I'm taking 2 clients and their spouses out to dinner next weekend. We're staying in Newport Beach and the clients are in Laguna Beach. I'm looking for a dinner spot that has the best food around, and decent wine list with some reasonably priced options. Any rec's would be appreciated!

btw- my client had suggested TiAmo or Five Crowns.

I grew up in Newport and we went to the Five Crowns often, but it has been many years and I don't know how it has held up over the years.
For suggestions in Newport, you can look here:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Res...each_California.html
and in Laguna, http://www.tripadvisor.com/Res...each_California.html
One of my favorites in Laguna is Las Brisas, great food and wonderful view.

Ti Amo is heavy, big portion Italian. I’m not a fan, but it is always bumping so they are doing something right. Five Crowns is related to Lawry’s prime rib and has a similar menu. The prime rib is solid, but the place is pretty old school and the average age of the customers is 60 plus. Las Brisas has a great location and view, but the food is not very good and tailored more to tourists. (might have been a while since Justme has been there). A drink at the outside bar is not a bad idea if the weather is nice.

I like the Bungalow in Corona Del Mar which is in between Newport and Laguna. They are known for lobster, but steaks are good and the wine list is solid but CA focused. Mastro’s Ocean Club is in Newport Coast and is my favorite of the chain steakhouses in the area. Tabu Grill in Laguna has been getting rave reviews so that might be worth a look. Hope that helps.

You might want to search the forum because this thread came up before.

I grew up in the area. Plenty of good choices but I'm not current on them.

Neil