Iva Lee's Restaurant & Lounge

Excellent food and friendly service. Only place to find Abida beer which is the best beer ever.\r No matter what we have eaten we have never been disappointed and we always, always have the fried green tomatoes! Have recommended Iva Lee's Fried Green tomatoes to everyone.\r Eating their tomatoes, sitting at the bar talking to the owner Eric is my perfect outing.\r Dinner has never disappointed and the wait staff is always friendly and professional..a great combination. Pros: food, service, ambience Cons: Music can be loud. more

We absolutely LOVE Iva Lee's! Terrific N'awlins style food with a gourmet flair. Reasonable prices and wonderful service. And Eric makes the best martini in San Clemente! It's always a great dining experience -- and don't miss the brunches and wine dinners, too! Pros: Great food, great martinis and friendly service more

If you come to San Clemente, you must go to Iva Lee's! They have the best music in town and of course the most incredible tasting fried green tomato appetizer. I have to order it every time I visit. The owners and staff treat you like you are a regular. Very friendly and always make room. I can't wait to go back! Pros: Decor is warm and inviting, jazz and blues to remember and service that makes you feel at home. more

San Clemente has a lot of new restaurants of late, but none as good as Iva Lee's. This place is unlike anywhere I've ever eaten. As soon as you step in the door, you feel like you are transported to a friendly New Orleans Bistro. Top notch Blues bands play in the warm friendly bar, where owner/bartender Eric holds court mixing his incredible intoxicating concoctions. The full menu is served in the bar, but you won't want to miss the amazing service of the main dining room. The menu is fairly extensive and there isn't a bad choice on it. For starter's you must try the fried green tomatoes. The French Onion soup is the best I've had anywhere. The spinach and the Brie Cheese Beignet salads never disappoint. The grilled Rib Eye and the grilled pork chop are my favorite entrees, while my wife enjoys the Creole Rubbed Salmon and the Pan Seared Scallops. You can't leave without tasting the Banana's Fosters or the Classic NAWLINS Bread Pudding or the Bourbon Pecan Pie with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream. And you won't make it out the front door when your done with your meal. You'll want to sit down in the bar with an after dinner drink and enjoy the live blues into the night. Check their website and click on ""Live Blues"" for their schedule of live blues bands. more

Best cajun restaurant I've been to. Haven't been to New Orleans though, but I guess this is the next best thing. Been to Emeril's and didn't like it quite as much. The Fried Green Tomatoes are wonderful as are the Bar-B-Que Shrimp. Love the monthly wine tastings. The food and wine pairings are a food and wine lover's heaven. Eric and Lisa are wonderful people and the ambiance is cozy and romantic although sometimes a little noisy. Appreciate the Jazz nights just sitting in the lounge and having a really good wine by the glass or Eric's signature Chocolate Raspberry Martini. Highly recommended. A real reason to come to lovely San Clemente. more

The first time I ever tried Fried Green Tomatoes was at Ivy's. Unbelievable. The service, music and ambience is great. I love this place. You will forget you are in a beach town. YOU MUST TRY THIS PLACE. If not for the food then for the entertainment. Great addition to our great city. Pros: GREAT DATE PLACE & GREAT CROWD Cons: GET THERE EARLY - BAR IS SMALL AND PEOPLE "DON'T" LEAVE CUZ OF THE MUSIC more

Ok, this is my favorite place for dinner. First off, get the 3 course dinner and you will not be disappointed with the Salmon, the Pork Chop or the BBQ Shrimp. Don't forget to order a mint julep or a hurricane. The julep is the best I have ever had. All of the deserts are really good, but I love the flourless chocolate cake. Best restaurant in San Clemente by far. more

The food is the best of southern cooking with a real gourmet touch. The owners, Eric and Lisa and their staff make you feel right at home. Eric is usually at the bar serving up peach martinis with blues musicians playing in the background. The dining room is elegant but not stuffy and the menu is uniquely New Orleans style southern. It's a great place to take special friends for dinner or just for a casual get together listening to music in the bar. Pros: fun and delicious Cons: too much fun, easy to eat too much food more

If you are interested in great gourmet Southern food, with a comfortable atmosphere, this is the place. You are greeted with some Mardi Gras beads at the door. Everything on the menu is perfect. Good size portions and worth the price. Even just a visit to the small, cozy bar is enjoyable. They have live music (blues, jazz, etc) on Thursday - Saturday. And they do a great job at celebrating holidays with specials. We went for Mardi Gras and received boas and masks! Must try dessert: chickory creme brulee!!!!!!! unbelieveable!!! more

Iva Lees is an outpost for those of us that want the cuisine of Orleans or to listen to the blues and sip on southern style cocktail. There isn't a dish that doesn't take you there and they're all prepared with a flaire of excellence. Their Andouille is to die for with sausage brought in from a butcher thats been making it this way for generations. Their BBQ Shrimp, Pork Chop and Filet Mignon are mouth watering, take you to gastronomic heaven events. The staff is professional and after two visits, is like family. There a warm welcoming atmosphere at this resturant home. Take a trip to Orleans in South OC. more

Amazing place for the family or for a night away from the kids. From fried green tomatos to the soul food, Iva Lee's is the place to go in South County! Pros: Food, Service, Location Cons: A bit out of the way more

Walk through the front doors... you are welcomed with a 'warm' hospitality. (Guessing southern style). Service is great, presented with warm corn muffins in 'heart' shaped form and warm bread and freshly whipped 'honey butter' is the start. Your water glass is never empty. No matter what you order.... it is awesome. The dishes are beautifully placed on plates and with ample portions for a great price. With the 3-course dinners, you are getting your money's worth. Thursday---Saturday, live entertainment from renowned Blues/Jazz musicians. What more can you ask for. Don't have room for dessert, you can take it to go for later...especially the bread pudding with the the delicious 'bourbon sauce' on the side. You will always have a great experience at this restaurant. BRAVO! Pros: Food, Service, Entertainment Cons: , none, none more