MARKING MILESTONES
MARKING MILESTONES
Several iconic restaurants celebrate key anniversaries this year, proving they have the recipe for lasting success. BY SAUTRA YAZDANIAN
The Arches, which became A Restaurant
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NEWPORTBEACHMAGAZINE.COM
Mutt Lynch’s Since opening in 1976 on the Balboa Peninsula, Mutt Lynch’s has remained the place to grab 32-ounce schooners of beer and watch a sports game on the TVs. “The name Mutt Lynch’s describes us well,” says general manager Mike Vayner. “We welcome people who vary in age, lifestyle and gender—from kids to their grandparents and everything in between.” Located by the Balboa Island Ferry landing until a fire destroyed the building, the bar and restaurant relocated in 1982 to West Oceanfront, just steps from the sand, where it offers breakfast, lunch, dinner and bar bites like Mutt’s Pterodactyl Wings. Owners Dan and Gail Lynch have kept guests satisfied with the food, beer and fun atmosphere for 40 years; anniversary events are planned in November. (949-675-1556; muttlynchs.com)
THE ARCHES PHOTO COURTESY OF A RESTAURANT
A Restaurant A longtime landmark on Mariner’s Mile, A Restaurant celebrates its 90th anniversary this year. Opened by John Vilelle and James Sturgeon as a roadside diner and service station in 1926—soon after a stretch of Pacific Coast Highway was completed between Huntington Beach and Newport Beach—the establishment was originally called The Arches, housed in a Mediterranean-style building with red tile roof. The architecture has evolved—as well as the menu, from steak and seafood to French cuisine and back—with celebrities flocking to the restaurant in the mid-1900s. Current chef Jonathan Blackford’s menu includes “Kentucky” Fried Quail and braised rabbit Bolognese, among the contemporary American dishes with seasonal, local ingredients. (949-650-6505; arestaurantnb.com)
ROYAL THAI CUISINE PHOTO: CHAU LETRINH
Royal Thai Cuisine This authentic Thai restaurant, opened and still owned by seven brothers, is celebrating 40 years of creating aromatic and flavorful dishes such as Crying Tiger spicy beef and Volcanic Chicken, a deep-fried Cornish hen. The Tilakamonkul siblings have continued to greet guests from Orange County and beyond; located on West Coast Highway (with another restaurant in Laguna Beach), Royal Thai Cuisine has even served the queen and princess of Thailand. “We are glad to be hosting our 40-year anniversary celebration on Nov. 19 … with Thai dancers,” says Chau LeTrinh, part of the Royal Thai family. Buddhist monks will also perform a blessing at the event. Additionally, for those who want to learn to make Thai dishes, a cooking class is planned Sept. 12; three are offered per year. (949-645-8424; royalthaicuisine.com)
Gary’s New York Deli Located in the heart of Corona del Mar along East Coast Highway, Gary’s New York Deli is celebrating 40 years in the same location. Originally from the Big Apple, Adrienne Dolinka—the deli’s owner from the start in 1976—found the spot, which used to be an ice cream parlor, and decided to bring an original New York-style deli to the area. “We are most known for our New Yorker sandwich, which has Swiss cheese, Thousand Island [dressing] and coleslaw with your choice of pastrami, corned beef or fresh roasted turkey,” Dolinka says. “Our turkey is roasted in our oven every day.” Located just a few blocks from the beach, the deli is a perfect place to pick up sandwiches and other fixings for a summer picnic by the ocean. (949-675-2193)
The Alley Restaurant & Bar This popular pub has been serving American cuisine for the last 30 years, since 1986, providing a perfect place for locals to mingle with coworkers over a quick bite or a drink at the bar, or even enjoy a meal with a four-legged friend. Every day, Pups on the Patio allows guests to bring their dog and order a $5 burger patty or grilled chicken for the pooch while choosing dishes such as the rack of lamb, prime rib sandwich, chicken piccata or shrimp capellini for themselves. Connected with the community, The Alley has held fundraisers for The Ben Carlson Memorial & Scholarship Foundation, in honor of the local lifeguard who drowned during a rescue attempt two years ago, as well as the Orange County Humane Society, which helps homeless animals. (949-646-9126; thealleynewportbeach.com)
Newport Landing Restaurant Celebrating 30 years, Newport Landing Restaurant on Balboa Peninsula is known for its harbor views, mouthwatering seafood and fine dining with a touch of family spirit. Opened and still owned by brothers David and Doug Salisbury, the restaurant has an oyster bar, fresh seafood and an extensive wine and spirits menu. “We wanted to own an upscale restaurant where we could service the locals and not be a corporate cookie-cutter-type operation,” says David Salisbury. “This unique waterfront restaurant allowed us to create a wide variety of chefinspired dishes that were fresh, unique and seasonal.” Head in for Newport Landing’s Alaskan king crab, lobster or steak, or take your family over on Sunday morning for the brunch buffet. (949-675-2373; newport-landing.com) NBM
NEWPORT BEACH MAGAZINE
61
Several iconic restaurants celebrate key anniversaries this year, proving they have the recipe for lasting success. BY SAUTRA YAZDANIAN
The Arches, which became A Restaurant
60
NEWPORTBEACHMAGAZINE.COM
Mutt Lynch’s Since opening in 1976 on the Balboa Peninsula, Mutt Lynch’s has remained the place to grab 32-ounce schooners of beer and watch a sports game on the TVs. “The name Mutt Lynch’s describes us well,” says general manager Mike Vayner. “We welcome people who vary in age, lifestyle and gender—from kids to their grandparents and everything in between.” Located by the Balboa Island Ferry landing until a fire destroyed the building, the bar and restaurant relocated in 1982 to West Oceanfront, just steps from the sand, where it offers breakfast, lunch, dinner and bar bites like Mutt’s Pterodactyl Wings. Owners Dan and Gail Lynch have kept guests satisfied with the food, beer and fun atmosphere for 40 years; anniversary events are planned in November. (949-675-1556; muttlynchs.com)
THE ARCHES PHOTO COURTESY OF A RESTAURANT
A Restaurant A longtime landmark on Mariner’s Mile, A Restaurant celebrates its 90th anniversary this year. Opened by John Vilelle and James Sturgeon as a roadside diner and service station in 1926—soon after a stretch of Pacific Coast Highway was completed between Huntington Beach and Newport Beach—the establishment was originally called The Arches, housed in a Mediterranean-style building with red tile roof. The architecture has evolved—as well as the menu, from steak and seafood to French cuisine and back—with celebrities flocking to the restaurant in the mid-1900s. Current chef Jonathan Blackford’s menu includes “Kentucky” Fried Quail and braised rabbit Bolognese, among the contemporary American dishes with seasonal, local ingredients. (949-650-6505; arestaurantnb.com)
ROYAL THAI CUISINE PHOTO: CHAU LETRINH
Royal Thai Cuisine This authentic Thai restaurant, opened and still owned by seven brothers, is celebrating 40 years of creating aromatic and flavorful dishes such as Crying Tiger spicy beef and Volcanic Chicken, a deep-fried Cornish hen. The Tilakamonkul siblings have continued to greet guests from Orange County and beyond; located on West Coast Highway (with another restaurant in Laguna Beach), Royal Thai Cuisine has even served the queen and princess of Thailand. “We are glad to be hosting our 40-year anniversary celebration on Nov. 19 … with Thai dancers,” says Chau LeTrinh, part of the Royal Thai family. Buddhist monks will also perform a blessing at the event. Additionally, for those who want to learn to make Thai dishes, a cooking class is planned Sept. 12; three are offered per year. (949-645-8424; royalthaicuisine.com)
Gary’s New York Deli Located in the heart of Corona del Mar along East Coast Highway, Gary’s New York Deli is celebrating 40 years in the same location. Originally from the Big Apple, Adrienne Dolinka—the deli’s owner from the start in 1976—found the spot, which used to be an ice cream parlor, and decided to bring an original New York-style deli to the area. “We are most known for our New Yorker sandwich, which has Swiss cheese, Thousand Island [dressing] and coleslaw with your choice of pastrami, corned beef or fresh roasted turkey,” Dolinka says. “Our turkey is roasted in our oven every day.” Located just a few blocks from the beach, the deli is a perfect place to pick up sandwiches and other fixings for a summer picnic by the ocean. (949-675-2193)
The Alley Restaurant & Bar This popular pub has been serving American cuisine for the last 30 years, since 1986, providing a perfect place for locals to mingle with coworkers over a quick bite or a drink at the bar, or even enjoy a meal with a four-legged friend. Every day, Pups on the Patio allows guests to bring their dog and order a $5 burger patty or grilled chicken for the pooch while choosing dishes such as the rack of lamb, prime rib sandwich, chicken piccata or shrimp capellini for themselves. Connected with the community, The Alley has held fundraisers for The Ben Carlson Memorial & Scholarship Foundation, in honor of the local lifeguard who drowned during a rescue attempt two years ago, as well as the Orange County Humane Society, which helps homeless animals. (949-646-9126; thealleynewportbeach.com)
Newport Landing Restaurant Celebrating 30 years, Newport Landing Restaurant on Balboa Peninsula is known for its harbor views, mouthwatering seafood and fine dining with a touch of family spirit. Opened and still owned by brothers David and Doug Salisbury, the restaurant has an oyster bar, fresh seafood and an extensive wine and spirits menu. “We wanted to own an upscale restaurant where we could service the locals and not be a corporate cookie-cutter-type operation,” says David Salisbury. “This unique waterfront restaurant allowed us to create a wide variety of chefinspired dishes that were fresh, unique and seasonal.” Head in for Newport Landing’s Alaskan king crab, lobster or steak, or take your family over on Sunday morning for the brunch buffet. (949-675-2373; newport-landing.com) NBM
NEWPORT BEACH MAGAZINE
61
