Ruby’s Diner founder, Doug Cavanaugh, just opened The Lighthouse Café at Newport Beach’s new Marina Park on Balboa Boulevard, a 10 plus acre waterfront development. The Lighthouse Café is serving breakfast, lunch and dinner daily focusing on fresh, light California coastal cuisine with lots of seafood options.
It’s set in middle of the 24,000-square foot sailing and community center, complete with a park and picnic areas next to a 23-slip marina.
Lighthouse Café’s menu is overseen by 25-year-old executive chef and Orange County local Ryan Sumner, formerly a sous chef at The Beachcomber in Crystal Cove.
“Ryan represents a new breed of creative chefs who have a fresh perspective on meals their parents enjoyed and what their contemporaries would find appealing,” Cavanaugh said.
Menu highlights include bouillabaisse; pan seared Dover scallops, sea bass and manila clams served over angel hair pasta with ginger chili butter sauce. Appetizers highlights include ahi tuna wonton tostadas and beer-infused mussels marinieres.
You can take advantage of a special three-course prix fixe menu at $55 available Wednesday through Sunday from 5 to 9:30 p.m. on December 16-20 during the Christmas Boat Parade. Reservations are a must.
Lighthouse Café also has an upstairs patio that flows around a lighthouse structure.
There will also be a walk up window serving a limited menu for those enjoying park and picnic visits. For boaters, Lighthouse Café will feature a special to-go menu available in the spring.
Open 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
1600 W. Balboa Blvd. 949.933.1001.
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