OC Restaurants

I still need dinner plans for next week in the OC and I’m clueless on the local scene.

We are still open for Thursday and Friday nights and need to make reservations asap.

What are some of the hot-spots?

Cheers,

Marche Moderne in South Coast Plaza is very, very good. Easy corkage too, IIRC.

Oooh, good one.

We’re staying right next to the airport.

Thanks!

I think it is a favorite of Alan Weinberg.

+1 for Marche Moderne.

For nightlife, I would go to the Peninsula area in Newport Beach where there’s a cluster of little places: Sharkeez, the Blue Beet, Newport Beach Brewing Co.

Other restaurants not too far from the Airport that are great: Golden Truffle, or Tradition by Pascal, or Antonello

If you want to venture down south, there’s Bandera (no corkage I believe) in Corona del Mar (great food and same owners as Houstons and Rutherford Grill). Hang around in the bar area for nightlife or go to The Quiet Woman across the street.

If you want to go further south, WaterMarc in Laguna Beach is great. So is Sorrento Grille or Sapphire. Nightlife in Laguna, The Marine Room, Hennessey’s, Royal Hawaiian, or Javier’s in Newport Coast.

Hope that helps!

Phil,

Hit me up and let me know what you find.

Anything in Long Beach? I may very well end up living there and would like to check out the scene. Perhaps the Belmont Shore area?

Phil,

One that hasn’t been mentioned yet, and which is just off the airport, is the Old Vine Cafe in Costa Mesa. They have a tasty, tapas-oriented menu and a small but well-chosen wine list. No need to bring wine here, IMO. First, they have a $25 corkage fee, which sounds Draconian in and of itself. However, their by-the-glass policy can’t be beat here. They give generous glass pours, and will happily split a glass for two at no additional charge. Pretty decent stems, too. For the cost of two glasses, a couple can get four honest pours to savor over dinner. They are proud of their list, and justifiably so, with something for just about every palate. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to you and Carey.

Laguna: The last I checked, corkage for Sorrento Grille is $15. WaterMarc is either $15 or $20.

Forgot to mention Pinot Provence in Costa Mesa for dinner. Great place and no corkage.
There is also no corkage for The Golden Truffle on Thursdays.

In addition, a lot of restaurants are doing special prix-fixe menus next week for OC Restaurant Week. http://www.ocrestaurantweek.com You may want to check that out.

Phillip, I don’t know Long Beach well, but our Italian buyer is always raving about L’Opera in Long Beach. It’s on Pine Street I believe.

Have a great trip!

Gulfstream in Newport Beach has no corkage - we had a mini-Offline there a couple months ago.

No clue about wine, but a great local place in Laguna Beach is Dizz’s As Is - you get whatever the chef is cooking that day, there are maybe 10 tables, and it’s always sold out.

Now you’re talking my 'hood.

Naples:
Fora (California/Continental fusion, chef is Austrian) http://fora-naples.com/
Michael’s on Naples (a great newcomer for Italian, excellent wine selections)
http://michaelsonnaples.com/
Kelly’s (old-school steakhouse vibe) http://www.kellysrestaurantinc.com/

Belmont Shore:
Bono’s (Cal cuisine mixed with some comfort food faves) http://www.bonoslongbeach.com/
La Creperie Cafe (crepe-centered, but more French faves, as well) http://www.lacreperiecafe.net/
Sunnin (IMO the best of the Middle Eastern options) http://sunnin.com/sitemain.htm

Also, in Belmont Heights, northwest of Belmont Shore:
Frenchy’s Bistro (reliable traditional French)
http://frenchysbistro.com/client/frenchysbistro/index.html
La Parolaccia (my “home away from home”, great Italian) http://www.laparolacciausa.com/site/lbindex.html

Kriss tipped me on this awhile back and we had a great time. Even closed the place.

J

Exactly what I’m looking for. I’d really like to find a place around that neighborhood as well.

Dude, it’s in Naples. Closing happens at 9:30.

Yeah,

But you could after party at my place.

Resurrecting this old thread. Looking for a great restaurant in the OC area (within reasonable taxi distance of Pelican Hill in Newport) for a dinner on a Sunday night in December. Is Marche Modern still good? How about the Hobbit in Orange? Seems like a nice experience, but is it cheesy? We tend to favor hip over stuffy. Old Vine Cafe was also mentioned upthread.

Anything new and exciting? Must have good wine list because we won’t be bringing any bottles with us.

Yes on Marche Moderne, still very good.

Lots of good choices in Laguna Beach.

Higher end - Studio at Montage, Broadway and Tabu Grill are my favs

Middle end - 230 Forest, Watermarc

If your willing to travel as far as The Hobbit in Orange - go to Playground instead in Santa Ana. Lots of chatter from this board but justifiably so. I think it is great, inventive food. Never have really looked at their wine list because of no corkage policy but I have had great wines served to me in their adjunct tasting/event bar next door - Playground 2.0. Maybe you can get lucky and there will be an event at 2.0 that night. ** I just looked and yes their wine list is a good one and fairly priced.

The Dock in Newport is a small, intimate spot on the harbor. Food is very good and wine list is pretty good but pricey. I am personally boycotting them because of no more corkage but still would recommend in your case.

Juliette in Newport is great as well with interesting menu and fairly eclectic wine list fairly priced. Good bourbon bar as well in fact going there tomorrow night for dinner.

Good luck and have fun!

Awesome - thanks, Tom!