French 75
Laguna Beach, CA 92651 (949) 494-8444
- Price Range: $$$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Attire: Dressy
- Good for Groups: No
- Good for Kids: No
- Takes Reservations: Yes
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: No
- Waiter Service: Yes
13 Reviews for French 75
My wife and I love this place. Great location, wonderful atmosphere, extensive wine list and excellent food.
We always seem to start with the Foie Gras which never disappoints. From there we always try something new and are always rewarded.
a dark, classy little place on the pch with an outdoor patio and fireplace in the front of the restaurant. we landed at French 75 after a dinner at Sapphire, just for dessert: i read on Yelp about their chocolate souffles and my honey is a sucker for a good chocolate souffle, so I took her. we sat in the lounge, enjoyed perfectly hot, foamy cappuccinos, and after about 15 minutes (they take a while to cook), were presented with the most amazing hot chocolate souffle I've ever had. that thing was good.
it's light and airy--the server cuts a hole in the top (it's HOT), pours chocolate syrup into the center, and scoops vanilla ice cream into it. it's madness. we enjoyed every bite, alternately oohing and aaahhhing over the dessert, and making fun of the drunk laguna beach moral majority jerk offs at the bar. what a scene. my favorite quote from them from the night was: "you either believe in God, or you believe in Satan." truly, they were loudly preaching to each other, slurring and falling off their bar stools. they probably went home and had drunk random stranger sex after that.
i think my dessert was more full of spiritual wisdom than the four of them put together. we'll be back for dinner.
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This location is the oldest and by far the best of all of the French 75 locations, including those that were formerly a Rouge or a Chat Noir or some other Wilhelm restaurant idea. I've been going here for at least 8 years. I only know that because my wife and I loved this place so much that she had her bachelorette party dinner there back in 2000. I have always received amazing service here and the food is top notch.
All of the wood and the warm feeling of the restaurant are so nice. They have an amazing wine selection and a champagne bar if that is your thing.
I had to take away a star...only half a star if I could...since they ditched their old menu a little over a year ago for a more mainstream one. Gone are items like the Cassoulet, a pot filled with white beans, duck, sausage, veggies, and cooked in the oven. It may not have been the best thing for you, but my oh my was it a delicious meal.
I've been here for Valentine's Day too. They have a very nice preset menu. The really nice thing was that they bucked the trend of rushing you through your meal to try and get in as many seatings as possible. I hate that. We were allowed us to sit back and enjoy our meal. Our waiter even brought out extra desserts for us. That was very nice.
Words of advice for people going when it is cold out. Try to avoid the little two person tables by the door. Every time that front door opens you'll get a nice blast of cold air, which isn't so great.
Overall this place is always a good choice for a special meal.
I am really torn.
I really don't want to give so few stars because I had a good time.
BUT, I got SO SICK after my meal. I had severe food poisoning (ordered the duck, which tasted really smoky & salty, and the plate was way too busy with random veggies and some type of potato) and threw up on our drive home.
I called the restaurant and did not get any type of response - not even an apology from the young lady who answered the phone.
I didn't care to have them pay for a medical bill or anything (well, my dad's a doc); I just wished they were not rude about it.
I really liked the other two French 75 (Irvine/Tustin Marketplace and Newport Fashion Island) and I haven't really had bad experience before, but this time, I was disappointed.
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I have been to French 75 several times and I love it more every time. From the Champagne bar to the brie to the scallops, every bite was memorable. I have been known to go there just for the Chocolate souffle, this time it wasnt that good. However, that did not change the fact that everything else was top notch. Our server was very attentive, knowledgeable and accomodating. We brought our own wine, with prior permission, and they were very generous about that. I can't wait to go again. Hmmmm, what is my next excuse for French 75?
I went here with a whole group of people (over 75) and the service was wonderful! The fireplace and heaters kept us warm outside while we waited for our tables. The waitresses kept serving the appetizers from the shrimp, to the filet mignon. The Pinot Grigrio was delicious!
The bread alone was tasty!
Three Way Duck (Confit, Grilled Breast, Seared Foie Gras, Port-Black Peppercorn Sauce) - done to perfection!~
Hot Callebaut Chocolate Souffee - very sensually delicious!
I would definitely come back here again!
I absolutely adore their chocolate souffle. Very moist, dense, and extremely, extremely, chocolatey! It's pure chocolate heaven! It's like a(n) (insert word here) in your mouth! Yes, THAT good.
I still dream about it to this day...
Oh when will someone (ahem, BF!) take me there again...
Oh, thats right.
We're poor.
That's why we don't come here anymore.
:(
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Since moving to the OC 2 years ago this has been a regular haunt. We are addicted to the spread they serve with their fresh baked bread. Great wine selection, wonderful ambience, very romantic especially if you get the corner seats next to the art gallery.
The wait staff is impeccable. They have never steered us wrong with our meal selections. Trust them and tip them well for it.
This is definitely not for the weak of pocketbook...but a fantastic date location for a first date all the way through a 25 year anniversary date.
Keep doing what you are doing.
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While the restaurant's location and setting is spectacular, the food is horrible. This is another one of David Wilhelm's boring chain restaurants. Chat noir, Rouge, Sorrento Grill, and French 75: These are all concept restaurants which have superb locations but the menus and decor are all exactly the same!
I had the John Dory at French 75 and, simply put: for the money i paid, I could've had a better meal for 8 at Denny's. It was gross, salty, and stale.
Aaah!!!!! come on! I'm so bored of these OC chain restaurants!! Give us something new and different, Mr. Wilhelm!!!
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I had one of the best meals of my entire life on Satuday night at French 75. The ambiance, the wait staff, the wine list, the food, were all amazing. The crowd is over 55 on a Saturday night, but I'm sure a late dinner during the week would cater to a younger crowd. I will be going back the next time I am in Laguna.
After living in Laguna for 10 years and trying most of the restaurants, this is THE one. It's where we go for any special occasion. Granted it is reserved for special occasions because it puts a dent in the wallet, but I've never had a meal that was not worth every penny. The food, the incredibly romantic ambiance and the stellar customer service combine to make this a place I repeatedly recommend.
Great place for a mini-getaway dinner. Awesome location right by the beach. Their souffle is an absolute must have.
What a dining experience!!!! The music, the ambiance, the food, the wine list and dessert...wow! For a romantic and PERFECT night out this is where its at. We sat next to the windows near the art gallery and it was so amazingly fantastic...I LOVED and ENJOYED EVERY MINUTE!!!!!!!!!!!! Though pricey (I had a gift certificate, thank goodness ; ) ) it would be well-worth every dime. The service was impeccable and the customer service was terrific at the front door upon entrance. Let me just add that as I left the valet he actually asked me how my dinner was....just another small but top of the chart part of the service! An absolutely wonderful night out and a high high high recommendation to all!!!!!!
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