Mozambique restaurant to open Newport location

NEWPORT BEACH — Fans of Mozambique Steakhouse and Lounge in Laguna Beach will soon be able to partake in the African-inspired fare at a new eatery here, a company spokeswoman said Monday.

The fast-casual concept, also called Mozambique, will open in late November at The Bluffs shopping center on Bison Avenue in Newport Beach.

The restaurant will offer indoor and patio seating, spokeswoman Lisa Ende said.

“One of the fast-growing trends, especially with the economy as it is, is the fast-casual dining segment,” she said. “Customers can enjoy a restaurant-type experience with high-quality food, but not at the price like you would expect at an upscale restaurant.”

Entrées, such as peri-peri chicken, peri-peri shrimp, roti wraps, curry dishes and salads — which average between $15 and $25 at the Laguna restaurant — will cost $6 to $10 at the Newport location.

Portions will be smaller, but the flavors and the quality will be the same, Ende said.

Another change is that the casual concept will be open for lunch.

The Laguna location has been in the news lately. In September, the Laguna Beach City Council chose to continue a resident-only parking program in the neighborhoods adjacent to Agate Street in response to complaints that people leaving the restaurant at night made too much noise.

However, noise will not be an issue for the Newport location, which fits with other Bluffs eateries, such as Chipotle, Islands Fine Burgers & Drinks and Wildfish Seafood Grille, Ende said.

The prices, hours and location are expected to appeal to younger diners coming from UC Irvine, as well as a niche of South Africans living in Orange County.

To commemorate the arrival, the restaurant will hold a raffle on opening night for a trip for two on South African Airways to Mozambique.

This will be the first of eight to 10 new Mozambique fast-casual locations in San Diego, Los Angeles and Northern California.

Mozambique

Address: MacArthur Boulevard and Bison Avenue, Newport Beach

Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily

Prices: $6 to $10

Information: https://www.mozambiqueoc.com