This time of the year, head to picture-perfect sunny southern California and sample cuisine ripe with seasonal flavors.
Hubs and I spent a week based out of Newport Coast and ate our way through some very tasty spots. We spent our days walking off and reminiscing about the prior night’s bounty, then salivating over the day’s delicious possibilities. You can’t go a block without tripping over something house-made, farm-fresh and super-seasonal, so here are our top picks for each course. It was not easy to choose, so we went with the unexpected “wow” we found in each category.
Awesome Appetizer: Margherita Pizzetta at Napa Rose
This restaurant is the crown jewel at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, and it lived up to its reputation for fine cuisine and service. Despite the highest of high-end on an A+ menu, it was the pizzetta’s tender crust with crispy edges and bubbles, generous heirloom tomatoes and out-of-the-garden basil nestled atop gooey mozzarella that was the surprise standout in a stellar meal. Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa at Disneyland Resort, 1313 Disneyland Dr., Anaheim, (714) 635-2300
Cool Chef’s Muse: Extra Virgin Olive Oil Sampler at Fig & Olive
The tableside whole branzino presentation was outstanding, but props go to the olive oil tasting. Every table is treated to three distinct extra virgin olive oils and freshly baked rosemary olive oil fougasse bread. The oils selected are the chef’s whim, but you can count on getting something subtle, something more traditional and something unique. We sopped up sublime olive flavors that were smooth and buttery, fruit forward and peppery-intense, perfect partners for the hearty bread. Fashion Island, 151 Newport Center Dr., Newport Beach, (949) 877-3005
Super Salad: Irvine Ranch Roasted Beet Salad with Grilled Shrimp at Pelican Grill
Feast your eyes first on the ocean in the distance just past The Resort at Pelican Hill’s golf course, then focus on your plate. Fine dining abounds, yet this simple salad with meaty grilled shrimp added stole the show. Generous slices of colorful beets were plated on herbed goat cheese mousse, then topped with arugula and balsamic and a sprinkling of hazelnuts. A heaping forkful of each took the tongue on a sweet-tart journey through freshness. The Resort at Pelican Hill, 22800 S. Pelican Hill Rd., Newport Coast, (949) 467-6800
Nomulent Nibble: Shrimp Lettuce Wraps at The Yard House
Yes, it’s known for beer—and the beer was fantastic—but we had the perfect between-meal noshie here waiting to drop our daughter off at the Long Beach airport. Piled on football-player-fist-sized lettuce leaves, radicchio and sauces was a tortilla boat spilling over with shrimp, tofu, pine nuts and green onions. A little of this, a little of that gave the crispy wrap a nice, nutty finish. 401 Shoreline Village Dr., Long Beach, (562) 628-0455
Excellent Entrée: Braised Short Ribs at The Beachcomber at Crystal Cove
Look at this place. Really. Would this scream “haute cuisine” to you? Oh, but it is, served on the beach, under a tent and—for the rare times it rains in SoCal—behind plastic walls that allow you to see the ocean just steps away. This is a must-do; I can’t call it a “find” because all the locals dine here. So hat’s off to this tiny beach restaurant for a short rib that rendered Hubs speechless. And trust me, he’s eaten a lot of short ribs in his day. Clearly cooked low and slow and kissed with red wine sauce, it was uber fork tender and a winner with homemade Gorgonzola pecan ravioli and a bounty of wild mushrooms. When Hubs could speak, he praised the zing from the Gorgonzola plus the earthly ‘shrooms and pecans as spot-on partners for the hearty beef. 15 Crystal Cove, Newport Coast, (949) 376-6900
Delectable Dessert: Butterscotch Caramel Pot du Crème at the crow bar and kitchen
It’s official: This has moved to the top of my deathbed food requests. It is possibly the best dessert I’ve ever had. EVER. Hubs said we should have found a church to go to confession—that good. It’s real house-made caramel on top: warm, rich and sweet, and plenty of it. Burrow through that to grab a spoonful of creamy and, of course, buttery butterscotch and words almost fail. The flavor profiles are so close, yet you can completely appreciate how the two morph into something divine. The cookies were a nice touch, as chocolate is always welcome to party with caramel and butterscotch. 2325 East Coast Hwy., Corona Del Mar, (949) 675-0070
Liquid Libation: AleSmith Brewing Company’s Speedway Stout at SideDoor
Slip into this English Pub and cozy up in a booth, by the fire or at the bar for some gastropub goodness. It’s tucked within the Five Crowns Corona del Mar, but enter on Poppy Street under the big red key for that speakeasy feel. This was a find for us, but it was packed with locals who love the casual atmosphere. The tight beer list changes, but it’s a good bet you’ll find San Diego’s own Speedway Stout there, a 12% ABV powerhouse dosed with Ryan Bros Coffee, also from San Diego. The combo creates a malty beer that’s chocolaty and roasty with a hint of caramel. I paired that with England’s own Old Speckled Hen by Morland Brewing, an amber with toffee and malt and a balanced sweetness. 3801 East Coast Hwy., Corona Del Mar, (949) 717-4322
Sinful Late Night Snack: Fig and Goat Cheese Bruschetta at The Wine Gallery
As we were walking in, Hubs and I were muttering to ourselves, “Please let them still have that fig and goat cheese thing ….” Score! This filling snack bursts with big flavors that will go with virtually any vino at this comfy wine bar. Sturdy pieces of just-right toasted bread are smeared with an almost savory goat cheese. That’s topped with sweet-tart figs and drizzled with a mouthwatering balsamic. Remember the peppery arugula scattered on the board, too, and experience a cornucopia of flavors in one, enormous bite. 2411 East Coast Hwy. #250, Corona Del Mar, (949) 675-3410
The southern California coast is a magical place. Quaint beach towns dot the coastline where hills pour into the ocean. You can walk for days along any number of meticulously maintained beaches, then take in the arts, see a show, do some shopping, bike or surf, hit a winery or brewery or just sit in the warm sunshine and breathe the air. When you do go, make sure to check out our favorites, and then post your top tastes below.
