Restaurant Description
Tucked behind the historic Port Theater in Corona del Mar, you'll find a hidden treasure that won't be a secret for long. Port Restaurant and Bar is an intimate, elegant and comfortable place to duck into after strolling the nearby shops and galleries. Whether you pop in for a pomegranate martini on the sleek patio - decked out with fireplace, flat screen TV, fountain and plum colored sofas - or you opt to relax in the dining room, you'll find a well-trained wait staff, a palate-pleasing menu and an impressive wine list that boasts 40 wines by the glass. Port's dinner menu is a presentation of all-natural beef, fresh fish, free-range chicken and lamb, prepared by Chef Austin, whose roots are right here in Corona del Mar (he's a graduate of CDM High School). He prepares every dish with only market-fresh ingredients and presents them with flair. The Filet Mignon and Braised Short Ribs are melt-in-your-mouth tender and pair wonderfully with the Silverado Vineyards merlot (Napa). Owner Ali Zadeh has the recipe for success: "The food by itself; the atmosphere by itself is not going to bring people back. The whole experience, that's what will bring them back." Who's the chef: Austin C. George, a Corona del Mar native and San Francisco culinary school grad who's worked at Aubergine and as the chef on Quiksilver's private yacht. Details: The former site of short-lived Svelte, and the beloved Trees way before that, is now Port, offering a sophisticated, modern vibe, a short but sweet menu of beautifully executed Cali-Mediterranean-French dishes, and a nice wine list. Zadeh, who lives in the area, bought the property last June and started from scratch to create a "comfortable place for people to come and enjoy good food and wine and get to know about different cultures and tastes."
Best Known For...
House Gnocchi, John Dory Brewed Short Ribs, Filet mignon, Special Lamb Chops, Free Range Chicken Breasts.
Reviews and Awards
OC Metro 4 Star Rated OC. The Riviera 2007.
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