Newport Beach Dining

From fresh to farm-to-table menus, Newport Beach is now seeing an explosion in culinary flair. Always a top Southern California destination for the catch of the day, chefs are arriving in Newport Beach and putting their unique spins on the coastal cuisine, with an emphasis on healthier and more sustainable dining choices. Chefs are also testing the limits of their customers’ taste buds with exotic , and rich flavored entrees. The Newport Beach is emerging not only as a recreational, relaxation, and shopping destination, but a dining destination with the arrival of new themes, celebrated chefs, and hip hot spots. From fine-dining restaurants offering succulent steaks and chops and elaborate wine lists to cafés and hidden local gems, each neighborhood offers its own charm to please every palate.

What’s Haute Fashion Island has long been home to the biggest names in haute couture. But now the premier coastal retail destination is the celebrated as a home of haute cuisine in Newport Beach. This year has been the year of restaurant arrivals; Lark Creek, Lemonade, Red O Restaurant, Fig and Olive, and Blue C . And that’s just Fashion Island. Provenance and the Winery are new to area and coming later this year is Cucina Enoteca.

Locals Havens For authentic Italian fare head to Cucina Alessa by locals’ much-loved chef Alessandro Pirozzi. Fresh pastas are made in-house like the paccheri alla arturo, homemade sundried tomato infused paccheri pasta. Sabatino's Sausage Company is a classic gem specializing in (you guessed it!) authentic sausage from a secret Sicilian recipe. Take a seat in one of the red booths at A Restaurant where Newport Beach natives go for delicious steaks and seafood in a swank casual setting. Try the with braised fennel and Meyer lemon. While health-conscious residents head to green-certified eatery True Kitchen at Fashion Island for fresh seasonal fare and select organic ingredients with a menu tailored to Dr. Andrew Weil’s anti-inflammatory diet.

1600 Newport Center Drive, Suite 120, Newport Beach, CA 92660 Tel: -800-94-COAST visitnewportbeach.com

Family Affairs The Crab Cooker’s whimsical design and saltwater taffy delight children, while high-quality seafood and a hearty clam please parents. Wilma’s Patio focuses on a family atmosphere, serving up American and Mexican favorites, complete with kids’ menus. Coliseum Pool & Grill at The Resort at Pelican Hill offers complimentary meals for children younger than 5 and, for those younger than 12, the Kids-All-in-One: endless pizza, pasta, and gelato. Appealing to all family members, Pita Jungle serves healthy Mediterranean cuisine with a vegetarian friendly menu and a kid’s menu with entertaining activity sheets.

Gastropub Growth Gastropubs are elbowing themselves into the conversation between posh and upscale establishments and local long-time haunts to grab a beer or stiff cocktail. The famed Five Crowns restaurant in Corona del Mar made a change and added a Gastropub inside the local landmark called Side Door. The Crow Bar and Kitchen is also a hip spot grab a bite or enjoy happy hour while sampling craft brews. Another unique gastropub her is inside Whole at Fashion Island. Back Bay Tavern is a crowd favorite for locals at the premier coastal shopping destination.

Cheap Eats In Corona del Mar, sit on the patio of Rose Bakery Café for inexpensive eats. Try one of Rose’s delicious sandwich wraps on a healthy veggie tortilla. Avila’s El Ranchito fits the bill for reasonably priced healthy Mexican fare in a lively taqueria atmosphere. While, Crow Burger Kitchen on the Peninsula offers gourmet burgers at affordable costs. Build your own burger with toppings like shoestring onions and truffle aioli. For fresh high-quality fish head to Bear Flag Fish Company. With locations on the Balboa Peninsula and in Newport Coast, stop in on Tuesdays for $2 fish tacos or try a grilled seafood sandwich with your choice of fish.

Delish Diners With views of Newport Harbor, find a seat in a cozy booth or at the counter at Galley Café, a charming mom-and-pop diner established in 1957. Feast on hearty fare, like and chili cheese omelets.

1600 Newport Center Drive, Suite 120, Newport Beach, CA 92660 Tel: -800-94-COAST visitnewportbeach.com

At Ruby’s Diner at the end of Balboa Pier, enjoy old-fashioned family fun and diner favorites, including cheeseburgers and deluxe milkshakes. While Oceanside Diner on Balboa Island, offers a low-key setting serving flavorful chow like . And, with tabletop jukeboxes Woody’s Diner in Cannery Village delights diners with American cooking and a 50s’ surf theme.

Dock & Dine For dining on the water’s edge, head to the harbor or Back Bay for breathtaking views. Rent an electric Duffy boat and discover the art of dock and dine. Dock at Bluewater Grill for classically prepared seafood in a casual setting, or peruse the internationally inspired menu at Back Bay Bistro. For a more formal affair, head to The Dock for European influenced cuisine and alfresco dining all on the charming patio of this eatery. And to sample fresh Baja cuisine with a modern twist while enjoying artisan tequilas, dock at Sol Cocina.

Breakfasts of Champions Start the day at The Beachcomber Café’s oceanfront patio at Crystal Cove State Beach, where favorites include brioche French toast and filet mignon chilaquiles. At Le Pain Quotidien in Fashion Island, sit at a communal table and enjoy a healthy, Belgian-inspired breakfast with organic dishes ranging from omelets and tofu scramble to granola- yogurt parfait. Pacific Whey Café in Newport Coast whets appetites with classics like California omelette and huevos rancheros. A locals’ favorite, Haute Cakes Caffe, tucked away on Westcliff Drive, offers eclectic fare like blueberry cornmeal “hautecakes.”

Upper Crust Here is a short list of some of Newport Beach’s top tables. With the perfect view to watch luxury yachts cruise the Newport harbor, The Cannery Seafood of the Pacific offers fresh surf and turf and sushi selections, while dining dockside of the Rhine Channel. Nearby at 21 Oceanfront, indulge in an opulent setting featuring panoramic ocean views, decadent décor, exquisite seafood, and fine wine. To enjoy ocean views from above, head to Newport Coast where Northern Italian fine- dining restaurant Andrea at The Resort at Pelican Hill, delivers elegant

1600 Newport Center Drive, Suite 120, Newport Beach, CA 92660 Tel: -800-94-COAST visitnewportbeach.com

tableside preparations like the wild mushroom risotto—carefully cooked risotto is finished tableside when poured into a giant wheel of Parmigiano-Reggiano. And for haute Indian cuisine Tamarind of London elevates Indian cuisine with California flair using locally sourced and sustainable foods. Reserve a table next to the exhibition kitchen and impressive tandoor ovens.

1600 Newport Center Drive, Suite 120, Newport Beach, CA 92660 Tel: -800-94-COAST visitnewportbeach.com