Greer's OC

Newport’s beloved The Ritz, reopens today as the reinvented The Ritz Prime Seafood in a new sleek and modern waterfront setting, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the harbor in Newport Beach. Longtime locals will remember The Ritz Restaurant that opened in the late 1970s in the 21 Oceanfront spot, and then moved to Newport Center before closing in 2014. It was THE place to go for special celebrations.

With its new look, new menu, and new team helmed by LA based Grill Concepts’ Bob Spivak of The Grill on the Alley, Daily Grill, and Public School fame, The Ritz Prime Seafood is playing homage to fine dining experience of the beloved institution and at the same time evolving the experience in a modern and fresh way.   

Grill Concepts’ Executive Chef Phil Kastel developed the menu alongside Michael Stewart, Executive Chef at The Ritz Prime Seafood with an artfully curated menu for nightly dinner and weekend brunch.

Guests can enjoy fresh selections from the raw bar, including oysters shucked-to-order and crudo, with seafood flown in daily, and a large-scale cocktail bar and lounge serving up new craft creations and time-honored classics.

“The menu at The Ritz Prime Seafood represents the way people dine today,” says Chef Kastel. “Our approach and preparations let the wonderful flavors of our ultra-fresh seafood, meats and other ingredients shine through in an appealing, modern and clean way. That said, we couldn’t reinvent The Ritz concept without including one of the iconic classics from the original, the Ritz Egg.”

The menu features eclectic and classic dishes like hamachi crudo presented on a pink Himalayan salt block; grilled lobster with Burgundy truffles; lobster bisque; The Ritz Caesar; a whole branzino with pickled cauliflower caponata, pine nuts and za’atar; and dry aged prime steaks served with umami butter or foie gras butter. You must save room and share the incredible seven-layer coconut cake.

Open for dinner 5 to 10 p.m. Sunday to Wednesday; 5 to 11 p.m. Thursday to Saturday and weekend brunch on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Happy Hour is 5 to 7 p.m. Monday – Friday with a selection of food and beverage specials.

The Ritz Prime Seafood is at 2801 West Coast Highway in Newport Beach. 949.720.1800.

Photo credit Anne Watson Photography.