Newport Beach Local News restaurants Archives

Off the Menu: Five Crowns Debuts New Menu, Royal Hen Goes Off Menu

It’s not often that a high-profile restaurant such as Five Crowns introduces a new chef and launches a new menu at the same time, but that’s what happened last month when we were invited to meet new Executive Chef Anthony Endy and sample some of his summer menu creations. Chef...

Posted On 08 Jul 2017

Off the Menu Side Dish: Pelican Hill Happy Hour, Lighthouse Cafe Spring Menu

Lounging and Dining at Pelican Hill We were at a reception at Pelican Hill Resort this week to meet the resort’s new Managing Director, Tom Donovan. We gave him a glowing account of our dining experiences at Andrea, Coliseum Pool & Grill, and Pelican Grill, but our...

Posted On 22 May 2017

Off the Menu: Sampling Seasonal Dishes at Provenance

We’ve always considered the Newport Beach Independent a “hyper-local” publication, but that term can also apply to cuisine. At Provenance in Eastbluff Village Center, Chef and Restaurateur Cathy Pavlos has taken the hyper-local cuisine concept a step further—she grows many of her...

Posted On 22 May 2017

Off the Menu: Beachcomber Serves Spring, Mix Mix Serves Brunch

The Beachcomber Restaurant in the Crystal Cove Historic District has added new breakfast, lunch and dinner menu items in celebration of the spring season. The dishes include pulled pork benedict (organic eggs, citrus braised pork shoulder, house-made buttermilk biscuit, roasted...

Posted On 14 Apr 2017

Off the Menu Side Dish: Newport Beach Restaurant Week Returns Jan. 16 – 29

By Christopher Trela & Catherine Del Casale | NB Indy December was an exciting time to dine in Newport Beach. Many restaurants offered special holiday menus that highlighted seasonal ingredients and festive twists on traditional dishes. In January, the excitement continues...

Posted On 30 Dec 2016

Off the Menu Side Dish: New Year’s Eve & Day Dining

New Year’s Eve/Day Dining Compiled by Laura Wise | NB Indy 21 OCEANFRONT 21 Oceanfront is ringing in the New Year with two different seating and menu options. The first seating is a three-course menu for $75 from 5 to 7 p.m. Second seating is a four-course dinner with champagne...

Posted On 23 Dec 2016

Off the Menu Side Dish: Merry Christmas Dining in Newport Beach

Compiled by Laura Wise | NB Indy 21 Oceanfront Enjoy Christmas Eve with a view at 21 Oceanfront. They offer a three-course menu available from 4 to 9 p.m. For $75 per person, you can chose starters such as lobster bisque or butternut squash bisque, and entrées that include filet...

Posted On 16 Dec 2016

Off the Menu: Illuminating Cuisine at Lighthouse Café

By Christopher Trela & Catherine Del Casale | NB Indy Lighthouse Café at Marina Park on Balboa Peninsula is celebrating its one-year anniversary this week. To mark the occasion, we were invited to a special media tasting to sample some of Chef Ryan Sumner’s recent creations....

Posted On 02 Dec 2016

Off the Menu: From Leatherby’s to Mix Mix

By Christopher Trela & Catherine Del Casale | NB Indy Leatherby’s Café Rouge at Segerstrom Center for the Arts has long been our go-to restaurant for pre-theater dining, especially for musicals, because Chef Ross Pangilinan always created a themed menu to match the show....

Posted On 25 Nov 2016

Off the Menu Side Dish: Thanksgiving Dining in Newport Beach

Thanksgiving Dining in Newport Beach / compiled by Laura Wise Back Bay Bistro Enjoy your Thanksgiving at Back Bay Bistro while taking in the quintessential panoramic view of the Back Bay Nature Preserve. This years’ extensive buffet menu features a wide variety of fresh...

Posted On 18 Nov 2016

Off the Menu Side Dish: Culinary Musical Chairs at South Coast Restaurants

By Christopher Trela & Catherine Del Casale | NB Indy The past month has seen a number of changes at restaurants around – and inside – Segerstrom Center for the Arts, a popular spot for Newport theatergoers. Holstein’s, which replaced Charlie Palmer in South Coast Plaza...

Posted On 17 Nov 2016

Biz Buzz: Newport Beach Restaurant Assoc. Installs New Board

Established 21 years ago, The Newport Beach Restaurant Association continues to thrive under fresh leadership and a newly implemented association structure. As an official business improvement district (BID) of the City of Newport Beach, the NBRA not only guides the marketing...

Posted On 04 Oct 2016

Off the Menu: Happy Hour and Yappy Hour at Lighthouse Cafe

By Christopher Trela & Catherine Del Casale | NB Indy There may not be a more relaxing place on Balboa Peninsula to enjoy a meal than Lighthouse Café at the new Marina Park. Lighthouse Café is the latest project from restaurateur Doug Cavanaugh, the man behind Ruby’s Diner,...

Posted On 09 Sep 2016

Off the Menu: Holsteins and Poutine and Beer, Oh My!

By Christopher Trela & Catherine Del Casale | NB Indy We were frequent visitors to the Charlie Palmer restaurant at South Coast Plaza until they closed last year—make that frequent visitors to the lounge, which boasted a long bar and a seating area with couches. Fortunately,...

Posted On 02 Sep 2016

Off the Menu: Eat at TLT Food ASAP

By Christopher Trela & Catherine Del Casale | NB Indy TLT Food may sound like an odd name for a restaurant, until you know that TLT stands for The Lime Truck, a popular So Cal food truck that won season two of Food Network’s “The Great Food Truck Race,” and has been named...

Posted On 26 Aug 2016

Lido Marina Village Springs Back to Life

A once-thriving shopping and dining area in Newport Beach that fell victim to increased retail competition, changing tastes and a recession has quietly been springing back to life. Opened more than 40 years ago, Lido Marina Village once boasted Red Skelton’s art gallery (local...

Posted On 26 Aug 2016

Off the Menu Side Dish: Golden Foodie Nominations – Week Three

Last chance to vote for your favorite restaurants! The fifth annual Golden Foodie Awards will be held this fall at the Fairmont Newport Beach. Awards in two dozen food categories will be presented to restaurants from throughout the county. The public is welcome to go to the...

Posted On 16 Aug 2016

Off the Menu Side Dish: Golden Foodie Award Nominations

By Christopher Trela & Catherine Del Casale | NB Indy Did you vote yet? Awards in two dozen categories will be presented to restaurants throughout the county at the fifth annual Golden Foodie Awards, to be held this fall at the Fairmont Newport Beach. Nominations started last...

Posted On 08 Aug 2016

Off the Menu: Avila’s El Ranchito and The Beachcomber Celebrate Tasty Anniversaries

By Christopher Trela and Catherine Del Casale Avila’s El Ranchito Turns 50 Last year, Avila’s El Ranchito in Newport Beach celebrated its 40th anniversary, but an even bigger milestone has arrived for the family-owned restaurant group: the 50th anniversary of Avila’s El...

Posted On 04 Aug 2016