Recommend Restaurant in Hungtington Beach/Newport Beach/Costa Mesa, Ca?
 

Going to OC for the first time.

Looking for "smart casual" bistro/restaurant for myself (lone diner). I don't want too up-scale restaurant where there is dress code. I would prefer a bit more casual setting, but still great food. I don't drink (maybe a glass of ice tea), but expect to spend around $50-60 for dinner (an appertizer, main course and a coffee, and if desert looks great, have a small desert).

I have reserved the Oyster in Newport Beach. Is that a good choice? I like Italian, Seafood, Fusion, Californian, Southwest etc. etc.

Can someone give me some suggestions? Thanks so much.

We went to this great place in Huntington Beach, Johnmango.

http://www.bacirestaurant.com/

Thanks IamBooth. The menu looks good.

Has anyone tried Roy's and Oyster in Newport Beach?

We have never been to Oyster in Newport Beach, but thanks for the idea, it looks good. Never been to Roy's there.

One we liked very much in Newport Beach is

http://www.villanovarestaurant.com/

I vote for Roys in Newport Beach....just went there in July and it was wonderful. Food was exceptional and service was excellent. Nice restaurant to dine alone as several of the rooms are small (ask to sit to the dining room on the left), then allow enough time to stroll around Fashion Island to walk of the zillion of calories you consumed! You could even catch a movie - two theatres to chose from in the area. Or drive to Balboa Island and eat at Amelias - then walk around the island at sunset. Just another fun thing to do as a "lone diner."

Here is a little neighborhood gem that my family and I really like. I think it meets all your requirements.

The Pleasant Peasant Country Bistrot
4251 Martingale Way
Newport Beach, California
949-955-2755
http://www.thepleasantpeasant.com/

It is located about 1/2 mile from the O.C airport.

Thanks for all the advices ...

So for now I have made reservation (through Opentable) on Oyster (dinner), but also have tentatively decided on Roys (dinner), Amelia (lunch) and Villanova (lunch), and leave the rest up to spontaneity.

How long is the drive from Huntington Beach to Newport Beach/Balboa island? It looks pretty close in the map - I assume it will be 15-20 mins drive, at the most?

Also looked at 5-feet (supposedly has amazing food) - but I think it's a bit too pricy and don't know if it is really worth it - or are you just paying for the reputation.

5 Feet is very good! I've always really enjoyed Il Fornaio in Irvine, Italian.

We were just at Roy's a few weeks ago when we were staying in Newport. Love their pre fix menu and don't forget to order the chocolate souffle for dessert when you order dinner. It's very casual, dress shorts/slacks and aloha or nice shirt is fine.

My husband and I love Bayside Restaurant, on Bayside Dr right off Jamboree, at the entrance to Balboa Island. Went to Roy's again a couple weeks ago; yes the choc souffle is amazing, but I was a bit disappointed in the entree. We also get the fixed price dinner but I don't think those dishes are as good as off the menu.

Have fun!

You might find Duke's on Huntington Beach pier entertaining - they are the same as the one in the Outrigger on Waikiki - good food, great drinks, spectacular location. You can be by yourself and blend in while watching everyone else carrying on.

This is a chain, but we love Maggianos in South Coast. Great food, selection, prices, ambiance. Great for lunch.

Johnmango
I live in Newport Beach. All of the restaurants you are going to are fabulous.My husband and I love Oysters, they also have a piano bar. You can't go wrong with Villanova, and Roys restaurant has great food. Oysters is in Corona del Mar on the Pacific Coast hwy. Villanova is towards Huntington beach on coast hwy also but still in Newport Beach. Villanova has one of the only water views of the bay, can you get a water view.Also has a piano bar.
Roy's is not on the water but has very good food.It is in Newport beach on the outskirts of a mall called,Fashion Island.
I will always pick 5 feet for there fabulous catfish. But you are right, it is pricey. Laguna is really fun and you could walk around after dinner.
Amelia's is on Balboa Island and is a cute little restaurant.
The hot ticket to eat dinner or watch the sunset and to people watch is Maestro's Ocean Club in Crystal Cove,Newport Coast.
Heavens,yes Maggiano's has the best Italian food. That is in South Coast Plaza ,Costa Mesa. I hope this helps you.

Thanks for all the recommendations.

I do love to have dinner, watch the sunset and walk around. The problem is that my night vision is not good so I don't want to drive back to Huntington Beach if it gets too dark, especially along the highway where there is no street lights. In mid October does it get fairly dark around 8 pm?

It will be pretty dark by 8 PM in October, but PCH is pretty well-lit, plus there will be lights in the beach-side parking lots, so you should have no problem with the NB-HB drive.

We enjoy Bayside too. We go there about once a week since it isn't far from our house and we have never had a bad meal.

There is an absolutely wonderful restaurant in Laguna Beach called Mozambique that's worth a look. My husband and I have credited this place as our favorite restaurant. Beautiful ambiance, outstanding food, and a nice coastal drive from Huntington Beach. Their website is http://www.mozambiqueoc.com/.