Watermark Restaurant

04/12/09

Snobby Staff

by crusader33

The owner and staff here are racsist and uppity snobs. I've lived here my entire life and these people do not represent Ventura at all. Take your crappy restaurant and get out of town.

• Pros: Nothing
• Cons: Giving Ventura a bad rep

03/31/09

the previous reviewer must work there...just a thought

by jmiller805

Underwhelming.

For the premium price and surroundings I expected much, much more. The servers are strained, at best, just plain aloof and rude at worst, and for the most part entirely unfamiliar with any culinary aspect of what they are doing. And when they try to pass themselves off as sommeliers, it's embarrassing to watch.

The food is trite, beyond that there's not much more to say. It is what's lacking that is most notable. A menu without a clear sense of direction or place is what you can expect, with much too much effort and focus being placed on the exclusivity of individual dishes rather than on a cohesive and fluid dining experience.

Yes, most Venturans seem impressed and excited, but really, what else is there? For the price, the place comes up short compared to less pretentious places just up or down the coast. and there is much better fare in town but without all the hype...but hype is what I suspect is the main draw of the establishment..."Valet parking in Ventura? I'm there!"

So, if hype is what your into, all style and no substance, and you just want to make believe your a high roller when it comes to dining...then put on your collared shirt and your best watch and go on down to the Watermark. Eat something tiny, have a few glasses of overpriced and poorly selected wine...and then sneak off to somewhere else and have a real dinner.

• Pros: Valet parking in Ventura! OMG!
• Cons: the whole experience

03/02/09

The Watermark leaves a mark.

by sevenswords

Just walking into this place will dazzle you. It is absolutely beautiful, from the building itself, to the artwork throughout, to the element of class it gives. Yet the feel of the place is laid-back and relaxed. Not pretentious at all. You won't forget it, or the experience.

The food is superior, and can be artwork of its own on one's taste buds. But there is far more to the Watermark. Just walk upstairs, or take the elevator depending on how high your heels are.

W20 is the upstairs lounge that is bathed in the coolest blue glow. You'll see aquariums, fireplaces, couches, more artwork, flatscreens in the bathrooms, and one of the most coziest patios that overlook the city.

Thursday nights have a Blues band with brilliant musicians, and there are always more ready to sit in with them, from Sax to vocals to Guitar. You'll have no choice but to be up and dancing to this band, they'll have you rockin'. Thursdays close down at 11pm, so you'll be able to get home and sleep before work on Friday.

Sundays are no dress code and are packed with happy people listening to yet more great bands, dancing and just having a good time in general. And from what I've seen so far, no barriers exist on who's welcome and who's not. It's a great mix of people. And from the look of it, they're all having alot of fun.

The staff, I've found, are like one big happy family. They are down to earth, always smiling, you won't be waiting on a drink, and they make you feel like you are a part of the place. As well as the management, who are super friendly, laid-back and committed to their craft.

There is a parking garage just behind it, so it makes it easy to get in and out. I'm not sure, but I think I've seen valet on certain nights too.

I highly recommend the experience of the Watermark. All of the bars and restaurants downtown Ventura have their own cool, unique feel to them, but this one tends to leave a mark on you, and you want to go back for more.

• Pros: Just about everything.
• Cons: None.