Newport Beach Restaurants:
The Ritz Restaurant and Garden

Of all of the Newport Beach restaurants that we have visited, the Ritz Restaurant and Garden is without question our very favorite lunch rendezvous spot.

We knew it the moment we walked in.  There was Deborah with a huge smile and a huge-r "Welcome".  It wasn't long before Deborah knew us by name, and even knew our favorite table.  Rumor has it that Deborah is prohibited from taking vacations -- and retirement is not an option -- because she knows so much about so many customers, and because she is just such a nice person.  And, now that we've become regulars, we even get great hugs welcoming us back, like prodigal children.

At any rate, back to our first visit.

Richly carved woods and etched glass compliment the comfy bar all along the left hand side. Every evening this is The Spot to be, to see and be seen, and to meet the movers and shakers of Newport Beach. 

The whole feeling is like turn of the century San Francisco where wealth came to sit and sip a while.

The end of the bar is my favorite spot.  It is "Sinatra's Corner" to me.  I know that isn't really Old Blue Eyes in the artwork, but it is so like him that I have dubbed it "Frankie".  (FYI, the real name of painting is "Man in Black Suit".)

The artist is Fabian Perez, a local artist.  Many of his works are sensual, romantic pieces that feature his very lovely wife.  These images are featured throughout the bar area, above the private booths that line the dining area.  The dimmed lighting, the rich wood tones, all polished to perfection, the soft leather seating ... all the comfort ... all the luxury ... I knew somebody had to be up to no good.

The perfect corner rendezvous.  Look at how private it is.  You can actually carry on a tete-a-tete here without being overheard.	This is "our table".  (Note: If you happen to get it, we know the management well enough to have you booted.  So watch out.)  The door in the back leads to the Ritz Garden, a lovely spot for outdoor lunching.

I sat down reluctantly, waiting for a bomb to explode.  And it did.

Here came our waitress, a gorgeous blond.  Ken fell instantly in love.  It took me about 30 seconds longer before I liked her, but her great smile and welcoming nature won me over.  (Yes, this "welcoming" thing is a real conspiracy.  Everyone here has it.  And it is designed to make you come back again and again and again.)  Kelly was our waitress that day, and Ken has since fallen in love with every other lady who has served us at The Ritz.

Then another bomb hit.  It was so quiet.  There were people everywhere, but we couldn't hear them.  I just knew that the people in the table next to us were having one of "those conversations", but I couldn't hear it. Drat.

To assuage our miffed spirits, we ordered a glass of champagne.  (Actually two glasses.  I don't share mine with Ken.)  I didn't find out until later how cheap it was.  (Oops ... how "inexpensive" it was.  I don't like "cheap" things, and I really liked this champagne.)

The third bomb hit when we got our menus.  Good grief, what were these people up to?  Crab cakes.  Osso bucco.  Lamb salad.  Short ribs.  They listed all the usual sandwiches and stuff, too, but ohmygoodness the treats that were there.  I knew they had to be awful because they charged but a pittance, but I ordered the Mariners Salad anyhow.  I think Ken got the prime rib special that day.  I cannot begin to describe the tasteful delights that day, nor since.

We have come back time and time again, trying all sorts of different lunches, feverishly looking for a bad meal that we could warn you good people about.  And we can't find it.  It is hard to believe that one place could make everything so perfectly, but believe me, they do.

One time I did get daring enough to try a dessert.  When you go, you have GOT to have a cheesecake.  It is a piece of nirvana.

And the pricing?  Well, I have a comment there too:  To call it "modest" is an understatement.  It is worth a whole lot more than we paid.

One warning:  The Ritz Restaurant is usually pretty busy, so it is a good idea to make reservations.   (As a last resort, tell Deborah you know Kingsley -- that might get you in.)  Should you plan on going for a special event, like Valentine's Day or Easter or Christmas Eve, make reservations well in advance.  Local folk know The Ritz Restaurant well, and frequent it, well, frequently.

And don't fret, we will continue to look and look and look for a meal we can warn you about.

GETTING THERE

The Ritz Restaurant and Garden
880 Newport Center Drive (at Santa Barbara Drive)
Newport Beach, CA               

Click here for map

For reservations call:  (949) 720-1800

Valet parking?  Yes.  Right at the door.

For more information, see The Restaurant website

Be careful about searching for reviews on the Ritz. Here are some from Trip Advisor.  But they are not all for the Ritz Restaurant and Garden in Newport Beach. 

For more romantic dining, here are some more restaurants in Newport Beach:

Discover other great Newport Beach restaurants too!  Find the best deal, compare prices, and read what other travelers have to say.
	Back Bay Bistro brings the glorious outdoors inside for your dining pleasure.
	5 Crowns Corona del Mar. On the edge of Newport Beach is the finest prime rib on the face of the earth. Romantic setting and splendid food ... what a restaurant!
	Gulfstream Restaurant in Newport Beach. Just a great fish restaurant, both for old favorites, and discovering new favorites.
	The Island Hotel Newport Beach Restaurant -- splashes of exotic flowers and palms create a romantic aura, with lots of room for two.
	Pelican Grill at Pelican Hill Resort.  Perfection from start to finish, especially the Afternoon Tea Time!
	The Ritz Restaurant and Garden has lots of private corners and a very elegant, rich decor.  This is our very favorite lunch spot.  Discover The Garden and The Ritz at Christmas too!
	Rothschild's Restaurant.  An elegant restaurant in Corona del Mar for many decades, with lunches and dinners and other delights.
	Rusty Pelican Newport Beach has lots of pleasures, upstairs and down.

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