Back Bay Bistro

With spring in full swing and summer just within reach, Back Bay Bistro is a waterfront dining experience, day or night. Tucked away in Back Bay Nature Preserve, this restaurant provides beautiful views to go along with the beautiful weather. The restaurant is fitted with fifteen-foot high panoramic windows and a retractable roof for the interior along with a waterfront patio to watch luxury yachts cruising in and out of Newport Bay.

Nested in the popular Upper Newport Bay with a panoramic view of the Back Bay Nature preserve, Back Bay Bistro is a contemporary 199-seat dining establishment featuring a number of innovative design elements including large gilded framed mirrors, comfortable wicker chairs, lounge seating in the bar and a sophisticated retractable awning giving the restaurant a “convertible roof.” With 60 al fresco seats providing guests with refreshing breezes off Newport’s Back Bay, the restaurant specializes in fresh, sustainable seafood.

Funny location but worth the trip. Tucked among the boat launches of the back bay, this restaurant is a real find. We went for their Sunday brunch. At this writing it was $28 dollars and a real bargain. There was all the things you expect at a good Sunday brunch - lots of fresh seafood, carving station, omelet bar, pasta bar, waffles and pancakes, salads, entrees, cheese and fruit, desserts.

The space itself is really lovely. You can dine either outside overlooking the back bay ( here you can even bring your dog) or inside a large atrium space that is bright and airy.

Service was excellent and quality of the food was top notch across the board.

Best View in Newport Beach. Been there many times! I love the restaurant, dining on the water, great entertainment on Friday & Saturday nights! They also have a patio area where you can bring your pet. The food is awesome, great Kobe beef sliders,
chicken wrap, pecan crusted chicken and the steaks!!

We had a great dinner of on the water at sunset. the Lamb Chops were great. but the Chocolate Thunder desserts was the best part of the meal.

Blueberry Bliss is made with blueberry vodka, triple sec, freshly squeezed lemon topped with champagne served in a martini glass with a sugar rim. If you love blueberries as much as I do, this is a must-try. It had a strong blueberry flavor and tasted like punch. It was deceptively light, similar to soju, so sip and enjoy. Rating: 5/5 Cucumber Cosmo is made with cucumber infused vodka, elder flower liqueur, cucumber puree, and lime juice served in a martini glass. This was a very refreshing drink that just sings “spring”. The cucumbers and lime flavors were light and tangy. Elder flower added a little bit of flower aroma like walking through a meadow in full bloom of flowers. Rating: 5/5 Yellow Fin Ahi Sashimi is served with seaweed salad, wasabi, and pickled ginger. The ahi was very fresh with a beautiful reddish pink hue. Growing up in a family of Japanese fishmongers, I thought the slices were a little too thick for sashimi. I loved the soup spoon as the wasabi/shoyu holder, but since the slices were so thick it was hard to dip. I loved the wakame (seaweed) salad too, but I think the portion needs to be larger. It makes a nice bite with the ahi. Rating: 4/5 Grilled Salmon served with beer beurre blanc on a bed of spaghetti squash, walnuts, and bacon pieces. The salmon was succulent with a buttery texture. I love spaghetti squash and glad they are using this underutilized delight. The sweet spaghetti texture of the squash paired perfectly with the nutty walnut and smoky, salty bacon. Rating: 5/5 Bay Scallop Ceviche is marinated bay scallops, lime juice, and tomatillo salsa topped with chip confetti. The scallops had a nice soft, yet chewy texture. There was also some shrimp in the mix. It was not over citrusy and had a slightly spicy kick. Rating: 4.5/5 Ahi Tower is hand cut ahi served with avocado, tomato, and citrus gastrique. The tuna was fresh and set like a chunky tartare. The creamy avocado, sweet tomatoes, and crispy wonton chips provided a good mouthfeel. Rating: 4/5 Slow Cooked Short Rib is traditionally braised short rib served with mashed potatoes, carrot, and spinach. The short ribs were very meaty, tender, and savory. The braising sauce is amazing! It could be used as another sauce choice for a steak. Rating: 4.5/5 Filet of Beef is USDA Prime dry aged for 30 days served seasonal vegetables and topped with your choice of Back Bay Bistro steak sauce, gorgonzola bacon sauce, or green peppercorn sauce. The filet was grilled to a perfect rare for me. The texture was soft, tender, and cut like butter. The gorgonzola bacon sauce tasted more like a burgundy sauce with wine and mushroom flavors coming to the forefront. The gorgonzola and bacon flavors were lost, making it sweet rather than savory. Rating: 4.5/5 Lobster Mac N’ Cheese is made with truffle asiago cheese, pepper bacon, and New England Lobster meat. This was a great option since the hubby and I both ordered beef dishes. The cheese sauce needed to be thicker to coat the macaroni better. The peppery bacon was too flavor forward completely outshining the sweet lobster flavor. Neither the truffle flavor nor aroma was apparent. Rating: 3.5/5 Crème Brûlée is a traditional custard with fresh berries. It was very creamy with lots of vanilla bean inside. It had a nice stained glass-like brûlée on top. The mix of raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, and whipped cream on top were a nice touch. Rating: 4.5/5 Tiramisu Mason is made with marinated coffee biscuit with mascarpone cream. If you love tiramisu like me, this is the dessert for you. After a hearty meat entrée, this was perfect. It was light and had all the flavors and textures associated with a tiramisu – espresso soaked ladyfingers and fluffy mascarpone. The strawberries added a tangy sweetness and reinforced the spring theme. Rating: 5/5

I went here a while back and the food was really good! Loved it

Nice view, excellent drinks! Service a bit slow, fish tacos needed a little more flavor. I would go again.

Fabulous brunches... Never letting them go- keeping them at the Bistro! 💗💗💗💗

Buffet for Saturday brunch was definitely a good choice even on a rainy day. The view alone is perfect what more on a sunny day. Service was a hit and a miss. But food was definitely good. Would recommend calling ahead or making a reservation on Yelp. My first brunch experience was okay. No plus or minuses. You pay for the scenic view for sure. Will return in better weather!