“ I made an appointment with my friends for a dinner at RAYA. The restaurant is on the first floor of the Ritz Carlton in Dana Point. I have seen many people recommend RAYA's brunch and evening sea view. Most people come here for the beautiful view of the five-star hotel. I am the only one who is taking photos of the food seriously. Today I want to share the dinner menu with you. - The food here has been criticized by many people. So my expectations were very low. I don't know if this is a surprise. Except for the dessert at the end, which was a bit disappointing, I even think that every dish is pretty good. ”

“ We have been coming here for years, the baptism reception of our child was even held here years ago. We stayed at the resort over the holidays. Of course we had to eat here at least 2x. For Breakfast & Dinner. For breakfast we both had a burrito, which was great. They've changed their menu over the years, I was saddened that they removed our favorite lobster tacos and Creme Caramel from their menu. I recall that we would even order from their menu each time we went to 180Bleau because the lobster tacos were so good! Anyways, this time around, we ordered Cheese Rolls and Guacamole for appetizers. Cheese rolls were really good, the guacamole was good too but the large chips/flat bread for dipping were kinda burnt. For our main course, we ordered sea scallops and seafood enchiladas. They were both very good! I asked to remove the pork belly from my dish and instead just have purely scallops and I'm glad I chose that route. The scallops were perfectly seasoned and seared. The creamed corn side was also amazing. It was a perfect combination. The desserts we tried their Peaches & Cream, Churros and another one I can't remember. The peaches and cream dessert was okay, the peaches were not sweet which took away from the experience. The churros were straight forward. Our friend had the other dessert, which I think he enjoyed but for the life of me, I can't remember what it was. The service at Raya is always top notch. Ambiance-unbeatable all the time, whether at breakfast or dinner (sunset is the best time to come) the ocean view always adds to the experience. We always will make it a point to visit Raya! ”

“ Always great service. View is very special. Food is fantastic. This is the 3rd time we have eaten here and each time has been a wonderful experience. I saw a few reviews complaining and comparing the service and the food. Silly. They have amazing cocktails and a great selection of gluten free options. A+ (again) ”

“ Since we had checked into the Ritz-Carlton that day, we didn't want to really go anywhere off property. Plus we had a credit to use, so we just went downstairs to Raya after making a last minute reservation. Don't think we needed it with how many tables were available. First things first, the ambience here is pretty nice. The restaurant is located in a space next to windows overlooking the ocean. By the time we got here, it was pretty much dusk so we didn't see much. But we passed by it plenty of times during the day and it was a pretty majestic view. Aside from that, the ceilings were high and the tables were spaced out pretty well so it made for a very comfortable feeling. Menu isn't the biggest, but what we ordered was pretty good and much better than expectations. Ordered a Caesar Salad to start, which was actually really good. They brought out full leaves of romaine lettuce which was topped by heaps of cheese and actual anchovies (which is always a plus). Next up was the Tableside Wagyu Beef Tartare. I was confused as to the tableside aspect of it until they actually pulled up with a full cart to actually make the tartare in front of us. And the beef tartare was great! Really chunky with great flavor. Last main dish was the Brazino Zarandeado, which was deboned and cooked really well. Also ordered some truffle fries, because when you have an opportunity to get truffle fries you have to. Service here is great, no complaints at all. Overall, I had a good experience here. Price is obviously very marked up because it's in the RItz-Carlton. But also fairly comparable to prices that I see at L.A. restaurants. ”

“ Recently visited the restaurant located within the Ritz-Carlton in Laguna Niguel, perfectly timed to catch the sunset. As soon as we arrived, everyone was in awe of the breathtaking view. The combination of the sunset and the Christmas decorations created an enchanting atmosphere that was simply unforgettable. We started our meal with oysters and burrata, which were incredibly fresh and an excellent way to begin. The main courses, mariscos and steak, were cooked to perfection and very satisfying and the churros and flan for dessert were excellent. The only downside was that the octopus dish was a bit too salty for my taste, but overall, the experience was exceptional. I highly recommend this restaurant for anyone looking for a memorable dining experience with stunning views and great food. ”

“ Beautiful restaurant within the Ritz with an amazing view. So glad we came here for a late lunch. Really wanted to sit by the window and after about 5mins wait for so, we were seated at a nice table against the window. The view is just breathtaking. We ordered a bunch of items to share with a few cocktails as my friends and I wanted to catch up. We were not rushed at all and allowed us to enjoy a beautiful spread of food. Our waiter and the staff were so attentive and provided top notch service to our table and the other around us. I will definitely come back. Note: paid valet parking only at the Ritz or you can park across the street and walk about 5mins in. It's $2 for 2 hours. Enough time to enjoy a nice lunch. ”

“ Came here for dinner on a girls trip! You likely have to valet if you're not staying at the hotel. We had reservations but got there early so were able to walk around the patio and other balconies of the hotel while we waited. The food, drinks, and vibes were so lovely. The restaurant itself is right on the main hallway so you can see other guests going by as well. The view is impeccable though it was cloudy when we were there but would be stunning at sunset! The waiters were super knowledgeable and helpful with providing recommendations! ”

“ Top notch service and surroundings, from the complimentary valet parking to the hotel's interior common area décor, to the staff/service at Raya. Hue waited on us; however, we did interact with several staff members and the service was excellent from all. We stopped in on a Friday evening for some late-night cocktails and a snack before heading home and the bar was still hopping. We were presented with a beautiful tray of complimentary snacks (almonds, wasabi nuts, and mixed nuts) while we enjoyed a Frida y Diego Anejo Old Fashioned ($22) and a Tamarind Margarita ($22). Wanting a little more, we ordered a 5-piece Shrimp Cocktail ($21) and two more drinks, a Ritzy Smoked Old Fashioned ($28) and a Baja Coast Cosmo ($22). All drinks were very well made, and the shrimp were perfect. Yes, it's a little pricy, but the service and quality of the food and beverages are definitely worth splurging once in a while. We had a wonderful "date night" experience and will definitely stop in again. ”