mar'sel

This place is a castle by the sea.The food is worthy of praise--- not too much--- but just enough to call this place a consistent melody that vibes to the tune of delicious and elevated flavors. Like I have eaten here multiple times but I do not ever recall ever having a miss. This place is like a close reliable friend. You do not seek them, you do not remember them every day but it is comforting to know that this place is always just a phone call away to embrace you in the quality you have come to trust. The best part is that this place is right by the sea. And I have known peace here. There was this time in my life where things got tough. And I went here to have drinks and food, and I saw the vast, crystal blue I felt peace. I felt a shift in myself. Bear with me here, I felt like a smaller version of me separated from me, and it is the smaller part that experienced peace and it was the smaller part of me that was the person I was living. Wow---- that is credit to everything that this restaurant has an offers. I guess, I also have to thank the sea, breeze and sky for colluding on a plan to gift me peace, if I was ready to feel it. And I guess this place helps in allowing me to see the best of the nature around me. But seeing peace from this vantage point is not cheap. I remember one time being for brunch there. And seeing a girl get multiple phone calls because she had gotten engaged. Her whole family was there, and she walked away regularly. She could step into grass though to take the calls. This place afforded her a rare opportunity--- receive and respond to calls, in a casual way, while still being a place that served for celebration. I imagine people doing that in their own homes, not in a restaurant. I was not bothered by her, I saw her go, and be away enough for me to appreciate her moment. I was happy for her because it seemed she had found love. I just realize this place is flexible for many opportunities.Another time I went, I saw around a fire place that gave me Mykono vibes. I drank this golden drink. that was sweet, honey like, and did not taste like alcohol. Those I can drown in. I have had uni pasta here, lamb chops, grand desserts, and all this other good stuff that I just know is solid and grand--- but still not a bite of dreams. Their service is impeccable as well. It is attentive, responsive, and actionable. So go here and know that this place has much to offer. Be brave enough to explore the place to find what you need, the place will likely respond with comfort and space.

Love coming here. Great drinks, streamlined service, elegant, and very good food!!Did I mention the views are also amazing! Forgot to take a picture of the bone in ribeye and the sea bass :) sorry.

Highly recommend getting an outdoor seating so you can stare at the beautiful view. If you're lucky to get in during sunset, you're in for a treat. Food is a 6/10 with some dishes standing out more than others. Service however is wonderful. We even brought our toddler with us and everything went smoothly! If you're staying at Terranea especially, I'd definitely recommend booking an evening to dine here.

This is a very delayed update but one worth noting since the management was exceptional in responding to my review and extending another invitation to their restaurant.Mr. Kiss was incredibly accommodating and attended to every single request along with his staff. I will gladly return with my family since this place is special.

Mar'sel is Terranea's upscale restaurant sitting atop a hill overlooking the resort and ocean. Compared to other restaurants in its class, Mar'sel offers average food, good service, and a stunning ambiance carried by a breathtaking view of Palos Verdes and the Pacific. Our family ordered the Iberico Pork, Branzino, Pizzocheri, and the children's fish, a sea bass w pasta. My Iberico Pork ($48) was a thick, rich Porkchop with a tangy tamarind soy sauce atop white beans and broccolini. The Branzino ($50) was small and thin but delicious. The Pizzocheri buckwheat pasta ($38) was beautiful but tasted unremarkable, bland, and was very small. The kids' sea bass and pasta ($30) was a surprising hit, with a juicy, only-slightly-smaller than adult sized portion, and came with ice cream and homemade cookies. For dessert we shared the chocolate dulcey pot de crème, their signature dessert, which was rich and delicious but not exceptional.The service was excellent, and our waiter Benjamin was attentive, accommodated our birthday request, and even went so far as to comp our dessert and the excellent bread-and-spread appetizer when it was initially forgotten. The hostess was similarly generous, and seated us even after a slightly late arrival.Undoubtedly, the finest part of the restaurant is the ambiance, lifted up by beautiful views of the Pacific and Catalina Island in the distance. The interior is cozy and classy.The prices are high, but not extortionate, and appropriate for a restaurant of this class. Mar'sel is upscale, even by Terranea standards, but is not fine dining, and its prices reflect the resort it is in and the spectacular view you enjoy while there.Is Mar'sel the best restaurant at Terranea? Certainly. Ranchos Palos Verdes? Maybe. LA? Definitely not. But the view may be. Have realistic expectations for the food and price, and come for the amazing views and service - you won't be disappointed.Food: 4/5Service: 4.5/5Ambiance/Facility: 5/5Value: 3.5/5

Service is top notch all around. From the moment we checked in, to getting escorted to the table, to ordering the food etc.... Everyone was so detailed. We even got a shuttle ride back to our casita after dinner so we don't have to walk in the cold. But that really couldn't make up for the food that was very one dimensional. We ordered the burrata (very tart and salty), squash soup , Iberico pork (the only good dish), diver scallops and a bottle of cab (they ran out of our first choice). One of the dishes gave us food poisoning!! We think it's the burrata. Hopefully the food quality improves .... Bc it's such a beautiful restaurant with great views and service.

I had such good expectations for this Restaurant and it did not disappoint. The service was great except from the waiter i think they might of spit in my food...Anyways i would recommend this restaurant to any seafood enjoyers such as myself the food was excellent. CHEFS FINEST.

Dinner was fantastic. We came for my birthday and the food was amazing. We had a great server named Michael and have to say that the gnocchi was fantastic followed by the Seabass and the pork chop, which was absolutely delicious. The restaurant is so beautiful we loved sitting outside, looking over the ocean. We will definitely be back perfect birthday.

This restaurant is one of the best restaurants I've ever had the pleasure to enjoy! The service is outstanding. Two waiters served our table for every detail fullfilled. The manager came to us with congrats on our anniversary celebration! The whole evening my husband and I felt that we were in a royal court where the best skills in hospitality are well known and properly presented. On top of that, the food was spectacular! We ordered the butternut pumpkin soup and their presentatio of fresh raw oysters for starters; then a filet medallion topped with duck pate white truffels for main course. I can say that this quality of beef I have experienced only in the very historic end restaurant in Japan. If I could give this restaurant 10 starts, I would do it right away, because they deserve to be recognized on the highest level. Thanks to all staff who helped to make our anniversary special.

Interesting menu, nice gesture. My girlfriend and I came here for our anniversary. We have been planning on coming here for 4 years but always end up elsewhere. We had a Reservation at 7pm The drive through palos verdes at night is darker than most since they don't have any street lights so fyi be careful if you don't like to drive hills in the dark. The valet at the resort were very friendly. They had a go cart pick us up and drop us off at the restaurant. You cannot tip with credit card so bring cash. The restaurant was dimly lit. This place reminded me that I am still young and broke. I definitely do not fit in in formal settings. I asked the server what was a 69 egg. Didn't think people cared at what degree their eggs are poached but here we are. The omi goji drink tasted like waking into a lush store. It's very herbal and fresh tasting. We ordered filet mignon, some fingerling potatoes and broccolini. Everything was perfect. The filet mignon did taste as if it were boiled a bit first and then placed on a pan but I'm not complaining. It was definitely an experience.