BEST PICK FOR SERIOUS SEAFOOD “Santa Monica...

BEST PICK FOR

SERIOUS SEAFOOD

“Santa Monica Seafood on 17th Street. I know I’m getting the

freshest possible seafood. They have an entire selection to buy fresh

everyday. In my opinion, it’s the best clam chowder in the area.”

Dan Worthington, Costa Mesa Sanitary District president

“Almost every day I go do my power lunch at the Gulfstream. It has

the best seafood and is well traveled by businessmen.”

John McMonigle, Monarch Estates president

“The Crab Cooker. The owner eats here, I eat there. There’s no

pretense. It’s just really good fish on a paper plate and I’m fine

with it.”

Alan Greeley, Golden Truffle owner and chef

“The Rusty Pelican. It’s consistent. It’s always excellent.”

K.C. Heylin, owner Beachdude, Inc.

“I’m going to go with the Crab Cooker for lunch, that is my

favorite restaurant.” Caustin added that he often picks up clam

chowder or fish to go and eats at the beach. “That is one of the most

marvelous things a man can do, just go to the beach and look at the

waves.”

Bob Caustin, founder Defend the Bay

BEST PICK FOR A CIGAR AND FINE COCKTAIL

“I smoke a cigar and drink a nice cognac; the Ritz, the Bungalow

and Dolce are the best places to do that. They have great music,

great ambience, great staff and great cigars for sale.”

Michael Palitz, La Cave owner

Newport Tobacco has “the best cigars,” Leo Gugasian said. For

wine, he prefers Overstreet’s Wine Merchant & Bar.

Leo Gugasian, Doryman’s Oceanfront Inn owner

Best pick for

a Chinese meal

“My all-time favorite restaurant is P.F. Chang’s. I just think the

menu selection is great, and I love the food.”

Diane Beach, Side Street Cafe owner

“China Palace. It’s got more unusual food. They do interesting

things with fish and seafood that I like.”

Steve Escobar, Newport Dory Fleet fisherman

BEST PICK

FOR A PIZZA PIE

“I get a lot of pizza from different places, but I like Original

Pizza in Newport Beach. I like the Armenian lavash bread they use in

the dough.”

Bob Roubian, Crab Cooker owner

“Laventina’s [Big Cheese Pizza] on the Balboa Peninsula. They’ve

got the best price, they deliver at all hours day or night, and

they’re real reasonable. You can’t get a better pizza for twice the

money.”

James Raven, Vegas Nightclub owner

BEST PICK FOR

MEXICAN FOOD

“Avila’s El Ranchito, I love their chicken tortilla soup; it’s

like my favorite, and it’s really healthy too.”

Susan Tobiessen, owner Body Design

“Taco Mesa and El Ranchito.” Why? “El Ranchito would be nice if

you want to sit down and eat. Taco Mesa if you want it quick.”

Sam Tila, owner Royal Thai Cuisine

“Taco Mesa. I just like the way they’re original food tastes, and

it’s fresh and it’s just authentic.”

Aviva Goelman, executive director of Costa Mesa Senior Center

“I like to go to Avila’s El Ranchito. That’s my favorite soup.”

His preferred dish is the chicken broth soup. “It’s fantastic, we go

there almost every day.”

Dan West, president Naut-a-Care Marine Services

BEST PICK FOR A RESTAURANT WITH THE RIGHT AMBIENCE

“The Bungalow, over on PCH and MacArthur. It’s like a neighborhood

feeling. The food and drinks are great. It’s not too big, open or

scary.” How often does she go there? “Maybe once every two or three

weeks.”

Sandy Naff, owner of Three Dog Bakery, Newport Beach

“My favorite place is Opaso Balboa Thai Cafe. That’s on the

peninsula. What I enjoy about it is, it’s family-owned. The

atmosphere is always very romantic at a good price. They always have

candle lights and flowers. I usually pretend I’m on vacation and go

over on the ferry.”

DiAnna Pfaff-Martin, Community Animal Network director

“For ambience, Chat Noir is excellent. The food and the unique

decor, plus the terrific jazz in the lounge make it special.”

Jerry Mandel, president of the Orange County Performing Arts

Center