21 Oceanfront
21 Oceanfront is more than a location, it’s a tradition. On the ocean, just a few steps from the Newport Beach Pier, this restaurant—with its leather banquettes, rosewood bar, and dignified intimacy—is reminiscent of San Francisco’s grandest old establishments. Serving only “the freshest seafood on the coast” and the specialties of the house: abalone and Kobe beef. Poultry and prime meats, including rack of lamb, are also featured. Wine lovers also know this is a venue for tastings, elaborate wine dinners, or special events in the private cellar. If one’s tastes for quality food—like a fine Bordeaux—improve with time, then there are a few places to be found in Southern California quite as delightful as 21 Oceanfront. Entertainment nightly. 2100 W. Oceanfront, Newport Beach. (949) 673-2100.
www.21oceanfront.com

59th & Lex Cafe
Bloomingdale’s smart eatery, 59th & Lex, offers customers a relaxing, casual break from shopping with its indoor/outdoor dining and friendly service. The atmosphere is casual and warm with contemporary black-and-white decor, comfortable banquettes, and spacious chairs. For shoppers on the go, speedy service is offered at the old-fashioned counter. The contemporary menu features fabulous salads, including the popular poached pear and grilled chicken, or try the tropical shrimp, Asian beef, and mango chicken salads. Hearty sandwiches, wraps, and freshly cooked pasta, including their Mediterranean pasta and their famous pasta caterina, are always available. Fresh fish and steak specialties, in addition to fresh soups, are offered daily. To top off any meal, 59th & Lex offers a terrific selection of desserts and their famous frozen yogurt. There is a terrific selection of wines by the glass and imported beer along with a variety of specialty coffee drinks. The cafe is available for private parties, business breakfasts, or any special occasion. 59th & Lex is open daily at Bloomingdale’s Fashion Island, 701 Newport Center Dr. (949) 729-6709.
www.bloomingdales.com

The BLVD at
The Regent
Beverly Wilshire
Modernly elegant and sophisticated, The Blvd at The Regent Beverly Wilshire, a Four Seasons Hotel, provides a chic destination in the heart of Beverly Hills. The newly redesigned space features a world-class restaurant, distinctive bar, and inviting new outdoor patio overlooking Rodeo Drive. The Blvd menu, created by chef de cuisine Scott Thomas Dolbee, offers global cuisine combining traditional menu selections with unique dishes such as Kumamoto oysters and spicy tuna tartar with sake mignonette, seared scallops and crispy sweetbreads with grilled white asparagus, and Shimeji mushrooms or grilled lamb “rib eye” with French navy bean cassoulet, basque sausage, and harrisa lamb jus. 9500 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills. (310) 385-3901.
www.regenthotels.com

Capri Blu
Ristorante
The Caprese cuisine here is simple, tasty, and fresh, with a good value for your money in a market where the origins of Italian cooking are disappearing. You will find homemade mozzarella, the fresh taste of pasta dishes made al momento, fresh seafood, and fish prepared Caprese style. The pizza is cooked in a wood burning oven on a lava rock stone, heated with olive-tree wood, just like in Napoli. To finish, the homemade Torta di Ricotta (Caprese limon ricotta cheese cake), biscotti, and their famous Limoncello are unsurpassed. The experience can be complemented with a selection of excellent Italian and Californian wines that will pair with your food or your desserts just like at Paolino Restaurant in Capri. There is a beautiful patio where you can enjoy both lunch and dinner. Capri Blu is the hot spot of the neighborhood where everybody can get together like in the Piazza of Capri, after a day of work, for a family dinner, a celebration, or just a nightcap. 1617 Westcliff Dr., Newport Beach. (949) 548-4060.
www.capriblu.com

Mariposa
Restaurant at Neiman Marcus
The Mariposa Restaurant, along with the Bar on 3, opened on the third floor of Neiman Marcus, Fashion Island in February, 2004 with an outdoor, ocean-view dining terrace, serving elegant contemporary cuisine in a refined atmosphere. The menu includes creative sandwiches and salads, regionally inspired entrees, seasonal fresh seafood, and house-made desserts. The Mariposa provides a unique setting for private events and parties. The Bar on 3 is a full-service bar located just outside the entrance to the Mariposa and adjacent to Gift Galleries and The Man’s Store. Cocktails and a “nosh menu” are served starting at 11 a.m. Specialty cocktails are served with such chic names as The O.C. Tini, The D&G, and The Blahnik Bellini-Tini. This is the place to see and be seen while overlooking posh shoppers. Reservations are suggested. 601 Newport Center Dr., Newport Beach. (949) 467-3350.
www.neimanmarcus.com

Morton’s,
The Steakhouse
Sinatra and cocktails set the mood as generous portions of U.S.D.A. prime-aged beef or succulent seafood and classic steakhouse sides arrive at tables dressed in crisp linens. Everyone who’s anyone indulges in martinis, exceptional wines, generous porterhouses, and decadent desserts. The buzz, alive at bars and booths in 64 locations worldwide, has continued for a quarter of a century. Morton’s—it’s the classic steakhouse experience where “The Good Life” is something to be savored. All major credit cards are accepted and reservations are recommended. Valet parking. 1641 W. Sunflower Ave., Santa Ana. (714) 444-4834.
www.mortons.com

Pascal
If you are looking for a touch of Provence in cuisine and decor, look no further than Pascal in Newport Beach. A slice of the French countryside will greet you, through the efforts of owners Mimi and Pascal Olhats. A profusion of fresh-cut flowers enhances the country-cottage ambiance, and, together with the fabulous country dishes, makes the restaurant one of the most popular eateries in Orange County. In fact, to nobody’s surprise, Pascal held Zagat’s number-one rating in Orange County for eight consecutive years. Olhats’ Cafe Jardin at Sherman Gardens opened to rave reviews, featuring a succulent lunch menu with French and California influences, as well as a marvelous three-course tea. Catering and gourmet take home are available upon request. 1000 Bristol St., Newport Beach. (949) 752-0107. [Cafe Jardin is located at 2647 E. Coast Highway, Corona del Mar and can be reached at (949) 673-0033.]
www.pascalnewportbeach.com

Pavilion
Restaurant at
The Four Seasons Newport Beach
Utilizing the region’s freshest food products and infusing them with the distinct influences of his native Europe, executive chef Michel Pieton and staff present a menu of fine-dining selections that are light, flavorful, and conducive to the Orange County lifestyle. In fact, Zagat rates Pavilion Restaurant at the Four Seasons as one of the best in Newport Beach. Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the elegant Pavilion Restaurant satisfies diverse regional tastes with an extensive menu of American and California specialties. Famous for its Belgian waffles, the restaurant’s breakfast fare entices with such irresistible offerings as crab-cake eggs benedict, oatmeal brulee with brown sugar, and a vegetarian egg scramble with mozzarella cheese and fresh salsa. The menu also includes a traditional Japanese breakfast, consisting of miso soup, grilled salmon, onsen egg, toasted seaweed, pickled vegetables, steamed rice and green tea. The lunch menu leans toward a variety of salads, hot sandwiches and soups, including a unique twist on Newport clam chowder with sweet potatoes and avocado. Both the lunch and dinner menus include fresh seafood catches of the day. Chef Pieton declares the corn chowder with smoked shrimp to be the house specialty. Countless dinners here end with the famous Four Seasons crème brulee. 690 Newport Center Dr., Newport Beach. (949) 759-0808.
www.fourseasons.com

Ristorante
Mamma Gina
Ristorante Mamma Gina was voted “Restaurant of the Year” for 2004 by the Orange County Concierge Association. With its waterfront location overlooking Newport Harbor, Ristorante Mamma Gina offers guests a warm, casual dining atmosphere both indoors and on the romantic outdoor patio on the water. This upscale five-star destination has a proven reputation for providing authentic Florentine and Tuscan cuisine, along with impeccable service. The menu offers something for everyone, including innovative appetizers, gourmet seafood, veal, steaks, poultry, and over 20 signature pasta dishes—from light vegetarian specialties to hearty selections such as lobster ravioli, the veal chops (named best in Orange County by Zagat), and gnocchi gorgonzola. Luscious desserts include the traditional tiramisu and crème brulee. The Sunday champagne buffet/brunch is a California special treat, as is the nightly live entertainment. The happy hour with piano bar is from 5 to 7 p.m. 251 E. Pacific Coast Highway, Newport Beach. (949) 673-9500.
www.mammagina.com