Broadway by Amar Santana

The food was good ($40-60), the service was decent, cocktails were just ok ($18), the atmosphere was loud. Overall I had a good time - but for ~$250 for two people - I expect to be blown away, not just have a decent time. FYI on the 3% service charge baked into the subtotal your tip is on top of. I would recommend someone to visit once to give it a try but for $250 I’ll be visiting other spots on return visits to the Laguna area.

If you're seeking an unforgettable dining experience in Laguna Beach, look no further than Broadway by Amar Santana. This upscale restaurant offers a harmonious blend of exceptional cuisine, attentive service, and a vibrant atmosphere, making it a standout choice for discerning diners. The meal commenced with appetizers that set a high bar. The yellowtail sashimi was fresh and delicate, while the roasted bone marrow was a revelation rich and flavorful, perfectly complemented by its accompaniments.​ For the main courses, the prime skirt steak was cooked to perfection, boasting a savory caramelized onion jus that enhanced its robust flavor. The lamb shank exceeded expectations, tender and succulent, showcasing the chef's mastery in preparation.​ Concluding the meal, the Dubai chocolate bar dessert was a decadent treat, offering a perfect balance of sweetness and richness that left a lasting impression.​ The restaurant's ambiance is both elegant and inviting, with a modern design that doesn't overshadow the warmth of the dining experience. The staff were attentive and knowledgeable, providing service that was both professional and personable.

Unfortunately not a good experience overall. Spanish octopus did not have enough flavor and was burnt rather than charred. It could have benefitted from a marinate prior to being prepared. The dish also lacked cohesion. While the black olive yogurt was delicious, it did not fit on the plate and distracted from the rest of the dish. The pork chop was overcooked and dry, however the mostarda was very good. The braised beans lacked a big pinch of salt. The fillet mignons were well cooked but did not brine for long enough - the salt did not penetrate into the meat and the inside of the steak was unseasoned. The dessert was too sweet and did not have any creativity in it. Service was good, but overeager. They also add a 3% surcharge due to "California" that you have to ask to be removed from the bill. The atmosphere was too loud and cramped, but it did have nice decor.

My fiancé picked this restaurant for our engagement last night. No doubt about the food, it’s fantastic. The beef cheek molé was as good as it could’ve been, and the pork chop steak was the perfect texture I wanted it to be. But the service, we waited to see a server for 5min and got waters after 15min, then waited 40min to get our starters… I understand they are really busy but i think they should not accept this many reservations if they can’t manage it properly. This wasn’t the horrible experience but if you go to those type of restaurants, they expect more than this.

Food was overall good. The duck confit and egg yolk ravioli were to die for. The Spanish octopus was very fishy unfortunately(maybe not fresh). Filet mignon was good but not medium rare like we requested. We ordered Oh Beehive for dessert, which tastes like a mildly sweet cheesecake with meringue on top. It was pretty basic so I wouldn’t get it again. BUT the honey ice cream that accompanied the cake was heavenly. Cocktails - they weren’t bad but they were one note. For the price, I was expecting a bit more flavor. Our server was amazing. And the hostess always able to squeeze us in on a Saturday night without a reservation. I’m looking forward to coming back and trying more!

Great lively atmosphere right in Laguna! Food was very flavorful. I had the hamachi starter and the squid ink cavatelli pasta and both were delicious! Be sure to order an appetizer and entree as portions are quite small.

If you want to ruin the night for yourself and your loved ones, look no further! Arrive on time, and they will make you wait. Reserve for two, and somehow, they will mistake you for a party of eight; and only 20 minutes later will become aware that there is a difference. Enjoy the three ring circus atmosphere of confusion and chaos bathed in the deafening din of group conversation since everyone has to scream in order to be heard, and, as a result, no one can be. Do you want to be coerced into drinking wine you dislike by the sommelier armed with an IPad? Yep, check. Do you want to eat the smallest ravioli on the largest plate ever? Sure, look it up on the menu. Hunk of meat on your mind without a side dish ? That’s mole for $46. The menu either has a personality disorder or was created by an accountant who figured that chicken liver can be obtained at deep discount, and so…let’s use that as a model. As to presentation: they beheaded a branzino and dumped it in my plate like it was the Great Terror under Robespierre. See the picture and judge for yourself. How lucky was I to witness such elegance! In sum, do not let this one pass you by. If you have friends who have recently become enemies for life, do recommend this carnival of inaptitude and insult for their next Friday night outing. You won’t be disappointed. But they just might be. A little bit?

This is a fantastic restaurant! The chefs are amazing at what they do. The food is delicious, we had the sea bass and New York strip. The presentation is above and beyond. Try the salted caramel ice cream for dessert. Highly recommend.

For my birthday, my Son took us to Broadway by Amar Santana on a Monday night where they open at 5 p.m. We had reservations, and the place was packed and very lively. The service staff was fantastic very cheerful and attentive with the bussers being constantly on top of clearing and providing new dining implements also supplying sparkling water. Everybody seemed very proud to work at this restaurant. The main waitress knew all about the various dishes and explained them with enthusiasm. She was also able to explain their signature cocktails and compare them to other classic cocktails. I had The Witching Hour which I was able to sip the whole dinner being a delight - Wild Turkey Rye 101 infused with Sage, Cinnamon & Rosemary, Carpano Antica Vermouth, Liquore Strega. For the Firsts, we choose the sashimi avocado sorbet, citrus sesame dressing, cilantro, wasabi tobiko. We also had the Brussels sprouts. This was like no other sprouts recipe. I never imaged that sprouts could taste so great. You could eat them as a meal. For the Seconds, my wife chose the crispy duck: barley risotto, pear soubise, pomegranate poultry jus My son chose the steak: Roasted fingerling potato, shishito pepper, chimichurri, caramelized onion jus And I chose the salmon: Corn pudding, king trumpet mushroom, pickled Fresno pepper, black garlic jus. All the sauces were so complimentary of the Seconds, you will get just as much pleasure from them as the main meat, poultry, or fish order. Of course, we all shared our entries getting one of each. For desserts: Brown butter apple tart with vanilla bean ice cream, candied pecans, miso caramel. Chocolate praline crunch with 15 salted caramel ice cream, candied hazelnuts. Of course, we all shared out three choices. For this fantastic dining experience, expect to pay for the quality all-round you will receive. I highly recommend this fine-dining experience. They have tables for two or larger groups. Also, they have main bar dining, and, get this, they also have a chef bar that gourmets can watch Chef Amar prepare his signature dishes. After dinner, we enjoyed the festive Christmas decorations and immaculate art galleries in downtown Laguna.

Was able to get in the day after a holiday with no issue. Service was very friendly and welcoming. We sat at the chefs table and watched the chefs do their thing in the open kitchen. The warm vegetable salad over labneh was decent, though not memorable. The duck confit was flavorful and balanced, but really would've enjoyed more crisp skin. The fries were AMAZING, and the branzino was nice as well. Don't skip the oyster mushrooms with caramelized onions. This is definitely one of the nicer restaurants I've experienced in Orange County and looking forward to going back.

Was excited to recently check out Broadway by Amar Santana, being a big fan of Amar from watching him on Top Chef (especially his most recent run on the all-stars season). Everything about the meal was excellent! We started with the Egg Yolk Raviolo (with ricotta, duck prosciutto, hazelnut, and aged balsamic). I was initially concerned it might be too heavy to kick off the meal, but the flavors were indulgent yet beautifully balanced -- an absolute delight. For mains, we had the Herb Roasted Branzino and the Grilled Marinated Prime Skirt Steak (prepared medium rare). The branzino was delicious, paired beautifully with a cauliflower purée (which was so good, I could have eaten a whole bowl of it by itself!) As for the skirt steak, my fave of the night. It can be a tricky cut to get right since it can easily end up chewy, but this was perfect: tender, flavorful, and beautifully complemented by the shishito peppers, chimichurri, and caramelized onion jus. The waiter mentioned the kitchen makes this dish so much that they get it perfect everytime, so for anyone ever dining here, you can't go wrong ordering this dish! Every dish came with its own absolutely delicious sauce or jus. Thankfully, our server recommended a side of bread, and I'm so glad they did because I used it to soak up every last bit of the sauces. The ambiance was another highlight -- cozy and inviting, perfect for an evening night out. Not too stuffy, but still with an elevated feel. Amar was unfortunately not in the kitchen the night we went, but for the nights he is, you can easily see him in the open kitchen, as it is highly visible from any part of the restaurant. The cocktails were fantastic as well. They're featuring a holiday menu right now, and the spiked cider was boozy, festive, and delicious. What a memorable meal. I'm already looking forward to returning and trying even more of the menu!

Loved the food and drinks here, and the ambiance was nice and cozy! We ordered the octopus to start, and had skirt steak and lamb shank as entrees. Every dish was perfectly cooked and seasoned and amazing. Their old fashioned here is strong and delicious! Wish they had a bigger selection of wine though. Although service was polite and attentive, something about the vibes felt off and stiff. There was some warmth missing? All in all an enjoyable dining experience, but not quite 5 stars when compared to other similar upscale restaurants.

I did it again: took the picture after I had several bites. But it smelled so good and after a taste was so delicious I just couldn't help it. The staff was friendly and the service impeccable. Our used plates and utensils were promptly cleared and with a smile. I don't remember ever having a bourbon Manhattan so good. My wife and I shared an appetizer. I ordered the grilled, marinated skirt steak with a side of asparagus. My meal was flavorful and faultlessly prepared. For those looking at the prices and expecting large portions, this is not the place for you. For those expecting an outstanding meal, one prepared with the highest standards, it is highly likely that you won't be disappointed.

Recently dined at Broadway by Amar Santana in Laguna Beach, and it was an unforgettable experience. The service was outstanding from the moment we arrived. The staff was attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable, making us feel welcome and well-cared for throughout our meal. We started with the grilled octopus, which was perfectly tender and flavorful, served with a delightful combination of accompaniments that enhanced the dish's overall taste. For the main course, I chose the miso-glazed salmon. The salmon was cooked to perfection, with a beautiful glaze that added a rich, savory flavor. The dish was well-balanced and beautifully presented. My dining companion opted for the branzino, which was equally impressive. The fish was fresh and expertly prepared, with a crispy skin and moist, flaky flesh. The accompanying sides complemented the branzino perfectly, making it a standout dish. The ambiance at Broadway is both sophisticated and comfortable, making it an ideal spot for a special occasion or a casual night out. The open kitchen concept adds an exciting element, allowing diners to watch the chefs at work and appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into each dish. Overall, Broadway by Amar Santana is a must-visit for anyone in Laguna Beach. The combination of exceptional food and drinks, great service, and a welcoming atmosphere makes it a great choice for a night out. Overall: 9/10

Give my regards to Broadway by Amar Santana. This gem is tucked away just a couple blocks from the beach, and delivers trendy, hip vibes with top notch service and food that wows. While the price tag is on the higher end, it is comparable to most of the nicer dines in the area. Starting with the popular Free Range Organic Egg Yolk Raviolo, a large single Raviolo sits simmered in buttery goodness with crispy sage and toasted hazelnuts. When you break into the Raviolo, you get a rich ooze of yolk mixed in with ricotta. This decadent dish is topped off with a sliced duck prosciutto, which adds a nice meaty bite. For bone marrow lovers, the Roasted Beef Bone Marrow is otherworldly. With a thin crisp crust on top, the marrow offers a build-your-own-flavor experience with charred sourdough and an option of garlic confit, oxtail mushroom marmalade, and sea salt. It was hard to decide which combination was best, but as a purist, I was surprised by how much I kept going back to the garlic and oxtail. This gave the rich, umami explosiveness you hope for in a bone marrow dish. Another outstanding dish was the Grilled Smoked Pork Chop. With a perfect ratio of fat to meat, the pork chop was so tender that the pieces with fat almost melted in your mouth while the meatier pieces easily gave to each bite. The sauce, farro, and mushrooms were all great supporting stars, but the white bean purée had the thick creamy goodness that really complimented the pork chop. But the best dish of the night was the fan favorite - the Grilled Marinated Prime Skirt Steak. The meat was a perfect medium rare, easily cut with a knife. Each bite was marinated in beautiful, savory caramelized onion jus that you almost wouldn't care about anything else on the dish. But don't forget to try the chimichurri, which was a creamy green delightful accompaniment. For dessert, the Brown Butter Banana Tart was recommended to us by the server and chefs. With thick saucy miso caramel, browned bananas, luxuriously creamy vanilla bean ice cream, nutty pecan crumble, and a cinnamon rich, buttery crust - I'll be dreaming about those bites for a while. On a minor note, I would order dessert in advance if possible as some items can take a bit longer to come out. To top things off, non culinary highlights include: If you're sitting at Chef's Table (bar seating), you have very comfortable bar seats, a hook for your bags under the table, but most importantly, a fantastic view of the chefs cooking your dinner. In our case, Chef Sergio and his cooking mates were incredibly hospitable, guiding us with menu selection while casually wiping off oil burns. The chefs made our dinner even more memorable. Our server Eddie, was patient, attentive, and a fantastic guide of the menu as well. He paced the night well for us and had a calm, kind energy while being very knowledgeable about the menu. Finally, at every turn, our waters were being refilled, dirty plates and utensils removed, and trash being wiped off without requiring request. Kudos to the entire wait staff. Whether you're looking to impress a date, celebrating a special evening, or just looking for a delicious meal, Broadway will have you singing "Mmm~"!

First off the service is impeccable. They were always right there when you needed something, as an example I out my toothpick from my cocktail and set it on my napkin. Within 30 sec it was picked up and taken from the table. All appropriate service ware was on the table well before the food was brought to the table. Our waitress was an expert on the dishes and described them perfectly, including the steps that went into the preparation - she really knew her stuff. Now for the food: we started with the grilled octopus, which was tender and smoky, other words delicious. Next we moved onto the bone marrow and toasted bread. That was delicious and something I rarely have or see on the menu. For our entrées we had salmon and Seabass. Both were some of the best I've ever had. The presentation of the Seabass was beautiful, sitting on a bed of butternut squash risotto. The combination of flavors worked great together. Finally, the dessert was chocolate pralines, which was a beautiful presentation and very rich in chocolate, presented on a plate with a brush stroke of caramel on the plate. Just as I was ready to ask for the check, the waitress handed me the bill - talk about anticipating the needs of your customers! If I could find one downside, it would be the white wine list which really didn't have a nice buttery Oaky Chardonnay on the list but to their credit, they had an extensive wine by the glass menu, which I always appreciate because my wife and I don't want to consume a whole bottle at dinner

As I thought about my experience at Broadway I really tried to think about, "Is this place really 5 stars? Like, the experience was that good?" Readers, it was that good. We didn't have a reservation so we arrived right at the opening and got a couple of seats at the bar. The bartender (I don't remember anyone's name) did a fabulous job of recommending cocktails and food. Actually, it was tough to pick either a cocktail or wine because the wine list is pretty good too. The one dish that was a sleeper for us was the vegetable platter. It was, like, $40 and that seemed like a lot for a vegetable platter. However, when they brought it out we quickly realized that it was a pretty good sized platter and all of the vegetables were delicious. It was the winter so it was mostly root vegetables, but they were all tasty. The restaurant itself is pretty small so if you don't have reservations you might have a wait. But, the cool part was that Amar Santana stopped by and chatted with us for a bit. We're both Top Chef fans so that was pretty cool. The menu is seasonal so it's almost like you have to go once a quarter to see what they're cooking up.

The food was underwhelming- the branzino was dry and lacked any kind of flavor. The sea-bass was good but the other aspects of the dish were lackluster. The skirt steak was good but not beyond exception. Very disappointing experience for overpriced food.

My recent dining experience at Broadway was a memorable one, featuring a specialized chef's menu that showcased remarkable culinary expertise. The dishes were meticulously crafted, displaying a creative blend of flavors that highlighted the chef's mastery in the culinary arts. Although the portions were smaller, the emphasis on quality was evident in every bite. Premium ingredients and thoughtful preparation made each dish a culinary delight, emphasizing a commitment to excellence. Admittedly, the cost for this specialized menu is on the steeper side. While the portions might leave some people wanting more, the focus here is on delivering a unique and high-quality dining experience. I highly recommend the mushroom and bell pepper dish. It was my favorite. My only complaint is that I wish there was more. In summary, if you're seeking a top notch menu, this place is a standout choice.

Service was great. They were slightly slow considering we came right at opening but it isn't a deal breaker. The dishes were rich and flavorful. The drinks recommended to us by the server was exceptionally light and delicious. Went on a special occasion and they gave us a small dessert. The restaurant is dim lite but not too dark, it wasn't too loud. Seemed like there was a lot of regulars that came into the restaurant.

3.5 stars Great food great service, pricey but worth it. Make reservations. Parking is hard. Bathrooms could be a little cleaner. Will probably be back for another time they have gluten free options which is great. Trust.

My daughter and I sat at the chefs counter for dinner before going to a show this weekend! It was fun to watch the team work- but don't think I would opt to sit here again, as it was quite warm! Service was attentive and we started with the hamachi. It was a tasty, but tiny appetizer compared with the other options we saw coming out of the kitchen. Next time we would try the bone marrow- but it was too hot on this visit. We shared the rack of lamb for dinner with Brussels sprouts on the side- both were excellent. Mt only feedback is that we felt very rushed - the minute we set down our silverware or took a break from eating they would come and ask if we were done. Would go back again and not sit and chefs counter and see if that makes the service feel less rushed.

Excellent cocktails. I recommend Lovers is a Day Excellent service. Energetic vibe. Will come back next time for food.

Came on a Saturday at opening and had a reservation for 5pm. This place filled up fast and was full by 6pm. Service was super attentive, but most of the people checking in on me were not my server. I hope that they get a cut of the tips here as well, they were all super friendly. For appetizer got the bone marrow toast. The accoutremonts were much appreciated. Flaky salt, garlic confit, and the marmalade were a must! The marmalade was super unique and this was a great portion. The uni spaghetti was delish as well. Surprisingly light and had a good amount of crab in it. Also, it was super saucy which is greatly appreciated in pasta dishes since it can get dry quick. The pannacotta surprised me the most. It was so lovely and refreshing. The chocolate is a great compliment to the sorbet. The ambience of the restaurant was dark, and lots of conversations going on. Both parties on either side of me were celebrating birthdays and it seems a lot of people here were regulars. One thing I found interesting is the time limits on tables when you book reservations online, they didn't outright say anything to me about the time limit and I did go overtime just a bit. The dishes do take a while to come out and it seemed consistent with the other tables around me as well. I'm unsure if they didn't implement the limit with me since the food was taking a while. I eat pretty fast and the tables around me were spending time talking so I think the dishes probably take longer in general in order to pace out the courses. Overall, pleasantly surprised by Broadway. Feels like the perfect date night spot or special occasions with friends. Cannot wait to come back and see what else they have to offer

This is place is SO fun- the location in downtown laguna beach, the interior with old black and white movies playing, the descriptions of the five chefs providing fun context for the menu- and the menu itself is just wow! So many creative dishes to choose from, that we decided to order a bunch of appetizers instead of entrees. The bone marrow here was (according to my partner) the best we've ever had (I have less discernment because I love all bone marrow) and was presented with sides of a delicious mushroom and beef spread, roasted garlic, and sea salt. Definitely one of the highlights of our night. The "fat bastard" oysters were fresh and the fennel crackers a nice touch to go along with them. We did also get the chicken livers because I thought there would be more hazelnuts present in that dish, but it was just a whole lot of sautéed chicken livers, which I probably shouldn't have ordered over the duck - but, there is always next time! The livers were seasonal and we were told the menu would be changing soon, so we're really looking forward for round 2! The cocktails are creative - really do stand out from many in the OC area- and we enjoyed A Reason to Drink, the Ghost Town (don't be afraid to go all the way on spicy!) and the Witchy Woman (I think that's what it was). All excellent, but Ghost Town was most unique. Service was wonderful- I didn't mention I was surprising my partner for his birthday and when I pulled out a present at the end after we ordered dessert (the crumble- excellent), our server also brought out a little extra something with a lit candle for him! It was an exceptional dining experience and Laguna is fortunate to have this place!

Pure magic, my husband and I went for our anniversary and had the best time. The food was mind blowing, service from Jordan was absolutely incredible, a perfect anniversary dinner. .Highly recommend everything about this restaurant. Thanks for an amazing night out!! Octopus appetizer 5/5 Ravioli appetizer 5/5 Seabass 5/5 Beef check molé 10/5 Panacotta 5/5 Thank you for such a special night!!

Service very good, but the food was lackluster and disappointing to the point we returned the focaccia appetizer offering, and left saying the best way to describe the visit was that we had a "hot meal". Sorry to see this place in such decline.

Wonderful experience... the bartender was a well tuned mixologist who was friendly and extremely talented... food was excellent and one of the servers offered me a great option for a side sauce with my fries... duck mushrooms fries specialty drinks and a delicious dessert to share... highly recommended... they have a service charge that you can request to be taken off... let them hide it in costs or another way... we declined... GO!

Another all out fantastic dinner at Broadway. Also got the added bonus of meeting Amar! He is so genuine! Our server was super knowledgeable and attentive. The vibe is lively but not too loud. Everything we had from start to finish was fantastic!

Modern American with Asian ingredients and techniques can be found here. Been meaning to try this place for quite sometimes due to family recommendations. We ordered the items seen below in the pics. Table favorites were Bone Marrow, Brussels Sprouts, Chimichurri Steak, and scallops. Octopus almost made the cut, but it was pretty decent. Didn't like the chocolate infuse pasta much. Other dishes overshadowed it completely. With a good meal, you tend to consider balance between other items. This was just out of curiosity. Service here was consistent. They checked on our experience and needs from time to time. Always appreciate that at a restaurant. Ambiance can get pretty noisy here. Since there is a full bar in the middle of the restaurant, you'll have an elevated conversation so keep your thistle wet. Overall, it was an enjoyable evening with good food and friends. We liked it here. :)

I've had this place booked marked for quite some time and decided to make the trip out to Laguna for dinner. First off, the restaurant is pretty small. We made reservations and when sat we felt like we were too close to the other tables and opted for bar seating instead. Parking: They have a small lot located next to the restaurant. Probably only fits about 10-12 cars. Service 2/5: The bar service was horrible. They seemed more like bar backs instead of actual bartenders? We ordered an old fashion with one of the whiskey's listed on the menu and the bartender said they never carried that brand, only to find it a few minutes later. Also, we didn't receive any warm welcomes from the bartender or "is this your first time here?" Wish they had offered to explain the menu a bit but that didn't happen. When I had asked what the restaurant recommended; the response was, "I don't know, it depends what you're craving." FOOD: Oysters 2/5: These were decent. A little bit fishy/slimy. Also, the sauces that came with the oysters did not compliment them well. We kept looking to our bartender for hot sauce but was never able to grab her attention. Japanese Hamachi Sashimi 3/5: Easily the best dish of the night. However, I feel like this can be ordered at any 4 star sushi restaurant. Roasted Beef Bone Marrow 1/5: I've always been a sucker for bone marrow. I'll definitely order it every time I see it on the menu, but oh wow. This was terrible. It was so oily/greasy. The meat did not slide off the bone as easily. My hands were soaked with the grease making it hard to eat. The pickled onions were a little too sweet in my opinion. I do not recommend this dish at all. Even the meat around the bones were too hard to bite/chew off. Lamb Tagliatelle 5/5: This was the star of the show! The pasta was cooked perfectly al dente. Lamb was so tender and flavorful. However, it is a bit on the salty side so I'm glad we shared this. Grilled Smoked Pork Chop 2/5: This was just okay. For a pork chop dish we were aware that it would be more on the dry side. However, I did love the caramelized fig/sauce. Wish they gave us more than 2 pieces of fig. In an establishment like this, even if the meal was just ok, the service could've made up for it. All in all, the food was a disappointment and not worth the cost. We spent over $300 for 4 drinks and 5 tapa dishes. We were still hungry after our meals.

Chef Amar & his very capable staff provided an amazing dinner experience in their elegant and comfortable restaurant for us last night. It's especially nice that they are open on Mondays. The extensive wine list included a 100% Cabernet FRANC [difficult to find my favorite varietal solo] from Italy that was decadently delicious. We started with beet salad and hamachi, then squid ink cavatelli with shrimp, calamari, and scallops for the lady and beef cheek mole for myself. The portions were ample to the point we couldn't finish half, so a luscious lunch will be enjoyed today. They were kind enough to bring me a perfectly petite dessert of peanut butter panna cotta and banana nut muffin [gratis] to celebrate my 69th birthday. Sweet...

Having been a fan of Chef Amar's culinary prowess for some time, I am so glad that to have the chance to visit Broadway which has been an established dining location in the Laguna Beach area for a bit. The unique skills he has shown at his other dining location in addition to what he had demonstrated on the screen, very ably make their way into the dishes served at Broadway. On this occasion, I was greeted by the very friendly staff and was able to make my way to the "Chef's Table." The environment is very well done with a modern, yet open rustic vibe. The server was quick to offer his greeting as well and inquired about potential beverages. While I say quick, it was never done in a manner that anyone would consider being rushed through the dining experience. While scouring the menu, my server, Sergio, very carefully described items that were recommended and those items that were on the list of "Specials" for the evening. It's difficult to accurately describe the type of food that Broadway serves, but it would be fair to say that there is something for just about anyone's preference. I started with the Hamachi appetizer which was served atop a layer of citrus dressing with a Wasabi Tobiko and a dollop of an avocado sorbet. This item was well presented with a great balance of citrus and savory to accompany the very fresh Hamachi. The flavors were excellent and I can understand why this item was identified as one of the most popular of their options for a first course. For the main entrée, I ordered the Branzino accompanied with a side of Brussels Sprouts. The Branzino was served with a cauliflower puree, pickled clam shell mushrooms and a truffle jJus. The main entrée was served beautifully. There were many notable aspects of this dish that were particularly flavorful such as the puree and the truffle jus that were very good when coupled with the Branzino. The mushrooms added a nice dimension with the protein when sampled and the crispy skin was very good. If I had one suggestion, it would be some added sodium or spices to the protein itself when eaten alone. The Brussels were excellent and accented this entrée very well. They were deep fried with a Chinese sausage and enhanced with cilantro and sweet and sour. This could have very easily been a very good appetizer given the portion and the tasty combination of flavors. Overall, Broadway is a great restaurant. Its menu options are very creative with options for all preferences. Though I did not experience the offerings of the Bar beyond wine, there are many choices for just about all levels, high end to traditional. If you've been eyeing Broadway, don't wait as long as I did. Get in there as soon as you can. Bon Appetite!

Really excellent meal. Nice modern look to the restaurant and really friendly waiters. The cheese plate was one of the better assortments. Nothing on the plate looked like one of those standard throw ins. It was a nice plate of some stinky cheeses, just like we wanted. We also got the bone marrow. It was delicious. Great meaty fatty butter that we ate with the bread and marmalade. We also got the shrimp pasta and the scallops. Both were great and I would get them again. Overall really great meal.

Food. Service. And Ambiance!! Definitely one of my favorite places in South OC!! Beet salad is terrific!!

Yes, definitely recommend Broadway by Amar Santana. It's nestled in the quaint artsy area of Laguna Beach, very charming. Cool atmosphere, with friendly staff. The cocktails are fun and refreshing. Our server made us a delicious mocktail that had ginger. Wine by the glass selection is okay. The Chappellet was the best option, but would be nice to see more red options. The food is spectacular. Hamachi Sashimi- SO GOOD! Crispy Pork Belly- braised with fantastic flavors Egg Yolk Ravioli- creamy and dreamy Bone marrow- phenomenal Skirt Steak- perfection Hanger steak- devine, but less balsamic is better Fries- always a good side with a steak Brussels- yummm with the Chinese sausage Bread for the table- fresh, warm, mmmmmm Panna Cotta- needs a little bit more sweetness Beehive- good, but I'm not a fan of goat cheese Lemon ricotta balls- yum!

This was our first time here at Broadway. Our wait staff were next level good. I hope I'm getting her name correct, I think Phyllis took care of us. She was older, small and energetic. I have to say, I don't think I've met a more diverse group of restaurant staff ever. Every person looked to be from a different walk of life, age group and ethnicity. I thought that was pretty stellar. The vibe of the place is hip, but I think the music was much too loud. For a dinner, I want to be able to hear my guests and the waiter. It was challenging, for sure. We had several appetizers that we shared between four of us and main courses not shared. The Free Range Egg Yolk Ravioli was insanely good. It would have been helpful to know you get one ravioli, since we were sharing everything. The focaccia was a bit hard and charred. I would not get that again, though it was good for sopping up the sauces of some of the other dishes. My main dish was the Seared East Coast Diver Scallops and they were divine! So tender and perfectly prepared. So good, I still want more! Finally, we were here because one of our guests is a fan of Amar Santana. It happened to be Amar's birthday that night and they were celebrating in the restaurant. However, I asked our waitress if he would come say hello and he did! My friend, the fan, was very, very happy to have time to offer a few compliments and kibitz with the man in charge. So nice! That is top notch service, I tell ya!

My husband and I dined here last night and had an amazing experience. We had a last-minute addition to our party, and the staff accommodated our request with such grace and professionalism. From the warm welcome, to the exceptional mocktails, flavorful dishes, and delectable desserts, every aspect of the meal exceeded our expectations. We will definitely return whenever we're in the area. A heartfelt thank you to the entire staff for making our evening so memorable.

We loved Amar on top chef so we're stoked when we saw he had 2 places close to where we were staying. We went to Vaca first, and it was great ( reviewed separately) and I think that made Broadway pale in comparison It's really small and they jam the tables in. Far too close for comfort. Every time the busser came over to clear our neighbors plates or pour water I had his ass in my face. There is also 1 toilet for each, so sometimes the line was 4 or 5 deep. Came in and was seated right away. Reviewed the menu and ordered a drink. Service was friendly and quick. We ordered a few appetizers - Japanese hamachi sashimi - was really good. One of my favorite dishes of the night Blue crab salad- was just ok, not much crab but tasty Organic Egg yolk raviolo - wife's favorite dish of the night. Unbelievable flavor. Highly recommend For our meals we got Pan roasted Alaskan Halibut - wife was dying for some halibut, but this one was over cooked and a little dry. Taste was there but fish was just slightly overcooked Smoked Pork chop. I love a good pork chop, and this one was good. Nice smoked flavor, good size portion For sides we got the fries and charred edamame. Fries were really good with a tasty dipping sauce. Edamame was not what I was expecting. I thought was gonna be just the beans but was whole thing. We're not good and we just left them Was really disappointed in the whole thing after having such an unbelievable meal the day before

Made reservations as a group of four for 6:30. Parking was easy and restaurant was in a very walkable area - we walked before and after dinner. Space was comfortable; not too loud or crowded. Our waitress did not rush us. We had time to enjoy our cocktails and courses came out at reasonable intervals. Shared the raviolo and sashimi for the first course. Both great, but the sashimi was slightly better. The spaghetti with uni cream sauce and Alaskan king crab for the second course was the standout - the ratio of spaghetti to sauce/crab was perfect. Could easily have come again for the many other options on the menu that I did not try this time.

The amazing food is matched my Jade and her hand crafted unique cocktails. Great meal and service.

This is a great place for dinner for any reason. On this specific visit, we were here before a Pageant of the Masters show. This restaurant is always busy, and you can (and should) make a reservation through Resy. You'll find all ages dining here. We started with cocktails, and I had the Loucette, which was very refreshing (it's made with vodka, grapefruit, carpano bianco vermouth, lime, honey and a rosemary mist). It smelled and tasted wonderful. We also had the miso-glazed seabass, which was buttery and rich and was accompanied by bok choy, wild mushrooms, crispy rice balls, ginger lemongrass fish sauce (wonderful), and the skirt steak, which was complimented by roasted fingerling potato, fire blistered shishito pepper, chimichurri, and a caramelized onion sauce. Truly delicious. We also had the brussel sprouts, which are always a hit - even if their "sweet and sour" sauce is a little more sweet than sour. I've really never had a bad meal here. The tables next to us were raving about their heirloom tomato and burrata salad and their octopus. The pricing is premium, but the taste, presentation, and wonderful service lives up to the total on the tab.

The best restaurant in the Laguna beach village area. The vibes are immaculate, the service white glove, and the food to die for with truly gourmet presentation to boot. We got the Pork Belly, Bone Marrow, Ravoli, and Skirt steak. All were incredible, every last bite. The only thing that we were not blown away with was the desert, the chocolate praline. It was really good but the chocolate just a bit too overpowering. That is the only thing I can even come up with as imperfect. All in all, a fantastic experience and highly recommended. We will definitely be coming back.

One thing was tastier than the next! Focaccia bread was warm and buttery. Hamachi was best I've had. Really loved the skirt steak and scallops. Banana tart was amazing. Great service and ambiance too. Thanks Amar!

Best restaurant in Laguna Beach! This steak is probably one of my favorite steaks I have ever had. Service was good. Dessert is creative.

I was searching for a cocktail bar with unique drink offerings over the 3-day MLK weekend, and this south OC place stood out from its LA counterparts. The drinks are high quality / good value and service is excellent. The interior is chic and modern, which makes for the perfect setting to enjoy a cocktail at the bar along with some tapas. I recommend checking this place out!

Second time costumer, first time rater. Broadway deserved a review after my first experience, but just writing one now! Went here for Valentine's Day. The atmosphere is really cool; they've got an open kitchen so you can see the food being made! Chef Richie, made delicious food and made our experience great! We had hamachi crude (yellow tail), egg yolk ravioli, scallops, and braised lamb shank; it was all delicious! Hamachi was probably our favorite... I think a 4.5 is an accurate rating. I wish their cocktails lived up to their food, but this is a common criticism I have of restaurants. The drinks were good though. Really hard to find a restaurant that kills it at both.

So far this is my favorite restaurant in California! Since trying it, I had probably returned close to 10x within the last year and have left happy every time. Simple, great quality ingredients that are prepared with the utmost care. You really could never ask for more from your dining experience. You really get a sense that the team here takes pride in what they do and work together well. Special shoutout to our server Jordan and the manager Ramses. Thank you for your hospitality! Jordan used to be the mixologist and came up with some of the best craft cocktails that were innovative, unique and often with homemade elements. If he's your server, he'll set you up with the best they have to offer. It can get noisy because it's a popular spot, so I tend to like to go closer to opening. I also really enjoy the local artwork they feature, with the main gallery right down the road. Check out the Anthony Bourdain portrait made out of screws that give depth and texture.

I've eaten here twice now, and will likely dine there again. My overall experience was favorable, although imperfect. I do hate to nitpick, but when I see bone marrow toast on a menu I expect to be really happy. The pieces that arrived had a thin crust over the top, but when scraped to reveal the marrow, there was nothing but dry bones. Man do I hate that. Credit to our server for bringing out another, larger bone, with marrow this time. This mostly fixed the problem, but the initial disappointment lingered. I really exaggerate my melancholy. We had a great time, and immensely enjoyed the raviolo and oysters. It was also fun seeing Amar himself come in with his kid, beaming and pretty much bursting with joy. When we finished dining, our server suggested we take a picture with him. He was more than happy to do it. A really pleasant guy and a really good restaurant. Service was great, drinks awesome, ambience very cool. Four stars for its category, meaning four here is way better than five in most casual eateries.

We had reservations at 6pm on a Thursday evening and were seated immediately. The interior was lively but you could have a decent quiet conversation. Our server, Eddie, was very attentive and checked on us often. Great customer service by the entire staff as well. There was a lot of very cool artwork on the wall available for purchase too. My friend and I got the lamb tagliatelle and the branzino. Both very tasty and cooked perfectly. The branzino had a crispy skin crust and flavorful interiori without the bones. The noodles of the lamb tagliatelle were handmade and green so that was neat. For dessert, we had the beehive and the raspberry panacotta. Both desserts were amazing. The beehive was surprisingly not too sweet and very mellow with the honey ice cream and merengue. The panacotta was very refreshing with the sorbet but also crunchy with the chocolate balls and this herb called tarragon that was a great accent to the dessert. They have their own free small parking lot next to the restaurant so that's very convenient. Overall, definitely recommend this restaurant for any occasion. Lots of other dishes I'd like to try next time.

Found this place while exploring the area, the rating seem good and upon my arrival I had no reservations but they managed to find us a table , the ambiance was nice and the server were helpful and nice the food was good but short of great, considering that laguna beach has mostly touristy restaurants that are high in price but low in quality made this place was definitely better than most of the surrounding restaurants. The Beef cheeks were smother in this type of mola sauce that completely covered the beef cheeks, and grilled octopus had to many little unknown purées , I suggest some simple adjustments by the chef would make for a better plates What I enjoyed the most was the bone marrow and banana tarts

Parking lot is small here but there's also street parking. The actual restaurant is small and cozy so recommend reservations. It can get crowded after 7PM. Food here was tasty. We got the lamb shank dish which was just ok. The ravioli was super tasty and comes with a side of bread to get all the sauce. The tomato salad was also great. For dessert we tried the honeycomb. It was really sweet. Overall I'd come back to try other dishes.

Parking is available right next to the restaurant. We didn't know that and parked down the street. Oops lol This is a tiny restaurant that gets really busy. It was so busy and cramped inside, that it just wasn't comfortable. And if you are planning on having a nice conversation, good luck. It's so loud in there. I felt like I had to yell to talk to my boyfriend. It was ridiculous. We could hear everyone's conversations going on in the entire restaurant. Our service was bad. The waitress we had, I think her name was Chloe, was not tentative and did not come around. When we were looking for her, we would find her chatting it up with people instead of doing her job. We ordered focaccia bread as an appetizer and she forgot to put the order in. We seriously waited for like 30 minutes and still no bread. Then she comes over and blames the kitchen staff. Yeah, okay. We finally got the bread and it was good. Nothing to rave about. The French fries were kind of like potato wedges. For entrees were ordered the squid ink pasta and the vegetarian dish. Mind you, this is the only vegetarian dish on the menu. So I didn't have any options. The squid ink pasta was decent. And the veggie dish was horrible. I'm not sure what flavors they were going for, but it was really bad. Took one bite of it and was done. It was so nasty that it was comical. We were laughing at how gross it was. The veggie dish included a glop of tomatoes that tasted like "mush." Literally mush is the only way to describe this. The other two dishes were equally gross. None of the flavors made sense. Gross. We couldn't eat anything that came with the vegetarian dish. The candied yam appetizer was decent. Overall, though, for the price, we expected A LOT more. So disappointed.

My favorite restaurant in OC. Will cost you a fortune but every dollar & every calorie WORTH IT. I've had most everything on the menu. My staples though are .. The Bone Marrow( exquisite) octopus, two filets, pork cheeks, beef cheeks ( when available). Great cocktails. Great service. I love this restaurant.

L-O-V-E this place. The food was incredible, the attention to detail was obvious, and the hospitality from owner & staff was spectacular. It's the perfect place for a date night, a celebratory dinner, or a night out with friends. My hands down favorite: Hamachi Seared Scallops Brussels Sprouts The Hermit cocktail *this had mezcal and even my non-mezcal drinkers liked it. It was so well balanced and so delicious.

Was looking for a nice place to take my fiancé for her Valentine's Day dinner and came across this place. From the photos the aesthetic was nice and they had reservations available to book online so I decided to go ahead and do that. When we got there the inside of the restaurant had some decorations for Valentine's Day which was nice and the waiters were really attentive there. The menu had a lot of different options to chose from and I felt like there was a entrée for every type of craving you had. We ended up getting the braised beef and the roasted chicken. When we got our order it came out plated nicely. We took a bite of the braised beef and I had never had beef like that the texture was so smooth and the beef itself was like butter with the way it melted in your mouth especially with the mole sauce it was in. The roasted chicken texture was also nice and soft and it came with pumpkin gnocchi which was also delicious. We also did get an order of fries with our order and while the sauce on them was good the fries itself didn't seem like they were fully cooked. I never had a fry as tough and as chewy as that before and it seemed kind of raw to me which is a shame since it could've been equally as amazing as the other dishes I thought. Overall we were both really happy with the meal it is a tad more expensive than I thought it was worth, but it's also a place meant for fine dining. With that said I think the seating situation could be better for the price range since we were really close to other parties around us and you can hear others conversations pretty easily.

Made a reservation ahead of time for dinner on a weekend and it was packed. Such a nice ambiance with a lively bar and music. I came here for a birthday celebration, and many other parties were here for special occasions. I was so excited to try this place after watching Chef Santana on Top Chef. I enjoyed the octopus appetizer, everything was cooked nicely but I have had better octopus dishes elsewhere. There were a few sauces on the plate that were not to my liking. I highly recommend the bone marrow starter. It came with four slices of bread and great to share with a group. I ordered the scallop entree, which was perfectly cooked and seasoned well. It did have a few sweeter sauces and sides I wasn't a fan of, however. My party ordered the steak , which was the favorite of the night. The Branzino was also popular. The lamb shank was very generous in portion and cooked well. I'd be back to try other dishes!