Cuisine:

• Sea food
• Others
• Contemporary
• Continental

Rusty Pelican Description:
This Newport Beach establishment has served large doses of romance as well as rather good Continental fare for more than three decades now. And like many of OC's classic restaurants, Rusty Pelican has modernized both its menu and its interior, which now features floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking scenic Newport Harbor. In-the-know locals get a seat at the upstairs bar at least an hour or so before sunset to catch the sun's orange-and-purple descent while the harbor's blue waters sparkle. If you are ready for a fine dining experience, however, start with a glass of wine from the smart by-the-glass list and order the classic, spicy Cajun shrimp appetizer or the refreshing ahi poke or salmon tartare. Chef Eduardo Morales mostly features pan- and oven-roasted seafood dishes, but there are also three cuts of steak for those who must go for surf 'n' turf combos. We enjoy the tender Alaskan halibut atop a yellow pepper fennel slaw and a tangy roasted red bell pepper sauce. The swordfish, which marinates in brandy and herbs, is also a good choice, especially when smothered in fresh basil butter. Lobster is usually a hit-and-miss menu item in OC, but the lobster tails here are poached in butter for unusual tenderness.


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