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Rocky Point Restaurant
Categories: Restaurants Steakhouses Restaurants American (New) Steakhouses, American (New) [Edit]
36700 Hwy 1Carmel, CA 93923
(831) 624-2933
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Ambience:
- Romantic, Touristy, Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
Nicole D. said: "My boyfriend and I were headed to Chili's but they were having an electrical issue so we cruised around in search of an eatery with classic American favorites and a casual, relaxing vibe. Lucky for us, we came across Monterey…" read more »
109 reviews for Rocky Point Restaurant
Review Highlights
"...really easy to miss if your coming from the big sur side."
(in 12 reviews)
"Enjoy the gorgeous views and the comfy seating."
(in 21 reviews)
"I loved my eggs Benedict."
(in 5 reviews)
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109 reviews in English
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Review from Megan R.
Emeryville, CA
1/27/2012
To be honest, this restaurant feels dated. The interior is not as posh as maybe it should be with prices what they are on the menu. The food is alright, but there is definitely far better alternatives a few miles down the road at half the price. If I were to be totally honest, I'd even say I've had better breakfast's at diner's.
No, the only reason this restaurant gets this rating from me, is because of what every other commenter has already said: the view. It's absolutely gorgeous. Stunning. And every table in the restaurant has access to it! This stretch of coastline is the most beautiful part of California, in my opinion, and a trip to this restaurant is worth every penny if you're looking for a chance to just sit and stare and be mesmerized by it.
Just don't necessarily go if you are looking for an amazing culinary experience. -
Review from Jane B.
Princeton, MO
1/11/2012
I come here every time I'm in the area.
The views are astounding - you can see grey whales from your table during migrating season (every table has a view).
I don't stray on the menu much, I come here specifically for the Dungeness Crab salad and the King Salmon - I've never been disappointed.
I love the relish tray and cheesy bread that comes with every meal. It's a little dated, but it's yummy. The baked potatoes are *huge* too.
Service can be slow sometimes, but you have a great view to pass the time. Susan is a great server!
And every meal should end with their delicious Ollallieberry Pie!!! -
Review from Ashley M.
Salinas, CA
12/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
Just a short drive from Carmel. Went the other night with the hubby for the locals special. Was only $19 for a 4-course dinner.
Actually, wasn't impressed with the food... It was average. But the views..... Sigh, amazing! Can't wait to catch a sunset here with the hubby! -
Review from Kristen S.
San Francisco, CA
1/4/2012
The view is just so spectacularly beautiful. Wedding-reception appropriate. Food is upscale. Service? Superb. 'Nuff said.
-
Review from Randy C.
10/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
I have only done this for breakfasts, but it is consistently good. A bit higher priced, but then the standard breakfasts include coffee (good) and juice (marginal).
My favorite here is the Avocado Benedict. Good potatoes!
Service is excellent.
View is great. -
Review from Tana P.
Hesperia, CA
9/21/2011
So, you can't deny the fact that the location is SUPERB. Pull out that camera, because you'll get some gorgeous shots. BUT, unfortunately the restaurant fell short. No cell signal in the area, because if we'd have checked the reviews, we probably wouldn't have come. The food was ok, but didn't feel that it lived up to the price tag. The staff was a mixed bag. Some was really nice, but overall were slow to respond to our needs, and some were even kind of abrasive. The restaurant was very dated, and needed some serious spiffing up to the dining area, the bar, the waiting atrium, and the restrooms.
Rocky Point has a ton of potential, but needs some money and TLC forked into the venue, the staff, and the food. -
Review from Jo Ann N.
Salinas, CA
12/27/2011
Chill out, folks! We have been going to Rocky Point for years, and are never disappointed. The key is expectations. If you want extraordinary cuisine, keep going up the road, to Carmel. If you want modern, impressive ambiance, keep going two hours more, to San Francisco. But if you want a warm, friendly, atmosphere with fabulous views and good food more in the category of '60s steakhouse, you'll come back again and again. I suggest the "local specials" for $20, or if you are not a local then ask for the "early bird" menu (get there before 6 p.m.) for just 10% more. For THAT price, you will not be disappointed. And you will have a lovely evening.
Again, it may not be stylish, but it is Big Sur authentic. Enjoy. -
Review from Claudia R.
Chicago, IL
I absolutely love it here.
Reasons you will too -
1. The view. The View. The VIEW.
2. Amazing staff. Our waitress was so sweet and brought my mom a birthday sundae even after tolerating my picky order. Then later we saw her climb down the rocks to retrieve a guests fallen binoculars.
3. The Bloody Marys.
I've been here 2x on separate trips and i vow to return! -
Review from Jon D.
Montgomery, TX
9/18/2011
Food mediocre...view amazing
Recommend drinks and a snack on deck at sunset, then continue on to a place with good food -
Review from Brian B.
7/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
$20 for a burger is a little excessive, but the view made the lunch worth it. The burger I had was kind of bland and, as you can see, expensive...but you don't go to this restaurant for the food...you go for the sweeping views of Big Sur and the Bixby Bridge. My friend said her chicken sandwich was dry too, so there you go. Still, the burger wasn't BAD...it was just lacking in flavour. The fries that came with both meals, however, were AWESOME. Very yummy...
Service seemed frazzled, with the wait staff running around looking confused more often than not. It was also very slow....but perhaps on purpose. Like I said before, this is the kind of place where you don't want to eat and run...take some time, relax, and enjoy the great views of the ocean while dining indoors or out. -
Review from Judy A.
Salinas, CA
10/29/2011
Worst restaurant I have ever been to. Made reserv. for 2pm thru Open Table but revised to 3:15. Arrived at 2:30 I told the "manager" that we had res. at 3:15 but were early,he said "I have you down at 2" I said I revised it to 3:15 and he said "oh I didn't know that" very rude way (it was NOT busy). Throughout our dinner we heard every convesation that the mgr had with employees (which were not pleasant). When our waitress arrived she seemed very impatient. We ordered our food and when we tried to order an appetizer or drinks she was long gone. Finally ordered an appetizer - never received it. Food was HORRIBLE & bill included appetizer we never received. Went their for birthday & anniv - they never asked us for dessert - just gave the bill
Food is way over priced - tables are more for a coffee shop - very outdated. -
Review from Anonymous O.
Los Angeles, CA
7/16/2011
Had the fresh fish catch of the day. It was not as good as the Filet Mignon which was cooked perfectly. The service is great, but the decor of the restaurant is older and kitschy. Loved the exterior and the history of the place.
Would I go back again? Probably not. The food was expensive for what you were getting.
If you do go...check out the weird kitty wallpaper in the ladies' restroom. -
Review from Mike K.
Mountain View, CA
5/26/2011
I ate here twice back in the days when I was dating and came here several times for drinks and the view. The place has a great view of the Pacific Ocean and unobstructed. Hands down better than Moss Beach Distillery.
As far as the food is concerned, I would say it is average or might even be a little below. I had the prime rib and it was not very tasty. The service on the other hand was very good and attentive. The food is a bit costly since it's the only establishment for miles, very secluded and that's what makes this place attractive.
Overall, I suggest to come here for the view, appetizers, and drinks; skip the meal. Definitely stop here as you drive south on 1! -
Review from Cheri B.
Central Valley, CA
2/12/2011
Service started slow but the staff was funny and upbeat. The food looked good, we just got the veggie tray, for 7$, the drinks were pricy but strong at 9 $ each.
All in all, totally worth it for the MOST AMAZING VIEW!!! -
Review from Vern P.
North Las Vegas, NV
8/6/2011
Was really looking forward to this restaurant. The view was great. The food and service were poor. When you pay over $16.00 for a sandwich and $4.00 for a glass of iced tea you expect it to be exceptional. I've had better at McDonalds. The host was not friendly, most of the staff appeared to speak very little english and the waitress seemed to have little experience. Not a "thank you" from anyone when we left the restaurant. Very disappointing. Would NOT reccommend to anyone. It was not worth the drive or the price.
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Review from Nicole S.
Mountain View, CA
2/22/2011
1 star for the view
If you like to pay for extra bread and food that is:
- Expensive
- Greasy
- Not very tasty
- Chunky
Then go there.
At least, the nice view can help you to forget the taste and bill. -
Review from Lisa M.
Pacific Grove, CA
8/24/2011
The view is spectacular but the food is disappointing. This used to be one of my favorite restaurants for the view, not the food, I've come to the conclusion that the poor quality of the food does not justify the price.
Worse, there are flies all over the windows. Always. How unappetizing. -
Review from Jessica N.
Salinas, CA
9/23/2011
My husband took me here for my bday. Iv always wanted to check this place out considering iv heard so much about it. Our meal wasnt bad but wasnt incredible either. For the amount we were paying i expected something that would make me say WOW! Our service took forever!!! We literally sat there waiting for 45 mins for them to clear our plates so we could get dessert! I did get a delicious free piece of cake for my bday tho so that was nice :) i was also dissapointed in the building itself...the big windows overlooking the ocean was lovely but everything else was rather cramped and blan. This place was definitely not up to my expectations for a $100 dinner. I dont think ill be going back.
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Review from M. N.
Chicago, IL
10/10/2011
I loved the food but honestly that's not why I would give this 5 stars. Service was good too, but the view is top-notch and unlike other area restaurants, you can take a walk out onto the huge rocks outside when done, and the rocks overlook the ocean with unparalleled access. It's the type of place you would totally stop to take pictures from, but you can also eat there! Loved it...
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Review from John K.
San Francisco, CA
2/15/2011
You are here for the view and decent food and that's what you get. If you're looking for a great place to eat and soak in the view, go for it. If your looking for amazing food, go elsewhere.
I had the crab sandwich and I have had better, but it was fine. The coleslaw was actually really good. My partner had the eggs benedict and it was the usual hollandaise in a can but again not too bad. They don't do free refills and the glasses are filled with ice. You're a captive audience. Nothing was horrible and the waitress was actually wonderful.
You're in a relatively remote location so it is more expensive than other places - they have to pay for water and all sorts of extra things. So if I had time I might drive the extra 40 minutes south to Nepanthe, but if not this was fine. -
Review from Sharon C.
12/8/2010
We were on the way to Chateau Julien and decided to stop by here for brunch. The restaurant is partitioned into two parts where the other part has the fireplace. When we came in, there was nobody there except for a group of 4 seated right by the fireplace. Because I was freezing, I wanted to sit inside by the fireplace but we were told that that part does not open yet til 11:30am. I wondered about that coz I can see 4 people inside having breakfast. We were told that since they seated them there coz the tables on the outer part of the resto cannot accommodate 4 people. Whatever! I didn't push the issue so we sat where he asked us to sit (away from the fireplace) and I just decided to wear my jacket the entire time. Seriously, I thought that was BS.
My husband ordered their overpriced Eggs Benedict at $17. It was pretty generic. I had 2eggs, sourdough toast and 4 chicken sausages for $15. With drinks and all, our bill came up to $45! The food was comparable to Denny's - i.e very generic. The difference is that Rocky Point Restaurant has amazing views of the sea and shore of Carmel. Agreeably, the setting is very beautiful but seriously, next time I come, I will probably just have a cup of hot chocolate or maybe hot tea. The food is very expensive and it was not worth it especially with the attitude of the waiter.
When you're there, make sure that you check out the Rocky Point trail (outside the restaurant) because the views are even more amazing. It was stormy on the day we went so the sea and the clouds created a pretty dramatic picture. -
Review from Laura M.
St Petersburg, FL
9/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
Came to watch the sunset and have a bottle wine and appetizers -we should have known with the boring selection for appetizers the food wasn't going to be good. We ended up ordering the fish special California Cod and a baked potato for $34- very boring and nothing special. It was a Saturday night and there were a lot of empty tables - it's a shame this place has amazing views and if they focused on their food it could be outstanding. Kitten wall paper in ladies bathroom is odd. The 2 stars are for the view and the staff - they were very nice and I think they really try to make up for what the kitchen lacks.
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Review from Tedd J.
Rancho Santa Fe, CA
9/20/2011
I can't believe some of these reviews. I have eaten at some of the best restaurants in the world and this ranks very high. The views and landscape are amazing and the food was excellent. I had the Filet with Prawns and it was delicious. I also had the bread pudding for desset and it was beyond belief. The service was a 10 out of 10. I wish I remembered my waitress' name because she was excellent. A very nice older lady. I just so happened to stumble upon Rocky Point and am lucky I did. No future trip to Carmel will be complete for me without a stop here. ENJOY!!!
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Review from Maria Z.
Los Angeles, CA
7/7/2011
5 stars for the view only. But I took four away for the waaaaay overpriced awful food. Come for a cocktail and to sit on their deck. Go someplace else to eat.
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Review from Kitty M.
San Jose, CA
11/3/2010
Im torn again. Another review I want to give a better star rating but I just cant bring my mouse to click up to three.
First off, the restaraunt is a throwback to the old wharf places that I grew up eating at in Monterey - I dont think its intentional but it is nostalgic and I dug it.
The view is amazing and 5 stars for that - but the breakfast menu did nothing for me. If you are going to charge someone $17 for a plate at breakfast (granted there was a lot of food) there better be a little razzle dazzle to it. Regular old eggs, hash browns etc just dont deserve that price. I get it tho - it is the only place to eat, its on the water and Im sure the rent aint cheap.
I had a side of bacon and two eggs - $10. Ouch.
My thoughts, if you are going to charge an arm and a pirates leg for breakfast at least facinate me with some amazing breakfast options like ricotta pancakes, stuft french toast, fluffy omlettes and artery clogging crab benedict.
With that said, Im sure I would come back for an afternoon beer in the sun and a hot date. I will just tell him to bring the Amex. -
Review from Leon C.
San Francisco, CA
1/1/2011
My friend and I came here after hiking at Big Sur. We parked at their parking lot and enjoyed the scene. Then we came here to have some appertizers and drinks. Utterly enjoyed the scene in the restaurant. Food was ok, but cant really judge just due to eating only appertizers. Menu seemed somewhat limited, but would come back here and enjoyed the view.
A bit pricey though. -
Review from Wai C.
San Francisco, CA
11/21/2011
These type of places are not expected for the greatest food ever and more like a tourist attraction to enjoy the Sunset and atmosphere with the smell of the Pacific Ocean. Well I might be wrong here (readers continue). Best time to be at the restaurant is around 3 to 6 PM in my opinion. Luckily it wasn't packed on the Saturday we dropped in. Had the Turkey Sandwich and the Calamari Steak , the Sandwich is probably 3 out of 5 star tops but the Calamari Steak is an easy 5 out of 5 (very unexpected and I was wrong !). The Calamari is so juicy and soft like a those Kobe Beef Steak that melts in your mouth. The only thing I don't like these restaurant in the Monterrey County is that the usually charge about 2 dollar for soda with only one refill. I rather they charge me 3 bucks for all I can drink Soda. This is personal opinion only, if you drink water and adult beverages, no problem at all! Have to remind everyone again to be sure that you sit outside or at least enjoy a few minutes of the Pac-Breeze at the patio. There are one table in particular where the Wood Fence is missing and the view to the ocean is even more spectacular. Next time I will bring my little canvas set and get some painting done :)
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Review from Amanda S.
Soledad, CA
7/24/2011
My husband surprised me with dinner here -- it was amazing. The view is stunning, the service was great and the food was delicious!! The best part was the baked potato -- I've never had one so BIG! It was delicious!! The salmon and steak were equally tasty. Highly recommend!!
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Review from kathryn r.
Marina, CA
9/18/2011
When you are driving south on Hwy 1, please drive RIGHT PAST Rocky Point, and go to Nepenthe ( http://www.nepenthebig... ). It is 30 miles south of Carmel, and worth the difference in the driving. I am a Monterey County local, and can attest that even though Rocky Point has a beautiful location, if you must stop there, you are better off having a picnic on the side of the road! The only time I have been to Rocky Point, they sat us inside (even after making an outside table reservation), which was empty except for a family with a screaming child. The employees, including the manager, were extremely rude! It was the most horrible dining experience I have ever had in my entire life! I am now ONLY go to Nepenthe when I am in the area. It has even more beautiful views, and great staff/food.
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Review from Corey Tess T.
Los Angeles, CA
5/11/2010
OK, i cannot believe this place doesn't have more stars. I do the drive from Los Angeles up PCH to Frisco now and then with stop overs along the way and this is ALWAYS a stop for me. The food and the drinks are good... but the VIEW! OMG, the VIEW is amazing...
You must get a seat on the patio in good weather... have a mojito and chill out.. whale watch .. enjoy the breeze...
Someone said the location makes the place, i agree... there isn't a lot you can do to mess it up... the prices are a bit high, which i think has to do with the fact that it is the only place in the area really and again.. the VIEW!!! I can't complain about anything when I am inspired by such beauty..
I will be back.. very romantic for dates and if you are doing the drive anyway.. it is a must, even if you are just doing drinks and appetizers..
------UPDATE---------
On my drive I stopped here again, the view as always is amazing.. the weather didn't permit being outside on the patio, but the bar was really nice and cozy and the full windows allowed us to have an excellent view even without the ocean breeze..
The Calamari steaks are huge! The clam chowder was standard, but good.. and the salad I had was nice... the food here is never like OFF THE HOOK, its good though, but the service is fun (we really liked Laura, our bartender/server) and the view is awesome...
Take the time to walk out to the rocks and enjoy the view.. it really is one of the best along that drive...
even if you just have a quick drink in the bar.. it is a great pit stop..Listed in: Fine Dining Around The World!
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Review from Kristin S.
Palo Alto, CA
7/30/2010
Completely awesome view and there really aren't any other restaurants around. This will earn Rock Point three stars.
The food is from some other era. Scratch that, the entire restaurant is from another era. It's almost creepy. They serve you little crudities before your meal which I just find ultra bizarre. The clientele here is also a little older. I'm not exactly sure where they're coming from. I also have a feeling the waitstaff has never met a vegetarian in their life. The linguine was $25 which was highway robbery in a quite literal sense.
There is no parking.
Go for the view if you must. -
Review from Shayla N.
Monterey, CA
11/6/2011
Had high hopes for dinner at this place but was disappointed. Read many reviews but tried to keep an open mind. Boyfriend and I went for anniversary dinner on a Saturday night about 5:30 and the place only had a handful of tables occupied. Service was slow and seemed rehearsed. We ordered New York steak cooked medium and King Salmon. Steak was suppose to be cooked medium but was more medium well to well. Overcooked. Fish was dry and over done as well. The restaurant knows how to do their starches because bread and potatoes were awesome. For the price of food, way too much. The place is slightly run down and menus laminated, price doesn't fit the place. The female restroom with cat wall paper peeling off just pushed it to a whole different level. Glad we went for the experience but never going back. Save the money and go to some other place. If you want the view, pull over and enjoy on the side of the road for free.
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Review from the asian jedi ..
San Francisco, CA
5/23/2011
one star for fabulous view of the ocean.
terrible service.
no hi no how are you.
just tossed us the menu.
took about ten minutes to get our pinot grigios.
took another ten to get a waitresses' attention for water.
they were clearly too busy discussing makeup & eyeshadow.
such a bad start.
food was such a bummer.
my side salad had rotten pieces of iceberg in it.
the crab cocktail...oh god...they dumped a whole thing of cocktail sauce over it and served it to us...who does that to crab???
clam chowder was so so.
our waitress started to be more attentive and nice but by this time we were so over it.
all in all, it was a serious disappointment.
will never come back. -
Review from Eliza B.
6/23/2009
Don't come here for the food!
This place reminds me of restaurants I went to in my youth...in the 80s....in mid-Maine..where Denny's is considered a decent place to eat. The decor is GODDAWFUL.
To paint you a picture, the majority of the place is carpeted in dark colored carpet that is worn in heavily trafficked areas. Where it is not carpeted, there is faux brick linoleum and yellow and black caution tape to demarcate irregularities in the floors surface. The wallpaper in the women's bathroom is covered in frolicking 4-inch kittens.
The food is EXPENSIVE. $17 for standard eggs benedict. The waitress tried to tell us that the orange juice tasted funny because it was flash-pasteurized. To my knowledge, flash-pasteurization does not make standard orange juice taste like a mimosa....That would be the fermentation. $4 for tea?
I can pay $5.99 and get a better breakfast in San Francisco.
What I can't get in San Francisco is the AMAZING view. That, as far as I can see is the only reason you would come here. There are some little paths off of the parking lot that allow you to climb down on the rocks. Definite photo-ops for the adventurous. -
Review from Kristy S.
San Jose, CA
6/26/2009
I do not recommend this restaurant to anyone. I can pull my car off to the side of the road and enjoy the same view from there instead of paying for a crappy meal in a shabby, dust-filled shack.
The restaurant lured us in with an advertisement about a "locals special." When I asked if there was a vegetarian option for the special, they quickly responded "no." The special included steak, salmon, pork or a burger all for $19.95. Yet I had to pay $27 for a plate of stale steamed vegetables, disgusting flavorless yellow rice and a baked potato. I can't believe that a small plate of vegetables costs more than a steak. My boyfriend said his burger was just awful and over-cooked.
If this restaurant were anywhere other than next to the ocean, it would have gone out of business long ago.
Funny story: the artwork on the walls at Rocky Point, posters from Big Sur marathons, are the same that hang in the bathrooms at my work. Classy. -
Review from Dale S.
San Francisco, CA
7/11/2011
Well... the coastal views from here are nothing short of inspiring. Dolphins and whales pass by regularly, and I saw both. (I prefer these views over Nepenthe's.)
Service was pretty good... attentive, if not always quick. Average to perhaps above average - which isn't saying much.
Food... mixed and eye-poppingly EXPENSIVE for what you're ordering. The crab sandwich was huge, but flavorless. The oysters - pretty good. Eggs benedict, also pretty good. Shrimp quesadilla, just OK. But I can get better versions of all of these things for half the price in San Francisco.
So, duh. Like Big Sur's Nepenthe, you're paying for the views. At least at Rocky Point, you get better service, slightly/usually better food, you don't have to wait an hour for a seat at off-hours, and, IMHO, a better view for your money. -
Review from Kanye A.
Carmel, CA
7/1/2011
The food tasted like it was chewed up by a whale and barfed out. The ribs did not have any BBQ sauce on it. But, the one thing the restaurant has going for it is the view. The view is spectacular, but it is insanely overpriced.
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Review from Martha M.
Ardmore, PA
5/24/2009
Dining on the edge of forever!
If you love breathtaking views, fresh seafood and top quality steaks, look no further. Located 15 minutes from Carmel, your window or ocean terrace table awaits you...
Enjoy the sea life and passing boats while the waves crash on the rocks below. The extensive menu is full of local favorites. Whether you are in the mood for breakfast, lunch or dinner, Rocky Point has what you are looking for.Listed in: I'm on the Road to Nowhere...
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Review from Mary H.
Corona, CA
6/4/2010
The view from Rocky Point overlooking the ocean is simply stunning and is one of the best things about this restaurant.
The food here is just okay however. We had the swordfish, but it was a little too dry and bland. The meal came with these baked potatoes that were enormous and could quite easily feed three people. I've never seen potatoes that large. They came stuffed with loads of butter and cheese. I would have liked to have both served on the side since I'm trying to avoid a potential heart attack in the future. Our waiter was excellent and was very attentive.
The interior of the restaurant is a little dated and in another year or two, will be downright shabby if they don't redecorate. The prices here are very expensive, so you would expect it to be nicer inside.
I would come here again only to have a drink and look at the view. -
Review from Carol B.
Aurora, IL
1/15/2011
The view is spectacular, but the food was horrendous. There was zero flavor, and I felt like the only way I could tell the difference between my steak and my potato was the texture. As others have stated, come for drinks and the view, but nothing else.
