French 75 Bistro - Laguna Beach

The Burgundy Beef was excellent, just like my mother used to make. The goat cheese and beet salad was a surprise, and delicious. The creamed corn was the best I had. We sat outside under the tent, and loved it. But......I have to only give them four stars as the attitude of the wait person left a lot to be desired. She was slow and unresponsive. No excuse fpor that more

If you love French faire, this place is great. I have tried a number of places in this area, and F75B is by far the best. I had great service and left completely satisfied. I wanted to go back the next day! more

We had a reservation at 8:15pm. After waiting OVER AN HOUR we decided to leave. What a waste of time, not to mention $5 valet parking. We complained and the GM gave us a $50 gift certificate. We were prepared to spend $150 on their pricey menu. I'll give the GC to my friend who likes their bar. TERRIBLE experience standing there for more than an hour in hopes we'd be seated in '15 minutes'. We won't go back for a 2nd try. We had plenty of time to observe the overall disorganization. We weren't the only ones to give up and leave. That's how they treat people who HAVE reservations...don't even try to 'walk in'. What a huge disappointment. We'll go back to Salerno's, the best restaurant in Laguna by far!!! Pros: Great location and nice building but it doesn't matter! Cons: HORRIBLE SERVICE! more

From the start the service was spot on as well as the wine list (with some great selections, hard to find bottles ) and the new menu is great a big departure from the old. The lamb was fantastic as were the steaks. As a whole one of the best bets in Orange County. Pros: The service was great, and the new menu is exciting Cons: Pricing a bit steep more

Upon arrival the first thing that bothered me was instead of being seated in the restaurant... they ushered us out into a makeshift patio tent where they crammed as many people as possible into. The heaters were somewhat working to say the least but we didn't make a scene and beared with it even though it was a cold evening. For the 130/person pricetag on Valentine's, you'd think maybe a glass of champagne or sort of holiday cocktail would be in order as part of the menu, but no, drinks were 15 dollars extra. For Starters, a lobster citrus pallete taster... which actually was probably the best item we had all night, even though it was one bite. Appetizer- I had the Oysters on the half, I love oysters, and these tasted like seawater with a splash of their special vinegarrette, which basically hid the taste. Horrible... oh, and probably the smallest oysters I'd ever seen. Dinner- had the Filet Mignon, which, was ""just ok"". Finally... dessert. I ordered a berry dish with vanilla ice cream, and a cabernet sauce. From the sound of it it sounded refreshing... but what I got was a joke. The Service- From dropping plates, to serving us the wrong bottle of wine, to delivering drinks and food to our table that wasn't ours and having to backtrack, this service was an absolute joke. I ended up spending 400 dollars and I was treated like was at Outback. Oh, and the best part... I get a 25 dollar gift certificate with my bill..Oh AND they gave my date a rose, which would have been great, IF THEY REMOVED the thorns from it! are you serious, a thorny rose? Someone didn't get the memo. The bloody marks on my date's fingers I'm sure have already healed... After signing my check I left the restaurant, apologized to my date, threw the gift certificate away, and said a couple of prayers.I never complained once while I was there ... but thats what sites like this are for. Pros: The cocktails. Cons: The Food, service, and ambience. more

It's been a few years since my wife and I paid a visit to this Laguna Beach land mark, but we were feeling frisky and needed to get away from the kids so we decided to revisit. What a great night! We were greeted in the charming patio area by a very friendly waiter who escorted us in and introduced us to the cute hostess. We opted for a drink at the bar. The bartender offered a few champagne cocktails (forgot the name, I think it was a Chanel), and they were very well made, not too sweet and very refreshing. The bartender and the waiter who greeted us engaged us in a entertaining conversation about travel experiences. The bartender sweetly showed us a picture of his baby to us and others at the bar. It's obvious the staff is very close and work together well. We had another round then we're taken to our table. Once again the same waiter who greeted us and introduced himself (Michael,easy to remember as it is our sons name) and after a brief conversation left us alone with the wine list.\r \r Some of the best bread I've ever tasted arrived along with a great olive spread. The chef sent out a tasty little cheese dish and we were off and running. After choosing a favorite Pinot, our server described the menu highlights and offered a few recommendations. His culinary knowledge was impressive and he treated us as if we dined there every night, very friendly and amusing. We shared a fantastic scallop appetizer, they were served with a corn and truffle pudding that was amazing. I had the lamb which was perhaps the best I've ever had and my wife had a filet that was perfectly cooked. The service was attentive without being obtrusive. We were offered a souflle but passed,a decision we were soon to regret as we saw one being served at the next table. The Manager stopped by to thank us for dining with them, which I thought was a nice touch. After some nice strong French roast style coffee our check was presented with perfect timing. A fantastic experience! Thanks! Pros: Service, Ambience, Wine list, food and all around charm more

After reading the book A Year in Provence, I was in the mood for good French food. My 24TH anniversary was coming up so I had the perfect excuse to try French 75 in Laguna Beach.It almost didn't happen though after reading some of the previous reviews. I almost cancelled our reservations. However, I always play it safe returning to the same tried and true eateries. Yes, they are always good, but I wanted an adventure so we decided to see for ourselves if French 75 would deliver or not. I am so glad I checked it out. French 75 was a great place for a special occasion. The atmosphere was romantic. Our waiter was attentive and pleasant. Our dinner was wonderful. The sauces are what I would expect from good French cooking and the dark-chocolate souffle was dreamy. I didn't quite feel like I was in Provence, ( a waiter with a French accent might have helped), but the food was great, the wine pairing was perfect and it was a fun time. I hope to go again. Pros: Great food service and ambiance Cons: a bit pricey more

This L'Auberge restaurant is not only home to the finest and freshest fish but also boasts of some of this city's best desserts.My friend summarised L'Auberge Restaurant: she described this restaurant as the sort of place that you might enter for an excellent meal meanwhile! Situated Paris 14. Stroll through the streets of Paris' 14th arrondissement.\r \r The decor is simple, elegant and a delicious restaurant for grilled meat, fish and seafood dishes, has without a doubt all the charms of a restaurant. With an excellent welcome and wonderful presentation, this is a great establishment with subtle, original decor and a peaceful and convivial atmosphere. \r \r Their secret: the hard work and smile of an exceptional company. The restaurant has a dining room equipped with 80 place settings and a professional and warm service team ready to take your order between 12h and 14h45 and again in the evening between 19h and 23h30, with or without reservations. \r \r I know that I shall be adding it to my list of Top restaurant to visit both during the day and at night. \r more

As a resident in the area, I see French 75 everyday I drive down PCH. It has a nice location and the ambience is nice enough. \r Thank god for a good wine selection becuase we had to ask twice to see a menu and waited well over an hour for our meals without an apology or an explanation.\r The other diners had all eaten, paid their bills and left before we had even received our meals! \r Our waiter, who couldn't talk all of a sudden brought out the manager. The manager apologized and explained for 5 minutes that the waiter was a nice guy, good relationships are made this way and we'd be happy to know that our dinners would arive in 5 minutes. 15 minutes later the manager brought our dinners (never saw the waiter again) and we immediately asked for the bill. But was left unattended and had to ask twice for the bill. We couldn't wait to get out of there! \r The meals were ""fair"" at best. \r In short, we had:\r Good: wine, conversation.\r Bad: service, a very long wait, tasteless steaks, dry seafood, questionable staff. Pros: wine selection Cons: food, staff and having to wait more

Man, the experience here was perfect in every way - just what I hoped for. I did a lot of research on what restaurant to take my husband to for his birthday and French 75 in LB did not disappoint. So what if it's not traditional French (I have been to France) - not much is in the U.S. We went early for happy hour so we were able to get several drinks each at a great price, and free appetizers. The waiters were very friendly and stood around and chatted with us. I had originally reserved a table on the patio but when we arrived and realized the patio was on the street next to traffic, we were able to move to a booth that usually holds 5 people. the waitress was great. Of course being a meticulous researcher I had picked my entree ahead of time from the internet menu :) Duck three-way was perfect. My husband's dinner was great too - don't remember what it was but the meat was cooked just right. It was quiet and private and very romantic. At the end we were brought a complimentary birthday desert. Thank you French 75! Pros: Romantic, friendly service, happy hour, flexible seating, duck three-way. more

i met up with a friend for dinner and we enjoyed our experience. the atmosphere is a little bit too stuffy. but the food was pretty good. the service was ok. more

Wife and I had dinner there a couple's weeks ago and found some things great, some a bit, well ""eh"". The first room downstairs to the left had a very musty odor to it, but luckily we only passed through to our table on the second floor. We ordered the recommended shrimp appetizer which fell way short of satisfaction. The entrees were an Australian Blue Sea Bass which was fresh, but a bit bland and the three-way duck which was a homerun. The medium rare duck breast medallions, roasted confit leg and sauteed foie gras were absolutely fantastic. Desert was a joke...Creme Brulee was overtorched and cookies were seriously hard enough to break a tooth. The overall atmosphere is great and the food has potential, but only if the kitchen pays attention to the details and retine the menu. Pros: Three Way Duck Cons: Appetizers & Deserts more

Don't you just hate it when a restauraunt can't figure out what it wants to be ? Going for romance I chose this place as a sure-fire bet with my wife. It started out well with an intimate table for two, candlelight, wine, the whole shebang. We ordered our entrees and the appetizers arrived-and then it went down-hill very quickly. Soon we were surrounded by a party of 20 women each holding a photo album and a bottle of wine. It got loud , obnoxious, and we didn't see our waitress for over 30 minutes let alone get our meals. What we had was great, but the management needs to decide whether to go for romance or volume. They can""t have it both ways. Pros: Ambience Cons: Crowded, noisy more

We really enjoyed French 75. The service, food, decor, location are all a +++. We enjoyed this place because no one else heard our conversations and the food was great!! more

I've been to all 3 French 75's in OC and I like the original Laguna location best. Their halibut dish is really good with its buttery provencal sauce of tomatoes, olives, herbs. Definately not dry. Ditto for the rare filet mignon with Roquefort butter or bordelaise sauce. Laguna's wine list is also the most extensive and impressive. more

My husband and I went there last weekend with another couple. We got there early so that we could enjoy the sunset and a cocktail outside. The cocktail was great (Mouline Rouge martini), the service...eh....okay....and the food...well, that was the deal-breaker. I had the halibut, asked for it 'medium' came out slightly over-cooked, very bland (needed some sauce or something!). My husband and his friend both ordered the filet and both had specifications about how they wanted meat cooked (neither got what they wanted). Had chocolate souffle...or should I say, one chew (citysearch wouldn't let me use the word ""b*i*t*e"" because they thought I was using it in the wrong context). Really...it's the ambience you are going for at the French 75. The restaurant is beautiful but over-rated (as many restaurants on PCH are). I hate to complain so much...but for the prices, I expected a lot more. Pros: Great ambience, romantic setting, gorgeous bar inside Cons: Average for the prices more

Dinner for 4 - about $100/person without alcohol. Service was O.K., but not exceptional. Side dishes brought out at end of main course. Some dishes bland and underseasoned while others were very overseasoned. Had a vegetable side that wa so spicy without reason that nobody would eat it. The boneless ribs were basically boring potroast, while others like Tomato Bisque were exceptional. Too much oil in the meal - lots of greasy dishes. The deserts (while a bit pricey) were exceptional. Overall, not what one would expect for the price. And DEFINATELY not authentic French food. Pros: Nice atmosphere, great hosteses and phone staff Cons: Average food for the price, inconsistent service more

I like everything about French 75. The 1920's cottage turned bistro oozes character and charm and is the perfect place to unwind with someone you like, while enjoying a chilled glass of good French champagne, good conversation and a soft jazz piano. Whether you call the food French or Cal-French, French 75 does it very well. The rich and flavorful onion soup gratinee tastes like someone spent all day simmering the stock--it's as good as some of the best I've had in France. Melt-in-the-mouth foie gras, tender butter-poached lobster--you get the idea. The entire staff seem to take great pride in their jobs, which is making sure you have the a wonderful evening--and we do! more

I took my wife here on our anniversery and I must say we were totally happy and completely surprised! I have not found a single restaurant worthy to say they serve authentic French cuisine but French 75 comes very close. The ambience was completely romantic, the service was outstanding, and the food tickles your palette and was worth every penny. Take your wife or significant other to French 75 and you're sure to impress...just brush up on your wine. Pros: Cozy, Romantic, Live Band/Piano Cons: Need Reservations otherwise a long wait. more

If you're looking for ambiance and a beautiful location this is the place. But, if you are looking for fine french food I wouldn't recommend French 75. The food was somewhat americanized, not traditional french cusine. So, needless to say we were quite dissappointed. If they concentrated on the food as much as the atmosphere this would be a fabulous restuarant. Pros: atmosphere, service, location Cons: food, plating more