The Crow Bar and Kitchen
| Address: | 2325 East Coast Hwy, Corona Del Mar, CA 92625, USA |
| Phone: | +1 949-675-0070 |
| Site: | crowbarcdm.com |
| Rating: | 4.1 |
| Working: | 4–10PM 4–10PM 4–10PM 4PM–2AM 12PM–2AM 12PM–2AM 10AM–10PM |
Location
Photos 46
Reviews 8
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Chris Yerkes
Cant say how disappointed I was in the service and the food we received on the night of 3/25/2017. Upon entering the restaurant, my wife and I were the first out of a party of 4 to get there. We stood around waiting for someone to seat us and was rather annoyed that out of the 3 servers and the one bartender, we were being unnoticed. I eventually had to walk up to a server and ask if anyone was going to seat us. Mind you, the establishment was not overly busy at the time. Strike one. A few minutes later, our other two guests arrived. Our server gave us some waters and had us look over the menu. One of our guests asks the server if she could sample a beer. It was super awkward when the sever questioned the sampling of a beer. There was a moment of pause and a bewildered look to the servers face. It couldnt be more obvious that the server was shocked that someone wanted a sample of a beer. I wanted a lighter beer and a Pacifico sounded good. The server came back and told me that they were out of Pacifico. Who runs out of Pacifico? Really? Strike two. Upon ordering our dinner, the server fesses up that its her second day on the job and that this restaurant is different than her last. Okay, I get it, I understand. Ive worked in a restaurant before and I know how hectic it can be. This note is for the manager there, if there is one. If you have a new server who doesnt seem like they know what they are doing, perhaps it would behoove you to have your other employees help them out. It would make your patrons experience much better, and perhaps would make your employees much happier in the long run. So we order our food and my wife decides on the short rib. The server then asks how does she want it cooked? Is that a trick question? No, she was serious. We finally get our food and everyones dinner looks okay with the exception of my wifes short rib. It came out grey, super dry, and lacking of all flavor. We send it back and order their grilled cheese. Literally it takes them almost 20 minutes to make it and they forgot the bacon. Whatever at this point. Strike three. Lastly, please ensure the restrooms have an adequate supply of paper towels. Go at your own risk.
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Chelsea Madren
Duck Fat Fried Chicken and Waffles ($17) is served with maple butter and crow hot sauce. The exterior is golden brown and crispy. The duck fat flavor is definitely apparent and adds a richness to the chicken. The chicken is tender and juicy. The waffle is pretty good, but adding the maple butter and syrup makes it a winner. The hot sauce gives it a spicy kick to get you going on a Sunday morning. Rating: 4.8/5 The Crow "Black Label" Burger ($19) is an 8 oz. signature blend beef patty (including 21 day dry aged prime ribeye) served on a brioche bun with bone marrow butter, and caramelized onions. The burger patty is juicy and meaty. The bone marrow butter adds a creamy richness to the burger and caramelized onions add sweetness. The brioche bun is soft yet sturdy and holds the juices in the burger. Add a side of duck fat fries. The fries have a crispy exterior and kettle chip flavor with a soft, fluffy interior. Rating: 4.8/5 "Smores" ($10) is a graham cracker cake topped with milk chocolate and toasted marshmallow ice cream. The cake has a solid texture, almost like cornbread. It has an in-your-face graham cracker flavor. The marshmallow ice cream is creamy, fluffy, and tastes like ice cold marshmallow crème. Hersheys chocolate mini bars are at room temperature so it is slightly soft for a melt-in-your-mouth smores experience. All that is missing is a little bit of burned sugar! Rating: 3.5/5
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Tim Broughton
I have been out to this location twice. The first time, a reasonably busy Friday night, I sat at the bar by myself like I frequently do, and had a nice experience. The bar staff was attentive, the daily tacos were excellent, and I left with the idea cemented into my head that I would be back again. The second experience nearly ruined it for me. The bar tender that night was completely oblivious, entirely submerged in a nearly hour long conversation with a couple just three seats down from me, and failed to even ask me if I would like another drink when mine was empty; another one of the bar staff picked up the slack for him. He then proceeded to brag to this couple that he was the "best bar tender in Orange County", a claim that I, to be kind, scoffed at. I believe his name was Paul. I will probably be back to this location, simply due to the quality of food and draft beer selection so close to my temporary home, but I doubt Ill ever forget the impeccable lack of service I received that evening.
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A Private User
Pretentiousness gone wrong. This place was all style and no substance. Mediocre food, and they dont know how to prepare it. One of the guys in my party ordered his burger rare. He got one that was well-done (gray all the way through), sent it back and they returned it with a patty that had not been cooked at all as revenge. Sorry but when youre operating a pretentious fancy burger restaurant in a city with one of the highest per-capita incomes in the US there is no excuse for being unable to cook a burger to order. We were also seated in this basement room that had incredibly live acoustics that made it almost painfully uncomfortable just to sit at a table full of people talking.
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Dean Spitzer
Just went for restaurant week dinner. Brussels sprouts and mushroom flat bread absolutely fabulous. We were early so had happy hour prices for drinks and they were great. The fried chicken was cold. I would expect fresh cooked food. I can get leftovers at my house. The waitresses tried to steer me away from the chicken, very subtlety but it sounded so good. Chicken cooked in duck fat. They reheated it for me. Loved the place and peeps. Feel cheated on the food. But we also had dessert. Cheesecake, dry and tasteless. Pot o cream was great. Next time itll be drinks and appetizers only.
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Marco Malkin
We came without rezzies on a Thursday night and there were seats, but we cut it close because it got pretty packed soon after. We shared the black label burger, crow burger and duck fat fries. The burger portions were a bit small but theyre artisan, we get it. The taste alone made the world go round again. They were both delicious. The famous duck fat fries arent amazing, but they paired well with the burgers. They need bigger water glasses with less ice because the glasses are tiny and the ice impedes you from actually drinking. More attention to refills, please.
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Beth Austin
Weve been back twice now and every time its been wonderful. They regularly have the coveted Russian River Pliny the Elder IPA on tap for $8.50. Happy hour features a few $5 draft beers and wines, as well as some nice food options. The shishito peppers are good (not battered as expected but still great) and the truffle fries were excellent. You get a heaping mound of them for like $5, awesome deal.
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A Private User
Nice environment, interesting menu BUT terrible service. Particularly when a food runner managed to spill an entire plate down my back and the pathetic manager, Josh, only offered to cover the $2 dry cleaning of a $200 shirt. Of course the offer only came about AFTER we paid our $400 tab. DONT go here...not worth it, mainly due to the inexperienced staff. Again, terrible service.
