Rusty Pelican Restaurant

Rusty Pelican Restaurant reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Review summary

1. K

   Keith

   Las Vegas2 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   The food is the best in class. The waffle had fresh fruit, puree, and a sugar crust that made it taste amazing. My wife's omelet had hollandaise sauce on it and taste out of this world. The view was amazing and great service!
   

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2. C

   Claudia VIP

   Las Vegas14 reviews

   4.0

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 4

   The ambience is really nice with a beautiful view. Service was good and fish was fresh and delicious. Was expecting a free dessert as chef forgot to add mozzarella on the grilled swordfish as described on the menu. But all in all a great experience. Will come back
   

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3. S

   Susie VIP

   Orange County4 reviews

   2.0

   Dined 6 days ago

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 1

   I want to start by saying that we are usually very happy with the food and service at Rusty Pelican. I would also like to say that today’s issue had nothing to do with our waitress. Shortly after we arrived, we discussed a (mild) pepper allergy with our waitress. She wrote it down and went to tell the kitchen. She then returned to assure me that the kitchen was aware. When my salad came another waitress delivered it. I quickly discovered that the kitchen had put pepper on top of the salad. I didn’t say anything until the waitress asked why I wasn’t eating it. When she offered to bring me another salad, I refused, but she insisted. It happens sometimes, so I wasn’t upset. However, shortly after we arrived, a group showed up and was seated in the large round booth below the hostess station. The group was a blond woman, two young blond girls, and a little boy. Clearly, the restaurant staff knew the group well. The kids started wrestling. They were crawling all over each other. The girls were hitting and shoving each other (playfully, but roughly), and the little boy was standing up and jumping up and down on the booth seat. The adult at the table said nothing. She sat there with her mouth open staring into space. Occasionally she would pull out her phone and take pictures. The staff said nothing. The food came and the kids started smacking each other in the face and head with shrimp. Still nobody said anything. The bartender, who was working the private event upstairs, came down to sit with them (and snack on their food) several times. I have two teenage boys. I know kids can be unruly sometimes and I know taking them out to eat doesn’t always go as planned, but I have never in my life seen kids behave this way in a restaurant and had NOBODY address it.
   

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4. J

   Jennifer

   Orange County19 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on April 22, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   We went from my mom’s birthday and the food was excellent. Our server was amazing and so nice and the food was fantastic! Also, the ballet was wonderful on arrival and departure. Super nice!!
   

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5. N

   Nathaniel

   Orange County2 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on April 20, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   We had our wedding reception at Rusty in 2023 & we absolutely love it and the staff and management, they have always been so kind & taken care of my wife & I & today was a blessing to have our brunch there. Thank you from the bottom of my wife & I's heart for todays service and just taking care of us. We will be back for our anniversary dinner on 8/30. God bless you.
   

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6. B

   Barbara

   San Diego4 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on April 20, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Easter Sunday 2025: It was a lovely prix fixe $59.00 each 3 course Easter Brunch. The salads, clam chowder, grilled sea base with balsamic Seafood Omellette. Fruity very generous crême brulée was over-the-top, a 10+! Devon, our server was attentive, the ambience classic white tablecloths, just as expected. It was a bit chilly inside but they turned the heater on for us. Their Lavazza coffee is good!
   

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7. R

   Ryan

   Los Angeles6 reviews

   4.0

   Dined on April 18, 2025

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   We come here alot. Food is consistently good, location is great, parking is easy, and overall experience is good. This last visit we had an exceptional waiter (Joel) and staff. It was busy and we still felt like we were top priority. One of our favorite places
   

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8. B

   Brenda

   Orange County3 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on April 17, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Service was wonderful & my Salmon was perfect! Rusty Pelican never disappoints! Great ambiance as well!
   

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9. S

   Sabrina

   Orange County14 reviews

   3.0

   Dined on April 14, 2025

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 4

   First of all, if you are in the mood for a quiet dinner with your partner or your family, this is not the place. It is extremely loud inside and outside. The music is blasting so it is very difficult to have a conversation without speaking in very loud voices. If you get a special, be sure to ask for the price because you will be surprised when your bill comes. Tonight they had halibut for their special fish, which we ordered “simply grilled”, but the server did not tell us that it was $47. The maximum price for other “simply grilled” fish is $32. I think that when the server recites the specials to the table, she should also tell you the special prices for those dishes. It is a courtesy to the customer and prevents sticker shock when you get your bill. Granted, when you go to this restaurant, you expect to pay higher prices for the food, but I appreciate clarity and transparency when it comes to special prices. The food is satisfactory, but it is nothing special. The portions are very small. I doubt that we received more than 5 ounces for our piece of halibut. The best thing about this restaurant is the view. When you sit outside on the balcony watching the boats on the bay, you feel as if you are on vacation somewhere far away. It is beautiful there, especially at sunset. The service last night was poor, at best. Our server was friendly at first, but after she took our order, she never returned. In fact, someone else took our order for coffee and also brought the bill, but we had to complain to the manager because no one took our payment after we had waited 20 minutes for our server to return. It was my friend’s birthday and our server never checked on us. I would say that the service was the most disappointing part of this meal. In conclusion, my family has been here many times, and, after this experience, we will not be returning.
   

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10. A

    Art

    Orange County6 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 13, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5

    Always a great Dining experience. Been coming 20 years
    

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