Your Next Bite

Enjoy Fine Dining and the 108th Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade at Balboa Bay Resort

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It's the most wonderful time of the year because the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade is finally here.

This year, the 108th annual boat parade is only four days – December 14th thru 18th – as opposed to the usual two weeks, so make sure to lock-in your reservations now at the best place to watch it, the Balboa Bay Resort.

You can sit comfortably inside in the fine dining atmosphere, or cozy up on the patio with heat lamps to get a closer view of the boats.

Balboa Bay will always hold a special place in my heart, as my family has been going since I was just a kid. They go all out when it comes to Christmas decorations for the kids, from a glorious display of lights to Christmas trees and an oversized train for the little ones.

The food is fancy, but there's something for everyone on the 3-course Prix-Fixe Menu.

The Grubdown:

- family style, warm 'n earthy, Rosemary Focaccia with Olive Oil & Tapenade

- delicate 'n beautiful but somewhat bland, Tuna Carpaccio with Orange Vinaigrette, Olive Dust, Fennel Crisp & Mache

- tender 'n tangy, hits the spot, Braised Short Ribs with creamy Polenta, braising Jus, Cipollini Onion, Winter Mushrooms & Gremolata

- last years' dish, looked like a winter wonderland but needed more substance, Peppermint & White Chocolate Mousse with Tahitian Vanilla Sable & Anglaise Sauce

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The best dish that's returning this year is the Braised Short Ribs, so make sure to order it.

Menu prices are $75 for Adults and $33 for Children.

The parade starts at 6:30pm and passes by the restaurant at 7:50pm.

Bon Appetit & Happy Holidays!

1221 West Coast Hwy, Newport Beach, CA 92663. 888-894-2788.

Photo courtesy of meritagecollection.com/balboabayresort

Balboa Bay Resort offers Two Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade Views

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Photos courtesy of BalboaBayResort.com

One of my all time favorite places to enjoy the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade is at the Balboa Bay Resort. I used to be a member of the club as a child, and have gone consistently throughout the years. Much has changed since then with a more modern versus old yacht club feel. However, one thing remains the same, their Christmas spirit & lavish holiday decor.

This year, there are two different dining options: 1.) Waterline, their more formal refined restaurant  offering a 3-course meal everywhere from their private room to patio, and 2.) the new A&O Kitchen + Bar, a more casual, first come first serve atmosphere.

The Grubdown:

Waterline

First Course Options: Cauliflower & Truffle Cream Soup, Tuna Crudo, or Beet & Goat Cheese Salad

Second Course Options: Braised Short Rib, Seafood Chowder, or Broiled Salmon Filet

Dessert Course Options: Brown Butter Cake with Hot Buttered Rum or Pistachio Pot de Creme with Chocolate Sorbet

A&O Kitchen + Bar

Favorites include: Bacon Wrapped Dates, Pepperoni Pizza Fries, Toad 'n a Hole, Grilled Cheese Balls, Grilled Romaine Caesar Salad, and Kobe Beef Hamburgers and Hot Dogs

Prices for the 3-course meal at Waterline are $70 for Adults and $35 for children 4-12 years old. Prices for A&O are not set, just dependant on what you order.

Merry Christmas!

A Hawaiian Holiday at Billy's At The Beach for the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade

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Living in sunny Southern California, we get to enjoy great weather all year round. So why not continue the Hawaiian holiday feel at Billy's At The Beach for the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade.

They've got great window-seat views indoors with a few on the patio, too. To guarantee a good spot, they offer four seatings at 6:30pm, 6:45pm, 7:00pm, and 7:15pm from Wednesday, December 17th thru Sunday, December 21st. (The Boat Parade will pass by Billy's around 8:05pm each night.)

Billy's Christmas Boat Parade Menu features classic Seafood and Steak options, and of course, great Hawaiian cocktails – their Mai Tai is a must! Here's what he had last year.

The Grubdown:

- creamy 'n just the right thickness, New England Clam Chowder with diced Celery, Onion & Potato

- this year's Salad with Pecans, Gorgonzola & Cranberries sounds much better than last year's bland Mixed Greens with Raw Mushrooms, Tomatoes, Red Onion, Cucumber & Balsamic Vinaigrette

- beautiful presentation, sweet sauce balances garlic crunch, Garlic Herb Panko Crusted Mahi Mahi

- on the dry side, mango salsa helped, Coconut & Macadamia Nut Salmon

- juicy, no frills, Prime Charbroiled Petit Filet Mignon

- you can't get enough buttery warm cheesiness that's crunchy on the outside with a soft 'n sweet center, Famous Hawaiian Garlic Cheese Bread

- light palate cleanser, Hawaiian Coconut Sorbetto & Fresh Seasonal Berries

- oversized bon bon heaven, Peanut Butter Ice Cream Dream coated in Milk Chocolate & Caramel Drizzle

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This year's menu features an Ahi Tuna Tower appetizer instead of Kung Pao Calamari, and entrees like New York Steak and Yellowfin Ahi Tuna instead of the Mahi Mahi. They'll also be serving sides like Lobster Mashed Potatoes and Island Stir Fry Vegetables family style versus with your dish.

Reservations are filling up fast, so call the number below.

2751 W. Coast Highway, Newport Beach, CA 92663. 949-722-1100.

Christmas Dinner Outings in OC

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Photos courtesy of thefivecrowns.com, sapphirellc.com, and baysiderestaurant.com

This year, instead of slaving over the stove for the big Christmas meal, take a staycation and go out for a change.

English, French, or California-style, YourNextBite has got you covered.

The Grubdown:

Five Crowns  3801 E. Coast Hwy, Corona del Mar, CA 92625. 949-760-0555.

- enjoy classics in this cozy English cottage-style restaurant like the Roasted Holiday Goose with Brioche Stuffing, Golden Goose Berries, and Goose & Duck Terrine $38

Sapphire Laguna  1200 South Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651. 949-715-9888.

- mingle on the fireside patio with a 3-course Prix-Fixe featuring Roasted Bone Marrow & Escargot-Parsley Butter, Herb-Roasted Diestel Hen Turkey, and a White Espresso & Baileys Creme Brulee $52

Bayside Restaurant  900 Bayside Dr., Newport Beach, CA 92660. 949-721-1222.

- lighten up with live entertainment and a Wild Mushroom Crusted Chilean Sea Bass, Green Asparagus & Riesling Sauce entree $34.75

Merry Christmas...stay tuned for a Happy New Year!

A Christmas Prime Rib at Five Crowns in OC & Taste in LA

Christmas is finally here, which means it's definitely time for some Prime Rib.

If you're looking for a more traditional fine dining experience with tons of Olde English flare, then have a jolly good time at the Five Crowns Restaurant – since the 1960's – in Corona del Mar. I've eaten here many times and it never disappoints. The old-fashioned red telephone booth, the waitresses in period costume dresses, and the warm cozy fireplace completely add to your lavish meal of Prime Rib, Yorkshire Pudding, Creamed Spinach, and English Trifle. Afterwards hit up the new SideDoor Pub for a Pint or glass of Sherry. Or, order your holiday meal to go (see selections below).

Fancy something more modern? Then head over to Taste on Melrose in West Hollywood. Take in the open-air on the patio, which serves as a beautiful setting on tree-lined Melrose Place. Or bundle up inside by the fire. For Christmas Eve they're serving a Prime Rib Special Dinner, along with their regular menu featuring everything from White Truffle Oil & Mushroom Mac & Cheese ($8.50) to Pan Roasted Barramundi ($24.50). And their unique martinis are devilish 'cuz you can't stop ordering them.

                          (Photo courtesy of Five Crowns)

The Grubdown on Five Crowns in OC:

Half (Serves 6-8 $195) or Full (Serves 12-15 $350) Prime Rib Holiday Dinner To Go. Call 949-760-0555 to order 48 hours in advance. 3801 E. Coast Hwy, Corona del Mar, CA 92625.

- Prime Rib cooked to order

- Mashed Potatoes

- Creamed Corn or Creamed Spinach

- Gravy Au Jus

- Whipped Cream Horseradish

(Photo courtesy of Taste on Melrose)

The Grubdown on Taste in LA:

5-item Christmas Eve meal for $26. Call 323-852-6888 for Reservations. 8454 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, CA 90069. @ilovetaste

- Prime Rib

- Potato Gratin

- Creamed Spinach

- Yorkshire Pudding

- Horseradish Cream & Au Jus

Merry Christmas!