Nestled just off the Pacific Coast in the town of Corona del Mar, California, lies a small quaint restaurant called Five Crowns. A dining legend since 1965, established by the Frank and Van de Kamp families, founders of the renowned Lawry’s The Prime Rib.

A replica of one of England’s oldest country inns, Five Crowns invites diners to a flawless evening of award-winning dining and remarkable service in a seemingly rustic yet romantic setting.

Following the footsteps of its forefather, Lawry’s, Five Crowns specializes in first-class, aged, slow roasted prime rib. With four different cuts offered ranging from six-ounce to 20-ounce, the succulent prime rib promises to gratify any sized appetite. Also served are a variety of top-grade beef (rib-eye, New York, filet mignon), seafood (salmon, shark, crab, lobster, scallops), poultry, duck, and one of my favorites, rack of lamb. And they offer a vast assortment of first-course appetizers, scrumptious desserts, and a full wine menu - everything you can think of for a romantic evening of wining and dining, not to mention a bonus which I will discuss at the end.

Celebrating our first anniversary, my wife and I chose to go to Five Crowns as this was the restaurant we went to when I proposed to her. We already knew the exceptional quality of food and the spectacular service Five Crowns delivers, so we were guaranteed a perfect evening of wining and dining without any unexpected surprises or disappointments.

During our visit, I decided on the “English Cut,” 7.5-ounces of the finest prime rib in three thin-cut slices along with mashed potatoes and a delicious creamed spinach side. My wife went with the Roasted Rack of Colorado Lamb, accompanied with gorgonzola potato gratin, and petite white corn in cream. Both entrees were mouth-wateringly delicious - juicy, tender, and satisfying. The sides complemented the meals perfectly. The portions were adequate – not so small that you will walk out hungry, and not so large you’re feeling bloated and can barely move.

For dessert, I recommend the Crème Brulee, which is freshly prepared and baked 20-minutes before you finish your main course. A nice finishing touch to an already perfect meal.

The service? Impeccable. Most of us know, and have experienced, how poor service from even one staff member can ruin an evening and leave a bad taste in your mouth. But, at Five Crowns, you will undoubtedly experience top quality, polite, enthusiastic, efficient, and thorough service from the staff members you encounter. Even watching staff prepare the table next to us was like an entertaining quickie side-show – how swiftly they slid all the plates around the table and tossed the crown-shaped napkins in the air landing perfectly in the center of each plate.

After your meal, you can relax in the lounge with a coffee on one of the leather sofas or seats that surround a cobblestone fireplace and enjoy the coziness and warmth of the crackling fire. Or, better yet (the bonus I mentioned earlier), take a relaxing five-minute evening stroll through two blocks of serene neighborhood surrounded by large trees that leads to a breathtaking sunset view of the Pacific Ocean; the ultimate finale to a classy and elegant meal.

Entrees range in price from $26 to $41, not cheap, but for the quality of food and service you receive, I assure you it will be worth every penny - especially if it’s a special occasion you’re celebrating.

I have been to Five Crowns six times now and the restaurant has always been full of guests and a long waiting list, which also conveys the reputation of this establishment. Reservations are highly recommended, and they have a full service bar in case you arrive early and want to grab a quick drink. Valet parking is available adjacent to the restaurant, or you can self-park for free on a street in the neighborhood behind the restaurant.

A crown for the exquisite meal, a crown for the impeccable service, a crown for the romantic ambiance, a crown for the picturesque surroundings, and finally a crown for a perfect evening dine: Five Crowns, Corona del Mar.

Five Crowns
3801 E. Coast Highway
Corona del Mar, California 92625
Tel: (949) 760-0331
www.lawrysonline.com

- Reviewed by Ivan Wang (scuzzynutty@gmail.com)

Ivan Wang was born and raised in London, Ontario, Canada. He holds a degree in Accounting from the University of Waterloo. He is currently a buyer at Kingston Technology, in Southern California and has also worked as an independent quality and service auditor for mystery shopping companies, performing audits on upscale restaurants, amusement parks, banks, and health clubs.