The crown jewel of Newport Beach’s new 10.4 acre Marina Park, the Lighthouse Bayview Cafe joined the community and sailing center, Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015. With expansive 180-degree harbor, mountain and city views, the Lighthouse Café is destined to be a neighborhood gathering place for delicious food, shared with friends.
Located at 1600 W. Balboa Blvd, the Lighthouse Café will serve food for Saturday’s opening festivities, and will offer limited walk-up service until officially opening the dining room and patio on Wednesday, Dec. 9 at 7am.
Lighthouse Café is nestled in the middle of a 24,000-square foot sailing and community center, complete with park and picnic areas next to a 23-slip marina. Marina Park will also feature dock space for boaters to access the park from the water.
The décor is pure Southern California with an industrial flair that intersects with Newport’s coastal chic. Large glass windows capitalize on the view, steel beams underscore a sense of naval strength and coastal touches like lanterns, driftwood tabletop planters and rope-knotted chairs complete the look.
Lighthouse Café’s breakfast, lunch and dinner menu is the main attraction and debut of talented 25-year-old executive chef and Orange County local Ryan Sumner. A graduate of Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Los Angeles, Sumner grew up around fresh produce while working at his parent’s grocery store.
After graduating, he quickly moved through the ranks to sous chef at The Beachcomber in Crystal Cove and then worked at Charlie Palmer Bloomingdales in Costa Mesa.
Sumner’s California coastal cuisine focuses on light dishes that are refreshingly delicious with inventive twists.
“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,” said Doug Cavanaugh, owner of the Lighthouse Café. “We know Newport Beach will welcome him and the Lighthouse Café with open arms and eager appetites. We look forward to serving this community for years to come.”
Menu highlights include bouillabaisse, pan seared Dover scallops, sea bass, with tomato concasse and ginger nage, 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.
Lighthouse Café also has an upstairs patio that flows around a lighthouse structure. Heaters will keep the air warm while guests enjoy the view.
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, offering perfect bites while entertaining guests on your next Duffy or boat journey. This service will be available in spring. The Lighthouse Café will also extend special events catering services for those who rent Marina Park community rooms.
The Lighthouse Café will be open from 7am – 9pm.
For more information, please visit www.lighthousenb.com and follow us on Facebook.
