12 newportbeachindy . com AUGUST 2 , 2024
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SideDoor Gastropub Marks 15 Years with New Happy Hour Menu
Five Crowns and SideDoor chef Matthew Luna
By Christopher Trela | NB Indy
SideDoor Gastropub in Corona del Mar , one of the first of its kind in Orange County , is celebrating 15 years in business .
The ambiance and menu is different than Five Crowns , its sister restaurant next door , and they have separate entrances , although they do share the same address ( and a foyer at the Five Crowns entrance ).
Executive Chef Matt Luna , who came to Five Crowns and SideDoor in 2021 after serving as sous chef at Water Grill in Costa Mesa , has introduced a new Happy Hour menu at SideDoor available Monday through Thursday from 4:30 to 6 p . m .
The Happy Hour menu features eight “ bites ” such as wagyu sliders and prime rib tacos , plus drink specials .
Of course , you can still order from the regular SideDoor menu , which has been combined with
Above : Taco and slider ; middle : SideDoor 3 - Lobster roll bottom : Bone marrow and duck wings the Five Crowns menu , meaning you can order anything from both restaurants .
I went to SideDoor with the goal of trying items from the Happy Hour menu , but Chef Luna told me the most popular dish on his SideDoor menu was the confit duck wings with a special miso barbecue sauce , so naturally I had to start with that .
After tasting the duck wings , I could see why they were “ flying out the door ,” as Luna put it . They were tender and coated with a tangy barbecue sauce , a perfect dish to share for starting a meal .
I decided to mix and match from the menus , so I also tried the bone marrow with short rib marmalade , a warm lobster roll , plus prime rib tacos and Wagyu sliders .
The bone marrow was among the best I have had . The thick marrow coated with the short rib marmalade spread onto toasted pieces of sourdough bread was a decadent treat .
The lobster roll was packed with a generous portion of lobster poached in clarified butter stuffed inside a brioche bun from OC Baking Company . A memorable lobster roll . The other items I tried were all tasty . No wonder SideDoor is usually packed every night — the food and ambiance make this a neighborhood favorite .
Chef Luna said he changes some of his menu items five times a year , although he won ’ t mess with the prime rib — it ’ s what Five Crowns is known for .
For info on SideDoor including menus , visit www . lawrysonline . com / sidedoor-corona-del-mar .
Lighthouse Café on Newport Beach Peninsula Debuts New Dock & Dine Program
By Christopher Trela | NB Indy
Newport Beach is one of the few cities where diners can access waterfront restaurants via boat .
Newport Harbor is fortunate to have a number of restaurants where “ dock and dine ” is available , either for boaters to take food from the restaurant to enjoy while cruising Newport Harbor , or to tie up their Duffy boat or luxury yacht and dine in the With this in mind , the Lighthouse Café in Marina Park on the Newport Beach Peninsula ( and a recent recipient of the OpenTable Diners ’ Choice
Award ) has debuted a new Dock & Dine program .
The Dock & Dine menu is catered to on-the-water dining , featuring a variety of Lighthouse Café favorites perfect for any time of day .
Among the dishes perfect for enjoying on the water : Seared Ahi Nachos , Lobster Mac & Cheese , Crispy Chicken Sandwich , Buffalo Chicken Sliders , Summertime Salad , plus sharable dishes including a Charcuterie Board , Fresh Fruit Tray , and Fresh Vegetable Tray ( the
LIGHTHOUSE Page 13
Seared Ahi Nachos