The Ritz – Things to Do in Orange County 42

Super Elegant Restaurant: The Ritz

One of the most elegant and classy restaurants in Orange County that I’ve visited has to be The Ritz.

Located right near Fashion Island, this restaurant has been around for years for special occasions and billion dollar meetings. It has toned down a bit in terms of dress code than in the past, but you still should wear something a bit nice to fit in with the crowd dining here.

The interior of the restaurant will remind you of an old-world, high-class restaurant that you see in movies. There are a lot of beautiful flower arrangements, dining sets, and chandeliers to make your dining experience just superb. It’ll definitely make you feel like a royalty dining in a beautiful castle.

I was fortunate enough to visit The Ritz during restaurant week. I had the salmon for my main dish. It was cooked perfectly with a very tasty sauce. The side potatoes were also cooked perfectly. My counterpart had the steak, and it was also beautifully done. The steak was tender and the sauce again was perfect.

The Ritz is surely a place that won’t disappoint with its great looks and awesome food. Everything was absolutely perfect here. And lastly the desert. I got the Crème Brulee. I think the Crème Brulee was one of the best I’ve had in my life!! It was really good.



Dinner will range from $30-$60 per person for food. It’s a great place for that special occasion or if you want to impress someone.

I forgot to mention the bar, but the bar was also very nice. I was only able to get a glance at it though. Hopefully, I get the chance to sip a cocktail here one day!

The Ritz Restaurant and Garden
880 Newport Center Drive
Newport Beach, CA 92660
Website


Reservations - (949) 720-1800　
(Reservation Recommended)

Hours of Operation

Lunch　Monday- Friday 11:30～3PM

Dinner　
Monday-Thursday 5:30～10PM
Friday　5:30～11PM
Saturday　5～11PM
Sunday　5～9PM

Valet Parking in front of the Restaurant

Papa Z's - Things to Do in Orange County 41

Papa Z's

This is one of my favorite restaurant/diner around town! If you're looking for an old fashioned local American Diner, look no further.

At Papa Z's you can find everything from great diner food to classic burgers at great prices with some of the most friendly staffs serving it to you. The diner is only open for breakfast and lunch - from 7AM to 3PM - but it sure is a joint that locals love!

The prices here are very cheap for all the food that they'll feed you with. Papa Z's will load your burger with a ton of fries, onion rings, or fried zucchinis, with plenty of ranch dressing to enjoy it all. Awesome!

I usually go with the Bacon Cheeseburger combo or the Avocado Bacon Cheeseburger when I get here. I like to get it "to go" so that I can go home, crack open a bottle of beer, and enjoy a great meal at home. They also have Today's Special that run from $5-$7 a meal.

Like any diner joint, once you order, they'll give you a number plate that you bring over to your table. You can then chat around with your buddies or other fellow diners at this always busy joint. Since they do cook everything fresh, it may take a little bit more than fast food, but it sure is worth the wait!

When my food came, the Bacon Cheeseburger came nice and juicy with plenty of lettuce, tomato, and onions. And my onion rings were nice and crispy. Perfect! The fried zucchinis here are also one of my favorites around town. They'll give you a ranch dressing to go with it, and you can enjoy a nice hot batch of them once it comes to your table.

I've never personally had breakfast here, but its always packed with locals enjoying their meals. Weekends are especially packed with people here for breakfast.


If you do decide to come here on a weekend, you can roll on down to the Huntington Beach Pier to enjoy some sun after a nice old fashioned diner food. Can't miss this awesome diner! Hope you can check it out soon too!

Papa Z's
9121 Garfield Ave

Fountain Valley, CA 92708

Phone: (714) 962-8887
Open Daily 7AM - 3PM