7 Stellar Spots for Comfort Food This Fall
It’s time to slip into your stretchy pants! Fall is here and Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and at this point, the whole “bikini bod” notion is out the window. These next few months are all about chowing down on your favorite comfort foods, whether it be a syrup-soaked stack of pancakes for brunch or a fully-loaded baked potato for dinner. Calories don’t count during the holidays, so we’ve rounded up a few of our favorite local spots for a cozy and comforting meal. Dig in!
Known for their stacked menu of comfort food classics, Tavern House Kitchen + Bar is the go-to for delicious belly-warming eats. This fall, you can feast on American dishes like Buttermilk Fried Chicken & Malted Waffles, Short Rib Stroganoff and French Onion Filet Mignon. Whether you’re stopping in for a hearty brunch or a sunset dinner, Tavern House knows how to whip up a decadent meal. Take in views of the harbor on the heated patio or cozy up in a booth inside—no matter where you choose to dine, you’ll leave with a full belly.
For an upscale dining experience on the water, snag a table at SOL Mexican Cocina. This chic Mexican restaurant features a menu of contemporary and gourmet Baja street cuisine with dishes like Goat Cheese Enchiladas, Spice-Roasted Butternut Squash Tacos and Chile Poblano Relleno De Elote. Pair your comforting dish with one of their signature cocktails or margaritas like the Mango Con Chile Frozen Margarita or the Frozen Beer—a frozen margarita topped with Mexican beer.
This time-honored establishment sits on Balboa Island’s Marine Avenue and has remained an island favorite for more than 35 years. Serving a breadth of classic American comfort food for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Wilma’s Patio Restaurant is an ideal spot to gather with friends or family and enjoy a hearty meal. Grab a table on the heated patio and enjoy a bowl of their tasty New England Clam Chowder or a basket of their beer-battered fish and chips! You’ll love the laid-back atmosphere of this charming island locale.
Need a reason to brunch? Fashion Island’s Great Maple is reason enough! Come with a “go big or go home” mentality because this buzzy restaurant serves up all sorts of mouthwatering dishes. From their famous maple bacon doughnuts to their Cajun Shrimp Biscuit Benedict, there’s no shortage of decadence at Great Maple. And Newport Beach brunch lovers can rejoice as this hotspot serves their brunch classics all day long!
With locations in Newport Beach, Costa Mesa and Santa Ana, it’s no surprise Eat Chow is a local favorite when it comes to comfort food. The restaurant serves breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner and does all of them well. If you’re stopping in for a morning bite, try the Lemon Mascarpone French Toast made with an almond encrusted baguette, mascarpone cheese, lemon curd, fresh berries and sweet red wine gastrique—a flavorful masterpiece! And if it’s a satisfying lunch or dinner you crave, Eat Chow’s Fig & Brie Panini, Chimichurri Skirt Steak and Truffle Mac “N” Cheese are all sure to hit the spot.
Set in a space built in the 1920s, A Restaurant is a time-honored eatery with cozy leather booths and an inviting atmosphere. The restaurant is known for its seasonally-inspired, New American menu with dishes highlighting local farms and purveyors. Chef Robert Gomez and his team are constantly updating the menu based on the season’s bounty, but a few comfort food classics you can depend on are the Boneless Ribeye, Angus Prime Short Ribs and Scottish Salmon. Meat eaters are sure to love A Restaurant’s prime cuts!
The Original Mama D’s Italian Kitchen
“I eat a lot of Italian food,” said nobody on a diet ever. Pizza and pasta may not be the lowest in calories, but boy, do they hit the spot during the colder months! And if you find yourself craving authentic Italian, Mama D’s knows how to whip up the favorites. With dishes like Margarita
Pizza with tomato, basil and buffalo mozzarella to perfectly-cooked gnocchi and Veal Parmigiana, you’re sure to find something to please your palate and soothe your soul.
Written By: Kaylin Waizinger
