A new modern Italian steakhouse drops anchor in Newport Harbor as two storied restaurateurs team up for the first time.
The waterfront dining room
From legendary restaurateurs Ron Salisbury and Piero Selvaggio comes a Newport Beach hot spot on the harbor, where the pair’s more than 100 years of combined success shines. Locals know Salisbury for his beloved concepts El Cholo and The Cannery, while Selvaggio brings L.A. flair to his new O.C. home thanks to years of wowing Angelenos with Santa Monica’s Valentino restaurant. Together, they’ve created a seaside destination with gorgeous interiors by Hatch Design Group featuring driftwood beam ceilings, sumptuous plaid booths and a luxe gray soapstone bar that beckons with every pour.
A breeze blows off the bay in the space that formerly housed The Ritz Prime Seafood, where delighting in a spoonful of feather-light gnocchi and lovely steamed clams is a must. The modern Italian steakhouse is open for dinner nightly with a lively cocktail scene that’s already enticing locals to fill every lavish nook and cranny. Order a classic cocktail, shaken or stirred by the skilled mixologists at the wraparound bar, or ask for a pour from Selvaggio’s ever-growing wine collection (he’s transferring much of his classical and expansive offerings from Valentino’s to the Louie’s cellar and can be found on the floor most nights in one of his dapper suits.)