Oak Grill

Oak Grill Restaurant Review:

At Fashion Island Hotel in Newport Beach, Oak Grill’s sleek dining space encompasses a bar area, dining room with floor-to-ceiling windows, two private dining rooms and a huge patio that is quite popular. The kitchen’s interpretation of contemporary California cuisine is built upon refined techniques and strong relationships with local purveyors. The menu is short and rather simple, beginning with thin-crust pizzas and transitioning to larger starter courses like the calamari frito misto and white wine-steamed clams with smoked bacon, leeks and baby tomatoes. Heartier fare like braised short ribs with truffle bacon mac & cheese and grilled porterhouse lamb chops with parsnip celery root purée and horseradish beet tzatziki anchor the mains. (Brittany Valles is now the executive chef.) Pastry chef Andy De La Cruz has been part of the team here for several years, and we're glad for it. His creations include an elegantly presented seasonal cheesecake and a butterscotch budino with bourbon cream and chocolate streusel. There's a great selection of local craft beers on draft, along with craft cocktails and more than 50 California wines available by the glass. In the morning, hotel guests and locals alike drop by to enjoy approachable plates such as huevos rancheros and cinnamon roll french toast.