance to use the restroom; they are way past overdue on a full scrub of the toilets.
(3)Rhondi S.
The service was attentive, although at 7:00 on a Sunday, the place was only 25% full. Sis had their signature miso black cod, moist tender and delish. I shared the Ciopinno, good tasty broth, lots of celery, good assortment of fish, scallops, shrimp, mussels. Chowders and salads are good, kid friendly. husband wasn't too thrilled with his chicken, slightly bland, not moist....guess you come here for the seafood.
(3)Martic R.
Nice restaurant with a intimate feeling. Came here for an early dinner and there was not a lot of people so the appetizers came out very quickly. I specially liked the oyster shot though I wish it was served in a regular shot glass instead of a Martini glass (hard to have as a shot) I also tried the crab cakes and calamari both good.
(3)Chi L.
Went there for dinner on Tuesday night, very quiet. My husband order Walleye fish, I order the Louise Seafood salad, the sauce taste very very good. This is the first time I went to this restaurant, and the waitress is really really nice and efficient. Will definitely go back when I am in that area..
(4)Paul N.
Probably our favorite all around go-to restaurant in OC! Always great, attentive service, amazing happy hour, creative specials
(5)Michael R.
I would like to say how much I enjoy Bill and Amanda McMahon who are bartenders at the Bluewater Grill. I like each of them tremendously. They are, in fact, more like good friends than servers. Each is tremendously personable and skilled at what they do. Somehow, the drinks they make are always better than those I enjoy at other places. I highly recommend visiting this fabulous restaurant and seeing Bill and Amanda. Professor Michael Fremont Redfield
(5)Dave F.
3.5 stars This is a very good lunch spot and a bit hidden in a shopping center where JT Schmidt's jumps out. In fact, I'd been here multiple times and never saw the Bluewater Grill. They take reservations which weren't needed and the service was very good. The food is better than average and this is a good casual spot. Reasonable pricing and free parking at The District make this a spot worth checking out for a casual lunch or Happy Hour.
(3)Maria K.
The service was excellent and dinner was delicious. The clam chowder was one of the best I've had. There was the perfect amount of clams and just the right consistency - not too thick or not too watery. I had the shrimp and scallops skewers with dill rice and sautéed spinach. So fresh and delicious. I would definitely come back. There were so many other things I wanted to try.
(4)Charles G.
Lobster bisque is one of the best I have eaten. The service was very good. Nice clean place I would eat there again
(4)Kip H.
I would go back there for the customer service alone. I had the new England clam chowder and it very good. Perfect consistity, not to thick or to thin. I also had the warm lobster roll. Tons of lobster meat! And the bun was toasted nicely! I will recommend this place to friends.
(4)Jessica K.
Went for happy hour which was enjoyable. The Thai Chili Chicken Wings were the best of what we tried including the Garlic Fries (good!), Grilled Fish Tacos (nothing special), Grilled Artichoke (our 2nd favorite), and Ceviche Lettuce Wraps (messy and just OK). Our server didn't have much to say but got the job done.
(3)Rich G.
Review for Happy Hour only which at Bluewater is from 3:30 - 6:30, M to F. Recently they had a late night HH too, if I recall correctly so not sure if that is seasonal or they just abandoned it all together. If you are braving the chaos that is the District parking lot then Bluewater is as good as any place in the District for HH. They have a nice mix of reasonably priced small sized portions, almost Tapas style so sharing is a good call. The also have $4, $5 and $6 drink specials. Items for $4 Burger Slider with Fries & Melted Gruyere & Blue Cheese ( yep) Two Oyster Shooters ( prefer mine on the half shell but..) Two Grilled Fish Tacos with Crema Blanca ( pretty tasty) Items for $5 Calamari Fritti with Cocktail Sauce ( hard to screw this up) Ceviche Lettuce Wraps Salt & Pepper Shrimp ( overly seasoned) Items for $6 Mini Steamer Pot ( clams in broth, yes but a bit heavy on the garlic) Crab & Artichoke Dip ( too rich and creamy for my taste) Tenderloin Tease with Horseradish Sauce ( meh) The bar area is clean, spacious and well staffed by a nice and knowledgeable crew . This location is very convenient if you are catching an early movie at the local AMC just a short walk around the corner. A mellow, upscale place with no scene to speak of but pleasant none the less.
(3)Em-Jay P.
Food is good. Pricey so only somewhere hubby and I go occasionally. I'm not a big eater so I find most dishes are a bit too much food for me. I love the chopped salad with grilled shrimp, my go-to dish. Sometimes I get the shrimp and scallop skewers blackened. I do wish I had more choices though that were on the smaller, lighter side for us small eaters. Wine selection okay. Don't really love anything I've tried but my hubby is happy with his choice. I'm more of a beer drinker but the selection is definitely lacking. Nothing amber at all or anything on the malty side. Too many hoppy, bitter choices. Usually don't have any trouble getting a table when just walking in on a Friday night. Good service most of time. Some waiters are better and more attentive than others.
(4)Joshua G.
My first time here. We started with the artichoke heart and it was cold. I ordered the surf and turf and my turf was raw :/ Ryan was our server and he did a great job which is why I didn't give 1 star. Overall an average place to eat.
(2)Sean S.
I've been here only once and have tried to forget it, but it was such a bad experience, it requires a write-up. The restaurant itself is actually very nice. Large and modern with a clean design. The service was also fairly good and did not have to wait for long periods of time. The problem was the food. I made the mistake of ordering the IPSWICH Fried Littleneck Clams. First off, the clams tasted bad. So bad that I could not finish them. The next day, I became sick as a dog and it took a few days to recover from it. I don't believe that this is a typical experience (hopefully), but after getting sick there, I cannot go back or recommend it obviously. Edit 10/8: So I was so impressed with Jim the owner's response to my review and the fact that I was undecided where to go for lunch today, that I decided to go back and give them a second chance. Life is about second chances and I know I've appreciated this when it's been extended to me. The restaurant was almost empty at around 2pm and I had 4 different staff members interact with me, the hostess, bartender, manager and someone from the kitchen. Now I assume that this was because they wanted something to do and would not expect this had the place been busy, but still... that's 4 staffers on one customer. Obviously, service was very good. I had the grilled prawns with butter and the shrimp were perfectly cooked and fresh. Simple and delicious. I think what can be ascertained, is that our feedback is being read and responded to by some of the businesses on Yelp and for the Blue Water Grill, they seem to take our feedback to heart and look for ways to correct and improve themselves. For this, I commend them.
(3)M C.
Had lunch here on Saturday. I ordered the shrimp and cod tacos...tasty and flavorful. Tasted my husband's wedge salad and it was really good...lots of blue cheese and bacon. You can't go wrong with these two ingredients. The Bloody Mary was good, but I had better elsewhere. The banana foster dessert was not what I expected. It was more banana bread pudding than foster....no flambé. Service was excellent. The decors are business casual and nice. I would be back.
(4)Mandi F.
My father and 5 of his friends went to dinner at Bluewater Grill based on my recommendation. 4 of the 6 people in that party got ill overnight after eating there. 2 of them were extremely sick for a couple of days. This is one isolated incident out of many times of visiting this restaurant. I called the restaurant the next day and the manager was nice and eager to get to the bottom of the issue. Furthermore, David followed and is issuing a voucher for a future visit. Ordinarily we wouldn't want to revisit after such an experience however as previously stated...this seems to have been an isolated incident.
(3)Brian S.
Great food and service. I had the fried shrimp and found it to be great. Large butterflied shrimp that tasted fresh. Will be returning soon.
(5)Kathy C.
Was very disappointed in the service- the restaurant wasn't very busy yet it took forever to get our food & drink refills. The food was bland.
(1)C T.
I only come here on Mondays to watch MNF. Food is ok, the steamed clams and fresh bread and butter are delicious! What really gets us coming is the awesome service we get from the bartender, Chris. He is very friendly, personable, and always has a smile. Thanks for being a wonderful bartender!
(4)Ryan W.
the food is worth 6 stars..the service even better. The happy hour is the best in town!! Thanks Bluewater, for bringing Tustin/Santa Ana/Irvine exactly what we needed!
(5)paul p.
Went here for dinner. All servers just standing around talking amongst themselves. Didn't get any service even when we asked for a waiter. Walked out. Will never return. The place had zero customers at the time.
(1)Aaron M.
The worst fish I've ever had in my life...for a seafood restaurant it was very disappointing! There is better fish in hospital cafeterias...dry...tasteless...and FARM raised fish? Very disappointing!!!
(1)Kayla A.
Service was bad. We had to grab someone's attention the whole way through dinner for water, refills and to order. The food wasn't too great either. Don't order the Caesar salad unless you feel like eating sardines.....yuck.
(2)Blaine H.
Had the Fish & Chips and Fried Shrimp entrees. Both were cooked in Panko breeding - crisp but very bland. Dessert was Keyless pie - big disappointment. Weak Key Lime flavor and garnished with raspberry compote & Mandarin oranges! Somebody must think it's the same as Cheesecake -WRONG! Key Lime doesn't need extra tangy flavored. But then, maybe they were trying to disguise the weak Key Lime flavor in the first place? Anyway, service was lackluster - had to ask for water, then for straws, then for refills, etc. Disappointing for its reputation. Second time now less than sterling experience.
(3)Adrienne K.
You know what? This place isn't very good. My damn mahi was as dense as a rock and the service wasn't very upbeat. Great location, nice dining room. Delicious bread. But way too over priced for the quality of "fresh"
(2)Michelle H.
Came here on a Sunday evening to have dinner with the in-laws. I made a reservation in advance, however, it definitely was NOT needed as there were very few people in the restaurant. Even with so few people, the ambiance was GREAT. Bluewater grill really creates a restaurant with a lounge like feel. I loved that the lights were dark without being too dark. The table we were seated at had SUPER comfy seats and I was really happy with the all around visual experience. Our server was a nice older gal, but she had a hard time hearing our orders/substitutions (my new family has allergies, what can i say?). First off, she was stingy when it came to water/iced tea. Secondly, three of the five dishes we ordered came out incorrect (i.e. incorrect substitutions or the wrong dish all together). After a mix up with my entree, I was waiting for the correct dish to come out while my family's food was sitting and getting soggy. It took about 20 minutes to correct the error, so I had the fam start eating without me.... :( The appetizers were actually really good though. I shared the Maryland crab cakes with my MIL and they were really tasty. Large chunks of crab included and the remoulade sauce on the side is AMAZING. My hubby and FIL shared the beef skewers which looked great, but came in a very small portion (I would not suggest sharing b/c the portion is SO small). For my entree, I had the Fisherman's platter. The shrimp/beer battered fish are very tasty. They have a light fluffy batter that's well-seasoned; however, it would have been nice if they were crispier. The scallops were very lifeless - bland even... All in all, ambiance is great and food is average to good, but service is spotty. Pros: -Sourdough bread baskets at tables... YUM. -GREAT AMBIANCE (Kind of romantical) Cons: -Pricey -Service was eh... -Kitchen is not good with substitutions -Fish is not as tasty as some of Bluewater's counterparts (i.e. Cannery, Bear Flag, etc.)
(3)Patrick W.
Bill was hands down the best server in the district. Made my trip from Canada amazing. His food recommendations were spot on. Glad we chose this spot. Highly recommend the blackened swordfish & the cioppino!!!!! Delicious! Oh & the Castle Rock pinto noir is fab!:)
(5)Jenn P.
We were shopping for Halloween costumes in the area, and walked by this spot around lunch time. I had seen the sign a few times, but assumed it was more of a fast food type place and not sit down. When actually poking my head inside I discovered I had been wrong and decided to give it a shot. It was not very busy for a Sunday afternoon, so we had our choice of seating. We opted for the bar area so my bf could watch the game. (Go figure) I was super excited when I saw that they had lobster bisque, so I decided to start with this. It was excellent, not too salty and the large chunks of lobster were great. As an entree I settled on the arugula crab salad, and my boyfriend went with the pacific snapper. The salad, although listed as an appetizer, was huge.There were large chunks of crab, and a plentiful amount of avocado, and the zesty lemon vinaigrette paired nicely with the salad. Although I did not try my boyfriends, he said the fish was very good. Our waiter, I believe his name was Chris, but I may be incorrect, was excellent. He was attentive and knowledgable, and made some great suggestions. He also had us cracking up with his jokes. Overall i really enjoyed eating here, and look forward to trying more menu items in the future. Also, if you check in on yelp, your first drink of choice is only a dollar.
(5)Tina J.
We had appetizers for dinner since we werent that hungry. The grilled artichoke was amazing . Crab cakes were good. Calamari was good. Wedge salad was great. Used the $1 drink coupon which was nice . Service was great and was very attentive. Price was kind of high but very good quality food.
(5)Patty ..
Was conflicted where to have dinner in the District area and I should had stuck with my original plan Aloha BBQ but no I decided to have fish and went to Bluewater Grill. Ordered a glass of Pinot Grigos, bread and the Red Snapper [grilled] with the sauteed Spinach and Dill Rice. The bread was awesome, wine a decent and the Red Snapper was PURE RUBBER the worse piece of fish I have ever eaten, the Dill Rice was strange, bland tasting and there wasn't a shred of dill to it. The only thing worthy was the sauteed spinach. What a huge disappointment...instead of suggesting I come back in for a another go at it why not reach out to me and credit my account. You do not deserve to be a fish place.
(1)Audrey H.
Food and service is always consistent. Great happy hour!! Chris rocks! Peligroso!And Maria, let's not forget beautiful Maria!!
(3)David D.
I've been here twice now, first time was with my wife and another time was with a friend. The first visit was alright, food was good but service was sub par. Our waitress didn't really seem to care about us and probably thought we weren't going to tip her well or something. The food was pretty good but the lack of service made me uninterested in returning, that is until a friend asked me to meet him there. The 2nd visit was by far a waaaay better experience. This time I sat at the bar and two guys were serving my friend and I, these guys made us feel like rockstars. I think their names were Byron and Rick, they were very attentive, predicted my needs, and even entertained us for awhile. Thanks to their recommendation, it was my first time trying a red clam chowder, Manhattan style I think its called? Amazing! I'm so used to creamy clam chowder that this was a nice change from the norm. All in all, food was as great as I remembered, but it was the outstanding service that made this experience stand out. Because of those two at the bar, I plan to come back again soon, so if you're trying it for the first time, I'd say go to the bar and ask for Byron or Rick, they know how to take care of their guests. Had it not been for the poor first experience, I would've gone 5 stars all the way
(4)Keith A.
Great place for some good fish. Crab cakes were delicious. My wife got the cedar planked salmon and I got the fresh grilled swordfish. Both were great. Love this little piece of Avalon(well Newport) here in Tustin. Best of all was the service, Bill was great. Very attentive and friendly.
(5)Kimquyen L.
This review is for the Happy Hour (Mon-Fri 3:30-6:30PM) great HH deal ;) For Happy Hour, you have to eat @ the bar (a great place to people watch & chat with random people & maybe even get some #s, if that's your cup of tea then you'd love it =) The bartenders there are extremely nice & friendly (thank you David for such great service) Happy hour has a separate menu which you can choose from & also some of the house wines, beers & mix drinks are also included so just ask the bartenders they'll let you know. =) The ambiance here @ this restaurant is very chill & relax...I love the warmth & the nice decor here too..nice place for date night ;) The calamari was yummy..lightly breaded, no OD on the bread here ;) crunchy & nice ratio of squid to bread mixture.. =) Baked Crab & artichoke dip was also very yummy..good portions here ;) The fish tacos was very bland & didn't have any other flavor to it other than the tons of turmeric that who ever was making it was trying to mask the blandness with. That person obviously did not know what they were doing.. =( Oyster shooters were so fresh & yummy! Completely worth getting if you love oysters =) Tenderloin tease was also yummy (my friend told me it was, sorry I didn't taste it myself) Garlic fries was crunchy & yummy it went great with the calamari burger slider ;) Overall, it was a great experience & great deal (I had the $9 Deal Perk for $25 worth of food) =) This place is definitely worth a try! =) I'll be back 2 try the other stuff on the HH menu!! =)
(5)Annette F.
Came for Boss's Bday Lunch, was my first time, we sat on the covered patio, it was nice, there was a breeze that kept us cool, our server (can't remember her name) was really nice, kept our drinks full and was very knowledgeable on the the menu and various preparations of the fish they offered. I ordered the Mahi Mahi sliders and wasn't much impressed, the spice was there as indicated on the menu, however the fish wasn't too tasty, like I almost couldn't taste it, I just knew it was there because I could see it. The sliders come on mini Hawaiian buns and the bottom was super soggy when I got them so I pretty much had to eat them with a knife and fork. Everyone else enjoyed their meals, the Beet Citrus salad was ordered and loved, looked good, but I'm not a fan of beets. The veggies looked great too! I definitely want to go back to try something else, different.
(4)Mel T.
Pretty good.. from what I remember, this is a past-duex10 review. I cant even remember what we had... sword fish tacos.. mini burgers... calamari... garlic fries... i think thats about it. It was a friday afternoon. The crowd was.. a little... older. Probably because it was the afternoon, and theyre all retired. It was their hang out spot for bloody marys. But over all, the service was good and food was delicious, no complaints. :) and it was the Happy Hour menu we ordered from, so surprisingly the food was delicious for half the price!
(4)Elizabeth H.
5 stars for the service. When Cucina Enoteca cancelled my reservation the day of because of a "40 person private party" (rather dismissively I might add), I scrambled for a replacement. I am so glad to have given my business to Bluewater Grill instead. The hostess on the phone went through the trouble of describing the outdoor patio to me in order to spark my memory, as I couldn't remember if this was the same place I went to for Restaurant Week. After sorting that out, I proceeded to leave an incredibly complicated reservation detailing the particular location I'd like to be outside and the particular table arrangement (mainly to accommodate a larger member of my party). With less than two hours before the reservation, this was easily done and executed perfectly. Christa was world class. Her brand of service was above and beyond that of many higher priced establishments. Aside from knowing from which sides to serve and clear, she was knowledgable on wine pairings, never interrupted table conversation, and refreshed sauces, drinks, utensils, chips, etc without request or delay. For the midrange price of Bluewater Grill, I did not expect such attentive and five-star service. Christa later offered to bring out complimentary celebratory desserts for two people in my party who had birthdays that week, but they declined because they're "on diets." Soon after, we left. And it wasn't until we were walking out that I noticed Bluewater had actually closed for the night. Yet I'm confident they would have let us stay for another hour or more; that's how accommodating their service is. About the food, I counted four empty plates. All seafood dishes. I was told the mahi mahi was "a sensation," the sand dabs were "heavenly," and the ahi tuna was "the best I've had in over 20 years" (by someone who's spent 3/4 of their life on the coast of Japan). The steak was devoured by the boyfriend, who said it was expertly cooked, though it was so large even he had to take some home. The burger was also a popular choice. I'm not much for cooked fish myself, and thought my side of potatoes was a bit subpar (too salty and lacked fluff). Similarly, I found all the appetizers to be underwhelming (though pretty impressed with how far one dish of artichoke dip can go in a large group). Out of all the wines I tried, I was most impressed by their Paso Robles blend and their Malbec. The cocktails are also very heavy here -- I actually had one member of the table ask to have her cranberry-vodka watered down, haha. Bluewater Grill has a monthly menu, allowing for change and variety that is often avoided at most mid-range restaurants. A party of 12 with appetizers and wine and mixers didn't break $500 with tip. Truly an incredible deal.
(5)Thai P.
The District deserves a better fish place than this. It's the same kind of bland seafood you would get at California Fish Grill, but for double the price.
(2)Terry B.
This place is amazing, the service was awesome and the food was excellent! If you go to the bar ask for Chris, he is the best ever!
(5)Rick H.
Absolutely the best seafood I've had in the central county. Honestly, I don't think you could find anything better in Newport Beach. We started with the lobster bisque and smoked salmon sampler, both delicious. That and the perfectly baked, delightfully crusty bread would have been enough, but we are gluttons. Best paella I've ever had. I can't even imagine it being any better in Spain, I kid you not. Loaded with mussels, clams, and saffron. The decor is warm and classy without being stuffy, the service is professional and friendly, and the beer and wine lists are excellent.
(5)KAREN B.
Update: After my negative posting, the manager made it up to us. He treated me and my family to a wonderful meal. He really cares about his patrons and business, and it shows. He's the type of manager that every restaurant should have. Our service this time was exceptional. We tried the New York steak, salmon and mahi mahi - both with bronze sauce. Incredibly tasty! Thanks, Mr. Manager, for turning our impression around! We'll be back. :)
(4)Johanna H.
Best Easter dinner ever. I'd have to come back six or seven times before I'll have tried everything on the menu I want to try. The fried calamari was good, not super-special but better than the norm. I had the crab and avocado salad, which was loaded with delicious sweet crab, and the lobster bisque, which I could easily drink by the quart. My husband had the blackened swordfish and it was mouthwatering. Service was prompt and friendly (but not cloyingly friendly like some chain-type places, if you know what I mean), and my Arnold Palmer was refilled approximately a zillion times without my ever having to ask. I am so looking forward to coming back!
(4)Garrett W.
Review is for the Happy Hour: Went on an early Tuesday night during Happy Hour (between 330 - 630PM). Ordered happy hour dishes and they provide complimentary bread and butter (which is always a plus). Ordered crab and artichoke dip, grilled fish tacos, korean bbq shortrib with kimchi tacos and garlic fries. Overall everything was just okay. The grilled fish tacos were pretty plain, the garlic fries were good, but nothing special, the shortrib in the shortrib tacos was really dry. Everything seemed like it lacked flavor. On a brighter note, the service was decent.
(3)Jennifer H.
Great atmosphere! Great happy hour! Always good and fresh food! I love this place!
(5)Caryn M.
My cousin and I had been searching for a place to have a Remembrance luncheon service for my aunt, and we only had a few days to make it happen. We decided to have lunch here first to sample the food, and discovered not only did they have amazing crab cakes but the service was incredible too....a rarity in this day and age! Ryan, one of the managers there, was not only sympathetic to our needs, but also very accomodating with allowing us to take over the back half of the restaurant for our group and patiently explained the menu options for us. He also told us they could turn off the restaurant sound system in that portion of the building and allow us to set up our own CD player for my aunts favorite music, which we really appreciated. The day we arrived Jennifer was the manager on duty, and not only had the table set up perfectly for our group of 20, but had also printed out custom menus for our guests which were laid out nicely at each table setting. (There was one tiny thing that was forgotten, which was that we wanted to have a long table against the back wall set up for our photos, candles and other memorablia, but when I reminded them they had it taken care of in minutes!) Heather, our server, even ran to the back several times to try to find something heavy to lean our aunts picture on when it kept falling down, which again, we appreciated so much! She was also very good with making sure everyone had beverages as the crowd was milling about. Once the guests were seated and we started our very informal service, they were very gracious with letting us take as much time as we needed, setting out the appetizers (prawns and crab cakes, which were delicious) when we asked them to, and then not starting to take lunch orders until we were nearly finished. Once everyone had specifed their salad (or soup, which was two different kinds of clam chowder) and entree, the food came out in a reasonable time...and our guests must have enjoyed their lunches as I noticed most plates were empty once they cleared them. (We were able to offer our guests a choice 5 different entrees, and we liked that they could be so flexible in that regard.) Again, we were unhurried with finishing our lunch, and the the service was courteous and very appropriate for our occasion. All in all a great experience! A big thank you to the staff at Bluewater Grill for making a sad day for us just a little easier. It was great to be able to just show up and know that everything was being taken care of.
(5)Mauro N.
This review is of their happy hour. So a few Fridays ago we came in for happy hour, decent prices, decent selection, nice atmposphere but spoiled a bit by a large group of "mature" customers there as a group who spread their way out into our booth, a couple of them even thought it might be fun to sit and chat with us. Umm, no ! Well, we went back again this Friday as we were in the area, and the same group was there so we sat a bit farther away, and even thogh they weren't bothering there was no one sitting in the booths near them as they has spread out and put their stuff in them. No big deal for us, and maybe they spend a lot of money so the management doesn't say anything, but we won't be back if this is an every Friday occurrence, Friday evening isn't exactly "quiet drink" time, but at least we'd like to think that if we have a table or booth we won't have uninvited guests, nice and well meaning as they may be.
(3)Belle L.
this review is solely for bluewater's Happy Hour.... I love coming here for happy hour! this has been the go-to spot when we all need a drink and some good eats that are on the cheap=). happy hour is from 3:30-6:30M-F and they also have a late night happy hour from 9pm-close though I've yet to try the late night one... seating is in the bar area and is open seating...so, first come first served! we usually get here around 5::30 and are able to score on booth seating. they've got seats at the bar, some booths, and bar stool table seating. so hopefully you don't have to fight too hard. the only time i've seen it crazy crowded is during the OC Happy Hour Week. dishes range from $4-$6 and draft beers/house wine/well drinks are $4. not too bad right? well the good part is, you get MORE than what you pay for, at least in my opinion! if you're super hungry, then your best bet is to get the burger slider or calamari burger..hehe because they come with a side of fries. or be piggies like us and get both! between the hubby and i we usually split about 4 items...the 2 burgers, calamari, and either the fish tacos or oyster shooters. the garlic fries are yum too! crushed garlic bits in every bite! the shrimp ceviche lettuce wraps are good, but they can get really messy..so not on my must order list. friends love the salt and pepper shrimp - pretty much what you would get at a chinese restaruant. the clams are good too, but i'm always hungry at HH and that's not enough for this little piggy=P. so, if you're in the neighborhood and are feening for a good happy hour venue...bluewater is where you wanna go!
(4)Trina D.
I love the decor in this location of Bluewater Grill. The food is fantastic, but on Friday night I was only there for drinks. We sat at the bar. We ordered drinks. I had a Mojito with vodka instead of rum and my roommate Ayla E. had the Captain's Mai Tai. After a while, we needed something to munch on, so we asked the bartender for some bread. Out the bread comes, piping hot from the oven with butter on the side. Yum! The bread was a nice complement to our drinks. Definitely a nice end to our shopping adventure. If you are interested in the food, I recommend the smoked albacore and salmon platter. The smoked fish literally tastes like ham. It's chunky and served with capers and crostini. It's really good. Their menu does change from time to time but the food is great.
(4)Steve M.
2 words: Holy, and Schmoly. Being from the valley, saw this place's ad in hotel guide, and good thing. One of the best dinners ever had. It Cost me $115 with tip Bread and butter=hot fresh sourdough, yes please may I have another? 2 clam chowders=best I ever had truly delish macadamian crusted mahi=fantastic with roasted potatoes and 3 tempura zucchini, awesome. Best dish, it was a special of day. Scallops with wild mushrooms and spinach---scallops were good, but too much spinach and while the mushrooms had some great taste with garlic, waayy too much salt. 12-pc oysters mix: good, for farm raised though for sure. Too bad. Service friendly but a bit forgetful. Amazing that places serving crap are so packed and this place was wide open around 8p,. On a friday. Thanks!
(5)Ian K.
I came in here for lunch today because of I have heard decent things about this place. I decided to try the prefixed lunch special for Restaurant Week. It wasn't a bad deal - $20 for a 2 course meal and a drink. By the way, there is a Yelp Check-in for $1 off any beer or house wine. I ordered the Lobster Bisque & Tilapia which came with 2 sides. Let's start off with the bisque; it was very well made & delicious. However, I made a poor choice with the Tilapia. It was whatever. I am a sucker for seafood but wasn't satisfying at all. Luckily the chef was generous with the sides of scallop potatoes and veggies. The main reason I am giving 3 stars is because of the service. The hostess, waitress, and busser were very professional. I was checked on throughout my entire meal and they removed the plates, when I was finished. I may come back, but will definitely stay away from the Tilapia.
(3)Gayle G.
Had lunch here today. The fish and chips was very good but the coleslaw was a little bland. Good service and atmosphere. Would go back again.
(3)Mike E.
My wife, daughter and I just enjoyed the Oyster Roundup. Tonight they served three types of oysters prepared three different ways and our mouths were "popping" with flavors! The meal was paired with a really good Firestone beer and also two different wines, one was a Pinot which was was delicious and the other was a Riesling called Kung Fu Girl which I thought was really good and perfect with the meal. The service was awesome tonight, I think the they have stepped it up with the service and our waiter was a pro who made the meal that much better tonight! I really recommend the Bluewater Grill :-) my mouth is still "popping" with flavor while I am writing this review!
(5)Sirinda S.
I'm trying to make a dent in my Yelp review drafts and as a result, this review is based on a meal I had at Bluewater Grill in April 2012. The menu looks great, but I found the actual dining experience to be just mediocre. The service was really slow and not particularly attentive, even though we were only one of a few diners there in the early evening. The servers didn't tell us about the happy hour specials, and it took a long time to place an order. And we were sitting in a pretty visible booth near bar. The food was average at best. I had the shrimp and scallop skewer and the seafood was overdone, tough, and a bit rubbery. The sauteed zucchini and squash were really bland. Luckily the coleslaw was flavorful without being too heavy or creamy. The fried calamari was tasty but the breading fell off in big chunks. My husband had the sandabs- which he liked but the portion size was really small. I was hoping the key lime pie would help redeem the meal somewhat and while it was good, it was nothing special. With so many food options around, I don't think I'll be giving Bluewater Grill a second chance.
(3)Caroline W.
The most enjoyable parts of Bluewater Grill is the excellent service and the killer Yelp check-in offer. $1 wine? Count me in. Unfortunately, the food was a major disappointment. The pan-seared scallops ($23.50) were pretty overcooked and lacked flavor in general...given the price of the entree, I will probably never come back here, unless someone else pays. I also tried the San Francisco Style Cioppino ($23.75), and again, all the seafood was cooked past its prime. Also, I'm not sure what was so San Francisco about the dish?
(2)Johnny B.
I dine at Bluewater (The District) fairly regularly - about 1-2 times per month for client lunches. I always get a cut of fish - usually the halibut or swordfish. I come here regularly because it never disappoints. I rate it just below 4 stars because it is a little pricey for lunch ($25+ for nicer fish) and they often leave out my request for two helpings of spinach in lieu of a second side choice. They do a nice side of spinach. I really love the "bronze" finish they offer for their cuts of fish. It is kind of a cross between a butter garlic and blackened. They don't always offer it so be sure to ask for it at least once. A 3+ for me.
(3)Bonnie Y.
my first experience was pretty good... loved their wines... oysters (both raw and the baked ones were really good)... the fish was fresh... service was awesome. went there again yesterday for the restaurant week... i think overall it's a pretty good deal. but we were seated by the table right next to the restroom and there were these little fruit flies constantly around us and our food!!! the whole time we were waving them away and tried to make sure that they don't get close to our food... it was... not a pleasant experience. i probably will not go back again unless i could be sure i won't be seated near the fruit flies area? the happy hour seems like a pretty good deal.
(3)Annbriel B.
So, my bf and I came here for Valentines Day dinner the other night and we were both very happy overall. The bad: 1-I felt like our server was kind of bitchy. I asked if bread was served prior to the meal cause if it was I wasn't gunna order a bunch of carbs for my sides. She acted like that was possibly the stupidest question ever asked. Then when she brought the bread there was no butter. I stopped her to ask if the bread came with butter and she acted like this was going to be a huge challenge. She soon brought a small amount of butter and said,"that's all the butter I could scrounge up." My bf was like,"is there a butter shortage or something?" She sarcastically smiled and said ,"Yeah." later she brought more butter. Every single time we spoke to her about anything it went down similarly. If it wasn't for her attitude she would have been a fine server. 2- the rice pilaf was bland. The Good: 1- the STEAMED SNOW CRAB LEGS were the BEST snow crab legs I've EVER had. Hands down. Nuff said. 2- the mixed veggies were not what I expected but ended up being really delicious. 3- the BREAD! Nom. 4- we checked in and got our first drink for $1 :) Win! Despite our servers bad tude, we had a great time and a great meal. I'll be back :)
(4)Oscar F.
Not a fan. The fish I ordered (tilapia) was bland. It took over one hour to get two plates of food. Larger parties were served, ate, and left before us. Mind you that these larger parties got to the restaurant after us. Bad food and slow service. Not worth the money. You're better off eating a burger from Five Guys.
(1)Edwin C.
** this review is for their happy hour stuff, cannot comment on the rest of the restaurant ** I love the Happy Hour for two reasons: 1) there's a Happy Hour time from 3:30p-6p 2) there's ANOTHER Happy Hour time from 9p-close HOW AWESOME IS THAT??? I think this is a recent thing (how recent? That's subjective) The food is ok. I've been there for both times of the happy hour. I'd say that the atmosphere/decor/ambiance of the bar area is very inviting. I kind of like the evening happy hour better because it's quieter, games are on TV, and not as busy. Foods to try: - Garlic fries ($4) are decently good, especially if you want a simple item to nibble on - Ceviche lettuce wraps ($5).... NOTE, these come with 3 pieces. They're pre-made and plated this way - Grilled Fish Tacos ($4) .... delightful. No Wahoo's, but what is right? - Burger slider ($4)..... nice little sized burger that's not going to make you feel guilty for having a burger Next time I want to try the Korean BBQ tacos and the Baked Crab & Artichoke dip
(4)Renee C.
Not the best wine selection, oyster shooters were pretty good but a little too much cocktail sauce. Fried calamari was ok but I expected more from a seafood place. Blue cheese c sliders were good. Oysters Rockefeller tasted like spinach artichoke dip with a handful of melted cheese. The oyster was hidden somewhere under all the cheese but I couldn't even taste it because there was just so much cheese. What a waste of oysters. Probably wont return.
(2)