Cafe Del Rey
Category: American (New) [Edit]
Neighborhood: Marina Del Rey4451 Admiralty Way
Marina Del Rey, CA 90292 (310) 823-6395
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m.
Fri-Sat 11:30 a.m.-10:00 p.m.
Sun 10:30 a.m.-9:00 p.m. - Price Range: $$$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Valet
- Attire: Dressy
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: No
- Takes Reservations: Yes
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: Yes
- Good for: Dinner
- Alcohol: Full Bar
61 reviews
Los Angeles, CA
"One of my favorite restaurants in L.A. area. Great salads, great steaks, nice booths and bar. No complaints and I have been here 4 or 5…" read more »
39 Reviews for Cafe Del Rey
Hmmm...it seems odd to me that this place is getting very extreme reviews. I have been here twice and both times I had very good experiences. The first time I came here for brunch and I sat in the outdoor area that is slightly covered. It felt like we were chilling on someone's porch, which was nice and relaxing. I liked that they had a prix-fixe menu and that the food was presented very artistically...like Iron Chef :) Food was good. I also came here with my boss and co-workers for dinner and I ordered the sea bass and it was very tasty and cooked perfectly (I am very picky about seafood). My boss and co-workers loved their dishes as well...and they are from the East Coast.
So, I am giving my review based on my experiences, but it sounds like Cafe Del Rey is very inconsistent. Cafe Del Rey management should investigate.
I never heard back from the general manager on the gift card screw up. I guess they don't appreciate my business. Their loss.
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1 Previous Review: Show all »
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04/03/2008
I thought the food here is pretty good. The mahi mahi entree I had was cooked just right and came… Read more »
We went here in February '08 for dinner and had a wonderful time. The wait staff were professional and the view is very nice. My lobster was tough so I sent it back and requested another dish which I believe was Mahi Mahi and it exceeded my expectations. The situation was handled very gracefully by our waitress. It's not over-priced for the location and style of dining. The cuisine is fairly trendy though not out of step with with restaurants in this genre. Certainly nothing on the menu I hadn't seen before.
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My boyfriend took me here as a surprise for my birthday and i loved loved loved it!! The setting was very quiet, and relaxing, right next to the pier! THe Sea bass...was so perfectly cooked i did not even want to share my plate!! wow wow wow!! Must try
Other than the relaxing Marina view and the great design this place sucked. The food was HORRIBLE! Purple sauce on my pasta?? My salad was not your typical salad, it had bizarre things in it. Global cuisine? More like strange food!!! Plus, the prices were outrageous!
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I reserved the private room for a group of about 20 professionals. The event planners were very helpful and responsive. The dinner went off without a hitch. (A beautiful fireplace and view of the marina can do no wrong!) All guests seemed thrilled with the selections. And the personalized menus (including the organization's logo and event name) added a great touch. Overall, a wonderful experience. I did, however, feel the wine selections (for the large-group reservation) were on the high-priced side, including the domenstic options.
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cute plating doesnt compensate for the unnecissary valet and outlandish prices. Its a cute atmosphere but is totally too expensive and the server staff is bitchy and snobby. The meal was mediocre but the dessert was AWFUL. the pastry chef must be a total hack. It tasted like it had been in a walk in fridge for days, it tasted of chemicals and fridge burn. The custard trio made me want to vomit. I sent it back and was compensated with a place of cookies that was boring and also TEN EFFING DOLLARS. god forsaken.
I took my fiancee for his birthday for dinner Sunday night & it was a fabulous choice! The setting is amazing - right on the water with boats & ocean all in glorious view.
The cocktail menu is filled with interesting offerings - we tried a passion fruit caphrihina (sp?) that was great - and strong!
The food was quite good - splurge & have the truffle pizza appetizer - YUMMY!! We shared a salad of spiced pecans, blue cheese & red grapes on butter lettuce - I would eat my veggies every day if they always tasted that good! I had the halibut with a saffron bouillabaisse - generous & perfectly cooked fish with a hand-full of shrimp, clams & mussels... all seasoned well & somehow perfectly done. My fiancee had the lamb - we love lamb & these chops were "doubles" and also perfectly pink - double yum! Throughout dinner our waiter & other staff were attentive, but not overly annoying.
The only disappointment was with dessert... we had a trio which was 1/3 pretty good, 1/3 OK & 1/3 not enjoyable. For the lacking dessert, I only give 4 out of 5 stars. But, I would go back in a heartbeat for that pizza & that view! And, I will gladly go thru the entire menu.... in fact, I am looking forward to it!
Very nice place. Took a friend here for her birthday. The wait staff was cordial and the food was delicious. I ordered the Black Spaghetti and ate most of it -- too full to finish it.
So why the 3 stars? I went home and immediately got severely ill -- won't go into details, but I was in PAIN the whole night. Not sure if the food was bad or my pasta was too greasy??? I will never know because I will not go back -- my stomach won't let me. It's a pity, because it's a very lovely place to dine.
On a short business trip to LA, my colleagues and I went to a nice little dinner at Cafe Del Rey since there are pretty limited options around LAX. Most of the recommendations from the concierge were pretty useless, but we thought we'd give this one a try after checking the menu online.
Cafe Del Rey is a mix of seafood and Asian fusion. We had truffle pizza and calamari as appetizers which were pretty tasty (the pizza was a bit on the salty side but still good since you can't go wrong with truffle!). For my main course, I ordered the seared ahi tuna; I've definitely had better (it was a bit overcooked) but the grilled Japanese eggplant was a nice touch. We were too full to have dessert and each opted for a pot of tea instead. It was a good call since they gave us some tasty chocolates at the end.
I thought the service was pretty good. Not too pushy or in your face. Our waitress was helpful with the wine selection and honest with her food suggestions which I appreciated. With decent service and a nice view overlooking the marina, the restaurant is one of the better options in Marina Del Rey.
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My black spaghetti was delicious, but the service was so bad that I probably won't go back. The waiter was catty and unfriendly on my mom's birthday! Both the host and the waiter attended to us in a timely manner, but that didn't make up for either of their attitudes. They were very short with us and unhelpful when we asked about items on the menu. Not what I would expect from such a high scale restaurant.
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I've been meaning to try Cafe Del Rey for a while. Each foodie event I've attended over the past couple of years has had a CDR booth and regardless of the freebie factor, those handouts were YUMMY. So I finally had a chance to hit it up for brunch with some of my best girls.
The breakdown:
- Service: excellent
- Alcoholic concoctions: very good (well, this is per my friends who were able to partake in more than the 'lil mimosa I allowed myself & my in utero bini)
- Atmosphere: more on the stuffy side, but we had fun nonetheless
- Food: The hangar steak, lamb chops with polenta and omelette were fantastic! The amuse-bouche soup was an interesting little ditty that wasn't too absurd in creation to make your eyes roll. CDR's bread & pastries were devoured in seconds. Desserts (sorbets, chocolate cake and cheese & nut platter) were delicious as well.
I'm giving this place a solid 4.5 stars. If the ambiance was a little more lively I'd give her the full shebang.
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4 to 4.5 STARS
One of the best restaurants in Marina del Rey, and you are going to pay accordingly. I think it is worth it. You might not.
Beautiful views if you are here during the day. I usually come at night for dinner, and the fire is usually lit. It offers a nice ambiance.
On the handful of occasions that I have dined here, the service and meals have both been excellent. I've never had even the slightest complaint with any aspect of Cafe del Rey. It's is pleasant, delicious, leisurely dining.
Why only 4 stars you ask? It simply doesn't merit 5 when compared to Joe's Venice, the next town over. Joe's is a full 5 star experience. Check out my yelp review if you are curious.
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Beautiful spot. Our waitress was wonderful. Oysters were delicious!!
The rest was just a waste of time....
My Pomemint & Blue Rey Martinis tasted like cough syrup. Our lamb was overdone to the point of being rough.
Not eager to try this spot again....
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nice place with a view of the marina. it's faaant-cy. they have valet, but i think it's ridiculous because the parking lot is just right there. it's probably about 5 steps for me to walk to the front door of the restaurant from my car if i pull-up for valet and only a few steps more to get to the front door if i park my car myself in their lot.
it's my friend's favorite restaurant in marina del rey. it didn't make it to my "favorite" list; however, it was good enough for me to go there twice. their appetizers, drinks and food are good. when i visited last, i requested a "butterflied" filet mignon. i'm not one to eat rare meat. i prefer medium-well or well-done steak. the best thing i've had at this restaurant is the molten lava cake. it tastes oh so chocolatey!
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So my company decided to have a dinner at this place last week. they are so friggin expensive for parties, that my manager told all of us to bring our own booze. I brought a bottle of belvedere and a few others brought patron and champagne.
Cafe Del Rey took too long with appetizers and food. so we all got bored and decided to start drinking. Not a good idea! i had 2 shots of patron and finally the bread came. i was scuffing that bread down my throat like a Cambodian refugee that hadn't eaten in weeks. unfortunately i didn't eat it quick enough to cure my buzz. I got suckered into one more shot of patron by than, i was irritated that they didn't bring out any food! WHERE IS THE FRIGGIN FOOD?!?!!! i felt myself getting drunk so i said no more patron for me.
we were there an hour and still NO FOOD! now normally i wouldn't care but since i needed this buzz to pass i was highly irritated. unfortunately the food never came out and i ended up in the restroom puking my guts out. so the only thing i remember is the view and the bread.
BTW i would like to thank the person who cleaned up my spew! so you get 2 more stars for that
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Yes, splendid view as it is overlooking the marina, but man, the service is slllllllllow! and the food is nothing impressive. ergo, this resto is too overrated! The neighboring Cheesecake Factory might not be in the same league as Cafe del Rey, but i'd much rather patronize the former: it's also waterfront (that is, if you ask for alfresco dining) and the food ain't bad.
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Great view of the Marina and a nice spot for business lunches, brunch and special events. They can accommodate large groups nicely and are very flexible with special requests.
I had a baby shower here in 2006 and the manager and staff were fantastic. We took over the lounge by the bar. The fireplace was roaring and the bartenders were wonderful with the ladies. We then had a long table of 25 guests on a special prix fixe menu followed by a special dessert and custom cake.
Fantastic experience in every way! It's hard to please a lady who is pregnant, hormonal, suffering from all day "morning" sickness, developing cankles and surrounded by the women who bring her the greatest joy and grief on the planet. They pulled it off and that makes them first-rate as far as I'm concerned.
I've been back since and have always had a wonderful time and meal.
Another bonus, this is Grandma's favorite "fancy" restaurant, which says a lot, since she's a hip Granny!
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I went here for a friend's birthday dinner, and wow, what a dinner. Wait, did I say dinner? I meant bill. Holy crap this place is expensive.
And for $30+ an entree, you'd expect better service. At least, I would. Our waitress was very slow (slow = longer than 10 mins to take our order) but at least the food was delicious enough to make up for it.
I had the braised pork something, my bf had the sashimi something, and my other friend had the duck something. All very rich, all very scattered artistically over a large white platter, and all very expensive.
So, in other words, it's a good restaurant if you want to impress a girlfriend to a special dinner, but there are probably hundreds of other restaurants in the area that offer more comfort and better service.
BTW, if you're reading this, and you went to dinner with me AND it wasn't your birthday, you still owe me for the bill.
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It seems absurd to me that I have never written a review for Cafe del Rey, considering I've been here at least ten times.
In short, it's delicious. It's fresh and it's flavorful and I dare you to "order badly" here. It's just not possible. Their filet mignon is always of the highest quality. I've never had a bad vegetable here.
Service is usually top notch. We've had maybe one bad waiter ever, and he wasn't really "bad," just overwhelmed. But at CDR, that sort of shows.
The bar is charming and well-sized, their barternders are attentive and knowledgeable, and they offer a wide vareity of bar snacks. They also feature a really wonderful piano player, who is always spot on and never obtrusive.
The one thing I have to mention is the strawberry shortcake -- it's amazing. Totally, perfectly amazing. I have dreams about it.
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One of the most consistent all time favorite restaurants of mine in Marina del Rey. Been coming here since I was in my early teens. It was always a place we took anyone visiting our family from Japan, since it's so close to the airport and boasts a beautiful view of the Marina.
I'm also a big fan of their Sunday brunch... it's a prix fixed 3 course menu which still offers a generous (but not overwhelming) selection per each course.
Some of my all time favorite dishes they've had on their menu forever:
* Seared Ahi Chirashi Rice (Awesome. And it comes with ikura folded into it) It's not on the menu anymore, but if you order it, they will make it.
* Black Spaghetti (Prepared with shellfish, tossed in a delicate Asian inspired broth)
* Vietnamese Duck Eggroll Appetizer
* Chinese Chicken Salad
Oooh and I just had their Truffle Pizza with Carmelized Onions and Asiago Cheese for lunch today... it was absolutely a big fat carbilicious party in my mouth.
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I was brought here for my fancy pants birthday lunch. It seemed to be mostly business types on their lunches with clients, so I felt slightly out of place as I'm a casual diner who works in a laid back office.
When it came time to order, admittedly, I was slightly miffed that at 1230p, they had already run out of short ribs, the reason why I was looking forward to eating at CdR. I was forced to order an alternative: Prime Sirloin Burger with arugala, crumbled blue cheese and carmelized onions with a side of fries ($16).
Unfamiliar with this combination of blue cheese on burgers, it was surprisingly yummy and the portion was quite filling (in comparison to the small portioned platings of snacks my co-workers received.)
Let's just say, dont go here starving.
Anyway, 2 stars for the food. Ignoring portions, everyone seemed to enjoy their lunch orders. Another star for the great view of the marina. Another for the free mini ice cream sandwiches I received (perhaps to make up for running out of ribs). 1 star deduction for running out of ribs and the water tasting like tap.
Hot hot hot place for dinner. Suitable for business or pleasure. Piano is loud near the lounge and adjacent dining tables. Service is excellent. They feature two catches of the day that are a mere 24 hours fresh listing the name of the name of the fish, captain, boat, and location where they were caught so you know everything and then some about your slippery friend. Menu is creative without trying too hard and has a variety of dishes. The most outstanding at our table was the Black Spaghetti with mixed frutta di mare made so by the black dye of squid. Although hesitant to order the chocolate lava cake because of its overwhelming popularity I was pleasantly surprised by the sinister dark chocolate flavor and flawless texture. Great winelist, but for being such a foodie place it could stand more old world selections.
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Having never heard of Cafe del Rey, I had no idea what to expect when I arrived there for a business dinner. I drove by their valet service because I saw several free spots and I was not with a girl to impress by using it. After I just finished parking, I noticed out of a mirror one of the attendants approaching, so I rolled down my window and he proceeded to inform me that it costs $5 to park, the same as if I were to use the valet. Hmm. Interesting. So after weighing my options I opted to drive my car back to the front and hand them the key so they could park it again. Beautiful, $5 well spent. I recommend doing this too.
The establishment is very nice inside, and the view from inside was quite charming looking out at the marina. I had a very enjoyable dinner, partly because the champagne was flowing, but also because the food was fairly good. I had a filet, and though I have had far better steaks elsewhere, I am certain that theirs is above average. One thing I do enjoy about Cafe del Rey is that they invest time and energy into presentation. The plates are modern and colorful. The desserts are also very well prepared. In short, I recommend this place if you are looking for a decently fancy place to dine in Marina del Rey. The cost is pretty high, but it should end up meeting your expectations.
I only went here for appetizers but I thought it was overall an okay experience. The drinks were good and the place had a really nice view of the marina but you can't really see it from the bar area. We ordered a few different things like the brie pizza which was unique and tasty. We also ordered some type of sampler platter that sounded really good on the menu but when it came out we were a little surprised that everything was fried, it was still good though. The servers were pretty attentive but we were one of maybe three other parties since they had just opened up. I guess I'll have to go back there and try out their dinner entrees.
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Overrated scene place. The food looked better than it tasted. Prices were too high for the food quality, which was good in concept and mediocre in preparation and ingredients. Annoying to pay this much simply for live jazz and a view of the marina.
CdR rules. I had my first more-than-$500 dinner here about 7 years ago and it continues to be awesome every time.
The one thing that has changed since '00, though, is that they no longer seem to have former porn stars as their hostesses, but otherwise the food and drinks are top notch.
Update: Had lunch here today. Food and service were terrible. Dunno what's going on with this place.
The food was ok, it wasn't comparable to the prices it was given. There wasn't any outdoor seating either, which I usually rather have when I'm out with my friends. It really is more of a "date" restaurant than a group of friends to go for a couple glasses of wine, it also seemed like there were quite a bit of "older people", like 50+. Also with that price for the food, we had a couple of appetizers and went over the Jerne (restaurant at Ritz) for more drinks and food.
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Fresh food, great atmosphere. Really good pizzas. Nothing unforgettable, but definitely a repeat.
I liked this place a lot better than Tony P's next door. The view of the marina is the same but this place has a cozier atmosphere with the piano in the lounge area.
I wasn't too hungry so I had the Oysters (very flavorful) and the Vietnamese spring rolls (ok).
Valet service is $5.50 as opposed to what the previous reviewer stated. The prices may have gone up.
It's not a place I'm completely excited about but it's nice enough to go back!
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Whether it's a business lunch or my boyfriend offers to take me out for a "nice dinner," Cafe del Rey is always the first restaurant that I suggest! With gorgeous views of the Marina during the day and the twinkling stars overhead at night, the location of the restaurant upon the marina impresses you upon entering. But the menu proves that looks aren't everything. The food is delicious, with lots of creative sauces and food combinations. And the wine list is to die for. I love ordering the bacon wrapped filet mignon and nice bottle of red wine to wash it down. Arrive early, have a drink at the bar, (I suggest ordering a shiraz and sitting near the fireplace) and really soak up the date night experience. It's such a lovely place that you will be in no rush to leave!
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the food is pretty bad- I mean - I go to alot of places and this place emphasized some asian fusion stuff. Never go back.
We had some family in town and we were looking for a stuff-your-face-all-you-can-eat Sunday Brunch Buffet, but everything was booked. So, we went here instead and were pleasantly surprised. The atmosphere is upscale, the service was great and the food...It's a 2 or 3 course pre-fixe, with plenty of muffins and pastries. I had this lobster and scrambled eggs dish that I highly recommend. I liked it and I'll be back.
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I haven't been here in a while, but the few times I have gone I have had a very good experience. We took my roommate here for a birthday brunch the day she turned 21 for mimosas and some yummy food and had a great time.
The drinks were good and food was delicious. Plus you get a beautiful view of the water while you are dining. Our waiter was very attentive and made my roommate feel extra special on her special day.
It is a bit pricey, but it is a more upscale restaurant and the menu doesn't just offer eggs and bacon, so I say you get your money's worth here.
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So you miss your plane at LAX, or rather not the plane but the luggage cutoff time - by four minutes. You don't want to throw away your contact cleaner and other liquids, so you call your friend who dropped you off at the airport. You decide to have a beer somewhere close to the ocean. You pull up to the Cafe Del Rey. You marvel about the relatively inexpensive $3.50 valet service. You go inside. You marvel about the laid-back-stylish space. You sit down, skimming the drink menu. You marvel about a $38 margerita, then nod in understanding as you see that it's done with 1942 tequila. You spot a hefeweizen, the brand of which you have never heard before - and you are from Germany. You order said hefeweizen. Both your friend and you marvel about its taste, even though it's bottled. You have a friendly chat with the waiter. A bit later, you see the evening shift of waitresses arrive. You spot a beautiful dark haired one, just getting ready for her duties. You get ready to leave and wonder where she might have gone. You get a glimpse of her once more, her beautiful hair sadly put together in a pony tail. You head over to LAX, relaxed and ready to wrestle the demons of air travel after a short twelve minute drive. You make a note to write a review on yelp. And to return.
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Ask for a table next to the windows - you'll have a great view of the harbor with all the sailboats. The service is awesome - our service helped us pick a really good wine and was always checking on us. The seafood is super fresh and very delicious. It has an pan-asian flare with different types of sushi as an appetizer - which we tried and it was very yummy. I had scallops that just melt into your mouth. Definitely a great restaurant for atmosphere, food and service!
I have only been to this place once but everything I ate was amazing I hope to go back there soon it was a wonderful menu and beautiful windows which over look the bay. the best upscale restaurant in the Marina. expensive though but worth it if you can afford it. great place for a romantic dinner.
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Expensive and pedestrian. Good marina view.
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Used to be better! Last couple of times I've gone here...I've noticed their entrees are shrinking. My boss likes to order their penne with boar bacon and I think it's about 4 ounces now. He usually has to eat several pieces of bread to feel satiated. I like to order their halibut, which is cooked to perfection...but, it is a very small portion and you leave still feeling hungry. If price is no option...this is the kind of place where you'll want to have a salad or appetizer to start. I would NOT recommend their crabcakes. They are nothing to write home about. They used to be top notch years ago...in a pink grapefruit sauce...but, they have since changed chefs and the scrumptious recipe left with the old chef. The restaurant is pretty and the usual pick for a business lunch or special event...since it's got a lovely view and the food has an artistic flare to it. A co-worker ordered the trio of tuna sandwiches last week and it looked pretty enough to be in a food mag.
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