Revamping or remodeling is one thing, but knocking down your entire restaurant and starting from scratch is quite another thing. The Back Bay Bistro not only put up a gorgeous building, but while they were rebuilding the restaurant, they also rebuilt the menu and it is a tough call when deciding which came out better.

The New Back Bay Bistro

The new Back Bay Bistro is still in the same scenic spot as the previous restaurant and it is within walking distance of the Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort so it is perfect whether you are there just for the day or for an extended visit. What you are going to find different is not only a gorgeous, updated and trendy style but take a look up. The Back Bay found a way to put panels in the ceiling and what they can do with all of those panels is they can open them up. This gives you either a great ocean breeze during the day or a stunning view of the stars and the moon at night. Don’t worry about the temperature of the restaurant either; they have taken care of that by placing heat lamps throughout the restaurant, so you can have the ocean air while staying toasty warm. It is worth the visit just to see this.

Scallops and Shrimp

You might come once for the retractable roof, but the new and enticing menu will keep you coming back. The award-winning Seafood Chowder is the best way to begin you lunch or dinner. At times you can see award-winning listed next to something and well, it might or might not have some validity to it, and you might wonder about who actually gave the award. Don’t give it a second thought when it comes to the Seafood Chowder, because it is not only award-winning, but just so we don’t have to worry about it, I’m going to give it my own award as the flat-out tastiest and most robust charter you are going to find on any coast, anywhere.

You can't go wrong with the Rib Eye

Located right in Newport Beach and sitting just off the bay, you would expect some great seafood choices and the Back Bay Bistro does not disappoint. The choices are many and the flavors are delectable. The halibut is a light, flavorful fish that comes two ways; first you can have it baked and rolled in macadamia nuts or you can have it lightly grilled with a potato crust; you can’t go wrong with either selection. Other selections include, crab stuffed salmon, coconut shrimp and char-broiled swordfish, a fish lovers paradise.

Pecan Crusted Chicken

The Back Bay Bistro menu is extensive and goes well beyond seafood. The best item on the menu has to be the lamb chops marinated in olive oil. Lamb chops are usually a tough piece of meat to prepare and they have pulled off a tender, succulent chop. The only issue with the lamb chop is the mint demi-glaze that comes with the lamb chop. I would suggest that you order this sauce on the side. I found the taste of this sauce to almost overwhelm the meat. It is worth a try and you might like it, but give it a little taste first; the chop is so flavorful that it can stand on its own. The Back Bay Bistro also offers an assortment of top choice cut steaks and prime rib that will give most steak houses a run for their money. If you want to experience one of the better burgers you will ever find, try the prime rib cheeseburger. But be prepared, this mouth-watering burger will spoil you for all normal burgers for the rest of your life.

The "Chocolate Thunder"

To finish your evening off, the choice among groups has to be the Chocolate Thunder. This monstrous piece of cake can fill up your entire table and the frosting is so thick and rich you are going to want to keep it all to yourself. On the lighter side, the seasonal berries with sweet cream sauce is the perfect compliment to a rich dinner, giving you just the right amount of sweetness, while not overwhelming your taste buds or stomach.

The Back Bay Bistro also offers a fabulous Champagne Brunch every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This is a great opportunity to sample an assortment of the dishes that are offered and you will be hard pressed to find a better way to spend your Sunday than overlooking the bay in Newport Beach.

For more information on the Back Bay Bistro and the Newport Dunes Resort, visit: www.newportdunes.com

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