Eating Out: True Food Kitchen, Newport Beach, CA
A few meals that I had recently at True Food Kitchen in Newport Beach. A restaurant concept by Dr. Weil, which features healthy, organic and functional foods that are light yet delicious. It’s become a new favorite of mine and if it weren’t such a drive from home, I’d go there more often.
The restaurant is immaculate and features an open kitchen where you can see the chefs preparing the food. There’s also an area with large tables, where they do demonstrations and lessons sometimes, I believe.
Cucumber Refresher: Cucumber and Honey Lemonade.
Hangover Rx: Coconut water, orange juice and pineapple.
Tuscan Kale: Lemon, parmesan and bread crumb. I’m used to eating kale cooked down and braised, but this crunchier, raw version was a good change from the usual.
Caramelized Onion Tart: Smoked garlic, black fig and gorgonzola. I’ve always loved the combination of a salty cheese with fruit, so I naturally loved this one. Put caramelized onions on top of anything == instant tasty.
Edamame Dumplings: Daikon radish and white truffle oil. My favorite of the night. Edamame and daikon were pureed to a silky consistency and dressed in a light broth, these were filling without being heavy. Highly recommend this one. Not sure of the truffle oil is real, but my tastebuds aren’t sophisticated enough to tell yet.
Wild Ahi Sliders: Wasabi aioli, radish, avocado and cucumber.
Another dinner, a few months later. It was my birthday and I decided I wanted to revisit because I was craving the edamame ravioli.
(L): The Natural – Fresh ginger, agave and soda. (R): Medicine Man – Olivello juice, Pomegranate juice, Cranberry juice, black tea, soda water and blueberries.. I ordered the Natural; really gingery and spicy. I don’t like my drinks overly sweet, so this was good. Others, however, felt it was a bit too spicy for their taste. My dad and sister both ordered the Medicine Man, which apparently is an antioxidant powerhouse due to the combination of olivello, pomegranate and cranberry juices. Others enjoyed this more, but I felt it was a bit too sweet for my taste.
Top: Heirloom Tomato and Watermelon: Goat cheese, roasted cashews, and cold pressed olive oil. So refreshing and delicious. The classic combination of watermelon and feta cheese paired with fresh heirloom tomatoes was a bit hit, hitting all the right notes of sweet, savory and acidity. Bottom: Tuscan Kale. We had to get this again.
Spicy Shrimp and Asian Noodles: My dad’s dish. I didn’t try this, but he remarked that it was good.
Roasted Asparagus: Smoked mozzarella, red onions and marjarom. My sister’s dish. Another new favorite, the pizza dough was chewy and was nicely crisped on the bottom.
Pan Seared Halibut: Snap peas, asparagus, purple potatoes and umami. I’m not sure what they meant by “umami” (perhaps this?), but this dish I felt was only ok; the halibut, while it was fresh, was slightly overcooked and bordering on rubbery. I also felt that it was underseasoned; I’m trying to remember what it tasted like and my mind comes up with a blank. The purple potatoes were slightly undercooked, resulting in some bites that were fine, and some that were crunchy. I would probably not order this again.
Overall, two lovely meals at a lovely place. I highly recommend recommendations if you have a large party as this place tends to be very popular for dinner.
True Food Kitchen
Fashion Island
451 Newport Center Dr.
Newport Beach, CA 92660
(949) 644-2400
Hours:
Monday – Thursday: 11 am to 10 pm
Friday: 11 am to 11 pm
Saturday: 10 am to 11 pm; Brunch served until 3 pm
Sunday: 10 am to 9 pm; Brunch served until 3 pm
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The pictures are gorgeous! Looks like the perfect place to eat before the summer ends. I’ll have to add that to my wishlist on http://www.blendabout.com/
Thanks for the post!