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21 Oceanfront
Category: Restaurants American (New) American (New) [Edit]
2100 W OceanfrontNewport Beach, CA 92663
(949) 673-2100
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 5 pm - 10 pm
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Valet
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Classy, Upscale
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
99 reviews for 21 Oceanfront
Review Highlights
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"The vibe is a mix of old school sophistication." In 9 reviews -
"PS loved the live music." In 9 reviews -
"The decadent chocolate cake was very rich and chocolatey." In 9 reviews
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99 reviews in English
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Review from Carol L.
Sacramento, CA
I was at this restaurant as part of a group event. It is a wonderful location and great interior. It has an old world, kind of traditional feel to it.
The service was impeccible. The wait staff pleasant and accomodating.
We started with the lobster bisque. I was not a fan. It had a good lobster flavor and consistency but I thought it tasted burned (if that makes any sense). Next we had a wedge salad and, while just fine, I noted a lack of bacon, plus it wasn't a "real" wedge...it was shredded already. I had the lamb and it was delicious and prepared perfectly. The potatoes needed salt, but the rest of the plate was done well. I had their dense chocolate something, and it was entirely too rich for me (and I'm a chocolate fan). Two possibilities could have been that there was coconut or something within the chocolate that I didn't like the texture/taste of, but also I could have just been to full from nibbling on everything else.
So while the food overall didn't "kill", the whole experience was quite pleasant and worth doing (at least once). We did experience a nice sunset and watching the surfers out on the water. -
Review from Catherine Q.
Irvine, CA
Updated - 3/10/2012 7 photos
I was amazed with their lobster last time, so I brought my parents here again.
+++The service deserves a 10 star review, the waiters are friendly, attentive, pay attention to the customer, however the food is really disappointing.
We ordered 1/2 dozen fresh shucked oyster, lobster bisque soup, two traditional live Maine lobsters, one thermador Live maine lobster and Pan seared scallop.
---Fresh shucked oyster was fresh, but it was thin and tasteless. It felt like eating raw oyster skin out of the shell.
---Lobster bisque soup is over seasoned. There is no lobster meat involved, it tasted like over seasoned goulash broth. Why it call it lobster bisque soup when there is no lobster meat involved?
---Traditional Live lobster is a big disappointing. The meat is sweet, but tough, dry and chewy. It's hard to remove the lobster meat from the shell. Is the Live Lobster still alive before they prepare it?
---Thermador Live maine lobster tasted good, but the meat is so little compared with the traditional Live Maine Lobster. It should be called stuffed mushroom filling on a lobster shell bed. where does the rest of the Lobster go?The only thing you can taste is the mushroom, minced onion and mustered cream sauce that tasted like mayo.
---Twin Lobster tails broiled with garlic herb butter is a ridiculous dish that I sent back twice. And I never want it back after the second time. My dish comes late, while everybody is already working on their dish. So i kept telling myself, it must be a good dish, chef must be working hard on that one. And oh boy, I was so wrong. The presentation looks beautiful, however it felt like digging your teeth into a rubber band ball. The lobster tail looks dry and tough and the seasoning is boring. THIS IS MY FIRST LOBSTER NIGHTMARE!
I don't like to waste food, but I don't like to waste money as well, so I send it back and hope the chef will pay more attention for it.
After everybody is finishing their dishes, my second batch lobster arrived. It looks lightly crispy on the edge and the lobster meat looks juicy. However, when I use the knife to cut into the Lobster tail." what?! Is the knife useless? Mr.Q, please pass me your knife, since you are already done with your dish". The texture of the meat is so rough, it makes me feel like sawing a tree.
Even our waiter was ashamed of their dish.
---Pan seared jumbo scallop looks small, the sauce is very nice, but the scallops wasn't pan seared at all. They describer the scallops seared golden brown, but It looks more like boiled instead of pan seared. R U KIDDING ME?!?! Everyone who can cook can get scallop seared with a nice golden brown sides.
Dear manager:
*Please buy fresh seafood. That means Live lobster should be alive before going into a pan. Even a good chef can't do much to make cheap frozen seafood into a 100 dollar dish.
*Get the chef to check on the dishes before they goes on the table, so you can avoid the seared scallops that looks like sashimi scallops.
*Come on, it's a Italian restaurant. You should get it naturally. My ex-housemate is an Italian guy who studied architecture, even he makes magic in the kitchen by using fresh ingredients.
The restaurant has a great ambiance, the service is more than excellent, but the chef has no passion to cook.
We probably won't go back anymore and I won't recommend any of my friends to go there.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/16/2011
There is this guy stand at the valet parking area, we were greeting him a bit and he gives us this… Read more »
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Review from Robin W.
21 Oceanfront is the restaurant that time forgot. The waiters are white, male and old. The menu is a throwback- classic dishes, no molecular gastronomy, goat cheese and beet salads or any other modern items you may find on many menus today.
The service was very attentive and the sunset view perfect. Drinks were served as requested, water always filled. Lobster Bisque (bowl, $14) was luscious but could use more lobster chunks. Oysters on the half shell $15 for 6) were fresh and served with accoutrements such as fresh horseradish, Tabasco, lemon and cocktail sauce. Loved each bite.
Entrees were Chilean Sea Bass ( $41) and blackened swordfish, both served with rice and mixed vegetables. Both dishes were properly sauced and seasoned and quite delicious.
Dessert was chocolate souffle which was served hot, rich and wonderfully gooey.
This was a gut busting meal that brought you back to a different era. Pricey but worth it for a special occasion. -
Review from Elizabeth O.
Tustin, CA
1/18/2012
This has the ambiance of a steakhouse meets all-mens club. Crazy staircases, lots of separated rooms, and dark wood. The bar area can get crowded, but if you are lucky to score one of the few tables past the bar you will be rewarded with an amazing view of Newport Beach sunsets.
I had dinner in their private wine room downstairs. Great space that seats about 30, but with low ceilings and a temperature drop of 10 degrees its not best for those who are over 6 feet tall or with less than 10% body fat.
The salad had this amazing creamy vinaigrette and the New York Steak was a great cut, but make sure you ask for well as I found it somewhat overcooked (that might have been because they were serving 30 of us at once though).
The chocolate layer cake with chocolate mousse had just the right balance of sweet and bitter.
All in all, I would say that 21 Oceanfront is worth the hassle of finding Newport Beach parking, some standoffish locals, and the price. -
Review from Claire S.
1/21/2012 1 Check-in Here
I ended up going here for the Newport Restaurant Week dinner with a friend the other night; we were not disappointed.
Their riesling is delicious - not too sweet, and something to enjoy over the course of your dinner.
The New England chowder is simply amazing - rich, creamy, full of fresh clams, and an interesting color. It comes in what appears to be a small cup, but is actually a filling portion. I highly recommend!
The calamari fritti is nothing special; it became almost a chore to attempt to finish, and dousing the rings in cocktail sauce did nothing to speed up the process.
For entrées, my friend and I both got the prime rib, which is divine - cooked medium rare, with au jus on the side, a bed of perfectly seasoned green beans, baby carrots, and a pepper, and some (decent but nothing to rave about) mashed potatoes. It's a rich perfection that is a struggle to finish; we both managed to eat about half before having to call it quits.
For dessert, we went with the mango sorbet. It was light, topped with fresh whipped cream (still warm, with slivers of almonds on top), and some sliced strawberries. It was a clean, delicious way to end a heavy dinner.
The CONS (aka why they don't get 5 stars):
Most likely based on our age (22, 24), we were seated off to the left side of the restaurant, near a rather rambunctious table. Granted, it made for an amusing eaves-dropping evening, but still, not fantastic.
The service was slow. It took quite some time to a) receive a menu, b) be able to ask a question about a menu, and c) order.
A con (but judging on how full we were, kind of pro) would be that they forgot our side order of the truffel macaroni and cheese, yet still charged us for it. They were more than happy to remove it from our bill, but they should have caught it sooner.
A lovely restaurant overall.Listed in: OC Favorites
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Review from Chris E.
Newport Beach, CA
1/21/2012
I will give it five stars once I have had an entire meal there, but my review is all you need to read:
GET THERE FOR HAPPY HOUR AND THE BEST VIEW OF THE SUNSET EVER.
That is all. It is crowded, so get there early, and tood is delicious and fresh. NOW that is all.Listed in: Newport beach restaurant week!
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Review from Chris S.
Irvine, CA
1/30/2012
Our waiter was an asshole, we went for NBRW and they didnt even give us the menu for it or mention it.
The Prime Rib and Deep fried oysters were great. Overall it would be 3.5 stars, possibly 4 if the waiter was not such an asshole. -
Review from Aaron K.
Huntington Beach, CA
4/11/2012
Slow service - took too long to get a drink
I had a $65 bone in rib eye that was really tough and flavorless
The carpaccio was nice and my wife's lamb chops were nice
Overrated and overpriced
Fantastic view -
Review from surf e.
Dana Point, CA
2/1/2012
Stopped by an old Favorite last night for a quick drink and appetizer.
Found a bar stool in a crowded bar at 5 PM.
Tony who is always on his game remembered me and my drink and asked if I was having what I had had the last time I was there - about 60 days ago. Always nice to be remembered.
Had a cocktail and asked for a menu, Tony advised that there were some new great items on the Happy hour menu .
Checked out the menu, asked for a couple of recommendations and ordered a couple of items Tony suggested.
Had a smoked fish plate A+ and some Tempura Lobster skewers- definitely A++
Fishes were smoked Albacore and Salmon about 8 pieces with toast points and a subtle good but slightly bland for my taste sauce. Lobster skewers were big chunks of lobster in a light tempura batter with a slightly spicy sauce- delicious.
And not super expensive.
Overall a very nice quick sop for a cocktail and some great appetizers and didn't break the Bank
Surf E -
Review from Chris B.
Los Angeles, CA
2/17/2012
We had dinner here because it was included in a package with a stay at the Doryman's Inn. This was the worst meal we have had in living memory. We had an appetizer of oysters which were supermodel-thin. They were literally like oyster paper.
The 21 salad (onion and tomato slices with a sun dried tomato dressing was good, but, like all the food, far under seasoned. The linguini and clams/black mussels was completely tasteless. This is a standby dish for me when I don't see a more appetizing menu item. In 30+ years, this was my worst restaurant meal ever. I was very hungry but left half of this on the plate because I just couldn't keep eating. The rolls were great.
We also ordered the "seared" ahi. While that suggests searing, this was a very thick piece of otherwise excellent-grade tuna that was criminally treated. It was heavily crusted in black sesame seeds, which alone were fine, but only served to highlight how poorly cooked a great piece of fish was. It could have been a fine sashimi, but lightly cooking it left it bland and (again un-seasoned) near tasteless. Worse, they put the ahi over mashed potato, sautéed spinach and Portobello mushroom, and surrounded it with an over-sweet mango purée - completely wrong for this fish. If I served this to a stray cat, I would have to apologize afterward.
The atmosphere is upscale 1970s with red wallpaper, dark wood, tufted leather booths, and nude paintings. The view of Newport pier is great. The service was great, with waiters in tuxedos. If they meant it to be a kitschy take on the Sinatra era, it would be fine, except the menu belonged in the 70s. Honestly, the menu was right for the older patrons we saw crowding the bar there, but if you are at all a foodie, put a big red X on this place.
We feel bad about leaving such a bad review. But a restaurant that charges what they do should do far more than rely on the location and view. Get a menu with some choices that weren't innovative 40 years ago and cook and season them well! An expensive meal on a Friday night shouldn't be rated this way.
Someone rescue this place... -
Review from Robert M.
Updated - 2/1/2012 1 Check-in Here
The big show here is sunset. The word "old school" is a cliche, but is so appropriate here. A beautiful bar, and had dinner which was average to good, but not great. Very very pricey for what you get here.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/10/2011
Some restaurants are all about location, location, location... and this one has a great location, if… Read more »
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Review from Tammy G.
Huntington Beach, CA
There is nowhere better for happy hour. A window seat at the bar with great live music, and phenomenal food at terrific happy hour prices. The Ahi sashimi is the best anywhere, in my opinion. I also love the escargot, and anything else on the happy hour menu. This is a beautiful place, and it is on the oceanfront. You can't expect anything but pricey - but happy hour is very reasonable.
You can dress up, or down - it is a beach town. The staff are dressed in tuxes.
I have always found the staff friendly, the drinks delicious, and the food amazing. Keep your kids away, though, because we love the romantic atmosphere! -
Review from Faye U.
Los Angeles, CA
2/13/2012
I'm a sucker for fancy restaurants, and that's the only reason I gave this the 2nd star.
I went here once a few years back and I was very frustrated and disappointed. I think we even had a reservation for the evening we went there, but were still kept waiting in the lounge area for an eternity. I'm sure it's a good ploy for them to keep those alcohol sales high. :rolleyes: Then once we got seated and our orders taken, it took forever for each course to come. And no, it wasn't even worth the wait. The food was really nothing special. The only thing I liked there was the decor. I was bored off my ass with all that waiting and waiting and waiting, and I'll never be able to get all that wasted time back! -
Review from Jason R.
Boise, ID
1/4/2012
Great place. Went with a group of 10 and they sent their limo bus to pick us up in Anaheim. Sea Bass was amazing so was the fresh oyster appetizer plate.
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Review from Linda S.
Lakewood, CA
8/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
I have to agree with Danielle T - it should earn a 3 star rating, but for the fact that it's on the ocean (great place for a romantic sunset dinner) and has live music. It's pricey and the service was mediocre, but the food was good.
I had the pear salad with mixed greens, candied walnuts, gorgonzola cheese and as an extra surprise fresh blueberries. Being a vegetarian I was happy to see one dish on a basic surf and turf menu. However, I went with their side dish of blue cheese penne which was really rich and creamy. I also ordered the creamed spinach and mixed the spinach in with my mac n cheese and was in heaven.
Will I go back - probably not unless I'm in the area. It's quite a drive. -
Review from Chris B.
Huntington Beach, CA
7/18/2011
Great place. Pricey but they do have some specials occasionally so search and see what you can find.....happy hour is good from 4:00 - 6:30 and it's a great "special events" restaurant for anniversaries, etc.
Tip: For a truly special event.....try staying upstairs at the Dorymans Inn....amazing hotel and they even have a hidden private staircase down to 21 Oceanfront.....very cool. -
Review from Sara A.
Temple City, CA
11/15/2011
We had the best time here! The food was excellent and the ambience was amazing. We had martinis at the bar and enjoyed some great live jazz while we waited for our table. Aftter dinner we split a creme brûlée that was to die for along with a great glass of port. It's difficult to find a restaurant that is elegant without being stuffy but the laid back Newport Beach vibe is alive in here so we felt comfortable and relaxed in such an upscale environment. It was a very memorable dining experience because of the food, the atmosphere, and the service.
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Review from Lisa T.
Valet parking for four bucks. In walking distance to the sand and water.
My boyfriend took me here for our early Valentine's dinner yesterday. He made reservations but we got there Early and they were nice enough to let us dine early. The tables had a red long stem rose on each table. which was a nice ambiance. My boyfriend said that he Googled romantic restaurants in Newport beach and this was one that popped up and are known for being a romantic place to dine at.
The place was nice. Stairway up as you walk in. We got seated quickly.
Free bread and butter. We ordered the shrimp scampi [i can taste the alcohol in the flavoring] , the English clam chowder, the prime filet Mignon, and the steak Diane [this has like some kind of alcohol in the flavoring and mushrooms].
clam chowder... i would say one of the best ones I've both have had. so definitely worth your time. shrimp scampi. not the best we've had. i would say red lobster's shrimp scampi is like 10 times better! the prime filet Mignon wasn't bad once you get towards the middle. the outside was a little burnt. so i can taste that burnt taste. not very flavorful. i had to had salt. the steak Diane.. not that great either. i think my boyfriend was trying to scarf it down or else it'll be a waste of food. i dislike the fact that i can taste alcohol in my food. probably if i liked to drink alcoholic beverages this would not be a problem however i do not and therefore it is a problem for me and my taste buds.
the service could be improved because we had to ask the waiter to refill our drinks. they never once came and did it without us having to ask. more than once may i add. are you sure you're a fine dining restaurant? seriously, I'm a huge meat lover and this place did not appeal to me at all. we wouldn't come back and dine here again. mastros you're still number one on our list both service and quality!
the bathroom smells good! except its kinda tiny! you may hit someone with the bathroom door or the bathroom stall door when you're opening it. for the girl side. the bigger stall as you squat or sit down or whatever it is that you like to do as you use the restroom. you'll be able to watch yourself urinate. that's definitely a very interesting first for me! the mirror is right there! so i hope you enjoy what you see.
didnt seem to be too dressy. my boyfriend wore vans, grey cords, and a white polo. so you can be semi casual and you'll be fine. i hope you have a better dining experience than we did. because it wasn't really enticing. -
Review from Audrey L.
2/28/2011
A gorgeous restaurant on the better/high end market despite its surroundings of rowdy bars whose regular patrons typically leave in a drunken debacle. It reminds me slightly of some underground speakeasy except when you enter all the staff looks as if they stepped of the Titanic in their penguin suits.
Unfortunately my friend and I missed happy hour just like we missed the JP sample sale bc they closed early despite their advertising that they would be open until 7p...hello don't they realize that all the boxes they were packing up is called INVENTORY IE- $ lost....
Sorry I digress....
*HH deals are 50% off food and some drink specials. Since we missed this I, well my friend shelled out:
* $18/glass of wine
* $16 tuna poke starter
*$ 8 side of mashed potatoes
*$11 (i think) for wedge salad
Food was definitely good, but just a little pricey. Next time I return it will be for HH deals.
PS loved the live music. tres southern style Mississippi croonerListed in: Best Happy Hour
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Review from KC O.
Sunset Beach, CA
10/18/2010
21 Oceanfront is one of those places that I've always wanted to review but felt some limitations due to its mystique. On the surface, this upscale tavern seems not so special... but that's because you don't know her esoteric ways.
Like a secret society for the elite, the general public walk by 21 Oceanfront totally oblivious of her rumors of debauchery and covert activity. This is coastal Orange County's Bilderberg HQ...or is it? While I can't specifically verify that the Knights of the Golden Circle still hold reunions here, I wouldn't bet my life against it. The Illuminati, La Coza Nostra and The Freemasons don't really exist, right?
One of the reasons, KC keeps a low profile on Yelp is this very tavern. Twice a year, my 'old friends' and I discuss our determination to principles and the execution of notes from sessions past.
As for you, have a drink at the bar next to a stranger. Don't ask questions...just listen and you just may hear something unbelievable. One last thing...what is going on upstairs? -
Review from Anne W.
Newport Beach, CA
5/17/2011
Went for happy hour last week...First impression: Beautiful building filled with old men in blazers and the surgified women who hope to land them.
We ordered calamari which was clearly previously frozen with a very low quality breading and simple cocktail sauce that was $8 at "half off". Personally, I would never pay $8 for that dish again, let alone the full price. The steak carpaccio was tasty, but was probably around 1oz of meat and not worth more than the happy hour price.
When the waiter found out we were not ordering drinks and decided to call it quits after not being 'wowed' by the first two items, we were totally ignored!
To sum up: If you have money to spend and you look the part, you will have excellent service. The food ranges in quality, but the quality to cost ratio is not worth it. (At least for the appetizers, I have not gone for dinner.) I would recommend going at least once for Happy Hour to experience the atmosphere the building itself creates. Looking out the window of the bar, I felt instantly removed from the sweaty, dirty boardwalk less than 6 feet away. And the cool air conditioning and smooth jazz filled ambiance made our beautiful view of the ocean seem quite luxurious.
DEAR 21 OCEANFRONT:
If you are wondering why you only have 3 1/2 stars, consider this... What really separates a good restaurant from a great restaurant is how you treat each and every guest. Make sure everyone is treated with respect and experiences excellent customer service. You never know who had plans to return with guests, or who shares their experience on Yelp! ;) -
Review from Kyle F.
10/31/2010
I had read a review of this magazine in The Coast, and i have wanted to go here for a while as it looked like a great seafood place and one with a great ambiance and reputation. The resturant decour is very nice, very old style speak easy-esk. They sat me and my date in the bar, while the entire dining room was empty, i guess they wanted to keep everyone in the same room or something.
We order drinks, which where pretty good, and both got the surf and turf. she got a single crab leg for an extra 38 dollars, way over priced and not anywhere worth it for that much money. I got 2 shrimp for an additional 18 bux. So as far as price this place is insanely overpriced when you could go to Mastros, chart house or even the Cannery for better food and a better dinner.
They brought us our desert menu at around 930 and cam back about every 15 minutes asking if we had made a choice, and we said where where going to rder desert but not at this very moment. The waiter then came back at around 10 and said they where having last call for the bar and at that point we wanted desert before we left. Only one problem, the kicthen had closed...the waiter explained that as it was a slow night they closed the kitchen early and completely neglected to let us know this.
What had started out as an enjoyable date ender with a very bitter taste as it felt like they wanted us out of the resturant at 10 on a saturday night because they all wanted to go home early. I would never go here again, nor would I ever suggest anyone go here as it is way overpriced for the quality of food considered all the other great resturants around the area and they pretty much tried to kick us out so they could at only 10pm! -
Review from Sandy V.
Los Angeles, CA
11/22/2010
The restaurant is split in half. On one end theres a bar, and on the other end there's the restaurant. A friend and I came here for happy hour on the bar side. When we arrived, there was live music. Felt kind of out of place because everyone else that was there were old and caucasian. We were craving oysters so we ordered half a dozen oysters on the half shell. They came out on a big hill of ice with lemon, cocktail sauce and tobasco. Did i mention the lemons had these little hairnets that catch the seeds?? So cute! Anyways, the oysters were different then the one's i usually eat. Very thin, light and delicate...but very good!!! We ordered another round :] We then ordered Escargots de Bourgogne. It was my first time trying Escargot..hesitant at first but I'm soo glad I tried it! The flavoring here reminded me of some sort of creamy pasta.
We also tried the restaurant side. We ordered the Alaskan King Crab legs and something else, but I forgot what it was. Two fat legs came out with rice(bland) and vegetables(bland). Wasn't wowed :[ And it was PRICY!
If you decide to come here, come here during happy hour and go the bar side...try the appetizers! They're good! -
Review from terry c.
Santa Cruz, CA
5/4/2011
We stayed upstairs and had a great meal at this resturant. Food was amazing, service as good as it gets, and we all know the view is one of the best.
The vibe is swanky, dress up and have a good time. -
Review from Andrew H.
Winston-Salem, NC
7/28/2010
Service - 5/5
Escargot - 4/5
Sea Bass - 5/5
Swordfish - 3/5
Souffle - 5/5
Ambiance - 5/5
Value - 2/5
Overall - 4/5
21 Oceanfront is designed for the conservative diner. The live entertainment (at least on the weekends) consists of jazzy vocal pieces accompanied by a piano, the servers are all formally dressed and behave as such, and everything on the menu is tried and true and unoriginal, but don't get me wrong, the food is excellent.
The sea view is very relaxing, especially near sunset, and the service is extremely attentive. Prepare yourself for spending more than $100 for a two person dinner but it's money well spent if you've got an old soul.
The Sea Bass is amazingly soft, buttery, and generously portioned and the Swordfish is very flavorful but my date wished that the side orders weren't as tried and true as rice and mixed veggies (but I suppose that the conservative crowd prefers the tried and true rice and veggies).
Oh, I almost forgot to mention that the chocolate souffle is the best dessert I've ever had in a restaurant. -
Review from Art F.
Diamond Bar, CA
8/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
You gotta try the lobster for two special. $99 buys you a 24 oz (huge) lobster, clam chowder or ceaser salad. Vegetable and potatoes and this includes dessert. My wife had chocolate cake and I had the mango sorbet with fresh fruit. The food was excellent!
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Review from Diana W.
4/19/2009
Apparently, the owners of this restaurant are neighbors with one of my (many) relatives. I don't know the details but in celebration of our first annual family reunion, the owners kindly shut down the entire restaurant should we could host our 125-person event. I can honestly say, out of those 125 people, I only recognized 10 people at most. So much for family reunion, it was more of a "let's meet because somehow we're related"
Anyway, the restaurant has a pretty sweet location: right next to the pier and right in front of the beach. Parking, however, is a pain in the ass, especially on a Saturday, so be sure to do valet parking that the restaurant offers (or maybe it was just for that day).
We all had a set meal that we got to pick and choose from. To put it simply: the food was pretty damn great. I started with the Maine Lobster Bisque, which I've never tried before and surprisingly, I liked it. It looks disgusting to me but it tasted pretty good. At first I was a little disgusted because I was expecting to see lobster and all I saw was some gooey looking orange soup. But don't let that fool you, it's pretty good nonetheless. I also had the Steak Diane with Cognac Mushroom Sauce and this was gooood. It's a small portion but it's thick in size. The sauce is what made this steak go from good to gooood. Last but not least, I tried the Warm Apple Tart which comes in a nice little presentation and it's definitely a nice way to end a meal.
I also like that this restaurant is sectioned off because it gives you a little bit more privacy than most restaurants.
If you ever want to do a family reunion, this is a good place. It's spacey and the food is good. Kudos to the relatives who found this place -
Review from Lauren A.
Los Angeles, CA
7/8/2008
3.49 approximately
So, why has this place been a popular old reliable for Me?
In one word?
Abalone!!
For some reasons not a lot of places around the area carry abalone. Why, oh, why not?? It is so delicious & wonderful, although I must admit that it is also rather pricey here. 4oz appetizer size serving is $65 & 8oz entree size is $130. I guess they get away with those prices because most American places don't carry it (I recently found out that at a number of Thai places there are abalone dishes for 1/10th of this price, lol). Here, the abalone is served breaded ands sauteed (abalone is awesome, but way too heavy on the grease swim factor).
This place also has a delicious cold appetizer (21 Seafood Platter on Ice - Oysters, Jumbo Prawns, Crab Claws, Sashimi-Ahi, Lobster - $65)-delicious served with some very nice strong wasabi-one time I swallowed too much of it at once and pretty much lost My breath for a few seconds & My eyes watered).
Spinach Ahi Salad($12) is the salad of choice for Me here, because that is about the most substantial salad they have.
Cioppino ($34)Prawns, Fish, Scallops, Clams & King Crab in a Tomato, Garlic & Basil Broth (yumm, definitely worth trying...either as a massive soup, which is what I consider it, or if you have a more dainty appetite as an entree) (finger licking good)
I am a fan of surf & turf, but My way, meaning I want to choose the meat (Steak, Chicken, Veal, Rack of Lamb $38, Pork $29) & I want to choose the seafood (Australian Lobster Tail +$28; Seared Scallops or Grilled Shrimp +$15; Alaskan King Crab +$28; Maryland Lump Crab Cake +$15) & that's exactly how this place operates. I chose lamb & lobster.
Veal Osso Buco ($39) served on a Bed of Linguini is a nice choice if you like linguini, since the waiter refused to substitute it with veggies (so, they said they would charge Me for every vegetable side I ordered-Asparagus($10), Wild Mushrooms($10)-I would have had a discussion with management about this, but My friend wanted to just let them get away with that & he was the one paying, so I decided to just let it be). It was delicious I can't deny that, very tender & yummy.
I am anti-butter, so I also make it a point to ask for no butter around My lobster or anything else. No butter. You would think that at a place where they charge quite the amount for everything, when I mention for them to please make sure to not give Me butter like a million times, the waiter would make sure that was the case. Not so much.I was very aggravated that the lobster tail came covered in butter & so did the mushrooms. My friend and I were on our way to a show, so I didn't feel like sending things back, but I did ask them why there was butter there when I asked otherwise.He forgot apparently, hmm, lol.Not acceptable.
Dessert, I just ordered a bunch of berries and they actually brought Me a nice size plate of berries.
Food-Awesome
Variety-Awesome
Service-Not great at all
Price-High
It's important to make reservations if you can, otherwise you might end up waiting quite a while at the bar. Their menu is available online at http://www.21oceanfron... so you can check it out before going. :)
...XooX SuperGirl -
Review from David O.
Costa Mesa, CA
2/11/2012
Good atmosphere. Food fell short of what you would expect for the price point. Wedge salad was a disappointment, mussels were dry, wait staff service seemedinexperienced. Not worth what you pay for.
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Review from Lisa A.
Decatur, GA
2/23/2007
If you are looking for a great place to celebrate a special occasion, look no further. 21 Oceanfront pretty much has it all. Good food, amazing location, excellent wine list and the service has always been above par! You must order the souffle for dessert at the time you place your meal order. You must, you must! I promise you will not be disappointed!!
I always look forward to eating here when ever I am in town. They also have a fun old school bar that servers up some nice cocktails! -
Review from Hang C.
Sacramento, CA
8/23/2009
My old hangout, hehehe...what more can I say...I use to come here with my best friend Mandy on the week days after work.
At the time we were co-workers at Nordstroms Southcoast Plaza. I was a Chanel Makeup Artist, she was with Benefit Cosmetics. She was my first friend I've met since I moved to California 6 years ago. The story came along when she came up to me and ask me "are you new to the area"??
I'd reply yes, and we hit it off right there..all the hangouts, hotspots, night clubs, bars, lounges, and good eats we went to without thinking it's good or bad..
My venture starts off here, the first restaurant I went to was 21 Oceanfront. Beautiful, elegant, classy, fit for two single ladies that enjoys great food and entertainment. There was a gentleman there that plays the piano and sings to it, funny I should mention, but I had the honor to give his wife a makeover at one point. Crazy how small the world is to have met great people that are not only talented, but fun to hangout with.
As for the food, the appetizers are yummy, my regular is Escargots de Bourgognemay and Carpaccio...to it off with a warm savory bowl of Lobster Bisque. I say no more..."perfection" I say the presentation of their surf-n-turf was great, they had a generous wine list to pair up with the entree. Their wines features over 300 labels from California, France, Portugal, Italy and Spain. Treat your palate to the taste of Napa Valley and other regions or again get a glass or two and try it out, love it?? Get a bottle...The salad wasn't too bad, they could have add a little spice to kick it up! Then there is the deserts The Godiva cake was to die for (only if you love chocolate as much as I do) but a will complete and sweeten the deal...
Live entertainment is around 5:30 to 9:30.
They also have "Happy Hour" from 4-7, if you love to drink and enjoy appetizers. I'd say go for it!!!
Great place to bring a date or a romantic dinner for that special occasion, dinner and business meetings yes I'd say do it!! The ambiance and service are more than happy to wait on you!!!
p.s. dress to impress or dress to kill..
I always will give this place an A+ for a wonderful clean bar and great ocean view with people going back and fourth. Great place to just relax, eat, and enjoy the music with someone you love or care deeply about "i'd say love is in the air" :PListed in: Top Restaurants
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Review from Eric B.
Costa Mesa, CA
10/17/2009
Elegant surroundings, soft live jazz and superb service make this the perfect spot for a very special ocassion. You could argue that this old school supper club is a bit stuffy, but most would agree that the lobster comes broiled tp perfection and the chef does not mind special requests.
A vegetarian in my party was presented with a roasted spring vegetable plate that looked every bit as good as the charred bloody filet on my plate.
On a budget? Keep walking down to the pizza slice place on the next corner. -
Review from Kaitlyn L.
Tustin, CA
11/11/2010
Note: I've eaten here once in Sept 2006.
My boyfriend at that time took me here to celebrate our anniversary and had chosen this restaurant based on its view and quality of the food.
We ordered an appetizer, two entrees, and a dessert. Appetizer and dessert were too ordinary for its price to even remember what it was exactly that we ordered. Our main course was a disaster though! He ordered the lobster risotto which tasted like bland mush with a reddish dye. I ordered the jumbo prawns and those tasted ridiculously bland and rubbery.
To top it off, our 'view' wasn't great even though we had window seatings. Sitting by the pier would have been nicer.
Typically, I'd like to be fair and give restaurants a second chance, but in this case, noooo way! It was THAT bad.
I'd give zero stars if I could. -
Review from Jason P.
9/18/2008
We rented out the wine cellar and the patio for my law school graduation dinner. After having a champagne toast on the rooftop, we made our way to the cellar and had an amazing evening. All of the guests were from out of town, so they loved the location right on the beach. The service was amazing, and the food (while I don't remember exactly, as it has been a couple of years), was great as well. It was pretty damn pricey, but well worth it for an event like this. The staff was great in dealing with my (cheap) father, who was paying for the party, and took his eccentricities in stride.
If you are looking for a great venue to host a special event like an anniversary, graduation, or other such event, this is your place. I would definitely return.Listed in: Guiltless Excess
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Review from Kelly G.
1/27/2010 1 photo
Went here with two girlfriends, wanting to try out this place and thought restaurant week would be a good time to go. $35 pre-fixed menu.
I got the calamari...all rings, and very lightly fried (just like I like it). The sauce served with it could have used a bit of a kick to it. The ahi tuna was very good with a great red cabbage underneath.
I felt like this place was way too stuffy for my taste. I like a great meal and nice ambiance, but this place was just overdone. The waiter was snobby towards us because we were there for restaurant week it seemed, and we didn't get much service. We were also stuffed in a two-person booth with two people.
Our waiter also didn't listen very well, because on the restaurant week menu there is an option for a house wine in place of a dessert. We were full after our meal and all of us had already had a glass of the house wine, so we said we were going to skip dessert in place of the wine we had. So, he decides to come back with three glasses of wine after we're done with the meal. No, we already had the wine, we don't want another one! I should have said something, and I have a feeling like he just wanted to add another $30 to the bill, but o well. We finished our "dessert" and got out for $60 each...not worth the money.
I won't be coming back. We had to go down the street to El Ranchito to get the stuffiness out of our system. Good thing it was hopping for Taco Tuesday. -
Review from Lizzy J.
Newport Beach, CA
8/13/2011
One of the best spots to watch sunset during happy hour
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Review from Steve S.
Norwalk, CA
10/11/2010
3 stars for ambiance and quality of food selection, but the price is way overdone for what you really get.
I came here with a large group a while back. I ordered the Chilean sea bass and although it did taste good, texturally it was a little off to me. The cut was a bit soggy and that just threw me off. We also were seated in one of the spots that did not take advantage of the view which was a total disappointment.
Overall, if you are looking for a special night out with a special lady, then this can be a great place to take her. It certainly is pricey (group of 10 of us was just over $1,000 that night) at about $100 a head, but for that special night it might get you some brownie points. Other than ambiance and food selection, I wasn't thrilled with what we got. -
Review from A T.
Los Angeles, CA
10/19/2008
Had a gig Saturday to shoot a private surprise birthday party here in the cellar and veranda.
Turns out it was a group of law-enforcement people (they're the best to party with, cuz they can get craaazy - AND get away with it).
First off, the decor at 21 Oceanfront is very elegant and upscale (imagine if George Clooneys' character were to open a restaurant/bar called "Oceans"). Most people i noticed were wearing a jacket - except for our group.
The bar is well-staffed. In fact, the entire place has a great, attentive staff...almost to a fault. Every time the wife sat her soda down to take a few photos, she would turn around to find it GONE! (good thing we weren't drinking the good stuff - that would get expensive FAST.)
Upstairs, our server James was great. Always near if we needed something and went out of his way to make sure we had everything.
The seafood soup (of some sort) was very tasty - and not too salty.
The halibut was fabulous! Cooked just right and was complimented well by the rice and vegetables.
Meanwhile, the wife had the filet mignon with jumbo prawns. Nice and tasty.
For dessert, some in our group had the creme brulee. i opted for the chococate fantasy, which was very light, flavorful...and of course, chocolaty.
They later brought us some port to wash it all down.
Downstairs, they have an extensive collection of wines. Not being a wine snob, i couldn't comment with any real confidence or expertise on that subject.
...and cigars. Dozens of cigars were passed out amongst the badge-wearing crowd as they gathered on the veranda and swapped stories about the birthday boy and some of their escapades while out wearing the uniform. Not sure if this a normal thing at this establishment, or if the cigars were brought in just for this private party.
In any case, we had a blast.
Literally across the street from the sands of Newport Beach, we also had a nice sunset to watch as everyone enjoyed Hors d'Oeuvres before the party really got underway. -
Review from Leo M.
Westminster, CA
6/9/2010
Hands down the best food I've ever eaten.
Pistacchio crusted halibut.
I've had this dish twice. I tasted a couple of other things that other people had ordered as well and they were superb as well.
The establishment has a great retro sheek bar downstairs to lounge or wait for your table that is beautiful and has a great view.
The whole decor of the restaurant is upscale and old school plush.
summation!
Take a date/small group to the bar for a few drinks and you'll both feel like 3 million dollars.
Take a date/small group to eat dinner here and you'll all feel like a billion dollars. -
Review from Lance H.
Huntington Beach, CA
1/23/2009
21 Oceanfront was on the Newport Beach restaurant week list, so here I come. It is adjacent to Newport Beach pier in a little area with restaurants, bars and other eateries. It faces the pier and ocean so at dusk the view would be nice. One nice thing I did notice is that they are extending the Restaurant Week menu for 2 more weeks (total of 3 weeks) on their own.
The restaurant is section off into two areas. First the lounge area which has a bar type feel and the main dining room. The dining is tiered in an effort to maximize the ocean view. The room is dim with red and wallpaper and black booths. The particular booth I was in was a little cramped and slightly uncomfortable but I think it was my particular booth.
The staff were very friendly and knowledge. Unfortunately, they were so unobtrusive it was bordering on inattention. In respect for them the restaurant was actually pretty full.
The food was pretty good but did not blow me away. The salmon was burnt on one side, I am sure they would call it seared or crusted. Plain and simple it was burnt. The rest of the salmon was pretty good. The seared ahi had a distinct smoked flavor and had the same "searing" as the salmon. Vegetables, calamari, rice would all good. The decadent chocolate cake was very rich and chocolatey. Still full on it today.
They have an extensive wine list, which is a plus. The glass of wine I had was good.
As for the price, the regular menu was very expensive and at least the Prix Fixe moderated some of those costs.
Overall, it was a nice dinner when considering the Restaurant Week menu. In comparison, the prix fixe menu was $35 +tax&tip and the NY steak alone was $40. Therefore, if I was playing full price I may consider other options unless this was a favorite restaurant or very special occasion. It did not wow me enough for the price.
