Water Grill - Costa Mesa

Our waiter Trieu said he was hired two weeks ago. He was awesome so they picked a great addition to the staff. Super friendly and knew the menu like a pro. My wife and I loved our entrees and drinks!

Our family a fabulous birthday lunch celebration Sunday at Water Grill. Nice surprise to find that valet parking was free before 4pm. Two of us had the delicious black cod in a subtle but spicy broth with herbs and soba noodles, my husband had the mussels and sister-in-law had the crab cakes and a Caesar salad, the toddler had clam chowder and fish and chips, which he shared with his parents. Everyone raved about their food. Our server Brie was very attentive and helpful. We all had desserts, which were decadent and delicious: espresso chocolate ganache, key lime pie, banana chocolate sundae to mention a few. A great experience and special place for a special occasion.

We came on a Saturday for lunch and parked across the street and walked over since the parking in front is valet only. It wasn't busy at all and there were many open seats so we were seated promptly. All the food tasted very fresh but it was all very oily from the appetizers we got to the sides and main dish. Everything seemed under seasoned a tad bit as well but I liked how fresh the seafood all was! I was hoping that they would do something for my dad's birthday which I did note for the reservation as well as while checking in, but unfortunately not. I loved the ambiance of the restaurant but I don't think I will come back due to the inconvenience of the parking situation and there wasn't a dish that particularly stood out (I ordered calamari, side of broccolini, sea bass entree, and scallop entree).

The lobster was the worst ever. So bad it was very difficult to cut. One of two drink was so bad it was left on the table. Service was just so, so. We will not return to the Water Grill.

Our first time at this restaurant. We are from out of town. This is a Nice looking high end seafood restaurant. It’s my Wife’s birthday. We ordered fish and chips and shrimp scampi. Shrimp came in same bowl with pasta which created a very high oily butter issue With my pasta. Shrimp was delicious but pasta in my opinion had too much butter. I ate the shrimp but not the pasta. In the future, pasta should not be included in the plate of butter You’re going to sauté your shrimp in. I Had some oysters. Very good. Are dinner issue was My Wife cracked open her codfish from batter to find out it was mushy, or not cooked on the inside. My opinion was the fish should’ve been deep-fried individually instead of one big clump. It was one huge piece of battered cod. She was afraid to take even one bite. I ate a french fry. It very good. They did not charge us for the fish and chips. They did not acknowledge anything was wrong with our food. We ended up going across the street to the Italian restaurant and getting some wonderful lobster carbonara for her birthday dinner. What do you think they should’ve done for us? I think they should’ve sent the manager over to discuss our issues. Work them out. Make her food over. To please send us home happy. Not to make us go eat somewhere else.