Billy’s at the Beach brings a tropical feel to Newport

Greer Wylder

Tropical-theme dining offers a vacation feel. Popular local choices

are the consistently spectacular Roy’s of Newport Beach in Fashion

Island; the relaxed Tommy Bahamas Tropical Cafe in the Corona del Mar

Plaza; and the overly kid-friendly Rain Forest Cafe at South Coast

Plaza. Another favorite is the under-appreciated waterfront

restaurant, Billy’s at the Beach on Coast Highway in Newport Beach.

Billy’s at the Beach opened 10 years ago. It’s named after Bill

Craig, who co-owns it with his son, Rick. Customers go to Billy’s for

its casual, relaxed tropical atmosphere, bayfront view and

vacation-vibe patio, in addition to its extensive fresh Hawaiian

seafood and thick, flavorful steaks. But its incredible mai tais

($6.75) compel a return visit. They are unforgettable!

Bill Craig’s love of Hawaii is on display throughout the

restaurant. The decor features tropical prints, tasteful pictures of

beautiful topless Hawaiian women, bamboo wall treatments, floor to

ceiling bay-view windows, woven grass ceilings, a semicircular bar

and rattan furniture. All 17 tables have bay views.

Live music, daily from 8 to 11 p.m., includes Jimmy Buffet and

other easy-listening acts. Outdoor dining is available on the side

patio, which has an inviting wood bar that’s perfect for balmy

nights.

Billy’s self-proclaimed “world famous” mai tais ($6.75) instantly

conjure up Hawaiian flashbacks: puka shells, leis, serene beaches,

waterfalls, rainbows and centipede bites. Be careful. Something about

the way Billy’s perfectly blends Bacardi light rum, orange curacao

and fruit juices, serves it over crushed ice, floats Diamond Head

dark rum on top and throws in a fresh pineapple slice makes this

potent drink go down easy. Plus, no umbrellas.

Dare to try other tropical drinks? Billy’s frosty pina colada

($7.50) combines light rum with Coco Lopez, pineapple chunks and

juices. It’s sweet and simple. The taste of the blue Hawaiian ($6.95)

is slightly reminiscent of pina colada, despite being blue and

unblended. The drink is made by pouring lemon rum, coconut rum, blue

curacao and pineapple juice over crushed ice. Billy’s twist on a

tequila sunrise, vodka-based red sunrise ($6.75) is made from smooth

Ketel One vodka, Remy red liqueur and orange juice served over ice,

garnished with an orange slice. It’s perfectly refreshing.

Billy’s other tropical drinks are not in the same class. The

planters punch ($7.50) combines dark rum, four fruit juices, sugar

and grenadine and is garnished with an orange. The very sour navy

grog ($7.95) features three rums hand shaken with fresh lime juice

and rock candy syrup. There’s also a list of trendy drinks:

cosmopolitan, lemon drop, sour apple martini and more, but ordering

those at Billy’s wouldn’t fit.

By the way, Billy’s also boasts an award-winning list of 300

wines. Wine connoisseurs even get a breakdown of owner’s favorite

imported and domestic wines.

Seafood, with a sprinkling of beef and poultry choices, dominates

the lunch menu. Appetizers (pupus) include crab cakes, pan fried and

served with burre blanc and mango sauce ($9.75); barbecued baby back

pork ribs with Billy’s backyard luau sauce ($7.95); and seared ahi

crusted with black sesame, served with burre blanc and Dijon soy

sauces ($9.75), though true ahi lovers won’t need the sauces.

Fresh soups include New England-style clam chowder ($5.25) and

Bermuda-style fish chowder ($5.95), a spicy favorite. It’s a tomato

soup with chunks of fresh fish. To offset the spiciness, the soup

comes with cruets of dark rum and sherry pepper.

Fresh seafood comes from Kona or Maui if the menu doesn’t specify.

Fish plates are served with a coleslaw vinaigrette and choice of

steamed Jasmine rice or French fries. The best bet for an entree

salad is the Caesar with seared ahi tuna or grilled chicken, chopped

Romaine lettuce, fresh Parmesan and homemade Hawaiian bread croutons,

tossed with the chef’s Caesar dressing ($12.95).

The sandwiches and more listings include a well-seasoned Billy’s

beach burger with French fries or coleslaw (9.95), the grilled ahi

sandwich with caramelized onions and Dijon soy sauce ($10.95), the

spicy ginger rice bowl ($13.95), deep-fried fish tacos ($10.95) and

the Hawaiian Ono fish and chips ($11.95).

The dinner menu offers a long list of appetizers (pupus), mostly

Hawaiian style: Cho Cho, skewers of grilled tenderloin in a teriyaki

sauce ($7.95); coconut shrimp ($7.95); poke, sashimi diced and tossed

in Lima seaweed and shoyu ($7.95); and fresh smoked fish platter

served with cheese, fruit and sauces ($9.95). The same seafood soups

are offered at lunch and dinner, plus an entree size shrimp or crab

Louis salad.

A fresh fish menu with about six choices is printed daily, along

with chef’s specials incorporating Hawaiian seafood and beef

selections. For entrees choose from steaks, seafood, roasted rack of

lamb and linguini with clam sauce. Main courses come with a generous

portion of fresh vegetables, regular or twice baked cheese potato, or

steamed rice; tableside tossed salad, and Hawaiian garlic cheese

bread. For lighter dinners order from the small plates selection:

grilled chicken breast ($18.96), Billy’s beach burger ($9.95),

grilled ahi sandwich ($10.95), fish and chips $12.95).

Prices are reasonable here considering the ample portions and

waterfront location.

Lunch price ranges: appetizers $7.95 to $10.95; soups $5.25 to

$5.95; fresh fish $16.95 to $52; salads $10.95 to $13.95; sandwiches

and more $9.95 to $17.95.

Dinner price ranges: appetizers $7.95 to $10.95; soups and salads

$5.25 to $13.95; entrees $18.95 to $52; small plates ate $9.95 to

$12.95.

Lunch is served daily from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Dinner is

served 4:30 to 10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday; and from 4:30 p.m. to

midnight Friday and Saturday.

Billy’s at the Beach is at 2751 W. Coast Highway in Newport Beach.

(949) 722-1100.

*

Cafe Pascal, at South Coast Plaza, is offering a great summer

program called “Sunsets Under the Bridge” from 6 to 9 p.m. every

Thursday. You can relax and enjoy Parisian lounge music presented by

audio therapist Michael Bassler. Favorite French specialties and

wines are offered with a special two-course dinner and wine tasting.

The offer includes six pours of wine, red and white, for $25 per

person. Call (714) 751-4911.

Thaifoon, Taste of Asia restaurant now has a Web site and an

electronic newsletter that offers future promotions. You can go to

www.thaifoon.com and click on “contact us/Preferred guest club.”

Thaifoon, Taste of Asia is in Fashion Island in Newport Beach. (949)

644-0133.

* BEST BITES runs every Friday. Greer Wylder can be reached at

[email protected]; at 330 W. Bay St., Costa Mesa, CA 92627; or by

fax at (949) 646-4170.