Orange County-based restaurateur Russ Bendel has brought a sister restaurant to his thriving wine country concepts, Vine and Ironwood, to the Newport Beach/Costa Mesa dining scene in November, 2017.
OLEA, named for a genus of trees that flourish in warm and tropical regions and scheduled to open by year’s end, will be a European twist on the Napa/Sonoma-inspired cuisine and spirits at Vine, the restaurant Bendel assumed ownership of four years ago. Sales have since doubled at the San Clemente-based restaurant. Ironwood debuted in Laguna Hills last May to an impressive neighborhood following.
OLEA FACTS:
CONCEPT: Wine Country Cuisine/chef-driven American bistro
OPENING: By the end of 2017
OWNERS: Russ Bendel and Partners
CAPACITY: 3,647 square feet; seating for 130, including a patio
DESIGNERS: Bitton Design Group
MANAGEMENT: Executive chef-partner Jared Cook; beverage director-partner Gabe Whorley, operating partners Kyle Simpson, Kevin Franke, Paul Villa and Rion Edwards.
WHERE: 2001 Westcliff Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660 (located next to Kean Coffee)
HOURS: Dinner nightly
SPECIALTIES: Crispy Meyer lemon duck wings, jumbo lump crab and heirloom beets, chef Jared’s schnitzel and house made spaetzle, seasonal house-made agnolotti, 24 oz. bone-in ribeye, daily fresh seafood specials
PRICE RANGE: Food and desserts from $8–$49
BAR: Full liquor license, craft cocktails and beers, extensive wine list
SPECIAL FEATURES: Private dining, covered and heated patio, semi-private dining area seating for 34, captain’s table for 10-12. Self-parking in recently-opened 300-car parking structure adjacent to restaurant
EMPLOYEES: 45
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