After chillangin’ (which is chillin’ and hangin’) in Venice Beach, we headed down with my sister and niece in tow to Newport Beach to visit with my grandmother (or as we’ve always called her, Nana). You can check out our previous post on Venice Beach to get caught up a bit on why we went down and about our time in Venice.
Back to Newport Beach
We drove over to Marriott’s Newport Coast Villas in Newport Beach and I must say…this property is beautiful. While in Newport Beach it seemed we were on a food tour…we ate at Pacific Whey Café, which I enjoyed quite a bit and had been there once before. We also ate at Las Brisas Restaurant in Laguna Beach…good Mexican and seafood!! I’ve been here before as well, and the view is spectacular, right on the beach practically. A couple of other spots we went to that are always amazing were P.F. Chang’s and Roy’s. As usual both of these places did a great job but I will give the win on customer service to Roy’s in this contest, our waiter Rich was an absolutely solid guy…everyone should have an experience like that. Thanks Rich!
Other than Roy’s amazing customer service there was one other spot that really stood out for their service…The Yard House. It’s located in Fashion Island which is a huge, well known shopping area down in Newport Beach. This particular Yard House had roughly 90+ beers to choose from and of course, a couple that I had ordered were either out or had not been tapped that day yet. The Associate G.M., Jasson Parra, was in the hizzle and came over to take care of my beer needs due to that. Let’s just say that Jasson took great care of me as he took me through a little beer adventure. Very much appreciated Jasson and I have a lot of respect for what you and your team are doing there. Class act all the way!! This was definitely a highlight on our Newport Beach trip (aside from seeing family that is), and I hope to go back anytime I’m in the area. So as you can see there was a lot of eating and some great restaurants involved. Are there some we missed in that area? Where is your favorite joint in your town?
Aside from all the food there was some shopping accomplished here and there. Fashion Island is a great spot to hang out and people watch. We happened to be there the day the iPhone 5 came out, and the Apple store there had their line of iPhone 5 chasers, that too is always fun to watch. Anyway, that was about the extent of it. It was fun seeing family and hanging out in Venice Beach and Newport Beach…always nice to get away, this little trip was our last one before Little Browne gets here so YAY us! Annie also continued her “sweet tooth adventure” with a lovely cupcake from a “cupcake shop”…didn’t think humans really needed a cupcake store but hey, I’m all in favor of entrepreneurship.
It’s always good to be back in Paso Robles and now our only mission is to get this baby out and get Annie back on the Paso Robles wine trail!! Cheers!
Yey!!! I got the slideshow…awesome food and views of Newport Beach, food is making me hungry. So glad you had the chance to get out and do some traveling before the baby comes because once he arrives you will be busy with him, but it will be nice to see Annie back on the Wine Trail again, no hurry. I have a Groupon ticket for wine tasting at Laguna Canyon Winery in Laguna Beach, better hurry it expires the end of this month, and for the next 4 Sundays from 11-2 we are taking a L.A.W (Lean About Wine by Ian Blackburn) class in L.A., and we will be tasting/spitting 80-100 wines. I will keep you posted on how it goes. Love ya!
Wow, Bev!!! That class sounds incredible…definitely let us know how it goes, and tell Ian we say hello! Newport Beach was beautiful, and the weather was great. Sounds like you’ll be pretty busy with wine this month, which is a good thing. Can’t wait to meet this baby and get back out on the wine trail with the rest of the civilized world. Life is great, though and we love you, too!!!
I will tell Ian you said hello, every one in the wine business knows him. I can’t wait for Little Browne to arrive it will be so awesome, it’s another world/feeling to be a parent. You both will be the Best parents. “Kudo’s”
Had such a great time with you guys! Roy’s was amazing – love finding places I haven’t been before and then having such an awesome experience! Love you 3 – one week to LB!