A Review Of Dining & Drinks With A View In Orange County, CA
By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Foodie & Nightlife Blogger
Within the sometimes wild crashing of the waves, there sits serenity.
While places like Sharkeez, Woody’s Wharf, American Junkie and long-time standards like Mutt Lynch’s and Blackie’s are like The Wedge when it comes to nightlife in Newport Beach, CA, another establishment lies there placidly passive, ready to lure in diners and drinkers like a crafty fisherman bringing in a prized catch.
The place is the Lighthouse Bayview Cafe. It’s easily recognizable on the inlet side of Newport Beach with it towering glass, well, lighthouse. Located next to the American Legion, it’s a place that should be at the top of your places to eat and drink in Newport.
Literally the top. Walk up the steps and you are overlooking the harbor. The seating area is small but the view is great. If you get shut out of the top level, don’t give it a worry. There’s a lower-level patio (which, quite frankly, is way better for people watching than the top) and an all-glass indoor area that’s like being inside of an historic lighthouse.
As far as for what to eat and drink – actually this is PubClub.com so we’ll do this in the proper order – order the Bloody Mary. No matter the time of day. It’s rich and think and fantastic. Normally a morning -get-rid-of-the-hangover drink I had one at 5 o’clock in the afternoon and could have drank them until, well, perhaps until the pace opened at 7 the next morning.
As far as the food, the fish tacos are outstanding.
They are of the small street taco size. Normally I disdain street tacos at restaurants because of their lack of value and taste, but here they prove there are exceptions to every rule. The fish is tall, thick, juicy and fantastic. Inside the taco they are great but I recommend eating the fish separately. That way you get the complete grilled flavor and there’s still plenty yo please the palette wth the juice-infused cabbage and the rest of the taco.
It is well worth mentioning that its house red wine is excellent, too.
There’s a lot more to this place, too. It’s now has a a full liquor license (the original Bloody Mary is, amazingly, made from wine), and a bar is set up on the top level.
It also has a Happy Hour with $5 drinks 3-6 p.m., on weekdays, and a weekend brunch with bottomless mimosas ($10 with the purchase of a breakfast, 7 a.m.-4 p.m.). It is also a dog-friendly bar and restaurant, a very important (and social) element of locals in Newport Beach.
Lighthouse Bayview Cafe Details Newport Beach, CA
Address: 1600 West Balboa Blvd., Newport Beach, CA
Website: lighthousenb.com
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