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My husband and I recently dined at Aveo Table + Bar at the beautiful Monarch Beach Resort in Dana Point, California.
Aveo Table + Bar serves Mediterranean, Californian Coastal cuisine with scenic sunset views. We had the best seats in the house.
We were people watching as a Cocktail Hour was taking place downstairs when we arrived.
Complimentary Starters
Focaccia Bread: Soft, warm and delicious with whipped butter and the most fresh pesto that took me back to Italy. A favorite.
Goat Cheese Caprese: Loved the combination of goat cheese, balsamic, roasted cherry tomatoes on a crispy crostini finished off with fresh basil. A favorite.
Appetizers
Snapper Ceviche: Flavorful ceviche, but it needed a little something extra. I loved that it came with a side of Indian papad which is a lentil crisp.
7 Grain Curry Pancake: My favorite item at Aveo Table & Bar. Griddled veggies flavored with curry powder sitting on a bed of Greek yogurt and black pepper. A favorite. Not on the menu.
Pacific Blue Crab Cakes: The potatoes and sauce on bottom were delicious. The sauce was a cross between ketchup and buffalo sauce. The crab cakes were crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, but could have used a little more flavor.
Brown Butter Chorizo Shrimp: Shrimp chorizo flavored with harissa and cilantro in olive oil. Although the flavors were good, this dish was very oily. Not on the menu.
Mindful Eating
Local Fisherman’s Catch: The fisherman’s catch was prepared with halibut which was seasoned well and simply outstanding. The roasted veggies with carrots and cauliflower were perfectly cooked. The hummus was excellent. This dish was a melody of Mediterranean flavors. A favorite.
From the Surf
Pan Roasted Scallops: Unfortunately this dish was a let down. The scallops and gnocchi were bland and unappetizing.
Dessert
Apple Fritter Donuts with Salted Caramel & Fresh Granola: Incredible! Loved the apple pieces inside the lightly battered donut, and the sated caramel ice-cream. Complex flavors that came together beautifully. A favorite. Not on the menu.
Tiramisu (bottom right): Not your traditional tiramisu, hence this was just okay for me. I enjoyed the pistachio biscuit at the bottom.
English Breakfast Tea: it was perfect on a cool night under a heat lamp.
Restaurant Review
Aveo Table + Bar at Monarch Beach Resort
Note: many items we tried were not on the menu, ask for these items to see if the chef can accommodate you.
COST: $$$
CUISINE: Mediterranean/Californian
FAVORITES: Foccacia Bread | Goat Cheese Caprese | 7 Grain Curry Pancake | Halibut Local Fisherman’s Catch | Apple Fritter Donuts with Salted Caramel & Fresh Granola
OVERALL: 4 / 5
I enjoyed quite a few dishes at Aveo Table + Bar, and some of those dishes weren’t on the menu. I’m not quite sure why these dishes aren’t on the menu. My most favorite items of the evening were the 7 grain curry pancake, halibut local fisherman’s catch and tender apple fritter donuts. With that said, most dishes here were good, however some fell short because they were lacking in that wow factor I was looking for. I do recommend visiting Aveo Table + Bar at the beautiful Monarch Beach Resort around sunset for the drinks, food, and view.
Food: Very Good | Drinks: n/a | Décor: Dressy | Service: Excellent | Value: Pricey
Location
One Monarch Beach Resort
Dana Point, CA
