SUMMER STORIES -- I’ll take that view to go, please

Sue Doyle

NEWPORT BEACH -- When it comes to eating out, it’s always the meal

that makes the night. But dining by waterfront automatically turns the

evening into something far more elegant.

Still, there’s a hierarchy among ocean views that will make people

wait in lines or call in advance to reserve tables. The view, like a fine

wine, completes a meal.

“Most people come down here for the view. It’s our No. 1 selling

point,” said Kristin Wojcik, general manager of The Rusty Pelican on

Coast Highway.

Wojcik said people will wait for an hour just for a seat against the

window that overlooks boats docked on the bay. Upstairs in the lounge,

there’s a more clear view of the bay.

By the very nature of where they live, locals are fortunate to have a

wide selection of restaurants offering waterfront dining.

As if boaters can’t get enough of a good view on deck, many dock

outside and then eat at Woody’s Wharf on Newport Boulevard. The

restaurant is divided into three sections -- a bar and indoor and patio

dining areas.

The view of the water can be seen from anywhere in the restaurant, but

diners will still wait for seats next to the window, said bartender Larry

Smith.

Woody’s also draws a crowd during winter because diners can eat by the

waterfront and sit near a roaring fireplace.

Still, people in search of gorgeous views don’t have to limit

themselves to eating at restaurants.

Nothing is more quaint than packing up some food and eating on the

beach, where the view comes free of charge.

One resident eats with a waterfront view a few times a week.

Lisa Gantner works at Pearson’s Port, a rickety-looking store sitting

off the Back Bay that sells seafood. People in kayaks paddle over to the

locals’ best-kept secret and buy cold drinks. Seafood lovers pop by to

purchase fresh fish to cook for dinner.

Between the hustle and bustle, Gantner takes a few minutes to eat, and

the meal is nothing fancy. She usually reheats last night’s dinner, sits

on a lawn chair propped on deck and enjoys the view. Water surrounds the

store on all sides.

“You can’t beat being on the ocean,” Gantner said between “hellos” to

boating passersby.

Gantner makes selling fish seem like a desirable job, mostly because

of her nautical surroundings. Some people become envious of Gantner and

want to dine at the store or on the nearby docks. But that’s not allowed.

But that’s OK -- there’s enough ocean and plenty of restaurants around

for people to find their own favorite view.