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Happy 80th Birthday to the Lido Theater! The historic art deco-era venue – one of the few single movie screen theaters left in California – turns 80 this year, and it’s never looked better thanks to recent renovations by the Fritz Duda Company, which acquired the property in...

True Food Kitchen in Fashion Island has added several summer dishes to its already popular menu, so naturally I felt it compelled to go try them. I brought along fellow NB Indy writer and calendar editor Laura Wise with me so we could try several dishes and compare notes. The new...

One of my favorite places to be on a Thursday night is Bayside Restaurant. Ron Kobayashi and his trio featuring Jerry Mandel on sax can be heard laying down some classic jazz licks in the lounge, where it’s happy hour every day from 4:30 p.m. to close. During the summer, I love...

Newport Beach is known for its beaches, and its culinary offerings, so why not combine them into one grand event: The Pacific Wine and Food Classic, which returns to Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort Aug. 18 and 19. Some 60 chefs and dozens of wineries are participating in the...

Isadora Duncan revolutionized the world of dance. During her too-brief life (1877-1927), she eschewed ballet to focus on natural expression, creating a new art form that has come to be known as modern dance. Her life story is a contrast of beauty, success, sadness and tragedy....

Chef-driven restaurants are steered by the seasons, although in California our growing seasons are skewed. “The seasons are different here, but as long as it’s at the farmer’s market, it’s okay,” said Rich Mead, owner and executive chef of Farmhouse at Roger’s Gardens. Chef Mead...

Bacon wrapped turkey legs. Giant steer. Ferris wheels. Ring toss. Cake decorating contest. Yes, the OC Fair is back, better – and bigger – than ever. This year’s theme is “Free Your Inner Farmer,” but it should be called “Free Your Inner Foodie,” because the crazy...

Two things you can always count on for summer: Pageant of the Masters and a Laguna Playhouse musical. Fellow NB Indy scribe Shelly Zavala and I had the opportunity to attend both productions, and managed to squeeze in dinner before the shows. French Cuisine and American Art Held...

At the City Council meeting on June 26, council passed a resolution confirming the levying of assessments and appointment of the Advisory Board of Directors for the Newport Beach Restaurant Association Business Improvement District’s Fiscal Year 2018-2019. The resolution passed...

I seem to be on an unofficial search for the area’s best hamburger. I’ve ordered the burger at four restaurants over the past two weeks: Olea in Newport Beach, The Bungalow in Corona del Mar, and Las Brisas and Selanne Steak Tavern in Laguna Beach. No two taste buds or palates...

Tom Fazio is a legend in the golf world—not for playing golf, but for designing stunning golf courses that, as he puts it, “reflect the natural beauty of their environments.” He’s got more designs on Golf Digest’s list of “America’s 100 Greatest Golf...

The Hyatt Regency Summer Concert Series returns to the hotel’s intimate Back Bay amphitheater July 13 – October 12. It’s packed with notable names from the jazz and pop worlds, from trumpeter Chris Botti to Chicago vocalist Peter Cetera to the dynamic Chaka Khan. The series kicks...

Lido Marina Village has been attracting attention ever since its remodel nearly two years ago. Since then, three popular restaurants have opened: Zinquè, Lido Bottle Works and the world famous Nobu. Make that four restaurants. Circle Hook opened its doors this week in a small...

Bluewater Grill is known for hosting a monthly themed menu. One of their most popular is in July: the Bluewater Grill New England Lobster & Clambake, which kicks-off on July 10 with a Chef’s tasting featuring a cup of Bluewater’s signature New England clam chowder (the same...

Newport Beach is lucky to be the home of so many truly great restaurants. I was reminded of that fact when I attended the 31st annual Hoag Summer Fest (formerly Hoag Summer Classic) at the Newport Dunes last Wednesday, June 27. More than three dozen restaurants participated in...

Wine, food and music came together on June 2 as nearly 200 wine aficionados enjoyed an evening of fine wines and gourmet cuisine at the 11th annual Pacific Coast Wine Festival at Balboa Bay Resort. The event raised nearly $200,000 for the Pacific Symphony’s artistic and...

This Sunday morning from 7 to 9 a.m., several hundred car enthusiasts will gather at Moulin on Bristol Street to show off their classic autos and enjoy free coffee as they mingle and admire the vehicles, which can range from vintage Porsches to sleek Ferraris. This informal car...

Arnold Palmer was my golf idol growing up, and inspired me to take up golf as a youngster. Although my moments on the links are now few and far between, I’ve always had an appreciation for those who can make a difficult sport look interesting and fun. That’s why I said yes to an...

Calling all fellow lobster fans—get ready for the 10th Annual Lobsterfest at Newport Beach to be held at the Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort on Sunday, August 5, from 3 to 8 p.m. This annual celebration of summer features a Whole Maine Lobster dinner plus dancing to live music, a...

The Five Crowns Secret Dinner Society, also known as 352 Poppy (formerly known as the Speakeasy), has evolved from dimly lit rooms and absinthe cocktails into fun themed evenings of food and libations held on the Five Crowns patio. The latest incarnation (held the first weekend...