Hot new restaurants and refreshed menus are heating up Orange County’s dining scene.
Taste of Talay’s market-style coconut ice cream
TASTE OF TALAY
Open June 27 to Sept. 6, Taste of Talay is back at Montage Laguna Beach for the second year. A culinary pop-up from its sister property Montage Los Cabos, the Thai-inspired outdoor restaurant is helmed by Bangkok-bred chef Marc Narongchai, who is serving up signature dishes ranging from charcoal-grilled satay chicken to Khao Soi spicy crab noodles to Gaeng Kau lobster curry. Southeast Asian-style cocktails will be poured as guests are transported on a culinary journey full of unique flavors. Book a reservation in advance (855.493.2480)—the dinner-only experience has proved popular based on last year’s buzz. montagehotels.com/lagunabeach
Topside’s crispy California avocadoes are a vegetarian-friendly option.
TOPSIDE
Just in time for summer, Newport Beach’s only rooftop bar Topside has debuted a new menu of delicious dishes and drinks. Led by chef-partner Riley Huddleston, the refreshed culinary program invites patrons to indulge in seafood favorites—think Hawaiian tuna tostada and yellowtail ceviche— plus shareable snacks, including baked feta, signature truffle fries, Jidori chicken skewers and a trio of tasty dips. Pair those tastes with the mezcal-forward Star Dust cocktail or refreshing Time After Thyme, composed of Tito’s vodka, watermelon, apricot, lemon and thyme. Happy hour, anyone? lidohousehotel.com
Try a matcha or turmeric latte at the new Parakeet Cafe in the Crystal Cove Shopping Center.
PARAKEET CAFE
With locations strewn across San Diego, husband-and-wife duo Jonathan Goldwasser and Carol Roizen are headed north to debut the first Orange County location of Parakeet Cafe. Located in the Crystal Cove Shopping Center, the health-forward all-day cafe offers brunch daily from 6AM to 7PM with a menu highlighted by bowls brimming with fresh fruit and vegetables, sweet and savory toasts, and decadent pastries to pair with coffee featuring locally roasted beans. Expect a tropical ambiance highlighted by Newport-exclusive wallpaper featuring colorful birds and lush leaves. Go ahead, join the flock. parakeetcafe.com
VIEW Restaurant & Bar’s new brunch menu includes this artful avocado toast.
VIEW RESTAURANT & BAR
VEA Newport Beach’s signature restaurant VIEW is brightening up the weekend with its new Sunday brunch menu. Available from 11AM to 5PM, the debut offering is the brainchild of executive chef Andrew Arndt and beverage director Emraan Jawaid. Pop a bottle of Champagne or order the tequila-tinged Good Morning Newport cocktail to get the party started. Then, explore dishes ranging from buttermilk French toast topped with strawberry rhubarb compote and fried chicken and waffles doused in honey truffle butter to short rib breakfast potatoes and smoked salmon paired with creme fraiche, crepes and caviar. “Every aspect of a meal at VIEW was designed to create memorable moments, and I’m excited to continue that offering with our new Sunday brunch,” says Arndt. “Being in Southern California has been a source of inspiration, and I value being able to utilize local purveyors to show guests and travelers what our region has to offer.” Come hungry! viewatvea.com
Sip a Maui-jito at the new Cabo Wabo Beach Club.
CABO WABO BEACH CLUB
The fiesta is on in Huntington Beach, where Rock & Roll Hall of Fame musician Sammy Hagar has opened his flagship Cabo Wabo Beach Club. Tucked within The Waterfront Beach Resort, the 11,000-square-foot restaurant and bar transport guests to the shores of Cabo San Lucas through its coastal-inspired Mexican cuisine across breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner. Order a round of lobster enchiladas or Baja-style fish tacos paired with a signature Red Rocker cocktail spiked with Santo Tequila, Hagar’s spirits brand with Food Network star Guy Fieri. Over 50 tequila and mezcal options await as you enjoy your sips at the bar, lounge, or indoor-outdoor dining room. Bottoms up! cabowabobeachclub.com; waterfrontresort.com
Photography by: Cabo Wabo Beach Club photo by Kaelin Davis Photography; all other photos courtesy of brands
