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Mayor ’ s Table cheeseburger . Photo by Chris Trela

I am dining with an Olea newbie — then I make them order the burger . They are never disappointed . Visit www . oleanewportbeach . com .

The Mayor ’ s Table at Lido House Hotel

In my ongoing quest to find the best burgers in Newport Beach , I headed to The Mayor ’ s Table at Lido House Hotel , where Executive Chef and Partner Riley Huddleston is serving a memorable cheeseburger and awardwinning fries .

The cheeseburger is a hefty half pound of American wagyu beef topped with cheddar cheese , heritage bacon , umami grilled onion , and garlic aioli , served with chef ’ s famous fries . Prior to coming to So Cal , Huddleston owned Boise Fry Company in Idaho , which won several Best Fries titles . Those are the fries served at the Mayor ’ s Table , and they are indeed amazing fries .

According to Huddleston , to make a perfect burger you can ’ t skimp on ingredients .

“ Our bacon is pecan smoked and it ’ s thicker — you need that bite . It ’ s all about texture in a burger , and simplicity . If you put too much on a burger it loses what a burger is about .”

The Mayor ’ s Table cheeseburger holds up to the hype , and the fries are addicting — the seasoning is outstanding .

I returned to The Mayor ’ s Table a few weeks later when Huddleston launched a new dinner menu that includes experiential and tableside offerings . This overhaul marks the most significant change to the Mayor ’ s Table menu since its inception in 2018 .

According to press information , the new menu is the collaborative efforts of Huddleston , Executive Chef Jonathan de la Cruz , and Chef de Cuisine

Nicholas Escobar and showcases their take on reimagined American cuisine . Huddleston calls the new menu “ exciting , experiential , and approachable as well as intentionally sourced and thoughtfully crafted . Our goal is to create unforgettable dining experiences that engage all the senses , while honoring local ingredients and the dedicated artisans behind them .”

Shareable starters include a Spring Onion Dip served with housemade pillow bread , and Banana & Caviar Service with sherry-roasted banana puree topped with Petrossian caviar and a side stack of banana blinis .

Tableside offerings range from Weiser Farms ’ Beet Tartare ( a vegetarian twist on the classic steak dish ), a Charcoal-Grilled Tomahawk , and aromatic Lido Chowder served with bacon broth siphoned over grilled seafood .

The dish that tempted my palate was Charred Spanish Octopus with harrisa ( chili pepper paste ), torn potatoes and garlic aioli . It ’ s a hearty dish , and the octopus is tender and filling .

Another new option is a culinary journey called “ Dine Like a Mayor ,” a prix-fixe menu featuring Huddleston ’ s daily selection of starters , entrees , and desserts .

Mayor ’ s Table is open daily for breakfast , lunch , and dinner , as well as brunch on weekends . In addition to its patios and dining room , the restaurant also features a cozy fireplace lounge , a lively central bar area , and a 14-seat private dining Captain ’ s Table . And for those who wonder about the name , The Mayor ’ s Table and Lido House Hotel are on the site of Newport ’ s old city hall .

Visit www . lidohousehotel . com / mayors-table-pacific-pub . html for more details .

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