Pizzeria Mozza
After a long prelude, Newport Beach’s highly anticipated Pizzeria Mozza arrives with pizazz, and dining critic Gretchen Kurz is happy to find it lives up to the hype. Olives al forno, fried squash blossoms, and a knockout caprese salad are divine starters, but the fabled pizzas, such as the Gorgonzola dolce-and-potato, and the egg-and-bacon, really draw crowds.
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French 75 Bistro & Champagne Bar
Years of struggle have given way to a new chef and new menu at this romantic Laguna Beach hideaway. Chef Greg Moro, a protégé of Pascal Olhats, creates time-honored plates with an edge, such as plump escargot with bacon and pinot noir-tinged butter, that pair excellently with the famed champagne cocktails. It’s the ideal Valentine’s destination for those who enjoy cozy quarters and comforting Gallic fare.
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