CdM Awards

CdM Restaurant Review:

About the restaurant & décor: The group that created Newport Beach’s perpetually hip A Restaurant operates this Corona del Mar space along Coast Highway, and they didn’t duplicate themselves. This cozy yet relentlessly chic spot festooned with bold blues and tucked banquettes exudes a near-East Coast take on sleekness, giving it an energy unlike any place else in this part of OC.

Likes: Speakeasy; chic ambiance.
Dislikes: Speakeasy may close too early for some.

Food & Drinks: Executive chef Elvis Morales' menu also deviates from the venue up the road, but his knack for creating memorable dishes driven by precise technique and ingredient purity remains strongly intact. Kick things off with a starter like the indulgent duck liver pâté with huckleberry gelée and grape mustard or the robiola cheese-stuffed tempura squash blossoms. Entrées such as the Akaushi skirt steak or the “dirty pasta” with ground duck, sage and ricotta salata exhibit deft compositional care. Save room for the layered Meyer lemon cheesecake. The centrally located square bar garners plenty of action and an excuse to explore the solid wine list and excellent craft cocktails. The real fun happens in the downstairs speakeasy, where guest can enjoy killer drinks in a setting that equals the sexiness upstairs.