Welcome Joey to the Neighborhood

Dine Out

Feb 25

By: Kym Whitney, Photo Credit: Christina Gandolfo, CGandolfo Pictures, Inc.

To kick off 2023, the Canadian-born JOEY Restaurant Group opened their refined yet casual dining experience to Newport Beach with a team of award-winning chefs, a globally inspired menu, and iconic hospitality. Conveniently located at Fashion Island next to True Food Kitchen. The newest location marks the restaurant group’s fourth in California, joining Downtown LA, Manhattan Beach, and Woodland Hills.

JOEY Newport Beach officially opened its doors with a grand opening event on January 19, 2023, and it did not disappoint. The restaurant was packed from opening until closing. It was a high-energy evening with many familiar local faces. The check-in staff was attentive and offered complimentary champagne while waiting to be seated. The waitstaff was on their a-game, and it was clear JOEY takes pride in customer service.

At our waiter's recommendation, we started with the handmade Hummus, Japanese Gyoza, and Szechuan Chicken Lettuce Wraps. Insider Tip: all three are must-haves, but especially the Hummus). For our main entrees, we enjoyed the Steak and Sushi (we opted for the seared salmon option and upgrade to filet), Sake Glazed Chilean Sea Bass, and Steak with Crab Cake (upgraded to filet). Our finale included Crème Brûlée Cheesecake and Warm Italian Donuts (not to be missed).

What stood out is the expansive menu of globally inspired dishes. There is truly something for everyone.

“The JOEY menu has immensely evolved since we first came to California to open JOEY Woodland Hills in 2015, and it has been an exciting challenge to enhance and develop new dishes that continue to celebrate our globally inspired cuisine while staying true to the restaurant's roots,” said Matthew Stowe, Executive Director of Culinary, JOEY Restaurant Group.

In addition to the food menu, there is a diverse selection of cocktails, including the JOEY Supers, a twist on the classic highball with signature lemon and lime slush, JOEY is enhancing the guest experience with the debut of their Reserve wine list curated by group Sommelier Jason Yamasaki. JOEY also offers exceptional spirits, including the unique and limited-edition JOEY Reserve Peach Brûlée, a bourbon whisky created by the JOEY bar team in collaboration with Maker’s Mark Distillery. Our personal favorites were the Mezcal Drink (yes, this is the name!) and the Supernova Vodka Soda.

JOEY Newport Beach greets visitors with natural, warm materials consisting of light brick, warm wood, stone, and leather. The full extent of the interior dining and lounge opens to the patio (1,992 square feet), which features retractable sections of roof, providing coverage and the ability to open to the day or evening sky. A large-scale outdoor fire pit offers guests an inviting lounge area while waiting for their table or the option to stay and enjoy drinks fireside on a custom concrete and teak circular bench. Extensive landscaping and live trees in the center of the patio provide an oasis amongst the patio bar and dining areas.

The restaurant interior flaunts a Bocci light installation spanning over the dining area and presents guests with a showcase kitchen that sits adjacent to a stunning stone bar with retractable TVs and a custom bronze ceiling fixture above the bar. True to each JOEY location, the Newport Beach location exhibits elements indicative of the region and features a gallery wall highlighting several hand-picked local artists.

We are thrilled to have JOEY as our neighbor and look forward to breaking bread here for years to come.