Nibbles of Tidbits, a Food Blog

The Crab Cooker — It’s one of my favorite landmarks in Newport Beach.

It’s been simple and enjoyable since 1951.

For some reason it’s hard to find consistently good Smoked Fish around here, so I’m glad it always seems to be available at The Crab Cooker.  Elsewhere it’s been previously frozen and defrosted, too dry, refrigerator flavored, unappetizing looking, or it’s too expensive.

Smoked Albacore and Smoked Salmon are favorites to have at home, as often as possible.

Fish options and prices vary.

It’s a Restaurant and Fish Market that’s walking distance from the Newport Beach Pier.

I’m always happy to eat at The Crab Cooker and perfectly satisfied afterwards.

Smoked Fish To Go — I like their Tartar Sauce, but my Cocktail Sauce is better.

And King Crab Legs could be my favorite food of all, if I had to pick one.

The Crab Cooker is an oldie, but goodie in Newport Beach.  It’s been open since 1951 and still draws a crowd each day.  The prices are relatively reasonable for a beach area restaurant and the food is consistently fresh.  Most of my recent trips have been to its Fish Market.  Since the restaurant is within walking distance to the beach, we often get the Smoked Albacore to go.  With a little Cocktail Sauce and Tartar Sauce for dipping, you’re set for a beach picnic if you can successfully avoid the pesty seagulls.

The Crab Cooker’s Smoked Salmon and King Crab Legs (pictured above) and their Manhattan Clam Chowder, Scallops on a Skewer and Romano Cheese Potatoes are also favorites of ours.  People travel miles to have the Romano Potatoes, but if you’re looking for New England Clam Chowder you won’t find it here, as they only serve Manhattan, which is different because most seafood restaurants only offer New England.

On this beautiful day in January, we enjoyed our Smoked Albacore on the beach while watching the brave surfers and boogie boarders — The water is still way too cold for me, even with a wetsuit, but it’s entertaining (and warmer) to watch.

Can you tell what’s in the photo below?  It’s our magnified sliced Smoked Albacore with Tartar Sauce and Lemon to go.

FYI:  There’s a second Crab Cooker in Tustin, California.  For location information, the menu and more restaurant history, click here.  Eat lots of fish!

I like this picture, but it might be hard to tell that the above is fresh-sliced Smoked Albacore Tuna, Lemon and Tartar Sauce.  It’s from The Crab Cooker in Newport Beach and makes a tasty TO GO snack for the ocean and beach across the street.   

When I eat inside the restaurant, I look forward to their Cheese Potatoes, Grilled Fish and King Crab Legs.  And one time I saw Adam Ant dining there.  Do you remember him?  He was just a few tables away.  That was cool because I used to be a big fan — Dog Eat Dog, Ant Invasion, etc.  For fun and quick reference (for myself), I linked two Adam and the Ants videos below.

Okay, back to the food.  The Cheese Potatoes are reminiscent of those served at the old Seafood Broiler Restaurant.  Once upon a time I worked at the one in Lakewood.  Do you remember them?  They were great.  The Crab Cooker reminds me of the admired Seafood Broiler — So if you’ve been looking for the Cheese Potatoes ever since they closed, you should check out The Crab Cooker.  I think you’ll be happy.

Related Links:

http://www.crabcooker.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KNT3NHrCR8&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtxuPqjSJDc&feature=related 

Greenleaf Gourmet Chopshop in Costa Mesa — I’m glad to see them in the neighborhood.

It’s a narrow, well utilized, stylish space with goodness to offer.

A group of us (various media) were invited to sample Happy Hour and Kid’s Menu items.

We liked it all and learned that Greenleaf Chefs take pride in each and every dish.

We especially liked the Turkey Melts on Pretzel Bread (below) and Turkey Meatballs.

The Kid’s Menu Chicken Bites with Sweet Potato Fries are pictured below.

See the Greenleaf Gourmet Chopshop website for new menu specifics.

A Delivery Program will soon be launching and Curbside Service is currently available.

They also offer Business Catering and an in-house Coffee/Juice Bar/Specialty Item Shop.

Cheers to Greenleaf with Sangria and another tasty house specialty drink.

They seem to be about healthy food and good times.

More of everything please.

Studying the Racing Form with “fresh Smoked Albacore” from Catalina Fish Kitchen — That’s how it was ordered and only how I want it.  When it’s fresh, it’s terrific, but sometimes it’s not, so keep an eye out there (and everywhere it seems lately) for freshness.  I’ve found Smoked Albacore to be most consistently fresh at The Crab Cooker and The Original Fish Company.

On to the races at Santa Anita Park — The horses are running LIVE for one more week.  Closing day happens to be Earth Day.  We almost missed ’em this year, but instead only missed the first race of this day.  That’s okay, but for the $40 I would’ve won had I got to place the bet I’d planned.  It’s all good though and an entertaining way to spend the day.

All was so fun, I semi-overlooked Ketchup on a Hot Dog. 😉

Down the street from Santa Anita Park is The Arboretum (Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden) — We stopped by after the races, but they were closed.  If what’s inside is as interesting as what’s on the outside (and I know it is), I’m excited to go back with a lot of time.

A tree I don’t want to climb.

An amazing peacock putting on a show — Its feathers were so beautiful.

I’m ready for more of everything with a Mustard Dog.

The restaurants and bars photographed for this post certainly aren’t all the restaurants and bars near and surrounding Newport Beach Pier.  We’ve previously posted others here and supplement them with this post.  It was a beautiful day in January and we did a lot of walking.  The Crab Cooker was our lunch choice this day, but we’ll eventually get around to the others.  Most of ’em we’ve already tried and some we haven’t.  The food available in Newport Beach is impressive.  If you’re looking for a specific food establishment, be sure to use our search box.  Many of the restaurants pictured below are within walking distance from the Newport Beach Pier and some are further down Newport Boulevard in Costa Mesa.

Shown above from top to bottom (l-r) is the The Old Spaghetti Factory, Charlie’s Chili, 21 Oceanfront Restaurant, Perry’s Pizza, The Blue Beet, O Cafe, Mutt Lynch’s, Matahari Mediterranean Cafe, Newport Beach Brewing Company, Mama D’s Italian Kitchen, Las Fajitas Restaurant, Pescadou Bistro, The Meat House (Opened 01/2010), Eat Chow, Mimi’s Cafe and Outback Steakhouse.

* Enlarge photos for a better view of the respective restaurants.

There are so many restaurants in Newport Beach and Costa Mesa.  You especially notice them if you’re on foot.  Below is a pictorial view of our walk from Costa Mesa to Newport Beach, then back.  Are you local?  Can you trace the route by street?  These pictures are in travel order from (general) start to finish.  Aloha Grill was our first stop, which is finally open — Then working on down (L-R) is Super Pollo, Santa Monica Seafood and continuing.

Mesa Grill & Barbecue, The Omelette Parlor/Chester Drawers, Billy’s at the Beach, Wine Lab Newport, Villa Nova Ristorante and A Restaurant (formerly The Arches).

On to Woody’s Diner, Avilas El Ranchito, Ten Sushi Steaks, Woody’s Wharf, The Crab Cooker and The Chicken Coop.

I’ve tried most of the above and wrote about some on Nibbles of Tidbits and for other publications.  I haven’t yet tried Mesa Grill & Barbecue, The Omelette Parlor, Ten, A Restaurant, or the Wine Lab Newport, so check back HERE for future information about them.

Related Links:

http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=875

http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=1266

http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=1259

http://ocmexfood.blogspot.com/search?q=super+pollo