Chris Brigandi and myself.
Being all glamorous together at A Restaurant
photo credit: Suz Broughton
Last night we held our monthly BlogCrush ‘meeting’ (and I by ‘meeting’ I mean gather for cocktails) where we come together each month at a different local ‘establishment’ (also read BAR and/or restaurant) in the OC. It is a great way for local places to get 20 or 30 ‘vocal locals’ in their place and try to impress us. If it works (and it did last night) we go home and write posts all about the place. Its a win-win.
I had known about the Arches restaurant all my life, and I had been inside once or twice for a drink before, but it had been many many years. So I was rather surprised to see this Newport Beach icon (opened in 1922) still standing and looking better than ever. And like many of Newport’s older residents, it recently has had a bit of a facelift and several injections of style. It is now owned by a collection of individuals including Chris Brigandi, Bob Hurley and Mark McGrath (yes, that Hurley and THAT Mark McGrath) among others (and the others include movie producer McG). And for a group of guys, none of which works exclusively in the restaurant trade they have done so many things right with the place. The name has been changed to A Restaurant and the interior has an old steak house lounge feeling (think Jones Hollywood. Which in my glory days was my regular ‘starting’ bar for each evening). They didn’t just make cosmetic changes either, behind the scenes is Chef Vartan Abgaryan (from IronChef fame) bringing you killer panko crusted onion rings, hamburgers, spicy tuna and so much more. As I sipped my Manhatten, and chatted with Chris I noticed something intangible about the place that I liked; It was FRIENDLY. Sure celebrities from Slash to Kelly Slater can be found here on any given night, but nothing about this place made it feel inaccessible. The bartenders and wait staff were charming and witty. Go ahead -come in jeans and a tee or throw on a Prada suit…either one is okay at A’s. No one seems to be judging….and in highly competitive Newport Beach climate that kind of accepting culture is refreshingly astounding.
Running to the beach and grab a bite to take with? Check out The Market located next door (same owners) which is a French deli style shop with gourmet sweets, cheeses wines and lunch menu. Its small, and if you want to eat in, you will be doing so on a community farm table (ala The Walton’s).
But that’s okay….after all, you never know who you might meet at a place like this.
Celebrity? Blogger? Local Newport Beach ba-zillionaire?
They are all there.
Hardest part is telling whose who. Because at A’s they are all treated the same.
Everyone is treated like a rock star.
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Great review. But I missed the part about why you weren’t tending bar?
I’ll definitely be checking it out another time. Sorry I missed it. Thanks for the insider report on the evening.
why do all the cool things happen in the OC?
meanwhile, I want/need/covet that farm table. le sigh.
I’ve driven past that place a billion times but never really knew what it was. Great review and I’ll for sure check it out :)
cute top.
Great write-up Marcy!! You hit the nail right on the head with this one, every point. I was going to write mine tonight but you’ve said it all–except the part about the girls fighting over Chris in the bathroom.
You looked beautiful last night and I love that picture of the two of you–WORLDS COLLIDE for me right there. It was so funny to see you two together. You are literally two of the most chatty and friendly people I know (must be the sicilian thing).
Suz
PS Foolery, she didn’t get to tend bar because I’m a loser and ran out of time and then when I realized it it was too late. She would have done great though–sorry Marcy.
PPS That is a cute top.
He’s HOT.
Can you and Suz plan one on a weekend so maybe I can come again? Mid week sucks for that drive.
Ha!! I kept wondering when you were going to bartend! You lush!