Social Profile: 
✔️Brunch ✔️Lunch ✔️Dinner ✔️Dine in
… View more
French-Continental spot with white linens & European flair serves veal chop, smoked salmon & more.
Address and Contact Information
Address: 34471 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, CA 92629
Phone: (949) 234-0063
Website: https://www.gemmellrestaurant.com/
Menu Photos
Related Web Results
Gemmell’s Restaurant: home
Menus (New) · Experiences. Welcome to Gemmell’s Restaurant! 34471 Golden Lantern. Dana Point, CA 92629. For Reservations: 949-234-0063. OPEN DAILY. LUNCH. 11pm …
Dana Point French-Continental restaurant announces closure after …
Dana Point’s old-school French-Continental establishment Gemmell’s Restaurant announced it will close on New Year’s Eve, after nearly 24 …
Gemmell’s restaurant in Dana Point, CA is closing – Facebook
Yes, it’s true! Gemmell’s Restaurant in Dana Point, a beloved French-Continental spot, is closing its doors permanently on New Year’s Eve ( …
Reviews
MarMalo
Not our usual neighborhood- but when a trip to the outlets turns out to be a bust, we make up for it with an early-in-the-week date night. We got to see Dana Harbor with the Christmas decorations and lights and boy what a treat. We chose Gemmell’s because of the decor and French-based menu. The restaurant was rather empty for being prime dinner time. It took a couple of minutes to get seated and overall I would say service was leisurely. We didn’t care we were enjoying the evening. The steak was good, but meaculpa ordered medium. I believe in no steak beyond medium rare, but for some reason, I messed up today. The sauce was really tasty and the softened peppercorns gave a good bite. Wine, creme brule, smoked salmon, and espresso are all good, but the runaway star was the Chicken Elizabeth that Wifey ordered. The chicken was super tender and what made French cuisine was the sauces. Enjoyed ourselves and gave into the moment.
… moreSophia Teng
Our lunch today was excellent ! From freshly baked hot rolls, excellent Gruyere cheese French onion soup to our entrees — baked salmon fillet and sliced pork sirloin with steamed vegetables (broccoli, carrots, squash & roast potatoes). They were cooked just right! The white wine was very good too. Waiting staff did a terrific job too. We thoroughly enjoyed our meal and for sure will keep going back.
… moreKent Adamson
This is a true gem. It’s a small, family business. The food is absolutely amazing. The service is normally super, but on the rare occasion, it can be slow when too busy. Julian is a mainstay and at times a one man show; having been there for years; offering wonderful libations and service.
Normally, it is pretty mellow and not a problem.
The ambiance is special. I love it. GenXer’s, Millennials and Boomers alike will feel as if they stepped back to the 80’s. A hip, “happening” place it is not. Everything else about it obviates any need for scene!
… moreNormally, it is pretty mellow and not a problem.
The ambiance is special. I love it. GenXer’s, Millennials and Boomers alike will feel as if they stepped back to the 80’s. A hip, “happening” place it is not. Everything else about it obviates any need for scene!
Kim Crosser
We needed a spot to meet that was about halfway between Long Beach and San Diego. Dana Point is always nice, and I picked Gemmell’s based on some of the comments.
WOW…
The outside of the restaurant isn’t very impressive, but the meal was fantastic.
I started with the escargots – the menu says it best – “Farm raised Helix snails, sautéed with garlic, shallots, mushrooms and diced ham, in a rich burgundy sauce”. Outstanding – the snails were tasty, and the burgundy sauce with the finely diced pieces of ham, mushrooms, garlic, and shallots was amazing. It will be hard to go back to plain butter escargots after this.
My wife had the Chef Byron’s smoked salmon appetizer – lots of thinly-sliced salmon with capers, lemon, and toast points. I had a bite and it was very tasty. The toast points were very light and airy – almost like biting into foam.
My sister and I also shared the pate canard – also with toast points and aspic. Delicious!
For our salad course, I had the wilted spinach – baby spinach leaves in a flambeed bacon dressing. WOW – we all agreed that I won that round. The spinach and dressing was rich and flavorful.
My wife had the lobster bisque and said it was the best she had tasted. I tasted it and agreed that it was truly rich and full of lobster flavor. My sister passed on the salad/soup course – saving room for dessert later.
For our main courses, I had the scallops. From the menu – “Eastern Sea Scallops sautéed in Garlic champagne butter sauce, vegetables and rice”. The garlic champagne butter sauce perfectly accented the scallops, and the rice gave a break to the richness of the scallops and sauce.
My wife had the chicken crepe (chicken and mushrooms sauteed and wrapped in a crepe) and I think I will have that next time – it had a great flavor and texture. The crepe texture with the chicken and mushroom pieces was a perfect mix.
My sister had the “Chicken Elizabeth” – from the menu – “Fresh Tender chicken breast sautéed with artichoke hearts, garlic and gulf shrimp, In a citrus chardonnay sauce vegetables and rice”. Another winner.
Finally, for dessert, my wife had the Creme Brulee – served in a large ramekin with artistically arranged strawberries and blueberries. Again, she raved about the flavor. I had the blueberry tart, and my sister had the Meyer lemon tart – both were delicious and not too heavy.
Prices were quite reasonable (actually lower than we would have expected for the quality of the food and the presentation).
We are already planning on coming back. Even though it is an hour’s drive from our home in San Diego, it is definitely worth the trip.
This may be one of the best French restaurants in Southern California.
… moreWOW…
The outside of the restaurant isn’t very impressive, but the meal was fantastic.
I started with the escargots – the menu says it best – “Farm raised Helix snails, sautéed with garlic, shallots, mushrooms and diced ham, in a rich burgundy sauce”. Outstanding – the snails were tasty, and the burgundy sauce with the finely diced pieces of ham, mushrooms, garlic, and shallots was amazing. It will be hard to go back to plain butter escargots after this.
My wife had the Chef Byron’s smoked salmon appetizer – lots of thinly-sliced salmon with capers, lemon, and toast points. I had a bite and it was very tasty. The toast points were very light and airy – almost like biting into foam.
My sister and I also shared the pate canard – also with toast points and aspic. Delicious!
For our salad course, I had the wilted spinach – baby spinach leaves in a flambeed bacon dressing. WOW – we all agreed that I won that round. The spinach and dressing was rich and flavorful.
My wife had the lobster bisque and said it was the best she had tasted. I tasted it and agreed that it was truly rich and full of lobster flavor. My sister passed on the salad/soup course – saving room for dessert later.
For our main courses, I had the scallops. From the menu – “Eastern Sea Scallops sautéed in Garlic champagne butter sauce, vegetables and rice”. The garlic champagne butter sauce perfectly accented the scallops, and the rice gave a break to the richness of the scallops and sauce.
My wife had the chicken crepe (chicken and mushrooms sauteed and wrapped in a crepe) and I think I will have that next time – it had a great flavor and texture. The crepe texture with the chicken and mushroom pieces was a perfect mix.
My sister had the “Chicken Elizabeth” – from the menu – “Fresh Tender chicken breast sautéed with artichoke hearts, garlic and gulf shrimp, In a citrus chardonnay sauce vegetables and rice”. Another winner.
Finally, for dessert, my wife had the Creme Brulee – served in a large ramekin with artistically arranged strawberries and blueberries. Again, she raved about the flavor. I had the blueberry tart, and my sister had the Meyer lemon tart – both were delicious and not too heavy.
Prices were quite reasonable (actually lower than we would have expected for the quality of the food and the presentation).
We are already planning on coming back. Even though it is an hour’s drive from our home in San Diego, it is definitely worth the trip.
This may be one of the best French restaurants in Southern California.
michael barton
this wonderful restaurant hosted my wife’s birthday party. We couldn’t ask for more beautiful environment. The staff were so accommodating. And the food was amazing. Will definitely be back and once again wanted to thank them for helping us create such a wonderful memory.
… moreAlyona Da Silva
Went for dinner and had a great time at Gemell’s. Beautiful restaurant and ambient atmosphere. Pleasant French music. Prices are great for a restaurant like this. Or food was FANTASTIC. We had a 4 course dinner for 2. My husband preferred potato leek soup and said it was the best soup he had ever eaten in the restaurant. I also liked a lot my cream of mushroom soup. The presentation of the dishes is very interesting and cute. Steak was well cooked and so was the fish. I was blown away by the presentation of the duck patte appetizer (see the photos).Dessert was fantastic and I loved my cappuccino! We will be back for sure.
… moreBelky
I love eating at Gemmell’s especially for dinner. The food is outstanding and the whole place is so calming and comforting. This is one of my first options to eat out with friends or family because of how great it is. The service is great especially when I get Kevin and Julian. They are such hard workers and are always so kind to me and family or friends. I can’t wait to go eat there again. I absolutely love their service and all the employees are so kind, loving, and helpful. The atmosphere is also great and I love all the decor and music there is, especially on Christmas and Halloween with all the beautiful decorations. I really recommend this place with all the great food, atmosphere, and service.
… morePeter shen
I’ve spent many years coming here, and honestly, this has become my favorite restaurant of all time. Learning that it will be closing by the end of the year fills me with deep sadness. I truly hope the owners are able to open a new location soon.
… moreAustin Kim
Very good food nothing is over seasoned or too salty. Lunch portions are much bigger than expected and everything was cooked perfectly, down to the vegetables that are served. Prices are also very good considering it’s located right next to the beach.
… moreMary S
We have been here many times. The French onion soup is the best,and the deserts are just amazing. .
This time we came for a lovely birthday dinner. Thank all of you for making it special!
… moreThis time we came for a lovely birthday dinner. Thank all of you for making it special!