66403 Sun Feb 06 16:18:33 -0800 2005 6 2 Los Angeles Area 0 358964 I'm hosting a group of about 10 people from Texas - we're staying at the Newport Beach Marriott at Fashion Island Mall (or something like that). Looking for dinner on a Tuesday night that's not going to break the bank but that will be fun for a large group. We're not landing until around 6:00 pm and I would imagine by the time we get settled in we're not looking for anything too fancy - - just a nice, casual meal to start our trip off on the right foot! Any suggestions? Sun Feb 06 16:18:33 -0800 2005 0 Chuck 1 358993 Welcome to Newport Beach! It's Fashion Island & 1/4 of the way around the 'circle' around Fashion Island (& very walkable) is Roy's - Hawaiian Fusion - really good food & the have a prix fix menu for $33 pp, which is a great value. It does get very loud in here, but that seems to add to the fun. Link: http://www.roysrestaurant.com/docs/index.html Sun Feb 06 22:59:41 -0800 2005 358964 0 torta basilica 1 358994 CANNERY Restaurant, about 3 miles away in Balboa(Lido), great ambience(on the water), Good Food. Ask for Taras or Toby and they will arrange everything. Sun Feb 06 23:23:16 -0800 2005 358964 0 russkar 2 358995 Thanks for the info! We're actually having a reception at The Cannery later in the week... appetizers and cocktails for about 25 people I think. An event planner selected the location and I didn't know anything about it - glad to hear you recommend it! Sun Feb 06 23:36:29 -0800 2005 358994 0 Chuck 1 359265 OK, what about Tutto Mare (or something like that)? I think it's another restaurant near Fashion Island... Someone I work with suggested this restaurant since it's close to where we're staying.... but considering he lives 1500 miles away from Newport Beach, I don't know how reliable he is! Mon Feb 07 23:32:37 -0800 2005 358964 0 Chuck 2 359319 It's an ok Italian seafood place - very nice inside, but not known for it's food or service... Tue Feb 08 11:48:53 -0800 2005 359265 0 torta basilica 1 359312 Welcome to Newport. Maybe you already know, there much to do in this area. Just some FYI: Fashion Island is a mall, but it also refers to the area that is Newport Center Drive that includes office buildings, hotels, movie theater, salon, 24-hour Fitness, etc. See, http://www.shopfashionisland.com/ and click on restaurants. And, there's a map of store locations. Inside your Newport Beach Marriott, there are no options at this time for evening meals. The nightlife at The View closed forever on July 4th. JW's is only open for breakfast and lunch until the end of 2005. That said, your hotel is on the perimeter of the side where Bloomingdale's is located (see map). Daily Grill, Thaifoon, and Ozumo are closest if you feel like walking or ask the hotel to drive you and drop you near your destination. Many office buildings in Fashion Island, so the "happy hours" are right after work hours, maybe some after 7 PM. DAILY GRILL ( menu at http://www.dailygrill.com/ ) It is fairly simple American food, well prepared with quality ingredients. Full bar, good service, good portions. No entertainment. Closes at 10 PM. ROY'S is very tasty, interesting island cuisine, very upscale with quality and prices to match. THE GARDENS CAFE AND LOUNGE, inside the Four Seasons Hotel in Fashion Island, it quite affordable dinner options on their lounge menu (and open beyond other restaurant hours), or order from their high end dining room and eat in the lounge. Cafe tables, coctail tables, or loveseats with coffee tables - all within earshot of each other. Very comfortable, great service. I like thie Ahi Sandwich, they have good spring rolls, their mini pizzas are good, the have meal size salads. Maybe they will fax you a menu. FASHION ISLAND FOOD COURT And, there is a "food court" if you want really casual inside to-go tables, and lots of "fast food" options (some better than others). Variety of regional cuisines and all sit together. Some times they have a piano player in the food court. Many of the "restaurants" listed on the Fashion Island link are within that self serve food court. Restaurants are somewhat more quiet on Tuesdays after the initial happy hours after work. VILLA NOVA However, if your up for some kick-back fun, outside of the island there is a great piano bar in a fine Italian restaurant. Villa Nova. It's on the Newport Harbor waterfront about three miles up the coast from FI. The food is traditional Southern Italian. Servers are in black-tie/jackets (some have been there 30 years!), but the atmosphere is still very casual. Food quality high and varied menu. People often sing with the piano man (Richie) and some use the "maistro" to create a somewhat professional reperoire with them. Others just sing a for the fun of it. Also, closer to the fort, there is TOMMY BAHAMAS (Island cuisine) and GULFSTREAM (seafood) on Avocado St. just next door to Fashion Island. There is also a grocery food store in that little Corona del Mar Plaza (Bristol Farms) If you're in the mood for Mexican, there is a very casual place in Corona del Mar, AVILA'S El RANCHITO (traditional) (beer and wine). Or, TACO ROSA (innovative, still somewhat traditional, but lighter and healthier) (full bar). That is about 1.35 miles from your hotel lobby. 2632 San Miguel Rd. Newport Beach, CA. 92660 (949) 720-0980 Menu is somewhat similar to their sister locations, Taco Mesa. http://www.tacomesa.net So, there's a range for you! Link: http://www.irvinecompany.com/aboutus/xqs-asp-type_news-archive_-release_644-category_17-cid_-xqe-News.htm Tue Feb 08 11:25:43 -0800 2005 358964 0 kc girl