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A Restaurant Reviews List
A Restaurant
Since 1922 The Arches has been the destination for fine dining in Newport Beach. Known for it’s amazing steak and seafood menu It is a place where celebrities and local customers can dine in privacy. With grand renovations and its rebirth as A Restaurant this landmark will once again be a haven for classic culinary experiences.Chef Jon Blackford and wine director Steven Ackad have created a perfect alchemy with their creations.
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49 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Very Good)
3.9
/
5
Rating Breakdown 49 reviews
5 stars
(13)
4 stars
(25)
3 stars
(8)
2 stars
(1)
1 star
(2)
Food
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.9
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- vibrant bar scene(29)
- fit for foodies(28)
- neighborhood gem(21)
- hot spot(19)
- romantic(19)
- special occasion(17)
A Restaurant Reviews List
Review 1 for A Restaurant
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
They do lunch!
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"First time for lunch and enjoyed the fresh ahi salad. Burgers are darn good. Great service and presentation! A great spot for lunch! Love the booths. Great spot for an evening cocktail - made very well."
Dined on 5/22/2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, romantic, neighborhood gem, hot spot, great for lunch
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Review 2 for A Restaurant
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Good for a foodie and wine lover
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"A restaurant has great service. Seasonal menu for foodies, They take steak seriously there...all prime meat and cooked to perfection. Portions are somewhat small, but the food is served for quality and presentation so a foodie would appreciate this. Great wine menu to pair with food."
Dined on 5/19/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, notable wine list, romantic, hot spot, special occasion
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Review 3 for A Restaurant
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Customer service issue
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"We were thrilled with the food, ambiance & service of A Restaurant. When we were paying the bill we presented our server with 2 Amex Gift Cards. We told him we would pay balance w/ our credit card. He returned, saying both gift cards were declined. We didn't want to argue, so paid with our cc, but next morning thought about it & felt unsettled. We checked the gift cards & there was no reason they should be declined. I called the manager of the restaurant & told him about the situation. He agreed that the server should have taken the matter to management, which would have resulted in a different outcome. He offered apology, but the more we thought about this, we decided the next time we are in the area, we will not dine there."
Dined on 5/08/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, vibrant bar scene, romantic, late-night find, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion
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Review 4 for A Restaurant
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Ok we have ALWAYS loved the A.....however it is super loud these days. Packed on weekends and you literally have to scream across the table. That I didn't like so much. Food is good tho"
Dined on 5/11/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, late-night find
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Review 5 for A Restaurant
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Not for talking
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Good food, decent service from presumpious waiter, nice setting, but almost impossible for a party of four to hear each other talk in any dining room booth because of bar noise. Sit back and just take in the scene and save talking to your companions for the parking lot. Better, make lunch your next visit."
Dined on 5/02/2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, hot spot
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Review 6 for A Restaurant
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Good food. A romantic feel."
Special Features: romantic
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Review 7 for A Restaurant
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Fun time, terrific food.
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Quite a surprise! We knew we wanted to eat here because of the history and ownership... but after looking at the photos and reading reviews, we weren't sure if this was going to be a good fit for us. In hopes we might see a celebrity, we bit commited and the 6 of us showed up for dinner on Friday night. It was definately loud and had very dated decor, but all of that seems part of the ambiance of the place. The service was great and the food was terrific. Definately high quality folks in the kitchen.
We had a lot of fun at "A" and would definately recommend that you try it out!"
Dined on 04/19/2013
2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, late-night find, notable wine list, hot spot
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Review 8 for A Restaurant
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Swordfish was excellent. Rest
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Swordfish was excellent. Rest of the items small and served lukewarm."
Dined on 03/18/2013
2007
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Review 9 for A Restaurant
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service was excellent. The
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Service was excellent. The staff is very nice and engaging. Makes for a warm and friendly environment. Detail has been payed attention too in the selection of all the delicious food. The preparation and presentation was very good."
Dined on 03/10/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, romantic
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Review 10 for A Restaurant
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
The food was amazing. I would
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"The food was amazing. I would definitely recommend the short ribs. Best short ribs I can ever remember at a restaurant. We were all very impressed with the food. The only down side was poor selection of wines by the glass."
Dined on 03/09/2013
2004
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, special occasion
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Review 11 for A Restaurant
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Everything was great. The
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Everything was great. The food was wonderful....steaks were melt-in-your-mouth!!the only annoying part was there was an off duty staff at a nearby table who was very loud, telling the rest of her party how she "has this entire section to herself and its packed" and on and on. But we just laughed about it and enjoyed our meal. Our server ( I can't remember her name) was awesome. Gave suggestions, accommodated requests, and was very pleasant. Would also note that the valet staff were very pleasant and friendly as well! I will return there for sure."
Dined on 03/02/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion
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Review 12 for A Restaurant
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
almost a perfect dining experience
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"we enjoyed everything from cocktails, meal and service but our group of 4 found ourselves yelling out to hear ourselves talk because of the large crowd at the bar area."
Dined on 02/22/2013
2008
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups
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Review 13 for A Restaurant
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Great tasting food but I must
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Great tasting food but I must say the salmon and dessert portion I had were too small for the money."
Dined on 02/09/2013
2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, special occasion, hot spot
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Review 14 for A Restaurant
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Salmon to hamburgers ... perfect!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Our food was excellent. Salmon can be a challenge for many restaurants, but at A Restaurant it was perfect. We asked for ours grilled vs. the menu description ... outstanding!"
Dined on 02/09/2013
2005
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, late-night find, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, hot spot
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Review 15 for A Restaurant
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Overall very fun dinner. We
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Overall very fun dinner. We had a group of 10 people and everyone had a great time."
Dined on 02/02/2013
2007
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Review 16 for A Restaurant
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service was thoughtful courteous,
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Service was thoughtful courteous, professional and pleasant which made for a very nice eveing. Dinner was delicious,"
Dined on 02/01/2013
2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, hot spot
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Review 17 for A Restaurant
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Just go.
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Good drinks, good food and daily specials.
Has an old time feel of OC. You can imagine John Wayne sitting accross from you."
Has an old time feel of OC. You can imagine John Wayne sitting accross from you."
Dined on 01/31/2013
2011
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic
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Review 18 for A Restaurant
Overall rating
(Poor)
1
/
5
The bar crowd is so noisy
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Poor)
1
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"The bar crowd is so noisy it makes having dinner there very unplesant. I would not return for dinner."
Dined on 01/24/2013
2004
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Ratings-Only Reviews for A Restaurant
Based on the average of (31) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Very Good)
4
/
5
5 out of 5 recommend this product
Food
(Outstanding)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.9
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic