Starfish Laguna Beach, a hip restaurant along Pacific Coast Highway known for their Pan-Asian coastal cuisine, is working to open their second location. Starfish Newport Beach will be located at 191 Riverside Ave. near The Garden shopping mall and Newport Marina.
Owners Archie and Gretchen McConnell originally started Starfish Laguna Beach inspired by the coastlines of Thailand, Vietnam, China, Korea and Japan. Gretchen tells What Now Orange County that an opening is planned for February 2023, though she anticipates opening before then.
Original plans to open this year did not pan out due to unforeseen delays, but now it seems they are back on track. A building permit found in city public records was recently issued to the restaurant, indicating tenant improvements to a 1,814-square foot retail space that will be transformed into the sleek and splashy restaurant that Starfish is known to be.
Their 90-item menu boasts dishes such as Korean Tacos, Drunken Noodles, Chicken Satay and Vietnamese Rolls. Gretchen adds that Starfish Newport Beach will be a wine bar focused on exotic sake cocktails and beers. Meant to be paired with their menu, the drink list will include Japanese shochu and other delicious sake libations made with unique Asian ingredients.
Visit starfishnewportbeach.com for more information.
