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Restaurant concepts come and go, but one that started in Newport Beach 30 years ago is still going strong: Ruby’s Diner. In 1980, Doug Cavanaugh – who had recently returned to Newport Beach after successfully restoring and running a restaurant on Nantucket Island off...

Designer apparel and accessories are the norm in Newport Beach, so it’s no surprise to see shops stocking such well-known brands as Cartier, Chanel, Christian Dior, Christian Louboutin, Fendi, Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Prada, and Yves Saint Laurent. What’s surprising is to find them...

There’s a new restaurant in town: Landmark. Yes, Landmark has been a longtime fixture in Corona del Mar’s dining scene, but new owners Kelly and Scott Polston have transformed the popular late-night hangout into a fine-dining bistro. The transformation includes a new...

Dusty Atkinson was a biker with a pony tail and the word “Freebird” tattooed on his chest. Dennis Harwood is a retired Newport Beach attorney who loves to play golf. Their paths might never have crossed, but fate brought them together 20 years ago when Atkinson died suddenly of a...

“Didn’t you tell me you have family from out-of-town coming to visit you during the holidays?” I asked my assistant, Catherine. “Yes I do, why?” she replied curiously. “You’re going to need to entertain them, so I have an idea.”...

The holidays are a time for tradition. For many families, that means enjoying a tasty Thanksgiving dinner – but letting someone else do the cooking, and the dishes! A handful of Newport Beach restaurants are serving up lavish Thanksgiving feasts to suit almost any budget....

Walk into Savory Spice Shop in Corona del Mar Plaza and you’re instantly confronted with row after row of fresh herbs, spices, seasoning blends, organics, extracts, sauces, and other items essential to home chefs. It can be an overwhelming experience for first-time visitors...

The honeybees you see in your backyard today may be spending the night at the Fairmont Hotel in Newport Beach. Don’t worry, hey’re not checking into a room. Atop the Fairmont’s roof are several large beehives where more than 300,000 local feral bees make 300...

“Ever been to lunch in the Mediterranean?” I asked my assistant, Catherine. “Chris, you know I’ve been to lunch – and dinner – in Italy many times. Remember I told you about the semester I spent in Florence?” “Then you’ll love our lunchtime destination.” “We’re dining at an...

Did you know that the water you drink at restaurants can have a profound effect on the taste of your wine and food? That was made clear as, well, as water when I was at Taste of Newport last month and did a sensory tasting of Nordaq FRESH, a water that claimed to enhance the...

“It’s the great pumpkin, Charlie Brown!” Much like Linus, who was always on the lookout for the great pumpkin, I’m always searching for dishes and drinks that offer my palate a plump pumpkin taste sensation. That’s one of the reasons I love...

“And the winner is…” That was the oft-repeated phrase heard last Sunday during the first annual Golden Foodie Awards, held at the Fairmont Newport Beach. Created by the Orange County Restaurant Association to honor the creative chefs and cuisines of OC, The...

Brush up your German and prepare your palate – it’s time for Oktoberfest, and a handful of Newport Beach restaurants are unveiling special menus to celebrate the occasion. In America, Oktoberfest is a month-long salute to hearty German food, but revelers in Munich are...

Back Bay Bistro at Newport Dunes is one of those restaurants where it’s easy to linger longer than usual thanks to the relaxed atmosphere and the picturesque setting on Newport’s Back Bay. Add the element of Sunday brunch to the mix, and time nearly stands still, particularly...

While having lunch at The Daily Grill in Fashion Island several months ago, I was startled to learn they were closing that location several days later. Fortunately, Daily Grill fans don’t have far to travel to get their foodie fix – the Daily Grill at the corner of...

“Ready for another dining adventure of epic proportions?” I asked Catherine, my editorial assistant. “How epic? Do I need to starve myself for a week to prepare?” she replied with a smile. “Maybe. We’re going to hit 30 restaurants in one...

Want a quick culinary getaway to the Mediterranean without leaving OC? Head to Pelican Hill, where creative cuisine meets classic architecture, and you’ll feel like you’re on vacation as you dine al fresco with sweeping vistas of Pelican Hill’s golf course and...

Bison and octopus and goat – oh my! We’re definitely not in Kansas anymore, Dorothy, when it comes to cuisine. Gourmet goodies can now be found at local burger and taco joints, provided you know which ones offer exotic eats. With places like The Counter (bison...

Locals only! That phrase – used by surfers to denote a secret surfing spot – can also apply to restaurants. Local dining spots are often hidden culinary treasures, which is the case with Champagnes Bistro & Deli. The restaurant has been around for many years, yet...

The temperature is sizzling, and so is Five Crowns, which just turned up the heat in its kitchen with the hiring of new Executive Chef Greg Harrison, who will lead the culinary team behind Corona del Mar’s gastronomic institution and its adjoining SideDoor gastropub....