Luxe Restaurant & Martini Bar

We were so blown away by the delicious cuisine that Jim prepared for our wedding in Laguna Beach! We received countless compliments from our guests about how amazing the dinner was! We are so grateful for the beautiful presentation and excellent service. Jim also waited till our grand entrance to confirm that everything was to our liking, which we really appreciated. We can't wait to come down to Lux to enjoy another amazing meal and experience. Thank you again Jim!!Sincerely Brigitte and Scott Taylor

Although it has been a favorite in the past, and we have never had a bad meal here, there's a glaring hole in the system that taints this review. It's the bar, plain and simple. The cocktails have never been up to par in our experience and over several recent visits, have arguably gotten worse. Forgive the nit-picking rant that follows, but how hard is it to make a decent Manhattan or a Cosmopolitan? For the record, the two key ingredients in a Manhattan, besides a very good bourbon or rye, are the vermouth and, believe it or not, the garnish - a maraschino cherry. But not any cherry; it must be a Luxardo, which invented the maraschino formula and as is as far away as possible from the bright red artificially colored imposters. The undeniably best sweet vermouth for this cocktail is Antica Carpano (the company that created vermouth in the first place). So I asked the bartender why they use Gallo vermouth and the fake cherries. He said the proper ingredients were too expensive. Forgive me, but when you name your restaurant "Luxe," you set up a certain expectation. It's easy to meet that expectation and I hope management takes this to heart.

I recently had the pleasure of visiting Luxe Martini Bar in Dana Point for happy hour, and I was thoroughly impressed. The extensive menu of happy hour food options was nothing short of impressive.To start, I opted for a mango margarita, which was decent but not overly memorable. However, the lemon drop martini was a revelation. It was incredibly fresh, refreshing, and not too sweet - a perfect balance.For appetizers, I couldn't resist trying the meatballs, which were absolutely delicious. The marinara sauce was so flavorful I could have easily drunk it on its own. I also ordered the parmesan crusted asparagus, which was a delightful surprise. The asparagus was coated in a light, almost tempura-like batter, and the inside remained crisp and fresh. It was a truly outstanding appetizer.While the eggplant dish was enjoyable, I found it a bit too cheesy for my personal preference.Beyond the food, the atmosphere at Luxe Martini Bar was fantastic. I had the pleasure of meeting the owner, Cindy, who was incredibly friendly and welcoming. The servers and bartenders were equally attentive and made the experience even more enjoyable. The live piano player added a touch of elegance and ambiance to the overall experience.If you're looking for a great happy hour spot with a diverse menu and a friendly atmosphere, I highly recommend visiting Luxe Martini Bar in Dana Point.

My husband & I drove up from San Diego to meet friends at Luxe in Dana Point. Well worth the drive!! The "hostess" greeted us with such hospitality, I felt like I'd entered a friend's home- come to find out she was one of the owners, that explains it...Great customer service. The bar has a fun vibe, I had an excellent martini. When seated- we all enjoyed a variety of delicious entrees (I ordered the lasagna, highly recommend)!We will definitely go back, soon!

Luxe is one of our go to place the luxe salad is amazing and the staff and ownership is outstanding!

My first time at Luxe [at the corner of Violet Lantern & Del Prado] was surreal. Its location is literally where I waited for the school bus over 60 years ago! [Am I old yet?]. The exterior is inviting and the interior is warm & cozy. Our party of three was warmly greeted and offered seating where we wished. We were there because a friend told us they offer an 8 oz. lobster tail special for 50% off on Sundays [regularly $50, Sundays $25]. We had arrived just before the end of their happy hour [week long!] and had decent well martinis at the bar. The friendly bartender helped with choosing from the many happy hour specials. We enjoyed the chopped wedge salad, garlic bread, and asparagus "fries" to start. All three of us had the lobster special which came with clarified butter and a unique dipping sauce. The lobster is a tasty & ample portion all by itself. We shared a Babich sauvignon blanc with the meal. Our server was wonderful and I made a point to thank/tip the chefs at the open kitchen area as we left for an amazing meal. The only thing that bothered me was I asked for a grappa... neither the bartender nor the server even knew what I was talking about! That seems odd to me since this is the first Italian restaurant I have ever dined at that not only doesn't serve grappa, but apparently doesn't even know what is. Still, we will happily return and maybe by then they will have a proper grappa for those of us who know Italian cuisine. https://www.eataly.com/us_en/magazine/culture-and-tradition/discover-italian-grappa

I had a nice time stopping by Luxe for a drink with a friend. I sat at the bar and the bartender was great! The restaurant is a little dark and feels a bit old school. There was live music and it felt so lounge like. I can't wait to come back to try dinner next!

Another place that offers Happy Hour (almost) daily -- and throughout the restaurant, not just at the bar! With "martini bar" in the name, we were drawn to visit. We were fortunate to be served by personable-and-helpful Jeremy at the bar top, who guided us through the menu, making recommendations -- which we heeded... and were not disappointed. Fun-and-open atmosphere, inside and outdoors; attractive furnishings and art work; comfortable, friendly "locals" feel... already looking forward to returning!

THIS PLACE HAS IT ALL.....Fabulous food, stellar service, and a warm, cozy ambiance!!!! ..... Oh, and the Italian aroma in the air just pulls ya right in!!!!Definitely a FAV amongst the locals . They've worn the test of time and still going strong !! The owners definitely have that special niche for a great dining experience!!BON APPETIT

My boyfriend and I went to Luxe for Valentine's Day and it was a wonderful experience! We were sat right in front of the piano and the music was great. We also had a great waiter and the service was amazing. Overall it was an amazing experience and my boyfriend and I can't wait to go back! :)