ISO: Tried and Recommended Restaurants near Newport Beach, CA

[tigermorris]

DH will be on business in the LA area the week of May 8-12. We are staying at the Newport Beach Marriott and we will have a rental car.

Do you have any really good restaurants that you think we should eat at while we are in LA? Fancy, casual, ethnic all are OK.

Also, what are the must "Sights to See" ? We hope to drive to San Diego one day.

Any suggestions or advise is appreciated!

[Kristine]

One of my favorite restaurants (nice-ish) is The Bungalow on Pacific Coast Highway in Corona del Mar. They have great steak and fish, as well as an extensive martini menu (if that's your thing). It is somewhat pricey, but very delicious. Here is the link to their website:

http://www.thebungalowrestaurant.com/

For more casual, Pacific Whey Cafe is good. They have two locations, one in Crystal Cove (further south on PCH) and one in a more residential part of Newport (on San Miguel). It is a casual place that's good for lunch and breakfast.

http://www.thebungalowrestaurant.com/

Some other recommendations: Bandera (PCH in Corona del Mar), Roy's (near Fashion Island), Gulfstream (PCH and San Joaquin Hills Dr), and The Chart House (PCH, near Newport Peninsula).

There are lots of restaurants in Fashion Island as well that are all pretty good (and a big food court). Daily Grill, Typhoon, Cafe R&D, Wahoo's (great fish tacos!), Red Robin, Flemings....

There are also quite a few restaurants along PCH in Corona del Mar. Laguna Beach (15 min or so south) also has lots of cute restaurants in their dowtown area. Have fun on your trip!

[Laura]

There is a little restaurant off of MacArthur Blvd. near the OC Airport that is amazing. It is called the Pleasant Peasant. If they have the cream of carrot soup, have it; it is the best. Oh yeah, also have the profiteroles for dessert.


ETA: if you do go to the Pleasant Peasant, could you ask for the cream of carrot soup recipe (or atleast the ingredients)? They have never answered my emails. I need to try RSVP from Bon Appetit next.

I aslo just remembered Las Brisas in Laguna Beach. Just sitting on the patio sipping margaritas watching the sunset is a treat (unless you are hit with June gloom which is the marine layer that generally comes in June).

[Wendy w]

You've gotten some great suggestions so far. Laura, I love the Pleasant Peasant and their carrot soup!

Here are a few more suggestions:
Eva and her DH came to town last year and this place is outstanding:
http://www.230forestavenue.com/

This has been around since 1965 and is still excellent and very popular. This has to be my most favorite special occasion restaurant ever.
http://www.lawrysonline.com/fivecrowns_gen_info.asp

Although the food isn't really authentically Mexican, the food here is good and its fun. Taco Rosa:
http://blogs.ocregister.com/foodfrenzy/archives/2005/10/taco_rosa.html

Sage on the Coast isn't far from where you will be staying and is also excellent:
http://www.coastmagazine.com/archive/pre_dec05/cuisine/cuisine_1104.html
Lastly, it is a bit inland and around the block from me, but here's my beloved Zov's:
http://www.zovs.com/

Have a very nice trip and may the weather improve for you.

[Kristine]

I can second the recommendation fro Sage on the Coast and Taco Rosa. Both are quite tasty.

I realized I put The Bungalow link twice. Here is the actual link for Pacific Whey: http://www.pacificwhey.com/

Have fun in Newport!

[tigermorris]

bumping....

[aggie94]

Here's a link to a thread I started last year on the same topic, with comments on the places we ended up going:

http://community.cookinglight.com/showthread.php?t=74419&highlight=newport

[tigermorris]

bumping.....

[Laura]

I haven't lived in OC for many years, but these were some my other stomping grounds when I was there (and had an expense account). I don't know if they are still around or still good (but I am guessing Antonello's is still around).

Antonello by South Coast Plaza www.antonello.com

Il Fornaio - Irvine (I didn't realize this was a chain; well it's an upscale chain).

Bistro 213- Irvine (I think this was the name, but I don't think it's there anymore)

The Omelet Parlor in Costa Mesa

In-N-Out Burger :D:D:D