Fable & Spirit

Newport Beach (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG) 1. Fable & Spirit The arrival of Fable & Spirit on the Balboa Peninsula caught me by surprise, even as I spent a lot of time in this neighborhood in the months leading up to it. I’m

what a nice surprise. The place is gorgeous. There’s a distinctly Irish/British vibe to the luxurious decor while the menu is mostly American/Californian. Fable & Spirit feels like the culmination of years of thoughtful planning. David Shofner, the

Gem    Omakase by Gino    Isla Cuban    Anjappar    Maison Cafe & Market    Knife Pleat    Henry's    CdM    Louie's by the Bay    Fable & Spirit   

Dinner at Fable & Spirit in Newport Beach was a last-minute decision, so the only table available on short notice is outside on the sidewalk. Although the day was warm and sunny, things have suddenly taken a turn as a chill rolls in from the harbor

adjusts the portable heat lamp. “A little more,” I say. Ricotta-filled ravioli with assorted mushrooms and mushroom broth at Fable & Spirit in Newport Beach (Photo by Brad A. Johnson, Orange County Register/SCNG) I reach for my strong whisky cocktail and

“You must try this bread,” she says, pushing half a loaf of brown bread onto my table at Fable & Spirit in Newport Beach. The bread brings with it an aroma-cloud of brown sugar and vanilla and dark Irish stout. She then passes a ramekin of

chin and I’m now looking around the room to see who else might have something I could pilfer.  Except in random encounters like this, the bread and butter at Fable & Spirit doesn’t come free. They charge $8 for it, and on every subsequent visit I’ve

Isla, a Cuba-inspired restaurant in La Palma (Photo by Brad A. Johnson, Orange County Register/SCNG) Fable & Spirit — Can a single restaurant transform an entire neighborhood? Yes, and that’s exactly what Fable & Spirit has done for the Lido Village

mushrooms. 3441 Via Lido, Newport Beach, 949-409-9913, fableandspirit.com.  Glazed rabbit with morel mushrooms and mashed potatoes at Fable & Spirit in Newport Beach (Photo by Brad A. Johnson, Orange County Register/SCNG) Maison Cafe — Opened at the end of

, eatatcrafthouse.com The converted parking lot dining area at Craft House in Dana Point (Photo by Brad A. Johnson, Orange County Register/SCNG) Fable & Spirit The scene: While the interior is gorgeous — velvet banquettes, floor-to-ceiling drapery, library bar shelves

, Newport Beach, 949-409-9913, fableandspirit.com Bucatini carbonara with clams at Fable & Spirit in Newport Beach (Photo by Brad A. Johnson, Orange County Register/SCNG) Farmhouse at Roger’s Gardens The scene: Surrounded by jasmine flowers and orange

Dublin 4 owners open a new restaurant in Newport Beach. The Coyles, the family behind Mission Viejo’s Dublin 4 and Wineworks For Everyone, has opened a new restaurant in Newport Beach next to Lido Theater. Called Fable & Spirit, the restaurant

Register/SCNG) 1. Cracked pepper bucatini at Fable & Spirit It’s sort of like carbonara. It’s sort of like cacio e pepe. It’s sort of like linguine and clams. Chef David Shofner stirs all those ideas together and comes up with something even better. Dish of

the year. 3441 Via Lido, Newport Beach, 949-409-9913, fableandspirit.com Cracked pepper bucatini with clams and egg yolk at Fable & Spirit in Newport Beach (Photo by Brad A. Johnson, Orange County Register/SCNG) MORE DINING GUIDES from critic Brad A

House Hotel and the stunning resurrection of Lido Marina Village, along with the arrival of Louie’s by the Bay, Arc Butcher & Baker and Fable & Spirit, coastal Newport Beach is having a moment. The area around Newport Harbor has one of the densest

(secretly rented) Duffy boat. The restaurant’s private dock is literally attached to the dining room. 2816 Lafayette Road, 949-673-3625, dineatthedock.com Best Modern Bistro — Fable & Spirit Scratch kitchen. Wood-fired grill. Masterfully curated wine list

Plungerhead in Lodi for $39. I once asked the sommelier to pick his favorite red to go with steak, “but keep it under $60.” He came back with a luscious cabernet franc from France’s Loire Valley for $47.  Other good places to try this include Fable & Spirit