21 Oceanfront - Newport Beach

My husband and I visit Newport from Beverly Hills for the weekend and had extended reservations for this restaurant. I noticed that the waterglass was dirty and let my waiter know kindly. (I have never complained about glassware or cutlery in restaurants! To my surprise, he got angry! He didn't think the glass was dirty and argued with me! When I asked him to replace it, he actually shouted back: “Why are you lying that this glass is dirty when it is NOT?!” He did this before all in my section of the restaurant and the bar – and refused to replace it. When my husband and I were standing to get in shock, he continued to say that I was over the glass! To cry out loud, how hard could it be to replace only the glass! No managers came to solve the problem. Unbelievable poor service. Maybe with the past hype, they have forgotten about basic customer service.

21 Oceanfront is so much fun. I love going there for dinner or just having drinks at the bar and watching the sunset listening to live music. It's so beautiful. We had to go back for the holiday... It is a family tradition to dinate 21 and enjoy the holiday decoration. We stay up at The Doryman’s Inn, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It's really stunning. In the restaurant I like to order the Chilean seabass, and my engagement likes to order the baseball scrap. The lobster bisque is also one of our favorites. The Grand Marnier Souffle is to die! Service is ALWAYS the best... so welcoming and professional. They treat their diners like royal property. Oh, and the Ahi salad is always a winner. Try the Abalone and you'll enjoy it again.

I thought the food was well prepared and well presented. The staff was a bit sniffed, certainly not beach casual as the location of the restaurant. Also her dress code. It could appeal to the Newport Beach crowd, but I prefer a little closer. If I want to sniff, I'll go to LA.