Last month, I profiled Chef Alfonso Ramirez, who left his job at Catal Restaurant & Uva Bar in Downtown Disney to become executive chef of A Restaurant and CdM Restaurant after longtime Executive Chef Jon Blackford left to launch his own culinary creation.
Turns out Ramirez was an interim chef—he has now moved on. However, A and CdM have added two new executive chefs, one at each restaurant.
“Chef Alfonso’s direction was instrumental in the transition as we reopened both A Restaurant and CdM Restaurant for takeout and outdoor dining,” Restaurant Partner Jordan Otterbein told me. “The elevations of Robert Gomez to executive chef of A Restaurant and Elvis Morales to executive chef of CdM are deserved promotions that they each have worked hard to achieve through years of dedication to our restaurants. They both have been contributing to the success of our culinary programs since day one.”
One challenge for both restaurants was the new mandate for al fresco dining. That challenge was met with new patio dining areas at both locations.
“We’re very fortunate to have such a beautiful outdoor space at both A and CdM,” Otterbein told me. “Each restaurant is unique, and the elevated, al fresco atmospheres were thoughtfully designed to reflect the dining experiences that our guests know and love.”
I dined at A Restaurant recently and can vouch for the charming patio area in back of the restaurant. It’s partially tented, with AstroTurf and lighting, plus piped in music.
The new patio is a refreshing change, and perfect for Newport’s mild weather.
I started with a maple bacon old fashioned cocktail as I perused the menu. The fried calamari caught my eye as a starter, and then the Tuesday night special: Mary’s Organic Chicken Picatta.
The calamari had a nice touch of spice thanks to a dose of siracha. The Mary’s chicken was fabulous, perfectly prepared and accompanied by sautéed mushrooms that were thankfully not drowning in butter.
My server talked me into the Meyer lemon cheesecake with Swiss meringue and raspberries. I was afraid the cheesecake might be a dense affair, but it was lighter than air and disappeared within minutes.
Not sure how long the patio will be part of the A Restaurant experience, so this is the perfect time to enjoy A al fresco-style.
A Restaurant, 3334 West Coast Highway, Newport Beach, (949) 650-6505, arestaurantnb.com
