Dining in Newport beach

[Jopat]

We will be spending 4 days in Newport beach at the beginning of June and would like some suggestions for great dining experiences in the area. Nothing too formal, just great food! thanks.

[ocshooter]

I will plug my favorite sushi bar, San Shi Go, on the Balboa Peninsula.

If you want to go a bit south, Laguna Beach has lots of excellent dining options:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/716104
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/711201

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San Shi Go Sushi and Asian Cuisine
205 Main St, Newport Beach, CA 92661

[landru64]

il dolce at harbor and 19th in costa mesa (for incredible pizza and salads... i can do without the rest of the stuff)

25 degrees in huntington beach

get a burger and frozen custard at the macy's signature kitchen at south coast plaza (in the macy's home store)

teriyaki jet on the balboa peninsula (verrrry casual... like think lunchtime. former line cook at marche moderne i believe)

crab cooker on balboa peninsula (or maybebear flag fish company). cc is kind of an institution.

for a great chicken kabob (and other things) panini cafe in corona del mar

pacific whey bakery (crystal cove or newport/san miguel area)

sushi shibucho in costa mesa

sushi wasabi in tustin (more $$$ but not fancy)

epicerie pascal for lunch

there are a bunch of corporate places that can be very tasty, but not imho very special: i like gulfstream, bandera, true food kitchen well enough.

feel free to ping me if you're willing to travel a little bit

[deroumanie]

Try 3 Thirty 3! http://www.yelp.com/biz/3-thirty-3-newport-beach

Also if you wish to venture a little out of Newport Beach, try Fashion Island. Gulfstream there is delicious! I forgot to mention Habana ( http://www.yelp.com/biz/habana-costa-... ) restaurant in Costa Mesa.

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3 Thirty 3
333 Bayside Dr, Newport Beach, CA 92660

Gulfstream
850 Avocado Ave, Newport Beach, CA 92660

[josephnl]

Although I love the Beachcomber for its wonderful location (it's right on the beach), it's food is ok, perhaps even pretty good, but certainly not "great" as the op has requested.

The best restaurant in the area is, IMO, Marche Moderne at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa. They serve terrific French food, and really exceptional tasting menus.

If you like sushi, Bluefin in Crystal Cove, Newport Beach is an excellent choice.

Far more casual, but usually very good are the Side Door gastropub in Corona del Mar, and Sage in the Eastbluff center.

If you're willing to drive about 20-30 minutes and want something somewhat more upscale, Raya at the Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel has an amazing setting, and delicious nueva Latina cuisine.

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Bluefin
7952 E Pacific Coast Hwy, Newport Beach, CA 92660

Marche Moderne
3333 Bristol St 3001, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

[josephnl]

Two others I would consider are Rothschild's on PCH in Corona del Mar...sort of old fashioned ( it's been around forever), but very pleasant sort of romantic atmosphere, and very nice Italian food. Also, if you want a great steal (and don't mind noise too much), Mastro's is great...especially the Costa Mesa location.

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Mastros Restaurant
2087 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, CA 91362

[Jopat]

Thanks for your help. We did go to Marche moderne and it was delicious. We also dined at first cabin because we were staying one night at Balboa bay club and that was pleasant because we were outside. The food was good but imo not spectacular. We also had a great italian at fashion island...cant remember the name!

[nancyhudson]

One of my fave's:

http://www.thebeachcombercafe.com/_cr...

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Beachcomber Cafe
15 Crystal Cove, Newport Coast, CA 92657