RESTAURANT ROUNDUP:

The California Pizza Kitchen at Fashion Island has been closed for more than three weeks, but the phone kept on ringing — and the managers, in the midst of a massive interior renovation, sent droves of prospective diners to the chain’s Irvine location.

Now, the Newport Beach location has reopened with a new look that features lower lighting and a warmer color. Manager Kristen Jackson wasn’t surprised when she arrived Wednesday morning and found a long line of customers outside.

In addition to the new interior, the Pizza Kitchen at Fashion Island debuted a series of menu items that it plans to offer nationwide next month. Among the offerings are blue and Cabo crab cakes, red velvet cake and four cocktails: Beverly Hills Tea, Coconut Mojito, Caribbean Sunset Sangria and Appleberry Sangria. Contact the restaurant at (949) 759-5543.

 Sage on the Coast debuts small bites

If lunch patrons at Sage on the Coast aren’t sure what their palettes are craving, they can sample a little of just about everything with the restaurant’s new luncheon tasting menu.

The “Quick Taste of Sage on the Coast” program, now in its third week, offers a $25 changing menu each week with an appetizer, a choice of two entrees and dessert. The offerings, available weekdays only, change every Monday.

“We are a seasonal restaurant, so it depends on what fruits and vegetables we can get at the market,” said Manager Cody George.

This week’s menu features butternut squash soup; a choice between shrimp and scallop linguine and grilled chicken, Gorgonzola and granny smith apple salad, and red wine poached pear for dessert.

This Saturday, the restaurant also has a a wine tasting held in celebration of Oktoberfest. Customers can stop in from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. to sample food and wine at $30 per person.

Sage on the Coast is in the Crystal Cove Promenade at 7862 E. Coast Hwy., Newport Beach. Call (949) 715-7243 for more information.

— Michael Miller