Nelson’s

This place is so cool. It simply makes you appreciate living in Southern California. I love it :-)

Been here many times but this was the first experience truly worth writing about! We had some drinks and appetizers outside and it was the perfect day! The avocado dip and baratta caprese were delicious! Kevin helped us and have great suggestions as well as even moved the umbrella for us when we got too hot in the sun! Wonderful service and an overall great experience! I absolutely love this location and the service is usually mediocre so I’m glad he was able to turn that around for us. Beautiful succulents and green grass everywhere and the picnic tables outside give you the perfect ocean view while dining.

Came here for lunch with my Dad for Father’s Day. It was my first time at Terrenea, which was the most gorgeous resort. We had to Valet park which ended up being $ 10 after we got validation at Nelsons. Okay, about the restaurant…
We went and sat outside with the most gorgeous view of the ocean. We ordered a salmon chopped salad, lobster tacos, a burger, and some bloody Mary’s. My salmon salad was delicious and ive thought of going back for it ever since! My mom loved her tacos, they had huge pieces of fresh lobster and a yummy salsa. The burger and fries was absolutely huge and delicious. Everything was really delicious. We didn’t mind paying the price for the food but the bloody marys for $ 14 was a bit ridiculous without being that great. Definitely going to be back and bring my man!

The service was great at my first visit. We came for lunch (calamari sandwich and fish tacos) and it was delicious! $ 10 valet parking with validation but I think it’s worth it since you can take a stroll around the gorgeous grounds and partake in that view.

We had a get together for a group of about 20 people on a Monday night and every single one of Nelson’s staff members were beyond accommodating to our group. We all had everything before we needed to ask and drinks were always full. The food is wonderful, staff is rad and attentive and the view is phenomenal! It couldn’t have been a better experience. Thank you very much, we will be back soon!

Being on a date I have to say I do appreciate excellent service that checks off having to reorder drinks napkin and sauces. My husband and I enjoy our dates and delicious food with amazing views it gives us lots to talk about instead of the norms. Entering Nelsons it gives you that welcoming feel the hostess are friendly and accommodating. The restaurant is more like a bar and grill it has big screen TVs were you can enjoy drinks and coffee since its 5 minutes walk from the resort but they do have shuffles that take you there which is cool. The hostess are friendly and accommodation. We sat outside which for June gloom its wasn’t a good idea it was cold but that’s what we ask for our fault. The patio is lovely very enjoyable. The fact that did see lots of staff we thought we going to have 5 star service but everyone seems busy so we’re giving them a two star. The severing time was good and the service need some improvement.
Food: Fish and Chips ($ 27)the worst tasting bladder I ever the breaded part of the fish fell low in taste more like it has been sitting in old oil.
Cioppion: ($ 29) fell short in broth and some of the sea food overly cook.
Drink: nothing fancy but coffee (not the best) for $ 5 a cup
(Not a first date place!)

I’m usually generous on my review but would only give 4 star here mainly because of the weather combination of cold, cloudy & windy. Otherwise the view of the ocean is gorgeously panoramic & the lighthouse is visible in the patio seating! Clarence was an outstanding waiter, he describe the menu that makes your mouth waters, the fondue was too filling! Can’t wait to come back in the summer to enjoy the sunset!

We just love Nelsons! The food is excellent and the presentation is always right on. The views are also so amazing. I highly recommend the lobster roll.

Just yesterday i visited this place for the first time during lunch.
View/​location 5 stars
Food 3 stars
Service 1 star
We shared the mussels and they were very tasty. I had the tomato soup and the lobster grilled cheese, was ok. My husband had the fish and chips and also ok.
The waiter started off nicely, however I felt rush throughout the whole meal. I ordered extra bread for the mussels broth and it took forever. Place wasn’t that busy. We were going to the Abalone cove but wanted to get lunch before hand and thought of Terranea as a good choice. Not impressed.
We both had tea and he offered us more free refills. We asked for water, again it forever to get water, really?
Finally he brings us a water and the check. We were considering ordering dessert but didn’t even get an opportunity, again they were rushing us out of the place.
When the guy (not the waiter) comes to pick up our plates, he spilt some of the broth on me. He quickly brought me a napkin and apologized.
In my opinion, part of good service, includes offering us dessert or a drink on the house to make up for the spill broth but of course the waiter doesn’t know about good service.
Before I left the restaurant, I asked the hostess if a manager was onsite, she said not at time but she would take my name and number and have a manager call me back. The waiter came out running to ask if all was ok, WTF dude? No it was not ok, I got broth on my pants and shitty service.
Of course, I haven’t received a phone and most likely I won’t.

We visited Nelson’s for a recent Sunday lunch and I was very impressed with the restaurant’s blend of style and high-​quality execution:
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+ Aesthetics, aesthetics, aesthetics.
Nelson’s is situated cliffside, right in the heart of the Terranea resort. Being that it was our first time visiting Terranea (we’re still new to this «adulthood» thing,) I couldn’t begin to count the number of times that I had to pick my jaw up off the floor.
We had an outdoor table with a wonderful view, and I don’t think it would be possible for me to overstate how breathtaking it really is to tower over the Pacific with a full expanse of clear sky as a backdrop. It’s a welcome departure from the often-​touristy vibe of the Westside. On a good day, the view alone justifies the lofty price-​of-​entry.
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The food that we ordered was absolutely delicious, as well; the emphasis on seafood was appropriate (given the setting). Everything was flavorful and the quality was evident throughout our dining experience.
+ We began with a round of drinks. Bloody Marys are my current «relaxation fixation», and we didn’t think twice about ordering up a pair of Nelson’s «Russian Marys». I have a high threshold for spice, and didn’t really find the heat factor to be anything out of the norm. The drink was reasonably stiff overall, and the portion size was fair as well. (In fact, my GF took the remainder of her drink with her on our post-​lunch stroll… shhhh, don’t tell anyone!)
+ The starters that kicked off our meal were a definite highlight. First to arrive at the table was the Poke Salad, which was comprised of the namesake ingredient alongside a mix of fresh greens, veggies, avocado, and a wasabi-​infused dressing. Bright, refreshing, and light — my only knock would be that the portion of Poke itself could’ve been beefed up just a bit.
+ Lobster Tacos were probably my favorite element of the entire lunch. The lobster meat was tender, juicy, sweet… and most importantly, plentiful. These weren’t your textbook $ 1 bite-​size street tacos; Nelson’s really packs on the seafood goodness in their tacos, and one order (two tacos) would probably function quite well as a standalone entrée. I could munch on these all day!
+ The Chilled Jumbo Shrimp that arrived next weren’t your garden variety-​type starter, either; you could taste the savory, fresh flavors of the ocean in each bite. This dish shined largely thanks to the simplicity of its flavors and preparation. The «half pound» portion that we ordered was wiped out in the blink of an eye!
+ For my entrée selection, I chose to maintain the consistent theme of raiding Poseidon’s seas. The Calamari Steak Sandwich that I ordered was fresh, flavorful, and had a nice mild flavor. Like the Poke Salad, the sandwich seemed to be portioned towards the small side when it came to the key ingredient. In spite of that, the calamari itself was cooked to a perfect tender texture, and was breaded very delicately, allowing me to really appreciate the sandwich’s different elements.
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Although pricey, Nelson’s really hits the nail on the head in terms of a providing an outdoor dining experience that’s both inviting and relaxing. Order up some seafood, throw in a few rounds of your favorite drinks, and bask in that quintessential Socal feeling.

Great, casual but tony place to eat, drink and stare at the Ocean. Nelson’s offers reliable, hearty and healthful food and (impressive craft brew list) located in a fun and special environment. You might even spot a whale!
We split the Shrimp Cocktail, which includes plump, mid-​to-​large sized subjects that come shaken with a rub of Old Bay, Paprika and something akin to chili flakes. Very good, if perhaps a bit spicy for some. The cocktail sauce (as are all their sauces here) is made in-​house, and is an excellent and natural accompaniment.
When asked if the Lobster Roll (2 mid-​sized rolls stuffed to the gills with lobster in a garlic aioli sauce) was shareable, our server discouraged that. Technically, it’s enough for one — but with an appetizer, well, it’s pushing it. Plus the french fries, or your choice of side salad, are outstanding. (The fries are perfectly cooked and not at all greasy)
Though the burger sounds grat (despite the $ 19 pricetag), I thought it best to stick to the sea and was guided to try the Blackened Salmon Chopped Salad. Excellent. I almost never order salmon, but it came out with the perfect temperature (without my asking), atop a flavorful and full-​of-​variety salad. Yes, there was bacon, and it was a nice touch amidst all the more obvious usual suspects in a great salad. It totally hit the spot, and it still left me able to help finish the second Lobster Roll ;)
My dining companion loved her Strawberry Lemonade, and I was happy with my Pale Ale on draft. Service is helpful and friendly, and you cannot beat the breeze and the sun. (And yes, there are retractable shades if you’re on the patio, where we were). Do yourself a favor, and make a reservation (though they generally don’t take them on the weekend.) Find free parking if you can, because otherwise, it’s very spendy. Keep in mind, this is all on the grounds of a fabulous resort. (
) Hop on the many free shuttles to get you there and back. Then, take a nice walk afterwards toward to ocean. Really fabulous experience. Oh, and yes, we did have two brief whale sightings!

The only reason they didn’t get 5 stars is because you couldn’t make a reservation if you weren’t a resort guest.
I went to brunch for my girl friends birthday and our servers name was Kevin. Kevin was great. I asked him questions about the dishes I wanted to order and he didn’t hesitate when it came time to explain. He checked on us just enough times that he wasn’t annoying and we didn’t have to wonder where he was.
My food was prepared just as I asked and it was great. The drinks I had were perfect as well. I’m definitely going back!

By no means is Terranea Resorts a «quality» resort, but it definitely had two good restaurants that we visited during our visit: Nelson’s and Marsel. Even the best resorts have some of the worst restaurants, and compared to all the garbage they were feeding us throughout the legal networking event we were attending, we found oasis at this gem. I was close to foaming at the mouth being deprived of some good food.
We met up with another couple for lunch on a dreary cloudy afternoon — it was PACKED, as expected. The bartender at the resort’s Lobby Bar had warned us of the near 2 hour wait during peak hours. The service was spotty — we were chatting away but no one even came to ask us if we were ready to order. Should we be absolutely silent to give them a hint? The menus were still on our table!
Finally, a waitress came to refill our drinks, and thankfully, she was more than happy to finally take our order. Perhaps the 2 hour wait isn’t because there’s too many people, but rather, the slow service? A combination of both probably.
I heard that the turkey reuben was amazing but it’s only served on Thursdays — they have specials for each day of the weekday. My face fell when I found out they had no turkey left. Sigh. So I opted for the poke salad. I had whisked two titos down my pipe by the time the salad came, so I wasn’t really coordinating the fork to mouth very well. I do, however, recall how fresh the salad was. The poke wasn’t all that impressive, but nothing bad to say about it either. The lobster roll and the lobster tacos looked BOMB. They give you generous portions, and in fact, the $ 25 lobster taco appetizer is really a meal size for most — plan to share an appetizer between two if you opt for them in addition to an entrée.

Great restaurant deep inside the resort. Visited this place while hiking nearby, since we were not hotel guests, valet parking is typically $ 20, but $ 10 with validation from Nelsons. The menu is mostly seafood, so for any non-​seafood eaters, you’re options are pretty limited. I ordered the chicken sandwich with French fries (regular and sweet potatoes). The sandwich was on a thick focaccia bread and was delicious! It had artichoke hearts on it, lettuce, tomatoes, and was in a delicious sauce. Definitely not your regular chicken sandwich! My friend got the lobster roll with a side salad ($ 25). She said it was very delicious and filling. The lobster they use at this restaurant is Maine lobster… so definitely top notch. For drinks, we had their mango mimosas which were great. Great views from this restaurant, and nice outdoor seating. Would definitely recommend this to anyone who wants a good, casual restaurant lunch experience with some views. Just be prepared that nothing on the menu is under $ 15…but well worth it!

I came here on Valentine’s weekend to visit the Terranea Resort and have lunch here to enjoy the ocean views. I shared a delicious salmon burger with Parmesan fries and lobster tacos. I enjoyed some strawberry lemonade too. Food tasted very fresh full of flavor. The ambiance is more like a bar style restaurant by the beach. Expect a long wait or at least try to make reservations ahead of the time. Good lunch spot before taking a hike along the ocean or just to walk around the resort on a beautiful sunny day with blue skies.

4.5 stars actually
First, the views, this place is gorgeous! The sweeping, ocean cliff views at sunset are worth the experience in and of itself. The service was good, although she somehow messed up both our orders. The patio is really nice, a bit windy, but they have a fire pit and outdoor heaters. The resort itself is a bit unbelievable… and definitely out of our price range! Its nice to be able to experience it in a small way by coming to dinner. We also had drinks in the lounge afterwards which was nice, good unique drinks and live music in a cozy (yet obviously ritzy) lounge.
My only complaint; it was very expensive! We spent over $ 200 on an appetizer and 2 entrees in the restaurant and 4 drinks in the lounge. The food and drinks were good, but not worth that price. Its all about the experience here though, that and the views made it worth it for a birthday/​vacation dinner!

This place is pretty darn good. First off, it’s one of, like, seven restaurants in the Terrenea complex and, in my opinion, the best one. Nelson’s is a great, mostly outdoor, upscale pub-​type place with good food and a wide selection of delicious cocktails. Here are some things you should know about it:
–As mentioned above, it’s part of the Terrenea Resort, so you have to deal with resort-​type stuff… like valet parking. If you get there early enough (like 9 or 10), you shouldn’t have to pay, but if you wait until they open (like 11), chances are you’ll have to pay. Validation can offset the cost some, but not entirely.
–The whole resort is pet friendly, which I find to be awesome. Nelson’s is included. If you hate dogs, stop reading this review. Nelson’s isn’t for you and we probably aren’t going to be friends. If you love dogs, bring yours here. It’s really a great place for them. They will, of course, have to be on leashes.
–Nelson’s occupies the best piece of real estate at Terrenea, which, itself, is the best piece of real estate on the Palos Verdes peninsula. The edge of the patio butts right up against the crashing surf. It’s truly beautiful. Just today, we saw gray whales breaching as well as sea lions playing in the surf. Bring binoculars and you could see more than we did. Keep in mind, the whale migration is seasonal, so your likelihood of seeing whales here will depend on when you come. Google can probably advise you on the best times to see this.
–This place is kinda pricey for what it is. Basically, the food is very good, but you’re gonna pay a 30+% premium on most everything. For example, a $ 6 beer will be 8 $. A $ 12 burger will be $ 18. But it’s not really the food you’re paying for. You’re paying rent for the most incredible views of Catalina in the southland. It’s not an every day kind of restaurant, but it is most certainly worth a visit.

It’s all about the ambiance! Beautiful location on the water. Spectacular sunsets! I had the fish tacos which were good, not wow but good. My server, Lisa was great! Fun, funny, informative and cute!
Pricy but you have to expect pricy at Terranea.

After a long hike nearby, we came here not expecting much; however, we were more than pleasantly surprised! We sat at a table outside and I believe our server was named Brian. If so, He was absolutely great– attentive, charismatic and welcoming! The excellent service certainty was a reflection of the food as well.
The poke nachos were so yummy! Wasabi mayo, mango and fried wonton wraps– nothing new– but damn were they good!
The half lobster grilled cheese and tomato soup was also amazing. Normally, when you order something like this, the lobar seems to be missing, but here, it was spilling out of the sides of the buttery bread. SO good! We added avocado to the sandwich and that was certainly a good choice too!
The strawberry lemonade was a bit sweet for me, but everything else at the table looked and tasted great! The chicken sandwich and the veggie sandwich were also generous portions and delicious!
Not cheap, but appropriate to the location, generous portions (we didn’t have room for anything sweet) and holy views!

We came for Happy Hour while staying at the Terranea.
The lobster taco for $ 10 was so good that I ordered a second one!
My husband had the burger slider for $ 5 which he said was good, but looked so tiny on the plate. He also had an order of buffalo wings which were covered in the traditional red sauce. He said they could have been hotter. We also had their hot Bavarian pretzel, which tasted like a bagel, and even at $ 7 wouldn’t get it again.
Nelson’s has the best ocean view of the restaurants at this resort. Except for the lobster taco, the other dishes seemed quite ordinary, more like a 2 or 3 star rating. The view kicks this review up to 4 stars.