Quantcast
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Category

//Off the Menu
0

Off the Menu: A Scrumdiddlyumptious Wonka Dinner at Five Crowns

“Oompa loompa doompety doo / I’ve got a perfect puzzle for you Oompa loompa doompety dee / If you are wise you’ll listen to me.”  Willy Wonka fans will instantly recognize those lyrics as the Oompa Loompa song from the 1971 film “Willy Wonka and the Chocola...
Posted On 22 Apr 2018
, By
0

Off the Menu: A Restaurant Adds CdM Location

Whenever someone asks me for a recommendation on a good steak restaurant in Newport Beach, my answer is usually the same every time: A Restaurant. I’ve dined at A Restaurant several times and absolutely love their steaks—which is saying a lot from someone who prefers salmon over...
Posted On 13 Apr 2018
, By
0

Off the Menu: Five Crowns Launches Spring Menu with New Chef

“You’ve been chopped.” That was a phrase that new Five Crowns Executive Chef Alejandra Padilla was dreading to hear when she competed on the Season Six premiere episode of Food Network’s “Chopped” in 2011. “That was a really long day, and more emotional than I thought it was...
Posted On 01 Apr 2018
, By
0

Off the Menu: The Winery Wins Restaurant Writers Awards

The Southern California Restaurant Writers (of which I’m a member) presented their 44th annual restaurant awards last Monday night at Orange Hill Restaurant. Congratulations are in order for Thad Foret of The Winery Newport Beach for being named General Manager of the Year....
Posted On 27 Mar 2018
, By
0

Off the Menu Side Dish: Water Grill Leads to “Book of Mormon”

By Christopher Trela & Shelly Zavala  “I believe that ancient Jews built boats and sailed to America. I am a Mormon! And a Mormon just believes.” Belief is the prevalent theme of the wildly popular Broadway musical “The Book of Mormon,” which makes fun of everything from...
Posted On 27 Mar 2018
, By
0

A Zinfandel Weekend with Tobin James

This weekend I make my annual spring trip north for the Vintage Paso: Zinfandel Weekend. This three-day celebration features more than 100 wineries hosting events and pouring their best zinfandel wines—the signature varietal that Paso Robles is known for. Among the wineries I...
Posted On 16 Mar 2018
, By
0

Off the Menu: Lido Bottle Works Introduces New Chef

It’s always nice to see a new restaurant become an instant hit. Such is the case with Lido Bottle Works, which opened nearly a year ago in Lido Marina Village. Chef Joel Harrington created an eclectic chef-driven menu that highlighted seasonal vegetables and fresh seafood...
Posted On 16 Mar 2018
, By
0

Off the Menu Side Dish: From Poulet to Plastics

By Christopher Trela & Shelly Zavala | NB Indy “Plastics.” Just that word alone conjures images of the classic 1967 film “The Graduate” starring a young Dustin Hoffman as a naïve college student who allows himself to be seduced by the wife of his father’s best friend—played...
Posted On 16 Mar 2018
, By
0

Off the Menu Side Dish: An Evening in Mexico at SOL and ‘Luzia’

By Christopher Trela & Shelly Zavala | NB Indy  The name Cirque du Soleil conjures images of colorful performers doing dazzling and daring feats accompanied by ethereal music and thematic settings that often defy description. Such is the case with “Luzia,” the current touring...
Posted On 02 Mar 2018
, By
0

Off the Menu: Newport Restaurants Unveil Menus for OC Restaurant Week

Newport Beach Restaurant Week ended a month ago, and according to the Newport Beach Restaurant Business Improvement District members, it was once again a hit with diners as well as restaurateurs. Five dozen restaurants participated, and anecdotally the feedback at the recent...
Posted On 02 Mar 2018
, By
0

Off the Menu: A Second Look at Olea

After experiencing a sensational dinner at Olea restaurant the week they opened in late November, I welcomed the opportunity to return to Olea earlier this month and enjoy a special media tasting of two signature cocktails and a host of menu items.  Our tasting menu: Blue crab...
Posted On 25 Feb 2018
, By
0

Off the Menu: Cheese and Wine Offer Perfect Pairings

Wine and cheese make for a popular culinary pairing, which was highlighted last weekend at “Tour de Napa” presented by Hi-Time Wine Cellars at Crevier Classic Cars in Costa Mesa. Some of Napa Valley’s best wineries poured over 100 different wines, while Sidedoor gastropub in...
Posted On 16 Feb 2018
, By
0

Off the Menu Side Dish: Taste of Louisiana and Best Bartender

“Taste of Louisiana” at Bluewater Grill Mardi Gras and “Fat Tuesday” concluded earlier this week, but Bluewater Grill intends to carry the celebration into March with a “Fat Tuesday” tasting of its own. The festivities begin on Tuesday, March 13 with a “Taste of Louisiana” event...
Posted On 16 Feb 2018
, By
0

Off the Menu Side Dish: Food Trends for 2018

I’m always curious about food trends, so I was intrigued by a recent announcement from the National Restaurant Association, who surveyed nearly 700 professional chefs on which food, cuisine, beverages and culinary themes will be hot trends this year. Their response: Top 20 Food...
Posted On 16 Feb 2018
, By
0

Off the Menu: Bungalow, Bluewater, Barilla

Bungalow Extends Restaurant Week  Newport Beach Restaurant Week ended last week—or did it? At The Bungalow Restaurant in Corona del Mar, restaurant week isn’t over, it’s just beginning. Diners can enjoy The Bungalow’s Restaurant Week menu through February 28. The special...
Posted On 04 Feb 2018
, By
0

Off the Menu Side Dish: Going Gaga for Cocktails and Whisky

Japanese Whisky Dinner at Bayside Bayside Restaurant is hosting another one of its terrific scotch dinners on February 1—wait, did I say scotch? I meant whisky. Japanese Nikka whisky. Last year, Bayside held scotch dinners that were both tasty and educational, and this whisky...
Posted On 26 Jan 2018
, By
0

Off the Menu: Special Menus, Secret Menus

Newport Beach Restaurant Week is almost over—it runs through January 28. However, you still have a few days to take advantage of special prix fixe menus at 60 restaurants around town. Our calendar editor, Laura Wise, dined at Pelican Hill Resort’s Andrea Restaurant to sample the...
Posted On 26 Jan 2018
, By
0

Off the Menu Side Dish: France Versus Italy at Bluewater Grill

It’s a heated battle at Bluewater Grill, and a delicious one—the popular seafood landmark is hosting its annual culinary showdown between Europe’s two famous fish stews (French Bouillabaisse and Italian Cioppino). The Bouillabaisse vs. Cioppino tasting event is a month-long...
Posted On 18 Jan 2018
, By
0

Off the Menu: Dining Out for Newport Beach Restaurant Week

Newport Beach Restaurant Week started Monday, Jan. 15—how many restaurants have you been to? I managed to visit five restaurants earlier this week to sample their special prix fixe lunch and dinner menus, ranging from upscale (Bayside and Fleming’s) to casual (Dori Deli and...
Posted On 18 Jan 2018
, By
0

Off the Menu: Grab a Fork and Dig In to Restaurant Week

How much food can I consume in two weeks? The answer: a lot, considering we’re talking about Newport Beach Restaurant Week, which starts January 15 and runs through January 28. Yes, Restaurant Week has morphed into two weeks, which offers diners even more opportunities to visit...
Posted On 11 Jan 2018
, By
1234Next ›Last »


Join the Local's List





Copyright 2017 Firebrand Media LLC | Newport Beach Independent Newspaper | All Rights Reserved.

Welcome to the new NewportBeachIndy.com

Your Only Dedicated Newport Beach News Source

But first, we like to invite you to learn about special offers from Newport Beach restaurants and shops, exclusive content, and insider news and events.

Please take a moment to provide us with your contact information
and we’ll sign you up as a Newport Beach Insider.