The City of Newport Beach will host its annual Newport Beach Restaurant Week, January 21-27. “Savor the Flavor”, the theme for this year, will have approximately 75 Newport Beach eateries participating and serving up special prix-fixe lunch and dinner menus.

What we enjoy most about Restaurant Week-type events is the opportunity to try many new restaurants that we have not been to before or might not have even known about. Most restaurants will offer a minimum of three offerings per course and gives you the chance to enjoy exceptional prix-fixe meals prepared by the best chefs in Newport Beach, without having to spend too much. Pre-fixe Lunch prices are $15 or $20 and Dinners $25, $35 or $45.

Click Here For a List of 2011 Participating Restaurants with Online Menus

We were invited to attend the Newport Beach Restaurant Week kick-off event, hosted by the Pelican Hill Resort and Spa in Newport Beach. The food and beverages we sampled were provided by the resort.

Coliseum Pool & Grill at the Pelican Hill Resort and Spa

Cheesecake on a Stick and Other Desserts

Seared Scallops

Mini Angus Burgers

Steak Tartare