EAT + DRINK LISTINGS
AIRPORT AREA
BAR ONE BY IL BARONE RISTORANTE 4647 MacArthur Blvd .; 949-955-2755 baroneoc . com CURRENT COASTAL CUISINE Renaissance Newport Beach Hotel , 4500 MacArthur Blvd . 949-476-2001 ; marriott . com MOULIN 1000 Bristol St . N .; 949-474-0920 ; moulin . com NANA SAN 3601 Jamboree Rd .; 949-474-7373 NAVROZ MEDITERRANEAN GRILL 3601 Jamboree Rd .; 949-474-7300 navrozrestaurant . com ORIGINAL PIZZA II 3100 Irvine Ave ., Ste . D ; 949-574-4995 PITA PITA 4341 MacArthur Blvd .; 949-592-0095 pitapitacafe . com
COURTESY OF PALMILLA COCINA Y TEQUILA
An enchilada plate ( front ) at Palmilla Cocina Y Tequila
MEXICAN MAGIC
Allow yourself to be whisked south of the border at the new PALMILLA COCINA Y TEQUILA , a Cabo San Lucas-inspired eatery on the peninsula that boasts a stunning design and equally exquisite fare . With a modern interior that features hanging straw lanterns , greenery and an oversize illuminated map of Baja California , the music turns up when it gets late , transforming the beachy restaurant into a nightlife hot spot . Try one of the hand-shaken margaritas , which range in flavor from spicy pomegranate to coconut-pineapple and one with pineapple , serrano and cilantro , or sample another cocktail , like the Paloma Rosada , with reposado tequila and guava soda , or the pina mezcal Negroni , which combines mezcal with rum and cherry liqueur . As for food , start with one of the various ceviches , such as the pineapple shrimp option or the white fish ceviche made with sea bass . Other shared plates include the braised short rib taquitos , street tacos , seafood nachos or the guacamole trio . For your entree , enjoy crispy tacos , enchiladas , a chile relleno , fajitas , grilled steaks or seafood plates . But beware , the churros on the dessert menu just might sell out if you wait too long to order them . ( 949-220-1290 ; palmillarestaurant . com / newport-beach ) — Ashley Ryan
BALBOA ISLAND
BASILIC RESTAURANT 217 Marine Ave .; 949-673-0570 ; basilicrestaurant . com CIAO 223 Marine Ave .; 949-675-4070 ; ciaoitalianbalboa . com CROCKER ' S THE WELL DRESSED FRANK 211 Marine Ave .; 949-572-9293 crockersthewelldressedfrank . com ROYAL HEN 311 Marine Ave .; 949-873-5603 ; theroyalhen . com SHANGHAI PINE GARDENS RESTAURANT 300 Marine Ave .; 949-673-3802 shanghaipinegarden . com TRATTORIA MEDITERRANEAN CUISINE 216 ½ Marine Ave .; 949-566-9525 trattorianewport . com THE VILLAGE INN 127 Marine Ave .; 949-675-8300 ; vibalboaisland . com WILMA ’ S PATIO 203 Marine Ave .; 949-675-5542 ; wilmaspatio . com
BALBOA PENINSULA
21 OCEANFRONT 2100 W . Oceanfront ; 949-673-2100 ; 21oceanfront . com THE ALLEY 4501 W . Coast Hwy .; 949-646-9126 thealleynewportbeach . com ARC BUTCHER & BAKER 417 30th St .; 949-877-0190 ; arcbutcherbaker . com
NEWPORT BEACH MAGAZINE 73