Your Next Bite

Four Spots to Watch the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade

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photo courtesy of christmasboatparade.com

It's the most wonderful time of the year, because it's time for the the boats of Newport Bay to spread their holiday cheer.

This year marks the 107th annual Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade. And I've got not one, not two, not three, but four different restaurants for you to take in the views.

The Grubdown:

Balboa Bay Resort's A&O Kitchen + Bar - Preppy Casual, Gastropub

- sticky 'n sweet, Bacon Wrapped Dates with Blue Cheese & Balsamic Glaze $2 each/$4 for 7

Billy's At The Beach - Always a Good Time, Hawaiian Cuisine

- beautiful presentation, sweet sauce balances garlic crunch, Garlic Herb Panko Crusted Mahi Mahi $35

Pizza Nova - Family Friendly, Italian

- spicy 'n creamy with super fluffy dough, Pepperoni White Woodfired Pizza with Fresh Garlic, Alfredo Sauce, Mozzarella, Fontina, Ricotta & Parmesan

The Winery - Upscale, Fine Dining

- same reduction as the scallops, meat has medium thickness, couscous is clean 'n spongey, Slow Braised Angus Beef Shortrib with Zinfandel Reduction, Carrot infused Pearl CousCous & Proscuitto Wrapped Asparagus $29.95

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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.

This Memorial Day take a staycation at The Beachcomber Crystal Cove

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Whenever I feel the need for a getaway – yes, even in sunny SoCal it happens – I always take a trip down to The Beachcomber in Crystal Cove.

Since the late 1920's, owners James Irvine II and III would frequent this beach hideaway. Movies like Treasure Island were filmed here too because of its resemblance to tropical paradise.

Nowadays you can lease one of the cottages overlooking the ocean. Or, just park the car at Crystal Cove State Park and spend the day at the beach.

The Beachcomber restaurant is always packed, so make sure to get a reservation if you plan on eating a full meal. In fact, I've only made it to the restaurant once, hence impending blog post. 

The Grubdown:

- spicy 'n fresh with a mighty crunch, wanted to dive in but its hard to eat, Ahi Tacos with crisp Wontons, Pickled Cabbage & Sriracha Aioli $16

- light 'n healthy, but too simple and "Walnut" Vinaigrette is very faint, Scarborough Field Greens Salad with Roasted Cipollini Onions and Carrot & Cucumber "Linguini" $9

- it had the works but its lack of juiciness didn't work for me, Beachcomber Kobe Burger with Maple Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato, Mayo, Cheddar, a side of Fries & Pickle $14.95

- tastes like vacation and smells like Hawaiian Tropic, The Bootlegger Cocktail with Banana Rum, Orange & Pineapple Juices on the rocks $9

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If you don't have time to wait, The Bootlegger Bar just behind the restaurant is a great alternative.

They offer more appetizers than the restaurant, their famous Mai Tai comes with a commemorative Tiki mug, and if you land the right seat, you just might get an ocean view.

15 Crystal Cove, Newport Coast, CA 92657. 949-376-6900.

This Superbowl Sunday, play the field at Billy's at The Beach

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If you haven't visited Billy's At The Beach, then you haven't truly been to Newport. A local favorite, Billy's is known for outstanding happy hour Mai Tai's on the patio, sunset Hawaiian dinners overlooking the bay, and buffet style game days with everything from complimentary Chips & Salsa to Hot Dogs.

Step inside and you're immediately transported to the tropics. Soak up the sun after docking your Duffy complimentary, sip a cocktail from their signature "boobies" glassware, cool off under the swaying palm leaf ceiling fan, and lounge to the live Hawaiian band.

This Sunday, they're kicking off the 2013 Superbowl with a game prize raffle, HDTVs, and a special Superbowl Pupu Menu:

- Sizzling Poke Platter

- Shrimp Scampi with Garlic Bread

- Ahi Tartar Wonton Tacos

- Artichoke Jalapeno Dip with Homemade Corn Chips

- Hot Wings with Celery & Ranch Dressing

- Pupu Platter for One: "Cho Cho" Teriyaki Grilled Beef Tenderloin Skewers, Coconut Shrimp, Crab Cakes, Blackened Seared Ahi, and BBQ Pork Ribs

- their regular Lunch Menu...which brings me to my point

Last weekend, while the rain was coming down and the clouds were about to part, the hand model 'n I couldn't help resist a bowl of Chowder and a Mai Tai. So we found the best of both worlds at Billy's.

The Grubdown:

- Goldilocks' dream, not too thin, not too thick, but just right, abundance of clean tender clams, New England Clam Chowder with Celery, Potato & Sweet Hawaiian Bread Croutons $8

- light, tangy, crisp 'n creamy Billy's House Salad with Romaine, Mixed Greens, Red & Napa Cabbage, Bermuda Onion, Mushrooms, Hearts of Palm & Housemade Balsamic Dressing $8

- small portions, white 'n flakey, spongey not crisp Hawaiian Ono Fish & Chips with homemade Pacifico Beer Batter and Tartar Sauce $15

- love the sesame crunch and creamy dijon sauce, wish there was something sweet, Black Sesame Crusted Seared Yellowfin Ahi with Black Sesame Seeds, Beurre Blanc & Dijon Soy Sauces $16

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Aloha, and may the best team (49ers) win.

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