I just love Iva Lees! Â Just recently, I've tried the braised short ribs, fried green tomatoes, the wedge salad and a chocolate cake (flour less i think). Â It was all delicious. Â I love their signature china and the service is great! Â Only place here locally that serves up a "green fairy" at the bar (absinthe). Â They have the best live music in San Clemente. Â This place is just awesome.
Review Source:Terrific southern / creole food in a cozy and warm environment. The cornbread is the best I've ever enjoyed. French Onion soup, bone-in pork chop, BBQ shrimp, Jambalaya, and pecan pie were all outstanding. The service is efficient, and the wine selection is decent. Everything is reasonably priced, resulting in a great value. Pick up a small bottle of their hot sauce for a Tabasco substitute in your own cooking.
Review Source:Great atmosphere, they had a lady singing who just brightened the whole place with her energy. The staff was very friendly, especially Nicole who was our server. They were accommodating our newborn (who was in a car-seat). The food was very delicious. I got the surf and turf. The portion was just right, and it was very tasty.
The mood was very romantic. I don't live in San Clemente, but if I'm in the neighborhood again, I'll pay them a visit.
Come for the cornbread hearts they'll bring you before dinner; stay for the very fine food. Â
(I defy any Southern-born person not to smile after their first bite of the cornbread. Â You'll want the recipe, but while they'll give you a mess of those little golden, crumbly wonders to take home, they won't share the recipe. Â Damn!). Â
Now, not everything we had was perfect - my steak with black pepper was a little too well-marbled (read:  too much fat) and oddly seasoned - but lots of other things were delicious and satisfying.  Like the  mac-and-cheese (different, yet capable of inducing the unmannerly act of licking clean the serving dish), the sweet potato fries, the grilled fig salad, the chowder, the scallops...and the menu goes on and on.  They change it every so often just because they can, and while you'll miss some items (like those fried green tomatoes), the new things are generally worthy.
Our server was better than excellent, the wine list covered a lot of terroir without being too lengthy and we liked the ambience of the dining room on a foggy OC night.
I've also had occasion to sample their catering, and they do good with that, y'all.
We used Iva Lees to cater our recent wedding and were very impressed. Â Most of this review is for our experience from the catering aspect, but we did enjoy the food and service at our wedding that we went in to the restaurant with a large group a few days later and had an equally enjoyable experience. Â
Lisa and Robyn from Iva Lees were amazing to work with. I am so happy we went with Iva Lees. They were very flexible and willing to work with my budget. They were also so helpful with figuring out all of the rental items that we would need through Signature Rentals, since our venue required that we use Signature. They always responded very promptly which impressed me since they are also running a restaurant alongside the catering business.
My husband and I also manage restaurants and we were blown away by the food and service. The prices are very affordable and the presentation of the food was beautiful. They set up a station with lemonade and orange water for our guests to enjoy before the ceremony. They also made a gorgeous antipasto platter with all kinds of charcuterie, cheeses, olives, breads, dried fruits, etc. It almost looked too good to eat. We chose to do a buffet and we were impressed with everything. The servers were very friendly and brought my husband and I our plates of food so we did not have to go up to the buffet. They also were always walking around filling waters and glasses of wine. The servers also did a great job cutting the cake and making sure everyone was able to get a piece or two!
A few days after the wedding, we took a large group back to the restaurant because our guests kept raving about the food and we had a fantastic experience there as well!
the best restaraunt in orange county! I have been here with large groups, dates , family, friends and i stop in by myself to eat at the bar and have Eric the owner tell me a few jokes and mix some great drinks. the atmosphere is so comforting and relaxing and fun you will come back many times as i did. The food is amazing and the chef takes his dishes very seriously. I cant think of any place like it in orange county. go!
Review Source:Iva Lees is a wonderful experience every time. The food is incredible and the service by Eric, Lisa and rest of the staff is terrific. The atmosphere is warm, festive and elegant. I look forward to the next wine tasting event (bring back Cakebread Cellars) which is always a fun time with friends.
Review Source:I really love Iva Lee's. Â The decor is lovely, they're always able to seat us, service is friendly and prompt, and the food is top notch. Â The bar is a little small, but I don't go here for the bar. I go here for the food.
Food-wise, here are the things I definitely recommend:
- Fried green tomatoes. Not cornmeal-crusted like I had it back in Missouri and Georgia, but still very good. Â And a unique dish in Southern California. Â The goat cheese is a surprising touch, but very good.
- Sausage appetizer. Â This is our favorite. Â Currently served on a bed of sweet potato fries, which are always light and crispy at Iva Lee's.
- All the salads. Really, they're all great, with fresh dressings and inspired ingredients.
- Scallops, meatloaf, short ribs, and the PORK CHOP. Â The CHOP is in caps because if the place has a signature dish, this is it. Â If you were a kid who dipped his or her sausage or bacon in maple syrup, then this dish is a MUST TRY. Â Anything on Iva Lee's menu that is served with grits or sweet potatoes is usually delicious, and highly recommended.
- Bread pudding. Â Overall the desserts at Iva Lee's are not stand-out, but the bread pudding is pretty good. Â If you have a sweet tooth and need a finale, this is the one to get. Â It's heavy, so only order if you have room for it.
And here's what I DON'T recommend:
- Popcorn shrimp. Â Disappointingly bland, despite an appealing remoulade served alongside. Â Not sure what they're doing with this, but the shrimp taste overcooked and the breading is forgettable. Â
- Any of the steaks. Â These are a mess on a plate, and clearly only on the menu to satisfy that certain person who just won't try anything interesting. Â The protein is stacked on starch or vegetables, which is aesthetically interesting, but not architecturally sound. Â I was very disappointed by my filet, and my husband didn't care for his ribeye. Â We both agreed that while the meat was good, the presentation was a hot mess (literally), and at $30/each, not worth it.
- Beignets. Â This is really the reason I give the place 4/5 stars. Â No Southern restaurant purporting to do New Orleans food should mess up beignets. Â Yet there they were on my plate: lumps of fried dough utterly lacking in charm and bounce. Â I ate one and pushed the rest aside. Â Just not a good dish, and I'll never order it again.
Overall, like I said -- I love this place. Â It is unique and interesting, and most of the time I am quite pleased with my meal and happy to go back. Â Don't let the misfires listed above keep you from eating here. Â Learn from my mistakes, and enjoy where Iva Lee's shines: in pork, grits, sweet potatoes, and seafood.
Delicious meal, fantastic service and great jazz in the bar during dinner, my husband I spent a wonderful evening there. The restaurant decor was very nice. Â I had the meatloaf, amazing taste and we shared the fried green tomatoes with some really wonderful sauce, a great place to go for a celebration!
Review Source:The food is really good, but really expensive. I never feel good about spending so much money for one meal. Meals are $20-$30 dollars each. Add in tax and tip, and the bill will hit you hard by the end. But my wife and I were on vacation and we got a $25 gift certificate to this place so we tried it out.
With the gift certificate, it is worth going to. I probably wouldn't go here without it, only because, even though the food is excellent, I can't justify the cost in my mind.
Aaaaamazing food and menu planning by Eric and Lisa!..... Hired them for a catered 70th party for my father in law for a little over 20 ppl at my home! ...Ronnie was the chef and Nicole was the server ! Def will use again !!!! The tray passed sliders,green tomatoes,ahi on a wonton,lobster MacN cheese on a bamboo spoon and finally the mash potato bar!!!! Â Outta control!
Review Source:We went here with my step-sister and her husband, and the food was excellent, as was the ambiance. At first it seemed a little empty at 6:30 on a Saturday night, but it quickly filled up and the band got going.
The starters were adequate, nothing to write home about, but the mains were absolutely stunning. My jambalaya was perfectly spiced, peppery with a kick that didn't overpower the ingredients. They were happy that we brought our own wine, and their corkage fee was more than reasonable. They were also very tolerant with our very boisterous conversation!
I would love to go back to try more menu items and even have a dance with the live music. Highly recommended.
PROS: The most amazing Creojle food I've ever had. It was so tasty and delicate. The service here was absolutely incredible, even on a saturday night! Our waitress was very friendly. This place is also very uniquely decorated-lots of cool pictures and stuff!
CONS: It's a top-notch resturant, so be prepared to pay at least 20 a person.
"It is easy to pick up and move when the culture you know is all McDonald's. But if you grow up the way I did in Louisiana, you don't in your travels find anything like it. Some of it is the cuisine, but mostly it is a mind-set." --Glenn Petre
I won't kid you and tell you that Iva Lees is good as places in New Orleans...the food is just good not great, and while the music is generally fantastic, too many times the OC Coastal crowd is too busy acting cool than giving whoever is playing their energy.
But I still love Iva Lees...it is as close to a swinging southern joint as we have in these parts...service is always very good (along with the above mentioned music)...the food sometimes can reach great heights...and while the corkage is an obscene $20.00 they do have a nice wine list. Â I usually end up bringing my own wine anyway and paired a lovely 2005 Ridge Montebello with a three course early New Year's Eve dinner with the lovely KT. Â Still fighting a cold I'm sure I was not the best company but it was an enjoyable meal complete with masks and beads.
I believe it was Nathan James playing and he was phenomenal! Â
And of course Mel M. is the only Yelp friend of mine to have gone here and reviewed it...she is the coolest :) Â
Only 50 Yelp reviews? Â Yelpers, step away from the Korean BBQ, the waffle sandwiches, the overpriced burgers and sushi and try something different for a change :)
What a great little find in San Clemente. First the decor is red walls-a great place for a nice date. We went there to celebrate my birthday. I'll admit it, part of the draw was the absinthe drink I saw on the menu. The three course menu for $25 looked amazing but since i'd be having my share of cake for the night we just opted for an appetizer and entree. The starters were okay, sweet potato fries and fried green tomatoes. The entrees, however, were de-licious! Â I tried the snapper and my husband tried the meatloaf which was on the sweet side but full of bacon goodness also, really good. Also, great touch they have heart shaped corn bread. Â
They also have a blues band in the bar section, you can't really hear it in the restaurant but it is a great place to grab a drink or go for a date. I saw a few larger parties but I think its ideal for two-four people.
Loved the live music, added a great zest to the atmosphere. Â If you wanna see a cool trick, order the Belini. Â
Got the 3 course meal for dinner: salad, jambalaya, beignets. Â Also had some fried green tomatoes and banana foster. Â Everything was really good and very filling. Â I barely made it to dessert!
One of the better restaurants in San Clemente, with good food and service if a bit on the expensive side. Â The meat loaf is to die for, as are the short ribs.
For locals - look for the buy one entree get one free coupon in the mailbox stuffers - you'll save $25 on the second entree and you'll get a very good meal at a now very reasonable price.
Came here on a "date" night this past Saturday.
I'd been here twice before, but only had drinks in the bar which were not worth the price. At the time the bartenders were terrible & could not make a drink but apparently there's been a change in the bar staff or we came on a good night because the drinks were perfect!
They definitely packed a punch; just the way they should! Â
The dining area IS and FEELS very small & I'm not really a fan of their seating arrangements. We had reservations yet were seated at a table with a booth directly facing us. Â We felt like we were being watched the whole time. But....I'm sure we'll go back because:
1. San Clemente only has so many 'eclectic' decent restaurants
2. The food wasn't "bad" it just wasn't great. Definitely not spicy or flavorful the way southern food should be.
But it's decent & the restaurant has originality & charm plus to be quite honest I would go back just for the drinks & desert alone.
I ordered from the pre-fixed menu which is actually a great deal. For $25 you get either a soup or salad, a main dish (chicken, meatloaf or jambalya) I chose the jambalaya expecting a spicy, flavorful hot mess but nope. Instead got plain rice with barely cooked sausage & shrimp. BORRRRRINGGGG
BUT, the desert pretty much made up for my main dish. I ordered the caramel cheesecake which came with chocolate ganache or icing, it doesn't matter it was awesome & real whipped cream on top. In other words, amazing.
However, the service was really slow, the waiter in particular, the busboys as usual were on the ball (that's typically the case though right?) If only THEY got all the tips! Anyway....
it was so-so but definitely worth trying at least once.
Hmm, this is a tough one, because I had a very strange experience here. I was here with a group of 7- gratuity is often billed at 20% for groups of 6 or more- which may explain why the service was so bad. Maybe our waiter didnt feel like he needed to work for a tip.
We were here to celebrate a friends engagement and sat at a table in the bar area to be close to the band. The music was really fun, and the band did a good job of encouraging audiance participation. My friend got up to play some sort of metal vest hill billy instrument that I am not sure I ever knew the name of. It was pretty hilarious.
The cuisine isnt especially veggie friendly, but I enjoyed my salad and fried green tomatoes. The cornbread was so amazingly buttery and delicious. All of my meat eating friends loved their dinners too.
My issue was with the waiter who attempted to refill my wine glass from across the table, and spilled red wine on me and my camel colored leather jacket. He was pretty blase about the whole thing, barely apologized, and brought me a glass of soda water to remove the stain...out of a $600 jacket?! I didnt want to spoil the evening being all upset about my jacket, figuring he would offer to comp something as well as pay for my jacket to be cleaned when presenting our bill. He did neither.
I spoke to the super cool owner, who was very apologetic and offered to take care of the cleaning, even recomending a dry cleaner. I also asked for the corkage fee on the spilled bottle to be comped.
When we were leaving, the waiter said " I said I was sorry, I dont know what else you want me to do". I was a little put off by this. So cocky and insincere. If not for the super cool owner, I'd boycott this place.
I'm not a regular Yelper, and when I do review it's for places I love so much that I want everyone to know about them! Â Posting a review to piss and moan over a restaurant is not my style...but this place pushed me to the brink. Â
My husband and I came in on a Saturday afternoon for happy hour hoping to have some drinks and apps, stick around for dinner, and hear some blues. Â Long story short we stayed for an hour, and left hungry and irritated. Â
When we walked in the door it looked promising. Â The ambience was very cool and the decor was dark and elegant. Â That's where the good stuff ends. Â Guys, the service was terrible, I mean really terrible. Â I don't know if the bartender was having an off night or what...but she was the real turnoff from the whole experience. Â
Unable to get answers on the happy hour menu and prices, we said screw it and just ordered off the regular menu. We were with another couple and ordered a few appetizers and a round of Hurricanes. Â
At one point the snotty bartender told us that their sliders came in orders of three. Since there were four of us, I asked if we could add one to the order. Â This is when things started to get really strange. Â The bartender threw her head back and let out a bizarrely evil laugh, shook her head snottily and gave me a curt no. Â I mean really? Â Any so-called fine dining establishment should be used to a request like that, and many will OFFER to add on to an appetizer that isn't large enough to accommodate a group. Â And, you know what? Â If you don't want to give me an extra slider, fine. Â But don't make me feel like an ass for asking. Â Sheesh.
It was down hill from here. Â We moved from bar seating to a table in the bar hoping to get away from bad vibe bettie. Â Our apps came, and I'll preface the food commentary with the fact that we were all really excited about the menu. Â Soul food in San Clemente? Â Score! Â We ordered the pork sliders, popcorn shrimp, and spring rolls. Â
I liked the sliders, my husband not so much. Â The popcorn shrimp were whatever, not bad not great. Â And the spring rolls were gross...they tasted kind of like a Trader Joe's frozen app gone bad. Â
One person in our group ordered a second drink and we watched the bartender make it, set it on the bar, and leave it there. Â For twenty minutes. Â No mention to the waiter that was helping us at our new locale (who was MUCH nicer than bad vibe bettie) that we were waiting on a drink. Â She just let it sit there. Â The check came and we were charged for it. Â We pointed out the error, and he was kind enough to bring the drink and take it off the bill.
My husband and I are loyal followers when good service is to be had. Â And, this place had the ingredients to become one of our go to Saturday night spots - the blues band sounded cool! Â Unfortunately the bartender soured the mood, the food was whatever, and we won't be coming back. Â Bummer because based on other reviews, the dinner sounds amazing.
Went on a Wednesday night, which is their half-priced wine night. Â They have a special menu with bottles priced at 50%, and it is definitely a good deal. Â Had some good wines on the list - Rubicon Cask Cabernet, Mount Veeder Cab, all at or below what you'd pay at a wine store.
They also have a special 3-course menu that gets you a soup or salad, entree, and dessert for only $25. Â I decided to go this route and was not disappointed. Â Started with the Baby Spinach Salad with Tabasco Onions, Corn Relish & Crumbled Point Reyes Blue Cheese tossed in an Apple Smoked Bacon Dressing - which was a great combination of textures and flavors. Â For the entree I had the Dry Rubbed BBQ Chicken with Apple & Bacon Braised Cabbage & Garlic Mashed Potatoes. Â The chicken was moist and flavorful, but I as most impressed with the bacon braised cabbage. Â Dessert was a flourless chocolate cake, and although good, I enjoyed my friends funnel cake with peach compote more.
Oh wow. Where to start with Iva Lee's? Guess I'll go all Memento style on this one:
I couldn't believe that are entire bill was under $100 for the two of us, such a great deal!
The waitress was kind enough to bring out a complimentary Bread Pudding being that it was my Dad's 65th birthday. It was super delicious and they even put a candle in it.
My Pops had the the Grilled Pork Chop with Brown Sugar Pecan Glaze that was my definite favorite. I had the special 18oz Rib-eye. One of the better ribeyes that I have ever had, but man that Pork Chop was quite the winner.
Sweet Potato fries are my favorite trend. Their Red Eye Aioli is also possibly the best Aioli sauce I have ever had. It has a great smokey taste to it and was amazing.
A nice glass of red wine and some quality local red ales were just the ticket for our feast.
The blues/jazz band setup in the bar and was the perfect vibe (and noise level) for this establishment. You really got the entire Cajun feeling with the band playing in a dark red, dimly lit room.
This place is beautiful. Â It reminded me of the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland, but less haunted... The BF and I decided to go here on a Tuesday night, I took note of this place last time I was in San Clemente but they were closed! So I couldn't go.. Yeah, closed on a Sunday. Â Boo.
Anyway, I'm glad we made our way there.
Fried Green Tomatoes: Yum! I loved the goat cheese in this, again I am a huge fan of goat cheese so this is totally biased. Â The BF thought there was too much of it, but you could easily cut some off and put it on my plate - thanks. Â The fried tomato was good too, you just have to mix up the proportions of cheese to tomato to your liking.
Jambalaya: OH yes. Â There was so much seafood in this thing! Â Every bite had at least 2 scallops, a shrimp, and some fish. Â It was great. Â I could have had it a bit spicier, but that's just because I'm into that kind of thing.
Overall: The drink I ordered was STRONG, the plantation punch - if you're into rum, get it. Â The food was good and I would like to try their funnel cake next time, can't go wrong with deep fried dough.
I came back here for a ladies night and what a TREAT!!! Â I am in love with Iva Lees! Â It really is my favorite place in San Clemente to gorge myself! Â The food is amazing and always cooked perfectly. Â The portions are huge so you leave soooo satisfactorily stuffed! Â I think the owner is sooo cool and kind and fun! Â I am so thankful this place is so close by. Â I am telling you...the pork chop is like NO OTHER! Â It just isn't!
:)
Thanks again Iva Lees for another memorable night!! Â Oh and try the coffee creme brulee....it just ain't right~ meaning it is really GOOD!
I was in the area for work and the bf met me out here for dinner. Â Neither of us had been here before but he wanted to try "southern" food.
Entrees were about $20 and up. Â Kinda pricey for what it is. Â We ordered the salmon, gumbo, and wedge salad.
The blackened salmon was fantastic and packed with flavor. Â We both loved it! Â It was served on a bed of buttery mashed potatoes and spinach. Â Yummm! Â 4/5
Gumbo had a nice spicy kick with chunks of sausage, veggies and rice. Â 3/5
Wedge salad was a quarter of a lettuce head and had a sweet, tangy dressing with small shrimps and eggs bordering the plate. Â Mehhhh, nothing impressive. Â 2/5
Overall, cute, dim, Southern themed setting. Â I enjoyed the live guitarist while dining. Â Quaint, trendy and the candlelight gave off an intimate, romantic vibe.
My wife & I went to Iva Lee`s last night for dinner and it was great.
The wait staff were all very cool. The bartender, however, did not see the humor when I proclaimed that she gave great head whilst pouring my beer.
The decor was really cool but it did tend to get quite loud at times. The music was fantastic. Typical southern blues with stand up bass, electric guitar & harmonica.
Anyway, we started off with a bottle of Heitz `05 Cabernet. This is one of the wineries that we had just been to while in Napa. We shared the wedge salad with shrimp and hard boiled quail eggs, French onion soup and a small salad with roasted pine nuts & dried cranberries.
For the main course, I had the braised short ribs over a bed of cous-cous and she had the Sweet Grit Ravioli with a Tomato, Artichoke & Roasted Pepper Sauce. Both were exceptionally good.
For dessert, we shared the funnel cake with peach marmalade. OMFG!! Â I`ll go back just for that! Â The prices were great, too. Another favorite added to the list . I would recommend, however, to get there before 7pm. It got very crowded right around 7:30pm.
Great choice among South Orange County restaurants. In a sea of franchise, cookie cutter, always the same restaurants Iva Lees is a great alternative. This is a great little date night place. Relaxed, warm, low key but entertaining. Love the Jazz coming from the bar area. If you get there early and they seat you near the isle or bathrooms don't complain. This works out to be great seating if you like the live music in the bar.
The food I found to be above average. Great flavors. Not overly complex or interesting but very satisfying. I highly recommend the meatloaf. I am a bit of a snob when it comes to meatloaf and this dish passed the muster. For a southern style place they should really look at adding a sweet tea martini to the bar menu. (just a suggestion if they read this stuff) The 3 course meal menu is a great value for you deal shoppers. I believe its $28.00
Iva Lees is now in my repeat visit rotation! Love it!
We have just finished the best meal that we had in probably the past two years. Â And it was at a Father's Day brunch!
My husband wanted to go to Iva Lee's for Father's Day, where we went last year. Â Since then we have moved over a hundred miles away, but it was worth the drive.
Allowing plenty of time for our 11 o'clock seating, we arrived early, Â Although they weren't open for business yet, the front doors were open and I walked in and said hello to the bartender (Owner?). Â He was SO gracious, said we could sit at the bar and have a drink, no attitude of "we aren't open yet!" Â Very hospitable.
Then we were seated and proceeded out to the patio for the brunch. Â ($19.95 per person) Â Every single dish was so delicious, we went back for seconds of everything. Â The short ribs were so succulent without gobs of BBQ dressing, chicken with the best coating on it, salads and marinated vegetables, and the best cheezy macaroni you could wish for.
The most satisfying food you can imagine!
Families were there enjoying this brunch, they sat them in one large room in the back and more adults only in the front dining room. Â But it is so beautiful in the dining room that everyone has a good time no matter where you sit. Â The music in the background was excellent, not too loud for dining conversation.
Desserts were excellent; blueberry cobbler still hot, and bread pudding. Â This was served by the nicest lady ever out on the patio. Â She might be a chef there, I'm not sure. Â Added to the relaxed, have a good time vibe!
All in all this was a great meal. Â I have heard friends say that this was one of the best meals they have had in San Clemente. Â I saw a lot of locals there, who could have gone anywhere today and they chose Iva Lees.
The Father's Day brunch is going to get popular though, so better call ahead for reservations early next time. Â
If you have a party of four, there is a really nice table by the window in the first dining room that would be private and I would request it next time. Â
Great place to just stop by evenings for a drink and to listen to music.
I took my honey here on Saturday for some cornbread, honey-butter, filet and meatloaf.
Romantic, intimate, friendly and perfect in every imaginable way.
Iva Lees costs less - much less - than other well-known OC steakhouses, but it does not skimp in any way.
Charming without being pretentious, located in the best town ever - San Clemente.
Ramblings of ohhhh's, mmmm's and ahhhh's is what you would have heard if you walked past my table Saturday night. The food was so stupid good it actually dropped my IQ by two points. Don't worry with an IQ of 143...errrr now 141 I have plenty brain points to spare.
From the heart shaped moist corn bread smothered in honey butter to the wild mushroom gravy and garlic mashed potatoes to the meatloaf topped with brown sugar bacon Iva Lee's gave me none other than the elusive foodgasm ya'll talk about so much.
And as if the food wasn't enough to persuade you into loving Iva she manages to top it all off with a dreamy dimly lit atmosphere and a live blues band delicately playing in the background.
I give it 5 stars just based on their HH. Not only a great Manhattan from Danielle but a two course dinner HH special for $14. The wedge salad with a Roumelade dressing is as good as it gets. Â The fried catfish over cheese grits - my, my. You may look for it in SoCal but won't find any better than at Iva's.
Eric (the proprieter), with Danielle again turned up the mixology with espresso martinis and a classic Absinthe.
Follow all that with some blues from Nathan James and you have a evening you and your date won't soon forget.
A local favorite and just off the 5. Â Back for the desserts next week. Enjoy.
I went here a couple years ago, love their bread pudding. I was very suprised on how good the bread pudding was, because I hate bread pudding, and the only reason I tried it was because my friend loves it, and we are spliting the dessert so I gave it a try. Glad I did, and that is why I always up to try new things or give things another try again.
I order the basic cajun dish, and it was not greasy as the one I had in Pacific Beach in San Diego before, and more flavors to it then just the cajun spicy. Services was awesome because they provide you with 5 star services, but without the 5 star prices (even they are still on the expensive end, but not 5 star expensive). Love their live music with local artists. The setting is romantic so it is a great place to bring your date. I was not there on a date, but that was okay too, you can see it is a place that people just love to bring their family and friends because the food, services, and the music are just wonderful. Definitely one of my favorite restaurants.
When visiting San Diego a friend took us here on a Saturday night to listen to music. Her husband, a drummer, was sitting in with a blues band called the Fremonts. The small bar area is decorated in shades of red and is very intimate and fun. Iva Lees is a southern creole style restaurant and bar. We only ordered drinks because we had eaten just before we drove up here. Wine list was fine. Music Thurs/Fri/Sat. from 7:30.
If I had been hungry I would have ordered the Baby Spinach Salad with Tabasco Onions, Corn Relish & Crumbled Point Reyes Blue Cheese tossed in an Apple Smoked Bacon Dressing for $ 6.50. There is nothing listed in this salad that I don't crave. Bacon Dressing OMG.
If you are in the area this is a great place to check out and Laissez les bon temps rouler! If Nathan James is playing, you should definitely go.
Having lived in N'awlins for several years and experienced many of its best restaurants, I have no use for Creole-Cajun food that does not consistently measure up. Â The service is also spotty at times. Â Interesting to note that the previous reviewer mentioned consistancy as a problem but still gave them 4 stars.
On any given day, my rating could range from 4 stars to 1 star depending on what you order and when. And that is the problem -- there is no consistency over time. On one visit, the BBQ Shrimp could have been served right out of the French Quarter from K-Paul's Kitchen, Mr. B's or Galatorie's. Â On the next visit you are wondering if you are even in the same restaurant or if the chef is just on vacation....
They do make a good Hurricane and have live Blues/Jazz bands on Thur/Fri/Sat in the bar area. Â Suggest you start with cocktails and appetizers on a live music night and take it from there.
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