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Wednesday
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Mostly sunny. Mild.
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69°F/
53°F
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Thursday
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Partly sunny. Mild.
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66°F/
51°F
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Friday
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More sun than clouds. Mild.
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73°F/
53°F
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EXPLORE O.C. | | | | | | | Champagne French Bakery Café1120 Irvine Ave
Newport Beach,
CA
92660
949-646-0520 | | | | | Description: NEWPORT BEACH. This quaint bakeshop is an ideal stop-off during an afternoon shopping spree. Since the late '80s, Champagne has impressed customers with Parisian-style atmosphere and a refined menu of breakfast dishes, sandwiches, soups, and salads. Of course, what really draws the well-heeled crowd are fresh-from-the-oven baked goods, which include everything from breads and pastries to cookies, pies, and cakes. There are several Orange County locations, including one at Woodbridge Center in Irvine (949-653-6828).
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| 2340 Harbor Blvd
Costa Mesa,
CA
92626-6233
714-540-6195 | | | | | Description: COSTA MESA. A quintessential Southern California sushi joint, this eatery is known far and wide for its Americanized fare. Of course, terrific lunch specials and reasonable prices don't hurt its popularity either. Start off with baked green mussels, sautéed calamari, or sautéed clams. From there, the choices broaden: Try the rainbow roll, a tempura-style M-80 roll, the six-piece sashimi platter, or the Chef's Special combination, which includes miso soup, four California rolls, and sautéed clams.
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| 18062 Beach Blvd
Huntington Beach,
CA
92648
| | | | | Description: HUNTINGTON BEACH. From the outside, you'd think this place is your average fast-food joint, but that's hardly the case. For more than a half-century, In-N-Out has produced some of the region's best burgers. There are no franchises or gimmicks, nothing's frozen, and simplicity is key. Your all-beef burger isn't prepared until you order it, and when it comes out, juicy and tender, you'll swoon with delight. Add lettuce, tomato, and onions, and you've got good eating. Of course, you'll need crisp fries and a shake made completely of ice cream. Luckily, they've got you covered.
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| 21501 Brookhurst St
Huntington Beach,
CA
92646-8080
714-965-5200 | | | | | Description: HUNTINGTON BEACH. Good, old-fashioned eats when OC residents find themselves in need of comfort food, they look no farther than this tiny local standard, where Santa Maria-style BBQ never fails to impress. Go for a combo plate, which includes your favorite cut of red oak-smoked pork and a heaping side of legendary pinquinto beans. Other options include tri-tip, chicken, linguica sausage, pork spare ribs, and even turkey breast and pork roast. If you plan on stopping by at lunch, do so early because seating is limited.
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| 369 E 17th St
Costa Mesa,
CA
92627-3270
949-722-7586 | | | | | Description: COSTA MESA. A wise alternative for busy folks who want much more than run-of-the-mill burger-joint fare, Plums is Costa Mesa's version of a neighborhood eatery. Although it's located in a strip mall, the cafe features fine New American cuisine with a Pacific Northwest lilt, including terrific fresh seafood. Patio dining is available, and reservations are accepted.
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| 647 W 19th St
Costa Mesa,
CA
92627-2715
949-642-0629 | | | | | Description: COSTA MESA. This groovy taco stand is an easy pit-stop for grabbing a quick lunch without spending a bundle. Far from standard fast-food fare, Taco Mesa pleases locals with delicious yellowtail or salmon tacos, vegetarian burritos, and spicy tamales. Breakfast is also offered all day. Additional locations can be found in Mission Viejo (949-472-3144), Orange (714-633-3922) and Ladera Ranch (949-364-1957), not to mention Newport Beach's sister restaurant, Taco Rosa (949-720-0980).
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| 508 29th St
Newport Beach,
CA
92663
949-645-7077 | | | | | Description: NEWPORT BEACH. One of Newport Beach's most storied establishments, the venerable Arches has seen its fair share of celebrities, including Shirley Temple, Humphrey Bogart, and even "The Duke" himself, John Wayne. Indeed, Tinseltowners have long frequented the elegant spot, attracted by its quiet setting, tuxedo-clad waitstaff, and outstanding cuisine. The menu does a bang-up job of covering both marine and terrene favorites, from classics like Delmonico steaks and Chateaubriand (carved tableside) to Alaskan king crabs and Maryland soft shell crabs. An added feather in The Arches' cap: An award-winning wine list includes more than 600 domestic and international selections.
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| Tommy Bahama Tropical Café854 Avocado Ave
Newport Beach,
CA
92660
949-760-8686 | | | | | Description: NEWPORT BEACH. Caribbean attitude and cuisine have arrived in Southern California thanks to this plantation-inspired tropical cafe, affiliated with the adjacent men's and women's apparel shop. The bright decor is marked by all sorts of tropical plants and artwork. Tommy Bahama serves a spicy hybrid of American and Jamaican fare, including jerk chicken and hot spiced pork tenderloin. You'll also be thrilled by char-grilled baby back ribs and fantastic crab cakes. Many patrons fall in love with the place and end up spending a good part of the day sipping Tommy's signature Bungalow Brew.
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| 203 Marine Ave
Balboa Island,
CA
92662
949-675-5542 | | | | | Description: BALBOA ISLAND. Casual Wilma's has long been a favorite of folks who inhabit tiny Balboa, a teardrop of an island in Newport Bay. The community's charm and attitude are seemingly worlds away from day-to-day mainland travails. What makes this family-owned restaurant so special? Well, although it's a neighborly place where the word "stranger" has no meaning, in truth, it all comes down to the food. Wilma's serves outstanding home-cooked fare all day long, from hearty Mexican scrambles and seafood omelets to dinner specialties like meat loaf, pot roast, and charbroiled flat-iron steak. Patio seating is available year-round.
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| 4500 MacArthur Blvd
Newport Beach,
CA
92660-2053
949-476-2001 | | | | | Description: NEWPORT BEACH. Enticing bambú is the signature restaurant of this luxurious hotel, known for its pyramidal shape and atrium-like common areas. The restaurant, set in the center of the main atrium, is surrounded by palm trees and fresh flowers. As a result, it's like something out of a storybook and is just the scene for a romantic tryst for two. One of its most well-attended events is Sunday's champagne brunch, a feast of carved meats, sushi, made-to-order omelets, luscious desserts, crepes, and seafood. Adult $59, child (12 and under) $30.
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